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Continue
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Back near the evacuation center, the morning light was softer, breaking through thinning clouds.
Squads moved between tents and wagons, helping the weary townsfolk settle what they could. Some people still argued near the supply carts - restless from the storm, the fear, and sleepless hours.
Mira and Ellis moved toward the commotion, mud caked on their boots, faces streaked with dirt but unbroken.
A group of men stood in a tense circle near a stack of supplies.
"I said my wife and kid go first!" one man shouted, face red with exhaustion.
"They're already in line, John! Wait your damn turn!" another guy barked back.
A third man cursed under his breath, shoving at the other.
Commander Galen's voice cracked through the air, sharp and firm. "Enough! Everyone gets through, but you'll follow the order we set. No one else dies tonight because of impatience."
Sir Varun stood nearby, organizing the injured with a small squad, his calm voice working to keep tempers down.
"This isn't the damn market square, you fools. You argue, you slow the whole line. The sick go first, then the children. Then you."
Ellis stepped up, glaring at the arguing men. "If you've got enough breath to fight, you've got enough to carry supplies or dig the shelter lines. Move it."
The men grumbled, backing off, some gathering their things, others still giving sour looks but obeying.
Mira let out a slow breath. Her eyes, though, kept flicking to the treeline.
Ellis noticed. "He's not back yet."
"No." Mira's voice was quiet, tight. "But he's alive. I can feel it."
Ellis gave a short nod. "Then we're not leaving it like this."
Mira turned toward him, dirt streaked on her cheek, a fierce kind of stubborn in her gaze. "Once the sun's fully up, I'm going out there. We'll gather Tomas, Eren... you too."
Ellis's brow rose. "You know Eren?"
"Of course," Mira muttered. "He was on squad rotation with us in the north fence post last winter. He owes me a favor."
A small, dry grin touched Ellis's mouth. "Good. And Jarek?"
"He and Kellin will stay here, right?" Mira said, glancing at the evacuees. "Jarek said last night he'd rather help with distributing supplies and guarding the lines. I won't drag him into the trees if he's needed here."
Ellis nodded. "Oh yeah... Fine. Four of us then. After dawn."
Mira's jaw clenched, but her voice stayed steady. "I'm not leaving him out there."
"I wouldn't expect you to."
The morning light broke a little stronger through the clouds.
And as the first real warmth of day spread the soaked earth, both of them silently promised the same thing.
They would find Nathan.
No matter what waited in those woods.
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The rain had eased by the time the sky began to pale.
Thin threads of mist clung to the branches, and the cold left behind a damp hush over the woods. Birds didn't chirp yet. The world still felt tired.
Inside the old treehouse, Nathan hadn't moved.
His face was pale in the soft gray light, hair sticking to his skin, the storm's weight still pressed into his limbs. The thin, old blanket was bunched at his shoulders. He'd slept through dawn and now into the earliest morning, too exhausted to wake.
On the far side of the treehouse, something small hopped along the old, creaking table - a patch of gray fur.
"He's still out," the gray bunny muttered, sniffing the air. "I swear, kids these days have no stamina."
A small green bird perched on the cracked windowsill, ruffling its feathers. "What do you expect? The kid ran through a storm and outran a monster. He's lucky he's still breathing."
The bunny snorted. "Come on. We did worse in the old days. Remember when Shea fought off four Shades with a broken spear and a fire trick?"
The bird narrowed its eyes. "Shea? Wait-was that before or after you got your tail caught in that bear trap?"
"One time! And you never let it go."
They bickered, voices rising a little as the bird cackled under his breath.
Nathan's brow twitched.
A soft, exhausted groan escaped him.
"...Did you hear that?" the bunny whispered, ears flicking.
"He's waking up, you stupid. Keep it down."
But Nathan stirred again, his lashes fluttering, then cracked his eyes open. The ceiling of the treehouse swam into view. He frowned. It wasn't rain he was hearing - it was talking. And it wasn't people.
Slowly, he turned his head.
His gaze landed on the bunny sitting upright on the table.
And the bird glaring at him from the window.
They stared back.
Nathan blinked.
The bird tilted his head. "Well. Good morning, sunshine."
"Morning..." Nathan mumbled instinctively, rubbing his eyes. He didn't even realize what he was answering at first.
Grey flicked an ear. "Yeah, we covered that," he muttered, unimpressed. Then he blinked. "Wait a second. Why did you even say that? That's... that's people talk."
The bird tilted his head. "Because it's morning? And it's funny? I dunno, habit?"
Grey squinted. "You been hanging around humans too much, Feathers."
"Hey, don't call me Feathers. I've got a name."
"Yeah? And when you figure out what it is, let me know."
The bird made a noise halfway between an offended chirp and a scoff. "I had a name, thank you very much. Something fancy. Something heroic. I just... can't remember it."
"Typical." Grey huffed. "Can't even remember your own name, but you've got jokes."
They went quiet for a beat. The soft tap of leftover rain slipped through the leaky roof.
Then Nathan flinched so hard his back hit the wall. "Wh-what the-?! You-you can talk?!"
The bird startled. "What do you mean 'we can talk'? Course we can talk!"
Grey deadpanned. "Wait a damn second. You can hear us?"
Nathan's heart pounded. "Y-yeah! I mean... animals don't talk! Not like this!"
The two exchanged a look.
"Uh oh," said the bird.
Grey sighed, rubbing a paw down his face. "Oh, crap. Not again."
"Again?!" Nathan blurted. "What do you mean again?! What's happening?!"
Grey flopped onto his side dramatically. "Kid... if you can hear us, it probably means one of two things. Either you're cursed-"
"I'm not cursed!"
"-or we're cursed. Again."
The bird fluttered down onto the table. "Or it's... you know... that other thing."
Nathan stared. "What other thing?!"
Grey waved a paw. "Nothing important. Ancient bloodlines, lost pacts, forgotten warrior stuff, sealed companions, doomed destinies... same old."
