Grey woke before anyone else, the soft glow of dawn barely touching the edges of the room. The embers in the hearth had long since faded, leaving only the faint scent of burnt wood lingering in the air. Carefully, he slipped from beneath the heavy pelts, moving with practiced quiet as he knelt to rekindle the fire.
The snap of flint against stone broke the stillness.
A soft rustling came from the bed. Serene shifted beneath the covers, her voice quiet and groggy. "Today's the day, huh?"
Grey, slightly startled, glanced back at her. The fire caught onto the twigs, flickering to life as he added a log. "Morning."
She gave a small, sleepy smile before closing her eyes again. "Morning."
Grey settled against the frame of the bed, watching the flames dance. A moment later, Serene shifted again, tugging at the layers of pelts before lazily extending one toward him.
"Thanks," Grey whispered, wrapping it around himself.
She didn't respond, but she also didn't fall back asleep.
After a few moments, he spoke. "Anything you want to do? Who knows the next time we'll get the chance."
Serene hummed softly, glancing toward the side where Tear remained completely undisturbed, curled in a ball beneath the blankets. "I don't know. Maybe Tear has the right idea."
Grey chuckled. "Staying here is fine by me. Tear would be happy."
Serene shifted slightly beneath the covers. "Me too."
Grey rubbed the back of his neck. The warmth of the fire wrapped around him, but his instincts still tugged at him. "It's hard for me to sit still. I always had to take care of us… maybe I should go hu—"
"Stay." Serene's voice was soft, but firm. Then, after a pause, she added, "Though… we'll have to deal with my parents teasing us."
Grey felt heat creep up his neck, just as the fire finally caught onto the log with a soft crackle. "I don't mind it."
A silence stretched between them, filled only by the steady warmth of the flames.
Then, quietly, Serene murmured, "Me neither."
The early dawn stretched on as they sat there, waiting. The world outside would soon come alive, pulling them toward the inevitable events of the day. But for now, the warmth of the fire, the quiet comfort of each other's presence, was enough.
"Hungry?" Grey asked.
"Are you."
There was another pause, "I could eat."
Serene laughed, "Do you just want to go out?"
Another pause, "Maybe." Grey said.
Serene stretched, rolling her shoulders as she spoke. "Alright, let's go around the village for a bit. We can come back and eat after."
Grey nodded, standing up and letting the pelt slip from his shoulders. The fire had burned down to glowing embers, casting a gentle warmth into the room.
Just as they reached for the door, a wooden creak from the other side signaled movement.
Carver stepped out first, followed by Harthy. "Going somewhere?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Just for a walk," Serene answered, then paused. "But if you guys are up… is there any food?"
Harthy stifled a yawn as she walked out from behind her husband. "I can heat some from last night."
From the bed, Tear stirred slightly at the sound of voices, but instead of getting up, she pulled the thick cocoon of pelts over her head.
Carver smirked at the sight. "I was thinking of making some new weapons… Tear, can you help me?"
No response.
Grey chuckled. "Nice try, but it'll take more than that."
Carver feigned deep thought before trying again. "I'll let you use some real beast parts." His tone was melodic, teasing.
The pile of pelts shifted, a bit more movement now. Then, a muffled voice finally responded. "Can I use the wood from that vine monster?"
Carver stroked his chin as if seriously considering. "Hmm," he hummed before shrugging. "Why not."
Like a worm emerging from its burrow, Tear wriggled out of the mountain of blankets, her hair wild from sleep. "Alright, what are we making?"
Carver grinned, pleased with his victory. "Let's eat first."
And so, the day passed.
The family spent the hours together, chatting, working, and simply enjoying the time they had left. Tear eagerly learned under Carver's guidance, carving small tools while Grey and Serene sat nearby, occasionally offering their own insights. Harthy hummed softly as she prepared meals, laughter weaving through the walls of their home like a familiar melody.
But as the sun began to lower, its golden glow stretching across the village, the moment they had all been ignoring arrived.
Grey looked out the window, his chest tightening. "I—I think we need to head to Elder's home." His voice was quiet, laced with sadness.
