Starless Nights

"Weak. Uncoordinated. Overconfident," replied Kiera flatly, not bothering to sugarcoat her assessment.

"Yeah, I agree," added Vael. "They've been in fights, sure. But survival? That's another story. They don't know what it's like to have only your sword to rely on."

"Well, isn't that the most accurate summary we've ever heard?" Lucia said with a dry chuckle. "And you're right. Most of them aren't even awakened. Actually, none of them are—except for us two and that guy with the rat. Kael."

"He's our… lead scout," said Drako, a rare hint of hesitation creeping into his otherwise composed tone.

"Anyway," continued Lucia, "the point is, the other six are practically kids when it comes to real combat. They'll be dead weight in any serious fight."

"That's why we need you two at the frontlines the whole trip," she said, tone shifting to something more serious. "You're our heaviest hitters. You work flawlessly together. You know how to survive."

Lucia crossed her arms and leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. "We're trusting you two not to disappear the moment something above your pay grade shows up."

Vael raised an eyebrow. "That's what you're worried about?"

Drako spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "We've seen seasoned fighters run the other way when something beyond them appears. We're not accusing you, just… stating the risks."

Kiera gave a short, dry laugh. "Trust me, if we wanted to desert, we wouldn't have stayed in that cursed forest for three months."

Lucia nodded, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "Good. Because whether you like it or not, this trip's going to be dangerous. And if things go south, we're going to need people we can count on to hold the line."

"But," Drako added, glancing between the two, "don't get too cocky either. You're strong, no doubt. But these mountains?" He tapped the table with a knuckle. "They're something else entirely. Twisting paths, weather that changes on a whim, and beasts that don't care what stage you're at."

"And if you do run," Lucia said, almost casually, "good luck getting out without us. We're your only way through the Driven Alps. Without Drako and me, you'll be walking in circles until something eats you."

Vael gave a lopsided smile. "Noted. Don't worry—if we die, we'll die useful."

"Comforting," muttered Drako, clearly unimpressed.

Lucia chuckled. "Alright, get going. Noon isn't far off. Be ready to move when the time comes."

The pair nodded and stepped out of the room, the unspoken weight of the coming journey settling firmly on their shoulders.

Since they were already prepared, the duo decided to explore the rebels' camp.

To be honest, it was… sad.

Tents were a rare luxury — most people slept directly on the ground, using natural barriers or crumbling walls as makeshift shelter. Those fortunate enough to own tents were likely the few awakened in the group.

The camp was centered in the heart of the ruined town, clustered loosely around the old inn. The air felt heavy, not just from dust or smoke, but from fatigue, from loss.

There were almost no women or children around, though they did eventually spot a small group off to the side.

With nothing better to do, they approached.

As the women noticed them, they straightened immediately. A quiet tension filled the air — they could feel it. These weren't just travelers. These were predators cloaked in human skin. Monsters, if need be.

But the children… the children didn't know.

Unaware of who the newcomers were, five kids — all around six to ten years old — came running up to them with excited grins, happy to see new faces.

The youngest, a brown-haired boy, was bursting with energy, running circles around Kiera without a care in the world.

The oldest, a healthy girl with twin ponytails, hung back a little, eyes cautious, scanning every movement the strangers made.

Two more — a boy and girl who looked like twins — reminded Vael painfully of his own siblings. The boy was loud, constantly asking questions, but not rude. The girl, quiet, watchful, always standing slightly behind.

And finally, there was one more. A girl with ragged clothes, dirt-smudged skin, and eyes far too dull for someone her age. She stuck out like a sore thumb — not because of her clothes, but because of how invisible she seemed.

Forgotten.

Like no one had truly spoken to her in days.

Vael and Kiera split up momentarily, the kids and women conversing more easily with the latter.

Apparently, Vael's bloodied bandages, which covered half his face, made him less approachable than the gloomy demoness he called his friend.

But that didn't matter, because one of the kids didn't join the group.

One of the kids just stared at Vael with quiet interest.

The Last Girl.

She stood silently, eyeing him like someone who had learned not to trust what she saw so easily.

Vael walked up to her.

"Hi. What's your name?" he asked.

She remained silent for a while longer, then finally answered, "Ash."

Vael crouched down, studied her for a moment, and said, "You've been through a lot. They treating you alright here?"

She nodded slowly — almost hesitantly.

"Well, nice to meet you, Ash. I'm Vael."

As he was "talking" to the little girl, Vael was also having an internal conversation with Kiera.

"Kiera, we should bring her with us. Before you say no, just know that I wouldn't make her join us out of pity. After all, she's dead weight. But, there's already six of them, what's one more?" said Vael, trying to convince his partner to add one more person to their party.

"Are you insane! What's the point? Don't tell me you feel guilty about your siblings, so you're trying to save her to make up for it." replied Kiera.

"You think this is about guilt?" Vael's voice was quiet, but sharp.

"I've lived with guilt. This isn't that. This is about a kid who won't survive if we leave her here."He looked away.

Kiera, still surrounded by the women and children, went silent mid-sentence.

That struck a chord.

She remembered.

The loneliness.

The darkness.

The helplessness of knowing no one was coming.

She'd given up long ago — on sunlight, on hope, on being human.

Back then, she had accepted that her fate was sealed. That her story ended in a cage.

But Vael had shattered that ending.

He gave her a second chance.

He gave her freedom.

And now, staring at the small, broken girl who reminded her too much of herself…

She realized she couldn't ignore that pain.

Not again.

Not this time.

Kiera exhaled slowly, then replied through their mental link.

"…Alright. But she stays close to me. If she's coming, she's not a burden — she's ours."

Vael allowed himself a small smile.

"Deal."

The whole conversation took less than five seconds.

After that, they each went back to their own discussions — Kiera with the women and children, Vael with the silent girl who stood apart from them all.

Now that he had Kiera's agreement, it was time for the harder part.

Convincing Ash.