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The camp quieted as dusk rolled over Sector Six, lanterns flickering to life between the new structures. Aurelia Dawnmere strode toward the pavilion where Riven was standing, his arms crossed as he overlooked the training fields. Her crimson cloak shimmered faintly with embers, her golden eyes sharp as ever.
"Riven," Aurelia called, her tone clipped. "We need to talk about what comes next. The people are restless, Nico and Milo are practically clawing at each other's throats for recognition, and I don't think your silence is helping."
Riven didn't look at her right away. He adjusted the telescope he had set on the pavilion rail, staring at the forest canopy where fireflies drifted like tiny stars. Finally, he replied:
"Everything is going well. For now."
Aurelia arched an eyebrow, her irritation already visible. "Well? You call this chaos well? Travelers gambling away Mysticoins, Milo being paraded around like some golden child, Nico sulking like a brat—and Garrick nearly blew up the food storage with his 'experiments.' You need to give them direction, Riven. A plan."
Riven finally turned, his eyes steady, calm. "The land beast isn't here. Not yet."
Aurelia folded her arms. "And how do you know that?"
He tapped the crystal sphere resting on the table beside him. The faint violet glow pulsed like a heartbeat, Patchouli's work.
"Patchouli lent us her clairvoyant crystal. She's been tracking anomalies in the forest. According to her, there's no sign of the land beast at this time. It won't arrive until… later. August."
Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "You're trusting her now?"
Riven's lips tugged faintly upward. "Patchouli may be dangerous, yes. But she's rarely wrong."
Aurelia sighed and leaned against the rail beside him, her golden hair catching the lamplight. "Fine. Then what do we do in the meantime? Keep handing out busywork like planting trees and fighting wooden imps? They're not soldiers, Riven. They'll get lazy."
Riven's gaze sharpened, his tone firm. "We prepare them. Structure, points, Mysticoins—it's working. They're learning discipline without realizing it. When the land beast finally shows itself, they won't just be Travelers. They'll be a force."
For a long moment Aurelia was silent, watching him. Her irritation softened, though only slightly. "You always sound so damn certain."
Riven smirked faintly. "Someone has to."
Goldie padded onto the table, tail flicking as she meowed softly—her calm, golden eyes reflecting both of them. The unspoken tension between Riven and Aurelia hung in the air like smoke, yet both of them knew the truth: August was coming, and with it, a storm none of them were ready for.
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