The sound of hooves suddenly echoed, accompanied by a cloud of dust as a squad of Starguard cavalry charged through the iron gates. Despite sitting far away, Aria recognized a few familiar faces. Neven led the group, followed closely by the diminutive Sable and several other riders who often shared a table in the hall.

Neven spotted her instantly and directed his horse toward her.

“Was the journey smooth?” Aria asked with a smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Very smooth,” Neven replied, dismounting and walking up to her. He cupped her cheeks and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. “I’ve been thinking about you the whole way back. Have you been waiting long?”

“Alexander just told me you were coming back, so I’ve only been here a short while.”

“Time is tight today; we’ll need to head back to Voidmarsh shortly. Sage Solon sent me with an urgent letter for the Lunar King, so I decided to depart early.” Neven pulled out two letters. “This other one is from Thorne to Seraphina. He’s been talking about it for days.”

“Thorne is at Voidmarsh too?”

“He went even earlier than us. They need Venom’s serpentine archers there, so Seraphina sent Thorne to assist Sage Solon,” Neven explained.

“Neven, hurry up!” Sable shouted from the gate, reminding him to deliver the letter to the Lunar King. Neven waved the letters in his hand and said to Aria, “I’ll deliver the letter to the Lunar King first. We’ll set off shortly after. Go back and pack; we’ll be staying for a while this time. Bring some thick clothes and cloaks; it’s very cold there.”

Aria returned to her room and packed a few clothes as Neven had instructed. Two Starguard soldiers took her luggage, and she extinguished the hearth. Arriving at the stables at the agreed time, she saw the cavalry loading supplies onto the carts. There were several carts of grain, weapons, and barrels of fire oil.

Neven and Alexander were busy in the stables. Alexander had so many items that they needed several horses to carry all his precious potions and tools.

“Why are you bringing so many medicines? There are some spare herbs over there, or I can help bring them next time we transport supplies,” Neven said, lifting a leather bag onto a horse’s back.

“I like to be prepared. I feel safer bringing these expensive potions myself,” Alexander replied, tightening the straps. “Did Sage Solon send you back to reinforce us?” he asked.

“Mainly for supplies. We’re running out of everything. If this continues, both the corps and Sage Solon’s troops will go hungry. It’s freezing there, and we need more fur.”

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t notice Aria standing nearby. She cleared her throat and approached them, asking, “I’m not sure if I brought enough.”

“Don’t worry. If you forget anything, I can always send someone back for it,” Neven reassured her.

“I envy you, getting to bring Aria along,” Alexander said jealously. “Too bad my new girlfriend is a dancer and can’t come to Voidmarsh. By the time I get back, I might have moved on.”

Neven glanced at Aria with a mischievous smile and asked Alexander, “Beauty or affection, which do you prefer?”

Alexander thought for a moment and replied seriously, “I still prefer affection. An affectionate woman won’t make a scene during a breakup. But beauty is important too; who doesn’t like a beautiful woman?”

“And what about her figure?” Neven continued.

“Of course, that’s the foundation of both beauty and affection. A graceful figure is the most important,” Alexander replied.

Aria glared at them, leaving Alexander confused.

She knew Neven was hinting at her unnecessary concern about Alexander bringing food to her that night.But she still glanced at her own figure, realizing she lacked those seductive curves and a face that could make men swoon.

Feeling slighted by their teasing, Aria remained silent throughout the journey. Men usually failed to understand the real reasons behind a woman’s anger. Neven kept reassuring Aria not to be afraid, joking that she was too scared to speak. Annoyed, Aria spurred her horse away from the incessant chatter.

The Voidmarsh camp was set at the mouth of a towering gorge, the air thick with the stench of decay. Surrounding them were Starguard and Sage Solon’s soldiers, and the vast camp of tens of thousands of tents. Alexander hurriedly parted ways upon arrival, eager to sort the herbs he brought and tend to the wounded.

Exhausted from the ride, Aria finally realized how arduous Neven’s repeated trips between the Moon Tower and Voidmarsh had been. Such a long distance, and he had done it for days.

“You can go anywhere within the camp, but don’t leave it,” Neven warned her seriously as he came to her side. “Sable is on the watchtower, Alexander is over there,” he pointed. “Lyra and I will take turns staying in the camp. When I’m not here, you can find them.”

“I’ll be careful.” Aria nodded, gazing at the vast array of tents. “So... where will I be staying?”

“Follow me,” Neven gestured for her to follow.

As they walked through the camp, greetings from the soldiers echoed around them. A loud voice from a young recruit startled Aria. Neven, used to the attention, barely reacted.

The Starguard soldiers respected Neven greatly, addressing him as Executive Commander.

Aria nudged him, asking, “They call you Executive Commander. Was Lyra demoted?”

