As I walk back into the cave, the first thing I notice are four metal spheres hovering around Ryu. They're eerily silent, each with a glowing red eye that seems to track every movement. As they turn towards me, I see numbers etched into their sides, from 1 to 4. Nikko's eyes widen in amazement as she watches them, and Talia steps closer, curiosity piqued. But I can't help feeling a shiver of unease. Unlike DP-8, these spheres don't beep or make any noise—they just silently observe, which somehow makes them even more unsettling.

  "What are these?" Talia asks, staring at the one marked with a number 3.

  "I call them Eye-bots," Ryu responds, and I can hear the exhaustion in his voice. "They're designed for surveillance. They'll keep watch over the surrounding area while we're gone."

  He gestures to each one in turn. "Meet Eye-1, Eye-2, Eye-3, and Eye-4. Think of them as silent watchers."

  He fiddles with his glove again, and the four Eye-bots fly out of the cave. A moment later, the image of the cave entrance appears in front of us, projected from Ryu's glove. He manipulates the display, and it shifts to show the forest, where I spot IG-22 marching among the trees, its red eyes scanning the area, the blasters on its back gleaming ominously. The view changes again to the training ground, where the training dummy still swings gently in the air, and then to another section of the forest, where Apollo is patrolling with his usual vigilance.

  With a final tap on his glove, the image retracts, and Ryu extinguishes the projection. I feel a little better knowing these droids are out there, providing an extra layer of security. Still, the sight of those silent, floating spheres lingers in my mind.

  Ryu relights the fire and sits down beside it, Talia and Nikko joining him. I can tell from the way they move that they're just as sore as I am. I settle down next to them, trying to ignore the aching in my arms and legs. Ryu hands out loafs of bread and strips of dried meat, and we all start eating in silence. As I chew slowly on the bread, DP-8 returns to the cave, hovering by Ryu's side, its red eye glowing with purpose.

  Suddenly, DP-8 begins to beep, and I notice Ryu's posture change—he seems more alert, more focused. "Are you sure?" he asks the little droid, which responds with more beeping before projecting an image of the massive tree fortress in the center of the elven capital.

  The viewpoint shifts to show the heavily guarded entrance, bristling with fortifications and patrolling soldiers. It then moves upward, revealing every access point—windows and balconies all secured with iron bars, and more soldiers inside, their armor glinting under the light. Ryu frowns and asks, "What about the sewers?"

  At the mention of sewers, I see Talia's expression twist with distaste. The image shifts to show various sewer entrances around the city, all barred off and, like the rest, heavily guarded. Ryu sighs heavily, frustration clear on his face, before thanking DP-8 and letting the image retract.

  "I know of a way in," Talia suddenly says, drawing our attention. Ryu, Nikko, and I all turn to face her, curious.

  She swallows her bite of dried meat and sighs. "There's a secret escape tunnel that leads out of the palace and goes underneath the city. Few know of its existence."

  "How do you know of its existence?" Ryu asks, his tone calm but probing.

  The cave falls into a deep, weighted silence, the only sound the steady crackling of the fire. My mind whirls as I try to piece together what Talia is saying, and I can tell Ryu is just as struck by her revelation, his eyes narrowing in quiet understanding.

  "Wait," Ryu says at last, breaking the silence. "You're... the Princess of Elaria?"

  I feel my own shock mirrored in Nikko's wide-eyed expression, and I see Talia's cheeks flush, her voice dropping to a whisper. "My name isn't really Talia, either. It was... Sylvia. Sylvia Yelven."

  My jaw drops as I look at her. "You're Princess Sylvia Yelven? The one who disappeared almost ten years ago?"

  Talia nods, and I can see the tension in her shoulders, as if each word she speaks lifts a weight that's held her for years. "I hated that life," she admits, her voice trembling. "Every part of my life was controlled by my father. What I wore, what I ate, what I could say. And when he announced I was to be married on my seventeenth birthday, I knew I couldn't take it anymore. I left Princess Sylvia behind and... became Talia Sutaraito. I needed to find myself."

