The forest was quiet except for the crunch of twigs beneath Aya's bare feet. Her small claws clutched tightly at the bundle of herbs she had just managed to gather. She had scratched herself bloody pulling roots from the ground, but none of that mattered. All she could think about was Tessa—her warmth, her smile, her voice guiding Aya through a language Aya still butchered half the time but tried to learn with all her heart. At this point, Aya was fluent in Tessa's language
Two years. That was how long they had lived together, in this cave that had become more of a home than the human cities Aya faintly remembered. Two years of patient teaching, of shared meals, of Tessa scolding her gently when she set things on fire, trying to practice magic. Two years of laughter in between survival, of companionship, Aya had thought she'd never feel again in this alien world.
Aya's lips curled into a tired but bright smile as she hurried down the narrow path that led to the cave.
Tessa will be so happy, Aya thought, hugging the herbs to her chest. She sick… but I'll bring a few medicinal herbs that'll deal with the fever right away.
The cave entrance appeared, a yawning dark mouth in the side of the mountain. Aya ducked inside, her chest filling with pride. The air smelled of smoke from the small fire they had left burning earlier. She felt almost giddy.
"Tessa!" she called, her words clumsy but filled with hope. "Herbs! Heal now. You… you okay, yes?"
Her voice echoed against the stone. No reply.
Aya frowned. Maybe Tessa was asleep. It wouldn't be the first time she had dozed while sick. Aya tiptoed closer, peering into the dim light of the fire.
Her smile froze.
Tessa lay slumped against the wall, her clothes soaked dark with blood. Her head lolled to one side, lips pale, eyes half-lidded and glassy. The herbs slipped from Aya's hands, scattering across the cave floor.
For a long moment, Aya just stood there. Her mind couldn't process what her eyes saw. It was like looking at an illusion, a cruel prank.
"Tessa?" Aya whispered. She crept closer, knees trembling. "Hey. You're Joking… right? You always joke."
She touched Tessa's arm. It was cold. Aya flinched, then forced a laugh.
"If this is a prank, it's not funny." She shook Tessa's shoulder, gently at first, then harder. "Wake up. Wake, Tessa! I brought herbs. You'll feel better now?"
The body didn't move.
Aya's breath quickened. She tried using the healing spells that Tessa had taught her but nothing worked
Her voice cracked.
The herbs crumbled uselessly in her hands, mixing with blood that was already dried. Aya stared at her fore legs usually used as hands, red and shaking.
"Its not funny," she whispered. Her throat burned. Her vision blurred. "It's not a joke. Please…"
The cave was silent.
Aya's hands slipped from Tessa's body, and she crumpled to the ground. A strangled sob tore from her chest. She buried her face against Tessa's arm, rocking back and forth as the tears finally broke free.
"Don't leave… me, I need you… I… I tried… really hard… to learn words, learn magic… all because of… you…"
Her cries echoed painfully in the cave.
That was when she heard it.
A faint shift of leather. The scrape of a boot against stone.
Aya's head snapped up, tears still running down her face.
At the edge of the firelight, a cloaked figure stood. Tall. Silent. Daggers glinted faintly in their hands, still wet with crimson. The hood obscured their face completely, hiding any expression.
Aya's stomach twisted.
She didn't need words. She didn't need explanations. The truth hit her instantly, like lightning searing her brain.
Tessa didn't just die.She was killed.
Aya's tears dried into fury. Her chest heaved as something primal surged within her.
"You…" Her voice came out broken, jagged. "You… killed her?"
The figure didn't answer. They only tilted their head slightly, like observing an insect.
That was the last restraint Aya had.
She screamed. A raw, animal sound that shook the walls of the cave. And then she lunged.
Her claws elongated, glowing faintly as she activated Mana Armament. Sparks of unstable magic crackled around her small body, fueled by two years of struggle and a grief too large for her frame.
She slashed wildly, every movement sloppy but driven by rage.
"DIE! DIE!!"
The cloaked figure moved smoothly, sidestepping her lunges, deflecting her swipes with the flat of their dagger. They were calm, deliberate, like a hunter toying with prey.
Aya's nails scraped stone as she missed again, gouging deep claw marks into the wall. She spun, hissed, and lunged again. This time, she managed to graze the cloak, tearing a line into the fabric.
For a moment, she felt triumph.
Then pain exploded in her side.
The dagger slid between her ribs, hot and merciless. Aya gasped, choking on her own breath. Blood filled her mouth.
Still, she clawed forward, snarling. "TESSA!!"
Her strikes grew weaker, her vision swimming. But she refused to stop. She refused to fall.
The cloaked figure caught her weak attempt at a piercing attack to his heart effortlessly and twisted. Her claws scraped harmlessly against stone. Then the second dagger drove straight into her chest.
Aya's body jolted. She felt the cold steel pierce through her heart.
The world slowed. Her breaths became shallow and ragged.
The figure leaned in close, their faceless hood inches from her own. But they said nothing. They didn't need to.
Aya's eyes darted back toward Tessa's still form. Blurry. Fading.
"…promised…" she whispered, her voice breaking apart. "…I promised… protect you…"
Her blood stained the cave floor. Her small body went limp.
The last thing Aya felt was the cold stone at her back and the taste of iron in her mouth. The last thing she saw was Tessa, forever out of reach.
Then there was nothing.