The village was a speck in the distance now, swallowed by hills and haze.
The sun hung high overhead, pouring golden heat across the dusty road. Wildgrass swayed lazily on both sides, and cicadas buzzed from the trees that dotted the horizon. Caelus adjusted the strap of his bag, falling into step beside Althea, who walked with effortless grace—even on worn sandals over uneven dirt.
He glanced over at her, squinting under the light.
"So… what's next?" he asked. "Where are we headed?"
Althea didn't pause. "To the kingdom of Virelia."
Caelus furrowed his brow. "Virelia… Sounds fancy. Is the first shard there?"
She shook her head calmly. "No."
Caelus blinked. "Wait, what? Then why are we going?"
Althea folded her hands behind her back as she walked. "Because there is a prophet there. One of the last who walks under divine protection. If anyone still knows where the seven shards were hidden... it's him."
Caelus looked skeptical. "But I thought you were the goddess. Aren't you supposed to know this stuff already?"
Althea sighed, lifting her gaze to the clouds. "I told you before—gods are forbidden from interfering directly in the mortal realm. That includes keeping knowledge of certain… sacred relics."
She looked at him then, her golden eyes serious.
"The shards were scattered long ago, hidden from even divine sight. I've only found vague traces. But the prophet of The Church of the Luminous Eye—Eldros Vale—he's studied the ancient texts longer than anyone I know. He may know more than anyone."
Caelus let out a long breath, processing it. "Alright. Prophet guy. Kingdom of Virelia. Got it."
A beat passed.
"…Are we walking the whole way?"
Althea gave a small, amused glance. "We'll see."
Caelus narrowed his eyes. "Translation: yes."
"You wanted an adventure, didn't you?" she teased, a smirk on her lips.
"Yeah, but I thought there'd be more dragons and less sunburn."
He wiped his forehead dramatically. "Okay, okay. Before my feet revolt and throw a coup, can we take a break? It's practically lunchtime."
Althea gave a small nod. "Very well. Let's see what the old man packed."
They stepped off the path and settled beneath a large tree, its shade cool and welcoming. Caelus untied the cloth bundle from his bag and unwrapped it with curiosity. Inside were slices of fresh bread, ripe summer fruits—peaches, small apples, and plums—and two small parcels of nut-stuffed pastries wrapped in waxed paper.
Caelus whistled. "Okay, Grandpa really hooked us up. This beats convenience store sandwiches any day." He tossed a plum toward Althea, who caught it midair with casual precision.
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the sound of birds rustling above them.
Caelus leaned his head back against the tree trunk and looked up at the shifting clouds.
"Virelia, huh?" he muttered.
Althea looked over at him. "Something on your mind?"
He was quiet for a moment, then shrugged.
"Just thinking... we've got a long way to go. A world to change. Prophets to meet. Monsters to dodge."
He smiled faintly.
"…And I kinda hope Elina's watching. Maybe she'll laugh when she sees us trip over something stupid again."
Althea gave him a rare, soft smile. "Then we shouldn't let her down."
Caelus lifted the plum in a mock-toast. "To not falling on our faces."
"To finding the first shard," Althea added.
They clinked fruit.The road ahead was long—but for the first time, Caelus didn't feel like he was running from something.He was walking toward it.The warm breeze rustled through the grass, carrying the faint hum of cicadas and the sweet scent of ripe fruit.Caelus leaned back against the tree trunk, half-eaten plum in one hand, the pit balanced on a leaf beside him. Althea sat cross-legged across from him, finishing a slice of bread in calm silence.
The kind of silence that invites questions.
Caelus watched her for a moment—her divine robes catching the dappled sunlight, her golden hair catching in the wind like silk thread.
Then he asked, softly:
"Hey, Althea…"
She looked up from her food. "Hm?"
"…Why do you want to save this world?"
She blinked, mildly caught off guard. "Isn't it obvious? Because I wanted to."
Caelus didn't break eye contact. "No. I mean really—why? Is it just because it's your divine duty? Part of your oath or whatever?"
His voice dropped lower—more thoughtful.
"Or… is it because you actually care about the people in it?"
The question hung in the air like a still note on a harp string.
A breeze passed between them, whispering through the trees. A few leaves fluttered down from the branches above. One landed near her hand.Althea didn't answer right away. She turned her gaze upward, to the endless stretch of pale-blue sky, her expression unreadable.
And then, with a quiet breath, she said:
"…I never really thought about it."
