Benny sat next to Roya, who didn’t flinch or give him any harsh looks. He rested his hand on her knee and looked off into the distance with her.
So much had happened lately, and Seda had learned a lot about herself and her world. She realized she had not only discovered that surge of power inside her but also found her voice, restored her diminished confidence, and gained the potential to become the person Kalon had pretended to see.
She was Seda, not just a girl with white hair and pale eyes who endured trauma, but a woman who was healing, brave, and loyal—and she loved herself.
The sun was risingas Seda opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep leaning against Elco, but not before she ducked behind him to change out her stupid cloth from Kalon, and his front paw had pulled her closer for the night. She reached up and played with a strand of his mane that was tickling her face. He purred, and the vibrations ran through her body.
“What will you say to the Wisps?” Elco asked her, pulling her out of her continuous murderous thoughts about the two men and back to the Wisps.
Seda had trouble sleeping, lying awake late, and thinking about the questions she wanted to ask them. She had no idea where to start or if questions were even allowed.
What exactly did the Wisps look like? Were they large creatures?
“I honestly don’t know,” she replied with a sigh.
They stayed silent as Seda wove a few small braids through his mane, savoring each other’s peaceful company until her friends started waking up.
That night, Benny had fallen asleep with Roya held tightly in his arms. The two of them looked so peaceful together. Despite being complete opposites in every way, they fit perfectly together.
Askold lifted his head and looked around. “Elco, that was the best night’s sleep I’ve had on this entire trip. Thank you.”
Elco didn’t respond. “What did he say?” Askold asked her eagerly.
“Uhh… he said you’reverywelcome,” Seda said, and Elco growled in response, causing Seda to press her lips together to hide her smile.
Someone approached, and Seda glanced up, spotting Ojore making his way up the mountain with a small sack.
“What do you have there?” Benny asked as he rubbed his eyes.
Roya slowly opened her eyes, and her vacant gaze drifted back across the distance.
Ojore opened the pack, and a cricket hopped out. Ferona leaped at it, grasping it with her claws.
“Uhh, that’sgrizzly,” Askold grimaced.
“That’s not all,” he said with a crooked smile, opening the bag wider. Inside, more items came into view: fresh winterberries, mushrooms, apples, and even more crickets.
“How did you find all of this?” Benny asked him.
“Let’s just say I have a great sense of smell.” Ojore laughed at his own joke.
“Ibearlybelieve that,” Askold said, and Ojore looked at him with pursed lips.
Seda perked up, suddenly feeling very hungry. Ojore held out the bag, and she accepted it, pulling out an apple and a small handful of berries, trying hard to avoid the moving crickets inside. She then handed the bag to Benny, who took out his items and offered the bag to Roya, but she shook her head.
Ferona grabbed the bag from him and reached in for the crickets.
Everyone ate silently and watched the sun rise in the distance until the Corvids exchanged glances with furrowed brows.
“What’s up?” Benny asked them.
“It can’t be,” Ferona whispered as she looked at Roya. “There is no way he survived.”
They both shook their heads, rubbing their temples.
“What is it now?” Ojore grumbled. “What did the other Corvids say?”
The Corvids exchanged silent glances.
