Shane walked at the front of the group. The late morning sun hung high, already warm enough to draw a thin layer of dust from the road with every step.
Behind him, the Kultians guided their horses and wagons with careful hands. The caravan moved slowly as the terrain growing more uneven with every step.
For a while, no one spoke. Only the wind slipping between the ridges and the occasional snort of a horse filled the quiet.
Then Alub stepped forward from the side of the wagons.
"We should split our route from here."
Shane slowed his pace and turned slightly, his eyes drifting toward the path ahead.
Two directions stretched before them.
The first cut straight through a jagged stretch of broken rock, a narrow trail that climbed between rough ridges and scattered stone. The second curved around the lower slope of the hill, wider and smoother, though clearly much longer.
Alub pointed between them.
"The land becomes rougher from here," he explained. "Our wagons will struggle if we follow you through that rocky path."
His hand shifted toward the lower road.
"That route is wider. It will take longer, but the horses and wagons can pass without trouble."
Shane studied both routes in silence. The rocky trail would bring them back to camp far sooner, but it would be slow walking. The lower path promised an easier journey—just not a short one.
After a moment, he nodded.
"We'll take the rocky route."
Ulon immediately cracked his knuckles with a grin.
"Finally," he said, stretching his shoulders. "Something exciting."
Maddy glanced down at the uneven ground ahead and let out a weary sigh.
"Exciting for you maybe," she muttered. "I can already see Shalotte falling face-first."
Shalotte stiffened at once.
"I—I will be careful!"
Petra gave him a small, reassuring smile.
"You usually say that before falling."
Shalotte opened his mouth to protest… then slowly closed it again.
"…I will be extra careful."
A quiet chuckle slipped from Klaus somewhere behind them.
Alub turned back toward his people.
"Then we will meet again at the camp."
Shane nodded once.
"Stay safe."
The group began to divide.
The Kultians guided their wagons toward the longer slope while Shane's party continued forward into the broken trail.
The difference in terrain was immediate.
Loose stones shifted beneath their boots. Jagged edges forced them to step carefully, and narrow ridges twisted the path into an awkward climb.
Shalotte took two cautious steps.
Then nearly slipped on the third.
"Ah—!"
Petra reached out quickly and caught his sleeve before he could tumble.
Shalotte froze, then exhaled in relief.
"Th-thank you."
"It's alright," Petra said gently.
Behind them, Ulon laughed loudly.
"That's not even ten steps!"
Maddy rubbed her temple.
"This is going to be a long walk."
As the distance between the two groups slowly widened, Kiel found his pace slowing.
Just slightly.
He turned his head.
Anaya walked beside one of the horses, speaking quietly with another Kultian woman. The morning light caught the edge of her hair as she brushed a loose strand behind her ear, her voice calm and relaxed.
Kiel watched her as the space between them continued to grow.
Ulon noticed immediately.
"Oh look," he announced loudly. "Someone's heart is breaking again."
Kiel snapped his head forward.
"I'm not—!"
Maddy folded her arms.
"You were staring again."
Petra added softly,
"Very obviously."
Kiel rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was just… making sure they were safe."
Klaus, walking lazily at the rear with his hands in his pockets, chuckled.
"Of course you were."
Shane spoke without even turning around.
"If you keep looking back like that, you'll trip."
Kiel muttered under his breath.
"…Worth it."
Unfortunately, Ulon heard him.
The big man burst into laughter.
"Oh ho! The kid admits it!"
Shalotte, who was carefully watching the ground like it might attack him at any moment, glanced up.
"Should we… wave goodbye again?"
"No."
Maddy and Klaus answered at the exact same time.
Shalotte blinked.
"…Alright."
**
The rocky path forced them to slow even further. The wind carried thin trails of dust across the ridges, and the ground shifted constantly underfoot.
Shalotte slipped twice more.
Petra caught him the second time.
Ulon raised three fingers.
"That's three!"
"I'm fine!" Shalotte protested.
"You're falling in slow motion!"
Few minutes passed before the trail finally opened into a quiet clearing.
A single tree stood in the middle of the dusty ground, its branches spreading wide enough to cast a patch of shade.
Beneath it waited their wagon.
And beside the wagon lay a massive white rhinoceros.
Molly.
The enormous creature lifted her head the moment she sensed them approaching, ears twitching lazily.
