Stand By You

She took a breath, then looked at Strixx, standing close to me.

“Strixx… she’s a demon, right, Luca?”
Hearing that, Strixx shrank back and hid behind my back, clutching my shirt tightly.
Estheria’s eyes softened immediately.

“No, no… Strixx, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that… I wasn’t trying to be rude.
I’m so sorry.”

She bowed her head slightly to Strixx, her voice full of guilt.
“I just wanted to understand… how you and Strixx ended up traveling together, Luca. If you don’t mind telling me.”

I turned toward her and nodded.
“Yes… Strixx is a demon. But to me, she’s just Strixx. Not a demon — just herself.”

I paused for a second, making sure every word came from my heart.
“When I had nothing left… when my life was falling apart, it was Strixx who reached out to me.

She gave me a second chance -- she gave me a reason to keep moving forward.”

I smiled faintly, remembering all the memories we had made.“She speaks words more beautiful than anyone I’ve ever met.

Her actions show how deeply she cares for others.

Through everything we’ve been through… all Strixx has ever done is help people.
That’s why I wanted to trust her more than anything.

No — I decided to trust her. And I’ll keep trusting her, no matter what.
Over anything, over anyone… I’ll stand by Strixx.”

I placed a hand gently on Strixx’s shoulder, feeling her trembling.
“To me, she’s nothing like the demons people fear.

You can trust Strixx, Estheria.
I swear it on my life.
She’s never hurt anyone. She never would.”
Behind me, Strixx clutched my shirt even tighter, tears filling her eyes.

But they weren’t sad tears — they were tears of happiness.

Estheria looked at me for a long moment, her face softening.

Finally, she smiled warmly.
“I’m sorry for asking you something like that so suddenly…” she said gently, turning her eyes to Strixx.

“And Strixx… I’m sorry. I never meant to make you feel hurt or unwelcome.”

She stepped a little closer and said, her voice full of feeling:
“You both saved me when I needed help the most.

And I want to trust you both too… not just because you saved me, but because you are my friends now.

Not a demon… not outsiders… just my friends.”

Strixx, still sniffling, slowly came out from behind me.

She stepped forward and bowed deeply to Estheria.
“Thank you… for saving Strixx and Luca too,” she said in a small, trembling voice.

Estheria smiled warmly, then instead of saying anything, she gently extended her hand toward Strixx --not forcing, not rushing, simply offering it with kindness.

Strixx looked at the hand hesitantly.
Then she turned her gaze to me, uncertain.
I gave her a small, reassuring nod and a warm smile.

Slowly, carefully, Strixx reached out and placed her hand in Estheria’s.

Estheria’s fingers closed softly around hers, her smile growing even warmer, like the rising sun after a long night.

In that moment, all the fear and hesitation melted away.
Strixx, feeling that kindness through Estheria’s touch, finally smiled too — a small but pure smile from the heart.

The three of us stood there, connected by something stronger than words.

Trust.

After their hands finally met and the tension faded, Estheria looked at us again — this time, her face clouded with worry.

“Strixx… Luca…” she spoke softly, almost pleading. “You both should leave this forest… this whole place, as soon as possible.

 Something terrible is about to happen. “I’ll help you two get out of this forest safely — we need to head toward the southern lands, and we should leave as soon as possible.” I consider you both my precious friends… I don’t want you to keep getting dragged into danger because of me--”

Before she could even finish, I stepped forward firmly, cutting her off with a grin.
“Nah… what are you even talking about?”
Estheria blinked, surprised. I continued, my voice steady and full of resolve.

“You thought we hadn’t noticed? You’ve been carrying something heavy on your heart this whole time. Always looking so lost… so worried.

Since we’ve already come this far together --we’ll see it through to the end.”
I smiled gently.
“That’s what friends do, right?”

Just then, Strixx stepped up beside me, her eyes shining with warmth.
“Strixx will stay too,” she said, her voice soft but full of determination. “Strixx will be here for Estheria as well!”

Estheria’s eyes widened even more, glistening slightly -- she hadn’t expected anyone to say that.

“But… Strixx, Luca…” she whispered.
I looked straight into her eyes, speaking from my heart.

“Just like I chose to trust Strixx back then…
Now, I’m choosing to trust you, Estheria.
Not because you helped us…
Not because we owe you something…
But because you’re our friend.

And when a friend needs help, you don’t just turn your back.

You stand by them.”

Without hesitation, I held out my hand toward her.

Strixx immediately placed her small hand on top of mine, her smile never fading.
Together, we looked at Estheria -- silently telling her, “You’re not alone anymore.”
Estheria stared at us for a moment, the weight in her heart lifting little by little.

Finally, she let out a soft, emotional sigh and smiled — a smile full of trust, full of warmth.
“Guess we’re already a pretty good team, huh?” she said with a light laugh.

She reached out and gently placed her hand on top of ours, completing the circle.
“Of course we are,” she said, her voice filled with hope.

“And I promise… I’ll fight with everything I’ve got too.”

Strixx nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling.
“Strixx too!

Estheria smiled warmly at us.
“Strixx, Luca…. Thank you, truly,  thank you so much for everything.”

I stepped forward, looking at her with a firm, unshaken gaze.
“Strixx and I swear to God -- no matter what happens, we’ll stand by you. We’ll trust you. We’ll believe in you over anyone else.”

“Friendship isn’t something shallow to us.”
I tightened my fist with a small grin.
“Whatever’s coming… bring it on. We’re ready.”

Strixx smiled brightly, nodding beside me, her hand tightening around mine.