Chapter 11: Distance Between Us

[Location: Whispering Woods – Noon – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

As Drifter looked around the Whispering Woods, thick fog enveloped the forest, obscuring the tall trees standing still. Only the occasional whisper of wind and the slow drip of dew could be heard. The distant calls of birds and the faint hum of insects filled the air, while the damp leaves crunched softly underfoot. The atmosphere felt calm, but there was life hidden beneath the silence. The light was dim, blocked by the dense canopy, with only slivers of sunlight filtering through the branches.

Lorcan finally broke the silence, his voice light, almost teasing.

"Back here again? Getting boring after a while."

Sloane, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, shrugged while scanning the surroundings. His voice was relaxed, though there was a sharp edge to it.

"Better than listening to a boring seminar."

Reine took a few steps ahead, his eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. His voice was soft but clear.

"Did you see that? The tree moved."

Vaeloria, walking behind, just chuckled half-heartedly, not too concerned.

"It’s just a regular tree, probably swayed by the wind."

But despite her light words, her gaze remained fixed on the space between the trees, as if the shadow still moved, watching them. The silence around them felt off—like something was manipulating the atmosphere, something unsettling lingering in her mind.

They continued forward, and Drifter noticed the fog growing thicker, the trees growing denser. Soon, they reached a fork in the path, three narrow branches leading in different directions.

Drifter spoke with a calm, firm voice, no hint of doubt.

"We’ve arrived. I’ll take the northern route. Sloane, you and Lorcan head east. Reine, Vaeloria, take the west path."

His eyes locked onto each of them with intensity.

"Meet at the outpost by sunset. Stay alert."

Lorcan raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Got it, boss!"

Sloane responded casually, with a hint of humor.

"Take care, everyone. It’s okay to be late, as long as we’re safe."

Vaeloria and Reine nodded, their fingers trembling slightly. Drifter glanced at them briefly, his gaze sharp.

"Is it wise to separate from them? But this is just training... there's much more danger out there," he thought.

Then, they split up, swallowed by the thick fog moving like the breath of the forest, each heading in their separate directions.

[Location: Whispering Woods – West Path – Vaeloria and Reine – Noon – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

The fog thickened, creeping along the ground, winding through the increasingly dense tree trunks. The sound of their footsteps on the damp earth felt distant, muffled by the heavy silence pressing in. Vaeloria closed her eyes for a moment, feeling her head begin to ache. Something was off about this forest, as if the air around her was growing heavier.

Vaeloria held her breath, trying to steady herself, but the nausea couldn’t be held back. Slowly, she moved closer to Reine, her face growing paler.

"Reine... sorry... can I go back first? I’m feeling sick... my head hurts..." Her voice was faint, almost inaudible in the stillness of the forest.

Reine turned, his eyes searching her face. Vaeloria looked genuinely unwell, cold sweat dripping from her temples.

"It’s fine, Ria. I can manage alone," Reine replied, with a slight hesitation, but trying to keep his composure.

Vaeloria nodded softly, feeling guilty. With hurried steps, she began to retreat, too weak to continue the journey. The silence returned, while Reine remained standing, watching Vaeloria walk away, deciding to continue on his own.

"Thanks, Reine... sorry again..." Her voice faded into the thickening fog.

[Location: Rest Area – Frontier Outpost – Afternoon – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

Drifter stepped into the rest area in front of Frontier Outpost, a square building with a large tent and long tables. Several students and members were seated, enjoying their dinner. Drifter focused on Vaeloria, sitting at a corner table, her fingers quickly tapping the Lumina Core.

Drifter glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable.

"Where’s Reine? You were supposed to come back together."

Vaeloria immediately straightened up, a usual smile on her lips, but her eyes avoided Drifter’s sharp gaze.

"Uh... I came back early. I wasn’t feeling well," her voice faltered.

Drifter stayed silent, his gaze unwavering. His eyes grew sharper.

"You left him behind? Did you try contacting him?"

Vaeloria looked at Drifter, panic flashing in her eyes.

