A black carriage tore through the forest along the beaten paths beneath faint moonlight.
Inside was lit by the soft glow of mana-stone lamps.
Nico sat rigidly on one side of the carriage with both hands wrapped around the shotgun, the bracelet back on his wrist, and a face still faintly red.
Across from him sat Amaya with her posture straight despite the fatigue clearly weighing on her shoulders.
Nom-Nom occupied the space beside Nico, eyes wide as she leaned forward, peering out the window, then at the lamps, then at the carriage walls as if trying to memorize everything at once.
Peko sat silently beside Amaya, back straight, and eyes closed as if sleeping.
"I'm sorry," Nico said suddenly with a strained smile. "I mean… I-"
"It's fine," Amaya cut in, "I didn't help my case either."
