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Chapter 4: The Journey of Shadows
Elijah let out a long breath, his footsteps crunching against the dried leaves scattered across the forest floor. Aster trailed behind, slightly quieter, but his sharp eyes caught every movement in the shadows. It was the kind of silence that came not from peace, but from shared exhaustion.
"You think anyone's out here?" Aster finally broke the quiet, his voice soft but carrying through the thick trees.
Elijah glanced over his shoulder. "If there is, they're probably hiding better than we are."
Aster snorted, shaking his head. "You always say things like that. Ever the optimist."
Elijah shot him a grin. "Keeps you on your toes, doesn't it?"
---
They walked for hours, the silence stretching again.
It wasn't until they reached a fallen log, its bark worn smooth by time and weather, that Elijah called for a break. Aster sat heavily, pulling out a worn cloth to wipe the sweat from his neck. His hair clung to his face in dark strands, and he pushed it back absentmindedly.
"You look like you've been through hell," Elijah remarked, tossing him a canteen.
Aster caught it, taking a swig before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Feels like it."
Elijah sat beside him, leaning back against the log. For a moment, it felt like the weight of the world lifted - just for a breath.
"What do you think it's like? Living free?" Aster asked, breaking the silence.
Elijah didn't answer right away. He stared up at the canopy of leaves, watching as light filtered through. "Honestly? I don't know. I don't think I've ever been free."
Aster hummed in agreement. "Maybe we're all just pretending we are. Running from one cage to another."
"Not you," Elijah said, his voice firm. "You're not meant to be caged, Aster. You're meant to paint the skies and cook meals that make people feel alive. Not... hide."
Aster laughed, though it sounded hollow. "You always say that. But the world doesn't see me like you do."
Elijah leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Then let's change how the world sees you."
Aster blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in Elijah's gaze. There was something unspoken there, something raw and real.
"You're really bad at motivational speeches," Aster teased, lightening the mood.
Elijah grinned, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"And you're stuck with me."
"Always."
---
As night fell the air grew colder as dusk approached, and the forest seemed to shift. The wind carried a chill, rustling through the trees with a whisper that set Aster on edge.
"We should keep moving," Elijah said, pulling his cloak tighter around his shoulders.
Aster stood, stretching. "Think we'll find a village soon?"
Elijah shrugged. "Or a cave. At this point, I'm not picky."
They continued walking, their banter easing the tension. Elijah told stories of his childhood - tales of mischief and adventure. Aster listened with a smile, letting the warmth of those memories chase away the cold.
"What about you?" Elijah asked after a while. "You never talk about your past."
Aster's steps faltered for a moment. "Not much to say."
"Come on," Elijah pressed. "There's gotta be something. A favorite dish you used to make? A dream you had?"
Aster hesitated before answering. "I used to dream about having a family. A real one. People who'd stay."
Elijah's expression softened. "You've got me."
Aster smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah. I do."
---
The scent hit them before the sound did. Smoke.
Aster stopped, his senses sharpening. "Do you smell that?"
Elijah nodded, drawing his dagger. "Could be a fire. Or worse."
They moved cautiously, following the scent. It wasn't long before they saw the flicker of flames in the distance.
As they approached, they realized it wasn't a campfire. It was a wagon - overturned and burning.
Elijah cursed under his breath. "Stay behind me."
Aster ignored him, stepping closer to inspect the wreckage. "It looks recent."
"Which means whoever did this might still be nearby."
Aster knelt, running his fingers over the charred wood. His gaze caught on a symbol etched into the wagon's side - a crescent moon, surrounded by stars.
"Elijah," he called softly.
Elijah joined him, his expression darkening as he saw the symbol. "What do you think it means?"
Aster shook his head. "I don't know. But it feels... familiar."
Before they could ponder further, a rustling sound from the trees made them both freeze.
Elijah rose, dagger at the ready. "We're not alone."
Aster stood, clutching his knife. His heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. He wasn't helpless. He wouldn't be a victim again.
