Oblivious to her reaction, the stranger kept talking. "By the way, I've never known your name."
"Call me Alexia, and today I shall defend my dignity!"
She proclaimed through gritted teeth before lunging at him, claws extended.
He raised a brow, entirely unfazed. "Oh, so eager. Don't worry, if you wish to undress me, neither I nor my garment will put up a fight."
Alexia's soul momentarily left her body.
For a solid second, her mind blanked. Then, rage surged like wildfire.
"He did NOT just say that—"
With little effort, he caught her wrist mid-attack, lifted her effortlessly, and slammed her onto the ground.
The impact rattled through her bones, and she let out a low groan.
Shaking his head, the man sighed. "I should also mention—I don't fight children."
Alexia lay there, eyes wide open, staring at the void above.
"…I'm going to kill him."
[ Host, please reconsider. ]
Alexia's fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms.
"Dignity? Forget that. I'll settle for breaking his nose."
Lying on the floor, Alexia groaned, trying to push herself up. "I wish you a slow, painful death."
The man chuckled, utterly unbothered. "Sure you do. Though, knowing me, I'd probably just come back to life and haunt you for fun."
Alexia shot him a glare as she sat up. "I hate you."
He smirked. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, darling."
Before she could react, he casually scooped her up.
Her body tensed, instincts kicking in as she clung to him to avoid falling. What is wrong with this man?!
He glanced down at her, amusement glinting in his fiery eyes. "Slow down. These nighttime adventures should be saved for later."
[ Host, Hermes will temporarily shut down if my presence will inconvenience you. ]
Alexia blinked. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
She turned back to the infuriating man holding her. I'll deal with him later.
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Alexia narrowed her eyes, already bracing for whatever ridiculousness was about to leave his mouth.
The phoenix gave a slow, knowing smile. "The green ones are always the best when grown and nurtured."
Silence.
He seemed to expect some kind of reaction. Alexia just stared.
"…What?"
He sighed dramatically. "Unripe fruit or fully ripened— which do you think is sweeter?"
[ Host, do not engage. ]
Alexia, of course, engaged.
"Depends on the fruit," she said, arms crossed. "Some are good when sour, some need time, and some just stay bitter forever."
The phoenix blinked. Then, his lips curved into an intrigued smirk. "Clever girl."
He reached out—
Alexia dodged.
"Did you just try to pat my head?" she demanded.
He looked completely unbothered. "Would you rather I ruffle your hair?"
[ Host, you may be in danger. Or not. That is relative to your feelings. ]
Alexia gave Hermes a deadpan look. "You are zero help."
Alexia tilted her head, a playful smile curving her lips. "Maybe it's the one left alone and isn't being held hostage."
I tied someone up, and now I'm being held captive. There's a lesson in there somewhere… probably.
Helian grinned. "Feisty. I like it."
And then, without warning, he dropped her.
With a resounding crash, Alexia hit the ground.
Lying there, she groaned. "I miss height."
Helian stretched, completely unbothered. "By the way, you can call me…"
He paused for a fraction of a second—too brief to be intentional but just long enough to be noticed.
"Helian. I think."
He mumbled the last part, his brows furrowing slightly before quickly masking it with a teasing smile.
Alexia blinked. "You think?"
Quicker than he expected, she was already back on her feet, grinning up at him as if she hadn't just been thrown to the ground twice.
Her golden eyes sparkled with mischief. "How come you don't sound sure?"
Helian's own amusement deepened as he watched her bounce back like she hadn't been bodied twice in the last five minutes.
"Fascinating."
"Don't you think we should figure out how to get out of here first? Or…" Helian leaned in, his voice dropping into something smooth, teasing, "…do you want to do something more intriguing?"
His breath brushed against her skin, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
Alexia blinked. "Oh?"
[ Host, please. He isn't talking about an actual game. ]
"Oh."
The disinterest in her voice was immediate, but just as quickly, her expression brightened again. "Do you have the Fire Heart Stone? Little Flame promised he'd lead me to it."
For a fleeting second, sadness flickered in her eyes at the mention of Little Flame, but it was gone just as fast—replaced by expectation as she eagerly awaited his answer.
"Ohhh, so that's how it is?" Helian's smirk deepened, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Alexia crossed her arms. "Do you have it or not?"
"Of course I do. No wonder you were looking at me like a starving wolf eyeing fresh meat."
Her face ignited. "I WASN'T!"
Helian rested his chin on his palm, clearly savoring her reaction. "Since you want it so badly, it's only fair I get something in return."
"..."
"Hmmm?" His voice dripped with amusement.
Alexia inhaled sharply. "Fine."
A heavy silence fell.
[ RIP HOST. ]
"Two things, actually. No—make it three."
Alexia's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Helian tilted his head, his golden-orange eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, I don't know. But I think being both a dragon and an elf isn't exactly… normal."
Her breath hitched. She stared at him, wide-eyed.
