Chapter 27 — Beneath the Starlit Sky
Ren was leaning against the tree trunk, arms folded, eyes half-shut like he was pretending not to care but listening to every word. Airi smiled softly but didn't speak, her mind already too occupied by what tomorrow would bring.
"Alright," Sora said, stretching with a wide yawn. "We've made a blood pact, sworn brotherhood, and agreed we're idiots. Anything else before we collapse from exhaustion?"
The small clearing they had chosen was quiet now, the fire reduced to a soft glow, crackling faintly as the night air grew colder. Overhead, the stars blinked against the endless dark, scattered like forgotten wishes.
Ren shifted slightly, kicking a small stone at his feet.
"Maybe we should set up a watch," he mumbled. "Just in case."
Airi finally spoke, her voice soft but clear. "You're right. We don't know what might be out there."
Sora groaned dramatically, throwing his arms into the air. "Fine, fine! I'll take first watch! But you two owe me... like... a lifetime of desserts after this."
Airi chuckled quietly, the sound barely rising above the whisper of the wind.
"I'll take second," she offered.
Ren gave a small grunt of agreement. "I'll go last."
Satisfied, they moved slowly, each lost in their own thoughts as they prepared for a rough night under the stars. Airi adjusted her small blanket over her shoulders, pulling it tight. Sora leaned against his backpack, staring up at the sky as if trying to read the future from the stars themselves.
For a long while, there was only the sound of breathing, of rustling leaves, and the distant hoot of an owl.
---
Later that night...
Airi opened her eyes.
The fire had almost gone out, leaving only faint embers glowing like the last heartbeat of a dying giant. She sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Sora was where he promised he would be — sitting by the fire, a stick in hand, lazily poking at the coals.
"Can't sleep?" he asked without looking at her.
She shook her head, though he probably couldn't see it clearly in the dark.
"I guess... it's hard," she admitted. "Knowing tomorrow... everything could change."
Sora chuckled under his breath. "Yeah. But hey, we're kinda good at doing dumb things together, right?"
A small smile touched Airi's lips. "Yeah... we are."
For a moment, she watched him — the way the firelight danced against his face, casting long shadows, making him look older than he really was. Sora had always been like this. Hiding his fears behind smiles, pretending things were easy even when they weren't.
"You're a terrible liar," Airi said quietly.
Sora blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
"You act like you're not scared," she said, pulling her knees to her chest. "But... you are. Just like me."
He didn't respond for a while, staring into the embers.
Then, with a soft sigh, he admitted, "Yeah... I'm scared too."
The honesty hung between them, raw and real.
But somehow, instead of making her more afraid, it made Airi feel lighter. Like they weren't alone. Like maybe, just maybe, it was okay to be scared — as long as they faced it together.
---
Meanwhile, just beyond the trees...
A shadow moved silently between the trunks, barely disturbing the underbrush.
Unseen, unheard.
Watching.
Waiting.
---