Chapter 35 – A Moment Beneath the Three Moons
Chapter 35
A Moment Beneath the Three Moons
Date: Day 26 of Harvestmoon. 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren took his bag. Wincing a bit at the movement. The weight pulling on his still-recovering muscles. But he gritted his teeth. Bore the pain. He would not slow them down. He would not be a burden.
No more spear. His steel tip had been transformed into a makeshift dagger. Secured on his belt. The Cinder-maw daggers tucked in the belt. He was less armed than before. But still capable of defending himself if necessary.
He used the walking stick to help him stand. Planting it firmly against the ground. Leaning on it for support. Taking some of the weight off his legs.
"Okay, Elise. Lead the way."
Both of them started to walk.
Elise maintained a slow pace. Deliberately holding back. Trying not to force Hyoren to push beyond his limits. She glanced back from time to time. Checking on him. Making sure he was keeping up. Making sure he wasn't struggling too much.
Hyoren walked with the help of the stick. Each step was careful. Deliberate. His legs ached with every movement. But he could manage. He could endure. He followed her closely. Not wanting to fall behind.
The grasslands stretched around them.
Not long after, they arrived.
A small indentation on a short cliff. Barely visible from a distance. The rock face rose maybe five meters. Weathered by time and elements. Carved by wind and water.
A waterfall cascaded nearby. Small but steady. The water clear and clean. Falling into a pool below. The sound was soothing. A constant, gentle rush. White noise that would mask their presence.
The overhang and cliff would shield them from wind and weather. The indentation provided a flat, dry area to rest. Protected on three sides. Open only to the front. Defensible. Concealed.
The river flowed close by. Easy access to water.
It was a good spot to make camp. One of the best they could have hoped for considering the situation.
"Good find, Elise."
***
Elise put down her bag. The heavy pack sliding off her shoulders. Landing on the ground with a soft thud. She stretched. Her muscles aching. Her bones tired. But there was still work to be done.
She started preparing camp.
But when she saw Hyoren starting to move. Trying to stand. Trying to help. She pointed her finger at him. One arm on her waist. A stern posture. The look of a mother scolding a child. Or a healer dealing with a difficult patient.
"You."
Her voice was sharp.
"Patient needs to rest. Just sit there. Or I'm going to be angry."
Hyoren, who had just started walking to gather grass, froze. His feet stopping mid-step. His body stiffening at her command. His face turned to Elise. Surprise and protest mingling in his expression.
"But Elise..."
His voice was pleading.
"Let me help a bit. You already worked so hard."
The words tumbled out. He hated being useless. Hated sitting there while she did everything. She had fought. She had processed the spoils. She had scouted. She had done so much. And he had just lain there. Recovering.
Elise's face remained stern. Unwavering. Visible exhaustion still palpable on her shoulders. The bags under her eyes. The slump of her posture. She was tired. Deeply tired. But she knew Hyoren was in a worse state. He had pushed himself beyond his limits. He had used a skill that crippled him.
"No."
The word was firm. Final.
"And who worked his body harder until he couldn't move?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. A pointed question.
"Now sit down. Or I will truly be angry."
Hyoren opened his mouth to protest further. Then closed it. He wanted to argue. But he saw the determination in her eyes. The stubborn set of her jaw. She would not budge on this. And she was right. He was in no condition to help. Not really. His body still ached. His muscles still screamed. Every movement was an effort.
He resigned. His shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Fine."
He slumped back down on the ground.
"Then let me do simple things while sitting. Like preparing the fire and the meat."
He gestured at the supplies. The materials gathered. The work that could be done without standing. Without walking. Without straining himself.
Elise put her finger on her chin. Thinking. Considering. Her stern expression softening slightly. She assessed him. His condition. His request. It was reasonable. He could help without pushing himself. Without risking further injury.
"Okay."
She nodded slowly.
"That's fine."
