“There’s just… Nothing left here for us.” One of the few remaining people had come to sit next to Elias and Andrew on the ground, helping wrap the prince’s wound in whatever they could find.

Elias had refused to be helped until all the other injured people were found and tended to, but thankfully they all managed to wrap their wounds quickly, claiming that Elias’ safety and well-being had to come first. Out of all the survivors, he had been the one with the worst physical injury, and yet he still fought them on using what little resources they had on themselves before him.

“I would never expect you to stay,” Elias huffed, moving his arm slightly higher above his head, giving the person more room to work. His shirt had been gone since he made himself human again, and Andrew could only assume turning into a massive dragon tore it to shreds. “You and the others are welcome to come to the main city. The royal family will see to it that you are housed and properly taken care of. This… This never should have happened in the first place.”

Andrew watched as the guy he hadn’t caught the name of finished wrapping Elias’ torso, the last of the bandages they had been sent with covering it up just enough to keep the wound from being exposed to the elements. He grimaced at the already bloody bandage before turning his head away. “We need to get everyone out of here sooner rather than later. As much fun as that little power trip I had was, I don’t think I have the energy to deal with him again if he comes back.”

Using the magic at the moment had been exhilarating and for the brief time he got to swing that sword around like an invincible superhero, Andrew thought he could do anything and everything. But after sitting for a while, with the armor still weighing him down, Andrew could tell that it had zapped a lot of his energy and he would have to get a proper meal and about a week’s worth of sleep before he could do anything close to all that again.

“I fear I’m in the same position.” Elias quietly thanked the man helping him and then stood, looking over the fifteen or so other people who had managed to make it out of the burning buildings. “People of Aldoun, I know you are tired and weak, and the idea of making the trek back to the city sounds like an impossible task after everything you’ve just lost. But I will take every step with you, and assure your safety. And then, when we make it there, I will not rest until you are taken care of.”

A few people offered hopeful smiles, but that seemed to be about as much of a response as Elias was going to get from them.

“We’ll wait until we’re much further into the woods before we set up camp. It’s not ideal, but these people won’t be able to make the journey all in one go.” Elias looked back at the burnt village. “I’m sorry, Andrew, but finding a way to get you home will have to wait for a little while longer. I promise I will get back to it as soon as possible, but this needs to be my main focus right now. It’s my fault this happened, I- I could have…” The prince’s eyes glossed over as he stared at the piles of ashes. “I should have been better,” he finished softly, almost too quietly for Andrew to hear.

Andrew stood up as well, not surprised that the person helping Elias had gone off to assist others and leave them to talk. “You didn’t know this was going to happen, so it’s not like you could have done anything different. And I know that maybe sounds like a pessimistic way of looking at it, but it’s just the truth, and accepting that might make it easier.” Carefully, Andrew placed his hand on Elias’ shoulder. The prince’s usual warmth had turned up tenfold. “Whatever was going on in that dude’s head doesn’t seem like it’s something that could have been fixed by your help anyway.”

Elias gave a tired smile and patted Andrew’s hand. “Thank you, Andrew. For your help and your understanding.”

“Sure, man. I mean, we still definitely need to talk about some of the stuff he said, but I think the focus right now should be making it out of here. Let’s get everyone together and get heading out.”

The group managed to get their things together quickly, none of them wanting to stick around in case Sebastian came back. There were three carts they managed to salvage, along with some horses that had scattered during the fight but didn’t venture far, and most of the people rode with them or walked next to them. They all kept together while Andrew and Elias led the way into the trees. Other than heavy footsteps, they all stayed silent while they walked. Even the children didn’t have much to say, though Andrew could hear soft sniffling from them every so often.

Seeing something so otherworldly and devastating made believing that place to be real even harder than before. Even as the heat and light of the setting sun began to dissipate and the burn in his legs from each step returned, Andrew didn’t think he could wrap his head around any of it. And yet, when he looked back at the ash-covered people, some still bleeding lightly, he knew it would be best to start accepting things as they were. Or, at least, accepting that he wasn’t going to get home any time soon and that he’d have to roll with the weird punches.

“I should have been more honest with you at the beginning of things,” Elias sighed, breaking the silence. “I wasn’t sure how you were going to react to all of this, so I hoped that I could either ease you into everything or send you home before you learned more about this place.”

“Who is Sebastian? Or, I guess, what is Sebastian? He talked to you like you knew each other, and he said stuff that makes it seem like he’s from the same place as me.” Andrew looked down at the suit of armor still on him and tapped the chest plate. “And have you known the entire time that I could do this?”

Elias nodded. “I’ll do my best to recount things exactly as they happened for you, but keep in mind I have lost a lot of blood, so if my memories are hazy, I promise it’s not because I’m trying to lie to you anymore.”

“I get it, you’re hurt, and we’re all just wanting to get back to the castle.” Andrew huffed, nearly kicking a rock before deciding against it. Seeing another weird forest creature pop out wasn’t something his brain could handle right then. “I… Trust you enough to know that you’re not trying to lie to me anymore.”

“Thank you, Andrew.” Elias looked up at the darkening sky. “That trust is something I will work every day to keep.” He slowed his steps and looked back at the people. “It may be time that we set up camp and have our discussion once everyone is settled, though. I believe they’re starting to get tired, and I must admit, my body is also protesting our march.” His words became sluggish, and Elias leaned against a tree before raising his arm and waving it at the others. “Everyone! It’s time to take a break. We’ll get what rest we can, then continue when the light returns. We should be far enough into the forest that we won’t run into any other problems.”

A collective sigh of relief came from the group, and they all began to find places to sit or lie down.

Elias took a few deep breaths and then pushed himself away from the tree. “I will start a fire to keep everyone warm. Andrew, I hate to ask, but could you help me clear a spot for it?”

“You don’t have to feel bad about asking me for help, dude. You literally had your side split open, and I might be a dick, but I’m not about to shame you for not being able to move right when you’re hurt.” Andrew shook his head and looked at the ground with a laugh. “Ah, except, I’ve never made a fire before. I have no idea how to help, so you don’t have to move, but you are going to have to tell me what to do.”

The prince laughed, though it quickly turned into a cough, and he cringed while holding his side. “Right, you did mention that you often stay inside more than the outdoors. I guess this will be a learning process for you, then.”

With a lot of guidance, Andrew managed to clear a spot, gather wood and some stones, and then pile it all together in a way that was close to the fire pits he had seen in movies. Close enough, anyway, for Elias to approve of it.

“Thank you, Andrew. I will get this lit and then when we’re all settled, I’ll tell you everything you’d like to know.” Elias sucked in a puff of air and then let it out, a gust of fire coming out with it and covering the wood. He only had to keep it going for a moment for it to fully catch, and soon enough, people were gathering around and huddling up with one another to rest.

Andrew stayed a little further away, leaning on a tree and waiting for Elias to join him. When the prince did, he wrapped his arm around his shoulders, tucking him against the side that wasn’t hurt.

“I’ll do what I can to keep you warm over here since I don’t think you’d be comfortable cuddling up to the others,” Elias hummed.

“Works for me,” Andrew mumbled. He cleared his throat and resisted the urge to lean further into the prince’s hold. “Don’t think me getting warmed up will make me forget, though. It’s time for you to tell me what’s going on. If I’m going to accept this place as it is and accept that I’m probably not going home any time soon, I have to know what the hell is happening.”

Elias tightened his grip on Andrew. “As promised, I will tell you everything, Andrew. I’ll have to start from the beginning, though.”