The journey down the hillside took longer than they had expected.
The path, which had looked simple from above, was filled with ancient tree roots, large boulders, and wild grass covering parts of the way.
Yet, the atmosphere remained calm. There were no signs of threat.
No sound of hunters' machines, nor the foreign energy waves that usually kept them on high alert.
Only the sound of the wind.
The sound of footsteps.
And occasionally, the sound of Kael's laughter, as he had not finished teasing Eiden yet.
The creature beside Aurelia moved gently.
Its luminous line remained steady, following the core essence that was now almost always in a state of peace whenever Aurelia was near it.
The units behind maintained their network formation.
Meanwhile...
Eiden was still holding Aurelia's hand.
And for a while now...
He had not let go.
Not out of fear.
Not out of anxiety.
But simply because he truly liked it.
