Faro Faros moved silently through the underground passage, his steps barely making a sound as he navigated the secret tunnel that connected Falcon’s Cave to Shecon’s Cave. It was late at night, and the passage was dimly lit by glowing crystals embedded in the walls, casting an eerie blue hue over the rough stone path. He had used this passage only a handful of times, always when he needed to talk to Rita Faros—Shecon—without the risk of being followed.
As he reached the hidden entrance, Faro pressed his palm against a smooth rock, triggering the biometric scanner. A soft chime confirmed his identity, and the stone door slid open with a faint hum, revealing Shecon’s sanctuary—a blend of technology, magic, and raw natural beauty.
He stepped inside, immediately noticing the stillness of the cave. A small desk lamp flickered near the workspace, casting a golden glow, but most of the cave was dim, bathed in the soft blue light from the ceiling’s natural skylight. His eyes adjusted quickly, scanning the interior until they landed on the large bed.
Rita Faros lay there, completely naked, her toned body partially covered by a thin, silk blanket that barely clung to her curves. One leg was exposed, draped over the edge of the bed, and her wavy hair spread across the pillow, strands of green reflecting the dim light. Her breathing was deep and even, lost in a peaceful sleep.
Faro exhaled softly, realizing she hadn’t noticed his arrival yet. He walked toward the workspace, setting his gloves on the table, when Rita stirred.
Her light blue eyes fluttered open, and she stretched lazily, her arms extending above her head. When she turned to look at him, she grinned sleepily.
“Faro,” she said, her voice husky from sleep. “Couldn’t sleep?”
He smirked. “Something like that. Needed to update you about the forest.”
Rita sat up, the blanket slipping off her chest, leaving her completely exposed. She didn’t seem to care—she never did. Faro had grown used to her comfort with nudity over time, though it still caught him off guard occasionally. She ran a hand through her messy hair and yawned before swinging her legs over the bed.
“I’ll be right back. Keep talking,” she said, standing up and walking toward the open area that served as the toilet and wash station. Unlike Falcon’s Cave, which was designed with practical partitions, Shecon’s Cave had no doors or curtains—everything was open, blending with the natural rock formations.
As she relieved herself, Faro averted his gaze slightly, out of habit rather than necessity. Rita was unfazed by such things, her attitude one of complete ease. He continued. “D.E.C soldiers were spotted near the south ridge. Looked like a recon squad, but they didn’t cross into the core of Thundarr Forest.”
Rita finished, then moved to the wash basin, splashing cold water onto her face. “Hmph. They’re getting bolder. If they push in any further, we’ll have to take action.” She wiped her face with a cloth, then ran wet fingers through her hair to cool down.
Still completely nude, she strode toward the kitchen area, a smooth, curved section of the cave where a few modern appliances had been set up. She opened a small storage unit, pulling out supplies.
“Hungry?” she asked casually.
Faro chuckled. “You’re making food at this hour?”
“I’m awake now, might as well,” she said, placing a metal pan onto a heating surface. “Besides, you came all this way. Also, you haven’t eaten my cooking for some time now.”
Faro leaned against the rock wall, watching her move around the kitchen as if her nudity were no different than wearing armor. It was one of the many things that made Shecon unique—her complete lack of concern for conventional modesty.
As she cracked a couple of eggs into the pan, she continued the conversation. “So, the D.E.C’s poking around again. What do you think they’re after?”
“Could be a routine patrol,” Faro said, crossing his arms. “Or they’re looking for something. Maybe trying to find out if Falcon and Shecon really exist.”
Rita scoffed, flipping the eggs with practiced ease. “Let them look. They won’t find anything except the edge of my boomerang if they step too close.”
Faro smirked. “You always did like making things personal.”
She poured some tea into two cups and turned to face him, leaning against the counter, still completely at ease in her skin. “And you always did like sneaking into my cave unannounced.”
He shrugged. “That’s what the secret passage is for.”
She grinned and handed him a steaming plate of food, some fried mushrooms and an egg omelet, then raised her cup in a mock toast. “To secret passages, nosy D.E.C soldiers, and midnight meals.”
Faro lifted his cup. “And to naked warriors cooking in caves.”
Rita chuckled, shaking her head, as they sat down to eat, discussing the ever-changing dangers of Thundarr Forest—two warriors planning their next move in a world that never stopped shifting around them.
