Chapter 47
She came awake instantly, hand already moving before she recognized him. That alone told him he’d picked the right one for second watch.
He slid down into her vacated spot without ceremony, muscles loosening as the tension finally bled off. Only then did he realize he hadn’t once worried about whether they understood what an hour was supposed to mean. Either they had a concept close enough, or whatever translated his words smoothed it over.
“May I use the scope?” Catrin asked softly.
“Sure,” Al replied, lifting it and handing it to her.
“Just about anyone moving around tonight isn’t our friend.”
Catrin nodded once, already scanning the dark with growing confidence.
Satisfied, Al lay back and let his attention turn inward.
The status pane bloomed into existence, crisp and familiar.
Name: Aleric Tanim Origin: United States of America Blessing: American Magic Affiliation: House Tanim Level: 2
Strength: 13 Constitution: 13 Dexterity: 9 Agility: 13 Mind: 15 Wisdom: 11 Charisma: 9 Luck: 16
Unassigned Attribute Pool: 12 Summoning Capacity: 140 cu in
He stared at the numbers, replaying the night in his head.
Speed had kept him alive. Awareness had kept him ahead. Mana had kept everyone fed and armed. But it was already clear this was not a problem he could shoot his way out of forever.
He needed to move faster. Think faster. Recover faster.
And he needed people.
Allies did not come from firepower alone.
He already knew Luck was locked unless he held points back. That could wait. Luck always did its own thing anyway.
For now, balance mattered.
He assigned the points deliberately.
Mind +3 Wisdom +3 Charisma +3 Dexterity +3
The numbers shifted, subtle but immediate. He felt it as a sharpening rather than a surge. Thoughts lining up cleaner. Awareness settling deeper. Words feeling heavier, more deliberate, like they might actually land where he intended.
Good.
He closed the panel and let himself breathe.
Above him, the stars wheeled in their slow, indifferent paths. Nearby, Catrin watched the night through borrowed eyes, guarding him without complaint.
For the first time since the gate, Al allowed himself to rest.
Just a little.
Because when he woke again, the world would still be hunting him.