Zerrei was reluctant to let go.
He clung to Lyra the entire time the guildmaster spoke, carved fingers hooked into her sleeve, cheek pressed to her shoulder as if anchoring himself to her warmth. His glow remained low, flickering softly with every breath she took.
When the guild left to prepare supplies, Arden stayed behind with Oren—
giving Lyra space.
Or, more truthfully—
giving Zerrei space.
The vessel seemed calmer when the group dispersed, his trembling easing into a softer hum as he leaned further into Lyra's embrace.
"…Lyra…"
"Yes?"
"…Zerrei stay…?"
She ran her fingers gently through his carved hair.
"We stay together."
He closed his eyes with a small exhale of relief.
"…warm…"
ARDEN WATCHES SILENTLY
Arden sat on a fallen log, elbows resting on his knees as he watched the two of them.
His expression soft—
but troubled.
Zerrei was healing physically…
but his emotional fragility was more obvious than ever.
The vessel clung to Lyra like she was the only thing keeping him alive.
And Arden realized—
with a stab of guilt—
he didn't hate it.
He pitied him.
He admired him.
And he feared for him.
He cleared his throat quietly.
"…Lyra."
She looked up.
Arden rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I uh… I need to talk to you. Alone."
Zerrei instantly stiffened.
His arms tightened around her.
"…alone…?"
His glow flickered in distress.
"…no… Lyra… stay with Zerrei…"
Lyra soothed him immediately.
"It's okay. I'm not leaving—I'll just be a few steps away."
He shook his head instantly, gripping her tighter.
"…no… stay… stay…"
Arden lifted his hands in surrender.
"Whoa—hey, kid. I'm not stealing her. I just need a few minutes."
Zerrei didn't relax.
Instead—
He pushed his forehead into Lyra's chest, burying himself against her like a scared animal.
"…not… like…"
"…alone…"
Lyra kissed the top of his head tenderly.
"Then stay close. I'll only walk a little away."
He trembled.
"…Lyra…"
She placed a hand over his heart.
"I'm here. I'm not going far."
He hesitated—
Then, very slowly, loosened his grip around her waist.
Just enough to let her stand.
But when she tried to move even a single step—
Zerrei reached out desperately and grabbed her wrist.
"…Lyra… don't go…"
His voice cracked.
Her heart broke all over again.
She knelt beside him and cupped his cheek.
"Look at me."
He lifted his gaze—fragile, scared, trusting.
"I'm only stepping over there," she said gently. "You can see me the whole time."
Zerrei finally nodded.
"…see Lyra…"
"Good."
She kissed his forehead.
"I'll come right back."
He held her hand tightly until the last moment—
then let go slowly.
Arden exhaled a shaky breath as Lyra approached him.
"Okay," she murmured. "What is it?"
Arden looked at her—
then at Zerrei.
And spoke quietly:
"Lyra… you're the only thing keeping him together."
Lyra's expression softened.
"I know."
"No—I don't mean emotionally. I mean literally."
Arden gestured toward Zerrei, who was hugging himself tightly, watching them with wide, anxious eyes.
"Look at him. He can barely stand without you."
Lyra's heart squeezed painfully.
Arden swallowed.
"I'm not saying this to upset you. I'm saying it because someone needs to watch your back while you're busy holding his."
She blinked.
"…Arden?"
He stood up straight.
Hands shaking slightly.
Voice firm.
"I'm staying with you two. No matter where you go. No matter what comes next."
Lyra's eyes widened.
"Oren can handle the logic and the magic," he continued.
"But you need someone who can fight. Someone who can be a shield when Zerrei can't."
Lyra swallowed hard.
"Arden…"
He placed a hand over his chest.
"I can't let the Creator take him. I can't let anyone take him."
He looked at her with fierce sincerity.
"And I damn well won't let anything happen to you either."
Lyra blinked rapidly.
"Arden… thank you."
He shrugged awkwardly.
"Someone has to be the adult."
Oren, who overheard from behind a tree, snorted.
"You are the least adult here."
Arden glared.
"I SAID WHAT I SAID."
Zerrei's Jealous Spark
When Lyra returned to him, Zerrei instantly reached for her—hands trembling—pulling her into his chest as though afraid she would fade away.
He pressed his cheek against her shoulder.
"…Lyra…"
She stroked his back.
"I'm here. Arden just wanted to talk."
Zerrei lifted his head—eyes narrowing slightly.
"…Arden…"
Arden blinked.
"…What?"
Zerrei's arms tightened around Lyra, pulling her closer.
"…mine…"
Arden sputtered.
"HOLD ON—WHAT DID HE JUST—?!"
Oren smirked faintly.
"He said what he said."
Lyra placed both hands on Zerrei's cheeks, trying not to laugh.
"Zerrei… we talked about this."
His glow dimmed bashfully.
"…but… Lyra… is mine…"
Arden threw his hands in the air.
"WHY AM I BEING CHALLENGED BY A FRAGILE, HALF-BROKEN PUPPET?!"
Oren answered calmly:
"Because he sees you as a rival for attention."
Arden turned bright red.
"I—I don't WANT her attention—!"
Lyra raised a brow.
"Arden."
"Okay, okay—maybe like ten percent!"
Zerrei narrowed his eyes at him.
Lyra gently tapped his forehead.
"Zerrei. Arden is a friend."
Zerrei stared at Arden.
Then at Lyra.
Then gently pulled her head back to his chest.
"…friend… far from Lyra…"
Arden shrieked.
"HE'S A MENACE."
Lyra hugged Zerrei, laughing softly.
"You don't need to be jealous."
Zerrei murmured stubbornly:
"…Lyra mine…"
Lyra pressed a kiss onto his forehead.
"And you're mine."
Zerrei instantly melted, trembling with soft delight.
Arden facepalmed.
"Great. Fantastic. Wonderful. We're doomed."
Oren cleared his throat.
"Actually, we are doomed."
Arden froze.
"Wait—what?"
Oren turned slowly, eyes narrowing toward the shadows of the forest.
"I was detecting something for a while now.
A change in mana. A presence stronger than Vessel Three."
Lyra stiffened.
Zerrei trembled, pulling her closer.
"…Lyra… danger…"
The forest went silent.
Dead silent.
Oren spoke quietly:
"The Creator is moving."
Zerrei's glow cracked.
"…no…"
Arden gripped his sword.
"Well. Looks like things are getting worse."
Lyra held Zerrei tightly.
"Then we face it together."
Zerrei whispered into her hair:
"…stay… with Zerrei…"
"I will."