"Lila.."
Riku and Elara turned towards Lila, who had her eyebrows furrowed and a frown on her face. She seemed very uncomfortable and was talking in her sleep.
Immediately, Riku started caressing Lila's forehead and whispered into her ear.
"I am not leaving you. I will never leave you unless you want me to."
As if acknowledging Riku's soft and gentle whisperings, Lila's eyebrows slowly loosened, and her face turned peaceful again.
"That's more like the Lila I know," Riku said happily as he saw Lila's expression soften.
"Did something happen, Riku? Are the two of you hiding something from me?" Elara glanced at Riku suspiciously.
"Nothing, nothing at all..." Riku immediately denied.
-----------------------
Riku watched Lila sleep for a few more moments, the events of the previous day still weighing heavily on him. He knew he couldn't afford to let his emotions, or the Grand Maximus persona, take control again. But to help, to act, he needed resources.
