Keeping secrets

It takes a long while to tell her everything.

The lantern's dim glow flickers. The air feels heavy. Eris sits across from me, her blue eyes searching mine, and I can see a storm of emotions swirling in them.

"I see… so that's what happened," Eris says quietly.

"Nn," I nod, giving her hand a small squeeze.

"I'm so glad that you and Alter are okay. And Morvena… it's truly a miracle that she was able to fight back against the demonic corruption."

"Nn! It really is!" I reply, my voice brightening with a fragile smile.

But then Eris' expression darkens. Her hands tremble slightly where they rest over mine, and a flash of raw emotion burns behind her blue eyes.

"Still…" she murmurs, her voice tight. "To think that you had to sacrifice your soul energy for that sword…"