Elise worked fast. Efficient. Her movements quick despite her exhaustion. She gathered dry leaves and branches from nearby. Kindling and fuel for the fire. She brought them to Hyoren. Placing them within his reach. Organizing them for easy use.
"Here."
She set them down.
"Start the fire. Cook the meat. But don't push yourself."
She then rummaged through her bag. Her fingers finding the familiar shapes. She pulled out the Ward Stones. The four square crystals. Even in a seemingly safe camp, they wouldn't risk it.
She placed the four stones around the camp. Arranging them in a square pattern. Setting them at the cardinal points. The barrier erected.The protection was in place. They would be warned of any approaching threat. They would be safe through the night.
Next, she went to the grass nearby. Gathering dry grass. The long, withered stalks from the grasslands. Perfect for bedding. She gathered a lot. Armfuls of the stuff. They might need to spend a longer time in this camp. So she made sure the bedding would be comfortable. Soft. Thick enough to cushion their tired bodies.
Meanwhile, Hyoren started the fire.
He gathered the branches and dry leaves Elise had brought. Arranging them in a pyramid shape. Creating a structure that would catch the flame and burn steadily. Leaving room for air to flow. For the fire to breathe.
Then he took Elise’s fire starter magic tool. She had always been the one to use it before.
He examined it. A compact rod. Ten centimeters long. White. With soft glowing runes etched into its surface. The symbols pulsed with a faint light.
"How do I use this?"
He muttered to himself. Curious. Confused.
"Or do I just pour my Aethell into it? Like when I'm using the Cinder-maw dagger's fire blade ability?"
The dagger had a similar mechanism. Channeling Aethell to activate its magical properties. Perhaps this worked the same way.
He tried to pour a small amount of Aethell into the rod. Directing his energy into the runes. Focusing on the tool. On the fire he wanted to create.
Then, as expected, a small fire appeared on the tip.
"Whoa."
He stared at the fire starter in his hand.
"It's so easy to use. Almost like a lighter. But powered by magic..."
He looked from the fire starter to the Ward Stones. Both magical tools. Both making life easier. Both providing convenience that would otherwise require significant effort.
"Magic tools are convenient."
He turned the rod in his hand. Examining it more closely.
"No wonder this world's science and physics are behind. They get their convenience from magic indeed."
On Earth, science had advanced to provide comfort. Here, magic filled that role.
Not long after, the fire crackled. Growing steadily. Warming the cool autumn air around the camp. The light cast dancing shadows on the cliff face. Their silhouettes moving and shifting with the flames.
Hyoren turned to the food. He took one chunk of Alpha wolf meat.. Heavy with nutrients. He started slicing it into bite-sized chunks. His knife moving. The blade cutting through the meat cleanly.
Elise returned at the same time. Her arms full of dry grass. Seeing the fire already lit. She smiled. A tired but satisfied expression. She dropped the grass near the bedding area. Then reached into her pouch. Pulling out something she had found.
She handed him a cluster of mushrooms.
"Use these, Hyoren."
Her voice was warm. Pleased with her find.
"These are Wind Mushrooms. I found them nearby. We're lucky. They're tasty, and they're going to enhance our meal."
She paused. Adding more information.
"And they also have small amounts of magical properties. They'll help our bodies recover a bit faster."
Hyoren took the mushroom cluster. Examining them. The shape was similar to enoki mushrooms. Long, thin stems. Small caps. But bigger than the ones he remembered from Earth. And the color was vibrant green. A bright, almost glowing green. The shade made him wince a bit.
The knowledge from his father's teaching echoed in his mind. Warnings about eating bright-colored mushrooms. The old adage about nature's warning signs. Bright colors meant poison.
"Elise."
His voice was cautious.
"Are you sure these mushrooms are fine?"
He held up the green cluster.
"I once tried a random mushroom and got hallucinations..."
He didn't want to repeat that experience. The terrifying visions. The Nightmare that followed.
Elise chuckled.
"Of course it's fine."
She shook her head. Amused by his concern.
