The camp had settled into a fragile calm.
No one spoke loudly.
No one laughed.
But movement had returned.
Life slowly was continuing.
Yui moved between the wounded, helping where she could.
Her hands were steady now.
Focused.
But her eyes still carried the weight of what they had seen.
Akari remained near Hiroto, though she pretended otherwise.
And Hiroto—
He was standing now.
Barely.
But standing.
Goro watched him from a distance.
"…You're pushing too early."
Hiroto didn't look at him.
"…If I stay still, I'll fall behind."
Goro stepped closer.
"…You already fell."
Silence.
"…Now you learn how to stand properly."
Hiroto didn't argue.
But he didn't sit down either.
A voice cut in from the side.
"…Kid's got a point though."
The Enforcer leaned against a tree, arms relaxed.
"…Things aren't slowing down after this."
Yui looked at him.
"…What do you mean?"
He glanced at the sky.
"…You think something like that just happens once?"
No one answered.
Because they all knew It wouldn't.
The Watcher stepped forward.
"…The Herald retreating changes everything."
Akari frowned.
"…How?"
"…Because it failed."
His voice was quiet.
Heavy.
"…And things like that… don't accept failure lightly."
Hiroto's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…So they'll come back."
The Watcher nodded.
"…Yes."
"…Stronger. More prepared."
A pause.
Then—
"…And possibly not alone."
That last part lingered in the air.
Far from the camp at the edge of the forest a figure stood silently.
Watching.
Not approaching.
Not revealing themselves.
Just observing.
The wind moved through the trees.
The figure's hand rested on the hilt of a blade.
Their eyes focused on Hiroto.
"…So that's him…"
A faint smirk.
"…Interesting."
Then—
They turned.
And disappeared into the trees.
Unseen.
Unknown.
For now.
Hiroto suddenly paused.
"…Did you feel that?"
Akari looked at him.
"…What?"
He frowned slightly.
"…Nothing…"
But his instincts said otherwise.
Something had been watching.
Goro stepped forward again.
"…Enough for today."
Hiroto looked at him.
"…You're not ready yet."
Their eyes met.
No argument this time.
Hiroto exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah…"
Goro turned away.
"…Good."
"…Because next time, I won't go easy on you."
A faint smirk appeared on Hiroto's face.
"…Wouldn't expect you to."
The group remained together.
Alive.
Stronger—barely.
But somewhere out there—
New pieces were already moving.
And they had no idea what was coming next.
To be continued…