Hours had passed when Kael finally awoke, greeted by the gentle crackling of a fire and a comforting warmth that enveloped his skin. For a brief moment, he simply lay there, his mind clouded and disoriented.

The events replayed in fragments—falling, the icy embrace of the river, and the helpless plunge into darkness. As Kael's senses returned, he realized he was no longer submerged in the freezing waters.

"I… I was lucky," Kael muttered as the memories of narrowly escaping death came flooding back.

The fire's crackling soothed him as its warmth contrasted sharply with the river's freezing grip.

Sitting up, he blinked at the sight before him—a soft bed of grass beneath him and his clothes laid out to dry near the fire. It wasn't until he shifted slightly that he realized something else. He was completely naked.

His cheeks flushed with sudden embarrassment. "Damn it… why are you getting hard?" he groaned in frustration, glancing down at the uninvited reaction of his body.

Glancing around quickly, Kael hoped no one had witnessed his predicament.

"Lyra?" His voice cracked, still hoarse from exhaustion, as he instinctively covered himself.

No response came, and for a fleeting moment, Kael thought he was alone. That hope evaporated when his eyes landed on a figure resting nearby.

It was Lyra.

She lay on her side, partially covered by a makeshift blanket of leaves. The firelight danced across her smooth skin, casting a golden glow on her exposed upper body. Her chest rose and fell gently, her full breasts laid bare in the flickering light.

The dusky rose of her nipples stood out against the pale softness of her skin, and the fire's glow highlighted the curves of her figure.

Kael's breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he was mesmerized. "So beautiful…" he whispered under his breath, captivated by the natural grace Lyra exuded even in such vulnerability.

His heart raced as he took in her form, every curve and detail stirring something primal within him. The more he looked, the more his body reacted, his 'little monster' growing harder with each passing second. The warmth from the fire seemed to intensify, but it wasn't the flames causing the heat to rise in Kael.

For a fleeting moment, he found it impossible to look away. His mind raced, torn between admiration and guilt. But as reality settled in, a pang of conscience hit him hard.

'What are you doing?' He tore his gaze away, heart pounding, his face flushed with desire and shame. He felt the weight of his actions, knowing it wasn't right to watch her like this, no matter how captivating the sight.

At that very moment, Lyra stirred.

Her eyes fluttered open, blinking against the firelight. Realizing her exposed state and the fact that Kael was fully nude with his 'problem' prominently on display, she gasped in shock.

"Kael! Don't look!" she yelled, quickly covering her breasts with both hands, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Kael spun around so fast he nearly lost his balance, a wave of shame crashing over him. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to… I just… I wasn't…" he stammered, trying to explain himself but failing miserably.

Lyra adjusted the leaf blanket around herself, her cheeks a deep shade of red. "It's… fine. Just… please don't look."

"I'm not looking!" Kael blurted, his back turned firmly to her. He could hear her shuffling behind him, the awkward tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.

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A long, tense silence followed, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Kael's heart pounded in his chest as he desperately tried to focus on anything other than the lingering embarrassment. The warmth of the fire was suddenly no comfort at all.

After a few moments, Lyra broke the silence, her voice more composed. "I had to remove our wet clothes… otherwise, the cold would've been too much. Our clothes should be dry soon."

Kael nodded, his back still resolutely turned. "Thank you…for saving me. And… I'm really sorry."

"It's okay," Lyra said gently, though there was still a trace of embarrassment in her voice. "We're both alive, and that's what matters."

Another stretch of silence fell between them, but it felt less strained this time. The fire's warmth filled the space, and slowly, Kael's heart began to settle. Still, the memory of what he had seen—and his reaction to it—lingered uncomfortably in his mind.

He fixed his gaze on the fire, hoping the dancing flames could distract him from his thoughts. Behind him, he could hear Lyra adjusting her blanket and checking on her clothes, the awkwardness between them still palpable.

Eventually, Lyra spoke again, her voice steady and more serious this time. "Kael, there's something you need to understand."

Kael turned his head slightly though he kept his eyes averted. "What do you mean?"

"Our journey isn't just about getting to the Sanctuary," she explained, her voice carrying a weight of urgency. "It's about discovering who you are and your role. The Titans didn't choose you by accident. They saw something in you—something capable of ending the gods' reign of chaos."

Kael's brow furrowed as he stared into the fire, her words sinking in. "But what if I'm not the person they think I am? What if I fail?"

Lyra paused, her tone softening. "Doubt is normal, Kael. I had the same doubts when Umbra chose me. It's not about being perfect or fearless—about having the courage to face those doubts and keep going."

Kael let Lyra's words sink in. "So… it's okay to be scared?"

"Absolutely," Lyra replied. "Being scared keeps you cautious. But don't let it control you. The Titans didn't expect you to be fearless—they expect you to be brave."

Kael nodded slowly, feeling reassurance. Lyra's words carried weight, but they also carried understanding. She had been through this before. She knew what it was like to face the unknown, to carry the burden of power.

As the fire burned low, its warmth fading, Kael could feel the chill of the night creeping in. The low crackle of the dying flames echoed in the quiet night, and Kael knew it was time to move again.

"Don't turn around," Lyra said suddenly, her voice calm but firm.

Startled, Kael froze. "Right… okay."

Behind him, Lyra moved with her usual grace, retrieving her clothes from the fire. She began dressing, the earlier awkwardness giving way to the more pressing concern of staying warm.

"They're almost dry, but they'll have to do," Lyra announced once she was dressed. "You can go get yours now."

Kael moved cautiously, still keeping his back to her. He quickly pulled on his clothes, which were still slightly damp but warm enough. As he dressed, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Lyra, admiring her composure despite everything.

Once fully dressed, Kael felt the weight of their situation settle back in. There was no more room for embarrassment—only the looming dangers ahead.

Lyra's voice took on a more resolute tone. "We need to move. The Sanctuary isn't far, but the Divine Chosen are still searching for us. If they find us, it won't end well."

Kael felt a renewed sense of determination. "What should I expect when we get there?"

Lyra paused before replying, "The Sanctuary is a place for people like us—Godslayers. It's a center where you'll learn what it means to carry the Titans' power."

She gave him a stern look. "Not everyone there will agree on how to bring balance back. Be prepared for that."

Kael nodded, feeling the weight of her words. The journey wasn't just physical but a test of his resolve. Meeting others like him, other Godslayers, filled him with anticipation and unease.

"And the gods?" Kael asked. "What will they do?"

Lyra's expression hardened. "They'll try everything to stop us. They've ruled uncontested for too long, and they won't give up that power easily. That's why we need to stand together. The Titans chose us for a reason."

As they prepared to leave, the gravity of their mission settled heavily on Kael's shoulders. He didn't know what awaited them at the Sanctuary, but there was no turning back.

"Are you ready, Kael?" Lyra asked, her eyes locking with his.

Kael paused, then nodded firmly. "I'm ready."

With that, Lyra turned and led the way into the forest's shadows, the moonlight barely piercing through the canopy. Kael followed closely behind, his doubts still present but overshadowed by a newfound sense of purpose.

Their journey was far from over, but this was just the beginning.