Lynvar stood alone at the edge of the Grimfang Wastes, mist curling around his boots.
He looked once more in the direction where Reeve had vanished—then turned away.
Without a word, without rage, without regret… he left.
Eldmere — Nine Days Later
Sunlight filtered through the windows of Eldmere's guild hall.
Lunareth sat calmly at the table, watching Kaelith eat with his usual seriousness.
Across the room, Elaryn was deep in conversation with a few guild members, her tone light, her posture relaxed.
A young adventurer finally spoke up, unable to hold it in any longer.
"…Your leader hasn't returned in nine days. Aren't you worried? You three don't look concerned at all."
Lunareth laughed softly, resting her chin on her hand.
"Don't worry about him," she said with quiet confidence.
"He always returns."
Kaelith didn't even pause his meal.
Elaryn smiled faintly, as if she already knew something the world didn't.
Somewhere Between Forest and Fate
Leaves crunched beneath Reeve's boots as he walked beside Nerisse through the dense forest. Sunlight danced through the branches, painting shifting patterns on the ground.
"I don't know what my teammates will think about you," Reeve said honestly, glancing at her.
"But I'll explain everything."
He exhaled, then added, "By the way… how far do we still have to walk?"
Nerisse smiled softly.
"Not far. Once we cross this forest… we'll reach Eldmere."
Reeve stopped for half a second.
"…Thank God."
They continued walking.
After a moment of silence, Reeve spoke again, quieter this time.
"What happened to your village?"
Nerisse's steps slowed.
"Demons attacked us," she said.
"Our village had strong healing magic. Too strong."
Her fingers tightened slightly around her cloak.
"When they came… I thought I would die too. I ran. I escaped into the forest."
She looked ahead, eyes unfocused.
"There was a house. Hidden. Someone lived there. He looked… kind."
Reeve listened without interrupting.
"My mother told me—two days before the attack—if anything ever happens, I should hide there. So I did."
Her voice trembled, just a little.
"At first, I thought that person saved me."
She paused.
"But years later… I realized the truth."
Her steps stopped completely.
"He wasn't protecting me."
"He was trying to break the shield that protected me inside that house."
Reeve's expression darkened.
"When I understood that," Nerisse continued,
"I never let him inside again."
She turned to look at Reeve.
"That's when he showed his true face."
The forest grew unnaturally quiet.
"And yes," she whispered,
"his name is—"
The wind howled suddenly, drowning her words.
The leaves rustled violently, as if the forest itself refused to speak the name.
Reeve felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Some names were not meant to be spoken yet.