Night had fallen by the time Canis, Aron, and Easton decided to rest. The road to the capital still stretched far ahead, but fatigue and darkness made it unwise to push forward. They built a modest campfire by the roadside, its flickering light casting shadows across their tired faces.
Easton, ever the beach dweller, had brought along only one kind of food: fish. He heated a can over the fire and passed it around.
As they ate, a brief silence fell among them—comfortable and warm. Then, Easton spoke, his voice soft but tinged with nostalgia.
"Have you ever met any of the others since the party disbanded?"
Canis took a moment before answering. His gaze was distant, eyes reflecting the firelight. "No. It's been more than five years now. You're the first I've seen again, Easton."
"Don't you miss them?" Easton asked, watching Canis closely.
"Sometimes," Canis said, his tone measured. "The silence in the Guild Hall... it often takes me back to those days. But I don't want to bother any of them again."
Easton laughed. "So I'm the only one you're fine with bothering, huh?"
"You're the only one I want to bother," Canis smirked.
Their laughter echoed in the quiet night.
Aron, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up. "Master Canis… how long were you with your party?"
Canis turned toward him. "Almost three years. Though Easton and I—our history goes way back before that."
Easton chimed in with a proud grin. "Our party was one of the greatest in the last decade. We all had names big enough to rival our captain here." He nudged Canis playfully. "Though now, most of us have retired—just like him."
"Not all," Canis reminded him. "One member is still active."
"Oh, right! Aigis," Easton snapped his fingers. "He started his own party, didn't he? Still roaming the Fallen Heaven, making a name for himself."
Aron blinked. "Wait… Aigis the Living Shield? That Aigis?"
Both men nodded. Aron's jaw dropped.
"I never imagined he was once in your party, Master…"
"He's a funny guy," Canis added, a genuine smile forming. "I'd like to see him again someday."
Aron stayed quiet after that, simply watching the rare warmth on his Master's face. This side of Canis—the joy, the nostalgia—it was new to him. And precious.
He was grateful to witness it.
---
The next morning, the peaceful dawn was broken by an unexpected slap to Canis's forehead—a newspaper, blown by the wind, smacked him right in the face.
"ARGH! Shi*ty bird!"
The culprit, a black bird, was already far in the sky by the time Canis sat up, grumbling. His shout woke both Easton and Aron.
"What happened?" Easton muttered, groggy.
Canis ignored the question, his eyes narrowing as he unfolded the newspaper. His gaze sharpened with every line he read. Then he muttered to himself:
"That damn Ice Woman… she really did it, Huh?"
He didn't need to say more.
Easton and Aron looked at each other, uneasy.
The flames from last night's fire were gone.
But a new fire had just ignited in Canis's eyes.
{Chapter 21}