Eleo clapped his face with both hands, bracing himself. "Okay, okay! Let's figure this out." He jumped out of the bush dramatically, pointing a finger at the group. "Alright, which one of you is evil?!"
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The two men in suits turned to look at him, momentarily stunned. The first man tilted his head and smirked. "Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," he said, nudging his companion.
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The second man snickered. "Yeah, look at him. Did you lose your mommy, kid?"
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Eleo crossed his arms, looking serious—or as serious as a twelve-year-old bunny kid could look. "Nope, I'm here to ask questions. Are you guys evil or not?"
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The first man raised an eyebrow, laughing. "No, kid. We're Recruits!" He puffed out his chest. "Role: New members in training. Assists Officers and learns basic duties. And we are the Ascendants, the supreme council military force!"
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Eleo blinked rapidly, trying to keep up. "Uh... wait, wait, wait. Too many words. Supreme council I know that. New members in training... huh?" He rubbed his temples and groaned. "Man, you guys are like school but worse!"
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The demon girl, watching this ridiculous exchange, scoffed and spat at the first man, hitting him square in the cheek. "Eat shit, asshole!" she growled, her voice dripping with venom.
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She followed up by flipping him off with both hands, her glowing yellow eyes glaring daggers. "Why don't you go crawl back under whatever rock you came from, you pathetic grunt!"
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The first man wiped his cheek, his face turning red with anger. "Ahh, you bitch!" he yelled, raising his gun. "Not only are we taking your horns, wings, and tail—we're gonna kill you for that!"
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The demon girl's confidence faltered for a moment, and she stammered, "I-If you kill me, the entire demon race will go to war with you!"
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The second man chuckled darkly. "Like we care. It's not like you're gonna live long enough to see it happen."
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Eleo stood there, scratching his head again. "Wait, so you're going to kill her?"
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The first man looked over at him, annoyed. "Yeah, kid. She's a demon. She's evil. This is just pest control."
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Eleo shrugged. "Oh, okay. Continue doing what you're doing then." He waved casually and began to walk away.
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The demon girl's jaw dropped in disbelief. "What the hell?! You're just gonna leave me here, you little furball?! I'll kill you first!"
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She gritted her teeth, then formed a tiny sphere of glowing purple gas in her palm, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "Let's see if you're dumb enough to fall for this..."
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She tossed the gas toward Eleo, and it exploded into a faint cloud around him. Eleo blinked as his eyes suddenly turned into cartoonish hearts. His body stiffened, and his arms fell limply to his sides.
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"Whoaaaa," he said, his voice dreamy. He turned back to the demon girl, his heart-shaped eyes sparkling. "You're... sooooo pretty..."
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The demon girl smirked, tilting her head with mock sweetness. "Aw, thanks, bunny boy. Now, be a good little hero and untie me before these losers do something stupid!"
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The first man stepped forward, raising his gun. "What the hell is this? Kid, don't even think about it!"
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Eleo turned to the men, his fists clenched. "How dare you threaten such a beautiful lady! I'll save you, miss demon girl!"
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The second man facepalmed. "Are you serious right now?! This kid is brainwashed!"
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The demon girl burst out laughing, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Brainwashed? Nooo, he's just finally seeing reason. Now hurry up, bunny boy, chop-chop!"
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Eleo cracked his knuckles. "Alright, villains! Time for you to get a taste of justice... and my fists!"
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He lunged forward, landing two solid gut punches on the men, their eyes bulging in shock. Before they could react, Eleo grabbed each of them by the collars and, with surprising strength for someone his size, hurled them far into the forest. Their screams faded into the distance until there was nothing but silence.
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Dusting his hands with a satisfied grin, Eleo turned to the tree where the demon girl hung. "Alright, time to save the damsel!" He hopped up the tree with ease and began biting through the ropes like a determined bunny.
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The demon girl, dangling and watching him, muttered, "Damsel? Oh, please."
