Gray and Tamemoto sat a short distance from the others, backs against a low boulder near the riverbank. The current rushed past, carrying away the last traces of troll blood and river foam. Gray’s chest rose and fell heavily; every inhale pulled at the shallow cuts across his ribs. Tamemoto leaned beside him, small chest heaving, blood still seeping slowly through the bandage on his chest. Both were exhausted, limbs trembling from adrenaline crash and lingering pain.

  Gray looked at his brother. Tamemoto’s face was pale, but his eyes were steady — no tears, just quiet focus.

  Gray reached over and squeezed Tamemoto’s shoulder — firm, steady.

  “Hey,” he said, voice low and rough from shouting. “You okay?”

  Tamemoto nodded slowly. “Yeah. Just… tired.”

  Gray paused. He wanted to say the same things he’d said before — “You fought well” — but the words felt worn out. Tamemoto had heard them too many times already.

  Instead, Gray just kept his hand on his brother’s shoulder a second longer.

  “You scared me back there,” Gray admitted quietly. “When you jumped in front of her sword. I thought…”

  He trailed off.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Tamemoto looked up at him. “I thought the same when you ran in front of the ice lance.”

  Gray gave a small, crooked smile — the closest he ever came to one.

  “Yeah. Guess we’re even.”

  Tamemoto let out a shaky laugh — short, almost surprised at himself. “We’re both idiots.”

  Gray huffed. “Maybe. But we’re alive.”

  They sat in silence for a moment, the river’s sound filling the space between them.

  Gray spoke again, softer. “You’re getting good. Really good. I mean it.”

  Tamemoto’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Thanks. I just… didn’t want you to get hurt again.”

  Gray looked away, toward the water. “Same.”

  Rin and Lian Wei approached, carrying sacks of troll ears and hide.

  Rin spoke first. “We’ll take the ears — quest proof. The rest is yours. Hide, claws, fangs — good trade value back in Camp Tile.”

  Lian Wei nodded. “Agreed. We’ll head to Rift Spire. Retire from this fight. More powerful people will join soon. The ones in Ashfall… they’re scary. Our sects warn us — stay away from the crater. Even the outskirts are dangerous.”

  Rin looked at Gray and Tamemoto. “You two… you’re young, but strong. If you ever come to Orihara, find the Kagehana Dojo. We’d welcome you.”

  Gray nodded once. “We’ll remember.”

  The groups separated.

  Gray and Tamemoto walked back toward Camp Tile, bags heavy with monster parts.

  The path was quiet now. The sun was low, casting long shadows.

  Gray glanced at his brother. “You did good back there. Blocking her sword. Kicking her. That wasn’t luck.”

  Tamemoto looked down at his feet, then up at Gray. “I was scared. But I remembered what you and Gauis said. Use everything. Don’t freeze.”

  Gray gave a small nod. “You didn’t. That’s what matters.”

  Tamemoto smiled — small, real. “We’re getting better. Together.”

  Gray felt something loosen in his chest — not completely, but enough.

  “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Together.”

  They kept walking.

  But right now, for the first time in a long time, Gray felt like they might actually have a chance.