Charles and Nora walked along the dirt path, leaving the confrontation with the Custodians behind.
The blue system arrow still glowed in Charles's vision, pointing toward the Stormy Forest cave, but for now, his focus was on Nora and the absurd situation he'd just escaped.
Tall trees surrounded them, the air thick with the scent of damp grass and the soft rustle of leaves stirred by the wind.
Charles still felt the adrenaline from the encounter, but also immense relief.
'Thanks to Nora, I'm not on my way to the council,' he thought, scratching the back of his neck. Though the humiliation of being called a "personal errand boy" still stung.
After several meters, when he was sure the Custodians couldn't hear them, Charles stopped abruptly.
Without thinking too much, he placed a hand on Nora's back, pulling her close until their shoulders touched.
The move was so sudden that Nora's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard.
