A Night with You (8)

[What is she doing now?]

[Does she think she can get those fruits? She'll probably fail.]

[She's trying to prove herself again. Typical.]

[Wait, is she really going to climb it?]

[She awakened the Major General when she left the cave!]

Athena's focus remained on the tree, her movements deliberate and quiet as she approached.

She glanced briefly at its height and calculated her next steps, ignoring the hovering camera bot that buzzed faintly above her.

Mors, still near the cave, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, choosing to observe from afar.

She crouched slightly, tightening her muscles in preparation, then launched herself upward, grabbing hold of the lowest branch with practiced ease.

Her lithe body moved fluidly, each motion efficient and controlled as she ascended the tree.

Her footfalls were so light that the branches barely rustled, her years of training as an assassin clearly at play.

[Is she... climbing?]

[How is she so quiet? I can't even hear the leaves moving!]

[She's better than I thought. Not bad.]

[What's her background? No way she's just an entertainer.]

Athena reached the cluster of fruits in no time, balancing herself easily on a sturdy branch. She inspected the fruit closely, checking its texture and scent before plucking one carefully.

She tossed it lightly in her hand, testing its weight, then plucked two more and tied them together with a cord she pulled from her pocket.

Satisfied, she began her descent, moving as gracefully as she had climbed.

By the time she touched the ground, the fruits in hand, the stream's live chat had erupted in awe and curiosity.

[Okay, I'll admit it. That was impressive.]

[She climbed that tree like it was nothing! Is she secretly part of the military?]

[There's no way a star can do that unless she's been trained. Who is she?]

[The Major General better hold onto this one. She's a keeper.]

[Don't force a CP!]

Athena ignored the camera bot hovering closer to capture her face.

So, he wasn't sleeping after all.

She approached Mors, holding up the fruits triumphantly.

"I thought these might be useful. We should test if they're edible."

Mors studied her for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, before nodding. "We'll test a small amount first. Good work."

Her lips twitched into a faint smile as she set the fruits down near the fire.

The night deepened, but the stream continued to buzz with speculation, admiration, and intrigue, the galaxy's attention firmly fixed on the enigmatic pair.

When the camera bots finally powered down for the night, a sense of privacy settled over the cave.

The soft crackle of the fire was the only sound accompanying Athena and Mors as they sat close to the flames, each holding a piece of the fruit she had retrieved earlier.

The fruit's sweet, tangy aroma filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest.

Athena took a bite, savoring the unfamiliar flavor that was surprisingly pleasant. Mors followed suit, eating in contemplative silence.

His expression was neutral, but Athena didn't miss the faint lines of weariness around his eyes, barely visible in the flickering light.

"You should sleep tonight," she said softly, breaking the silence.

Mors glanced at her, his brow raising slightly. "Yeah," he replied simply, his voice calm but noticeably subdued.

Athena studied him for a moment longer, her gaze sharp and observant. She had noticed his fatigue the moment he arrived for the survival shoot.

There was a stiffness in his movements and a subtle heaviness to his steps, signs he was trying to hide but couldn't fully suppress.

She thought back to the briefings she'd overheard, the meticulously organized schedule he must have juggled to clear his time for this three-month-long program.

She could only imagine the immense workload he had tackled to prepare.

He must have worked tirelessly to wrap up months' worth of duties in advance, she realized, a flicker of unspoken admiration crossing her mind.

"Don't push yourself too hard," she added, her tone softer now. "This show might be a game for some, but your health isn't something to gamble with."

Mors paused mid-bite, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, he seemed caught off guard by her concern, but then his expression softened imperceptibly.

"I'll rest," he assured her, though his tone carried a faint undertone of skepticism, almost as if resting wasn't something he was used to prioritizing.

Athena nodded, satisfied for now. They finished their fruit in silence, the fire casting their shadows on the walls of the cave.

The atmosphere felt calmer, more intimate without the watchful eyes of the galaxy.

As the fire died down, Athena stretched out on her makeshift bedding, her mind briefly wandering to the days ahead.

Survival wasn't just about the wilderness, it was about navigating the complexities of this man sitting a few feet away, a stranger in many ways yet tied to her inextricably.

"Goodnight," Mors said quietly as he settled in.

"Goodnight," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The fire flickered one last time before dimming completely, leaving the two to rest under the veil of stars, unaware of how much this journey would test and change them both.

-

I should light up a fire so I can roast whatever I find when I get back.

The sun had just risen, casting its golden light over the wilderness as the live-stream viewers began their day.

Athena's movements were swift and focused as she stood near the edge of the river, her eyes scanning the waters with a keen intensity.

[Huh? Didn't she guard for a night, how come she's already awake?]

[Doesn't she know how dangerous it is to catch beasts underwater?]

The comments flooded in, a mixture of concern, disbelief, and curiosity. Athena's actions were being closely watched, as her audience eagerly anticipated her next move.

Athena ignored the chatter in the live stream. Her focus was on the river, on the life beneath the surface that could serve as a much-needed source of sustenance.

She stood poised, a calm determination emanating from her.

The water before her seemed deceptively serene, but she knew better. This planet, unlike others she had encountered, was not tainted by radiation or dangerous toxins.

The surrounding food sources were clean, and for the first time since arriving, Athena felt a sense of relief.