divided paths [8]

The setting sun cut through the leaves like golden knives, casting long shadows across the damp forest floor, which still clung to the chill of the departing day. Around the dying campfire,

Sela brushed the dust off her pants and then broke the silence. "I don't think we ever caught your names," she said, her voice soft but firm.

One of the girls straightened, brushing a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. Her brown eyes were kind, but cautious.

"Nadia," she said after a brief pause.

The elven girl stepped forward, her posture proud. Her long blonde hair gleamed like spun gold in the fading light, and her silver eyes met Sela's without fear.

"Liora," she answered simply.

Rael gave a lopsided grin, gesturing lazily to himself. "Rael." Then he jerked his thumb at Sela. "And that's Sela."

Finally, he flicked a hand toward Lif, who sat apart from the group, arms crossed, his expression carved from stone.

"And that ray of sunshine over there is Lif. He's usually not this grumpy. Not sure what crawled into him today."

Lif didn't respond.

Nadia chuckled nervously, breaking the tension for a moment. "Where are you all headed?" she asked.

"Kathelyn," Rael said, tossing a small stone into the dead firepit.

"The human kingdom?" Nadia asked, her brow lifting slightly.

Rael nodded. "Yeah. If you want, you can come with us."

Before Nadia could answer, Liora shook her head. "I can't. I need to return to Aetherwyn. I suppose you don't know where that is."

Sela blinked. "Aetherwyn? That's east, toward the rising sun." She pointed loosely through the trees.

Liora gave a polite nod. "Thank you."

Without hesitation, she turned, her blonde hair catching the last light of the day, and began walking.

Rael cursed under his breath and jogged a few steps after her. "Hey, wait!" he called.

Liora stopped, half-turning, her face unreadable.

Rael slowed, feeling awkward. "You shouldn't go alone."

She hesitated. "I must return home."

"(so dramatic for what.)" Lif thought to himself

Rael wasn't about to back down. "What if one of us comes with you? You'll be safer that way."

Liora hesitated again, glancing over her shoulder at the thick, wild woods that stretched endlessly ahead. She looked about to decline when Sela added quickly, "We don't mind helping."

Still, Liora's voice remained steady. "If you help me and I get home safely, who will bring you back?"

Sela stood up. "I can get you there. I don't mind, really," she said eagerly.

Rael opened his mouth. "No, Sela. You're staying here," he said firmly. He turned to Lif.

"You could take her, right?"

Lif didn't even blink. "Babysit a tree kid? Pass."

Liora froze. "What was that?" she said sharply, her silver eyes narrowing. She stepped closer, standing taller, squaring her shoulders. Lif, jumped onto his feet and stood tall, but he notices how she loomed over him by a few good inches,

An awkward beat passed. Lif grumbled something under his breath, sat back down, and refused to meet her gaze.

Rael huffed and grabbed Lif by the arm, dragging him a few paces into the trees, Sela close behind.

Behind the trees...

Rael spun around the second they were out of sight.

"Really, man? Racist comments?" he snapped, voice low but sharp.

Lif threw up his hands. "Dude, I've killed three people right in front of you a few hours ago, and you cheered me on. I dislike a few people, and suddenly I'm a monster?"

Sela's voice was colder than the evening breeze. "Lif, that doesn't mean you have to be cruel."

Lif's fists clenched at his sides. "How am I supposed to be nice to them? You know what they did!"

Sela stepped closer. "We lost the same things you did, Lif. Our families. Our homes. Ren. Yet we were Nice to liora"

The name hit Lif like a sword. His shell crumbled in an instant. His breathing hitched, and after a stunned moment, he slapped his forehead hard, dragging his hand down his face.

"Man, what's up with me," he muttered.

Without another word, the three trudged back to the others.

Lif stopped awkwardly in front of Liora, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Sorry, Liora," he said stiffly. "I shouldn't have said those things."

Liora studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded.

"It's okay."

She turned slightly toward Rael.

"What did you say his name was?"

"Lif," Rael answered.

Liora gave a faint smile. "It's okay, Lif."

Lif exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"If you want… I'll take you back to Aetherwyn. If you want me to come with you."

Liora smiled — a geniune, warm smile — and nodded.

Rael and Sela exchanged a look.

Rael muttered under his breath, "Who are you, and what have you done with Lif?"

Sela just chuckled softly.

They scavenged what was left of the shattered carriage nearby — cloaks, bread, anything they could carry — before preparing to part ways. There were only four cloaks and five people. Lif refused to take one.

"The cold doesn't bother me," he said simply.

"Yo, Lif, catch!"

Lif turned just in time to see Rael tossing him a scabbard fit for his sword.

As they packed, Liora's sharp eyes caught the glint of steel at Lif's side.

She tilted her head, curious.

"Your sword..." she murmured.

"What about it?" Lif asked, frowning.

Before he could react, Liora stepped forward and snatched it cleanly from his belt.

"Hey! What the hell?!" Lif yelled.

Liora flipped the blade effortlessly in her hands, inspecting it like a blacksmith judging cheap iron.

"An elven blade," she murmured. "No wonder the cuts were so clean." She gave him a sharp look. "You swing it like a madman."

Lif stared at her. "What the hell does that mean?!"

"You're using it wrong. You just stab and throw yourself around like a berserker. That's not what this blade was made for."

She spun the sword lightly, the blade flashing like water in the last rays of sunset.

"Elven blades are made for speed, for precision. They're meant to dance, not bludgeon."

Lif muttered under his breath and snatched the sword back from her hands.

"Yeah, well... it works fine the way I use it."

Liora only smiled — cool and knowing — before turning away to adjust her pack.

Night had fully fallen by the time the groups finally parted — Rael, Sela, and Nadia heading west toward Kathelyn, while Lif and Liora set off silently eastward toward Aetherwyn.

The stars emerged one by one overhead, and their paths had divided,