The few first days of traveling had been tiring ones, but Sybil felt better than ever. It had been a long while since she had traveled outside the city. The fresh air, the sun, the birds singing— It was all very pleasant, and she was enjoying every minute of it. She was feeling much more energetic, and her spirits were high.

Everything had gone smoothly this far. They were heading north, following the river, and the path was fairly straightforward. They hadn't come across any obstacles or complications, and the weather had been mild.

Kurt was leading the way, while Sybil followed a few steps behind him. She couldn't help but admire him, his broad shoulders, his strong arms. She often found herself watching him, observing the way his muscles flexed and relaxed as he walked, the way his body moved. She loved the way he carried himself with a certain grace and confidence, his posture straight and proud. He was certainly easy for the eyes, that was for sure.

Sybil blushed, embarrassed by her own thoughts. She couldn't believe that she was thinking such things. She shouldn't be ogling him like this. It was wrong, it was inappropriate. He was her bodyguard; She admired him, respected him. She valued his opinion, his guidance. She trusted him, depended on him. But, beyond that, she also found him attractive, appealing. She couldn't deny it, not even to herself.

"M'lady," Kurt said, snapping her out of her reverie. "Are you feeling alright? You've been quiet."

"Ah, yes, I'm fine," Sybil assured him. "Just enjoying the view."

"If you say so," Kurt nodded, not convinced. "I just wanted to make sure. You haven't complained much."

"What?" Sybil couldn't help but laugh. "Did you expect me to be complaining about my sore feet or something?"

"Maybe." Kurt replied, his expression unreadable. "You've always been one for complaining. And I remember the first time you had to go camping, you were a real pain in the ass."

"Hey!" Sybil cried, indignant. "I wasn't that bad!"

"Yes, you were," Kurt smirked. "But, it's good to see you're improving."

"Very funny," Sybil rolled her eyes. "If you're going to be rude, I won't talk to you anymore."

"No, no. Please, don't stop talking," Kurt pleaded, feigning despair. "We need to make sure every bandit within a ten mile radius knows we're coming, afterall."

"I'll show you complaining," Sybil scoffed, giving him a light shove. "Just wait until I start complaining about your cooking."

"Please, no. Anything but that," Kurt sighed, shaking his head. "My poor heart can't take it."

Sybil laughed at his playful banter. Kurt had always seemed more relaxed outside the estate grounds, and traveling outside the city was no exception. There was a certain lightness to him when they were out traveling, a playfulness she had rarely seen from him before.

"We should make camp here," Kurt said, coming to a stop. "It's getting dark, and we still have a long way to go tomorrow."

"Alright," Sybil agreed, looking around. The spot was secluded, hidden by a grove of trees. The river was nearby, and there was plenty of firewood. It was a good location. "I'll get a fire going."

"No, no. Leave that to me," Kurt said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You should take a break. You've been walking all day."

"So have you." Sybil pointed out.

"Yeah, but I'm used to it. You're not."

"Fine, fine. If you insist," Sybil relented, smiling. "I guess I'll just sit here and look pretty, then."

"Sounds good." Kurt nodded, returning her smile.

As Sybil sat down on a log, she watched Kurt work, admiring the way his muscles flexed and strained as he set up the camp. She couldn't help but stare at him, her eyes wandering over his broad shoulders, his toned arms. She bit her lower lip, her heart racing. He was certainly a fine specimen, that was for sure.

Once the camp was set up, they settled down around the fire, the warmth of the flames washing over them. They ate a simple meal, the silence between them comfortable, almost intimate.

"Thank you," Sybil said suddenly, breaking the silence. "For coming with me."

"It's my job, m'lady." Kurt shrugged. "But I am surprised that you refused a larger traveling party; Your father would've been more than willing to send a whole platoon with you."

"Of course he would've," Sybil rolled her eyes. "And they would've been a lot slower than us— We can reach New Bénnois within a few days, whereas if I'd have brought a battalion, we'd have taken a week. It would've been a waste of time."

"Still, you're not making things easy on me. If something happens, I'm only one man."