  Ryu listens intently, then reaches out and takes Talia's hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Talia, you know I've had to hide what I am," he says quietly, his voice steady and filled with understanding. "So, I understand why you kept your true identity hidden. It doesn't change how I see you. Not one bit. Thank you for trusting me with this."

  A visible wave of relief floods over Talia's face, her posture softening as she lets out a quiet, shaky breath. "Thank you," she whispers, her hand tightening around his. She leans in, resting her head on his shoulder, and he wraps his arm around her in a silent embrace that speaks volumes.

  Watching them, I feel a new layer of Ryu's character unfold before me, and I realize he's had to live with secrets just as heavy as Talia's. A pang of sympathy stirs within me, and I can't help but feel both admiration and an odd sense of comfort in seeing how he handles this—how calm he is, like he truly understands her struggle.

  "I was so afraid you'd hate me if you knew," Talia says softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

  Nikko, who's been quietly observing, comes closer, her small face lighting up as she rests her head on Ryu's other shoulder. "I like Talia better," she says with a gentle smile. Her ears twitch in contentment, and her tail sways, adding a soft reassurance to Talia's relief.

  Talia glances at both of them, her eyes glistening with gratitude, her burden of secrecy finally feeling just a little lighter.

  I watch the three of them huddled together, and a strange pang of loneliness washes over me. The scene before me is so warm, so intimate, and for a moment, I feel like a third wheel, out of place in their close-knit circle.

  "I'm going to step outside for a bit," I say quietly, excusing myself from the cave.

  The cool night air greets me as I step outside, and I look up at the sky, deep and velvety blue, dotted with countless stars. The moon, though almost gone, still casts a gentle glow over the forest, creating long, soft shadows among the trees. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves bubbling inside me.

  Tomorrow will be a big day, I think, feeling my anxiety creeping back in. There's so much at stake. What if we fail? What if something goes wrong? I glance back into the cave, seeing Ryu, Talia, and Nikko still sitting close together by the fire. They seem so at ease, so sure of themselves, and it makes me feel even more uncertain.

  "I hope we succeed," I whisper to myself, the weight of the upcoming mission pressing down on my shoulders. With one last look at my companions, I turn my gaze back to the sky, letting the quiet night soothe my restless mind.

  ?????

  I jolt up, my heart racing, my body trembling slightly as if I've just escaped some vivid nightmare, though I can't remember what it was. The cave around me is dark, the embers of the fire glowing faintly, casting a soft, dying light. I look around, trying to calm myself, to ground myself in the present. Rebecca is still asleep, her form barely visible on her sleeping canvas against the cave wall. I glance over to my side, where Nikko is curled up, her small form rising and falling with each gentle breath. But Ryu—he's not there.

  Panic grips me as I scan the cave, my eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness. Where could he be? My heart pounds even harder, and I quickly get up, rushing to the cave entrance. The forest is still, the night air biting against my skin, my breath visible in the cold. Has he left us? No, he wouldn't. I tell myself that, but the fear lingers.

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  I stand there, listening, trying to catch any sound beyond the rustling leaves and my own frantic heartbeat. Then it hits me—the practice area. I run in that direction, hoping I'm right, praying that he's there.

  As I reach the training ground, I see them—Ryu and Apollo—sparring under the faint light of the stars. Relief washes over me, but I remain still, watching. Their swords clash in a blur of movement, each strike precise and powerful. They are perfectly matched, their movements fluid and practiced. Ryu moves with a grace that belies his strength, his blade cutting through the air in swift, clean arcs. Apollo counters with equal skill, his heavy armor not hindering his speed as he blocks and parries.

  They move around the clearing like two forces of nature, neither gaining ground over the other. Every time one strikes, the other deflects or dodges with impeccable timing. Sparks fly as their blades meet, and I can see the intensity in Ryu's movements—every muscle in his body is engaged, every step deliberate. Apollo's armored form is a blur, his metallic limbs moving with precision that seems almost unnatural, each swing of his sword calculated to meet Ryu's attacks.

