Kiina reigned in her sand stalker warily. The beast snorted and sniffed the air around it, clearly unsettled. The Glatorian tightened her grip on her Vapor Trident and glared over the icy lands near Iconox. "Who's there? Show yourself!"

Another sand stalker rode into view, a very familiar figure riding atop it.

"Oh, Gelu. It's good to see you."

The ice Glatorian gave a dry smile. "Kiina. Did you think I was a Vorox?" he asked, gesturing to the hand that was still on her weapon.

Kiina shook her head, relaxing. "Why are you out here so late?"

"The iron wolves are less likely to attack if you're in a group. Tajun needs its Second Glatorian alive, I'd imagine."

"Oh, gosh, that's sweet, thanks, but how do I know the baterra haven't come down south? Gelu's not exactly a sweet guy."

Gelu rolled his eyes and dismounted. Walking over to Kiina's mount, he put a hand on its snout. "If I were a baterra, you'd be halfway back to Tajun by now. The animals can't stand it."

Kiina nodded reluctantly. "Iconox needs its Second Glatorian, too."

"I was planning on catching a ride back with Metus." Gelu returned to his saddle. "Let's go. Night is falling, and we need to find a cave."

The two pushed on for a little longer before Gelu motioned to a cave not far off. "That one will do."

They brought the sand stalkers in and set up their bed rolls. Gelu pulled a camoflauge screen out of his pack and put it over the entrance. Noticing Kiina's stare, he quickly explained. "It won't hide our scent, but it should give us a few more seconds."

Suddenly tired, Kiina curled up on her bedroll and looked up at the ceiling. "It's weird, not seeing the stars."

Gelu raised an eyebrow. "I suppose?"

"I wonder if there's something else out there. Another world. There has to be somewhere better than here."

"There we agree, though another world may be out of the question. There's always the afterlife."

Now, it was Kiina's turn for skepticism. "Afterlife? You're delusional."

"Maybe. But aren't another world and an afterlife just two sides of the same coin when it comes to somewhere better?"

"When did you become so…."

Gelu shrugged and sat down on the opposite side of the cave. "They're just thoughts." He stared at their small fire for a second. "Sentient beings tend to have a lot of them."

Kiina smiled and glanced at her companion, shaking her head.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Gelu scooted around the fire to Kiina's side and leaned over her, so their helmets were nearly touching.

Kiina swallowed nervously.

"What?" Gelu repeated. "I would've thought you of all people would understand. You're the one with dreams of leaving."

"It just sounds so silly out loud," Kiina said quietly, half-wishing Gelu would back away. The other half wished he would close the distance between them. It was an irrational thought. It was a silly thought. If Gelu knew what was going through her head, he would be disgusted. But that didn't stop the thought, the feeling.

Gelu stole a glance at her lips, suddenly realizing how close they were. He came closer by a millimeter, then backed off and scooted back to his side of the fire. It wasn't right. If Kiina knew what was going through his head, he would most likely be immobilized for a good week. But his mind would not stop, even though he reminded himself again and again of that old saying: "The heart is the most treacherous thing."

And so, the two went to sleep, not knowing what was going through the other's head, fearing the other's judgement.