The fire crackled as shadows danced around the small clearing, casting a warm, flickering light

  over the group. They had made camp near a river, and the peaceful sound of running water

  mingled with bursts of laughter and conversation. For the first time in what felt like ages, they

  were able to relax, to just be themselves without the weight of the Marks or the shadows of past

  battles pressing down on them.

  Nyx leaned back against her pack, a smirk on her face. “So Thalor, remind me again—how did

  you *really* learn to read a map? I don’t buy that whole ‘self-taught scholar’ story. There has to

  be something more… mischievous.”

  Thalor rolled his eyes, chuckling. “I assure you, Nyx, my map-reading skills are the result of

  years of painstaking study, not some wild adventure.” He paused, a glint of mischief in his own

  eyes. “But if it entertains you, I could invent something scandalous. Perhaps a secret affair with a

  cartographer’s daughter?”

  Nyx snorted, laughing. “Now that sounds more like it. See? I knew you had it in you, Professor.”

  Lily smiled, watching them banter. There was something surreal about this moment, about sitting

  here with these people she had come to care for so deeply. She let herself bask in the warmth of

  their voices, feeling a rare, bittersweet contentment.

  Elias nudged her, grinning. “What about you, Lily? Got any other ‘wild adventures’ from your

  past? Or was hitting Adric with your bare hands the peak of your career?”

  Lily laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t think anything will top that, but… who knows? Maybe

  I’ve got a few surprises left.” She leaned back, closing her eyes, feeling the cool night air on her

  face. It felt good, to laugh and be in the moment like this, even if just for a little while.

  After a while, she stood, brushing off her clothes. “I’ll be right back,” she said, heading into the

  woods for a moment of privacy.

  She moved a short distance away from the camp, finding a secluded spot near the trees. As she

  squatted down, the ground beneath her shifted unexpectedly, and before she could steady herself,

  her foot slipped on a loose patch of earth. Her body pitched forward, and with a sudden, jarring

  crack, her head struck a rock hidden in the shadows.

  The world spun, dark spots dancing in her vision as she tried to blink them away, but the

  darkness pressed in, swallowing her whole.

  When she opened her eyes, she was lying on the ground, and for a split second, disoriented and

  groggy, she wasn’t sure where she was. She started to sit up, panic prickling at the edges of her

  awareness.

  “Lily?” A familiar voice cut through the haze, and she turned to see Elias kneeling beside her,

  his face filled with worry. “You okay? You’ve been out for a minute.”

  Her chest tightened, but then she exhaled, feeling a wave of relief as she registered his face, the

  warmth in his gaze. “Elias… yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I, uh… slipped and hit my head, I guess.” She

  gave a soft, sheepish laugh, her hand instinctively going to the sore spot on her forehead.

  He offered her a hand, helping her sit up slowly. “Next time, give a shout if you’re planning on

  hitting the dirt,” he teased gently, but his expression was still serious, his eyes searching her face.

  She looked at him, and something tugged at her memory—a flash of something distant, almost

  like a dream. “I… I had this dream, Elias. Or maybe it was just… a memory,” she murmured, her

  voice quieter.

  He tilted his head, curious. “A memory? You haven’t talked much about… before you came

  here.”

  She looked down, picking at the grass between her fingers. “It was just… I remembered the night

  I came here. I’d been at a graveyard, visiting… someone I lost. And I… I hit my head there, too.

  And then, somehow, I was just here.” Her voice trailed off, her gaze distant as she tried not to lie.

  Drunk at a party is not a way to die young.

  Elias studied her face, his brow furrowing. “Do you ever… think about going back?”

  Lily was silent for a long moment, the weight of his question settling over her. She looked at

  him, her heart aching at the thought. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m… different now. The

  person I was… I don’t think she’d know what to do with me if I did go back.” Her voice

  trembled, and she met his gaze, a sad smile on her lips. “But at the same time, I don’t want to

  leave you. Any of you.”

