Chapter 50: Mission Updated...

'Crack, Crack'

'Pop, Pop'

The mesmerizing symphony of crackling flames and popping embers reverberated through the dense forest, casting dancing shadows upon the figures nestled by the campfire's warm glow.

Aether, his form clad in the dampness of his still-wet sack dress, cast a concerned gaze upon the figure lying prone near the flickering flames.

The young teenage girl's porcelain complexion seemed to glow softly in the firelight, accentuated by the delicate features of her face, while full lips, slightly parted in repose, hinted at the gentle rhythm of her unconscious breath.

Her hair, a cascade of whitish-grey strands, tumbled in loose waves around her shoulders. 

Though her countenance bore traces of hardship and yet, the essence of her beauty remained undiminished. Despite the raw wounds marring her slender frame, there was an undeniable grace in the way she lay.