"That's true. But you're a good fighter, and a clever one at that," Sybil remarked, smiling. "I trust you, and I know you'll protect me. You're the only man I need." She added jokingly, winking.

"Uh, yeah. Of course." Kurt blushed, looking away. "Well, it's getting late. You should get some sleep."

"I'm not tired," Sybil lied, yawning. "I'm still buzzing from the journey."

"Yeah, right. I've heard that one before," Kurt chuckled, shaking his head. "Just go and lie down, please."

"Alright, fine. I guess I'll have to listen to you," Sybil sighed, feigning defeat. "You should get some rest, too. Don't stay up too late."

"I won't," Kurt promised. "Good night, m'lady."

"Good night."

Sybil laid down on her bedroll, staring up at the stars. She could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation, the excitement. It was exhilarating. She had been looking forward to this trip, to the adventure. She couldn't wait to see what the world had to offer her, to explore and discover.

The next day, Sybil woke up refreshed and excited, eager to continue their journey. After a quick breakfast, they packed up their things and set off, following the river as it wound its way through the countryside.

The landscape was beautiful, the trees lush and green, the sky a clear, brilliant blue. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and the air was filled with the scent of wildflowers. It was idyllic, perfect. As they continued their journey, Sybil couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement, a thrill, a rush. She was free, unburdened, liberated. She was away from home, away from her responsibilities, away from the pressures and expectations. She was living in the moment, enjoying every second, savoring every experience.

They continued walking for hours, the terrain gradually becoming rougher, steeper. As the sun began to set, they decided to stop and make camp.

"We'll be arriving in New Bénnois tomorrow, m'lady."

"Really?" Sybil looked around at the forested valley that surrounded them, frowning.

"Don't worry, the town is just over that hill." Kurt nodded towards the small mountain. "The path is quite steep and narrow, but I think we'll make it there tomorrow before midday."

"Great. I'm looking forward to it." Sybil smiled, excited. "It'll be good to finally reach our destination, to have a proper bed."

"Yeah," Kurt agreed. "And a hot bath."

"Mmm, yes. A hot bath." Sybil closed her eyes, imagining it. "That sounds amazing."

For a short moment, Sybil enjoyed the silence between them, the heat of the campfire warming her, the crackling and popping of the wood the only sound. She took a deep breath, taking in the scent of the forest, the smoke, the earth. She opened her eyes, turning to Kurt, who was staring into the flames, lost in thought.

"Kurt..."

"Yes, m'lady?"

"Do you ever... regret it?"

"Regret what?" Kurt looked at her, his brow furrowed.

"Your decision to serve my family," Sybil explained. "To spend your life protecting me."

"Why would I regret that?"

"Well, I mean, it's a big commitment, a huge sacrifice. You've given up a lot, a lot of freedom, a lot of choices."

"I didn't give anything up."

"Are you sure about that?" Sybil asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I am." Kurt replied, nodding.

"Well... If that's the case, I'm happy." Sybil smiled.

Again, the silence fell upon them. Sybil turned back towards the fire, staring into the flames, her mind wandering. She wondered what he was thinking about, what he was feeling. She wondered what was going through his mind, his heart. She wanted to know, needed to know.

"Kurt..." Sybil turned to him again, her eyes meeting his.

"Yes, m'lady?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"I was just wondering..." Sybil's heart was beating faster, her mouth dry. Why was she so nervous all of a sudden? She swallowed, her throat tight.

"What is it?" Kurt asked, concerned.

"I was wondering... Why do you have that big scar on your left cheek?" That wasn't what she had intended to ask. She just couldn't bring herself to ask the question that was truly burning in her mind.

"Oh, this?" Kurt pointed to his scar. "It's a memento from my past. From the days when I was still a reckless kid, who got in trouble often." He said, touching the faint, jagged line on his skin.

"How did you get it?" She inquired, a soft frown forming on her brow.

"A drunken brawl, when I was still in training," Kurt explained, smirking. "Some guy was being an ass, and he started a fight. I was stupid enough to join him, and things got out of hand. One thing led to another, and he pulled out a knife, and... Well, here it is. A nice, permanent reminder."

