Morning arrived quietly.
The desert was cold.
Far colder than Kai expected.
The campfire from the night before had been replaced by a smaller one.
A pot hung above it.
Something smelled...
Surprisingly good.
Kai slowly sat up.
"...Morning."
Choco looked over.
"Morning."
He stirred the pot with a wooden spoon.
"Vegetables and a few dried strips of monster meat."
Kai blinked.
"...You can cook?"
"A little."
Kai accepted the wooden bowl Choco handed him.
He took a cautious bite.
Then another.
"...This is actually good."
Choco smiled.
"I'm glad."
The two quietly ate.
Neither seemed eager to break the peaceful silence.
Eventually—
Kai asked,
"So..."
"What are you going to do now?"
Choco stopped eating.
He thought about it.
Not for a few seconds.
For quite a while.
Finally—
He answered.
"...I was told to find you."
"I found you."
"So technically..."
"My mission is over."
Kai nodded.
"So now?"
Choco looked toward the horizon.
"...If you have time..."
"You should visit the Order."
Kai remained quiet.
Choco quickly waved his hands.
"Only if you want."
"I'm not forcing you."
"If you don't want to..."
"...That's okay too."
Kai reached into his pocket.