《Will of the Soul》 [ Chapter 1 ]Ive finally arrived [Chapter 1] I¡äve finally arrived step¡­ step¡­ step.. [ ??? ] ¡§Phew, I''ve finally made it.¡§ She stands on the top of the mountain, looking down at a large city, with a smirk of anticipation. [ Anathea ] ¡§So, this is the human country, Astrea. An elf hasn¡ät been in this country for a long time. Hopefully, everything goes okay.¡§ Her ears perk in excitement, and as she begins to move again, she slowly plops down face-first onto the ground. Her hat falling off shows her long, blonder hair that fades into green. Tiny tears form from her brown eyes. She is in dainty mage clothes with hints of elfish fashion. [ Anathea ] In a low, groaning, and dead voice ¡§I¡äm dehydrated¡­ this happens when you make an elf who stayed in her room for 2000 years move again. I''m going to die¡§ This is Anathea Choju¡ªan elf mage forced by her country to explore and visit the human country to form better bonds with humans. This is because elves have not made any major contact with humans in hundreds to not thousands of years. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. [ Anathea } ¡§water¡­ I need water¡­¡§ She slowly reaches for her staff and grabs it. [ Anathea ] ¡§blah blah blah, water. Come to me¡§ A small ball of water summons in the air, and it drops onto her face. [ Anathea ] ¡§finally¡­ water¡­ too bad this isn¡ät natural¡­ I need actual water!¡§ (Authors Note) Created water and natural water are not the same. Think of it as created water is acidic while natural is neutral. She gets up from the ground and slowly starts walking towards the city. [ Anathea ] ¡§Have to keep going Ana, this is your job. Just like 2 more hours till I get there.¡§ (Author¡äs Note) Anathea likes speaking to herself in the third person. She makes her way to the city, walking past many people as they eye at her. Eventually reaches the main gates of the giant city. [ Guard 1 ] ¡§Welcome To - oh it''s an elf.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Is that a problem?¡§ [ Guard 1 ] ¡§It isn¡ät a problem, it just we don¡ät see elves here at all.¡§ [ Guard 2 ] ¡§ No rule against saying elves are prohibited here. So, it''s fine to let her in.¡§ The two guards look at each other nodding and then look at Anathea. [ Both Guards ] ¡§We welcome you to the City of Straya.¡§ They open the giant gates, preventing entrance. As they open, she sees a massive and vibrant atmosphere in the city¡ªvendors, shops, castles, markets, and many people. [ Anathea ] ¡§Woah¡­ this is the human country. It is so¡­ vibrant. I didn¡ät expect it to be like this.¡§ She begins to walk into the city. [ Anathea ] ¡§Yush, here I come!¡§ [ Chapter 2] I need money [ Chapter 2 ] I need money About 20 minutes had passed since she entered the city, and she was on a bench table exhausted. [ Anathea ] ¡§There¡äs too many people, I''m not used to this. I was shut in for 2000 years, but even my town wasn¡ät this crowdy. Ugh¡­ I need something to eat.¡§ Her stomach growls. She gets up from the table towards a tiny food vendor. [ Anathea ] ¡§One fried potato and cooked Niupai, please.¡§ (Author note) Niupai is just a bison. [ Vendor ] ¡§Sure thing ma¡äam, that¡äll be 7 bronze coins.¡§ Anathea makes a slightly shocked face and she takes out her bag. Her ears slumped down. [ Anathea ] ¡§eh¡­ uhhh does elven money work?¡§ [ Vendor ] ¡§I don¡ät know the price of that to coins so I¡äm sorry ma¡äam. I think there is a man in that shop who can analyze the currency and pay you what it''s worth.¡§ He points towards the direction of the back of the city. Anathea thanks the man and walks off. [ Anathea ] ¡§This direction right? gosh¡­ I¡äm so hungry.¡§ She keeps walking and sees the place. [ Anathea ] ¡§Looks a lot like a bank.¡§ She walks in seeing it rather empty at the moment with barely any others. She walks to a booth. It is a rather young man. [ Bank Worker ] ¡§Hello, what would you like to do today?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I have a question for you, do you know how much can I exchange elven money for?¡§ [ Worker ] ¡§Elven money¡­ I¡äm not too sure. We don¡ät, if not ever see elves here. Let me go ask the manager.¡§ The man leaves and comes back with the manager a few minutes later, it''s a rather old-looking man around his 40s appearance-wise. He is rather tall, rugged, big, dressed formally, with black eyes, and has white hair along with facial hair. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. [ Manager ] ¡§So, you¡äre the elf. Don¡ät see them enough here. I¡äm Ragna Gin. Nice to meet you. You are¡­?¡§ Ragna steems out his hand to Anathea for a handshake [ Anathea ] ¡§Anathea. Anathea Choju.¡§ She shakes his hand. [ Ragna ] ¡§That¡äs a nice name. Anyway, let us get on topic.? He sits across from her on the tiny table. ¡§We don¡ät know the exact exchange price for elven money, give us some time for us to learn and dig in for some information. I¡äd say, about a week should suffice.¡§ Anathea''s eyes shine a bit in shock and her voice pitches up [ Anathea ] ¡§One week! I don¡ät have any money. What am I gonna do for money?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Well, a good way to make money is becoming an Adventurer. They get paid for jobs being done. Whether it be hunting, expeditions, slaying, or documenting, it gives a variety amount of jobs. Depending on the job, it could pay quite a hefty amount. But due to this, it could be a rather dangerous job. Especially for newcomers and rookies.¡§ Anathea ponders for a bit, thinking of what he said. [ Anathea ] ¡§Where do I register for one? I need money desperately.¡§ Ragna points out the window towards a big building. [ Ragna ] ¡§It¡äs that building right there. When you register they give you a rank depending on your Will. You know what Will is right?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Of course, I do, who doesn¡ät? Will is the essence and power in the Soul of the person. Allowing them to conjure and use it to make magic due to their character. However, not everyone Will be the same. Some have less Will than others. So, not everyone can use their Will easily. Anyone can with enough practice. Will is in every living being. As every being has a soul, any living being can use their will.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Looks like you are acquainted with that topic. But I already know all of that also, so there was no need to tell me.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§hehe~ well, I am 4000 years old.¡§ Ragna''s eyes go up in surprise but calms down. [ Ragna ] ¡§This has to be a joke right? I know elfs live long but you only look 19 max.¡§ Anathea makes a cheeky smug look [ Anathea ] ¡§fufu, back in my town, they always remarked me as a beauty amongst the elves. To answer your question, Yes, I am actually 4000 years old. 4327 to be exact or somewhere around there. I don¡ät entirely remember at this point.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Okay, I get it. You should get going, around this time is the time Adventurer Guild gets busy. You should head there and make your registration.¡§ Anathea grabs her supplies and sets off [ Anathea ] ¡§Thanks, old man. I¡äll be back next week.¡§ [ Ragna ] he sighs ¡§Says the one who is 4000 years old. Besides I¡äm only 37. Do I look older than I am?¡§ Anathea had already left by the time Ragna finished his sentence. [ Ragna ] ¡§Anathea¡­ I feel like I¡äve heard that name. Somewhere¡­¡§ Ragna look over to his workers. [ Ragna ] ¡§Do I look old?¡§ They all look away trying to avoid the topic. Back to Anathea, she walks towards the Adventurers guild wondering how it will go. [ Anathea ] ¡§Should I be an adventurer? It feels taxing. I don¡ät really want to move much. What else is there?¡§ Anathea looks to the side and sees a building having a large sign ¡§Brothel, looking for women!¡§ She makes a blank face. [ Anathea ] ¡§Adventurer it is!¡§ [ Chapter 3 ] Time to be a Adventurer [ Chapter 3 ] Time to be an Adventurer [ Anathea ] Her stomach growls as she walks towards the Adventurers Guild ¡°I still haven¡ät eaten¡­ uh¡­ let''s get this done.¡§ She reaches the building, seeing many of it looking just like the bank she was just at [ Anathea ] ¡§What¡­? It looks just like Ragna¡äs place.¡§ Ragna burst open the door from the inside of the Adventurers Guild [ Ragna ] ¡§It is because I am also the Master of this Adventurers Guild.¡§ Anathea¡äs eyes and body jump up in shock at the sudden burst of the door opening. [ Anathea ] ¡§Geez! You could have told me. Don¡ät scare me like that. Anyways, how do I register? You told me to come here.¡§ Ragna opens the door for her. [ Ragna ] ¡§Come in, I¡äll have you registered soon.¡§ Anathea walks into the guild when she is inside, it is rather large. Filled with many varying ages of adventurers. Many chattering and planning their next actions. [ Anathea ] ¡§This place is rather packed compared to your bank.¡§ She looks over to a booth seeing it''s a line for registering. She sees it had a line with a few people. [ Anathea ] ¡§Do you know how long I need to wait Ragna?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Don¡ät worry, I¡äll make it so you go now, mainly because I wanna see how you¡äll rank in the Will strength.¡± Ragna guides her towards the room talking to the woman working at the registration [ Ragna ] ¡§Stop his registration for the moment. I want her to go first.¡§ Ragna throws a gold coin to the adventurer who got his registration stopped. [ Ragna ] ¡§Here is your compensation.¡§ Ragna and Anathea walk into the room, as they walk towards the end of the room. [ Ragna ] ¡§You have any ideas of the ranking of Will strengths?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§No, I don¡ät what are the rankings?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§The strengths of Will are divided into 6 different colors, each color represents how strong they are. Think of it as ranks of your strength.¡§ Ragna and Anathea both reach the room where in the middle is a giant rock with a giant clear hole in the middle. The room is rather pale and blank. [ Anathea ] ¡§What is with that giant rock?¡§ Anathea points towards the rock. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. [ Ragna ] ¡§That there is a Willed Stone. A Will Stone is a stone when someone touches it gives a color showing how strong the will of the person is.¡§ Annthea walks closer to the stone. [ Anathea ] ¡§What are the 6 colors?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§The 6 colors are Brown, Orange, Green, Blue, Red, and Yellow. Brown is the weakest. It is the average amount of Will that a living being has. Yellow is the highest. It means your Will is beyond that of almost anyone. Go ahead, place your hand, and let us see your Will. Make sure to pour your Will into it so it will shine your color.¡§ [ Anathea ] She places her hand on the Willed Stone ¡§Alright, let''s see.¡§ As Anathea begins pouring her Will into the Willed Stone, the room and rock begin shining. Minor wind flows around the side of the Willed Stone. Then the Willed Stone begins to brighten the room and within seconds of a blinding light, it shows the color. [ Anathea ] ¡§It is¡­ Green.¡§ Anathea slowly removes her hand from the Willed Stone. Ragna puts his hand on his chin. [ Ragna ] ¡§Green¡­ not bad. It means in terms of Will strength, you are decently high. Also, just in case the color discourages you, do know that the Willed Stone isn¡ät one hundred percent an estimate of your power. IT is only an estimate and not a foolproof measure. The Wills of people can increase or decrease given time and training. In many cases also in duels, lower colored people have won against higher color.¡§ Anathea thinks for a bit and then looks over to Ragna [ Anathea ] ¡§What is your color Ragna?¡§ Ragna looks over to the Will Stone then Anathea. [ Ragna ] ¡§My color is Red.¡§ Anathea eyes jump up wide and in shock. [ Anathea ] ¡§Red, I see. Wait! R-red?!?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Let¡äs get you your registration card shall we?¡§ Ragna leaves the room, and Anathea follows him out of the room as they walk back to the next room. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hey Ragna, what is the gap between let''s say Green and Blue Rank?¡§ [ Ragna } ¡§ Hmm, if I were to put it in a fight. A green color Will would be a dog while a blue Will would be a tiger.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§That big of a difference?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Yes it is, but it''s not like the dog can¡ät win against the tiger.¡§ Anathea and Ragna reach the room. Ragna reaches into a drawer bringing out a small form and pencil putting it on the table [ Ragna ] ¡§Fill this out and you¡äll be registered shortly.¡§ Anathea looks at the form takes in the information, and then starts filling it out. [ Name: Anathea Choju ] [ Race: Elf ] [ Age: 4327 ] [ Will Color: Green ] [ Will Element: Light, Earth, Water ] [ Proficiency: Mage ] Anathea looks at the form. [ Anathea ] ¡§This should be about it.¡§ Anathea gives the paper to Ragna. Ragna takes it not glazing at the information. [ Ragna ] ¡§One last step then you¡äre done. Come.¡§ Ragna leads Anathea to another room. It is a small room with only a cloth covering a wall. [ Anathea ] ¡§What are we doing here?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Just stand there.¡§ Ragna points to the middle of the wall with cloth for Anathea to go there. He leaves for a few seconds then comes back to the room with a women worker holding a staff. [ Anathea ] ¡§heh?¡§ The woman taps the ground with the bottom of the staff then a light comes from the staff flashing her eyes. [ Anathea ] ¡§Ahh! My eyes! My eyes!¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Relax, it was only for a photo¡§ Anathea¡äs form gets a photo of her along with her information. Anathea looks at the form seeing it is now finished. Anathea is now an Adventurer. [ Ragna ] ¡§You are now fully registered, and now a verified Adventurer. Can I see the card real quick? I wanna see something.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Hm, oh sure.¡§ Anathea hands him the tiny form which has now turned into an identity card. [ Ragna ] ¡§I guess I did see it correctly. You specialize in 3 different elements.¡§ Anathea tilts her head a slight bit. [ Anathea ] ¡§Is that a bad thing?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§No, it isn¡ät. But it¡äs rare to see someone have more than one element. How long have you had the three?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§As far I can remember, light was my first element and¡­ I just one day got Earth and Water along with it. I don¡ät remember exactly how.¡§ Ragna places his hand on his chin. [ Ragna ] ¡§You don¡ät remember¡­ that¡äs weird. But, I guess it is fine. As long as you know how to use the element, it is fine. Can¡ät have you lying about your information.¡§ Ragna gives back the card to Anathea. Ragna gives a slight smile to Anathea. [ Ragna ] ¡§Anathea Choju, you are now an Adventurer. I expect good from you.¡§ Anathea looks at her card taking it back. Her mouth curled into a slight smile. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äll do my best.¡§ [ Chapter 4 ] First Job [ Chapter 4 ] First Job Anathea takes a deep breath as she moves back into the main hall of the Adventurers Guild. She looks at her card and then back up glancing around the room. She thinks to herself as she moves towards the jobs available on the job board. She tries to hide her hunger as much as possible. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hmm, help the farmers, collecting herbs, rescuing a cat¡­¡§ She sighs ¡§What job to do? I don¡ät want to do something small.¡§ As Anathea is looking at the board filled with jobs, a man comes behind her tapping her shoulder. He is a man probably only 17 with simple looks and brown hair. In basic leather protection and a simple steel sword. [ Young Adventurer ] ¡§Hey lady, would you like to consider joining our group? You seem rather new just like us. It¡äs me with 2 other of my friends. I¡äm Pin.