  Elias nodded, the sadness in his eyes mirroring her own. “I’d miss you,” he said quietly. “But… I

  get it. Family’s family. You should want to see them again.”

  She swallowed, feeling the pull of two worlds tearing her in opposite directions. “I thought

  maybe… if I could figure out how I got here, I could go back, just for a little while. Say goodbye

  to them properly, maybe. And then come back.”

  Elias’s expression softened, but there was doubt in his eyes. “Lily… I don’t know if it’s that

  simple.”

  “I know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But I can’t help but wonder… maybe there’s

  a way. Maybe all of this… it’s leading me somewhere.” She let out a sigh, resting her head

  against his shoulder. “I just wish I knew what any of it meant.”

  They sat there in silence, the stars above them stretching out into infinity, a vast, unknowable sky

  that seemed to hold all the mysteries of their journey, of her existence in this strange, unforgiving

  world. And though they didn’t have the answers, for now, just being here together was enough.

  Nyx’s voice broke through the quiet moment, her footsteps soft on the leaf-strewn ground as she

  wandered into the small clearing where Lily and Elias sat.

  Lily jolted at the sound, quickly sitting up and brushing her hair back, her cheeks flushing. “Oh,

  yeah,” she stammered, casting a quick glance at Elias before looking up at Nyx. “We’re fine. I,

  uh… took a little fall, but I’m alright.”

  Nyx raised an eyebrow, her smirk only deepening as she crossed her arms. “Didn’t realize you’d

  need a rescue team for that, but hey, glad you’ve got someone looking out for you.”

  Elias chuckled, casting Lily a sidelong glance. “She did hit her head pretty hard,” he teased,

  nudging her shoulder lightly. “Might’ve knocked some sense into her, though.”

  Lily rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “You’re

  hilarious,” she muttered, brushing a bit of dirt off her cloak as she stood up. “I was just… talking

  about some things I haven’t thought about in a while, that’s all.”

  Nyx’s expression softened, the teasing glint in her eyes fading into something gentler. “Well, as

  long as you’re alright. It’s good to talk about that stuff, y’know? The old ghosts and whatnot.

  We’ve all got ‘em.”

  Lily nodded, looking at Nyx for a moment, a shared understanding passing between them.

  “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I guess we all do.”

  Nyx gestured back toward the campfire, where Thalor was fiddling with a makeshift stew,

  occasionally glancing at the others, trying to disguise his curiosity with a serious, scholarly look.

  “Well, the stew’s almost ready, and I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving. Besides,

  Thalor’s giving me that look like he’s tired of waiting.

  Elias stood, brushing off his pants, and offered Lily his hand. “Guess we’d better get back to

  keep him from over-seasoning it again. Last time, he nearly put in half a pound of salt.”

  The three of them shared a laugh, and Lily took Elias’s hand, letting him pull her up to her feet.

  For a moment, she stood between them, feeling the comfort and warmth of their presence, a

  steady anchor in a world that was anything but steady.

  As they made their way back to the campfire, Nyx shot Lily a quick, curious look. “By the way, I

  couldn’t help but overhear a little of what you were saying back there… about where you came

  from. Do you ever think about it?”

  Lily hesitated, feeling the weight of the question. “Sometimes,” she admitted. “It’s…

  complicated. I miss it, I think. Or maybe I just miss the idea of it. Things were simpler, even if

  they were… lonely.”

  Nyx nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I get that,” she said softly. “When I left home, I thought

  I’d never look back. But sometimes, I wonder… if there was something left I didn’t see.

  Someone who maybe… cared more than I thought they did.” She trailed off, her voice barely a

  whisper.

  Elias, walking on Lily’s other side, listened quietly. “It’s strange,” he said, after a moment, “how

  much we change, out here. I used to think I knew exactly who I was. But the more we go

  through… the less certain I am of what’s next.”

