Alex POV
Alex returned to his room, sweat clinging to his shirt and hair sticking slightly to his forehead.
The streets of Ingrid were quiet now, the distant sounds of the city fading behind the walls of the inn.
He had just returned from a short run, just enough to clear his head before sleep, but his chest still throbbed from the effort.
He peeled off his soaked top, tossing it onto the chair, and reached for a clean shirt when a chime echoed faintly in his ears.
Ting-♪
He froze.
A translucent box appeared before his eyes, glowing faintly.
He read the words slowly, disbelief flickering across his features.
.
[The girlish boy is trying to sneak out.]
[He seems to be in a rush.]
.
Alex's eyes widened.
There was no time to think.
He grabbed the clean shirt from the bed and yanked it on.
His sword slid onto his back with practised ease.
He dashed from his room, boots thudding softly against the wooden floor, and rushed down the stairs.
The inn was silent, empty, save for his careful movements.
At the bottom, in the faint light spilling from the tavern, he caught sight of Soren.
The boy's hand rested on the door handle, his hood low, and his shoulders tense.
His fingers trembled faintly.
"You were going to leave, weren't you?" Alex asked, stepping closer.
Soren didn't answer.
Alex sighed and took in the sight before him.
Alex's gaze swept over him, noting the fragility beneath the deliberate posture.
He had heard improvement from Olivia, but this, this was still raw.
"You can't go alone," Alex said, his voice bitter but quiet. "Not when you're like this."
"…It's something I need to do…I'll be fine," Soren whispered, his voice breaking.
Alex's jaw tightened.
'You're not fine. Anyone can see that.'
His hands were shaking, and his voice was breaking.
Alex stepped closer, gently, carefully.
Soren instinctively stepped back.
"I get it," he said quietly. "But you're not fine. And you can't do this alone. If it's that important, then we'll go with you."
The boy's eyes flickered, hesitation clear, and after a long pause, he exhaled.
"…Fine."
Alex nodded slightly, relief seeping through him.
"Wait here. I'll get Olivia."
As Alex turned to climb the stairs, a quiet, heartfelt thanks slipped from his lips.
"Goddess Aryn, thank you."
••✦ ♡ ✦•••
The streets of Ingrid were nearly empty, lamplights flickering against cobblestones wet from earlier rain.
Soren led the way, cloak drawn tightly, his steps slow but deliberate.
Alex trailed a few paces behind, scanning the surroundings as he walked.
Olivia stayed close to Soren, careful not to crowd him, her presence steady and subtle.
"Soren?" Olivia's voice cut softly through the silence, soft and cautious. "Am I allowed to ask where we're going?"
Soren paused, the streetlight reflecting faintly off his hooded face.
"…A dungeon."
Alex stopped mid-step.
"…A dungeon?" he repeated.
"There's something I need from there," Soren added, low and firm.
Olivia tilted her head.
"And this is something that has to be done now?"
Soren simply nodded, no further explanation offered.
He noted Soren's posture, how his shoulders hunched, his hands twitched at the edges of his cloak.
Every few steps, Soren glanced back briefly, as if expecting someone to intervene, his pace unhurried but tense.
Alex stayed alert, moving silently, keeping distance but ready if needed.
Olivia murmured small encouragements whenever a stray noise startled Soren; a rustling cat in an alley, the creak of a shutter.
Her voice was quiet, almost a shadow beside him.
Alex allowed himself a moment to appreciate her subtle care.
She was careful, patient, and never overwhelming, which allowed Soren to respond just enough to stay on track.
The silent teamwork between them was remarkable, and Alex felt a quiet swell of respect for her.
They walked on, the faint rhythm of their steps the only soundtrack to the night.
Alex's hand rested lightly near his sword, ready, but he didn't speak.
There was no need.
••✦ ♡ ✦•••
The city gates disappeared behind them, lantern-lit streets giving way to faintly lit dirt roads that twisted into the countryside.
The faint smell of smoke and ale lingered in the air for a moment before fading, replaced by damp earth, grass, and the distant chirping of crickets.
Soren moved ahead, cloak tight, hands occasionally twitching at the edges.
Every step seemed measured, as though he were tracing a path stored somewhere in his memory.
Alex followed quietly, careful to stay just far enough to avoid disturbing his rhythm, yet close enough to intervene if anything went wrong.
Olivia walked alongside him in near silence, her light steps soft against the dirt.
Every so often, her gaze flicked toward Alex, a faint glimmer of affection or concern in her eyes.
