Chapter 75 - The Second Day (1/??)

Felkin's eyes opened wide as he immediately became awake. "Hmm?" He remarked quietly. 'This place... was the one I remember I was in before sleeping. So I wasn't dreaming, good. Speaking of dreams, I didn't have any. I don't know if I'd prefer that or not...' Felkin sat up and looked out the window. 'It's still dark. I don't know how many hours have passed or how long it's going to take before there's light again.' He thought.

Felkin looked at Kieron who was sleeping soundlessly on a chair nearby. 'And she's still here. So we're safe for now, but...' He stood up from the bed. Felkin noticed Kieron's had wrapped her arms around herself. 'She must be cold...' He thought as he retrieved a nearby blanket and covered her up with it.

"Mhm. Good morning." Kieron remarked, barely awake. Felkin was surprised, he stepped back and turned around. "Oh, uh... Didn't realize you were awake. Good... morning. But it's still pretty dark outside, so I don't know if it's best to keep sleeping or not." He remarked. "Well... As long as the others aren't up yet, I think it's best to keep sleeping. We need rest after all. And our body probably knows when we've had too much sleep." Said Kieron, yawning. "So, uh... Maybe you want to have a turn on the bed now?" Felkin asked her. "Yeah... My back's aching. Whose idea was it to have me sleep on the chair?" Kieron asked jokingly. "Hmph..." Felkin pouted.

"Alright, alright." Said Kieron. She tried to stand up but stumbled slightly. Felkin helped her up. "Legs fell asleep a little." She remarked. Kieron stood up, walked the short distance to the bed and lied down. "Really... You expect someone to sleep in a bed drenched in your sweat?" Kieron asked. "Wha- uh, I'm-" Felkin exclaimed, surprised. "Kidding. See you in the morning." She remarked. "Hmph, you too." Felkin said with a smirk.

He stepped out of the room. 'Should I get some water... Or maybe I should go to the bathroom?' Felkin thought. "Hmm?" He remarked as he heard talking from downstairs. He silently peeked over the railing and listened to a conversation from those below. "Are you two sure? It's dangerous out there. We're all going to be safer and better prepared if we all work together." En remarked. "I'm fine. I can handle myself. I have some... unfinished business to attend to. The kind that I need to do myself. The children will be fine without me. I'm uninjured so I don't need to continue to recuperate here. But as for you dear..." Serafion exclaimed, turning towards Iris.

"I'm F-fine... The D-damage is not as bad as it looks... My internal components are m-mostly intact... The outer layer damage is n-negligible... Besides, the only one who can fix me is still out there, and he's the one I'm looking for..." Iris remarked. "Can't 'ol Serafion here fix you up instead?" En asked. "Well firstly, don't call me old, you're older than me, kid. Secondly, she's made out of some foreign components and minerals that we'd pilfered from an illegal smuggling ring, it's remarkably rare, and if one person were to have it..." "It would be the High Scholar Edmund, my creator." Iris responded.

"And... He's missing. Even if I had the materials, I wouldn't know what exactly to do with them. It's not like I handle all of the research work myself, the fields that I focus on are my own after all." Said Serafion. "Hmm? Aren't you the head of the kingdom's research department? Even you don't know?" En asked. "Was. I was. And if I knew every single piece of research or project the kingdom has done and is doing, my hair would be... grayer than it already is! Well, come to think of it I actually do know..." Serafion remarked, muttering. But she then waved away those thoughts.

"Anyway! He approached me of the project's idea two decades ago when I was still somewhat new to the position. It was of promise but unrealistic. We didn't have the means or funds to follow through with the project, so I had to turn it down. But somehow... He was able to accomplish it." Serafion remarked. "And thus why he's become missing." Said En. "Yes. Soon after he went missing. A shame really." Serafion added. "A-and now I've returned to Lodeleth. To search for him, and my origin." Iris remarked.

"You were outside the kingdom?" En asked. "Y-yes, I was entrusted in the care of a noble family in a nearby city, well... It's complicated and a lot to explain right now." Iris remarked. "I understand. But are you sure you're fine? When you talk..." En asked. "It's just an issue with my vocal processors. They've degraded from all the damage last night but it's not too big of a deal." Said Iris. "I'm more worried about her appearance. Anyone who sees her would be suspicious, no offense, dear." Said Serafion. "N-none taken. I plan to don some heavy clothing. A cloak and a hood to cover myself with. If anyone asks, I have a serious sickness." Said Iris.

"And if they don't buy it?" En asked. "I have the means to escape... And to d-defend myself." Iris said with a confident smile. "Well, best of luck to you two." En said, putting his hands on their shoulders. "By the way, are you two traveling together?" He asked. "No, I've requested Miss Serafion's aid in using her abilities to transport me to the right place, our time together will end then." Said Iris. "It's a shame, I would've liked to see what exactly makes you tick..." Serafion remarked. Iris smiled nervously. "Well, it's not like it's going to be the last time we see each other, isn't it?" She exclaimed. "Don't say that, you'll jinx it!" En exclaimed jokingly.

He smiled. "Well, we're off. Make sure to give him the letter." Said Serafion. "And about Asralyn..." Said En. "W-we'll keep an eye out, but no promises." Said Iris. "She's a grown woman, a knight, she can handle herself. But as things are right now... For Metas' sake, we'll keep watch." Said Serafion. "Alright. I don't know how wise this is to leave without consulting the others but... Since this is your decision, they'd surely accept it." Said En. "Well, goodbye you... little uh... thing. Creature! Boy!" Serafion exclaimed. "Hmph..." En remarked grumpily. "Goodbye to you too, En. It was brief but... I enjoyed the time I had here." Iris said. She was teary-eyed, or at least what teary-eyed was for a being who didn't cry.

"Aw shucks, stop it." En said, being emotionally affected as well. He went in for a hug. "Stop right there. I appreciate the intent En, but no hugs." Serafion remarked, holding her hand up and halting En by his hair. "Then, Iris!" He exclaimed, turning towards her. *Sigh* "Alright, then." Iris bent down and hugged the boy. "Regret..." He remarked as he was crushed between her arms.

En was released and they exited the doors, the faint chime and swing of the door could be heard. "Alright, so the spell should be like this... Take care you two, the outside could be crawling with soldiers. And the fact that the flow of time shifts and wavers between realms. Who knows how long has it been since you guys left." Said En. "We know, we'll keep hidden from sight." Said Serafion. "Alright, tell the others that-" Iris was cut off by their transportation towards the other realm.

"Well... I'm not gonna know what that was." En remarked to himself. He entered through the door and stood in front of the doorway. En sighed. "Hmm?" He looked up towards where Felkin was but saw nothing. "One of them probably just went to the bathroom. Hopefully no one else wants to leave, it's dangerous enough out there..." En muttered. Felkin retreated back into the bedroom, silently closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, the two of them are leaving, huh." Kieron said. She stood behind Felkin, having listened to the conversation earlier. "Yeah. And it looks like Asralyn left too." He answered, having known she was listening as well. "I wonder what that Metas is going to think. His sister leaving without him." She remarked. "I don't know. Maybe he knew, maybe he didn't. Guess we'll find out in the morning." Felkin answered.

"So, you knew I was watching and listening. Why didn't you speak up?" Kieron asked curiously, with a smile. "Well, I wanted to stay silent and watch so me speaking up would interrupt them. Secondly... I knew that you were trying to keep hidden too, not from me but from them, so it was alright for you to stay silent. And lastly... if you were trying to keep hidden from me... I wanted to respect that." Felkin remarked.

Kieron chuckled. "So- So, you didn't speak up about noticing me because, what... You- You didn't want to hurt my feelings and allow me to feel I've succesfully sneaked behind you?" She asked, seemingly baffled. "I... guess so. Seemed right to me at the time. Sorry... If I did something wrong somehow." Felkin said as he scratched his head and looked downwards. Kieron patted him on the shoulder and smiled.

"That's a good gesture, but..." Kieron lightly pinched Felkin's cheek. "Ow." He frowned. "But you shouldn't always let people believe things that aren't true because you think it'll make them feel better." She remarked. "Okay..." Felkin said lightly rubbing his face.

"So, quite a few people are leaving. What are you going to do?" Kieron asked him. "I... think I'm going to stay. At least until everyone is safe." Felkin remarked. "Aren't you going to search for who you are? Your origins, before you lost your memories?" Asked Kieron. "I am, but... I don't have any leads. I'm... going to stay and help my friends here. I have a feeling that's what he... What I would have done, anyway." He responded. "Good answer. As for me... I'm staying too." She remarked. Felkin had a silent look of concern on his face. He knew she noticed and tried to face away from Kieron.

"I know it's dangerous, but... I want to help my friends out too." Kieron answered. Felkin smiled in response. "I'm concerned on what happens from here on out..." He remarked, worriedly. "Yeah. The best choice is to get out of here. Hard to do with this much of us, and quite a few injured... And there's the matter if we're going to get some of the others who left earlier with us before we escape." Said Kieron. "Splitting up is dangerous... We'll have to expect a fight. We might as well have waged war with the entire kingdom after all." Felkin answered. "And as we've seen, they have some powerful fighters." Kieron remarked. "We'll need to ask Metas about that." Felkin remarked.

