The crushing loneliness Waylinn had borne for what felt like a thousand years. Or perhaps even longer, began to ease just a little in the presence of these companions.
Waylinn rolled the basilisk gently toward Heka. "Eat this."
Heka took the offering with trembling hands. His eyes met Waylinn's with gratitude and a flicker of hope. He bit into the basilisk cautiously, savoring the strange but nourishing taste.
For a moment, the silent vibe between them was comfortable. It was filled with unspoken understanding and the fragile beginnings of trust. In that quiet space, two souls, one beast, and one human found a connection that transcended fear and uncertainty.
Waylinn watched Heka intently. His eyes narrowed with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Each bite Heka took from the basilisk made Waylinn's mind calm. He desperately wished that nothing harmful would come from it.
He pondered whether Heka's body would accept the strange meal without consequence. Every small movement, every flicker of expression on Heka's face, was scrutinized as if Waylinn could throw away any danger simply by watching closely.
After a moment, unable to hold back his worry, Waylinn finally spoke. His voice was low but edged with concern. "Did you eat something while I was away?"
He knew he had left Heka alone for longer than he intended. The thought gnawed at him. What if Heka, driven by hunger and desperation, had scavenged something random to eat?
Something unsafe or harmful? The uncertainty was unbearable.
After all, Heka was human. Unlike Waylinn, whose immortal beast form might endure hunger differently. Heka needed sustenance to survive, to breathe, to keep his strength.
Without proper nourishment, the delicate balance required for Soul Delivery would falter, rendering it useless. Hunger could weaken Heka's body and spirit. It made him vulnerable in ways Waylinn feared deeply.
Heka looked up, meeting Waylinn's gaze with a faint, tired smile. He replied softly, though the weariness in his eyes betrayed the struggle he had endured. "No, I didn't eat anything else."
Waylinn's shoulders relaxed slightly. Relief washed over him like a cool breeze. He said quietly. "Good. You have to take care of yourself. I can't protect you if you act recklessly."
"Don't ever take random things to eat!!" His tone was sharp. It was a warning born from experience and the harsh realities of the immortals' realm.
His eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and concern. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on Waylinn's shoulders. However, in that moment, all that mattered was that Heka was still here.
Heka nodded solemnly. "Okay."
He understood what was expected of him, especially in a place that was not truly his own. The immortal realm was a land of strict rules and hidden danger.
Where every action had consequences far beyond what a mere human could grasp. He knew he had to follow Waylinn's guidance carefully before making any moves.
"What happened when I went away? Who was entered in this grottverna?" Waylinn asked. His gaze scanned the dim corners of the grottverna.
The question hung heavy in the air, charged with unease. The grottverna, a secluded cavern deep within the immortal realm, was supposed to be a sanctuary.
Yet the unsettled feeling that had gripped Waylinn earlier now made sense. Probably someone or something had breached their refuge.
The two figures exchanged a look. A silent vibe passed between them. In this realm of enchantment power and hidden threats, trust was fragile. The vigilance was the only shield against the unknown.
Heka began, his voice calm but thoughtful. "There was another immortal, just like you.
But he wasn't bad, nor treacherous. He just lay down here for a while. His body was exhausted and injured. His wings were almost broken apart."
He paused, the memory clearly vivid in his mind. "So, I helped him. I tied up his wings to keep them from falling apart further. After that, he left."
Waylinn's tense shoulders relaxed slightly at Heka's words. Relief washed over him like a gentle tide. Although Heka had encountered another immortal, the fact was that the stranger was not hostile.
And Heka himself was unharmed, which meant there was nothing to worry about. No new threats had emerged in their fragile sanctuary.
"Well, after this we'll go back to Kiervant Sky. But it will be a long journey for you, because I can't do teleportation, not yet." Waylinn said. He shifted his gaze toward the dim horizon beyond the grottverna's entrance,
Heka smiled softly. His eyes shone with quiet excitement. He replied simply. "It's okay."
Despite the dangers that lay ahead. Despite Waylinn's own worries, his ability was not enough to protect Heka.
Instead, Heka's courage remained unbroken. There was no fear in his expression. Only a steady resolve to face whatever challenges came their way.
Even if the path was definitely perilous. After all, it was what Heka truly desired the most, exploring the place that he had never seen in the human realm.
Waylinn looked at Heka, admiration and a protective instinct swelling within him. This journey would test them both, but together, they would endure.
Waylinn glanced toward the narrow passage leading out of the grottverna. His sharp eyes scanned the shadows as if expecting something to emerge at any moment.
He warned. "The path back to Kiervant Sky isn't just long. It's dangerous. Many beasts are lurking in the borderlands. They twist by dark magic and hunger. They don't take kindly to intruders."
He remembered vividly the days when he was nothing more than a wild beast, untamed and driven solely by instinct. Back then, his world was a blur of primal urges and survival, hunting, fleeing, and fighting to stay alive. There was no control, no purpose beyond the next day.
It was those dark times before Marchio adopted him. Back then the journey to Kiervant Sky was a grueling ordeal. He had to walk thousands of miles, each step heavy with exhaustion and uncertainty.
The path was unforgiving. It stretched across harsh landscapes and treacherous terrains. There were no shortcuts, no magical aids. Only the relentless march forward, driven by a deep, unspoken duty.
Every mile tested his endurance. Every moment brought new dangers. Every step was a battle against despair. Yet, despite the hardship, he pressed on.
After that, Marchio gave him magical skills. With a gift of magical skill, Marchio transformed him. Not just physically but spiritually. He awakened a new part of himself that had long been buried beneath the feral nature.