Eira's POV

The morning sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled patterns across the ground. I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from sleeping against the rock all night. Beside me, Lumen was still curled up, his glowing form flickering softly like the embers of a dying fire. Kian was gone, likely back to his ship, but his faint footprints in the damp earth told me he hadn't been gone long.

I sat up, running my hands through my hair. Despite the peaceful surroundings, a weight pressed on my chest. Last night had been the first time in months I'd slept without worrying about Lumen's safety or my own. Yet now, the reality of our situation loomed like a storm cloud.

We'd found Lumen, but what now? The algae stream was here, and he seemed content for the moment, but the sea was vast, and the currents unpredictable. I couldn't bear the thought of losing him again, but I also couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling that something—or someone—might try to take him away.

"Morning."

Kian's voice startled me, and I turned to see him emerging from the trees, carrying two canteens of water and a bundle of something wrapped in cloth. His dark eyes met mine, and a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"Didn't mean to scare you," he said, handing me one of the canteens. "Thought you'd be hungry."

"Thanks," I murmured, taking it gratefully.

He unwrapped the bundle to reveal dried fish and some sort of flatbread. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the smell hit me, and my stomach growled loudly. Kian chuckled, handing me a portion before settling down beside me.

"You slept well," he remarked, his tone casual.

"First time in a while," I admitted, biting into the fish. "Thanks for… everything. For helping me find him."

Kian shrugged, though there was a softness in his expression. "I couldn't leave you to do it alone. Besides, I've grown curious about you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Curious?"

He nodded, his gaze drifting to Lumen, who was beginning to stir. "You've survived out here with him for how long? Months? That's impressive. Most people would've given up—or been eaten."

"I didn't have a choice," I said quietly, my fingers tracing the edge of the flatbread. "It was just me and him. If I gave up, we both would've died."

Kian studied me for a moment, his dark eyes thoughtful. "You're stronger than you think, Eira."

Hearing him say my name like that—a quiet assurance, as if he truly believed it—sent a strange warmth through me.

"I guess I had to be," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

After breakfast, we decided to explore more of the island. Lumen led the way, his glowing form weaving through the trees like a living lantern. Kian and I followed close behind, our footsteps muffled by the soft underbrush.

The island was beautiful, with towering trees and streams of algae flowing in lazy, glowing currents. It felt alive in a way that was almost magical, as though the very ground pulsed with energy.

"I've never seen anything like this," Kian said, his voice tinged with awe. "The way the algae moves… it's like it has a mind of its own."

"It's what keeps Lumen alive," I explained. "He's been following the trail for as long as I've known him. It's his food, his energy source. Without it…"

I trailed off, the thought too painful to finish.

Kian glanced at me, his expression softening. "We'll make sure he's safe. No matter what."

I nodded, grateful for his reassurance.

As we continued, I couldn't help but notice how easily we fell into step with each other. Kian's presence was steadying, like an anchor in the chaos of my life. For months, it had been just me and Lumen, and I had learned to rely on myself for everything. But now, having someone else to share the burden with was… strange.

Strange, but not unwelcome.

By midday, we found ourselves near the edge of the island, where the cliffs dropped sharply into the sea. The view was breathtaking—the vast ocean stretched out before us, the sunlight glittering on the water like scattered diamonds.

Lumen perched on the edge, his glowing body shimmering in the sunlight. He let out a low, contented rumble, his tail swishing lazily behind him.

"This feels right," I said, more to myself than to Kian.

He stepped up beside me, his arms crossed as he gazed out at the horizon. "What does?"

"Being here. With him. With you." I hesitated, unsure if I should say the next part. But the words tumbled out anyway. "It's been a long time since I've felt… safe."

Kian turned to look at me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought he might say something, but instead, he simply nodded.

"You deserve to feel safe," he said finally. "After everything you've been through, you deserve that much."

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache. I wanted to believe him, wanted to let myself trust in the safety I felt with him. But a part of me still held back, wary of letting my guard down.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink, we made our way back to the stream where Lumen had settled. The glowing algae reflected the colors of the sunset, creating an otherworldly scene that felt almost too perfect to be real.

Kian crouched beside the stream, his fingers trailing through the glowing water. "This place," he said softly, "it's like something out of a dream."

"It's home," I said simply.

He looked up at me, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. I can see that."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the gentle rustling of the trees and the distant calls of seabirds. Lumen dozed nearby, his glowing body casting a soft light across the clearing.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax. The fear and uncertainty that had followed me for so long seemed to fade, replaced by a quiet sense of peace.

And as I sat there, the warmth of Kian's presence beside me and the steady glow of Lumen at my side, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't alone anymore.