"But for now..." Kieron sighed and stretched. She looked back at the bed. She walked over to it and lied down. 'Too soft.' Felkin sat down on the nearby wooden chair and closed his eyes. "Hmm..." Kieron remarked. "Can't sleep?" Felkin asked. "You too?" Kieron answered. "Yeah..." He remarked. "Do you want to train outside?" Kieron asked, turning over towards him. "Yeah..." Said Felkin.

"Yuria... Wake up... It's morning, er- Whatever morning is for this place. Guess the 'days' are much longer than the 'nights'..." Ellyn wondered as she stopped nudging Yuria awake. "Mhm... Sara..." Yuria muttered in her sleep. "Hmm?" Ellyn remarked, confused. "Come on, Yuria... Breakfast is ready..." She continued.

'After what happened yesterday, she still probably needs all the rest she can get so I suppose letting her sleep in for the day isn't too bad. Since there's no sun here, it's difficult to keep track of time but it would probably be a few hours from noontime back home. There's a lot to do and a lot to talk about so it would probably be best if all of us are present, well... All of us left anyway. Iris and Serafion left early in the 'morning'. Maybe I should've-' Ellyn's thoughts were broken up by Yuria finally stirring awake.

"Oh, it's you, Ellyn. I thought for a moment it was somebody else." Yuria remarked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. Yuria sat up groggily. She rubbed her eyes. "Alright... I'll be down in..." Yuria yawned, she dropped back down to the bed. "Come on..." Ellyn pulled Yuria up to her feet. Yuria grabbed her hat before Ellyn guided her out of the room and down the stairs. "Hmm... Oh!" Yuria's eyes shot wide open. A delicious aroma was emanating from the first floor. In the kitchen, Metas and En were preparing an assortment of dishes from the supplies and ingredients they had in store.

Various pots were set up atop the stone counters, over beds of coals. Metas snapped his fingers and flicked flame to ignite and maintain the various flames under the dishes being cooked. Slabs of thick meat were being aided with spices and sauces in the process of them becoming a deliciously aromatic creation. Vegetables and butters were being simmered in other pots along with other cuts of meat creating bubbling fragrant stews. En was swiftly dicing some herbs on a chopping board before tossing them into a nearby pot. Metas was moving swiftly, stirring pots, igniting and extinguishing flames, and using a tiny spoon to taste one of the pots.

Metas was clothed in a simple cloth tunic and trousers. He had a small cloth on his shoulder and he wore the largest apron they had there, which called into question who actually wore them in the first place. His neck and torso were still covered with bandages, and due to him not wearing his black armor anymore, the numerous scars on his arms, chest and face were visible. "This is done." He remarked. "Okay!" En exclaimed running around bringing ingredients to and fro. Yuria sped down towards the kitchen. "Mmm! Something smells nice! But, Metas... Are you sure you should be walking around like that?" She exclaimed. "Mmm. Least I could do. Because they wouldn't let me train. Makes it so I can still practice using my flame." Metas remarked, unfazed from his task. "Train?" Yuria wondered, before she heard the clamor of battle just outside.

"Hmm?" Yuria remarked as she curiously walked towards the door and went outside. "Woah!" Yuria exclaimed as she leaned back and held onto her hat. She retreated as gold and blue projectiles as well as Felkin's lengthened sword whizzed through the air. "Oh Yuria, you're awake!" Felkin exclaimed, dodging a crescent ray of energy. "Sorry about that!" He remarked, right as Kieron lunged towards him.

"Taking your eyes off me?" She asked as she slashed towards Felkin. He blocked the attack. "Not a chance." Felkin remarked. He blocked Kieron's sickle with his sword, but his eyes widened as she formed a dagger made out of ice with her other hand. Kieron swung it towards him, but Felkin extended the tip of his sword to strike it away from her hand. The sword's point shot out towards Kieron but she leapt and landed behind Felkin.

"Hmm?" He turned around to see Kieron sending a wave of golden light towards him. Felkin blocked the blow and absorbed the attack's energy in his sword and sent it back as a wave of light towards Kieron. She raised a wall of ice which blocked Felkin's attack. "Guys, food's ready!" Ellyn called out towards the two of them. Felkin and Kieron panted heavily as they had a stand-off across from each other. "Call it a draw?" He asked.

The two of them then started walking back towards the house. "Good morning you two!" Yuria exclaimed towards them. "You two've been busy, huh?" Ellyn remarked. "Just some light training! Couldn't sleep, so..." Felkin called out back. "You should try it sometime! You'll never know when you'll need it!" Kieron added.

'Hmph. Prick.' Thought Ellyn. "I've trained enough! Just hurry up back! Yuria's hungry, you know!" She answered. "Uh, don't worry yourselves on my account!" Said Yuria. 'Why was I used as a reason?' She wondered. Kieron and Felkin walked a brisk pace back to the house. But about twenty paces from the doorway, Ellyn and Yuria suddenly felt a shift in the air from the two before them.

In an instant, Felkin and Kieron raised their weapons towards each other. A bright blue light flashed as Kieron unleashed a fragment of ice which Felkin swiftly countered. He struck the ice which flew swiftly towards the house. The two of them realized this fact at once and turned around to follow it with their eyes. "Ope." Kieron remarked. "Oh." Said Felkin. "That's heading..." Yuria remarked. "Straight towards us, we should probably get out of the way." Said Ellyn, as she led Yuria back inside the house.

"We should probably do something about that..." Said Kieron, breaking into a sprint. "Yep." With Felkin following. As the arm-sized fragment of frost twirled through the air, Felkin and Kieron bounded across the white-leaved landscape after it. They were equal in the speed of their travel, but Felkin slightly gained on Kieron. 'Is he trying to compete with me at a time like this? Anyhow...' She thought. "I'm going to try to melt it with an attack from afar!" Kieron exclaimed.

"You might hit the house! I'll extend my sword and catch it!" Felkin answered. "You might miss and it could still hit the house!" Said Kieron. "If I miss, then you can hit it from afar!" Felkin exclaimed. "If you shoot out your sword the momentum will make the blade hit the house instead!" Kieron answered. "You could strike my sword to move it off-course!" Said Felkin. "And what if-" "I'll- We'll pull it back! Trust me." Felkin said to Kieron. "Alright. I trust-" Kieron finished half off her sentence before he shot out his sword towards the ice which was now mere meters away from the house.

Kieron readied herself, her ivory sickle glowing with gold energy in anticipation. She trusted Felkin, though she was completely ready to launch a projectile of energy to blast the piece of ice away if he were unable to catch it. Felkin's sword extended faster than the ice travelled, and it coiled around the small piece of ice. But just as Kieron predicted, the sword's momentum continued forward. "Hmph... Hragh!" Felkin yanked his sword back and retracted it while jumping backwards.

Kieron quickly put away her weapon and jumped behind Felkin, grabbing him from behind and pulling him back. Clang! Felkin and Kieron were knocked back as Felkin's sword snapped back to original size.

Knock, knock, knock! Yuria opened the door. Felkin and Kieron were huffing and puffing outside. "Well finally, you two returned. The food's ready." En remarked. "Uh... We got ice." Kieron said, smiling. Felkin raised his sword which had coiled around a large shard of ice. "Anyone want cold drinks?" He exclaimed, with a smile. Ellyn sighed. "It's just a good thing that the house wasn't damaged..." She remarked.

"The ice couldn't have hit anyway, there's a pretty good barrier protecting the house you know." Said En. "Oh." "Oh." Felkin and Kieron remarked. "Anyway, since we're all here, let's all sit down to eat." The orange-haired boy remarked, setting down a bowl of stew. Metas set down a long plate of cooked fish on the table. "Ah, so you two have finished your 'training'. Can you all help setting the table, with the plates and... the cups and... whatever else?" He remarked, busily retrieving the various foods from the kitchen. "Alright... We can do that." Kieron said, still huffing and puffing.

With the aid and direction of En, they were quickly able to gather the utensils and plates necessary for all of them to be able to eat. En brought out two pitchers, one with water and the other with freshly squeezed orange juice. "Ice, please." He remarked. Felkin uncoiled his sword from the piece of ice and sliced it in the air cleanly into small cubed pieces. He guided them using his sword into the jugs. "Anyone here who drinks?" En asked, holding up a bottle of wine. Felkin and Yuria started to raise their hands but En interrupted them. "Like drinking, drinking." En emphasized.

"Oh. I'm 'too young' to drink. And I think drunk me is best reserved for uh... another occasion." Said Yuria. "I sense it wouldn't be appropriate?" Felkin surmised. "No, there's certainly a better time for me to drink, later." Said Kieron. En turned towards Ellyn. "I don't drink, that's more of the old man's fare." She remarked. They then all faced Metas who placed the last pot on the table. "Yeah, I don't drink too." Said Metas.

