The stranger 2

The tension between the group and the stranger hung thick in the air. Kuro kept his grip firm on The Eminence, the blade's soft hum matching the whispers of the abyss in his mind. Aurora and Alice flanked him, their weapons poised to strike at the first sign of trouble.

Lucien smirked, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "Relax. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing right now."

"Bold claim," Alice snapped, her emerald eyes narrowing. "But you'll find we're not so easy to kill."

Lucien raised his hands in mock surrender. "Peace, rogue. I'm not your enemy… yet. I simply came to speak with him." He nodded toward Kuro.

"Why me?" Kuro asked, his voice steady but edged with suspicion.

Lucien's smirk widened, and he stepped closer, his movements unhurried and confident. "Because you're special. The abyss has taken an interest in you, boy. And that makes you someone worth watching."

Kuro tensed, the whispers in his mind growing louder, almost insistent. "If you know something about this… abyss, start talking."

Lucien's gaze flicked to Aurora and Alice. "Not here. Not with an audience."

"You don't get to make demands," Aurora said sharply, stepping in front of Kuro. "If you have something to say, say it now, or leave."

Lucien tilted his head, studying her. "Fierce. Protective. Admirable, really." His eyes lingered on her bow, then shifted to Alice. "And you, quick to strike. A true warrior."

Alice bristled, taking a step forward. "Flattery won't save you if you try anything."

Lucien chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. "I'd expect nothing less from his companions. But trust me, my quarrel isn't with you. My interest lies solely in the one the abyss calls."

Before anyone could respond, the ground trembled faintly beneath their feet. A cold wind swept through the clearing, carrying with it a faint, unnatural howl. Lucien's expression turned serious, his gaze darting to the shadows.

"Time's short," he muttered. "We'll speak again, Kuro. Sooner than you think."

With that, Lucien vanished into the mist, his form dissolving as if he were never there. The group stood in stunned silence, the echoes of his presence lingering in the air.

Alice was the first to break the quiet. "Well, that wasn't ominous at all."

Aurora frowned, her grip tightening on her bow. "What does he mean, 'the abyss calls you'? Kuro, is there something you're not telling us?"

Kuro hesitated, the weight of their gazes pressing on him. "I… don't know. The whispers started when I got this sword. They're getting louder, more… insistent. I don't understand it either."

Aurora's expression softened, concern replacing her earlier frustration. "You should've told us. We're in this together, Kuro."

Alice nodded reluctantly. "Yeah. If the abyss is messing with your head, we need to figure out why—and how to stop it."

Kuro's chest tightened at their words, a mixture of guilt and gratitude welling within him. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to worry you. But you're right. We'll figure this out together."

Aurora placed a hand on his arm, her touch warm and reassuring. "We're with you, no matter what."

Alice smirked, her tone light but sincere. "Guess you're stuck with us, hero."

For the first time in what felt like hours, Kuro allowed himself a small smile. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he wasn't facing it alone.

---

Later that evening, as the group rested near a small stream, Kuro found himself alone with Aurora. She sat beside him, her silver hair catching the faint glow of the firelight. The others were a short distance away, giving them a rare moment of quiet.

"Are you really okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kuro glanced at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. "I will be. As long as you and Alice are with me."

Aurora smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You always put everyone else first. Even when you're struggling. It's… admirable, but it worries me."

He looked down at The Eminence resting across his lap, its dark surface reflecting the flickering flames. "I can't afford to fall apart. Not now. Not with everything at stake."

Aurora hesitated, then placed her hand over his. "You don't have to carry it all alone, Kuro. We're here for you—for you."

Her emphasis on the last word made his heart skip a beat. He looked at her, their eyes locking. The warmth in her gaze was undeniable, and for a moment, the weight of the abyss seemed to fade.

"Thank you, Aurora," he said, his voice soft. "That means more than you know."

She blushed, but didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she leaned closer, her voice barely audible. "You mean a lot to me too, Kuro. More than I've been able to say."

Kuro's breath hitched, his chest tightening with emotions he wasn't sure how to name. Before he could respond, a playful voice interrupted them.

"Am I interrupting something?" Alice's smirk was unmistakable as she stepped into view, her arms crossed.

Aurora quickly pulled back, her cheeks flaming. "No! We were just… talking."

"Uh-huh," Alice said, her grin widening. "Well, don't let me stop you. I just came to tell you both that it's your turn to take watch."

Kuro groaned inwardly but stood, grateful for the excuse to diffuse the tension. As he and Aurora moved to take their positions, Alice gave him a knowing wink.

"You're hopeless," he muttered under his breath, earning a soft laugh from Aurora.

Despite the interruption, the warmth of Aurora's words stayed with Kuro as he gazed into the shadows. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he felt a glimmer of hope—faint but unwavering.