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With a final chomp, the ropes snapped, and she plummeted to the ground, landing with a hard thud. "Ow, you jerk!" she yelled, glaring up at him as she rubbed her backside.
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Eleo hopped down and leaned toward her, concern in his voice. "Are you okay, my dear?"
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The demon girl, clearly flustered, waved him off with a huff. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. I didn't ask for your help anyway!" She snapped her fingers casually, releasing the purple gas still clouding his head.
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Eleo stumbled, holding his head. "Ugh... my head. What just happened?"
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Lilith smirked, crossing her arms and leaning slightly toward him. "Oh, nothing much. Those Recruits saw reason and decided to let me go. We even waved goodbye to each other. Super friendly."
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Eleo tilted his head in innocent surprise. "Oh, that's nice! But why am I standing all the way over here?"
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Lilith blinked, quickly trying to come up with an answer. "Uh, because... you wanted to tell me your name! Yeah, that's it!"
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Eleo's face brightened, his usual enthusiasm returning. "Oh! Right! I'm Eleo, the one who's going to become the strongest! And I'm twelve years old!"
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Lilith stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, loud and mocking. "You? The strongest? Oh, don't make me laugh! That's the funniest thing I've heard in years!"
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She took a deep breath, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye. "And you're twelve? You're barely out of diapers, bunny boy."
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Eleo, unaffected by her teasing, simply smiled. "Yup! That's me!" He turned and started walking away casually.
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Lilith froze, her laughter dying instantly as she noticed him leaving. "Hey! Don't walk away while I'm talking!" she yelled, her voice sharp.
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Eleo paused, looking over his shoulder with a sheepish grin. "Oh, sorry! I just need to head to town so I can look for a boat."
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Lilith stomped her foot, her hands balled into fists. "What kind of idiot turns his back on a demon princess mid-conversation?! Do you even know who I am?!"
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Eleo turned back fully, tilting his head. "Oh? Who are you?"
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Lilith straightened her posture, brushing invisible dust off her dress. "I am Lilith, the Demon Princess, heir to the throne of the underworld! And I am also twelve years old! You should bow to me, you peasant!"
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She smirked, expecting Eleo to be awed by her introduction. But instead, she opened her eyes to see him already walking away again.
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"Hey!" she yelled, her face turning red. "Are you even listening to me?!"
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Eleo turned his head slightly, flashing her a carefree grin. "Yup! Nice to meet you, Lilith! But I gotta go now. See ya!"
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Lilith clenched her fists, her pride stinging. "What kind of idiot just leaves after hearing my name?! The nerve!" She watched him walk further into the forest, muttering under her breath, "Stupid bunny... I should've let those Recruits take him..."
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But as she stood there, her expression softened slightly, and she sighed. "What an idiot..." A small smile tugged at her lips. "A ridiculous idiot..."
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As Eleo strolled through the forest, humming a silly tune, he heard faint footsteps crunching on the leaves behind him. Stopping abruptly, he turned his head and saw Lilith walking a few paces behind him, looking anywhere but at him.
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"Hey," Eleo called out, tilting his head curiously. "Why are you following me?"
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Lilith stiffened, her face flushing slightly as she scrambled for an answer. "W-what? Me? Following you? Don't flatter yourself!" She crossed her arms and turned her nose up. "I'm not following anyone, okay? I just... happen to be going in the same direction as you."
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Eleo grinned wide, his carefree nature shining through. "Oh really? You're going to town too? That's awesome!"
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Lilith froze for a split second, her eyes darting nervously. "Uh... yeah! Of course, I am!" She straightened her posture, trying to look confident. "I know exactly where the town is."
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Eleo's smile grew even wider, and he pumped his fist in excitement. "Wow, that's perfect! I thought I was going to wander around this forest forever. I was starting to think I'd have to eat berries and bugs!" He leaned toward her, his eyes shining with admiration. "You're like a lifesaver, Lilith! A hero even!"
