This was the last thing it took for him to exceed his alert level. He gets up slowly, without taking his eyes off the surroundings, to get closer to where Lyaria is.

"Do you think we should move?" Lyaria speaks before he can say anything. It seemed that she was already awake and fully alert.

"In this dark it would be suicide. No, I suggest we fan the flames as high as we can and maybe we'll drive them off.” But knows that if they do it, that idea won't last until the sun comes up.

"Or we'll attract something that isn't afraid of heat." She doesn't say it denying the plan, on the contrary, she's the one who puts more wood on the fire.

The light shone brightly again as the eyes and sounds receded from them. Out of the corner of his eye, Ezer manages to perceive a hairless tail that hides behind a tree meters above the ground.

"Why don't you get some sleep? Now it's my turn to watch.” Though as soon as she says it, suddenly shrieks and squawks echo in his ears.

The melee begins close to them, but quickly fades away as more shrieks drown out the squawk.

"They're fighting each other, it's clear we attracted more than one species." The sound continues to recede until it is no longer audible.

“It is our opportunity.” Ezer carries his gear on his back and throws the last of the wood into the fire.

“It's too risky, we don't know if they really left or if there are more of them.” Lyaria tries to think of another option, but can't find one.

“It's now or never. We do not know if the fire attracts them or it is us, we can take advantage of that possibility and escape.” Ezer walks to the edge of the light stopping to wait for Lyaria having completely changed his original plan.

"Okay, let's trust our lives to luck." She also carries her gear and together they head into the darkness.

At first, Ezer thought his eyes would get used to the lack of light and at least be able to see where he was walking a little. But this forest was the materialization of darkness, no human eye could see in such conditions.

He would have suggested going back to camp if not for Lyaria taking his hand and beginning to lead him into the darkness. He stumbles several times, although Lyaria helps him each time, allowing him to cross the forest that would be impossible alone.

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"Lyaria, can you see in the dark?" He can't think of any other explanation than that and he asks it almost whispering in the middle of his agitated breathing.

“I can only make out more things, albeit with a lot of effort.” Answers fast and short, saving as much oxygen as she can. "It would be easier if I was in my other form.” Lyaria thinks to herself, but keeps dismissing the idea.

They keep running without knowing how much time had passed. Many times something would get scared of them and quickly move away. Other times, something chased them for a few minutes, stopping at some point, but luckily, they were never attacked.

"We... have to find somewhere to... rest."

“I think… yes, you're right.” Lyaria was about to suggest they go on a little longer, but stops when she sees Ezer's exhausted face and remembers that he couldn't sleep for even a minute.

It takes a while, but they get to a spot that appears to be safe as there are several meters between each tree, giving them a bit of vision.

At one point the land had given way leaving a hole in it with a bit of earth in the form of a roof supported by the white roots of a tree. In that kind of cave, Ezer and Lyaria manage to have a break.

Ezer lies down quickly and tries to sleep while Lyaria watches, though his clothes are damp with sweat and the autumn wind bites into his flesh. Ezer has no choice but to endure without the possibility of making another fire for fear of repeating the last mistake.

Lyaria watches him shiver realizing that she was too. Hesitates for a few moments, but can't think of a better idea.

"Ezer..." She calls softly, although he doesn't answer, he seems to be dozing despite the cold.

"Ahh …" She sighs and walks over to him, hugging him.

Ezer instantly wakes up feeling the warmth that enveloped his body. The sensation of the contact between the two is recorded in his mind, he manages to say a word before involuntarily falling asleep again.

“Thank you.” This time, sleeps without shaking.

She smiles and moves her body closer to his. She thought to comfort Ezer, but she is also comforted by him.

Feeling his regular breathing, Lyaria couldn't help but think as she watched.

“You have a long way to go, but I can assure that you have become quite a man.” She smiles to herself and gets lost in her memories of the first time they met.

At that moment she doesn't notice it, but stops seeing Ezer as a little brother who needs his care. He is now a man she can lean on if she needs it.

Ezer walked behind Lyaria lost in thought of what had happened in the night. He knew that what she had done had no meaning other than relieving the cold they felt at the moment, but being alone for so long with a woman as beautiful as her... it was inevitable to have a fantasy or two.

Ezer looks up and watches Lyaria's movements as she walks. Her clothes were tight and dark colored, but they didn't reveal an inch of skin to protect her from the cold and the hair followed her movements being tied in a ponytail. Sweat trickled down her face, although this was not enough to erase the mud stains on the skin.

Ezer hadn't seen himself in a long time so he was sure that looked worse than he thought, after all, on a trip like this you bathed when you could and not when you wanted.

After that night, something changed between Ezer and Lyaria. Something almost imperceptible but that made the atmosphere between them relax and deepen, although one thing was still missing for the invisible wall between them to dissolve completely.