Beyond the Mist

Kael rose slowly. The forest was still wrapped in a delicate morning mist, and the gentle song of birds echoed through the enchanted trees like a quiet lullaby. He stretched his limbs, testing the limits of his recovering body. Though the soreness remained, it was bearable now — more of a reminder than a burden.

A few steps away, Liora slept curled up against a large root, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall of moonlight over her shoulders. There was something ethereal about her stillness, like a spirit woven into the forest itself. She looked so peaceful that Kael hesitated before moving.

But then — crack.

A twig snapped beneath his foot.

A sleepy voice mumbled behind him. “Trying to sneak away?”

He turned, a little guilty, and there she was — rubbing her eyes, her lilac gaze still hazy with sleep, yet already glimmering with that uncontrollable curiosity of hers.

“No. Just… figuring out where to go from here,” Kael said, glancing away.

Liora stretched, arms reaching toward the low-hanging branches, then sat up and gave him a look far too serious for someone who had just woken up.

“Then let me come with you.”

Kael blinked. “…Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

“You’re injured. And lost. And you have that look — like you’ll do something reckless the second no one’s watching you.” She puffed her cheeks slightly. “Besides…” — her voice dropped, and a faint blush touched her cheeks — “…I want to see the world too.”

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair — that signature fade from red to black catching the pale morning light. His golden eyes rested on her for a moment longer than necessary, unreadable.

“You’re awfully confident for someone so small.”

“I’m a fae,” she replied with a proud grin. “We’re born to explore.”

Not long after, the two of them were walking along an ancient trail that led out of the forest. The trees thinned with every step, and for the first time, Liora stepped beyond the safety of the Enchanted Mist.

“Everything feels so… big out here,” she whispered, eyes wide as she took in the world beyond. Glowing stones dotted the path, strange insects hovered with translucent wings, and a rabbit with three ears darted past them.

Kael walked beside her, mostly silent, his dark cloak pulled over his shoulders. But his golden eyes scanned every shadow, alert and watchful.

“Be careful where you step,” he warned. “The ground’s unstable he—”

PLOP!

“Aahhh!” Liora slipped on a wet stone and fell forward — straight into Kael. He tried to catch her, but lost his footing too.

Now she was sprawled on top of him, her cheek pressed against his bare chest — part of his shirt still torn from the battle. His body was warm, solid, marked by faint scars and runes faded with time.

For a moment, neither moved.

Liora slowly raised her head. His eyes — intense and golden — were staring directly at her, expression unreadable but definitely not calm.

Her cheeks ignited.

“S-sorry!”

“Do you always do this?” he asked, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“N-no! Of course not!” she squeaked.

She scrambled to get off him, tripping over her own feet in the process. But Kael’s hand shot out, catching her arm before she could fall again.

“Easy,” he said softly. “You’re fine.”

She froze for a second, her heart pounding in her chest like wild wings.

Kael’s grip was gentle — not what she expected from someone so sharp-edged. He didn’t pull her closer… but he didn’t let go either, not immediately.

There was something in his gaze. Not annoyance. Not fear. Just… something unreadable. Something curious.

Liora brushed off her skirt, trying to compose herself.

“You’re tougher than you look, you know?” she said, attempting to sound casual.

“And you’re louder than I thought a fae could be.”

She laughed, and to her surprise — he smiled. Not just a smirk this time, but a real, small, reluctant smile.

For a brief moment, the tension melted away. The road ahead still loomed — dangerous and uncertain — but for now, in this small, clumsy moment… the world felt a little less heavy.

But the journey had only just begun.