"Ephi, why did you not hasten your steps back to the grand mansion as promised? Did you not vow to return forthwith upon completion of your task?" Ephi's countenance remained heavy with slumber, her voice drowsy and sluggish. "Give me a moment's respite, Bell," she murmured, as the impatient one implored her to rise once more.
"Ephi, allow me to remind you of the perilous nature of our surroundings. The unknown dangers that may come to confront us at any moment." Ephi had already guessed the reason Bell had told her to come back immediately. She sighed in annoyance that he had always been like that. "Don't worry, I'm still here and fine. Can't you see it? There is no danger here." Bell explained, "Their arrival is imminent. I implore you to return to the grand mansion where you will be safe and secure. It is not my intention for you to linger in this uncertain wilderness."
Ephi let out a sigh. "Don't you pride yourself on being the strongest deity who always handles everything on your own? Surely, it would be effortless for you to accomplish it while keeping an eye on me as well?" Bell replied, "Only I, myself, am privy to the depths of my being. I shall forestall any peril that may come to pass, Ephi." Bell looked at Tobias. Ephi forcefully asked, "You look so stubborn, what happened? Don't hide anything from me." Bell still didn't want to explain, "Ephi, allow me to be clear, my enterprise is not to be disturbed by external forces, including your involvement." An increasingly annoyed Ephi raised her voice slightly, "Then don't bother me, Bell! Go and finish your business and leave me alone! I told you I'm not a child anymore!" Seeing Ephi who spoke like that, Bell fell silent. She looked at Bell, "Tell me what happened."
"An elusive figure had stealthily woven their way into the city, slipping past the sentries at the southern entrance." Bell thought that preventing Ephi from interfering could also be done without sending her back to the mansion. Having made up his mind, he said, "Remain here, Ephi, and bask in idleness." She turned her head and folded her arms. "Humph! You are a God who can do everything, eh? Besides, even I won't help you if you ask. I just want to be here enjoying the freedom."
"Over the course of the last lunar cycle, a series of eerie events have transpired within the cities of the Salaria region. Whenever she appeared, tragedy would ensue. I was initially indifferent, for her visits were fleeting and the toll was minimal. Yet, a recent revelation has upended my entire perspective and altered the course of events." Tobias stepped from the door closer to Ephi. She who doesn't understand anything just silently listens. Ephi returned to the bed wearing a blanket.
However, Bell continued to speak. "Ah, have you perchance come across whispers of the clandestine slave ring that operates within the borders of Salaria? Its leader, a gentleman by the name of Ruzel, should not be trifled with, for he holds sway over vast connections in both the eastern and western regions. It is a sad truth that many innocent souls, haplessly ensnared within the grasp of this network, are subjected to unspeakable horrors." Tobias saw Ephi who pretended to sleep in front of Bell.
"Understandable, have a nice trip. You're the strongest god, right? Don't let your title go to waste. Don't disturb me or I'll be going berserk."
Bell seemed to want to talk a lot because he was actually very jealous of Tobias. A new kid who suddenly became close to Ephi. However, he had a hard time expressing it because he was a god himself. "It appears that the moment is not yet ripe. Ephi seems to be in a state of reticence, disinclined to engage in discourse." he thought.
Before leaving, he remembered. "Indeed, there is further news to be revealed. Tragically, a soul has been claimed by the hands of death." Ephi seemed to be slightly moved. She assumed that Bell knew what she had done. "Wilson, the elderly matron, was renowned for her annual dispatching of succulent apples to Devin. Thus, I have commanded your swift return to the grand mansion, Ephi." In Bell's eyes, Ephi didn't seem to be listening. Looks like she doesn't care what he says. But actually, she was relieved that Bell didn't ask much about her killing Rod. However, there was someone who was shocked when she heard, "Granny Wilson ... has been killed?" Tobias knelt on the floor, she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Bell who was about to leave turned to ask Tobias, "You know her?"
"She is my granddaughter." Grandma Wilson said it with a smile. Tobias would never forget her because Granny Wilson was the first person she met on this journey. "Maybe when the apple she gave me was gone ..." Instantly Tobias thought of Grandma Wilson's husband. "What ... Do you know about her husband? An old geezer who can't walk?" A hand touched Tobias' shoulder. Felt soft but she didn't expect it. "Ephi?"
"Tell him about it, Bell." Bell stepped closer again, and asked, "Who is she?" Ephi coaxed Tobias who was still kneeling on the floor. Then, Tobias sat down to calm herself. This was the first time she had lost someone she knew.
