Rain poured steadily as Hanase finally spoke.
"She's… barely alive."
She smiled as she said it.
Relief washed over them. Arin's legs gave out and he fell to his knees, exhaustion crashing down all at once. Still, he smiled — wide, unguarded. One by one, the tension left their faces. They sat together as the rain slowed, then stopped entirely, the clouds breaking just enough to let the world breathe again.
Hours passed.
They ate, laughed, and talked as they waited for Askiro to wake. For the first time in what felt like forever, Arin felt joy — real, uncomplicated joy.
Askiro stirred.
Her eyes opened to the sight of everyone gathered together, eating and talking like nothing had been lost. Leiofa noticed her first.
"Oh," he said casually, "you're awake. Join us."
She stood, still unsteady. Arin crossed the distance in an instant and pulled her into the group. She smiled, and the night carried on with laughter beneath the open sky.
Arin woke before the others the next morning.
He quietly prepared breakfast, careful not to wake anyone. When no one stirred, he decided to scout the nearby mountain instead. By the time he returned an hour later, the others were finally up and eating.
"I just came back from scouting," Arin said. "And you know what?"
Leiofa glanced at him, uninterested. "What."
"I saw a horde of sand lizards."
Every face lit up instantly.
High-quality meat.
Hanase set her food down and stood, already reaching for her sword.
"Then what are you waiting for? They might run."
Weapons clattered to the ground as everyone scrambled up.
Neblaheim shrugged. "The breakfast wasn't even good. I don't feel bad."
Hugurou and Askiro nodded in agreement.
They took off toward the dunes.
"I will never cook for you again!" Arin shouted after them.
arin whispered "i will never let my friends suffer anymore... even if i have to in their place"