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Lilith blinked at him, her mouth slightly agape. "Hero?" she muttered under her breath, clearly caught off guard. Shaking her head quickly, she cleared her throat. "I mean... well, of course. I am pretty amazing, after all."
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"Totally!" Eleo said with a grin. "So, which way do we go, fearless guide?"
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Lilith faltered for a moment, her pride not allowing her to admit she had no idea where town was. She pointed vaguely ahead. "That way! Definitely that way."
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Eleo nodded eagerly. "Okay, lead the way!"
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As they walked, Lilith peeked at Eleo, a thought forming in her mind: how could someone this oblivious make her feel... happy?
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As they continued their walk through the dense forest, Lilith's sharp eyes caught a glint of light reflecting off the necklace around Eleo's neck. Curiosity got the better of her, and she crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.
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"Hey, bunny boy," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm and curiosity, "what's that thing around your neck? The fox-looking thing?"
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Eleo instinctively reached up, grabbing the small fox pendant and holding it close to his chest. His expression softened, a warm smile spreading across his face. "This? This is Abby."
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Lilith raised an eyebrow, her aloof demeanor faltering slightly. "Abby? You're carrying around some girl named Abby?"
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Eleo nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! She gave this to me before I left. She said it would help me remember her."
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Lilith's expression darkened slightly, and she let out a faint "Oh," almost under her breath. Her usual sharp tone softened as she added, "So... she's your girlfriend, then?"
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Eleo blinked, tilting his head like a confused puppy. "Uh... girlfriend? I thought it was called 'only friend.' That's what Abby said we were."
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Lilith stopped in her tracks, her prideful nature kicking in as she put her hands on her hips. "You're serious right now? You don't know what a girlfriend is?"
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Eleo scratched his head, clearly puzzled. "Nope. What's that? Some kind of special friend? Like... a super friend?"
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Lilith groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "No, bunny boy, it's not a super friend." She let out an exaggerated sigh, masking something more subtle. "A girlfriend is... ugh, how do I even explain this to you?"
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"Just tell me straight!" Eleo said cheerfully. "I like learning new things!"
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Lilith crossed her arms, a faint pink hue creeping onto her cheeks. "Fine. A girlfriend is someone you're romantically involved with. You know, someone you like a lot. More than just a regular friend."
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Eleo furrowed his brow, trying to process her explanation. "So... Abby is someone I like a lot. I guess that makes her my girlfriend!"
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Lilith's eyes widened, and she stomped her foot. "No, you idiot! It's not just about liking someone! It's... it's different!"
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"How's it different?" Eleo asked, genuinely curious, his wide eyes fixed on her.
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Lilith groaned again, flustered. "It's—it's about feelings, okay? Special feelings! Like, you want to spend time with them, protect them, maybe even hold their hand—"
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"Hold their hand?" Eleo interrupted, his eyes lighting up. "I hold hands with lots of people! Does that mean they're all my girlfriends?"
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Lilith slapped her forehead, muttering under her breath, "Why is this so hard to explain to this dense rabbit?" Taking a deep breath, she glared at him. "No, bunny boy. It's not just holding hands. It's about being close to someone in a way that's... romantic!"
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"Romantic?" Eleo repeated, still not quite understanding. "Like... giving them carrots or something?"
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Lilith groaned loudly, her face burning with frustration. "Forget it! You're hopeless!" She turned away, her ponytails swinging as she stomped ahead, mumbling to herself.
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Eleo jogged to catch up, still holding the fox necklace. "Hey, Lilith, thanks for explaining. I think I kinda get it now. Abby's not my girlfriend. She's just my 'only friend,' like she said."
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Lilith glanced back at him, her expression softening despite her irritation. "Yeah, sure, whatever," she said, her voice quieter than before. She couldn't help but feel a pang of relief but quickly masked it with her usual sarcasm. "Just don't go throwing that 'girlfriend' word around like candy, okay? You'll embarrass yourself."
