The forest no longer felt the same.
Not after she spoke her real name.
Vayushri.
She sat quietly near the lake's edge, knees drawn up, moonlight reflecting off her damp silver-blue hair. She no longer projected illusions. No longer pretended. The disguise called Shweta had dissolved with her fear.
Arin watched her in silence for a moment. She was trembling—not in cold, but uncertainty.
Perin sat protectively between them, tail flicking, occasionally glancing at Vayushri but not hostile.
Arin finally spoke.
"…So Shweta was never real."
She lowered her head. "That name was easier… softer. Spirits like me often hide behind names humans once gave us. 'Vayushri' is my true bond name—bestowed when I swore service to the Mother."
"…Mother Nature," Arin said, expression darkening slightly.
Vayushri's voice quivered. "She knows I hesitated to kill you… she will call me back soon. If I disobey—my essence will be consumed to fuel newer, stronger spirits."
Arin wasn't sure how to respond at first.
Consumed… like erased from existence?
He exhaled.
"Then don't go back."
She blinked. Slowly. Almost in disbelief.
"You say it like it's easy," she whispered.
He shrugged slightly. "Didn't say it was easy. Just… worth trying."
She looked at him for a long time.
Something… gentle but damaged lingered behind her eyes.
"…Why help me?" she asked softly.
"Because you cried," he said, like it was the simplest answer in the world.
She stared—then looked away quickly, as though emotion were dangerous.
Silence.
Only the soft rustle of leaves and quiet breathing between three unlikely souls—human, beast, and spirit.
[Meanwhile – A disturbance awakens elsewhere] In an unseen domain far from human lands, a pulse of divine energy rippled through a vast overgrown shrine.
A colossal, unseen presence stirred.
A single whisper floated through the realm like wind slicing through still water.
"Vayushri… disobeyed."
Roots tightened.
Earth shivered.
The Mother had noticed.
And Arin's existence had just earned her wrath.
Back at the lake – A fragile calm
Arin gathered dry branches and made a small controlled campfire—not for heat, but comfort.
Vayushri sat across from him, unsure how to act without orders.
"…Do you even know how to rest?" he asked finally.
She hesitated. "Spirits do not sleep like humans. But… I can remain… near."
He nodded. "Do that, then."
She sat a little closer.
Perin hopped into Arin's lap like a victorious guardian and then onto Vayushri's shoulder, surprising her slightly.
Her eyes widened at the odd trust. Slowly… she allowed the tiny creature to sit there.
For the first time in centuries, perhaps… she did not feel like a weapon.
Night deepened.
Time passed.
Arin stared at the fire, lost in thought.
"Hey," he said suddenly, without looking at her, "from now on… I'll call you Vayushri."
She froze.
No fear this time.
Just quiet acceptance… and the faintest hint of warmth.
"…Alright."
Their pact was not spoken.
But it had already begun.