  They reached the campfire, where Thalor was stirring the pot with great focus, clearly pretending

  not to have overheard anything.

  Lily smiled at him. “Smells good,” she said, grateful for the distraction. She sat down, feeling the

  warmth of the fire chase away the lingering chill in the night air.

  As they passed around the stew, each of them sharing quiet stories and thoughts, Lily felt a

  strange mix of belonging and uncertainty. These were her friends, her family in this world—and

  she wasn’t sure what the future held for any of them. But for now, here by the fire, she could

  forget about the Marks, the battles, and the past, and just be present.

  The morning sun broke through the trees just after dawn, casting slivers of light across the

  clearing where the group had camped. A chill lingered in the air, the last traces of the night’s

  cold clinging to the ground. The quiet was peaceful, but the night’s weight had left a heaviness

  on each of their faces, weariness etched into the lines around their eyes.

  One by one, they began to stir, groans and tired sighs punctuating the early morning stillness.

  Thalor was the first to sit up, wincing as he rubbed his neck. “By all the gods,” he muttered,

  pressing a hand to his back. “I think the ground is getting harder every time we camp out.”

  Elias, always a light sleeper, was next, stretching out his arms with a long, exaggerated yawn.

  “Could be that you’re just getting softer,” he teased, though he couldn’t hide the wince as he

  shifted his weight.

  Nyx rolled over from her spot near Buck, her black tiger companion, and grumbled, “Not all of

  us have the luxury of a feather bed every night, scholar.” She gave Buck a sleepy scratch behind

  the ears, her hand resting against his warm fur as if drawing strength from him.

  Lily was the last to rise, her muscles stiff and protesting as she pushed herself upright. She

  rubbed her temples, feeling the faint, lingering ache from her tumble the night before. For a

  moment, she thought back to her conversation with Elias—his quiet sadness at the idea she might

  leave, her own mixed feelings about the world she’d left behind. But those thoughts faded as the

  demands of the new day pulled her back to the present.

  “Looks like we’re all feeling a bit worse for wear,” she remarked, forcing a smile as she tried to

  shake off the night’s memories. She ran a hand through her red hair, tousled and tangled from

  sleep, and glanced around at her companions. “What do you say we get moving and find some

  place with actual beds next time?”

  Elias laughed, though it was tired and rough around the edges. “Now that, I could get behind.

  But let’s not kid ourselves—knowing our luck, the next ‘restful’ stop is probably more trouble

  than it’s worth.”

  Thalor nodded in agreement, standing and adjusting the strap of his pack. “At the very least, we

  should try to find some fresher water to refill our flasks. I spotted a stream not too far from here

  yesterday.”

  As they gathered their things, Nyx secured Buck’s saddle and murmured something to him, the

  tiger pressing his nose to her shoulder in response. “Ready to go, big guy?” she whispered,

  scratching under his chin. She glanced back at the others. “Don’t know about you, but I’d say it’s

  about time we get out of this forest. I’m starting to feel like I’ve got roots growing out of my

  boots.”

  “Agreed,” Elias replied, tightening the straps on his pack. “We’ve still got a lot of ground to

  cover, and the more we put between us and Adric’s men, the better.”

  They fell into their usual formation, Lily and Elias taking the lead, with Thalor and Nyx

  following close behind. As they walked, conversation gradually sparked back to life, the quiet

  camaraderie growing in the morning light.

  “So, where to next?” Nyx asked, kicking a stone down the path. “We’ve got Pride out there,

  waiting for us, and I’d rather not let him think we’re giving up on him.”

  Lily smirked, glancing over at her. “Pride won’t be an easy one to take down. If his Mark is as

  powerful as I think it is, he’ll see us coming and then some. We need to find out more about him,

  his weaknesses—if he even has any.” Her fingers traced the inside of her wrist, feeling the faint

  pulse of her own Marks there.