¡§ Anathea is taken slightly aback at the sudden proposal, she thinks for a bit before giving her answer. [ Pin ] ¡§So, what do you say!¡§ He says in an energetic and pleading voice [ Anathea ] ¡§Sure, I¡äll join you guys.¡§ Pin almost jumps up in excitement but he simply clenches his fist with a smile. [ Pin ] ¡§Thank you, I am sure you¡äll get along well with us. C¡ämon, let¡äs go and see the others.¡§ Pin walks away towards his group. Anathea follows shortly towards Pin. Pin reaches his 2 other friends. They are both guys around the same age as him¡ªone with a bow and the other with a mace and shield. [ Pin ] Points at the one with the bow ¡§That is Len.¡§ He then points at the one with the mace ¡§And that is Ien.¡§ They both greet Anathea. [ Anathea ] ¡§Nice to meet you guys. I assume you are all friends?¡§ Pin nods at Anathea. [ Pin ] ¡§Yeah, the three of us have been friends since childhood, all dreaming of becoming strong together.¡§ Pin hugs Len and Ien on the shoulders of both sides. Pin gives a smile. [ Anathea ] ¡§Do you have a mission we¡äll go on?¡§ Pin looks over to Anathea, taking out a paper of the job Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. [ Pin ] ¡§I do, the job I got for us is slaying the goblin nest in the mountain trail and saving the kidnapped.¡§ Anathea looks at the details and rewards. It rewards about 3 silver coins and 30 bronze coins. Anathea looks at the recommended amount of people. It reads 5 people of Orange rank. [ Anathea ] ¡§Five people¡­ we only have four. What are your Will colors?¡§ Pin answers while pointing at Len and Ien. [ Pin ] ¡§I¡äm Orange along with Len and Ien. We are all Orange rank.¡§ Anathea thinks for a short period. [ Anathea ] ¡§When are we doing this job?¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§We are doing it today, in 1 hour.¡§ Anathea''s eyes go a bit surprised. [ Anathea ] ¡§One hour to find another another teammate.¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§C¡ämon the four of us could do it. Besides the three of us have handled a few goblin slaying quests. They are feeble. But, I guess it does say 5 people so let''s try and look for another.¡§ As soon as Pin finished that sentence a girl got up from her table walking over to Pin and Anathea. She has neck-length blue hair in a ponytail, orange eyes, a leather crop top, minor light steel armor around her body, gloves, and leggings with straps. She looks to be around 18-20 years old. She has a rather lean and decently built physique. [Blue-haired woman ] ¡§Eto, can I join? I heard your conversation, would it be okay if also became a part of the group? I¡äm Hearts. Hearts Blue.¡§ Her voice is on the higher side along with having a friendly and nice aura around her. [ Pin ] ¡§Hell yeah! Sure, welcome to the group. What is your Will color?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§My Will color is Green.¡§ Anathea looks at Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh, we are both the same WIll color.¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§Oh yeah, I didn¡ät get your color Anathea. But it means we have 2 green ranks in our party. Alright! I think we should go now! We don¡ät need to wait.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I am fine with it, but what about you Hearts?¡§ Hearts nods looking at all the party members [ Hearts ] ¡§I¡äm ready, let me just get my items.¡§ Hearts returns to her seat, grabs her supplies, and returns within seconds. With all five of them there they make their way out of the Guild. They walk out of the city. As they leave the city and begin walking into the mountain path. Anathea''s stomach growls loudly as they walk. Anathea¡äs face starts to flush up as she covers her face with her staff and hat. [ Anathea ] ¡§S-sorry, I haven¡ät eaten in a while, I don¡ät have any money. D-don¡ät mind me.¡§ They all laugh then Hearts digs into her bag taking out bread. Pin also digs in his bag taking out a waterskin that''s water-filled. [ Hearts ] ¡§Here, it¡äs bread with a fruit paste inside. Eat, can¡ät have one of our members having no energy.¡§ Anathea''s eyes light up as she looks at the food. A small drool comes from her mouth as it slowly opens. Anathea takes the bread and waterskin. She takes a bite out of the bread. Anathea¡äs eyes begin to water a bit as they seem to glimmer with satisfaction. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hywah! It¡äs so good¡­ I was so hungry.¡§ Within seconds of Anathea eating the fruit-filled bread it was gone, she took a big gulp of the water in the waterskin. [ Anathea ] ¡§Puhuawh! Thank you guys so much. I¡äll make sure to repay you guys.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§No need to. That bread was only 3 bronze coins. You don¡ät have to pay me back.¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§Yeah, I got that water for free. So, no need to worry for us.¡§ Anathea gives a light smile looking down at the ground. [ Anathea ] In a soft tone ¡§Thank you, I appreciate that.¡§ The five of them walk more toward the location of the goblin cave they begin to see the cave. [ Anathea ] ¡§That seems to be the location. Are you guys ready?¡§ Pin, Ien, and Hearts take the lead into the cave, while Anathea and Len stay on the back side of the advancement. [ Chapter 5 ] Trap [ Chapter 5 ] Trap As the group moves further into the cave, the pathway is narrow. It is nearly pitch black. Pin and Hearts both have a torch on hand. The further they go into the cave, the tighter it becomes. The air in the cave is ominous. Pin reaches an opening and a large number of goblins stand there. [ Pin ] ¡§You guys ready?¡§ The whole group nods. Pin looks at a distracted goblin, grabbing his sword. Pin sprints towards the goblin, stabbing his sword into the heart of the first goblin. Blood gushes all over the ground and on Pin. The goblin''s scream alerts the surrounding goblins. Ien charges towards a small group of goblins, his shield pushing all into the wall. The goblins squirm and scream at Ien. [ Goblins ] ¡§Kehkkk! Chkaka!¡§ Len slides to the side of Ien. Bow in hand ready to kill. [ Len ] ¡§Keep them there!¡§ Len grabs arrows from his quiver and shoots all of the goblins in the head. Two goblins sprint toward Len with their club and jagged dagger. As they jump towards him, Hearts throws a sidekick kicking both goblins away towards the wall on each other. Hearts continue after the 2 goblins, as the goblins are dazed on the wall, she is ready to throw a punch. As Hearts is about to punch her hands begin to shine for a couple of seconds, as the light fades away, Heart''s hands are now in gauntlets. { Hearts ] ¡§Watah!¡§ (Author¡äs Note: These are Bruce Lee attacking sounds) Hearts throws her punch with the scream towards the face of the goblin, crushing both the goblin''s heads into the wall leaving a small crater in the wall from the impact. Blood exploded out of the goblin''s heads all over the wall and onto her face. [ Hearts ] ¡§Woaw~¡§ A few more goblins come rushing towards Hearts, she steps to the side. Hearts does a stomp, and multiple giant icicles form from the ground, stabbing all the goblins that rushed to her. A visible cold exhale comes from her mouth. Hearts take a few steps breaking 2 small and sharp icicles off, throwing both at two goblins from afar¡ªone into the throat and the other into the eye of one. One of the goblins dies while the other falls from pain. Hearts rushes in and jumps in, stomping the head of the goblin with one of her feet while leaving a small crater in the ground. The goblin heads get crushed, and bits of brain, bones, eyes, and flesh fly all over. Anathea looks over to Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Woah¡­ her element is ice.¡§ Around 3 goblins come towards Anathea. Anathea prepares herself, grabs her staff, and points it at the goblins. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Light, Erase.¡§ Small balls of light form around Anathea¡äs staff. Then the balls shoot out like a beam, the sound like a sonic boom, hitting all the 3 goblins on their bodies. It blows holes into them killing the goblins that came after Anathea like the body parts got erased. A couple of blood drops fly towards her face. [ Anathea ] ¡§Ew¡­. Yuck. Goblin blood.¡§ Anathea points her staff toward the couple of goblins that cower towards her. The group of goblins all retreat. [ Anathea ] ¡§Erase.¡§ Light balls form around her staff again, shooting out like beams, killing all of the goblins. All the goblins drop dead. Pin slashes the head off of the last goblin kicking its body away. [ Pin ] Swipes the blood off his sword ¡§That¡äs all of this group. Good work guys.¡§ Hearts flings her hand to the side to get the blood off her gauntlets. [ Hearts ] ¡§That was easy. Everyone alright?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Yeah, I¡äm good.¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§Let¡äs continue, we still have to save the kidnapped people.¡§ Pin leads first towards the dark lighting another torch. The rest of the group follows with him. As they make their way further into the cave, they reach a fork in the cave. Two separate paths into the cave. Both loomed with eerie and maliciousness. Anathea goes to one side of the fork. Cupping her ear, her ears shake a bit. On the left side, Anathea hears sorts of goblin sounds. Anathea then moves to the right side, she hears nothing. [ Anathea ] ¡§It seems like the left side is where the goblins are. I don¡ät hear anything from the right side, but from what I can make of it, I assume that¡äs probably where the kidnapped are. Where do we go first?¡§ If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. [ Pin ] ¡§I¡äd say we go take care of the goblins first. We can¡ät have them getting in our way while helping the people.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Anathea did say they might be on the right side, I say we should save them first since Anathea did say she didn¡ät hear anything. That¡äs assuming they¡äre there.¡§ Len raises his hand walking to Hearts and Pin. [ Len ] ¡§Here¡äs my plan, why don¡ät you three go towards the left side? While me and Ien take the right side. How does that sound?¡§ Pin thinks for a moment. He stares at both Len and Ien. [ Pin ] ¡§You guys sure? Do you think it is safe?¡§ Len pats Pin on the shoulder, walking towards Ien. [ Len ] ¡§I¡äm sure the two of us have it. You three go take out the goblins. We will go save the people kidnapped.¡§ Len and Ien come next to each other walking towards the right side of the fork. [ Pin ] ¡§Be careful.¡§ Len and Ien walk into the darkness with their touch in hand. As they slowly disappear into the dark. Anathea, Pin, and Hearts started going to the other entrance and walking into the abyss. Both sides of the party are gone within seconds. On Len and Ien¡äs side, they both reach an open area soon after. As they move closer, they begin to smell a putrid, mephitic, and malodorous stench coming further in. Len and Ien both cover their noises a bit. [ Len ] ¡§auh, god. That¡­ smells terrible.¡§ [ Ien ] ¡§I¡äm sure there is something here, let''s keep going.¡§ They both continue, and they make their way further. The stench becomes more fowl and distinctive as they move forward. The further they go Len spots a person. As Len and Ien move forward, they move closer to the person. They see it as a young woman naked. Both of their eyes widen in dread and panic. The woman''s arms are tied up onto a pole. Her body was littered with open wounds, dried blood, signs of gruesome torture from the goblins, and many signs of rape done to the woman. Len runs to the woman seeking a reaction. [ Len ] ¡°Oi! Wake up! Stay with me!¡§ Len desperately tries to get a kind of movement from her lifeless eyes and movement. Ien looks around a bit more to scout. Ien follows the stench, as he moves a bit further into the smell he sees many corpses and dismembered body parts. All of them are rotting, horrifically damaged, and there are many signs of being toys to the goblins. Ien sees most of the bodies were women who were tortured, raped, and killed. Ien nearly throws up at the sight and smell. [ Ien ] ¡§Damn goblins.¡§ Len continues to try to get a response from the women. After a few more seconds the woman slowly looks at him, her eyes showing signs of being very damaged with little sight left. She begins to move her mouth slowly. Her voice was damaged and barely audible. [ Tortured Woman ] ¡§ibts¡­ ab¡­ trahb¡§ Len takes in her words but is unable to understand what she means. Len cuts her down the pole. The woman falls into his arms, her body limp and defective. Len looks at her trying to make her words. [ Len ] ¡§I don¡ät¡­ understand what you¡äre saying. Try again, please.¡§ The woman tries again, her voice still inaudible but a bit louder. [ Tortured Woman ] ¡§Itbs¡­ ah¡­ trahp¡§ Len still couldn''t understand the words she was trying to say. [ Len ] ¡§Lady, I can¡ät understand you. Please, try to be more clear.¡§ The woman slowly moves her arm, gripping Len¡äs shirt. Her voice goes higher and louder. [ Tortured Woman ] ¡§ibs¡­ a¡­ trah¡­¡§ She tilts her head up at Len staring right at him. Her grips tighten. her voice gets much louder, and her eyes go in terror. [ Tortured Woman ] ¡§IT¡äS A TRAP!¡§ Goblins hoards break through the rock roof of the cave, right above Len. Len rolls to the side with the woman. His back reaches a wall. The woman is off the side. [ Len ] ¡§Fuck! Ien It¡äs a trap!¡§ Len screams towards Ien. [ Len ] ¡§Ien! We need to group back with the others.¡§ Ien on the other side of the group of goblins separating them. Some of the goblins run over to block the path. [ Ien ] ¡§Len! We¡äre trapped! They¡äre blocking the exit!¡§ [ Len ] ¡§Shit. Ien, We need to find a way to retr-¡§ Parts of the wall next to Len breaks. Goblins come through the wall. One of the goblins jumps out of the wall holding a dagger, turning as it bursts through the wall. The goblin locks eyes with Len, it turns as it''s in the air with its dagger in hand it swings and stabs Len right in the throat. Blood squirts out of his throat and Len spits out blood. Len''s eyes were in disbelief, but his eyes shone with a last-ditch effort. Len grabs 2 arrows from his quivers stabbing the goblin in the throat and side of the head kicking its body away. [ Ien ] ¡§LEN!¡§ Ien smacks a couple of the goblins to the side with his mace, desperately trying to get to Len. As Ien tries to reach further to help Len, more goblins swarm him making him unable to focus. Len with the dagger in his throat, bleeding out, grabs his bow, trying to kill as many as he can. [ Ien ] ¡§FUCK! LEN! HANG IN THER-¡§ Ien gets pummelled with goblins, all stabbing his back. Ien roars pushing all of them off. Ien is visibly tired and now injured. Ien gasps for air. Len shoots arrows at the tiny group blocking the path they came from killing the goblins. Len looks over to Ien with a sorrowful face, still bleeding out. [ Len ] ¡§Ien¡­ get back to them. I¡äm not making it. Regroup with Pin for me. My adrenaline will only last so long.¡§ Ien struggles to make a decision, he then runs towards where they both originally came from. With a face of guilt. Leaving Len to fend off the goblins. As Ien runs, he finds himself rethinking his choices and remembers their past. How all three were inseparable. Ien stomps, jerking back and grabbing his mace and shield. [ Ien ] ¡§NO! You¡äre not dying! Not dying alone!¡§ Ien runs back seeing Len fighting the goblin hoards by himself, already killed a large amount. Ien runs next to Ien smacking and pushing all near him away. Putting his back on Len¡äs back. Len struggles to speak due to the dagger in his throat. Goblins surround the both of them laughing and screeching. [ Goblins ] ¡§KwaHhahaha!¡§ [ Len ] ¡§You came back¡­ You¡äll die with me like this.¡§ Ien smirks ready himself, and fully prepared for what is gonna happen. [ Ien ] ¡§I¡äm not leaving you. If we''re dying, we are dying together.¡§ Len laughs through the pain, smirking also. [ Len ] ¡§I bet I¡äll kill more goblins than you even with this dagger in my throat.