After Alex swore his oath to Harvis, the group rested for a few days in the town of Eldoria. The time passed in a strange yet comforting stillness—no immediate struggles, no urgent matters pressing them forward. For the first time in a while, Alex and Lily felt a sense of security.
Lily, in particular, had begun to open up to Harvis and Liz. She often sat close to Harvis, her bright eyes watching him with admiration. Whenever he noticed, he simply smiled, ruffled her hair, and went about his usual carefree manner. It was as if her presence didn't burden him, and Lily seemed delighted by that.
But peace was fleeting. After a few days, they set off towards a larger city, a place where they could find more opportunities.
The journey took them through dense forests, stretching from morning until evening. They walked at a steady pace, following narrow trails lined with towering trees and the distant chirping of unseen birds. By sunset, they would find a clearing, check the surroundings for safety, and set up a temporary base for the night.
During these breaks, Alex pushed himself to grow stronger. He performed basic exercises under Harvis's watchful eye, determined not to remain weak. His failure to protect Lily still haunted him. Each squat, each push-up, each repetition was a step closer to ensuring that never happened again.
Meanwhile, Liz took charge of cooking, and Lily happily assisted her. Though still young, Lily was eager to help, carefully imitating Liz's precise movements as she chopped vegetables and stirred the stew. Liz, who often carried herself with a composed and efficient demeanor, softened ever so slightly whenever Lily giggled or made an innocent mistake. The sight was something Alex found comforting—his little sister was slowly finding a new place to belong.
One evening, as they gathered around the fire to eat, Lily's curiosity got the better of her. She glanced at Harvis, her gaze lingering on the blindfold wrapped around his eyes.
"Harvy," she asked, tilting her head, "why do you always wear that blindfold?"
The question silenced the group for a moment. The flickering flames cast long shadows on Harvis's face as he took a slow sip of his soup. Then, without looking at her—though, of course, he never did—he chuckled softly.
"There's nothing in this world that interests me enough to see with my own eyes," he said, his voice carrying a strange mix of amusement and finality.
The words hung in the air, heavy yet enigmatic. Liz glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but she remained silent. Alex, too, didn't press further, though he couldn't help but feel there was more to Harvis's answer.
Lily, however, frowned. "But how do you see where you're going?"
Harvis grinned. "Who knows? Maybe I have magic."
Lily pouted. "That's not fair. You won't tell me anything."
Harvis let out a hearty laugh, then leaned slightly toward her. "Don't think too much about it, Lily. It's just my choice."
Lily didn't seem entirely satisfied with the answer, but she nodded nonetheless.
A moment later, Alex's gaze drifted to Harvis's wrist. A worn-out bracelet clung to his arm, its surface marked by time. It was old, ancient even, yet it held a certain mystique, as if it carried a story long forgotten.
"What about your bracelet?" Alex asked. "It looks… unique. Where did you get it?"
Harvis tilted his head, fingers absentmindedly touching the accessory. "This?" He smiled, but this time, there was a tinge of nostalgia in his expression. "I've always had it. I don't know its origins, but I like it."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You never wondered where it came from?"
"Maybe." Harvis shrugged. "But sometimes, it's better not to dig too deep into the past. Some things are better left as they are."
Alex didn't know if he agreed with that, but he let the matter drop.
His eyes then shifted to Liz. Though she had been mostly quiet, focusing on her meal, a thought nagged at him. The way she dressed, the way she carried herself—it was different. It made him curious.
"Liz," he started, "why do you dress like a maid? And why do you follow him?"
The question caught Liz off guard. She froze, her spoon halting midair. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, and for the first time since they met, she hesitated.
But after a moment, she put her spoon down and composed herself. Her silver eyes met Alex's, unwavering yet carrying a rare vulnerability.
"I am his maid," she stated, her voice firm. "It's my responsibility to take care of him."
Alex opened his mouth to question further, but Liz continued before he could interrupt.
"He is my friend," she said, her expression softening slightly. "He helped me in my toughest times. When I had nowhere to go, when I had nothing left, he was there."
Her fingers curled slightly on her lap. "And so, I made my choice. I will be by his side for as long as I breathe."
Silence fell over the group. The weight of her words pressed against them, heavier than the still night air.
Alex and Lily exchanged glances. Neither of them had expected such a strong, unwavering declaration. There was no hesitation in her voice, no doubt in her eyes. Liz had made up her mind a long time ago, and nothing would change it.
Harvis, however, simply grinned. "You make it sound so dramatic, Liz. It's not that complicated, you know."
Liz shot him a sharp look. "It is to me."
Harvis chuckled but didn't argue.
The conversation dwindled after that, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, they finished their meals and prepared for sleep.
As Alex settled down, he glanced at Lily, who had curled up beside him, already drifting into slumber. His gaze then shifted to Harvis and Liz. There was something about them—something unspoken yet profound. Their bond wasn't one formed from mere convenience. It was something deeper, something stronger.
And as he lay there, staring at the night sky through the gaps in the canopy, he realized that he, too, had made his choice.
He would grow stronger.
He would protect those he cared about.
And no matter what lay ahead, he would walk this path with them.
With that thought in mind, Alex closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the fire and the steady rhythm of his breathing lull him into sleep.