Rekindle The Light

Chapter 4: An Unlikely Pair

Alice examined Nagano for a while, wondering what was happening inside the beastman's head. He was nothing like the rumors she had heard about. He didn't laugh. He didn't even smile. She watched him sit there, absent of emotion.

Alice wondered what Nagano had gone through to make him like this. She decided it would be better to get to know him if they were going to spend any time together.

"So," Alice began, breaking the unwelcoming silence. "Why were you in Delan?"

He looked up at her and gave her a blank stare. "Delan?" He asked.

She nodded. He didn't know what Delan was? "The town just outside of the forest."

He chuckled, but she felt no humor behind it. "Hell, if I know."

Alice pouted slightly. "Language." She said sternly.

He looked up at her and raised an eyebrow. "What are you, a princess?"

She paused, stuttering slightly. "W-what? No. I'm just not fond of language like that. And what do you mean you don't know?" She questioned, trying to change the subject.

"Someone captured me, and that's where I ended up." He said casually.

Alice didn't buy all of it but sighed and decided to let it go. Before she could continue, she was interrupted by a yawn. She had been up for a long time.

"Go to sleep; I'll keep watch," Nagano said absentmindedly as he looked up into the stars.

Alice smirked slightly. "You'll let me sleep, huh? So you really can be nice?" She teased, and he glanced down at her—an unamused expression on his face.

Alice paused and let out an exasperated sigh. "You're no fun..." a subtle smile played on her lips. "I guess I'll take you up on that offer."

Alice looked at Nagano momentarily, but his attention was back on the night sky. There was something ethereal about him, almost otherworldly, but she wasn't sure what it was.

Alice decided not to think about it any further and she lay down. Fatigue quickly settled in, lulling her deeper into the quiet of the night. The crackle and heat of the campfire supplied a comforting feeling.

It was not before long that Alice fell asleep.

***

Alice stirred slightly as the sun rose. Her eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the morning brightness. A cool breeze carried the smell of morning dew through the air.

She slowly sat up and noticed Nagano sitting down, leaning against a nearby tree. He glanced over at her and stood up when he noticed she was awake.

"Good morning," Alice greeted. She stretched widely and walked over to her spear, still stuck in the ground. She extricated it and slid it into a holster on her back with practiced ease. She looked down at Nagano. "Are you ready to go?"

He simply nodded.

Alice hoped for a more enthusiastic response, but she had to take what she could. She led the way as they began walking. She looked over at him after a while. "I've been meaning to ask, how did you escape Delan yesterday?"

"I fought my way out," He replied plainly.

She stared at him blankly. He fought his way out? Delan is known for its adventurers; how did someone without any weapons...

Nagano suddenly stopped in his tracks. Alice looked over at him and noticed his ears twitching slightly. His eyes meticulously scanned the surroundings.

"What are you–"

"Quiet," he whispered harshly, cutting her off. Alice had no idea what was happening—That was until an arrow was flying directly at her face.