Morning dew clung to the grass as Ayra brewed chai using gravity-flipped water.
The boy she'd rescued—Kiel—rubbed his eyes, sniffing the air.
> "Whoa… what's that smell?"
"Breakfast," Ayra replied.
"You summoned breakfast?"
"No, I just asked the quantum threads of reality to flavor it correctly."
Kiel nodded like that made perfect sense.
It didn't. But he was 10. He thought sticks were still dangerous.
---
A Not-So-Warm Welcome
Suddenly, the peaceful moment shattered.
A half-dozen bandits burst into the clearing.
> "Well, well, what do we have here? A runaway princess and some beggar kid?"
The man leading them was massive—twice the size of a normal man, with an axe taller than Ayra.
> "I'm Dregan, King of the Mirewood! Hand over your valuables and maybe I'll let you live."
Ayra didn't even stand up.
> "Oh no… not Dregan the Obvious NPC Dialogue Option."
> "What did you say!?"
She flicked her finger. A glowing sigil spun in the air—just for show.
> "Hey, Kiel. Cover your eyes."
> "Huh? Why—"
BOOM.
Dregan was blasted fifty feet into the forest, crashing into a tree with the grace of a flying potato.
The rest of the bandits screamed and ran—except one, who peed himself and passed out.
Ayra stood up slowly, brushing imaginary dust off her dress.
> "I really wanted to sip chai in peace today."
---
Kiel's Brain: 404 Not Found
Kiel stared at the smoking crater where Dregan had been.
> "W-Was that magic?"
"Kind of."
"What kind of magic does that!?"
Ayra smiled sweetly.
> "The kind that's illegal in most universes."
She walked over to the still-groaning Dregan and casually tapped his forehead.
> "Sleep."
His consciousness collapsed like a poorly-built tent.
Ayra turned to Kiel.
> "Let's go find some real breakfast. That guy smelled like regret and poor decisions."
---