"It's one of the materials used to create Magic Potions. They should be everywhere too. And everyone eats them."
She nodded.
"But well..."
She paused. Acknowledging his point.
"Of course there are dangerous mushrooms to eat too. Like the one you described. But I've already memorized most of them."
Her voice shifted.
"Dangerous mushrooms are still useful. To create poison for example."
Hyoren's eyes landed back on the mushroom. The bright green cluster in his hand. It seemed the knowledge of Earth was limited in the end. What was true there might not be true here. The rules were different. The biology might be different. Some of his knowledge would still be useful, but he would need to rely more on Elise. On her experience. On her knowledge.
"Okay then, Elise."
He nodded slowly.
"Nice find then. And sorry if my knowledge is a mess."
He felt embarrassed. His Earth knowledge kept proving inadequate. Sometimes useful. Sometimes wrong.
She looked at him with a warm expression. No judgment. Just patience and understanding.
"That's fine, Hyoren."
Her voice was gentle.
"You're Spirited Away."
She said it as if it explained everything. As if his ignorance was expected. Acceptable.
"Don't be afraid to ask even the simplest things to me. It might save you from weird stares from others at town. Fufu."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
Hyoren smiled too.
"Truly... Thanks."
He then continued working on the meat and mushroom. Taking his knife. Slicing the meat and mushrooms into appropriate sizes. He seasoned both with salt and pepper from Elise’s supplies.
Then he took a branch. A long, thin stick. Clean and smooth. He skewered the ingredients. Meat. Mushroom. Meat. Mushroom. Creating multiple skewers—enough for both of them.
Seeing Hyoren already starting with his work, Elise turned to the bedding.
As Hyoren finished creating the tenth skewer, he saw Elise had already finished making the bedding. A single one, large enough to accommodate both of them.
Hyoren tilted his head.
Why had Elise only created one bedding?
But Hyoren was not so tactless. She had already worked so hard today. She was exhausted. She had done everything for him. He would not question her decision. He would not make her uncomfortable.
Elise stood. Brushing off her hands. Then sat beside Hyoren. Their shoulders almost touching.
"Ahh."
She let out a long breath. Her body relaxing.
"My body is spent."
She stretched.
"Let's eat quickly, then sleep. You need to rest too, Hyoren."
He nodded. Agreeing completely. His body ached for rest. For sleep. For recovery.
He handed her half of the skewers. Five for her. Five for him.
Both then roasted them over the fire. Holding the sticks over the flames. Turning them slowly. Letting the heat cook the meat evenly. The fat sizzled. The mushrooms wilted. The seasonings caramelized.
Because the meat was properly prepared and cut into small pieces, it didn't take long before a savory aroma filled the air. The smell of roasting meat. Of earthy mushrooms. Their mouths watered.
The meal was ready.
***
They ate their meal.
The fire crackled beside them. Casting warm light on their faces. The waterfall murmured in the background. A soothing white noise that blended with the sounds of the night.
Hyoren bit into the meat.
The first taste exploded on his tongue. Rich. Savory. Deep. The juices flooded his mouth. The texture was tender yet firm. Unlike anything he had eaten before.
This was the most delicious meat he had ever tasted.
As expected of an Alpha. It was truly rich. Not gamey. Not tough. The flavor was complex.
And when eaten with the Wind Mushroom, the combination was perfect. The crunch and texture of the mushroom enhanced the taste. Added an earthy note. A slight sweetness. The green caps provided contrast to the rich meat. A balance of flavors.
Elise beside him also agreed.
"Mmmmm."
The sound escaped her lips before she could stop it. A genuine moan of pleasure. Her eyes closing as she savored the bite.
"Delicious."
She took another bite. Chewing slowly. Appreciating every mouthful.
"Apex meat truly is delicious."
Her voice was soft. Almost reverent.
"And high in nutrients. My favorite is still Squirrel meat. But this might be close to being second."
She paused. Considering.
"The mushroom also enhances the flavor. It's really lucky I found it nearby."
