Zia and Elysia emerged from the Glimmering Caverns, the artifact carefully wrapped in cloth and hidden within Zia's satchel. The moon hung high above, casting a silver glow across the forest path as they made their way back to camp. Zia felt the weight of their journey settling over her, but there was a quiet joy blossoming within her—a new warmth she hadn't allowed herself to feel before. Leon's quiet presence lingered beside her, closer than ever, and she couldn't ignore the way her heart seemed to skip whenever he spoke.
"Zia," Leon's voice drifted into her mind, soft and familiar. "That was incredible. I don't know how you found the strength to resist the illusions back there."
Zia looked down, a faint smile playing at her lips. "I couldn't have done it alone, Leon. You kept me focused. I knew you were there, guiding me through it all."
Elysia, walking ahead, gave a small smile as she listened. "It seems our thief has finally found someone worth trusting."
Zia's cheeks warmed, but she held her head high. "Well, maybe I've just learned that some things—" her voice softened, "—or some people are worth fighting for."
Leon's presence felt nearer, as though he were almost beside her in the moonlight. His voice was gentle but filled with affection. "You have no idea what it means to hear that. You're the reason I keep pushing forward, Zia."
The warmth in Zia's chest grew, and she couldn't help the fluttering feeling that came with his words. She knew how he felt about her—his loyalty had always been unwavering. But until now, she had never truly allowed herself to acknowledge the depth of her own feelings. She had always lived her life moving forward, keeping her heart guarded. But with Leon, something had shifted.
They reached the edge of the forest, where their small campfire flickered. Elysia tended to her pack, giving Zia and Leon a private moment by the fire. Zia sank down onto a log, letting the night air settle around her. For the first time, she felt a sense of peace.
"Leon," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "I… I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone." Her eyes lifted, staring at the empty air where she felt his presence.
Leon's voice came quietly, filled with the softness she had come to treasure. "I know, Zia. And I'll wait. For as long as it takes. Just knowing you're starting to feel something for me is enough."
A pause lingered between them, the night sounds filling the silence. Zia found herself tracing patterns in the dirt, a nervous habit she hadn't even realized she had.
"There was a time," she finally admitted, "when I believed caring for someone would only make me weak. But with you, Leon… I don't feel weak. I feel stronger." Her voice was raw, filled with a sincerity she rarely allowed herself to express.
Leon's presence enveloped her, his tone filled with awe. "Zia… I promise, I will be by your side. No matter what comes next."
A rustle behind them drew Zia's attention, and she turned to see Elysia, who had returned, her expression knowing but gentle. "We should rest," she said, her voice quiet. "The journey ahead is bound to be challenging, and we'll need all the strength we can muster."
Zia nodded, glancing back into the darkness where she felt Leon linger. "Goodnight, Leon."
"Goodnight, Zia," he replied, his voice soft. And for the first time, Zia felt a quiet comfort in the bond they shared.
As she lay down by the fire, Zia knew there was still a long path ahead. Seraphine's forces would only grow stronger, and the artifact's power would draw more enemies. But for the first time in her life, she wasn't afraid. She wasn't alone.
And in the quiet moments of the night, as she drifted into sleep, she felt Leon's presence beside her, and a promise she had yet to speak aloud but knew was true: She would fight for him, just as he had always fought for her.