The cavern was quiet except for the gentle breathing of the exhausted group, resting after their frantic journey. Aidan lay on the cool stone floor, staring at the bioluminescent fungi on the walls, their faint glow doing little to ease his restless mind. Sleep eluded him, thoughts of the past day’s events and the uncertain future swirling in his head.

Unable to bear the stillness any longer, Aidan quietly got up, careful not to disturb the others. He slowly made his way to the cavern entrance, nodding to the two standing watch before pushing aside the curtain of vines. As he stepped outside, he found the forest bathed in the moon’s soft light, the canopy above filtering the silvery rays.

Aidan rubbed his eyes before looking around. He was surprised to find Kaelira sitting just outside the entrance, her gaze fixed on the night sky. She had found the only place to sit down with any comfort, resting her back against a boulder. It didn’t look like the most comfortable thing to sit against, Aidan thought as he shook his head, trying to clear away the fatigue that still clouded his thoughts, his muscles aching from the events of the day before.

He looked at Kaelira again, noticing that she looked troubled, her thoughts far away. Aidan approached her quietly, unsure if she’d want company but feeling a pull to be near her.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked softly.

Kaelira jumped, his voice startling her. She put her hand to her chest, then let out a slow breath as she glanced at him, a small, weary smile touching her lips. “Not at all.”

Aidan sat beside her, drawing his knees close and resting his arms on them. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the stars twinkle overhead. The night was cool, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves around them, carrying the faint scent of earth and moss.

‘I wonder what she was thinking about. She seemed to be lost in some memory. I hope I didn’t ruin whatever moment she was having,’ Aidan thought. Looking over at Kaelira, he knew he needed to say something. The silence felt like it was becoming uncomfortable.

“It’s beautiful out here,” Aidan said, breaking the silence.

Kaelira nodded, not looking at him. “It is. It’s strange how something so peaceful can exist alongside so much chaos.”

Aidan watched her momentarily, noting how the moonlight played across her features. Her eyes reflected the light like pale oceans, and her hair cast shadows that mirrored the turmoil he knew lay beneath her calm exterior. The serene setting seemed at odds with the sadness he sensed in her.

“I guess it’s these moments of peace that remind us all our struggles in life, no matter how hard, are worth it in the end,” Aidan said softly, hoping to draw her out.

Kaelira’s lips twitched in a semblance of a smile, but Aidan noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, they do. Sometimes, it feels like these quiet moments are all we have.”

Aidan hesitated, searching for the right words. He wanted to understand her better, to connect with her on a deeper level. “Do you ever think about your parents?” he asked cautiously.

Kaelira’s gaze remained fixed on the sky, her expression turning sombre. Aidan thought she wouldn’t answer for a moment, but then she sighed deeply. “Yes, I think about them often.”

Aidan swallowed. “Can you tell me about them?”

She paused, gathering her thoughts. “They were wonderful people. My father was strong and wise, always knowing what to do. He was the pillar of our village, the one everyone turned to in times of need. He had a way of making you feel safe, no matter how dire the situation seemed. My mother… was kind and loving, always ensuring everyone was cared for. She had this warmth about her that made everyone feel at home. They taught me so much about life, about strength and compassion.”

Kaelira’s voice grew softer, tinged with sorrow. “Our village was small, nestled deep within a forest much like this one. We lived peacefully for years, our lives intertwined with the rhythms of nature. But when the temple soldiers came, everything changed. They wanted our land, our resources, and they were willing to destroy anyone who stood in their way.”

Letting out a slow breath, Kaelira continued. “I didn’t find out until much later. The temple had ordered a cleansing of sorts. Purging of all who didn’t follow and worship their goddess. They…’ Kaelira’s voice cracked. ‘They wiped out so many villages.”

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Her eyes grew distant as if she were reliving the horrors of that day. “The attack was swift and brutal. The soldiers came at dawn, their war cries shattering the morning calm. We fought back with everything we had. My father led the defence, his sword a blur as he cut through their ranks. Though not a warrior, my mother stood beside him, using her magic to heal the wounded and protect the young. They were a formidable pair, their love for our village and each other fueling their determination.”

