The cave was narrow, cold, and damp. Shadows clung to the jagged walls, stretching in the faint light of the heater. The air smelled of old stone and decay, and the distant howling wind reminded me that the beast still lurked outside.

I pulled my knees to my chest, trying to piece together my thoughts. Was I losing my mind? Or had I truly made a strange new friend?

At the very least, I wasn’t alone anymore.

But that didn’t solve my immediate problem—I was still freezing, and the only thing separating me from a monster was a narrow crack in the rocks.

Oh dear, it seems you’re quite cold. We should do something about that.

Shadebinder’s voice rang gently in my head, warm with concern.

I shivered, rubbing my arms. "Not much I can do about it."

Actually, there should be a heater near Edgar. You should retrieve it.

I frowned. "Edgar…?" My gaze shifted toward the skeleton. "...Is that his name?"

Yes… but let’s focus on you for now. He wouldn’t want you to end up like him.

There was a slight nervousness in her tone. I decided not to press her about it.

Instead, I groped around in the dark, searching for the heater. My fingers brushed against loose pebbles and cold metal, but nothing that felt like what I was looking for.

A little more to the right… Yes, just above your hand—there!

Finally, my fingers closed around something solid and cylindrical. It felt heavy, like a metal rod.

That’s it! You need to twist it. Hurry!

I grabbed the rod with both hands and tried to turn it. At first, it wouldn’t budge, and for a moment, I feared I’d break it. But with enough effort, the mechanism clicked—and suddenly, warmth spread through the cave.

A soft orange glow flickered to life, casting light over the damp walls. The warmth was faint, but compared to the numbing cold, it felt like standing near a roaring bonfire.

I let out a slow breath, placing the heater on the ground and stretching my stiff fingers toward it.

Then I heard Shadebinder gasp.

How rude of me! I didn’t even ask for your name. May I know the name of the brave knight who rescued me from my solitude?

I hesitated. A name? My thoughts tangled together, my mind racing for an answer. But… I found nothing.

"I… I don’t know," I admitted.

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Shadebinder’s voice softened. You don’t know? Did something happen to you?

"I don’t know… I just woke up here. I don’t remember how I got here… or even who I am."

A pause. Shadebinder was silent for a moment, as if processing my words.

Then—I’m sorry to hear that… Her voice held genuine sympathy. In that case, how about I give you a name?

I blinked. "A name?"

Yes! Let me think… Hmm…

I could almost feel her excitement as she started mumbling ideas to herself.

Ruggedy—no, that would be rude, wouldn’t it?

Red? Your eyes are red, but that might not be the best thing to focus on…

Oh! Raven! You have raven-black hair! How about it—Raven?!

I stared into the dim light of the cave, rolling the name over in my mind. I wasn’t sure if it fit me, but… I didn’t have anything else.

"...Raven," I murmured.

It wasn’t much, but it was something.

I glanced down at the sword in my lap, the silver crescent-shaped pommel gleaming in the heater’s glow. "Then… I’m Raven. Nice to meet you, Shadebinder. And… thank you for the name."

Shadebinder practically beamed through our connection. You’re very welcome, Raven!

******

The cave felt a little less suffocating now.

As I stretched my fingers over the heater, another thought crept into my mind.

"Shadebinder, how… how are you able to see?"

Ah… well, I don’t exactly see like you do.

Her voice took on a thoughtful tone.

It’s more like… sensing. I can feel what’s happening around me as if I had sight in all directions, though I can’t see through solid objects.

I nodded slowly, taking in the explanation. "How far can you sense?"

About as far as the cave entrance. I was quite surprised when that Chimera nearly caught you.

I frowned. "Chimera?"

Yes, the beast outside. Chimerae are animals altered by high concentrations of mana. It can happen naturally in some places, but…

Her voice wavered slightly.

A Chimera of that level… that wouldn’t have happened by accident. Someone made it. And that means… someone put it here.

A chill ran down my spine. Made? Put here?

I wanted to ask more, but the warmth of the heater was making me drowsy. The weight of exhaustion pressed down on me, my body finally feeling the toll of the night’s events.

Minutes passed. I wasn’t sure how many—I was too focused on the soft, flickering glow of the heater.

Then, without warning, the light dimmed. The warmth faded.

Panic shot through me. "Did it break?!"

No, no! Don’t worry!

Shadebinder’s voice was quick to reassure me.

It just ran out of charge. You need to turn it off so it can recharge.

I swallowed, forcing myself to calm down. "How long will it take?"

About an hour or so.

I reached out, twisting the heater back to its original position. The last of the light flickered out, and once again, the cave was swallowed by darkness.

The cold was creeping back in. I could already feel the warmth slipping away from my skin.

Shadebinder spoke up again, this time more firmly.

Raven, we need to find permanent safety. I know you’re still shaken, but we have to start thinking about what comes next.

I hesitated. "...Where could we even go?"

Lumeria is too far… and I don’t exactly want to go there,

she admitted, almost sheepishly.

But Mornhollow… they should be close. And hopefully… still around.

That last part made me pause. "...You don’t know?"

Raven, I’ve been sitting in this cave for over a century. Cut me some slack.

Shadebinder huffed, though there was no real anger in her voice.

I let out a weak chuckle. "...Fair enough."

But then my chest tightened again as another fear surfaced. "Even if I wield you… how am I supposed to fight that thing if it follows me?"

Shadebinder’s voice was steady—reassuring. Don’t worry. I’m more than just a talking sword.

I exhaled slowly.

I wasn’t sure if I believed her. But I did know one thing—I wasn’t going to survive by sitting here and waiting to freeze.

"...Alright," I murmured. "Then let’s figure out a plan."

Outside, the wind howled like a hungry beast.

Inside the cave, the fire inside me began to flicker back to life.