Night wrapped the mountain in a silver hush, like a soothing blanket. Comforting. Trickles of soft light infiltrated the medical chamber, illuminating Edrimar’s sleeping form. The blackened veins softened to a grayish-blue. His chest rose and fell in even rhythm.

  Weary yet composed, Maelira applied another layer of the herbal paste, the bitter and metallic scent of the purging venom filled the air. Zarien cleaned the bowl and mortar.

  A gentle breeze brushed against the chimes, giving a soft melody as everyone worked tirelessly. Humming softly, Syelira winged the cloth of access water and laid it across Edrimar’s forehead.

  Shoulders heavy, InuShin leaned against the wall, observing Edrimar’s recovery. I’m still not strong enough. The only reason he got hurt was because he was protecting me. Unsheathing his tantō, he stared at the blade, the subtle reflection of deep blue, emerald green, and fiery crimson stared back at him. I haven’t had a chance to learn how to use the other elements. It’s been one thing after another.

  His gaze lingered on the blade a while longer. And I haven’t figured out how to channel my elements through this metal.

  “Shin, Sye.” His mother’s voice filled the space. “Since Edrimar will sleep through the night, do you two mind gathering supplies for our travel?”

  “Will everything be okay?” Syelira asked.

  “Don’t worry, Zarien and I can handle it,” she smiled softly. “I want you two to take a moment and relax, with all that’s been going on. Okay?”

  Nodding slowly, Syelira lightly touched Edrimar’s arm. “What do we need?”

  Withdrawing a small coin pouch from her satchel, she hands it over to Syelira. “How about some dried meats, berries, additional herbs, and anything else you two might think of.” She winked with a playful smile.

  What was that? Tilting his head slightly, he sheathed his weapon and stood up.

  “You can leave the tantō here, you’re safe within these walls,” Zarien said. “The Skifulv are prepared, no enemies are getting through those forces.”

  As the air grew warmer, lighter, Syelira turned around with a gentle smile. Quickly closing the gap, she tucked the coin punch into her satchel. “Let’s go.”

  “Okay.” Setting his tantō down, InuShin followed her into the hallway.

  The walls were lined with bioluminescent vines, lighting their path. A wafty aroma of spiced root-wine, smoked game, and charred metal drifted down the hallway.

  The cavern walls opened as they stepped into the communal area, a lingering layer of thinning smoke from dying bonfires clung to the ceiling. The intense victory chants eased into low hymns, echoing through the numerous hallways. Drums, once boomed with triumphant rhythm now pulsed slowly, like a heartbeat fading into rest.

  InuShin paused at the edge of the gathering, his chest tightening as his feel flattened slightly. “They feast, sing, and drink as if nothing happened. They lost people, shouldn’t they be mourning?”

  Silhouettes spun slowly beneath the glowing lanterns as the dancers moved endlessly. Some with fierce smiles, others with wet eyes and trembling hands.

  “They are mourning,” she said, stepping closer, her presence a steady warmth. “But the Skifulv believe the highest honor is to fall while protecting those who cannot fight. Their spirits are celebrated, not only grieved.

  His shoulders relaxed, turning his gaze towards her. “Joy and grief together?”

  Nodding, her expression soft, illuminated by the twinkling blues of bioluminescent moss. “They celebrate that those lives mattered enough to defend, they grieve because they will never return, and they rejoice because the tribe still lives because of them.”

  A distant horn sounded, low and mournful. A series of Skifulv placed hand-carved stones at the base of the massive Moonstone, each etched with a name. No cheers. No boat. Just reverence.

  Eyes lowering, InuShin exhaled. “Back home, in Japan, death was quiet. Private.”

  A gentle brush of Syelira’s fingers sent goosebumps through his car. Light. Hesitation. Not pulling away, her thumb traced slow circles near his wrist.

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  “You carry death like a weight,” she murmured. “They carry it like a torch.”

  He turned to her fully, drawn by the sincerity in her voice. The red streaks in her hair framed the right side of her face, her eyes locked onto his. The music softened into a single, low flute. The stillness of the night settled around them.

  “Do you think one is better than the other?”

  Shaking her head, her hair shimmered like moonlit strands. “No better. Just different. Loss carves every heart its own way. They shape us in unique ways.” Her hand slid down, fingers brushing his palm before withdrawing just slightly, though hesitant.

  Heat rushing to his face, his fingers laced between hers, slow and deliberate.

  Hand in hand, swinging between them lightly, they exited the communal area and proceeded through a narrow passage. Opening into a broad, terraced plaza, lit up by the soft blue lanterns that hung from braided rope bridges, swaying like twinkling stars in the gentle wind.

  Displayed across carved stone counters and stretched hide cloths: coils of enchanted rope, rune-etched weapons, bundled herbs, insulated cloaks made of sleek silver fur, and many more.

  Pine smoke, cold iron, and faint sweetness of frozen berries permeated the air.

  Taking it in, InuShin slowed his pace.

  Syelira squeezed his hand. “This is the Serene Market. It’s where the Skifulv prepare for seasonal hunts and journeys.”

  A passing merchant raised two fingers over her heart, then brushed her knuckles across her brow. Syelira mirrored it with ease, her gestures fluid and natural.

  Confused, InuShin asked, “What was that?”

