I think we spent an entire day in that cave, sheltered from the world, the silence between us speaking louder than words. The fire had burned low, our bodies exhausted. At some point, Raiden left—to scavenge for wood. I stayed behind, staring at the flickering shadows on the cave wall.
What if I had never gone in?What if I had chosen the other path?But no. That was a dangerous thought.I found my way home, didn't I?
When Raiden came back, his expression was unreadable, but he finally said, "The only way is to follow the river. There might be a village."I nodded, ready to move—until I noticed his limp.
His knee.Injured.Swollen.He hadn't said a word.
"You're hurt," I whispered.
He looked away. "It's nothing. I can walk."
But I saw the pain, sharp like glass.He was pretending to be fine. I hated that.
"We'll go slow," I said. "Let's just get to the river."
So we did.
We walked alongside it, listening to the murmur of the water. It was almost calming, almost enough to forget the aching silence inside us both. But after about an hour, I noticed how his steps faltered, how he pressed his lips together to suppress a groan.
"Let's take a break," he said through clenched teeth. I helped him down.
He lay on the ground, panting, gripping his knee. The way his fingers trembled—I knew we couldn't keep going like this.
I stood, scanning our surroundings. Trees. Rocks. The river, flowing like time itself.Not too fast.Not too slow.An idea formed like lightning in my mind.
"HEY! I HAVE AN IDEA! STAY HERE!" I yelled.
I bolted into the trees and found it—a thick, solid trunk. With a few swift strikes of my sword, it fell. I dragged it back, breathless but smiling.
Raiden blinked at me. "You okay? Why are you carrying a log?"
I grinned. "The current's gentle. We hold onto this, and it'll carry us. No more walking. It'll save your leg."
He stared at the river. Then me. Then the log.
"ARE YOU INSANE?! I CAN'T SWIM!"
"That's why the log's here!" I said. "You hold on, I'll be next to you. Nothing will happen. Trust me."
His jaw clenched. He looked down at his injured leg, then back at the water. He closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath.
"Fine," he said. "But if I drown, I'm haunting you."
I smirked. "Deal."
I went in first, guiding the trunk into the water. It floated perfectly. Then Raiden followed—hesitantly. The moment he couldn't feel the bottom, he gripped the trunk like his life depended on it.
His eyes were squeezed shut.
"You okay?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
I reached out and took his hand. "It's okay," I said gently. "You're safe."
He flinched, embarrassed, and pulled away.I laughed softly.He was definitely thinking, She thinks I'm a baby now.
But it worked.We floated downriver, the current carrying us silently, gently.It felt like something from a forgotten dream.
Yet even as the trees passed and the water whispered, my thoughts returned to the scar on my neck.If it wasn't from a fall… then what?
And why did Raiden have one too?On his chest.Same shape.Same size.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
"Hey," Raiden's voice broke my thoughts. "You okay?"
"Sorry," I said. "I didn't hear. What did you say?"
"I said your idea was good."
I looked at him. "Thanks."
He studied me for a second. "You're thinking about your family, right?"
I paused."No," I said quietly.
He raised an eyebrow.
"They were never really my family," I continued. "They tried to help. They really did. But nothing worked. So I'll look for my real family. They're out there… somewhere."
Raiden looked at me like he wanted to say something. But he didn't.
We drifted in silence.Then—A village.
Nestled around a lake.Bright fabrics hung from wooden beams. Flowers danced on the ground like living paint.It was beautiful.
I smiled. "Finally."
But then I heard it.Shouting.Cheering?
No.Screaming.
"GET AWAY FROM THE WATER!"
My head snapped around. Villagers waved frantically. Some pointed. A boat raced toward us.
I turned.
The water behind us—dark. Too dark. A warmth pulsed through the current like a heartbeat.Then I saw it.
A shape.A shimmer.
A water demon.
My blood froze.
"SWIM!" I screamed.
The boat neared, someone threw a rope.Raiden reached it, barely, gasping.
I knew—we couldn't both make it in time.
"I'LL PUSH YOU FIRST!" I yelled.
"No, Eloula—!"
But I shoved him toward the boat. He was grabbed instantly and pulled in.
I turned. The demon was almost on me. I stripped off my coat—anything to move faster.
Behind me, I heard his voice break.
"ELOULA, COME!!"