Sweat ran down Raven’s forehead in cold streaks. It was not uncommon for him to wake up like this. There was no rest when his arm continuously showed him replays of his grief. He intentionally slept away from the rest of the party due to his nightly outbursts, it was better off that way. He tousled his hair and wiped off the sweat with his sleeve and decided to walk around and exhaust himself physically.

The sound of crunchy, dry grass followed his footsteps. Crickets, frogs, and other such creatures of the night could be heard rustling in the bushes and trees which made him wonder how rural, farm folk could sleep through it. He quickly realized that being a commoner in a developing kingdom meant he was not built for this. Then remembering why he’s in this position in the first place reminded him to toughen up, get used to it. Annoying night ambience was the least of his problems when he remembers the people he killed inadvertently and intentionally. Both of which at this point he has yet to avenge or atone for. Let alone getting sleep, he hasn’t been getting much at all. These night crawls ended up the same way, with images of Owen’s cruel, unemphatic expression while the mob he rode in with, slaughtered him, his comrades, and his wife right before his eyes.

Left for dead and rebuilt with twisted ambition to carry out the will of others. The arm was another reminder. Raven shudders at the cruelty. If it was for his own, the Nasod, or Owen’s, it didn’t make a difference. Soon, Raven came upon the campsite where Elsword, Aisha, and Rena remained. The fire was dim but the sun would be rising in a couple of hours. It was routine for him to come back to the camp near morning as if he did rest amongst his comrades, in order to avoid questioning if they did notice he was gone.

What wasn't, however, was for him to spot Nasod, Eve. To be fair, she did tag along recently after King Nasod was finished off, his final words proclaiming that she was the ‘Queen.’ Raven could only assume why she didn’t join the party after the offer to stay behind and assess the damages the Nasod factory had done to Altera. Why she decided to come back and stay all of a sudden irked Raven. Right now, she was observing the others while they slept. One by one from Rena, Aisha, and Elsword she studied them like a hawk would hover its prey. Raven, as quiet as he could, marched over to Eve. Nasod must be more sensitive to sound or vibration because she turned around, unfazed by his presence. He quickly pulled her off to the side a few feet away from the camp.

“What are you doing?” It was less of a question and more of a demand that she explain herself.

“I was checking their vital signs. I discovered a spore that had the ability to affect Nasods, infecting them from the inside.” Eve blinked listlessly. “I wanted to know if any were present on their skin and clothes, or if they could get sick.”

Raven folded his arms. “You can run your wellness checks when everyone is awake, don’t do that when everyone is asleep.”

Eve cradled her hands. “Did I make another mistake?”

Raven sighed and scratched the back of his head. Technically no, in fact she was being quite thoughtful. “It’s just a bit creepy is all I’m trying to say.”

Eve perked up. “The Internal Dictionary defines ‘creepy’ as having or causing a creeping sensation of the skin, as from horror or fear or as of, relating to, or characteristic of a person who is a creep; obnoxious; weird…” Eve's voice began to trail off over her reciting as she held her chin and lowered her gaze. “I apologize. I didn't mean to make Raven feel put off by my actions.”

Eve didn’t meet Raven’s eyes and opted to focus on scooting a small pebble around with her shoe. Raven began to feel restless and awkward as well. He was rearing up to say something but was met with a finger in his face.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep right now?” She said inquisitively. “Everyone else is.”

Raven blinked twice before lowering her hand. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why?”

“I have a lot on my mind.”

“What about?”

Was she messing with him? “It’s not something that concerns you. If Nasods don’t have to sleep then you should sit down somewhere and don’t watch people while they sleep.” Eve was about to turn around and find said ‘somewhere’ to sit around until she started again.

“OK, I would like to engage in sleep,” Eve clasped her hands. “Can we sleep together?”

Raven steeled himself at her request. For a robot, she could talk like an airhead sometimes. On second thought, he should have expected as much.

“I read that companionship between humans eases their minds especially during sleep.” Eve found a soft patch of long green grass, sat down, then lied on her side. “Sleep Mode: Engaged.”

With that, she was out like a light. Raven played with the thought of leaving her there but quickly discarded the idea. By all accounts he hated Eve. Her robots ordered by King Nasod to reconstruct his body into a mangled, mind controlled hybrid was the reason why he committed atrocities and needed to atone for his wrong-doings. She was also the reason why he was alive to avenge those he left behind. He scoffed and reluctantly sat down next to her. Before resting his eyes, he studied her sleeping frame. Her breathing was slow, diaphragm expanding and contracting, fingers twitching ever so slightly like any human would. Do Nasod dream of electric sheep, he thought.

A tuft of her flew up and down from her mouth with each breath. The glance of a smile crossed his face as he tucked the hairs away, fingers ever so slightly caressing her cheek. Raven decided it was the sleep deprivation that made him watch her for a little while longer before deciding to lie down himself, back to back with the Nasod.