¡§ [ Ien ] ¡§I bet I¡äll kill double your amount.¡§ Ien smacks the heads of some rushing goblins. Brains, blood, and bones fly everywhere. Len shoots arrows toward goblins and uses his arrow in hand as a dagger to any rushing goblins. [ Len ] ¡§You¡äre on!¡§ [ Chapter 6 ] Death [ Chapter 6 ] Death On the other side of the group. Len, Hearts, and Anathea make it further into the cave. The further they go the more Anathea begins to hear a sound. Moving further into the endless hall, Anathea¡äs ears perk as she hears more sound. Anathea¡äs eyes spark in uncanny and alertness. Anathea turns to Hearts and Pin, her voice urgent. [ Anathea ] ¡§I hear a voice! It¡äs further in.¡§ Anathea rushes forward Pin and Hearts follow behind but are soon left behind due to her speed. [ Pin ] ¡§Hey! Wait up!¡§ Running into the darkness, following the screams of what seems to be a woman. Anathea keeps running and running till she reaches a large open area. A young woman''s clothes are ripped nearly naked, pinned down by many goblins, as they get ready to rape and torture her. Anathea takes in the sight, her eyes in disbelief and disgust. [ Captured Woman ] ¡§No! Stop! Stop! Stop! Please! Ahh! NO!¡§ The goblins pinning her down, stab her through her hands with their daggers, the daggers going into the floor to keep her unable to escape. The woman releases a gut-wrenching primal scream. She tries flailing her body to escape. [ Captured Woman ] ¡§AHHHHHHHHH! STOP! IT HURTS!¡§ The goblins all laugh at the amusement they get from torturing her. Some of the goblin''s faces distort with libidinous. The woman''s face forms into an apprehensive and terror structure. [ Captured Woman ] ¡§PLEASE! ANYONE! HELP ME!¡§ Anathea took in that sight but for some reason, she couldn¡ät move. Her body just didn¡ät let her. Was it anger? No, it was fear. Anathea began to shriek at the sight, wanting to do something but not taking action. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§Why¡­? Why can¡ät I move? I¡äm scared. I- I¡­ don¡ät want to fight. I need to run¡­ Run!¡§ As Anathea¡äs body slowly turns around, ready to leave, she hears a voice in the back of her mind. It screams at her. She doesn¡ät know this voice, but it feels so familiar to her. A female voice is heard in her head, which is slightly deep and stern. [ Voice in head ] ¡§Move! Are you just gonna stand there and let her die?¡§ Anathea finds herself in her head staring down a figure of a woman. The area is a hill, with flowing wind, cliffs, trees, and a sunset. The figure is completely filled in black, except for its mouth in white showing it¡äs speaking. [ Voice in head ] ¡§Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna do something?¡§ The figure walks closer to Anathea. Although unable to see emotions, the demeanor of how the figure walks shows a solemn attitude. Anathea walks back as the figure approaches her. [ Anathea ] ¡§Wh- Who are you?¡§ [ Woman Figure ] ¡§You don¡ät recognize me? Oh, how disheartened I am. But, that doesn¡ät matter to me. Are you just gonna stand there and let her die?¡§ (Authors Note: Woman Figure and Voice in Head are the same person.) Anathea¡äs eyes shine and her voice sparks in a heedful tone. [ Anathea ] ¡§No! I don¡ät want her to die. I¡äm just scared. Blood is terrifying. I can¡ät stand it!¡§ The figure closes the distance between them. The figure''s face in front of Anathea. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§Why are you scared? You can beat those goblins. Do you have a reason to be scared?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I¨C I can¡ät¡­ I can¡ät find myself able to move. I don¡ät know why.¡§ The figure backs up her face giving some distance. The figure puts its hand on her chest. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§Do you want her to die?¡§ Anathea flinches at the response. Her voice goes a bit higher as she responds. [ Anathea ] ¡§Of course not¡­ I just-¡§ [ Woman Figure ] ¡§No buts or just! If you don¡ät want her to die, then steel your resolve and save her. You have the power, you have no reason to be scared.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I- I-¡§ The figure pushes Anathea with the hand on her chest, she falls not realizing the cliff she is on. Anathea falls down the cliff scared and trying to brace herself, she then looks back at the black woman figure. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§Save her if you don¡ät want her to die. ¡§ As Anathea continues to fall she sees the figure turn around walking away. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§Being the one who [redacted] you shouldn¡ät have any trouble. You¡äve changed¡­ Anathea.¡§ The figure walks away disappearing. That word seems to have been blurred out as Anathea continues to fall. Leaving her confused and unclear. Right when Anathea is about to hit the floor she screams, and then with a quick zoom, she finds herself back to reality. Staring back at the scene of the goblin''s torture. Anathea¡äs eyes shake in horror as she takes in the sight again. Anathea begins to turn back, she thinks of the figure''s words. She finds herself not being able to move again, not being able to decide. Anathea then hears the voice again. [ Voice in head ] ¡§Are you going to let her die?¡§ Anathea listens to those words, she clenches her teeth and her hands on her staff with her body trembling. Looking down at the floor, [ Anathea ] ¡§Of course, I don¡ät want her to die¡­ I¡äm just scared¡­¡§ [ Voice in head ] ¡§So, are you gonna let her die?¡§ Anathea stomps turning back, looking at the scene of the goblins'' actions. Pointing her staff at the goblins pinning the woman. Her resolve is set and ready to fight. [ Anathea ] ¡§No. I will save her.¡§ [ Voice in head ] ¡§Good. Show me your resolve.¡§ Anathea¡äs staff begins to shine, as she prepares an attack. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Light, Eraser.¡§ A single ball of light appears beginning to shoot out towards the goblins. It zigzags into the goblins piercing through each goblin it passes through, like ricocheting off each goblin. Leaving holes like being erased with each goblin it shoots through. All the goblins around the woman dropped like flies all dying before her. Anathea lowers her staff, her eyes dead serious. Her doing her skill alerted all of the goblins in that area. Hordes of goblins begin to rise and look at her. Anathea begins to raise her staff again, ready to do another attack at the horde. Right as she does a hobgoblin appears to the left of her, with its giant club, it swings at Anathea. Anathea moves her staff pointing it at the hobgoblin. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Light, Barrier.¡§ A light screen gets summoned blocking the attack, it covers Anathea''s whole front side. The hobgoblin gets visually angered and keeps repeatedly attacking the barrier. Goblins from the horde come rushing towards Anathea. Anathea points her staff ready to do another attack at the goblins rushing to her but in exchange her barrier drops. The hobgoblin swings its giant club at Anathea, as it sees an opening. But, Anathea doesn¡ät bother trying to defend. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. [ Anathea ] ¡§Eraser.¡§ As the ball appears and begins to shoot out toward the horde of goblins, the giant club is about to hit her head. Anathea''s eyes look at the club as time seems to slow down. Footsteps are heard, and the next second Hearts comes in doing a jumping sidekick to kick the club away from Anathea. [ Hearts ] ¡§Wahhhhh!¡§ Hearts kick the hobgoblins club away, and Anathea Eraser shoots out killing all of the goblins that rushed towards her. Pin also arrives stabbing a goblin Anathea missed into the wall and slashing out of its body. [ Pin ] ¡§You alright?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm fine, let¡äs kill these goblins.¡§ Pin and Hearts see the woman who was still pinned onto the ground due to the knife stabbed through her hands. The hobgoblin swings at Hearts, but she blocks and catches the club, her strength matching the hobgoblin. [ Hearts ] ¡§How dare you goblins!¡§ Hearts begin to freeze the club onto the ground, the hobgoblin tries to break the club off the ice. The hobgoblin tries to punch Hearts, but she quickly jumps on the club dodging it. She begins running on the club and up the hobgoblin''s arms, as she quickly reaches the hobgoblin''s face, she punches its face pushing it down. Hearts fall with the hobgoblin, as it plants on the floor, Hearts stands on its neck. She fixes her gauntlets, summoning a sharp icicle and stabbing the neck of the hobgoblin. Blood gushes out but it is still alive. [ Hearts ] ¡§This is for hurting an innocent girl!¡§ Hearts punches the hobgoblin''s face, direct. She then punches its face again, then again, and again. Alternating each fist, going faster with each punch. She keeps punching its face faster and faster till her fists are afterimages. Not stopping the onslaught of punches on the hobgoblin. Blood with flesh bits flies everywhere and bones are heard breaking. With one final destructive punch, the hobgoblin''s body stops moving. The face of the hobgoblin is caved in and a blood pile. Hearts look at the hoards of goblins to the side. Many of them cower at her. Hearts rushes at the goblins determined to kill more. Pin looks over to the woman and then back at Anathea. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äll keep them at bay, go get her.¡§ Pin nods, Anathea points her staff and does another Eraser killing the goblins around the woman. Pin rushes next to the woman, reaching her. [ Pin ] ¡§I¡äm here lady, I got you.¡§ The woman''s eyes light up in relief and nearly begins to cry. [ Captured Woman ] ¡§Thank you¡­ so much¡­ I was so scared.¡§ Pin grabs the knife that is stabbed through her hands. [ Pin ] ¡§This is going to hurt.¡§ Pin pulls out the knife, and some blood spurts and spills out. The woman releases a loud grunt. Pin throws the knife to the side picking her up in a fireman carry, towards Anathea. Anathea shoots more Eraser killing all rushing in goblins. Pin reaches Anathea and goes back into the room''s entrance, putting the woman down. [ Pin ] ¡§Anyone else?¡§ The woman shakes her head no. Pin looks at Anathea. [ Pin ] ¡§Alright, we got the woman. Let¡äs kill these goblins!¡± Hearts jump back towards Pin and Anathea, pointing over to the horde of goblins. [ Hearts ] ¡§Another hobgoblin.¡§ The hob shows itself, its weapon is a jagged axe. The hob roars making the goons of goblins rush over to the three. Hearts look at Anathea, she kneels and puts both hands on the floor. [ Hearts ] ¡§Will of Ice, Field of Frost.¡§ Hearts freezes the floor all around the horde of goblins rushing in, making them slip and fall over. Then spikes of icicles explode out stabbing tons of the goblins. Hearts look at Anathea. [ Hearts ] ¡§Finish them.¡§ Anathea points her staff at the horde, her staff begins to shine. [ Anathea ] ¡§Eraser.¡§ The ball of light shoots out killing all of the leftover goblins. The horde of goblins all fall dead to both of their attacks. All that stands is the last hob. [ Pin ] ¡§I barely got to do anything.¡§ The hob clenches its axe and begins to charge. Anathea points her staff at the hob. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Light, Sacred Shine.¡§ A blinding light shines bright, blazing into the eyes of the hob. The hob blocks its eyes screaming and swinging its axe. Pin runs to the side around the hob. [ Pin ] ¡§I want some action too!¡§ As the hob is blinded, Pin rushes to the legs of the hob, slicing the hob heels causing it to scream in agony. The hobs heels gush out blood as it begins to fall backward. Hearts runs and jumps next to its head. [ Hearts ] ¡§Wuahhh!¡§ Hearts grabs the hob''s face pushing it down faster to the ground for a slam. As Hearts slams the hob onto the ground, she grips the hob face harder. Ice begins to form on her grip, quickly freezing the hob''s face. Within seconds of the freezing Hearts completely froze the face of the hob. Hearts cartwheels back to gain distance. Anathea points her staff at the head of the hob. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Earth, Stone Coffin.¡§ The floor below the hobgoblins head breaks into 2 halves folding onto each other to crush the hobs head. A loud thump was heard. Bones, ice, and blood flew everywhere. Anathea takes a deep breath out, then drops to her knees holding her staff. Anathea takes many deep breaths to recover. [ Anathea ] ¡§We¡äre done¡­¡§ Hearts comes over to help Anathea up to her feet. Hearts has one Anathea¡äs of arms on her shoulders. [ Hearts ] ¡§I got you. You did an amazing job, Ana.¡§ Pin walks back to the woman. [ Pin ] ¡§You¡äre safe now, we can return you home.¡§ The woman begins to tear up, her eyes swell in appreciation. She grips onto Pin¡äs shirt. Pin looks over at Anathea. [ Pin ] ¡§Care to give your coat to her?¡§ Anathea puts down her staff and removes her coat, giving it to Pin. Pin takes it, then gives it to the woman for her to wear. Pin stands up looking at the way back. [ Pin ] ¡§Let¡äs go check on Len and Ien.¡§ Pin takes the lead first, and Hearts and Anathea soon follow along with the woman. They make their way back through the cave. Hearts nudges Anathea with her elbow. [ Hearts ] ¡§Your light Will is amazing. I did ¡ät know you had Earth and Light!¡§ Hearts eye shine an eager tone. Anathea is taken aback by the compliment. [ Anathea ] ¡§No no, if it wasn¡ät for you stopping that hobs attack, I probably would be done for. And that field of ice you made, you took out such a big horde.¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§You both did an amazing job, okay. I wonder what Len and Ien found.¡§ Hearts look at Anathea, making a curious face. [ Hearts ] ¡§You looked so serious when you were fighting earlier. It¡äs like you were a different person. Even at the beginning of the cave, you didn¡ät act that serious.¡§ Anathea thinks back to the Woman Figure¡äs words. [ Anathea ] ¡§Yeah, It seems so. I just had to. It was to save someone. ¡§ Hearts pats Anathea¡äs back and gives a warm smile. [ Hearts ] ¡§Thanks to that she¡äs saved now, because of you.¡§ Anathea smiles but remembers how she faltered at the first sight of the goblin''s action. Soon, the group reaches the fork again where the group originally split off. Anathea¡äs ears perk. [ Anathea ] ¡§Goblins! Where Len and Ien are at!¡§ Pin''s eyes spark in adrenaline, He sprints in their direction. Hearts and Anathea follow along with the woman. [ Pin ] ¡§Len! Ien!¡§ Pin continues to sprint, and then reaches the room. He sees tons of goblin bodies. Blood everywhere and signs of a gruesome battle. [ Pin } ¡§Ien! Len!¡§ Pin walks past the goblin bodies all over the place, he looks around desperately. Pin''s eyes glaze over, his eyes widen, staggered, and jolted. [ Pin ] ¡§Len¡­¡§ Len is sitting down next to the wall, an arm missing, his bow broken, bleeding profusely, and unresponsive. Pin begins to tear up, running to Len with urgency. [ Pin ] ¡§LEN! LEN! WAKE UP! PLEASE LEN!¡§ Steps are heard, and Pin looks over to the side. A few goblins come, holding what seems to be a head of a person. As they move closer to Pin, the light from his torch shows what they are holding. A goblin is holding the head of Ien, blood pouring from his neck. Pin eyes shatter, and the goblins all laugh. Pin goes dead silent, tears running down his face. He looks around seeing how much Ien and Len fought, leaving only a tiny group of goblins left from the massive hoard they fought. [ Goblin ] ¡§Kwyahahahaha!¡§ Pin grabs his small sword, looking at the leftover group of goblins, seeing in the back Ien¡äs body filled with tons of daggers in his body. [ Pin ] ¡§Will of Speed, Tempo.¡§ Pin begins to step forward towards the goblin holding Ien¡äs head. As he takes a step forward, as soon as his foot hits the ground. Blood flies onto his face. All the goblins that were left standing in front of Pin, all their heads were gone the next second. All of the bodies of the goblins fall, and Ien¡äs head falls and rolls over to Len¡äs body. Pin¡äs face is nonchalant, he hears sobbing. Pin jerks his head seeing a woman in the corner. It was the Tortured Woman. [ Pin ] ¡§They¡äre dead.