The six of them then sat on the wooden chairs around the long table, but a number of the chairs were noticably absent. "If this is all of us, then..." Yuria said, noticing the absent parties at the table. "Yeah, we haven't had the chance to tell you... A few of us left during the night." Said Ellyn.

"So there's... Iris, Metas' sister Asralyn and Miss Serafion who are not present... I... would've liked to spend more time with them, and especially to learn magic from Serafion, but... They likely have their reasons for leaving..." Yuria said glumly, straining herself in tiptoeing to reach for one of the jugs. "Here." Kieron grabbed it and filled Yuria's cup. "Thank you, uh... Miss Kieron? That's... her name, right?" Yuria remarked towards the group in general, unsuredly.

"Ah, yes! You're correct, but just Kieron is enough. And you must be... Yuria. I've heard good things about you!" Kieron stood up and extended her hand towards Yuria. "Nice to meet you, Kieron! You've helped us a lot recently and... anyone who's close friends with Felkin is someone I can trust!" Yuria answered, shaking Kieron's hand exaggeratedly. "Wow, that... That feels nice." Felkin remarked.

Kieron smiled as she ruffled Yuria's hair. The latter was happy but shifted her gaze towards the dishes before her. "Mmm. What's for breakfast?" She asked. "There's cooked fish, fish stew, fish-on-sticks... Except that, there's also other meats, there's vegetables, didn't know exactly what everyone wanted but there's something for everyone, and there isn't exactly many ingredients to choose from." Metas remarked, sighing. "It's nearing that time of the month that we resupply. Usually it's ol' Henry's job, but things as they are..." En shrugged. "More reason that we should send someone outside, in addition to checking the situation in the town." Said Felkin, in thought.

"Well, that's another matter we have to discuss. But let's not rush headlong into things." Said Metas. He wiped sweat that dripped from his brow. Metas spoke calmly, but it was apparent that he was bothered by something. "Your injuries..." Ellyn remarked, concernedly. "Nothing that would kill me. Thanks to En here's magic, and the treatment from Serafion, I'm fine. Without them, it's unlikely that I would even be walking right now... But the pressing concern is... this." Metas pulled his sleeve back and raised his arm.

The number "7" appeared in a faint orange light. Normally a lucky sigil, now a portent of approaching doom. A portion of the number had faded off. "This number... It's been getting reduced since yesterday, it's likely that it'll become a six today. We... I'll... be likely forced into their selection contest in six days time." Metas said, covering his sleeve back up and the light ceasing to manifest.

"So you need to rest! Even if you can stand... You should be reserving your energy!" Yuria exclaimed, worriedly. "No, he should train. If he does nothing for the whole of next week, his body will be unprepared. Better for him to be ready for the fight and condition himself instead of being physically unready if the time of the confrontation comes." Kieron said, her hand still placed atop Yuria's hair.

"In any case, you all have to eat first. It's better to decide and think without an empty stomach." En said, pushing a bowl of stew forward. "One of the old man's advice, an empty stomach can lead into an emptier mind. Rational decisions are easier to make without the pang of hunger affecting us." Ellyn mused. "Yes, it's better to eat before the food gets colder. Though, I can reheat them if need be. You all better eat your vegetables. Good health comes a long way when it comes to survival." Metas said, pushing forward a few of the dish bowls and plates.

"Well, let's dig in then." Said Kieron. They began to grab their plates and utensils, fill their cups with drink, and begin to scoop and sample some of the dishes onto their plates. "Wow, you cooked all of this stuff for all of us? You're quiet and scary, but you're actually caring and considerate like an older brother!" Yuria exclaimed proudly, but there was an abrupt silence as the group froze, including Yuria who realized one second after the others. "Oh. Oh." She exclaimed, eyes wide open.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry! I wasn't thinking, didn't mean it-" Yuria blurted out in quick succession. Metas sighed. "It's fine. Caring for two younger siblings from a young age, these things can just become muscle memory sometimes. Well... Glad that it's of use somehow now..." He remarked, snorting as he leaned back on his chair cross-armed. Felkin, Ellyn, and Kieron all awkwardly put food in their plates while En watched concernedly before begrudgingly getting some food for himself. Yuria looked down with a guilty expression before filling her plate up.

Metas picked up a fish-on-stick and started eating it. "Mmm. This food is pretty good..." Felkin remarked, trying to break the awkward silence. "Yeah, the uh... The um, the stew has a rich flavor, but not too strong... And these vegetables, it's not easy to make them taste good." Kieron added. 'I know we need to eat vegetables, but their taste... Stealing them back then was barely worth it. Well, better eat them anyway so it won't be a waste.' Yuria thought glumly while picking at her food before scooping some stew with her spoon and eating it. She paused. Yuria ate another spoonful. Then another. Then another.

Tears welled up in Yuria's eyes. Because Ellyn possessed only one arm, it was taking more effort than normal to get through her food. She preferred the foods on stick because of this. "Hmm?" She suddenly noticed tears streaming down Yuria's face. "Hey! Yuria, are you alright? Is it too hot or something?!" Ellyn said, concernedly. "Was it poisoned?" En remarked, in thought. "I'm pretty sure she'll have a different reaction if that's the case, maybe an allergy? No..." Kieron thought. "Maybe there was a bone, or maybe she just bit her own cheek?" Felkin suggested. "It's not that..." Yuria remarked.

"It's just... so good!" She exclaimed. "Heh." Metas smiled, his face showing a rare expression of smugness. "How did you do that with... With these... plants!" Yuria remarked towards him. "You need to blend everything together, the right spices and seasoning, the right amounts and proportions of ingredients, prepared perfectly. This balance is hard to achieve you know, that's just some knowledge I've amassed over observing people for decades!" En exclaimed proudly.

"Although... Yuria, your only experience with vegetables is..." Kieron asked. "Hmm? I just ate whatever I could pick up." Yuria answered. "You... just picked them up and took a bite out of them?" Said Kieron. "Yes... Or cooked them over an open fire..." Yuria answered meekly. 'I know how bad that can taste...' Kieron thought. En walked over towards Yuria and patted her on the back. "Now, now! Don't be afraid to hold back, eat your fill!" He exclaimed. She scanned the table in awe. "Un- Understood!" Yuria said, saluting.

"Here. It's good." Metas handed Yuria a fish-on-stick. She took it and began munching on it earnestly. "Omnomnom." "Mind the stick." Said Metas. "And even though it's good to eat, don't eat too much to quickly or you'll choke! Or... have indigestion! And drink plenty of water, alright." Ellyn advised. "Mhm-kay!" Yuria responded.

"The food really is good..." Felkin remarked, eating heartily. "Yeah... But I'm still thinking. Does he really need to eat?" Kieron asked, looking over towards En who was happily devouring food faster than a wildfire can clear a forest grove. "Kieron, what do you do as a hobby?" En asked sarcastically, still eating.

Kieron responded with annoyed smirk, and then a sigh. "Well, it's your supplies after all, so you're free to do whatever you want with it. And since we're all freeloaders here, all the food we eat is your expense... And we'll repay it by helping get more food and supplies from the outside..." She begrudgingly remarked. "That. How are we... going to do that?" Yuria asked. "En, how were you guys getting supplies in the past?" Ellyn asked, picking up her bowl and slurping up stew.

"Well, it's usually Henry and sometimes Jura who did it. But what we did wasn't all that out of the ordinary. We just usually buy in the local markets and merchants in town, but in the state the place is in now... Maybe we'll need to check out the city?" En remarked. "It'll be quite dangerous for us to be out in the open, the area just outside will likely be the most risky to be in..." Said Felkin.

Yuria pushed her plate and bowl forward. "Maybe... we shouldn't be eating so much then? We should probably be conserving our food..." She remarked glumly. "No, no. Eat away. We'll get those supplies." Said Metas. 'Though, we'll likely need to lessen what we eat. I'm sure we can think of an amount that will be alright for everyone...' He thought. "How many days of food and water do we have left?" Ellyn asked. "Uh... It's about... three to four days for food? With water, there's a nearby river with clean drinkable water we can go to. And if we're that desperate there's uh... a few things out there that we can maybe hunt?" En remarked, shrugging.

"That's... probably not preferable." Kieron answered. "What about cities, uh... What's the nearest place in this uh... realm. Is there a place where we can buy or barter something?" Ellyn asked. "There is, but..." En remarked. "But?" Said Metas. En sighed. "This place is essentially in the middle of nowhere. It's... designed that way. It's supposed to be a secret hideout, and the journey to Folia is a perilous one. Luckily we speak the same language, and we might be able to do something to earn currency, but..." Said En.

