They returned to the clearing. Geor had finished his perimeter check and was helping Aisha set up a small cooking pot. Obed sat apart from the group, sharpening his blades with a whetstone.

He only glanced at the two for the briefest moments before turning his gaze away swiftly.

Garrick arranged the wood and struck flint against steel. The sparks caught on the dried bark. It took a moment for the blaze to get going, and for the embers to start flying.

Within minutes, a small fire was crackling.

"Obed, you're on first watch," Garrick said. "Two hours. Then Geor. Then me."

Obed grunted his acknowledgment.

"What about me?" Nero asked.

Garrick glanced at him and chuckled. "You're not part of the regular rotation. Guest privilege, I guess. Eat something and get some rest. You look like you could need some rest."

Nero couldn't argue even if he wanted to. Finding some rest in the depths of Malady's Garden was rather difficult.

With death and danger at every corner, he had to maintain vigilance, even while he rested.

He was exhausted.

The adrenaline from the fight had long since faded, leaving only bone-deep weariness. Combined with the lingering fatigue from his journey, there was no way he could resist such an offer.

He found a spot near the fire but not too close to the others. Close enough to benefit from the warmth but far enough to maintain some distance.

Geor pulled a set of wooden bowl from his rucksack and passed it over to Aisha, who served the stew made of from dried meat and herbs found within the Garden as well as some hard bread from her pack. She distributed it without speaking.

When she handed Nero his portion, their eyes met briefly. Her lashes trembled slightly.

Not wanting to make her any more uncomfortable, Nero quickly took his meal from her so as not to prolong contact. The girl's brows furrowed as she seemed a bit disappointed by his reaction.

"Thank you," Nero said quietly.

She was silent for a moment then nodded and returned to her spot with her own bowl,

Nero shoved the spoon into the sludgy soup heaving a large helping before shoveling it into his mouth.

He frowmed.

The meat was tough and the soup was a bit bland. The bread was manageable, but he couldn't really complaining too much. In fact, it was the best thing he had eaten in a while.

No matter how bland and flavorless it was, nothing could beat the unappetizing, disgusting rancor that was the flesh of the Abominations.

Nero ate it all without complaint, almost licking his plate clean. Having been watching him intently, Aisha had a smile on her face.

"Would you like anutehr helping? There's quite a bit more."

Nero looked up from his bowl.

He hesitated then nodded.

Aisha chuckled softly then stretched out her arm.

Nero held the bowl out and let her place more of the warm sludgy soup into it.

This time, it tasted even better!

He ended up having three more bowls.

As the group ate, Garrick suddenly rose to his feet.

The others stopped eating and looked up at him.

Garrick spoke calmly and with power in his voice,

"It is always a sad occasion. The loss of a fellow brother and sister" he paused for dramatic effect.

"This world is dark and filled with endless woe. So let us offer a prayer to their souls, that they may find their peace and depart peacefully."

Garrick turned his gaze to Aisha.

The young lady huffed then closed her eyes.

Clasping her hands together, she spoke softly, her voice resonating in the rapidly falling darkness,

"A prayer to the grey clouds that the grey crows do not consume us even in our rot..."

The darkness stirred.

"A prayer to the horned angel of the North, that its wings may shield us from the frigid winds of the Niel."

Nero held his breath.

The atmosphere had turned solemn as they all listened to the words of the prayers known by ever soul living in the empire.

It was a prayer of appeasement. One that spoke right at the greatest of evils.

To appease them, that they may not show their wrath or awaken to wipe out all of humanity.

They existed at a constant threat.

But their presence was also a constant existence, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. All the humans could do, was pray.

And in this world of hope, dreams and desires, even a single prayer could go a very long way...

"A prayer to the watcher of the Blazing Sun, for its crown is everlasting."

"And a prayer to the kings of Tartarus, that they may never wake from their slumber."

Aisha finished the prayer and let out a huff.

Garrick nodded and smiled,

"This would have ended with the clinking of shared mugs filled with ale. But unfortunately there is no ale around here. So we'll make due with what we have. Cheers."

They all raised their waterskins to their lips and took a deep swig. Seeing this, Nerk also pulled the Waterskin of Purity out and took a deep swig.

Wiping his mouth, Garrick turned his gaze to Nero,

And finally, a toast to the newest addition to our party. Nero. Thank you once again for coming to our aid back then. You have our gratitude. Truly."

Nero sat there frozen, unsure of what to say.

Seeing their expectant looks, he said nothing, instead putting the waterskin to his lips and tilting his head back.

Seeing this, Garrick chuckled and took a swing as well.

Very soon, the party was done with their meal

The fire slowly burned away.

Staring at the dying embers, Nero couldn't help but wonder.

He truly found it unbelievable.

Finally, after spending so long in the desolate wilderness all by himself, at times, slowly losing his mind in the solitude.

He was finally surrounded by other living z breathing humans.

He sighed deeply, the ebbing light reflected in his eyes.

Very soon, the last of the light died away.

Placing his satchel behind his head, he used it as a pillow.

With the leaves blocking his line of sight, h was unable to see the sky and the sea of stars.

But he didn't need to.

Very soon, his eyelids began to feel like lead.

A moment later, he fell asleep.

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