"You want to hear my answer about our relationship? When you can answer who are you and where are you going, then we can solve this issue." That has been ringing in Rosch's mind ever since that night. Thinking about it didn't help. It also didn't help that for the entire duration of the trip to Gaia he barely had any sleep. He was constantly woken up by the memory of that meeting. Others wanted to help him, but this was his burden. This was on him to figure out, not on others. But how was he going to figure out this? Until he had his talk with Lianna, he thought his future was already good enough. He could decide if he would join Pravoka's city council, he had a good merchant ship and he had earned a fortune along with others. What else he could have desired? As it turned out, when he was confronted with such leisured lifestyle, he realized he needed an end goal. Something to stride towards. Others were either already planning for future or were happy with their previous lives. It was only him that felt empty. Only him that had nothing to do once their mission was over. That realization was what was truly keeping him wake at night. Wrecked with guilt, he snuck into the storage on the last night of the journey and pilfered 2 bottles of wine, trying to drown his indecision in alcohol while breaking the order of no alcohol during flight. Little did he knew what that would do to him.
Next morning many crew members were preparing to have breakfast in the mess hall when they heard a scream. When few of them went to check out what happened, they saw shirtless Rosch running to his cabin. While most of them were puzzled at this, one of the crew members did hear what happened the night before. By the time Rosch arrived at the mess hall, most heard the events. Still feeling hungover, he didn't notice the glances from other crew members and ended up sitting next to Lianna.
Lianna: "Good morning."
Rosch: "Mmmm...
Lianna: "I said, good mooornning."
Rosch: "Please... Keep it down. My head is killing me."
Lianna: "And why should I? You are the one who broke the rules. Why should I show any mercy?"
Rosch: "Oh, Goddess. Did you-"
Lianna: "Yes. We know about you stealing two bottles for yourself. You know full well alcohol is banned during flight. So what do you have to say about yourself?"
Rosch: "N-nothing. ... Just end my suffering and tell me my punishment."
Lianna: "I am still deciding what. Until then I will enjoy the current situation."
Rosch: "What situation?"
Lianna: "It seems the sound isolation isn't as great as we thought. We might need to improve it."
Rosch: "What about- Oh, no. No. No, no, no, no."
Lianna: "When I decided to give you space to think, I didn't you finding comfort in my brother's embrace."
Rosch: "Oh, no."
Lianna: "Do I have to worry about him poaching you from me?"
Rosch: "Um... I will just..." He tried to point to the corner, but ended up just going there in silence. Hangover was too much for him to have a conversation with others.
Most people left him alone after that. They had bigger priority in landing the ship to their destination, Gaia. Situated on the Almar Peninsula in Scardona's north-eastern region, it was trapped between mountains, making it difficult for most people to reach it. The snow often blocked mountain passages, making it impossible to traverse through in winter. It made the locals quite shocked then when in the middle of the clear winter day, a big metallic ship started descending from the sky, attracting a lot of attention. Being used to this sort of attention, the party knew how to approach the situation so without any delay they requested the mayor to meet everyone. After a short talk, the mayor was very impressed and allowed everyone to stay in the city. While they were showing mayor and his entourage around, a strange incident happened. Somehow, the fairy broke lose from her bottle while the crew was preparing to unload and disembark, leaving mess behind. Since the fairy came from this area, they asked the mayor to help search for its original place to which the mayor accepted. While search parties went to look for the place, the party went to the city.
First stop was the local magic shops. Rosch bought Blizzaga, a more powerful version of Blizzard, while Mari bought Diaja, the most powerful Dia spell. The next stop, the armour and weapon shop. Due to the access of old forging techniques and material from the Great Dragon War, the local blacksmiths were considered some of the best around, a feat quickly proven when they found Ruby Amulets on sale. Considering how well it was working for Lewyn, Rosch and Mari replaced their silver ones for these ones. They also bought 4 Protect Rings to increase their magical defences. After their shopping trip was done, they went around to learn more about the city. Gaia, also often referred to as the Eye of the Hawk, was created during the Great Dragon War. Its remote place and harsh climate made it a great spot to avoid the destruction that was spreading around the land. Situated on the plain, it often saw traffic with the Kingdom of Lufenia before their fall. Some of the last known information about Lufenians were kept here. In one of the reports was said that those that managed to escape the city created a new home known as Wing of the Hawk. Unfortunately, location was lost to time. While they were learning more information about the city, the news about fairy's location came in so they assembled in front of the City Hall and went to check it.
