The journey from Erynport to Oakhaven was hell.
Seven days of mud, rain, and blood. The path led through Dead-End Forest, a forgotten woodland long abandoned by humans. Its terrain was harsh, its air thick with the remnants of dark aura. Every step felt like a fight.
For ordinary people, venturing here would be a death sentence. But for Kaera and Eira, it had become a monotonous, almost mundane, part of their routine.
By the second day, the sky fractured. Rain fell without mercy, turning forest trails into rivers of mud that threatened to swallow them whole. Their boots sank with every step. Their cloaks grew heavy with water.
Eira, half-soaked and shivering, raised her arms toward the sky. She bent willow branches above, weaving them into a crude canopy. Just enough to shield their small fire from extinguishing.
Kaera crouched beside the flames. Silent. She pulled out a roughly roasted hare. The meat was tough from the poor fire. She tore a piece and held it out.
"Eat."
Eira took it. Bit down. Her face twisted. The hare was like chewing leather, bitter with the taste of wild herbs. But she swallowed.
" Hm... at least we're not starving." She murmured, forcing her voice bright, though the subtle creak of her jaw betrayed her discomfort.
Kaera said nothing. She squatted with her back against a tree, letting rain drip from the edge of her black hood. Her eyes scanned the dark forest. Unblinking.
---
On the fourth morning, the mist turned red.
Night-Stalkers emerged without warning. A pack of wolves with thorny hides and foul breath. No cries. No alarms. Only the scratch of claws against roots.
Kaera moved first. Still half-asleep, her katana was already drawn.
Slash! Slash!
Clean and efficient. No flamboyance, just swift precision.
Eira fired two light arrows from behind, pinning two wolves to the trunks. Kaera finished the rest.
When the forest quieted again, Kaera stood still. Her chest rose and fell slightly faster than usual. Her hands trembled. Not from fear. From exhaustion.
Eira noticed. "You good?"
Kaera didn't answer. She wiped her blade. Turned away. "Keep moving."
Eira let it go. But she filed it away.
---
By the sixth day, exhaustion had ceased to be an enemy. It had become a companion. Their feet were blistered. Every muscle ached. Conversation had been reduced to keywords. Even speaking drained precious energy.
"Left?" Kaera's voice was hoarse. Flat.
"Right. Ground vibrations there aren't stable. Something large is sleeping beneath," Eira replied.
Her temples throbbed. Echo Vein had been pushed beyond its limits. Each pulse of the world's vibrations pressed uncomfortably into her mind. Still, she walked.
Kaera noticed the sway in her step. Without a word, she reached out. Her hand caught Eira's arm. Steadied her. A brief touch. Then she let go and continued walking.
She didn't look back. But her pace slowed. Just enough.
"Almost there," she muttered.
Eira forced a weak grin. "We're not dead... right?"
Kaera didn't answer immediately. She looked at her trembling hands. Her muscles seemed to have reached the human limits.
"Not yet," she said briefly, voice hoarse, almost swallowed by the mountain wind.
---
On the seventh day, they reached a hill marking the forest's final boundary. At the summit, the view below made them pause.
A crystal-clear river wound through the valley. The orange sunset reflected across its surface, scattering countless diamonds of light. The gentle rush of water sounded like a hymn after a week of demon growls and snapping branches.
Eira waste no time. She just ran.
She flung her backpack onto the ground with a heavy thud. "A river! Real water! Not puddles!"
With what little energy she had left, she leapt into the cold water without shedding clothes.
The current washed away dust, sweat, and the lingering scent of sulfur from a week's ordeal. Her pale face flushed pink, revived by the mountain stream.
Kaera was more reserved. She sat on the riverbank, scooped water, and washed her face slowly. The cold water soothed her sore, weary skin. Her shoulders eased. She closed her eyes, savoring the rare, almost alien calm.
Two hours passed. The orange light faded into deep purple.
Kaera stood. Her serious aura returned.
"Enough. Let's move. We're close to Oakhaven."
Eira, lying on the thick grass letting her hair dry, lifted her head. Her eyes widened.
Kaera stood. Her serious aura returned.
"Enough. Let's move. We're close to Oakhaven."
Eira, lying on the thick grass letting her hair dry, lifted her head. Her eyes widened.
"Are you serious? Now?"
"The sooner, the better."
"Look, the night's coming." Eira pointed at the darkening sky.
Kaera turned. Her expression was flat.
"So?" she asked, as if the fading sunset had no sway over her.
Eira let out a long, theatrical sigh. She let her body go limp, dropping onto the grass like a sack of flour. Her arms spread wide.
"We need a proper rest, Kaera. We've been walking a week straight. Our bodies need a night to reset. If we get ambushed tonight in this state, we're dead. You want to die at the city gates from exhaustion?"
Kaera didn't argue.
Eira pushed herself up, slowly closing the gap between them. She tilted her head, letting her damp hair fall over one eye while her gaze shone with gentle insistence, her voice dropping into something softer
"Hmmm... Kaera... please?? My feet feel like they're going to fall off,"
She nudged her with her elbow.
"Don't you feel sorry for your poor little friend here? Look at me. Dull. Lifeless. If we enter Oakhaven like this, people will think we're zombies."
Kaera stared at her cute, pleading face. Brow furrowed. She felt a tug in his heart she didn't expect.
She exhaled slowly. A sigh that marked the collapse of her ego.
"One night," Kaera said, looking away.
"YES!" Eira jumped and punched the air. Her victorious smile replaced all traces of fatigue instantly.
"Okay, boss! Tonight I'll cook something special... I mean, a hare better than usual. I think I saw some good herbs over there ."
Kaera could only shake her head at the sudden mood swing.
"Weren't your feet about to fall off just a moment ago?"
"This is the magic of rest, Kaera! Magic!" Eira laughed, running off to find dry branches.
Kaera watched her go, staying by the riverbank under a sky adorned with thousands of stars. It had been a long time since someone cooked for her. For a week, the lingering stench of death had followed them, but tonight, it was finally replaced by the scent of burning wood and roasting meat.
Watching Eira fuss over her hare recipe, a strange peace settled over Kaera. She didn't feel the urge to tell her to stop. She looked away, dug her heel into the damp mud, and let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh.
Then she stood, gathered her own share of firewood, and joined Eira without a word.
---