Hyoren took another bite. Savoring it. Letting the flavors mingle on his tongue. Letting the warmth spread through his body.
"Truly."
He spoke between bites.
"I feel my body start to recover a bit faster..."
It wasn't just his imagination. He could feel it. A warmth spreading through his limbs. A subtle energy knitting his muscles. The ache in his bones fading slightly. Not dramatically. But noticeably.
Elise turned her head to her side. Facing him. Her emerald eyes catching the firelight. Reflecting the dancing flames.
"That might be the case."
Her voice was thoughtful.
"As an Apex, it's full of power. Full of Aethell. Eating the meat from such a creature might hasten your recovery."
She took another bite. Chewed. Swallowed.
"The mushroom's magical properties might also help. This is also making my muscles less achy."
She flexed her arm slightly. Testing. The soreness from the battle was already fading. Not gone. But reduced.
Hyoren nodded. Thankful for the lucky coincidence. Thankful for Elise's knowledge.
"That's truly a good combination, huh."
He took another bite. The last piece of meat on his skewer.
"I feel energized. I hope tomorrow I've already recovered."
He paused. A note of frustration in his voice.
"I'm sick of being a patient."
The word came out with a hint of complaint. He hated being weak. Hated being unable to move. Hated relying on others for everything. He wanted to be up. Moving. Fighting. Contributing.
They ate quickly. The hunger from the battle driving them. The need for nutrients pushing them. They didn't linger over the food. Didn't savor each bite as they might have otherwise. They needed rest. Their bodies demanded it.
Before long, all the skewers were emptied. The remnants burned in the fire.
Elise stood. Her body protesting the movement. But she had one more task.
She fed the fire multiple thick branches. Stacking them carefully. Arranging them to burn slowly through the night. Ensuring the fire would last until morning. Providing warmth. Providing light. Keeping the darkness at bay.
"Let's sleep, Hyoren."
Her voice was heavy.
"We both need rest."
Hyoren nodded. Agreeing completely. His eyelids were heavy. His body demanded sleep. For recovery. For rest.
Both of them went to their makeshift bedding.
Elise quickly sat on the bedding. The dry grass rustling beneath her. She stretched out. Finding a comfortable position.
Hyoren stood on the side. Hesitant.
The bedding was large. Big enough for two people. But not overly big. Not spacious. If he wasn't careful, their bodies would touch.
He thought about their relationship. About boundaries. They had known each other for a relatively short time. Yes, they had fought together. Nearly died together. But still. He didn't want to presume.
Elise tilted her head. Looking up at him. Confusion in her emerald eyes.
"What's wrong, Hyoren?"
She patted the bedding beside her.
"Let's rest."
Hyoren sighed. A small, quiet exhale. Resignation mixed with acceptance.
He sat on the bed. Carefully. Deliberately. Lowering himself onto the dry grass. Feeling the cushion beneath him. The softness after days of sleeping on hard ground.
He then shifted. Moving as far as he could from Elise. Trying to respect her boundary. Even now. Even after everything. He kept his distance. Left a gap between them.
Elise noticed. Her eyes following his movement. Understanding his intention. Understanding his hesitation.
She smiled. A soft, knowing expression. She was touched by his consideration. But also amused by his awkwardness.
"Today was rough, Hyoren."
Her voice was quiet. The fire casting dancing shadows on her face.
"We almost died. Truly."
She stared up at the ceiling of the overhang. The rock above them. The small patch of night sky visible beyond.
"The Alpha was not a monster that a level 6 and 15 could actually defeat."
Her voice carried the weight of the desperation.
"The 12 wolf pack was easy. We could handle them. But a level 25 Apex is a different case."
She paused. The memory playing behind her eyes. The moment when the Alpha had charged. When death had seemed certain.
"I almost lost my will to fight."
The admission came softly. Vulnerable. Honest. A confession she might not have made before.
She turned her head. Locking her eyes to his. Emerald meeting black. A gaze that held no secrets.
