The campfire flickered, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees. The trio sat around the flames, the warmth fending off the creeping chill of the night. Rokura and Abaddon rested nearby, their watchful eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of danger.
Emmanuel stretched, breaking the silence. "So, Izabella, I've been meaning to ask. What rank are you?"
Izabella glanced at him, then at Rodensky, a curious glint in her eye. "S rank," she replied simply, her tone matter-of-fact.
Emmanuel blinked in surprise, his usual smirk faltering. "S rank? Seriously? That's... impressive."
Rodensky raised an eyebrow but remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Izabella tilted her head, her gaze steady. "What about you two? What rank are you?"
Rodensky and Emmanuel exchanged a glance, the unspoken agreement clear.
"We don't have a rank," Rodensky said finally, his tone even.
Izabella blinked in confusion. "No rank? That's... unusual. Every challenger is ranked after completing their initial trials."
Emmanuel leaned back, crossing his arms. "Let's just say our situation's a bit... different."
The silence that followed was heavy, the crackle of the fire the only sound between them.
Izabella, ever perceptive, studied them both carefully. "You don't have a rank, yet you have the aura of C rank challengers... and your combat power feels closer to B rank."
Rodensky smirked faintly. "Interesting observation."
"It's more than an observation," Izabella pressed, her tone curious but not accusatory. "You two are hiding something. Your skills, your power—it doesn't align with what I've seen from others. Even your beasts are far beyond what any challenger I've met can tame at this stage."
Emmanuel shrugged, a playful grin returning to his face. "Maybe we're just full of surprises."
Izabella frowned slightly but didn't push further. Instead, she leaned back, her expression softening. "I suppose everyone has their secrets. But if we're going to explore these ruins together, I need to know I can trust you."
Rodensky's gaze met hers, unwavering. "You can trust us. We've been through enough battles to know the value of allies."
Izabella nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Then let's make a pact. We watch each other's backs, no matter what. Agreed?"
Emmanuel extended a hand, his grin widening. "Agreed."
Rodensky followed suit, his handshake firm. "Agreed."
---
The Tension Eases
As the tension lifted, the conversation turned lighter. Emmanuel, ever the mood maker, leaned closer to the fire, his grin mischievous.
"So, Izabella, you've been sticking close to Rodensky this whole time. Should I be jealous?"
Izabella's cheeks flushed slightly, but she kept her composure. "Don't flatter yourself. Rodensky's just... intriguing. He has this calm yet commanding presence. It's rare to see in someone so young."
Rodensky glanced at her, his expression neutral but his ears catching the compliment.
Emmanuel chuckled, nudging Rodensky. "See? Told you you've got that charm."
Rodensky rolled his eyes. "Focus, Emmanuel. We have a ruin to explore tomorrow."
Izabella laughed softly, the sound easing the lingering tension. "You two are quite the pair. I've seen countless challengers, but none quite like you."
"We're one of a kind," Emmanuel quipped, his tone light.
---
The Weight of Tomorrow
As the fire burned lower, the trio began to settle in for the night. Izabella, despite her lighthearted demeanor, couldn't shake the curiosity that lingered in her mind.
Rodensky, sensing her gaze, spoke softly. "We've been through a lot to get here, Izabella. More than we can explain right now. Just know that we're not your average challengers."
She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I believe you. And I hope, when you're ready, you'll trust me enough to share the full story."
Rodensky didn't reply, instead turning his gaze to the glowing map beside him. The path to the ruins was clear, but the challenges ahead remained unknown.
As the camp settled into silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts, one thing was certain: whatever awaited them in the ruins, they would face it together.