The forest breathed around them in the pre-dawn darkness, mist clinging to everything like reluctant spirits. Saanvi's eyes opened before the others, her body automatically responding to some internal clock that had kept her alive through countless dangerous nights.
*Another day. Another step forward into whatever mess we're walking toward.*
She slipped from her bedroll quietly, muscles protesting the cold ground. The fire had died to glowing coals, and the air carried that particular bite that meant dawn was still an hour away. She pulled her shawl tighter and stepped carefully around the sleeping forms of her companions.
*When did I start thinking of them as companions instead of just... people I'm traveling with?*
A few yards from camp, she found herself a relatively private spot behind a massive oak and began her morning stretches. The familiar routine grounded her, each movement deliberate and calming. She'd barely finished when she heard the soft scrape of someone else stirring.
Devran sat up slowly, his hand automatically going to his sword—a habit so ingrained it probably happened in his sleep. His dark hair was mussed, and there were lines on his face from whatever he'd been using as a pillow.
*He never really sleeps, does he? Even unconscious, he's ready to fight.*
"Morning," she murmured as she returned to the clearing.
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Quiet night. That's something, at least."
Tianlan was still curled up in his blanket like a hibernating animal, only the top of his head visible. His breathing was deep and even—the sleep of someone who'd learned to grab rest whenever possible.
*He looks younger when he's sleeping. Less sharp around the edges.*
Devran's gaze lingered on the sleeping figure for a moment longer than necessary, something soft flickering across his features before he caught himself and looked away.
*Interesting.*
Wei Zhan muttered something unintelligible and rolled over, throwing an arm across his face. Even in sleep, he looked irritated about something.
Xie Lian sat in meditation nearby, his breathing measured and steady. There was something peaceful about his presence, like standing near still water. Wei Zhan's restless movement seemed to settle whenever he was close to Xie Lian, though neither of them seemed aware of it.
*They orbit each other without realizing it.*
Vihaan was awake, of course. He sat against a tree with his eyes closed, but she could tell from the set of his shoulders that he was listening to everything around them. He always was.
*Does he ever actually rest? Or is he always on guard, always watching?*
Riku looked like he'd been attacked by his own blanket. One arm hung off his makeshift bed, and his hair stuck up at impossible angles. He was snoring softly, occasionally mumbling what sounded like herb names.
"Rise and shine, disaster boy," Devran said, nudging Riku with his boot.
Riku groaned dramatically without opening his eyes. "Five more minutes. The sun's barely up."
"The sun's been up for twenty minutes," Devran lied smoothly.
"Twenty minutes of perfectly good sleeping time, wasted," Riku protested, but he sat up anyway, blinking owlishly. "You're all terrible people for making me conscious this early."
Tianlan stirred at the sound of voices, emerging from his blanket cocoon with his hair even more disheveled than usual. "Please tell me someone made tea."
"Do I look like I make tea?" Devran asked.
"You look like you make a lot of things," Tianlan mumbled, then seemed to realize what he'd said. A flush crept up his neck. "I mean—brewing things. Potions. Whatever."
*Oh. OH.*
Devran's expression shifted, something almost like a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Do I now?"
The tension that suddenly filled the space between them was thick enough to cut. Tianlan busied himself with folding his blanket, not meeting anyone's eyes.
*Well, that's new. And complicated.*
"I'll make tea," Xie Lian said gently, either oblivious to the undercurrents or tactfully ignoring them. "Wei Zhan, there's a stream about fifty yards east if you want to wash up."
Wei Zhan grunted acknowledgment, but didn't move immediately. Instead, he watched Xie Lian's graceful movements as he prepared the tea with the same focused attention he usually reserved for potential threats.
*And that's not new at all. Just... unspoken.*
Saanvi gathered some herbs she'd spotted the night before, letting the familiar task occupy her hands while her mind wandered. The forest did feel different today. Expectant. Like it was holding its breath.
"You're up early," Vihaan's quiet voice came from behind her.
She didn't jump—she'd heard him approach, of course. But something about the way he said it, the careful neutrality that didn't quite hide... something... made her pulse quicken.
"Couldn't sleep," she said, not turning around. "The forest feels restless."
"Or maybe you do."
She did turn then, meeting his dark eyes. There was something there, in the space between them, that made her mouth go dry. He was standing closer than necessary, close enough that she could smell the faint scent of pine and something uniquely him.
*When did he get so close? When did I stop noticing him moving?*
"Maybe I do," she admitted quietly.
