Joan and Dunn took a few hours out of the hut to gather more information on what the Crys were trying to protect from them.
Meanwhile, Madelyn tended to Asa's wound inside the hut.
Her medical knowledge was likely the best in the entire land of Antara, and Asa trusted her enough that she didn't make any noise during the process.
"I knew something like this would happen, so I brought the best elixir that I got," Madelyn remarked as she applied the elixir to Asa's wound.
The pain stung Asa's skin, but instead of wincing, she simply stared at the green liquid that seemed to simmer under the dim lighting. It's pretty. she thought.
The stinging pain only lasted for a few seconds before the soothing effect took over once it was completely absorbed by her skin.
"Thank you," Asa said.
Madelyn smiled, "I'm glad to be of help, big sis. I can't fight well, but at least I can do this for you."
Asa reached her hand out to ruffle Madelyn's hair. "Silly. Fighting is easy; what you are doing is much more valuable than punching those disgusting things in their guts."
Madelyn let out a small, airy laugh at that.
Silence enveloped them for a few moments as Madelyn and Asa stared at the moon visible through the small window of the hut.
"I used to look at the moon a lot," Madelyn spoke softly, breaking the silence. "When I lived in the Dillon mansion, the moon was my companion during the lonely nights. It's strange how familiar yet distant it feels now."
Asa listened, her gaze fixed on the silver orb in the night sky. "It's beautiful," she commented.
Madelyn nodded, her thoughts wandering through the memories of her past. "Yeah, it is. Reminds me of simpler times, before the Crystal Dooms and all this chaos."
Asa placed a comforting pat on Madelyn's shoulder, "We'll make it through this. We'll find a way to stop the plague and save Antara."
Madelyn leaned into Asa's touch, finding comfort in Asa's words. The moonlight cast a gentle glow on the scene, creating a serene atmosphere within the small hut.
Meanwhile, Joan and Dunn returned to the hut, looking a little wearier than before.
Asa and Madelyn shifted their attention to them.
"Met a lot of Crys?" Asa asked casually.
"More than before," Dunn said as he seated himself on the floor. "Insane."
Madelyn chimed in, "How about the thing they tried to hide from us? Have you guys found out what it was?"
Dunn shook his head.
Asa gazed at Joan, growing a bit suspicious at how the boy remained silent since he entered the house.
"What happened?" She questioned, receiving Joan's attention. "You've been so quiet ever since you came back. Did you hide something from us?"
Asa had always been a straightforward person, and that was how she operated since she was a kid. She didn't know how to lie and never saw the importance of it, so she felt no remorse asking such a question.
Madelyn, feeling a bit nervous, quickly answered the question to avoid any potential conflict. "Joan has always been the quiet type, big sis. He has always been like that."
Asa continued to stare at Joan, not entirely convinced by Madelyn's answer.
The atmosphere in the hut grew tense as the unspoken tension lingered, but one person, Dunn, remained oblivious to it.
Madelyn looked at him and gestured for him to defend her statement.
Initially confused, Dunn eventually caught on. "Right, big sis. He never even spoke a word to me throughout the journey," Dunn said, attempting to diffuse the growing unease in the hut.
Hearing that, Asa finally decided to let Joan off the hook.
"We are working as a team. It's best for you to stop being a walking rock and actually say something," Asa asserted.
Joan, surprisingly, chuckled. However, his laughter carried a subtle condescension, giving off the impression that he was looking down on Asa. "I don't like wasting my words on something unimportant," he retorted.
Asa arched an eyebrow, unimpressed by Joan's response. "Everything concerning this mission is important. If you have information, speak up. We need to be a cohesive team, not individuals doing their own thing."
Sensing the tension growing, Dunn and Madelyn quickly interjected into the conversation.
"Alright now. Everyone is tired. Let's all go to sleep and regain more energy for the long day tomorrow," Dunn suggested.
For once in her life, Madelyn agreed with Dunn's words. "Big sister, let's go to sleep."
Asa got up from her sitting position. "All of you can go to sleep. I will go out to guard the hut."
Without waiting for any opinions from the other members of the team, Asa walked outside, leaving the unresolved tension lingering within the hut.
The night air enveloped her, and she took her position to sit down on an old wooden box placed near the entrance of the hut.
She brought her head up to gaze at the moonlight casting a glow on the enchanted mead woods, which held more mysteries than answers.
She had always loved the moonlight.
As Madelyn mentioned earlier, the moonlight had also been her only friend after the disappearance of Dan.
Moonlight was a friend to many, existing to heal the loneliness that people carried.
In its gentle glow, Asa found solace, a silent companion that accompanied her through the challenges and uncertainties for a long time.
Too absorbed in staring at the moon, Asa did not hear the creaking sound of the door opening.
It wasn't until a white cloak was thrown over her that she realized someone was there with her.
Annoyed, she stood up, ready to confront the owner of the cloak. However, when she faced him, Joan was only staring at her with his hands folded on his chest.
"Wear it. The night is cold," he stated calmly.
Realizing he didn't mean harm, Asa gave in.
She wore the cloak to protect herself from the cold night wind.
After a prolonged silence, Asa couldn't help but address the lingering issue. "Joan, we're a team. Communication is vital. If you have information, it needs to be shared. Secrets can get us killed."
Joan remained silent for a moment before responding, "Secrets protect as much as they endanger. You may not understand my reasons, but trust that I have the mission's success in mind."
Asa sighed, her frustration lingering. "We can't afford to have doubts within the team. We need unity."
Joan's eyes met hers, holding a mysterious intensity. "Unity is a facade, Asa. In the end, everyone is on their own."
Having lived and fought for herself alone for so long, Asa knew that what Joan said was right.
She sighed, giving up on prying information out of Joan. "Whatever," she said. "Just know I won't let you off the hook if you do any harm to us."
"I won't," Joan assured.