"I tried... but there was no response. Lorcan and Sloane haven’t come back either... I hope they’re together..."

Her voice trailed off, growing quieter.

Drifter watched her with a stern expression, his voice firm.

"We’ll wait for Lorcan and Sloane for a bit. Five minutes. If they don’t return, we’ll go look for them."

Drifter saw Vaeloria turn the Lumina Core on her wrist again. She stared anxiously at the screen, her fingers trembling as she pressed the panel. Her breath quickened, her face pale, eyes scanning the screen constantly, concern written all over her.

A few moments later...

Lorcan smiled at the awkward situation, but his grin faded when he realized something was wrong.

"Already back? Wait—where’s Reine?"

A long pause followed. Lorcan squinted, unsure of what he’d just heard.

"You didn’t leave him behind, did you?"

Sloane interrupted, his tone serious.

"That’s messed up if you left him."

Vaeloria’s voice was almost a whisper.

"Sorry… sorry... I thought..."

Drifter turned to Lorcan and Sloane, his voice low but commanding.

"Report to the veterans. We need a rescue team, now."

Lorcan stepped forward, his eyes full of determination.

"No. We’re going to find him now."

He glanced at Sloane, who had already sent a report through the Arcane Network, his face grim.

Sloane nodded, his hands moving quickly over the Lumina Core.

"I’ve contacted the rescue team. I agree with Lorcan."

Vaeloria lowered her head briefly, then her voice was barely audible.

"I’ll go too. It’s... my fault, he’s out there."

Her decision was firm, with no attempt to hide her resolve. Lorcan raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips, though the atmosphere had turned serious.

"Look at that, Ria volunteering for extra duty? Didn’t expect that."

Sloane interrupted, his steps quick and decisive.

"We don’t have time for jokes. Let’s go."

Vaeloria gripped the Lumina Core tightly, her fingers pressing hard. In her heart, a prayer whispered quietly.

"Creator, please let Reine be okay..."

Her face was grim, biting her lower lip.

Drifter gave a brief nod, his gaze fixed ahead. His voice firm.

"We move now. Keep trying to contact Reine. Hopefully, he answers."

With that, they turned and stepped into the thickening fog, each step heavy with tension as they moved deeper into the forest.

[Location: Whispering Woods – Dusk – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

Drifter ran ahead, followed by Lorcan, Sloane, and Vaeloria, heading toward the western path. As they ran, the foggy forest grew quieter and deeper, filled only with the rustling of leaves, the song of crickets, distant howls, and the eerie call of night birds. The darkness added a magical yet tense atmosphere. The fog thickened, and the light from the Lumina Core on their wrist illuminated the dark surroundings.

Drifter stopped, scanning the fog carefully. His posture was rigid, his brow furrowed, his jaw clenched.

"No signs."

Next to him, Vaeloria was trying to contact Reine again. She glanced at Drifter occasionally, frustration creeping onto her face.

"Come on, Reine... please answer..."

Her voice was soft, full of hope, but the worry was unmistakable.

Drifter stared into the fog with a hard expression, then pointed firmly to the north.

"We don’t have time. I’ll take the northern route. You three—check the eastern path. We’ll regroup in 15 minutes."

No words followed. They all nodded silently, the tension between them making any doubt fade quickly.

Vaeloria met Drifter’s gaze, her expression firm, though a hint of doubt lingered behind her eyes.

"Understood."

Lorcan glanced at Drifter, a half-smile on his lips, though his voice was sharper, teasing.

"Don’t get lost, old man."

Drifter nodded once, without a word, and vanished into the thick fog. Without hesitation, the others followed, heading east. Their steps quickened, but the traces they left almost entirely vanished, swallowed by the dense fog.

[Location: Whispering Woods – East Path – Evening]

Vaeloria stepped forward, her movements growing heavier as nausea and a headache slowly crept in, while the fog around her clouded her vision. Suddenly, her eyes shifted to the foggy forest with large trees, and she fell from an immense height.

Beside her, she saw the figure of a man with long golden hair, his gaze stern.

