The fire that kept them warm had long since gone out, leaving only its distinct after-smell behind.
The morning light had broken through the darkness of the cave -and from the entrance it had slowly spread its presence- within.
Rath's brows furrowed and then an instant later his eyes burst wide open - letting out a gasp for air, his face covered in sweat.
He took a few seconds to catch his breath and shake off the nightmares he did not even remember - then, slowly raised his torso up, using his right elbow for support.
His gaze naturally went to the source of the light - he quietly groaned as he squinted, staring directly into the blinding light of the new day.
Exhaustion pulled his head down towards the ground and he noticed.
"Wait…" He could move. Not well - but anything was better than nothing. His elbow shook as it didn't have much energy.
Rath looked back up only to see Elaris was gone- having left only her blanket and loyal servant, who was sound asleep, behind.
"Mm!"- Rath quietly groaned as he tried to keep his balance while standing up, scrunching the blanket beneath with his feet.
"Urghh..!" Lex made strange noises as he slept - he had kept watch and as a result his body needed reset.
Rath just stood there, gently swaying back and forth on his feet as he couldn't stand still, staring at Lex - his eyes darting from the grey, dirty armour that had most definitely seen better days, to his sharp and worn out face, to his dark blonde hair and finally to the sheath of his sword.
Rath's heart was pounding.. For some strange reason he couldn't understand. He instinctively looked towards Elaris's blanket and then oddly warm memories flooded his mind.
Elaris' gentle words - her acceptance of his seemingly cruel nature - her unwavering belief in him that he lacked for himself. She saw the person he really was - and he needed that.
Rath furrowed his brows as he looked towards the entrance of the cave - another memory came to him.
Elaris' beautiful face, gracefully lit by the warm yellow light of the fire - her sparkling eyes, her gentle smile. The way she looked at him - with this strange conviction, her gaze was magical.
Rath took a step forward - clashing his feet with the rubble and dust on the ground.
He remembered how light Elaris' head was on his chest as she tried to listen to his heartbeat.
He took another step, every part of his body - from toe to head - shaking, trying to keep his balance and not fall over.
He remembered - her face - just inches from his - begging for his help..
His mind was flooded with thoughts of Elaris.
Rath didn't know quite what it was but she was like a.. Like a bright light he just couldn't help but chase after.
Rath sped up, taking shaky uncertain step after another and eventually left the cave.
He trudged along following a trail of small footsteps -his hair constantly getting in his face due to his head being tilted down..
The morning birds chirped, saying good morning to each other, the sound of the leaves scratched a calming itch within his mind. He huffed along the way - the surrounding trees turned into colourful blurs and the morning sunlight was as harsh as it was beautiful - sapping him of his already scarce energy.
He shook back and forth, side to side, his arms hanging from his torso as if barely attached - he kicked rocks, nearly fell over a couple of times but he kept walking.
Eventually - his ringing ears, picked up on a soothing noise - the sound of a river and its calm stream of water.
The forest path opened up in front of him, he passed the last oak tree and to his right - was a wide clearing, a rocky shore, crystal clear water that reflected the skies above and someone, otherworldly - bathing in it..
"..." Rath's eyes widened, his heart skipped a beat. In the corner of his eyes he noticed those boyish, adventurer clothes of hers but he did not look - his gaze was fixated somewhere else.
Shining drops of water gracefully dripped down from her tiny nose, hot breath came out of the slight parting of her full lips - every time she blinked with those long lashes of hers, it was as if it was in slow motion.
She had been soaking, submerged up to her nape but then she slowly stood up - streams of water led the boy's eyes down to her slim waist, they followed the curves of her hips and then they closed.
"Stop.." He whispered to himself.. But just moments later, his eyes opened back up. He could not resist and driven by instinct alone, he took a step forward.
"Crap!" he quietly groaned as he stepped sideways and kicked over a rock, nearly hitting the ground but just in time - managing to stop his body from falling with his left hand.
"Who's there!" In an instant Elaris turned around, alarmed - Covering her breasts with her right hand.
".." Rath slowly stood back up, rocking his body back and forth until he finally managed to make it sort of stop.
"I'm.. It's me.." Rath couldn't keep his mouth or eyes closed, he was confused himself - he knew what he was doing was weird but it was beyond his control - she really was an alluring woman.
"Um.. Good morning.." Elaris awkwardly said with her eyebrows still raised, eyes still very much alert, water dripping from certain parts of her body, hitting the water - filling the silence with a pleasant melody.
"I just.. Noticed you were gone.." In nervousness- Rath brushed the back of his hair with his shaky right hand and realising how awkward it looked he swiftly put it back down.
"Right.. Well.. I'm here!" Elaris smiled trying to keep herself from screaming at him.
"I didn't mean to scare you.."
"Oh..yeah! Haha! Don't worry.." She wanted to yell at him.. Really badly..
They just stared at each other in this awkward silence. Elaris truly did believe Rath was good - but she did not see Lex with him. And given the fact that she was naked and defenceless she just had to ask.
"Um, Where is Lex?"
"Oh - he's still sleeping." Rath noticed she was worried.
"Right.. Could u look away until I put my clothes on?"
"Oh- yeah.. Yeah! I'm sorry.." Rath turned around, looking at the rocks beneath to make sure he doesn't fall over.
And then.. He heard the alluring noise of her body exiting the water, droplets dripping back into the river, her small feminine feet gently stepping onto the rocky shore. His heart rushed, he lost himself in thoughts of her, every part of her. His hands shook, not just because of the exasperation he felt - but from a strange desire to turn around.
Each step she made closer to him and the clothes that laid just a few meters away, made his heart beat like a drum, so strong - it was nearly deafening but yet ,somehow - all he could hear was the sounds that she made.
Rath closed his eyes.