The forest was torn apart.
Trees lay snapped like bones, bark peeled away where the beast had scraped past them. The ground was churned into mud and claw marks, deep enough to swallow a boot. Steam rose from Mû's body as it backed away, breath coming out in heavy, uneven bursts.
The creature was still enormous.
Still dangerous.
But it was hurt.
One wing dragged uselessly through the dirt, feathers matted dark with blood. Its bear-like frame hunched low, muscles trembling as it tried to keep balance.
Lyla stepped forward.
Her grip tightened on her sword. Valor stirred in her chest— roaring, blazing and settling, like iron sinking into place. This was the moment warriors lived for. The last strike. The end.
She raised her blade.
Laxyie moved.
He stepped between her and the beast.
"Don't," he said.
Lyla froze. She turned slowly, disbelief written plain across her face.
"…Move."
"No."
Her eyes narrowed. "It's wounded."
"I know."
"Then get out of my way."
Laxyie didn't raise his weapon. He didn't even look tense. His eyes were fixed on the beast instead, watching the way it shifted its weight, the way it was already searching for escape.
"Killing it wasn't the mission," he said.
Lyla scoffed. "Since when do you care about missions?"
"Since it matters and the girl is safe."
She took another step forward, forcing him to give ground—or be cut down with the beast. Valor crept higher, pressure rolling off her like heat.
"That wing alone could set us up for months," she said. "You know that."
"I do."
"Then why are you stopping me?"
Laxyie finally looked at her calmly
"Because this is enough."
Her jaw clenched. "You don't get to decide that."
He met her stare without flinching.
"I do," he said quietly. "Because I'm your friend."
The word hung between them.
Lyla's breath caught—just for a moment. Her sword wavered, barely, but enough. Valor hesitated, like a blade held an inch from skin.
"…Don't," she muttered. "Don't say it like that."
"I'm not trying to convince you," Laxyie replied. "I'm just telling you."
Behind them, Mû growled low in its throat. The beast took a slow step back, then another, claws scraping against stone and root.
Lyla stared at it, chest rising and falling.
She could still do it.
One step. One strike.
End it.
Instead, she lowered her sword.
"Next time," she said flatly, eyes never leaving the beast, "I won't stop."
Laxyie nodded. "Fair."
Mû didn't wait.
With a heavy lurch, it turned and crashed into the trees, snapping branches as it fled deeper into the forest. The sound faded slowly, swallowed by distance and shadow.
Silence returned.
Lyla exhaled through her nose and rolled her shoulders, the weight of Valor easing off her frame. "You're a problem," she said.
"So I've been told."
She gave him a sideways look. "You're lucky I like problems."
Only then did Laxyie turn back.
The girl was still where he'd left her, pressed against a fallen tree, eyes wide and steady. Mud streaked her clothes, and her hands shook, but she hadn't cried.
He walked over and crouched. "You're safe."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Is it gone?"
"Yes."
"…You didn't kill it."
"No."
She studied him for a moment, then looked past him at Lyla. "Thank you."
Laxyie offered his hand. She took it, gripping tight as he helped her stand.
"What's your name?" Lyla asked, voice calmer now.
"Elisa," the girl said. "I'm Elisa."
"Alright, Elisa," Laxyie said. "We're taking you back to Selam."
The walk out of the forest was quiet.
Lyla took the lead, senses sharp. Laxyie stayed close to Elisa, slowing when she tired, steadying her when roots caught her feet. The forest no longer pressed in, but it didn't feel friendly either—just watching.
After a while, Elisa spoke.
"You stopped her," she said softly.
Laxyie glanced down. "Stopped who?"
"The warrior."
He smiled faintly. "She doesn't stop easily."
"…Why did you?"
He thought for a moment. "Because we already won."
The road appeared by dusk.
Selam was still far, its lights faint on the horizon, but the danger had passed. Lyla stretched her arms and let out a tired breath.
"You should stop drawing lines where the kill is given, us warriors we live for that," she said to Laxyie.
"Someone has to."
She snorted. "That's going to cost you."
"Maybe."
They kept walking.
Salem was just ahead