Nathan's mouth dropped open. "What?!"
The bunny rolled his eyes. "Relax. I barely remember any of it. Kinda fuzzy after a few centuries. Or decades. Or... however long I've been a rabbit."
The bird coughed awkwardly. "It's been a while."
"Yeah, thanks, featherbrain."
Nathan's brow furrowed. "Are you guys... ghosts?"
Grey snorted. "Nah. We're... let's call it 'retired legends.'"
"Yeah," chirped the bird, "and we used to be awesome."
They shared a smug look.
Nathan, overwhelmed, slumped back against the wall. "I... I need food."
Grey chuckled. "Kid's got his priorities straight."
The bird nodded. "Respect."
And for the first time since the storm began, Nathan let out a small, tired laugh.
Nathan rubbed his eyes, heart pounding. "Okay... either I'm losing my mind, or this is actually happening."
The bird gave an exaggerated shrug. "Hey, crazier stuff's happened in these woods."
Grey huffed. "Would be easier if you were just nuts. But nope - looks like you're stuck with us, kid."
Nathan frowned. "Animals don't talk."
"We do if someone like you hear us," Grey said, hopping down onto the foam mattress.
"Someone like me?" Nathan asked.
The bird sighed. "Look - it's complicated. There used to be certain kinds of people. People who could hear the old voices. Ones bound to the Arcan Pact. Blood remembers, even if the head forgets."
"The... what Pact?"
"The Arcan Pact, fool," Grey grunted. "Back when the first Abyss wars nearly wiped out the realm. Warriors and creatures, bound together by blood, and death. You've got that line. Faint, but it's there."
The bird snickered. "Grey here thinks he remembers everything, but half the time he forgets his own name."
"It's Grey, and shut up."
Nathan blinked between them, then glanced around. "Wait... this place... this treehouse..."
Grey's ears flicked. "Yeah. Used to belong to someone important. Can't remember the name though."
"Typical," the bird muttered. "I remember a sword. Big one. And a cloak with those weird silver runes. And... a fire. Lots of fire."
"A legendary warrior?" Nathan whispered.
"Could be," Grey shrugged. "Could've just been a guy who liked treehouses. Been centuries, kid."
Nathan rubbed his face. "This... is insane."
The bird landed on the table, peering at him. "You look like you could use food."
"And a bath," Grey added.
Nathan managed a weak grin. "This is the weirdest morning of my life."
"Oh trust me," the bird smirked, "it gets worse."
A beat of quiet passed. Nathan glanced at the green bird again.
"You know what... I'm not calling you Feathers."
"Thank the skies."
"I'll... I'll call you Aerois."
The bird blinked. "Aerois?"
Nathan shrugged, a faint smile pulling at his mouth. "Sounds cool. And you don't remember yours anyway."
Grey snorted. "Poor bird's nameless for centuries, and some half-dead kid names him after a morning breeze."
Aerois tilted his head, thoughtful. "You know what? I'll take it. Beats Feathers."
"Good," Nathan said softly.
Grey rolled his eyes. "Great. Now he's got a name, and I'm stuck with Grey."
"You picked that yourself," Aerois chirped.
"Because it's dignified."
"It's literally a color."
"Exactly."
Nathan chuckled, his chest aching a little less.
Aerois fluttered to his shoulder. "C'mon, sunshine. Let's find you some food before you keel over."
Nathan smirked. "Lead the way, bird."
And the odd little trio made their way down from the old treehouse, the sun shining on them like a story waiting to be told.
The wet earth walked beneath Nathan's boots as he stepped down from the last rung of the crooked old ladder. He winced, legs aching from sleep and bruises. The cold air clung to him, but the morning light was growing, brushing pale gold through the mist.
Grey hopped down beside him with a soft thud. "Careful, sunshine. Break your neck now and all that dramatic talk up there'll be for nothing."
Aerois circled overhead once before landing on a low branch. "I told you, the kid's tougher than he looks."
"I'm fine," Nathan muttered, though his stomach growled loud enough for them both to hear.
Grey's ear twitched. "That was your stomach?"
"No," Nathan said weakly. "It was... a distant thunder."
Aerois snorted a laugh, shaking his feathers. "Sure, let's call it that."
Nathan scanned the misty trees, a quiet dread still tugging at his ribs. But somehow... less crushing now. The two beside him made it feel bearable. Not easy. Just bearable.
Aerois hopped a little closer, lowering his voice. "Alright, plan. There's a shallow stream about a quarter mile east. Water's clean. After that, berries grow along the rocks. Not poison ones - I checked. Mostly."
"Mostly?!" Nathan blurted.
"Kidding," Aerois chirped. "You'll live."
Grey flicked a paw toward the trees. "Stay sharp. The Revenant's gone for now, but these woods have teeth. Keep close, no wandering off. And if something hisses at you, don't poke it."
Nathan gave a short nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Got it."
The three of them slipped through the misty undergrowth, the treehouse disappearing behind them like a fading memory.
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At the Evacuation Center
Mira's fingers tightened around the strap of her belt as she scanned the horizon. The sun was rising, a weak glow breaking over the trees. The air still smelled of ash and wet earth.
Ellis jogged up beside her, a bundle of spare cloaks in his arms. "Galen's got the western perimeter covered. Jarek and Kellin posted themselves by the river fence."
"Good," Mira muttered. "Soon as these villagers settle, we move."
Ellis arched a brow. "You sure you're up for this? You didn't sleep."
"Not until he's back," Mira answered, her voice clipped, her eyes never leaving the woods.
A soft footstep sounded behind them. Tomas approached, adjusting his blade at his side. "Eren's in, too. Said something about repaying a debt."
Ellis snorted. "Bet it was over cards."
"Probably," Tomas smirked faintly. "Doesn't matter. He'll come."