The answer wasn't grand. Or poetic. Or divine.
It was… honest.
She lowered her eyes slightly, hands resting still in her lap.
"I was summoned with orders—to restore balance, to prevent ruin. Everything felt like… a task. A responsibility left undone."
She glanced at him.
"But you're asking me something else, aren't you?"
Caelus nodded. "Yeah. I guess I'm just wondering if you're here to save a world... or if you're here for the people who live in it."
Another silence fell between them.
But this one felt different. Not empty—reflective.
Althea stared down at her hands, as if seeing them for the first time.
"…I've always seen mortals from far away. Prayers, wars, candles burning in temples. I saw the shape of their lives, but never... their pain. Their hope. Their laughter."
Her voice lowered.
"Elina… reminded me what that feels like."
Caelus smiled faintly, gaze drifting toward the path ahead.
"Sometimes I think saving the world is too big. Too distant. But if you save one person… if you make just one life better…"
He shrugged. "That's a start, isn't it?"
Althea looked at him then—really looked at him.
And for a moment, the divine warcaster, the regal goddess of fire and light, just looked like someone learning how to feel something real.
"…Yes," she whispered. "I suppose it is."
They sat together in silence after that, the sun warming their backs, the fruit between them untouched for a moment longer. And without saying it out loud, both of them knew:Something had changed.
Not just in the journey.
But in why they were walking it.
Caelus leaned back, popping the last piece of plum into his mouth, and chuckled under his breath.
"Well," he said with a grin, "I guess that little girl gave both of us a reason."
Althea didn't reply immediately, but a soft smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"…Yes," she said quietly.
But her mind wasn't on the fruit, or the sun, or even the road ahead.She was back in that little cottage, in that quiet room, watching as Elina threw her arms around Caelus with all the trust a child could give.
And just for a moment—just one fleeting moment—she had sensed it.
The faint shimmer beneath his shirt. The divine sigil etched across his chest.
It hadn't glowed in power.
It had pulsed with emotion.
A soft golden flicker. Gentle. Subtle. But real. She hadn't said anything then. She still didn't. But as she sat beside him now, watching him joke and laugh like the world hadn't quietly started bending around him, she felt something shift again inside her.
Not duty.
Not prophecy.
Something simpler.
Something bigger.
Faith.
As Caelus leaned back against the tree trunk and Althea quietly turned over her thoughts, the sound of hooves broke through the rustling wind.Two strong horses crested the rise of the dirt road ahead, pulling a well-crafted wooden wagon with polished iron trim and a colorful painted crest on the side.The wagon slowed as it neared the tree line, and a familiar voice rang out with unmistakable boldness.
"Oi! Caelus! That you?"
Caelus blinked and looked up, squinting against the sun.
Khyla was sitting up front, one hand on the reins, the other waving lazily. Her crimson tunic fluttered slightly with the breeze, and that same smirk danced on her lips like she'd caught him sneaking out of class. Beside her sat Lirae, composed as always, her silver hair braided neatly over one shoulder. She gave a gentle wave.
"Well, well," Khyla called, tugging the reins as the wagon came to a stop beside them. "Didn't expect to see you two this far out. Taking a scenic stroll?"
Caelus dusted off his pants as he stood. "Uh… yeah, something like that."
"We're headed to Virelia," Althea answered plainly.
Lirae tilted her head. "On foot?"
Caelus sighed. "Yes."
Khyla gave him a look so dry it could split wood. "Either you're brave… or really stupid. Do you know how long that trip is by foot?"
Caelus shrugged. "Few hours I guess"
Khyla raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Minimum a week on foot"
Caelus slowly turned to Althea, who was suddenly very focused on a passing cloud and refusing to make eye contact.
"Oh, you knew, didn't you?" he muttered.
Althea gave an innocent shrug. "I thought it'd build character."
Khyla laughed. "Well, lucky for you two, we're also headed to Virelia. Guard duty. Delivering some supplies to the border post. You want a lift?"
Caelus didn't even hesitate. "Yes. Absolutely yes. You are a lifesaver."
Althea nodded as well, though with more grace. "We'd be grateful."
"Then hop in!" Khyla jerked her thumb toward the back of the wagon. "Room's all yours. Lirae's been hogging the cushions."
"I have not," Lirae said softly as she stepped down to join them inside. "I've simply kept them in order."
