Kale woke to warmth.

Liliana lay in his arms, her head resting against his chest, the soft weight of her hair spilling across his shoulder. One of her legs was tangled with his. Her breath moved slow and even, and for a few moments, he let himself believe the world had stopped for them.

Outside, the faint glow of pre-dawn touched the window. Not enough to wake the city. Just enough to remind him it would.

He shifted slightly. She stirred.

"Morning," she murmured.

He smiled. "Morning."

"We leave soon."

"I know."

Liliana turned to face him. "You know this could be the last quiet moment we get."

He met her eyes. "Yeah."

"I don't want to waste it," she said. "So if there's anything you've been meaning to say…"

He let out a breath. "Where do I start?"

"Anywhere."

"I never expected you," he said quietly. "Not you, not this. Not to care about someone like this."

"You didn't make it easy," she said. "But I never expected it either."

They were quiet for a while, watching each other like they were trying to memorize what this looked like—what they looked like, together, without war at their heels.

"I don't know what happens next," he said. "But if I don't make it—"

"You will."

"Still. If I don't…"

She pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't waste the moment."

"I meant it, you know," she said. "Last night. I want more time. With you. After."

He swallowed. "If we live through this, I'll give you all of it."

Liliana didn't smile. Not quite. But she leaned in and rested her forehead against his. "Then let's survive."

Kale closed his eyes and held her tighter, like he could trap the moment between his fingers and make it last.

He wanted to believe her. To believe they could both walk away from this. But the vision still clung to him—Rika, Sadek, Namara, Liliana—lying still. Too still. And him, alone.

He didn't know what it meant. Maybe it was a lie. Maybe it wasn't the future. But it felt true. Too true.

Dying… that, he could live with. If it came to that. If it meant stopping Xeroth, ending this, giving the rest of them a chance.

But being the only one left standing?

That would break him.

That would be worse.

He didn't want to save the world and lose her. Or any of them.

But the gods weren't interested in fairness.

He had been pulled into this, by who or why was still unclear. Though lately, it was starting to take shape. Like catching movement behind a curtain, just out of reach. Threads weaving themselves together. Xeroth. Aeloria. Yr. His grandfather. The shards. The blade. The gem. Him.

Maybe he'd never had a choice. Maybe it had all been set in stone from the start. A story written long before he ever opened his eyes.

His grip on Liliana tightened. Just a little. Just enough.

But he did have a choice.

He could still decide what to fight for. What to protect. What to give, and what not to give up. They could take his blood, his sword, even his life, but not that. Not his heart. Not his will.

He kissed the top of her head. "I'll do my best."

She didn't answer. She didn't need to.

They just lay there, breathing in sync, holding the silence like it was sacred. Because maybe it was.

Maybe this was the last time they'd get to pretend they weren't part of something bigger.

Or maybe it wasn't pretending at all. Maybe this was the reason.

Not fate. Not prophecy.

Just this.

Just them.

***

By the time Kale and Liliana came down, the others were already gathered around a table, half-finished plates between them, steam rising from their mugs.

Namara looked up first, amused. "Morning, lovebirds."

"We didn't want to wake you," Rika said. "Well, Namara did, but we stopped her."

"She was reaching for the doorknob," Sadek added without looking up. "Rika said she would smash her if she touched it."

"I wasn't going to," Namara said, entirely unconvincingly.

Liliana poured herself a drink without a word.

Kale sat down, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Thanks for the restraint. I'm sure it was difficult."

Namara waved a hand. "Please. There was nothing to restrain."

Kale raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

Rika grinned. "We figured you two earned the sleep. I mean, after all the whispers, and the lingering looks, and the shared trauma bonding…"

Liliana shot her a look over the rim of her cup.

Sadek cleared his throat. "Anyway. We ordered breakfast."

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"Good," Kale said. "Because I'm starving."

Rika slid a plate toward him. "Pancakes. With bacon. Innkeeper said they're famous."

Kale picked up a fork. "Pancakes…" He paused. "Haven't had those since… well, since my mom passed."

The table quieted, just a little.

"Now her pancakes were famous," he said, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. "She used to make them with walnuts, honey, goat cheese, and bacon. Sounds weird, I know, but god, they were good."

He tapped the fork against the plate once, staring at the steam curling off the stack.

"Somehow, whenever she made them, people would just… show up. Neighbors. Travelers. Random passersby. I think they could smell them from halfway across town. Everyone knew: if Kale's mom was making pancakes, you better get there early."

