Beneath the Moon We Broke

5: The

like... you breathe in and it sticks. Raven stood under that old damn sycamo

nd name pups-it felt... hollow now. Empty in a different wa

nch. Familiar

se it w

ike someone who hadn't slept fully in years but

ay a word. J

-long stare. The one that says "I r

id it. Jus

been stuck in hi

crossed. Classic. Voice? Low

topped. "Didn't k

e snapped-but quietly. Almost

kno

That was the

t. Whispering probably. "Are they gonn

Said something about unity and Blight an

red, "Temporary.

But his eyes did th

erent room. Maps. Chalk.

t each other. But th

ew that line over her shoulder like it mean

s not what I'm

That mad

worried abou

k him

t know how t

o

. Just... broke. Quietly. "

ope

stop you fr

to prote

t and br

ce. A

This tim

d. Like

sat in the dark and pressed her fingers

st... night. Or dew. Or maybe the wo

from clenching. Her fingers? Cold. Dirt under her nails

r-footste

. A

she muttered,

down, no

king. Just... ai

, "I should've sai

said. Fla

ante

t wanting. Doesn't hel

lence.

Rubbed her face.

e if I didn't... I'd

"You think saying the right thing

N

oo

t's a

ost made her

agical fix. I just... I miss kno

away. That

he whispere

to try

t one stupid second-

mo

ck when. Damon's voice-it was like it stuck to the walls. To her ribs. To the bit of her that stil

sleep e

Softer. Familiar

lo

cou

eace offering. "Chamomile," he said, like i

n't really want

's watching, right

always

they're hoping. Or panicki

rep

Let the steam fog

ible-"You think

o long. "I think... he re

tupid mug shaking in

ped wolf in a too-small room with too

knock

a

cou

we

wait fo

is dangerous," t

ned. "Dang

y now. You and her. That's no

t come f

ust wat

let fate spe

t. Just

es. The past and future press

ne knew. The whisp

"Maybe this is i

e left once. He

uncil tab

the north. W

leave the ea

aw? S

protectin

k at him after

rest of the c

chiming in with half-thoug

tly put a hand on her sh

calm, sharp as

n't wait. We don't give t

st-gone. The door sla

aring at the map like i

e cold in her voice. N

point

was w

aybe three-he found he

steps. Boots mu

knees like a shield sh

dn't

dn't l

in that way that made e

eft before I had the

I thought it'

between a laugh and

he said. A

, eyes closed like she cou

help. To fight. But I don't think

," he offer

har

. Not graceful

d him, she p

he man I reme

ce. "Good. H

muttered.

gone again. Like

ck walls and old wood,

the woods, so

that didn't belong

quiet tha

nd seemed t

ter move, or maybe follow Talon's priva

't speak r

ng her down like armor she never asked to wear. Her mouth was

eside her. Not touc

g her

, if that's what

hat... that made it a

ust... plain. "I came back because the Blight's taking too much. From all of

hosen one. I'm not a symbol. I'm just... someone who made mis

approval. Some doubt

cleared h

oom. It didn't nee

because she's right. Because I saw what the Blight does when no one

pau

ck. And I'll burn for it to

n let us see what fire re

hat, the v

wasn't just w

t had

n. D

veryone w

aits for everyo

ote p

re

ve t

n the line between ol

a risk. Other

elebrate. Neit

ack to the quiet rituals of movement, breath, sweat. Like w

them could shak

w, there w

ctat

der. Every hesitation would

ver it was becoming-

alon approach

had crossed

ne wasn't

ans. A message tucked into a collar,

scout inside. Fed

en opened

trembled

changed. It speaks now.

on. He met her ga

waiting,"

greed. "We

was summoned

unes lit. Old al

fore them all,

don't wait for it to find us a

ard. "This is you

beside her.

bout prophe

about

choice

amon, then at Kael, then at the sea of eyes that bore into them li

ted th

oarse. "We didn't plan this. The prophecy.

rowd. A low sound, almos

appening between us-it's not for show. And it's n

here to convince you with grand speeches. We're here because the

ed through t

d, but only slightly. "Th

ked at hi

gathering thick and low. "Tonight. The Blight

nce. No hesita

d no ch

hat was a kind

e didn't have one. Maybe because he had too m

ing to grind the truth down in

ost just a breath. "I thought if I looked unsh

at him. Not surprised.

were

gh. Bitter. No r

t even

le. The silence felt... real. Hea

flapped a little. Her hair kept getting in

f, "I think I'm more scared now

hy

at her boots. Then

there's somet

. Just stood clo

se she didn't expect it.

s not

. Still

ok a b

ng to lose," she said. Softer. "You'r

might reach for hers. Bu

ots from up here. But alive. Carry

just a little. Let light bleed

pe. Not quit

peeches. No ceremony. Just torches, and wol

t a thousand times. But her spine was tight. Li

r throat. Didn't sq

"I don't ha

that

But the Blight... it doesn't care. About our pain. About who hurt

whispered somethi

ter why. But staying broken won't save us. And waiting fo

ence wa

d. "Just your strength. Doubt if y

someone clapped.

the earth. But

watchtower, they sat in silence ag

he stars. "Think the

k they

d. "It's

at him. Rea

dream about it

: "Yeah. You're al

tightened

moved. Co

k about what come

lf-laugh. "If t

I can't just kee

aybe it's just quiet and small and

Almost smile

be

me?" h

t away. But her voice

ll s

was e

r

an a hand down his face, like he was t

hought strength meant silence. Control. Loo

ite a laugh. "That didn't wor

eways at her.

. Leaves danced at their feet lik

he added. "I'd rather be messy a

better than she wanted to admit. "You already cost me," she

hen I'll show up

t sleep t

re

her tent, staring at the canvas roof like ma

ganized. Like drawers pulled ope

er kept repla

n't

it. Maybe this time

yb

n he vanished all those moons ago, that part didn't trust easy. It

with it. Just lay

Far. Not Blight. Just wind or

move

not trying t

Familia

n Damon crouched ju

en he said, low

pa

d, finally. "Yea

e just sat outside. Next to the entr

for... who knows. M

ares you more? The war

through her

uiet, but not

facing the canvas. "I don't think I

doing

oesn't

y n

se it'

him up for

"And what do

d. "You make it harder. And

unded like relief. Or maybe

el wants us to check the old runes.

d. "I need some

you'd s

nt quie

eel like a thing that needed poking, she as

wer right awa

out how to live without

herself, small

Y

n know how to want som

ke that a l

ped the flap a bit an

. Small. Ha

saw it.

gh. Still scarred from

ing when he squeezed

t nee

it always does. To

rs, eyes squinting at maps, voices low. No one questi

orruption salve, eyes sharp. "You

't," Ra

is eyes were on her. Li

ored it

ick again-roots like veins, branches low an

ath. Not of

she turned to check behi

ah

miss

...

imes, tha

. The light changed there-greyer, flatter.

t yet. But Raven's

that?" s

Yeah. Like we'r

ear, not yet. But something... off. Wrong

A twig be

, quick. No

t," Damon

," Raven adde