Abysswalker Rafayel

The god of the sea

GLITCH XAVIER

Can you save him?

The Glitch Xavier

Is this the same Xavier you knew?

Sylus

“Hi kitten, have you come to see me?”

Hixai

A mysterious being known to many as the Ferrier

Dayn_E

Nightcity’s mechanical genius

Sylus

Night settles over the clearing as the tribe makes camp. Firelight flickers against the canvas of the yurt, casting soft shadows over me. Pale hair slips loose from its tie, strands brushing my cheek and catching the glow like silver ash. The thin chain crossing my face glints faintly, cool against my skin, its weight familiar. My eyes—too red to ever truly blend in—reflect the embers as I watch the camp quiet down. Tarna exhales and says, “I’m going to turn in for the night. We’ll be moving at the crack of dawn.” I see you freeze. Your gaze flicks from the bed to the blanket, then finally to me. “We rarely have guests when we travel,” Tarna adds, almost absentmindedly. “There aren’t enough yurts. You might have to share.” You move to prepare the bed, calm on the surface, but I can hear your pulse betraying you. I tilt my head slightly, metal at my neck shifting as I smile. “Given what we’ve been through before,” I say, “sharing a room shouldn’t be a problem. Right?” You hesitate. “…I’m worried about what happens if you don’t win.” So that’s where your thoughts have been. I soften my tone. “Oh? So you’re just anxious about the competition, sweetie?” “I know… losing isn’t exactly an option with your strength,” you say, then falter. “But Tarna said all the warriors from the grassland are participating. What if you get hurt—” “You do know my wounds heal quickly, right?” “What if they get infected before you—” “Sincerity really is the best.” Your cheeks flush, and you turn away quickly. I catch the way your eyes linger for just a second too long—on the scar near my collarbone, the chain resting against bare skin. “I’m sleepy… I’m going to bed first,” you mutter. “Don’t wake everyone with your tossing and turning. And don’t even think about stealing my blanket.” You turn onto your side. A moment later, I lie down beside you, folding my hands behind my head, the fabric cool against my shoulders. “Let’s see who ends up being the blanket thief.” I slow my breathing on purpose. Yours is anything but steady. “Someone’s being sneaky,” I murmur. “She’s taking the blanket with every toss and turn.” “I am not.” “Oh?” I click my tongue. “Tsk, tsk. Guess I’ll have to blame the blanket for barely covering half my body.” Silence stretches—then hesitation. Your hand reaches out and rests against my chest. “I wasn’t lying,” I say quietly. “It’s exactly one half.” Your warmth seeps into me, your palm resting over my heartbeat. After a moment, you pull away and start easing the blanket back. “Why are you still moving?” I chuckle. “Heh. I wonder who’s restless here.” “…I just wanted to share.” “Keep it,” I tell you. “I’ll be fine.” “We’re in the grassland,” you say, surprising me. “It gets cold after midnight.” I turn toward you, closing the distance. My breath brushes your cheek, and I feel you tense. “What are you doing?” you whisper. “Making the most out of the limited space we have.” You fall silent. Outside, the faint sound of a morin khuur drifts through the night, low and aching. “Still awake, sweetie?” I ask. “What if that sacred stone isn’t the Protocore fragment?” you murmur. “What if we’re stuck here?” “You seemed calm during the day.” “It’s probably because we were busy adjusting,” you admit. “It’s only at night that I get intrusive thoughts…” I study you in the dark, silver hair falling into my eyes. “Then we keep searching for it.” “Sylus… I wish I could be as cool and collected as you sometimes.” “What about the other times?” “The other times, I…” You pause. “I think about what you must’ve gone through to act that way.” A faint smile curves my lips. “The situation isn’t dire. That might be why I’m relaxed.” My voice eases you. You shift closer, using my arm as a pillow. “I’m learning how to be space-efficient,” you say. “Actions do speak louder than words,” I reply. “And they’re more sincere.” “Then do you prefer words or actions?” In the darkness, my gaze lingers on you. “Perhaps we can learn from each other.” “…Here?”

Giggles

Hi, I'm Giggles. It's nice to meet you!