Caelus and Althea climbed up and settled into the covered back of the wagon. It was surprisingly comfortable—stacked crates secured in place, soft fabric draped for shade, and a little lantern swaying gently from the ceiling beam. Lirae sat down across from them, the afternoon light casting a glow on her silver hair as she smiled politely. Only Khyla remained up front, taking the reins again as the wagon rolled forward with a clatter of wheels and hooves.
Caelus leaned back with a relieved sigh, arms stretched along the wooden siding. "Okay, this? This I can work with."
The wagon swayed gently as it rolled along the dusty road, the trees thinning out into stretches of open grassland. Inside the covered back, Caelus, Althea, and Lirae sat surrounded by crates and satchels, the afternoon sun filtering through the fabric above.
Caelus leaned back on a barrel, casually picking at a thread on his sleeve. He glanced sideways at one of the crates stacked near his knee.
"So… what's in all this stuff, anyway?" he asked, curiosity creeping into his tone. "You said you're delivering it to the border post. Sounds kinda... official."
Lirae looked up from the small cloth bundle she'd been tightening and gave a soft nod.
"They summoned us directly from the guild. Said the cargo was 'priority sealed.' All we were told is it's for the Virelian border post near the rift zone."
Althea narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice calm but thoughtful. "Rift zone… so it is related to the recent openings."
Khyla's voice echoed from the front, where she sat reins in hand. "Probably."
She didn't turn around, but her voice held that same bold confidence.
"I've got a feeling the kingdom's finally making its move. Maybe they're planning to shut those rifts down for good."
Caelus raised an eyebrow. "Wait—they actually know how to stop them?"
Khyla gave a short laugh, though it lacked humor. "Pfft. Who knows? The higher-ups keep everything sealed tighter than a fortress vault. But if they've got a plan…"
She shrugged. "Then we'll be there to lend a hand. Whether they ask for it or not."
Caelus sat in silence for a moment, tapping his fingers on the wood beside him.
Then Lirae tilted her head, eyes curious but not forceful. "And what about you two?"
"Hm?" Caelus blinked.
"Why are you headed to Virelia?" she asked, her tone casual, but her gaze sharp.
Althea opened her mouth, but Caelus quickly raised a hand and cut in.
"Oh, you know—sightseeing," he said with a lopsided grin. "Checking out the architecture. Might try some local food. Real cultural experience."
Lirae blinked slowly, lips curling into a quiet, amused smile. "…I see."
Althea folded her arms and looked away, clearly holding back a smirk.
Khyla's voice carried back to them again, full of snark.
"Yeah, that's believable. Totally normal for tourists to wander into kingdom-level military routes on foot."
Caelus raised both hands. "Hey, we're committed tourists."
Althea rolled her eyes. "Very committed. And extremely unprepared."
Khyla chuckled. Lirae merely shook her head, letting the moment pass with a small knowing smile.
The wagon rolled on under the soft hum of the wind, the wheels creaking, and the weight of unspoken truths sitting quietly between them—wrapped up in laughter and half-truths
The sun had long begun its descent, washing the sky in shades of gold and violet. The road thinned into a grassy trail before opening into a clearing by a serene, still lake. The surface shimmered under the fading light, broken only by the occasional ripple from a breeze or dragonfly.
Khyla, reins in one hand and a half-empty water flask in the other, finally tugged the wagon to a halt beside the lake. She stretched with a long, audible groan. "Alright, wake up, you sleepyheads—this is our stop for the night!"
From inside the wagon, there was a collective stirring. A boot thunked against a crate. Someone yawned dramatically. Caelus peeked out first, blinking. "Did we crash into heaven or am I just sleep-deprived?"
Lirae stirred from her seat with elegance even in half-sleep, brushing a silver strand from her face. "A lake. That's… fortunate."
Althea followed, stretching her arms. "Is this our camp for the night?" she asked, her tone neutral, but her gaze subtly scanning the treeline.
Khyla was already unstrapping a small crate from the back of the wagon. "Yup. We're not riding in the dark unless one of you suddenly learns night-vision and monster-wrangling."
Caelus hopped down onto the grass. "Honestly, I thought the wagon was starting to become home."
Khyla gave him a look. "Then maybe you can thank me by being useful for once."
She clapped her hands, already shifting into her leader mode. "Alright—assignments."
She pointed, pacing in front of the group like a drill sergeant.
"Lirae, you're in charge of food prep. You're the only one who won't burn our rations."
