Chapter 2 - CHAPTER 2 – The Man Named Riven

Elara awoke to faint warmth on her face. Morning light filtered through cracks in the cave ceiling, shifting like liquid gold. For a moment she forgot where she was—until her ankle throbbed. And until she saw him. The wild man sat cross-legged a few feet away, holding a handful of berries cupped in his palms. He wasn't staring at her—he was studying her, quietly, patiently, as if waiting to see what she would do upon waking. Their eyes met. He blinked slowly and extended the berries to her. Elara pushed herself up with caution. "For me?" He didn't understand the words, but he repeated the gesture with a soft grunt. She took a berry, sniffed it. He seemed to catch her hesitation, because he immediately popped one into his own mouth, chewing with an earnest, almost proud expression—as if saying, See? Safe. Elara couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Thank you." He tilted his head, listening to the sound of her voice rather than the meaning. She touched her chest. "Elara." He watched her hand, then her face, then said softly, "El…ah." Close enough. Then he touched his own chest. "Riven." There it was—his name. Raw, rough, but spoken with certainty. Elara repeated, "Riven." His eyes brightened the slightest bit, a flicker of warmth breaking through the guarded storm-grey. He motioned to her ankle next. She tried to stand—bad idea. Pain shot up her leg, and she stumbled. Riven caught her instantly, arms strong and steady around her. The closeness startled her, but what startled her more was the way he froze, as if her pain hurt him too. He lowered her back onto the furs, expression firm. Then, in halting, careful English—words she must have said many times last night—he murmured, "…Stay." Elara's breath caught. He learned that word for her. "I can't stay forever," she whispered. "I need to find my way out." Riven didn't understand the sentence, but he understood the tone. His expression darkened—not anger, but something protective. Something afraid. He moved to the cave entrance and mimicked the outside world with gestures—trees, paths, something dangerous. Then he pressed a hand to his chest, then to hers. Stay safe. Stay here. I protect. Elara's heart twisted unexpectedly. Who had he been before this forest claimed him? How long had he been alone? And why did he look at her like she was the first human he had seen in years? Riven stepped outside, glancing back at her once. Only once. Then he disappeared into the trees, silent as the forest itself. Elara exhaled shakily. She didn't know why the forest wanted her lost. She didn't know what dangers hid between its twisted roots. But she knew one thing: Riven. His name lingered in her mind like an echo. And somehow, she knew—he was the reason she was still alive.