Chapter six: The day Time feared

The morning light was faint, barely filtering through the carved stone windows of their room. The warmth of the bed lingered from the night before, and Cid stirred first. His head rested on Fenrona’s chest, her arms wrapped securely around him as if she had no intention of letting go.

For a long moment, he couldn’t speak. His face burned red from embarrassment, though a part of him didn’t mind the comfort at all.

“Honey…” he finally murmured, his voice low as he gently shook her awake.

Fenrona’s silver lashes fluttered open. She wiggled her tail lazily and gave him a sleepy smile. “Love… good morning.”

Cid averted his eyes, still red-faced. “Did I… ask for this again?”

“Yes,” she replied with a mischievous grin. “You said you really liked my breasts.”

“Well… I do,” he admitted quickly, sitting up, ears tinged pink. “Anyway—good morning, honey.” He leaned down to press a soft kiss against her lips.

“Should we wake her up?” Fenrona asked, glancing toward the adjoining room.

“It’s too early,” Cid said. “No, first I’m going to the washroom.”

“You always get there first,” she said with mock annoyance, ears lowering playfully.

“I always wake up first,” he countered with a grin, heading to wash his face and brush his teeth.

“Just hurry,” Fenrona called, stretching. “Oh, by the way—did you notice Merly’s been acting weird the past month?”

“Yeah,” Cid said from the washroom, a knowing look on his face. “Why do you ask?”

“You know something, love,” she said, trying to read his expression when he stepped out.

“Nope.” He patted her head lightly.

“Don’t lie to me.” Her tail flicked suspiciously.

“I’m not,” he said with a laugh. “Go wash. I’ll wake Sith.”

He stepped into the next room and tapped the sleeping girl’s shoulder. “Big, big brother…” Sith mumbled, still half-asleep. “You were completely drunk last night, you know.”

“Sith, get up,” he said with mild irritation, tugging her blanket away.

“Hey, I’m not a kid anymore,” she said, quickly covering herself.

Cid blinked—and then turned away sharply, his face flushing. “Why are you naked?!”

“You pervert!” Sith snapped, wrapping the blanket around herself.

“Stop, you two,” Fenrona said from the doorway, laughing. “It’s not like you haven’t seen each other naked before.”

“Not for years…” Cid muttered under his breath.

“Come on, Sith,” Fenrona said, handing her some clothes.

When Fenrona stepped back into the hall, she found Cid leaning against the wall, still looking flustered. “You alright, love?” she asked, looping an arm around his.

“Since when has she been sleeping naked?” he asked, his voice caught between shock and disbelief.

“For a year now,” Fenrona replied, smirking.

“Then I’m a fool of a brother,” Cid said with a helpless chuckle.

“I guess you are,” Fenrona teased, laughing again until Cid joined her.

He sank onto the bench outside their door, resting his elbows on his knees. “Honey, we’ve grown so much in these four years, haven’t we?”

“Yes,” Fenrona said, standing in front of him, a small, fond smile curving her lips.

“You’ve become a fine woman,” Cid said, gaze dropping to the floor, “finer than any woman I’ve ever seen… and me? I’m still the same, just with a bit more muscle. You deserve someone better.”

Fenrona knelt beside him, lifting his chin until their eyes met. “First—thank you. Second—you are the finest man here. At least, for me.” She kissed him softly.

“Thank you, honey,” Cid murmured, his mouth breaking into a wide smile. “I love you.”

“I will always love you, love,” she whispered back, kissing him again.

The door creaked open. “Ugh, stop you two,” Sith said, tying her hair back. “Get up, the food’s getting cold.”

They rose and walked toward the dining hall.

“Sorry, Sith,” Cid said, scratching the back of his neck.

“It’s fine,” she replied with a sly grin. “You’re still a perv, though.”

“What? I’m not a—”

“You’re kind of a perv,” Fenrona cut in with a teasing smile, giggling.

“Hey…” Cid mumbled, looking down. “Just… don’t tell Art, okay?”

Fenrona and Sith both laughed. “We won’t,” they said in unison, still grinning as they entered the hall.

They reached the dining hall to find Arthur, Merly, and Harold already at the table.

“Morning,” Harold greeted, sipping from his coffee.

“Morning,” Cid replied, still a little red in the face.

Arthur squinted at him. “What happened to you—”

Smack! Merly’s hand landed on the back of his head.