"Come on, again. Don’t give up."

She continued down the foggy path, tears flowing, breath labored, and once again, she fell, this time from an even higher height. Though she survived thanks to her natural Evocyte Barrier, the cycle repeated itself.

"DAD, PLEASE STOP THIS!" she shouted.

The man remained firm, his voice commanding.

"This is just the basics... You have to make it!"

But suddenly, Vaeloria saw Reine again, the one she had left behind. Reine's hands trembled, his eyes wide, breath ragged, and his cheeks slightly pale.

"I shouldn’t have done this… I’m sorry, Reine… I’m sorry..."

Suddenly, Lorcan's voice broke the silence, and her vision shifted to focus on Lorcan, Sloane, and the fog around them.

"Hey, Ria, you okay? What are you staring at?"

Vaeloria turned toward Lorcan, her eyes still a little vacant, before she slowly regained her senses.

"Sorry, let’s keep moving."

After a moment, her steps felt lighter, as if the weight pressing on her chest had eased slightly. The soft glow from her Aurorasworn Bow illuminated the path, casting fleeting shadows on the twisted trees around them.

The deeper they went, the quieter it became. The fog thickened and pressed in, as if something was lurking. Suddenly, a sharp noise broke the silence. Vaeloria stopped, her hand raised quickly, signaling for the others to stop. Her eyes narrowed as she carefully scanned the fog.

"Something’s wrong. We’re not alone."

Her voice was now a whisper, filled with unease.

Sloane backed away slightly, panting, his voice trembling.

"G-Ghosts? Damn..."

Before anyone could react, Wraithborn and Mistbane Treant charged. Wraithborn rushed forward like black smoke with a skeletal frame, their green eyes piercing the darkness. Mistbane Treant stomped heavily, its wooden body cracking, sharp branches spreading a thick green fog. Their screams pierced the silence like a cold blade.

Vaeloria moved quickly, raising her Aurorasworn Bow, without hesitation, releasing a barrage of glowing arrows.

"Watch out, Treant on the left!"

Lorcan smirked slightly, though his teeth were clenched. With a swift motion, he released a blast of dark energy from his hands.

"How’s this for a little kindling... time to burn!"

Lorcan attacked without hesitation, destroying several Mistbane Treants with quick strikes. The Mistbane Treants attacked with their wooden fists, while the Wraithborn launched dark magic from a distance, moving slowly like spirits. Sloane seemed hesitant, his Zephyra Fang Dagger materializing in his hand, but he hesitated to strike. Vaeloria continued to support from the rear, shooting light arrows.

The ground trembled, a loud rumble shaking the forest. Rocks were thrown from the earth, and the air felt heavy, filled with tension. Reine's voice was heard, full of desperation, breaking the silence.

"Help! Over here!"

All attention was diverted. Vaeloria ran quickly, the light from her Aurorasworn Bow guiding her way. Lorcan, Sloane, and the others followed, pursuing her.

They arrived at Reine, cornered beneath a large tree, his body exhausted, breathing heavily. His silver armor, adorned with blue crystals, and his weapon, Vireiscryne, had materialized. At the edge of the clearing, the Mistbane Treant and Wraithborn stood silently in the fog, watching them.

Vaeloria stepped forward, her face showing relief yet bitterness, though her voice remained tense.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Reine..."

They circled around Reine, forming a protective ring. The Wraithborn and Mistbane Treants watched from the outside, their eyes gleaming with hunger.

Vaeloria knelt beside Reine, her expression softening for a moment as her eyes met his.

"I’m glad you're safe, Reine," her voice was low but firm.

Vaeloria quickly turned her gaze away. In the distance, the silhouette of the The Elderwood Colossus is a towering, ancient figure resembling a giant tree. Its body, made of cracked bark, is covered in strange, shifting faces. Two massive legs and arms, formed from thick wood, support its immense frame. Its face is geometric, carved into the bark. As it moves, its roots leave deep marks in the earth. while the Mistbane Treants and Wraithborn grew closer. The air began to fill with the scent of fear. The sound of breaking branches and a terrifying rumble filled the space, mixing with the foul smell of moss and decay.

