12. Eve

12

EVE

T he rising sun paints the sky in shades of pink and gold as we set out towards the west.

Towards the golden coast.

Towards hope.

I can't help but smile, feeling a lightness in my heart that I haven't experienced in years. "What's got you so happy?" Mordakus grumbles, but I catch the hint of amusement in his voice.

"Can't you feel it?" I say, spreading my arms wide. "It's like... like we're finally moving towards something, not just running away."

He grunts, but I see the corners of his mouth twitch upward. "Don't get too excited. It's still a long, dangerous journey."

"I know," I nod, sobering slightly. "But we're in this together, right?"

Mordakus looks at me for a long moment, his red eyes unreadable. Then he nods. "Together."

As we walk, I can't help but notice the change in Mordakus. There's a new energy to his stride, a sense of purpose that wasn't there before. He pores over the map during our rest breaks, plotting our course with an intensity that leaves me in awe.

"See this river?" he says, pointing to a blue line on the worn paper. "If we follow it, it'll lead us to a mountain pass. Might be our best bet for avoiding demon encounters."

I lean in, our shoulders brushing. I feel him tense for a moment, then relax. Progress, I think with a small smile.

"That's brilliant," I say, genuinely impressed. "And look, this area along the river - it's likely to have a lot of edible and medicinal plants. We could stock up as we go."

Mordakus nods approvingly. "Good thinking. Your plant knowledge has been... useful."

Coming from him, it's high praise, and I feel a warm glow of pride.

As we travel, the landscape begins to change. The barren wasteland gives way to scrubland, then to patchy forests. With each new environment, I discover plants I've only read about in my father's old books.

One evening, as we make camp by a small stream, I notice Mordakus wincing as he rolls his shoulder.

"Are you hurt?" I ask, concern coloring my voice.

He shakes his head. "Old injury. Acts up sometimes."

I bite my lip, then gather my courage. "I could... I could try to help, if you want. I know some massage techniques that might ease the pain."

Mordakus looks at me skeptically, but after a moment, he nods. "Alright. Can't make it worse, I suppose."

As I work on his tense muscles, I feel him gradually relax under my touch. "Where did you learn this?" he asks, his voice low and rumbling.

"My mom," I say softly, memories washing over me. "She was a healer of sorts, before... everything. She's the one who pushed me to embrace my passions."

We're both quiet for a moment, the only sounds are the gentle burbling of the stream and Vincent's content purring from his spot by the fire.

"You miss them," Mordakus says. It's not a question.

I nod, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "More and more every year. But... It's getting easier. Being with you and Vincent, having a purpose... it helps."

Mordakus turns to face me, his expression softer than I've ever seen it. "You're strong, Eve. Stronger than you know."

His words, and the gentle way he says them, make my heart skip a beat. "So are you," I say quietly. "And not just physically. The way you're fighting against your nature, trying to be better... that takes real strength."

He looks away, but not before I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm fighting a losing battle," he admits.

I reach out, placing my hand on his arm. "You're not alone in that fight anymore," I say firmly. "I'm here. We're in this together, remember?"

Mordakus meets my gaze, and for a moment, I see all his walls come down. The pain, the loneliness, the hope he's afraid to feel - it's all there in his eyes. Then he nods, just once, but it feels like a monumental shift.

As our journey continues, we face our fair share of challenges. Demon patrols force us to take lengthy detours. Food and water become scarce as we cross a particularly barren stretch of land. But through it all, we work together, our strengths complementing each other in ways I never expected.

One night, huddled in the remains of an old village home as a storm rages outside, I find myself imagining a future. A little house by the sea, a garden full of healing plants, Vincent lounging in the sun.

And Mordakus... Mordakus right there with us, his red eyes crinkled in a rare smile.

The image is so vivid, so beautiful, that it takes my breath away. I glance at Mordakus, who's keeping watch by the window, and feel a surge of emotion so strong it almost overwhelms me.

"What is it?" he asks, catching my gaze.

I shake my head, smiling through sudden tears. "Nothing. Just... I'm glad you're here. With us."

His expression softens, and he reaches out, awkwardly patting my shoulder. "Get some sleep, Eve. I'll wake you for a second watch."

As I drift off, Vincent curled up against me, I feel a sense of peace I haven't known in years.