The first sensation that greeted Lith was pain, which gnawed at his bones, throbbed in his chest, and made each breath feel like knives scraping against his lungs. His body felt heavy, weak—almost broken.
Am I...still alive?
He forced his eyes open. Above him was a canopy of leaves stretched out, with sunlight starting to filter through. Morning had come. He found himself lying on the forest floor, damp soil clinging to his clothes.
And then—
A figure knelt beside him, watching in utter silence like a guardian statue.
Her violet eyes glimmered in the dim light, fixed on him. Her long dark hair flowed over her shoulders, swaying gently as if caressed by the wind. She didn't blink or breathe audibly.
Lith groaned and tried to sit up, wincing at the ache in his ribs. The figure tilted her head, almost curiously, as if she were examining a wounded animal.
It was only then that Lith's blurred vision cleared—and his entire body froze.
The girl...was completely naked.
Lith's mind went blank for a moment, then exploded like a fireworks. His entire face went red.
"W-what in the—?!" His voice crackled. "Y-you... you're—!" He slapped both hands over his face so fast that he nearly smacked his own nose. His shoulders trembled, sweat bursting on his forehead as his mind soun into chaos. No...no, this isn't happening. Lord, forgive me! I—i've committed a sin before even realizing it! I saw...the body of a woman, bare, without shame...and we're not even married—
His thoughts tripped over themselves. M-married?! Why am I even thinking about that?! This is a sin! I've already sinned so much! He shook his head furiously, still covering his face, feeling his heart pound as though it wanted to escape his chest.
Meanwhile, the girl tilted her head again, unconcerned by his furious reaction. Her voice came out flat, emotionless, yet strangely melodic. "What's wrong, Master? Is your body damaged?"
"D-damaged?!" Lith sputtered behind his hands. "Y-you can't just—! Clothes! You're—!!"
The girl blinked slowly, as though trying to process his words. Then she looked down at herself, at her own unclothed body, with no change in expression. "... So this form is—unacceptable?"
"Of course it is!!" Lith nearly wailed, his voice cracking again. He curled into himself, trembling, refusing to lower his hands. His entire body shook with nerves and guilt. She didn't understand. She truly didn't understand.
Silence lingered until Lith, his voice weak and stammering, tried once more. "But, who are you? A-and why do you stand without clothing..? Where have you come from?!" He could no longer hold back the questions burning inside him, demanded of the mysterious girl who had suddenly appeared before him.
The girl blinked once, then spokes as though stating the most obvious truth. "Do you not recognize me Master? No wonder...this human form is strange to you."
Lith froze. "Human form?"
"I am the dragon you saved," she continued, her tone even and utterly serious. "The shadow bound to your soul. You freed me from chains and gave me blood. We are one."
Lith's jaw went slack, his thoughts scattering in disbelief. "Y-you...you're saying you are that dragon?!"
She nodded once. "Yes. If you need proof, I can—" her pale hands reached for the cloth he had hastily draped over her chest, fingers curling at the edge, ready to pull it away.
"W-wait! No—don't!" Lith yelped, smacking his hands over his eyes so hard his palms stung. "I b-believe you already! Don't—just don't do that again!!"
Her hand froze mid-motion. She tilted her head, puzzled at first, then slowly let her arm fall. "... Very well."
Lith let out a shaky breath, trying to calm himself, though his ears burned hot. Goodness...she's serious. She's not even joking. And she really is that dragon? Then...why...why does she look so human?
Still keeping his eyes shut, he fumbled blindly at his side until his fingers brushed the worn leather strap of his satchel—the one the fireflies had left with him the night before. Pulling it close, he dug inside until his hand found a folded robe. Seraphine's gift. A simple garments she had stitched for him, just in case.
His fingers shaking as he drew it out. "H-here," Lith stammered, stretching the robe out with both hands, eyes squeezing tight. "P-put this on. Please, at least it will cover...y-you know."
The girl regarded him silently, then took the robe from his shaking hands.
Fabric rustled. For a moment Lith's heart raced, half-expecting—half-dreading—but then her voice broke the silence.
"... It is on."
Slowly, Lith lowered his hands and dared to look. His chest nearly gave out at the sight of her—now cloaked in the simple white robe. It hung loosely against her frame, imperfect, but at least it covered her.
Relief washed over him like a tide. He exhaled a long, shaky breath and sat across from her, though still at a cautious distance.
"Thank the Lord..." He murmured.
The girl just watched him, violet eyes calm, empty of expression.
Lith swallowed. "You really are...that dragon, aren't you?"