  I can't help but be mesmerized by the display, the way they seem to anticipate each other's moves. It's almost like a dance, a lethal one, but a dance nonetheless. Ryu's breathing grows heavier, his movements showing signs of wear, but he doesn't let up. Apollo, in contrast, remains silent and unrelenting, his mechanical precision keeping up with Ryu's organic skill.

  Finally, in a simultaneous strike, both swords are knocked out of their hands, flying through the air before embedding themselves into the ground. They stand there, breathing heavily—Ryu more so, his chest heaving as he catches his breath. Apollo, of course, shows no such signs of exhaustion.

  Ryu turns to me, still catching his breath, his eyes locking onto mine in the darkness. "Go back to patrol, Apollo," he says, his voice calm but with an edge of fatigue.

  Apollo nods, retrieves his sword, and sheaths it before picking up his shield and spear and disappearing into the forest. Now it's just Ryu and me, standing in the clearing under the faint light of the stars.

  "Can't sleep?" Ryu asks as he picks up his sword and sheaths it, his breath slowing down.

  "Kinda," I reply, wrapping my arms around myself as the cold air seems to seep into my bones. I glance at Ryu, noticing how exhausted he looks. "I thought you left."

  He gestures to a nearby tree, and we sit down beside it, side by side. "I wouldn't do that, Talia," he says, wrapping his arm around me, his cloak offering me some warmth. I smile a little, feeling the comfort of his presence as I nestle closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. The warmth of his arm around me soothes the chill that had settled into my bones, and for a moment, I feel at peace.

  We sit in silence, the night air around us cold but somehow comforting. I close my eyes, listening to the sound of his breathing, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart through his cloak. "When are we leaving?" I ask, not really wanting to break the silence but needing to know.

  "Tomorrow, at sunset," he replies, his voice a little shaky.

  "You sound worried," I say, lifting my head from his shoulder to look at him.

  "Of course I am," he admits. "I'm worried for you, Nikko, Rebecca. So much can go wrong."

  I study his face, seeing the tension there, the concern. "Is that why you're still training with Apollo?" I ask, sitting up straighter, trying to read the expression hidden beneath the shadowy hood that always covers his face.

  He nods. "There's still so much I need to do to keep Nikko and Rebecca safe during our absence. I also need to keep watch on the Eldorian encampment."

  "You need to rest too, Ryu," I say, concern edging into my voice. "You've done enough for today. Don't overwork yourself."

  Ryu chuckles softly, a sound that puzzles me. "What's so funny?" I ask, curious.

  "Looking back, Lyra always worked too much, always concerned me with how much she pushed herself. And now... now I can relate. I get why she worked so hard," he says, a wistful tone in his voice that makes my heart ache a little for him.

  "I'll come back to bed soon, I promise," he adds, and I nod, though the idea of leaving him here alone doesn't sit well with me.

  I start to walk away, but something holds me back. There's a question that's been nagging at me for a long time now, one that I'm not sure I'll ever get the chance to ask again if I push it off. I turn back to him, my heart pounding in my chest, fear and anxiety swirling within me.

  "Ryu, I need to ask you something," I say, stepping closer to him, the words almost catching in my throat. "Something I've been wanting to ask for a long time now." My voice shakes with the weight of the question, and I can feel my cheeks flush as my heart beats faster and faster. "How do you feel about me?"

  He doesn't answer right away, just gazes at me, and I can hear the rustling of the leaves, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Oh no. I panic, staring at him, afraid of what he might say—or worse, that he might not feel the same way. Did I ask this at the wrong time?

  I shake the thoughts away, desperate for an answer. "I'm getting these signals from you," I shout, unable to hold back, "and I want to make sure you feel the same way I do. Please answer me, Ryu." I drop to my knees, feeling tears welling up in my eyes as I wait for him to say something, anything.

  "Talia..." he mutters my name, and the way he says it makes me stand up and turn my back to him, trying to hide the tear that escapes down my cheek. I stammer an apology, feeling the knot in my chest tighten as the tears threaten to spill over. I start to walk away, feeling the weight of my unspoken feelings dragging me down, but suddenly, Ryu's hand grips my arm gently but firmly, stopping me mid-step.

  "Talia, wait," he says, his voice low and serious.