  Thalor looked thoughtful, his gaze flicking between the trees. “With the way these Marks are

  affecting us, I can’t help but wonder what he’s already done to the people under his control.

  They’re probably following him willingly… even if it leads them straight to ruin.”

  Elias nodded, his expression darkening. “Pride’s dangerous, no doubt about it. But if we stick

  together, we can find a way to take him down. We’ve come this far, haven’t we?”

  The group shared a look, a silent agreement passing between them. They were weary, they were

  battered—but they were still standing, still fighting.

  As they made their way through the forest, the conversations flowed, slowly shaking off the

  night’s weight. The quiet sounds of birdsong and the rustling of leaves gave them some

  semblance of peace, if only for a while.

  Thalor broke the silence, his voice contemplative. “I still think about the first time I left the

  comfort of a library to be out here, risking my life in battle. Never thought I’d go from books to

  this kind of… well, chaos.” He chuckled, though there was a hint of sadness there. “I guess part

  of me still believes I’ll wake up back there, that none of this was real.”

  Nyx snorted. “Libraries. That sounds like something I’d dream of—might be nice to sleep

  somewhere without wolves lurking around.” She grinned, brushing her hair out of her face. “But

  I get it. I didn’t think I’d be… I don’t know, bonding with people. I’ve been on my own for so

  long, and look at me now, keeping company with you lot.” She scratched at her arm, almost as if

  uncomfortable by the sentiment she’d just expressed.

  Elias cast her a sidelong glance, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Nyx, don’t get too soft

  on us. Next thing we know, you’ll be inviting us to some imaginary cabin in the woods you’ve

  never owned.”

  She laughed and threw a stick at him. “Dream on, city boy. I might like you all well enough to

  keep your company, but don’t push it.”

  Lily watched them, a small smile tugging at her mouth. It was odd to think how far they’d come,

  the mismatched group they were now. They’d all come from different lives, different worlds—

  sometimes literally. And yet here they were, somehow bound together by fate, circumstance, and

  the strange power of the Marks.

  As the conversation faded, Elias turned his attention back to Lily, his face more serious. “So…

  about what you said last night.” He looked at her thoughtfully, the question forming but hesitant.

  “You’ve never really talked about what happened back in your world—what led you here.”

  The quiet around them deepened as everyone seemed to focus on her, waiting for her answer.

  Lily took a deep breath, the memories pressing against her like a weight.

  “I didn’t exactly have a choice,” she started, glancing down. “Back home, I was… at a cemetery,

  actually. Visiting my family’s grave. There was a lot going on. And then—” She hesitated, her

  voice catching. “It’s hard to explain, but something pulled me here. Like I was… summoned.”

  Her fingers traced along her Mark of Undeath unconsciously, the memory filling her with an

  ache she tried to bury.

  Nyx crossed her arms, listening intently. “So you think it was someone or something that

  dragged you into all this?”

  “Maybe,” Lily said, her voice soft. “Or maybe it was just bad luck. I mean, I didn’t exactly sign

  up for a life of battling with Marks and fighting demons. But… here I am.”

  Elias’s gaze softened, his expression a blend of sympathy and quiet sadness. “You ever think

  about going back?”

  Lily paused, her gaze shifting to the path ahead. “Sometimes. I miss my family, and I wonder if

  they’re okay. But I also know… I’m not the same person I was back then. I’ve changed too

  much. It’s like I belong to two worlds now, and neither one feels… complete.”

  Thalor nodded, his thoughtful demeanor returning. “That’s often the case with journeys like ours.

  Even when—or if—you find a way back, things may not be as they were. Not for you, or them.”

  They fell into a pensive silence as they approached the edge of the forest, the path widening into

  an open stretch of grassland. The morning sunlight was casting a warm, golden glow over the

  field ahead. For a moment, the troubles of the world—their Marks, the battles, Pride looming on

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  the horizon—seemed to fall away.

