Night fell across the rolling hills of the Earth realm. The trio had found shelter beneath the canopy of ancient trees, where they built a campfire under the stars. The orange flames flickered, casting shadows across their faces as they rested from the day's journey.
Sarah poked at the fire with a stick, the glow reflecting in her eyes. "You know, if someone had told me a year ago I'd be sitting here with the Queen of Hell and a fire-bender with anger issues, I would've hexed them."
Ethan scoffed. "I do not have anger issues. I have... passionate elemental reactions."
Lilith laughed—a rare, genuine sound that lit up her face. "He means he once set a tree on fire because a squirrel startled him."
"It was a demon squirrel!" Ethan protested. "Possibly."
The three of them shared a laugh, the kind born from hard-fought survival and growing trust. For a moment, the weight of relics and realms faded.
Lilith leaned back against a tree, gazing up at the stars. "Do you ever think about what we'll do after all this? If we actually win?"
Sarah curled her legs beneath her. "Maybe I'll find a quiet place to plant my herbs and read forbidden books. Become a peaceful witch."
Ethan grinned. "I'll start a tavern. One that doesn't catch fire... often."
Lilith smiled softly, though her eyes held a storm. "I don't know if I'll survive to find out."
Sarah reached across the fire, taking her hand. "Then we make sure you do."
Ethan nodded. "We're not letting you go down alone. Not ever."
The fire crackled. The wind whispered through the leaves. And for that night, they were just three souls beneath a sky of stars, finding comfort in each other before walking once more into the unknown.