For a moment, they just looked at each other. The forest around them seemed to fade, leaving only the space between them and the weight of all the things they weren't saying.
Then Riku's voice cut through the moment like a blade. "Tea's ready! And before anyone asks, no, I didn't help make it. I was specifically banned from the tea-making process after the unfortunate incident with the nettle leaves."
The spell broke, and Vihaan stepped back, his expression returning to its usual careful neutrality. But Saanvi caught the way his hand flexed at his side, like he'd been about to reach for her.
*What was that? And why am I disappointed it ended?*
They returned to the others, settling into the comfortable routine of breaking camp. The tea was perfect—Xie Lian had a gift for that sort of thing. Wei Zhan had returned from the stream with his hair damp and his mood marginally improved.
"So," Devran said, settling next to Tianlan with his own cup, "what's the plan today?"
Tianlan shifted slightly, not quite moving away but not quite comfortable either. "Ask our resident forest expert."
All eyes turned to Riku, who was attempting to tame his hair with limited success. "Well, if we're still heading east, we've got options. The main road continues through the valley, but it's long and boring. Or we could take the ridge path—steeper, but faster, and the views are spectacular."
"Ridge path sounds fine," Saanvi said. "As long as you're not planning to fall out of any more trees."
"That was one time," Riku protested. "And technically, I didn't fall. I descended rapidly and with style."
"Style," Tianlan repeated flatly. "That's what we're calling it."
Devran chuckled. "I like his version better."
The look Tianlan shot him was complicated—part irritation, part something warmer. "You would."
*They're doing it again. This careful dance around each other.*
"The ridge path it is," Xie Lian said diplomatically. "Though perhaps we should discuss what we're actually looking for. This Master that everyone keeps mentioning..."
The mood shifted immediately. Riku's expression grew more serious, and Wei Zhan set down his tea cup with a sharp clink.
"Right," Saanvi said slowly. "The mysterious Master. You've been hinting about him since you joined us, Riku. Time to share what you actually know."
Riku was quiet for a long moment, staring into his tea. "What I know and what I've heard are different things. And what I've heard... it's not exactly reassuring."
"Try us," Devran said.
"The stories say he's not entirely human anymore. That he's walked between worlds so long he's become something else. Some say he teaches forbidden arts. Others that he's searching for something specific." Riku looked up at them. "And some say he's already found it, and that's why he's disappeared."
Vihaan was very still, his breathing carefully controlled. Saanvi noticed, because she'd started paying attention to the small changes in his posture.
*He knows something. Something he's not sharing.*
"Disappeared?" Xie Lian asked.
"No one's seen him in months. But before that, there were sightings. Always moving east, always alone. And always..." Riku paused. "Always followed by people who didn't come back."
Wei Zhan snorted. "Sounds like a cautionary tale to keep people out of certain areas."
"Maybe," Riku agreed. "But I met a merchant last month who swore he saw the Master walking these very woods. Said he was tall, wrapped in gray, and his eyes..." He shuddered. "Said they weren't human eyes anymore."
The silence that followed was heavy with implications.
"And you didn't think to mention this before?" Tianlan asked.
"I mentioned it," Riku said defensively. "I just didn't mention all the terrifying details. I was trying to maintain group morale."
"Morale," Devran repeated. "Right."
"Look," Riku said, "the point is, if we're heading east, we might be walking into something bigger than we bargained for. And if this Master is real, if he's out there..." He shrugged. "We should probably decide what we're going to do about it."
*What are we going to do about it?* Saanvi thought. *What CAN we do about it?*
"We keep moving," she said finally. "Whatever's out there, we'll deal with it when we find it. Or when it finds us."
"Optimistic," Wei Zhan muttered.
"Realistic," she corrected. "We've made it this far by adapting to whatever gets thrown at us. This won't be different."
Vihaan's eyes met hers across the fire, and she saw something there—approval, maybe. Or understanding. The look lasted a moment too long, and she felt heat rise in her cheeks.
*Stop it. Focus on the actual problems, not... whatever this is.*
"Right then," Devran said, standing and stretching. "Let's pack up and find this ridge path. If we're walking into trouble, I'd rather do it with decent footing."
As they broke camp, Saanvi found herself watching the dynamics between her companions with new eyes. Devran and Tianlan moved around each other with careful precision, never quite touching but always aware of where the other was. Wei Zhan hovered near Xie Lian under the guise of helping pack, finding excuses to brush against him in passing. Vihaan was as watchful as ever, but she caught him looking at her more often than usual.
