The next morning arrived quietly. The jungle stirred around them as if breathing a gentle sigh. Aren and Amira woke beneath the thick tree, the first pale streaks of dawn weaving through the leaves.
They climbed down in silence, the morning air crisp and cool on their skin.
At the narrow stream, they knelt side by side and washed their faces. Aren scooped up water and splashed her playfully, but this time, she only smiled softly, her mind already far away.
"Ready for another day of monkey attacks and angry vines?" he teased, shaking the water from his hair.
Amira stood and brushed her hair back from her face. "Ready as ever."
They gathered their things and pressed on through the tangled undergrowth. Hours passed beneath towering ferns and hanging moss until finally, they reached a narrow cave mouth hidden behind a curtain of ivy.
Aren stepped forward first, peering into the dark opening. He pulled out an old parchment map, its edges frayed and markings faded almost to nothing.
He squinted at it, frowning. "I think this says... 'Beware of large rocks and small squirrels?'"
Amira laughed softly, stepping closer. "Let me see, dear," she said, her voice warm but unusually firm.
He handed it to her without hesitation. She studied it carefully, her eyes darting across the strange runes. She traced the lines with her finger, her brow furrowed in concentration.
After a few moments, she shook her head. "I can't read it either. The writing is too old, and some of it looks like it was meant to be hidden."
Aren shrugged and slipped the parchment into his bag. "Well, lucky for us, I never needed a map to get into trouble."
They stepped into the cave together. The darkness swallowed them at once, and the cold air pressed in around them. Aren tightened his grip on his sword as they moved forward, the sound of dripping water echoing off the walls.
Suddenly, Aren froze. He leaned close to Amira, whispering against her ear. "Do you see that? Over there... shadows moving."
She didn't answer.
He turned to look at her, confusion sparking in his eyes. "Amira?"
Before he could say more, heavy footsteps echoed behind them. Figures rushed out of the shadows, swift and silent. Strong hands grabbed him, yanking him backward. A rough cloth bag came down over his head, and he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as they forced him to his knees.
They tied his wrists tightly, so tight he could feel the pulse thudding under the ropes.
A moment later, they pulled the bag from his head. Blinking against the sudden light from torches, he lifted his gaze , and saw her.
Amira stood in front of him, calm and radiant even in the flickering cave light. She tilted her head, almost as if admiring a piece of art.
"Hello, Laughing Blade," she said, her voice strangely smooth. "I've heard so much about you... and honestly, you've made me laugh. Thank you for that."
Aren forced a lopsided grin, even as his mind spun. "Oww, Amira... yeah, nice, I knew it. All along. But I doubted it... Silly me."
Amira raised her hand, and one of the guards stepped forward, holding out a small shimmering object.
"Hand over the Milu," she said softly.
Aren's grin didn't fade. "Oh, the magical lucky charm? You mean the thing everyone thinks makes me unstoppable? Well, I guess you win, my dear. And hey... after you rob me, don't forget to tie my belt properly, alright?"
He laughed, but inside, his heart thundered. He wasn't just shocked; he felt something break.
Amira stepped forward and knelt beside him, so close their faces almost touched.
"Our kingdom has always wanted these relics," she said, her voice low and controlled. "And here you are, wandering around with them like a jungle clown. Now I have the blue and purple Milu, and with them... my people will rise."
Aren's eyes searched hers desperately. "You're greedy, my love," he whispered.
She held his gaze for a moment, then looked away as if something inside her cracked too.
"I am not just a tracker or an archer," she continued, her voice softening. "I am a princess. The princess of Zehara Kingdom. And I do this for them."
The words echoed through the cave like a cold wind.
Aren's laugh faded, replaced by a heavy silence. He glanced at the guards, then back at her, a flicker of sorrow breaking through his usual mask.
"Guess you always did know how to surprise me," he said quietly.
She stood up and turned away, her shoulders stiff, her fingers trembling just slightly. The guards moved in closer, waiting for her next command.
Aren lowered his head, the edges of his vision growing sharp and bright.
Inside, a thousand thoughts burned. Rage, confusion, heartbreak — and behind all of them, a single, dangerous resolve.
He might be bound now. But the Laughing Blade wasn't finished yet.