**Chapter 6: Trouble, Teasing, and Tender Moments**
Alina winced as she leaned against a tree, her shoulder still aching from the earlier fight. The wound wasn't serious, but it was a reminder—she wasn't untouchable. Zephyr knelt beside her, pulling out a small vial of medicine.
"Hold still," he instructed, his voice gentle yet firm.
Alina eyed the bitter-smelling concoction. "That looks awful."
Rowan smirked. "Oh, it is. But think of it as a rite of passage."
Zephyr shot him a warning look before dabbing the medicine onto her wound. A sharp sting shot through her arm, and she hissed, jerking away.
"Stop moving," Zephyr said, grabbing her wrist. His touch was warm, grounding her.
Alina scowled. "Maybe try being gentler?"
Cassian, watching with crossed arms, let out a sigh. "You're lucky he's the one treating you. If Rowan did it, you'd probably end up with twice as many injuries."
Rowan placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. "I'll have you know I'm excellent at—"
Cassian shot him a glare. "No, you're not."
Alina chuckled despite herself. "Glad to know I have such capable company."
With her wound dressed, they resumed their journey. The night was peaceful, stars twinkling above them. Rowan, of course, couldn't resist breaking the silence.
"So, Alina, since we're all traveling together, I think it's only fair we get to know each other better."
She gave him a wary look. "You just want to ask ridiculous questions, don't you?"
Rowan grinned. "Maybe."
Zephyr sighed. "Ignore him."
"Oh, come on!" Rowan threw an arm around Alina's shoulders, ignoring Zephyr's glare. "Tell me, what's your type? Mysterious and brooding?" He nodded toward Zephyr. "Strong and serious?" He tilted his head at Cassian. "Or charming and undeniably attractive?" He gestured to himself with a dramatic flourish.
Alina burst out laughing. "You really don't know when to quit, do you?"
Cassian rolled his eyes. "This is a waste of time."
Zephyr, on the other hand, watched Alina with quiet curiosity. "And?" he asked, surprising her. "Do you have a preference?"
Alina hesitated. Romance had been the last thing on her mind since coming to this world. But looking at the three of them, each unique in his own way, she couldn't deny they were… interesting.
She smirked. "I guess I'll just have to see who impresses me the most."
Rowan grinned. "Challenge accepted."
Cassian scoffed. "You'll lose."
Zephyr merely shook his head, but Alina caught the ghost of a smile on his lips.
The conversation drifted into easier topics as they reached a quiet clearing. A small stream ran through it, the sound of trickling water soothing. They set up camp, and as Alina sat by the fire, she couldn't help but feel something unusual—something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't alone anymore.
And maybe, amidst all the danger, a little bit of romance wouldn't be so bad.
As dawn broke over the forest, Alina stretched her sore limbs and took in the crisp morning air. The warmth of last night's fire had long faded, but the quiet camaraderie she'd found with her companions lingered. Today, however, was not a day for teasing or idle chatter—it was a day for action.
Zephyr was already on his feet, scanning the horizon with his sharp gaze. "We should move. The ones who attacked us yesterday won't stop tracking us."
Cassian nodded, adjusting the straps on his gauntlets. "Agreed. But where exactly are we going?"
Rowan, still lying on his back, groaned. "Can we at least have breakfast before discussing our inevitable doom?"
Alina smirked. "If you keep whining, I might just eat your portion."
That got him up fast. They ate quickly, conserving their energy for the road ahead. Zephyr led the way through the thick underbrush, their pace brisk and purposeful. As they moved, Alina couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.
A few hours into their journey, they came upon an ancient stone bridge spanning a deep ravine. The air hummed with energy, and faint runes glowed on the bridge's surface.
"This isn't an ordinary crossing," Cassian said, his fingers grazing the nearest rune. "It's a trial bridge. Only those deemed worthy may pass."
Rowan groaned. "Great. And what happens to those who aren't 'worthy'?"
Zephyr's expression darkened. "They fall."
Alina took a deep breath and stepped forward. As soon as her foot touched the stone, the runes flared to life, and a disembodied voice echoed in the air.
"Prove your resolve. Only those with true purpose may proceed."
The ground beneath them shook, and the air thickened with magic. Shadows coalesced on the bridge, forming spectral warriors with glowing eyes. Without hesitation, Zephyr drew his sword, Cassian's hands ignited with fire, and Rowan spun his twin daggers in a defensive stance.
Alina summoned her magic, wind swirling around her fingertips. "Looks like we fight our way across."
The battle was fierce. The spectral warriors were relentless, attacking in synchronized waves. Cassian's fire blasts seared through them, Zephyr's precise strikes cut them down, and Rowan's swift movements kept them on the defensive. Alina unleashed bursts of wind and ice, shattering their ghostly forms. But for every warrior they felled, more rose in their place.
"We can't keep this up forever," Zephyr shouted over the clash of battle.
Alina's mind raced. There had to be another way. Then she remembered the trial's words—Prove your resolve.
With a deep breath, she let go of her fear. Focusing her energy, she walked straight through the attacking specters. They swarmed around her but did not strike. Instead, they dissipated into mist, their magic unraveling.
"The trial isn't about strength," she called back to her companions. "It's about intent! Walk with purpose, not aggression!"
Cassian hesitated but followed, his flames flickering out. Zephyr and Rowan exchanged glances before stepping forward. The moment they ceased fighting and moved with conviction, the remaining specters vanished, and the runes on the bridge pulsed one last time before fading.
As they reached the other side, Alina exhaled, her heart pounding.
Rowan whistled. "Well, that was unnecessarily terrifying."
Cassian gave her an approving nod. "You figured it out. Good work."
Zephyr's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned away. "Let's keep moving."
Alina looked back at the now-silent bridge and smiled to herself. She had faced countless trials before, but for the first time in a long time, she wasn't facing them alone.