The party followed their escorts while being curious on how did they manage to find it so quickly. As it turned out, it was much easier to find the fairy's spring then they thought. In the middle of the winter wonderland there was an unfrozen spring with small field of grass surrounding it. Such environment was very hard not to miss when there was snow as far as eye could see. As soon as party approached the lake, the fairy appeared in person. "You're the ones that rescued me from that bottle and brought me here! I am sorry about running away and making a mess, but I was so scared... You truly deserve the reward from me so please, name your prize." After the party explained to her that they were looking for oxyale and why, the fairy said: "I will get you the oxyale from the bottom of the spring, alright? Wait here." After that, it turned into light and entered the water. The party watched as that light travelled across the spring floor until it finally resurfaced, bringing along a big plant. "Air will flow out of that water for as long as you have it. It should help you on your journey to the sunken shrine." The party thanked the fairy and, seeing the gathering crowd, decided to leave to allow others to see the fairy.
Once they returned to the ship, they gave the oxyale to Noelle to make sure that they found what they were looking for. She assured them that they did and that she would make sure that this will work. While everyone wanted to help her out, Noelle assured them that she can do it alone so they left her alone. Most people ended up leaving the airship to spend their evening in the city. Rosch was one of the few people that didn't leave the airship, still feeling embarrassed about what happened the previous night. In the end he spent the time with Noelle about anything and everything. About how would oxyale would work, about Rosch's family and its past, about the world's history etc. While they had a pleasant time, Rosch couldn't help but notice that when they talked about the plan for the shrine, Noelle started speaking less and less and her mood worsened, even being somewhat snappy at the end. Realizing that something was odd, he decided to finish their talk and leave her to finish her task. He didn't want to intrude about her personal feelings, but he also felt like he couldn't leave her alone. So he gave her some space and then returned after the dinner only to find her gone. Thinking about where she could have gone, he ended up on the airship's deck where he found her staring at the night sky.
"Do you want a handkerchief for that?", he sincerely asked her. Noelle was flustered after realizing that she wasn't alone and blurted out: "F-for what?"
Rosch: "I don't think a beautiful woman such as yourself should be crying all alone in this weather."
Noelle: "D-don't be ridiculous. I wasn't crying."
Rosch: "Oh. Is that melted snow on your face then?"
Noelle: "That's not your concern. (She wiped her her during with her sleeve.) Why are you here?"
Rosch: "Oh, I just wanted to check up on you. You seemed to be in bad mood at the end earlier."
Noelle: ...
Rosch: "But you seemed to have all under control. So, excuse me."
He only made several steps when she called out to him: "Wait."
Rosch: "What?"
Noelle: "I... I..."
Rosch: "Look, I am sorry if I insulted you earlier. I didn't mean any harm."
Noelle: "No, I... I..."
Rosch: "You what?"
Noelle: "I... I... (She ran into Rosch's embrace and started crying on his shoulder much to his surprise) I don't want to lose her. Please stop them. Please stop them from killing my mom."
Rosch: "What do you mean? Hey?"
Noelle: "I can't lose her. Please. Ahhhhh." As her crying got worse, all Rosch could was hold her, pat her on the back and say "There, There." Only after she calmed down was he able to talk with her again.
Rosch: "Are you alright?"
Noelle: ...
Rosch: "Look, I wish I could help you. But I can't do that without knowing how."
Noelle stepped away and gave a sad look to Rosch. "If..."
Rosch: "If?"
Noelle: "If you end up going through with your plan, mom will die."
Rosch: "How?
Noelle: "She is a wraith. A ghost forever stuck with the grudge towards the Kraken. If you get rid of it, she will disappear along with it."
Rosch: "I see. But isn't this what you have been working towards?"
Noelle: "How can I go through with this though? I don't want to lose her."
Rosch: "You do realize that's impossible, right? No one can live forever."
Noelle: "Even so I want to, I want to at least show her the world."
Rosch: "And if something happens while you are doing this? Would you be able to live with yourself?"
Noelle: "Easy for you to say. Have you ever lost a family member?"
Rosch: "No, I haven't and I hope that Goddess won't put me through something like that. But tell me something. You have done so much to get to this point. Can you return back to Onrac and tell her that you cannot go through with this? Can you accept that you won't save your siblings?"
Noelle: "... No, I can't."
Rosch: "Then, you get one day."
Noelle: "Huh?"
Rosch: "I will talk to others about giving you a day before we go through with our plan. Go wherever you want, do whatever you want. Make the send-off memorable. And then, when you get the chance to talk with your siblings and your children about how great your mom was, you can do so with great pride."
Noelle: "You really think so?"
Rosch: "Yes. I know it will feel impossible to you, but you know this must be done. And when the time comes, we will be there for you."
Noelle: "You promise?"
Rosch: "Yes."
Noelle managed to crack a smile hearing that. "Thank you."
Rosch: "Now, please, go inside. It's warmer there."
Noelle: "I will."
And so she went inside. Rosch took one last look of the surrounding winter wonder surrounding them and turned around. Before he entered the ship however, he noticed something.
Rosch: "Do you always eavesdrop on people?"
?: "Yeah, that is one of my bad habits."
