It wasn’t long before night fell, casting a deep blue hue over the horizon and allowing us to utilize our dream escape once more. The familiar sensation of drifting into our shared dreamscape enveloped me, a welcome retreat from the burdens of reality. I was relieved that we didn’t have to fight tonight; my body still ached from the previous day’s rigorous training, and I craved the peaceful solace that the dream provided.

“I promise you, one day it will stop hurting,” Théoden reassured me, his voice a soothing balm as I nestled my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Each thump felt like a reassuring drum, grounding me amid the chaos of our lives.

“You told me that a month ago when we started this…” I groaned, the persistent soreness in my muscles serving as a reminder of our intense sessions. Those were some of the exact words he had used as encouragement, and while I appreciated his optimism, I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come to pass.

He chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through his chest and making me smile despite my discomfort. “Yes, and that is still true.”

I rolled my eyes, but he gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I promise you, Maria, it will get easier.” He kissed my lips tenderly, a fleeting moment that left me breathless, before releasing my chin and allowing me to settle back into the warmth of his embrace.

As I let out a deep breath, I turned my gaze toward the vast expanse of South Haven, its shadows dancing under the moonlight. “When we find Sybil’s body, what are you planning to do?” Théoden's question pierced the stillness of our surroundings, drawing my thoughts back to our pressing concerns.

I thought about my plan, one I had mulled over countless times. “Expose Crimson. Once we have the proof, which is Sybil’s body, we have the means to fully kick her out of the Council and hopefully the kingdom for murder.” My voice was firm, but a flicker of doubt crept in. Was my resolution strong enough to stand against the forces we were up against?

“So, you want to face off with a dragon before the devil?” Théoden asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he looked down at me.

“If that is what it takes…” I breathed, the conviction in my voice steadying me. “I can’t stand her in my kingdom anymore. She’s influenced my Council enough, and it has to stop.”

Théoden nodded slowly, his expression shifting from surprise to determination. “I’ll be by your side in this; we just have to do it with caution.”

“I know… I just hate that Crimson is likely the reason the law of revivification was changed in the first place. That and Marcel probably had a role in that.” The weight of my words lingered in the air, heavy with implication.

Théoden remained silent, his presence a comforting anchor as I continued to unravel my thoughts.

“Besides… who’s to say that the only reason they did that was so they would be free to capture any souls they wanted? Considering devils eat souls, right?”

“Mhm… that does make sense,” he replied, his thumb gently tracing patterns on my shoulder. “Take the souls of our rulers… so there is no chance in them coming back.”

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“As for us… we are powerful separately, but powerful together… would that be why…” I trailed off, the pieces beginning to fit together in my mind.

“I think so…” Théoden responded, his gaze thoughtful. “It makes sense why he let me live. Why he allowed me to stay.”

With our research, this reasoning made sense for the law to come into place. He wanted me to get stronger; he wanted my powers to be released. “What a powerful soul… well, two powerful souls do for a devil?” I mused, my mind racing as I considered the implications. With everything happening, we hadn’t thought much about that, but now, in this moment of clarity beneath the canopy of moonlight, it all started to feel interconnected.

I was beginning to question everything the more we sat there, the silence wrapping around us like a warm blanket. “I still want to expose Crimson to the Council. That will be our first step,” I declared, resolve hardening within me.

“You think Marcel will let her fight us alone?” he asked, skepticism lacing his tone.

“I think so,” I replied, my confidence unwavering.

“I hope you’re right…” Théoden said, his gaze drifting back out into the blue abyss, the weight of our plans pressing down on us.

“Are you worried?” I asked, sensing a shift in his demeanor through our bond.

“Yes. I prefer us not to fight just yet. I know you have come a long way. You have improved tremendously, but I don’t think you are quite there yet to be facing a devil high lord.”

I looked up at him, feeling a twinge of discouragement but understanding where he was coming from. I had a lot to learn still, and the remaining month would be vital for my growth. However, I felt a flicker of confidence that I could at least take on one of them alone. And that one would be Crimson.

“If that is what you wish to do…” Théoden turned from gazing into the ocean to focus on me, his expression softening. “Then that is what we will do. We both will fight her.”

“Really?” I blinked, my surprise evident as I stared up at him.

“Yes. I mean, a Silver and a Red going head to head… what could go wrong?” Théoden said with a playful smile, lightening the mood.

“Perhaps a fight that can take place in the arena… so no destruction to the kingdom occurs.” I suggested, and Théoden nodded in agreement, a serious look crossing his face.

“I’ll work extra to try and find her body tomorrow. Perhaps check with the druids’ guild and see if they have a tracker that can hunt bodies.”

I nodded, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek, grateful for his determination. Although he was part druid, I knew he could only do so much when it came to their capabilities.

“I just tell them I am looking into finding a possible Council member’s body?” I asked, seeking clarification.

“Perhaps that isn’t the best… Check in with Tracker. He’s trusted and an excellent tracker,” Théoden advised, recalling one of his old acquaintances.

“Tracker, got it.” I repeated the name a few times in my mind, committing it to memory.

“He’s usually at the front of the guild. Look for a buff humanoid figure. He may be a bit hairy in places, but just ignore that.”

“Hairy in places?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at his description.

He rolled his eyes, a hint of amusement dancing in his expression. “He’s a werewolf.”

“A what?” I asked, my surprise evident.

“A werewolf. Well, a more domesticated kind. He doesn’t eat people. In fact, he farms and has his own meal supply, so he doesn’t take from anyone. The tracking job also allows him to hunt.”

That made sense, and I felt relieved. “Alright. I will meet with him tomorrow.”

“Good. Now…” Théoden said, turning to face me fully, his eyes glimmering with a mix of mischief and affection. “Can we have a bit of us time instead?”

I smiled at him, feeling warmth spread through my chest. “Yes…” I breathed, ready to embrace the tranquility of our dreamscape and the connection we shared, if only for a little while longer.