The figure that emerged from the shadows was cloaked and hooded, their face obscured.
"Travelers," the figure said, their voice smooth and chilling. "You've wandered into dangerous territory."
Elijah stepped forward, shielding Aster. "We're just passing through."
The figure chuckled. "No one passes through without paying the toll."
"And what's the toll?" Aster asked, surprising even himself with the steadiness in his voice.
The figure tilted their head. "Your life."
---
Elijah didn't wait for them to make the first move. He lunged, swift and deadly.
Aster stayed back, watching as Elijah fought with precision. But when another figure appeared, heading straight for him, he didn't hesitate.
His knife found its mark - a clean, calculated strike.
The figure staggered, clutching their wound. Aster's heart pounded, but he didn't falter.
When the fight was over, the cloaked figures retreated into the darkness. Their parting words echoed in the night.
"The cursed moon rises... and with it, your fate."
---
Elijah wiped the blood from his blade, breathing heavily. "You alright?"
Aster nodded, though his hands trembled slightly. "Yeah. You?"
Elijah grinned. "Never better."
They sat by the remains of the wagon, tending to their wounds in silence. The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows across their faces.
"Do you think they'll be back?" Aster asked quietly.
Elijah shrugged. "Probably."
Aster sighed. "Great."
Elijah glanced at him, a soft smile playing at his lips. "You did good, you know. Back there."
Aster looked away, embarrassed. "I just... didn't want to die."
"And that's why you'll survive."
For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of the day settling on them.
Eventually, Elijah broke the silence. "What do you think they meant? About the cursed moon?"
Aster shook his head. "I don't know. But I think we're about to find out."
---
The fire crackled softly as Aster crouched near the remains of the wagon, staring into the embers as if searching for answers in the ashes. His hands trembled slightly, a lingering tremor from the fight, but he clenched them into fists, forcing himself to steady.
Elijah sat a few feet away, cleaning his dagger with a piece of cloth. He glanced at Aster, his expression unreadable in the flickering light.
"You sure you're alright?" Elijah finally broke the silence, his voice quieter than usual.
Aster nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Elijah frowned. "You're not fine. You almost killed someone today."
Aster met his gaze, his brown eyes shadowed with unspoken emotion. "It wasn't the first time."
That admission hung heavy in the air. Elijah said nothing, his gaze dropping back to his blade.
"You never asked," Aster continued, his voice soft. "About where I came from. About what I've done."
Elijah shrugged. "Figured you'd tell me when you were ready."
Silence stretched between them again. The forest whispered around them, leaves rustling in the breeze, branches creaking like old bones.
"I used to think I deserved it," Aster said quietly, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire. "The way people treated me. The way they looked at me."
Elijah looked up, his eyes narrowing. "You don't."
Aster gave a bitter laugh. "How would you know?"
"Because I've seen who you are," Elijah said firmly. "You're not weak. You're not a monster. You're..."
"Broken," Aster finished for him.
Elijah shook his head. "No. You're stronger than you think."
Aster turned away, staring into the darkness beyond the firelight. The shadows felt familiar. They had always been his companions.
"Do you think it's true?" he asked after a while. "What they said. About the cursed moon."
Elijah hesitated before answering. "I don't know. But we've survived this long. We'll keep surviving."
Aster sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "It's not just about surviving, Elijah. I want more than that."
Elijah watched him for a long moment. "What do you want, then?"
Aster's lips twitched into a faint smile. "I want to paint the world. I want to create something beautiful. Something lasting."
Elijah's gaze softened. "Then we'll find a way. Together."
---
As the night deepened, exhaustion settled over them. Aster stretched out on the ground, using his cloak as a makeshift blanket. Elijah sat nearby, keeping watch.
"You don't have to stay up," Aster murmured sleepily.
Elijah smiled faintly. "I know."
Aster closed his eyes, listening to the soothing sounds of the forest. For the first time in a long while, he felt... safe.
And as sleep claimed him, he dreamed of colors - vibrant and wild, painting the sky in hues the world had never seen.
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