Stella's mind drifted back to the present, quietly snapping some more twigs to feed the fire with. She checked to make sure her companions were asleep before removing the gauntlet from her left arm. The viper had managed to get one lucky strike in before it died, landing a solid bite on her arm.
"Tch, of course it was poisonous." Her arm was feeling numb as the venom traveled through her blood. She quickly swallowed a pill that would slow it down, lasting long enough for them to return to town. "Ahhh, much better."
She cleaned the residual venom of the gauntlet before putting it back on, going back to watching the fire. The numbness was almost completely gone by the time her shift ended. She moved towards Aurora, slowly waking her. "Your turn, long ears."
Aurora groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I got it. Go get some shut-eye."
"Oh, I plan to." She walked over to a tree before sitting down, closing her eyes as she rested her back against it. Aurora stood, popping her joints free of stiffness. She grabbed her notebook out of her bag before claiming a seat on the log Stella had used.
She started to flip through the pages until she reached her copy of the inscription from the cave. "Alright. Let's crack this tonight." She wrote down the letters she could read underneath her original copy.
When the c— breaks the He– will uni– the Saint and Warr—
"When something breaks the hero?" That sounds like it could be it, if you consider a Saint is also mentioned." Aurora mumbled to herself as she threw a stick into the fire.
"Are the statues hints towards this? If that's the case… then maybe this?" She began to write a new line under her previous one.
When the cage breaks, the Hero will uni– the Saint and Warr—
Aurora stared down at the sentence before glancing at Camilla. Her eyes focused on the shield and sword resting nearby her, and then it clicked. She quickly filled in the missing bits, taking it in for a moment.
When the cage breaks, the Hero will unite the Saint and Warrior
"AHAHA!" She quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, having forgotten they were still asleep. "I did it. I really solved it." She giggled to herself, almost ready to jump with joy. She restrained herself and closed the book, focusing on the area around the camp. "Good, everything seems normal."
She placed a few more sticks onto the fire before it had nearly died out. She went back to her bag once she was sure it wouldn't go out. She swapped her book out for a small carving knife and returned to the log. She grabbed a decently thick block of wood and began to carve away.
Camilla slowly rose a few hours later and silently watched Aurora. She was still carving the wood and made sure to keep the fire alive. The block had begun to take on a rough shape resembling a bird carrying something.
Aurora noticed Camilla as she went to throw another branch into the fire. "Oh, Camilla! Why are you up already?!"
She quickly hid the carving behind her back, making Camilla smirk. So she was making something for me, huh? How cute~.
Camilla slowly walked over and sat down beside her. "I couldn't sleep any longer. It should almost be my turn right?"
"Um. I think so." Aurora's cheeks were tinted with a light pinkness, which only grew as Camilla laid her head down on her lap.
"C-CAMILLA!?" Aurora started to panic and spout incoherent nonsense at her actions, making Camilla smile. Camilla laid there for a few minutes when she felt something touch her head. She peeked up at Aurora, who wore a pouty expression on her face, as she began to stroke Camilla's hair.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Mmh, I am." Camilla stared at the sky as a cool breeze blew by. "I'm thinking of going home soon, Aurora."
Aurora's hand paused for a moment before continuing. "What brought this on? Is it because of what you said last night?"
"That is part of the reason, but I also miss my parents. If they learned about what happened to Trentfel…" Her voice trailed off, not daring to finish the thought.
"Alright. We still have some things to finish up here first, but I'll gladly go with you. Who knows? Maybe they've heard something from my parents."
"Aurora…" Camilla peeked up at her face, staring at the forced smile she wore. Aurora tried to control her expression but failed. A small twitch of her brow or falter in her smile kept occurring. The image of her town burning, the fear she had felt, everything replayed in her mind as if it had just happened.
The two sat there in silence, enjoying each other's company as the sun finally rose. Stella awoke with a groan as the sunlight flashed across her face. With everyone now up they made a quick meal before resuming their trek back to town.
As they approached the city, a low-hanging fog suddenly swept in front of them. With their vision obscured they quickly stood back to back, forming a triangle of defense. Stella was the first to speak, drawing her daggers as she did so.
"Slowly move towards the wall. Once we make it inside the fog should clear."
"Wait!" Aurora quickly grabbed some string from her bag, pausing as several growls distant were heard. "Cover me for a minute."
"Will do!" Her companions responded instantly. She swiftly began to thread the rope onto her belt, before doing the same to each of them. They began to move in formation once secured together, preventing them from being separated. Howls grew closer as the walls finally came into view.
"Time to run!" The party took off in a full sprint towards the gate. When they were just 10 steps from safety a black blur leapt out of the fog, raking its claws across Aurora's back. She screamed in pain, nearly tripping over herself, as Camilla swiftly picked her up in her arms.
Once they crossed the boundary of the gate, a strange phenomenon occurred. The fog vanished just as suddenly as it had appeared. They didn't have time to think as armed guards appeared, pulling them inside the safety of the city.
"Camilla, I'm glad to see you two are safe." A familiar yet unpleasant voice called out to her.
"Well, well. If it isn't Captain Vance. Thank you for your assistance but I must take my leave. My friend is injured." After saying these short words, she left since Aurora was not in a good state.
Vance tried to call out to her but was stopped by Stella. "Let them go."
"Wait, your-!" He quickly knelt upon recognizing her. "Forgive me for not recognizing you, madam Apostle."
"A follower huh? Quite rare for my Lady." She found her opinion of this man rise slightly. "Pay me no head, I am simply carrying out Her will."
She turned and walked away, vanishing from sight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Camilla banged against the door of the nearest church, praying a priest was present this early. The door opened shortly after, and a young red-haired sister appeared, speaking in a shy manner.
"H-how can I h-help you?" Her amber eyes swept over the pair, noticing the blood staining Camilla's arms.
"Is there a priest inside? My friend needs to see a healer urgently."
"P-please come inside! I'll go fetch the Father!" she ran off deeper inside, returning a few minutes later. "Here, Father."
The man knelt down, preparing to pray. "Set her down gently in front of me, with her injury exposed."
Camilla followed his directions and then walked to the donation box, depositing ten silver coins inside with trembling hands. "How is she, Father?"
"Stable now, her injuries were deep but not life-threatening. I'd advise her to rest for a few days before doing anything strenuous." The man stood up and placed his hands together in a prayerful manner.
"I will follow your words." Camilla gave a slight bow of thanks.
"No need. It is my duty to heal those in need. Such are the teachings of Lady Fria." He then excused himself and returned to his duties. Camilla felt a weight leave her shoulders, knowing Aurora was going to be fine.
She scooped her up in her arms before heading back to their inn, catching stray glances from the townsfolk. Ten minutes passed when she finally reached their room, laying Aurora gently on the bed after removing her gear. She was about to change herself when she caught a glimpse of Aurora's notebook sticking out of her bag.
She leaned down and pulled it out, flipping through the pages full of random notes. She continued until she reached the page with what looked to her like a prophecy. She stared at the letters, strangely able to understand them now.
Why can I read this language now, when in the cave I couldn't? She shook her head before laying the book on the nightstand and blowing out the candlelight. She laid down next to Aurora and drifted off into sleep.