The group had settled into an easy rhythm by the stream, the harsh memory of the Wasteland fading with each passing hour. The water murmured softly over smooth stones, and the breeze carried the scent of grass and damp earth. They had meant to rest for only a few hours—but the peace was too rare to waste.

Adam leaned back on his elbows, his crimson eyes fixed on the sky. The grey had given way to deep orange and pink, the sun sinking toward the horizon. He let out a slow breath.

"I didn’t expect us to rest this long."

Isolde, seated a few paces away with her knees drawn up, glanced at him. Her voice was quiet, but carried a note of rare ease.

"It’s fine. After everything we’ve been through, we deserve it. The Wasteland was... exhausting."

Adam’s gaze drifted to Azrynn, who was sitting cross-legged near the water’s edge, her eyes closed, her face tilted toward the fading light. She looked almost peaceful, the tension that usually clung to her frame finally loosened.

"Looks like she’s enjoying herself too."

Alice settled beside Adam, her tail curling around her feet. Her dark violet eyes followed his gaze to Azrynn.

"Of course she is. This is her first time seeing the outside world. The sky, the grass, the open air... it must feel like a dream to her."

Adam nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. I guess it would."

Lilith’s voice drifted from her spot on the flat rock, smooth and composed. Her crimson eyes remained closed, her silver-white hair catching the last rays of sunlight.

"Adam. It seems our dinner has arrived."

Adam sat up slightly, following her gaze. His eyebrows rose as Ignis came into view—dragging a massive beast behind her. It was easily the size of a bear, with thick, dark fur and tusks that curved from its jaw. Its body was limp, clearly dead, but the sheer size of it was impressive.

Adam rose to his feet, a grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, Ignis. That’s a good catch."

Ignis dropped the beast with a heavy thud, her chest heaving with exertion—but her golden eyes gleamed with unmistakable pride. She planted her hands on her hips, her grin wide and unapologetic.

"I wanted to try its meat! It looks like it’d be really tasty!"

Adam let out a warm laugh, his voice carrying genuine appreciation as he examined the massive beast Ignis had dragged in.

"Haha! Good work, Ignis. I’ll cook it. You all can start preparing the fire."

Azrynn had already drifted closer, her yellow eyes wide with curiosity as she studied the unfamiliar creature. She crouched beside it, running her fingers along the thick, dark fur.

"I’ve never seen an animal like this before. It’s so large..."

Adam glanced at her, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Do you know how to skin it, Az?"

Azrynn looked up, a flicker of pride crossing her features. "Of course. I’ve been hunting since I was old enough to hold a bow. I can handle it." She paused, a small, almost shy smile tugging at her lips. "Do you want me to teach you?"

Adam’s eyebrows rose slightly, then a grin spread across his face. "Yeah. That’d actually be useful."

Alice was stacking dry branches nearby, her cat ears twitching. Her dark violet eyes flicked toward Adam and Azrynn, narrowing as she watched them crouch beside the carcass, Azrynn’s hands moving with practiced ease as she began to show Adam the proper way to make the first cut. Her voice carried a sharp, pointed edge, muttered low enough that only Lilith could hear.

"They’re getting closer..."

Lilith’s voice drifted over, smooth as silk, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.

"My, my. Are you jealous, Alice?"

Alice’s tail lashed sharply, her dark violet eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. Her voice came out low, carrying a clear edge of warning.

"Quiet, Lilith. Or I’ll carve you into pieces."

Lilith’s smile didn’t waver. She tilted her head, her crimson eyes gleaming with open amusement, utterly unbothered by the threat. Her voice carried a light, teasing lilt, smooth as silk.

"Carve me into pieces? My, my... someone’s feeling fierce today."

Adam, meanwhile, was thoroughly absorbed in watching Azrynn’s hands move with practiced precision. Her knife slid along the beast’s hide with clean, fluid strokes, separating the thick fur from the muscle beneath. Adam let out a low whistle of genuine admiration.

"Wow. I didn’t realize there was a technique to it. That’s impressive."

Azrynn’s pale cheeks flushed slightly, a crack in her usually composed exterior. She kept her eyes on her work, her voice carrying a hint of rare self-doubt.

"I... I might be doing it wrong. I’ve never skinned an animal like this before."

Adam shook his head, a warm grin spreading across his face. "No, that’s perfect. The way you’re cutting—it’s clean. The meat will cook better because of it."

Azrynn’s flush deepened, but a small, pleased smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Adam straightened, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the work ahead. "Alright. Once the skin’s off, we need to drain the blood properly. If we leave it in, the meat will taste gamey. We’ll hang it up and let it bleed out before we start cooking."

Azrynn tilted her head, still watching Adam with quiet curiosity as he surveyed the skinned carcass. Her voice carried a note of genuine interest.

"How are you planning to cook it?"

Adam rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his crimson eyes scanning the meat with the eye of someone who had learned to appreciate good food through necessity.

"Simple, but strong. A bit of salt, some herbs to bring out the flavor without overwhelming it. Maybe a touch of something smoky." He glanced over his shoulder, his voice carrying a lazy, expectant note. "Alice. Toss me the spice pouch. The one with the dried rosemary and the black salt."

Alice reached into her Void Locker, her hand emerging with a single small pouch. She tossed it lightly—then paused, her ears twitching. Her voice carried a note of hesitation.

"...Which one was the rosemary again?"

Adam’s brow furrowed slightly. "The green one. With the dark flecks."

Alice’s hand reached back in, emerging with a handful of pouches. She turned them over, her brow furrowing deeper.

"Green... dark flecks..." She looked up, her voice carrying a note of irritation. "Just find it yourself."

She dumped the entire collection at his feet.

Adam stared at the scattered pile, his voice flat, laced with resigned exasperation.

"This is practical? I ask for two things, and you give me a mountain."

Alice’s voice sharpened, her ears flattening.

"Oh, so we’re doing this again? You said you forgave me."

Lilith let out a soft, delighted laugh from her rock, her crimson eyes gleaming with open amusement as she watched the exchange unfold.

Adam’s eye twitched. He let out a long, slow sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"...I’m going to need another pouch."