After a long, exhausting day, Ella found herself sitting at her desk, staring blankly at her sketches. Her mind, however, wasn't on her latest designs. It kept wandering back to her meetings with the group of four. Something didn't sit right with her. Caleb, Isla, and Owen had all shared their stories—how they'd arrived in this world, the lives they'd built here, and the struggles they faced. But Talia? Talia had remained silent, dodging questions about her past. The mystery gnawed at Ella, making her wonder why.
The next time they met, Ella couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer. They were sitting in her cozy apartment, sipping tea like usual, when she decided to ask. "Talia," she began casually, but with a hint of challenge in her voice, "you never told me where you came from. Everyone else has shared their story, but you... haven't."
Talia, who had been mid-sip, froze for a split second. Her eyes flickered with something—surprise, maybe, or hesitation. She slowly lowered her cup and met Ella's gaze, her usual easy smile fading. For a moment, the room felt heavier, the quiet stretching between them. The others shifted slightly in their seats, clearly curious themselves.
With a soft sigh, Talia leaned back and set her teacup on the table. "I was wondering when you'd ask," she said, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "It's not that I didn't want to share... I just wasn't sure how much you all needed to know."
Ella raised an eyebrow. "We're all in the same boat, aren't we?"
Talia nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Yes, I suppose we are." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I come from a corporate world—back home, I was part of a high-stakes, cutthroat business environment. Negotiation, management... that was my life. My specialty is turning ideas into something real, whether it's a business, a product, or a whole new venture. I guess you could say I'm good at making things happen."
Ella listened carefully, absorbing the details. "So, you're used to working behind the scenes, pulling the strings?"
Talia's smile returned, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "In a way, yes. I've always thrived on strategy—seeing the bigger picture, knowing how to get from point A to point B, no matter the obstacles." She glanced at the others, then back to Ella. "But when I got here... well, none of that mattered at first. I had to survive like everyone else."
The room fell quiet again as the weight of Talia's words settled in. Ella was intrigued, but part of her couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Talia's story than she was letting on. Still, she could see how valuable those skills would be—especially in a world like this, where innovation and strategy were essential to survival.
"I didn't mean to keep it a secret," Talia added softly. "But I've been figuring things out, just like you. Now that we're all together, maybe it's time to put those skills to use." She looked at Ella meaningfully, as if the next step depended on her.
Ella nodded slowly, processing what she'd just heard. "I get it," she said, her tone lighter now. "It's just... I've spent so much time thinking I had to do all this alone. But maybe... maybe we really can do something more together."
Talia's smile this time was genuine, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond forming between them.
During one of their usual meetups, Talia leaned over the small table and, with a casual smile, said, "You should come see where we're staying, Ella. It's nothing fancy, but it's... home for now."
Ella, curious and intrigued, agreed. She hadn't thought much about where the group lived, assuming it was something modest but comfortable. As they made their way through the city, Ella chatted with Talia about their latest projects and plans. But when they reached the outskirts, her voice trailed off as she saw the building in front of them.
It was a run-down structure, sagging under the weight of years of neglect. The roof looked like it could cave in any second, and the windows were patched with makeshift covers that flapped weakly in the wind. Inside, the place was even worse—barely functioning plumbing, cracked walls, and only the most basic of furnishings. It was a stark contrast to the cozy apartment Ella had crafted for herself, and the sight hit her hard.
Ella's heart sank as she followed them inside. She glanced at Caleb, Isla, Owen, and Talia, who all seemed so accustomed to their surroundings. They moved around the space without complaint, but to Ella, it was clear how much they were making do with next to nothing. She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
"I can't believe you're all living here," Ella said, her voice soft with concern as she took in the state of the place. "This isn't... this isn't right."
Talia shrugged with a small, resigned smile. "It's not ideal, but it's better than some places we've been. We make it work."
Ella felt a surge of determination rising in her chest. These people had come from the same world she had. They were just like her in so many ways, and yet, they were living like this while she thrived in her cozy shop and apartment. It didn't sit well with her.
"You shouldn't have to make it work like this," Ella murmured, almost more to herself than to Talia. The gears in her mind were already turning. She could do something about this—she would do something about this.
Talia gave her a curious look, but Ella didn't say much more at the moment. She just nodded and tried to smile, but the seed of an idea had already taken root. As they parted ways that day, Ella couldn't shake the image of the rundown building from her mind.
Over the next month, Ella quietly set her plan in motion. Each morning after tending to her shop, she would pull aside some of her most trusted construction workers, making sure they were sworn to secrecy before explaining the project. She commissioned a two-story house, designed with care—four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and plenty of space for the group to live comfortably. Every detail was thought out, from sturdy walls to proper plumbing, ensuring it would be a true home, not just a place to stay.
Ella kept up her usual routine, meeting with Talia, Caleb, Isla, and Sam regularly. They would chat over tea or walk through the market together, and Ella made sure not to let anything slip. She listened to their ideas, laughed at their stories, and talked about her own growing business, but she kept her plans hidden, not wanting to spoil the surprise.
