Dawn spilled across the hills like molten gold, casting long shadows that retreated before the coming day. The forge had gone quiet, its fire banked to embers. Shin lay on his side with Laverna curled against his chest, her breathing soft and steady, a warm rhythm against the silence. Their joined crests had faded, but the warmth lingered—a divine whisper etched into their skin, a glow only they could feel.
Outside, birdsong welcomed the day, harmonizing with the soft hum of morning breeze filtering through the cracks in the stone walls. The smell of ash, steel, and the faintest trace of wildflowers lingered from Laverna's hair.
As the sunlight crept over them, Laverna stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed for a moment before her gaze found his. She blinked slowly, then smiled—a sleepy, genuine smile full of contentment and something more.
"Morning, Master," she whispered, her voice husky with sleep, brushing her thumb across his lips.
Shin leaned in and kissed her—a tender, slow press of lips that grew deeper with each passing second. Her fingers tangled in his hair, grounding herself in him. They kissed as if there was no war, no fate, no prophecy—only this moment.
Before they could pull away, the creaking of the forge door startled them. A chorus of voices spilled in, full of teasing energy and laughter.
Zera stepped through first and froze mid-step. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of them tangled beneath the thin sheet, unmistakably naked.
"Oh. Well then. Morning to both of you," she said, arching an eyebrow with a smirk.
Behind her, Maika peeked in, then whistled low. "Finally, huh? Took you long enough. Thought we'd need divine intervention."
Tessara rolled her blind eyes. "Do you mind not invading their post-coital bubble?"
Alexandra's voice rang out like a bell behind them. "Don't worry, Shin. We'll give you fifteen more minutes to bask in your... heroism."
Shin groaned and covered his face with one hand, muffling a laugh. Laverna chuckled, clearly less mortified than he was.
Surprisingly bold, Laverna stood and wrapped the sheet tighter around herself as she sat up. "You all done gawking? Or should we start charging entrance fees?"
In doing so, the edge of the sheet slipped just enough to reveal Shin's bare form beneath. For a second, the entire doorway went quiet.
Then came the teasing.
Zera gave a low whistle. "Well damn, no wonder she can't walk straight."
Maika let out a bark of laughter. "I thought foxes were supposed to be sly, not stacked."
Tessara, unfazed, raised an eyebrow. "A weapon of mass distraction."
Alexandra clasped her hands together, eyes gleaming. "Truly, the blade wasn't the only thing blessed by the heavens."
Shin yanked the sheet up with urgency, face flushed. For a split second, his gaze met Laverna's again, and he saw nothing but light in her smile. A moment of vulnerability passed between them, mutual and understood. "I really hate all of you."
"Lies," Zera said. "You love us. Deeply."
Laverna gave Shin a sideways smirk, though her cheeks flushed slightly. Despite her teasing, there was warmth in her eyes. A flicker of pride. Love. In that moment, she wasn't embarrassed. She was content—proud even—to be his. "Next time, I'll make sure the door's locked."
Alexandra winked. "Next time? Bold of you to assume you'll be functional after next time."
"Oh, this is only the first of many," Zera added, grinning. "The cult has officially begun."
"We love you, too," Alexandra said sweetly. "Especially now that we know you're not just a brooding sword saint, but a warm-blooded fox after all."
Laughter echoed through the forge, warm and genuine. Shin, still covering himself with the sheet, risked a glance at the others. He caught Maika grinning at Laverna, who rolled her eyes playfully. Tessara gave a tiny nod of approval, subtle but real. Alexandra, ever radiant, gave a mock salute. Shin smiled, despite himself.
Laverna leaned over and whispered against his ear, "They're not just teasing. They're accepting."
And he believed her.
For a moment, nothing else mattered. They were whole. Together. No longer hiding.
By the time Shin returned to camp, the rebel base buzzed with activity. The air smelled of wood smoke, roasted meat, and sweetbread. Someone had caught wild fowl and rabbit, and the scent was intoxicating.
Laverna walked beside him now, hair loosely braided by Maika earlier that morning. Her stride was confident, and her gaze unwavering—there was no shame in her expression, only serenity.
That evening, when the fires were lit and the day's tension had melted into laughter and song, Alexandra stood with a bottle of aged dwarven firewine in hand.
"Everyone! Glasses up!" she called, her voice booming with joy, drawing attention even from the outer tents.
They obeyed. Even Shin had a mug of something warm and sweet, laced with honey and clove.
Alexandra grinned. "To the ones we've lost—and the ones we've found. To strength forged in fire, love born from war, and bonds that no crown or curse can break."
"To chosen family," added Zera, lifting her mug.
"Chosen family," the others echoed, voices strong and clear.
They drank.
The night unfolded with joy. Laverna shared how she once mistook a magical owl for a Falzath spy and tried to eat it. Maika confessed to a royal mission where she stole pies from a noble's pantry mid-infiltration. Olga, always expressive, animatedly reenacted Rynn and Dalen's sparring session using sticks, nearly knocking over the stew pot.
Even Tessara cracked a smile as Olga mimicked her usual commanding tone with impressive accuracy. Zera held back laughter until Alexandra fell over trying to do a dramatic hair flip.
At one point, Zera cleared her throat. "So… now that the bloodlust's calmed and we're not killing each other…"
She looked around the fire, face composed but eyes gleaming. "Anyone want to help me write official bylaws for Shin's rapidly expanding fox cult?"
Maika choked on her drink. "You're calling it that now?"
"Got a better name for it?" Zera shot back.
Alexandra leaned in, mischief blooming on her face. "Harem of the Dawn sounds poetic."
Tessara, deadpan, added, "Foxfire Accord."
Even Laverna, curled against Shin's side, laughed. "I second that."
Zera raised her hands. "Motion passed. Cult recognized. Applications pending."
Laughter broke the circle. It rang across the night like music.
For a while, they were not rebels. Not warriors. Not chosen or cursed. They were simply people—laughing, teasing, loving. They were home.
Much later, when the fire had burned low and only embers remained, Shin sat alone, staring into the flickering coals. The others had drifted off one by one, leaving only the quiet crackle of wood.
Then he saw it—a silver thread, faint but unmistakable, glimmering in the air before him. It shimmered like starlight drawn into a string, then curved upward into the sky, disappearing into the dark.
His eyes narrowed.
"The sixth," he murmured.
Prophecy stirred beneath his skin. It throbbed like a second heartbeat.
And the warmth of the night turned to stillness.
The light was growing.
And so was the shadow.