"But what would happen if that little secret got out?"
Alexia's fingers curled into fists. "I still look like a cursed hybrid," she muttered under her breath.
Dismissing the fear tightening in her chest, she gritted her teeth. "Spit it out. What exactly are you aiming for? Why do you want to ruin my life?!"
The last words slipped out before she could stop them.
Helian merely smiled. "Do you agree to my three requests? Yes or no?"
Alexia clenched her fists. Every instinct screamed at her to demand more details, to fight back—but the Fire Heart Stone was right there. The thing she had been chasing. The thing she needed.
"...Yes," she whispered reluctantly.
Helian's smile deepened. "Good girl."
Her eye twitched.
Before she could snap at him, he placed a hand over his chest. A soft glow pulsed beneath his fingers, and with a flick of his wrist, a ruby-red, heart-shaped stone materialized in his palm.
Alexia's breath caught. She barely registered his next words.
"You're lucky I had this one formed before my death. Otherwise, I'd have to kill you to make another."
She froze.
Her gaze flicked up to meet his, searching for any sign of a joke. But Helian just stood there, holding the very thing she needed, his expression unreadable—except for the ever-present amusement.
Alexia swallowed.
'…What the hell did I just agree to?'
"I give you my heart. Literally."
Helian laughed, his voice rich with amusement.
Alexia barely heard him, too busy clutching the stone like it was the most precious thing in the world. "Yes—" Her breath hitched, relief crashing into her—
—until his words actually registered.
Her tears practically reversed.
"Wait. What?"
Helian smirked. "My first request is…" His eyes darkened, teasing smile never faltering. "Give that stone to someone worthy to consume."
Alexia's fingers curled around the Fire Heart Stone. "Why?"
His gaze flickered with something unreadable. "Whoever holds that stone holds my heart. Meaning we are bonded as one. Except… not in the way I'd like."
His smirk widened as he met her stare, enjoying her confusion far too much.
"Rank increase, regeneration, and the eternal friendship of a literal demigod—" he listed off lazily, then added with a low chuckle, "There's a reason my heart isn't cheap."
"Bonded? Forever?" Alexia whispered, her fingers tracing the surface of the stone. Am I really about to give this to my father?
[ Host, please carefully think this through. ]
Yeah, yeah. Later.
She lifted her gaze, meeting Helian's ever-amused stare. "Why'd you just hand it over? No fight, no tricks—technically, you didn't have to."
Helian paused at her words, his playful smile fading into a thoughtful sigh.
"What can I say? I watched your struggles, everything you went through to get here."
Then, just as quickly, his soft smile returned—this time with a teasing glint as he winked at her.
"You touched my heart. And, well… I wouldn't mind being bonded to you for eternity."
Alexia studied him carefully before giving a solemn nod. "Got it. What are your two other requests?"
"You'll find out later, but right now, let's get out of here."
With a wave of his hand, an unstable rift tore open in the endless void.
"No time to waste." He grabbed her wrist before leaping through the rift, his other hand firmly holding the hem of his red cloth.
Alexia let him pull her along, her mind barely registering the warmth of his grip.
I should be furious at him… but I can't bring myself to be.
Her thoughts shattered when she collided with something hard and warm.
Heat flooded her face, and any trace of composure was promptly thrown out the window.
"Helian! Let me go."
"How cruel. You take my heart but reject my affection." He held her tighter.
Annoyed, she shoved him away—only for him to actually stumble back, landing on something soft.
Wait. A bed?
Alexia blinked.
Helian, sprawled across the luxurious sheets, smirked up at her.
Alexia barely had time to process the rift before she stumbled into a scene straight out of a fever dream.
Red. So much red.
Her golden eyes darted around the room, taking in the extravagant decor—silk drapes cascading from the ceiling like flowing rivers of crimson, ornate silver pillars that gleamed under the light of massive chandeliers, and a mirror so unnecessarily fancy it had a giant, sculpted rose curling around its frame.
A massive, luxuriously made bed sat in the center of it all, looking like it belonged to some overly dramatic villain with too much money and not enough restraint. Even the pillows had embroidery.
Alexia exhaled slowly. What fresh hell is this?
She turned to Helian. "Is this your room or a shrine dedicated to your own ego?"
Helian grinned. "Why not both?"
Before she could argue, his grip on her wrist tightened, and with zero warning, he gave a firm tug—
—sending her crashing onto the ridiculously soft bed.
Alexia barely had time to register the warmth beneath her before realization slammed into her like a runaway carriage.
Her breath hitched.
Her hands were splayed against something solid. Warm. Alive.
Oh.
Oh no.
Slowly, hesitantly, she looked up—
—straight into Helian's golden-orange eyes, twinkling with amusement.
"Liking the view?" he teased, propping himself up on one elbow, completely unbothered.
Alexia's face burned hotter than a dragon's flame.
"GET OFF!"