The sun sank slowly into the horizon.
Arin swallowed—but Hanase never lowered the sword.
"…Alright," he said quietly. "I'll go."
Hugurou stepped in before the tension could snap. He placed a hand on Hanase's arm and gently pushed the blade away. After a long moment, she exhaled and handed Leiofa his sword back without a word.
Hugurou grabbed Arin by the shoulder and pulled him aside.
The group split up soon after.
Neblaheim and Leiofa moved ahead to scout.
Askiro went off to hunt.
Hanase stayed behind, preparing dinner with what little they had left.
The scene shifted to Arin and Hugurou, walking through the nearby forest. Dry wood snapped underfoot as they gathered branches for the campfire. The forest was dense, quiet—too quiet.
Then it happened.
A great wolf burst from the undergrowth, fangs bared as it lunged straight for Hugurou.
Arin reacted instantly.
He drew his sword and slashed from the side, forcing the beast back. Hugurou leapt away and pulled his dagger free.
"Break that tree," Arin said quickly. "I'll lure it."
Hugurou nodded and started hacking at the trunk while Arin kept the wolf's attention. The beast circled him, muscles coiled, eyes locked.
It suddenly shifted targets.
The wolf lunged toward Hugurou.
Arin kicked out, but the wolf ducked low and clamped its jaws around his hand. Pain exploded through Arin's arm before his mind could even process what had happened.
His grip loosened instinctively as heat, sharp and blinding, rushed up his nerves. He felt teeth sink into flesh—felt the pressure, the tearing—and then the warmth.
Blood.
The metallic scent hit him a second later, mixing with the damp smell of soil and rotting leaves. His breath caught in his throat, panic threatening to rise as the wolf growled, jaws still locked around him.
I messed up.
The thought flashed through his mind just as he forced himself to move, twisting his body and driving the blade in with everything he had left. He grit his teeth and slashed its leg.
The wolf released him with a snarl.
The tree cracked.
Hugurou shoved it with all his strength.
The trunk came crashing down.
Arin didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and took the wolf's head clean off.
The forest fell silent.
Arin dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.
"What's a beast like that doing in such a dense jungle…?" he muttered.
Hugurou approached, concern etched across his face.
"Can you walk? Should I carry you?"
Arin shook his head. "No. I'm fine. Carry the wolf."
He stood and started back toward camp.
When Hanase saw the wound, she froze—then rushed forward, already casting healing magic. As the light gathered around her palm, Arin noticed it—just for a moment.
Her hands were trembling.
Only slightly, almost imperceptibly, but enough that he wondered if the healing spell was harder to cast than it looked.
"You were reckless," Hanase said sharply, eyes fixed on the wound as the torn flesh slowly knitted itself together.
"Next time, don't try to play the hero."
Arin opened his mouth to respond, then stopped.
"Are you an idiot?" she snapped. "Why would you fight it alone?"
Arin said nothing.