So that's what you were thinking?" Valtor teased.
Orea smiled faintly and shook her head in embarrassment. "Sorry about that... it was uncalled for."
"Don't apologize," Valtor spoke softly, blue eyes fixed on her. "I liked it," he whispered.
Orea's breath hitched as a warm sensation flooded her senses again. She bit her lip nervously, unsure what might happen if Valtor's soul-staring gaze lingered a moment longer.
She looked away, pulling up her toolkit. "Come on," she exhaled. "Let's go show the others you're awake."
Valtor's eyes followed her as he lifted himself, quietly observing her every move.
They stepped out of the tent — his arm resting over Orea's shoulder while she supported his side.
Feeling the incoming footsteps, Kymani looked back. "Oh, thank God!" He bent to his knees, then hurried toward them, his dramatic reaction drawing the others' attention.
"Valtor!" they chorused in unison as they stood up.
Kymani rushed forward, giving Valtor a tight hug while Valtor let out a slight hiss as Kymani's arm brushed his injury.
"Kymani, be careful!" Orea chided.
"Sorry!" the younger boy quickly pulled away, eyes gleaming with excitement. "You're alive!" he beamed, shaking their captain lightly while Valtor laughed under his breath, touched by his reaction.
"You really had us frightened," Kymani continued.
Before Valtor could reply, Rowynn suddenly stepped in, almost knocking Kymani aside as she enveloped Valtor in a hug.
"I'm glad you're okay," she sniffed, muttering a soft "thank you."
Valtor nodded in understanding while Orea smiled quietly, watching from the side.
Zara and Lynx followed.
"Welcome back, Captain," Lynx smiled, giving Valtor a side bro hug.
"Thank you," Valtor replied, then glanced at Zara. She marched toward him, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
His brows furrowed in confusion.
She stopped a few steps away. "Now that everyone's expressed their joy in seeing you awake," she said, her tone cool, "I'm going to mention everything you did wrong." Her expression hardened.
"First of all, that jump you did was way too reckless. Second, you approached the final part of the battle like a solo fighter when you had us all around you. You're the one who always says 'watch each other's backs,' yet you decided not to call for backup when you needed it!. Then you got badly hurt, leaving us with the guilt of not being there to protect you—while you protected all of us!"
Her voice cracked. The camp fell silent.
"Do you realize how selfish that is?"
Valtor blinked, taken aback by her outburst. "I know." He lowered his head, then looked up again. "And I'm sorry." A small smile tugged at his lips. "I missed you too, Zara."
Zara stared at him, breath trembling, before a watery chuckle escaped her. Tears clouded her eyes as she stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.
"I thought we'd lost you for real," she whispered. "Sorry if I started out too harsh."
"It's okay," Valtor smiled. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
When they broke the hug, Valtor turned to the others. "Thanks for all the care, guys."
His gaze shifted around. Their environment had changed — less vegetation, more open paths, and a cooler air that brushed against their faces.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"We've moved further north," Zara replied. "We're still on a mission, so we had to keep moving."
"But how did you even get me out here while I was unconscious?"
Kymani grinned. "Lynx carried you on his back. And I helped too."
Valtor blinked at Lynx. "You carried me all the way out here?"
"Yeah, it wasn't a big deal," Lynx said casually. "Just see it as my way of saying thanks—for jumping into fire to help me."
A wide smile spread across Valtor's face. He nodded, warmth flickering in his eyes.
Orea and Zara helped Valtor to a nearby log to sit. Once he'd settled for a while, the wavy-haired girl faced him.
"So, what's the plan now? When do we resume alien-hunting?"
Valtor glanced at the others. "When do you guys think we should?"
"Tomorrow," Lynx spoke up. "Like Zara said, we need to keep moving. And once we do, we'll probably encounter more aliens along the way."
"I agree," Kymani added. "We need to keep going if we want to escape any time soon."
Orea glanced between them. "I get your point, but Valtor can't fight alongside us—not until he's fully healed."
Valtor's gaze shifted to her as she spoke.
"Sure," Kymani replied. "We don't want him dying on us for real this time," he teased, facing him. "You hear that, Captain?, no more fighting for now. That's an order."
Valtor only smiled and nodded. "Very well."
"Then it's settled," Zara said, her tone softening. "We'll head out tomorrow." She turned to Valtor. "Now let's get you something to eat."
She disappeared into a tent, Rowynn following close behind.
Overwhelmed by the warmth surrounding him, Valtor leaned gently against Orea, his dark hair brushing against her bare arm.
"You okay?" she asked, glancing at him.
He smiled. "Yeah… I'm more than okay."
Closing his eyes, he let the cool air wash over him. For the first time in what felt like ages, peace settled around him—quiet, soft, and real.