The night was slowly falling over the forest. The starry sky, barely visible through the tree cover, bathed the place in a soft, silvery light. Samuel, sitting by the fire he had just lit with the flame-spitting lizard he took out of its jar, watched the purple flames dance around the branches he had gathered earlier. The crackling of the fire was soothing, a welcome moment of respite after the day of fighting.

Not far from him, Helydia was tending to her wounds with the healing slimes they had collected in the cave. Each contact with the slimy creatures on his skin caused a slight tingling, but the pain from the cuts and scrapes gradually faded away.

Sitting on the skin of the infernal bear, an improvised rug, Samuel silently observed his surroundings, always on guard despite the apparent tranquility of the night.

After eating some pieces of goblin they had kept, Helydia, freed from her former shape and bare against the soft fur of the bear, moved closer to Samuel. Her skin still warm after the treatments, she nestled against him, seeking warmth and comfort. Her generous bosom pressed against Samuel's muscular back, her breathing calm and measured. She whispered in his ear, her voice soft and inviting.

"It is time for you to keep your promise, Samuel," she whispered, her warm breath brushing against the general's neck.

Samuel, exhausted by the day's battles and by the weeks spent in the cave, felt the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. He knew that this alliance with Helydia, although complex, was crucial for his survival. Without her, he would be vulnerable in this dangerous world.

He turned towards her, his gaze meeting Helydia's, filled with determination. Despite the fatigue, he nodded, aware that some alliances required sacrifices. And that night, he had to do what was necessary to solidify their partnership.

In the intimacy of the campsite, beneath the cover of trees and stars, they shared a moment of closeness, each finding in the other a form of comfort, but also a way to seal their unspoken agreement. It wasn't a matter of passion, but of survival. And in this ruthless world, every choice, every gesture had a specific purpose.

After this shared moment, silence fell back over the forest, only interrupted by the crackling of the flames. Exhausted, they fell asleep side by side, wrapped in the warmth of the fire and the bear's fur, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.

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The next day, The first light of dawn barely filtered through the tree cover when Samuel woke up, his eyelids still heavy with sleep. He opened his eyes and noticed that Helydia was no longer by his side.

He scans the surroundings, finally noticing a nearby river that he hadn't seen the day before, hidden by the darkness of the night. The gentle lapping of the water echoed softly through the forest. There, in the morning light, Helydia, naked, was having fun bathing in the clear water, her graceful movements creating gentle splashes around her.

Samuel, true to his habits of discipline forged by years in the army, first chose to train. He got up and, after a few stretches, he began to chain together sets of exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, and fencing movements with the rusty sword he had found. Each gesture was precise and controlled, his breath steady despite the fatigue accumulated from the days gone by.

It had been almost a month since he had the chance to train properly, and he felt the need to get his body back in shape. His muscles, sore from lack of exercise, were gradually waking up, regaining their usual flexibility and strength. Focusing on his movements allowed him to free his mind from its heavy thoughts, at least temporarily.

After finishing his training, covered in sweat, he finally approached the river. He observed Helydia for a moment, still in the water, then undressed before entering the river himself. The fresh water gave him a refreshing shock, cleansing his body of the impurities accumulated during his long stay in the cave. He allowed himself to be overwhelmed for a moment, savoring that feeling of renewal.

When he emerged from the water, he felt clearer, more determined. He cast a glance at Helydia, a half-smile on his lips, before his mind briefly wandered to a buried memory, that of Leila. He remembered her smile, her sweetness, and what he had lost since then. The comparison was inevitable, and although Helydia's presence could temporarily fill a void, it was never enough to soothe the pain that resided in his soul.

His half-smile faded as he let out a silent sigh, concealing that vulnerability behind his mask of a seasoned soldier.