Sometimes, the world lets you breathe before it breaks you.
---
Gravehold Forest – Temporary Camp
They didn't talk about the Abyssal Crown.
Not immediately.
Instead, Adexander set up a fire with one hand, while Kaien argued with Raik about whose fault it was that they nearly got vaporized during the final escape.
"I told you not to touch the floating skull," Kaien snapped, stirring a pot with comically intense focus.
Raik shrugged. "It winked at me."
Velessia sat nearby on a smooth rock, cleaning her blade. Her silver wings were folded and relaxed. Her expression was unreadable—but her aura was finally calm.
Adexander sat at the edge of camp, one knee drawn up, watching the stars flicker through the tree branches. The Fangblade lay across his lap, humming softly like it, too, was finally full—for now.
Kaien turned. "Alright. Crimson Soup—don't ask why it's red. Just eat."
Raik looked at it suspiciously. "Why is it bubbling like that?"
"Because I added System-grade beast marrow," Kaien said proudly.
Raik blinked. "You what—"
Kaien grinned. "Eat fast. It only destabilizes in ten minutes."
Velessia, deadpan: "I'll pass."
Adexander took a sip.
Paused.
> "Tastes like dying. Twice."
Kaien looked thrilled. "That means it's working!"
---
Later That Night
Raik was snoring loud enough to scare a bear. Kaien had passed out mid-argument with a squirrel. Velessia kept silent watch.
Adexander stared into the fire.
And then, suddenly—
> "You'll need me soon."
He didn't turn.
From the shadows stepped her—a translucent, dreamlike version of a girl with hair like starlight and eyes that shimmered between gold and storm-gray.
Hope.
Or rather, the echo of her—something between memory and prophecy.
"You saw him," she said softly. "The one in the mirror."
Adexander's eyes narrowed.
> "Drevan."
She nodded. "You'll see him again. Sooner than you think."
Then her form began to fade.
> "Prepare for the Seventh Seal."
> "And don't let the Fangblade take everything."
> "...not again."
Gone.
Adexander stared at the dying fire, his reflection flickering in the embers.
> "Noted."