  I halt, my heart pounding in my chest as I turn to face him, unable to mask the emotions flickering across my face. He releases my arm, his expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his hood, but he gestures for me to sit beside him. Reluctantly, I lower myself back onto the ground, trying to contain the swirl of emotions I feel, dreading what he might say next.

  He lets out a sigh, seeming to gather his thoughts before he speaks. "I could sense it, you know," he begins, his voice softer now. "That you felt that way about me. At first, I just went along with it, not wanting to hurt you. But..." He pauses, his gaze lowering as if he's weighing his words. "I felt guilty, Talia. I didn't want to pursue those feelings because... I still love Lyra."

  A sharp pang hits me, and I feel my heart sink. I look away, not wanting him to see the tear that slips down my cheek. This feels like the worst possible outcome, and I brace myself to stand up, to escape this conversation. But before I can move, his hand gently finds mine.

  "But then you risked your life to save me, Talia," he says, his voice carrying a new warmth. "And through that... you helped me let go of that past. I know now that Lyra would want me to move on. She would want me to be happy."

  I look up at him, hope rekindling, and search his shadowed face. "Does that mean...?" I start to ask, my voice barely a whisper, but before I can finish, he closes the distance between us, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that catches me completely by surprise.

  The world around us fades, every worry, every doubt melting away as I return the kiss, my heart soaring. The kiss is deep, filled with all the emotions we've both kept hidden, and I feel the tension inside me dissolve, leaving only a sense of profound relief and joy.

  When he finally pulls back, his hand still holding mine, I'm breathless, my cheeks flushed. "Do... does that mean you feel the same way?" I ask, feeling a bit foolish for needing to hear it, but unable to hold back the question.

  Ryu nods, squeezing my hand gently. "Yes, Talia, I feel the same way," he says, his tone steady and sure. "And... I want to build a future with you. If you'll have me."

  Joy bubbles up inside me, overwhelming every other feeling, and I lean in, kissing him again. "I do," I whisper, unable to keep the smile from my face, my heart soaring with a happiness I never thought possible.

  Just then, a soft voice breaks the moment. "Papa? Talia?"

  I pull back, cheeks flushed, and we both turn to see Nikko standing a few steps away, rubbing her eyes with a small, tired hand. Her ears droop, and her tail sways sluggishly behind her, a clear sign of her sleepiness. She looks up at us, a flicker of concern in her expression.

  "Why did you leave?" she asks, her voice laced with sleepy worry.

  Ryu steps forward, releasing my hand to crouch beside her. "I'm sorry, sweetie," he says gently. "I just wanted to get some fresh air."

  Nikko's eyes shift from Ryu to me, her ears perking up a bit as she notices my tear-streaked face. She pads over, looking up at me with concern. "Why are you crying, Talia?" she asks, her voice soft. Her tail swishes slightly, mirroring her worry.

  I kneel down to her level, wiping away the last of my tears and giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm not upset, Nikko," I say softly. "I'm just very, very happy."

  Relief floods her small face, and her tail swishes a bit more energetically as she reaches out and grabs my hand, her fingers warm and trusting. "Can we go back to sleep now?" she murmurs, her voice soft and drowsy.

  I glance over at Ryu, who gives me a warm nod, and we share a look that says everything. "Yes, Nikko," I say, squeezing her hand gently. "Let's go back."

  As we start walking back to the cave, I feel Ryu gently grab my hand, giving it a soft squeeze. I smile, feeling warmth spread through me as we head back to our sleeping area.

  As we lie back down, Ryu hangs up his weapons, and then he lies beside me. I snuggle close to him, resting my head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. It's beating fast, just like mine, and I close my eyes, letting the sound lull me into a sense of peace. Nikko snuggles up close too, her small body warm and comforting as she begins to purr softly.

  For the first time in a long while, I feel truly content. I'm relieved that I finally told him how I feel, and even more relieved that he feels the same way. The weight I've been carrying for so long has lifted, replaced by a warm, comforting sense of happiness. I listen to the sound of Ryu's heartbeat, matching it with my own, and I let myself drift off to sleep.