Rigel sat alone in his cabin's kitchen, sipping water, enjoying the quiet around him, and lost in thought. Something about the huntress intrigued him.
Was it her good looks? Her remarkable skill with a bow? He couldn't quite pin it down, but she lingered in his mind. He regretted not speaking to her more—or even just getting her name.
"Don't feel too bad," a soft voice suddenly spoke from behind him.
Rigel jumped, spinning around to find Terra standing there.
"Jeez, don't sneak up on me like that. I've told you before," he grumbled.
Terra giggled. "I can't help myself sometimes. Your reaction is cute."
"I'd rather not be considered cute."
"Anyway," Terra said, rocking back on her heels, "dwelling on missed opportunities, huh?"
Rigel stared at her, surprised. "How'd you know?"
"Oh, it's not like I'm watching you all the time or anything," she teased with a smirk and a giggle.
Terra was the guardian of the woods, overseeing everything and everyone within her domain. She was connected to all living things in the area, experiencing their thoughts, feelings, and sensations. That included every time Rigel killed an animal, but she silently bore the pain without telling him.
She rubbed the side of her temple—the same place where the deer had been struck by the arrow.
"You okay?" Rigel asked, noticing her discomfort.
"I'm fine," Terra replied, forcing a smile. "Just a slight headache."
Rigel looked away, sinking back into his thoughts.
"You know," Terra said, "it's not healthy to stay holed up in this cabin forever. When's the last time you went to the city?"
Rigel thought for a moment. "Maybe I should head back to Capella for a while."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I could catch up with Algol. I'll be wearing my disguise, of course."
"Why go and meet him? You two weren't exactly close, right? You've mentioned him before, but you said you only hung out during your first year at the academy."
"True," Rigel admitted, "but those few months were meaningful. I've never had a friendship like that before. Besides, I'm curious to see how he's doing."
"Fair enough, I suppose," Terra said, sighing.
Rigel got up, packed a few clothes, grabbed the crystal he wore around his neck, and donned his helmet. As he passed through the kitchen on his way out, he glanced back at Terra, who was smiling warmly at him.
"I'll catch you later," he said.
"Safe travels," she replied.
And with that, he left.
---
Rigel had accumulated quite a bit of wealth from taking on numerous hunting jobs and saving up during his quests in Capella. When he stepped into downtown Ganymede, he took in the quiet surroundings. The small town, nestled under towering mountains, had a scattering of shops but little else going on.
He made his way to a carriage rental and approached the owner.
"How long you needin' her?" the owner, an old man with a white beard and a scar over his right eye, asked.
"About a week or two," Rigel—who called himself *Bellatrix* when in public—replied in a deep, brooding voice, altered by the crystal. "I'm heading to Capella."
"Capella? That's a full day's ride. How long you stayin'?"
"Not sure. Maybe a few days at most."
The owner closed his eyes thoughtfully. "Hmm. That'll run you a thousand."
Rigel reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed over the money.
---
And so, Rigel—or Bellatrix—set out for the city of Capella, to reunite with an old friend.
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