Aidan listened, his heart aching for her. He could almost see the battle unfolding before him, the chaos, the fear, the desperation.

“But it wasn’t enough,” Kaelira continued, her voice breaking further. “The temple soldiers were ruthless, their numbers overwhelming. They showed no mercy, cutting down anyone in their path. My parents… they were killed right in front of me. My father fell first, struck down by a soldier’s blade. My mother tried to shield him, but she was no match for their cruelty. I… I couldn’t do anything to save them.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she hastily wiped them away. “I’ve carried that guilt with me ever since. I promised myself I would never be helpless again, that I would fight to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.”

Aidan’s throat tightened as he listened to her story. He reached out, hesitating momentarily before placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Kaelira. I can’t imagine what that must have been like. But you’ve honoured their memory by fighting for what’s right. They would be proud of you.”

Kaelira nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you, Aidan. That means a lot. I wish… I wish I could have one last day with them.”

Her voice cracked, and she fell silent, tears glistening in her eyes. Aidan felt a lump form in his throat, his own painful memories surfacing. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

After a few minutes, Kaelira took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “I’ve only told a few people that story. Thank you, Aidan. For listening. For not judging me.”

Aidan hesitated before speaking again, feeling the need to share something of his own. “I… I haven’t really talked about this much; it still hurts to think about it, but there was this one time during my travels. I helped a family escape from a war zone. I can’t even remember what war it was anymore.”

Aidan picked up a small rock and threw it away, trying to calm himself. Goosebumps rose across his arms as the memories came flooding back. “They were desperate, trying to survive amidst the chaos. We hid for days, moving only at night to avoid detection. It was harrowing, constantly on edge, fearing we’d be caught. The second night, the building we were in was hit. There was a family on the other side of the room we were hiding in. They were there for one minute. Then boom. Gone. The side of the building, the area around outside. Gone.”

Kaelira turned to him, listening intently, her eyes softening with empathy. She watched as Aidan’s hand shook as he tried to calm himself.

“There was a son in that family,” Aidan continued, his voice growing thick with emotion. “He was brave, always looking out for his little sister. One night, we were… We were ambushed. The boy… He… He sacrificed himself to save us. He threw himself into the soldiers’ path, giving us a chance to escape.”

Aidan’s voice cracked, and he had to pause, swallowing hard against the rising tide of grief. “I carried his sister on my back, running through the darkness. It took hours. Constantly running. We made it out, but I’ll never forget the look on his face, the courage he showed.”

Kaelira’s eyes filled with tears as she listened. She reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. “I’m so sorry, Aidan. That’s a heavy burden to carry.”

“The thing is,” whispered Aidan, no longer trusting his voice. “I always question. Would he have survived if I hadn’t found them? Would they have survived or gone in a different direction? Was I the factor that led to him dying?”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of their shared stories hanging in the air. Kaelira leaned closer, resting her head on Aidan’s shoulder. He felt a warmth spread through him, a connection forming between them that went beyond words.

“I know it won’t stop your thoughts on the what-ifs. But. Maybe you are the only reason the little girl made it out? The goddesses could have had a plan; perhaps you had interrupted it. Death is inevitable for all of us.

The only thing you can do is live each day to its fullest. Never worry about the what-ifs,” Kaelira said with certainty.

Aidan sat in silence as he processed what Kaelira had said. After a while, Kaelira spoke again, her voice soft and contemplative. “I’m around 300 years old, Aidan. I’ve seen so much and lived through so many lifetimes. Each time, I’ve loved and lost. Watching the people I care about fade away while I continue on never gets easier.”

Aidan turned to her, his heart aching for the pain she must have endured. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “I’m not going anywhere, Kaelira. I promise.”

Kaelira looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Thank you, Aidan. That means more than you know. Even if you can’t stop the passage of time, it still makes me happy to know you care.”

They sat together, watching the night sky long into the night. Aidan smiled as he felt Kaelira fall asleep. Her head rested on his shoulder as he watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. Looking back up at the stars overhead, Aidan smiled again as he closed his eyes. Kaelira was the only thing on his mind for the first time in a long time. ‘I might not have any idea what I’m doing here. But her. She feels like someone I want to protect.’