"It's not exactly that I made it talk," she said softly, her eyes still on the creature. "I… borrow their voices, in a way. The magic lets me channel their spirit. They don't really talk like us. It's me guiding the words through them, like a puppet ; but a gentle one."
She glanced up at Aren, her expression serious but kind. "It's not something I like to do often. Living beings should have their own will. Forcing them too much… it changes them inside. Breaks them. I only use this when it's truly needed, or when I need to show something important."
Aren tilted his head, eyebrows high. "So… you're basically a spirit ventriloquist?" he teased, leaning in closer with a playful smirk.
Valerie let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Call it whatever you want," she said, chuckling. "But yes, it's something like that."
The boar snorted then, as if annoyed, and turned its big head to look at Aren. "I'm not your toy, you weird boy," it grumbled in that same magical voice, shaking its bristly head.
Aren threw his hands up in surprise and backed away a step. "Okay! Okay! I hear you! Sorry, pig boss!" he said, his grin wide as ever.
Valerie laughed again, brighter and easier this time. The green glow around her fingers began to fade, and the boar slowly lowered itself back down to the ground, letting out a long sigh as if it had just finished a tiring performance.
Aren sat back down, still shaking his head in disbelief. "I mean… first my sword talks to me like a nagging old man, and now jungle pigs are throwing sass at me. What's next? Trees start complaining about my hair?"
Valerie chuckled and shook her head lightly. "You're really funny," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Is that why you're called the Laughing Blade?"
Aren puffed out his chest a bit, pointing proudly at himself. "Yup! You got it. I'm not just a guy with good looks and heroic spirit. I've got top-tier jokes too!"Valerie laughed again, her shoulders bouncing, her voice echoing into the quiet jungle.
For a moment after that, they fell into a comfortable silence. The night sounds crept back in around them ; the crackling fire, distant chirps, and the rustling leaves above.
Then, suddenly, Aren clutched his stomach and let out a dramatic groan. "Ouch! My stomach ;it hurts!" he yelped, his face twisting in exaggerated pain. He leaned back and flopped onto the ground, showing his teeth like he'd just been stabbed.
Valerie's eyes widened in shock, and she jumped to her feet, rushing over to him. "What happened? Are you hurt? Oh no — wait! I'll get the Smiling Blade. Maybe it can—" She turned quickly, ready to run for the sword.
"Hey!" Aren called out, waving one shaky hand. Valerie turned back sharply, eyes full of worry."No, no, we don't need him here," Aren said, his voice strained but still teasing. "I'm just suffering from… hung… hung…"
"From what?!" Valerie said, leaning in closer, panicked.
"Hunger!" he finally shouted, sitting up and throwing his arms in the air as if he had discovered the meaning of life. "Get me something quick or I'll die here in the jungle, never to tell another joke again!"
Valerie stared at him for a moment, her mouth falling open in disbelief. Then she exhaled sharply, dropping her shoulders in relief. "You scared me!" she scolded, but she was already laughing, her hand pressing over her heart. She bent down and helped him stand. "Please, don't do that again! I almost fainted."
Aren grinned wide, dusting off his pants. "Ah, don't worry. I'm tougher than I look. Besides… if I really die, who's gonna keep annoying you?"
Valerie rolled her eyes and lightly slapped his arm. "Annoying is right!" she said, but she was still smiling.
Inside, though, Aren felt his stomach roaring with hunger. Earlier, he had stubbornly refused to eat her food ; maybe to act tough, maybe to keep his guard up. But now, he was burning inside, his whole body begging for food. So he had pretended to be sick just to get a piece.
They finally settled down again, this time much closer. Valerie handed him some of the roasted beaver meat, while she took a smaller piece for herself.
Aren took a big bite, his eyes lighting up immediately. "Mmm! It's delicious!" he exclaimed, almost too happily.
Valerie chewed her own piece and gave a shy little smile. "Thanks," she mumbled, her voice muffled because she still had food in her mouth.
Aren glanced at the boar, who was now happily munching away at a huge chunk of meat, almost as if it owned the whole meal. Aren frowned dramatically. "Hey! Slow down, piggy! Save some for us humans!" he called out, pointing an accusing finger.Valerie snorted, covering her mouth so she wouldn't spit out her food. "I think he's trying to make up for all the talking you forced on him," she teased.
Aren laughed, leaning back on one hand and tossing another piece of meat into his mouth. "Fair enough. I guess today's a feast for everyone… even sassy jungle boars."
They both laughed again, the kind of laughter that eases all walls and fears. As they ate, the firelight danced over their faces, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they simply sat together in peace ; full stomachs, warm smiles, and just enough teasing to keep their hearts light.
Aren finished his last bite and leaned back, rubbing his stomach dramatically. "Ahhh… I think I can finally die happy now," he groaned, acting like he might collapse right there.
Valerie rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "You're impossible," she said, shaking her head as she licked her fingers.
Aren snorted. "Well, at least I'm entertaining, right?"She chuckled again, but then… suddenly, her laugh faded. Her smile disappeared in a heartbeat, replaced by a sharp, alert stare into the darkness beyond their small camp.
Aren noticed immediately. His grin vanished. "Hey… what's up? Did the boar come back for revenge?" he joked weakly, trying to lighten the sudden tension.
Valerie didn't even glance at him. Her whole body had gone rigid, her eyes locked on the trees beyond the fire's glow.Slowly, she stood, her hand moving slightly as if to grab a hidden blade or draw on her magic.
"I can sense something…" she said, her voice low and cautious.
Aren straightened, feeling a sudden coldness crawl down his spine. "Sense? Like… sense what? Don't leave me hanging here!"
Valerie swallowed, her eyes still darting through the shadows. "Maybe… it's the Warden," she whispered.Aren's eyes widened. "The Warden? But… how do you know that? Is it part of your magic or something?"
She finally turned her head toward him, her expression serious, her eyes shining with a strange, focused light. "The trees told me," she said.
Aren blinked, completely stunned. "The trees… told you?"
Valerie nodded once, sharply. "Before you came, I commanded the trees to rustle violently if they ever felt the force of the Warden nearby. They can sense his energy… the way animals sense an earthquake before it hits."
Aren felt his mouth go dry. He turned his head, listening. Sure enough, somewhere beyond the glow of the fire, the leaves began to shiver, then shake harder, as if a sudden invisible wind was tearing through them.
Valerie's breathing quickened. She stepped forward slightly, squinting into the darkness.
And then…
A single, deep rustle echoed through the forest , louder and harsher than any wind.
Valerie's voice came out barely above a whisper, trembling with fear and certainty.
"It's him," she said. "The Warden is here."
Aren felt his heart slam against his ribs, and for once, he had no joke to save him.
"I don't think so ".....