*When did everything get so complicated?*
"Saanvi," Xie Lian said quietly, appearing at her elbow. "Are you all right? You seem... distracted."
She forced a smile. "Just thinking about what Riku said. About the Master."
"Ah." Xie Lian's expression was knowing. "Yes. That's... concerning."
"You think he's real?"
"I think something is real," Xie Lian said carefully. "Whether it's what the stories claim or something else entirely..." He shrugged. "I suppose we'll find out."
*He's not telling me something either. They're all keeping secrets.*
The thought should have bothered her more than it did. Instead, she found herself wondering what secrets she was keeping, and from whom.
The ridge path was as steep as Riku had promised, but the views were indeed spectacular. As they climbed, the forest spread out below them like a green carpet, broken by streams that caught the morning light. The air was thinner here, cleaner, and despite the ominous conversation earlier, Saanvi felt her spirits lift.
*This is beautiful. When did I stop noticing beautiful things?*
"Careful here," Riku called from ahead. "The rocks are loose."
Tianlan stumbled slightly, and Devran's hand shot out to steady him. The contact lasted longer than necessary, both of them freezing for a moment before Tianlan pulled away.
"Thanks," Tianlan mumbled, not meeting Devran's eyes.
"Anytime," Devran replied, and there was something in his voice that made Saanvi look away, feeling like she was intruding on something private.
*They're going to have to figure that out eventually. Before it drives them both crazy.*
Wei Zhan was struggling with the climb, his breathing harsh. Without a word, Xie Lian appeared at his side, offering a steadying hand.
"I'm fine," Wei Zhan protested, but he didn't pull away.
"Of course you are," Xie Lian agreed easily. "But the path is treacherous for everyone."
Wei Zhan's expression softened slightly. "Right. The path."
*And they're already half-way figured out. They just don't know it yet.*
Vihaan moved up the trail with easy grace, never seeming to struggle with the terrain. But Saanvi noticed he kept glancing back, making sure she was keeping up.
*Like he's watching out for me specifically. Why does that make me feel... things?*
At the top of the ridge, they paused to rest and take in the view. The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, broken only by distant mountains and the silver thread of a river.
"It's beautiful," Saanvi said softly.
"It is," Vihaan agreed, but when she looked at him, he was watching her instead of the view.
The look in his eyes made her breath catch. There was something raw there, something vulnerable that he usually kept hidden.
*Oh. Oh no. This is not good timing.*
"Saanvi," he said quietly, taking a step closer.
"Yes?"
"I—" He stopped, seeming to struggle with something. "I wanted to tell you..."
"Tell me what?"
Before he could answer, Riku's voice cut through the moment. "Uh, folks? We might have a problem."
They turned to see him standing at the edge of the ridge, pointing down into the valley below. Following his gaze, Saanvi saw smoke rising from what looked like a small settlement.
"Is that the next village?" Devran asked.
"It was," Riku said grimly. "But villages don't usually smoke like that unless something's very wrong."
The peaceful moment shattered. Whatever Vihaan had been about to say was lost as they all stared down at the ominous smoke.
*Of course. Just when things were getting... complicated in a good way, the universe decides to throw us another crisis.*
"We need to get down there," Saanvi said, already moving toward the path.
"Wait," Vihaan caught her arm. "It could be dangerous."
The contact sent a jolt through her, but she forced herself to focus. "That's why we need to check it out. If people are hurt..."
"If people are hurt, we might not be able to help," Wei Zhan pointed out pragmatically. "And we might just be adding ourselves to the casualty count."
"He's right," Devran said, but his hand was already on his sword hilt. "But we can't just ignore it."
*This is what we do. We walk toward trouble because someone has to.*
"Carefully," Xie Lian said firmly. "We go down carefully, and we assess the situation before we act."
They began the descent, the mood shifting from the tentative intimacy of the morning to the focused tension of approaching danger. But even as they moved into potential threat, Saanvi was aware of Vihaan's presence beside her, of the way Devran and Tianlan moved in sync despite their awkwardness, of how Wei Zhan and Xie Lian seemed to communicate without words.
*Whatever's happening between all of us, it's not going away. And maybe... maybe that's not such a bad thing.*
The smoke grew thicker as they descended, and with it came the acrid smell of burning wood and something else—something that made them all move faster despite the danger.
*Here we go again. Into the fire, toward whatever's waiting.*
*At least this time, I'm not walking into it alone.*