Mira gave a curt nod. "Good. The four of us, then. As soon as the sun's clear over those trees, we go."
Ellis glanced at the misty woods. "And if we don't find him?"
"We will," Mira said.
No hesitation.
Tomas cracked a small, tired grin. "Yeah... wouldn't wanna be whatever gets between you and that kid."
Mira's jaw clenched. "Neither should you."
The three of them stood in silence, waiting for that first clean slice of sunlight to break through the trees - the signal to move.
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Back in the Forest
Nathan crouched by the stream, cupping water to his lips. It was icy, but clean. His stomach grumbled again as Aerois landed nearby.
"Told you," the bird teased.
Grey sat on a rock, twitching his ear. "Better than nothing."
Nathan looked up at them, a question tugging at his throat.
"Hey... um... back at the treehouse," he started, "you said this stuff about old blood. And... the Pact. What happens if... if I am one of them?"
Grey's expression softened, a flicker of something ancient in his small face.
"Then, kid," the bunny said quietly, "it means the abyss isn't done with you yet."
Aerois let out a low whistle. "But hey... on the bright side, you've got us now."
Nathan gave a small, crooked grin. "Lucky me."
Grey rolled his eyes. "Come on, sunshine. Keep moving."
And the three of them vanished deeper into the mist - unaware of the squad that would soon be searching those woods for him... and of the shadow already moving ahead.
Something else had woken in the storm.
And it wasn't friendly.
The mist hung low over the forest floor, curling between roots and ferns. Every now and then, a drop of water slipped from a leaf, breaking the silence.
Somewhere deeper in the woods, the steady crunch of boots over damp earth marked the passage of a man who had seen far too many storms.
Fred's cloak was heavy with rainwater, his hair matted to his forehead. A stubborn frown clung to his face as he moved through the trees, one hand resting on the hilt of the old dagger at his belt. He wasn't young anymore, not fast like he used to be - but stubborn? That hadn't faded.
He muttered to himself as he stepped over a fallen branch. "If I find you safe, boy, I swear on the old gods, you're grounded till your beard grows."
A faint sound carried through the fog - voices. Light. Too light for grown men. And too steady for the wind.
Fred froze, his instincts sharp even after all these years.
He crouched low behind a half-fallen tree trunk, squinting through the mist.
"...I'm serious, Aerois, you're eating worms again and pretending it's breakfast."
"Hey, worms have protein. And it's not like you cook anything, furball."
Fred blinked. Talking animals? He rubbed his face. "I need sleep."
But then - a third voice. Tired. Human.
"Can you two stop arguing? We're literally lost."
Nathan.
Fred's heart jolted. He rose to his feet, careful not to snap a branch underfoot, and followed the sound.
Through a tangle of bushes, he caught sight of them - Nathan, damp-haired and pale, walking with that familiar stubborn slump to his shoulders, a small green bird perched on one, a gray bunny hopping along the path ahead.
The three of them were deep in some strange conversation.
"I swear, Grey," Nathan muttered, "if you tell one more story about how you once headbutted a Revenant-"
"I did! Twice." Grey grunted.
"I bet it was a tree stump." Nathan chuckled.
"Watch your mouth, kid." Grey sighed.
Fred couldn't help it - a tired, sharp sigh escaped him.
Nathan whipped around. Aerois snapped his head up. Grey's ears flicked.
The moment Fred stepped into the open, Aerois and Grey froze.
And just like that - the bird gave a sharp chirp, and Grey's voice turned into a regular, twitchy rabbit sound.
Fred narrowed his eyes. "...What in the gods."
Nathan blinked, as if just remembering how weird this probably looked. "Fred."
"Boy." Fred's voice was rough but thick with relief. "I ought to wring your neck for making me stopped through this cursed place. You alright?"
Nathan hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Yeah. Kind of."
Fred's gaze flicked to the bunny and the bird. "And... them?"
Aerois let out an innocent little tweet. Grey twitched his nose.
Fred stared. "Right."
Nathan opened his mouth, but Fred raised a hand. "I don't wanna know. I'm too old for whatever that is."
He glanced back through the trees, toward the faint line of dawn light over the treetops. "We need to move. The castle walls are barely a mile west. Your mother gonna burn me alive if I don't drag you back."
Nathan looked over his shoulder. Aerois still perched there, head cocked. Grey sat by his boot, pretending to chew a leaf.
"I... I want them to come too."
Fred sighed long and hard, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course you do."
Nathan swallowed. "They saved me."
Fred met his eyes. And for a moment, the old man saw a little of Nolan in that stubborn stare.
He sighed again. "Fine, fine. But if that bird pecks me, I'm roasting him."
Aerois fluffed his feathers indignantly. "I heard that."
Fred twitched. "What?"
"Chirp," Aerois replied quickly.
Fred glared at Nathan. "I swear if they start reciting poems or fortune readings I'm leaving you in the trees."
Nathan grinned, for the first time in days. "Deal."
"Let's move, then." Fred turned, leading the way back toward the treeline.
Aerois fluttered to Nathan's shoulder again. "Told you we'd make it out."
Grey hopped after them. "I'm not walking near the old man. He looks like he bites."
Nathan smirked. "He might."
And together - one old warrior, one exhausted boy, a stubborn bunny, and a smug green bird - they made their way back toward the walls of home, the morning mist curling behind them, and the woods keeping its secrets.
For now.
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The sun had finally broken through the thinning mist.
Its glow spilled in soft streaks between the branches, warming the soaked earth, glinting off leaves still heavy with rain. The forest no longer felt so cold. The sharp weight of the storm was easing, replaced by the quiet sounds of life returning - the distant call of a morning bird, the rustle of small animals darting through the brush.
Nathan walked a few paces behind Fred, his boots squelching in the soft mud. The path ahead was narrow and winding, marked by broken branches and flattened grass from where the storm had battered through.