"Ouch, that must've hurt." Sybil winced, gazing at the scar.

"Oh, yes. But, it's nothing compared to getting stabbed by a sword." Kurt shrugged, and she laughed.

"You're such a tough guy." She jested, nudging him. "And what about the one on the bridge of your nose? This one." She said, pointing at the small scar.

"It's also from a fight," Kurt answered, his expression serious. "We were on a mission, and some rogue mercenaries ambushed us. Luckily, I managed to fend them off. But, not without paying the price, of course."

"And this one?" Her attention moved onto the scar on his temple, her fingertips brushing against the marred skin.

"That one, it-" He paused, his breath hitching at her touch. He'd been so distracted by her questions, he hadn't even noticed she was leaning closer to him.

"What?" Sybil tilted her head.

"I- uh... Yeah," He coughed, his mind clouded by her scent and the closeness of her body. "I was just remembering where I got that scar."

"And, where did you get it?" She pressed, and he gulped.

"I- uhm..." He began, his face flushing. "We were on a mission. I had just returned from a scouting trip, and... I was distracted, and didn't pay attention. One of my men tried to tell me something, and I didn't hear him, and... Well, I hit my head against a low-hanging branch. It was pretty embarrassing."

"That's not something I expected to hear." Sybil smirked, a hint of mirth in her eyes.

"Yeah, it was pretty stupid." Kurt muttered, rubbing his neck.

"Do you have any big scars I don't know about?" Sybil inquired, her gaze shifting to his torso.

"Uhm..." Kurt shifted, his face turning red. "I- well, I do have a fair deal of scars, but nothing that's particularly interesting or noticeable. They're just... There." He admitted, his tone low, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"What kind of scars?" Sybil pressed. She seemed genuinely curious, and he felt the need to answer, to satisfy her curiosity. Still, the way she stared at him expectantly, the way her eyes shone... It was a strange mix of innocent inquisitiveness, and a darker, more primal hunger.

"Okay, well..." He couldn't help but to question his life choices as his fingers reached for the hem of his shirt. "There's this big one on my side. From a sword." He said, revealing the old injury. "It's from when I was young, and got a little cocky during a fight. It was a stupid mistake, but it taught me a lesson." It was a pale mark, and Sybil's hand shot forward to touch it, her fingers brushing against the marred skin, causing a shiver to run up his spine.

"And what about this one?" Sybil inquired as her fingertips brushed against his abdomen, tracing the long scar running down his belly.

"O-oh. That one," He inhaled sharply, the warmth of her hand causing his heart to race. "Well, that was during a battle, a few years ago."

"What happened?" Sybil queried, her eyes meeting his.

"I- uh, a spear," He gulped, his face burning. "I was careless, and didn't notice a spearman. He managed to catch me off guard, and, well..."

"Oh, I see." She whispered, her fingers lingering on his stomach.

Kurt's breathing was uneven, and his pulse quickened. Why was she touching him like that? Her breath was warm against his skin, and her lips were so close to his, and— No, he couldn't let this happen. He couldn't allow himself to lose control.

"I've been in plenty of fights." Kurt cleared his throat, covering his scars with his shirt. "There are too many to count."

"And what about the one here, on your bottom lip?" Sybil reached up and touched the faded wound.

"Another fight," He breathed, his body aching to be close to hers. "My opponent managed to land a blow, and split my lip."

"It looks painful," She whispered, her eyes fixed on his lips. "I hope it healed okay."

"Y-yeah, it's fine." He gulped, her thumb caressing his bottom lip.

"And, this one?" Her voice was quiet as she gently touched the faint scar on his neck, her gaze never leaving his.

"This one, um..." His thoughts were a haze, his senses overwhelmed by her proximity. "It was an accident. When I was younger, I was training, and... I wasn't paying attention, and I-I ended up tripping, and..."

He could feel her breath on his lips, the heat of her body radiating from her. His hands twitched, the desire to pull her close, to kiss her, nearly overwhelming. But, he couldn't, he shouldn't. They were barely an inch apart, the distance between them almost non-existent. All he had to do was lean forward, to close the gap, to give in.

