Chapter 64: Chapter 64: regrouping Iris and Aras stood in uncomfortable silence.
They had stopped walking a few minutes ago, waiting by a small clearing marked by shattered stones and old roots.
The trees here were thinner, letting more sunlight bleed into the open space.
Iris kept glancing at Aras, quickly looking away whenever he caught her.
Aras sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "You’re not very subtle, you know."
Iris straightened, defensive immediately. "I’m not doing anything."
"You keep staring," Aras said bluntly, tilting his head. "If you have something to say, say it."
"I wasn’t staring," she muttered, crossing her arms now too. "I was just... checking if you were still with me. You’re quiet."
"You’re louder than both Ash and Rhian combined," Aras said without missing a beat. "Hard not to notice you’re still here."
Iris narrowed her eyes, but there was no real anger there. She could tell Aras wasn’t trying to mock her.
That was just how he spoke—direct and with a tone that always sounded a little bored.
She huffed, kicking at a small stone on the ground. "Fine. Whatever."
Aras shrugged and went back to scanning the surroundings. "We’re wasting time. We need to find the others before the portal recall."
Iris nodded, following behind him, even if her steps were heavier than before. She didn’t like being called out like that, even if he wasn’t wrong.
The two moved quickly, with Iris staying just a step behind.
They had already agreed that splitting up further wasn’t smart. Ash had gone ahead a while ago, using his shifted bird form to scout.
Aras slowed suddenly, raising a hand.
Iris stopped beside him. "What?"
"Listen," Aras said, his voice low.
Iris frowned, focusing. She could hear faint echoes—footsteps, maybe. Something moving through the brush nearby.
Then a familiar voice broke through the quiet.
"I think I hear something!"
It was Ash.
Aras and Iris moved without needing to speak.
Seconds later, Ash burst out from between two trees, still half-shifted with feathers along his arms, his expression wide with excitement.
"They’re alive!" he shouted. "They’re coming!"
"Where are they?" Aras asked, his arms still folded.
Ash grinned. "They’re not far. Back where we were earlier, but we can get there fast."
Aras gave him a flat look, waiting. "So... turn into a bigger bird so we can fly there."
Ash’s face twisted in mock offense. "Now why would I do that? You two seem to be getting along just fine. I’m sure snake lady here can let you ride her... who knows, she might ride you too."
Iris’s face turned bright red. "You idiot!" she shouted, stepping forward.
But before she could grab him, Ash laughed and shifted mid-step, feathers exploding outward.
In seconds, he turned into a large hawk and shot into the air, his mocking caws echoing as he disappeared above the trees.
Iris clenched her fists, practically vibrating with anger.
Aras just sighed. "Let’s move before he gets himself killed."
Without waiting for her to recover, he started walking toward the direction Ash had pointed out.
Rhian walked behind Nia, feeling awkward about everything that had happened.
The tension still clung to the air between them. He sighed, realizing he had been doing that a lot lately.
Before he could think more about it, a sharp hawk cry broke the air.
Rhian glanced up, spotting a large hawk descending fast. His hand instinctively checked his watch. It didn’t glow with any warning.
’Ash,’ he thought with a smile.
The hawk swooped down, wings cutting the air. Just before it hit the ground, it shifted mid-flight, feathers scattering everywhere.
Ash rolled through the landing, throwing his arms out dramatically like he had just completed some grand performance.
Nia couldn’t help but chuckle under her breath.
Ash ignored her completely and rushed straight to Rhian, a wide grin on his face.
He clapped a hand on Rhian’s shoulder, pulling him into a rough half-hug. "You little shit," Ash said, voice shaking with laughter. "I thought you died or something!"
Rhian huffed out a tired laugh. "Almost."
Ash pulled back, studying him closely. His eyes flicked over Rhian’s bare torso, the scales, the clear changes. His grin faltered slightly but quickly returned. "You... definitely don’t look like you did before."
Rhian shrugged. "Long story."
Ash nodded, looking like he wanted to ask a hundred questions, but decided against it. "Save it. Let’s get you two back first."
He turned to Nia, giving her a small nod. "Good to see you up, too."
Nia smiled faintly but didn’t say much. Her mood was still sour from earlier.
Rhian caught that but said nothing. He was just relieved to see a familiar face.
Ash waved them forward. "Come on, the others are close. Aras and Iris are already waiting."
Without wasting another second, they moved, heading toward the trees where the rest of their group was finally gathering again.
.
.
.
They finally arrived at the small clearing where Aras and Iris were waiting.
The moment the group laid eyes on each other, the tension eased. Even Aras cracked a rare smile.
Ash exhaled loudly, ruffling his hair. "We looked for you guys... everywhere."
Iris crossed her arms, nodding. "Yeah. After this, I’m demanding a week off. Minimum."
Nia chuckled quietly and gave a small nod, sharing the same sentiment.
Rhian sighed, leaning against a nearby tree. His body still ached from everything that had happened.
He stole a quick glance at Nia before focusing forward again. He was relieved to see her talking, standing, and breathing easily. That was enough for now.
But the two other guys noticed the glance. Ash raised an eyebrow. Aras didn’t say anything, but the sharp look he gave didn’t go unnoticed.
Rhian ignored it.
"Very eventful," he said dryly, preparing to start explaining what happened—how they fell, fought monsters, survived—but just as he opened his mouth, a loud beeping erupted from all their watches.
Everyone looked down at their wrists.
The screens glowed an intense white. The watches vibrated harder than before, the beeping growing louder.
Before anyone could react, their vision snapped to black.
The world vanished around them.