Grey hopped along at his side, sticking to the edge of the path where the undergrowth was thinner. Aerois flitted from low branches, gliding ahead, then circling back again, as if he couldn't decide whether to scout or stay close.
They reached a shallow stream - barely knee-deep - where water rippled clear over smooth stones. Nathan stepped into it without hesitation, letting the cold water soak his boots, then crouched to splash a little over his face again. It felt good. Clean.
The light shimmered on the water, turning it gold light.
Small birds hopped along the opposite bank. A deer paused in the distance, watching them without fear.
For the first time since yesterday, the woods didn't feel like they wanted to scare him whole.
Nathan stood, wiping his face with a sleeve. His voice came quiet, thoughtful.
"How... how did you even get here? It's impossible. You couldn't have known where I was."
Fred didn't look back right away. He stepped across the stones with a grunt, water sloshing around his ankles, then waited until Nathan caught up before speaking.
His voice was low, steady, carrying the scratch of a man who'd shouted through too many storms.
"After the rain hit... after everything broke loose, we barely held the center. The east wall was gone, half the men scattered. And I kept your mother's promise."
He gave Nathan a glance.
"I looked for you at the burning village, but many undead are there, so instead, I go to riverside first. Found tracks heading north. Knew it was you."
Nathan's brow furrowed.
"How?"
Fred gave a humorless smirk.
"Same boots you had last yesterday. The ones you swore didn't leak."
Nathan managed a small, sheepish grin.
Fred went on.
"After that, followed where the mud broke. Took most of the night. Nearly lost the trail at that old oak by the broken ridge. Almost gave up... but there was this."
He reached into his belt pouch and pulled something small and metal from it - a thin, tarnished button.
Nathan blinked.
"That's from my sleeve."
Fred nodded.
"Found it by the stream. Told me you crossed this way. I kept moving till dawn."
He gave a short, tired breath.
"And then I heard your voice. Sounded like you were arguing with a rabbit."
Behind them, Grey gave a low twitchy sound and pretended to chew a stick. Aerois let out an innocent little chirp.
Nathan bit back a grin.
"Right... uh... that was probably me losing my mind from hunger."
Fred grunted.
"Wouldn't blame you."
He rubbed a hand down his weather-beaten face.
"I didn't think I'd find you before the search squads did. Lucky break."
Nathan looked down at the stream as they walked through it, water cold against his skin. The woods glowed around them, golden light painting soft patches on the wet earth.
For a while, no one spoke. Only the quiet splashing of their steps and the soft rustle of the breeze in the leaves.
Aerois fluttered down to Nathan's shoulder again, silent as a leaf on the wind. Grey stuck close to his left boot, occasionally flicking his ears like he was half-listening, half-bored.
Nathan spoke again, voice softer now.
"Did they... is everyone okay? The village?"
Fred sighed.
"Most made it to the center. Some injured. Some missing. Commander Galen, Tomas, and other squads, has been holding the lines. He'll be glad to see you."
Nathan's chest tightened.
"And... Mira?"
Fred frowned a little, shaking his head.
"Didn't see her. I mean I don't know her. Might be with the other squads. Might've gone looking, same as me. Can't say."
Nathan nodded slowly, a tight knot settling in his chest again. "She's alive," he muttered to himself. "I know it. She's with Ellis."
Fred gave a short grunt. "If she's anything like her mother was, she'll outlive us all."
Nathan nodded, a weight he hadn't realized he was carrying loosening a little.
They reached the far bank, and the path ahead sloped gently upward, lined with mossy stones and young ferns. The light thickened, making the air feel warmer.
Nathan glanced back at Grey and Aerois, who were both doing an impressively good job of looking like regular animals - twitching noses, fluffing feathers, no sass.
Nathan gave them a tiny, knowing smile.
Fred noticed the look, frowned a little.
"You keeping pets now?"
"Uh... sort of. They found me."
Fred shook his head, muttering.
"Hells. Fine. Just don't let them chew my things."
Aerois chirped brightly.
Fred shot him a suspicious glare.
"That one especially."
Nathan fought a grin, and the weight in his chest eased just a little more.
The trees ahead parted in places, letting broad shafts of sunlight stretch across the path. A few more animals had returned - a squirrel darted up a branch, a pair of finches flew past overhead. The woods felt alive again.
As they walked, the castle's high western wall began to appear between the trees, distant and gray, silhouetted against the rising sun.
Nathan's stomach grumbled again.
Grey snorted.
"You're not fooling anyone with that crazy excuse, kid."
Aerois whispered low.
"Soon as we get through that gate, I'm raiding the supply tent."
"Deal," Nathan muttered without moving his lips.
Fred gave him a sidelong look.
"You say something?"
"Nope."
Fred grunted, unconvinced.
They kept walking.
And as the sun broke cleanly over the treetops, lighting up the path ahead in soft, peaceful glow, the odd little group made their quiet way toward home - battered, hungry, half-muddied, but still strong.
And behind them, deep in the mist-shadowed woods, something old and restless watched them go.
The storm might have passed...
but the woods hadn't given up all their souls yet.
.
.
.
They walked...
Walked...
And still walking.
The four of them kept walking.
The sun was higher now, soft light spilling through the thinner stretch of woods. The trees here weren't as close, the undergrowth easing up, and a cool breeze slipped between the branches, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and wet leaves.
Small animals scurried across the path ahead. A pair of squirrels chased each other through the lower branches. A few birds scattered when Aerois flitted overhead. Nathan barely noticed them. His boots squelched with each step, his shoulders heavy, but his feet kept moving.
They passed a patch of wildflowers, pale blue and soft yellow, their petals drooping from last night's storm. The woods here felt... calmer. The sharp weight of yesterday still lingered like a shadow, but the morning light was claiming more of the ground now.
Grey let out a long sigh as they went, hopping alongside Nathan's boot.
"Finally," he muttered under his breath. "Somewhere that doesn't smell like death."