“Lyra is still the Executive Commander. I’m just temporary. There’s too much for one Commander to handle here, so Sage Solon reinstated my authority temporarily,” he explained casually.

After weaving through the orderly rows of tents, they arrived at a tent nestled against a rocky wall, slightly larger than the others but still small. “Here we are, your new home,” he announced cheerfully.

Aria had never seen such a dreary tent before, despite her earlier optimism. The thin oilcloth flapped in the wind, offering little protection from the icy weather. Disheartened, she would have preferred facing Alpha’s stern face or Lucius’s attacks over sleeping in this tent.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“How long will we stay here? I think I didn’t bring enough clothes...” Aria shivered.

“Hard to say. It could be weeks, months, or even years,” Neven replied with a smile. “Come on, take a look inside.”

He lifted the flap and ushered Aria in.

The tent was small, barely enough for two people. Aria nearly stumbled over a brazier. To her surprise, it was much warmer inside than she had expected. Despite the howling wind outside, she could remove her cloak and wear just a dress.

The ground was covered with a bear pelt, soft underfoot. A brazier and a bed draped in soft white wool took up most of the space. Despite a slight smell of animal fur, it was quite cozy.

Seeing her satisfied expression, Neven asked, “How is it? Satisfied?”

“It's nice. I thought it would be much rougher,” Aria admitted.

“I was worried you wouldn’t get used to it, so I tried to make it as comfortable as possible,” Neven said with relief, adding, “There will be a lot to do in the coming days. Take good care of yourself.”

“I will.” Aria removed her cloak and flopped onto the bed. The journey from the Moon Tower had exhausted her. “Why is it so warm in here?” she asked, puzzled.

“It’s because of the Dragonfire Stone. I brought it so you wouldn’t suffer from the cold. As long as the fire in the brazier doesn’t go out, it will keep emitting heat,” Neven explained.

“You managed to get Damian’s Dragonfire Stone?” Aria sat up, her eyes wide with surprise.

“It was a gift from the Lunar King. I was the undefeated Executive Commander on Warrior’s Day and received it as a reward,” Neven said, a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

Aria noticed Neven’s clothes hanging nearby, indicating he stayed here. “Is this your tent?” she asked.

“Yes. I was worried about your safety alone. Plus, I only have one Dragonfire Stone, so I put it here. There are only three in the entire Moon Tower: one here, one with Damian, and one in the Lunar King’s chamber,” Neven explained. Seeing Aria’s unease, he added, “Are you worried about staying with me?”

Aria bit her lip. “No, I just…” she blushed and looked down.

“Aria, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. Just like our life at the Moon Tower,” Neven said softly, his cool fingers brushing her forehead.

Aria bit her lip harder, her heart racing inexplicably.

That night, Aria tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It wasn’t sharing the small tent with Neven that bothered her, but the eerie howls of night creatures outside. She lay there, tense and unable to relax, watching the oilcloth flap in the wind.

The cold wind carried snowflakes inside as Neven entered, securing the tent flap tightly.

Aria turned over, her wide eyes watching him.

“Can’t sleep?” Neven set down his sword, covered in snow.

“The noise is too loud. I can’t sleep,” Aria grumbled. “Where were you? Why are you back so late?”

Neven moved to the brazier, starting to remove his heavy armor. “I went on a patrol to ensure the camp’s safety.”

“It sounds like there are many Night Ghouls,” Aria said, her voice tinged with unease.

“Yes, there are many Night Ghouls, but you need to get used to these sounds. Don't worry, the camp is surrounded by protective wards. They can't get in.” Neven sat beside her, gently stroking her hair. “Sage Solon called us for a meeting; otherwise, I would have come back sooner to be with you.”

“What exactly is going on here?” Aria asked, frowning.

“It’s the seal. The number of creatures around the seal is increasing. We used to camp inside Voidmarsh, but with the surge in Night Ghouls, Sage Solon had to retreat and hold the gorge.” Neven’s eyes darkened as he explained.

“How many Night Ghouls are there?”

“There are a lot in the underground caves beneath us.” Seeing Aria’s growing fear, Neven smiled. “Judging by your expression, maybe we shouldn’t discuss this tonight. Do you like the gift I gave you?”

Aria brightened up and leaned her head on her hand. “Where did you get the Solar and Lunar Scales? Aren’t those artifacts of the demigods?”

“Remember the place where we found the Celestial’s remains?” Neven replied with a smile.

Aria nodded vigorously.

“After Lucius Argent attacked you, I went back to check it again. I found the scales there.”

“Could Lucius have brought them in?” Aria asked in surprise.