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"Got it!" Eleo replied cheerfully. "Thanks, Lilith! You're pretty smart!"
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Lilith rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smirk from forming on her lips. "You're lucky you're so clueless, bunny boy."
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They continued walking, Eleo humming a tune while Lilith kept sneaking glances at the necklace, her mind racing with thoughts she wouldn't dare share out loud.
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As they walked, the trees thinned out, revealing a dirt path that led to a clearing. Eleo's ears perked up as he caught sight of wooden rooftops in the distance, smoke curling from chimneys, and the faint sounds of chatter. His face lit up with excitement.
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"Lilith, look! It's town! I knew you weren't lying!" he exclaimed, bouncing on his feet like an overexcited child.
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Lilith blinked, staring ahead. "We actually found it?" she muttered under her breath, surprised. Then, quickly realizing what she said, she straightened her posture with a prideful huff. "I mean, hahahaha! Of course we did! I told you I knew where I was going. I'm smart, after all."
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Without warning, Eleo grabbed her hand, his energy as infectious as ever. "Let's go!"
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"W-Wha—hey, don't just grab my hand like that!" Lilith stammered, her cheeks turning a faint pink as he pulled her along.
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"But we'll get there faster this way!" Eleo laughed, practically skipping as he dragged her down the path.
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Lilith tried to maintain her aloof demeanor, but her flustered protests were drowned out by his laughter and the rush of the moment. As they approached the edge of the town, the sounds of bustling activity grew louder—vendors shouting, children playing, and carts creaking along the cobblestone streets.
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When they finally stepped onto the town's outskirts, Eleo let go of her hand, raising his arms in triumph. "We made it!" he cheered.
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Lilith, brushing herself off and trying to hide her embarrassment, smirked. "Told you I could get us here."
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Eleo puffed his cheeks, stomping his little foot. "Alright, demon girl, new mission—help me find a boat before sundown!"
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Lilith tilted her head. "A boat? What for?"
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"So I can go after the strongest man!" Eleo clenched his little fists, eyes burning with determination. "If I'm gonna be the best, I can't just sit here. I gotta chase him down!"
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Lilith rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "You don't even know where to look."
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"I'll figure it out once I'm on the water!" Eleo declared proudly, already marching toward the docks.
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The two of them searched along the shoreline, weaving between crates and fishing nets. Every dock they checked was either empty, or the boats were tied up and heavily guarded. Eleo begged, pleaded, and even tried sneaking onto one, only to get chased off by angry dockhands shaking broomsticks.
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The sky slowly shifted from orange to deep violet. By the time the last light of day slipped beneath the waves, the harbor was nothing but shadows and creaking wood.
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Eleo slumped against a piling, ears drooping. "Dang it… we didn't find a single one."
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Lilith leaned against the railing, smirking down at him. "Told you. You're not getting anywhere tonight, rabbit."
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Eleo pouted, gripping the sand with both hands. "…I'll find one tomorrow. I have to." His voice, though small, carried that stubborn spark that refused to die.
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Lilith glanced up at the sky, watching as the stars began to twinkle against the darkening canvas. She sighed. "Eleo, it's getting late. We need to find somewhere to sleep."
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Eleo tapped his chin, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Oh! I have an idea! Follow me!"
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Lilith, still skeptical, trailed after him. As they walked through the dim forest, she frowned. "Are you sure you know where you're going?"
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"Nope!" Eleo said cheerfully, marching forward like he had all the confidence in the world.
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Lilith stopped in her tracks, staring at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
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Eleo nodded without missing a beat. "Yup! But don't worry, I've got this!"
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Lilith groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "This is my life now..."
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Suddenly, Eleo pointed ahead, his face lighting up. "Look! Glowing mushrooms!"