“What?” Arthur muttered, rubbing the spot.

“Mouth full,” Merly said with a glare.

The tension broke into laughter, and breakfast became lively—plates clinking, voices overlapping, everyone speaking like a family that had known each other for years.

Afterward, Fenrona gathered her dishes and began rinsing them in the basin. “Merly,” she said quietly.

Merly caught the look on her face, a trace of worry beneath the usual calm. “Come with me to the bath, Fen,” she said, standing and taking her by the hand without waiting for an answer.

The bathhouse was warm, steam curling in the air. The water rippled invitingly, heat radiating off the surface. They stepped in, the temperature making their skin flush.

“So,” Merly said, leaning back against the smooth stone edge and letting the water lap at her shoulders, “spill it.”

Fenrona hesitated, then blurted, “Did you and Arthur ever… you know?” Her cheeks glowed pink.

Merly laughed. “Of course. He’s my husband.”

Fenrona bit her lip. “We still… haven’t.”

Merly tilted her head, eyes scanning Fenrona’s figure. “With a body like yours? How could he resist? I barely can.” She reached over and gave Fenrona’s chest a playful squeeze.

“Stop!” Fenrona yelped, but a small, involuntary sound escaped her throat.

“Alright, alright,” Merly said, releasing her with a smirk. “So why haven’t you?”

“Every time we get close, something interrupts us,” Fenrona admitted.

Merly’s brow arched. “So, it’s your first time?”

“Yes,” Fenrona muttered, looking down, her face bright red.

“Nothing’s interrupting you, Fen,” Merly said knowingly. “You’re just afraid.”

Fenrona blinked. “Afraid?”

Merly leaned forward. “Afraid of what? Have you even seen him?”

“Yes… we sleep naked,” Fenrona admitted, her voice even smaller.

“Is it because it’s big? You think you can’t handle him?” Merly teased, her grin widening.

“K-kind of… but it’s not just that,” Fenrona said, too flustered to meet her eyes.

Merly leaned back, laughing softly. “It’s natural to overthink these things, Fen. But listen…” Her expression softened. “I’m pregnant. The only one who knows is Cid.”

Fenrona’s eyes widened. “Cid knows?”

“He saw particles forming around my belly,” Merly explained. “He asked me about it and then… he told me something. He said he wants to have kids with you, but he thinks you don’t love him enough to want that with him.”

Fenrona froze, the steam swirling around her like mist.

“That’s why,” Merly continued, “I’ll take Sith for the entire night tonight. No interruptions. Show him you do love him.”

Fenrona’s lips curved into a small, determined smile. “Thank you, Merly.”

They left the bathhouse and dressed, steam still clinging to their skin. On the way to the training grounds, Fenrona’s thoughts drifted.

He really wants to have kids with me… Her cheeks flushed pink again.

“You’re thinking about him,” Merly said with a knowing smile.

“Yes,” Fenrona admitted, her ears drooping slightly. “Now I understand why he said what he did that day we were waiting for Sith.”

“It doesn’t matter what he said,” Merly replied, moving behind her and giving her shoulders a quick squeeze before her hands wandered lower. She teased, “Show him. And don’t be shy—give him that gorgeous body. He’ll love it.”

“Merly, please stop,” Fenrona squeaked, face turning a deeper red as her friend playfully squeezed her through her clothes.

“Fine, fine,” Merly said with a laugh, finally letting go.

“You’ve got to stop doing this to me,” Fenrona muttered, fixing her shirt and trying to calm her racing heart.

When they arrived at the training arena, they saw Arthur and Cid already standing opposite each other, stretching and loosening their shoulders.

“It’s been a while since we sparred,” Cid said, rolling his neck. “Think you’ve improved?”

Arthur grinned. “I’m not losing today.”

“Begin!” Harold called from the sidelines.

The clash was immediate—fast footwork, sharp dodges, and heavy strikes that echoed off the stone walls. Cid landed a clean hit to Arthur’s ribs.

“Still your blind spot,” Cid taunted.

Arthur disappeared and reappeared mid-air, launching a punch downward, but Cid flipped, planting himself upside down against the ceiling like a shadow clinging to stone.

“What the—?” Arthur muttered.

Harold’s eyes widened. “That’s a clever use of shadow technique.”

Cid grinned. “You said you’d win, right? Come on then.”

