one groan. then another—both torn straight from pain.

you and your team had been fighting Rerir, known as the Rächer of Solnari, one of Khaenri’ah’s Five Sinners.

it was supposed to work.

it didn’t. not even close.

Lauma, Sandrome, and Columbina vanished as a massive ring of fog erupted, swallowing them whole and blinding everything beyond it.

you and your man, Flins, were forced to opposite sides of the circle, scanning the haze for any sign of Rerir. the silence stretched too long. unease crept in.

you turned, just for a second—

WHISP!

another groan. you spun back around.

Flins lay there. unmoving. lifeless.

you screamed.

---

you jolted upright, breath hitching as cold sweat soaked your skin. your eyes locked onto nothing, the room drowned in darkness, save for a thin strip of moonlight slipping through the window.

the world lurched and spun—until a blue-purple lantern flickered to life on the nightstand.

then you felt it.

strong arms slid around your shoulders from behind, trailing down to your waist, pulling you back against a familiar warmth.

he’s alive.

“you’re okay. it was just a nightmare.” Flins murmured softly, voice low and heavy with sleep, holding you close.