Ark stands motionless near the edge of the camp, his hammer resting heavily on the ground beside him.
His shoulders sag under the weight of the silence, his usual composure shattered by the loss of his team. He exhales sharply, his jaw clenched but the pain in his chest refuses to ease.
The sound of footsteps breaks the stillness, drawing Ark's attention back to the camp.
Valen steps out of the tent, his posture steadier than it had been before, though his movements are still careful.
The bandages around his side peek out from under his shirt but his color has returned. Behind him, Ciel follows, her shoulders slumped and her usually sharp eyes dulled by fatigue.
Her skin is pale, a faint sheen of sweat on her brow, the toll of constant magic use evident in every weary step.
She doesn't say anything, simply nodding toward Ark in respect of his loss.
Valen approaches Ark, his gaze steady but his voice quiet. "We need to talk," he says, glancing briefly at the hammer still gripped in Ark's hand. Ark exhales slowly, lifting his head to meet Valen's eyes.
He can see the determination there—a reminder that, despite the losses, the fight isn't over. Ciel watches from the side, her tired expression softening slightly as she senses the shift in Ark's demeanor.
Though the pain remains, the resolve to press forward begins to flicker in Ark's mind.
The group sits around the campfire, the glow of the flames flickering across their weary faces.
The forest floor drinks the blood of the departed silently. The air is heavy with unease as they remain quiet, unsure how much time they have before danger strikes again.
Ark finally breaks the silence. "How long do you think we have before more of them show up?" He turns his gaze to Valen, his eyes shadowed with worry.
Valen leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"The Thaxil don't rush. If anything, they're slow when it comes to scouting decisions. If luck is on our side, the city's reinforcements will get here before they make their next move."
Eska, wrapped in a blanket, crosses her arms tightly against the chill.
"Luck?" she says bitterly. "This was supposed to be one of the easier hunts and it suddenly turned into an argalia scouting hunt then a Thaxil hunt."
Valen exhales deeply, running a hand through his hair as his gaze drops to the ground.
"If we're smart and work together, we can probably take one or two," he says, his voice quieter now. But the weight in his tone makes it clear how much of a gamble they're facing.
Valen continues. "You all should retreat. Get back to the city and make sure they're ready for what's coming. I'll hold them off for as long as it takes, if it comes to that."
Eska shoves Valen lightly but enough to make her point.
She gives him a sharp glare, a hint of anger flickering in her yellow eyes. "Yeah, Ark and Ciel should head back," she says. "Ciel's done enough already and she can't make the trip alone in her state."
"That's not what I—" Valen begins, but Eska cuts him off, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Right, Valen?" she presses, her determination silencing his protests before they can form.
Valen hesitates, his mouth opening as if to argue, but the intensity of Eska's gaze stops him.
Her unwavering stare, mixed with a hint of frustration, leaves him at a loss for words. He shifts uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair as he glances between Eska and the others.
"Yeah… yeah, you're right," he says reluctantly, his voice carrying a nervous edge. "Ark and Ciel should head back. It makes the most sense." He averts his eyes, clearly unwilling to push back against Eska's conviction.
Ark watches the exchange between Eska and Valen with a raised brow, his hand resting idly on the haft of his hammer.
Valen's nervous response and quick agreement catch him off guard, the unrelenting leader he's known seeming oddly hesitant. His gaze shifts between the two, the tension palpable as Eska's unwavering stance leaves Valen scrambling to catch up.
"I've never seen you back down like that, Valen. You're the one who always stands firm, even when it means clashing with everyone else." He says with a slight smile.
Ciel narrows her eyes as she observes the scuffle.
Her pale complexion does little to hide the calculating look in her gaze as she studies the pair. "Something's different," she murmurs, mostly to herself, though her words carry enough weight for Ark to notice.
Her voice carries suspicion as her sharp eyes flicker between Valen and Eska, lingering on Eska's defiant posture and Valen's unusual uncertainty.
For now, she simply files the observation away, her intuition nagging at her as she tries to focus on the immediate threat.
Ark crosses his arms, his expression hardening as he prepares to challenge the decision.
"You think I'm just going to walk away after what happened to my team?" he says. "I'm not about to abandon what's left of this group." He grips his hammer as he looks at Valen. "If more of those things show up, you'll need every blade and hammer we've got."
