Chapter 27: Fireside Conversations

As the night settled in deeper, the trio gathered around a small fire Giorgi had insisted they build. Flames danced in the centre, casting flickering light across their faces, making shadows shift and jump in the darkness.

David poked the fire with a stick, lost in thought, while Ivane absentmindedly warmed her hands over the flames, her expression softened by the fire's warmth. Giorgi lay sprawled on the ground nearby, leaning back on his elbows as he looked up at the stars again, still marvelling at their brightness in the clear night sky.

"What do you think it's like to be a symbiote?" Ivane broke the silence, her gaze still on the fire. She'd been turning the question over in her mind for days, a curiosity that wouldn't let her rest.

Giorgi snorted. "Probably a lot less confusing than being us," he replied, stretching out his legs with a lazy grin.

David smirked but didn't look up. "I don't know," he said slowly. "I think they're a part of us... maybe they're just as confused as we are, figuring things out along the way."

Ivane raised an eyebrow. "You're saying you think they feel what we feel? The way we're unsure about them... they're unsure about us."

David nodded, finally looking up from the fire. "Maybe. They're beings, after all. They must have some sense of themselves... of us." He paused, leaning back slightly. "At least, that's what I tell myself when I feel... distant from Psyros."

Giorgi's eyes lit up. "Oh, the mighty Psyros. It's hard to imagine you're not two peas in a pod, you and that dragon."

David gave him a wry look. "You have no idea. Psyros isn't the type for warm hugs and pep talks."

Ivane chuckled, wrapping her arms around her knees. "You talk about him like he's this grumpy old man."

"He kind of is," David admitted, unable to keep the smile off his face. "But… I guess he's mine. It's strange, but even though we're still figuring each other out, there's this sense that he's... part of me."

Ivane nodded slowly. "It's comforting, in a way, knowing we're not alone in this."

The group fell silent for a moment, letting the warmth of the fire and the weight of their words settle between them. It was rare to talk so openly about their bonds, even among friends. But there, under the stars, it felt right.

Giorgi broke the quiet with a sigh, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, enough of the heavy stuff! Let's get back to more pressing matters, like... Who's going to cook breakfast tomorrow?"

Ivane laughed. "You're bringing that up now? We barely survived the last breakfast you made."

David raised his hand in mock defense. "Agreed. I say we let Ivane handle it. She's actually managed not to burn everything she touches."

Ivane smirked. "Fine, but I'm not taking orders. You eat what I make, no complaints."

Giorgi threw his hands up. "Hey, as long as it's not burned to a crisp, you won't hear a peep from me."

They shared a laugh, and the moment of tension dissolved into the easy camaraderie they'd always shared. Sitting by the fire with laughter ringing in the night air, it was easy to forget, just for a little while, the weight of their journey and the uncertain road ahead.

Eventually, Giorgi lay back and sighed. "Do you think we're really up for this? The prophecy, the expectations, all of it?"

Ivane bit her lip, her expression pensive. "I don't know. But… I think it's not about being'ready' in the way we think. It's about showing up, even when we're scared or unsure."

David nodded, the firelight dancing in his eyes. "Maybe that's what they mean when they talk about destiny... that it's not some grand revelation, but just the small decisions we make each day."

Giorgi yawned, settling back on the ground, his voice softening. "You two are such deep thinkers. All I want is a soft bed and maybe some peace and quiet."

Ivane nudged him with her boot, laughing softly. "Dream on. As long as you're with us, you're not getting either."

He groaned playfully, pulling his jacket over his face. "Why do I hang around you two again?"

David chuckled. "Because deep down, you're just as invested in this as we are. Admit it."

Giorgi peeked out from under his jacket, grinning. "Fine. But don't expect me to get all sentimental about it."

They all settled down, each finding a comfortable spot around the fire. As they drifted off, the stars above kept their quiet vigil, watching over the trio, their light a reminder of the vastness of the world and the journey they had ahead. And with the crackling fire their only witness, they closed their eyes, letting the night carry them into sleep, holding on to the warmth of friendship against the unknown.

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