The journey back felt longer.
Not because the path had changed—
But because they had.
The same forest stretched around them, the same narrow trail guiding their steps, the same fading light filtering through the trees.
And yet—
Everything felt different.
Silence walked with them.
Not the earlier silence of tension or danger—
But one of thought.
Of weight.
Of questions that had no immediate answers.
No one spoke much.
The excitement that once filled the group at the beginning of the mission had completely vanished. There were no eager voices, no careless remarks, no light-hearted exchanges.
That part of them had been left behind—
Somewhere in that clearing.
In its place—
Was something quieter.
Heavier.
Uncertain.
At the front—
Duryodhana walked as he always did.
Straight.
Steady.
Unwavering.
His posture had not changed.
His steps were as firm as ever.
But within—
His mind was far from still.
It moved constantly.
Replaying everything.
The beasts.
