The next morning came in quiet gold.
Mist rolled low over the lake, and the sun peeked shyly through the trees. Veyle stood at the edge of the ruins that used to be Seren's hut, a worn pack slung over his shoulder and a scarf she'd made him wrapped tight around his neck. The frog's blood had long dried, but the stains still clung to the grass nearby, a reminder of what they'd survived.
He turned as Seren emerged from behind the treeline, a bundle of dried herbs in one hand and a curious look in her eyes. She was dressed differently now—warmer clothes, travel-ready. Her fingers moved in swift, graceful signs.
"Ready?"
Veyle smiled and adjusted the strap of his pack.
"Not even close. I think this hospital gown is getting old."
Seren looked confused, tilting her head before she signed.
"Yeah, I always did wonder what you're wearing."
Veyle tugged awkwardly at the hospital gown, shifting uncomfortably. "It's from my world, for when you're... hospitalized." He paused, avoiding her eyes. "It's pretty standard. It's not like it's some kind of fashion statement."
Seren's fingers moved in rapid succession, asking: "Why were you hospitalized?"
Veyle's smile faltered, and his eyes darkened. He scratched at the back of his neck, his voice soft but steady. "Well, I was in a dark place. Did some bad things. You know?"
Seren's eyes softened, but she didn't push further. Instead, she glanced around, thinking quickly.With a determined nod, Seren rushed inside the crumbled remains of the hut. The old, weathered boards creaked beneath her weight as she lifted one corner of the floorboards, revealing a hidden compartment beneath. She tugged open the large basket tucked away inside. The contents spilled out—clothes of all sizes and colors, old and new, patched and torn. Her fingers moved swiftly, sorting through the assortment.
Veyle's curiosity piqued, and he stepped closer, his eyes scanning the pile. He couldn't help but ask, "Why... why do you have all of this?"
With a determined nod, Seren rushed inside the crumbled remains of the hut. The old, weathered boards creaked beneath her weight as she lifted one corner of the floorboards, revealing a hidden compartment beneath. She tugged open the large basket tucked away inside. The contents spilled out—clothes of all sizes and colors, old and new, patched and torn. Her fingers moved swiftly, sorting through the assortment.
Veyle's curiosity piqued, and he stepped closer, his eyes scanning the pile. He couldn't help but ask, "Why... why do you have all of this?"Seren paused and signed, her face flushed a little. "When I was like six, I used to steal clothes to trade for food. Money was hard to come by... and it was better than begging. Sometimes, I'd just find things lying around."
Veyle blinked in understanding and nodded. "Ahh, okay, I get it."
The basket was nearly as tall as Seren and half full with clothes. Veyle leaned over and began to rummage through the pile. He held up a pair of boxers, grinning like a kid finding treasure. "Ahh, I've missed not being exposed!" he said, slipping them on under his gown.
Seren stifled a quiet giggle, a soft smile tugging at her lips,whilst looking away.
Veyle stood there, feeling more comfortable now. He turned to Seren. "Hey, Seren... could you wait out in the forest for me? I dont want you watching!"
Seren nodded, her hands moving easily to sign "Sure." She turned and headed toward the treeline, disappearing into the trees with the quiet grace of someone used to solitude.
Once Seren was out of sight, Veyle rummaged through the basket, eventually finding and putting on a gray cloak from the basket, along with a pair of black trousers and a long-sleeved black shirt. The fabric was rough against his skin, but it felt like an upgrade after the strange gown. He dressed quickly, adjusting the clothes to his liking before pausing and glancing down at the outfit.
"Not bad... definitely better than that gown," he muttered to himself. The gray cloak draped over his shoulders, and the black trousers fit snugly.
He couldn't help but smile, though there was a tinge of nervousness in his chest. He didn't know where they were heading yet—but at least he wasn't walking around like a walking hospital patient, anymore.
Veyle entered the forest, the smile on his face growing as he breathed in the crisp morning air. The trees stood tall and silent around him, their ancient trunks rising like guardians of forgotten paths. The forest felt alive, the faint rustling of leaves whispering secrets to those who would listen.
He moved with purpose, but there was a lightness in his steps now—something he hadn't felt in a long time. The weight of the past, the darkness that had once clung to him, was still there, but it was fading. With each step he took, it seemed to loosen its grip on him. He didn't know if it was the new clothes, the promise of something different, or the simple act of moving forward—but he liked the feeling.
As he passed between the trees, his eyes wandered up to the sky, barely visible through the canopy, and the light that filtered through. His heart felt a little lighter, his thoughts a little clearer.
Seren was still a few paces ahead, waiting, watching him with curiosity in her eyes. When she saw him, she signed something.
"Are the clothes comfortable?"
Veyle's smile grew.
"yeah Just... getting used to them" he murmured, more to himself than to her. But she caught the words, her sharp eyes catching the tone of something different in them.
hours passed.