"Yes," she replied at once, her voice steady. "My name...is Nyx, Shadow of the Eternal Flame."
The title rang in his ears, heavy with meaning. Yet despite everything, Lith found himself smiling faintly. "Nyx," he said softly. "That's enough."
For the first time, her lips twitched—just barely, but enough to show a hint of something almost childlike. "... As you wish, Master."
And then, Lith's body suddenly convulsed. He coughed violently, crimson spilling from his lips. His hand trembled as it caught the blood, horror flashing in his eyes. "Not again," he whispered, pale. "Is this because of that ritual? If I keep spitting blood like this... I'll run out, and I still can't heal myself properly."
Without hesitation, Nyx stepped closer, her voice calm yet firm. "Our souls are bound. If you die, I die. Your weakness is mine, but so is your strength. The problem is your body—it is fragile to bear what you've taken on."
Lith froze as she closed the distance between them. He could feel the faint chill radiating from her, smell the earthy trace of blood still clinging to her. His throat tightened, and he instinctively leaned back a little, then he glanced down at the ground. So that's it...that's the cost.
Slowly, he clenched his fists, his lips quivering as if the weight of those words pressed on his very chest. Then, with a shuddering breath, he lifted his head to meet Nyx's eyes directly. For the first time, there was no hesitation—only a steady, burning determination in his gaze. "If that's what it takes to keep you alive...then I'll endure it."
Nyx blinked slowly at him. She didn't smile or show sorrow. But for a flicker of a second, something unspoken softened in her gaze.
Light spread across the forest as the morning sun finally broke through the canopy. Golden rays spilled over her face, illuminating her pale features, her dark hair shimmering. Lith caught himself staring, breath held. She looked...unreal.
Quickly, he shook his head, chasing the thought away. Struggling, he pushed himself to his feet. Though shaky, he stood tall enough. "Since we're bound, there's no turning back. You'll stay by my side—and like I promised, I'll take responsibility for you." He held out his hand to her, palm open, eyes pure and determined.
Nyx blinked at the gesture. Then, after a pause, she placed her smaller, colder hand in his.
"Let's go," Lith said with a faint smile. "We've got a long road ahead. Once we reach a town, we'll get you proper clothes. You can't walk around like this."
Branches snapped softly underfoot as the two of them walk side by side. Morning mist clung to the forest, curling around their legs with every step. Lith kept glancing at Nyx from the corner of his eye. She walked barefoot on the rough ground, unbothered by stones or roots, her movements too smooth—too inhuman—for someone who looked so human. She doesn't even flinch...meanwhile I'd be limping by now.
The silence between them was thick, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds. Lith cleared his throat once or twice, searching for words, but Nyx spoke first. Her voice was blunt, cutting through the quiet like a knife.
"Prey hides behind robes. A true predator no mask. I need one."
"P-prey? Predator?!" Lith nearly tripped over a root, staring at her in disbelief. "W-wait, why are you talking like that? We're not hunting anyone! We're just... walking!"
Nyx tilted her head, studying him for a long moment. "... You're strange. Too soft. But..." Her gaze filled slightly, and her voice lost some of its edge. "As you command, Master."
Lith winced inwardly. Master? The word sat heavy on his shoulders far too grand for someone like him. He scratched at his cheek, face burning. I can barely take care of myself...how a I supposed to be anyone's master?
Not long after, Lith staggered again. His legs gave out, but before he could fall, Nyx caught him with ease.
"W-wait, I can walk—" his words cut off as she lifted him effortlessly into her arms, bridal style. His face turned crimson all over again. "Put me down! This—this is humiliating! I'm a man, I can't just—!"
But, Nyx ignored him, her expression didn't change. "Your body is weak. Wasting strength is foolish."
Why...why does this feel so wrong?! Lith covered his face with one hand, ears burning. I should be the one standing tall...not being carried around like some child! Oh God, my dignity as a man—it's slipping away!
His stomach churned, half from nerves, half from exhaustion. He pressed a hand over his mouth. I-i'm going to throw up...
Nyx glanced at him briefly, then looked ahead again, her expression cold and unreadable. The trees parted. Ahead lay the outline of a village, roofs just visible over the hill. People in the distance turned their heads as the strange pair emerged: a pale, half-dead body in a priest's robe, carried in the arms of a tall girl with striking violet eyes. Her face was calm, detached, like shadow itself.
Lith wanted to vanish on the spot. What are they going to think of me... being carried by a girl? God, please take me now.
But even in his shame, he knew the truth—she wasn't just any girl. She was Nyx. And from this day forward, she was his.