Kael.
Jane moved ahead of me, slipping between trees like the forest had personally approved her existence. I followed behind, less approved, nearly tripping over roots that were clearly coordinating attacks.
CRACK.
I stumbled, windmilled my arms, and recovered just in time to pretend that had been intentional.
Then—
BOOM.
The ground shook. Leaves cascaded down. Birds blasted upward in a chaotic storm of wings.
FWOOSH—FWOOSH.
I flinched. "Whoa—"
Jane stopped instantly, sliding into a ready stance.
"What was that?"
I brushed a leaf off my shoulder. "Probably Rael."
She snapped toward me. "What?"
I raised both hands. "Hey, don't look at me. She's a powerhouse now that she can control her firepower."
Shrug.
"Plus she probably scared the goblins. They're running for their lives. That's a win for us."
Jane gave me a flat look. "Yeah. No thanks to you."
"Hey, I saved your life ten minutes ago. At least be grateful."
"You only did that because the goblins didn't see you as a threat."
She pointed at me.
"You moron."
I opened my mouth.
Paused.
"…I have no comment."
"Good. Now move before I change my mind."
I muttered as we walked. "At least she acknowledged—"
"What?"
"Nothing!"
We broke through the last line of trees.
The camp came into view.
Dead goblins scattered across the clearing. Some burned. Some collapsed near the tents. Smoke still drifting lazily. The ground warm in patches.
Rael and Branik stepped in from the opposite side at the same time.
Kairo crossed his arms. "What took you so long?"
Jane glanced at the bodies. "Looks like we had the same problem."
Liora scanned the camp. Her gaze stopped at the supply area.
"…Bad news."
She pointed.
"They took our rations."
Everyone turned.
Empty.
Just dirt where food used to exist.
Kairo sighed. "Great. Now we have nothing to eat."
I nodded slowly. "So we won… but they stole our lunch as a victory bonus."
Jane crossed her arms. "We hunt."
I gestured at the darkness. "At night? I don't come with night vision."
Kairo nodded. "He's right."
Jane shrugged. "Then we starve."
"…I don't want to starve," Liora said quietly.
Rael shifted her stance, favoring her injured leg.
Then—
GRRRRRL.
Her stomach growled.
Loud enough to echo.
Everyone froze.
Rael looked down, cheeks flushing.
Silence stretched.
I cleared my throat. "…Okay. Hunting just became mandatory."
She shot me a glare.
I raised my hands. "Not judging. Motivated."
"Map," I said to Jane.
She handed it over.
I unfolded it and squinted at the fading firelight.
"…There's a river at the edge of the forest."
Jane leaned in. "He's right. We could fish."
"Fish," Kairo said hopefully.
"Fish," Liora echoed.
I nodded. "Yes. The mythical creature known as dinner."
No one laughed.
Branik spoke calmly. "There is a problem."
Jane looked up. "Yeah."
He glanced toward the dark forest.
"Whatever scared the goblins."
The clearing went quiet.
The fire popped softly.
Wind moved through the trees.
I stared into the forest.
It felt like something stared back.
__
Somewhere in heaven. Veyra's balcony.
The view from the balcony was the same as always.
Erdvael below. The forest somewhere within it. A small screen resting beside Veyra's tea, quietly streaming.
The balcony door opened without a knock.
CREEAK.
Veyra didn't turn.
"Eros."
"You knew it was me," Eros said, already dragging a chair across the marble and sitting without invitation.
SKRRRKK.
"You are the only person in heaven who opens doors like that."
"Like what."
"Like the door was expecting you."
Eros leaned forward, eyes already on the screen.
"How is he."
"Running," Veyra said calmly.
Eros watched for a moment.
"He looks… unbalanced."
"He is."
Silence settled between them.
Then Veyra spoke.
"This Jane girl."
Eros tilted her head.
"Hmm?"
"Is she the fourth."
Eros didn't answer immediately. She studied the screen, expression shifting slightly.
"…I don't know anymore," she finally said.
Veyra turned to her.
"You don't know."
"Something changed." Eros folded her arms. "I can still see three clearly. Mira. Senna. Rael. Those paths are stable."
"And beyond that?"
"He became unpredictable. I can't read him the way I normally read people."
Veyra looked back at the horizon.
"Caelum said the same thing."
Eros blinked.
"She did?"
"She looked with her right eye. Said she couldn't see the full picture."
A quiet pause settled between them.
"Is God behind this," Veyra asked. "Or our mother."
Eros leaned back in the chair, thinking.
"…I don't know," she said at last.
No humor. No teasing. Just honesty.
Veyra picked up her tea, then set it back down without drinking.
CLINK.
"Let's just watch."
Eros relaxed further into the chair.
"Yes."
Neither of them looked away from the screen.