[center]┍━☽【❖】☾━┑[/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/OXybAnW.png[/img][/center]

[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABhjgzhWChY&list=RDABhjgzhWChY&start_radio=1]☽·.༺【 ►】༻.·☾[/url][/center]

The pendant was cold in his grasp, almost unnaturally so. Its cord was frayed with age, the stone dull and cracked, yet a faint vibration lingered in it as if some hidden pulse ran through its core. Nothing stirred from it, no voice or flash of power, only that steady hum like a breath held.

The pup pressed closer against his neck, ears twitching as though it too felt the vibration. But it made no sound, no whimper or growl—just silence.

Edwin’s heavy steps echoed as he made his way through the broken passages, until at last daylight poured over steel. Outside, the ruin’s clearing was still, the humid air thick with the tang of blood.

At his shrill whistle, the war steed didn't hesitate to trot towards him. And it was then that the young woman seemed to realize she wasn't alone anymore. She turned her gaze slowly towards him.

Her arm dropped, the spell dissipating from her fingertip. The tension bled out of her posture, but what replaced it was not relief—it was guilt.

She stumbled forward, words tumbling from her lips in a rush.
[COLOR=Pink]“I’m sorry—I’m so sorry, Edwin—I dragged you into this—”[/COLOR]

Her voice broke, repeating herself over and over, as if she could somehow smother the violence of the past hour under sheer apology. Her eyes, however, locked not on the pendant in his hand, nor the cub perched silent on his shoulder, but on the dark punctures that marred his armor.

Her breath caught. Panic surged in her tone as she reached for him.
[COLOR=Pink]“You’re hurt—oh Edwin!, you’re hurt—take it off, let me see, I can heal it, just—please, Edwin, take it off—”[/COLOR]

Her hands hovered over his breastplate, trembling, desperate to find the wound beneath. Despite her seeming to have no serious wounds for the most part, her entire body shook violently. Likely from the adrenaline rush after everything had happened. But she looked up into his icy gaze, fear and concern flooding the violet blue orbs he'd come to know. 

The pup remained nestled against him, its eyes unblinking, watching her quietly as she fussed over the damage. It made no move, no sound—just a silent weight, perched like a second set of eyes measuring the scene.