"But when I saw your eyes… That feeling changed instantly. I don't know why."
She searched for words. Trying to explain something that defied explanation.
"Seeing your eyes, it made me believe we could actually win and see another day."
Her voice grew stronger.
"That was what made me able to actually fight beside you."
Hyoren nodded. Staring back at her. Understanding what she was saying. Recognizing the same feelings in himself.
"But we won."
He spoke the words simply. A statement of fact. They had survived. They had triumphed. Against impossible odds. Against a monster that should have killed them.
He gazed at the sky. Through the opening of the overhang. The stars were beginning to appear. The three moons shone on the sky. Trying to remember the memories of today. The fear. The desperation.
"To be honest."
His voice was soft.
"I was desperate too."
He turned slightly. Looking at the fire. Watching the flames dance.
"I didn't really know how powerful the Alpha was. I only knew it was powerful. Far more powerful than any monster I'd faced."
He paused. Gathering his thoughts. Finding the right words.
"But the dread of running and still dying ached me more."
The decision. Fight or flee.
"I would rather die trying, than run and still die."
His jaw tightened. The conviction in his voice.
"Those wolves were fast. They would have outrun us."
He gazed at Elise again. Looking into her eyes. Seeing her face in the firelight.
"And the dread that you might die fueled me."
The words came from somewhere deep. From deep of his soul.
"Especially when the Alpha was charging at you."
He could still see it. The Alpha leaping. Elise defenseless.
"I earnestly prayed to the gods. And thank Luminara and Noctynara, they answered me."
His voice carried gratitude.
"And gave me a weapon to save you."
Elise blushed slightly. The color rising in her cheeks. Visible even in the firelight. Her ears turning a shade of pink.
"That was the same for me."
Her voice was soft. Almost a whisper.
"I was dreading too. I thought I was losing you."
She looked away briefly. Then back at him. Her eyes glistening. Not with tears. But with emotion.
"The Alpha was dead. But you released a soul-shattering scream."
The memory was painful. Etched into her mind.
"I was clueless. What happened to you. I used potions to heal you. But you still screamed in pain."
Her voice cracked slightly. The helplessness of that moment.
"I didn't know what was happening to your body. I could only do whatever I could. Calming you down. Patting your head. Try to make you as comfortable as I can."
She took a breath. Steadying herself.
"That one hour of waiting for you to open your eyes..."
Her voice faded. The weight of the memory pressing down on her.
"...was the longest one hour I've ever felt."
Both of them sat there on the dry grass bed. They gazed at each other for a while. The fire crackled softly. The waterfall murmured in the distance. The night deepened around them.
***
Elise spoke first. Breaking the silence.
"Okay."
Her voice was soft.
"We really need to sleep. Our bodies need it."
The words were practical. Logical. But there was something else beneath them. A gentle dismissal of the heavy conversation. A recognition that they had shared enough for one night. That they needed to rest.
Hyoren nodded.
Elise lay down on the bedding. Her body settling into the dry grass. Finding a comfortable position. Her face turned toward him.
"That's right."
His own voice was heavy. Drifting toward sleep.
"My eyelids are already so heavy too."
He lay down next. Carefully. Deliberately. Trying to position his body as far from her as the bedding would allow. His back near the edge. A gap between them. A boundary he wasn't sure he should cross.
Elise couldn't stand it anymore.
She stared at him. Her brow furrowing. Her lips pressing together. A pout forming on her face.
"Why are you moving away from me, Hyoren?"
Her voice carried a note of complaint.
"Do I stink?"
She sniffed herself. A theatrical gesture. Exaggerated.
"Maybe I should wash my body first in the river?"
Hyoren's eyes widened. Flustered. He waved his hands frantically. Desperate to correct her assumption.
"No. No. Of course not."
The words tumbled out quickly.
"You're not smelly at all, Elise."
He mumbled the next part. Barely audible. Trying not to let her hear. Speaking more to himself than to her.
"You even smell so good."
