The way back was silent.
Not because of tension… but because of comfort. There was no need to fill the space with words. Each of them still seemed to be absorbing what they had experienced in the forest.
The feeling of the blessing was still there.
More controlled.
More… integrated.
When the walls of Vailor appeared in the distance, something changed. The environment returned to normal. The sound of people, the movement of the city, the familiar rhythm.
Lyannis was the first to react. "There goes the peace."
Rai'kanna let out a soft laugh. "How long were you there? Two days?"
"That was enough," she replied.
Scarlett looked at the city calmly. "Still… it's good to be back."
"Because it's familiar," Elara said.
Vespera added. "And functional."
Liriel simply watched, calm. "Every place has its role."
We entered the city without drawing much attention as before.
Or at least… that's how it seemed.
A few glances appeared.
Subtle.
Others not so much.
But no one approached.
"They're looking," Rai'kanna commented.
"They always are," I replied.
Lyannis shrugged. "They just noticed more now."
Scarlett walked beside me without concern. "You're used to it."
"Yes."
And it was true.
After everything that had happened, it didn't matter anymore.
We headed straight to the mansion.
The gate was opened before we even needed to knock. The staff was already attentive to our arrival. The movement was quick, but organized.
Nothing excessive.
Just… efficient.
We entered.
And at that moment…
We could feel it.
The weight… leaving.
Rai'kanna was the first to drop her rigid posture. "Finally."
She walked without ceremony to one of the chairs and dropped into it. "Nothing better than this."
Lyannis stretched, raising her arms. "Bed. I want a bed."
Scarlett let out a soft sigh. "I agree."
Elara walked slowly through the hall, observing everything as if checking it. "Nothing has changed."
"That's good," Vespera said.
Liriel stopped in the center of the room, looking around. "It's… comfortable."
I just observed.
The mansion looked the same.
But the feeling was different.
Before, it was just a place to rest between missions.
Now…
It felt more like… a base.
"Let's rest," I said.
No one disagreed.
There was no planning.
No discussion.
Just… a simple decision.
We went upstairs.
The rooms were exactly as we left them. Clean, organized, ready.
Lyannis practically disappeared into one of them. "Don't call me for anything."
Rai'kanna laughed. "I'll remember that."
Scarlett entered her room, looking at the bed as if it were something rare. "I really missed this."
Elara sat on a nearby chair, crossing her legs. "Rest is necessary."
Vespera leaned against the wall, observing everyone. "But it can't last too long."
"Today it can," Liriel said.
And for the first time…
No one questioned it.
The hours passed without us noticing.
Some slept.
Others just lay down in silence.
No urgency.
No pressure.
No battle.
I stayed awake for a while, looking at the ceiling. There was nothing specific in my mind.
No plan.
No immediate concern.
Just… a peaceful emptiness.
And that was already different.
After so long living in constant alertness, it felt almost strange.
But not bad.
Just… new.
When I got up, the sun was already beginning to set.
I went down to the hall.
Scarlett was already there, sitting with a more relaxed posture than usual.
"You didn't sleep much," she said.
"It was enough."
She nodded.
Rai'kanna appeared soon after, running a hand through her hair. "Now that was a rest."
Lyannis followed. "I would sleep more."
"You always would," Rai'kanna replied.
Elara came down with calm steps. "The body needed it."
Vespera followed right behind. "But we can't slow down completely."
Liriel was the last to come down, with a calm expression. "We still have time."
We gathered in the hall without formality.
Without defined positions.
Just together.
"So," Lyannis said, dropping into a chair. "What do we do now?"
The question lingered in the air.
But it brought no pressure.
Only… direction.
I looked at the group.
"For now… nothing."
Rai'kanna smiled. "Good answer."
Scarlett rested her chin on her hand. "Just rest?"
"Yes."
Elara nodded. "Recovery is part of progress."
Vespera didn't disagree. "As long as it doesn't last too long."
Liriel looked at me. "You'll know when the time comes."
I nodded.
And at that moment…
It became clear.
It wasn't about stopping.
It was about knowing when to move forward.
Night arrived without rush.
The mansion fell into silence.
No arguments.
No strategy.
Just… rest.
And for the first time in a long while…
That was enough.