The sky was tinged a pale lavender as the sun dipped behind the western hills. Their camp was quiet, nestled between two moss-covered ridges, a safe haven before tomorrow's descent into Rift 47.
Reynar stirred the stewpot over the fire, the scent of wild herbs rising with the smoke. Liora sat nearby, wiping down her twin blades. Sylvie leaned against a tree, pretending to nap, but her eyes never left the other two.
Reynar glanced at Liora, then at her wrapped arm. "Let me see that."
"I told you it's just a bruise," she muttered.
"You said that yesterday. And the day before."
Without waiting, he moved beside her and gently took her wrist. She flinched, not in pain, but in surprise.
His touch was careful. Warm. He peeled the cloth back, revealing darkening skin along the forearm. Reynar frowned, then reached for the healing salve in his pouch.
"You shouldn't ignore this. You always look after me—let me return the favor."
Liora stared at him, stunned silent. No one had spoken to her like that before—not since her family.
"…Okay," she whispered.
As he dabbed the salve onto her skin, her heart pounded in her chest. His hands were rough but steady, his eyes focused and earnest. She found herself looking at his face—how much sharper his features had become since they first met. How determined his expression was.
She looked away, cheeks flushed. "T-Thanks."
Reynar smiled without looking up. "Anytime."
Across the fire, Sylvie narrowed her eyes. She said nothing, but her claws drummed lightly against the bark she leaned on. She turned her gaze to the flames, her expression unreadable.
When Reynar returned to stirring the stew, Liora remained unusually quiet. She found herself sneaking glances his way, watching the way his hair caught the firelight, how calmly he moved. Something unfamiliar stirred in her chest—tender, unexpected.
She caught Sylvie staring at her, and the two locked eyes.
Sylvie quickly looked away.
Later that night, after they'd eaten, Reynar began re-checking his gear. Liora remained beside the fire, absentmindedly toying with the edge of her cloak. She wanted to say something. Anything. But nothing came.
Sylvie rose, brushing off her clothes. "I'll take first watch," she said curtly.
"You sure?" Reynar asked.
She nodded, but didn't wait for a reply.
As she walked into the trees, her golden eyes glinted in the starlight, her expression troubled. She hadn't been this… uneasy since before her master died. But this unease was different.
Lonelier.
Liora watched Sylvie disappear into the shadows, then leaned back, gazing up at the stars.
"Reynar," she said softly.
"Hm?"
"…Thanks. For earlier. For everything."
He looked over at her. "You've always had my back. Of course I'll have yours."
She gave him a small, almost shy smile. "Yeah. I know."
The flames crackled quietly between them, and in that moment—just for a heartbeat—Reynar saw something in her eyes he hadn't noticed before.
Something gentle. Fragile. Real.
He looked away, unsure of what it meant. But something had changed.
For all of them.
[System Notification]Companion Affinity Update:
Liora: 96%
Sylvie: 65% (Subtle emotional shift detected. Jealousy registered.)New Trait Unlocked: [Unspoken Bond]Effect: Slight passive stat boost when Liora and Reynar fight within ten meters of one another. Bonus doubles during cooperative finishers.
The rift loomed on the horizon.
But for now… beneath the starlight, they were just three souls who had survived too much—and were learning, day by day, how to live again.