Morning arrived, with the weather bright as if last night's events were nothing more than a distant dream.
Céline awoke and saw Rin still awake beside her. She said to him,
"Good morning, Rin."
He replied,
"Good morning. How are you? Have you improved?"
Céline answered,
"I'm fine—don't worry about me. Weren't you the one who said I'd be okay? Why do you look so concerned now?"
He said,
"Oh, I'm sorry… can you sit up?"
As Céline struggled to sit up, Rin sprang to his feet in alarm:
"What are you doing? You're still tired. You can lie back down, then afterwards we'll go search for the others—so don't worry."
Céline was surprised by his reaction, then began to laugh, clutching her chest:
"You're so funny, Rin."
As she laughed, Rin's expression softened into relief, and he said,
"I'm glad I made you laugh, Céline."
Céline smiled at him, and he smiled back. They exchanged glances for a moment until Rin, a little embarrassed, spoke,
"Shall I make you breakfast?"
They both looked away, cheeks flushed. Céline stammered,
"I'd be bothering you…"
Rin went out to find ingredients for breakfast while Céline watched him go as if he might never return.
---
Meanwhile, the rest of the group had gathered, exhaustion and injuries evident on their faces and bodies. They sat to catch their breath, and Leon asked,
"What happened to you, Oran?"
Oran replied,
"Theron and I were scouting for a place to stay when we didn't even notice we'd been surrounded by endless hordes of those centipedes. I spent the whole night killing them, but their numbers never diminished! At dawn I found a gap and escaped, but we couldn't sleep and immediately set out to find you. That's all… but what about you? You look in bad shape."
Leon, puzzled, said,
"The same thing happened to us… If this keeps up, we won't make it to the western desert. We need a safe place to sleep so those centipedes can't crawl on us while we rest. This disaster is worse than the first. We must stay on guard even when hidden. Mona and Lina didn't sleep last night—I told them I'd watch over them, but they refused, so they're exhausted. So what do we do now? Where will we spend the night?"
Oran agreed,
"You're right. We can't be careless and sleep in a cave or tent—those centipedes are too dangerous. They make no sound walking or burrowing, and they swarm like an endless flood."
Theron, worried, asked,
"Haven't Rin and Céline returned? I'm very anxious—they might have had trouble. Didn't they send any signal?"
Oran answered,
"Don't worry about them, Theron. Rin is strong and will protect Céline. They must have faced difficulty or wandered off. We were busy all night and may have missed their signal."
Mona and Lina, reassured by Oran's words, relaxed.
Leon stood up,
"Let's move on and find a safe place for the night. No need to worry about them—Rin will handle things and protect Céline."
Everyone agreed, and after a brief rest, they set off toward the western desert.
---
Rin entered the cave. Céline's worry eased, and she greeted him,
"Welcome back, Rin."
He smiled,
"Thank you, Céline. Here—take this. I found it on my way."
He handed her an apple, and joy lit her face,
"Thank you, Rin."
He replied,
"No thanks needed. It's my duty to protect you."
Rin prepared breakfast, having caught fish to make soup. Céline watched him with her violet eyes the entire time.
When he finished, he served the soup in a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon. She took it and ate, satisfaction on her face as she said,
"It's really delicious, Rin."
Embarrassed, Rin scratched his head. Céline asked,
"Why are you so nervous? I only said the soup is delicious—no need to be embarrassed."
He looked away,
"Shh… I'm just not used to compliments."
Céline laughed,
"I told you—you're funny! I can't stop laughing."
Rin smiled,
"Come on, close your mouth and finish your meal."
She wasn't offended; she saw the light return to his eyes and his smile as he spoke to her.
---
After eating, Rin asked,
"Do you feel well? Shall we go look for them?"
Céline replied,
"They must be worried. We need to hurry. I can stand—can you pack my things?"
"Of course," Rin said. "I'll gather them now. You can get ready."
As they walked, Rin noticed Céline slowing. He dropped everything and carried her on his back.
She cried out,
"What are you doing? Wait!"
Rin ignored her and carried the bag in one hand. Céline, surprised, rested her head on his shoulder and said softly,
"Thank you for everything you do for me, Rin."
He answered,
"It's my duty. Your injuries would worsen if you pushed yourself. This way you'll be safe."
He continued up the trail with Céline on his back.
At midday, under the blazing sun, Oran pointed to a towering mountain,
"We'll head there. It should be the safest spot and help us continue our journey."
They all nodded in agreement.
The mountain was covered in greenery like the surrounding plains, grass growing everywhere—even atop wooden village roofs. It had no name; no one lived near the border. They had reached the edge of the western desert.
---
Rin pressed on alone with Céline on his back, scanning for any sign. In the distance he saw smoke and hurried toward it. At the fire he found no one, but a paper pinned under a stone. He picked it up and read aloud:
"We've gathered and are safe. We're seeking a place where those silent centipedes can't reach us. We'll send signals—follow them. We'll wait for you."