Arthur’s expression hardened. He raised his hand, unleashing fire, then lightning, ice, and wind in rapid succession—a relentless storm of magic.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Cid dodged them all, until a shard of ice clipped his side.

“Got you!” Arthur crowed—only to freeze as Cid appeared in front of him, hand clamped lightly at his neck, completely unharmed.

“Stop!” Harold barked.

Arthur stared. “How…?”

“He deflected it,” Merly said, astonished.

“I saw it too,” Fenrona added. “He caught it—just for a moment.”

Cid’s gaze softened when he noticed Fenrona. “Welcome back, honey. You okay? You’re a little red.”

“I’m fine, love,” she said, stepping forward to kiss him.

Sith hopped off her chair, stretching. “That’s what he was training with me,” she announced. “He can grab anything—magic and more.”

Harold blinked. “You were training… in secret?”

Cid shrugged. “Yeah. Sith and I have been training for about three years. She couldn’t keep up with my dodging, so I taught her how to mix her core magic with particle control.”

“Combine them?” Harold asked, stunned.

“It’s in the scrolls,” Cid replied. “You didn’t know?”

“No one’s ever told me that.”

“I can show you. But what I did with the ice? You can’t do it.”

Arthur frowned. “Why not? And can you do more things like that?”

“Yeah,” Cid said. “And because I don’t have a core, I can handle it. You do—so when you try to hold raw magic directly with particles, they react to your core. You start absorbing them, and then… you get what’s called Absolute Magic. Pure explosion. Not something you want to try.”

“Then teach us the combination,” Harold said.

“Gladly,” Cid replied.

“I’m going to the bath,” Sith said, heading for the door.

“Have fun,” Fenrona called after her with a smile.

Arthur glanced back to Cid. “So, what’s the trick?”

Cid smiled faintly. “Particles aren’t one element—they’re all elements. If you focus them around the magic from your core, you supercharge your spells. They hit harder, fly faster, and cost less energy.”

Arthur conjured an ice shard and tried. It doubled in size instantly.

Harold followed suit, crafting a thunder arrow that split a training pillar in half.

Cid let out a low whistle. “You’ve still got it, old man.”

“Don’t underestimate me, boy,” Harold said, smirking. Then his expression sobered. “You’re onto something big.”

Fenrona and Merly tried next. “Wow,” Fenrona said, watching her magic swell with energy.

Then Merly stepped forward, a hand resting on her stomach. “Everyone… I have something important to tell you.”

“What is it?” Arthur asked, tilting his head.

“I’m pregnant,” she said simply, a smile breaking across her face.

Arthur froze. “You’re…?”

“Congratulations,” Harold said, clapping his son-in-law on the back so hard it jolted him.

Arthur blinked. “We’re… going to have a kid?”

“Yes, dear,” Merly said, hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek.

“Congratulations,” Cid and Fenrona said together.

Merly pointed at Cid. “Don’t hide it—you’re the one who noticed before I did.”

Arthur gaped. “And you didn’t tell me? I thought we were friends.”

“We are,” Cid said with a sheepish smile, rubbing his neck. “She made me promise not to tell a soul.”

“That’s enough training for today,” Harold announced, heading toward the exit. “We’re celebrating. I’ll bring food.”

“Okay, Dad,” Merly said with a laugh, still clinging to Arthur’s arm.

“Love,” Fenrona called softly, her voice carrying a shy edge. Her cheeks were flushed, and her ears twitched nervously. “Have you ever… wanted to have kids?”

Cid blinked, caught off guard. “What?” he asked, brows lifting. “I… guess so?”

“Don’t lie to me,” Fenrona pressed, her face growing redder.

Cid exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright, alright. I did—many times. But every time I tried, something would happen… and you’d back away. I started thinking maybe you didn’t want to. Or maybe…” he hesitated, eyes dropping, “…maybe you just weren’t attracted to me.”

Fenrona’s gaze softened, her tail giving a slow sway. “You know I love you. I would never be attracted to anyone else.” She took a small breath, then added, “Then… from today on, we’ll try. Every night, if that’s what it takes. Okay, love?” She looked away, embarrassed.

“You’re sure?” Cid asked quietly.

“Don’t make me regret this,” she murmured, glancing back at him with a faint smile.

“I’ll do my best, honey,” Cid replied, pulling her into a tight embrace.

