Edward, however, didn't have long to dwell on that single thought as Aeris' voice snapped him from his musings.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concern threading through the calm of her tone.
Before Edward could answer, Seraphine piped up, smiling brightly.
"Yes! Edward kept me safe!" She pressed closer, her small arms wrapped around his.
Aeris' gaze lingered on the girl's embrace for a fraction of a heartbeat before she looked away, her face unreadable.
"I see," she said softly, then, after a pause, she turned her eyes back to the battlefield.
"What about you?" Edward asked, glancing at her.
"I'm fine," she replied, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. "A few light bruises, but nothing serious."
"...They must've known we were coming," Aeris added, eyes scanning the wrecked ground, charred marks from spells and the crushed stone from the battle still evident.