¡§ Hearts and Anathea arrive at the scene. They both see Ien¡äs head and Len¡äs body. They both gasp in horror. [ Hearts ] ¡§They¡­ are both dead¡­¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Pin¡­ are you¡­¡§ [ Pin ] ¡§No¡­ I¡äm not.¡§ Pin walks over to the woman crying. [ Tortured Woman ] ¡§Who are you?¡§ Pin helps her up not answering, leading her to Hearts and Anathea. Pin''s face in Saudade not showing any big emotion. Hearts takes her holding her safe. [ Pin ] ¡§Just¡­ let me be here for a little bit. Alone.¡§ Hearts and Anathea nod, taking the Tortured Woman with them and walking out. Hearts and Anathea walk with 2 other women, towards the entrance of the cave. [ Hearts ] ¡§Lets¡­ just leave. He¡äll come soon after.¡§ Anathea nods looking at their path. [ Anathea ] ¡§Yeah¡­ let¡äs give him some time.¡§ Anathea and Hearts both walk with the 2 other women till they reach the fork in the road again. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs wait here for him.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Yeah.¡§ A few minutes go by of Hearts and Anathea waiting. Anathea thinks about how Pin is feeling at the moment. [ Anathea ] In her head ¡§I hope he¡äs okay.¡§ Anathea¡äs mind begins to wander off. [ Anathea ] In her head ¡§I feel like¡­ I felt this feeling before. Why¡­?¡§ Anathea begins to shed a tiny tear. Hearts sees this and she looks over to Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡§You okay?¡§ [ Anathea ] Wiping her eyes ¡§I¡äm fine, just thinking of something.¡§ In her mind ¡§Why am I crying?¡§ As soon as Anathea wipes her eye, her ears perk as she hears a sound. It was the sound of a tiny grunt, it was low but enough for her to hear. The grunt was what could be made up as pain. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hearts¡­ Let¡äs go check on Pin.¡§ Hearts hesitates for a moment but complies. [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeah¡­ I¡äm sure he needs comfort.¡§ Hearts tells the 2 women to stay there and wait. Anathea and Hearts walk back to where Pin is at, not saying much. As they reach the entrance to the area where Pin is, she sees Pin on his knees next to Len¡äs body and Ien¡äs head. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hey Pi-¡§ Anathea''s eyes widen, as she sees the scene dropping her staff. Hearts also sees the scene gasping loudly. [ Hearts ] ¡§PIN!¡§ Pin¡äs body was limp and unresponsive. Pin had his sword stabbed into his stomach. Blood streamed from his gut, spilling into the ground and the sword. Pin still had tears dropping in his eyes with his pale eyes. Pin killed himself in front of his two best friends. [ Anathea ] ¡§Why¡­? Pin¡­ WHYYYYYYYY!¡§ [ Chapter 7 ] Recover [ Chapter 7 ] Recover Hearts and Anathea walk out of the goblin cave, the sun beaming in their eyes. It had only been about 2 hours since they¡äd entered. The two kidnappees follow behind them. Walking back towards the City of Staya, the atmosphere was tranquil. Even though the two women didn¡ät see what happened they knew from their quiet, soon after they reached the city gates. [ Anathea ] ¡§Guards, we found 2 kidnapped from the goblin cave up in the mountains.¡§ The guards come to the two women''s side to guide them into the city. One towards rehabilitation and one towards a care center. Hearts and Anathea make their way to report their job done. The tension between them is mute. Reaching the adventurers'' guild, they both make their way to the female clerk at the reporting stand. The name tag of the woman is Ceres. [ Ceres ] ¡§Hello! What mission would you like to¡­ report done?¡§ Ceres sees the tranquil and guilty look on both of their faces. Anathea takes out the paper that had the job they had done. Anathea with a depressed tone. [ Anathea ] ¡§We¡äve come to report this mission done. We cleared out the goblin cave.¡§ Ceres takes the paper, getting the coins out. [ Ceres ] ¡§I saw earlier today¡­ weren¡ät there¡­ 3 others?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§They¡äre dead¡­ 2 killed¡­ and the other¡­¡§ Ceres eyes show remorse, she continues to get the correct amount of coins. [ Ceres ] ¡§Those three are dead¡­ It hasn¡ät been that long since they¡äve become adventurers.¡§ Ceres finishes getting the reward amount of coins. She puts it on a tray, giving it to them with a forced smile. [ Ceres ] ¡§That¡äs sad but¡­ hey¡­ gotta keep going right. Live on for them.¡§ Hearts and Anathea take their reward of 3 silver coins with 30 bronze coins. [ Ceres ] ¡§Since¡­ the other three aren¡ät here no more¡­ I¡äm required to give you both the rest of their earnings.¡§ Ceres puts 9 silver coins and 90 bronze coins on the tray. [ Hearts ] ¡§I¡äll take 4 silver coins, Ana. You need it more than me.¡§ Hearts take her portion of the money, and Anathea reaches out to get her half. [ Anathea ] ¡§This feels¡­ wrong.¡§ Anathea takes the money and walks out of the guild. She is looking for a place to rest by herself. She walks around for a bit and finds the same bench she sat at when she first arrived. Anathea goes and takes a seat. [ Anathea ] ¡§What happened¡­ today. So much happened¡­¡§ Anathea stares at the sky, a red-orange color as the sun begins to set. She slouches a bit on the bench. [ Anathea ] ¡§What the fuck went wrong¡­¡§ As Anathea loses herself in thought staring at the sky, Hearts sits next to her. [ Hearts ] ¡§Quite the day¡­ yeah?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Aren¡ät you sad?¡§ Hearts hesitates for a moment then answers. [ Hearts ] ¡§Sad? I don¡ät know how to feel¡­ Those three were such great people, we only got to know them today¡­ But, I feel like¡­ I kinda lost a part of me.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I barely got to know them¡­ why¡­ did Pin kill himself?¡§ Hearts looks down at the ground. [ Hearts ] ¡§I don¡ät know¡­ nor will we know.¡§ Anathea curls up on the bench, hugging her knees. [ Anathea ] ¡§Why did this happen¡­?¡§ Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. [ Hearts ] ¡§I- I don¡ät know.¡§ As they both sit there in silence, footsteps are heard coming towards them. The shade shows the woman Anathea saved, she now wearing simple clothes and holding the coat Ana had given her. She approaches both of them. [ Captured Woman ] ¡§Anathea¡­ right? I came to return your coat. I never told you my name. I¡äm Nora.¡§ Nora hands her the coat Ana gave to her, it was clean and folded up. [ Nora ] ¡§I just wanted to thank you guys¡­ for saving me. If it wasn¡ät for you¡­ I¡äd probably be dead or worse.¡§ Anathea takes her coat back, and Nora stands in front of both of them. [ Anathea ] ¡§There¡äs no need to thank us.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeah, it was part of our mission to do so.¡§ Nora bows to them. [ Nora ] ¡§Still¡­ I just need to thank you¡­¡§ Nora stands up straight. [ Nora ] ¡§I¡äm sorry about Pin¡­ I wish I could thank him also.¡§ Nora points over to an Inn. [ Nora ] ¡§If you guys are interested¡­ my father owns that inn¡­ I can ask if you guys want, my father can give you both a discount. It¡äs my way to thank you guys.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh, I would appreciate that yes. I¡äll come in a bit.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Same here.¡§ Nora says goodbye and walks off back to the inn. It goes back to silence with both of the two sitting there. Hearts decides to break the silence. [ Hearts ] ¡§I lost my grandpa.¡§ Anathea looks at Hearts then looks back down. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm sorry to hear that.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Well¡­ he wasn¡ät my grandpa per se but he felt like it to me. From what I can remember, I lost my parents when I was young. I don¡ät even remember what they look like. I was an orphan, not knowing what to do. Till one day, he found me. Grandpa took me in, cared for me, nurtured me, taught me martial arts, and helped me get my Will stronger.¡§ Anathea listens to her story. [ Anathea ] ¡§He must have meant a lot to you.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§He made me who I am. Turned a lost girl like me and gave her life. I owe him my life. I still remember the day I came back home those years ago.¡§ Hearts in her mind remember the scene. Young Hearts was around 13. The day was raining as Hearts was coming home after getting crops. The home was in a forest of some kind. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§Grandpa! I¡äm back!¡§ Young Hearts opens the door, and Grandpa walks to Young Hearts. Grandpa had many wrinkles, wearing simple clothes resembling Chinese sifu¡äs, and had white hair due to age. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Glad to see you back young one.¡§ Young Hearts goes to hug Grandpa. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§I wanna eat!¡§ Grandpa rubs the head of Young Hearts. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Sodana, it¡äs about time to eat. Did you make sure you weren¡ät followed? Remember these woods are prone to monsters.¡§ Young Hearts smiles, running into the open outside their house making a good distance between them. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§Of course, Grandpa, I made sure no monster followed me. See!¡§ Young Hearts laughs in the rain. Grandpa looks at Young Hearts giving a soft smile. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Sokka, then let¡äs go make something to eat.¡§ Young Hearts begins to move back to their house, skipping happily. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§Okay! I can¡ät wai-¡§ Time seems to slow down, as what appears behind Young Hearts'' next second is a giant wolf. It was a White Fang, an all-white wolf. It appeared behind Young Hearts in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. The wolf swings its paw towards Young Hearts. Right as the wolf paw is about to strike Young Hearts, the wolf is blown away the next millisecond. All that was heard was a loud sonic boom. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Don¡ät touch her.¡§ Grandpa stands there his arm extended out with some smoke coming from his fist. The clothes on his right arm dissipated showing the muscles of Grandpa. Hearts fall downs on her butt behind Grandpa. The wolf gets back from the strike, growling and showing its teeth. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§Grandpa¡­¡§ [ Grandpa ] ¡§Seemed like you were followed Hearts, you still have much to learn.¡§ The wolf howls running at them zigzagging then jumping opening its jaw to bite Grandpa. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Will of Martial, Soaring Fist.¡§ Grandpa pulls his arm back, tensing it, then punching the air. An air beam flies out as he punches going right through the wolf, leaving a giant hole in its face, killing it. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Next lesson. Don¡ät think, Feel.¡§ Grandpa walks back into their house. Back to reality, Anathea looks over to Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§How did he die?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§During the night of that day¡­¡§ The scene plays in her head again. Young Hearts wakes up in the middle of the night, she gets up from her bed walking. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§So thirsty¡­¡§ Young Hearts walks outside getting a drink from the well outside their house. Young Hearts looks over to the side seeing Grandpa, looking into the moon and sitting down. Young Hearts approaches him. [ Young Hearts ] ¡§What are you doing Grandpa?¡§ [ Grandpa ] ¡§Nothing young one.¡§ Hearts sits down next to Grandpa close, she leans on his arm. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Young one¡­ you¡äve been such a great girl. I hope one day when you go on your adventure you go on an amazing one.¡§ Hearts falls nearly asleep on his side. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Promise me¡­ young Hearts¡­ that you¡äll live your life being yourself, following your dreams.¡§ Hearts falls asleep on his side. [ Grandpa ] ¡§Even if this old man isn¡ät by your side, continue to be happy.¡§ Grandpa stares into the moon one more time before he closes his eyes. Back to reality. [ Anathea ] ¡§What happened?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§When I woke up¡­ he passed away. He was¡­ smiling, holding onto me.¡§ Anathea looks down at the floor. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm sorry for your loss.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Don¡ät be, I¡äve already mourned long enough.¡§ Hearts stands up from the bench. [ Hearts ] ¡§The moral of what I''m getting to here is, don¡ät let this stop us. Let¡äs continue going, for our sakes, and their sake. I¡äm sure if Pin was here, he would cheer us up.¡§ Hearts extends her hand to Anathea looking for her response. Anathea takes her hand back. [ Anathea ] ¡§Right. Let¡äs continue being adventurers.¡§ Anathea gets pulled up from the bench. She puts back on her coat. Hearts gives Ana a content smile. Now night time from their talk. [ Hearts ] ¡§Where to now?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§The inn.¡§ Anathea and Hearts walk together to the inn that Nora mentioned to them, ready and prepared for their next action. They walk over to the inn, and as Anathea opens the door they see a simple yet warm atmosphere. [ Hearts ] In her mind "I miss you Grandpa Donnie Lee." [ Chapter 8 ] Next Actions [ Chapter 8 ] Next Actions Nora sees the both of them entering the inn. Nora walks over to the both of them. [ Nora ] ¡°Glad to see you guys came. Let me go bring father.¡± (Author¡¯s Note: I forgot to say it but Nora/the captured woman has long white hair) Nora leaves going into the employee''s room. As Nora leaves, Anahea thinks to herself about Nora. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§White hair¡­ why does she look so familiar?¡§ Anathea looks at Hearts for an answer. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hey Hearts? Does Nora look familiar to you? Hearts put her hand on her chin. [ Hearts ] ¡§No, I don¡ät think so. Not for me at least.¡§ Anathea begins to think to herself again. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§I feel like I meet someone similar to her. I can¡ät put my hand on it!¡§ Anathea puts a finger from both hands on her head like she''s drilling them into her head. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§Come on! Think! Who else looks like her.¡§ Anathea visibly gets annoyed as she thinks to herself. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§Who is it! Who is it? Who is it?¡§ Then it clicks in her headlight bulb. She looks over to Hearts. ( Author¡äs note: If I had to visualize it, a light bulb lighted up appeared above her head.) [ Anathea ] ¡§I figured it out, but¡­ no. It can¡ät be him, right? There is no way it is R-¡§ A man burst through the employee door, he had white hair, tall, rugged, black eyes, and wait¡­ That is just Ragna. Anathea looks at Ragna with a shocked expression. [ Anathea ] ¡§Bakana!¡§ It was Ragna, but he seemed to be wearing casual working clothes. Anathea looks at Ragna, pointing at him with her mouth wide open. [ Anathea ] ¡§R- Ragna!¡§ Ragna makes his way towards Anathea. He looks serious and looks like he is gonna murder someone. Anathea''s eyes widen and she cowers a bit. [ Anathea ] ¡§R- ragna¡­?¡§ Anathea looked at Hearts but it was a ice clone of herself standing there. Hearts left the scene. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hearts?!¡§ Ragna''s shadow darkens Anathea¡äs figure as it looks like he is towering over her. Anathea begins to shrink her body a bit, making herself look smaller [ Anathea ] ¡§geh¡­ uh.. Umm¡­ Ragna¡­?¡§ Anathea looks at him scared and confused. [ Anathea ] ¡§So¡­ uhhh¡­ we¡­ s-saved your¡­ daughter¡­ so¡­ uhh¡­ umm¡­ I- I don¡ät know what¡­ I or¡­. we¡­ did wrong¡­ but¡­ don¡ät kill me.