As the preparations for the next wave of attack continued, Raymond found himself alone for the first time in hours. The weight of the situation weighed heavily on his shoulders, but he couldn't afford to show any weakness. The villagers, the soldiers, and especially Sonya, were depending on him. But for just a moment, he allowed himself to stand still, his gaze scanning the fortified walls of Eldemor as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the village.
A soft footfall behind him drew his attention. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was—Sonya's presence had become a constant companion in these last few days. Her quiet footsteps were always accompanied by a calm sense of resolve. The days since they'd joined forces had brought them closer than he ever expected, and even though they had only known each other for a short time, it felt as if they had shared a lifetime of battles.
"Raymond," Sonya's voice came, soft but steady, as she approached him. Her usual confident demeanor had softened just a little, the exhaustion of the last few days catching up to her.
He turned to face her, his dark, glowing eyes hidden beneath the helmet, but the tone in his voice was steady and calm. "Sonya. Are you resting?"
Sonya let out a breath, one that carried the weight of everything they'd been through in the past few days. "I should be. But I don't think I can. Not when the next attack could come at any moment." She hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting to the ground as if gathering her thoughts. "You've been pushing yourself too, haven't you?"
Raymond didn't answer immediately. He wasn't sure what he could say to make her understand. His need to constantly keep moving, to keep fighting, was something that had become ingrained in him long before his rebirth. His undead nature wasn't something he could easily explain to her, but he knew she was beginning to notice the little things—how he never seemed to need rest, how he never ate, never drank. Yet, he was always ready to fight, always standing at the front when things got tough.
"I'm fine," he said, his voice rough, but not with fatigue. "We've got more important things to focus on right now. Eldemor's fate depends on us holding this line."
Sonya's eyes studied him for a long moment. It was clear that she wasn't convinced, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she took a small step closer, standing by his side and looking out over the village with him.
"You know," Sonya said quietly, "it's strange how quickly everything's happened. We barely met a few days ago, and yet... here we are, about to face an enemy far bigger than anything either of us could've imagined. And we're not just fighting for our lives. We're fighting for a village, for the kingdom. For people we don't even know." Her voice faltered for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. "I didn't expect this to be how we'd become... close."
Raymond glanced at her, sensing a vulnerability in her voice that he hadn't expected. Sonya had always seemed so strong, so confident, and yet now she was showing a side of herself that she rarely revealed. He understood it, though. It wasn't just the physical exhaustion that wore them down—it was the mental toll of knowing that everything they did now, every decision, could be the difference between life and death.
"It's strange for me, too," Raymond admitted, his voice quiet. "I never thought I would be in a position like this, fighting alongside someone... who understands. But we don't have the luxury of time or hesitation. We can't afford to question the way we're coming together in the middle of all this."
Sonya nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's funny, isn't it? How quickly we become part of each other's lives, even when we've only known each other for a short time. I've never fought with anyone like this before—not with someone who understands what it means to be ready for anything, no matter the cost."
Raymond didn't respond right away, and Sonya turned her gaze to him, as if she was waiting for something more. She didn't want to force him to open up, but the silence between them was heavy, and her curiosity about Raymond's past—and what lay beneath his cold exterior—grew stronger by the day.
"You know," Sonya said, her voice quieter now, "I'm not sure if you're just putting up walls around yourself, or if you're trying to keep your distance from me on purpose. But I've learned a lot about you in just a few days, even if you don't say much. I know you're carrying something, Raymond. Something... heavier than what you're letting on."
Raymond's expression didn't change, but there was a brief flicker of something behind his eyes. She was right. He was keeping his distance, not just physically, but emotionally. He'd gotten used to working alone, to fighting alone, to carrying the burden of his past without sharing it with anyone. But that was before he met Sonya, before they were forced into this fight together. Now, it was harder to keep those walls up.
"You're... perceptive," Raymond said, his voice soft, almost in surprise. He hadn't expected Sonya to pick up on his distance so quickly. It wasn't something he talked about—not to anyone. "I've had to learn how to be... self-sufficient. It's easier this way. Trust doesn't come easily. Not for someone like me."
Sonya gave him a soft, understanding smile. "I get it. I do. But you don't have to carry everything alone, Raymond. Not anymore. I'm here, and I want to help. Whatever it is, you don't have to face it by yourself."
For a moment, Raymond didn't know what to say. He had been alone for so long, both in his past life and in this one. His past was a weight he couldn't share, not even with Sonya. But there was something in her eyes, something genuine, that made him wonder if he could trust her more than he trusted anyone else.
Before he could respond, Sonya's expression shifted, her smile turning into something a little more teasing. "But," she added, "if you're planning on keeping me around as your partner, you might want to start talking more. I don't mind fighting alongside someone who's quiet, but I can't promise I'll just let it slide if you keep me in the dark about everything."
Raymond couldn't help but chuckle softly, his deep, rumbling laugh breaking the tension that had settled between them. "You talk a lot, don't you?"
Sonya raised an eyebrow, but the playful glint in her eyes betrayed her teasing. "Maybe. But I'm getting to know you. That's what partners do, right?"
Raymond met her gaze, his expression softening ever so slightly. "I suppose so."
They stood there in silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. The weight of their upcoming battle still loomed, but for just a brief second, it felt like they were allowed to be... human. To connect in a way that wasn't about strategy or fighting, but just about being two people trying to navigate a world that was changing faster than they could keep up.
Finally, Raymond spoke, his voice quieter now. "Sonya... thank you. For being here. I know this isn't easy. For either of us."
Sonya nodded, her voice just as quiet. "We've got this, Raymond. We're in this together."
And as the sun hung higher in sky, they both knew that the battle ahead would test them in ways they hadn't anticipated. But at least, for now, they didn't have to face it alone.