  “I don’t know if any of us will ever feel truly complete again,” Elias murmured, breaking the

  silence. “This journey… it’s taken pieces of all of us. And I’m not sure if we’ll ever get them

  back.”

  Nyx let out a long breath, a mix of weariness and acceptance in her expression. “Maybe not,” she

  said. “But we have each other. And I guess, for now… that’s enough.”

  As they walked through the field, Elias gently reached out to place a hand on Lily’s shoulder.

  “We’re here, Lily. Wherever this path takes us, you’re not alone.”

  She looked up at him, a bittersweet smile on her face. She knew what he meant—she wasn’t

  alone, not anymore. Whatever lay ahead, she had these people, this odd, mismatched family. And

  for the first time in a long while, the future, though uncertain, didn’t seem quite so lonely.

  They continued walking under the morning sun, its warmth offering a small comfort against the

  cool breeze sweeping across the open field. Lily, feeling the conversation drifting back to her,

  decided to share something that had been hovering on her mind since last night.

  “You know,” she started, breaking the silence, “the day I came here… it was my eighteenth

  birthday.” She let out a small laugh, her voice soft. “Not exactly the kind of gift I was hoping

  for.”

  Nyx raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. “Eighteen, huh? Right on the cusp of

  adulthood, tossed into another world.” She shook her head. “Must’ve been rough.”

  Lily nodded, glancing down. “I thought it was just another quiet day. I was at the cemetery,

  visiting my family, like I said. And then… everything just changed.” Her gaze grew distant, her

  fingers tracing along the edge of her Mark. “It felt like some cosmic joke. One moment, I’m

  standing there, and the next, I’m in a world that didn’t even seem real.”

  Thalor, walking beside Nyx, seemed thoughtful as he listened, his own expression tinged with an

  understanding sadness. He reached out, placing a gentle hand on Nyx’s shoulder as if drawing

  strength from her presence. The two of them exchanged a look—one that lingered a little longer

  than usual. It was soft, unspoken, but there was warmth there, something beyond simple

  companionship. The faintest blush spread across Nyx’s cheeks, though she kept her cool,

  brushing her hair out of her face as she smirked at him.

  Watching them, Lily felt a warmth rise in her chest. Seeing their connection, how their shared

  struggles had brought them closer, tugged at something deep within her. It was strange, realizing

  how much their little group had changed in the short time they’d been together. They had fought

  for each other, sacrificed, mourned their losses—and now, they were building these little bonds,

  bits of hope they could cling to.

  As her gaze drifted away from Thalor and Nyx, she found herself looking at Elias. He walked

  with his usual quiet strength, a calm presence amidst the group’s banter and worries. His

  expression was distant, a small frown on his face as he took in their surroundings, lost in thought.

  But sensing her eyes on him, he glanced over, catching her gaze with a slight, knowing smile.

  For a moment, the world seemed to slow. There was a spark there—unspoken, tentative, but

  undeniable. They’d been through so much together, had leaned on each other in ways Lily hadn’t

  thought she was capable of. She could feel her heart pounding, a strange mixture of hope and

  apprehension fluttering within her. She wanted to say something, to acknowledge the connection

  they shared, but the words eluded her, slipping away as quickly as they’d come.

  Elias looked away, and the moment faded, leaving a bittersweet feeling in its wake.

  Nyx, oblivious to the silent exchange, nudged Thalor with her shoulder. “Look at us,” she said, a

  hint of amusement in her voice. “A bunch of strangers not so long ago, and now… I guess we’re

  a real team, aren’t we?”

  Thalor chuckled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “I’d say so. Funny, isn’t it? Life’s

  strange like that. You think you have it all figured out, and then it throws you into something

  completely unexpected.” He glanced at Elias and Lily. “I think that’s true for all of us.”

  Elias grunted, nodding. “You’re not wrong there.” His gaze flicked back to Lily, his expression

  unreadable but warm. “Sometimes… maybe the unexpected is exactly what we need.”