¡§ Ragna seems to bring out his hand over Anathea. Then it was on her head like a head pat. [ Ragna ] ¡§Thank you.¡§ Ragna''s tone was thankful but also had a prominent sense of sadness. Anathea flinches at the touch. [ Anathea ] ¡§Ragn-¡§ Anathea looks at Ragna seeing him bawling out tears and snot. [ Anathea ] ¡§Eh!¡§ Ragna tightly hugs Anathea. A sound of bone crack was heard from Anathea¡äs back. [ Anathea ] ¡§Itai! Itai! Itai!¡§ Anathea repeats it many times quickly from how hard Ragna was squeezing her while crying. [ Ragna ] ¡§Th- hank You! I was so worrwed for her! ¡§ (Author¡¯s note: Spelled it wrong intentionally) Ragna looks at Anathea from his tears seeing Anathea passed out from the tight squeeze. A tiny ghost coming from her mouth as she blacked out. [ Ragna ] ¡§Wait! Wake up. I¡äm sorry for squeezing you.¡§ Ragna lets go of Anathea, and Anathea falls onto her knees and hands. Her tone is hurt and gassed tone. [ Anathea ] ¡§Ohhhhh my gawd¡­ I nearly died¡­ that hurt so baawd. My back¡­ my back¡­¡§ Ragna drops with her trying to apologize, still crying. [ Ragna ] ¡§ I''m so sorry, I didn¡ät mean to hurt you.¡§ Anathea lifts her head, her eyes still pale. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§There is no way this is Ragna¡­ what''s this personality switch?¡§ The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Anathea hurtly gets up from the ground. [ Anathea ] ¡§Question! Are you Ragna?¡§ Ragna looks at her in confusion. [ Ragna ] ¡§Ragna..? You mean my brother?¡§ Anathea''s eyes open in shock. [ Anathea ] ¡§YOU¡§RE HIS BROTHERRRR!¡§ [ Crimson ] ¡§Yes, I¡äm not Ragna. My name is Crimson Gin. Younger brother of Ragna Gin. He is Ragna, I am Crimson.¡§ Crimson gets up from his knees. [ Crimson ] ¡§I just wanted to thank you for saving my daughter Nora. I want to repay you two¡­ where is the other one?¡§ Hearts walks back into the inn the next second. [ Hearts ] ¡§Gomen, I went to the restroom.¡§ Anathea points at Hearts with some anger her tone getting louder. [ Anathea ] ¡§Why¡äd you leave me alone?! And now you come back after what happened! You meanie!¡§ [ Crimson ] ¡§Alright, that¡äs enough. I just wanted to thank you two for saving Nora. I am going to repay you two by giving you both permanent discounts.¡§ Crimson moves over to the kitchen. [ Crimson ] ¡§The inn is closed but for you 2. I¡äll make an exception.¡§ Crimson pokes his head back looking at Anathea and Hearts. [ Crimson ] ¡§I got 2 open rooms for you both. Feel free to use them for free for today. Sit down for a bit. I think you guys deserve some food.¡± Anathea and Hearts both sit near an available table. Anathea still glares at Hearts with anger. [ Hearts ] ¡°Hey, Ana? Do you still wanna be in a party?¡± Anathea thinks about it due to the sudden change in topic. [ Anathea ] ¡°I don¡¯t see why not too. Even if lots of things happened today.¡± Hearts smiles at Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡°Let¡¯s do the best we can!¡± Hearts eyes light up in happiness after what Anathea said. [ Anathea ] ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do our best.¡± Hearts leans back on her chair. [ Hearts ] ¡°Since I told you my past, why not share some of your past?¡± Anathea thinks for a moment. [ Anathea ] ¡°As you know, I am an elf. I was born in the elven country Kathin. I didn¡¯t do much or remember much of my past. I am 4000 years old.¡± Hearts eyes widen. [ Hearts ] ¡°F- Four Thousand?!?!¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°For the last two thousand years I shut myself in my room. I only left when the country decided to send me to a human country to form better bonds. [ Hearts ] ¡°Why did you shut yourself in?¡± Anathea ponders for a moment. [ Anathea ] ¡°I don¡¯t know actually. I just did. I¡¯m pretty lazy if you didn¡¯t know. Slept and read books.¡± Hearts look at Ana seriously [ Hearts ] ¡°Now, I wanna know¡­¡± Anathea sees how serious she looks and hesitates slightly. [ Anathea ] "W- What?" [ Hearts ] ¡°How do you have two Will elements!? That¡¯s so cool! I wish I had two just like you! I didn¡¯t know you could have two! Tell me! How did you do it!?! I wanna know!!! Earth and Light are so cool!¡± Hearts voice filled with excitement and rush getting closer with each word. Anathea is unsure what to do from Hearts energy. [ Anathea ] ¡°Okay! Okay. just calm down a bit.¡± Hearts backs up and sits back down. [ Anathea ] ¡°So¡­ as far as I remember. My first Will element was Light. The one I was born with and use the most. As for my other 2 elements.¡§ Hearts jump even more with excitement. [ Hearts ] ¡§Other two! You have THREE?!?!? What¡äs the third?! Tell me!¡§ Anathea tries to calm down Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Alright chill for a bit so I can explain.¡§ Hearts sits back down eagerly to listen [ Hearts ] ¡§Gotcha!¡§ Anathea sighs. [ Anathea ] ¡§Okay¡­ so¡­ I¡­ don¡ät remember how I got Earth and Water. As far as I can remember after one day. I just got them. Sorry to disappoint.¡§ Hearts energy seems to have dropped. [ Hearts ] ¡§Naruhodo¡­ that is weird. I am sure it¡äs rare to have more than one. But not to remember is abnormal. Do you have memory loss?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I am sure not. I don¡ät think I did anything for me to lose my memory.¡§ Hearts point at Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡§We¡äre sparing tomorrow.¡§ Anathea''s eyes widen in confusion. [ Anathea ] ¡§Spar? Tomorrow? I mean I guess we could.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§We definitely are. I wanna see your three elements!¡§ Crimson shoats to them from the kitchen. [ Crimson ] ¡§Food is done!¡§ Crimson comes out with a giant tray of food and puts it on the table. Plates of bread, meat, stir fry, stew, and liquor. The smell made both Anathea and Hearts drool a bit while staring at the food. [ Crimson ] ¡§This meal is on the house. Eat. This is my repayment.¡§ Anathea takes a big gulp. [ Anathea ] ¡§I haven¡ät eaten a big meal like this¡­ in forever¡­¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I¡äm not sure¡­ if I could finish this.¡§ Crimson lets out a small chuckle [ Crimson ] ¡§Eat till your fill.¡§ Anathea takes her spoon and takes a bite out of the mushroom stew. [ Anathea ] ¡§Fuah~ so light and savory~¡§ Hearts takes a piece of the niupai steak biting into it. [ Hearts ] ¡§oishii~ it''s so juicy~¡§ They both begin feasting on the meal given to them. Demolishing the meal rather quickly even with the amount given. Crimson looks at them with gratitude. [ Crimson ] ¡§Slow down. No one¡äs taking the food.¡§ Anathea grabs a cub of the liquor that was on the side. [ Anathea ] ¡§Down the hatch!¡§ Crimson looks at Anathea. [ Crimson ] ¡§You sure? That one is strong.¡§ Anathea doesn¡ät listen and takes a big gulp of the liquor. [ Anathea ] ¡§Ah~ oh~ phew~ oh gosh¡§ Anathea¡äs face began to flush as they became more airheaded. [ Crimson ] ¡§And she is drunk now.¡§ Crimson laughs a bit. Hearts takes a sip of the other liquor on the tray. [ Hearts ] ¡§Oh, this one is refreshing. ¡§ (Author¡äs Note: Hearts isn¡ät 21 but the drinking age is different in this world.) Anathea says to Crimson. [ Anathea ] ¡§hic¡§ ¡§I¡äm not drUnk¡­ I¡äll have yoU know I am not a lightweight.¡§ [ Crimson ] ¡§Haha, you two continue eating, I¡äll go set up your rooms.¡§ Anathea plants her head on the table as she slumps. A loud thump was heard. Hearts finish the leftovers of the food. [ Hearts ] ¡§Well¡­ I''ll keep in mind not to give her liquor next time.¡§ Hearts cleans up the table a bit then pokes Anathea¡äs head [ Hearts ] ¡§Hey. Wake up.¡§ Anathea jerks her head up rubbing it. [ Anathea ] ¡§Augh¡­ my head¡­ did I fall asleep?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§For about 10 minutes.¡§ Anathea gets up slowly. [ Anathea ] ¡§One sip of it and I got intoxicated. I guess he wasn¡ät kidding.¡§ Hearts gets up also from her seat. [ Hearts ] ¡§Probably don¡ät drink liquor again next time lightweight. Especially a strong one. Anathea gets a bit angered. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hey! I¡äm not a lightweight! (Author¡äs Note: She is.) They both make their way into their rooms. Walking to the stairs and approaching their rooms. [ Hearts ] ¡§You can use the shower room they have first. I think it has a mini hot tub. It¡äs over there.¡§ Hearts point to the room next to the inn rooms. [ Hearts ] ¡§It¡äs pretty late, you should get some sleep soon.¡§ Anathea nods slightly. [ Anathea ] ¡§Right.¡§ Hearts go into her room, and so does Anathea. Anathea walks into her room plopping onto the bed. Her hat falls off and she takes off her cloak. [ Anathea ] ¡§So tired¡­¡§ Anathea gets up and out of her room, making her way to the shower room. Opening the door, going in. The hot tub made from strong wood had warm water with steam coming from it. To the side of the tub is a seat and a bowl. Anathea removes her clothes, dropping them onto the ground revealing her naked slim body. She takes a step into the tub, slowly enveloping herself in the water. (Author¡äs Note: Fanservice shot) [ Anathea ] ¡§So warm~¡§ Anathea¡äs body was fully covered by the warm water beside her head. She slowly dips her head further into the water. [ Anathea ] ¡§blublublbublu.¡§ Anathea covers her nose down her head in the water causing bubbles to flow up. Time passes as she washes herself. Anathea comes out of the water, the water flows from her body. Anathea steps out of the tub, grabs one of the free towels for use, and begins to dry herself. [ Anathea ] ¡§So sleepy¡­¡§ Anathea dresses herself in clothes. Simple clothes such as a white shirt and basic pants. Anathea exits the shower room, walking to her room. She opens the room to her door plopping down again on the bed. [ Anathea ] ¡§I wonder what our next actions will be¡­¡§ Anathea soon drifts asleep quickly. The moonlight beams into her room from the window. [ Chapter 9 ] Spar [ Chapter 9 ] Spar Anathea finds herself back in the area in her head. The scenery was the hill and sunset just like last time. Anathea stands staring at the sunset feeling the wind blow on her face. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm¡­ back here¡­¡§ Anathea takes in the familiar sight. A voice is then heard, it is the same voice from last time. Anathea turns back seeing the black woman figure again. The white smile is prominent on her face. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§Look who is back? The [Redacted].¡§ The word goes blank to Anathea, like a glitch. [ Anathea ] ¡§I don¡ät know what you said.¡§ The woman figure white smile drops a bit. [ Anathea ] ¡§Ah, I forgot. I¡äm not allowed to say that. Not like saying it matters when you can¡ät hear it.¡§ Anathea''s head turns in confusion. [ Anathea ] ¡§Not allowed? What does that mean?¡§ The woman figure sighs at Anathea. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§I can¡ät answer that. I¡äm not allowed to.¡§ Anathea''s confusion burns higher. [ Anathea ] ¡§What do you mean not allowed to? I don¡ät get it.¡§ [ Woman Figure ] ¡§It doesn¡ät matter really. You¡äll figure it out eventually. Someday you will hear that word.¡§ Anathea stands there taking in the woman figure¡äs words. [ Anathea ] ¡§Figure it out¡­ eventually?¡§ The figure walks closer to Anathea. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§I have a bad feeling today¡­ No reason why. But I have a gut feeling. I¡äm only here to warn you Ana.¡§ Anathea only gets more confused by her words [ Anathea ] ¡§Bad feeling? Why? How do you have one?¡§ The Woman Figure darts to look at Anathea. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§I feel like something is gonna happen today. Whether it be bad or good.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Should I be cautious?¡§ The Woman Figure nods no. [ Woman Figure ] ¡§I wouldn¡ät say you need to. But just be safe, be wary.¡§ Anathea thinks for a second taking in her words. [ Anathea ] ¡§Okay¡­ You know¡­ I still don¡ät know who you are¡­ can you remind me? You said I forgot who you were.¡§ The Woman Figures form gets surprised for a second then a big smile appears. [ Woman Figure ] ¡°My name¡­? I forgot you don¡¯t remember me.¡± The Woman Figure turns facing to Anathea. [ Woman Figure ] ¡°I am [redacted]¡± The name of the woman glitched out also. [ Woman Figure ] ¡°Seems like you can¡¯t be allowed to hear that yet.¡± Anathea gets slightly angered with confusion. [ Anathea ] ¡°Why!? I don¡¯t get it! Why aren¡¯t you allowed to?! Who are you?! What is this place!?!¡± Anathea''s pitch was high and desperate. The Woman Figure¡¯s demeanor dropped a bit from the sudden tone change. [ Woman Figure ] ¡°You aren¡¯t allowed yet to learn many things. I can only answer one of your questions. This place, this place is your conscience, your mind, what you are seeing in your head. Your¡­ internal monologue.¡± Anathea takes in the words unable to make of it. [ Anathea ] ¡°If this is my conscience why¡­ am I talking to you?¡± [ Woman Figure ] ¡°That is one I can¡¯t answer, well I can say it, but it gets blocked.¡± Anathea touches her head from confusion. [ Anathea ] ¡°I don¡¯t get it¡­ this is hurting my brain.¡± [ Woman Figure ] ¡°As I said, you¡¯ll learn eventually. You¡¯re just not ready yet.¡± Anathea turns to the Woman Figure. [ Anathea ] ¡°Not¡­ ready¡­?¡± The Woman Figure looks up into the sky. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. [ Woman Figure ] ¡°Seems like it¡¯s time to separate.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Wait! I still have many questions!¡± The Woman Figure looks at Ana. [ Woman Figure ] ¡°Hearts is gonna wake you up, bringing you back to reality. So, we have no control over this.¡± Anathea tries to run and grab the Woman Figure¡¯s hand. [ Anathea ] ¡°W- Wait!¡± As Anathea grabs the Woman Figure¡¯s hand she wakes up, back to reality, blinking as Hearts stands over her from the side of her bed. [ Hearts ] ¡°Geez! You slept so long.¡± Hearts point out of the window. [ Hearts ] ¡°It is already daytime, hurry and get up!¡± Anathea gets up from the bed, rubbing her eyes. [ Anathea ] ¡°I¡¯m going, I¡¯m going.¡± [ Hearts ] ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting outside.¡± Anathea gets up from her bed, getting her gear on. Minutes pass, and Anathea comes out of the room with her usual mage clothing, putting her hat on. Anathea fixes her clothes and checks on her staff. [ Anathea ] ¡°All set.¡± Anathea walks down to the inn¡¯s main area where Hearts sits at one of the tables. The inn has a small amount of people on other tables. Anathea reaches Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡°I¡¯m ready now. What are we doing next anyway?¡± Hearts smiles and lightly punches Anathea¡¯s shoulder. [ Hearts ] ¡°We¡¯re gonna spar.¡± Anathea makes a blank derpy face. [ Anathea ] ¡°Heh¡­? you weren¡¯t kidding¡­¡± Hearts walks towards the exit with jolly and excitement in her steps. [ Hearts ] ¡°Hahaha! Nope!¡± Anathea sighs and walks with her. As they are about to leave the inn, Nora chimes in. [ Nora ] ¡§Wait for a bit, please.¡§ Nora goes into the employee room, coming back soon with a wooden picnic basket and bringing it to them. [ Nora ] ¡§Here, it has sandwiches in them. I made them just for the two of you. Anathea takes it and holds onto it. [ Anathea ] Thank you, Nora.¡§ Hearts leave Anathea¡¯s room. Anathea sits there stretching. [ Anathea ] ¡°Be wary huh¡­¡± Hearts and Anathea take their leave from the in. Crimson and Nora both look at them as they leave. [ Crimson and Nora ] ¡°Come back again.¡± Hearts and Anathea both wave to them. [ Hearts ] ¡°Later.¡± They both leave the inn, walking towards the direction of the city gates. [ Hearts ] ¡°How do you feel about Straya? This is your first time interacting with a human city.¡± Anathea thinks for a moment, [ Anathea ] ¡§It¡äs very¡­ big and crowded. I¡äm not really used to it. Coming from the Elven country, it''s a big contrast. But, everything I¡äve seen so far from yesterday, was great. Ragna, Crimson, Nora, and you. Of course, yesterday was a tragedy with Pin and their group, but it doesn¡ät change how I feel about this place.