CHAPTER 52: TO QUILL!

I had never felt this way before. I know—it’s because of my powers, because I’m aware of things the other so-called NPCs can’t even begin to grasp. The feeling burns in my chest like a restless volcano, and no matter how much I try to smother it, the pressure only builds. One day I might burst. One day I really will.

...Sigh.

What am I even rambling about? I don’t have that luxury. I can’t afford to let emotions rule me. I have to keep the story moving. Still, what I told myself is true. I’m done being their plaything. From this day forward, I’ll carve out my own empire in the land they forbid me to touch. And once I reach it, I’ll reform it, shape it into something no one can take away.

That thought came to me the moment Bite mentioned it, but I didn’t dare say it out loud. No need to burden him with more worry.

"I believe they’re waiting for me. I shouldn’t keep my friends and... wives." The last word leaves my mouth like a stone forced through clenched teeth, awkward and heavy.

I look up. The town has gone quiet. Stalls are shuttered, vendors long gone to their families. Above, the night sky glimmers so brightly with stars that it paints a silver path back toward the tavern. And me? I just feel lost. But don’t we all?

My feet carry me slowly, almost aimlessly, until I find myself at the tavern door. The lights still blaze from inside, and the noise is wild—clattering mugs, drunken laughter, the kind of raucous chatter that could wake the dead if it wanted.

"Not too bad," I mutter to myself, staring at the door, trying to brand the moment into memory. "After all, this is an adventure, isn’t it?"

I push inside.

"Quill’s back!" Amara’s voice slices through the din, warm and sharp all at once. She’s seated with the others—even Powder, which surprises me most of all. I half-expected him to be off warming someone’s bed all night. Instead, they’re all gathered around a table, already halfway through dinner. Didn’t even wait for me.

Not that I can blame them—I did take too long.

"I was dead worried about you! Why are you so late?" Amara stands and leans in, her face so close I can feel the brush of her breath. Then she sniffs my neck.

I freeze, my whole body flushing hot. Every gaze in the tavern pins me down like fire serpents coiling and hissing, ready to strike me dead just for having a beauty like her pressed against me. And why the hell is she sniffing me?! Odd. Very odd. And... maybe a little too exciting for reasons I’ll never admit out loud.

"Good, no smell of another woman." Amara pulls away, smiling at me like sunshine, then raises her arm high as if she just made an official announcement. "He’s clear!" She waves over at Roxy and Anna, making sure they know I didn’t cheat. Seriously? Do I really look like a playboy? Powder, sure. Me? No.

I roll my eyes, then wrap an arm around her waist. Two can play this game.

"Let’s go. I have something important to tell all of you." I drag her along with me, her hands pressing into my chest. The blush on her face makes every second worth all the nonsense I’ve endured today. Maybe that’s the real power of women...

"Yes... dear," she mumbles, shy, and before long we reach the large round table where Powder has already set a seat for me.

The table itself looks glorious. Mashed potatoes steaming in bowls, roasted corn, a whole piglet crackling fresh from the flames, and more arriving with each passing moment. All of it bought with the wave of my quill and a sack of gold coins. Author privileges, haha.

"Today," I say, rising from my chair and lifting a cup filled with grape juice—not wine, don’t even think about it. My Pa would crawl out of the afterlife to slap me dead if I drank before eighteen. Damn weird law of this kingdom. "We gather to celebrate the start of our adventure. To celebrate our group... Rewrite!" I raise the cup high, gazes burning into me from every corner of the tavern, but all I see are my companions, their eyes shining with expectation.

"First, I want to thank my co-leader—and yes, I’m talking about you, Powder!" I point right at him. His jaw nearly hits the floor. Obvious choice, no? My first member, my best friend, my brother. "I trust you’ll help me lead Rewrite through every danger, through every quest, with a clear mind. That you’ll fight by my side as if our lives depend on it." I extend my cup, and he crashes his against mine with a booming grin.

"Of course, brother!" he bellows. His face practically glows with joy.

"Next, our amazing, powerful, and beautiful vanguard, Roxy! The strength of Rewrite. We’ll rely on those muscles of yours more than anything when survival’s on the line. Just... don’t let them fail us." I chuckle, teasing her.

"Hey! You looking to die?!" she snaps, cheeks pink. "Also... do you really think I’m that b-beautiful?" She turns away, muttering, and lifts her cup. I clink it quickly before she can change her mind.

"Amara," I say, the words catching awkwardly in my throat. She and I share a secret no one else can know—one that, if exposed, would bring the system’s wrath down on us both. "You’ve been with me a long time. Thank you for joining Rewrite. With you by my side, we’ll control the flow of battle and protect everyone together."

She mirrors me with a sweet smile, raising her cup. "Of course, my love. Together, we’re deadly."

Yeah... more you than me. Literally death.

"And..." My gaze lands on Anna, lounging there with that teasing look in her eye, daring me to fumble this.

"Thank you for joining, Anna. I hope you’ll protect us all from behind. I’m glad you’re here—and so is everyone else." I offer my cup, half-hoping she’ll laugh and walk away. No chance. She meets it with a sharp clink, splashing juice across both our hands.

"I can’t wait to beat some monsters to a pulp!" she declares, grinning wide.

Woah. Split personality much?

But before I can recover, the four of them rise together, cups lifted. Their eyes meet in silent agreement before turning toward me.

"And lastly," Powder says, voice ringing with pride, "we want to thank you, Quill. For finding us, for making Rewrite possible. Today we pledge our loyalty to you, and to you alone. With you as our leader, we’ll become the most powerful, the most legendary party in existence. TO QUILL!"

"TO QUILL!"

"TO QUILL!"

"TO QUILL!"

"TO QUILL!"

Their voices crash together like thunder, shaking the tavern’s rafters.

I sit frozen, speechless, my heart pounding like a racing horse. Maybe... maybe these author powers weren’t just suffering after all. Maybe they were also a blessing. A gift I’ll treasure until the day I die. My eyes brim with tears—born straight from the heart, spilling before I can control them.