Knives were readied as the mutated beast snarled; however, the creature collapsed as blood oozed from its forehead. An invisible projectile almost grazed his cheek. Nevra blinked. An arrow protruded from the beast's forehead while another stood at his feet. A smile appeared as he put the knives away.

The sound of footsteps approached. Another blink, and Klein stood over the corpse and pulled the arrow out. She took out a bloodied cloth and wiped the arrowhead.

"Both of us know you can make more. Why reuse them?"

"It's hard to find material that works well with my abilities. A rather lame ability for faeliennes."

"I politely disagree. It just shows how you should've been sorted in my guard."

That girl huffed. "Do you even know where we're going?"

He sighed and handed her the map from his bag. Their fingers brushed against one another; while the blonde looked over the drawings, Nevra watched. It was always business when they worked on a mission, but alas, it was part of her charm. Klein began to move past him.

"So, why are we here again? Miiko told me you'd fill me in, but for the past few days we've been too focused on traveling," she said.

"Mm...Familiar with that story of a tragic king?" His eye narrowed when the response was a perplexed look. "Sword in the stone?"

"Ah, King Arthur. Are we going to look at Excalibur?"

"Who knows? However, it's another weapon that's owned by him. Well, according to your version of the story."

"Eh?"

"Surely you know about Ron?"

They stopped for a short break. The girl plopped onto the ground and stretched out her legs, and Nevra leaned against a tree.

Klein readjusted her ponytail. "That's a bad name for a weapon."

"It's actually Rhongomyniad. Anyway, our mission is to check its condition."

"That's it?"

"Miiko wouldn't move it unless there's an approval from...certain groups. And that alone can take a while."

Silly banter passed here and there as the sun moved through the sky. Trees continued to follow every step. When was the last time the scenery changed? The two found a spot to camp for the night; Klein settled into the makeshift bedding. Nevra took the first shift of the night to stand vigil. And yet, after minutes passed, the blonde stared at the blanket of obsidian that accompanied the moon.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

She refused to turn her head at the sound of that voice, and the woman reached her hand toward the sky.

"Perhaps you should go to sleep instead."

While she shifted into a sitting position, the vampire moved toward her. He sat behind her and leaned back. Neither faced the other, and instead they looked in different directions.

"I have the standards of a gentleman. Think of the gossip that could result from this mission," Nevra said.

"Except both of us know I don't spread rumors."

"True...Do you trust me?"

Silence. The sounds of a gentle breeze and soft rustling echoed. Meanwhile, a petite hand clenched the long coat she used as a blanket.

"Ah, let's–"

"I can't forgive anyone. Not yet," she said.

"...Hah, I don't expect it anytime soon, darling."

"And you're fine with that?"

"If it's you, I'll accept being hated until the end of time. Only...if it's you."

"Liar. Such flattery won't get you anywhere."

He turned his head back and smiled. "But it certainly got me somewhere with you, no?"

"Gee, I wonder why..."

She didn't flinch when two arms wrapped around her. A delicate hand grabbed his forearm, but nothing was pushed away. Her fingers barely managed to touch one another.

"Hm, have a story to tell like always?"

"A scared little girl put on a show since she fell from the stage. Her performance fooled everyone, and it was so for a long time. This world was like her previous stage, for it too abandoned the weak. And so the girl played along like always. Acting was fun. Everyone played along too. Except one. A strange wolf saw through the act and began to pursue that little girl. Was it out of interest? Entertainment?" she told him. "With enough persistence, the wolf managed to bond with the girl."

"And? Go on, I'm listening." His embrace tightened out of reassurance.

"I'm tired. Good night."

He chuckled. "...It can't be helped. Sweet dreams."