Aerois ruffled his feathers, breathing out through his beak like a quiet sigh. "Yeah... it's not bad."
Nathan glanced at them, saying nothing, but a small weight in his chest shifted.
They reached the base of a small hill, where the trees thinned completely and the land opened up. From here, the path sloped gently upward, a narrow strip of worn grass and packed dirt leading to the crest. Nathan followed Fred's lead, his legs aching.
When they reached the top, Nathan paused.
From here, you could see nearly half the kingdom's west side.
Atlon Castle stood in the distance, its high gray walls catching the sunlight, solid and imposing against the morning sky. The banners along the watchtowers hung limp from the low air, but they were still standing.
Below them, spread along the field and river edge, was the evacuation center.
Dozens of tents, wagons, and carts lay scattered across the flattened ground. Many people moved between them - soldiers carrying crates, women sorting supplies, children helping pick up fallen blankets, and more of them. Even from here, you could sense the exhaustion clinging to them, but the sharp edges from the night before had eased.
The arguing was gone.
Now it was quiet, no talking a lot, steady work.
Soldiers in partial armor stood watch, their weapons slung over shoulders, while others moved supplies to and from the wagons. Nathan could make out squads - a few he recognized from uniform details - Squad 2 moving crates, Squad 5 tending the injured, Squad 7 patrolling the edge near the river fence.
The burned village on the other side within the kingdom walls was a stark sight even from here.
What had been a cluster of homes yesterday was now a wide stretch of half-dry, half-soaked ash. Only a few blackened posts remained upright. The rain had done what it could, but the ground was still scarred. A heavy, quiet emptiness hung over it. Even nature seemed to avoid that side now.
Grey's ears drooped. Aerois was quiet, his sharp eyes scanning the field.
"...Guess it'll stay like that awhile," Nathan murmured.
Fred grunted. "Probably. The kingdom will rest it. Might clear it for a training yard or an arena someday."
Nathan swallowed hard. He didn't answer.
They made their way down the slope.
At the far side of the evacuation camp, Mira sat alone on a large smooth rock. The stone jutted slightly from the earth, worn down by years of rain, its surface flat enough to sit comfortably. Her elbows rested on her knees, one hand covering part of her face as she stared down into a shallow puddle of water pooled in the grass below her. The water was clear, the ground underneath a soft patch of green.
Her face was streaked with dried mud, strands of dark hair clinging to her cheek. She looked exhausted. Not just in her eyes, but in the way her shoulders stayed hunched, like the weight of everything hadn't lifted, not yet.
A few feet away, Ellis spoke with Tomas near the main supply cart, both men looking worn but steady.
The air was different now. Not frantic like the night before. Not panicked. Just... quiet. Tired people trying to move forward.
Nathan kept walking.
Grey and Aerois stayed close, blending into the cluster of small animals moving through the field. No one paid them much attention.
Mira's gaze stayed fixed on the puddle in front of her, watching how the water caught slivers of morning light. The quiet reflection of the sky in its surface rippled faintly with each shift of the breeze.
She barely noticed Tomas calling something to Ellis, or the clatter of crates being shifted behind her.
Then... her head lifted.
A flicker of movement at the far end of the slope caught her eye. Four figures walking down the path.
Her heart kicked against her ribs.
At first it was the tall, broad figure of Fred she saw - the old cloak, the rough stride. And then... behind him.
Nathan.
Mud-streaked, clothes torn, face pale, hair a mess. But walking.
Alive.
She stood without thinking.
The relief hit so hard it made her chest ache. For a second, she didn't move, her throat tight.
Ellis noticed her sudden motion, glanced toward where she was looking - and his eyes widened too.
Ellis sighed, "That stubborn kid," he muttered under his breath, but the corner of his mouth lifted.
Mira took one step forward.
The rising sunlight cut across the field, lighting Nathan's hair in a faint glow. He glanced up, met her stare from across the wide camp.
A small, tired grin tugged at his mouth.
And for the first time since the night broke, Mira smiled.
Not wide. Not bright. But real. A sign of relief.
She dropped her hand from her face, the ache in her shoulders easing.
Nathan was home.
And everything that came after... could wait.
.
.
The four of them made their way down the slope, feet sinking into soft grass and patches of mud. The closer they came, the heavier the air seemed - not with fear anymore, but with exhaustion, the kind that clung to every face in the distant camp.
Grey's nose twitched. Aerois stayed quiet on Nathan's shoulder, his feathers slightly puffed, like even he could feel the strange stillness in the air.
Nathan's eyes stayed fixed on one thing.
Mira.
Then she moved.
Not a run - just a fast, eager jog that picked up speed the closer she got, her eyes wide but determined. She glanced briefly at Fred, her expression flickering into a confused squint, but she didn't ask. Not yet.
"Nathan!"
He froze as her voice hit him, small but sharp and clear.
She stopped right in front of him, arms thrown slightly out, her boots skidding a bit in the grass.
From Nathan's shoulder, Aerois tilted his small head, feathers shifting slightly as he whispered near Nathan's ear - more to himself than anyone else.
"Look at them," he murmured, eyes narrowing softly. "They look like they've crossed half a world just to land in each other's eyes."
Grey, standing nearby with arms crossed, gave Aerois a sideways glance. "Tch. Kids and their emotions," he muttered, but his voice lacked its usual edge. "But... it's good to see. He needed this."
Aerois didn't answer right away. He simply kept watching, wings folding in just a little closer.
Then, under his breath, he added, "We all did."
Grey glanced downward, voice low. "Don't go getting sentimental."
"Nah, I'm not," Aerois replied quickly, straightening up. "Just observant."
Then - Mira stepped forward. One heartbeat. Then another.
From Nathan's shoulder, Aerois gave a tiny dramatic gasp.
"Oh no," he whispered, his feathers fluttering. "This is it. She's gonna tackle him with feelings."