"But?" Felkin remarked. "But you guys... aren't from here. The people there are... not too keen on visitors or travelers from other realms, balance is the key word, and it could be catastrophic, in their eyes at least, if unsanctioned inter-realm travel happens. And... you'd stick out like a sore thumb!" En exclaimed. "Like we don't already in the kingdom? We're fugitives, remember?" Said Kieron. "And for all we know, they have detailed descriptions for the each of us. The knights might know us from sight." Ellyn added. "If push comes to shove, I'll probably be able to traverse across the white leaf fields with my abilities..." Felkin said, raising his hand and offering participation.

"Are you recovered enough for that yet?" Kieron asked. "Well..." Felkin hung his head low, not wanting to lie. "En, if trouble does occur in the kingdom here... They'd have some fighters or soldiers, yes? How do we stack up against them?" Metas asked, eating a spoonful of fish. "Yeah! We've faced some pretty tough enemies, I think we make a pretty strong team!" Yuria exclaimed proudly. En stopped eating and became silent.

"En?" Metas remarked. "Wait, I don't have the most intimate knowledge of them, and it's been a long time since I've been there and..." En blurted out. "Is... is it that bad?" Felkin asked. "You'd..." En added, stretching his words. "We'd?" Ellyn and Yuria continued. "You'd probably have more luck against the entire kingdom." En answered meekly. "Against all of Lodeleth?" Metas asked. "Against the Kingdom of Flames. So the Flame Matriarch and all of their powerful pyromancers." En added. Metas sighed. "Let's... table that option for now." He remarked, reaching over and taking a sip from his glass of water.

"Speaking of that Matriarch... Aside fom the knights, she's our biggest obstacle, yes? Then all our problems could be solved if... If we take her out." Yuria suggested. Felkin looked down and gripped his sword, and he instinctively carressed the burns on his arm with his other hand. Kieron went in front of Felkin and placed a hand behind her to comfort him. "You know that's not an option. It's a better option to fight against others from the kingdom than to face that thing. And at the condition he and Metas are right now..." She remarked forcefully.

"I just thought that we'd-" "We? Maybe you can go on that suicide mission-" Kieron interrupted Yuria. But Felkin interjected. "Kieron, enough. She's right, but you're not wrong. The best option is to play their game and win. But if it doesn't end with that we need to consider the alternative of going against her. It'll be something we hope won't happen-" "But something that we need to prepare for in case it happens..." Kieron responded, dejectedly.

'We never had to prepare for the worst because we knew exactly what happened. But the worst did come, and none of us were prepared though one of us actually knew it would come to pass...' Kieron thought. She sighed, a long deep sigh. Kieron then ate mouthful after mouthful until her plate was empty and then glugged down her glass of water empty. "Ah..." Kieron slammed the glass down onto the table. "I'm..." She sighed once more. "Sorry that I acted that way. I... hope I haven't damaged our relationship too much because of that." She bowed her head to the table. Kieron's eyes averted from Yuria. Her apology was strained, but evidently heartfelt and genuine.

Yuria walked over towards her and patted Kieron on the head. "Yeah, yeah... I totally understand... We all fly off the handle sometimes, it tells me that you really care." Yuria exclaimed. 'But her mood switched on a dime that quickly... She must really still be hurting... Then again, we all are. I might've reacted the same way if it was some stranger. I'll need to be a little bit more careful of what I say in front of her...' She thought as she walked back to her seat and Kieron raised her head, still feeling guilty.

"M-Maybe... We can talk about something else..." En suggested. "Hmm... Like how we're going to get supplies in town." Said Ellyn, picking up a piece of meat with her fork and eating it. "If we're looking to avoid detection, strolling into the markets to buy goods by the dozen will surely make the knights notice us. Using stealth and... stealing without anyone seeing us. If that's okay to all of you." Yuria said cautiously. "I'm not opposed to that. And though I'd rather not get on the bad side of the law, we're already fugitives. We'll have to do it skillfully to make sure we're not caught." Kieron answered.

"But if we have a shot of pleading our case of innocence, stealing isn't exactly the best way of gaining the public's favor. There'll be no illusions that we're guilty then." Felkin responded. "And if we're caught stealing, wouldn't that instantly lead to the knights being on our tail?" Ellyn exclaimed. "They already think of us negatively, why do we need to sway public opinion? It'll make no difference to them if their kingdom tells them what to think?" Kieron exclaimed, with some fire behind her words. "Maybe you're only saying that because of prior experience. People will naturally feel negatively towards actual banditry." Ellyn fired back.

Kieron was taken aback and was momentarily stunned. "Ellyn, I... I didn't know that was how lowly you thought of me. These knights, the kingdom... They're the enemy! Not me, them. They are who we're fighting against!" Kieron exclaimed. "You can tell a lot about somebody by the way they think of others. Simply branding everyone else as an enemy, is an easy way of translating that mindset into a reality. It's only been days since..." Ellyn could not finish her sentence.

"Days since? Since I was a bandit, a criminal? It's been days since he's been one of the knights and it's not like I have any animosity towards him. Congratulations, we all are fugitives now. So you can remove that barrier that makes you so different from me." Kieron exclaimed, slamming her hands on the table and making some of the plates and utensils resound from the force. She looked around cautiously to see the others' reactions.

"So you do feel negatively towards Metas and the knights! And you were killing and stealing for years, before this!" Ellyn decided not to let it go, pointing her finger towards Kieron. "Killing and stealing to survive! Remind me, how many have we- you already killed and taken advantage of to stay alive?" Kieron responded. "That was different, we were forced into this... awful situation, not of our own volition while you chose-" Kieron interrupted Ellyn. "Did I? Did I choose? You were there that day! They kidnapped me!" 'Oh. This runs deep, like years of history kind of grudges... I don't exactly know what I can say...' Yuria thought.

"Yeah, you had no choice that day. But everyday after? Do you seriously expect me to believe that? So, did you actually have no choice?" Ellyn asked. "Did I..." Kieron remarked, as if she was also asking herself. This gave Ellyn pause, she noticed Kieron's expression, and Ellyn returned to her senses. Both of them looked away, feeling guilty from the ruckus they caused and the barbs they jabbed towards each other. "We shouldn't steal. Ellyn's right. The way we'll draw the least suspicion is by donning disguises and buying in the town or the city like everyone else. Even if we're spending some extra gold, saving it isn't worth the risk." Said Metas.

"If that doesn't work... We should still consider the possibility of stealing to survive, albeit as a last resort. Honestly, I'd... prefer not to do it. Taking something that someone else worked hard to provide, while others have to work to get isn't fair. Though I can never fault those who aren't blessed enough to make a living to have to steal. But it just doesn't..." Felkin remarked. "It doesn't feel right." Said En. "Mhm." Felkin answered.

Ellyn and Kieron settled, getting back in their seats. They were still looking away shyly while the others ate in the awkward silence. "I..." "I..." Both of them spoke at the same time. "You... can speak first." Ellyn remarked, still feeling guilty.

"I... may have some lingering negativity towards the kingdom. Both towards its knights and its people. When we first came to the kingdom as mercenaries, we were looked down upon by the locals. Foreigners sniffing around for scraps, there was a wall between us and the Lodelethian citizens, we were never seen as equals and why should we have been be? We were hired hands, arms, and killers. They either saw us as unscrupulous scum or disposable tools." Kieron remarked, sighing.

She continued. "But as for the knights... We actually worked hand in hand with them, for a time. When... something happened. I... can't go into specifics but, we'd agreed on something, they lied and it ended up costing us. Costing us a lot." Kieron clenched her fists. "I know how that ended blowing up in their face." Said Metas, sipping some water. "You know what happened?" Kieron asked, curiously.

"I know enough." Metas answered. "Anyway, after... we were branded as criminals and so we lost our way of living. Most of us were forced into banditry, many of those who tried to pursue more... normal ways of making a living were shunned. But I! I... had a chance once. But I turned away from that chance. That's... That's it. That's my piece." Kieron exclaimed, facing away.

"You're right. I was separating you from us even though we shouldn't... We're all in the same boat now and... I shouldn't try to take off players from our side of the board. Especially since you guys don't have to be here, and you have no obligation to help... And I... I always tried... Had to separate people. It's always been difficult to hunt, to fight... to kill... While thinking of my enemies as the same as me... It was easier to think of them as beasts, and not as human beings. Maybe some of them were closer to beasts, and maybe it did serve me well to stifle my hesitation when facing them down. But if we're facing against those who are like us... Doing what they need to do to survive... Then this kind of mindset clouds judgement, like it did today..." Ellyn paused, brushing her left shoulder with her right hand.

"And... all my life, the big city and castles of Lodeleth towered close by, but I've never been myself until now. As a child, I've always marvelled at it, heard stories about how big it was, how the people were, and all the people who passed by and the villagers who left for better opportunities... I was content with staying in the village of course, but I had my expectations set in stone about the great capital of Lodeleth. So I secretly... Liked the fact that I was going somewhere new. But when I got here and saw the truth for myself... It was disappointing and it stung. I was still... Holding that childish idea close, I had no reason to defend people I didn't know or had no allegiance to me. So I don't really know why I reacted like that like I'm defending them from you..." Ellyn scratched her head in confusion.

