Sylvana had her friends land at the base of one of the mountains below. Her heart beat rapidly as they touched down.
They had managed to get out of the colliding ice walls without injury. But she worried if the second would draw closer to them. The strange walls of cold air weren't stagnant. It made them think that a mage or maybe a mythical creature truly was behind them. But why?
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Alright, everyone. Let's set up camp here for now. My friends need to rest."
Sylvana undid her summoning spell, and the phoenix and griffin shimmered before disappearing into the ether. The sudden absence of their warm presence made the cold air feel even more biting.
Kite stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You did great out there, Sylvana. We wouldn't have made it without you."
She managed a small smile, appreciating his support. "Thanks, Kite. But we all did our part. Now, let's get this camp set up to warm our bodies up a little."
Liliana, still shivering slightly, nodded in agreement. "I'll gather some firewood. We'll need a good fire to keep warm tonight."
Elian and Ludo began unpacking their supplies, setting up tents and laying out bedrolls. Sylvana focused on creating a makeshift fire pit, using stones to form a circle. Kite joined her, using his fire magic to ignite the kindling.
As the fire crackled to life, its warmth spread through the camp, providing a much-needed reprieve from the cold. Sylvana sat down beside the fire, feeling its heat seep into her bones. The others joined her, forming a circle around the flames.
Ludo broke the silence, his voice thoughtful. "Those ice walls... they weren't natural. Someone or something is behind them. But what could their purpose be?"
Sylvana stared into the fire, her mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know. But we need to be prepared for anything. If there's a mage or a creature behind this, they might not take kindly to us crossing through their territory."
Liliana, who had returned with an armful of firewood, added her thoughts. "Maybe they're trying to keep something hidden. Or maybe it's a way to deter travelers from going further. Either way, we need to stay vigilant."
Elian nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed. We'll need to keep watch tonight. I'll take the first shift."
Sylvana appreciated Elian's dedication. "Thanks, Elian. Liliana and I will take the second shift."
Kite and Ludo volunteered for the remaining shifts, ensuring that someone would always be on guard throughout the night. With their watch schedule set, the group settled in for a meal, sharing stories and laughter to lighten the mood.
As the night came and deepened, the fire crackled softly, casting a warm, flickering light over the camp. Sylvana found herself watching Kite as he tended to the flames, his face illuminated by the fire's glow. She couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and admiration for him. They had faced so many challenges together, and his unwavering support meant more to her than she could express.
Her heart skipped a beat when Kite turned and caught her gaze. For a moment, the world seemed to slow down, and the sounds of the camp faded into the background. Sylvana's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her cloak.
"Everything okay?" Kite asked, his voice gentle and filled with concern.
Sylvana nodded, trying to compose herself. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just... thinking about the journey ahead."
Kite moved closer, sitting down beside her. The proximity made her heart race even more, and she could feel the warmth of his presence. "It's going to be tough, but I know we can handle it. We've got a strong team."
Sylvana smiled, her eyes meeting his once more. "I know. And I'm glad you're with us, Kite. You've always been there when we needed you."
Kite's expression softened, and for a moment, Sylvana thought she saw something more in his eyes, something deeper. "We're all in this together, Sylvana. I wouldn't have it any other way."
The fire crackled between them, filling the silence with its comforting warmth. Sylvana felt a surge of emotions, a mixture of gratitude, admiration, and something more. She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, how his presence gave her strength, but the words caught in her throat.
Instead, she reached out and placed her hand on his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Kite. For everything."
Kite's eyes widened slightly at the touch, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he returned the gesture, his fingers curling around hers. "Anytime, Sylvana. We're in this together."
The moment lingered, filled with unspoken words and emotions. Sylvana's heart ached with the desire to be closer to him, to share her feelings, but she knew now wasn't the time. The journey ahead demanded their focus and strength, and she couldn't afford to let her emotions get in the way.
With a soft sigh, she reluctantly pulled her hand away, giving him a reassuring smile. "I should get some rest. We've got a long day ahead of us."
Kite nodded, though his golden eyes held a lingering warmth. "You're right. Goodnight, Sylvana."
"Goodnight, Kite," she replied, feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions as she watched him walk back to his log to keep watch.
As she settled into her own tent, Sylvana couldn't help but replay the moment in her mind, the warmth of his touch and the depth of his gaze. She knew her feelings for him ran deep, but she felt Liliana also had feelings for him. For now, she would keep them to herself. The journey to Auroria was just beginning, and they needed to be united and focused.
With a heavy heart and a mind filled with thoughts of Kite, Sylvana closed her eyes, letting the warmth of Kite's kind words lull her to sleep.
The road ahead was uncertain. Their unplanned detour thanks to the ice wall was a reminder of that. But she drew strength from the knowledge that they would face it together, side by side. Not just Kite and her, but the others too.