Vaylen pulled Kaelen into a tight embrace, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Don't cry, we don't have time." The weight of their situation pressed down on them, but Vaylen's resolve didn't waver. He gently wiped away Kaelen's tears, the shadows of the forest closing in around them like a suffocating shroud. "We'll bury him first... before the demon comes for us too."
Despite Vaylen's outward strength, his heart felt like a battlefield. He didn't want Kaelen to see his tears, knowing he had to be the pillar, the one who wouldn't falter. Yet inside, a storm of pain raged; each beat of his heart echoed like a silent scream. The pressure built within him, a heavy weight crushing his soul, and he longed to cry, to release his vulnerability. It was a searing pain, like a knife plunging deep into his chest.
Vaylen's fingers ached as they clawed at the dirt, each movement heavy with the memories of laughter and camaraderie they had shared. The absence of their friend was palpable, and the realization that they were burying a piece of their hearts made the task all the more painful. Vaylen fought against the urge to succumb to despair, knowing he had to remain strong for Kaelen and the others who looked to him for support.
As they finally created a small resting place they buried drayce.Vaylen paused, taking a shaky breath. The demon that had haunted their steps was gone, banished into the night, but the remnants of fear still lingered in their hearts. They were safe, for now, but the shadows of loss cast a heavy pall over them.
Vaylen held Kaelen tightly, the embrace fierce and protective, as if he could shield him from the darkness that threatened to consume them. He felt the weight of their shared fear pressing down on them, but even more so, he felt the sharp sting of grief. The haunting memories of Drayce lingered like a ghost, and the very thought of losing Kaelen too was unbearable. "I won't let that happen," he whispered under his breath, determined to fight against fate.
They wandered through the dense underbrush, the chilling wind nipping at their skin, until they stumbled upon a hidden shack, partially obscured by overgrown foliage. It appeared abandoned, yet it was their only hope. As they approached the door, Vaylen's heart raced with a mixture of hope and anxiety. They needed shelter, if only for one night. Vaylen knocked, his knuckles rapping against the old wood.
A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a figure shrouded in shadows. The man was young, with blue eyes.His hair was a striking red. Vaylen felt a pang of desperation as he spoke, "Please, can you let us in for just one night? We don't have anywhere else to go. We'd be grateful for your kindness."
Kaelen stood beside him, feeling the heaviness of the moment. He knew Vaylen was trying to be brave, but Kaelen could see the strain in his eyes, the fear of their uncertain fate. "Please, sir," Kaelen added, his voice trembling slightly. "We promise we won't cause any trouble. We won't even ask for food or water. Just a safe place to rest."
The man's gaze shifted between the two boys, studying them with suspicion. "If you can give me a valid reason for letting you in, then I might consider it," he replied, his tone wary. "I can't just let two strangers into my home without knowing what you might do, it's not safe."
Vaylen felt the weight of those words, the fear and tension that had been building since they fled from Azeron settling heavily upon him. "We just lost our friend to a demon," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "We're orphans. There's no one left for us. We were running for our lives when we found you.
Kaelen's throat tightened as Vaylen spoke. The pain of their loss was fresh, and hearing it out loud made it all the more real. Drayce, kaelen's older brother and vaylan's dear friend, was gone, and all they wanted was to honor him, to say goodbye.
As Vaylen spoke, Kaelen felt tears welling in his eyes, the weight of his grief threatening to spill over. He fought to keep his composure, to be strong for both of them. But every word seemed to pull at his heart, reminding him of the void left by Drayce's absence.
The man's expression softened slightly as he saw the raw emotion in their eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said quietly. "You don't need to apologize for being here. You're welcome to stay for the night." He stepped aside, allowing them entry.
Relief washed over Vaylen, but Kaelen remained apprehensive as they entered. The inside was dim, filled with the scent of aged wood and something faintly floral. They found a table in the center of the room, where they could gather their thoughts, where the weight of the outside world felt just a little lighter.
Once seated, Vaylen took a deep breath and began to explain everything. "Our village was attacked by the demon, Azeron. It was powerful, terrifying. We were just caught in a nightmare. Drayce… he didn't make it. We were running for our lives."
Kaelen listened intently, his heart aching as Vaylen recounted their story. Each word pulled him deeper into his sorrow, the memories of their village—the laughter, the warmth, the life—now reduced to ashes.
As Vaylen continued, Kaelen felt his emotions bubbling to the surface. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he fought to keep his composure. The reality of their situation pressed down on him, suffocating and overwhelming.
Suddenly, Kaelen's composure shattered. The weight of grief overwhelmed him, and he began to cry, silent sobs wracking his small frame. Vaylen immediately reached out, pulling him into a comforting embrace.
"Don't cry," Vaylen murmured, though his own voice trembled with the effort. "It's okay to feel this way. We're going to get through this together."
The stranger watched them, his expression shifting from concern to understanding. "It's alright to grieve," he said softly. "You both have faced something unimaginable. I'm sorry for your loss."
Kaelen nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, still feeling the lingering sting of tears. "Thank you for letting us in," he whispered, the words heavy with gratitude.
The man offered a gentle smile, his demeanor easing the tension that had hung in the air. "You're safe here. You can rest.
Kaelen leaned into Vaylen's embrace, feeling the warmth and comfort of his presence. For now, they had a sanctuary, a place to grieve, and perhaps, a chance to heal. The world outside was still a dark and uncertain place, but inside this small cabin, they were together, and that made all the difference.