"You're awfully busy lately," Talia noted one afternoon, eyeing Ella with a bit of curiosity. "Any big projects you're not telling us about?"
Ella smiled, deflecting the question with ease. "Oh, you know how it is. Just a lot to manage. New products, expanding the delivery service... it never really slows down, does it?"
Talia raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Ella was relieved—she wanted the reveal to be perfect. As much as she enjoyed their growing friendship, this felt like something she needed to do for them without fanfare or expectation. They had been surviving in difficult conditions for long enough, and she couldn't bear the thought of them continuing in that state while she had the means to help.
Each time they met, Ella marveled at how casually they spoke of their daily lives, unaware that in just a few weeks, they'd have a home to call their own.
At the end of the month, Ella finally set her plan into motion. She sent a letter to the group, asking them to meet her at a location just outside the city. The instructions were vague, but she kept it that way on purpose—she wanted the moment to be a complete surprise.
When Talia, Caleb, Isla, and Owen arrived, they were greeted by the sight of a new, two-story house standing proudly where an empty lot once was. It wasn't grand or ostentatious, but it was solid, well-built, and most importantly, it was theirs. The sturdy walls gleamed in the late afternoon sun, and the house looked welcoming, with fresh paint and new windows that reflected the sky.
For a moment, the group just stood there, staring in disbelief.
"What... is this?" Caleb managed to ask, his voice thick with shock.
Ella grinned, her heart swelling with pride as she watched their reactions. "It's your new home."
Talia turned to Ella, her expression a mix of awe and gratitude. "You did this? For us?"
Isla covered her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears, while Owen, usually so calm and collected, seemed genuinely at a loss for words. "We... we don't even know what to say," he finally stammered.
Ella shrugged, trying to downplay the emotion of the moment, though she couldn't hide her smile. "I noticed where you were staying and... well, I couldn't stand the thought of you living like that when I could help. It's nothing fancy, but it has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and plenty of space. You deserve somewhere you can actually call home."
For a second, no one spoke. Then the group surged forward, wrapping Ella in a grateful embrace. Talia, usually so composed, blinked back tears as she whispered, "Thank you. This means more than you know."
"Honestly," Ella said, her voice softening as she hugged them back, "I'm just glad I could do something. You all mean a lot to me."
They spent the next few moments marveling at the house, wandering through the rooms, and discussing where furniture would go. The gesture touched them deeply—this wasn't just about a place to live. It was about care, friendship, and a bond that had quietly formed between them.
As they gathered back outside, Caleb looked at Ella, still shaking his head in disbelief. "You really didn't have to do this, but we're so grateful. And we've actually been talking… We want to give back in our own way."
Talia nodded, stepping forward. "We have a business idea," she said, smiling. "We want to combine what each of us knows from our regions. With your help, we think we can build something incredible together."
"We've been doing a lot of talking," she began, her tone serious but hopeful. Ella tilted her head, curious, as Talia continued. "Since we've been kind of... wandering without much purpose, we've been brainstorming how to use our skills—how to make something meaningful out of all of this."
Ella raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still wary. "What kind of something?"
Talia smiled, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "A business. A real, large-scale business that spans different regions. We've all got these unique skills from both this world and our own. Caleb, for instance," she gestured to him, "he's got tech knowledge and a lot of connections in the north. He could handle trade routes, imports, that sort of thing."
Caleb nodded, picking up the thread. "Yeah, I've seen how things work up there, and let's just say the region is ripe for more modern goods and ideas. With the right structure, we could bring in products no one's ever seen before."
Ella's eyes flicked to Isla, who smiled softly. "I've been thinking along the lines of health," Isla said. "There's so much potential here. With my knowledge of modern medicine, I could set up clinics, help train healers... it would make a real difference in people's lives."
Owen, who had been quiet up until now, spoke next. "My engineering background," he explained, "could be used for product development—buildings, modern conveniences. There's so much we could design, things this world has never seen."
Ella listened intently, her fingers lightly drumming against her leg. It was an impressive pitch, but she could sense there was more.
Finally, Talia stepped forward, her business-minded focus clear. "The key is, we know how to start something, but we don't know how to make it extraordinary. That's where you come in, Ella." Her gaze softened. " We need you."
Ella's heart skipped a beat. They weren't just asking for her help—they wanted her to be the one to bring it all together. It was bold, ambitious, and daunting.
Talia, seeing Ella's hesitation, added gently, "We believe in you, Ella. With your brain, we know we can pull this off. It could change the world."
The group watched her expectantly, a mixture of hope and excitement in their eyes. Ella sat there, the weight of the idea sinking in. This was far bigger than anything she'd ever attempted. Part of her was intrigued by the possibilities—another part was cautious, knowing the challenges that lay ahead.
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A/n - Thank you to Cindy_Rella_4389 and Woshi_001 for the power stones i appreciate it very much.