When they returned, Harold was already setting the table. “Let’s eat,” he said, placing the last of the dishes down.

They gathered, laughter filling the cavernous dining hall as they ate and celebrated—Harold’s deep chuckle, Arthur’s booming laugh, Merly’s bright voice, and Sith’s giggles all mixing into something warm and whole.

As the night wore on, Sith rubbed her eyes. “I think I’ll go to sleep,” she yawned.

“Sith,” Merly said gently, “do you mind sleeping with me tonight?”

“Sure,” Sith replied, then looked toward Arthur. “What about him?”

“He’ll sleep with Harold,” Merly answered, giving her husband a look that silenced him before he could speak.

Merly rose and walked off with Sith, Arthur and Harold heading to their own rooms.

After a quiet moment, Cid and Fenrona stood.

When they entered their chamber, Fenrona lingered by the bed, her ears dipping low and her cheeks pink. “You ready, love?” she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking up at him.

Cid didn’t say a word. He simply stepped forward, his hands finding her cheeks, and kissed her—slow at first, then deeper, until her back touched the bed. He hovered over her, their breaths mingling, his heartbeat loud in his ears.

Fenrona’s arms wrapped around him, drawing him closer. “Gentle, love,” she whispered, their foreheads touching, her violet eyes holding his.

He gave a faint, breathless laugh. “Sorry… I just—can’t wait anymore.”

“It’s fine,” she murmured, her voice trembling but warm. “I’m yours.”

The rest of the world faded away. Words were replaced with kisses, touches, and the silent language only the two of them understood. The firelight flickered across their joined silhouettes before the shadows swallowed them whole.

Later, they lay together beneath the blankets, her head resting on his chest. His fingers brushed softly over her cheek. “You okay, honey?” he asked, his voice quiet, almost hesitant.

She smiled faintly, tired but content. “Yes, love… it was perfect.”

“I love you,” he murmured, pressing his lips to her hair.

“And I love you,” she replied, her tail curling around his leg as sleep claimed her.

Cid held her close, the warmth of her body grounding him in a way nothing else ever had. For the first time in years, the night didn’t feel cold.

The days that followed fell into a new rhythm—training by day, laughing with their friends, and each night retreating to the quiet sanctuary of their room, where they shared moments meant only for husband and wife.

Morning crept into the stone chamber, pale light spilling through the narrow slit in the rock wall. Cid stirred first, blinking sleep from his eyes. Fenrona lay beside him, her silver hair strewn across the pillow, her face paler than usual.

“Good morning, honey,” he whispered, brushing a strand from her cheek. “You feeling any better?”

She smiled faintly, her voice soft. “Good morning, love… a little. Still dizzy.”

“You’ve felt like this all week,” he said, brow furrowing. “We should see a healer.”

“No need,” she murmured. “I’ll be fine.”

Before he could press the issue, a small voice rose from the side of the room.

“You still sick, sister?” Sith asked, already dressed and ready to go out.

“Yes,” Fenrona replied, stroking her hair. “Just a bit tired, that’s all.”

Cid sat up, stretching. “You should eat with us today. You’ve barely touched food in days.”

After a pause, Fenrona nodded. “Alright. Just give me a moment.”

“I’ll head down with Sith. I’ll come back for you,” Cid said, kissing her forehead.

As they left the room, Sith glanced up at him, her voice tinged with worry. “Is she really okay?”

“She’s strong,” he said with a small smile. “She’ll be fine.”

They entered the dining hall to find Merly, Arthur, and Harold already seated.

“Morning,” Sith greeted.

“Still sick?” Merly asked, glancing toward the empty seat.

Cid nodded, setting Sith down. “I’m going back for her.”

“We can’t skip more days over an illness,” Harold muttered.

“She’s my wife, old man,” Cid replied sharply, turning on his heel.

When he returned, Fenrona was brushing her hair in front of the mirror. She turned as he entered, her pale lips curling into a smile. “I feel better already. I just needed to see your face.”

“I love you,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her.

Back in the dining hall, Fenrona hugged Merly. “You’re looking rounder,” she teased.

“Eat first, tease later,” Merly replied, sliding her a plate.

The men soon left for training, but Merly and Fenrona headed to the bath with Sith trailing behind. Steam curled up from the water as they sank into the heat.

“How are you?” Merly asked.