Grey snorted. "Should we look away?"
Aerois leaned closer, eyes still fixed on the two. "We should... but will we?"
Grey rolled his eyes. "Absolutely not."
And then - Mira threw her arms around Nathan like she was claiming a long-lost plush toy.
Nathan froze. Just for a second. His eyes widened a little, his limbs caught somewhere between surprise and disbelief. Then, slowly... his arms moved up and wrapped around her.
Nathan feel like the world dimmed around them - no more tents, no more soldier chatter, no tension - just a warm stillness.
Aerois gave a small satisfied puff of air.
"I knew it," he said, voice hushed. "She's in full hug-mode."
Grey murmured with a raised brow, "Honestly, I thought she was gonna slap him first."
Aerois tilted his beak. "Too soft for that. But... maybe later."
The hug lingered. Nathan didn't say anything. Mira didn't need to. Their silence was loud enough.
Grey watched them for another second before sighing. "Young hearts..."
"Messy, I mean good enough....." Aerois added solemnly.
"Chaotic."
"Loud."
"...Kinda adorable though," the little bird admitted.
Grey scoffed. "Don't get soft, you bird."
Aerois raised a wing. "I'm not. Just - observant."
"You're an idiot!" Mira suddenly blurted, eyebrows low, voice a little breathless - like she'd been holding that word in all night.
Nathan almost laughed - but it came out a little broken, like it caught in his throat halfway.
"Yeah," he managed. "I know."
Mira stepped back and gave him a shove. Not mean - just a shove full of frustrated relief, enough to make him rock back on his heels.
"Do you even know how many people were looking for you?" she asked, fast. "You just vanished out of nowhere. What if- what if something actually-"
Her voice faltered slightly.
Then she grabbed the front of his cloak and pulled him into another hug.
Her arms wrapped around him tight, clinging like she didn't trust the hug to last if she didn't hold on hard enough. Her head barely reached his chest, but she didn't care.
Nathan stiffened - then softened, lowering his head a bit, letting the breath leave him all at once. His hand rested gently on the back of her shoulder.
Neither of them spoke.
Fred sighed, looking off toward the tents like he'd seen this all before.
Ellis came over, stopping a few paces away, a grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. "Well, hell. Look who crawled out of the woods."
"Missed you too," Nathan muttered over Mira's hair.
Grey hopped up on a nearby stone and flopped down dramatically. "Finally. Now can we eat?"
Aerois let out a soft chirp, his head dipping.
Mira pulled back slowly, her arms still on Nathan's shoulders, looking up at him carefully now - like she was checking if he was actually all in one piece.
"You hurt?"
"Nothing that won't heal," Nathan said. "Some bruises. A little cold. Stomach's been louder than Grey for the last hour."
Mira blinked, then tilted her head. "Who's Grey?"
Nathan blinked, then stiffened a little.
"Oh- uh- he's... that rabbit," Nathan gestured down awkwardly.
Grey gave an unimpressed snort from the rock. "Wow. Rude." He muttered.
Mira looked down, squinted. "...Wait, he talks?"
Nathan scratched the back of his neck. "Long story. I'll explain later."
Mira raised a brow. Her expression was suspicious, skeptical, and 99% done with how weird her day had already been.
"...Better," she muttered, stepping back with a tiny, tired smirk. Then she gave him one last once-over and added under her breath, "You look like garbage, by the way."
"Haha, Thanks."
Then Mira stopped, realizing something. "Oh, my grandpa. I need to find him in the evacuation center, come on."
"Okay." Nathan simply nodded.
Fred clapped a hand on his back. "Come on. Let's get him some food before he passes out standing."
The air around them felt different now. Lighter. Not better - the kingdom was still scarred, the ashes still clung to the earth, the future still uncertain. But for a moment, with old friends and small laughter, it felt like something steady again.
The camp behind them went on - soldiers moving, children carrying water buckets, the dull clang of tools against stone.
But in this small circle of four battered people and two unusual animals, there was a sense that whatever came next, they'd still be standing for it.
And together, they headed for the supply tent and the main evacuated center.
.
.
The flap of the massive tent lifted open, and five figures stepped through.
Fred walked in first, steady and tired. Behind him, Nathan followed beside Mira, who glanced around cautiously. Grey trudged in with drooping ears and narrowed eyes, each step heavy. On top of his head, Aerois perched like royalty, comfortably nested between the rabbit's ears, looking around with a little dignity - and a little amusement.
Inside, the air was dense with heat, rustling fabrics, and the low murmurs of dozens of families. Makeshift bedding was laid across the stone floor - some just blankets, others small mats. Children sat with their parents. A few volunteers moved through the rows, passing out food wrapped in banana leaves, water bottles, folded clothes.
Near one corner, a young merchant crouched beside a worn wooden crate. His sleeves were rolled up, sweat clinging to his neck, but he smiled gently as he handed out folded shirts and pants.
"Still clean," he told a woman as he gave her a pair. "I grabbed what I could before my stall burned. My best stuff's gone, but... these'll hold."
A small boy peeked over the crate and pointed at another pair. "Is that one for me?"
The merchant chuckled. "You bet. Go on, take it."
The woman nodded, murmuring a thank-you as she passed the shirt to a boy curled up near the wall.
He handed out a pair to a thin man nearby. "Here, take this. Shirt and pants. That'll keep the chill off tonight."
Even though the day was filled with poor and miserable people, he still gave his charity to them, showing a bit of care for them.
.
.
The tent's quiet rhythm stopped the moment Fred stepped in. Heads turned. A few voices hushed. Eyes landed on Nathan - dirty clothes, scraped, cloak still clinging to his shoulders. Mira stayed close to him, her hand brushing his once before pulling back.
Some people just glanced. Others stared a little longer. There was recognition in their faces - not just of Nathan, but of who he was supposed to be.