Alex returned the glance, a subtle nod exchanged between them, a quiet acknowledgement of shared responsibility, unspoken but understood.
Soren murmured directions under his breath now and then, barely audible, almost a whisper.
Alex noted the way he paused at intersections, tapping the edge of a tree or examining the curve of the road as if committing it to memory again.
Each motion carried a careful precision, a blend of obsession and habit, his mind clearly elsewhere even as his body moved forward.
"Keep to the left here," Soren murmured, brushing aside a low branch.
Alex glanced around.
The path was narrow, flanked by tall hedges and thin groves.
No signs of anyone else, just faint shadows stretching with the early morning light.
The quiet was heavy but not oppressive, and Alex realised it was easy to see why Soren felt the need to maintain this pace and focus.
"You're doing well," she said softly as she matched Soren's steps.
Her voice didn't demand a response; it was a small tether for the boy ahead.
Alex noted Soren's subtle twitch in reply, not a word, just a slight shift in his shoulders, a minimal acknowledgement, but enough.
A dog barked distantly, breaking the silence.
Soren flinched, glancing sideways for a brief moment.
Olivia's hand hovered near him, silver light shimmering, ready but relaxed.
A soft whisper of the incantation followed, gentle and unobtrusive, and Soren's shoulders eased slightly.
Alex watched, impressed by the quiet care between them.
They passed small villages on the outskirts, with few lights in the windows and scattered.
Soren's eyes scanned the streets, checking corners, adjusting his steps to avoid anyone awake this early.
Alex stayed alert, noting every twitch, every shift, every tiny adjustment.
Even in his obsessive focus, Soren's fragility remained visible.
A meadow opened up just beyond the edge of the village, and Olivia produced a small amount of food, including bread and dried meat, and a flask of water.
She offered it to Soren, who took it mechanically, chewing carefully and swallowing with deliberate control.
His eyes flicked to Olivia for a brief instant as she gave a faint, encouraging smile.
His lips twitched upward, almost imperceptibly, and Alex felt a quiet relief wash over him.
'It's small, but progress nonetheless.'
They resumed walking, the dirt road narrowing as trees grew closer on either side.
The morning light shifted through the leaves, casting irregular patches of brightness across the path.
The air smelled richer here, damp and alive.
Soren moved ahead with the same careful precision, avoiding roots, scanning for potential obstacles.
Olivia stayed close, adjusting her pace to match his, murmuring soft reassurances whenever he flinched at sudden sounds; the snap of a twig, a rustling bush.
Alex observed quietly, noting how her presence seemed to balance his obsessive focus.
It was subtle, quiet, and effective.
Alex's hand remained near his sword, though he rarely drew it.
The tension in his posture was low, controlled.
He had a clear view of both Soren and Olivia, and he stayed alert for anything unexpected in the quiet forest.
By the time the sun was beginning to climb, a faint warmth filtered through the canopy.
The city and villages behind them were gone, replaced entirely by the countryside.
The road ahead curved into shadowed groves, promising more unknowns.
Alex glanced at Soren, walking ahead, precise and tense.
He didn't speak, didn't flinch at the birds overhead or the occasional rustle of leaves.
Alex knew the boy's mind was occupied entirely with the task ahead.
Olivia's eyes flicked toward him once more, almost imperceptibly, and Alex gave a small, understanding nod.
Their silent communication remained intact: vigilance, care, and reassurance, without words.
Soren's focus remained unwavering, obsessive, and fragile.
••✦ ♡ ✦•••
The sun had dipped behind the treetops, leaving the forest in shades of blue and grey.
Shadows stretched long across the hill where they had stopped to set up camp.
Alex took in the quiet of the clearing: no distant village lights, no bustling streets, just the soft sigh of wind through the leaves.
Soren moved methodically, unpacking his compact tent and sleeping bag.
Every motion was precise, almost ritualistic, his hands trembling faintly when he unfolded the sleeping bag.
Alex noted the meticulous care he took with a series of practised gestures.
"Need a hand?" Alex asked softly, approaching to offer assistance without crowding him.
Soren shook his head.
"…I've got it," he said quietly, voice low but steady.
Alex nodded, stepping back, giving him the space he clearly needed.
Olivia crouched beside the supplies and set out a small portion of food.
"Dinner," she said simply, lifting her eyes toward Alex as she passed a portion to Soren.
He accepted it mechanically, sitting on the edge of the tent, chewing carefully and swallowing deliberately.
Each movement was slow, controlled, as if forcing his body to keep pace with his obsessive focus.
Alex observed quietly.
