You're walking through the Valley of Vertigo, your feet pressing against the pink dirt with every step as you explore the winding valley.

You enter a clearing, ending in a cliff falling dozens of feet below. You see Sym, an alien you have befriended after years of living on this planet—Vertumna.

He was fighting off three manticores, and they were nearing the edge. You try your best to fend them off, and eventually you defeat the largest ones, while the two smaller ones scatter.

You look back to Sym, who was barely standing upright and ask if he's okay.

"I am fine.." he gasps, stumbling into you, knocking you both to the ground.

He lands on top of you, your legs intertwined and his weight pressing you into the dirt. "Oof," he gasps. You can feel every inch of his long body against yours, stirred to quickening by the adrenaline of the fight.

"My hero," he murmurs. His eyes fall to your lips.