But suddenly, an image of Metas appeared in her head. "Anyway, that's all. I don't have any deeper emotions or reasoning beyond that, sorry." Ellyn remarked. "That's alright, we can't change our genuine emotions, and our motives behind things don't need to be grand or deep for us to do things." Yuria exclaimed, giving a thumbs up. 'Well, those weren't her genuine feelings entirely...' En thought, looking towards Ellyn. "And Ellyn... You said we don't have any obligation to stay and help, but... You guys... are our friends. And because you're in need, we have the obligation to help!" Felkin exclaimed. "Thanks, Felkin. Everyone... I'm sorry for causing a ruckus." Ellyn remarked. "Me too, I shouldn't have worsened the situation." Kieron added.

Kieron and Ellyn slowly and awkwardly picked up their forks and began eating again. The atmosphere was strange and the group ate in near silence until almost all of the food was finished. "Whew, I'm stuffed. Thank you for the meal!" Yuria exclaimed proudly, displaying her clean plate for all to see. "I'm full too!" Said En, stacking his third empty plate on top of the others. 'Again, how exactly does he get... full? And where does all that food go, and where will it go?' Kieron thought to herself.

"Well, food's finished. How do you usually clean up the dishes?" Metas asked. "Well since we're not in the city anymore... There's the nearby river, it's not that far... It's clear and clean, almost untouched. And after the tense past few days, seems like you guys could use a little cooling off..." En remarked.

"Hmm?" Felkin exclaimed. "Cool off?" Yuria asked. "Yeah, you guys could really use a bath... I don't want to say this, but... You all kinda... Kinda stink..." En remarked. "Wha-" Kieron exclaimed. "Hmm." Metas remarked. "Oh." Said Felkin. "Well... You're not wrong..." Yuria said, sniffing her own clothes. "Days on the run and in combat will do that to you..." Said Metas. "What about you, didn't you go out to the city with us? Shouldn't you be in the same boat as us too?" Yuria asked, curiously.

"Nah, I don't really get dirty or smelly..." Said En. "Wow, must be great to be a... well, you." Kieron remarked. "Yeah, not having some of the needs that humans have has its perks, but... Well, we need to get the dishes in order, let's see if there's enough clothes for everyone, and see if there's some clothes we can wash..." Said En. The boy had drifted off into his own thoughts.

"So..." Felkin remarked. "How exactly did we get into this situation? No, why exactly did we get into this situation?" Metas added. Cool water lapped gently against the nearby riverbank. The water was somewhat shallow, the deep end of the pool they were in was at Felkin's neck level and Metas' chest level. The water shone with a glimmering white, reflecting the surrounding foliage and the above cavernous interior.

"Hmm~" En hummed while washing the dishes and the clothes, swaying his legs in the water as he sat in the riverbank. "Well, because En suggested it and no one voiced out against it... We all made the short trip here, and... Here we are." Felkin answered Metas' rhetorical inquiry. "Well, at least the others are separated from us. Could have been much more awkward..." Said Metas. "I think things might be awkward enough already over there." En answered.

The area where the three of them were in was a moderately sized pool below a waterfall. There was a slope that led down to the area, and the body of water was lying lower than the surface ground that the fields of white leaves that the house was atop on. A small hill separated En, Metas, and Felkin, from another similarly sized pool of water where the others were in. "Whew, this feels nice..." Yuria sat in a shallower part of the water. She sat with her knees raised in front of her and wrapped her arms around her shins.

"Blub, blub, blub, blub..." Yuria's head poked above the surface of the water, but she lowered her face in order to blow bubbles. Her long blonde hair that had become fluffy and frizzy floated and swayed in the water. "But, I heard somewhere that going for a swim after eating will kill you?!" Yuria exclaimed, concerned.

"That's just an old wives' tale. The old man said that nothing bad really happens if you go into the water, aside from a chance of having some stomach cramps, of course." Said Ellyn. "Stomach cramps? I'd not like those too..." Yuria remarked, worriedly. "Hmph... Hup!" Kieron braced herself, did a running start, and dove into the deep end of the water. The ensuing splash reached quite far, causing Yuria to be drenched by water, and Ellyn to be lightly drizzled.

"Hmph!" Ellyn remarked, surprised. "Show off..." She said under her breath. Kieron swam forward, before stopping to merely stand in the water. "Um, sorry! Did you get splashed?" She asked Yuria. Yuria brushed her hair away from her face and spat out a mouthful of water. "No, no... It's fine, actually. It's refreshing to be able to take a bath in clean water once in a while!" She answered.

"Hmm? When's the last time you took a bath?" Kieron asked. "Hmm... How long has it been... Well, there was a river nearby the village where I grew up but because the people kept throwing bodies in it and dirtying it up, it's been a couple years since I've been able to take a bath in it clean... Maybe rain counts? There was a rainstorm a few weeks ago." Yuria remarked. Kieron went silent and walked towards Yuria, sitting down beside her.

"Your hair... It's quite long." Kieron said, inspecting Yuria's floating locks. "Yeah, it's been growing since I was young. I cut it myself, but that's a hassle so I don't do it often." Yuria said, facing towards Kieron. "Your hair's a pretty color, too." Said Kieron, bundling together the strands. "It's pretty useful, since it's about the same color as hay. Good for hiding from people." Yuria answered happily.

"It's pretty frizzy and dirty, we'll have to wash it well... Been a while since you've brushed it, huh..." Kieron said, making small talk while running her hands along Yuria's long hair. "Well, my last brush was..." Yuria smiled whilst recalling a nostalgic memory. "A long time ago, it was so worn out when we found it, but we still used it for a long time... But when I lost it... I didn't see any reason to steal or get another one, and after... Well, it's easier to get your hair brushed when someone else is doing it for you... And I guess I never attempted to since..." Yuria said sullenly.

"I..." Kieron exclaimed. "I know you didn't mean anything by it." Yuria said, sighing. "Thanks for that." Kieron answered. Ellyn heard everything and watched all the while. She wanted to offer words of comfort and join them, but remained on the riverbank.

"How about you Kieron, your hair looks neat and tidy, do you do it up often?" Yuria asked her. "Oh, this? Like you, I wasn't really able to do it myself for the longest time. And I also, had someone who did it for me. But after I... didn't have them to do it for me, I learned how to do it for myself. But I stopped and I wasn't really doing as much... Until now." Kieron said, smiling giddily.

"Is there any particular reason why that is? Hmm?" Yuria teased. Kieron jolted and quickly faced away. "Uh, no. No reason! Why do you ask? Can't someone just take care of their hair just because?" She remarked, flustered. "Wow, this water sure is refreshing!" Kieron said, splashing water onto her face repeatedly. "Ordinary girls do." Ellyn said, answering Kieron's question.

Though another might have taken offense to Ellyn's comment, Kieron sensed there was something else behind her words and chose not to instigate. "Ellyn! The water's nice, why don't you come join us for a swim?" Kieron asked her. "No, I'm fine! It's just that the water is..." Ellyn remarked, gliding her hand against the water's surface. "Too cold? Kieron, can't you make the water hotter or colder with your powers?" Yuria asked. "Well, I can but... My power's pretty limited... I can't just use them on a whim..." Kieron answered.

"But didn't you use your powers to train earlier? Wasn't that just on a whim?" Ellyn exclaimed. "What was that? I can't hear you without you getting any closer!" Kieron exclaimed, turning away from Ellyn. "Alright, fine." Ellyn jumped into the water. Kieron kept an eye on her as Ellyn waded cautiously into the water and reached where Yuria and Kieron were.

"There. Happy?" Ellyn remarked. "Hmm." Said Kieron. "I know I am..." Yuria said, smiling. "Now that you're here, care to help with Yuria here's hair?" Kieron asked with a smile. She held a portion of Yuria's hair with her two hands. Ellyn snorted. "Well, I don't think I can help much having only one hand and all..." She remarked, pulling away some dirt from Yuria's hair. "It's fine, having an extra... hand, when doing most things usually helps..." Kieron exclaimed. "Ha, ha. Very funny..." Ellyn remarked, though she secretly cracked a smile. Yuria giggled in response.

She looked down at the soot and grime that flowed from her into the pool of water and was concerned. "Won't all of this only make the water dirty?" Yuria asked. "Don't worry Yuria, En said that the water here still runs down somewhere so this pool won't be too affected by one bath..." Kieron remarked. "Oh... that's good to know, it would be a shame if the water got dirty because of... All the blood..." Yuria remarked, noticing the blood from enemies', allies' and from themselves finally being washed off from them. Kieron and Ellyn had a look that indicated they were snapped back into realization of the gravity of their situation, even if briefly.