Ciel nods weakly.
"He's right," she adds with a soft voice. "I might not be at my best, but I can still hold a line. If we're up against Thaxil, numbers will matter, even if it's just a few more bodies."
Her pale face betrays her exhaustion. "Sending us away is a waste, Valen. We stay and we fight."
Valen exhales sharply, his gaze flicking between them, the tension in his shoulders visible as he straightens.
"I understand where you're coming from," he says calmly. "But this isn't about pride or stubbornness. If you stay here, you'll only make it harder for us to hold the line. Ciel, you're barely standing and Ark will accompany you back."
His voice hardens, his eyes locking onto Ark's. "Your job now is to get back to the city and ensure they bring enough firepower to deal with this."
For a moment, silence stretches between them, thick with unspoken tension.
Then Ark sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping as he grips his hammer. "Fine," he mutters, his tone begrudging. "But if you don't make it out, Valen, I'll kill you myself!" He speaks with a laugh that, while cheerful on the surface, is filled with unmistakable nervousness.
Ciel pauses for a moment, her tired eyes shifting to Eska.
She gives her a long, knowing look before speaking softly, "Take care of him."
Eska gives her a confused look but quickly straightens, nodding with quiet confidence as determination settles in her expression.
Ciel then turns back toward Ark.
Together, the two begin making their way toward the edge of the camp, their steps weighed down by frustration and reluctant acceptance.
Valen watches them disappear into the shadows of the forest, his chest tightening as the weight of his decision presses down on him. Steeling himself, he turns back toward the fire, the resolve in his expression unshaken despite the storm brewing in his mind.
Ciel gives him a wary glance but nods reluctantly, stepping back toward Ark. Together, they turn toward the edge of the camp, their steps heavy with frustration and unspoken worry.
Valen watches them go, the weight of his decision settling over him as he steels himself for what's to come.
"You didn't have to do that," Valen says, his tone edged with mild annoyance. "I can take care of myself and the odds of another attack are low," he adds, not even glancing her way.
"YoU dIdN't HaVe tO Do tHaT," Eska mimics him, her voice dripping with mockery. Valen whirls toward her, his expression a mix of disbelief and irritation.
"What do you th—" he begins, but she cuts him off sharply.
"I'm not leaving you alone, Valen. Shut up," she snaps, her own annoyance flaring. "We're friends… And friends don't leave each other alone." Her voice softens slightly as she finishes, her eyes dropping to her feet as she fidgets uncomfortably.
Valen's expression falters, the sharpness in his eyes dulling at her words. He opens his mouth to respond but nothing comes out, her earnest declaration disarming him completely.
Friends don't leave each other alone. The simplicity of her statement tugs at something buried deep in his chest, a part of him he's tried to ignore.
He glances away, his hands flexing at his sides as if unsure what to do with the sudden weight of her sentiment.
It's not the words themselves—it's the way she says them, so matter-of-fact, like her presence at his side was never a choice but a given.
He catches a glimpse of her fidgeting feet, her confidence replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. His gaze shifts back to her face and for a moment, he feels an unfamiliar knot of emotions twist inside him.
Protectiveness? Guilt? Something else he can't quite name? She's reckless, stubborn and far too brave for her own good—everything he'd usually criticize in someone under his watch.
His thoughts are interrupted by her voice, cutting through his inner turmoil. "So what do we do if they do show up?" she asks casually.
"I… haven't thought about it yet," Valen admits, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What do you mean 'you haven't thought about it'?" she shoots back, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at him. "I thought you had some big plan for holding out against a horde of Thaxil!"
Her words sound accusing, but the playful smile breaking through her mock-anger betrays her act.
Valen chuckles softly at her expression, quickly looking away to hide the amusement creeping across his face.
Eska notices and scooches closer, tilting her head at him. "Don't get too stressed," she says lightly. "I once heard someone smart say the Thaxil take their time making decisions after a scouting mission. I'd say we've got time."
Valen turns back to her, blinking as her words click into place. Realization dawns and he sees her barely holding back a grin, clearly waiting for him to notice.
He groans, covering his face with a hand as laughter escapes him. Eska immediately joins in, her giggles filling the air and for a brief moment, the weight of their situation feels a little lighter.