Lorcan smiled, despite the growing danger.

"Glad you're still alive, buddy. By the way, we’re surrounded."

Sloane was breathing heavily, his hands trembling.

"Dammit... where the hell is Drifter?" his voice was caught, his eyes darting around.

The Mistbane Treants advanced, their massive feet crunching against the wet ground. The Wraithborn floated forward, their bodies vanishing into the fog.

Lorcan sprinted ahead, fists glowing with dark energy. But before his strike could land, the roots of the Mistbane Treant lashed out, wrapping tightly around his body, pinning him down.

Vaeloria fired off arrows in quick succession, panic in her aim. Some missed, others hit, but the creatures kept advancing.

Sloane’s hands trembled, his movements slow as he swung his dagger, each strike lacking its usual precision. The Mistbane Treants closed in on him, one after another. He dashed toward a large tree for cover, but quickly realized it was just another monster, forcing him to retreat again.

In the midst of the chaos, Reine stood frozen. His ice shield was gripped tightly, but his breath grew ragged, eyes darting, his chest rising and falling faster.

"This isn't good... We're not working together..." His breath caught, his eyes locking on Lorcan as the roots slammed into him.

Reine rushed forward, his blade flashing as he tried to cut the roots away.

Lorcan, struggling, muttered, "Well, thanks... buddy..."

But Lorcan noticed a group of Wraithborn behind Reine, preparing a miasma spell. Without thinking, Lorcan pushed forward, his dark energy shield raised to protect Reine.

“Watch out!” he shouted.

But the shield was overwhelmed, shattering in an instant, throwing Lorcan to the ground.

Reine rushed to his side, trying to help him up.

Reine's voice trembled, barely rising above the chaos.

“I... I’m sorry...”

Lorcan chuckled weakly, pain clear in his voice but still holding onto his usual toughness.

“It’s alright, man... don’t sweat it...”

The words hit Reine hard, pulling him out of his fear. Lorcan’s faint smile, full of confidence despite his injuries, sparked something deep inside Reine, reigniting his resolve.

He took a deep breath, quickly surveying his surroundings. For the first time, his mind cleared. Reine took a step forward, his voice loud and clear, cutting through the battle's chaos.

"Stop! Everyone, hold your attacks!"

Vaeloria froze, her arrow still raised.

"Reine...?"

Reine stood firm, ice spreading beneath his feet, the air around him growing cold. His voice grew stronger, full of conviction.

"Trust me! I have a plan."

Lorcan hesitated for a moment, the dark energy still pulsing in his fists, but he eventually nodded.

"Alright, buddy. Let’s go."

Reine unleashed a flurry of Ice Bolts, shards of ice slicing through the air toward the Mistbane Treants and Wraithborn. Some struck with sharp cracks, while others shattered harmlessly against the ground. The creatures turned, their focus locking onto him. Without a pause, Reine darted forward, their groans rising as they surged after him.

Vaeloria shouted, frustration clear in her voice.

"Reine! What are you doing? You're going to get yourself killed!"

Reine didn’t slow down, only shouting back without looking.

"Ria, Dazzling Flare, now!"

Their eyes met for a brief moment. Though still hesitant, Vaeloria drew her bow and fired the Dazzling Flare. A blinding explosion of light erupted in the middle of the field, causing the Mistbane Treants and Wraithborn to stop momentarily, confused by the bright flash.

“Sloane! Tempest Vortex, now!” Reine’s voice rang out, commanding over the chaos.

"A-what?... Okay! Tempest Vortex!" With trembling hands, Sloane swung his dagger. Green wind energy shot into the air.

The energy struck the crowd, creating a wild vortex of wind. The storm swirled violently, pulling Mistbane Treants and Wraithborn into its center. Their bodies were tossed helplessly, accompanied by a deafening roar of wind.

Reine turned to Lorcan, voice steady as the frost gathered at his feet.

“Lorcan! It’s up to you!”

Lorcan grinned, blood streaming down his face.