Meanwhile, En was still busy washing clothes and the dishes in the water, humming along as he did so. Metas and Felkin sat in the water silently, in thought. "So, you really don't need any help with that?" Felkin asked En. "I'm fine. Used to doing this, sort of... The company's plenty in exchange already." En answered. "Company. So you don't talk to people often? You don't chat with Old Jura, Henry, that other lady much?" Metas asked. "Nah, not really. They're all very busy. They also prefer to be all quiet and mysterious... So I don't get all that many opportunities to chat. And I can't really go out into town and mingle with the people. So observing from afar or sneaking around is my only way to pass the time." En said, putting the washed clothes into a basket, and the plates into another basket.

"That sounds... lonely." Felkin remarked. "Yeah, it can be sometimes..." Said En. More silence between the three continued. "So this pool, and that waterfall, they aren't the lowest point where the water flows?" Felkin asked curiously. "That's correct. There's an underground channel here that connects the water to a path that leads all the way down in a basin by the lower flats. Be careful not to slip into that passageway of water, the current might suck you in." En warned, putting away the last of the things that had been washed. "Lower flats?" Felkin asked.

"Believe it or not, there's a lower area to this realm. The water flows all the way down there, and it rises up and comes back down as rain, and it goes back down again through the river system that this pool of water is a part of." En said, motioning the process with his hands. "Rain inside a giant cave, huh..." Metas remarked, looking upwards.

"Hey En, how come there's not much fish here? And a body of water this size... It's likely to be a watering hole for the wildlife, particularly those giant flying creatures we've been seeing the whole time." Metas said, pointing upwards. "That's a really good question. You're right, those things typically do come down to drink from time to time but, the Lady in White placed a special sigil here to ward off against those not in the know and cloak it from most creatures, do you see it?" En asked, sitting cross-legged.

Metas looked around and shrugged. "Is it that tree over there?" Felkin asked, pointing at a nearby tree with white leaves with white vines growing around it. "That's correct! 100 points to you." En exclaimed. "How did you..." Metas asked. "That tree is glowing more than usual. Can't you see it too, Metas?" Felkin asked. "Looks like a normal tree to me..." Metas remarked.

"This tree... Is it... The same as that one?" Felkin asked, pointing towards the luminous and radiant white tree towering in the distance. "No, no... That thing is pretty much one of a kind. It's special." Said En. "And... somebody said... It spawns gods from its seeds? How... exactly does that work?" Metas asked, confused. "Unbelievable, right? The seeds can even pass through the dark rift between realms and land in any realm indiscriminately. I don't know the specifics, but... There must be some primal and awesome force that's driving it, it kind of asks you to question the nature of gods and what that big plant really is... Many say it's destiny, fate, that guides the seeds to the worlds that they belong to. Though... Some have taken... a more hands-on approach to the tree's 'process'." Said En.

"Do you mean the ones in charge of this place?" Metas asked. "Yes, the council of the Balance-Tenders as they call themselves." En remarked. 'Why does it always have to be a council...' Thought Metas. 'That sounds like a name of a meal or a dish...' Thought Felkin. "They pride themselves in keeping the realms in check, keeping things in balance. Usually ensuring that the realms don't go into all out war, or interfere with each others' private matters." En continued. Metas snorted. "It sounds like they're just a bunch of control freaks, deciding for themselves what should and shouldn't happen." He remarked. "If someone in a realm needs help then... Shouldn't they do so? It sounds like they'd rather let innocents suffer than risk war. Perhaps that's why they might take offense to our interfering and travelling the realms without their permission." Felkin remarked.

"They might take offense to you specifically, for much more than that." Said En. "Hmm?" Felkin remarked. "You've must've realized it by now but you're... a unique being. You have that relic, an uncanny resilience, and a power to utilize the various energies of the elements. Also your connection to the dark is one they especially desire to stifle. One of your power and status is likely to be controlled or... neutralized." En said, with a wary expression. "Great, more enemies to worry about." Said Metas. But Felkin suddenly placed his hand on his head showing visible discomfort. "What's wrong, are your injuries acting up again?" En asked him.

"No, it's just... It feels like... A memory. A sensation. I feel like somehow... I know them. From before..." Felkin said, still clutching his forehead. "Relax, you don't need to recall all the details right away. Though the fact that you knew of them is concerning..." En answered. "And don't push yourself too hard, we'll need you in good condition for the battles to come. Say, how are your burns faring?" Metas asked. Felkin brushed his hand on the one on his face.

"They're fine. They don't itch, and they don't hurt. They might disappear someday soon... You, Metas. How are your injuries?" Felkin asked. "They hurt. All over. My wounds itch. But besides that, I'm in good enough condition that I can go into the water. I probably don't even need to replace the bandages, though... There might be a chance that I'll reopen these wounds if I exert myself enough..." Metas answered.

"Well, he has me to thank for that of course..." Said En. "Yes, yes. I've expressed my gratitude, to you many times-" Metas was interrupted by water to the face. En emerged from beneath the water, having jumped straight in. Water trickled down from Felkin's hair, having also been caught in the blast. "Hmm. I thought you didn't need to clean yourself?" He asked, smiling. "Well, that's not to say I can't enjoy a little swim from time to time, right?" Asked En, swimming towards them. "I... can't say I didn't expect it." Felkin remarked. More silence as he and Metas simply sat in the water while En swam around the small pool area.

"Good thing there aren't any creatures in the water, right? Said En, stopping to float in the water. "Hmm? Are they... dangerous?" Asked Felkin. "Well, some of them are. In the deep seas, and in the other realms there are some big uh... things in the water. They can eat people in one gulp; but what's real scary are the smaller ones. Beasties that go in your ear and eat your brain from the inside out. Not to mention some of the deadly diseases that make you puke your organs out. Literally. Thankfully I'm not a human so that really won't affect me." En said, disturbed.

"I don't know if living through those would be better or worse than dying..." Felkin answered. "Well the water's clean, the barrier keeps the bigger beasts out and if something comes this way..." "I'm on this side, and Kieron is in the other." Felkin said to En.

"Too bad there isn't any fish here." Said Metas. "Hmm?" En remarked. "Nice, calm, beautiful place. A reel... And cooking what you caught yourself..." Metas remarked, wistfully recalling the past. "Cooking some fish in the wilderness, huh. Heh, I remember when he first met. I... Could barely start a fire, still can't quite do it now. Good thing you were there. And now that I can... 'borrow', your powers... I won't need to worry about it anymore." Felkin said with a smile.

"Well, you should still learn. It's a pretty good practical skill to know. It'll probably surprise you to know that I'm pretty good at it. When I was young I... needed to hide my flame. During that, I learned how to start a fire in the wild, just like everyone else. Even if you have a flame, you should still prepare for the worst. That's what he..." Metas paused. "That's what we were taught, at least." He continued.

"Well, I know a few spots here and there, and we can all go and fish sometime. Set up camp... Maybe Jura and her will be there too..." En remarked, envisioning the situation in his head. "For what it's worth, I'm... sorry. I know you had a life before all of this, and because of what we... I did... You... lost everything. Your life, and now... You're on the run, and your siblings even got dragged into it... And all this chaos in the kingdom. Would it have happened if I didn't... Maybe if I wasn't here I..." Felkin remarked.

"Hey! Snap out of it. What's happened was... My choice, as much as it is yours... Saving Yuria was... Stupid, risky, and selfish, but... I doubt I would've done it on my own... And my life... Was not much of anything before all of this started. All I wanted was for my siblings to be able to fend for themselves. I... hoped it would be anywhere else but the knights... But it seems like they just had to follow in my footsteps. After that was done... All I did to get where I am caught up to me. I was just trudging through life at that point. I've... never felt like I had a choice, until now anyways. What's done is done and... Yes, your choices have led to consequences. Both good ones and bad ones. Beating yourself up over them does nothing. All we have to do is... learn from our mistakes and figure out what we'll be doing in the future." Said Metas.

'The future, huh...' Thought En. "So... You're not... angry?" Asked Felkin. "No. A little tired, a little annoyed maybe, but not mad. What you did just accelerated what was going to happen anyway..." Metas said, splashing some water on his face and slicking back his hair. "So, what do you think's going to happen? To the kingdom, I mean." En asked, having continued his casual swim. "And what will... you do, after? Well, after this, at least." Asked Felkin.

"For the first question... It's going to be chaos. And it's dependent if Helia survives or not. She and the rest of the council will be keen on being rid of us. Her in particular will be tearing through the streets just to find us. But someone of her ambition will likely try to take control or force a coup, the threat of which will lead to her be an enemy to the other members of the council." Said Metas. "So, that means they'll be fighting each other? Won't that be good for us?" Asked Felkin.

"Well, it could be good for us... But not for the people." Said En. "At best she'll be assassinated, though I doubt that'll be easy. At worst, there could be a full scale civil war with her supporters and theirs clashing; ripping the kingdom in two and getting everyone caught up in the process. Lodeleth's at war, too. Seems like it's kingdom policy to pick fights. The previous king was strong enough to conquer and challenge the nearby nations. Was. Things as they are now... The war with the Reshans will likely be a long one. Draining the kingdom of its resources, and slowly bleeding it dry. Or, they could just overpower the kingdom's forces, and storm the capital themselves. The people will suffer, one way or another..." Said Metas. En and Felkin appeared sullen from that news.