Fred cleared his throat and approached one of the camp workers behind the supply table. "Ahem... We need food and some clean water," he said calmly, but with that commanding tone that made people listen. "And if there's anything left for clothing, the boy's half-frozen."
The woman nodded and gestured to the back.
While she started preparing supplies, whispers stirred.
"...Is that him?"
"...Prince Nathan?"
"...He looks older..."
Nathan didn't say anything. His hands hung loosely by his sides, eyes scanning the tent - not searching for attention, just grounding himself.
A man stood up from a mat a few feet away, brushing dust from his knees. His voice cut gently through the murmurs.
"What happened to you last night, lad?"
Nathan hesitated, mouth parting slightly.
Fred answered instead.
"Got lost," Fred said, his voice even. "There was smoke, fire - people screaming. I turned around and he was gone. Thought maybe he ran toward the east trench, but by the time I checked there, nothing. I tried looking further, even though it was dark... but everything was falling apart."
The man across from him frowned. "So you don't know where he went?"
Fred shook his head, resting both hands on his knees. "No. Just knew I had to keep looking."
A woman nearby, gently bouncing her baby, looked over. "We heard something... loud. Something big. Did you see it?"
Mira shifted, glancing sideways at Nathan.
He didn't speak. His mouth opened - then closed again.
Fred ran a hand along the back of his neck. "Didn't see what made the sound. But I felt it. Ground trembled like thunder under the dirt. And whatever it was... it stirred up the dead."
A hush fell across the tent. People stopped folding, sorting, even chewing. A quiet tension settled, like everyone was suddenly afraid the ground might shake again.
"The undead were crawling from the ruins," Fred added softly. "I had to keep low. Had to dodge them. I wasn't even sure if I'd make it back. For a while... I thought I might've been the last one breathing in that part of the village."
Someone near the crates leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "But you found the boy?"
"I did," Fred said, a touch more quietly now. "Alive. Bruised, shaken, and definitely not where I expected... but alive."
He paused a second before adding, "Found him not far from the west ridge. One of the old watchtowers. He was still standing, but barely. Looked like he'd been dragged halfway through the night."
Fred didn't glance at Nathan. But the words landed heavily.
"He didn't say much," Fred said. "And I didn't ask."
Nathan kept his head low. Not lying. Just... not ready.
From the floor near him, Grey's ear twitched.
Nathan heard the soft, lazy voice in the back of his mind.
"He makes it sound like you got picked up by ghosts."
Aerois chimed in lightly from his perch nearby.
"To be fair, that tower was half-tilted. He's not far off."
Nathan didn't react outwardly. Just stared at the floor and listened. No one else had heard a thing - not even Mira.
A man near the water sacks asked cautiously, "Wait... what dragged him? Did he say?"
Fred shook his head. "He didn't. Whatever it was, it's his story to tell, not mine."
There was a pause.
Then someone else piped up, voice more curious than afraid. "You said the watchtower? Was anyone else there?"
Fred shrugged lightly. "Just him. And... those two."
He tilted his chin slightly toward the floor, where Grey was sprawled with his eyes half-closed and his belly rising slowly. Aerois preened quietly, perched on a folded blanket.
A few people turned, raising eyebrows.
"...The rabbit?" one boy whispered to his older sister.
"Bird, too," she murmured.
Grey didn't flinch. Aerois simply looked elsewhere, uninterested.
Mira sat beside Nathan now, eyes darting around at the faces staring at them.
Fred looked toward the crowd, his voice steady but lower. "By the way... I'm from the family of Eilert, an old-generation servant of this place. But I actually worked in the Kingdom of Aurelia, not here. I was simply tasked by this boy's mother, Queen Rhea, to take care of him while they were in Aurelia."
That drew a few murmurs - even from people who hadn't looked up before.
"Eilert?" a man echoed. "Thought that was just an old house name."
A girl behind him whispered, "Isn't that the family that vanished or died from the abyss?"
Fred nodded once. "We didn't vanish. We stayed hidden. Some are...." he sighed, didn't continue.
The tent fell into a strange stillness. A pause between breath and thought.
Someone near the back cleared their throat. "So... you're saying it was real? What's buried under this kingdom?"
Fred's voice didn't rise - if anything, it grew softer. "I'm saying we haven't seen the worst of it yet."
A young woman sitting cross-legged nearby looked at Nathan with wide eyes. "Did you fight it?"
Nathan shifted. He rubbed the back of his neck. "No," he said quietly. "I just... ran."
Mira glanced at him, her brow furrowed - not in judgment, but something quieter.
"But you came back," said the woman, almost proudly.
Nathan looked down at him. "...Yeah."
Grey flopped on the ground beside one of the pillows, grumbling under his breath. "Can someone give the boy a stew and a nap before he passes out and collapses on my face."
Aerois lifted his head. "Agreed. Also, if anyone has a brush, his hair looks like a tangled nightmare."
Mira smirked, just a little.
The camp worker returned and handed Fred a bundle - bread, bowl with stew, and two medium water pouches.
"Thank you," Fred nodded.
Nathan took the food but didn't eat right away. Instead, he crouched beside Mira, sharing it quietly. Then glanced down at Grey, who was still sprawled on the floor with one ear twitching.
"You hungry or just pretending to die?" he whispered.
Grey groaned without lifting his head. "Both."
Nathan smirked and tore off a chunk of bread, tossing it onto a folded cloth near the rabbit. "Here. Don't choke."
Grey perked up immediately, grabbing the bread like a starving noble. "Finally. A prince who shares. I was beginning to think you were raised by wolves."
Aerois, perched lazily atop a supply sack, clicked his beak once. "I'd prefer mine torn into neat squares. Lightly warmed, if possible."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "You'll survive," he said, flicking a crumb toward him.
Aerois caught it mid-air with a swift flutter of wings. "Hmm. Acceptable."
Mira blinked, watching all this with a face that clearly hadn't signed up for it.
