The Astral Dogma

The journey back from the ruins was uneventful, but the tension between the three lingered in the air like a subtle mist. Xin walked beside Belial, his expression a mix of curiosity and something unspoken, while Pacey, unbothered as ever, glared into the road ahead..

Once they reached the outskirts of town, Pacey bid them farewell with a wave. "I'm gonna see what I can get for these treasures."

"Treasure might be a strong word," Xin called after him, earning a playful glare from Pacey before he disappeared into the market.

Belial rolled his shoulders, already looking forward to some peace and quiet. "I'll head back to the apartment. I need to organize my notes."

"Hold up." Xin placed a hand on Belial's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "We've got some shopping to do first."

Xin paused for a moment before continuing.

"But before that, we need to make a quick detour."

Belial glanced at him, an eyebrow raised. "A detour? What for?"

"Supplies," Xin said, grinning. "Unless you've figured out how to conjure food and necessities out of thin air."

Belial sighed, already regretting indulging him. "Fine. Just make it quick. I've got work to do."

"Oh, it won't take long," Xin assured him, his grin widening. "Besides, there's someone I want you to meet."

Belial's brow furrowed, suspicion creeping into his tone. "Someone? Who?"

"You'll see," Xin replied cryptically, his tone practically singing with mischief.

Belial had no choice but to follow; it didn't take long to reach their destination, as Xin led him to a The guilds dorms. Xin knocked confidently on the door, while Belial hung back, his arms crossed, his demeanor exuding disinterest.

The door creaked open to reveal a petite young woman with dark hair tied back in a loose braid. She wore casual clothes—jeans and a cozy sweater—and her eyes lit up when she saw Xin. Her gaze flickered to Belial, and she immediately seemed more reserved, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

"Hey, Jia!" Xin greeted her warmly. "Ready to go? Oh, and this is Belial."

Jia's lips curved into a polite smile as she nodded. "Hi. Nice to meet you."

Belial inclined his head slightly. "Likewise."

Xin, ever the mediator, placed a reassuring hand on Jia's shoulder. "Don't let him intimidate you. He's gruff, but harmless.. Most of the time."

Jia let out a small, tentative laugh, her tension easing just a little. "Okay, if you say so."

The three of them set off toward the marketplace, with Xin chatting animatedly while Jia walked quietly beside him. Belial trailed behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings, more out of habit than interest. He noticed the way Jia seemed to relax in Xin's presence. It wasn't hard to see why—Xin had a natural charm that put people at ease, a quality Belial envied more than he cared to admit.

The marketplace was a hive of activity, bustling with merchants hawking their wares and townsfolk bartering over prices. Xin navigated the chaos with practiced ease, stopping at various stalls to pick up supplies while Jia hovered close by, occasionally offering suggestions in a soft voice.

Belial, keeping his distance, watched the dynamic between the two. Xin, ever the lively optimist, was clearly comfortable taking the lead, while Jia seemed content to let him. After a while, Belial decided to break his silence.

"How do you know Xin?" he asked, trying to sound casual, his tone neutral as his eyes shifted to Jia.

Jia hesitated, glancing at Xin as though seeking permission to answer. "We... grew up together in that black building," she said finally.

"Honestly..I find it hard seeing this side of him."

"oh..Like what?" Belial pressed, more out of curiosity than anything else.

"Loud," Jia replied with a small smile, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey!" Xin protested, feigning offense. "She means amazing. I've always been amazing."

Jia rolled her eyes but didn't disagree. "If you say so."

Belial allowed himself a faint smirk. "I see."

The conversation lulled again as Xin busied himself with haggling over prices. Jia lingered nearby, occasionally casting glances at Belial when she thought he wasn't looking. Belial noticed but said nothing. He wasn't one for small talk, and he could tell she was the same.

As the trio moved from stall to stall, Xin couldn't resist hyping up Jia's talents. "You should see the things she makes," he said, his voice brimming with pride. "Jia's got a knack for inventing stuff. Practical, clever, you name it."

Jia's cheeks turned pink, and she looked away, clearly embarrassed. "It's nothing special…"

"Nothing special?" Xin echoed incredulously.

"Come on, Jia, give yourself some credit."

Belial's gaze shifted between the two, noting Jia's discomfort. Xin's enthusiasm was genuine, but it was clear the attention was making her self-conscious. Xin must have noticed too, because he deftly changed the subject to something lighter.

The group moved through the bustling streets of the market, each person carrying their own agenda but somehow sticking together.

Belial, normally quick with quips and remarks, found himself uncharacteristically quiet.

Two reasons!, he thought, as he trailed slightly behind the group. 

One: I've never really had friends aside from Xin. Two:What the hell do girls talk about when they're not fighting monsters or gaming. Curse that master of mine! instead of teaching me how to fight he shouted taught me how to talk to girls!

