Damian stood in front of the massive cave entrance where the Hound had first brought him.
The sloth was exactly where he'd been every other time Damian had seen him, lounging on a tree branch with his eyes half-closed.
The Hound sat at the base of the tree, golden eyes tracking Damian's movements.
And Kuro perched on the Hound's head, looking remarkably comfortable there despite the size difference.
The red sky that had dominated the world for weeks was gone now, replaced by normal blue that felt almost wrong after so long staring at crimson.
Damian's crimson hair was tied back loosely, his black clothes clean for the first time in weeks. He'd washed in a nearby stream that morning, scrubbing away the blood and dirt that had accumulated from constant fighting.
The sloth's eyes opened slowly, focusing on him with ancient awareness.
"So... you are going back?"
His voice came out deep and slow.
Damian nodded.
"I've been here long enough. People are probably worried."