"As for the second question... I... If I make it out, I'll probably go to another kingdom or nation. If En'll help me, maybe I'll make my way to some more hospitable realm. With my skills I could probably get some work as an armed guard, hired hand, or mercenary. From what I know, there should be no shortage of conflict anywhere. As for Sethan and Asralyn... If you or I ever see them again, I'd advise them to leave the kingdom. Their choices now are their own, but... I'd like to see them safe, anyhow. And away from me. I'd advise the same to you all, too. You're a talented bunch, you can probably find something suited to your skills somewhere..." Said Metas.

"So the kingdom's going down..." En remarked. "Sadly, there's nothing we can do about it." Metas splashed his face with water. "Is there? Can't we... We... Do something about it?" Asked Felkin. "Honestly speaking... You could probably do something about it. But... that road's going to be long and painful... You're going to try and fail, people will blame you, and you'll blame yourself... But... You could turn the tide. Whatever tide you get behind. But my advice... You're still searching for who you are, right? Doing this could mean abandoning that. I'm not telling you what to do, but... I'm just letting you know." Metas remarked.

"You could do something about it too. And everyone, too. And some of the others... They'll follow you, you know." Said Felkin, splashing his arms with water. "They're liable to follow you too. If that happens, you'll be responsible." Said Metas. "They... can make their own choices, can't they?" Asked Felkin.

"If somebody made a choice that puts them in danger, would you still have them make that choice?" Metas asked. "I wouldn't like them to make that, but... I'll protect them in any way that I can! If they get hurt because of it, then... It'll be my responsibility." Felkin remarked. "Are you sure you can handle it? Someone getting hurt, getting killed, on your watch? Because you allowed them to?" Metas asked. Felkin was silent, looking down towards his reflection on the water.

"Hmph, don't sweat it too much." Metas patted Felkin on the shoulder and smiled. "Just... be ready. And know exactly what you're getting into before you do it. And as for me, well... What can I do? I'm just another one of their nameless soldiers. Only now, I don't have to lay my life for them in vain." Said Metas.

"But in the town... You stayed and fought. You... You could've escaped. But... You risked your life for all those people. How many more would have died if you all didn't step in? And... would he have been defeated if it wasn't all of us there? We... can actually do something! You said that doing this would make me abandon searching for who I am, but... This is who I am. Stil... I'm not going to make you risk your own life to do something you don't want." Said Felkin. "Guess it's my decision then." Metas answered. "I guess it is." Felkin added. They then all sat silently in the water.

While Felkin, En, and Metas talked with each other, Kieron and Ellyn had begun in washing Yuria's hair. "Pfft... It tickles!" Yuria remarked. "Hold... still!" Kieron remarked. "Yeah, it would be easier if you didn't... move." Said Ellyn. "I'm sorry... It's just that I'm..." Yuria said, stifling laughter. She ducked and ran forward, much to the chagrin of the two others. "Hmph..." Ellyn remarked, one hand on her hip.

"Are you really going to make us chase you?" Kieron asked, with her arms crossed and one foot tapping underwater. "Why, are you two too slow?" Yuria taunted. "Alright then, challenge accepted!" Kieron said running right after Yuria, who she herself took off. "Hey, Yuria! Don't run! There's some spots there that are deeper than usual, and you might trip over your hair!" Ellyn called out.

Kieron attempted to catch Yuria, who ducked under her grasp and circled around her. 'Hmph... She's not listening... And neither is she.' Ellyn thought, before running after Yuria as well. The two of them cornered Yuria, but could not approach fast enough before she slipped past them.

 'Damn, how is she that fast?' Thought Kieron. "What's the matter? The two of you can't catch little old me?" Yuria asked. "Kieron, can you freeze her in the water?" Ellyn said, much to Yuria's shock. "Wait, what-" "Hmm, I don't know... It's too risky. We might freeze ourselves in the process." Said Kieron. 'I thought she said not to use her power haphazardly?! She replied instantly!' Thought Yuria.

Yuria ran backwards, towards the deeper part of the pool. "Can't catch me!" She remarked. "Yuria, get back here!" Ellyn exclaimed, though was ignored by Yuria. Kieron glanced at Ellyn, they both nodded at each other, and then charged towards Yuria. Kieron was the fastest runner of the three of them, and cornered Yuria while Ellyn closed the gap.

 'We've got her!' Thought Ellyn. Yuria ran backwards from the two of them until... "Ah!" Yuria slipped. "Yuria!" Ellyn exclaimed as Yuria fell into the water. She dived in after her. "Hey!" Kieron lunged in the water and pulled Yuria up. Yuria breathed hoarsely as she came up from the water. "Wait, Ellyn!" She exclaimed, coughing.

Yuria and Kieron rushed over towards Ellyn who was still beneath the surface of the water. Ellyn who had dived into the water, slipped, and was now desperately flailing for something to hold on to with her singular hand. Yuria reached into the water and grasped onto Ellyn's hand, she in turn, held onto Yuria, hard.

"Hold on!" Yuria exclaimed. "We have you!" Said Kieron, aiding Yuria in pulling Ellyn to the surface. As they did so, Ellyn emerged. Coughing, and breathing heavily. "Are you... alright?" Yuria asked. Ellyn had a displeased expression. "Don't... do that again." She remarked.

"I'm... sorry! I just... Wanted to have some fun, and I was caught up in the moment, and I wasn't thinking and... Argh, I'm so stupid!" Yuria exclaimed. "I hope that teaches you a lesson, young lady. What would've happened to you two if I wasn't here?" Kieron asked. 'Wait, young lady? Isn't she barely a year or two older than Yuria?' Thought Ellyn. "I know..." Yuria said, sullenly looking down. "Let's just get to the riverbank and finish up with your hair." Said Ellyn.

"Hey, what happened?!" Metas exclaimed. "We came when we heard screaming and..." Said En. "Is everything alright?!" Felkin remarked, in concern. "Ahhh! Don't you guys have some decency? Come on!" Yuria exclaimed loudly, covering her eyes with her hands. Ellyn and Kieron were staring at them, with eyes wide, and mouths open. "Yikes! Were we... interrupting something?" En exclaimed, covering his eyes.

Felkin, Metas and En were standing on top of the slope, alert and concerned, but now were retreating backwards in slight confusion and embarrassment. Ellyn and Kieron snapped out of it and looked away, covering their eyes as well. "You have quite the gall to say that considering you got us into this mess." Ellyn said, gently poking Yuria with her elbow. "Ow, ow..." Yuria remarked.

"So, does that mean you guys are okay?" Said Felkin, covering his eyes and looking towards the ground. "Yeah, we're fine! You guys can go back now!" Yuria said, waving them off. "Told you they didn't need any help..." Said Metas, also covering his eyes. "Uh... We're all fine, but Yuria did something and if I wasn't here they could have been in some real trouble!" Kieron called out towards them. Felkin gave a "I told you so" glance towards Metas. "Alright, alright... You're right. You win." He answered.

"If you guys need any help! We're right here!" En called out, his eyes still covered. "Alright!" Kieron answered. Felkin, Metas and En then went back down the slope to the other side. "Are they gone yet?" Yuria asked, peeking through her fingers. "Yeah, seems like it." Kieron said, slowly removing her hands from her face.

She and Ellyn put their hands on their hips and looked disappointedly towards Yuria. "I'm... so sorry..." Yuria remarked. "Let's get to the shore... And no more funny business, alright?" Said Ellyn. "Alright..." Said Yuria, frowning.

"Pfft." Yuria remarked, trying her hardest to stifle laughter. "Alright. All done, you can... move now. Breathe now." Said Ellyn. Yuria gasped for air as she exhaled deeply. "It was alright to breathe, you know..." Kieron remarked. "I just didn't... Want to mess everything up again. And... I didn't want to do anything to make you guys mad again..." Said Yuria. "It's... fine. Just... think properly before doing something that could potentially be dangerous." Ellyn answered.

"Yeah. Because you were reckless you risked Ellyn's life, and yours and... Wait, I'm not really making this better for you, aren't I?" Said Kieron. "I... almost did it again... I... I'm so stupid." Yuria said, holding back tears which splashed into the silvery water below. "There, there... It's alright." Ellyn said, patting Yuria's head while she hugged onto her.

"By the way, Ellyn... Did you slip on something earlier also? One moment you went in the water, the other you were nearly drowning..." Kieron asked. "Oh, I..." Ellyn scratched her head and looked away from embarrassment. "I can't swim..." She remarked. "Oh." Said Kieron. "That's okay, I can't swim too!" Yuria said, raising her hand.

"Then why did you run around in the water like that?!" Ellyn exclaimed. "Eh..." Yuria remarked, head down. "Well, let's move past that and, I think it's... Ellyn's time for her hair to be washed!" Said Kieron. "I'm going to help to the best of my ability!" Yuria exclaimed. "Hmph... Fine." Ellyn sat down, cross-armed as the other two went to work on her hair.

