Senri forcefully turned her thoughts away from tomorrow and back towards the skirmish at hand. She sidestepped the Reaver’s attack, striking at its front leg as she did so. The spear cut through fur and flesh, severing muscle and tendon before ricocheting off bone. Senri grimaced as the feedback ran up her hands, but kept her grip tight.

The Reaver stumbled and fell as its leg gave out. Before it could find its balance, she stabbed its stomach. Her weapon’s length glowed bright blue, and it fell still. Senri pulled a knife from her waist as she kneeled, and after a word of gratitude, slit the beast’s throat. The life in its eyes died as hot blood gushed out.

Saya and Verad did the same some distance away. In total, six Reaver corpses lay dead. For once, there wouldn’t be an argument over who carried the extras. Senri watched as Verad knelt in front of Saya to bandage one of her wounds. For some reason, the sight made her heart ache.

Shoving the unnecessary emotion to the side, she made her way over to them. “Is it bad?” Verad didn’t look away from his task. Instead, Saya piped up. “Nope! Barely hurts. He’s just a wor– ow!” She yelped as Verad poured antiseptic on her wound without warning, then again as he overtightened the bandage.“Keep telling yourself that,” he snorted. “It’s not serious, but it is deep,” he said, turning back to face Senri. “We should head back as soon as we’re done.” Senri nodded. “I’ll go help Levin. We’ll start as soon as he’s done.”

“Looks like you don’t need to,” said Verad. He pointed behind her. Turning to follow his gesture, Senri saw Levin striding towards them. His Wyrd was nowhere to be seen– keeping watch from above, no doubt. “He kept his word.” Verad’s voice admitted grudgingly. Senri nodded in agreement.

“You’re done here?” Levin asked, stopping just a few paces away. Senri nodded.

“And you?”

“The Titan’s dead. I already took its Heart. The pelt is too big.”

“You’re supposed to return before harvesting anything.”

“I figured the three of you would be fine.”

Senri bit her lip to keep from arguing. “Alright. Help us with these, then.” She gestured to the fallen Reavers. Levin nodded and knelt by the nearest, reaching for a knife as he did so. “Prick,” Verad muttered under his breath. Senri smacked him lightly, much to Saya's amusement. “Enough. Get to work.” The redhead walked off with a scowl.

Senri returned to her kill. She felt its neck, making certain it was dead before removing her spear from its gut. Kneeling, she freed a knife of her own and set to the bloody task. She separated flesh from fur with one last flick of the wrist, pulling the pelt free and shaking free as much purplish blood as possible.

Once satisfied, she rolled it as tightly as she could, binding it with a measure of rope and tying it to the top of her pack. She repeated the process on another corpse, then slung the pack over her shoulder, pelts and all. Levin did the same a few feet away.Senri felt a tinge of envy as she watched him work. Though he’d lost his bout with Selerim, the silver-haired boy moved with the same easy confidence. It made her wonder when– or if– she’d ever share that confidence with either of them.

She jumped as Levin’s Wyrd landed on his shoulder, materializing out of the surrounding dark. No matter how many times she saw it, she couldn’t get used to it. Levin seemed completely unfazed as he turned to her. “Deima didn’t see anything,” he said calmly. “We should start heading back once the other two are finished.”

Senri nodded. They hadn’t strayed far from Cress, but with her sister’s injury– and the convoy leaving tomorrow– returning early was the prudent choice. “Also,” Levin continued. “You probably figured as much, but Corvus assigned me to your group as a test.” Senri sighed.

“I knew it. How’d we do?” Levin shook his head.

“I wasn’t testing your group. I was testing you.”

“... What do you mean?”

“You’re almost fifteen. You know what that means for us hunters, right?”

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Senri felt her heart quicken. “It’s when hunters bond with their Wyrds.” Levin nodded. “But duskwings are rare, so we make sure the candidates are ready.” He paused. “You’re more than ready.”

