Ren stood tall in the faintly lit alley, his gaze unwavering on the pointed rooftop that was barely visible from deep within the courtyard.
Initially, he'd find all sorts of reasons to justify his frequent visits. Maybe he wanted to see how Kestrel's wounds were healing or to ensure the Erdtree they had brought back wouldn't pose any risk to her.
But as the days turned into weeks, these visits became routine for him. Every time he found himself catching a break after a tiring day, he'd instinctively drift back to this very location.
When he finally made his way back to the Imperial Nexus, Ren had armed himself with a list of reasons to explain his sudden departure and why he hadn't waited for his comrades. Yet, much to his amazement, no one asked, and he never had to use them. Brandon didn't blame him for leaving and even vouched for him.