"Finally! Time to smash!"

With full power, he unleashed Lorcan's Special, leaping into the center of the vortex. His dark fists struck fast and hard, smashing through his enemies.

Lorcan landed with a satisfied smile.

Reine drove his sword into the ground.

"Glacive Spire!"

His voice echoed as sharp ice pillars rose quickly, piercing the enemies trapped in the vortex. Mistbane Treants and Wraithborn cracked apart, their bodies shattering into flying ice shards.

Vaeloria lowered her bow, letting out a long sigh.

"Good work, everyone. We did it."

Sloane looked over the frozen battlefield, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"No way… that actually worked?!"

Lorcan chuckled, patting Reine on the shoulder with his bloody hand.

"Great job, buddy. You’re amazing."

The ground suddenly shook with every step of the Elderwood Colossus. Dark energy twisted through the air like black smoke, surrounding its massive form. Sad faces emerged from its wooden skin, while giant roots shot out of the ground, twisting wildly and forming a wooden prison that trapped the forest in shadows of sorrow.

Sloane stumbled back, his legs shaking. "Great..." he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Looks like we can’t run now."

Lorcan clenched his fists, energy flickering around them. "Perfect. This damn tree just dug its own grave."

A deep rumble vibrated the air. Giant vines spun like venomous serpents, launching toward their group. Lorcan and Sloane moved stealthily, avoiding the whipping vines. In the distance, the Elderwood Colossus stood firm, its roots gripping the earth.

Vaeloria's light arrows and Reine's Ice Bolts pelted the wooden giant, but it remained unmoving.

Reine's eyes snapped wide as a vine shot toward Vaeloria. His muscles tensed, and without a second thought, he shouted,

"Ria, watch out!"

His voice cut through the air, sharp and urgent. In an instant, a thick wall of ice materialized before Vaeloria, blocking the vine just in time. The remaining vines crashed into Reine's shield, Vireiscryne, shattering the ice with a loud crack. His body lurched, but the vines froze the moment they made contact with the barrier.

With a swift motion, Reine slashed through the frozen tendrils, while Vaeloria released a barrage of light arrows. One by one, the vines shattered, falling apart in a flurry of broken pieces.

Sloane darted forward, his Zephyra Fang gleaming in his hand. He activated Wind Step—his body blurred with emerald light, moving so quickly that the vines couldn’t keep up.

Lorcan stumbled, vines coiling around him like constricting snakes. Seeing this, Sloane rushed over, slashing through the thick tendrils and freeing Lorcan in a fluid motion.

From a closer distance, Sloane saw a barrage of Ice Bolts and light arrows strike the Elderwood Colossus. The projectiles hit with force, but the giant remained unmoved, as if they were nothing more than pebbles against a stone wall.

Then, with a deep rumble, the Elderwood Colossus released its roots, which had been anchoring it to the earth. Its massive arm, coated in dark energy, crashed to the ground. Lorcan barely managed to dodge the impact. The earth cracked, and the ground trembled beneath their feet, like a tremor from the depths.

Without hesitation, Sloane activated Wind Step again, launching himself toward Reine’s side.

"Bro..." he gasped, still catching his breath. "How the hell did you run into this thing? I thought Elderwood Colossus wasn’t aggressive."

Reine shut his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"I think I broke something when I fell off the path earlier... couldn’t see through the fog..."

Sloane bit his lip, his gaze flicking nervously toward the Elderwood Colossus.

"Well, that could’ve been something important to it," he muttered under his breath.

He took a deep breath, then turned toward Reine, his expression serious.

"We’re not winning this... but maybe we should try apologizing."

Reine raised an eyebrow, still unsure.

"How do you apologize to a monster?"

Sloane shrugged, his tone a bit more resolute.

"Try getting closer, stop attacking..."

Vaeloria, looking between them, nodded, her voice steady.

"Alright. We’ve got no other choice."

Reine took a slow step forward, his eyes on the Elderwood Colossus. He held his shield up, positioning it to deflect the vines, but not strike. His voice was firm, yet tinged with uncertainty.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to!" he called out, his words cutting through the tense air.