  Lily felt her cheeks warm at his words, and she quickly looked away, feigning interest in the

  trees lining their path. They kept walking, the silence filled with the soft sounds of the world

  waking around them, their footsteps echoing across the open field. And though the future was

  uncertain, there was a sense of hope—fragile but growing—binding them together.

  The morning stretched on, the group settling into a comfortable rhythm as they walked. The sun

  climbed higher, casting a warm glow that filtered through the trees, dappling their path with

  patterns of light and shadow.

  Lily, still feeling the remnants of the moment she’d shared with Elias, found herself glancing

  over at him more often than usual. It felt odd, this new awareness, this spark of something

  unnamed that lingered just beneath the surface. She had always known Elias to be reliable,

  strong, and steady—a constant presence she’d come to depend on. But now, there was something

  else woven into her thoughts about him, something that stirred with each glance, each shared

  smile.

  Beside her, Nyx seemed to pick up on the tension, her sharp eyes flicking between Lily and Elias

  with a smirk. “You two look like you’ve got something on your minds,” she teased, nudging Lily

  playfully. “Or maybe it’s just the open road and all this fresh air. Makes people think about

  things they’ve been avoiding.”

  “Or people they’ve been avoiding,” Thalor added with a knowing look, casting a smile at Nyx.

  His fingers brushed against hers in a subtle, gentle touch that didn’t go unnoticed by the others.

  Lily cleared her throat, quickly finding something else to focus on—a branch, a cloud, anything

  that could distract from the flush creeping up her cheeks. She could feel Elias’s eyes on her, but

  she kept her gaze forward, trying to ignore the way her heart sped up.

  Elias, sensing her discomfort, gave a low chuckle. “So, Nyx,” he said, turning the conversation

  elsewhere, “you said you grew up in these woods. Ever thought about leaving? Seeing the world

  outside?”

  Nyx shrugged, her usual sarcasm softened for a moment. “Maybe. But I don’t exactly belong in

  those big towns or cities. People like me…” She glanced at Thalor, a hint of vulnerability

  showing through. “We’re better suited to the wild places. People don’t look at you the same way

  here. They don’t… judge.”

  Thalor nodded in understanding. “There’s freedom here, I suppose. Less expectation, less… need

  to fit a mold.” He looked back at Nyx, a touch of admiration in his gaze. “I think I understand

  that. I never thought I’d leave my quiet life of books and studies, but here we are.”

  Nyx grinned. “Who knew the scholar would turn into a warrior? Or that he’d actually have

  muscles under all that parchment and ink?”

  Thalor laughed, nudging her. “Careful, or I’ll challenge you to a spar right here and now. I think

  I could take you.

  “Oh please,” Nyx scoffed, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “You’re all brains and no

  brawn.”

  They all laughed, the sound echoing through the woods as their footsteps fell in sync, a shared

  heartbeat binding them together. Lily let herself relax, enjoying the way their conversation

  flowed so easily, the camaraderie filling the air like a warm, familiar blanket.

  After a while, Elias fell into step beside her, his voice low and gentle. “So, Lily… do you ever

  think about going back? To your world, I mean.”

  Lily glanced at him, surprised by the question. She’d been so wrapped up in surviving, in

  fighting and struggling through each day, that the thought of returning to her world felt like a

  distant dream. And yet, Elias’s question brought it all rushing back—the memories, the life she’d

  left behind.

  “I do,” she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper. “Sometimes, late at night, when everything’s

  quiet… I wonder what it would be like to go back. But it’s strange. I’m not the same person who

  left.”

  Elias nodded, his gaze softening. “I guess none of us are. This place… it changes people.”

  A silence fell between them, filled with the weight of unspoken words. Lily found herself

  wanting to say more, to tell him everything that had been building inside her, but she held back,

  unsure of what she would find if she let those feelings surface.

