Worry

The sun had risen higher in the sky by the time Garnetta and Raphael emerged from the forest, leaving the ancient ruin behind them. The warmth of the day was a stark contrast to the cold, dark interior of the ruin, but it did little to ease the weight pressing down on Garnetta's chest. The relic, though small, felt impossibly heavy in her hands, its power still resonating within her.

They had found a small clearing in the woods, a secluded spot where they could rest and gather their thoughts. Garnetta sank down onto a fallen log, her body aching from the exertion of the battle, her mind still reeling from the encounter with the figure. She could feel the relic's presence pulsing in time with her heartbeat, a constant reminder of the power she had unleashed.

Raphael stood nearby, his eyes scanning their surroundings, ever vigilant. But even he seemed more subdued than usual, his shoulders tense, his expression troubled. He had seen the toll that the battle had taken on Garnetta, and it worried him.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant call of birds. Garnetta stared down at the relic in her hands, its intricate carvings catching the light as it shimmered faintly. She had used it to defeat the figure, to protect the Heartstone, but at what cost?

"I can still feel it," Garnetta said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "The power of the relic… it's like it's still inside me, like it's a part of me now."

Raphael turned to her, his expression softening with concern. "That kind of power leaves its mark," he said gently. "But it's not just the power you need to be wary of—it's what that power can do to you, how it can change you if you're not careful."

Garnetta looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I felt something in there, Raphael. When I used the relic, it was like… like I could do anything, like nothing could stop me. But it also felt wrong, like I was tapping into something I shouldn't have."

Raphael moved closer, kneeling down beside her so that they were at eye level. "The relic is ancient," he said quietly. "It was created alongside the Heartstone, but its purpose was different. It's a tool, yes, but it's also a temptation—a way to harness power that might not be yours to wield."

Garnetta swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over her. "What if I can't control it?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What if it changes me?"

Raphael reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, Garnetta," he said firmly. "You've already proven that. But you need to remember who you are, what you're fighting for. The relic is powerful, but it doesn't define you. You define it."

His words brought a measure of comfort, and Garnetta nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. She looked down at the relic once more, trying to see it not as a source of temptation but as a tool, something she could use to protect what she held dear.

"We can't stay here," Raphael continued, his tone more practical now. "The figure may be defeated, but that doesn't mean we're safe. We need to find somewhere to rest, somewhere we can plan our next move."

Garnetta nodded, pushing herself to her feet, though her legs felt shaky. "Where do we go?" she asked, her voice steadier now.

"There's a cabin not far from here," Raphael replied. "It's hidden deep in the woods, a place I've used before when I needed to lie low. We can rest there, regroup, and figure out our next steps."

With the plan in place, they set off through the forest, moving slowly but steadily. Garnetta clutched the relic tightly, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The figure was gone, but the battle for the Heartstone was far from over. She knew that the challenges they faced would only grow more difficult, and that the burden of the relic would weigh heavily on her in the days to come.

As they walked, Raphael spoke softly, his voice a steadying presence. "You're not alone in this, Garnetta," he reminded her. "Whatever comes, we'll face it together. You don't have to carry this burden by yourself."

Garnetta looked at him, grateful for his support. "I know," she said quietly. "And I'm glad you're with me. I don't think I could do this without you."

Raphael offered her a small, reassuring smile. "We'll get through this," he said confidently. "One step at a time."

They reached the cabin just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The cabin was small and weathered, hidden away among the trees, its windows dark. It was the kind of place that could easily be overlooked, and that was exactly what they needed.

Raphael pushed open the door, and they stepped inside. The air was cool and musty, the interior dimly lit by the fading light outside. But it was a safe place, a place where they could rest and plan their next move.

Garnetta set the relic down on a small table, staring at it for a moment before turning away. She felt a mix of relief and unease—relief that they were safe for now, and unease at the knowledge that their journey was far from over.

As Raphael began to make a fire in the small hearth, Garnetta sank down onto a nearby chair, feeling the exhaustion of the day's events finally catch up with her. She was tired—more tired than she had ever been—but she also felt a sense of resolve, a determination to see this through to the end.

Raphael joined her by the fire, the warm glow casting flickering shadows across the room. For a while, they sat in silence, the crackling of the fire the only sound. Garnetta could feel the weight of the relic in the room, its presence undeniable, but she also felt the comfort of Raphael's presence beside her.

"What do we do next?" Garnetta asked finally, her voice soft.

Raphael leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "We rest," he said simply. "And then we find out more about this relic—where it came from, what it was meant to do. We need to understand it fully if we're going to use it wisely."

Garnetta nodded, feeling the heaviness of sleep beginning to pull at her. "And after that?" she asked, her voice growing drowsy.

Raphael smiled faintly. "After that, we continue the fight," he said. "But for now, you need to rest, Garnetta. You've done enough for one day."

Garnetta didn't argue. She allowed herself to close her eyes, the warmth of the fire and the steady presence of Raphael lulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep.

For the first time in what felt like days, she felt at peace.