¡§ Hearts smiles softly at Anathea. [ Hearts ] ¡§You still have lots to explore and learn! That was only your first day. I¡äm sure you¡äll get along.¡§ Both of them make it to the city gates, leaving the city. Walking towards the sunlight. [ Hearts ] ¡§Over there. That seems like a nice place.¡§ Hearts point to a grass plain. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs go.¡§ They both walk reaching the plain. [ Anathea ] ¡§How should we do this?¡§ Hearts starts stretching her legs. [ Hearts ] ¡§Something light, so we can understand each other.¡§ Anathea puts down the picnic basket next to a small rock. [ Anathea ] ¡§When are we starting?¡§ Hearts finish stretching, cracking her knuckles. [ Hearts ] ¡§Now!¡§ Hearts rushes towards Anathea, coming with a punch. [ Anathea ] ¡§Woaha!¡§ Anathea barely dodges and uses her staff to vault away. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hey! You could have warned m-!¡§ Hearts rushes in again cutting her sentence off. [ Hearts ] ¡§Think fast!¡§ Anathea points her staff at Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Barrier!¡§ A light screen appears in front of Anathea. Hearts punched the light screen, and a loud sound of vibration was heard. Hearts pulls back her arm shaking it a lot. [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeouch! Man! It feels just like metal. Anathea says behind her barrier. [ Anathea ] ¡§This doesn¡ät seem very light to me.¡§ Hearts sees the barrier flicker, she pulls back and does another punch to the screen, breaking the barrier. Anathea lets out a tiny squeak, backing up and forming a distance between them. [ Hearts ] ¡§Shouldn¡ät have let your guard down.¡§ Hearts blitz in front of Anathea. Anathea was caught off guard. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh shi-¡§ Hearts uppercut Anathea¡äs chin, then use one of her knees to hit Anathea''s stomach, sending her flying up. [ Hearts ] ¡§Shoryuken!¡§ Anathea lands, hitting the floor, and jerking back up looking at Anathea. [ Anathea ] ¡§That hurt! How is this soft sparring!!!¡§ Hearts rushes in again prompting Anathea to jump back for distance. [ Hearts ] ¡°Just gonna keep distance?¡± Anathea lands from her jump looking at Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡°Well, I''m a mage. Close combat isn¡¯t exactly my forte.¡± Hearts chuckles a bit. [ Hearts ] ¡°Oh yeah, I forgot you excel in range.¡± Anathea uses her staff as a pole to vault into a kick at Hearts. Hearts also attacked with a backhand strike against Anathea¡¯s kick. Both strikes clash. [ Hearts ] ¡°Atahhh!¡± Anathea kicks off with her other foot, landing gracefully on the ground. [ Anathea ] ¡°But as an elf who lived for a long time. Why wouldn¡ät I devote some years to learning close combat.¡± Hearts flicks her hand. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs see then!¡§ Hearts come in with a haymaker. Anathea blocks with staff. They both push at each other. Anathea pushes Heart''s arm aside, kneeing her in the stomach. When Hearts reels back, Anathea uses her staff to strike her knee bringing her down. Hearts grabs Anathea¡äs arm pulling her in for a shoulder bash. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oof!¡§ Anathea is sent flying back. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Water, Aqua Whip.¡§ Anathea points her staff at Hearts, and a whip of water flies out grabbing onto Hearts leg. Hearts look at the whip. [ Hearts ] ¡§Uh oh.¡§ Anathea pulls Hearts towards her. [ Hearts ] ¡§Ahhh!¡§ Hearts fixes herself as she is pulled. As Hearts reaches Anathea. A blue light is seen from Anathea¡äs staff. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Water, Grip of Camus.¡§ A giant water hand flows out gabbing onto Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§What the hell is this?¡§ The giant water hand squeezes Hearts from Anathea¡äs control. [ Anathea ] ¡§Give up?¡§ Hearts struggle trying to escape from the grip. [ Hearts ] ¡§Not yet¡­ wanna try one more thing.¡§ Hearts manages to take out one of her hands from the water. [ Hearts ] ¡§Will of Ice, Blizzards Touch.¡§ Snowflakes fly from her hand towards Anathea. [ Anathea ] ¡§What is this supposed to d-?¡§ Anathea''s eyes flicker then she backs up getting rid of her water hand, and releasing Hearts. The snowflake that was about to hit her exploded into a spiked ball of ice. A loud sound of an explosion was heard along with cold wind blowing with it. [ Hearts ] ¡§Whatever the snowflake touches explodes into ice.¡§ Anathes makes an angry face pointing at Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Okay! Now that one was dangerous! You know how sharp those were!?!¡§ Hearts sits down from exhaustion. [ Hearts ] ¡§Sorry hehe¡­ Besides you would have dodged it anyway.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§That doesn¡ät change the point!¡§ Hearts waves her hand. [ Hearts ] ¡§You win¡­ I give.¡§ Anathea walks over to Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Take it lighter next time. Geez!¡§ Hearts chuckles a bit at Anathea. [ Hearts ] ¡§No promises.¡§ Anathea sighs. [ Anathea ] ¡§Shall we eat the food Nora gave us?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeah, I¡äm famished.¡§ Anathea goes towards the rock where she left the picnic basket. Anathea picks it up and turns to Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Got the food. Now we can e-¡§ In the gap between Hearts and Anathea, a figure stood there next second. It looked like a fiend mostly in silver. The armor covering its body is similar to scales but isn¡ät. A silver scale-like spiky plate on its face is like a mask. Completely red eyes like lava. Claws on its hand and talons on its feet. Along with a black fady scarf on its neck. [ Anathea ] ¡§What the hell¡­ is that?¡§ [ Chapter 10 ] The Silver Fiend [ Chapter 10 ] The Silver Fiend Anathea and Hearts look at the fiend in the middle of them both. Hearts and Anathea are unable to make a move from the pressure and aura coming from the fiend. Anathea drops the basket. [ Anathea ] ¡§What the hell is that thing¡­¡§ The voice in Anathea¡äs head comes out to talk to her. [ Voice in Head ] ¡§That thing is strong, don¡ät fight it.¡§ [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§I know! But¡­ yet I don¡ät sense any malicious intent in it.¡§ The Silver Fiend darts its red eyes towards Anathea. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You 2¡­ run away¡­ it isn¡ät safe.¡§ The voice was a slightly deep voice of a man but with an echo effect with it. Hearts and Anathea both get confused. [ Hearts ] ¡§Not safe¡­?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Run¡­?¡§ Loud steps are then heard from behind them. Many guards from the City of Straya on horses come riding towards them. One was leading the guards and reinforcements to the Silver Fiend. He looked young but yet stern. Has short black and white hair. Covered in blue royal armor beside his head. [ Young General ] ¡°Stop right there you Fiend! Anathea turns back looking at the hordes of guards coming. The Young General jumps off his horse halting the guards from getting closer to them. He lands before the Silver Fiend, pointing his sword at it. [ Young General ] ¡§You will end your evils today Fiend! I Emessio Gin, will stop you here today.¡§ Anathea takes in his name. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§Gin¡­ another family member of Ragna?¡§ The Silver Fiend turns his body to Emessio. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Are you sure you want to fight me alone?¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§I don¡ät need anyone else, I can beat you alone. Now Face Me Fiend!¡§ Emessio dashes in for a forward slash, but Silver Fiend blocks it with his claws. A loud clash was heard with the wind pushing Anathea and Hearts back. They both keep clashing back to back. Silver Fiend, pushes his blade aside then punches Emessio¡äs jaw. Emessio reels back. [ Emessio ] ¡§Damn you Fiend.¡§ Emessio goes back in and they both exchange blows multiple times. Emessio tries slashing Fiend¡äs leg. Fiend raises his leg and steps on Emessio¡äs sword, punching him again. Hearts and Anathea regroup together. [ Hearts ] ¡§ He¡äs outmatched. That Emessio dude is losing.¡§ Emessio blocked the punch, pushing Fiend off. Emessio wipes his face. [ Emessio ] ¡§Will of Wind, Flow¡äs End!¡§ Emessio does a quick dash slash at Fiend, Fiend blocks it but is sent back. Then giant sharp waves of wind fly after Emessio¡äs strike flies towards Fiend. Fiend jumps to dodge it. Emessio blitzed right above Fiend ready to strike. [ Emessio ] ¡§Die Fiend!¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§What a pain.¡§ Silver Fiend grabs Emessio¡äs face smashing him down to the ground. Emessio lies down on the ground in surprise. [ Emessio ] ¡§Damn you Fiend¡­ I¡äll get you!¡§ Anathea and Hearts watch from the side. [ Anathea ] ¡°He¡­ isn¡¯t trying to kill him¡­¡± [ Hearts ] ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ if he wanted to, the Fiend could have killed him by now.¡± Emessio slashes at the Fiend as he is getting up. Fiend backs up from the slash. Emessio gets back up, readying himself. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. [ Emessio ] ¡°You will die today! Flow¡¯s End!¡± Emessio does the same quick dash slash, however, Fiend catches him mid-attack. Fiend lunges forward for a punch, causing Emessio to crash into Fiend¡¯s punch with his dash. As Emessio gets sent back far from the punch, Fiend blocks the waves of wind that come with the attack. Fiend hit the wind waves back at Emessio. [ Emessio ] ¡§What the!¡§ Emessio fixes his stance and slashes the wind waves Fiend sent back. Right as Emeesio hits away the last wind wave, Fiend appears before him jabbing his face. Emessio was caught off guard reeling back, grunting from the pain. [ Emessio ] ¡§Auh!¡§ Fiend capitalizes and does three quick strikes to Emessio¡äs stomach, chest, and face. Emessio does a wild swing to Fiend, Fiend dodges doing a small sweep to Emessio¡äs leg. Emessio falls and slides forward a bit, Fiend punches Emessio¡äs face. Fiend continues as Emessio is knocked by with the punch, uppercutting Emessio up, then jumps with him to do a sidekick knocking him back down to the ground. A loud crash was heard as Emessio lay there gassed. [ Emessio ] ¡§I won¡ät let you escape¡­ ¡§ Anathea and Hearts block their eyes from the dust. [ Anathea ] ¡§He hasn¡ät used his claws or talons at all¡­¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Why¡­? Doesn¡ät he realize that Emessio dude is trying to kill him?¡§ Emessio stands back up, his sword as a handle to stay up. Emessio is dirty and injured slightly breathing heavily. [ Emessio ] ¡§You won¡ät escape Fiend¡­ I will end your evil-doing today!¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You don¡ät know when to give up.¡§ Emessio slowly walks closer to Fiend. Emessio places his hand on Fiend¡¯s arm, gripping it with the little power and energy he has left. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°What are you doing¡­ just give up.¡± [ Emessio ] ¡°Will of Wind, Binds of Wind.¡± Wind forms around Fiend¡¯s body, tightening around his arms and chest, keeping him from using his arms. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°What the-¡± Emessio screams out to the guards who stand in the back. [ Emessio ] ¡°Now!¡± Fiend struggles to escape from the wind binds. The guards that stood afar now rush in, all surrounding Fiend. Each soldier sends out chains made of light to trap the Fiend. Each hit Fiend, binding him more and more like cuffs gripping his body. Each hit sent Fiend fumbling around. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°Gah! Kuh! Agh!¡± Anathea and Hearts look from afar. [ Anathea ] ¡°This is bad¡­ That is Light Will. Chains of Light.¡± Emessio jumps up high heading towards Fiend. His sword was ready to strike down Fiend. [ Emessio ] ¡°Die!¡± As Emessio falls closer to Fiend, a silver wind begins to swirl towards Fiend. Black fades of shade enveloping him along with the wind. [ Emessio ] What the hell!¡± With the wind and black shades covering Fiend, Emessio tries to strike down Fiend. But a silver wind flies and clashes with Emessio¡¯s sword. [ Emessio ] ¡°Huah!¡± Emessio pushes the wind aside, as he draws closer to Fiend. He strikes the wind covering Fiend. Fiend explodes the wind, silver wind blades flying out. Emessio is caught off guard by this unable to block the explosion of wind blades, sending him flying back. The sound of chains breaking was prominent. [ Emessio ] ¡°Uoah!¡± Wind flies towards both Anathea and Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡°Watch out!¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Get behind me!¡± Hearts backed up behind Ana. Anathea points her staff in front of her. A light coming from her staff. [ Anathea ] ¡°Barrier!¡± A light screen appears in front of Anathea, protecting them. Wind hitting the barrier. Anathea grunts trying to keep the barrier up. [ Anathea ] ¡°Argh! What¡¯s with his power!¡± As the wind settles, Anathea drops to her knees, hanging on to her staff. Hearts points over to where Silver Fiend was at. The silhouette in the dust becomes more prominent. [ Hearts ] ¡§Look!¡§ The dust slowly dissipates, revealing Fiend. He was unbounded by the chains, holding a naginata-glaive-like weapon. The naginata looked like it was made out of the material of his body. Fiend takes a few steps toward the hoard guards who now are separated. Out of nowhere, Emessio is seen running back at Fiend. Jumping from the distance, sprinting towards Fiend bleeding from his head a bit. [ Emessio ] ¡§We aren¡ät done!¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°I¡¯ve had enough!¡± Emessio slashes and Fiend clashes with him. Emessio and Fiend both exchange blows again and again. But Fiend looked like he was barely trying. With each strike, both clashed blades. Emessio swings again, but Fiend just catches his sword with his left hand. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§I¡äm tired of you.¡§ Fiend headbutts Emessio, as Emessio reels back. Fiend walks with him, doing a straight with his left, sending Emessio down. Fiend stands above, winner over Emessio. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You lose¡­ commander.¡§ Emessio laughs a bit as he lays there. [ Emessio ] ¡§Still have one more try¡­¡§ The guards all rush in again. Coming towards Fiend. [ Emessio ] ¡§You forgot¡­ we got numbers.¡§ Fiend raises his naginata and swings it, at the ground, in the direction of the reinforcements. A loud sonic wave slices the ground, breaking apart the ground causing a mini eruption of broken pieces of earth to fly. Screams and grunts are heard from the reinforcements. As the rubble settled no one was left standing, all were incapacitated. Emessio was left speechless looking at the power. [ Emessio ] ¡§What¡­ the heck are you.¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§The Silver Fiend.¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§S- silver¡­ fiend¡­?] Emessio eyes widen in horror at the name. [ Emessio ] ¡§You¡­ will be stopped¡­ we won¡ät stop. You will not live after what you¡äve done.¡§ Fiend walks away, the same silver wind and black shade come covering his naginata and then it poofs away. Fiend prepares for a jump, then leaps far up, into the forests nearby. Anathea looks at where Fiend is headed. [ Anathea ] ¡§Let¡äs go after him!¡§ Hearts eyes dart at Anathea with surprise. [ Hearts ] ¡§Follow him!?? What if he finds us and fights us? We can¡ät win!¡§ Anathea starts heading towards the forest near the plains they are at. [ Anathea ] ¡§You don¡ät have to follow. But I¡äm going!¡§ Anathea started running to where Fiend went. Hearts stand there unable to decide. [ Hearts ] ¡§Wha- I- Why- Augh! Fine! I¡äm going too!¡§ Hearts grabs the basket of food, sprinting to Anathea. Anathea enters the forest, with Hearts soon after entering too. [ Chapter 11 ] Mask [ Chapter 11 ] Mask Anathea runs deep into the forest, trying to run in the direction of Fiend. Hearts follows behind Anathea diligently. