Mist twisted and curled silently around Raelyn's boots, swirling in ghostly tendrils across the ravaged battlefield. The world around her was stripped of all light—no moon, no stars, not even a faint gleam of sunlight broke the oppressive blackness. The ground beneath her feet was soft, slippery with something dark and thick that seeped into the earth, staining it forever. She could barely see beyond an arm's length, yet she knew without doubt this place was a scene of death.

Slowly, shadows emerged from the fog. Silent figures prowled the edges of her vision—dark shapes, bent and twisted forms with glowing eyes of deep crimson. They circled her, prowling quietly, never quite venturing close enough to be fully seen. Raelyn's breath quickened, her pulse hammering as she stepped cautiously forward, eyes straining against the impenetrable darkness.

Something bumped gently against her boot. Her gaze dropped slowly, fear pooling sharply in her stomach. Her breath froze in her throat.

It was a body.

Raelyn recoiled, stumbling backward only to collide with something else solid and heavy. She whirled around—another corpse lay twisted on the ground, its limbs grotesquely bent, face hidden in shadow. Panic surged, each frantic step revealing more bodies. Her eyes darted between them, horror gripping her chest tighter with each fallen figure she recognized.

Hovan lay sprawled upon the ground, his dark eyes wide open, staring blankly toward the empty heavens. His chest was torn open, the ragged edges bloody and raw, the life drained cruelly from him.

"No..." she whispered desperately, staggering backwards, heart thundering. Another body appeared—Sylvy's fierce eyes lifeless, frozen open in eternal defiance, her curved blades shattered beside her. Lira lay close by, her delicate features pale, lips parted as if in one final prayer that would never be answered.

Raelyn felt sick. She spun again, feet catching on another twisted corpse—Thomrik's sturdy form crumpled and broken, his powerful warhammer shattered like fragile glass at his side. Just beyond him lay Massah, small and pitiful, curled inward, his tiny red body pierced by dark wounds. Rakz was limp, his scaled body utterly still, eyes forever extinguished of their gentle gold.

"No, no, no," Raelyn's voice trembled, eyes blurring with tears. She staggered blindly backward until her boots bumped against yet another figure. Her gaze fell downward, recognition hitting like a physical blow—Danio sprawled lifelessly, his snapstaff broken in pieces, expression frozen in a final smirk robbed cruelly by death.

Her heart cracked as she turned, desperate not to find the last face. Yet inevitably she saw him—Benji lay motionless, eyes empty, mouth slightly open as if he'd tried to call out to her one final time.

"No!" she cried again, the pain unbearable, crushing the breath from her chest.

An icy grip latched around her ankle, holding her fast. Raelyn gasped, eyes wide as she stared down into the cold, empty gaze of Hovan. His mouth moved stiffly, the voice that came forth was dry, raspy—unnatural.

"You did this," he croaked, fingers tightening painfully. "You brought us here. Our blood is on your hands."

"No," Raelyn choked out, fighting to pull away, heart hammering against her ribcage.

Another corpse stirred—Sylvy's head slowly turned, broken neck twisting unnaturally as she hissed through pale, bloodless lips, "Your fault, Raelyn. We trusted you. You failed us."

Lira's lifeless form dragged itself towards her, eyes rolled back into her skull. "Our lives were your responsibility, Raelyn. You led us to slaughter."

More bodies began to shift, crawling toward her, cold dead hands clawing at her legs, grasping her wrists, dragging her down toward the blood-soaked ground. Raelyn screamed in desperation and terror as their dead voices joined together in a chilling chorus, chanting her name in accusation.

"Raelyn... Raelyn... Raelyn..."

She fought against their grasp, panic overwhelming her, tears streaming down her cheeks as their cold fingers tightened painfully around her limbs, pulling her into darkness.

"Raelyn!" a voice suddenly cut sharply through the nightmarish cacophony, clear and urgent. "Raelyn, wake up!"

Raelyn jolted awake, breath catching sharply in her chest. Her eyes flew open, blurred with tears and terror, as she stared upward into the concerned face of Benji, his dark eyes filled with worry, brows knitted in a deep frown. Behind him, Sylvy stood slightly hunched, eyes wide with concern.

Raelyn's heart still hammered painfully, her forehead slick with sweat. Her limbs trembled as she desperately sought to ground herself in reality, breathing heavily as the nightmare slowly loosened its icy grip.

"It's okay, Raelyn," Benji's voice was gentle, soothing. "You were having a nightmare."

Raelyn sat up shakily, her breaths still ragged, heart gradually calming. She looked around rapidly, relief washing over her at the sight of their companions—alive and unharmed. Thomrik lay asleep, his broad chest rising and falling steadily. Hovan was propped against a tree, eyes closed in a rare moment of rest. Rakz curled nearby, tail twitching lightly as he dreamt. Even Massah was curled tightly into a small red ball, twitching nervously but breathing evenly.

