Ardan stilled, blade still low, but the grip shifted.
Meren choked down a breath and muttered something that might have been a prayer, or a list of regrets. Hard to tell.
Ren didn't look back.
"Too slow," she said softly.
The shadow didn't move. Didn't answer.
Lindarion blinked once.
It was gone.
No flicker. No blur. No dramatic retreat.
Just… gone.
His hand stayed near the coat. But the heat inside his chest dimmed a little, like the system had blinked too.
'That wasn't for us. It came to see her.'
Ren turned from the river. No hurry in her steps. No tension in her shoulders.
"Time to go," she said.
Ardan snorted. "Now?"
Ren walked past him without a glance. "Unless you'd like to stay. I hear the trees start talking if you listen long enough."
Meren was already pushing himself upright. "Nope. Nope. Fully done with rivers and haunted trees. Let's walk."
Ardan frowned. "Where exactly?"
"My place," Ren said, already moving.
"Your place?" Lindarion echoed.
