The druid stretched their arms lazily as they stood before the barren fields, cracking their neck as if they were preparing for a particularly strenuous task.
"All right, all right," they said with a theatrical sigh, wiggling their fingers in the air. "Let's breathe a little life back into these poor, abused crops. And maybe – just maybe – we can undo the absolute disaster your celestial friend made of this place."
Jophyr's eyes narrowed, but before he could protest, the druid crouched and pressed their palms to their soil. A faint green glow spread outward, seeping into the earth like water soaking into a sponge. The brittle stalks of wheat straightened, their golden hue returning as if time itself had reversed. Wilted vegetables plumped up, their rich colors brightening under the moonlight. The once-dead fields now stretched lush and abundant, the scent of fresh greenery filling the air.
Snik Snak let out a low whistles. "Gotta say, Glowstick, this is way better than your mud explosion."
"I was attempting a divine purification," Jophyr retorted as he crossed his arms, shoulders stiff.
"Mmmhmm, sure," the druid teased, standing up and dusting off their hands. "And I suppose technically you did purify it – right down to a fine, useless sludge."
Before Jophyr could come up with a retort, the air around them shimmered as soft brays, clucks, and bleats filled the night. One by one, the missing livestock appeared, looking remarkably unbothered by their sudden displacement. Chickens fluffed their feathers indignantly, goats blinked in confusion, and a very large pig trotted toward Snik Snak, sniffing at his robes as if deciding whether or not he was edible.
The kobold hopped back with a laugh. "Okay, that's a neat trick."
The druid dusted off their hands. "And that, dear friends, is how you fix a mess without divine overcompensation."
Jophyr huffed but said nothing, instead turning his gaze toward the slumbering village. The homes remained dark, the people within blissfully unaware that their fields had been restored and their lost animals returned. The celestial exhaled, his shoulders relaxing as the weight of the night's work settled over him.
"They'll wake up to a miracle," Snik Snak murmured, watching the quiet streets. "No ghost, no curse – just full bellies and a better harvest."
"It is better this way. Let them wake in peace, not in fear," Jophyr nodded.
"Well, I'd love to see their faces when they realize the 'curse' fixed itself! But," the druid gestured to the fields, "that's my good deed for the decade. Now, on to more important things – mischief! Little kobold, I must know – what do you think of cryptic riddles appearing on doorsteps overnight?"
Snik Snak's eyes gleamed with interest. "I love that. Make 'em just vague enough to sound ominous but completely harmless. Maybe throw in some weird symbols just to make them extra confusing."
The druid gasped in delight. "Yes! And what if we swap the mayor's prized chickens with identical-looking ones just slightly meaner? Nothing dangerous, just…feistier."
He snickered. "Brilliant. Or – oh, what if we switch random household items between homes? You wake up, and your neighbor suddenly has your chair, but they don't know it, and now everyone's questioning their memory?"
The druid wiped a proud tear from their eye. "You, my friend, are a kindred spirit."
"This is an improvement?" Jophyr groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, come on, Glowstick," Snik said, elbowing Jophyr playfully. "Wouldn't you rather they have some harmless chaos instead of fearing for their lives?"
Jophyr exhaled heavily but relented. "I suppose there are worse fates than mysteriously misplaced furniture."
With a satisfied nod, the druid stretched once more and took a few steps back toward the edge of the forest. "Well, this has been delightful, but I think it's time I disappear into the trees before anyone decides they'd rather run me out of town."
They turned, but before vanishing into the dense foliage, they cast a last glance at Snik Snak, their grin laced with mischief. "Try not to miss me too much, little kobold. Who knows? Maybe we'll cross paths again—after all, chaos has a funny way of bringing the right people together."
With that, the druid melted into the shadows, the faintest chuckle lingering on the wind.
As the first golden rays of dawn spilled over the horizon, the village slowly came to life. Doors creaked open, cautious eyes peering out at the fields. Gasps of shock and joy filled the air as the villagers stepped outside to see the once-withered crops now standing tall and abundant, the missing livestock grazing peacefully as if they had never vanished.
A murmur of awe rippled through the crowd, growing into excited chatter and then full-blown cheers.
"The curse is lifted!" someone cried, and suddenly, the village square was alive with celebration. Villagers rushed forward, gathering around Jophyr and Snik Snak, their earlier fear now replaced with overwhelming gratitude. Children darted around in excitement, tugging at their parents' sleeves and pointing at the mighty celestial.
Jophyr, standing tall, basked in the adoration like a warrior returned from battle, his radiant glow amplifying the awe that surrounded him. The villagers showered him with garlands of flowers, clasping his hands, and singing his praises. Some knelt before him, murmuring thanks as though he were a divine emissary come to bless their lands.
One particularly enthusiastic elder gripped his arm. "You are truly a champion of the gods! After all we've lost, we can only offer our deepest thanks."
"Your generosity is appreciated. It was our duty to aid those in need, and let this be a lesson that light and justice will always prevail over darkness," Jophyr beamed.
Snik Snak scanned the village square, leaving Jophyr to bask in the adulation of the villagers. There would be food for the villagers soon. They could have a feast to celebrate the end of their curse. Right now, there were just relieved faces and weary smiles.
A wide-eyed child tugged at the kobold's sleeve and hesitantly offered him a single, slightly bruised apple. Snik Snak accepted it with an exaggerated bow. "Ah, young one, you truly understand what a hero needs most," he said, taking a dramatic bite as if it were the finest delicacy he'd ever tasted. He made sure to chew loudly enough for Jophyr to hear, just in case the celestial needed another lesson in practical heroics.
"Let this day mark the triumph of hope over fear," Jophyr declared.
"Bet that felt good, huh?" Snik Snak asked as they made their way out of the village. The kobold smiled, tossing an apple back and forth.
"It was merely just," Jophyr scoffed, still glowing from the praise. "The people needed hope, and I-"
"Oh, don't give me that," Snik interrupted, waving a claw dismissively. "You loved it. The whole 'champion of the gods' thing? The kneeling? Don't think I didn't see that little extra shine in your glow."
The celestial huffed, but didn't deny it. Instead, he cast a side glance at the kobold. "And you?" he asked, watching as Snik Snak played with the apple. "I saw how you handled that child. Perhaps you do have a heart beyond your stomach after all."
Snik Snak scoffed, tucking the fruit away. "Tch. Don't go making a thing out of it, Glowstick. I just know a good investment when I see one. Feed a kid today, and maybe they grow up into a proper snack supplier tomorrow."
Jophyr smirked. "Ah, of course. Purely strategic."
"A hero's gotta eat," the kobold grinned. "And admit it—my way got things done. No divine pronouncements, no righteous fury, just some good old-fashioned negotiation."
"For once," the Empyrean exhaled, "you may have a point."
Snik Snak gasped dramatically. "Did the mighty celestial Jophyr just admit I was right? Oh, I should have had a bard write this moment down!"
"This is going to be a long journey," Jophyr sighed.