Scene: Campfire — Nightfall on the floating isles of Solareth
Solareth's double moons drape over the group, bathing the floating jungle in silver-blue light. There is the soft crackle of a campfire burning, kindled by laughter, warmth, and the infrequent brush with peace.
Kris (smiling):
You actually screamed at a bird?
Jessica (defensive):
It had red eyes and dive-bombed me. You can't tell me that's normal!
Zagan grins, eating charred fruit slowly. Even Vinam, whose face is as calm as stone, allows a gentle smile to creep onto his mouth.
Jessica (gasps):
"Oh my gods. You did see that? He smiled! Write that down!"
Vinam (sarcastically):
Enjoy the moment. It will never return.
They all laugh together once again. For the first time in years, they actually are a team.
---
But then—
Zagan's eyes open wide. The world starts to warp. The fire slows down, laughter becomes long echoes.
He sees it all. happening again.
The same fire.
The same jokes.
Those same smiles.
Over and over again. The same night repeating in a loop.
Zagan (thought):
No… I've been there. I've seen this before. Haven't I?
He slowly rotates his head. His eyes fall on Vinam.
Something in him tightens. For an instant, only, his eyes harden — eyes full of unspoken distrust.
But then, just as suddenly, he relaxes. He conceals it with a relaxed smile and looks back towards the fire.
---
Scene Shift — Midnight
The jungle sleeps. Mist rolls across the floating island like waves.
Vinam's eyes shoot open.
He stands up in silence. Slings The Blooming Destroyer on his back and leaves camp, boots crunching softly over rocky trail.
He approaches a cave — carved in the side of an adjacent cliff, walls gently glowing with ancient glyphs.
He enters.
Inside, the air is cold. Still. Echoes ripple abnormally.
And then—a voice.
> "You waste your time with them.".
Vinam tenses. He doesn't answer.
> "They'll never understand you. They're weak. Broken. You carry a power they fear."
> You should be feared.
Vinam (whisperingly):
They are not the enemy.
Aren't they? How long until they turn on you? Betray you… like the others did?
> You know what needs to be done. Ruinbloom is the answer.
Vinam grips the hilt of his sword, jaw clenched. He doesn't respond.
> "Kill them. Before they become what you fear."
---
Hidden from sight, Zagan stands behind a shattered boulder at the mouth of the cave, covered in shadows.
He looks at Vinam — sees him speaking to no one. Silence responds to Vinam out loud, but to Zagan, one can feel it. The air tension is not usual.
Zagan (reflection):
He's. talking to something. Something bad. And he doesn't even know I'm here.
---
Abruptly, out of nowhere, a horrific demon appears before the cave entrance. It is a writhing mass of black tendrils and sharp bone, red eyes burning with hunger.
It pounces on Vinam from the back and growls—
But Vinam doesn't budge.
In a single movement, his hand shoots to his back—pulling Ruinbloom.
The blade ignites with a violent blood-red aura, darker than shadow, brighter than fire.
Vinam turns.
Single slash.
The demon won't die. It just goes out of existence — erased, wiped from existence itself. No body. No scream. Nothing.
---
Zagan steps back, his eyes wide with shock, breathing in shallow gasps.
> Zagan (inner voice):
That's. not Heavenbloom.
It's something else…
It's pure destruction.
He sits quietly, patiently, his heart pounding.
---
Scene: Return to Camp
Later that night…
The campfire has burned out fully. Kris and Jessica remain fast asleep.
Zagan is awake, eyes wide open, gazing at the stars. His mind is in turmoil. Footsteps. Vinam returns quietly. His cloak is a bit frayed from the cave winds. He sits again by the fire. He doesn't talk. Zagan doesn't either. He just looks on… across the fires. ---
assistant
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