  “A Skifulv diplomatic greeting,” she said. “It’s something I was taught when I started training to become one.” Stepping forward, she pulled InuShin with her, keeping him by her side.

  “You’re going to make an amazing diplomat. Your patience, joyful humming, caring nature, and gentle approach makes you a natural at interacting with others.” His chest warmed with pride.

  Cheeks reddening, she reached up to her Triskele necklace, running her thumb across it. “Th…thanks. I’m trying my best.”

  One by one, they stopped by different shops, purchasing dried snowberry jerky, fyrboar jerky, some solanwyn bloom, mír?an starpetal, drakkvil, two crystalline flasks etched with lunar runes, and a spool of woven bark-cord.

  “Shin, let’s go see what they have.” Syelira pointed in the distance, a small stall draped in silver moss stood alone, close to the wall.

  Adjusting their new items, InuShin nodded. “Lead the way.”

  As they approached the mysterious stall, its wares were delicate rather than practical: carved bone pendants, rings made from crystallized sap, threads of shimmering silver fiber.

  “Shin, these are so beautiful.”

  Taking a glance at each piece, one in particular stood out. A slender bracelet woven from moonvine fibers and dark-bark strands with a deep blue gem in the middle. It glowed faintly, soft as breath.

  “Those are Lunar Vein Braids,” the vendor said. “A gift for someone whose path you pray will walk beside yours.”

  The words struck deeper than InuShin expected. Slowly, he lifted the bracelet, holding it out to her. “What do you think?”

  “I love it.” Beaming, she blushed “Is there a second one?”

  “Why?” InuShin tilted his head.

  “For you.”

  “I already have something from you.” He raised his wrist, showing the bracelet she gave him from the Dance of Ribbons. “Unless you forgot.”

  “I didn’t.” Her rosy lips curled into a soft, sweet smile.

  Reaching for her wrist, his fingers lightly brushed against her skin as he tied the braid. The stone lit up, as if responding to her pulse.

  “Thank you, Shin. I will forever cherish it.”

  “As I cherish the one you gave me.”

  Once paid for, they thanked the merchant and then stepped towards a separate narrow passageway. A gust of cool, fresh air brushed against their face.

  Taking his hand in hers, she pulled him towards the source. “Shin, let’s explore over here.”

  His heart pounded as he followed her, tightly gripping her hand as he carried the supplies with his other.

  With each quick step, the air grew colder. Crisper. The faint scent of pine resin, cold mist, and distant smoke surrounded them.

  At the end, it opened to a wide cliffside. The moon hovered high in the air, casting a ghostly light onto the ground. Stars twinkled behind the meager clouds. Slowly approaching the edge, a dark ocean of treetops stretched as far as the eye could see.

  “Wow. What a beautiful view,” she said. “Don’t you agree?”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  A flat stone was perched near the edge, as if carved for a small getaway from the inside commotion. Taking a seat side by side, a gentle breeze brushed against their skin, forcing her to scoot closer to him, pressing her body against his.

  Adjusting his cloak, InuShin wrapped it around them.

  In comfortable silence, they overlooked the treetops. Faint lightning appeared in the distance, revealing a second mountain. Taller.

  “Shin…” she started slowly.

  “Hm?”

  Hesitant, she reached up, running her fingers across her Triskele necklace. “What are your plans after all this? After the war is over, I mean.”

  After the war is over? His gaze lowered slightly, though it remained on the horizon. “If possible, I’d like to return to Japan. To see if my Father is alive.” His grip tightens slightly, but her thumb glides across the back of his hand, calming him. “I’d like for my parents to see each other again. I want you to come with us too, if you’d like.”

  The air around them warmed as she released her necklace. “I would love to see the land that brought you in. Shaped you…” She paused briefly. “Before your exposure to war.”

  “Before war…” he said. “My father forges weapons, which is how I got my tantō. He told me to take it before leaving. My homeland bleeds just like this one. Everyone is fighting for dominance, control, and survival.” He let out a weighted breath. “We weren’t directly in it, but we were well aware of the constant fighting. Clans versus clans. Kinda like tribes versus tribes.”

  “What else do you see in your future?” Repositioning herself, she looked towards him.

  “Hard to say. With so much going on, it’s a little hard to keep up.” He turned his attention towards her, the moonlight capturing in her soft, gentle eyes. Her smile brightened the night’s darkness. “What about you?”

  “I’ve thought about it a lot, and I want a future beside you. Not just as travelers… or friends… But as…” Her words trailed off, looking away.

  His heart pounded heavier as a lump formed in this throat. “As mates?”

  Without looking his way, she nodded slowly, reaching up and running her fingers across her necklace. Her cheeks reddened.

  Blinking slowly, he gently smiled and said, “I’d like that. I don’t know anything about mating rituals, but like everything else, I’ll happily learn.”

  “Really?!” Her eyes shined brightly as her smile grew.

  InuShin nodded.

  “I’m glad.” Shifting once more, she leaned her head against his shoulder, wrapping the cloak tightly around them. “And when I visit your homeland, I will learn anything and everything.”

  Tilting his head, he laid it on top of hers, their fingers intertwined as they stared off into the horizon. The tree leaves rustled like a flowing ocean. A brighter star emerged in the sky, as if it was listening to them.

  “I’ll happily teach you whatever you want to learn.”