The sun, which had enveloped the camp with its scorching heat throughout the day, had finally retreated behind the horizon, giving way to the moon, which generously sprinkled its cold light. Silver beams of light adorned the drooping branches and tent covers with a pale glow. The coolness of the air made his skin tingle, and the gently swaying leaves were the only sound that occasionally broke the silence of the night.

  After tossing and turning restlessly in his bed, Atlas sat up and began to observe his surroundings through the tent's mesh window. The camp had surrendered to the embrace of deep sleep. However, his eyes involuntarily fixed on Orion's tent. He noticed a moving silhouette inside. Within a few seconds, the tent flap moved slightly, and Orion poked his head out to look around. After a brief pause, he stepped out of the tent with silent footsteps and headed into the forest.

  Atlas frowned. Leaving the tents at this hour was forbidden. Moreover, it was past midnight—more than two hours after lights out. Atlas gave in to his curiosity and followed Orion. Shrinking his body, he silently tracked him.

  As they moved through the trees, their silhouettes blurred in the moonlight, Atlas realized Orion wasn't moving randomly but following a specific route. He clearly knew his way. Atlas followed him, keeping his distance. For ten minutes, they passed through broad-trunked trees and rows of rocks. The ground softened slightly underfoot, dry branches occasionally crackled, but Orion continued on his way, unconcerned. When they finally reached an open area, Orion paused.

  Atlas hid behind a large tree.

  He scanned the surroundings carefully and soon noticed something: the ground here had been deliberately cleared. Thistles and shrubbery had been meticulously removed, leaving the area almost smooth. Orion slowly moved toward the center, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.

  Different possibilities crossed Atlas's mind.

  'Did he come to meditate? Or is he going to do some special training?'

  Just as Atlas got up early in the morning to train, Orion could be coming here at night to do the same.

  Orion took a deep breath and turned his head sharply.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Atlas froze. He realized he had been caught the moment Orion turned his head toward him, and he began to think of excuses. But a few seconds later, the bushes behind Atlas rustled. He instinctively crouched down to camouflage himself.

  “I'm glad you memorized the route,” said Orion, looking past Atlas's hiding spot.

  The silhouette emerging from the bushes made Atlas hold his breath.

  ‘No, please.’

  Mira!

  The most talented woman among the candidates, and also the person Atlas had harbored intense feelings for since the day he arrived... When the moonlight fell on the young woman's face, Atlas felt his chest tighten painfully.

  Mira entered the open area with nimble steps. When she reached Orion, the feelings between them intensified so much that they were visible even to outsiders. Atlas continued to watch from behind the tree, his hands trembling.

  “I'm late, I'm sorry,” said Mira, “Victoria couldn't fall asleep.”

  “It doesn't matter,” said Orion, reaching out to caress Mira's cheek. “You're here, that's what matters.”

  Mira leaned against Orion and rested her head on his chest. “I'm worried about us. What if someone finds out?”

  “Hush... there's no need to worry.” Orion's voice was softer than Atlas had ever heard it. “No one knows about this place. It belongs to us.”

  Mira lifted her head and looked into Orion's eyes. “Close combat training starts tomorrow. The training will get harder.”

  “I don't think there will be a problem,” said Orion, wrapping his arms around Mira's waist. “Instead, how about we enjoy this moment?”

  Mira's smile glowed in the moonlight.

  Orion pulled her closer and their lips met. Atlas's heart began to beat so fast that, afraid of being discovered, he covered his mouth with his hand. Watching them, his breathing became irregular, the emptiness in his chest feeling as if it would swallow him whole at any moment.

  “Does Atlas still like you?” Orion laughed mockingly after they pulled apart. “How do you think that idiot would feel if he saw us like this? You should cut off contact with him.”

  Mira let out a soft laugh. “Don't be so cruel to him. He's... just an inexperienced child who doesn't know what's going on.”

  “Inexperienced? Pfft! He'll stay where he is for the rest of his life. It pisses me off that he looks at you with admiration every day.”

  Atlas's face flushed hot with shame and anger.

  “Do you think he knows?”

  “What?”

  “That we've been lovers for a year? I heard he's been picking flowers for me lately. He's probably too embarrassed to give them to me.”

  Orion, his tone sharpening, said, "I'll ask the instructors to pair him with me in tomorrow's close combat training. That kid really pisses me off."

  Atlas couldn't even imagine how he would feel if his pure feelings became a subject of ridicule for Mira and Orion. His emotions were too intense. He didn't want to listen anymore.

  “He has no future. Not while I'm around.”

  Mira held Orion's face. “Stop talking about Atlas. I didn't come here for him.”

  “You're right.”

  When the two started kissing again, Atlas couldn't take it anymore. All the blood drained from his body, and he felt as if he were falling into a void. He didn't stay there any longer. He quietly backed away and disappeared into the darkness.

  When he reached the campsite, he didn't go to his tent. He went to the shooting range and took his bow and arrows. He didn't want to go to his tent like this. Tears began to flow uncontrollably. What hurt him wasn't just that Mira and Orion were lovers.

  It was that Mira had played with his feelings so easily.

  That she had lied so easily.

  Being mocked, crushed, and belittled had hurt his pride deeply.

  When the first arrow left the bow and hit the target, unaware of a pair of eyes watching him from afar, he placed the second arrow on the bowstring.

  ---