Chapter 49

Eska and Valen are startled awake by the sudden sound of crashing and distant shouts, the peaceful camp now alive with chaos. Outside the tent, the muffled hums of the Thaxil fill the air.

Eska sits up abruptly, her heart pounding as she exchanges a tense glance with Valen, who's already moving to grab his weapon.

Before they can act, the tent flap is thrown open and a small group of hunters rushes inside. "Don't you guys worry!" one of them says, flashing a confident grin as they spread out around the tent.

Their weapons are drawn, but their relaxed stance exudes the calm of seasoned veterans. "The folks outside know how to handle this. Just sit tight."

The sounds of fire roaring and thunderous explosions echo through the camp, the tent vibrating faintly with the force of the conflict outside.

Minutes pass, each one feeling like an eternity, until the cacophony halts, replaced by an unsettling silence. Then, just as Eska's grip on her blanket tightens, a wave of triumphant cheering erupts from the camp.

"See?" another man says, lowering his weapon and glancing back at them with a reassuring nod. "Thaxil aren't much of an issue when they come in smaller groups."

Despite his easy tone, the flicker of tension in his eyes suggests the hunters aren't taking anything for granted.

Eska and Valen exchange a wary look. Before either can say a word, the tent flap rustles, and another figure strides inside.

Vanessa, cradling a bleeding hand. She locks eyes with the man stationed at the entrance.

"Don't you dare say anything, Vik," she snaps, her glare sharp enough to cut.

Vik raises his hands defensively, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"I didn't say anything," he replies innocently, stepping aside as she heads straight for one of the cabinets. Gathering a few supplies, he follows her to a cot where she drops herself unceremoniously.

"I almost had the bastard," she growls, slamming two bloodied fingers down onto the surface of the table next to her. "And then another one pops out of nowhere and slices my damn fingers off!"

She waves her mangled hand in the air for emphasis, extending her arm in anticipation. Vik is already there, ready to work on sewing her fingers back together.

"But I still got one of them—solo kill!" she declares triumphantly, punctuating her words with a quick jab of her fist in the air.

Another man steps forward, his hand glowing faintly green as he begins using healing magic to repair the severed digits.

"Maybe you should—" he starts, clearing his throat dramatically before grinning. "Maybe you shouldn't have pushed so hard!"

His words set off a ripple of laughter from everyone in the room, save for Valen and Eska, who glance at each other in confusion, clearly missing the inside joke.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," she grumbles, rolling her eyes but smirking faintly. "Just get my fingers back in working order so I can get back out there." Her voice is sharp, but her tone carries the hardened resilience of someone who's been through worse.

She turns toward Valen and Eska, her eyes narrowing slightly as recognition dawns. "Oh, you're the survivors!?" she exclaims, a note of surprise in her voice. A sly grin spreads across her face as she adds, "I didn't know you could take on Thaxil, Valen! Guess miracles do happen!"

She lets out a hearty laugh, clearly amused by her own jab.

Eska doesn't move but her eyes dart towards Valen, who's clearly bothered by the remark.

Eska stays still, but her eyes flick toward Valen, noticing the subtle tension in his posture. It's clear the remark has bothered him, though he says nothing.

Suddenly, Marina's voice echoes softly in her mind. "A quality hunter, I see. Perhaps not everything is lost."

Eska blinks, her gaze lingering on the woman as the words settle in her thoughts.

She grips the edge of the blanket draped over her shoulders, unsure whether Marina's comment was approval or something else entirely.

Vanessa grins widely, her amusement practically radiating from her.

"You two better be ready. Tomorrow, we're heading straight for the nest—and you're both coming with us!" she announces, her grin growing.

"We are?" Valen gives her a disbelieving frown.

"Boss's orders. Well, both bosses' orders," she clarifies with a shrug. "I don't know why Cole listens to that woman—she's such a pain in the ass."

"Lenna ordered us to go into the nest with you?" Valen asks with evident frustration. "I outrank her. How is she giving that kind of order?"

"She's the church rep for this mission, so I guess that means she outranks you for now," the woman replies with a hearty laugh. "You people and your politics. I don't envy it."

The man working on her hand suddenly chimes in. "Alright, you're all set. But no holding weapons with that hand unless you want to lose your fingers again. You'll need a few more sessions."

"Yeah, yeah," she replies dismissively, waving her freshly bandaged hand in the air with a cocky grin. "I'll see you guys later."

Eska, still sitting on the cot, quickly speaks up before the woman can leave. "Be safe, Nass!"

The woman stops briefly at the tent's exit, turning just enough to glance over her shoulder. "Are you kidding me? I can't fight the Thaxil if I'm safe!" she says with a laugh, disappearing into the camp before anyone can respond.

Eska looks back at Valen, her lips curving into a slightly nervous smile. "So…I guess we're going into the nest," she says softly.

Valen sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose as he lowers his head. "I guess we are," he replies, resigned to the choices being made outside. After a brief pause, he mutters under his breath, "What is Lenna even thinking?"

The other men in the tent begin walking out, one of them glancing back at the pair. "We'll be outside if you need anything," he says, gesturing toward the camp. "Plenty of people out there to get our attention—just shout or something if you need help."

With a few casual waves, they file out of the tent, leaving Eska and Valen alone once more, the quiet hum of the camp outside filling the air.

Eska pulls the blanket tighter around her shoulders, glancing over at Valen, who remains seated, his hands resting on his knees, and his gaze fixed on the ground.

For a moment, neither of them speaks, the weight of the upcoming mission hanging heavy in the air.

"You should get some rest," Valen finally says, his voice low but firm. "Tomorrow's going to be…difficult."

Eska nods slowly, her earlier nervous smile fading into something more somber. "You too," she replies, lying down on her cot and pulling the blanket up to her chin.