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The bright flames cast a gentle orange glow over the surroundings as they hungrily lick away at the pile of wood. Felix hugs his legs to his chest, gazing deep into the fiery depths. Tiny little specks break away from the flames, dancing into the air and fading away. Over the sound of crackling, he hears the soft crunch of feet treading on the earth. There's a soft thump and he's acutely aware of a presence directly behind him. Their faint breathing reaches his ears.
"You're keeping watch tonight?" A soft voice reaches him, querulous and filled with hesitancy.
"Yeah. Someone has to." Felix draws in a sharp breath. "Keep an eye out, you know?"
"For monsters, or to make sure the hostages don't run away?"
He can't answer.
"If I tried to run away, would you stop me?"
"Of course I would. There's monsters out there. You'd be monster food in seconds, and I'm not about to let that happen to my little sister."
He hears a mirthless chuckle. Then a pair of arms slide around his neck and her weight presses against his back. Jenna's head comes to rest against his. "You're really here, aren't you? This isn't a dream, is it?"
Felix can detect a hint of shakiness in her voice. He reaches up and places a hand over her arm. "Yes, Jenna. I'm really here." Hearing a faint sniffle, he turns his head, looking concerned. "Is something the matter?"
"I..." Jenna is about to say something but breaks off. "It's nothing." She pulls her arms tighter round him.
"You really think I'll believe that? Come on, I'm your big brother. You can tell me anything, right?" Though even as the words leave his mouth, Felix wonders if he can really say that after the three long years spent apart, and the reality of the situation they have found themselves in. He betrayed his own village and his little sister ended up a hostage as a result. It still feels awkward and he wouldn't have been surprised if she'd resented him even a little for it, but once she was over the shock and anger of it all, she seemed to hold no such grudge.
He would have completely understood if she did.
For a long while, they are both silent, listening to the crackling fire. Finally, Jenna speaks. "I had a bad dream."
"Want to tell me about it?"
Jenna scoots round to sit by his side and leans against him. Felix hesitantly brings up an arm. When she doesn't protest, he holds her a little more firmly.
"I was back in Vale with everyone. They were all smiling and happy. But I wasn't." Jenna started to tremble. "Going into Sol Sanctum, everything, it was just a dream, and I wanted to cry. Because, because it meant-"
"It's okay," Felix interrupts hastily. "I'm here. Mom and Dad are waiting in Prox. They are going to come home. We all will."
"I know. But I was so sad. I was safe, and everyone was with me, but I wanted you and Mom and Dad, and the thought of it being a lie, all I could do was cry. I even had tears in my eyes when I woke up." Jenna's voice quivers. "Sometimes I feel scared. I think I'll wake up one day and it was all a dream. You have no idea how I felt."
Felix turned his head away, feeling a stab of guilt pierce his chest. She was right. He really had no idea. Yes, he might have missed her, and his home, and friends, but none of that compared to the sheer grief and agony Jenna must have felt thinking her whole family was lost forever.
"Sorry. I wasn't trying to make you feel bad just now. I know there was nothing any of you could do. You've explained everything."
"I still wish there was some way we could have-"
Jenna shakes her head. "How? You were trapped in that faraway village, unable to leave. How could you possibly tell us you were still alive?"
Felix presses his lips together, then sighs. It might have been beyond his control but he still hates to think of the suffering Jenna endured for those three years.
"I wasn't completely alone." Jenna pulls away, sitting up straight. "I had our grandparents and aunt, and of course, Isaac and Garet. They were always there for me, making sure I wouldn't lose myself in my grief."
Felix turns his head toward her. The fire casts a warm glow over her profile, highlighting her features. She has a calm expression on her face. Searching her eyes, he is unable to get a read on what she must be feeling right now.
"Do you wish you were back home?" Felix's forehead creases in a slight frown.
Jenna lowers her gaze, then pulls her legs to her chest and rests her chin on her knees. "Am I being selfish?" Her words come out in a faint murmur.
"Hm?"
"I know they must be worried about me. I'm worried about Isaac and Garet too. And yet...!" Jenna's fingers curl into the fabric of her skirt. "How can I just go home now?"
Felix blinks. "Are you saying..."
"You're here!" Jenna turns her glistening eyes on him. "Mom and Dad are hostages in a village far away! How can I just go home now and forget about all that? I know, it's awful. I don't even know what happened to Isaac and Garet. Everyone must be worried about me, but still, part of me doesn't want to go home, not now that I have you back, not while Mom and Dad are hostages... there's no way I could. Is that wrong?"
Felix exhales loudly, focusing on the flickering flames, watching them dance. "I never wanted you to be involved in this."
"I know." Jenna's lips curve in a bitter smile. "You were all just gonna sneak in there, steal the stars and leave, and then you would come back home with our parents and Isaac's dad, and be like 'Surprise! We're alive!' and I would have been none the wiser, right?"
"I..." Felix can't even bring himself to lie. Jenna's right. That was exactly what he planned to do. It was only because he had no choice but to remove that mask that Jenna discovered he was still alive. She was never meant to be wrapped up in this mess.
"Honestly." Jenna sighs.
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's alright. I guess I understand." Jenna's eyes disappear under her bangs. "There wouldn't have been a good time to tell me otherwise. You were a bit preoccupied after all."
"Yeah." Felix's throat bobs. "There really was no good time. I was betraying my own village."
"Anyway. I don't know what's going to happen from here on. But I know one thing."
Felix seeks out his sister's gaze, finding her eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "Hm?"
"You won't be getting rid of me so easily." Jenna smiles. "Not now that I've got you back. If you're going to save Mom and Dad, then I want to help you."
"Jenna..."
"Well then, I'm going back to sleep." Jenna rises to her feet. "Goodnight, Felix."
"Goodnight." Felix watches her walk away then turns his attention back to the flames with a hint of a smile hanging on his lips.