It didn't even take more than a few seconds to spot exactly who Naji was talking about, two abnormal travelers standing at the side of the bridge.
A Beast-kin wrapped in white robes without a tail and a tall human female witch whose hat might win a contest for biggest in the world.
From a distance they already stood out, getting closer I realized these aren't the type of people you could mix with anyone else.
I couldn't begin to guess the white wrapped travelers' race. I know plenty of different species in this town thanks to its almost even split with humans, but her features looked more foreign than familiar. No tail and long perked up ears gave an impression of a physically weaker than normal beast-kin, her traits are more common in species that favored agility and perception over strength.
Not to mention her beauty could turn half the town's heads as she walked. With pale skin, white eyes and silky smooth, ice white long hair tied into a ponytail and neat sidelocks, one could mistake her a religious figure representing purity. She looked at least eighteen with a medium frame of an athletic young woman and above average 'assets'.
"So this is where the big boom went bang?"
"Hhmm, intelligence fades as fatigue grows... awake all night I assume"
"Fufu, I had to make sure you know?"
Standing right next to the tired Beast-kin was an exceptionally tall human witch. A bit smaller than Rider, but with enough height to just hit the top of an average human door with her questionable shoes.
Wearing thigh high boots with wide heels and what looked like enclosed quivers attached to each side as makeshift pockets, attached to her black hotpants at the belt and thigh high leather boots. Looking closely her clothes gave off the impression of 'homemade' with excellent quality, her white shirt with puffy cuffs and under-bust corset each had their own modifications like the bottom half of her outfit.
Her tall slender figure is extremely deceptive, so while she looks like she's in her mid-twenties, it was clear she's far older. The kind of woman I expect to see chained down as a concubine for her mature, but young looks.
Maybe that's why she has no fashion sense and doesn't bother brushing her hair?
Her clothes weren't exactly stuff you could buy by second hand, not even off the shelf for that size, and that isn't even mentioning her alluring cape or weapons. A deep dark blue resembling the night sky in the form of a long cape adorned her shoulders.
She wields a staff in her left hand and sheathed sword attached by belt on her left as well, these weapons emanate powerful energy that hurts my head just looking at, a side effect of my blessing.
It often helped me spot equipment infused with magic when working with Rider. And yet this was on another level, either an Artifact or Relic.
Relics are powerful weapons with their own 'souls' and choose an exclusive wielder, only that chosen user can harness the full strength of these weapons.
Artifacts, on the other hand, have a much wider variety of uses inside and out of combat without the burden of a single qualified operator.
Despite the tall woman's glace never meeting my own it felt like she had eyes on me, that is, with her only eye unobstructed by her crimson hair.
If it wasn't for a few white streaks, highlighted throughout her long unkempt hair, her single visible red eye would give off the impression of a devil in disguise.
Together they fit the description of 'out of their element' as a duo. One tall wide brimmed witch, careless of her appearance, followed by a perfectly pristine Beast-kin who cared too much for her own looks. Extremes of either side.
"Do you think anyone here sells tofu?"
"Hmm? You've telling me the wandering chef can't make something in five minutes?"
"Right, I forgot the walking encyclopedia has a limit"
"?"
Their banter was certainly interesting but I saw an opportunity. One of the many jobs for a bit of coin can be just providing simple guidance. Tofu was practically a luxury around here, just because it took a while to make and was very popular among races that couldn't eat meat... maybe this girl in white can't eat meat either?
"Hey... uh... excuse me?"
*ting*
Why did the witch just toss a coin to the other girl?
"Hey what's up little bro?"
She raised her arm and caught the coin in her left hand. I noticed that moment she wore armor underneath her robes, it looked like black chitin and padding with fingerless gloves. There's something else peeking out attached underneath a black brace on that left arm, the bottom of a sword grip with an uncommon design I only got a quick glance at.
It probably doesn't have a blade if she's carrying it like that...
"I think I heard you say something about tofu?"
"Wow, rude! Don't eavesdr- Ow ow ow!"
The tall witch pinched one of the Beast-kin's pointy ears.
"Don't be rude to those offering help. This isn't your homeland"
"Ok ok! It was just a joke! Sorry!"
The witch let go as the girl clad in white started puffing up her cheeks and pouting back, her ears falling to the sides of her head.
So she's not from around here? Huh.
"Um, don't worry about it. I was going to ask if you are looking for tofu?"
Immediately she bounced back and jumped, landing in front of me bending her knees slightly to match my height, I could see stars light up in her eyes and drool leaked out her mouth.
"Yes!"
"This hungry girl is Arisu, I'm Enda. Feel free to use nicknames if you want, what's your name, little one?"
"I... don't have one"
"Would you like one?"
"Wait! Don't let her name you! She'll call you something stup- Ow! ow! ow!"
I'm unnamed because I have no family, no house, nothing of value to the world. In the same lane as tyrants and destroyers whose name is wiped from history.
"You... want to adopt me?"
"I've taken a liking to you, however, we should go somewhere more private. Preferably somewhere with 'tofu'"
Arisu was still being held by the ear after her last remark about names, so she just stood there in a haze, drooling at the thought of food.
Last place I made Tofu was in the Guild Hall, the only guild in our town that overlooked all operations in one building while sporting a kitchen and bar. A Chef named Andreo taught me plenty over there, including tofu which is a bit of a pain because it takes more than a day.
Andreo is a great guy, he insisted on calling me 'boss' as we worked, a chill guy in his forties, I can ask him if there's any left.
"I know a place, the Guild Hall makes some from time to time"
Enda let go of Arisu and got ready to leave, shifting her cape back over her shoulders as a cloak.
"Lead the way"
* Extra Short Story: The Letter *
It was the beginning of Harvest Season, the land's people knew their crops needed to be cut and processed before they felt winter's bite.
During this time with so many hands on the fields, nobody would suspect a letter of dire importance would be flown above them by a Perdarta, a magical bird of great speed, often only owned by the wealthy and privileged.
This letter was bound for a mage of great importance, a mage who worked hard to save the world with others many times over, a mage cursed by immortality. Within the letter lay a request alongside payment that could purchase an entire village several times over.
A pristine heart scale of an Elder Dragon.
The words contained within this letter happened to be far more valuable than such a treasured item. A prophecy and a request from the daughter of Heroes past, a mother who had to abandon her child.
Ciphered and jumbled words filled its page, a story detailing her parents relations, her lost son, and the coming apocalypse. To any other who would decode the message, it would only seem like the ramblings of a mad woman.
Events of the past and somber memories served as authenticity to this mage who could not recall any of these actions, as the souls of the dead took with them their history from her mind. A curse she could never break, for the faces of those who perished by her hands, filled her mind when she closed her eyes.
It reminded her that she's a human, a broken human, but not a god. Remorse was what separated both in her mind.
After spending many weeks deciphering the letter, then pondering her actions to take, she made a choice. Regardless of the letter's truth, if this boy still lived, he must be protected and taught, for it was him and very few others who would even be capable of halting the absolute destruction of two worlds colliding and a second war between gods.
The beings who split a single world into two, could reconnect them and cause extinction.
'Maybe I should see this child' was the only conclusion Enda could make.
* *