"S-Sybil..." He began, his voice a raspy whisper. "I-"

A rustle in the undergrowth made him freeze, his muscles tensing, his senses heightening. He jumped up, his hand reaching for his sword.

"Kurt?" Sybil stood up, watching him.

"Shh." Kurt whispered, holding up a hand. "There's something out there."

Sybil looked around, trying to see what he was talking about. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her palms growing sweaty.

"Get behind me, now." Kurt commanded, drawing his sword.

Sybil obeyed, moving behind him. The rustling sound grew louder, closer. And then, a deep growl filled the air.

"Stay calm," Kurt instructed, his voice low. "Don't panic, don't move."

Sybil swallowed hard, her eyes wide. And then, a creature emerged from the undergrowth, snarling and growling. It was a massive wolf, with gray fur and a long, thick tail. Its eyes were red, its fangs sharp and deadly.

"Shit." Kurt muttered, gripping his sword.

The wolf stalked towards them, its hackles raised, its teeth bared.

"When I tell you to, I want you to run, as fast as you can." Kurt whispered.

"What? No! I'm not leaving you!" Sybil hissed, shaking her head.

"Do as I say," Kurt ordered. "I'll distract it, and then you run."

"Oh? You're going to distract all three of them?!" She was right— Two more wolves emerged from the undergrowth.

"Just go!" Kurt shouted.

"There is a fine line between bravery and foolishness." Sybil rolled her eyes, grabbing the rifle from her back. "And you're crossing it!" She aimed the gun at the first wolf, pulling the trigger.

A loud crack echoed through the air, and the wolf yelped, falling to the ground. The other two wolves growled, dashing towards them.

Kurt lunged forward, swinging his sword. He sliced into the first wolf's side, his blade cutting deep. The beast howled, its blood spraying through the air.

The second wolf leaped at him, its jaws snapping. He dodged out of the way, barely avoiding its bite.

Sybil fired again, hitting the wolf in the head. It dropped to the ground, dead.

"Nice shot." Kurt grunted, fighting the third wolf.

Sybil watched, her heart pounding, her breathing ragged. Kurt was a skilled fighter, and he was holding his own against the beast. But the wolf was strong, powerful. It was relentless, its claws and teeth slashing and biting.

Kurt struck the beast's leg, his blade slicing through its flesh. The wolf yelped, stumbling. He took advantage, lunging forward and plunging his sword into the wolf's chest. The beast let out a pained howl, its body falling limp. Kurt withdrew his sword, his chest heaving. His face was covered in scratches and bruises, his clothes torn and bloody.

"Are you alright?" Sybil rushed to him, her eyes wide with concern.

"I'm fine." He winced, wincing.

"Here, let me see." Sybil moved closer, examining his injuries. "You're bleeding."

"It's nothing." He muttered, pushing her hands away.

"No, it's not." Sybil insisted, gently touching his arm. "We need to-"

Their attention fixated on the trees behind them, the rustling noise returning. The bushes shook, a low, guttural growl rumbling through the air.

"Shit." Kurt cursed.

"And what the fuck is THAT?!" Sybil gasped, pointing at a large, hairy, bear-like beast that slowly lumbered out from the brush, its massive form blocking the moonlight.

"That...is a big ass motherfucker."

"Is it a bear? It looks like a bear."

"Looks like an alpha ulg." Kurt nodded.

"An alpha-what?"

"An alpha ulg," He explained, keeping his eyes on the beast. "They're a type of bear native to this area. They're very territorial, and extremely aggressive. Let's just hope its pack isn't nearby."

"Pack? There could be more than one of these things?!" Sybil's heart sank.

"Probably."

"So, what do we do?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"I'll kill it." Kurt answered, his tone calm, confident.

"What? Are you crazy?!"

"Do you have a better idea?" He turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "It's not like we can outrun it."

"Then, what do you suggest we do?"

"I'll distract it, and you run."

"This again?"

"No. I'm serious this time."

"And leave you alone with that thing?" Sybil scoffed.

