As Cassandra lay in her tent, sleep proving elusive, her mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts.
Thoughts about the recent event, should she ever seek vengeance for her fallen comrades, or should she focus on rebuilding her life, perhaps a new one? The more she pondered, the more tears streamed down her face. Memories of Gørg and Ava flooded her mind, fueling her anger and sorrow.
"Ava… Gørg…" a whisper escaped her weary lips.
While still submerging in her conflicting thoughts, suddenly, a strange glow appeared within her tents, its eerily yet soothing glow caught her attention.
The small orbs pranced before her, seemingly calling out to her. As curiosity overcame her fear, she rose from her makeshift bed, her hand extended, reaching out for it, urged to touch its ethereal body.
But before she did, the orb seemed to respond, and whizzed out of the tent, startling her.
Wanting to catch it, Cassandra drew out of her tent and chased it into the cool night air.
As Cassandra pushed herself deep into the depth of the cold night, her steps marched through the mud she had never seen before, its viscosity and color deviated from what she encountered, perhaps it was her grief that blinded her prior.
Disregarding the dissimilar mud, she marched on, pursuing the strange pulsing orb. Despite her fatigue, her body reacted on its own, seemingly mimicking the movement of the orb, as it led her deeper into the woods, the light growing brighter with each step.
Finally, she emerged into a clearing, where a breathtaking sight awaited her. A waterfall, unlike any she had ever seen, cascaded down a rocky cliff face. The water glowed with an ethereal light, a light that channeled with… pure mana?
Sitting beside the waterfall, was a young woman with long, flowing red hair, draping in her robe that clearly provoked her memories, one that she could've sworn to have seen before.
"Hello?" Cassandra called out, her voice quivering with anxiousness and disbelief. Who could that presence belong to? Was it someone she knew, or was it someone she met by chance during her journey?
The woman turned, a gentle smile gracing her features. "Cass! Come sit," she said, patting the smooth rock beside her.
As Cassandra approached, her heart pounded in her chest. But her eyes' lightened up soon as she observed the woman's features.
The woman looked exactly like Ava, the same vibrant spirit shining in her eyes, or perhaps… Was it Ava herself?
With a cry of joy, Cassandra lunged forward, attempting to embrace her friend.
But before her arms could halt at the touch of Ava's body, her arms passed through Ava, as if she were a ghost.
"Ava?" Cassandra whispered, her voice trembling. "What's all this…?" Tears began to stream down her face as the reality of the situation sank in.
"I just want you to know," Ava continued, a subtle sadness claiming her tone as her gaze locked at the ethereal waterfall, its beauty was captivating, "it's not your fault, Cass. Neither mine nor Gørg's. This might be the last time you see me, but I want you to know we died without regrets."
A bittersweet smile touched Ava's lips. "We had so much fun together, the three of us. I wouldn't trade those adventures for anything."
Her voice softened. "Don't hate yourself because of us, Cass. Gørg would be laughing at you right now, calling you a crybaby."
Confusion clouded Cassandra's mind. "Wait, Ava, how can I talk to you? How is this possible?"
Ava chuckled. "Don't worry, Cass. This is just a dream. A dream that bridges between corporeal and ethereal realm, a way for us to say goodbye."
A wave of despair then washed over Cassandra. "Please, Ava, don't go!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.
Ava's smile remained unchanged, she gently shook her head, "No… Cass, you have to let go, or you'll never be truly happy again. Just like we did. And it would've hurt me to see that…"
"But… why… why can't I have the happiness that includes you, the both of you…" Cassandra protested, her voice breaking.
Ava, her smile remained stern, unfaltering despite the desperate plea, despite knowing the potential of what she could achieve if she was to live.
Instead, she reached out, embracing Cassandra tightly in her ethereal body, though the touch was absent, it was a presentation of the care she had for her.
With her head over Cassandra's shoulder, she responded, her voice was soft and assuring, "Because, it's the wish that was granted for you, a wish we deliberately crafted for you. Yes, despite our fair share of joyful journeys, despite our longing dream that stood tall before us, your dream will always be the lamest and bland, 'just the thrill of the adventure', you would've always said, completely contradicting what mine and Gørg's. But, because of it, because of its banality, I think you deserved it. Not as torture but a blessing, a blessing allowed you to find the true meaning of your life, the true purpose of living that we already yearned for, one you neglected for so long, just to accompany us. You deserved better."
With a final, loving look, Ava leaned back from her and a smile urged on her lips, "I guess this is it, thank you so much, for everything, Cassandra…", Ava declared as she began to fade, "It's been fun, traveling with you and Gørg! But everything must come to an end… but we have no regrets."
"Just remember to not come looking for us this early, Cassandra. Don't waste the opportunity we tried so hard to knit for you… Farewell!" Ava declared before her ethereal form slowly dissolving into the mist. Cassandra reached out, her fingers passing through empty air.
"Ava!" she cried out, her heart breaking as her friend vanished. Just as she was about to collapse into sobs.
*Gasped*
She woke with a start, drenched in sweat, her body trembling. The dream felt so real, the loss of her friends as painful as ever.