The room stilled.
Carver was the first to move. He stood, walking over to Tear and lifting her onto his shoulders. His voice was loud, filled with an exaggerated excitement that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Alright! When you get back, make sure to tell me everything that's out there!"
Tear wobbled slightly on his shoulders before she grinned. "I will! And I'll bring back the best materials!"
Carver let out a laugh, reaching up to steady her. "That's my girl."
The atmosphere shifted. It wasn't goodbye just yet. Not yet.
But they all felt it creeping closer.
Together, they walked through the village, the quiet hum of life around them feeling heavier than usual. When they arrived at Elder's home, a small gathering had already formed.
Keen's family stood together, his wife, Patrona, gripping his arm tightly, her face unreadable. Beside them, Forge stood with a young woman at his side, her fingers laced through his in silent support. Shot and Brawl stood together, watching the group approach with somber expressions. Wild was near Elder, while Aedric and Leora stood side by side, holding the black plate where the Heart would be placed—where it would take them home.
Elder's voice was steady, but there was a weight to it. "You will all be in charge of leading us in the future. I can only pray for your safety." His gaze fell on Grey. "Grey, please. The Heart."
Grey nodded and stepped toward Aedric.
"Are you ready?" Aedric asked, his voice low. His usual calm was strained, his stance rigid. "We have to go. Now."
Grey frowned. He had noticed their unease earlier, but he had assumed it was from the anticipation of finally leaving. But now…
"Uh—right now?" Grey asked, his voice laced with hesitation.
Aedric's expression was tight, urgency clear in his voice. "Yes. I'm sorry, Grey, but we have to leave immediately."
"What's wrong?" Keen asked, his sharp eyes darting between Aedric and Leora.
"We need to go now," Grey repeated, his stomach twisting. "Something's wrong."
Keen's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue. His gaze flickered to his daughter, standing beside him, already tearing up. He let out a slow breath before kneeling down in front of her.
"Stilra, listen to me," he said softly, placing a hand on her trembling shoulder. "I love you. You are strong. And you'll have Serene, Grey, and Tear with you, okay?"
Patrona knelt beside him, stroking her daughter's hair. "We'll be right here when you come back."
Stilra sniffled but nodded, throwing herself into their arms for one last hug. Tear, who had been watching silently, stepped forward, taking Stilra's hand and squeezing it tightly before leading her toward Grey.
Grey turned to Aedric, handing over the Heart. The moment Aedric took it, he placed it into his device. The black plate hummed to life.
"Gather around," Aedric instructed.
Everyone stepped closer, forming a tight circle as the mechanism activated. A green barrier flickered to life around them, energy surging through the air.
Then, suddenly—
The barrier shuddered.
Leora's eyes widened as she looked down at the mechanism. Her hands flew across the device, adjusting something, her lips moving in hurried murmurs Grey couldn't hear.
Aedric turned to him, his expression grim. "Grey… someone is interfering. We—" He hesitated, his voice heavy with something Grey couldn't quite place. "Some of us have to stay."
Grey's breath hitched. "What?"
"I mean, we can't take everyone," Aedric explained. "The interference is too strong. The mechanism won't stabilize with this many people."
Grey turned to the others, the words settling over them like ice.
Brawl was the first to step forward, his usual composure unwavering. "The village will need more hunters anyway," he said simply.
Shot didn't hesitate, stepping beside him. "Then I'm staying too."
The barrier trembled again, flickering, stabilizing just slightly as the two stepped out.
Wild exhaled deeply before nodding. "The village needs us," and she stepped away too.
Forge looked at the young woman then at Elder, "I'm sorry, I can't go Elder." Then he moved away.
Serene and Shot locked eyes. A silent understanding passed between them.
"Take care of them, Grey," Shot said, a small smirk tugging at her lips, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Grey swallowed hard, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to protest, to say something, but there was no time. The barrier pulsed again, its glow intensifying.
Then—
Everything went black.
The world around them twisted, folding in on itself. There was no sound, no feeling, just an endless void swallowing them whole.
And then, just as suddenly as it had vanished—
The world returned.
But it was not the same.