Auren struggled to grasp the truth about the time difference. What they described felt like a dream—hazy and distant—because in his mind, they had parted mere hours ago.
But their hardened faces told no lies. Meredith's once pristine leather armor now hung in tatters, revealing unblemished skin beneath. Her hair, though still beautiful, had lost the shimmer it possessed when they last met.
'A couple of hours ago…'
The thought echoed in Auren's mind as they walked.
Despite everything, reuniting with them brought an unexpected comfort. He hadn't known them long, yet their presence felt like a balm to his soul.
'Perhaps this is what people call sentiments.'
Jasper hesitated, scratching his neck while studying Auren. The boy's casual mention of slaying a Wretched Cursed Creature left him uneasy. Was it a joke? The dark aura surrounding Auren suggested otherwise, making Jasper's throat go dry.