“Shh, keep your voice down,” Neven warned as a pair of guards passed by the tent, their footsteps echoing. “You can’t mention the demigods here. Sage Solon, like everyone else, despises them.”

“Such ancient hatred,” Aria mused. “Why does Sage Solon trust you as Executive Commander? Don’t you lack Essence Power?”

“Since you mentioned it…” Neven sighed. “I’ve followed Sage Solon for a long time. I was once his prized disciple. Then one year, Starguard’s Grand Mentor Orion invited me to join the legion as Executive Commander. I longed to leave because life at the Lunar Tower seemed… more exciting.”

“It’s terrifying here,” Aria agreed. “But weren’t you Sage Solon’s top disciple? Did he allow you to leave?”

“Sage Solon and Orion are close. I think they discussed it privately before seeking my opinion.” He paused, lost in memories. “I wanted to prove myself, believing I was the best warrior with Lunar Essence. So, I wanted to go to the Lunar Tower, to defeat every opponent on Warrior’s Day. But now…” He chuckled softly. “I can’t control my Essence Power at all. Maybe it’s the price of my arrogance…”

“Your Essence Power will recover. We’ll find a way,” Aria said, holding his hand.

Neven squeezed her hand in response, as if drawing comfort from her words.

They talked for a long time until the camp grew quiet and everyone retired to their tents. Neven got up, fetched a thick blanket, and laid it beside the bed. After arranging it, he lay down, still clothed.

Aria curled up under her blanket and closed her eyes. Neven must have been very tired; he started breathing evenly soon after lying down.

They were close, within reach.

Aria turned over, reaching out to gently touch his brow, closed eyes, high nose, and thin lips… feeling his warmth.

At that moment, two voices seemed to whisper in her mind. One urged her to let go of her reservations and love Neven, while the other warned:

“Neven looks just like Thanatos. This can’t be a coincidence. Aria, he’s dangerous. Stay away from him.”

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the camp. Aria sat up, clutching her blanket tightly.

Neven woke instantly, grabbing Aria’s hand. “Stay here. I’ll check it out.”

He quickly put on his shoes, grabbed his weapon, and stepped out of the tent. Aria’s heart pounded as she peered through a slit in the tent flap. Soldiers with torches hurried past in the passage between the tents.

A few minutes later, Neven returned, his face serious. “It’s Night Ghouls. They’re attacking our protective wards.”

“How many?” Aria asked, her anxiety growing.

“More than we anticipated.” Neven’s eyes showed a hint of worry. “Stay in the tent. Don’t come out.”

Aria nodded, trying to calm herself. She watched Neven leave again, her heart filled with unease.

Outside, the sounds of battle intensified. She heard the shrieks of Night Ghouls and the clash of weapons. Someone shouted orders in the distance. Aria hugged herself, curling up in a corner, her ears straining to catch every sound.

The tent flap occasionally fluttered in the wind, letting in cold air. A chill ran up her spine as if icy hands were touching her skin. She shivered, trying not to make a sound.

“Hold the line! Don’t let them through!” It was Neven’s voice. Aria felt slightly reassured but still worried about his safety.

Horrific images filled her mind. She imagined the fierce Night Ghouls with their sharp fangs and bloodthirsty eyes. She could almost hear their approaching footsteps, each step echoing in her heart. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling unbearably long. She couldn’t bear to imagine the battle outside, silently praying for it to end soon.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the noise outside began to subside. The shrieks became sparse, and the clash of weapons dwindled. She felt some of the tension lift but still couldn’t relax completely.

A few minutes later, the tent flap lifted, and Neven walked in. His face was smeared with dust and blood, his eyes full of concern. Aria stood up and rushed to him.

“What’s the situation?” she asked anxiously.

“We’ve driven the Night Ghouls back. These attacks happen occasionally. They retreated to the depths of the marsh, but we lost some warriors.” Neven paused, frowning. “But tonight, the wards seemed…”

He pulled back the tent flap and looked at the night sky, cursing under his breath.

“Seemed what?” Aria asked.

“Tonight is a new moon, weakening our wards.” Neven sat down wearily, letting out a long sigh. “Night Ghouls usually aren’t this bold. It might be a coincidence. We’ll need to strengthen the wards tomorrow.”

“Neven, Sage Solon wants you at the bunker,” Sable called from outside the tent.

Neven stood up and headed for the flap. Before leaving, he glanced back at Aria. “Get some rest, Aria.”

Aria managed a weak smile as she watched Neven leave. The night wind outside carried the scent of earth and dampness, bringing a chill. She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, trying to relax.The sounds outside gradually faded, leaving only occasional footsteps and distant whispers. Aria closed her eyes, staring at the flickering firelight. Gradually, fatigue washed over her. She curled up under the blanket, closing her eyes, and eventually fell asleep waiting.