Sylas jolts awake from the carriage’s bumpy movements as he lays down on the seats, he dreamt of that day once again, he couldn’t help but be reminded of the dreadful feeling of helplessness he once felt when he is reminded of the lifeless stare of the sheep he had killed.

Had he handled the situation better or maybe if they used a different spell? No, even if he hadn’t accidentally hit the woman, she still would have died from the grave wounds he thought to himself as a way of convincing that it wasn’t his fault. Still it doesnt change the fact that he did in fact dealt the final blow in ending her life which greatly burdened him since.

He looked to the driver and saw the wide fluffy back of the wolf Boris with the oversized bag plopped just beside them. He brought himself up with a slight groan causing Boris’ ears to pick up the voice.

“Little rabbit prince done with their beauty sleep I see?” The wolf mocked. Sylas stayed quiet for a moment before realizing that one of his ears managed to leave its hiding place at some point while asleep.

He sighed removing the hood, freeing his head from the stuffy restraints while fixing the hair sticking out from his head. There wasn’t really a point in hiding it from Boris or Alwin and people will find out eventually.

“Wasn’t expecting you to be a bunny of all things, Still so long as you can help me I don't mind-”

“Look, just don’t go around saying things about me.”

The wolf looked back at the rabbit but is now able to see his face more. It was a sight to behold all things considered as they expected someone with a rougher exterior hidden under that hood.

Their lashes were long but not feminine, their eyes were sharp giving off the aura of a noble, and overall a face that can be considered appealing if anything.

“Uhm?” The wolf therian just stared at him for a few seconds which made him uneasy if anything.

“Huh- I was expecting something more rugged. Were you a noble or something?”

Boris hit a bit of a sour spot for Sylas making their eyes twitch, now more irritated compared to when they just woke up they finally responded. But as much as they wanted to talk back they knew next to nothing about Boris and ended up not saying much.

“I don’t really wanna talk about it, so let's just get this job done. It will only be for a little while anyway, that’s what we agreed upon.”

“Yeah of course I'm just saying, I am a man of my word.”

“So… Since we agree that we are going to work together, how about you show off what you can do?”

Boris expectantly awaited his response. Hesitant Sylas’ didn’t want to reveal everything they could do. But they do acknowledge that for better cooperation he would have to reveal some of the cards up his sleeves.

They stopped at an open space in a spot that’s clearer from trees. Sylas watches Boris set up logs standing upright as a target.

“Alright show me what ya got buns!”

“Please don't call me ‘buns’.”

Sylas can use a wide variety of magic be it offensive, defensive or for healing. From the wide repertoire of weave patterns he has memorized he decided to reveal only a few offensive and defensive spells to the wolf.

Since I would eventually have to use spells anyway I might as well show him a little of what I can do. Sylas’ thought knowing that showing off too much isn’t ideal.

Starting out with his defensive magic, A wall of wind that lasts for a few seconds that surrounds a target, A web made of pure magic strings, and a sturdy Ice wall

Moving on to his Offensive magic. an intense Flame that came out from the tip of his staff spreading out continuously, A jet of water, and decided to use earth bullets as the last spell to reveal. Although still Boris still wasn’t very impressed.

“Is there something wrong? You don't seem very impressed or anything.” Sylas, now concerned, asked Boris.

“Well I have worked with other weavers before but you know, you have a lot of spells but… could be faster.”

“?” Sylas seemed perplexed, for a moment their previously apprehensive behaviour was now a look of disbelief.

“You’re just too slow...”

This comment was nothing short of an insult to Sylas who was taught solely to be proficient at magic, Boris had once worked with many weavers during his time at work but truthfully very few managed to reach the amount of spells that the short mage has demonstrated just earlier but they made up for it with their ability to act faster.

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“...”

“Uhh? Bunny you good? You’re all quiet now.”

“Come on, I can’t afford to waste anymore time here.”

Be it pettiness or overconfidence Sylas is filled with determination to prove them wrong, after all magic is what this little mage is good at.

“W-Wait Sage- did I say something wrong?!?”

I’ll show him! Too slow? Does he think weaving is as simple as recklessly swinging a sword? One wrong move could make it explode in my face… or worse.

Silence filled the whole way and not a single word was exchanged until they reached their destination despite Boris’ poor attempts at small talk. Apparently large blades and sheath designs aren’t the best conversation starter to a scholar.

Once they arrived at the cave's entrance it was already close to sunset so naturally tired from the long hours of sitting in a bumpy carriage they made camp just right outside the cave setting up their respective tents and lighting a warm fire.

“You’re not really much of a talker huh?” The crackling fire was loudly audible in the absence of sound. The two faced each other with only the campfire in between them and dark shadows casted by the trees surrounding them making sure that the two could only focus on each other.

Sylas sat with his legs folded into his chest keeping them together with his arms. Boris on the other hand while relaxed was still in a position where he could reliably react to any incoming threat that might disrupt their rest.

