Gabriel awoke to the sound of crackling firewood and the faint smell of stew. He blinked, his vision adjusting to the dim light of a small cabin. The rough wooden walls were adorned with herbs hanging from the ceiling, and a warm quilt covered his body. The familiar ache in his muscles told him he had been out for some time, but the overwhelming fatigue had finally subsided.
"You're awake," a voice said gently.
Gabriel turned his head to see Lina sitting beside him, a small, relieved smile on her face. Her usual sharpness was softened by the warm glow of the fire, and the worry lines that had been etched on her forehead were beginning to fade.
"How long was I out?" Gabriel asked, his voice hoarse from disuse.
"Three days," Lina replied. "We were really worried about you, especially after what you did back there. I've never seen you push yourself so hard."
Gabriel tried to sit up, but Lina quickly placed a hand on his chest, urging him to stay down. "Don't move too fast. You're still recovering."
Kain entered the room, carrying a bowl of steaming stew. "Look who finally decided to rejoin the living," he said with a grin. "We thought you might be down for the count permanently."
Gabriel accepted the bowl from Kain, the warmth of the stew seeping through the ceramic. He took a slow sip, savoring the rich flavors as it warmed him from the inside out. "Where are we?" he asked between bites.
"A small cabin a few miles from the ruins," Lina explained. "After you collapsed, we figured it was best to get you somewhere safe. The villagers told us about this place—it's used by hunters during the colder months. No one's been here for a while, so we've got it all to ourselves."
Gabriel nodded, his mind already sifting through the events that had led them here. "And the sorcerer? The ruins?"
"Gone," Kain said, his tone more serious. "The explosion leveled most of the central chamber. Whatever dark magic was there, it's been completely wiped out. We stayed to make sure nothing was left behind, but it's as if the place never existed."
Lina leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "That sorcerer was powerful. If he was just one of many, there could be others out there with similar abilities—or worse."
Gabriel set the bowl aside, his appetite suddenly fading. "There's always someone else," he said quietly. "But for now, the village is safe. That's what matters."
Kain pulled up a chair and sat down, his usual bravado tempered by the weight of their recent battle. "Still, we can't just ignore what happened. That sorcerer was experimenting with something dangerous, something ancient. We need to figure out what it was and how to stop anyone else from using it."
Lina nodded in agreement. "The ruins were definitely connected to the curse that plagued the village. But if there are more places like that, other cursed sites… we need to find them before someone else does."
Gabriel rubbed his temples, feeling the tension building again. "We can't take on everything at once. We need to prioritize. The first step is to report back to the guild and see what information they have. Maybe they can help us track down other sorcerers or cursed sites."
Kain leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're right. But first, you need to finish healing. The guild can wait a few more days."
Gabriel was about to protest, but Lina cut him off. "Kain's right. You've been pushing yourself too hard. Rest is just as important as fighting."
Gabriel let out a reluctant sigh, knowing they were both right. His body was still weak, and without proper recovery, he'd be no good to anyone. "Fine. A few more days, then we head back."
Lina's smile returned, albeit briefly. "Good. Because we've already seen what happens when you ignore your limits."
The three of them fell into a companionable silence, the weight of their recent ordeal hanging in the air. Outside, the wind howled through the trees, but inside the cabin, the fire kept them warm and safe.
As the silence stretched on, Kain cleared his throat, a more serious expression crossing his face. "Gabriel, there's something we need to discuss. It's about what happened back in the ruins… with your power."
Gabriel stiffened slightly, his gaze shifting to Kain. "What about it?"
"You've always been strong, Gabriel," Kain continued, choosing his words carefully. "But what you did back there… it was on a whole other level. You took down that sorcerer, shattered the altar, and destroyed those creatures all at once. That kind of power… it's not normal."
Lina nodded, her eyes reflecting Kain's concern. "We've known you for a while now, Gabriel, and we trust you. But we also need to understand what's going on. Where does that power come from?"
Gabriel was silent for a long moment, the question hanging heavily in the air. His blood manipulation had always been a part of him, an ability he'd honed over years of hardship and training. But the truth was, even he didn't fully understand its origins.
"I don't know where it comes from," Gabriel finally admitted, his voice low. "It's always been with me, as far back as I can remember. It's like a part of me, like breathing. But I don't know why I have it, or what it means."
Kain and Lina exchanged a glance, but they didn't push further. Instead, Kain sighed and nodded. "Fair enough. Just know that we're here for you, no matter what. If you ever need to talk about it—or anything else—you've got us."
Gabriel appreciated the sentiment, even if he wasn't one to express such feelings openly. "Thanks," he said simply.
Lina stood and stretched, her earlier tension easing. "Well, now that we've got that out of the way, how about we focus on something a little less heavy? Like figuring out what's next for us."
Kain grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Agreed. Once we report back to the guild, I say we take on a few high-paying jobs. Nothing too dangerous—just enough to line our pockets and maybe upgrade our gear."
Gabriel leaned back against the pillows, feeling a sense of normalcy returning. "Sounds like a plan. But I want to take on something challenging after that. Something that will help us get stronger."
Lina chuckled. "You never stop thinking about training, do you? Fine, we'll find something that will push us, but let's not forget to enjoy the rewards along the way."
The three of them spent the rest of the evening discussing their future plans, the conversation light and filled with banter. The tension from the past few days slowly faded, replaced by the camaraderie they had built over countless battles and shared experiences.
As the fire burned low and the night deepened, Gabriel allowed himself to relax. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace. The road ahead would undoubtedly be filled with more challenges, more dangers, but he wasn't facing it alone. He had Kain and Lina by his side, and together, they could handle whatever came next.
And maybe, just maybe, Gabriel could finally start thinking about the future he had always wanted—a life where he wasn't constantly fighting, a life where he could find some semblance of normalcy. It was a distant dream, but for the first time, it didn't seem completely out of reach.