A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.



Cold water splashed up around Tarhuinn's ankles. It was quicker since there was no dry path for her to run on, and she would have had to be careful not to slip if she had darted through the water. An occasional water droplet would splash up against her left arm as Tarhuinn had switched to carrying her in his arms. Being carried around as though she were a sack of food wasn't exactly comfortable, but she hadn't complained. He had just been nice enough to think of that fact himself.



Regardless, he was hurrying to find some end to the present path that they were on. She couldn't see a thing given the lack of torches, but Tarhuinn wasn't slowing down at all. Beneficially, they hadn't been met with a dead end yet, but that was a severe concern. They would be cornered, and that fate was grim.



No splashes of water sounded behind them yet, but, perhaps, that's because they were only focused on getting out of there for now. The splashes that Tarhuinn was making created enough noise for her ears. There was also the fact that her heart was pounding in her chest. She had managed to fight off some of those spies, but she could barely defend against more than one at a time. Even then, she had been captured.



That fact was incredibly frustrating. If it hadn't been for Tarhuinn's actions, he would've been killed, and she would be in that horrendous room that she had seen earlier. It wasn't the time for tears, but she could feel them forming. This time, it wasn't out of fear or worry but only irritation at herself.



She didn't desire to lose Tarhuinn because of her poor fighting capabilities. It was unrealistic to think that he could defend against all of the spies and the authors, and it was near impossible if not entirely for her to fight multiple kelremm at once. The reality of their situation was crippling.



Not being to help herself, she leaned her head more against his chest and permitted a couple of tears to glide down her face. They would've been more noticeable had the both of them not already been soaked. A gentle squeeze on her form did indicate that Tarhuinn had seen them. He remained silent for now, though, and she appreciated that. Right now, she needed quiet. The present darkness only aided that. All she wished for in that moment was to know that he was there and that they were momentarily alright, and that's what she received.



When light did greet her eyes, she peered towards it and squinted. Presently, she could barely see due to her eyes adjusting to the light, but she did note the icy-blue hue to it. Not only this but also it felt warm. It was as though she were wrapped in soft blankets back at their home. Her clothes were drying as well while the warmth continued to wrap around her.



Once she was used to the light, her lips parted a bit in awe. The water path continued on its way, but it soon wrapped itself around a glowing, icy-blue tree. Its branches stretched to the top of the cave, and small, icy-blue leaves grew upon its branches. Around its base, the water appeared shimmery.



Wishing to be set down now, she tapped him lightly on the chest. "I want to walk the rest of the way," she spoke softly as though yelling couldn't exist in the current space. She hadn't even suggested running still since the danger behind them seemed to fade from her mind.



Obliging her, he placed her feet into the water. Her toes curled a bit at the warmth in delight. She moved forward with him until they reached the tree. Curious, she extended out her right hand and pressed her palm to the trunk. Warmth seeped through her fingers and up her arms. It felt like it was mixing with the blood in her veins and traveling through her entire body. "Do you think that this is the energy source that the authors have been using?"



Reaching his left hand up to one of the higher branches, he ran his fingers gently across one of the leaves. "Yes, it has to be. I've never felt such a feeling before. It's like I'm gaining life that I never had before, and I can feel it coursing through my body. It's incredible."



"We'll need a container to bottle it and to bring some back home with us. I lost my things back in Alpontus's room."



"We can use one of the containers in my pack and empty it out. Still, the tree's effects seem to only extend out a little distance from it. Otherwise, it would be in all of the water supply. Then, we wouldn't have had to come all the way up here." A sigh escaped him, but a peaceful smile remained on his lips. The tree was too comforting to be around.



"Do you think that the authors will attack us in here?" she questioned, but she couldn't feel concern at the present time. Tarhuinn pulled out a medium-sized, metal container and handed some of the dried cherries to her. He took the rest of them, and they aided their hunger for a bit. "Surely, you've noticed the obvious effects of this tree. I don't think that a fight would be possible in here."



"Agreed, but we should still be on guard even though that seems so ridiculous right now." He crouched down and filled the container. "If they weren't presumably nearby, I'd ask you to take a bath with me here."



Heat dominated her cheeks, and she had to glance away for a moment. Honestly, it didn't sound like a bad idea, and she was tempted to accept the offer regardless of how close the authors were. It was hard to hold onto reason with the soothing effects of the tree. Her right hand wrapped around her left wrist as she bit her lower lip. Quietly, she commented, "We can take a bath when we get back home."



Sealing the container and standing, he stored the valuable water away in his pack before he looked to her. He stepped closer to her as his right fingers glided to rest under her chin. Tarhuinn turned her gaze to his and met her lips with his. It was a short kiss, but when it ended, his lips remained near to hers. "I would like that."



It was evident that he had wanted to add that nickname to the end, but he had resisted. She couldn't be useless in fighting even with the tree's effects urging them to continue their affections. (F/n) desired to have him say it for once, and she had nearly asked him to do so. Her hands clenched his shirt as she forced herself to mutter, "We should leave now. Otherwise, I don't think that we'll be able to do so."



His lips pressed to her forehead. "You're right, but I'll carry you out. You look like you're about to collapse, and I didn't even call you by that name." A light chuckle left his lips, and his breath tickled her skin a little.



Out of embarrassment, a pout formed on her lips, but she couldn't deny it. Nor, did she mind him carrying her. "Let's go, Tarhuinn. You're making it worse." Another chuckle left his lips before he lifted her up and started to head away from the tree. He walked slowly away, and she couldn't blame him. She desired to stay longer as well, but they had to face what was back out there. Unfortunately, the tree was a dead end but a pleasant one. They had some time to themselves before having to face the authors again, and they were no longer cold, though; that didn't last long.



They could easily tell when they were out of the tree's range. Worry plagued her mind once more as did fear. The vexation returned as well. It didn't help that she felt the chill of the air again. Up ahead, they could hear movement in the water. Tarhuinn stopped and set her down. She could still see somewhat since a little bit of light from the tree reached their location. Out ahead of them, though, it was completely dark.



He unsheathed a dagger from his belt and passed it to her. No words were exchanged; no advice was given. She knew what she had to do, and Tarhuinn understood that. It was fight or be killed. Her grip tightened on the blade's handle, and she positioned herself in a fighting stance. (F/n) took a deep breath in and let it out.



Splashes grew louder, and she could steadily see the outline of an individual. When they came closer, she didn't recognize them, but she instinctively took a step back. They weren't running but simply walking. Each step was powerful, though, and the kelremm wore a smirk on their lips. No weapons were on them. Sky-blue eyes observed them both while straight, chest-length hair rested upon their head.



"It's been awhile since we've had unwanted guests. And, it's a first to have them invade my father's friend's room and then mine. Still, you should've accepted Phyon's offer," his gaze pinned itself on Tarhuinn. "Now, you're going to die quite steadily. I think that you'll be alive for another week. It might be longer depending on how Phyon feels. He's quite enraged at the moment, though."



About to charge at him, Tarhuinn was pulled back by (f/n). "Wait," she whispered to him. She moved him back a bit more with her, and he didn't put up much resistance, but it was clear that he would attack as soon as she let go.



The kelremm stopped and placed their hands in their pants' pockets. His gaze shifted over to her. "As for you, you're in for quite a time. Phyon has no intention of letting you die any time soon, but I won't spoil his plans. He probably wishes to tell you them himself." He removed his hands from his pockets and looked to them both. "Since I can't kill either of you, I'll have to hold myself back a little, but it'll hurt still." When the kelremm opened the palm of his right hand, (f/n) released her grip on Tarhuinn, and the gleam of a blade was all she saw before it went flying past.