Morning arrived quietly.
Golden sunlight slipped between the towering trees, scattering across the forest floor and illuminating the remnants of the previous night's battle. The eight-headed Hydra lay far behind them, its enormous body gradually disappearing beneath the natural growth of the wilderness. The mana that had once surrounded the creature like a storm had faded, leaving only the lingering traces of its immense presence.
Alex opened his eyes.
He had slept beneath a broad tree with his back against the trunk, one arm resting behind his head. A short distance away, Saeko sat beside a small stream, cleaning her katana with a cloth. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, stirred occasionally by the gentle morning breeze.
Neither had spoken much since leaving the Hydra's territory.
They hadn't needed to.
Alex glanced at the sky, estimating the time from the sun's position. Then he stretched his shoulders and rose to his feet.
