MTLNOVEL Chapter 126: [126] Not a Hero
The gentle rocking of the wagon matched the rhythm of Xavier's pounding headache. He cradled Naomi in his arms, her breathing slow and steady against his chest. The thin blanket barely kept the cold at bay, but her warmth against him did more than any wool ever could.
"How's she doing?" Efler asked from the driver's seat, her voice low enough not to wake Naomi. She glanced back, golden eyes catching what little light remained in the darkening sky.
"Still sleeping," Xavier replied, brushing a strand of hair from Naomi's face. "Exhaustion finally caught up with her."
Efler nodded, returning her attention to the snowy path ahead. "Smart woman. She should rest while she can."
Xavier studied Efler's profile, searching for hints of Ashley beneath the unfamiliar features. The same sharp jawline. The same watchful eyes that missed nothing. The same protective instinct that had made her take charge after the attack, organizing survivors with calm efficiency.
The wagon hit a rut, jostling them. Naomi stirred but didn't wake.
"Sorry," Efler said. "Path's getting worse. We'll be lucky to reach the waypoint before full dark."
Xavier nodded, glancing at the other two wagons trailing behind them. What was once a caravan looked like a funeral procession now—twenty-five people cut to eleven.
He should have felt something about that. Guilt, maybe. Sorrow for the lives lost. But all he felt was relief that Naomi was safe in his arms, that Efler—Ashley—was alive and guiding them forward.
I'm not a hero, he thought. Never claimed to be one.
In his previous life, he'd have been the one capitalizing on the carnage, not preventing it. Progress, he supposed.
While Naomi slept, Xavier closed his eyes and summoned his status screen. The translucent pink interface appeared in his mind's eye, displaying his stats and Soul Bonds.
SOUL BONDS:
[Calypso] [▓▓▓▓░░░░░░] 39%
[Naomi] [▓▓▓▓░░░░░░] 34%
[Ashley] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 9%
[Luka] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 9%
[Sayuri] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 7%
[Aurora] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%
[Beppo] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%
Xavier stared at the numbers, particularly Naomi's. From 6% at the academy to 19% after their night together, and now 34% after the battle. Almost as high as Calypso.
His mind drifted back to the moment he'd regained consciousness after being knocked out. Naomi kneeling over him, tears streaming down her face as she pressed her lips to his. The desperation in her kiss. The way she'd whispered his name against his mouth.
"Xavier! I need you!"
Yeah, he could see why her percentage had jumped so dramatically.
But Ashley at 9%? That was unexpected. She hadn't even registered before they entered the gate. Something about their shared battle against the Thornbeasts must have created a connection. Perhaps it was the moment when he'd drawn the creatures away from her wagon, or when she'd covered him with her crossbow as he fought.
The snow had finally stopped its relentless fall, but darkness was setting in fast. The temperature dropped with the sun, and Xavier could see his breath forming clouds in the air.
"How much further?" he asked.
Efler pointed to a ridge ahead, its outline fading into the darkening sky. "The waypoint's just beyond that rise. Half an hour, if we're lucky and the path stays clear."
Xavier nodded, carefully adjusting his position to restore circulation to his numb arm. Naomi stirred at the movement, murmuring something unintelligible as her fingers instinctively tightened around the fabric of his shirt before settling back into troubled sleep.
"You love her," Efler observed.
"She's important to me," Xavier replied carefully. "Right now, we should focus on reaching the waypoint alive."
"Fair enough." Efler clicked her tongue, urging the exhausted horses forward through the deepening snow. "Though if we're going to die out here anyway, might as well be honest with ourselves at the end."
"My relationship with Nessa is..." he paused, searching for the right word, "complicated."
"Most worthwhile things are," Efler replied simply. "She's… she's lucky to have someone like you fighting for her, complications and all."
They fell into silence as the wagon climbed the ridge. The wind picked up, and Xavier pulled the blanket higher over Naomi, shielding her face from the cold.
At the top of the ridge, Efler pulled the horses to a stop. "There it is," she said, pointing down into the valley.
The waypoint looked like a fortress carved into the mountainside. Stone walls surrounded a courtyard with a large central building and what appeared to be stables.
"Thank the Flame," Efler muttered.
As they began their descent, Naomi stirred in Xavier's arms. Her eyes fluttered open, disoriented at first, then focusing on his face.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey yourself," Xavier replied. "We're almost to the waypoint."
Naomi sat up slowly, wincing. "How long was I out?"
"About an hour."
She looked around, taking in their reduced numbers with a grimace. "That bad, huh?"
"Could've been worse," Xavier said.
"Yeah." Naomi's hand found his under the blanket, squeezing once. "Could've lost you."
The simple statement carried more weight than it should have. Xavier squeezed back, not trusting himself to respond.
Naomi turned to Efler. "How much longer?"
"Twenty minutes if the path stays clear," Efler replied. "You picked a good time to wake up. The worst is behind us."
Xavier wasn't so sure about that. His headache had intensified as they approached the waypoint. He needed rest and the stiffest drink available in Frostfall.
Too bad I still can't get fucking drunk.
The wagon lurched suddenly as one of the wheels hit a hidden rock. Efler cursed, pulling hard on the reins to keep the horses steady.
"Everyone okay back there?" she called.
"We're fine," Xavier answered, though the jolt had sent a spike of pain through his skull.
Naomi studied his face. "Your headache's worse."
"It's fine," he lied.
"Liar." She touched his temple gently. "Is it from the fight? You did hit your head pretty hard."
Xavier nodded slightly. "That's what happens when the adrenaline finally wears off."
"Maybe I should kiss you again," Naomi suggested. "Seemed to help last time."
"Medical purposes only, of course," Xavier said with a small smile.
"Of course." Naomi leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a soft, brief kiss. "Better?"
It wasn't, but Xavier nodded anyway. "Much."