Happy Reunion?

As Illeron's mournful melody filled the air, Azrael felt Kaitlynn's eyes on him, but he avoided meeting her gaze, anticipating the thoughts swirling in her mind. His attention remained fixed solely on one thing: revenge.

In Azrael's world, there was no space for the complexities of relationships, the warmth of friendships, or the bonds of family. His sole focus was his insatiable thirst for vengeance—a relentless pursuit that consumed every fiber of his being.

Driven by an unyielding determination, Azrael was prepared to sacrifice any emotional ties or human connections that dared to obstruct his path. For him, nothing could deter him from his quest for retribution, not even the strongest of attachments.

After hours of walking, the group finally reached the ground, the road stretching out before them and winding its way towards the village in the distance. Trees and shrubs dotted the landscape around them, offering patches of shade from the sun's relentless glare.

"So where do we go now?" Erik asked, his voice heavy with fatigue as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

"We can rest near that river," Azrael suggested, pointing towards a nearby body of water shimmering in the sunlight.

As the group arrived at the river, they let out sighs of relief, seeking shelter from the scorching sun under the shade of the tall trees lining its banks. The sight of the shimmering water offered a much-needed reprieve from their exhausting journey.

Without hesitation, they dropped their bags and eagerly dove into the refreshing waters. The cool embrace of the river washed away their fatigue, invigorating their weary bodies and lifting their spirits.

With laughter and cheerful shouts, they splashed and played in the gentle currents, reveling in the simple joy of being together in this tranquil setting. The soothing sounds of nature—the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze—provided a peaceful backdrop to their aquatic escapades.

For a fleeting moment, they forgot about their worries and challenges, fully embracing the present moment.

Despite having access to water for bathing and drinking in the dungeon, nothing could compare to the sensation of being in the real world. This was a sentiment shared by all the survivors, who wholeheartedly agreed on the matter.

Azrael found himself seated beneath a tree, observing the ex-slaves as they enjoyed the refreshing waters of the river. Illeron's singing once again filled the air, prompting cheers and applause from the group.

Beside him, Kaitlynn sighed with contentment as she took in the serene scene. "Enjoying the view?" Azrael asked, offering a smile.

"Very much," Kaitlynn replied, her eyes reflecting a sense of peace. "It's been so long since I've felt this way."

He nodded in agreement with Kaitlynn's sentiment, though a nagging feeling tugged at the back of his mind. There was something he had forgotten, something irritatingly elusive.

'What could it be?'

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Azrael stood up abruptly. "Where are you going?" Kaitlynn inquired, her gaze following him.

"Just need to wash my face and legs," Azrael replied with a simple lie, hoping to conceal his inner turmoil.

Azrael couldn't shake the feeling that he had forgotten something important, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Determined to clear his mind, he headed towards the riverbank, a sense of unease nagging at him.

Stepping into the cool waters, he scanned his surroundings for any signs of trouble. Despite his vigilant observation, everything appeared to be in order. Yet, the feeling of apprehension lingered.

Beneath the soothing touch of the water, Azrael leaned down to wash his face, allowing its cool embrace to cleanse his skin. Lost in the moment, he didn't hear the startled cries of the survivors or Kaitlynn's urgent calls. For now, it was just him and the calming flow of the river, offering a brief reprieve from his troubled thoughts.

In an instant, Azrael felt a powerful impact strike his back, sending him tumbling forward into the water. Gasping for breath, he struggled to regain his footing, coughing up water as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

With a sense of urgency, he pushed himself upright and turned around, only to be met with the unsettling sight of a familiar horse gazing back at him with its eerie grin and unnerving eyes.

"You— you little fucker! How dare you ram into me?!" Azrael cursed, his finger jabbing angrily at the horse.

The horse whined, shaking its head and neighing apologetically.

"Are you actually apologizing to me?!"

Azrael took a step forward, a mix of frustration and bemusement coursing through him. In a strange way, he felt a sense of relief that the horse had returned, sparing him from endless wondering about what he had forgotten at the hill.

Shadow seemed to acknowledge Azrael's words with a nod, almost as if understanding his frustration. But just as Azrael extended his hand to stroke the horse's mane, Shadow abruptly pivoted and unleashed another powerful kick, propelling Azrael through the air like a ragdoll before he plummeted back into the water with a resounding splash.

Amidst the laughter of everyone around him and Kaitlynn's amused shouts directed at the mischievous horse, Azrael rose to his feet, glaring at Shadow with intense frustration.

"I'm gonna kill you for that!"

Azrael shouted at Shadow, his voice seething with irritation, but the horse simply neighed cheerfully in response.

As if mocking him further, Shadow trotted off towards Kaitlynn, leaving Azrael standing there feeling abandoned and somewhat foolish, like a spurned suitor watching his beloved walk away with another.

Kaitlynn was on the verge of giving Shadow a scolding for his misbehavior. But before she could even speak a word, the horse abruptly lunged towards her chest, seeking solace like a lost child yearning for its mother.

Despite the surprise, Kaitlynn's stern expression melted away, replaced by a gentle smile as she instinctively reached out to stroke the horse's head.

"Oh, did you miss me that much? Did you miss Mama?" Kaitlynn cooed at the horse, her voice filled with warmth and affection. Azrael stood there, completely taken aback by the unexpected sight unfolding before him.