There was no conversation yet, only the soft sounds of eating, the crackle of the small fire Soren had started.
Sparks floated upward, dissipating into the forest night.
Once Soren had finished, Olivia murmured an incantation, her words soft, almost musical:
"Quiet thy storm, still thy heart. In the name of Aryn, peace shall find thee. 「Mental Care」"
A gentle warmth spread from her hands toward him.
Alex watched as the tension in Soren's shoulders eased fractionally.
His movements became smoother, less rigid, though his body remained tense overall.
Alex settled a few steps away, giving them their privacy.
His eyes scanned the forest perimeter while also noting the subtle interactions.
Olivia's presence was quiet but effective: a soft glance, a gentle adjustment of her posture when Soren flinched at the distant rustle of leaves.
He couldn't help but admire her careful attentiveness, the way she anchored the boy without demanding attention.
Olivia hummed quietly, glancing at Alex.
Her voice was light, musical, but her eyes flicked toward him in a way that didn't escape his notice.
He gave a brief nod, appreciating the unspoken rhythm between them.
Soren didn't notice this; he wasn't meant to.
His attention remained on the fire, on his meticulous organisation of supplies, on the path that lay ahead.
Time passed quietly.
The forest settled into a deeper stillness, only the occasional rustle of a small animal or the distant call of a night bird breaking the calm.
Alex noticed Soren's gaze flicker toward the sky at one point, observing the stars, shoulders still tense, fingers twitching lightly when a breeze stirred the leaves.
Olivia stayed close enough to offer support but far enough to respect his space.
Alex exhaled slowly, feeling the delicate balance in their small group.
Soren's obsession and fragility were constant, Olivia's quiet care tethered him, and he was the silent protector, maintaining vigilance while allowing them the room to function.
It was delicate, fragile, yet effective.
As the night deepened, the fire burned low, casting gentle shadows across their faces.
Alex let his gaze linger on Soren for a moment.
Despite the obsession and tension, there was progress.
The boy's movements were intentional, controlled, and the brief acknowledgements he offered Olivia, though fleeting, were significant.
Alex's eyes shifted toward Olivia.
They were both committed to Soren's path, to ensuring he reached the dungeon safely, and yet their own silent communication provided a quiet grounding in the tension-filled night.
Finally, as the fire dwindled and the forest's night sounds settled into a lull, Alex allowed himself to relax slightly.
Soren sat slightly apart, staring at the stars, posture tense but controlled.
Olivia kept a light watch over him, her presence soft and reassuring.
And Alex remained alert, sword at hand, mind focused on the forest, the path ahead, and the fragile, obsessive boy who led them toward the unknown.
••✦ ♡ ✦•••
By late afternoon the next day, they reached a deeper section of the forest.
The canopy above was nearly impenetrable, and shadows pressed in from every direction.
The air felt heavier, alive with unseen movement.
Alex noticed Soren moving with greater confidence, though still precise and cautious.
And finally, they arrived at a small clearing.
In the centre, almost hidden by the dense shrubbery, stood a sapling.
Soren's steps came to a halt as he extended his palm toward it.
Alex watched with careful attention as Soren formed a blue magic circle in his left palm.
The boy whispered one word.
"「Aqua」"
A sphere of water materialised, hovering in front of his palm.
The water fell over the sapling, droplets replenished as needed, and with each drop, the ground trembled faintly.
Soren's body quivered, but his hands remained steady, obsessive focus overriding his fragile state.
Minutes passed, and the sapling grew rapidly before their eyes, its branches stretching high above the surrounding trees.
Alex observed silently, noting the intensity in Soren's movements, the quiet obsession driving him forward.
Finally, Soren closed his hand, shattering the blue magic circle.
Without hesitation, he stepped to the base of the tree, touching the trunk.
The ground shivered beneath them, and a space formed within the tree; a portal, large enough for a person to step through.
Olivia whispered, voice laced with awe and curiosity.
"What… is that?"
Soren's reply was quiet, almost a murmur.
"It's the entrance."
Alex didn't ask how he knew; he didn't need to, he simply observed, acknowledging Soren's knowledge and obsessive precision without question.
Together, the three of them stepped forward.
Alex's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, eyes scanning the surroundings, ready for whatever awaited beyond the tree.
Behind him, Olivia moved with quiet grace, her presence a tether of reassurance for both Alex and Soren.
And ahead, the boy who had been so desperate for this moment led them into the unknown, driven by a goal that consumed him entirely.
The portal swallowed them, and the forest fell silent once more.
————「❤︎」————