Raelyn exhaled deeply, her fear subsiding gradually into a dull ache of lingering dread. The vividness of her nightmare clung to her thoughts, but reality now grounded her back among her friends.

Sylvy moved closer, expression softening slightly, placing a hand on Benji's shoulder. "Take her to the stream," she suggested quietly. "Let her clear her head. Away from here so the others can continue their rest."

Benji nodded quickly, his eyes never leaving Raelyn's pale face as he offered his hand to help her rise. Raelyn gratefully accepted his support, legs trembling slightly beneath her as she stood.

She caught Sylvy's gaze briefly. The elf woman's lips curled subtly into a knowing smirk, eyes glittering with quiet amusement as she gave Raelyn a small wink, as if silently encouraging her.

Raelyn blushed lightly, feeling warmth creep into her cheeks despite her lingering fear. 

Benji guided Raelyn gently toward the stream, the muffled sound of running water greeting them as they stepped away from their companions. Despite the dim daylight, the shadowy gloom of Bromaric still lingered, wrapping around them like a shroud. Raelyn's heart still pounded from the vivid terror of her nightmare, the images stubbornly refusing to fade.

As they reached the stream, Benji gestured to a large, smooth rock that sat partially embedded in the soft earth. "Here, sit," he said gently, voice quiet and soothing. Raelyn settled onto the cool stone, feeling a shiver pass through her despite herself. Benji took a seat beside her, close enough that she could feel the comforting warmth radiating from him.

"Are you alright?" Benji asked softly, his expression filled with genuine concern as he studied her face.

Raelyn managed a weak smile, rubbing at her forehead. "I think I'm feeling a little better now," she admitted quietly. Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her attempt at composure.

Benji hesitated a moment, before softly prompting, "Do you want to tell me about the dream? What got you so upset?"

Raelyn paused, her teeth gently catching the edge of her lower lip as she stared down at her hands. Her fingers were clenched tightly in her lap, knuckles pale, as if she could physically hold the nightmare at bay.

"It was awful," she whispered, barely audible over the soft trickling of the stream. Her voice wavered, raw with lingering emotion.

Benji didn't speak. He shifted slightly beside her, just enough to lean in a bit closer, his shoulder brushing lightly against hers in quiet support.

Raelyn drew in a shallow breath, her gaze distant. "We were... on a battlefield." Her fingers curled tighter, nails digging into the fabric of her cloak. "Everyone was—was dead." Her throat closed around the word, her voice catching.

Benji's brows furrowed. He didn't press her to continue, just waited—offering silent patience.

"You, Hovan, Sylvy, Lira... Thomrik, Rakz, even Danio..." she continued, her voice growing thinner, almost hollow. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "All of you. I—I found your bodies. And you blamed me."

Her voice cracked now, and she sucked in a sharp breath, blinking quickly as though trying to chase away the images. She shook her head, just slightly, as if denying the memory's grip. "You kept telling me it was my fault. That I failed you. That I brought you to your deaths."

Benji reached out gently, placing his hand over hers, stilling their tremble with a comforting touch. She looked down at their hands, her breathing shallow, shoulders hunched.

"It felt so real," she murmured, eyes still locked on their joined hands. "Your faces, your voices... I couldn't stop hearing them." She looked up at last, her expression pale and vulnerable. "I was so afraid."

Benji's grip on her hand tightened, reassuring, grounding her. "Raelyn, I understand why you're afraid," he said earnestly. "You're carrying such a heavy weight. But listen, none of this is your fault. You didn't force any of us onto this path—we all chose to follow you, knowing the risks."

Raelyn sighed, unconvinced, her voice quiet and uncertain. "But none of you would be here, risking your lives, if it wasn't for me." Her voice broke slightly. "I'm terrified of failing all of you... of failing Unevia."

Benji tilted his head slightly as he held her gaze. "Your instincts have brought us safely this far, Raelyn," he reassured her gently. "And we're so close now. Just another day or two, and we'll reach the weapon. Once we have it, even Baragor and his demons won't stand against us. I truly believe we'll succeed."

Raelyn managed a small chuckle, the tension easing just a bit. She glanced at him, admiration softening her eyes. "You always know how to find the positives, Benji," she said softly, gratitude in her voice. "No matter how dire things seem."

Benji laughed quietly, a gentle warmth filling his expression. "Someone has to," he teased lightly, nudging her gently with his shoulder. His voice grew softer, more sincere. "I, for one, am grateful to have joined you on this journey, Raelyn."

Raelyn's heart fluttered at his words, a soft blush rising in her cheeks. She looked at Benji, studying the lines of his face—the way his gentle eyes watched her carefully, the quiet strength in his bearing. He wasn't the same unsure boy she'd left Brystwy Forest with; he'd grown strong, confident, dependable. A longing rose sharply in her chest, intensified by her nightmare, desperate for comfort and closeness.

Benji caught her prolonged gaze and raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Raelyn's blush deepened. She quickly shook her head, heart racing nervously. "It's nothing," she murmured quickly, averting her eyes.