But as they were close to each other, Elise still caught it. Her pointed ears twitching. Picking up the whispered words. Her pout transformed into a smile. A soft, pleased expression. Her ears turning pink.
"Then here."
She reached out. Grabbing his arm.
"Get close to me."
She pulled him toward her. Her grip firm. Insistent. Not accepting any protest.
"Don't be like a stranger."
Her voice was warm. Almost scolding. But gentle.
"We'll warm each other's bodies. The autumn night is chilly."
She forced him to get close to her. Pulling his arm. Dragging him across the bedding. Closing the gap he had created. She then snuggled closely to him. Pressing her body against his side. Finding a comfortable position. Nestling into his shoulder. Her arm draped across his chest.
Satisfied.
Hyoren had already given up. There was no fighting her determination. No resisting her pull. He surrendered. And did whatever she wanted.
"Okay. Okay."
His voice was resigned. But not unhappy.
"That sounds logical. Autumn chill."
He smiled. A small, knowing expression. The autumn chill hadn't bothered them before. They had slept in the forest. In the grassland. Without complaint. And suddenly it was going to harm them? The logic was thin. The excuse was transparent. But he was not tactless enough to say it aloud. He understood what she was doing. What she wanted. What she needed.
And if he was honest with himself, he wanted it too.
"Good night, Elise."
He faced Elise beside him. Adjusting his position. Settling into the bedding. Her warmth seeping into his side. Her breath on his shoulder.
She smiled back at him. A soft, contented expression. Her eyes already half-closed. Her body already relaxing into sleep.
"Night, Hyoren."
Not long after, he heard her breathing even into rhythm. She had already quickly fallen asleep. Exhaustion claiming her. Dragging her down into unconsciousness. The day's events had taken their toll. All of it demanding payment in rest.
Hyoren was exhausted too. His body still ached. The backlash of Berserker lingered in his muscles. But he couldn't sleep yet.
His mind was in turmoil.
He tried not to wake her up. Kept his body unmoving. A statue beneath her. He spoke in a low voice. Talking to himself. Sorting through his thoughts.
She is so defenseless.
His eyes wandered over her sculpted face. The features that had become so familiar over their journey. Her mouth releasing soft breath. Her lips slightly parted. Her silver hair scattered around her head. Spilled across the bedding.
His gaze moved to her torn tunic. One of her sleeves was gone. Torn away in the battle. Revealing smooth, fair skin of her arm. Pressed against his chest. All her wounds were gone thanks to the potion. And unlike him, she didn't have any battle scars. No evidence of past injuries. Definitely always healed with potion when she received any.
"She truly smells good.”
He inhaled slightly. Catching her scent. Even after the long journey. After the fight to the death. There was still a hint of blood and grime from her. The copper smell of battle. The earthy smell of the grasslands. But her natural fragrance was still dominant. Something uniquely her. Drove away the other smells.
Hyoren steeled himself. Closed his eyes. Forced his thoughts away from dangerous paths.
"Just like that, she completely trusts me."
The realization settled in his chest.
"I need to not betray her trust."
She had let him in. She had pulled him close. Shared her warmth. Shared her bed. Shared her vulnerability. All without hesitation. She trusted him completely. Despite everything she had been through. Despite the past that haunted her. Despite the walls she had built. She had let him past them.
He tried to forget about the soft sensation of her arm. The warmth of her body. The scent of her hair. He closed his eyes. Trying to sleep. Forcing his mind to quiet. Forcing his body to relax.
But as his body was already screaming to rest, once he tried to shut down his mind, it shut down completely. He fell into the deepest sleep he had ever had in this new world.
Both rhythmic breaths started to be heard in the grassland. The steady rise and fall of their chests.
Protected by the barrier. The Ward Stones glowing softly in the darkness. A shield against harm. A warning against danger. A circle of safety in an uncertain world.
Up in the sky, the three moons of Kresneger—Crimson, Azure, and Ebony—silently watching over them.