The Gypsy's Shadow

POV Aria

I kept a close watch on the gypsy and Ignis. Something about her made me uneasy, and I didn't want to leave my companion alone; we were in a camp full of potential enemies, and splitting up didn't seem like the best strategy. There was something in her eyes—a mix of secrets and disdain—that reminded me of past encounters where betrayals came disguised as smiles. I had seen before how people with that same look could manipulate situations to their advantage, leaving chaos in their wake. That memory only reinforced my need to keep us together. How dare that idiot leave me alone!

My complaints didn't last long, as I soon felt the presence of the gypsy who had sealed the grimoires' energy, supposedly sacrificing himself. It was like a persistent echo, a vibration that seeped into my bones. He was in a tent a little farther from the rest of the caravan.