Hanging upside down from one of the tree branches nearby was a small bat-like creature.
Cukuz.
One eye opened.
Then the other.
When he recognized them, he let out an excited squeak.
"Kiiik!"
He dropped from the branch and began scrambling toward them, flapping his tiny wings and hopping awkwardly over the dirt.
They were still dozens of meters away when Ulon spread his arms wide.
"Home sweet home!"
Maddy shot him a sideways look.
"We were gone for a few hours."
"Still counts."
Klaus glanced toward Molly with a faint smirk.
"Well now," he murmured. "Looks like someone kept the place in order."
Meanwhile, Kiel slowed again.
He turned his head one last time toward the distant slope where the Kultians had disappeared.
They were already gone from sight.
Ulon nudged his shoulder.
"Don't worry, kid."
Kiel looked at him.
Ulon grinned.
"You'll see her again."
Klaus added casually as he walked past them,
"Assuming you actually speak next time."
Maddy smacked the back of Kiel's head lightly.
"Move."
Kiel groaned.
"…Yes, ma'am."
Then Klaus spoke again, "Oh, and kid."
Kiel looked at him.
"You still owe me fifty gold coins."
Kiel frowned, "When? I thought we were even after Devil's Arm."
"Bracelet."
"I thought you gifted it to her."
Klaus shrugged, "It was a farewell gift."
He paused, then added calmly,
"Farewell didn't happen."
Maddy snorted, "There it is. The typical slouch."
Ulon laughed, "What can we do? The man loves gold."
Kiel sighed, "I'll pay you once we get back to Pe'cha, Mr. Klaus."
Despite the complaint in his voice, he didn't truly sound bothered.
In truth, he was simply glad the Kultians hadn't stayed behind in Lumicryst Hollow.
Klaus noticed.
He only smiled faintly.
"Noted."
**
Cukuz kept hopping frantically toward Shane.
The tiny bat stumbled once… twice… but stubbornly kept going.
Above them, Zevy the hawk circled through the air.
With a swift dive, the hawk swooped down and neatly grabbed the small bat.
Cukuz squeaked in alarm.
A moment later, Zevy dropped him directly onto Shane's head.
"Kii—!"
Shane calmly reached up, grabbed the bat, and pulled him down into his arm.
"Did you behave well?"
Cukuz nodded quickly.
Shane narrowed his eyes.
"I'll ask Molly later."
The bat instantly covered his tiny face with his wings.
Klaus chuckled, "Look who's guilty."
**
When they reached the wagon, Shane walked straight toward Molly.
"Hey girl," he said quietly. "Ready for the ride?"
The great white rhinoceros let out a soft snort and lifted her reins from the ground, placing them gently into Shane's hand.
Cukuz attempted to bury himself deeper into Shane's arm.
Shane passed the reins to Ulon.
"Settle her. We'll leave once the Kultians arrive."
Ulon nodded, "Got it."
He guided Molly toward the wagon, speaking to her as he adjusted the harness. Then he grabbed a bucket of water from the wagon and splashed it across her thick white hide.
Molly snorted happily.
A few minutes later, the sound of wheels rolling over dirt echoed across the clearing.
The Kultians arrived.
Most of them were already seated in their wagons now that the road had become smooth again.
Kiel instinctively searched the group.
But he couldn't see Anaya anywhere.
Alub stepped down from one of the wagons.
Shane approached him.
"Do you need some rest," he asked, "or shall we depart?"
Alub shook his head.
"The horses rested well these past days. We can depart."
Shane nodded.
"Alright. We'll take the lead. Follow our wagon."
Alub inclined his head and climbed back aboard.
Shane returned to his group.
"Everyone, settle in."
As always, they moved into their familiar places.
Ulon climbed to the front beside Shane to guide Molly.
Inside the wagon, Petra, Maddy, and Shalotte settled onto the seats. Shalotte carefully checked the floor first, just in case.
Meanwhile Klaus and Kiel climbed onto the sturdy roof of the wagon.
Klaus leaned back comfortably against a sack he took from inside, folding his hands behind his head.
Kiel sat near the edge, staring down the road ahead.
Then, without thinking, he glanced once toward the Kultian wagons behind them.
Klaus noticed.
He smirked faintly and closed his eyes.
"Kid."
"…Yeah?"
"Next time," Klaus said lazily, "try talking."