The night was calm, the sky awash with stars as Elliot and Lyssara found shelter in a small abandoned inn on the outskirts of a forgotten village. The building, though crumbling, offered respite from the cold winds and the weight of the battles they'd endured.
Lyssara sat by the remnants of a stone fireplace, her golden hair catching the dim light of the fire Elliot had managed to ignite. She gazed into the flames, her green eyes distant, lost in thought.
Elliot leaned against the opposite wall, watching her carefully. The silence between them was heavy, yet not uncomfortable. It was as if both of them were carrying burdens too great to put into words.
Inside Elliot's mind, Etreuf stirred, his voice breaking the quiet. "You're staring at her again. Pathetic."
Elliot sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wasn't staring. I was… thinking."
"Thinking," Etreuf sneered. "You mortals always waste time with thoughts when action is what's needed. Do you even know why she's still here? She's hiding something, boy."
Elliot shook his head, ignoring the demon's barbs. "She saved my life. That's all I need to know."
"Do you always talk to yourself?" Lyssara's voice broke the silence, startling Elliot. She was looking at him now, her expression amused but tinged with curiosity.
Elliot chuckled nervously. "You could say that."
She tilted her head, studying him. "What's it like? Having someone else inside you?"
Elliot hesitated, unsure how to explain. "It's… loud," he said finally. "Like having a constant argument in your head. Except the other person is stronger, faster, and probably smarter than you. And he never lets me forget it."
Lyssara smiled faintly, her expression softening. "Sounds exhausting."
"It is," Elliot admitted. "But I can't let him win. If I do… I'm afraid of what he'll do to everyone else."
Lyssara's gaze lingered on him, her green eyes searching his face. "You're stronger than you think," she said quietly. "Most people would've given up by now."
Elliot looked at her, surprised. "You think so?"
She nodded. "I've met a lot of people who were strong on the outside but weak where it mattered. You're not like them. You fight for something bigger than yourself. That's rare."
Her words struck a chord in Elliot, filling him with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time since this journey began, he felt seen—not as a vessel or a tool, but as a person.
Inside his mind, Etreuf growled. "This is revolting. She's feeding your ego, and you're lapping it up like a lovesick puppy."
Elliot frowned. "Why do you care? It's not like you understand what it means to care about someone."
Etreuf's laughter was cold. "Care? I care about power. Attachments are weaknesses, boy. She'll only hold you back."
Elliot clenched his fists. "She's not a weakness. She's the reason I'm still fighting."
Etreuf fell silent for a moment before muttering, "We'll see how long that lasts."
That night, as they rested, Elliot's dreams were filled with chaos. He saw Lyssara standing in a golden field, her face lit by the warm light of the sun. But as he reached out to her, the field turned to ash, the sky darkening as flames consumed everything.
In the distance, a shadow loomed—a massive figure with burning eyes and jagged wings. It was Etreuf, his demonic form towering over the destruction. His voice echoed, deep and mocking. "This is your future, boy. Embrace it."
Elliot woke with a start, his body drenched in sweat. Lyssara was still asleep, her breathing steady. He sat up, his heart racing as Etreuf's words lingered in his mind.
When dawn broke, the two prepared to leave the inn. The sun's rays filtered through the cracked windows, casting golden light on the dusty floor.
As they stepped outside, Lyssara turned to Elliot. "Thank you," she said suddenly.
He looked at her, puzzled. "For what?"
"For not giving up," she said, her voice sincere. "Not on yourself. And not on me."
Elliot smiled, feeling a surge of determination. "I won't. Not as long as I can still fight."
Inside his mind, Etreuf growled softly, his voice a low warning. "Enjoy your little moment of hope, boy. It won't last."
Elliot ignored him, his focus on the road ahead. With Lyssara by his side, he felt ready to face whatever dangers SAMBALETA had in store.