Hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.
"ASHER!"
Eiden burst into the room, scanning the space before spotting his friend lying on the ground.
"Damn it!"
He rushed over and knelt beside him.
"Asher! Hey, you okay?"
A groan answered him.
Asher slowly opened his eyes, grimacing.
"…I've had better wake-up calls."
Eiden exhaled in relief.
"You're alive. You scared the hell out of us."
"I assume I won?"
"Let's say… it was a draw. Vareck fled."
Asher pushed himself up with difficulty, supported by Eiden.
"Coward… He runs away the moment he realizes he's going to lose."
Eiden raised an eyebrow.
"You were on the floor."
"Minor detail."
He pressed a hand to his temple.
"I was just… strategically horizontal."
Eiden sighed.
"Yeah, sure."
They started heading toward the exit.
Asher suddenly stopped.
"And Miria?"
A faint smile crossed Eiden's face.
"We found her. She's safe with the others. We were only waiting for you."
A quiet wave of relief appeared in Asher's eyes.
"Good… then we can go home."
He swayed slightly.
Eiden caught him.
"Can you stand?"
"Yeah… well… more or less."
He gave a tired smile.
"But next time… remind me to break Vareck's jaw *before* I start talking."
Eiden chuckled.
"You just can't stop provoking people, can you?"
Asher shrugged.
"It's part of my charm."
They left the room, their footsteps fading as the torches continued to burn in the restored silence.