Earthblood Crossroads 5 (Patreon)

The sunrise barely registers in your mind as the three of you huddle close for warmth. The unusual chill in the air nips at your limbs, and you rub them groggily, your mind fogged by exhaustion. Nelo holds his knees to his chest, sporadically glancing back the way you came, keeping an eye out for any sign of the giant metal monsters that incinerated your home. Seri's tears have long dried, but their eyes are red and tired just like Nelo's.

They each look at you, and then at each other, as if unsure of what to do, unsure of where to go, unsure of whether what happened was even real. 

"We... we need food... and water." Seri mumbles, and all your stomachs grumble nearly in unison.

"We can't waste any time. We need to warn the Shore lands. Just like Urupo said." Nelo grimaces, trying to ignore his own stomach's demands.

"Nelo, we need supplies. The Shore lands are days away."

"We can't just wait around for them to find us and-"

"NELO. Kalu has barely slept, barely eaten, and barely recovered from... what happened. Please... you can't just run them ragged through the woods like this."

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't think... " 

"Well start thinking. We're not going to make it like this."

Nelo freezes, his voice caught in his throat. A tear glistens in the corner of his eye. He blinks it away before he stands and hurries off into the trees. 

"Damn it... Nelo, I didn't mean..." Seri looks to you for an answer they know you don't have. 

"Mother... if only you were here to guide us." Seri holds their head in their hands, fidgeting with their hair nervously. "What do we do...?"