"...Did... did he just talk?" she asked, pointing slowly at Grey, who was now chewing dramatically like the bread owed him.
Nathan didn't even look surprised. "Um... maybe."
She squinted, voice low. "Like... with real words?"
"Uh-huh."
Her eyes narrowed at Grey, who glanced up mid-chew and gave her a lazy, half-hearted salute with his paw.
"...Nope." Mira leaned back and flopped onto the blanket beside the rice sack. "I didn't hear that. I'm too tired. I'll believe it tomorrow."
Aerois fluffed himself up. "You get used to it."
Mira groaned. "No, I won't."
Nathan chuckled and offered her a second bread. "You'll get used to a lot more, trust me."
Mira stared at the bread, then at him, then took it with a small sigh. "...If the bread also starts talking, I'm out."
Grey raised a paw and whispered. "Noted."
She patted Grey's head comfortably, smiling softly.
"So.... Is this your first time seeing the inside of this place?" she asked Nathan.
Nathan nodded. "Yeah. I didn't know it was this crowded."
"It was worse last night," she murmured. "Some of the kids didn't stop crying till morning."
They both looked around. Some people had gone back to eating. Others still watched. But the tension had changed - less of a spectacle now. More quiet respect. Curiosity still lingered, but no one pushed further.
Fred sat quietly, rubbing his thumb over the edge of his ring. "We'll rest here," he muttered. "But not for long."
.
.
.
.
.
Outside the main tent, the late morning sun raised bright overhead. It wasn't hot yet, just warm enough to draw a light sheen of sweat across the skin, casting clear shadows along the field. The sky above Atlon was a pale, sky blue, too quiet for what they had been through.
Tomas, Eren, Jarek, and Ellis were huddled near a short wall of crates, talking idly. The mood was light, but edged with that kind of restless calm - the kind that comes after a storm, but before you're sure it's over.
"I swear," Eren said, peeling a dry leaf off his shoulder, "If they tell us to reinforce the western line again, I'm digging a hole and hiding in it."
"Don't tempt me," Jarek muttered. "A hole sounds like a vacation right now."
Ellis chuckled, leaning his elbow on the crate. "Still better than getting food duty again. That bread this morning? I think it bit back."
Tomas gave a faint snort. "That's not bread. That's wall material in disguise."
Then - footsteps. Quick, light, and urgent.
Kellin rounded the edge of the tent row, walking toward them with a focused look, brushing dust off his sleeve. The others turned at once.
"Lad," Tomas called. "Where've you been sneaking off to?"
"I knew it," Jarek said, pointing at him. "He's been hoarding the good rations."
Kellin didn't grin back. His brows were slightly pinched, his boots marked from quick travel. "I came from the main gates."
Ellis straightened. "The main gates? What for?"
Kellin exhaled and finally said, "The highnesses are coming back. King Nalon and Queen Rhea - they're on their way."
That cut the chatter short.
"What?" Tomas blinked.
"I thought they were still in Aurelia?" Jarek asked. "That meeting about the spread of the dark forces-"
"Yeah," Eren added. "Nathan's letter only said they were off for something 'important meeting.' That's all we got."
"I know," Kellin said. "But I just came from the emergency post by the main gates. One of the messengers told the medics there - the King and Queen sent word back. They're approaching Atlon again. Supposed to arrive within the hour."
The group exchanged looks, caught between surprise and confusion.
Tomas narrowed his eyes. "What for? Just to check the damage?"
"They didn't say," Kellin replied. "But if they're returning this soon... it means something shifted."
None of them spoke for a moment.
Then Tomas asked, "Did Commander Galen go there?"
Kellin shook his head. "Nope. But he stayed at the gates right now. With Sir Varun. Both of them are waiting for the royal escort to arrive."
Ellis gave a short whistle. "That's fast. Faster than I expected."
Kellin's eyes flicked between them, then he leaned forward a little and asked, "By the way... where's the kid?"
"The boy?" Jarek muttered.
Kellin nodded. "Nathan. Please tell me he's not still missing. I don't want to be anywhere near this squad when the highnesses find out their son isn't even accounted for."
Ellis finally gestured over his shoulder. "Relax. He's in the main tent. With Fred. And a girl."
Kellin blinked. "A girl?"
Ellis shrugged. "Yeah. Short. Tough look in her eyes. If i can remember, her name was Mira."
Kellin exhaled. "Well... at least that's one disaster avoided."
Just then - the sound of galloping hooves cut across the open camp.
All five heads turned as a lone rider appeared in the distance, dust trailing behind. A cloaked messenger from Atlon's inner court rode up fast, slowing only as he approached the outer circle of the evacuation center.
The rider pulled the reins and dismounted quickly, boots landing with a thud on the dry ground. His cloak fluttered slightly in the breeze as he approached the squad.
He gave a sharp salute, catching his breath.
"Squad One," he said breathlessly. "Orders and news from the Royal Road. The King and Queen have passed the eastern checkpoint. They'll be entering the city walls within the next ten minutes."
Kellin nodded once, already unsurprised.
Tomas stepped forward. "Both the King and Queen?"
"Yes, sir. Both present. The Queen's guards are riding close formations. They'll arrive soon. Commander Galen requests units to hold the tent grounds secure until arrival."
Ellis muttered, "Things are really moving now..."
The messenger added, "There may be a second announcement once they settle. I was told to report to Captain Varun directly after this."
Kellin turned toward the big tent behind them. "Then we'd better be ready."
The men exchanged glances again - this time more serious.
Tomas muttered, "Well... here we go."
Jarek sighed. "Better straighten our backs before someone starts shouting."
Kellin cracked his neck. "And maybe keep the kid where they can actually see him. I'm not planning to be roasted alive for someone else's disappearance."
Ellis stood up. "Noted."
And just like that, the calm morning wasn't so calm anymore. The squad began shifting back into formation - steady, silent, and waiting for royalty to arrive.