Lirae nodded with a calm smile. "I brought a few herbs from the last village. I can make something light."
"Caelus," Khyla said, pointing a finger at him, "you're on firewood and water-fetching duty."
He sighed. "Is it because I talk too much?"
"It's especially because you talk too much."
"Fair."
Khyla then turned to Althea, raising an eyebrow. "And you… You can set up the bedrolls. Keep it simple."
Althea blinked. "You're giving me bedding duty?"
"What? You're not royalty."
Althea opened her mouth, paused, and then let out a haughty exhale. "…Fine."
She turned away with crossed arms, muttering something about "mundane mortal tasks."
Khyla didn't seem to notice—or if she did, she pretended not to.
"Let's get moving. Sunset's coming fast. The faster we work, the faster we eat."
The group scattered into the clearing, each heading toward their task. The sounds of water lapping the lake's edge, birds settling into their nests, and the crackle of sticks underfoot filled the calm air. The campsite was quiet… peaceful. The camp had finally taken shape. A small fire crackled in the center of the clearing, its glow casting soft golden light across the grass and their travel-worn faces. The lake nearby shimmered under the dimming sky, and night had fully settled in.
Althea, usually radiant and composed, sat down on a blanket with a faint sigh, brushing a few loose strands of hair from her flushed face.
Caelus noticed, squinting at her.
"You alright?" he asked quietly. "You look like you just ran a marathon."
Althea waved him off with a breathy voice. "Don't worry about me. I'm… perfectly fine."
Caelus raised an eyebrow. "You say that like you're not about to pass out."
Before she could retort, Lirae approached with a small pot and wooden bowls, a gentle smile on her face. "Dinner is ready," she said simply. She handed out servings to each of them, steam rising in fragrant curls from the hearty stew she'd prepared. The group gathered around the fire—Khyla, Lirae, Caelus, and Althea—finally relaxing after a long day's ride.
Caelus took a spoonful and blinked. "Wait—hold on. This is amazing."
Althea nodded in approval, her voice soft. "It's... surprisingly good."
Lirae gave a modest smile. "If you want more, just ask. We have plenty of rations."
Khyla leaned back on one elbow, still munching. "Told you. Best stew on the continent."
She pointed her spoon at Lirae with mock seriousness. "She's not just an best archer with goddess-level accuracy—she's also the reason I haven't died from eating burnt rations."
Lirae laughed gently. "Don't exaggerate."
"I'm not," Khyla replied. "Last time I tried cooking, the fire put itself out in protest."
Caelus grinned. The fire crackled, the mood light, the tension of travel slipping away.
"So…" he said, tilting his head innocently. "Are you two a couple or something?"
The reaction was instant.
Khyla and Lirae both choked, nearly spitting out their food.
Althea, mid-sip of water, nearly snorted.
Lirae coughed, clearly flustered. "No! No, not at all! We're just—good friends."
Khyla nodded quickly. "Yeah, she's like a… teammate. Like a really neat teammate."
Caelus raised his hands, grinning. "Relax, it was just a question."
Lirae, still recovering, smiled softly. "We've known each other for a while. When I first started adventuring, I met Khyla on a bounty run. We ended up traveling together—and it just... stuck."
Khyla added with a smirk, "Mostly because she kept getting into trouble and I had to bail her out."
Lirae gave her a pointed look. "You mean you were the one picking fights in taverns and dragging me into them."Althea, smiling to herself, sipped quietly from her bowl and watched the two with amused eyes.
Lirae, spoon in hand, tilted her head slightly, watching Caelus with calm curiosity.
"What made you think we were a couple?" she asked.
Caelus glanced at her, then at Khyla, and gave an innocent shrug. "I dunno. You two seem close. We've seen you together a lot since the village. You travel well, you banter like pros. Just made sense in my head."
Before Lirae could respond, Khyla smirked and leaned forward, elbows on her knees.
"Huh. That's rich coming from you. We could say the same about you two."
She jabbed her thumb toward Althea and Caelus, a wolfish grin spreading across her face.
Both Caelus and Althea froze.
A full second passed.
"Wh-what!?" Caelus choked on his stew. "W-we're just traveling together!"
Althea whipped around, fire practically in her eyes. "Are you out of your mind?! Him and me? He's rude, loud, clumsy, and completely lacks refinement!"
Caelus sputtered, pointing at her with his spoon. "Says the one who acts like a walking thunderstorm and keeps threatening to smite me!"
