Walking back as he finished his guard duties for the night, Nico silently yawned. In his right hand, he held a flickering candle on the verge of being snuffed out. The boy raised it higher, squinting through the dim gloom.
He had already lit the candle wick four times before. This was his fifth, and final ignition, signifying the conclusion of the time he had to spend as the lookout.
As the yellow glow of the burning wick softly illuminated the cold, gloomy, and frigid corridor, Nico hurried back to camp.
While he was not very far from his peers - his post situated at the end of the long passageway - the ominous silence unnerved him enough that he didn't want to spend a moment longer than necessary braving it alone.
The presence of his team helped to ward off some of the fear that a Demon would suddenly lunge at him from the hazy gloom… however irrational the worry seemed.
Sending a glance toward the rapidly extinguishing candle, Nico mentally thanked whoever had the idea to use the tallow of a certain Mana Beast to create the item.
The result was a candle that burned brighter and for longer.
'Good thing I came prepared.' Nico mentally patted himself on the back. He also thanked his mother and Aunt for the help.
Just then, the taper in his hands abruptly went out with one last flicker. He wasn't worried though, for he could see the dying embers of the campfire they had set up earlier up ahead.
Doing his best to suppress the noise his feet made as they touched the ground, the brown-haired boy silently ghosted through the passageway.
He came to a stop a few seconds later.
In front of him, the sleeping form of a burly youth was reflected within his darkness-adjusted gaze.
Nico softly shook his friend awake.
Leon's eyelids slowly fluttered open. Seeing his companion's face, he knew it was his turn to act as the lookout.
The half-blood silently shook his head to clear any lingering grogginess away, before raising his hand in a silent request.
Nico realised what his stocky friend wanted after a moment and promptly helped him up.
"Good luck out there." He whispered, patting Leon on the shoulder.
Leon sent a grateful nod in return, retrieving his sledgehammer, aegis, and a similar candle to the one Nico had previously used, before heading toward the end of the corridor.
Staring at the half-blood's fading form, Nico yawned again, covering his mouth to stifle any sound made. He shifted his head, staring at the dancing shadows created by the dying campfire. His ears also picked up on the sounds of hushed conversation.
From the voices, the brown-haired boy could tell Oliver and Isaac were the ones speaking. It seemed that it was the cloaked figure's turn to stand guard on the other side, then.
Intrigued, he silently shuffled a little closer and sat down just outside the range where the fire's few remaining embers could illuminate.
'I'll listen in only for a few seconds. Yeah, it'll be short.'
Nico nodded to himself, pushing the guilt away. He closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
"Man, this has been a tough few days huh, Ollie? I can't wait to go back and eat some proper meat! I've had enough of this plant-based yuck for a lifetime!"
Nico smiled, imagining the expression of distaste on Isaac's face.
"Bear with it for now. If we can form a Mana Core, that means we won't have to rely on Lady Sabrina's grace anymore. You know as well as I do, how lucky we were that she chose us to be part of her group that headed over here, never mind how much convincing she had to do to get her father to accept us. She could have chosen a duo much more qualified. I'd go as far as to say that the only reason we're here right now is due to your friendship with her." Oliver's voice held a complex tone to it.
"Yeah, you're probably right," Isaac replied softly.
Something about the boy's tone made it seem as if Lady Sabrina was a very important person to him.
Nico smirked, having an inkling of what was going through Isaac's head.
'Ah, young love.' He thought wistfully like a great sage.
Snapping out of his daze, the younger of the two green-haired youths puffed up his cheeks, "It's not what you think, Ollie! She and I are only friends!"
"Sure, sure. That's what they all say." The older sibling laughed heartily.
"No, I'm serious, Ollie! It's impossible for me and her to end up together. Never mind the difference in status… which need I remind you to be huge, I don't even know what she would find in a boy like me. I'm sure she could find a hundred better people to become engaged to than a pitiful orphan."
Nico heard Isaac turn around. He was probably hugging his knees.
The brown-haired boy's brow then rose, understanding the implication of what his peer had just said. His heart softened for the cheerful green-haired youth.
"Hey, Isaac. Listen to me…" Oliver's voice took on a fatherly tone. "Come on, just please turn and face me."
Nico heard the rustle that came with someone shifting their body and presumed that Isaac had indeed turned to face his older brother.
"Now, how many times have I told you not to belittle yourself just because of what happened back then? Knowing Father, I'm sure he would have been sad to leave us and Mother all alone, but I'm equally sure that he would have given his life again to try and stop those vile Orcs from coming through. So, instead of sulking about, raise your head and be proud that our father's a hero.
"I know you miss his presence terribly, and I'm sorry that I haven't been able to fill his shoes, but I promise you that you don't have to worry about anything in the future. Do whatever you want and leave all the worrying about Mother to me, for it is my burden as the older sibling to bear. Got that?" Oliver's voice was firm, if a little poignant.
"Yeah…" Isaac released a deflated sigh. "I just can't help but imagine how different our lives would have looked like if he hadn't been killed on duty, you know? You're right, though. I should be proud. But you're also wrong! This is not just your burden to bear, Ollie! I may be your younger brother, but that doesn't mean I can't help shoulder your massive burden!" The younger sibling pleaded.
Isaac then released a dejected sigh, knowing full well his pleas would fall on deaf ears.
Nico, who had inadvertently listened to the whole conversation suddenly felt very awkward.
'Blast my unrestrained curiosity!' he cursed.
He slowly stood up and headed over to where the two handsome youths sat, his feet extremely silent.
Once there, with the dying light casting a shadowy look over his figure, Nico bowed his head.
"Forgive me, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation just now. I'm sorry…"
The two green-haired boys flinched at the unexpected noise. They turned around and found their brown-haired teammate with his head bowed in contrite remorse.
It took a second for what he had said to register in their minds.
As soon as it did, Isaac's delicate features burned with shame. He turned around and covered his face with both hands.
"How embarrassing!" his muffled voice echoed lightly in the hazy gloom.
Meanwhile, when Nico's words sunk into Oliver's mind, he frowned, anger briefly flashing through his eyes.
"Didn't anyone tell you that it's rude to eavesdrop?"
Nico, who had straightened from his apologetic bow, scratched the back of his head, an awkward chuckle escaping his mouth.
Noticing the sheepish grin on his brown-haired peer's face, Oliver tiredly rubbed his own face and sighed.
"It's okay, Ollie. If it's Nico, then it's fine if he knows. I trust him." Isaac turned around, staring at Oliver with an uncharacteristic solemn expression.
"Are you sure?" The older sibling replied, staring at his younger brother.
A silent conversation seemed to take place between the duo.
Nico, confused as to what was going on, remained silent, watching with bated breath.
Isaac nodded, still staring intensely at Oliver.
After a few moments of nervous tension, Oliver sighed for the second time, stood up, and turned to face Nico fully.
Isaac did the same.
"Frankly, if it wasn't for Isaac forgiving you and viewing you in a positive light, I wouldn't have let what you just done go. But as it is, I trust my brother's judgment, so you'll have to pay the price for your unrestrained curiosity by shouldering our secret."
The two green-haired youths shared a silent glance before the surrounding air shimmered once more.
Nico's eyes widened as his jaw went slack.