“Strange,” Fenrona admitted. “Dizzy. No appetite. I keep throwing up in the morning…”

Merly’s lips parted into a knowing smile. “You’re pregnant, Fen. Congratulations.”

Sith gasped. “Sister’s gonna have a baby?!”

Fenrona’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Cid and I… we’re going to have a baby.”

Later, walking the quiet stone halls toward the training grounds, Fenrona’s fingers lingered over her belly.

“Should I tell him today?” she murmured.

Merly giggled. “He probably already knows.”

At the training yard, Cid was hauling stones with Arthur and Harold.

“You need to rest,” he said immediately, spotting her.

“Love… I have something to tell you,” she said, stepping forward.

Cid set down the stone. “What is it?”

“I’m pregnant.”

The stone slipped from his hands, crashing to the ground. His eyes went wide. “You… are?”

She nodded. “You felt it, didn’t you?”

“I did,” he admitted, voice trembling. “I just didn’t want to believe it until you said it.”

He crossed the space in three strides, lifting her into his arms and spinning her once before holding her tight. “It changes nothing,” he whispered. “I love you.”

“And I love you,” she said, smiling through tears.

Sith’s bright voice broke the moment. “Let’s go celebrate!”

Arthur grinned. “Shadow’s Meal. Old place, good food.”

They ate together—meat stew, roasted roots, bread still warm from the oven. Laughter rolled across the table. For a while, it felt like the world itself had slowed.

Then the world shattered.

A deep, resonant boom ripped through the lair. The floor shuddered beneath their boots, mugs rattling on the table.

“What was that?” Fenrona asked, gripping Cid’s hand.

Cid’s face drained of color. His voice was a whisper. “That energy… it’s him.”

Arthur shot to his feet. “Merly—take Fen and Sith. Now.”

Harold’s voice was iron. “Activate the alarm. Go!”

As the others fled, Cid turned to Harold and Arthur, already pulling a worn scroll from his coat. “I’ve been saving this. A technique to trap Time—forever. But it needs three of us, in perfect sync.”

Arthur’s gaze narrowed. “So you’re holding him off while we learn it?”

“I don’t have a choice,” Cid said, already walking toward the pit.

Arthur’s voice lowered. “You sure you can survive him alone?”

Cid didn’t answer right away. The shadows ahead seemed to breathe, the cold air tasting of iron. Then, without looking back, he said, “I have to.”

The alarm wailed through the lair. Villagers screamed, fleeing toward the high tunnels. The pit awaited like a black wound in the earth.

Cid stood at its edge. Below, Time waited—motionless, watching.

“There he is,” Cid murmured.

Harold’s voice was quiet. “Good luck, kid.”

Cid turned, his expression softer. “If I don’t walk out… take care of Fenrona. Promise me.”

“You have my word,” Harold said.

Cid leapt.

The fall felt endless. The air around him warped, distorted—as if even gravity bowed to the thing below.

He landed hard.

Time turned to face him.

And the fight began.

It stood tall in the pit, vaguely human in outline—but wrong in ways Cid’s mind struggled to name.

Its entire form pulsed with shifting black and green light, like dying embers suspended in oil.

Where its face should have been, there was only the suggestion of one—a shadow carved into the shape of a man.

What… are you? Cid thought.

The thing’s reply slid into his mind like a knife into water.

“So this is the one they sent? Pathetic.”

Cid’s lips curled. “Don’t underestimate me.”

Pain seized him instantly. No movement from the creature, no visible strike—just agony, blooming white-hot in his chest. Blood filled his mouth.

What—?

He staggered, then pushed forward, calling particles to his body, letting them propel his feet until each step blurred. He struck with all his weight.

Time flinched. Barely.

“Impressive,” it murmured.

Without warning, Cid was hurled back. Not thrown—just removed from where he stood and dropped against the stone wall. The impact rattled his bones.

This isn’t a dragon. This isn’t a monster. This is something worse.

He pushed up. Charged again. Harder, sharper, reading the shifts in the air.

It didn’t matter. The second hit from Time slammed him harder into the ground, cracking the floor beneath him.

“Don’t get up,” the voice said flatly. “The next blow will kill you.”

Cid’s knees trembled, but he rose. “I have people I need to protect. Fenrona. Sith. Emily.”

He lunged. This time, Time went skidding back, crashing into the far wall.

“You are more than I thought,” it said, the shadow of a head tilting. “But now… you die.”

