An hour earlier.
"Damn, what a waste," Del sulked, arms crossed, staring down at the corpse of the hybrid beast sprawled on the grass. It was a strange thing—part hawk, part peacock, with glossy emerald feathers and razor talons. Its neck had been snapped so cleanly, the body hadn't realized it was dead till it hit the ground. "This one wasn't even a threat."
"You're only sad because it's pretty," Osiris quipped, crouching next to the body, running a hand over its shimmering feathers.
Ever since he woke up, he'd been cold, quiet. He barely spoke, only when absolutely necessary. Delythera had spent the morning poking at his patience like a child with a stick, hoping to make him snap, but he didn't bite. This was the first full sentence he gave her since dawn.
She smiled faintly but didn't say a word about it. Progress was progress.
"Anyways," she said, drifting backward in lazy midair, her toes brushing the tops of the grass, "why didn't you use Xilack energy on this one? You've been using it on the last six or so beasts. Getting stingy all of a sudden?"
Osiris didn't answer immediately. He nudged the beast's wing, then flipped it to its side.
"Is this thing safe to eat?" he asked.
"Huh?" Del blinked. "Come again?"
"Is this thing safe to be eaten?" he repeated without looking at her.
She raised an elegant brow. "Technically, yes. Why?"
"Because the others should be hungry by now."
Del stared at him, then burst into a soft, melodious laugh. "I didn't take you for a helper. Talk less of a good person."
He stood, brushing off his palms. "Who said I'm helping?"
She tilted her head. "Then what are you doing, oh broody one?"
"Everything has a price," he said simply. "Now wouldn't it be nice if a royal owed me? Could be useful in the future."
Del's grin widened. "Ohhh, so you wanna manipulate her? Not bad."
Osiris turned his head slightly to look at her, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Can you help me with something?"
"Hmm? What's that?" she asked, perking up instantly.
"We're in a forest. There's got to be a river or stream somewhere around here. Could you find one for me?"
She gave him a puzzled look. "That's an odd request... but sure." She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and pointed east. "Over there. Not far. Like, a ten-minute walk for you."
He nodded, satisfied. "Perfect. Now let's go hook a royal."
She twirled midair with a giggle, dress rippling like silk smoke.
---
Present time
Osiris sat with his back resting against the base of a large tree, arms folded across his chest, eyes half-lidded as the smell of cooking meat filled the clearing.
He watched from a distance as the makeshift cooks bustled around the fire, working on the bird he'd brought back. Kaelyn had been the one to eagerly offer her thanks, and it had taken every ounce of self-restraint not to smirk.
So far, no one had disturbed his peace. Even Theron was too busy trying to talk Elira out of her deal with him to bother looking for trouble.
Bored, Osiris's gaze wandered upward—to Delythera.
She floated in the daylight sky like a dream caught between worlds, her body still and serene. Sunlight kissed her soft pink hair, making it shimmer like liquid rose gold as it drifted around her in weightless waves.
Her face was peaceful, lips parted slightly, lashes casting faint shadows on her pale skin. She looked almost too delicate to be real, like something sacred the world had no right to touch.
The sheer, lace-trimmed dress hugged her gently, glowing faintly in the sun. It clung like morning mist, trailing around her like silk smoke. She wasn't just sleeping—she was suspended in a quiet kind of magic, beautiful beyond reason.
He stared for a moment longer than he should have, then exhaled quietly. "Ridiculous," he muttered. He wondered how such a precious beautiful entity could have such a fowl mouth.
Just then, movement from the treeline caught his attention.
A boy with white hair stepped out of the forest.
He was smiling.
Osiris's eyes narrowed. Not because of the smile—but because the guy's footsteps made no sound at all. Nothing. Not even the rustle of leaves.
Kaelyn noticed first. She waved, beaming. "Ael! Hey!"
The others looked up and smiled, exchanging casual greetings. Elira even gave him a small nod.
Osiris stayed silent, eyes fixed on the stranger. He wasn't sure why—but something about him was wrong.
After a few minutes of polite small talk, Ael started walking toward him.
Osiris tensed slightly, still seated, still unmoving.
Ael stopped a few feet away and gave him a friendly smile. It was warm. Too warm.
"Hi. I didn't have time to introduce myself yesterday," he said in a soft, pleasant tone. "I'm Ael."
Osiris didn't respond.
Ael waited. Then added, "You're the one who brought back the food, right? That was smart."
Still nothing.
Ael kept his smile in place. "Thanks for helping out. That bird was massive."
"Where were you last night?" Osiris asked.
Ael blinked. "Sorry?"
"When the frogs attacked. Where were you?"
There was a faint pause.
Ael's smile didn't waver, but something behind his eyes shifted. "Oh. I was patrolling the far side of the clearing. Didn't hear the alarm until later. By the time I got there, it was already over."
"Convenient," Osiris said dryly.
Ael chuckled. "I suppose so. Still, you handled it well. Everyone's been talking about you."
Osiris didn't like the way he said that. As if he knew more than he let on. As if he had already studied him, broken him apart, and was now just playing.
There was no real threat in Ael's stance. No blade. No aggression.
And yet...
Osiris felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff, watching the tide roll in with knives in its waves.
He met Ael's eyes and for a split second, he felt it—something massive, dark, ancient. Like standing under a sky ready to collapse. It pressed against his skin, curling around his ribs like claws.
"Nice to meet you," Ael said gently.
Osiris didn't reply.
He didn't need to.
---
Above the clearing, Delythera opened one eye, yawning softly as the wind stirred around her. Her gaze flicked downward—straight at Osiris and the newcomer.
Her smile faded.
She stared at Ael for a long, still moment.
Then closed her eyes again.
But she didn't go back to sleep.
She listened.
The game had begun.