Kaelith entered the tent, soft steps. Xion sat upright, trying to appear calm, though beneath the blanket the fox girl's hot breath brushed against his thigh.
"Did you hear anything?" Kaelith asked, her amber eyes sharp as she scanned the surrounding.
Xion shook his head quickly. "No. Didn't hear is there something?"
Kaelith walked around, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. When she found nothing, she finally let out a low breath, her stance relaxing. She turned back toward him, her gaze on him.
"You're tense," she said. Then, leaning closer, she inhaled subtly. Her nose wrinkled. "There's… a strange scent on you."
Xion smiled. "Probably just sweat," he said with a nervous chuckle.
She leaned in further, her lips almost brushing his cheek as she took another slow breath. Then a faint smirk tugged at her lips. ""
His heart raced. Kaelith's face was close, her amber eyes gleaming. She tilted toward him, Xion forgot how to breathe.
But then, footsteps approached.
Kaelith pulled back instantly as Avera stepped inside. The captain's silver eyes flicked from her to Xion. "What are you doing here, Kaelith?"
Kaelith straightened like a soldier caught off duty. "Just discussing something with Xion."
"Yeah? Well, go back to your post," Avera said firmly. "That thing is still out there we can't afford mistakes."
Kaelith flashed Xion a quick wink before leaving.
Avera sighed, then looked at Xion. "Don't misunderstand her. She's a good girl."
"I know," he said softly.
She looked at him deeply for a moment, then finally smiled. "Good. Get some rest. Your turn is coming." With that, she left the tent.
Xion exhaled, then glanced under the blanket. The fox girl's face was crimson, her breath quick and shallow.
"Out," he whispered.
Reluctantly, she sat up, ears twitching. Xion blinked at her beauty again the soft red fur of her fox ears, her sharp yet delicate features.
"What's your name?" he asked quietly.
She hesitated, biting her lip. "…Soraya."
"Soraya." He nodded. "You have to leave before they find you. Promise me… you won't attack my group again."
She looked at him for a long time, then finally nodded. "I promise."
And just like that, she slipped out, vanishing into the night.
---
The next morning, the squad pushed deeper into the forest. The air thickened with tension until, at last, they found it hoofprints glowing faintly with shifting colors. They followed the trail until the Nine-Colored Deer revealed itself, drinking from a crystal lake, its fur shimmering with impossible hues.
"Surround it," Avera whispered.
They moved carefully into position. But the deer was no ordinary beast. With a thunderous cry, it reared up, its antlers blazing with raw energy.
The ground shook as it charged. Kaelith raised her shield but the impact flung her back like a ragdoll. She crashed against a tree, dazed.
"Kaelith!" Xion shouted.
Without thinking, he sprinted forward, intercepting the monster's next strike. The deer's antlers came down like a storm, but Xion's hidden strength surged through him. He caught the beast's strike bare-handed, forcing it back just long enough for Zera to flank and slash at its hind legs.
Selune's star fragment flared, Myla's blade struck, together they subdued the deer, binding it with chains of reinforced alloy. The creature thrashed, but at last it was dragged into a steel cage.
Cheers erupted.
---
Hours later, aboard the ship, the deer was locked in a fortified chamber. Engines roared, lifting them toward the skies.
In his quarters, Xion sank into his chair and pulled out his communicator. The screen flickered to life Lyra's smiling face appeared, her brown eyes soft with warmth.
"I missed you," he said, his voice gentle.
"Me too," she replied. "Don't worry about me and Nyelle were waiting for you."
He smiled, relief flooding him. "I'll be back soon."
Nyelle's voice chimed faintly from behind Lyra: "Tell him I have a surprise for him once he's back"
Lyra laughed. "She says she'll give you a surprise when you return."
Xion was exited. "I can't wait."
They exchanged loving words before the call ended.
Just then three knocks at his door.
"Enter," Xion called.
The door slid open. Standing there was Kaelith, her bronze skin glistening with sweat, her chest rising and falling beneath a simple sports bra. Black shorts clung to her hips. She leaned against the doorway, her amber eyes half-lidded.
"Can I come in?" she asked, voice low, steady.
Xion froze.