Written in blood and hard to read, Rin wondered who'd written it.
Céline said,
"It must be Oran—his handwriting is unclear. He's been asleep for thousands of years, so he struggles writing. They're safe. Let's follow the signals… My father must worry about me."
Relief washed over them both.
Rin moved on, finding a second signal but no paper, then continued.
---
As the sun turned golden, the group reached the mountain and searched its hollows for shelter. They climbed until they stopped at a high ledge overlooking the sunset, where a huge cave yawned before them.
They marveled at the view, but worry returned—sunset meant the demonic gate would soon open.
---
Rin finally reached the mountain's base signal: a note reading, "We'll be on the mountain." He hurried up.
As the sun dipped, Rin climbed with Céline still on his back. Though unwearied, Céline worried and said,
"Rin, you can put me down now… You must be tired. I'll climb beside you."
Rin did not answer but quickened his pace until he reached the cave. Inside, the crimson moon rose and the sky bled red. Unfazed, Rin entered and saw everyone gathered around a fire.
They stared in shock at Rin carrying Céline. They all rose to greet him. Céline slid off his back. Theron rushed to her side, inspecting her wounds anxiously:
"Céline, are you alright? I was so worried!"
Céline replied,
"I'm fine, Father… If not for Rin, I would be dead."
Theron turned to Rin to thank him. A hush fell until Lina spoke,
"Are you okay, brother? Mona and I were so worried."
Mona added,
"Yes, we were truly anxious for you!"
Rin said quietly,
"I'm fine… How are you all?"
Oran gestured to seats,
"Mona has prepared dinner. We were waiting for you. After we eat, we'll discuss what happened."
Rin nodded and sat beside Céline on stone benches. Leon remained silent, confident Rin was safe.
---
After dinner, Mona and Lina cleared the dishes while everyone sat around the fire. Oran asked,
"So, Rin, what happened?"
Rin took a deep breath and explained:
"Céline and I found this cave and I was about to send a signal when Céline suddenly fainted. Before I could react, silent centipedes attacked. I fought them while carrying Céline, but their numbers were endless. Two hours in, drenched in her blood, I remembered your advice, Oran, about using their fighting style. I focused my strength into one strike and tore them all apart at once. Exhausted, I carried Céline inside and bandaged her. I found more inside the cave and killed them too, then sent the signal—but no one saw it. I stayed awake guarding Céline all night. That's it."
Silence reigned until Oran said in astonishment,
"You used a final move to kill them all? What's your efficiency now, Rin?"
Rin answered calmly,
"5001."
---
Leon turned to Rin:
"What did you use for that final move?"
Rin replied,
"Nothing special—I gathered all my strength into one slash. Their arms are sharp; the more you cut, the sharper your sword becomes. I focused that principle, channeled my power into a single concentrated attack that cut through the wind and the centipedes. Does that make sense?"
Leon said,
"Now I understand. You pushed yourself hard for Céline's sake."
Rin,
"You're right—I wanted to save her as quickly as possible."
Oran added,
"You're improving fast, Rin. You've just surpassed Leon—he was at 5000."
Rin said,
"I actually killed one more inside the cave, bringing me to 5001."
Leon smiled,
"We must beware these demonic creatures. There must be a queen—if we kill her, this trial might end, then the third trial will come."
Leon wasn't upset at being outdone; he was already plotting to regain his lead. He had reached 3700 against the Lightning Wolf in the first trial, and now 5000 in the second. Oran had exceeded 10,000, his element Fire symbol replacing the number. Others can't see the exact figure, but the symbol shows he's above that threshold.
Oran said,
"You're right, Leon. Though our power grows, we don't know what the third trial holds. We have about three days to reach the western desert. Let's stay here two nights to rest well, then press on."
No one objected. The others remained silent as the three spoke.
Oran concluded,
"It's late—we must sleep. Last night's battle wore us out."
Mona and Lina prepared bedding while Céline, too tired, was helped by Mona. When all was ready, everyone fell asleep, exhausted. Only Leon and Rin stayed awake.
As usual, Rin went outside to gaze at the crimson moon, sitting on the cave's edge with his legs dangling. Leon slept but kept his eyes open, as if in a trance.
Céline rose and approached Rin, who felt her presence and asked,
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to sleep?"
She didn't answer, sitting beside him, then quietly said,
"I don't want to leave you alone in this desolate place."
They exchanged silent looks and smiled without speaking, both gazing at the crimson moon—a silent witness to it all. After a moment, Céline lay her head on Rin's shoulder. He didn't move or wake her; he just smiled.
They spent the nigh
t together until dawn. Rin woke her gently so no one would notice how close they'd grown. Embarrassed, she then went inside to wake the others.
Rin smiled through the night, his eyes regaining their spark. Céline had begun to change him.