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Lilith's eyes widened as she saw the softly glowing fungi dotting the forest floor. "Oh, those are rare! They only pop up once every year, and they're said to—"
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She froze mid-sentence as she noticed Eleo plucking one and promptly stuffing it into his mouth.
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"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" she screamed, slamming her fist into the top of his head.
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"OWWW!" Eleo clutched his head, tears welling in his eyes. "What was that for?!"
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"You absolute dumbass!" Lilith barked. "Did you not hear what I just said?! Those could be poisonous!"
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"I was hungry!" Eleo protested, rubbing the bump on his head.
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Lilith let out a long, frustrated groan. "Unbelievable. I'm stuck with the dumbest bunny on the planet."
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Eleo blinked at her, confusion melting into his usual carefree demeanor. "Oh, well! At least they tasted good!"
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Lilith pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath. "If he dies from mushroom poisoning, it'll be his fault..."
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Suddenly, Eleo perked up again, hopping on the balls of his feet. "Okay! I've got an idea where we can sleep!"
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Lilith raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, this oughta be good."
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He pointed to a massive tree towering over the others, its thick branches spreading wide. "We can sleep up there!"
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Lilith recoiled, horrified. "The trees?! I'm a princess, not a savage!"
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Eleo shrugged. "I've been sleeping in trees my whole life. It's not bad! Look how big that one is! It's perfect for two people."
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Lilith stared at him, dumbfounded. "Two people?! Oh, you've got to be kidding me..."
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Eleo was already climbing the tree, moving with the ease of someone who had done it countless times. "C'mon, Lilith! It's cozy up here!"
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Lilith crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Cozy? Do you even hear yourself right now?"
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Eleo stuck his head down from a branch, grinning. "Yep! Now hurry up! Or are you scared of heights?"
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Lilith's face turned red, her pride bubbling to the surface. "I am not scared of heights!"
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"Then prove it!" Eleo teased, sticking his tongue out.
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Lilith groaned but reluctantly began climbing. As she reached the branch where Eleo perched, she muttered, "I can't believe I'm doing this. I better not get splinters."
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"You'll love it!" Eleo said, stretching out and leaning against the trunk. "See? Plenty of space!"
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Lilith settled hesitantly on the branch, keeping a tight grip on it. "If I fall, you're taking the blame."
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"Deal!" Eleo said, already closing his eyes with a satisfied smile.
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Lilith stared at him, shaking her head. "How does someone this stupid survive on their own?" she muttered, though her tone softened this time.
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As the forest grew quieter and the stars shone brighter, Lilith found herself relaxing slightly, despite her annoyance. "I must really be losing it..." she thought, glancing at Eleo.
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Unbeknownst to her, Eleo cracked one eye open and grinned to himself. "Told you it wasn't so bad," he mumbled before drifting off to sleep.
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Lilith sat stiffly on the wide branch, her arms crossed, and her gaze fixed on the glowing mushrooms below. She huffed softly, glancing at Eleo, who was already snoring lightly, his carefree expression as relaxed as ever.
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Her fingers tapped idly on the bark, and her thoughts began to wander. "He's... so strange," she mused, her sharp golden eyes watching his peaceful face. "Not like the others..."
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Lilith's mind drifted back to the boys her parents had introduced her to over the years. Princes, warriors, sons of high-ranking officials—every single one of them treated her like she was made of glass. They bowed too deeply, spoke with rehearsed words, and carried themselves like statues carved from stone.
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They called her "Your Grace" or "My Lady," and they dared not look her in the eye for too long. To them, she wasn't a person; she was a symbol, an untouchable deity. They postured, puffed out their chests, and put on shows of strength that blurred together into one monotonous memory.
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"They all acted so... perfect," she thought bitterly, her fingers curling into fists. "So fake."
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Her eyes shifted back to Eleo, sprawled across the branch like he didn't have a care in the world, his ears twitching slightly in his sleep. "But him..."
