a new challenger appeard

The dominant personality only stayed for about half an hour.

She rode Aether with greedy, confident hunger, took exactly what she wanted, came hard twice, and then simply climbed off, straightened the original Layla’s clothes as best she could, and vanished back into the quiet corridors of the Akademiya. By morning there was no trace she had ever been in the room — no note, no lingering scent, nothing. The regular Layla would wake up later with only a pleasant ache and a few confusingly vivid dreams.

The group packed quickly.

Faruzan was the special cargo. Yelan had trussed the Haravatat scholar in a full, professional BDSM restraint set — wrists, ankles, thighs, a secure harness, and a sturdy ball gag — then folded her neatly into a large reinforced suitcase designed for discreet transport. Faruzan could not have looked more delighted. Her eyes were glassy with arousal, thighs constantly shifting as she leaked onto the padded interior, soft muffled whimpers escaping around the gag every time the suitcase was moved. She was shivering with continuous low-level pleasure from the bondage itself.

They carried her out of the Akademiya without drawing attention.

Outside the main gates they used their gained favor to find a reliable desert escort. While scanning the mercenary postings and guide stalls, they caught a brief glimpse of an unusually energetic Layla jogging past with an armful of books, bright-eyed and completely focused on her own errands. She didn’t even glance their way.

Then they found the offer that made Aether pause.

A tall, muscular woman with dark skin, sharp eyes, and an easy, confident grin stood beside a posted advertisement. Her outfit left little to the imagination, and the way she carried herself radiated competence and open sexuality in equal measure.

“Name’s Dehya,” she said, crossing her arms under her full chest. “Mercenary work, desert guidance, protection details — I do it all. And if the nights get long around the campfire, I’m fully available. No limits, no complicated contracts, just good company and whatever you need to stay warm. Rates are fair.”

[](https://im.ge/i/QMRdQAD)
(artist: sciamano240 )

The blunt, cheerful way she advertised both her combat skills and her body as part of the same package reminded Aether strongly of Hu Tao’s macabre-but-enthusiastic sales pitch back in Liyue.

Dehya looked the group over, noticed the well-fucked aura still clinging to most of them, and grinned wider.

“Looks like you lot already know how to have a good time. Desert’s dangerous, though. You’ll want someone who can fight and fuck without complaining. I’m your girl.”

Faruzan’s suitcase gave a soft, muffled whimper from the ground beside them, as if the bound scholar was already voting in favor.

The party almost mistook her for Beidou at first glance.

Same confident stance, same solid muscle under soft curves, same unapologetic way of advertising both her blade and her body as part of the service. The resemblance was close enough that Rosaria actually did a double-take before the differences registered — darker skin, different eyes, different energy.

None of them had any real problem with her.

Rosaria in particular only gave a short, considering look and then shrugged. Something in her had shifted since Inazuma. The old sharp-edged possessiveness that once wanted Aether exclusively for herself had softened into something more practical and almost maternal in its care. He was simply too much for any single woman — or even their entire current group — to handle alone. Keeping him satisfied had become more important than keeping him to herself.

“She’s fine,” Rosaria said plainly, already accepting the reality. “We can’t keep up with him on our own anymore. If she can fight and take a proper railing without breaking, she’s useful.”

Dehya raised an eyebrow at the casual assessment, then laughed.

“Glad I pass the test. So — you heading into the desert looking for someone, or just looking for trouble? Either way, I can get you there in one piece… and keep the nights interesting.”

Aether looked from the bound, leaking suitcase to the sturdy mercenary who was openly offering both protection and unlimited access to her body, then gave a short nod.

“We need a guide to the deeper desert ruins. And someone who can handle whatever comes up.”

Dehya’s grin widened.

“Then you’ve got me. Let’s talk details… and maybe seal the contract the fun way once we’re outside the city.”