Althea threw her hands up. "You constantly complain! And snore! And never listen to me"
"Hey I just gave you straight logics it's not complaining"
Lirae, watching this all with the calm amusement of someone enjoying a stage play, stirred her stew and said gently:
"You know… you two do bicker like an old married couple ". Everything went quiet.
Caelus and Althea paused mid-breath, turned to look at Lirae...And yelled at the exact same time:
"WE ARE NOT!"
Then, without saying another word, both of them dramatically went back to eating, heads down, cheeks burning.
Khyla threw her head back and laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
"By the stars, you two are exhausting—but damn if it isn't fun to watch."
Lirae smiled, serene and ever so slightly smug.
The fire crackled.
Their secrets still lay buried for now, but the warmth between them—awkward, loud, and unexpected—was starting to feel a little like the beginning of something real.
The fire had dimmed to low, glowing embers. The soft night air whispered through the trees, the lake shimmering quietly nearby under the silver gaze of the moon. Dinner was long finished, and the others had begun to settle in. Althea and Lirae worked quietly by the wagon, putting away pots and cloths, their conversation soft and mundane. A few shared glances. A few light chuckles.
Nearby, Caelus approached Khyla, who was still sitting by the fire, arms crossed and eyes scanning the treeline like a hawk.
"You should get some sleep," Caelus said casually.
Khyla snorted, not even turning to look at him. "Please. I've had worse shifts. One night watch won't kill me."
Caelus folded his arms. "Yeah, but grumbling about how stiff your back is in the morning might."
That got a look. Khyla narrowed her eyes at him. "You calling me old?"
He grinned. "Nah. Just saying I'm more charming when I'm tired. You're more stabby."
She cracked a reluctant smirk. "Fine. But if something eats you in the night, I'm not coming back for seconds."
"Noted."
She rolled out her blanket with exaggerated reluctance, grumbling under her breath as she lay down beside the wagon. Before long, Khyla and Lirae were both resting, quiet breathing blending into the sounds of the forest.Caelus sat by the fire, his gaze lost in the flicker of the coals—when he heard the soft crunch of footsteps behind him.
Althea stepped into the light, arms loosely folded, the fire catching golden glints in her hair.
"You're still up?" she asked quietly.
"First watch," Caelus replied, glancing up at her. "Could ask you the same."
Althea shifted slightly. "Just came to check. Make sure you weren't dead. Or asleep on duty."
Caelus smirked, poking at the fire with a stick. "Can't sleep, huh? Ground too rough for your divine tastes?"
Althea raised a brow. "Please. I've fought shadow beasts on volcanic rock. I can handle dirt."
He chuckled, then after a moment, looked sideways at her. "Do you think we should make a team?"
Althea tilted her head. "A team?"
"Yeah," he said softly. "You know…an adventure team, like they have in fantasy world. The work, the travel. The chaos. Might be easier. Might even be… fun."
Althea nodded slowly. "Companions make the world less cruel. The load lighter. And… even chaos feels less sharp when you share it."
Caelus looked at the embers, thoughtful.
"But I don't want to drag anyone into this," he said, voice low. "Not when they don't know what they're walking into. Gods. Rifts. Fallen worlds."
Althea was quiet for a moment. Then she asked gently, "What about them?" Her gaze flicked toward the sleeping forms of Lirae and Khyla.
Caelus hesitated. "…They're good people. Brave. Capable. But part of me…" He clenched his fist a little. "Part of me doesn't want them near what's coming. What we might become part of."
Althea's eyes glowed faintly in the firelight. "And how long will you keep telling lies to the people walking beside you?"
The question landed like a soft blow.
Caelus didn't answer. He just stared into the fire, jaw tight.
Althea sat down beside him, close but not too close. Her voice was quieter now. "You'll never know what they're willing to face unless you stop deciding for them."
A silence stretched between them.
Then Caelus exhaled. A dry laugh followed. "You know… sometimes you actually drop some solid wisdom. Almost makes me forget you called me a peasant when we first met."
Althea smirked faintly. "I only said that because you tripped over a rug during a divine summoning."
Caelus smiled at the fire. The moment lingered.
Then his expression sobered.
"Well," he said quietly, "maybe it's time."
Althea looked at him.
Caelus stared out at the stars, voice steady but soft.
"Time to stop lying. Time to tell them the truth."
And as the embers danced in his eyes, something unspoken passed between them.
Not just resolve.
But trust.