Eight Intertwined

81 - Derryl

The clearing remained still for a long moment after the wolf fell, and Ophilia slowly but surely allowed herself to let out the breath she had been keeping deep within her chest. She watched as Derryl and Emil fully pulled themselves from behind the rock, stepping into the light at the center of the clearing with shock written all over their faces. They had been led to believe the cleric helping them was peaceful as could be, and yet, there Ophilia stood, blood dripping from Therion's dagger and apathy towards the wolf powerful and dark in her eyes.

"Y-You saved our lives..." Derryl stammered, staring at Ophilia even after he managed to push the words out. 

"You kicked its butt..." Emil said from beside his friend. Neither one of them dared to turn their gazes away from Ophilia, almost as if they thought the wolf would somehow stand right back up again the instant they did. 

Ophilia took a moment to breathe before she pressed a smile across her features, her composure regained almost immediately and completely. She handed Therion's knife back to him as she approached Derryl and Emil, and the thief tucked the dagger away while watching her with silently scanning eyes. "Okay, now everything's alright. Good riddance to scary monsters," Ophilia declared. 

Emil nodded shakily. "Y-You said it!"

Derryl turned to Emil a moment later, trying his best to hide the waver in his voice. "Come on, Emil. Let's go back home."

"Hang on... If you'll just give me a little bit more time..." Emil murmured. He dashed past Ophilia a moment later, searching the grass for any signs of something shiny and precious. Ophilia turned to watch him, surprise written across her features. She had thought that he would have been done with this by now, but given how much he cared for his friends, she couldn't be too shocked. He just wanted to help Derryl even after all the danger he had seen that night. 

Derryl, however, seemed to disagree with this idea. "What, more time to get killed?! You think that was the only monster in here?!" he cried out. He took a step towards Emil, ready to grab his friend's wrist and drag him out of the woods on his own if he had to. 

Emil continued to search with a frown as he frowned to himself. "But I..." He suddenly let out a gasp, and he threw himself into the grass before reaching for something hidden between the blades of greenery. A moment later, he pulled out the brooch, a bright smile immediately manifesting across his features. "See! I know I'd find it!" he declared proudly. 

Derryl gasped as well, and he ran to his friend's side to make sure that what he was seeing was real. He cradled the brooch between his fingers as Emil held it between them, and Derryl's eyes seemed to glow with all the unspoken love in the world. "Emil... You..."

"Nice going, Emil!" Ophilia beamed, finally managing to recover from her shock at the boy's sudden display of stubbornness. Behind her, the rest of the travelers watched on with fondness in their eyes. Even Therion seemed to melt through his icy exterior to offer himself a grin hidden behind the bulk of his scarf. 

Emil handed the brooch back to Derryl, and the other boy held it close against his chest. "Thanks!" Emil smiled back at Ophilia, and she could have sworn that she saw tears of happiness and relief forming at the corners of his eyes. Given how terrifying the last few minutes had been due to the wolf attack, she couldn't blame him for being overwhelmed by his own emotions. She probably would have felt the same if she had been in his position. 

"I knew you had it in you," Ophilia grinned fondly. She glanced back to the path that marked the way that she had come, unable to hold back her joy at the sight before her. "Now, let's get out of here."

~~~~~

The way out of the Murkwood was clear as could be, and the group was troubled by no other monsters while they escaped the trees overhead. Ophilia couldn't help wondering if perhaps it was because the rest of the monsters understood that they stood no chance. They had seen what the travelers could do together, and given what had happened to the wolf, none of them wanted to risk befalling the same fate. In fact, the return journey was almost peaceful, and Ophilia relished in the relaxation that came with walking back to Saintsbridge. It was certainly a breath of fresh air given the intense battle she had just endured.