  As if sensing her hesitation, Elias reached out, his hand brushing lightly against hers. “Whatever

  happens, Lily… just know I’m here. For you. Always.”

  She looked up at him, her heart pounding, and managed a small smile. “Thanks, Elias. That…

  means a lot.”

  He gave her a reassuring nod, his fingers lingering on hers for a moment longer before pulling

  away. They walked in silence after that, each lost in their own thoughts, but the bond between

  them felt stronger, the quiet moments filling in the spaces left by words they hadn’t said.

  Ahead of them, Nyx and Thalor had wandered off the path, stopping near the edge of a small

  clearing. Nyx turned back, waving the others over.

  “Come on, slowpokes!” she called, a grin lighting up her face. “There’s a river just up ahead. If

  we hurry, we might get there before the sun sets.”

  With a renewed sense of purpose, they picked up their pace, the lighthearted banter returning as

  they moved forward. The warmth of their laughter and companionship followed them down the

  path, weaving them together in a way that felt as unbreakable as the journey they shared.

  They reached the river just as the sun began to dip below the trees, casting a warm glow across

  the water. The current moved steadily, reflecting the colors of the sunset in rippling shades of

  gold and pink. The group settled by the riverbank, their weariness forgotten as they took in the

  beauty of the scene. They set down their packs, letting the tension of the day ease from their

  shoulders.

  Nyx stretched her arms over her head, then flopped down on the grass, her fingers weaving

  through the wildflowers. “See? I told you it’d be worth it. A real view, not just endless trees.”

  She grinned, nudging Thalor’s leg as he sat beside her.

  Thalor chuckled, leaning back on his elbows. “I’ll admit, I’m impressed. It’s… peaceful here.”

  Elias rolled his eyes, though he was smiling. “Peaceful until Nyx decides to push someone in.”

  Nyx gasped in mock indignation. “Me? I would *never*!” She made a show of looking innocent,

  her eyes glinting with mischief as she scanned the group, as if sizing up who’d make the biggest

  splash.

  Lily laughed, shaking her head. “Let’s try to avoid starting a war tonight. I’m not sure any of us

  have the energy to dry off.”

  They settled into a comfortable quiet, the only sounds coming from the river and the rustle of the

  leaves in the evening breeze. After a while, the conversation turned to lighter topics—stories of

  old adventures, their lives before they’d met, and the odd habits they’d picked up on the road.

  “Y’know, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Nyx said, leaning forward with a grin. “Why did you all

  even *start* this whole adventuring thing?”

  Thalor gave her a wry smile. “Books can only tell you so much. I wanted to see the world,

  understand it firsthand. Though I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to be quite this… chaotic.”

  Elias snorted. “That’s what you get for joining up with *us.*” He glanced at Lily, his gaze

  softening. “What about you, Lily? Why did you… come here? Not just to this world, but to all of

  this—fighting, chasing down these Marks?”

  Lily looked down at her hands, tracing the lines of the Marks on her wrist, each symbol a

  reminder of how much she’d changed. The question was simple, but the answer felt like it held

  the weight of her entire journey.

  “Honestly?” she said slowly, lifting her gaze to meet Elias’s. “At first, it was just survival. I

  didn’t know what I was doing here, or why. I just… needed to keep moving, to survive one day

  at a time. But now…” She paused, the words catching in her throat. “Now, I think I’m here

  because I need to understand it. To understand *why* I have these Marks, why they’re part of

  me.”

  Nyx, who had been listening with an unusual stillness, nodded. “Seems fair. Not like most

  people get thrown into a world where things like… sin and death are literally carved into their

  skin.”

  Thalor’s eyes softened. “You’re searching for meaning,” he murmured. “In all of it. And maybe,

  in understanding the Marks, you’ll understand something about yourself.”