The next strike caved the floor where Cid had been standing. He was breathless, his ribs aching.

He’s not afraid of me. He doesn’t care about me at all. He fears something else… Creation.

The thought struck hard. He’s afraid of being seen. Of being erased.

“Stay down,” Time commanded.

Cid wiped blood from his lips. “You want to know something?”

The shadow tilted its head.

“I hate you,” Cid said, voice low. “This village once worshipped you. You made a child here… then abandoned them. Not out of guilt—but fear. Fear Creation would destroy you if He ever found out.”

A pause. His breath deepened.

“You even made Zeus make a child here too—just to bury the truth. To justify your slaughter.”

His fists clenched. His brown eyes began to glow—bright, burning violet.

“All my life they called me a monster,” he said. “Maybe they were right. Maybe that’s what fate wants from me.”

He vanished.

Reappeared right in front of Time—and his punch cracked the mask of shadow that served as its face.

“I’ll be that monster!”

Time reeled.

Cid didn’t stop. “What gives you the right to kill an innocent girl?!” Another blow—this one a spinning kick that sent particle force rippling through the chamber.

“You fear like us!”

Another strike.

“You breathe like us!”

A pulse of pure force erupted from his palm.

“You bleed like us!”

The mask shattered, black ichor spilling.

“So what makes you special?!”

Time vanished, then reappeared behind him. “You ask what makes me special? It’s in my name, fool.”

Strikes fell—each one coming from a fraction of a different moment.

But Cid saw the pattern. “You disappear every time you attack… You can’t exist in more than one second at once.”

He moved. Faster. Freer. The particles carried him past that gap in its presence.

He reappeared behind Time and struck with everything he had—particles detonating at the point of contact.

Above, Arthur and Harold stood at the pit’s edge.

“You think he’s okay?” Arthur asked.

“I don’t know…” Harold’s eyes narrowed.

Fenrona’s voice rang out behind them. “Where is he?!”

“In there,” Harold said, holding her back. “Don’t—please don’t go.”

“Let me look,” she pleaded.

Arthur leaned forward. His jaw tightened. “He’s… winning.”

Harold’s eyes flicked to him. “Then this is our moment.”

They leapt into the pit.

The three of them—Cid, Harold, and Arthur—spoke the sealing incantation together.

The air split with a deafening crack.

Time screamed—not in pain, but in something far worse. Terror.

Creation will see me.

And then—it was gone.

Sealed. Forever.

Three days later.

Cid woke to warmth. Fenrona’s body curled against his side, Sith clinging to his arm. Morning light trickled in through the curtains.

He kissed Fenrona’s forehead. “Honey…”

Her eyes flew open, tears already welling. “You’re awake—oh gods, you’re awake!”

She kissed him, fierce and trembling. “You had me so scared.”

He brushed her tail gently, watching it flick. “I love when you do that.”

She laughed through the tears.

“I’d burn the heavens for you,” he murmured. “Kill a thousand monsters. Anything.”

“Just come back to me,” she whispered, resting her head on his chest.

They stayed like that until sleep reclaimed them.

The next morning, Sith’s voice rang out. “Big Big Brother!” She leapt into his arms.

“I’m starving,” Cid muttered. “Honey—help me?”

“Always,” Fenrona said, smiling.

In the dining hall, Harold sipped his coffee. “Good. You’re alive.”

“Welcome back,” Merly said warmly.

Arthur grinned. “Exactly what I’d expect from my rival.”

Cid glanced down at his hands. Mom. Dad. Emy. I did it.

“Good morning,” he said simply.

They ate quietly before Cid leaned back. “I think I’ll rest a bit more.”

Fenrona helped him to his feet.

Later, in their room, Harold and Arthur stood outside with Merly.

“You feel that pressure?” Harold asked quietly.

Arthur nodded. “Yeah. Heavy.”

Merly frowned. “What pressure?”

Arthur and Harold answered together, smiling faintly. “The pressure of being in a room with a monster.”

Inside, Fenrona brushed Cid’s hair from his face. “What now?”

“We could stay,” he said.

“We could,” she agreed. “But your heart’s already in Alfrey.”

“I need to see Emy,” he admitted.

“Then we’ll go together. Make our family there.”

“When I’m healed,” he said. “But first—we say goodbye properly.”

She kissed him, and together they watched the last light of day fade into the mountain’s shadow.