The soft crackle of the fire was interrupted by a groan a sound so pitiful and dramatic that even the flames seemed to flicker in disapproval. Lia turned her head sharply, her healing work on Kael momentarily paused as the noise grew louder.
Another groan followed, this one punctuated by a muttered, "Is this heaven? Because it smells like damp socks."
Kael, who had just drifted back to sleep, opened one eye and muttered, "Oh, great. He's awake."
Across the cave, another figure stirred in a pile of haphazard bedding, his arms flailing weakly. It was Mareth, the second man Lia and Lyris had dragged out of the forest earlier that day. Unlike Kael, who had slipped into unconsciousness with quiet dignity, Mareth seemed determined to announce his return to the world with as much noise as possible.
"An angel!" Mareth gasped, his eyes snapping open and locking onto Lia. "I've died, haven't I? Am I in paradise? Are you here to guide me to eternal rest?"
Kael snorted from his corner. "Oh, for the love of life".
Lia, however, remained patient, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She leaned closer to Mareth, her golden hair catching the firelight in a way that only encouraged his delusion.
"You're not dead," she said gently, her voice calm and soothing. "You're very much alive. And no, I'm not an angel."
Mareth blinked, his brow furrowing. "Wait. You're… not?"
"Nope," Lia replied, her tone carrying the faintest hint of amusement.
Mareth's gaze darted around the cave, taking in the rough stone walls, the flickering fire, and the disapproving glare of Lyris, who was still leaning against the far wall with her arms crossed. "Then… what is this place?"
"It's a cave," Lia said simply.
"A cave?" Mareth repeated, his voice rising in pitch. "But it smells so… earthy!"
Kael rolled his eyes. "What were you expecting? Perfumed clouds and a golden harp?"
Mareth's mouth opened, then closed, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and offense. "Well, I mean, I was hoping for something a bit more celestial. Maybe some divine music. At least better lighting."
Lia laughed softly, shaking her head. "Sorry to disappoint, but you're alive, not dead. We found you in the forest and brought you here to heal."
Mareth squinted at her, as if trying to decide whether or not to believe her. Then his gaze shifted to Lyris, whose crimson eyes were practically glowing in the firelight. He gasped, pointing a trembling finger.
"And that! What is that? A demon?"
Lyris raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting from bored to mildly irritated. "Careful," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "You're still injured. Don't make me hurt you more."
Mareth yelped and scooted back into his bedding, clutching the blanket like a shield. "I knew it! I knew the afterlife would involve some kind of test. She's the gatekeeper, isn't she? The one who decides if I ascend or—"
"Lyris isn't a demon," Lia interrupted, her tone exasperated but kind. "She's my companion. And she's the one who healped you, so maybe a little gratitude would be nice."
Mareth's mouth opened again, but no sound came out. He glanced at Lyris, then back at Lia, then at Kael, who was watching the scene unfold with thinly veiled amusement.
Kael smirked. "Yeah, she's scary, but she's not a demon. At least, not officially."
Lyris shot him a glare that could have melted stone, and Kael quickly looked away, pretending to inspect his bandaged arm.
Mareth, now thoroughly confused but not brave enough to ask further questions, finally settled back into his bedding. "Fine. I'm alive. Not dead. No angels, no demons. Got it."
"Good," Lia said, standing up and brushing off her hands. "Now, if you're done with the theatrics, you need to rest. Both of you."
Kael and Mareth exchanged a look, one that spoke volumes. It was the look of two men who had both been scolded by the same person and knew better than to argue.
"Rest," Lia repeated, her tone leaving no room for debate.
Kael nodded obediently, pulling his blanket up to his chin. Mareth did the same, though not without muttering under his breath about damp caves and misplaced halos.
Lia turned to Lyris, who was still watching the scene with her usual air of detached amusement. "Keep an eye on them," she said quietly. "I'm going to gather more herbs."
Lyris nodded, her gaze flicking briefly to the two men before returning to the fire.
As Lia left the cave, the silence stretched, broken only by the occasional crackle of the flames.
"So," Mareth said finally, his voice low but filled with curiosity. "Who's the scary one, really? The elf or the silver-haired woman?"
Kael chuckled softly. "Lia's not scary. But Lyris? She's the one you don't want to cross."
Mareth nodded sagely, as if this was profound wisdom. "Noted."
A pause.
"You really thought Lia was an angel?" Kael asked, unable to resist.
Mareth turned to him, his expression indignant. "And you didn't?"
Kael grinned. "No."
Mareth opened his mouth to retort, but Lyris's sharp voice cut through the cave.
"If you two don't shut up and sleep, I'll make sure you wish you were dead."
Both men immediately went silent, pulling their blankets up and pretending to fall asleep.
For a moment, the cave was peaceful again.
Then, in a whisper so quiet it was barely audible, Mareth muttered, "Definitely a demon."
Kael snorted, and Lyris sighed, muttering something about babysitting fools.
But as the fire crackled and the night deepened, a strange sense of camaraderie settled over the unlikely group.
For better or worse, they were stuck with each other now.