“...” It hasn’t really been long since the two have met. They’ve really only known each other for two to three days at most and rarely ever talked about anything, Slowly though Sylas have since gotten used to seeing the wolf therian.

Like an old scar now numb to pain he experienced less of the paralyzing fear he once felt from the sight of a therian alone which was perplexing to Sylas who up until now felt uncomfortable with the mere sight of a therian.

He stared deeply with the severe fear now replaced by a subtle discomfort which was a significant improvement from previous encounters.

Boris and his sharpened senses felt a glare that has been strictly locked onto him alone for a while. He looked to find ‘Sage’ looking at him in a daze as if in a trance, they don't seem to be aware that they are practically staring holes into Boris to which he uses the opportunity to of course, tease the little mage.

“Enjoying the view?” He gave a devilish smile showing off the sharp collection of teeth in his mouth. Naturally this gave Sylas goosebumps, promptly taking him out of the trance as they quickly turned their head away.

“Look I’m just trying to lighten the mood. If you’re acting like this because of what happened back at the guild then I’m sorry.”

The big wolf’s ears drooped down with concern.

“No it’s not that…”

“Oh? Either way, how I acted was still uncalled for…”

“Yes it was...” Sylas gripped his hands into a fist, his hands trembling a bit.

After a while without any other exchange happening Boris let out a heavy exasperated sigh.

“I also ran away.”

“?”

“Back then, before I arrived in Rivermist. I was still weak, insignificant.”

There was a certain sadness and frustration covering Boris’ face as Sylas observed. It didn't take a genius to realize that.

“You see, before arriving here in Solarium I used to be in a ‘cove’ led by my father.”

“A cove?” An unfamiliar word made Sylas’ head tip sideways.

“Oh right, people here are probably not familiar with the word. Simply put a cove for us in Lunalis is a community, home, family.”

“Celebrate, Mourn, everything we all did together like family.” Boris smiled as warm memories filled his head making him chuckle from the comforting memories.

“But?”

“Everything changed when the time came for my coming of age ceremony.”

“As the next leader of the cove I had to best my father in combat, which I did. Though the real challenge was something I could not prepare myself for… not in a million years.”

Boris suddenly paused, as he tried to push out the next words out of his mouth.

“Are you aware of the Goddess Lunalea?”

“The mad Moon Goddess?”

Boris chuckled. “Heh, mad for you folks in Solarium maybe but to us it's different.”

“The Moon Goddess in our story books sacrificed herself for the Sun God. Wrought with a mysterious curse decided to imprison herself in the moon for the sake of letting her lover live.”

Sylas wondered why he was telling such a story as he processed what was being told and connected the dots.

“I too had to do the same, and kill my father. But how could I? So I ran, as far as I could. And eventually I somehow ended up in rivermist by a stroke of luck.”

“But that was a long time ago, doesn't matter now or ever. Traditions right?”

“Why tell me all of this?”

“Good question, I guess you remind me of what I used to be back then if anything.”

“I wasn’t expecting that kind of story from someone like you, given how confident you alwayd seem to be.”

“Ha- I will take that as a compliment buns.”

He had to go through something like that? Sylas thought, they couldn’t even begin to imagine how they must have felt.

Sylas contemplated while they watched the warm fire. Although hesitant, they utter a few words.

“Therians scare me.” They said quietly, but thanks to Boris’ sharp hearing they could still hear what they were saying.

“Why is that?”

“I was helping someone… They were injured and I tried helping them, but then a Therian attacked and I panicked. I ended up hitting the one I was trying to save and well…”

“I see. But what’s done is done, there is no changing the past, all you can do now is move on.”

Sylas cupped their hands and warmed them up by rubbing them together.

“Am I scary to you?” Boris asked.

“No that came out wrong I meant-“ Boris approached Sylas, stopping only once he was halfway around the campfire before stretching out his large hand.

Twitching at the sight, Sylas cautiously eyed Boris’ movements, the long claws at the tip of the wolfs fingers did well in causing his heart rate to speed up especially when the sharp points lightly grazed their hand.

Maybe just a few seconds… Sylas thought as they too closed the distance though pathetically closing their eyes as they flinched back for every sensation they felt on their palm.

Sylas’ heart kept pounding so much that it was hard to breathe while they kept contact for a good 3 seconds as Boris’ thumb gently rubbed the back of their hand.

“Not so bad isn’t it?” The timid rabbit managed to take a peek at the scene until they pulled their arm away abruptly, the thumping in his chest still racing.

“I-I should sleep, Thank you for your patience B-Boris.”

“Anytime, I’ll keep watch tonight.” The wolf said in a soothing and calm manner.

Sylas rushed inside their tent and quickly went under the covers trying to calm the pumping organ with deep breaths.

Calm down! I did it, it was only for a moment but I actually did it… Sylas mind raced as their heart steadied while clutching the sheets.

“He sure has an unexpected way with words, that Wolf.”

They drifted asleep while the sturdy wolf kept watch while sharpening his sword that he took out from the bag.