After two days, the Lost Ones found themselves in a quaint tavern, sharing a heartwarming moment together. The ambiance in the room was lively, filled with joyful chatter from peasants sharing their stories with zeal. Despite the clamor, the atmosphere was charged with infectious energy, as everyone laughed and enjoyed themselves as if they were true comrades in arms.
Yanis and Rogue exchanged beaming smiles, deeply moved by the uplifting effect that Jacob and Alora had on the crowd. The two, immersed in an almost inexhaustible state of joy, sang merrily, sweeping everyone nearby into their whirlwind of good spirits. The bond between the four friends was palpable, as if their souls were intertwined by an unbreakable friendship and a camaraderie that transcended time.
Around them, the dim lights of the tavern cast dancing shadows on the worn stone walls, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. Laughter echoed between the aged wooden beams overhead, and bursts of joy seemed to brighten every corner of the establishment.
"The party is here, the party is here!" sang Jacob and Alora in unison.
However, amidst the height of the merriment, everyone noticed Gwendoline's withdrawn face, hesitant at the idea of eating and conversing. Yanis, the first to notice, asked, "Gwendoline, are you okay? Are you sure you're not hungry? You haven't eaten all day."
"No, I assure you, I'm not hungry."
"You haven't slipped back into depression, have you?" Jacob exclaimed with concern.
"No, I just don't feel like eating."
"Mmh... You're hiding something!" asserted Alora.
"Well... You could say that, yes. I'm not sure if I should discuss it, but, in short, I'm changing, quite literally."
Gwendoline's unsettling words instantly dimmed the lively mood, making the situation gravely serious.
"What do you mean by that?" Yanis inquired.
"A few days ago, the entity inside me spoke to me. Plagued by insomnia, I noticed a diminishing appetite and fading thirst. It revealed that soon I won't need to eat, drink, sleep, nor feel any pain or any other human sensation. Essentially, everything that made me human will become unnecessary."
Stunned by this revelation, surprise struck their faces like lightning against a dark night sky. Their eyes widened, eyebrows raised, and mouths slightly opened, lost for words to convey their overwhelming emotions. An oppressive silence followed, only to be broken by Jacob's reaction: "What?! What's causing this sudden change?"
"I don't know; it won't tell me until a specific time."
"So, does this mean you're no longer human?" Alora questioned.
"I have no idea, probably."
"That's quite a revelation, young Gwendoline," chimed in a voice. It was Hermiel.
Appearing suddenly, Hermiel placed a hand on Gwendoline's shoulder, gifting her with a benevolent smile. He grabbed the last available chair and joined their conversation.
"Mr. Vini! We didn't see you coming!" Alora exclaimed.
"I do enjoy a grand entrance, ahah!"
"What brings you here?"
"I'm here to inform you that I'll be departing for Edra tonight, our neighboring land. With the resurgence of the Archdemons of Emotion, panic is gripping the world, making headlines in the three countries of Trillia. Everyone fears a new era of domination and anarchy. Since it's believed they reside in our realm, the land they ruled 800 years ago, Edra wishes to suspend all trade with us indefinitely. If that happens, our kingdom's economy will plummet by half, risking civil wars among the peasantry."
"That's concerning," mumbled Jacob.
"Yes. A meeting between Rymis III and Marc, Edra's president, is set to address this. I must accompany them, along with Charnald, to ensure their safety."
"A president? So it's a democracy?" Gwendoline asked.
"Yes, Marc Emmanuel is the current president of the Republic of Edra."
"So democracies exist here too..." Rogue mused.
"I have a question, Mr. Vini," Jacob interjected. "What's Edra like?"
"It's technologically more advanced than the Kingdom of Rymis. They use mana-powered cars for transportation, unlike our kingdom which still relies on horses."
"I had pegged your world as more medieval-fantasy, but I guess I was wrong! Can't wait to visit Edra; it sounds like a trip down memory lane! I hope they have video games there!"
"Before I leave, I need to brief you on your new mission. It begins in a few days at the Haradi festival. An archdemon, rumored to be lurking in the village, allegedly kills at every festival. Your next mission is to investigate this archdemon and eliminate it, if it indeed exists."
"So, we're also to ensure the safety of the villagers?" Alora inquired.
"Exactly," Hermiel confirmed.
Getting up, Hermiel bid farewell with a wave and a gentle smile. "I must leave now. Enjoy your evening, and I hope to meet you again soon. It's been a pleasure knowing you."
"Wait! Why do you say it like that? Are we not going to see you again?" Gwendoline anxiously asked.
"I don't believe so. By the time I return, you'll likely no longer be in Haradi. But who knows? Perhaps we'll meet again on another mission. Goodnight."
