Paths Beyond (Under Rewrite)

When Grey arrived in the early night, he knocked on the door of Serene's home. It was answered moments later by Harthy, who greeted him with a warm smile.

"Grey, you don't have to keep knocking to come in."

Grey returned her smile and nodded before stepping inside, the comforting warmth of the house washing over him. The faint scent of wood shavings and the lingering aroma of dinner filled the air, making the space feel even cozier.

Inside, Tear was sitting on Serene's lap, fiddling with a long, bent stick and a taut cord—apparently trying to craft a bow. She glanced up briefly, her hands still working.

"Hi, Grey," she said, while Serene, her head resting against the back of the chair, nodded in and out of sleep.

"What are you doing?" Grey asked, curiosity piqued.

Before Tear could answer, Carver chuckled, leaning back with an amused grin. "Breezing through everything I have to teach her," he said. "She's a natural, Grey. She's got a real knack for crafting tools. Smart girl."

"Oh yeah?" Grey's tone took on a playful edge. "What did you make today, Tear?"

Blushing slightly at the praise, Tear pointed toward the table. There, an assortment of freshly made arrows, small knives, and a handful of other tools were neatly laid out.

Grey walked over, his eyes scanning the craftsmanship. His expression shifted slightly as he inspected the arrows—straight, well-fletched, and sharpened more carefully than he expected. He turned to Carver, his voice carrying genuine surprise.

"She really made all these?"

Serene, still half-asleep, mumbled through a yawn. "Yeah... ever since Dad let her in the workshop earlier, she hasn't stopped."

Grey was truly impressed by the quality of the arrows. He glanced at Tear, his expression softening. "I wish I had known you were this skilled," he said, placing the arrow back on the table before ruffling the young girl's hair. "Maybe I could've found a way to bring you here earlier."

Tear squirmed, trying to escape her brother's affection. "We have a couple more days though! I'll learn everything!" she declared confidently.

Grey stopped suddenly, his gaze flickering around the room before his voice dropped slightly. "I—we're leaving tomorrow night."

Tear's hands froze over her project. Serene stirred slightly, but it was Harthy who spoke first.

"Tomorrow night?" she repeated, pausing before offering a sad but understanding smile. "I suppose I'll have to make something special tonight... a feast."

Tear's face scrunched up, clearly fighting back an emotion she didn't want to show.

Grey moved quickly, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. "We'll be back one day, I promise, Tear. And Serene and I will be with you."

Serene, now more awake, hugged Tear tightly from behind, her arms wrapped protectively around the younger girl.

Carver's voice cut through the heavy air. "With your talent, when you come back, you'll be teaching me all your new skills."

His tone shifted, his usual warmth returning. "What kind of materials do you think you'll find out there?" he asked, his excitement catching Tear's attention.

"I don't know," she mumbled, still subdued.

"Really? But you're a hunter too," Carver said, spreading his arms dramatically. "You'll get to find out firsthand! A whole world out there—new places, new materials. You'll be the first in the entire village to go beyond the forrest." His voice dropped, growing more serious as he crouched beside her.