The Elderwood Colossus continued to attack relentlessly.

"What’s he doing?" Lorcan muttered as he continued fending off the vines.

Reine knelt down, his eyes locking onto the Elderwood Colossus’s.

"I’m sorry... I know what I broke wasn’t just some valuable object... it could’ve been one of your family members..." He lowered his head deeply.

For a moment, the Elderwood Colossus stood still, but then its vines shot toward Reine again—

Vaeloria drew her Aurorasworn Bow, its golden light shining brightly. Her eyes narrowed sharply.

"Feythrasir..."

A golden beam shot forward like a comet, slicing through the vines and striking the Elderwood Colossus with perfect precision. The explosion of light flooded the battlefield, scattering stardust and energy, twinkling in the air. The Elderwood Colossus howled in pain, its voice echoing deeply as the earth itself seemed to tremble. With the last of its strength, the giant knelt, the ground around it shaking violently.

Vaeloria gasped for air, her Aurorasworn Bow vanishing into yellow particles that floated away. Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine stood frozen, mesmerized by the magical sight they had never imagined.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the air, forcing them to look away. The wooden walls surrounding them collapsed with a loud crash. Drifter and the rescue team appeared, their Squad Golem formation—GRX-098 "Virtus Castigat"—emerging amidst the destruction. The rectangular-shaped giant, covered in dark blue metal with silver patterns, hovered, its anti-gravity engines humming beneath. On top, the twin Judicator Cannons fired continuous blue energy waves at the Elderwood Colossus. Each shot shook the Colossus, causing wooden splinters to fly as the giant slowly fell apart.

"Stop! Stop attacking!!" Reine shouted, running toward Theodore, the commander with neatly tied black hair and cat-like ears.

"Please stop, it’s my fault!" he cried, his voice cracking with overwhelming guilt.

"Sir... please stop," Drifter echoed.

Theodore raised his hand, and the golems stopped immediately.

The Elderwood Colossus lay collapsed, its wooden body torn apart, with some faces missing. The vines were scattered across the battlefield. Reine approached slowly.

"I’m sorry..." he whispered. "I know what I broke wasn’t just something valuable... it could have been part of your family..." He bowed his head deeply.

The Elderwood Colossus locked eyes with Reine for a moment, then, with a final, slow movement, it turned and vanished into the mist.

In the heavy silence that followed, Drifter, Lorcan, Sloane, and Vaeloria approached Reine, gathering around him.

"Good job," Drifter said in a low voice.

"Sorry I’m late... Monsters. They weren’t exactly in the mood to let me through."

Sloane, leaning casually against a large rock, raised an eyebrow and exaggerated his grin.

"Well... good thing you didn’t get lost too, old man... would’ve been a pain to track you down."

A soft laugh rippled through the group, the tension broken and replaced with a lighter atmosphere.

Vaeloria, leaning against a fallen tree, raised an eyebrow and flashed a mischievous smile.

"Yeah... lucky the monster didn’t follow you here too."

Lorcan, wiping dust off his jacket, snorted as he stood up from the rubble.

"Would’ve been fun if ‘the old man’ disappeared... but sorry, we’ll hand you over to the rescue team."

Theodore swept his gaze over the group, noting their tired faces with an approving look.

"Good. Reine is safe. Well done."

Vaeloria stepped forward, still smiling slyly. She waved her hand casually but elegantly, then looked from Reine to Sloane.

"Thanks, Sir. We might need a break though."

Sloane raised his hand lazily, a tired grin on his face.

"Yeah, we’re all pretty worn out."

Theodore raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Well, tomorrow you can head back to the academy as a reward... for making the area safe, we’ll ensure the road back to the outpost is clear."

They walked slowly back toward the Frontier Outpost, their footsteps still feeling the tremors beneath them.

Lorcan glanced at Reine, his expression a mix of disbelief.

"Damn, Reine... do you think that monster understood what you said?"

Reine paused for a moment, slightly confused.