Tobias talking in a low voice. "She ... She was the one who helped me through the South Gate and gave me the apple. For that, she lied to the soldiers at the gate by saying that I was her granddaughter."
"Her lifeless form was discovered amidst the lush greenery of the southern woodland, bereft of breath and life for nigh on a day's time. Are you certain that your paths crossed but this morn?" Tobias didn't understand what Bell was saying. She looks confused. Ephi who heard that asked, "What do you mean, Bell?"
"A wandering tradesman stumbled upon her ethereal form this afternoon and hath journeyed to the southern gate to bring word of his discovery. He is a resident of the same hamlet as the departed one." Ephi who heard it didn't understand either. There was something odd, but she didn't know what it was. "Ephi, let me impart upon thee the weight of my words. Should Tobias' tales hold any shred of veracity, then the realm doth hold many oddities. Dost thou recall thine encounter with Devin this very afternoon? Didst thou chance upon the crone who hath taken up residence in his abode?" Tobias who heard that looked up. She didn't know that their mission was to go to where Granny Wilson used to deliver her apples, to the Finales' residence. "According to the initial assignment, I only met a person named Devin, Bell. Nothing strange there."
"On this day, a multitude of events unfurled, as if woven together by an unseen hand. Perchance, all things are but threads in the tapestry of fate. Thus, I must venture forth." Bell stepped away from the two of them. "Soothe thyself, do not act with impulsiveness. Tis nothing within thy power to change the course of events. Remain here and tend to Ephi, for I entrust thee with her well-being. I am aware that thou art not immediately returning to the grand mansion and art relishing thy stay here. Yet, I cannot impose upon thee the obligation to return."
"Ephi, heed my words. Remain steadfast in your repose and abstain from any form of action." Bell walks away. As his hand opened the door, "Forgive me if I was impolite, but I must remind you that it was at your request that I roused you in such a manner." Before leaving, Bell looked suspiciously at Tobias. When the door was opened, it was no longer connected to the hallway of Uncle Albert's inn. It was Bell's mansion. When the door is closed, he has gone.
Tobias looked down because she was still sad to hear what just happened. "Young people can make dreams come true, and even change the world. But we are decrepitude and can only dream without being able to do anything. All oldsters begrudge you, young lady. Of course, I'm also. Therefore, catch it up ere you missed the boat."
With a heart filled with a desire to aid those in need and be of use, Tobias journeyed to the grand city of Antemur. Though she had set forth with a noble purpose, She thought of a seemingly stupid thing to do - to aid a god. The passing of Granny Wilson must not be in vain, and though fear and hesitance threatened to hold Tobias back, she summoned the courage to forge ahead.
Lost in thought and uncertain of her path, Tobias suddenly had an epiphany. "Wait ..." A spark of recognition ignited within her mind. "Ruzel ... I've heard that name before," she muttered, trying to recall all the sights, sounds, and events since her arrival in Antemur. Tobias beamed with excitement, as though she had finally solved the puzzle that had been plaguing her. Ephi, who had been observing Tobias closely, grew worried. "Are you alright, Tobias? I'm sorry for not revealing our true purpose earlier."
With bold determination, Tobias declared, "Ephi, I must venture forth." She strode towards the door, eager for action. "Bell is occupied and I cannot simply bide my time. He is your ally, therefore, he is mine as well. I shall do what I can to ease the burden on my friend, no matter his stature. Perhaps I am not of much aid, but I do it for Granny Wilson's sake." Ephi, taken aback by Tobias' fervor, inquired, "Where do you go, Tobias?" With confidence in her step, Tobias replied, "I know the way, Ephi."
Frustration brewed within Mr. Artisan, robbing him of slumber. In the pitch darkness of his chambers, he ground his teeth in vexation. With a start, he rose from his bed, gathering his tools and gear. His wife, awakened by the commotion, searched the room, but Mr. Artisan had already slipped out into the night. Undeterred by the gentle rain that pattered down, he marched to the town square, ascending the platform to pursue his craft even in the heart of the night.
A bolt of lightning illuminated the square. The intruder, who had been sprinting atop the roofs, made the wise choice to descend. She spoke of the perils of running amidst the rain, for it increased the chance of being struck by the wrath of the heavens.
Ephi rose from her seat, donning her cloak and gear with haste. "Ah, I see. I did not expect Ruzel to have a lackey in our midst," she mused. Tobias, a hint of confusion in her voice, asked, "Are you sure it's safe for you to accompany me? He forbade it, did he not?" Ephi, resplendent in her cloak and fully equipped, with a scabbard at her waist, a wand at hand, and a bow fastened to her wrist, replied, "Fear not, Tobias. I shall not be deterred."