He gave a short laugh, almost embarrassed by the memory. "I never understood how she did it. Or why she always made too much. Maybe she knew people would come."

Liliana reached for his hand under the table. Just once. Just a light squeeze.

He took a bite. Chewed. Thought.

Then he stood, grabbed the plate, and walked toward one of the inn's servers.

The others exchanged glances.

"What's he doing?" Rika whispered.

"You think he's going to fight the chef?" Namara asked.

The server looked confused, then led him toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, a loud shout rang out: "WOW! You're a genius!"

They all turned.

A few minutes later, Kale emerged, triumphant. He set the plate down in the middle of the table.

"Try them," he said, grinning.

Rika was the first to dig in. She took a bite, froze, then let out a moan. "Liliana, I'm sorry. I'm marrying Kaley."

Liliana raised an eyebrow, took a piece for herself, and bit in. Her expression didn't change at first. Then she paused. Looked down at the pancake, thoughtful. "…Wow," she said quietly. "Okay. That's actually incredible. You keeps surprising me. Man of many talents."

Sadek, already chewing, mumbled something that might've been "Incredible" before abandoning his fork entirely. He just started grabbing pancakes with his hands and shoving them in like table manners had never existed, all while mumbling variations of "Incredible," "Wow,"and "Amazing."

Namara took one bite, closed her eyes, and let out a blissful sigh. "Okay. These are illegal. Someone arrest this man."

Kale sat back, watching them devour the stack, his grin growing.

Rika, mouth full, pointed a fork at him. "You're on breakfast duty from now on."

Kale watched them eat, listened to the laughter, and let it sink in. This was why it mattered. Why it had to be him. Why he couldn't fail.

Eventually, the plates emptied.

Liliana leaned forward, wiping her hands on a napkin. "So. Corynth."

Sadek nodded. "Should be a quiet stretch between here and there. Sparse settlements, no major cities."

Liliana gave a small nod. "Once we reach Corynth, we'll have to cross the Strait of Myralis into Loryth. We might need to find a boat. Or a smuggler. Corynth's got ports, and people who don't ask questions."

Sadek nodded. "If we're lucky, the harriers make it across. If not, we find something seaworthy."

"You think they'll swim?" Rika asked.

"They're not ducks," Kale said.

"They're not boats either," Rika muttered.

Namara sipped her drink, then set it down with a little clink. "I believe we should find a smuggler."

Everyone turned to her.

She smiled, eyes bright. "Think about it. We meet in a shadowy tavern. Exchange a pouch of gold under the table. He's missing an eye, of course, and has a scar shaped like a crescent moon. We sneak aboard under the cover of night—Kale hides in a barrel, Sadek pretends to be cargo. Rika knocks someone out. Liliana threatens the captain. Adventure!"

"Why am I cargo?" Sadek asked flatly.

"What else would you be?" Namara asked.

"I'm not hiding in a barrel," Kale added.

"I'm absolutely knocking someone out," Rika said, perking up.

Liliana just stared at Namara. "When did you come up with this?"

"I'm just saying," Namara said, raising her hands. "If we're going to cross the sea, we might as well make it stylish."

"Or we could just go by boat," Kale said.

"And Namara goes in a barrel," Sadek added.

Namara gasped. "Excuse you. I am far too pretty to be stuffed in a barrel. Do I look like dried fish to you?"

Kale raised an eyebrow. "You just said I should hide in a barrel."

She waved a hand, unbothered. "Yes, but you're rugged. Brooding. You could pull off barrel-chic."

Kale turned to Rika. "I'm rugged and brooding?"

Rika looked at him, then gave a slow, almost apologetic shake of her head. "Not really."

Kale frowned. "Wow. Brutal."

Namara leaned in close. "Well, I see a brooding, rugged hero with a spine of steel and a heart of gold."

Kale crossed his arms. "Still not going in a barrel."

"Well, neither am I," Namara said, with finality. "Obviously."

Rika raised her hand. "I'm still knocking someone out, right?"

Sadek sighed.

Liliana took a long sip of her drink.

Namara turned toward Liliana, eyes gleaming. "And you—"

"Absolutely not," Liliana said without looking up.

Namara pouted. "You didn't even let me finish."

"I don't need to hear you say it to know it will be complete nonsense."