  Lily smiled, grateful for his words. “Maybe. It’s strange, though… I feel like every step forward

  brings me closer, but also makes it harder to remember who I was. I mean, the day I came here

  was my eighteenth birthday, and everything I knew… everything I thought I was, changed. I

  keep wondering if I’d even recognize that girl if I saw her now.”

  The others grew quiet, letting her words sink in. Elias, still watching her, leaned forward slightly.

  “Do you… do you *want* to go back?” His voice was barely more than a whisper, carrying a

  vulnerability that Lily hadn’t heard before.

  She looked at him, her heart tightening at the sadness in his eyes. She didn’t have a simple

  answer, and part of her didn’t want to hurt him with the truth. “I don’t know,” she admitted

  softly. “There are days when I miss it, miss my family, my friends… everything that was left

  behind. But then… there’s all of this. You. Nyx, Thalor… Everything we’ve fought for. I can’t

  imagine leaving it behind, either. I just wish there was a way to see them again, even for a

  moment, and then… then maybe I could come back here knowing I chose this path.”

  Nyx sighed, her gaze drifting to the river. “If only it were that easy, huh? No matter how much

  we fight, it’s like there’s always a choice waiting at the end of it, and it’s never as simple as we’d

  like.”

  Elias reached out, his hand resting lightly on Lily’s shoulder. “Whatever you choose, we’ll be

  here, Lily. Just… promise you won’t go without telling us.”

  Lily met his eyes, her chest tightening. “I promise,” she whispered, her voice carrying a certainty

  she didn’t fully understand yet. But as she looked around at her friends—this strange, loyal

  family she’d found—she knew that no matter where her journey led, these moments would be a

  part of her forever.

  The discovery of Lily's new power with the Mark of the Sin Eater took everyone by surprise.

  Testing it carefully, Lily found that by concentrating, she could draw another person’s Mark to

  herself, temporarily absorbing its abilities as if it were her own. The Mark always returned to its

  owner afterward, as long as she willed it back. She sensed the immense potential of this power

  but was equally wary of it; carrying more than one Mark would surely draw attention from

  whoever set these challenges before her.

  As the group walked, Thalor, always observant, broke the silence. “So, it’s not just about finding

  the Marks for yourself anymore, is it?”

  Lily looked at him thoughtfully. "No… it’s strange, but it feels like I’m meant to face more than

  just these sins. Something bigger." She glanced down at her wrist, where the swirling symbols of

  the Sin Eater mark seemed to pulse faintly. “Whoever is behind this wants me to gather them all.

  Maybe even master them.”

  Elias, walking at her side, crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on her thoughtfully. "You’re thinking

  it’s all connected, aren’t you? The Marks, the Horsemen, everything.”

  “I don’t know for certain,” Lily admitted, “but it’s like every path we take keeps leading us to

  someone or something testing us. Pushing us.” She shook her head. “And every time we win, I

  get stronger… but we lose something too.”

  Nyx chimed in, her tone dry as usual. “Well, aren’t you the center of some grand cosmic

  scheme? But hey, I’m all for sticking it to whoever’s pulling these strings.” Her eyes sparkled

  with a mischievous grin as she exchanged a playful nudge with Thalor, their bond growing

  deeper with each passing day.

  As they moved through the trees, Elias glanced over at Lily. She caught his gaze, holding it for a

  heartbeat longer than usual, feeling a flicker of warmth mixed with the weight of everything

  they’d endured. Their shared moments of silence had become a language of their own. He

  offered her a half-smile before turning his attention back to the path ahead, leaving the unspoken

  feeling lingering between them.

  “What about you, Thalor?” Elias asked, glancing back. “If it came down to it, would you give

  Lily your Mark, even temporarily?”

  Thalor thought for a moment, his usual carefree expression more serious. “Yes. If it helped us

  achieve whatever it is we’re meant to, I’d trust Lily with it. But we’d have to know it’s the right

  moment.”

  The road stretched onward; their journey now weighted with questions about their roles in a

  game that felt increasingly personal.