The first rays of dawn were filtering through the tent flap, casting long shadows across the camp. Cassandra sat up slowly, her mind still reeling from the vivid dream. She couldn't shake the feeling that something important had been revealed to her, a message from beyond the veil.
As she got out of the tent, the fresh morning air helped to clear her head. The morning sun shone a bright light, basking against her skin as she emerged from her tent, despite the lingering dream, her gaze lay on the oil stone discarded at the table nearby.
She unsheathed her sword, carefully tread toward it, and reached out for the stone, starting to sharpen her battle-worn blade.
As she went through the motions of sharpening the blade, her mind still reeling from the vivid dream. Ava's words echoed in her mind.
Meanwhile, Hank emerged before her, he had managed to acquire a horse from a traveling merchant. "Thank you so much," he said to the man, his gratitude evident.
The merchant waved his hand dismissively. "It's the least I can do to help," he replied. "People like you are needed now more than ever."
Hank nodded, "Anyhow, it's still uplifting to know Feranina existed such a kind-hearted person like you."
"Nonsense! This is nothing but a small compensation for someone truly in dire condition!" the merchant responded, waving his hands dismissively.
"Anyway still, thank you so much for your kindness, it meant a lot not just to me but this entire refuge," said Hank as he saluted him, his fist adhered to his chest, bowing as he lowered his head in gratitude.
After their heartfelt exchange of gratitude, the merchant parted ways with his other steed, he waved goodbye at Hank before galloping toward the east of their whereabouts.
With the horse acquired, he was now ready than ever to leave the camp, to fulfill his Captain's dying wish, reporting the goblin attack to the capital. Hoping to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other neighboring villages and towns.
As the merchant fully departed from the refugee camp, he escorted the horse to the outing of the refugee camp, preparing to depart on his own with his heart sparked with purpose, to the capital he urged himself.
As he tightened his monthly supplies onto the horse's back, about to mount his horse, Cassandra interrupted, approaching him. "Can I come with you?" she asked.
Hank was caught off guard, glancing at her with surprise. "What- Why? There's only one horse," he replied.
"There's barely enough space for one person, let alone two," Hank pointed out, gesturing to the horse's back which was packed with supplies.
Cassandra grinned. "Don't worry, I'll travel light," she assured him, patting on his back, and walking past his still startled stance.
Hank sighed, he quickly turned toward her, knowing that if he allowed her to come, others would follow suit. "If I bring you, others will want to come too, this will make a mess," he warned.
Without waiting for a response, Cassandra swung herself onto the horse's back. "Then find an excuse, say I'm your companion or something." she declared.
Hank was taken aback by her sudden action. "Wait!" he exclaimed, but Cassandra was already settled.
"Besides, if you were to venture out in the wild alone, don't you think you might need the help you can get, especially from a former expert, wouldn't you say?" she added snarkily.
Hank was disgruntled but reluctantly, he agreed. "Fine, just note this in your head, we're going straight to the capital, and no other shenanigans," he grumbled.
"Whatever you said," Cassandra shrugged, before asserting an eager jab, "What're you waiting for, standing there? Wanting to beckon a sullen crowd to huddle around us?"
Just as he predicted, as soon as word spread that they were leaving, a crowd quickly gathered around them, each face etched to their own imperative, "What about us?" a woman cried, her voice filled with desperation. "We have children! At least take them!"
"Why her and not us?" a man chimed in and demanded, his anger palpable, some agreed, resonating their personal vendetta, lashed out at them.
Before the situation escalated into chaos, Cassandra raised her hand and cleared her throat, her voice cutting through the disorder. "This is a mission requested by the Guard Captain, himself. We're seeking aid from the capital, not rescuing everyone at once. If any of you dare to overstep the command of the Guard Captain, I dare you to step over now and I wouldn't hesitate to bring you and your understanding down along your knees!"
With the threatening tone, the crowd was worried, grumbling in discontent but eventually dispersed. As they prepared to leave, the old dwarf from earlier, from the outside of her tent she met, manifested among the crowd and approached Cassandra.
"Wait, lass," he said, holding out a small trinket. "Take this," he urged, placing an amulet, a creature's tooth carved with a glyph, in her hand. "It's an old charm of mine, or perhaps my daughter's. It will protect you."
"Your daughter's?" Cassandra piqued, "Why wouldn't she hold onto it?"
"Well…" the old dwarf was startled but confessed eventually, "this old charm used to be hers, saying it would shield me from the journey ahead. She passed down onto me before rushing off to join the rank, fending off the goblin invasion, her said," the old dwarf wept a little, before pressing it hard onto Cassandra's palm, "but... she never returned… All I hope now is when you hold onto it, you will…"
Cassandra, her gaze waned a little but smiled gratefully, her heart resonating with him. "Thanks, old man," she said, her hands collapsing onto his.
As their heartfelt exchange reached its end, Hank urged the horse forward, and right before their departure, Cassandra added, "Before we go, I never got your name."
The old man chuckled. "Güdbrand," he replied, waving goodbye. "Stay safe."
With that, Cassandra returned her wave and a gentle nod, riding off into the sunrise, leaving behind the ravaged town and the desperate refugees. The journey ahead was uncertain, but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay in their wake.
Let the journey begin.