Her thoughts raced, a battle waging within her between caution and desire. Her original fear persisted—they were too close now, and she couldn't risk distractions—but Sylvy's words echoed clearly in her mind. They were already risking so much, and Raelyn didn't want any regrets. Her gaze drifted, almost against her will, back toward Benji, landing softly on his lips.

She had never kissed anyone, and her stomach churned nervously at the thought. But if she could stand against demons, surely she could work up the courage to do this.

Drawing a slow, nervous breath, Raelyn gathered her courage and slowly began leaning in toward him, her pulse fluttering frantically.

Benji froze, eyes widening slightly in surprise, a blush quickly coloring his cheeks. For a terrifying moment, Raelyn worried she'd misread him entirely—that perhaps he didn't share her feelings at all. But just as the uncertainty began to claw at her heart, she saw Benji's eyes soften. Gently, hesitantly, he leaned in toward her too, their breaths mingling.

When their lips finally touched, the world around Raelyn seemed to melt away. Heat flooded her chest, warmth blossoming through every part of her. The kiss was soft, gentle, yet deep enough to stir a powerful rush of emotions she'd never felt before. It felt incredible, as though every uncertainty and fear dissolved beneath Benji's gentle touch.

Slowly, Benji lifted his hand, his fingers gently threading through her long, white hair, drawing her even closer as he deepened their kiss. Raelyn's heartbeat quickened, pounding loudly in her ears. She felt a rush of warmth spread through her entire body, an exhilarating thrill she'd never experienced before, mingling with the comforting sense of security Benji's touch always brought her.

In that suspended moment, all thoughts of their daunting quest faded away. She wanted to stay right here, locked in this embrace forever, shielded from the dangers that lurked just beyond their fleeting sanctuary. She leaned into him fully, savoring the sweet tenderness of his lips against hers, the reassuring strength of his arms wrapped protectively around her.

But eventually, reluctantly, their kiss slowed and ended softly. Their faces lingered close, foreheads gently pressed together, their breaths warm and intertwined. Raelyn slowly opened her eyes, feeling a gentle flutter of nervousness mixed with quiet delight.

For a long moment, neither spoke. They simply gazed at each other, an awkward yet tender silence stretching between them. Benji cleared his throat nervously, a shy smile tugging at the corner of his lips as his cheeks flushed a deep red.

"That was... um, that was good," he said awkwardly, clearly struggling to find the right words. His eyes flickered down briefly, then quickly back up to hers. "I mean, it felt really good. Did—did it feel good for you too?"

Raelyn's cheeks warmed further, her heart fluttering nervously. A shy smile broke across her face, and she parted her lips to answer—

But before Raelyn could speak, a loud creak echoed sharply through the grove, shattering the fragile intimacy they'd shared. Their heads snapped around simultaneously, eyes wide with sudden alarm, hearts abruptly pounding again—this time not from tenderness, but from an uneasy fear.

"What was that?" Benji whispered sharply, his body tensing beside her as he scanned the gloom of the trees around them.

Raelyn's eyes narrowed, heart thudding painfully in her chest as she searched the shadowed woods for any sign of movement. She found nothing. The stream continued its quiet babble nearby, oblivious to their sudden discomfort. But the stillness that settled afterward felt different, unnatural—as though something hidden within the shadows was holding its breath, watching, waiting.

She stood slowly, Benji rising cautiously beside her, his hand instinctively drifting to the hilt of his father's sword at his side. Raelyn's gaze drifted from one twisted, gnarled tree to another, anxiety creeping steadily through her veins.

Each warped trunk surrounding them was twisted unnaturally by Bromaric's dark magic, their branches elongated, stretching towards the sky like skeletal fingers clawing at empty air. Their bark was blackened and peeling, bearing jagged scars that split them open like open wounds, oozing with decay. Dead, shriveled leaves hung limply from their branches, rustling softly despite the absence of wind.

Raelyn's breath caught, unease pooling heavily in the pit of her stomach. Her eyes darted anxiously from tree to tree, finding only eerie stillness and dark, hollow spaces between them.

"I don't know," she finally whispered back. "I can't see anything."

Benji nodded slowly, his fingers tightening around the grip of his sword, eyes still warily scanning the surrounding gloom. "We should get back to the others—"

But his words abruptly cut off as a deafening, unnatural crack split the silence.

Raelyn spun around in panic, heart leaping into her throat. One of the nearby warped trees screeched into horrifying life, splintering and groaning violently as it shuddered into sudden motion. Its branches, now animated by some unseen and terrible force, whipped ferociously toward them, cracking through the air like angry whips of dead wood.

"Raelyn!" Benji shouted, shoving her aside just as a branch lashed towards them. Raelyn stumbled backward, watching in horror as Benji was struck heavily, sending him flying through the air and crashing painfully to the ground several feet away.

"Benji!" she screamed, heart racing with dread as the twisted, monstrous tree advanced, more branches extending hungrily toward her.