The next morning, for the first time in weeks, they didn't wake to orders.No secret maps. No runes. No "go now before we're caught." Just sunrise, birdsong, and the soft scent of pine.
Kael was the first to stir, as always. But even he didn't say a word — just watched the trees sway, arms crossed, face calm for once.
They'd been granted a break. A real one.One week, hidden in the valley beneath the cliffs of Serenn, where the waters ran clear and the sky stretched wide.It wasn't peace. But it was close enough.
Jax declared it a holiday before anyone could stop him.
"By royal decree of me," he said, arms spread dramatically, "this week shall be known as: Not Dying Time™."
"Does that mean you're not going to blow anything up for seven whole days?" Lyra asked, eyebrow raised.
"Absolutely not," he grinned. "Just... less violently."
Ariya laughed — really laughed — and that was when she realized how long it had been since the sound felt real in her throat.
They spent the morning near the river, boots off, feet in the cold water.Lyra braided flowers into Kael's hair while he sat stone-faced, pretending he didn't care.Jax tried to catch fish with his hands, failed spectacularly, then blamed the "untrustworthy water."
Ariya lay in the grass, eyes half-closed, the sun warm against her skin. For a moment, she didn't feel like a chosen one or a rebel weapon.She just felt… free. ☀️
At night, they built a fire and told stories.Jax mimicked their training master's voice perfectly. Lyra roasted spiced fruit and pretended she didn't enjoy the quiet.Kael actually smiled — once. Jax nearly fainted.And Ariya?
She sat close to the flames, her scarf slightly loose, the mark beneath it pulsing gently like a heartbeat. 🔥
It hadn't disappeared. But for now, it didn't burn.It simply… was.
Later, as the stars stretched over them, Kael spoke quietly beside her.
"You seem lighter."
Ariya didn't answer right away. Then: "It's just… good to laugh."
He nodded. "You should laugh more. Even fire needs time to breathe."
She turned to him, startled. But he was already watching the fire again, face unreadable.
She smiled anyway.
And somewhere, far across the kingdom…Ruvan stood at the edge of a cliff, staring at the same stars.His Shard was quiet for now. But the memory of her laughter — though he'd never truly heard it — stirred like wind against ice. ❄️