"Do as I say." Kurt insisted.

They didn't have time to argue, the alpha ulg was charging towards them, its teeth bared, its claws extended.

"Just go, damn it!" Kurt yelled, pushing her.

Sybil hesitated, but knew she had no choice. She turned and ran, her heart racing, her feet pounding against the dirt. The forest was dark, the trees looming over her, the shadows threatening. She could hear the beast behind her, its roar echoing through the night.

Kurt ran in the opposite direction, his sword raised. He had no chance of winning against the beast, but he knew that if he could distract it, Sybil could escape. The beast had its attention fixated on him, its rage burning like a fire. He slashed at its legs, his blade slicing through its thick hide. The beast roared, its anger growing.

"Come and get me, you bastard!" Kurt shouted, his voice filled with fury.

The beast lunged at him, but he sidestepped, dodging its attack. He stabbed at its side, his sword piercing its flesh. The beast howled, its blood flowing from the wound. Kurt pulled his sword free, readying another strike.

The beast struck at him, bashing its huge paw against his chest. Painfully crashing onto the ground, Kurt lost the grip of his sword. Now defenseless, he shut his eyes tightly and prepared himself to receive the final blow— Soon the weight of the massive beast would crush his bones, the enormous claws ripping his flesh, tearing him apart… But, as seconds passed, nothing happened.

As he opened his eyes, he was met with a gaping mouth full of razor-sharp teeth— The beast was towering over him, ready to crush its prey… But as if the time itself had stopped, the creature was frozen motionless, unable to move a muscle. Kurt, instead, found himself simply too shocked to move, staring at the beast mouth agape and dumbfounded.

"Kurt..!"

Hearing someone calling his name made him finally snap out of his trance. It was Sybil; Using her magic, she had been able to stop the beast in its tracks. Her face was distorted in pain, making it clear that holding off such a monstrous creature even for a short moment was a struggle.

"Kurt!" She cried out his name once more. "Finish it!"

Only upon reaching for his sword, Kurt realized this ferocious beast had its massive paw on his blade. This beast weighed above 600 pounds, making it impossible for him to reclaim his weapon. Seeing the beast twitch even so slightly told him the time was running out— Sybil wouldn't be able to hold off the beast much longer.

Gritting her teeth and channeling every little bit of magic she had in her, Sybil threw the beast backwards with an unseen force, its massive body crashing down onto the ground. With the beast laying helplessly, Kurt immediately sprang to his feet. His hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword, his muscles straining as he lifted the heavy weapon. With a primal roar, he plunged the blade deep into the creature's chest. The beast's final cry pierced the night as its blood poured from the wound. Kurt stood there panting, his sword still buried in the creature's body.

The beast had been slain, but the danger wasn't over yet. The adrenaline was still pumping through his veins, the fear and anxiety of the situation making his body tremble. He had barely caught his breath when he heard Sybil cough.

"Are you alright?" Kurt asked, rushing over to her.

"I'm... fine," She said, her voice weak and shaky. "But I- I think I may have overdone it- a little bit-'' Coughing again, she covered her mouth with her hand— Kurt's blood turned into ice when he saw droplets of red dripping down her jaw.

"Sybil!" He exclaimed, grabbing a hold of her as her knees buckled and her body sagged.

"Kurt, I'm sorry-" She mumbled, her eyes glassy and unfocused. "I tried to... to stop it, but..." Her eyes fluttered shut, and her head fell back.

"Hey, hey, hey!" He called out to her, gently tapping her cheek. "Sybil! Wake up, damn it!"

No response.

"Shit..! Sybil!" Kurt was beginning to panic, his heart pounding against his chest. "Sybil, wake up!" He had never seen her like this before. Her breathing was shallow, her body limp. "Damn it, don't you fucking do this to me!" He pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes.

Seeing movement from the corner of his eye, he looked up, his muscles tensing. His mind was clouded with worry, and his hands were trembling, his sword dropping from his grasp. He was in no condition to fight, but he wouldn't let anyone lay a finger on her.

To his surprise, though, the one standing before him wasn't a beast.