Ephi strode past Tobias, flinging open the window with a flick of her wrist. Gazing out into the world beyond, she declared, "I have always intended to aid him, Tobias. It simply goes against my nature to do so openly. I would have Bell believe I am not joining you due to his forbiddance. Though, in truth, I have been secretly defying him all along. I don't know not why I find it so amusing and intriguing, hehe. Bell has a habit of forbidding me from many things, but I delight in outwitting him in secret."
"Nonsense," Tobias remembered the word. The pieces began to fall into place, and she understood why Uncle Albert acted as he did. Ephi must have employed similar tricks on him as well. It seemed that secrecy was a common theme in her dealings. "Is this why she concealed the truth? Besides her love for cuisine, does she take pleasure in all things intriguing? Was that why she saved me back then?"
"Come hither," Ephi beckoned. Tobias obeyed and approached her side. At the window, Tobias was consumed by haunting memories. Ephi, noticing her distress, lifted her up with haste. With one foot perched on the windowsill, she was ready to make the leap. "Are you ready, Tobias?" Tobias didn't expect to go through the window. "W-wait, it's still drizzling. Is that okay?" She said that so that Ephi would delay leaving for now and Tobias will choose to exit normally through the doors and stairs. "Where's your previous confidence, Tobias?" It was all lost because Tobias was afraid something bad would happen. Ephi would definitely do something to make herself happy. "And that's for sure ..."
"Onward we go!" Ephi cried out as she launched Tobias guiltlessly from the window. Though Tobias had braced herself, she was still filled with dread. Her expression, hidden behind a curtain of hair, betrayed her fear. Tobias plummeted from the second-story window, hurtling towards the ground below.
But just before impact, a gust of wind caught Tobias and cushioned her fall. Ephi, with grace and agility, leaped from the window and caught Tobias in mid-air. They bounced from wall to wall, bounding across the roofs of buildings. "Fear not, Tobias, for I shall always be your safety net," Ephi giggled. Tobias breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her words. "I trust in you, Ephi!" she declared, taking a deep breath. "So hold on tight!" Ephi replied with a wide grin, still laughing.
Ephi bounded through the misty drizzle, her footsteps powered by the swirling winds that danced at her feet. With every leap she took, a gust of wind cushioned her landing, neutralizing the impact of the solid earth. Tobias gazed upon Ephi, marveling at the focused look on her face and the drops of rain that curled and swirled in the air around her. It was as if they were sheltered beneath a transparent umbrella, protected by the wind dome crafted by Ephi. Memories of Uncle Albert's tales flooded Tobias' mind, and she whispered to herself, "So it was Ephi all along."
The intruder found a dead end. Still worried about lightning, she chose to turn around. Through a detour past several houses. Knowing the location, she disabled the tracking thread. She knew it was close because the thread was starting to appear transparent.
In the still and ebon alley, Rod's lifeless form lay forlorn. From the rooftop, Ephi leaped down with a graceful landing. She withdrew an arrow and affixed a clear pouch to the wall. The bag held an enchanted elixir that flickered with tempestuous radiance. After illuminating the surroundings, Ephi caught Tobias she had previously thrown.
"Aren't you scared, Tobias?" Ephi queried, her tone light. Tobias shuddered, her countenance is ashen and wan. "I was scared. But I already said that I believe somehow you'll save me," she stammered through quivering lips. Ephi chuckled merrily, "Relax, Tobias," And with that, her satisfaction was palpable as she reveled in the magic of her prank.
Ephi struggled to stifle her mirth, while Tobias set forth to unravel the mystery. She fervently sought some hint, particularly the missive of yore. Just as her mirthful outburst was about to subside, Ephi's laughter abruptly ceased. "What's wrong, Ephi?" Tobias inquired, casting her gaze upon Ephi as she fixated on the entrance to the lane.
Ephi unfurled her slender hand, bidding Tobias huddle behind her sturdy frame. She assumed a martial stance, nocking an arrow upon her bow and gripping the wooden staff at her waist, ready for any confrontation. "It's meaningless for you to hide from me."
The intruder, who had been lurking against the wall to overhear their discourse, was thus revealed. Draped in a cloak similar to Ephi's, she stepped forward.
"He ... died? Who did this?" The words came out of her bandaged mouth.