"Well... about that..."

Sloane grinned, his tone light.

"Actually, it was my idea... not like I had a better option."

Lorcan rolled his eyes, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Of course it was. Should've known."

Reine smiled faintly, his eyes briefly glancing at them.

Lorcan tapped the Lumina Core on his wrist, and a blue holographic screen flickered to life, playing back a recording of their last battle. Sloane’s frantic voice echoed through the air, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

"Come on! Get off me!" Sloane's voice crackled in the recording, panic clear as he ran from the ghostly figure chasing him. His footsteps stopped abruptly, and the audio cut to him hiding behind a large tree. The tension was thick, but then Sloane let out a startled gasp.

The sound of the tree shifting and groaning filled the air, and the vine-like appendages lashed out. Sloane's terror was evident in his voice.

The group fell silent for a moment, then the scene shifted to laughter. Lorcan cracked up, his usual smirk spreading into full laughter.

Sloane, voice dripping with mock indignation, shot back,

"Well… if it was a ghost, that doesn’t count! I’m sure you would’ve been toast if I hadn’t saved you from getting a kiss from those vines..."

Lorcan, still chuckling, managed to reply between laughs,

"Yeah... Thanks, mister."

The group laughed together, the tension of the battle dissipating into light-hearted teasing. As the laughter died down, Drifter walked behind them, his steps slower now. His gaze remained fixed on Reine, a quiet smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he observed the camaraderie in front of him.

Vaeloria walked beside Reine, a rare mischievous smile playing on her lips. Every now and then, she nudged him lightly, but there was an unusual softness in her eyes.

"You were amazing today, Reine."

Reine blushed, his gaze dropping to the ground as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"Nah, Ria, I just wanted to make sure we all made it out in one piece."

Lorcan hurried behind them, his voice light but dripping with teasing.

"Well, look at that, Reine fell for the spider trap again."

Vaeloria rolled her eyes dramatically before shooting a glance at Lorcan.

"Why are you always so sensitive about me?"

Sloane, just joining the conversation, chuckled lowly. His voice was smooth and deep.

"What do you expect? When you're a trickster, you can't get mad when someone calls you out."

Lorcan shot a playful look at Vaeloria, his mischievous grin shifting to something a bit more defensive.

"You heard that Ria. I swear, even if the world ends, I'm never trusting you again."

Drifter, walking behind, added his voice with calm precision.

"Honestly, I didn't trust her either. When she came back alone, I figured she was feigning her illness."

Vaeloria pretended to be annoyed, though a small laugh escaped her lips.

"You guys are so mean..."

The group laughed, the tension from the battle easing into a lighter mood. Drifter laughed along, his eyes watching them with a quiet smile.

The night grew deeper as they neared the gates of Frontier Outpost. The sounds of the forest faded, replaced by the hum of activity from the outpost. Their tired bodies, once covered in wounds, now felt heavy, but something kept them moving forward, step by step.

[Location: Frontier Outpost – Night – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

In the quiet of the camp, Vaeloria stood at the edge of the post, her golden hair glowing under the light of an Evocyte lamp. With a slow movement, she pulled a small box from her pouch, opening it hesitantly. Inside was a simple wooden pendant with rough carvings. Her fingers traced the markings, bringing back memories of a young man who had once proudly given it to her.

But now, as her fingers clasped the pendant, there was a different feeling. Reine was still the same—calm, kind, always there when needed. But Vaeloria was no longer the same girl she once was. She found herself looking around more often, measuring each step, carefully choosing who was worthy to walk alongside her. Now, she thought more about her image, and everything that came with influence. The pendant, once light and warm, now felt heavier. Not just because the past was slowly fading, but because of everything she had left behind—principles she once held dear, trust in simplicity that had once allowed her to be herself. Now, each mark on the wood seemed to signify a journey that no longer aligned with the person she had become.

"Maybe, never changing isn’t so bad,"

she muttered softly, closing the box and placing it back. She stood for a moment, gazing at the dim night sky, feeling for the first time in a long while the pull of home and warmth within it.