By the time dawn crept in, the forest had wrapped itself in a soft silver mist.
Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, washing over the damp earth as the dew-bright blades of grass glittered like scattered shards of glass.
Birdsong rippled through the air, and the still forest slowly began to wake.
We had packed up our campsite from last night and started walking again, aiming for the Valley of Seals.
"…You're still thinking about last night, huh?"
Lilis's voice came soft beside me, her eyes flicking toward Wolfgang walking ahead of us.
He strode at the front like always, every step sure and steady, his back showing not even a shadow of doubt.
"Yeah. I guess I am."
I gave a little shrug. "Clashing values aren't something you can just patch over overnight."
The argument by the fire still stuck in my chest like a splinter—Wolfgang insisting only the chosen deserve to survive, and Mariona rejecting that down to her bones.
It hadn't been about opinions. It had been about how to live.
"Hm. So you lot can think about such things now," Mariona said as she came up beside us, staff in hand as usual, her stride unhurried and regal.
"I kinda have to," I said. "When someone says only the chosen deserve to live, it's hard not to feel like he's saying we don't even have the right to exist."
"That feeling is precious," Mariona said, her tone slow and certain. "To turn your gaze inward and question your own path—that is the first step toward true strength."
Lilis slipped up next to her, a crooked grin flicking at her lips.
"Well, if Mari-baa says so, maybe it's true."
"Who are you calling baa-san!"
Mariona swung her staff up and lightly tapped Lilis's forehead.
"Ow!" Lilis yelped, rubbing the spot, but she was grinning like she didn't mind at all.
"See? Totally proves my point. Scary scary."
"Honestly, such a mouthy child…"
Mariona muttered it like a sigh, but then she reached into her cloak and pulled out a small cloth pouch.
From it, she tossed Lilis a tiny round cookie, baked golden-brown and perfect.
Lilis blinked, startled, but snatched it from the air on reflex.
"…Wait, you're giving this to me?"
"If I don't, you'll start prowling around like a hungry stray cat," Mariona said.
"…Huh. Thanks."
Lilis bit into it and froze for a second, eyes going wide.
"…Whoa. This is actually good."
"Of course it is. It's one of my secret recipes," Mariona said with an almost proud sniff.
"Secret, huh? Where'd you get it?"
"An old friend taught it to me," she said quietly.
Her voice softened just a touch, her eyes distant as she walked on.
Lilis caught the look and, for once, decided not to push it.
Watching them, I couldn't help smiling.
"You act tough, but you're kind," I said.
"Hmph. I'm not spoiling her," Mariona said, turning her face away, though her tone had gone gentle at the edges. "I just… worry a little."
And then Wolfgang's voice slid through the calm like ice.
"…How sentimental."
He didn't even glance back as he spoke, words flat and clean.
"Those who are chosen survive. Those who aren't are culled. That's nature. Useless emotion only weakens you."
"You understand nothing."
Mariona stopped, turning toward him.
Her gaze sharpened like the edge of her staff, her voice calm but firm.
"Even the unchosen struggle to live. Every life holds worth."
Wolfgang gave a faint, humorless laugh.
"Outdated. Where's the logic in saving the weak during a survival race?"
"You've yet to learn this," Mariona said, her tone softening but no less steady. "Strength is not merely the measure of force."
She exhaled slowly, then lifted her chin.
"Our debate will never end, I suppose. But hear this."
She looked him straight in the eyes, her voice quiet but heavy.
"Having strength does not mean you have the right to lead. People live on, even if they are never chosen."
Wolfgang said nothing.
He just closed his eyes.
None of us knew what lay at the core of his belief, but I could feel it—the weight of this clash would ripple into everything ahead of us.
Mariona suddenly stopped walking.
She swept her gaze across the trees, sharp and wary.
"…What's wrong?" I asked, my voice instinctively low.
"…Strange," she murmured, eyes narrowing. "We are being followed."
Everyone's faces tightened at once.
The wind seemed to hold its breath.
The quiet of the forest deepened, thick and eerie, and somewhere far off, a dry *crack* split the air as a branch broke.
From the dark tangle ahead of us, something watched.
Waiting.
Notes:
• Lilis - Agile rogue/thief — Leon's close friend and playful teaser. Strikes fast with twin daggers and vanishes into stealth. Petite, light-blonde hair, mischievous green eyes. Reminder: Playful trickster hiding sharp instincts.
• Mariona - 'Flame Witch' scholar (v2c1) — Lilis's strict but warm mentor, holds deep Zelva lore and fire magic. Small, long white hair, keen amber eyes. Reminder: Stern teacher, secretly cares deeply.