He stole a glance at Xin, who was laughing with Pacey over some overly enthusiastic vendor trying to sell them "enchanted" trinkets. 

Actually I should ask xin later

Xin turned, grinning. "Hey, Bel! Since we're out, we also need to pick up a few things for Jia's mechanical shop. You good with that?"

Belial gave a casual shrug, trying to mask his awkwardness. "Sure. As long as I don't have to carry everything."

"Lazy as always," Xin teased, earning a faint smirk from Belial.

Soon the group noticed two familiar figures.

One of them was Pacey, the short beastman with brown hair and a fluffy tail. Pacey was known for his short temper, but surprisingly, he'd been calm so far—likely due to Leah's presence. Leah, dark-skinned and elegant with her long braids, had joined the group under the pretense of shopping for a birthday gift for Cassidy.

"I just need something simple," Leah

explained, walking beside Jia. "Cassidy hates over-the-top presents."

Jia nodded politely, though she still seemed a little overwhelmed by the larger group. She walked close to Xin, glancing nervously at Belial and Pacey. Leah noticed this and decided to strike up a conversation to ease the tension.

"You're Jia, right?" Leah asked with a warm smile. "I remember you from the last mission. You're the one we rescued."

Jia hesitated but eventually nodded. "Yes, that was me. Thank you for what you did. I owe you all my life."

Leah waved her hand dismissively. "No need for that. I was just doing my job. But I have to say, it's great to see you out here, looking stronger."

"Thanks to you all," Jia replied, her voice gaining a bit more confidence.

"You know," Leah continued,

"if you're setting up a shop, I could help arrange a contract with one of the guild's partner companies. They can supply you with high-quality materials at a discount."

Jia's eyes widened. "Really? That would be... amazing. Thank you so much!"

"It's no trouble at all." Leah smiled. "We're all here to help each other, right?"

As they moved deeper into the market, Xin stopped at a stall selling mechanical parts. "This is perfect! Bel, Jia, come check this out!"

Jia approached cautiously, scanning the various gears, circuits, and tools on display. Belial followed, doing his best to look interested.

"You'll need these for your shop," Xin said, picking up a box of assorted screws and bolts. "And maybe some of these, too."

Jia nodded, her hands trailing over the parts as she calculated what she could afford. "I'll have to be careful with my spending for now. But this is a great start."

Pacey, leaning against a nearby post with his arms crossed, chimed in. "Careful spending's smart. But don't cheap out on the basics. You'll regret it later."

"Sound advice from someone who usually yells at people," Xin quipped, grinning at Pacey.

"Don't push your luck," Pacey shot back, though there was no real bite in his words.

Leah, meanwhile, had wandered to another nearby stall, examining a set of leather-bound notebooks.

"These might work as a gift for Cassidy," she mused aloud. "Simple but practical."

"Perfect," Xin said, glancing over. "You know he loves that kind of thing."

Belial stayed mostly quiet, but his eyes darted between the group, taking in their interactions. He wasn't used to this—being part of a group that wasn't just about fighting or missions. It felt... strange.

As Jia finalized her purchases, she turned to Leah. "I'll definitely take you up on that offer to help with the supplier contract. I really appreciate it."

Leah smiled again. "Anytime. Let me know when you're ready, and I'll make the arrangements."

With their shopping mostly done, the group decided to stop at a small café on the edge of the market. They sat around a wooden table, drinks and light snacks in hand.

Belial found himself next to Jia, who still seemed hesitant around him. He decided to give conversation a shot.

"So," he began, trying to keep his tone casual, "you're starting a mechanical shop? Sounds... complicated."

Jia looked at him, surprised that he was speaking to her. "It is. But it's all I know how to do. Building things... it's what keeps me grounded."

Belial nodded slowly. "Makes sense. Everyone needs a purpose in life."

She smiled faintly. "What about you? What keeps you grounded?"

Belial froze, not expecting the question. His usual response would've been some sarcastic remark, but for once, he hesitated.

"I guess... sticking around this idiot," he said, jerking his thumb toward Xin, who was in the middle of arguing with Pacey about some trivial topic.

Jia chuckled softly, her guard lowering just a bit. "I can see why. He's... persistent."

"That's one word for it," Belial muttered, though there was no malice in his voice.

The group lingered at the café for a while longer, enjoying the rare moment of calm before heading back to their respective places. As they parted ways, Jia turned to Xin.

"Thank you for today. And... tell Belial I said thanks, too."

"You tell him yourself next time," Xin said with a grin.

Jia gave a small laugh. "Maybe I will."

As Belial and Xin walked back to the home, Belial glanced at his friend. "You really think this whole 'group bonding' thing is worth it?"

Xin smirked. "Absolutely. Besides, you're getting better at talking to girls. Jia didn't run away screaming, so I'd call that progress."

Belial rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"Yeah, but you're stuck with me," Xin replied cheerfully.

For once, Belial didn't have a comeback.