Elira crouched beside a Nyrax, running her fingers through its coarse mane, her bow resting on her lap. The creature huffed quietly, pressing its snout against her palm.

Eryx stood a few paces away, unsure whether to speak. His breath still came out in faint wisps, remnants of the frost he had unleashed. He finally stepped closer, his boots crunching lightly on the dirt.

“You’re good with them,” he said quietly, gesturing at the Nyrax. “Most times, they wouldn't even let me near.”

Elira didn’t look up. “That’s because you smell like blood and smoke half the time.”

He smiled faintly. “Fair point.”

Silence settled again, the kind that wasn’t awkward, just heavy. Eryx shifted, watching the sunset’s glow play on her hair. He opened his mouth, closed it, then tried again.

“Back there… I lost control.” The words came slowly, hesitant. “I didn’t mean to...”

“I know,” she interrupted softly. Her voice was calm, but there was an edge of weariness in it. “If you hadn’t done anything, we might not be standing here at all.”

Eryx lowered his gaze. “Still… you could’ve died. Any of you.”

Elira sighed, tightening the strap on her quiver. “We all could’ve. That’s what happens when we sign up for things like this.”

She turned finally, meeting his eyes, sharp, but not unkind. “Just… next time, warn us before you decide to turn the world into a glacier.”

He let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Deal.”

For a moment, they looked at each other. There was a flicker in her eyes, curiosity, maybe even trust, before she looked away again.

“You’re not as cold as you act, you know,” she said quietly, almost to herself.

Eryx blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“Nothing,” she murmured, standing up and patting the Nyrax’s side. “Come on, let's join the group.”

The duo found the remaining Nyraxes that had run away earlier when the group was attacked and rounded them up before rejoining the group. 

As Elira and Eryx rejoined the group, the atmosphere shifted from quiet introspection to focused determination. Cassian, the leader, stood tall, surveying the group with a keen eye. His gaze lingered on Eryx, but he said nothing about the earlier incident.

"We need to move away from here," he turned around before continuing. "We don't want any visitors." The group understood, and everyone climbed their Nyrax. Elira rearranged her weapon before climbing the Nyrax. She almost stumbled from the mount, but Eryx caught her and helped her up. A sly smile was written on her face, and she blushed a little. 

Cassian also helped Seraphine up to her mount, checking if she was okay. "I'm fine, it's nothing." They held each other's hands for a while. 

"So.... Who is going to help me to my own Nyrax?" Kael interrupted. He laughed a bit to himself before the team itself joined him. For a minute, the group's mood was lifted. 

Hours later, the team was already miles away from the site of the chaos, and the event was already beginning to fade in their minds. One thing everyone knows for sure now is that Eryx is strong. Probably too strong, and for now, it gives the group a sense of comfort.