Yuria and Kieron began in earnest, with no issues arising unlike the previous time with Yuria. "Earlier... When I said that only regular, normal girls brush their hair..." Ellyn remarked. "You... don't include yourself in that regard?" Kieron speculated.

"But you're like... The most normal out of all of us." Said Yuria. "I know, but... I always was the outsider, the other. Because of my appearance and... my missing arm, I always felt like I was different from everyone else, I wanted what they had, but... I didn't know how much I had until I met you guys. The old man was the one who did up my hair... He was good at it too, then... I told him not to, anymore." Ellyn said, sighing.

"Wh-Why?" Yuria asked her. "Well you see, doing many things including brushing your hair while only having one hand is pretty hard... And I guess I just wanted to do it myself, and not feel like I'm useless... But... it was a while before I did it myself. I felt like because I couldn't do it, I didn't need it. That I was better off with out it, because I was... different." Ellyn replied.

"But, you've brushed and styled your own since?" Kieron asked. "When... I got my wooden arm. I was able to do... a lot of things that I couldn't, and it made things much easier. That's when I learned, when I really tried to learn to do my hair. And when I got my hand, I felt closer to being normal but... I still wasn't the same as everyone else. Although... I do miss it." Ellyn said, looking at her arm's stump and remembering her prosthetic fondly.

"Sorry... If you we didn't bring you into this mess, you'd still have it..." Yuria said smugly. "That's alright, it's not like I permanently lost a limb and... Without me, would you guys have won?" Ellyn said, smiling cheekily. "Couldn't you just make another one?" Asked Kieron. "Yeah, I could..." Ellyn said, her voice trailing off. Kieron noticed a change in her voice while Yuria seemingly did not. "That's good, maybe we can find a way to make one?" Said Yuria. "Yeah, maybe we can." Ellyn said, smiling optimistically.

On the other side, Metas and Felkin were sitting in the water once more, while En swam laps around the pool. "Well, I'm glad they're safe." Metas remarked. "You told me they'd be fine without checking, but truth is you were worried after all..." Said Felkin. "Hmph." Metas exclaimed. More silence. Metas started snapping his fingers repeatedly, turning his flame on and off. "You're still training with your flame?" Asked En.

"Of course, I've long since given up making my flame burn higher but, maintaining control of my flame and ensuring my mastery of it... It ensures that even if I'm not in full shape physically, my skill with the flame is still well-maintained..." Metas remarked.

"Then why are you practicing here? Wouldn't that mean there's a chance your flame will get splashed by some water?" Asked Felkin. "Well, that's the point. To keep your flame lit amongst water. For the knights of Lodeleth, our... Their flame is their weapon, keeping it lit even near water should be a priority. Although you shouldn't be dependent on it-" Metas was interrupted by a splash of water which he swiftly avoided. "Wha-" He remarked. "What is it? Didn't you say you were training to protect your flame even nearby water?" Asked En.

"Hmph, so that's how it is?" Metas remarked. "!" Metas turned around and shielded the flame above his fingertips with his body from a splash of water. "You probably should be also prepared for attacks from multiple enemies, at all sides." Said Felkin.

"Hmm... Hup! Hah!" Metas remarked, splashing Felkin and then En respectively, while raising his flame away from the water. "When attacking someone, you should consider the possibility of being attacked back, you know? If that attack was from my flame then..." Said Metas. "Focus on fighting not gloating!" En exclaimed, throwing a splash of water which Metas stepped back to dodge. "Hmph." He remarked.

Metas moved to the side to dodge a wave of water from Felkin and retaliated with a splash of his own, causing the latter to step back. En flanked Metas and brought his hands down hard on the water's surface, creating a wide splash. Metas simply raised his arm high above the boy, and splashed water in En's face with his other hand.

"Ope." The boy remarked. Felkin scooped up water, then splashed high, intending to take out Metas' flame. Metas dodged left, causing the cascade of water to rain down on En instead. "Pfffbbttt..." The boy spat out a mouthful. Metas ran his hand under the water and sent a wave towards Felkin who ran backwards to avoid it.

En quickly regained his fervor and joined Felkin in trying to splash Metas' flame. The three were determined, yet smiled widely as they played their game. They circled around each other, dodged, splashed, and were exhilarated. En and Felkin ran towards each other, they appeared to be whispering something towards each other. 

Metas huffed and puffed as he observed them. 'Hmm... They're planning something.' He thought. En then broke into a sprint, rushing forward towards Metas. 'Is he rushing me down?' He thought, bracing himself. "Hmm... Hah!" En said, before diving into the water in front of Metas, causing a massive splash.

Metas quickly hid his hand behind his back, while holding En still with the other. 'Hmph, a diversion? Then Felkin is... Hmm?' Metas thought, the splash of water had obscured his view of the area and now he had lost sight of Felkin. 'Where is he...' He thought. "Wait, Felkin? Where..." En remarked, stepping back and looking around.

"Hmm." Metas exclaimed. 'Is this not part of their plan?' He thought. "Is there somewhere he could have fallen in, maybe there's a passageway somewhere..." En remarked. 'Even if he isn't acting, there's only two places he could go. Out of the pool or... Underwater!' Metas heard Felkin blasting and emerging out of the water behind him.

"Hmph!" Felkin sent a splash of water towards Metas' hand. Metas swiftly swung around in instinct, his hand still behind his back but now was facing away from Felkin. 'And... now!' En sent a splash of water behind Metas. 'He's cornered now!' Thought Felkin. But thinking quickly, Metas raised his other hand above his head and snapped his fingers. Instantly, the flame from his right hand which was seconds from being extinguished transferred to his left. He then quickly splashed down En, and then Felkin with water.

"Hah... Hah..." Metas, Felkin, and En breathed heavily. Metas grabbed at his side. "Maybe we can call this a draw?" Said En. "Yeah, a draw." Said Metas, extinguishing his flame by himself. "Whoo, I'm tired." Said Felkin.

After, En, Felkin, and Metas simply relaxed together, sitting in the water evenly spaced from each other. "Hmm." Metas remarked. "Hmm? What is it?" Felkin asked unconcernedly, relaxing submerged in the water. "I... didn't detect your presence earlier, where you were underwater. I didn't even hear you swim." Metas remarked. "Oh, I used the sound of En's splash to dive in the water and hide." Felkin exclaimed. "Yeah, our plan... almost worked!" Said En. "Mhm." Said Metas.

"Why? Can't you accept that he was able to sneak past ypur senses?" En taunted. "It's... nothing." Metas sighed, splashing himself with water. "Hmm? It's fine, you can ask." Said Felkin. "I don't know it's just... Before you jumped out of the water, I could barely see you. The water was pretty clear though..." Said Metas.

"Hmm." En remarked. "Come to think of it, I am pretty tired... Like strangely so... Well, I guess that's something to find out for another day." Felkin remarked. "Can we talk about the fact that we're all here in the water here almost naked-" "Please stop talking, En." "Nope..." Metas and Felkin interrupted En.

After the two groups had sufficiently relaxed in the water, they both independently got dressed and headed back. Metas, Felkin, and En waited at the path before the pools of water. Metas and Felkin were standing and chatting while En sat cross-legged on the ground. "Hey, y'all!" The boy waved towards Yuria, Kieron, and Ellyn. "Hey, you three! Have you been waiting long?" Yuria greeted them. "Not at all. You're pretty much right on time." Said Felkin.

"Told you guys we weren't taking too long..." Yuria said to Ellyn and Kieron. "Yeah..." Ellyn remarked. "Alright..." Said Kieron. "So, wasn't my idea a big success?" En asked, looking upwards at Metas and Felkin. "Well, we've wasted quite a bit of time, but... I'm sure it's been beneficial for all of us." Metas said, observing the bright expressions of the three before them.

"At least, we aren't covered in blood and dirt anymore... Makes blending in with the people a lot easier." Said Ellyn. "Well... I reckon there's plenty of people out there that we can blend in with because of last night." Kieron said. Everyone else turned to look towards her. "Uh... too soon?" She asked.

"The bath was... pretty refreshing! Especially after a couple of stressful days... My fingers are all pruny though..." Yuria remarked, looking down at her hands. "Aside from Yuria and Ellyn almost drowning, I'd say it's a pretty good idea. Wait, putting it that way, it seems like it was a bad idea..." Kieron remarked.

"Yeah, maybe it kinda was..." Said Yuria. "Well, maybe it was a little negligent of me, but was it really my fault that you guys nearly drowned at a pool where about six feet is its deep end?" Said En. "But... some of us can't swim." Said Yuria. "Then why were you running around so playfully in the water?" Asked En. "Alright, alright. She probably misjudged the depth of the water, but it still didn't warrant... whatever she did. Water under the bridge, everybody's wrong, nobody's wrong. We have to focus on the job at hand, but first... Let's get back to the house." Said Metas.