˗ˏˋ ★ˎˊ˗

Ruv muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper as he trudged through the cold night air. "Where the heck is she..." His eyes narrowed at the looming church ahead, the temperature plummeting well below freezing. He had sworn he’d seen something off about Sarvente lately, something... different. His mind raced as he pushed forward, his footsteps quiet but determined.

The pink demon—his best friend—was out there, somewhere. And Ruv wouldn’t rest until he found her.

The icy wind stung his face, but it didn't slow him down. Every breath was visible in the frigid air, but his focus was unshakable. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something had gone wrong with Sarvente, especially after that last encounter with Boyfriend and Girlfriend. She had gotten bitter. And that wasn’t like her.

Ruv’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening as his mind replayed the look in Sarvente’s eyes when she lost to them. He had sworn to protect her, to stand by her side, no matter what. But this... this was different.

He walked the grounds of the church carefully, eyes scanning every shadow as if waiting for something to jump out at him. His thoughts, once sharp and calculating, were interrupted by a faint sound. A voice, carrying the low hum of a conversation, faint but unmistakable.

Ruv froze in place, his instincts kicking in as his eyes darted toward the sound. Slowly, he crept toward it, his gaze never leaving the shadows. His breath was steady, careful. Then, it hit him—one of the voices was unmistakable. It was Sarvente’s.

Relief washed over him for a split second. She’s fine... He leaned back against the cold, stone church wall, a deep sigh escaping his lips. Still, his instincts were on high alert. He squinted into the darkness, watching the scene unfold. But who was she talking to?

A figure stood with her, someone unfamiliar. Ruv’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of suspicion—no, jealousy—flaring up inside him. Who were they? Why didn’t Sarvente mention anyone new?