With that, Hermiel left, his hands in his jean pockets, leaving the Lost Ones taken aback by his abrupt departure. He was such a kind and compassionate individual; his farewell deeply moved Gwendoline.
After his departure, the Lost Ones decided to make the most of their evening together before embarking on their new mission. They resumed their merrymaking, laughing, and singing, attempting to push aside worries brought on by Gwendoline's revelation and uncertainties about the future.
*
Two days had passed since then, right in the middle of the afternoon, within the residence. After concluding their training session in Adaken, Jacob and Marshal made their way to the garden where the others were already assembled. Gwendoline, Alora, and Garnal were practicing the mastery of magical spells, while Rogue and Yanis trained in the use of their personal powers.
"Hello, everyone! I hope you're almost done with your training because our mission has just begun," he announced.
Alora, with a keen eye for fashion, noticed that Jacob sported a new outfit. His new dark green kimono changed his personality drastically, making him appear more disciplined and serious than before. Even though his face retained its naive and endearing expression, the dark kimono emphasized his unwavering determination.
"Jacob? New clothes?" she observed.
"Yeah, check it out! Cool, right? Now, I feel like I'm in my own anime!"
"I gave him that kimono as a token of gratitude. I used to wear it when I was 15. It brings back old memories," Marshal added with a hint of melancholy.
With a silent, unanimous gesture, Yanis rose, aided by his hand, and the others followed, their eyes fixed on Marshal.
"Is this the mission about the archdemon?" Yanis asked.
"Exactly. First, we will check its veracity by questioning some organizers. We'll ask if they've noticed any suspicious activities or disappearances. Then, we'll attempt to lure the archdemon into a trap and eliminate it. It's as simple as that."
"Not a bad plan," added Jacob.
"But we need to hurry. We only have five hours left before the festival starts. I suggest we split into groups to gather as much information as possible. Thoughts?"
"Sounds good!" Garnal exclaimed.
"As for the groups, who's with whom?" Yanis inquired.
"That's up to you."
"There will be a group of three and another of four."
"That's right. Let's evaluate your abilities and see who's best suited for the investigation... Alora, when you put people to sleep, can you see their dreams?"
"Yes, and I can control them too."
"So, can you technically see their memories?"
"I think so, I've never tried."
"Next... Gwendoline, your power involves emotions, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Is there an emotion that lets you see people's memories?"
"Yes, probably sadness. But I need to control my emotions to use my powers, so right now, I can't do anything."
"That's unfortunate... Maybe you should focus less on magic for now and try to control your emotions. Your Superior Magic is more than adequate."
"Umm... the problem is, I don't control that magic either."
"Why?"
"Well, it's not my magic, it belongs to the entity inside me. So, I can't use it."
"How did you use it in the forest then?"
"I don't know; according to it, I stole the magic."
"I see. In that case, steal it again."
"How?"
"Same question, how did you steal it?"
"I was in a fit of rage, so I don't know... although..."
Gwendoline trailed off as a brief memory flashed through her mind.
[Flashback to the events in the forest, deep within Gwendoline's psyche]
She floated in an infinite expanse, her consciousness surrounded by an ocean of magical spells. An array of multicolored magical inscriptions stretched out before her, each representing a Superior Magic spell, capable of unimaginable feats.
Driven by growing anger, she reached out and tore two spells from the dazzling infinity. The first, [New Origin], held the power to crush its victim by summoning surrounding universes—a cosmic cataclysm condensed into one terrifying spell. The second spell, [Universal Basic Level Acquisition], granted the ability to steal half the mana of every soul within a kilometer—a power as fearsome as it was feared.
"Gwendoline, stop! You don't need to go this far," shouted the entity.
In a desperate attempt to halt her rampage, the shadowy figure of the entity placed a firm hand on her shoulder, even as Gwendoline's rage continued to escalate.
"Quiet down! Or I'll steal all your spells and kick you out of my body. Understand?!"
"Your body?! It's ours! You have no power over me! It's because of me you're here, it's thanks to me you exist!"
"Get lost!"
"Very well, but you'll regret it."
[The memory faded, and the scene returned to the garden]
"Hmm... Maybe you should start by trying to control your mind and speak with this entity inside you," Marshal suggested.
"I'll try."
"Next... Rogue, can you 'hack' into people to read them?"
The word "hack" was pronounced hesitantly by Marshal, not fully grasping its meaning.
"Not yet, unfortunately. I need to evolve my power for that."
"That's okay. So, two of us will be reading people: me and Alora. Here are the groups: Jacob, Garnal, and myself. The other group: Alora, Yanis, Gwendoline, and Rogue. Does that work for everyone?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, not showing a hint of hesitation.
"Good! Let the mission begin!"