Night had begun to fall, and the sky above turned a deep violet, speckled with the first stars of the evening. The trio had been walking the entire day—through forests, across golden fields, and along winding mountain trails. Their bodies ached, and their minds were heavy with the events of the day—especially the discovery of the fourth sacred object, now resting in Leon's possession.
"We should rest here," Yun Lan suggested, glancing at the open clearing surrounded by low trees and soft grass. "It's safe… enough."
Leon nodded silently, stepping into the clearing and dropping the makeshift pack he carried on his back. It wasn't exactly a backpack—more like a cloth-wrapped bundle with leather straps they had picked up from a remote village days ago. Still, it had served them well, storing extra clothes, dried herbs, and a few necessities—including the foldable bedding they now laid on the ground.
Arin yawned as he helped gather dry wood and twigs. "I'll find more branches," he mumbled, clearly tired but still eager to help.
Leon started the fire, his strong hands striking flint over dried moss until the flames slowly came to life. Soon, warmth spread through the camp as the fire crackled and danced in the darkening night.
As the beds were laid out—thick padded cloths more than anything else—Arin stood still for a moment, staring nervously at the edges of the woods.
Yun Lan noticed. "What's wrong?" she asked gently.
"I…" Arin hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can I sleep next to Leon tonight?"
Leon raised a brow. "What?"
Arin looked down, embarrassed. "I just… after what happened today… that lightning, and the wind, and all that power... I'm still shaken. I don't want to be too far from you both."
Yun Lan looked at Leon, giving him a knowing smile. "Let him. He's just scared. After all, he's still a kid."
Leon sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but gave in with a reluctant grunt. "Fine. But don't kick me in your sleep."
With a small smile of relief, Arin curled up close beside Leon, resting his head on the cloth pillow they shared. The fire flickered across his innocent features, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.
Leon laid his sword beside him, never too far from reach, then glanced at Yun Lan across the small flame. He gave a small nod and gestured with his hand for her to come closer.
She tilted her head. "What?"
"Come here," he said softly. "It's cold. You'll sleep better next to me."
Yun Lan hesitated for a second, her heart fluttering unexpectedly. But she walked over slowly and knelt beside him.
By the time she reached him, Arin had already drifted off, one leg thrown over Leon's and one hand resting heavily on his chest like a possessive child.
Leon stared down at the boy in disbelief. "He's using me as a pillow."
Yun Lan laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "Looks like he trusts you."
Leon scoffed, but there was a flicker of something fond in his eyes. "He's like a child ."
She started to shift away, giving them space, but Leon caught her hand and pulled her down gently beside him.
"Where are you going?" he asked quietly, his voice low and warm.
"I didn't want to crowd you…" she murmured, but she didn't resist.
"You're not crowding me." He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
Yun Lan's breath hitched for a moment, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she lay beside him, her back against his chest. His arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. The weight of the day finally began to lift.
She sighed contentedly, listening to the rhythm of the fire, the sounds of Arin's light breathing, and Leon's steady heartbeat.
"Do you think we're getting closer?" she whispered after a while.
"To what?" Leon asked, his voice husky with fatigue.
"To the way home. We've found four of the ten sacred objects already. Maybe... maybe this will really work."
Leon was quiet for a moment before answering. "It will work. I'll make sure of it. I'll get you and Arin back. Even if I have to carry the rest of the world on my shoulders."
Yun Lan turned slightly, enough to look up at him. His eyes were fierce and unwavering, but there was something gentle in the way he looked at her.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't thank me yet," he replied. "We're not out of danger. Not by a long shot."
As silence settled over them once more, Yun Lan closed her eyes, feeling safe—something she hadn't truly felt in a long time.
But just beyond the edge of the trees, in the shadows where the firelight did not reach, something moved.
A flicker of a cloak.
A glint of something metallic.
Eyes, watching.
Whoever—or whatever—it was, it made no sound. It simply observed, cloaked in the darkness, unseen by the sleeping trio. The wind rustled the leaves gently, and then the presence disappeared as quietly as it had come.
But the night was not as empty as they believed.
Leon slept with his arm still around Yun Lan, the sword within reach, and a peaceful expression on his usually guarded face. Arin, nestled between them like a small barrier of warmth and innocence, snored lightly—completely unaware of the threat that had watched from the shadows.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
New dangers.
But tonight, they had warmth.
They had each other.
And under the vast canvas of stars, with the fourth sacred object now in their possession, they had hope.
To be continued...
What do you think that will happen in chapter 42?
More danger, more secrets and Yun Lan will awaken power in her body, the person who was watching them will appear in chapter 42.
If you want to support me send me power stone this helps me much.
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