Azure awoke to the soft rustling of leaves and the faint scent of damp earth. The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy above, casting shifting patterns of light on the ground. He sat up, stretching out the stiffness from a night spent on the hard forest floor.
Kael wasn't around.
Frowning, Azure scanned the campsite. The faint embers of last night's fire still smoldered, but there was no sign of their enigmatic companion. The sound of movement in the bushes nearby caught his attention. He tensed, expecting Kael to emerge with one of his cryptic remarks.
But it wasn't Kael.
Demi stepped out from the underbrush, a bow slung across her shoulder and a quiver of arrows on her back. Her fiery red hair was tied back, her green eyes sparkling with a mixture of determination and mischief.
"Demi?" Azure blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips. "Did you really think you could leave me behind?"
Azure opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off, grinning. "Who else is going to protect you from wolves? Because let's face it, you're hopeless."
Azure chuckled despite himself. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Before he could say more, the bushes rustled again, louder this time. Demi immediately pulled an arrow from her quiver, nocking it with practiced ease.
"Stay back!" she hissed, drawing her bowstring taut.
Kael stepped out of the foliage, a bundle of firewood tucked under one arm and two rabbits, still alive, dangling from his other hand. His amber eyes glinted in amusement as he took in the sight of Demi aiming at him.
"Good morning to you too," he said dryly.
Demi froze, startled by his sudden appearance. "I-I thought you were a wolf!" she stammered, her grip on the bow faltering.
Azure quickly stepped between them, placing a hand on Demi's bow. "It's fine. It's just Kael."
Demi lowered her weapon reluctantly, glaring at Kael. "Maybe try making some noise next time. Sneaking around like that makes you look suspicious."
Kael smirked, dropping the firewood by the campsite. "Noted. But in my defense, I did say I'd bring breakfast." He held up the rabbits as proof. "They're fresh. Not even a scratch on them."
Demi raised an eyebrow. "And you expect us to eat them alive?"
Kael chuckled, setting the rabbits down. "Patience. I'll handle the cooking."
The Bonding of Three
As the fire crackled to life, Kael prepared the rabbits with a precision that belied his rough demeanor. Azure watched, intrigued by the fluidity of Kael's movements.
"You've done this before," Azure noted.
Kael glanced up, smirking. "You could say that. Life on the road teaches you a thing or two."
Demi sat cross-legged nearby, sharpening an arrowhead with a small whetstone. "Life on the road or life as a thief?" she quipped.
Kael laughed. "A little of both, perhaps."
The three ate in relative quiet, the tension from earlier gradually fading. The rabbits, seasoned with herbs Kael had foraged, were surprisingly good. Even Demi, who had been suspicious of Kael from the start, seemed to relax as the meal progressed.
The Journey Resumes
With the morning meal behind them, the trio packed up and continued their journey. The forest stretched endlessly ahead, its paths winding and uneven. Azure led the way, his gaze fixed on the faint trail, while Demi walked beside him, her bow ready at a moment's notice.
Kael followed at a leisurely pace, his hands tucked into his cloak pockets. His presence, though enigmatic, felt oddly reassuring—like a shadow that chose to stay close.
"So," Demi began, glancing at Kael over her shoulder, "what's your deal, really? You show up out of nowhere, tag along uninvited, and now you're our chef?"
Kael grinned. "Maybe I just enjoy the company. Or maybe I see potential in you two."
"Potential for what?" Azure asked, curious despite himself.
Kael's grin widened, but he didn't answer.
The conversation lapsed into silence, but the question lingered in Azure's mind. What did Kael see in them? And why did he seem so intent on staying close?
A Shadow in the Woods
The sun was high overhead when the group paused to rest by a small stream. Azure knelt to fill his canteen, the cool water a welcome relief against the midday heat. Demi scouted the area, her sharp eyes scanning the trees for any sign of danger.
Kael leaned casually against a boulder, his gaze distant.
"Something's following us," he said suddenly, his voice low.
Azure froze, his hand tightening around the canteen. "What do you mean?"
Kael straightened, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I've felt it since this morning. We're being watched."
Demi returned, her bow already drawn. "Watched by what?"
Kael shook his head. "Not sure. But whatever it is, it's keeping its distance—for now."
The tension in the air was palpable as the trio exchanged uneasy glances. Azure's heart raced, a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through him.
"Should we keep moving?" Demi asked, her voice steady despite the unease in her eyes.
Kael nodded. "Stay close. And be ready for anything."
As they continued down the path, Azure couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was about to take a dangerous turn. For the first time, he understood the weight of the road ahead—not just the physical challenges, but the unknown dangers that awaited them in the shadows.
And yet, despite the fear, a small part of him couldn't help but feel exhilarated.
For the first time in his life, Azure von Rex was truly alive.