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\pard\sa200\sl276\slmult1\f0\fs28\lang9 Chapter 10\lang1033 70\f1\lang9\par
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The ocean was calm today, a soft wind carrying salt and warmth across the sand. Waves rolled in as Iratus walked along the water\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 s edge, his paw-like feet leaving prints behind. The sun reflected off his blonde fur, making him look as if he were glowing.\par
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Days were passing, and no monster, warlord, or vile plot was besieging Lionhearth. He took a deep breath before the laughter of his four loves drew his attention.\par
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Resonantia was the first to reach him, giving him a playful wink.\par
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Resonantia: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Planning on conquering the lands beyond the sea next?\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Iratus gave a subtle laugh.\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 I mean, we haven\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 t seen monsters rise from the sea yet. Maybe if we take a boat and see what\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 s out there, we\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ll find another hostile force to fight.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Resonantia grinned, showing her sharp teeth.\par
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Resonantia: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 I\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 m down for a fight in the middle of the ocean. You\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ll be the king of both land and sea!\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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He groaned.\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 King. Is that what I really am?\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Resonantia: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Every time you ask, anyone in Lionhearth will say yes. You\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 re in charge.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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The shark girl nudged him playfully.\par
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Ignis came next, wearing a broad-brimmed hat that looked far too fancy for a beach. She adjusted it like a crown, her tail flicking lazily behind her.\par
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Ignis: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Once, in my land, a child genius nearly revolutionized a primitive monarchy. If only he had learned to take breaks, he wouldn\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 t have died from overwork. In other words\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 enjoy your day off, love.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 I\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 m trying, but I\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ve got four wives to give my all to.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Ignis winked.\par
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Ignis: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Then perhaps you should be the consort and we\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ll take the job. You\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 d be free for us then.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Victoria followed, carrying a basket full of dried meats and fruit.\par
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Victoria: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Pass. Iratus can lead, and we\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ll handle our own projects. We must be in perfect spousal balance.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 The only way to be complete\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 lovers acting as one.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Victoria: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Except for when you go off to oversee the construction of another six fortresses.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 To be fair, they\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 re meant as rest stops for our patrolling forces.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Victoria: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Sure.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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The last to join them was Aestus, carrying a jug of something cold and sweet. Her fur glistened in the sunlight.\par
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Aestus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 If you four are going to talk about \f0\lang1033 future \f1\lang9 projects, at least sit down and have some drinks.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Everyone found a spot near a cluster of sun-bleached rocks. The five of them sat together in a small circle. For a long while, they didn\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 t speak. It was enough just to exist there.\par
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Ignis broke the silence first.\par
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Ignis: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 I bet the Anguis Marinus is still down there\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 sunken to the bottom, but close enough to swim to.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Resonantia laughed.\par
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Resonantia: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Maybe with some scuba gear. What, you want to go exploring that old wreck?\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Victoria handed Iratus a piece of fruit.\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 We\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ve come far\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 the Gray Masks, the battleship, that rabbit warlord\'85 Despite how many adventures or threats we\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ve faced, I still remember the old ones the best.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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He took the fruit, gazing at the water.\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 I think that\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 s because our early years in the Nexus Prime were full of mystery\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 and the most personal. They stand out from all these recent wars and monster incursions.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Aestus leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.\par
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Aestus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 And now I think the worst the Nexus Prime had to offer has finally passed.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Ignis hummed in agreement.\par
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Ignis: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 If our region is free from most threats, maybe we could build a second home right here. A beach retreat\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 no monsters, no councils, just the five of us and the waves.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Tempting, but we\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 d still need some walls or security out here. You never know when one of the monster factions might try something dirty.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Resonantia took a drink before speaking.\par
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Resonantia: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 How about just some hammocks instead?\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Victoria raised an eyebrow.\par
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Victoria: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 And who\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 s building those hammocks?\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Resonantia pointed at Iratus without hesitation.\par
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Resonantia: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Him.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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The group burst into laughter. Even Iratus couldn\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 t help but smile. He leaned back on his hands, the sun warm on his fur, the sea breeze carrying the scent of salt.\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 Sure, we could make a little something here, just for us. I wouldn\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 t mind.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Ignis laid back on the sand beside him.\par
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Ignis: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 You\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 ve earned a special place to relax\f0\lang1033 , \f1\lang9 with your four wives.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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Victoria reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his.\par
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Victoria: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 We all have.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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After some more time on the beach, the group began packing up as the sun started to set.\par
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Iratus: \f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9 What a shame. I guess it\f0\lang1033 '\f1\lang9 s time to head back home.\f0\lang1033 "\f1\lang9\par
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The four rose with him, their laughter trailing into the dusk as they walked together along the golden shore\emdash their story, for now, complete.\par
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\f0 THE END\par
\tab For now.\f1\par
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