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Lilith replayed the day in her mind: the way he fearlessly jumped out of a bush to confront armed men, his ridiculous antics, and how he seemed genuinely excited about every little thing, even dangerous situations.
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"He doesn't treat me like a goddess," she realized, her lips pressing into a thin line. "He treats me like... a normal person."
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A strange warmth rose in her chest at the thought, and she quickly shook her head. "What am I even thinking?!" she muttered under her breath.
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Still, her gaze softened as she watched him. He was clumsy, loud, and entirely too reckless, but he wasn't boring. Not even a little.
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Lilith leaned back against the trunk, her golden eyes growing heavy. "He's nothing like them...," she admitted to herself reluctantly, a small, almost invisible smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe that's not so bad."
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As sleep began to take her, her last thought was a quiet whisper in her mind: "He's different... and I don't hate it."
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The sounds of the forest filled the night air as Lilith finally allowed herself to relax, drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep beside the boy who had, unknowingly, already begun to change her world.
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The next morning, Lilith yawned, stretching her arms before realizing she was lying on something warm and surprisingly comfortable. Her eyes fluttered open, and her heart skipped a beat as she found herself cuddling against Eleo, her arm draped over him.
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"Wha—what the hell?!" she shrieked, her face flushing red as she instinctively pushed him away.
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With a startled yell, Eleo tumbled off the branch, flailing before hitting the ground with a dull thud.
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Lilith peeked over the edge of the tree, her expression a mix of guilt and embarrassment. "Oops... Eleo, are you okay?"
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Eleo sat up, rubbing his head but flashing a thumbs up. "Yep! I'm fine! That was a great wake-up call!" he said with his usual carefree grin, dusting himself off.
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Lilith sighed in relief but crossed her arms. "You're an idiot."
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Eleo, ignoring her earlier remark, looked up at Lilith with sudden enthusiasm.
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"Hey, Lilith—you wouldn't happen to have a boat, would ya?"
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Lilith blinked, then smirked. "A boat? No. But…" She hopped down from the tree with a flick of her hair. "I am a demon princess. If you need one that badly, I can make one."
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Eleo's ears shot up, his eyes glowing with excitement. "For real?! That's awesome! Build me the fastest, coolest boat ever!"
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Lilith crossed her arms, lips curling in a sharp grin. "Hmph. Don't underestimate me, rabbit.
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As they began walking, the ground suddenly trembled beneath their feet. A dark, swirling portal tore open in the sky, crackling with ominous energy. Lilith froze, her eyes wide with shock.
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"What is that?" Eleo asked, tilting his head curiously.
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Before Lilith could answer, a figure emerged from the portal. The knight who stepped through radiated a commanding and terrifying presence. His crimson eyes glowed menacingly from within a dragon-like helmet, and his jagged, black armor shimmered with an unnatural light. Each step he took echoed with power.
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Lilith's voice was barely a whisper. "Iron…"
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The knight's gaze locked onto her, and his voice boomed like thunder. "Princess Lilith, are you unharmed?"
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Lilith stammered, stepping back. "I... I'm fine, Iron."
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Iron's eyes shifted to Eleo, narrowing with suspicion. "You. Bunny kid. Did you kidnap the princess?"
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Lilith waved her hands frantically. "W-what? No! He didn't kidnap me!"
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But before she could explain further, Eleo puffed out his chest and grinned. "Yep! I kidnapped her!"
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Lilith's jaw dropped, and she grabbed his arm, pulling him close to hiss in his ear. "What the hell are you doing, you fool?!"
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Eleo whispered back, "I want to fight him! He looks strong!"
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Iron unsheathed his massive demon sword, its crimson edge glowing with dark energy. "Then prepare yourself, you pathetic creature. You've sealed your fate."
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Lilith slapped her forehead in frustration. "This is going to be a disaster..."
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Iron charged forward, his sword blazing with power as he raised it high. Eleo grinned, hopping into a combat stance. "Alright, let's see how tough you really are!"
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