Sunlight was streaming through the window, falling directly on Jhed's eyes. He raised a hand to block it.
They had arrived at Daichi's house the night before. It sat in the middle of the town. Being Guild Master meant Daichi had to be at the guild early — he'd already left by the time the morning light came in.
Shine was doing what he did every morning — cleaning his sword.
"Forgive me, Nain. But I'm a slave. I can't go back for you on my own." Shine was full of regret. By now, she might have already turned.
"No — I like saving people." Shine stood up. He'd made a decision.
He walked to Jhed's room and opened the door.
Jhed was still asleep, one hand raised over his eyes to block the light.
Shine's shadow fell across him. Jhed lowered his hand, opened his eyes, and looked up.
"What?" Jhed said, rubbing his eyes with his fingers.
"Jhed — we need to think about Nain." Shine was serious.
Jhed looked at him, blinking slowly.
"Shine — she left on her own. She can take care of herself." Jhed climbed out of bed.
"She could turn into a monster at any moment." Shine raised his voice.
"Don't shout at me — you're my slave. Whatever happens to her, we'll deal with it then. She's not our concern." Jhed said sharply.
He turned his back to Shine and started walking toward the door, hand reaching for the handle.
"Then I'll go find her myself." Shine turned around.
Jhed stopped. He turned back slowly.
"Jhed — however many days I have left, I'll spend them finding her. As an adventurer, it's my duty to save her." Shine lowered his eyes.
Jhed couldn't find words. Because without Shine, he had nothing here. Anxiety crept in. His heart began to pound.
"If Shine leaves and someone attacks me — and I'm not good at talking to people — he shouldn't go. Should I go with him?" Something else entirely was running through his mind.
He was afraid of being alone. When someone's beside you, the days pass faster. But his anger had taken the wheel.
"Fine. Go. Bring her back." Jhed opened the door and walked out.
Shine's face lit up.
"I'll be back with her soon, my lord." He rested a hand on his sheath. He was genuinely happy.
Shine headed back toward the forest — toward the small house they'd built — running at full speed. He'd drunk a motion potion, which doubled his speed.
"I'm coming, Nain. Wait for me."
He ran even faster.
Far away, Nain sat with her back against a tree. It was very dark where she was. She had her left hand clutched tightly. Alone in the shadows.
Jhed was alone in the town now. He was used to being alone — but being alone among so many strangers was a different kind of difficult. How would he manage? Whether Shine would be back soon, he didn't know. But Jhed would have to move forward trusting himself.