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm sure he¡äs this way!¡§ Anathea keeps running into the forest, following her gut. [ Hearts ] ¡§How do you know he went this way?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I don¡ät. I just hope.¡§ Hearts stop a bit. [ Hearts ] ¡§Wha- so you don¡ät even know? What if we¡äre going the wrong way?¡§ Anathea stops in her tracks, peeking from the tree. [ Anathea ] ¡§Look¡­ a cave.¡§ Hearts walks closer to where Anathea is at. [ Hearts ] ¡§How did you actually find something?¡§ Hearts and Anathea both peak from the tree looking at the cave. The cave was near a small river. Anathea walks out a bit towards the cave. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hey! What if he is in there?!¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Shh~ it¡äs fine, I¡äm just going to check¡­¡§ Footsteps are then heard from inside the cave echo, startling Anathea. Hearts comes out and pulls Anathea back into the trees. [ Hearts ] ¡§See someone is here!¡§ They both hide in the bush and trees around the cave. [ Anathea ] ¡§Is it him¡­?¡§ Both Anathea and Hearts peak slowly from the tree and bushes. More footsteps are heard coming from the cave, like the sound of keratin scratching stone. Then, Silver Fiend appears to be coming out of the cave, walking towards the river, and limping with one hand on his stomach. [ Hearts ] ¡§He¡äs actually here¡­?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Is he injured¡­?¡§ Fiend walks to the river, kneeling to the water. He reaches out with his hand to cup a tiny amount of water. [ Anathea ] ¡§What is he doing?¡§ The same silver wind and shade come in for a quick swirl around Fiend¡äs gut area. The next second, the scale armor skin of Fiend disappears. What is below it is a¡­ human stomach but with a huge gash bleeding slowly. Both Ana''s and Heart''s eyes dilate in surprise. [ Anathea ] ¡§He¡äs¡­ human¡­?¡§ Fiend washes the area around the gash on his stomach and flinches a bit from the pain. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°Caught off guard. Why was I careless?¡§ Anathea and Hearts continue staying hidden. [ Anathea ] ¡§He¡äs injured¡­¡§ Anathea tries to move a bit closer trying to get a better sight. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hey! Don¡ät push our luck!¡§ Hearts says in a low and quiet tone. [ Anathea ] ¡§It¡äs fi-¡§ Anathea steps on a stick, causing a cracking sound to be heard. [ Anathea ] ¡§Shi-¡§ Fiend turns over to the sound''s direction. Being wary, standing up. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Show yourself. Before I make you.¡§ Hearts and Anathea both panics at the words said. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. [ Hearts ] ¡§What do we do!?! We shouldn¡ät have come here!¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I don¡ät know???¡§ Fiend walks a bit closer to where both Ana and Hearts are hiding. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§I guess we¡äll do it the hard way.¡§ Anathea sticks out her hand quickly to show her presence to Fiend. [ Anathea ] ¡§Wait!¡§ Anathea slowly steps from the tree and bushes she hid in. [ Anathea ] ¡§Uhh¡­ so¡­ we followed you.¡§ Hearts come out also from hiding. [ Hearts ] ¡§Letting you know, it was her idea.¡§ Fiend seems to glare out his claws. Anathea notices and pleads with Fiend. [ Anathea ] ¡§Wait wait wait! We don¡ät want trouble!¡§ Fiend keeps his guard up and is wary. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You¡äre the two from earlier¡­ why did you follow me?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Her idea!¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I- uhh¡­ wanted too¡­¡§ Fiend lowers himself, his tone becoming more friendly. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§I don¡ät sense any ill intent¡­ didn¡ät I tell you two to run earlier.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Why did you warn us?¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Don¡ät answer me with a question¡­ and I have my reasons why I did.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§It was a big commotion, that Emessio dude and you fought, we had to observe.¡§ Fiend glances over to Hearts. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Why are interested in me¡­ I can tell you guys came to me for a bigger reason.¡§ Anathea hesitates for a moment. [ Anathea ] ¡§You¡­ weren¡ät trying to kill him¡­ even though you could of right?¡§ Fiend looks down a bit. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§I have my reasons¡­¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Aren¡ät you¡­ a fiend? And! He was trying to kill you.¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§I¡äm surprised you¡äre talking to me. If you know who I am.¡§ Anathea backs up a bit. [ Anathea ] ¡§Know who you are?¡§ Hearts chime in. [ Hearts ] ¡§So you weren''t lying¡­ you are¡­ actually the Silver Fiend?¡§ Anathea stares at Hearts with confusion. [ Anathea ] ¡§Actually? What does that mean?¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Someone who doesn''t know of me¡­ that''s surprising.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I mean¡­ I just arrived here in the human country. I don¡ät know all too much.¡§ Silver Fiend takes a better look at Anathea. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Hmm¡­ oh.¡§ Silver Fiend relaxes a bit after seeing Anathea¡äs ears. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§ An elf is here in the country of Astrea. Didn¡ät think I would see the day.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I know an elf hasn¡ät been in this country for a long time but answer my question. What is your story!?¡§ [ Hearts } ¡§Allow me. For the knowledge I know.¡§ Hearts sits down on a small rock. [ Hearts ] ¡§The Silver Fiend¡­ it is a story of a fiend who destroys all in its path. Around¡­ 15 years ago¡­ Granpa told me the story of you. The Fiend was born from the evils and malicious energy of Will. He Destroyed the Village of Fod when you first appeared. An evil being whose purpose is to destroy.¡§ Silver Fiend clicks his tongue visually annoyed. [ Silver Fiend ] In a quiet tone ¡§That¡äs bullshit.¡§ Anathea and Hearts both look at Fiend. [ Ana and Hearts ] ¡§What?¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Now that you know my story, are you still interested in me?¡§ Anathea thinks for a bit. [ Anathea ] ¡§You know¡­ for being born of evil and all that stuff, you don¡ät seem so¡­ evil.¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You got a problem with that?¡§ Fiend shoots a glare at Ana. [ Anathea ] ¡§I- uhh, well no¡­ just¡­ I am sure¡­ you have a good heart. I can feel it.¡§ Fiend''s eyes shake for a bit, then return to normal. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You shouldn¡ät trust a fiend. Especially not me.¡§ Fiend turns around. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Once again, I recommend you guys leave. It isn''t safe.¡§ Anathea looks at Fiend, with a sigh of disappointment. [ Anathea ] ¡§Alright¡­ Let''s go Hearts.¡§ Hearts hop off the rock towards Anathea. As Anathea and Hearts set to leave they both hear a loud thump behind them. [ Anathea ] ¡§Huh?¡§ Both turn around to see Fiend collapsed on the floor, from blood loss and exhaustion. [ Anathea ] ¡§Fiend¡­?¡§ They both panic as they see the situation. [ Anathea ] ¡§What do we do?!?!?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Don¡ät panic alright! We just need to help him right?¡§ They both panicked, unable to do anything. Silver Fiend thinks to himself as he lies there. [ Silver Fiend ] In his mind ¡§I¡äm going to die in front of idiots¡­¡§¡§ Fiend slowly closed his eyes, and then, out of nowhere, a distant voice¡ªthe voice of a deep teen¡ªwas heard. All Fiend heard from them was incoherent mumbling. [ ??? ] ¡§Help him into the cave.¡§ Ana and Hearts both look over in the direction of the voice. [ Anathea and Hearts ] ¡§Huh¡­¡§ Fiend fully closes his eyes, staying closed for a while, as he finally opens it. He finds himself looking up at the ceiling of the cave he was in earlier. He felt his head on something soft, like a pillow. Fiend grunts as he slowly moves a bit. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Where am I¡­?¡§ Fiend then hears Ana¡äs voice. [ Anathea ] ¡§Awake now?¡§ Fiend lying there, Anathea pokes her head into Fiend¡äs vision. Fiend realizes he is lying on Anathea¡äs thighs resting. Fiend quickly gets off backing up making distance. Anathea shakes a bit from the sudden movement. [ Anathea ] ¡§Wuaha!¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§What did you do!?¡§ Fiend¡äs tone was alert and defensive. Hearts standing on the wall resting talks a bit to Fiend. [ Hearts ] ¡§That''s how you thank us for helping you!¡§ Fiend softens a bit at the words said. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You helped me¡­¡§ Anathea gets up off the ground. [ Anathea ] ¡§We weren''t gonna leave you there.¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§You helped me¡­ why?¡§ Anathea walks closer to Fiend. [ Anathea ] ¡§Like I said¡­ I just have a feeling¡­ you have a good heart. Even if you are a fiend.¡§ Fiend visibly shakes a bit in his eye. Then a crack sound was heard, and Fiend¡äs mask cracked. Fiend grabs his face. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Shit!¡§ Anathea and Hearts both watch in a sense of horror. [ Anathea ] ¡§What¡äs happening!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§You okay?!?¡§ One side of Fiend¡äs mask cracks, Fiend looks at Anathea and Hearts. Fiend¡äs right eye broke, revealing a human face and eye. Fiend grips his mask. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Why now!¡§ With another loud crack his mask snaps into thousands of pieces. Revealing Fiend¡äs true face, as he was a¡­ human. He had spiky silver hair with silver eyes. Hearts and Anathea both blush a bit from looking at him. [ Anathea ] ¡§Why is he¡­?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Good looking¡­?¡§ [ Chatper 12 ] Identity [ Chapter 12 ] Identity Both Ana and Hearts stare at Fiend, taking in the sight of his full face: short, messy, spiky, silver hair, gray/silver accent in his eyes, and skin tone was fair. Upon the mask breaking, Fiend covers his face, turning away from the two. (Author¡äs note: I don¡ät think I stated Ana¡äs and Hearts'' skin tone but Ana''s is a light skin tone and Hearts is a Fair skin tone.) [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Why did it have to break!¡§ Anathea walks closer to Fiend, her tone is with concern. [ Anathea ] ¡§Umm¡­ so you¡äre actually human¡­?¡§ Fiend moves, unable for Anathea to react, lightning-fast gripping, bringing his claws to her neck, dangerously close. Fiend¡äs voice was dull and deadly, his eyes were set in stone. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§If you tell¡­ Anyone! What I look like¡­ I''ll end your life.¡§ Anathea is shaken by a looming fear of death. Causing her unable to do any actions as she stands there. Hearts come in trying to hit Fiend. [ Hearts ] ¡§Chill out!¡§ Hearts lashes out with a punch to Fiend¡äs face. Fiend catches her blow, without any effort, pulling her closer to him. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Same with you too!¡§ Fiend uses the hand he holds back at Ana¡äs throat to elbow Hearts in the face causing her to reel back and grunt from the pain. Anathea sees her opening, grabbing her staff, as she does. Fiend kicks her, sending her back hitting Hearts both tumbling out of the cave. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oof!¡§ As Anathea and Hearts both stand up from the attack, they see Fiend slowly walking from the darkness of the cave. His figure becomes more prominent as he takes his steps. [ Anathea ] ¡§Wait! We don''t want to fight.¡§ Fiend zooms next to Ana without her being able to see or react in time, he does a slash with his claws to her neck. [ SIlver Fiend ] ¡§Too bad.¡§ Hearts jump in to stop Fiend¡äs attack. Hearts now had her gauntlets on, pushing against Fiend¡äs force. Anathea touches her neck softly. [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§He was trying to kill me¡­¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Look! Please just calm down!¡§ Fiend easily overpowers Hearts pushing her hands up from their clash. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§No.¡§ Fiend kicks Hearts away into a tree, crashing into it back first, then falling. [ Hearts ] ¡§Guah!¡§ [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§We¡äre completely outmatched.¡§ Anathea points at her staff, a white light shines from the tip. [ Anathea ] ¡§Erase!¡§ Three beams of light appear shooting out like booms towards Fiend. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Weak.¡§ Fiend hits two of the light beams away with his hand, the third catching it and crushing it. [ Anathea ] ¡§He stopped Erase!?¡§ Fiend walks slowly to Anathea, like a prey backed into a corner. [ Anathea ] ¡§Fiend! Please, we can talk this out.¡§ Fiend lunges forward, Ana uses her staff to cover her face, but nothing reaches her. What is heard is the sound of resisting. Anathea lowers her staff, seeing that Fiend is being bound by wood roots from the ground. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Wood Will?¡§ Loud footsteps are heard coming from the woods. The next second, a figure jumps from the trees, his figure in the sky. He has dark green hair, neck-length spiky hair, brown eyes, medium skin tone, and looks very young. It is the same deep teen voice Ana and Hearts heard earlier. [ ??? ] ¡§You need to calm down!¡§ He lands standing in front of Fiend, looking stern and serious. [ ??? ] ¡§Seeing your face doesn¡ät mean you have to kill them.¡§ Fiend studies the man¡äs figure and body. He wore a slightly tight black shirt, baggy white pants, a jacket tied around his hips, and black shoes. Fiend tilts his head at the man. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Who are you?¡§ The young man points at himself, stern and voicing loudly. [ ??? ] ¡§I am Fer Uni, brother of Kusan Uni. I heard all of what you guys said. You¡äre the Silver Fiend.¡§ Fiend still binded by Fer¡äs tree roots, stares at Fer blankly. Fiend takes in the height of Fer. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§How tall are you?¡§ A large vein appeared on Fer¡äs head, his tone became that of anger. [ Fer ] ¡§I¡äm 5¡ä1. Have a problem with my height?¡§ Fiend''s tone becomes a slightly smug tone. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§It seems more like only 5 feet.¡§ Fer lashes out with loud outbursts at Fiend. [ Fer ] ¡§I am 5¡ä1! I am not 5 feet tall!¡§ (Author¡äs note: He is 5 feet exactly.) Fiend breaks the tree roots binding for one of his arms. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§But now¡­ You know what I look like too. I have three I need to kill now.¡§ Fer doesn¡ät back down from the challenge, a tiny sweat drops from his head as he stances and reaches for his jacket covering his hips. He digs into the pockets of his jacket, taking out two daggers. [ Fer ] ¡§Hehe¡­ let¡äs see you try.¡§ Fiend breaks completely from the tree roots that bound him, quickly blitzing to Fer. Fer leans back barely dodging Fiend¡äs claw slash. [ Fer ] In his mind ¡§So quick!¡§ Fer retaliates with a right slash to Fiend''s eye. Fiend catches his arm preventing further action. Fer slashes with his other arm to Friend''s stomach, which Fiend also catches. Fiend twists Fer¡äs right-hand dagger off his grip, then punches Fer. [ Fer ] ¡§Urgh!¡§ Fer leans with the punch to divert its force for less damage, then hits back Fiend with a right-hand punch. [ Fer ] ¡§How¡äs that!¡§ Fiend turns back his head slowly, unimpressed. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Not bad¡­ but not good enough.¡§ Fiend kneed Fer¡äs stomach, causing a groan of pain. Then, he continued with a punch to Fer¡äs jaw, sending him down to the floor. [ Fer ] ¡§Guah!