Namara's pout lingered a moment too long before curling into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Careful. Someone might think you don't like me."

Liliana looked up then, finally meeting her gaze. "Someone might be right. I don't like you, and I don't trust you."

The table went quiet.

Namara's smile thinned, but didn't vanish. "Liliana, you wound me. Truly. How many times do I have to prove myself before you stop sharpening knives in my direction?"

"Who are you really, Namara?"

Namara's smile faltered.

"Why are you helping us?" Liliana asked. "What do you gain from this?"

Namara blinked, then laughed softly. "Is that what this is about? You think I'm playing some long game?"

"I think you're older than you look," Liliana said. "Stronger than you let on. And very good at slipping into places you don't belong."

Namara tilted her head, eyes narrowing just slightly. "You make it sound so sinister."

"I'm not sure it isn't," Liliana said.

Kale shifted beside her. "Liliana—"

"No, Kale." She didn't raise her voice. Didn't look at him. Just kept her eyes on Namara. "I need answers."

Namara leaned back slowly, the smile finally fading for good. "And if I don't have any that satisfy you?"

Liliana didn't blink. "Then I believe we have a problem."

Namara raised her hands, palms up. "Sure. I'm an open book."

"Why are you really helping us?" Liliana asked. "No half-truths. No clever misdirection. Just the real reason."

Namara tilted her head, studying her. "Is that what all this is about?" Her voice softened. "I've been alone for a very, very long time. Chained in Runom's Departure. Forgotten. Kale freed me."

She glanced at him, just briefly.

"I owe him. I promised I'd help him save his friend—" her eyes flicked to Rika "—you're welcome, by the way. And help him kill Xeroth. Simple as that."

"Killing a god is simple to you?" Liliana asked, voice flat.

Namara's grin returned, sharp as ever. She shrugged. "We'll find out, won't we?"

Liliana didn't look away. "Back at Innonuk. That piece of paper you tore up. What was it?"

Namara's grin thinned. "That has nothing to do with this."

"I think we deserve to know."

Namara gave a slow blink, then sighed. "I'd really rather not say."

"I insist," Liliana said.

Namara paused for a moment, then sat back. "Well, if it will make you trust me... it was a contract."

Liliana's fingers drummed once against the table. She was getting annoyed now. Namara was still dancing around the answers. Maybe that was just who she was—always smiling, always sidestepping—but it was wearing thin.

"What kind of contract?" she asked. "What was in it, Namara? Enough dancing around."

Namara tilted her head again, eyes flicking between the others, as if measuring how much they cared, or how much they already suspected.

Liliana glared at her, still annoyed.

Namara sighed, the fight leaving her posture all at once. For the first time since they met her, her expression wasn't amused or evasive. It was… tired. Sad.

"It was a contract," she said quietly. "For someone's soul. Someone important to me. Tearing it up set them free. That's it."

She didn't look at anyone as she said it. Just stared down into her drink.

A heavy silence settled over the table.

Rika looked between the others, then back at Namara. "Well… shit."

Kale opened his mouth, closed it again. He glanced at Liliana, but she didn't look away from Namara.

"Who was it?" Liliana asked.

Namara's fingers tightened slightly around her cup. Her voice, when it came, was quieter. "That's not something I'm ready to talk about."

Liliana didn't flinch. "Then how do we know it's true?"

Namara looked up slowly. There was no smile this time. No clever deflection. Just weariness.

"If that's not enough for you," she said, "I'll go. I won't force my presence on anyone."

She paused, then straightened. "But if you'll let me stay… I gave Kale my word. I promised to help him. To protect him. To see this through."

Her voice steadied. "And I may be a lot of things, Liliana, but my word is my bond. I don't break it."

Her eyes met Liliana's. "You don't have to like me. Just let me keep my promise."

Liliana held her gaze for a moment longer, searching for something, anything, that would tip the scales.

Then she looked at Sadek. He gave her a small nod. Measured. Quiet. But certain.

That eased something in her chest. If Sadek thought it was okay, even just for now, she could accept it. Even if she still barely knew anything.

She hadn't felt any deception when Namara said she'd protect Kale. No flicker of falsehood. Just tired honesty, wrapped in something old and aching.

And if there was even a chance, just a chance, that Namara meant it?

Anything that increased Kale's odds of surviving… was worth it.

Liliana exhaled, slow and quiet. "Fine. For now."

Namara offered a faint, almost-smile.

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