The mist had swallowed Andrew, leaving only the echo of his threat behind. For a long while, no one dared move. Survivors clung to each other inside the faint glow of Nia's wards, their breath ragged, hearts pounding from the weight of an aura that had nearly broken them.
An old man leaned heavily on his staff, his knees trembling. "That… that was no man. Shadows clung to him like armor. If the boy hadn't stood—" His voice cracked, and he fell silent.
A woman pulled her daughter closer, kissing the child's hair. "Did you see? He burned like fire and cut like water. He faced that monster… and didn't falter."
The child peeked from her mother's arms, eyes wide. "Mama… was he the one who saved us last night too?"
"Yes," the woman whispered, voice breaking with relief. "Him… and the lady with the silver light. We'd be ash without them."
By the collapsed cart, two men argued in hushed tones. One spat on the ground, his eyes still locked on where Andrew had vanished. "Mark my words, that corrupted bastard will come back. He'll bring ruin worse than this."
The other shook his head stubbornly. "Then let him try. Did you not see? Andy's blade drew his blood. Even monsters bleed when he cuts them. That means he can be beaten."
The whispers rippled outward, mixing awe with fear, doubt with hope. Slowly, eyes turned toward Andy, still standing in the square with his blades lowered, chest heaving, sweat streaking soot down his face. His silhouette was framed by the ruin of the village, smoke curling behind him, Nia at his side anchoring him like a star that refused to dim.
A boy no older than ten crept forward from the crowd. His hands were dirty, clutching a pebble worn smooth from the river. He stopped halfway, trembling, then shouted in a voice that cracked from both fear and courage:
"You're not cursed! You're our shield!"
Silence followed, then a murmur of agreement rose like embers catching wind. "Our shield…" "Our protector…" "Hope."
The system chimed softly in Andy's mind, though none but he and Nia heard it.
[Hidden Reputation Event Triggered]
[Title Acquired: Shield of Ash]
[Passive Effect: Survivors' Morale +20% when fighting beside you]
[Bond Progress: +2%]
[Current Bond: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 32%]
Andy lowered his head, a small, weary smile tugging at his lips. He hadn't asked for their faith. But now, standing in their eyes, he carried it all the same.
Nia's hand brushed lightly against his, grounding him. "See?" she murmured. "To them… you're not fire waiting to consume. You're the flame that keeps them alive."
For the first time since the ember's awakening, Andy believed her.
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