Relief washed over Senri. “Really?” Levin nodded again. “They listen to you, and you know how to control yourself.”

“So when I get back…”

“Linua prepared a clutch before she left. You’ll be given first pick once they hatch.” Levin’s eyes flicked towards something else. “Are you two ready?” Saya and Verad stepped into line. Each had two pelts bound to their own packs. They nodded. “Then let’s go.” Levin’s word took to the sky, and the small group made their way into the dark.

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

Selerim turned restlessly in his bed, reaching out to run his fingers over the open pages of his sketchbook. He’d spend most of the past few days resting, at the insistence of both Corvus and Sita. It had done nothing to help with his newfound sluggishness. If anything, having nothing to do just made everything worse. He hated the idea of spending his last days in Cress doing nothing, but knew they were right. He’d only be a nuisance.

Selerim flipped to the last page and looked down lopsidedly at the unfinished drawing of Senri. His face warmed as the black-and-white image brought with it the moment they’d shared. We’re not done yet, she had said. Not that they had ever truly started. There had always been something there, even when they were children, but neither had been bold enough to act on it. Now, though, it felt more defined. More real. Even though he was leaving…

Selerim flinched as Nyx landed on the bed beside him. He pulled the notebook away from under her, careful not to let it catch on her claws. “Careful,” he chided softly, smoothing her features as she nestled up to him. Selerim laughed as she shook her body in response, tickling him. “Sorry. I know I’ve been restless lately.” The duskwing stilled as he spoke, looking directly into his eyes.

“I know,” Selerim laughed. “I’m like you now.” Joking as he was, the thought made him sad. His light blue eyes were one of the few traits he inherited from his father, and now even that tenuous connection was gone. He just hoped his family wouldn’t think of him differently. Corvus was right, Selerim thought as he closed his eyes. As much as he dreaded his impending departure, being away from his family for so long had left him anxious. Nyx nipped him at that, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking.

“Sorry,” Selerim whispered. “Thank you for staying with me.” Nyx closed her eyes as he scratched her neck. Before long, the soft lull of sleep took them both.

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

Senri raised her arms back above her head, groaning in relief as the action assuaged her tired and sore muscles. “Hey!” She turned to see Verad a few paces away. His sword hung loosely at his hip, though his gauntlet was nowhere to be seen. “Have you seen Saya?” He asked as he caught up to her.

“She slipped away once we passed through the gate.” Senri raised one eyebrow. “Why would she do that?” Verad’s expression turned guilty. “I said that she should consider something less dangerous. Senri tried– and failed– to hide her incredulity. “That was dumb.” Verad raised his hands. “I know. I get it. I just don’t like seeing her get hurt. But I just want to apologize. That’s it.”

Senri sighed. Boys. “She’s probably sulking in her room. Wait,” she added as he turned away. “You should stop by Tala’s. If Saya went straight home, she’s probably starving.” Verad nodded. “Tha–” Whatever he said next was drowned out by a thundering crash. Senri pressed her palms to her ears, but it was no use. The sound came from every direction, bleeding through her hands and scattering her mind.

“What was…” She trailed off as she took in Verad’s expression. His eyes were wide with shock. She followed his gaze. The mountain range stared back, crowned by what little starlight made it through the endless dark. The sight struck her as odd, but it took a moment to place why. The village wall, Senri realized. From where she was standing, that’s all she should have been able to see. “I have to go,” Verad said in a panic-stricken voice. “The old man’s house is close to the edge.” he turned away, but Senri caught his wrist before he could take two steps. “Wait!” Verad’s eyes flashed with a mix of desperation and anger, but she refused to be cowed.

“We need to stick together. Saya…” She hesitated. “Selerim is closest. Then Saya. Corvus can take care of himself. He would want us to stay with the others– not worry about him.” She could see the conflict on Verad’s face. “You know he would,” She pleaded. Verad visibly hesitated. “You’re right,” he said finally, though his voice was grudging. Senri sighed in relief. “We’ll find him, okay? I promise.”