Rosch: "Then would you mind at least showing your head once in a while? Like for instance, now?"
From around the corner, Lianna appeared.
Rosch: "Thank you. Was that so hard?"
Lianna: "I'm sorry. I was just curious."
Rosch: "About what?"
Lianna: "You trying to seduce everyone from my life now?"
Rosch: "Sorry to disappoint you, but no."
Lianna: "Shame, really. But seriously, thank you for that. It would have taken a long time before she would display such weakness to me."
Rosch: "Don't mention it."
Lianna: "I do hope others will feel the same way as you do."
Rosch: "Oh, I wasn't exactly thinking of everyone when I said that."
Lianna: "What do you mean?"
Rosch: "It's a good thing we are returning back to Onrac. Then you can pick up another ring at that jeweller."
Lianna: "Why? Wait, you don't mean."
Rosch: "I was thinking a lot about my life these past days. Thinking about what I will do once this is all over. And still I failed to find the answer."
Lianna: "What changed then?"
Rosch: "That earlier conversation with Noelle. It made me realize that she was more deserving of being in my place than I was. Even you are. And yet here I am, someone who hadn't been affected by the world events at all. Not fair at all, don't you think?"
Lianna: "Then what will you do?"
Rosch: "Easy. Follow you for the rest of my life."
Lianna: "Huh?"
Rosch: "You heard me. If I don't know what I will do on my own, then at least I can follow someone who does."
Lianna: "Even as I am?"
Rosch: "Yes. My dreams about you were shattered by a little thing called reality. So I have to choose between real you or look for someone closer to that dream. And to be honest, I would prefer the real you over the dream one. If there is one thing I know about you, it's that life with you won't be boring."
Lianna: "Glad to hear that."
Rosch: "Good. Now, I believe your fiancée waits for you."
Lianna: "Aww, you don't want to join us? You better not refuse when I propose to you."
Rosch: "I won't. Also, let's get inside. The romantic feel isn't really there when you can see your own breath."
Lianna: "Lead the way."
Once their short stay in Gaia was over, everyone boarded their airship and went for Onrac. A meeting was held between the Warriors, Noelle, Lianna and Sead to plan out their next move.
Lianna: "We really need to find a more closer location for landing. The distance between our current landing place and Onrac is really annoying. Any ideas, you two?"
Noelle: "I have no clue. Maybe wait until we are over with our plan and then see where we could land?"
Lewyn: "I was thinking maybe we should use our wealth to solve this issue. I am sure we could find a farm with a plot big enough to land this thing."
Lianna: "Is that all you two can come up with?"
Lewyn: "I am afraid so."
Lianna: "Fine. Maybe we can arrange something with the city authorities later. I will also inform the crew to launch 10 days after us and go for Onrac."
Sead: "And what about your transport to Onrac? As I said last time, it's difficult to transport this many people with just my wagon."
Kelin: "This is the last time. We will get another wagon and driver there for situations such as these."
Sead: "Thank you."
Kelin: "And as for compensation for this and the last trip, I think 5000 gil should be enough, or am I wrong?"
Sead: "Haha, good one. Am I right, Rosch?"
Rosch: "I was thinking more like 10000 gil."
Sead: "Huh? Please, be serious. Mari, tell them to stop kidding around."
Mari: "Don't look at me. I was thinking 20 would have been enough."
Sead: "Huh?"
Lewyn: "There we go. 20 thousand for transporting all of us here. That should be enough."
Sead: "Wait, what's with you all of a sudden? Why are you suddenly offering all that money?"
Kelin: "Simple. Because you earned it. You have been our faithful companion since Pravoka. You took care of our equipment and our loot. You have handled our money and sales for loot. You followed from plains to deserts and mountains. You never even flinched when monsters tried to attack."
Rosch: "Not to mention you have been taking care of your animals. That was hard enough on the Sea Queen. I don't want to imagine how difficult is that now."
Sead: "Not that harder than you would expect."
Kelin: "Nevertheless, you have been our faithful companion and we would have had much more difficult time without you. So thank you."
Sead: "You don't need to go so far for me. I was just happy to be employed by you."
Rosch: "If you think this is much, wait until we are over with our mission. After a discussion we had, we all agree you deserve a share of the spoils."
Sead: "Seriously?"
Lianna: "Also, you will be treated as our esteemed guest every time you are in clan Marciano's lands. That's the very least you deserve."
Sead: "I don't know what to say." (He started getting teary-eyed.)
Rosch: "You can start by wiping those tears away. A crying dwarf isn't a pleasant sight to behold."
Sead: "Haha, I agree."
Mari: "We will celebrate once we are over. A certain someone proved everyone why we shouldn't party during travels."
Rosch: "Hey!"
Sead: "Haha, don't worry. Drinks on me in Onrac."
With cheers from everyone, the meeting was adjourned.