The forest seemed to breathe in every moment they stood within it. Whispers of wind flowing past them created a tense atmosphere as Ruby bluntly said what this forest really was.
An entire landmass that halted under a Dominion by a singular person? In how much context would it take to understand the extent of that power?
Did that person struggle with it? Was this a trace of his hardship that he put his life upon? Or was this something else entirely?
And yet, getting dumped with this information messed with his head, as he didn't know all that much of the world around him.
Because of that, he was unsure of how to judge this.
His hand clenched within itself, as the cold air around them spiraled into a confusion as Kayn took a breath.
Let's calm down for a moment.
Kayn had been sensitive to this because he wanted to be aware and cautious of his environment, of the people that stood beside him. He didn't know if he could truly trust them.
But as he got his nerves together, he realized that this wouldn't get him as far as he needed to go.
If he really needed to advance in this world, compromises must be at stake.
In other words, he needs to trust them.
Kayn looked over at Ruby and Rose, who were still standing there; a hint of fear in their behavior caught his attention. Subtle but visible.
He looked down and thought hard of what he should do now, especially when he's at the brink of losing someone.
"Forget what I said. Is there a nearby city around here?"
He looked away with a short disappointment for himself, reflecting over that nothing bad really happened when he went with Ruby, much less Rose.
Only if the situation, the circumstance, the motive is in line of what he hates, could he ever consider thinking of them as enemies.
Ruby was shocked, but her expression gradually softened, seeing a hint of sadness in the corner of his eyes.
As for Rose, she was taken aback for a moment, her eye still twitching in her sights as she looked at Kayn. Still... seeing that. But as to how he is now, I don't think there's any need to be afraid.
The both of them shot glances that held consideration, as Ruby took a step towards Kayn.
In her mind, she wondered where he had come from, but she refrained from asking him that, fearing that it would cause unnecessary conflict. So, she could only assume otherwise.
Seeing him looking a lot more docile now, it's hard to believe that he's that type of person. So, another thought came to mind.
Maybe he went through something. Maybe through a lot that they don't know of, which could be the reason why he acted like that earlier.
He's afraid.
Not sure what that could be, but as of right now, she wanted to prioritize de-escalating the situation now that they've been given the opportunity to do so.
Over behind Ruby, Rose stood there observing carefully. Any carelessness could be easily punished, but is danger all of what she really sees in him?
Someone she analyzed and simply judged as a threat to them?
For most, that much is understandable if it meant to value your own life. But is that really the case?
Especially this one? Rose saw what she saw without a blind eye, and she trembled over that realization. But what if it was the other way around?
If they could help him, support him, and maybe, just maybe, get on his good side, they could touch his heart.
Ruby stopped in her tracks just a meter away from Kayn as she looked at him with a smile, a reluctant smile that still felt genuine.
"Yeah. We can lead you to it."
Her voice didn't sound as fearful as it was before, but a hint of trust lay within each word she said. Her hand came up and over to offer a hand to Kayn.
It was almost out of nowhere, but Kayn was surprised at first, listening to her words and looking at her hand.
He felt like this was a set-up, but he was the one who already calmed down. There was nothing to lose from this as he looked up into her eyes. Reaching out just a little before taking her hand.
"Sounds like a plan."
He uttered, his voice still a little rough and tired over the restless night, but Ruby could hear the sincerity in it. His hand was a sign of trust, even just a little, it made her happy.
Rose over there watched as they shook hands, and shortly after letting go, Ruby glanced back at her.
Seeing them shake hands like that might've given her a misunderstanding.
"Rose, how close is the nearest city from here?"
Ruby asked from a distance, as Rose heard her before thinking about it.
"It should just be over twenty minutes from where we stand by foot."
Rose replied to her question as the atmosphere finally began to soften a little.
"Great! I was beginning to get tired here. It is the middle of the night, after all, so we should hurry up before we lose sleep."
Ruby cackled to herself as she looked back at Kayn, who looked like he was still thinking about something.
"Come on now, you don't want to get left behind, now do you?"
She said, turning her back. Kayn was a bit ticked off by this but brushed it over as a teasing.
Rose watched with a giggle as the three of them finally began to exit through the gate.
The wind brushed past them as Ruby and Rose closed the gate, locking it tightly and securing it.
However, Kayn was met with more forest on the other side.
"This is still a forest, but not the Forest of the Abyss anymore?"
Kayn asked, just trying to clarify things as he looked at the both of them.
"Yes, this is no longer that territory anymore, but the territory of the Great Advase."
The Great what?