Dinner ended quietly.
Not with tension.
Not with celebration.
Just the soft clinking of plates, low voices, and thoughts that stayed unshared.
Later that night, Reeve stood on the rooftop of the castle.
The stone beneath his feet was cold, but the air was gentle. Above him, the moon hung low and pale—too perfect, too calm, like it didn't belong to any world at all.
He rested his arms on the edge and stared at it.
Not thinking of power.
Not thinking of enemies.
Just… staring.
"What are you doing up here?"
The voice came from behind.
Reeve didn't turn immediately.
"Staring at the moon," he replied.
Footsteps approached. Kaelith came into view and sat beside him without asking, resting one knee up, sword laid carefully against the stone—not abandoned, not aggressive. Just present.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kaelith asked, casually,
"Which guild are you in?"
Reeve blinked.
"…Guild?"
Kaelith turned his head slightly.
"You don't know?"
Reeve scratched his cheek.
"I didn't even know guilds existed here."
Kaelith studied him for a second longer than necessary, then looked back at the moon.
"There are many types," he explained.
"Combat guilds. Exploration guilds. Information guilds. Trade, mercenary, magical research… even political guilds."
Reeve listened quietly.
Kaelith continued,
"Some are public. Some operate in shadows."
"Your affiliation determines how kingdoms treat you."
Reeve let out a soft laugh.
"Sounds complicated."
"It is."
"Figures."
They sat in silence again.
Reeve hadn't noticed it at first—but he was talking too easily.
Too normally.
No manipulation.
No masks.
Just conversation.
He glanced at the sky, then back toward the hallway.
"It's late," he said.
"I should sleep."
Kaelith nodded.
Reeve stood, stretched slightly, then paused.
"Good night, Kaelith."
Kaelith looked up at him.
"…Good night, Reeve."
Reeve left the rooftop, footsteps fading down the stairs.
Kaelith remained.
Watching the moon.
Reeve's room was quiet.
He stood by the window, curtains open, moonlight spilling across the floor. The world outside felt distant again—like it always did when he was alone.
He rested his hand against the glass.
"System," he said quietly.
"Can you give me more information about guilds?"
The moon reflected faintly in his eyes.
And somewhere deep within—
Something listened.
Something prepared to answer.