*Kryzen*
I squeezed Briella’s hand reassuringly as the gates to Celestial Valley came into view. It was a bittersweet return for her, I was sure. She loved the valley. It was her home, and I was aware of the great responsibility she felt toward it. That obligation was the reason she wasn’t as excited as she normally would be upon returning.
She had been quiet for much of the journey back, barely speaking unless one of us spoke to her directly. While we were all lost in thought and anticipating the uncertain future that lay ahead of us, Briella was the one who was carrying more than all of us on her petite shoulders.
Alyna frowned sadly at Briella and then gave me a pointed look like I was the reason for her sullen mood. She just rolled her eyes at me when I shrugged helplessly before she threw an arm around Briella’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. Remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re going to be right there next to you, no matter what happens.”