The sun hung low now, its warm rays filtering through the leaves in long golden spears. Seren walked just ahead, her steps lighter than before, but even Veyle could tell—she was dragging.
She blinked slowly, her posture a little slouched, and the rhythm of her steps had fallen into something less like walking and more like stubborn forward momentum.
"You okay up there?" Veyle called, hands behind his head, casually strolling with a stick he'd picked up and was now using to whack bushes with questionable purpose.
Seren didn't stop walking, but her hand rose slowly and signed a simple word.
"Tired."
Veyle raised a brow. "Tired already? You're not gonna collapse on me, right? I'd have to carry you, and I already carry enough emotional baggage."
That earned him a faint exhale from Seren. It wasn't quite a laugh, but it was something.
He sped up a little, catching pace beside her. "Hey, I was thinking—maybe we should stop for today? Set up camp or something?"
Seren paused mid-step. She turned to look at him with a mix of relief and appreciation in her tired eyes. Her hands moved slowly this time.
"Yes. That... would be nice."
"Cool," Veyle said, scanning the surroundings. "This spot's not bad. Got some trees, flat ground, nature probably won't try to kill us."
He looked around dramatically, nodding to himself. "Ten out of ten. Would almost die here again."
Seren gave him a long, silent stare, then shook her head and began clearing a spot beneath a tree, brushing aside fallen leaves and broken twigs.
Veyle tossed his pack down beside hers and stretched with a loud, theatrical groan. "Ahh, camping in the great unknown… just like the survival books said! Step one: find shelter. Step two: build fire. Step three: get eaten by a bear."
Seren flicked a pebble at him.
he two worked in rhythm, clearing branches, tying ropes between trees, and laying down some dried leaves for a floor. Seren, focused and quiet as always, pulled something from her bundle—a thin roll of translucent material.
Veyle squinted as she unrolled it and began fastening it between two trees. The sheen of it caught the last light of the sun.
"Wait a second," he said, walking closer. "Is that… plastic?"
Seren nodded, not breaking her pace. She slipped her hands into a practiced motion—fastening the corners, smoothing the sheet, securing it down.
Veyle crouched beside her, touching the sheet with his fingers. It crinkled faintly, just like the synthetic tarp he remembered from back home. "Hold up—your world has plastic? I thought we were doing the whole medieval swords-and-magic vibe."
Seren shrugged and signed casually.
"It's scavenged. From ruins. Traders bring strange things sometimes."
He leaned back on his hands, baffled but impressed. "Okay, wow. I take it back. This place has everything. Monsters, magic, weird frogs… and now plastic tarps. Amazing."
Seren signed again, pausing to give him a look.
"Useful, isn't it?"
"Extremely," Veyle said, nodding. "This beats sleeping under wet leaves or tree roots like some tragic fantasy side character."
Together, they finished the structure. The plastic sheet formed a slanted roof between two trees, anchored with sticks and cord. The little hut wasn't perfect, but it kept the wind off and gave just enough cover to feel secure.
As night settled in, Veyle sat just under the edge of the shelter, watching the stars wink into view. The trees framed the sky above like cathedral arches. Behind him, Seren adjusted a folded cloak and sat down quietly.
"...You ever build something like this before?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
She nodded once, her hands slow as she signed.
"When I was alone."
Veyle looked forward again, pulling the scarf around his neck a little tighter. "Well. You're not alone this time! Y'know!"
There was a pause. Seren didn't respond in signs—but she sat a little closer after that.
The night deepened around them.
Their small shelter stood quiet beneath the trees, a dim silhouette barely distinguishable against the forest. The wind had settled, leaving only the occasional rustle of branches and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. The stars shimmered high above, their light gently filtering through the leaves.
Inside the hut, Veyle lay on his side, using his rolled-up cloak as a pillow. His eyes were half-lidded, watching the glow of the stars through the gaps in the plastic tarp. Every so often, the plastic crinkled with the wind, but it was comforting—like a lullaby made of distant memories.
Seren sat nearby, knees pulled to her chest, arms wrapped around them. Her silver hair caught what little moonlight crept in, giving her an almost ghostly glow. She looked out into the forest for a while longer, her eyes scanning the darkness with a quiet unease, before finally letting herself relax.
She shifted, settling down beside Veyle—still not too close, but closer than before.
Veyle's voice came soft, barely a whisper. "You okay?"
Seren nodded once and gave a small sign with her hand in the dim light.
"Safe."
"Yeah," he murmured, eyes beginning to close. "Safe for now."
Silence fell between them again, peaceful this time. The air was cool, the ground hard but tolerable, and for the first time in a while, there was nothing chasing them. No fire. No blood. No screaming. Just the gentle hush of the world continuing on without them.
Veyle let out a long breath, and sleep crept in at the edges of his thoughts. "Goodnight, Seren."
She signed back slowly, eyes already closing.
"Goodnight."
And then, the forest kept watch over them both—as they drifted into dreams under the veil of the lost world.