¡§ [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§We¡äre completely outmatched¡­¡§ Fiend grabs Fer¡äs shirt pulling him back up. He raises Fer to his height, his other hand coming to Fer¡¯s neck, and Fiend¡¯s claw nares out to his neck. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°Nothing personal kid.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°I¡¯m no kid.¡± Fer makes a smug face at Fiend. Fiend pulls back his hand, ready to cut Fer¡¯s neck. Fiend pushes forward about to slash Fer¡¯s neck. Anathea screams out to Fiend. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. [ Anathea ] ¡°Wait!¡± Fiend stops, his hand nearly about to kill Fer. [ Fer ] In his mind ¡°I almost died¡­¡± Anathea puts a hand on her chest, her tone is pleading and beseeching. [ Anathea ] ¡°Don¡¯t kill him!¡± Fiend drops Fer, and Fer lands down. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°Why should I?¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°I brought everyone here! Hearts and that Fer. It was my idea why we came here. So¡­ let me¡­ be the one to take responsibility!¡± Fiend stands there for a couple of seconds, staring at Ana. Walking closer slowly, each step feels like an eternity to Ana. With each step, Ana becomes more terrified but keeps her resolve. When Fiend reaches Ana face-to-face. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°Then I¡¯ll end you first.¡± Fiend raises his hand towards Ana. She closes her eyes as it reaches closer to her, awaiting what¡¯s coming. Ana feels the looming feeling of death over her. Hearts tried to get up, but the damage was too great for her to get up. [ Hearts ] ¡°W- wait.¡± As Fiend¡¯s hand reaches Anathea, Fiend flicks her forehead. [ Anathea ] ¡°Itai!¡± Anathea opens her eyes, staring at Fiend. A pout prominent and a red mark on her forehead. Ana has both hands touching her head, with tiny tears in both her eyes. [ Anathea ] ¡°What was that for?¡± Fiend scratches his head, looking at Ana. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡°You aren¡¯t prepared to die yet.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡§Are- are you still gonna kill us¡­?¡§ Fiend shakes his head no. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§No¡­ you changed my mind. The way you stood up for your friends. Even if you were against an opponent you couldn''t win against.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§So you¡äll let us be¡­?¡§ [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Yes, as long as you don¡ät tell anyone who I am. I¡äll keep you guys alive.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Wait¡­ your name isn¡ät¡­ Silver Fiend right? [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§No¡­ that is not my name.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Would you mind telling us¡­ your actual name?¡§ Anathea¡äs tone was sweet and caring. Fiend''s eyes tremble up as he stares at Ana, in his eye, he sees a figure of someone next to her. The woman''s figure was young, fair-skinned tone, with short green hair, and simple village clothing, reaching her hand out to Fiend. All was visible but the figure¡äs eyes were blurred. It was a memory in Fiend''s head of someone. [ Memory Girl ] ¡§What was your name?¡§ Fiend saw her next to Ana, then back to reality. It was just Anathea standing there. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§My name huh¡­ you remind me a lot like her.¡§ Anathea tilts her head a bit from confusion. [ Anathea ] ¡§Who¡­?¡§ Fiend changes the topic, not answering the question. [ Silver Fiend ] ¡§Silver Fiend is a title¡­ it is what they call me¡­ but my actual name is Gilden. My name is Gilden. I don''t remember the last time someone asked for my name.¡§ Hearts finally get up but are still limping from the damage. [ Hearts ] ¡§So¡­ what will you do now¡­?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I''m sure you two aren''t going to won''t reveal my secret. However!¡§ Gilden points at Fer. [ Gilden ] ¡§I still don¡ät trust you.¡§ Anathea runs in front of Fer blocking Gilden. [ Anathea ] ¡§He''s trustworthy! I can say.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§What makes you say that?¡§ Anathea''s tone became soft and true. [ Anathea ] ¡§He also help you¡­¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§How so?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Well you see¡­¡§ Flashback 20 minutes; Hearts and Anathea panic as they both see Gilden on the ground. Walking around and contemplating what to do. [ Anathea ] ¡§What do we do?!? [ Hearts ] ¡§Don¡ät panic, we just need to help him right?!¡§ Fer¡äs voice was heard in the woods behind them. [ Fer ] ¡§Help him into the cave!¡§ [ Narrating Ana ] ¡§We panicked as you fell, we didn''t know how we should help you. Then we heard Fer¡äs voice telling telling you to put you in the cave.¡§ Fer walks from the woods, appearing in front of Ana and Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§Help him into the cave you idiots. He passed out from exhaustion, he needs to rest!¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Who¡­ are you?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Why are you so shor-¡§ Fer points at Hearts with killing intent, cutting her off. [ Fer ] ¡§Not another word! I am Fer Uni.¡§ Ana and Hearts both flinch a bit from the sudden change. Fer calms down soon after. [ Fer ] ¡°Just help him, he is unconscious. He just needs time to rest.¡± Ana and Hearts help Gilden up onto both shoulders on each side, walking to the cave. [ Anathea ] ¡°Did you hear what we were talking about?¡± [ Fer ] ¡°Yes, I did. Why would you guys talk to the Silver Fiend? He¡¯s known to be an evil force.¡± Hearts chime in. [ Hearts ] ¡°I thought that too, but ever since she brought me here, he hasn¡¯t tried to kill us,¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°He told us to leave ''cause it¡¯s not safe. Fiend isn¡¯t a bad guy I¡¯m sure. If he was. he would have killed us already.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°So you¡¯re telling me to believe that the Fiend born from evil¡­ isn¡¯t evil?¡± [ Anatha ] ¡°Yes, he doesn¡¯t seem evil. When he was fighting that Emessio soldier from the city. He was winning but didn¡¯t do any major harm to kill them.¡± They all walked into the cave laying Gilden down. Fer stands next to the wall. [ Fer ] ¡°I find it hard to believe whether I shouldn¡¯t reveal where he¡¯s at right now.¡± Anathea walks in front of Fer. [ Anathea ] ¡°Please don¡¯t. I¡¯m sure he has a good heart, trust him please.¡± Anathea gives Fer a sort of puppy eye. [ Fer ] ¡§Trust him¡­? How can I trust him if he hasn''t done anything for me to trust him.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§He is misunderstood¡­ I am sure.¡§ In her mind ¡§And¡­ he said bullshit to his own story.¡§ Anathea heard what Fiend said even though Hearts didn¡ät. Fer crosses his arms. [ Fer ] ¡§You sure are persistent¡­ how about you?¡§ Fer looks over to Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§Do you think Fiend is evil and trustworthy?¡§ Hearts thinks for a second then replies. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hmmm¡­ it was hard to decide at first, and I''m still not entirely sure. But I feel like he''s worthy. For a Fiend, he told us to be careful and warned us which is unlike what an evil being should do.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I see¡­ Fiend seems like he isn''t what he seems in the rumors.¡§ Fer scratches his head. [ Fer ] ¡§I¡äll think about it, other than that. I am leaving. I have nothing else to do here.¡§ Fer walks out of the cave before he turns back. [ Fer ] ¡§What are your names?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I am Anathea Choju, an elf.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I am Hearts Blue.¡§ Fer turns back and walks away. He walks back into the forest. [ Fer ] In his mind ¡§An elf and a fiend¡­ maybe¡­ this can help me¡­ maybe I¡äll trust them.¡§ In the back was heard Heart''s voice. [ Hearts ] ¡§I think he needs a pillow¡­ why not your legs?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§EHHH??!? My legs¡­ so¡­ my thighs???¡§ [ Narrating Ana ] ¡§Fer helped us help you and he even didn''t try and hurt you. I think he''s trustworthy.¡§ Back to the present. Anathea explained what happened with Fer. [ Anathea ] ¡§So you can trust him!¡§ Gilden looks to Fer. [ Gilden ] ¡§Fer¡­ right? If you ensure you won¡ät leak my face¡­ I¡äll trust you.¡§ Gilden walks over to Fer, sticking his hand out to help him up. [ Fer ] ¡§Besides the fact you tried to kill us¡­ you don''t seem like a bad guy Fiend.¡§ Fer takes Gilden''s hand, and Gilden helps him back up. [ Hearts ] ¡§Fer¡­ why did you come here?¡§ Fer looks over to Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§I came after Fiend¡­ and then I found you two.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Why are you after me?¡§ Fer sighs and sits down. [ Fer ] ¡§I was hoping to see what the Silver Fiend was. And I got it.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§What are you guys gonna do now?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Go back to Straya.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I¡äm unsure¡­ what will I do next? I¡äve been on the run.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§If you don''t mind me asking Gilden¡­ what do you wanna do? Besides, survive.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Why do you ask?¡§ Anathea hesitates as she speaks. [ Anathea ] ¡§I- It''s because¡­ when Hearts was explaining the rumors about you¡­ you said under your breath¡­ that it''s bullshit.¡§ Fer and Hearts were caught off guard by what Ana said. [ Fer ] ¡§So¡­ his rumors aren''t true?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Would you mind telling us Gilden?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm assuming what is going on about you isn''t true.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§You shouldn¡ät pry into my past¡­ but I will say¡­ most of the rumors aren''t true¡­ and I want to try and¡­ make it so the Silver Fiend title isn''t a name to be feared. I wanna fix my reputation.¡§ Anathea offers her hand to Fiend. [ Anathea ] ¡§Then I can help you. You see, my goal for coming here to Astrea is to form better relationships with the elves and humans. If we¡äre to help each other, it''s a win-win right? So what do you say?¡§ Gilden thinks for then gives his answer. [ Gilden ] ¡§You would help me out¡­ then I¡äll come along.¡§ Hearts smiles as she watches their communication. [ Hearts ] ¡§Alright! We got another member.¡§ Hearts walks closer to Gilden and Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§How about you Fer? You wanna join us?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Join you guys? Nah, I¡äm good. I have things to do.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§That¡äs a shame but if you change your mind, you can talk to us.¡§ Fer walks back into the woods. [ Fer ] ¡§Don¡ät worry Gilden, I won¡ät tell your secret.¡§ Fer disappears into the woods, walking away. [ Hearts ] ¡§He seems like a good guy.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§If we''re gonna work together, I might as get rid of my armor. ¡§ The black and silver wind quickly returns covering Gilden¡äs body, and the next second the Silver Fiend armor is gone. He was in ragged clothes that were old but usable. Underneath the clothes, you could see Gilden¡äs toned and athletic build. [ Gilden ] ¡§I can¡ät have anyone figuring out I¡äm the Silver Fiend.¡§ Anathea feels a drop of rain hit her hand. [ Anathea ] ¡§It¡äs¡­ raining.¡§ It slowly begins to rain more and more. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs rest in the cave till the rain passes.¡§ They all walk into the cave they were in not too long ago. Anathea sit¡äs down and so does Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§Why don¡ät you sit down Gilden?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I¡äm keeping a small eye out, just in case a monster attacks.¡§ After a couple of seconds of Hearts and Anathea resting they hear a sound of a stomach grumble. It came from Gilden. He touches his stomach. [ Gilden ] ¡§Sorry¡­ I haven¡ät eaten in a while. Don¡ät mind me.¡§ Hearts smiles looking over to Gilden. [ Hearts ] ¡§You know what, I¡äm hungry too.¡§ Hearts gets up and walks over to the basket of sandwiches Nora had made for them. It was left there when they helped Gilden when he fell unconscious. Hearts picks it up looking at Ana and Gilden. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs eat shall we?!¡§ Hearts walks in between them and opens the basket, it has five wrapped sandwiches that had friend Niupai (aka beef in this world), lettuce, and tomatoes. Hearts takes one and so does Anathea. [ Anathea ] ¡§Looks very good! I can¡ät wait.¡§ Anathea brings the sandwich to her mouth, nearly into a bite. Ana then notices how Gilden didn¡ät take a sandwich. Anathea reaches closer to Gilden. She stands up more and leans her sandwich to Gilden for a bite. Hearts had already taken a bit of her sandwich. [ Hearts ] ¡§Mhmm~ very nice.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Here. Take a bite. I know you''re hungry.¡§ Gilden hesitates for a bit. [ Gilden ] ¡§I don¡ät wanna eat.. But if you¡äre insisting then I¡äll eat.¡§ Gilden leans in and takes a bite into the sandwich. [ Gilden ] ¡§T- that¡äs good.¡§ Anathea smiles leaning the sandwich more towards Gilden. [ Anathea ] ¡§You can have it. This one is yours.¡§ Gilden holds the sandwich as Anathea backs off grabbing another sandwich from the basket. Gilden takes another bite of the sandwich. [ Gilden ] In his mind ¡§She¡äs so trusting¡­¡§ Gilden looks over to Ana and Hearts talking, admiring their camaraderie. Looks out the cave and into the sky, as the rains slowly stop, seeing the sun reappear. The sun beaming light and shining out of the clouds. [ Gilden ] In his mind ¡§But¡­ I have people I can trust now.¡§ Gilden takes another bite into his sandwich. In the back is heard from Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§So, did you like him resting on your legs? I can¡ät believe you went with that.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Eh!?! You lied to me? You said it be more comfortable for him?¡§ Hearts laughs as she eats and Anathea blushes a bit from embarrassment, speaking back to Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§Do you know how embarrassing that was?!?¡§ Hearts continue to laugh, Gilden smirks a bit looking at the sky. [ Gilden ] In his mind ¡§These two are idiots¡­¡§ Gilden turns back to both of them, [ Gilden ] ¡§Rain has stopped, we can leave now.¡§ Anathea gulps the rest of the sandwich in one bite leaving Hearts with a derpy face of surprise for a few seconds. Anathea gets up grabs the last sandwich, walking over. Hearts follows right after, all reach the cave entrance, the sun still bright in the sky. [ Gilden ] In his mind ¡§I found some people¡­ are you proud of me.¡§ The three of them stand there, all three walking out of the cave together. Anathea is still eating her other sandwich. [ Chapter 13 ] Shopping [ Chapter 13 ] Shopping Walking away from the cave, they reach more into the forest and head back to Straya. They leave the forest making it back to the pathway leading to Straya. [ Anathea ] ¡§Gilden, do you want to become an adventurer? I feel like that would be a good way to build on your name.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Adventurer¡­ I see. I probably should. I can start with small requests and work my way to building my name.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Let¡äs get you registered!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I feel like we should get you cleaned up first. Change your clothes or have a bath.¡§ Gilden looks at his body. [ Gilden ] ¡§Is there something wrong with this?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§There isn¡ät anything wrong with it, but you look dirty and untrusting. If you want people to believe you, you need a good look.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡°I didn¡¯t think about it like that. Yeah, let¡¯s go get me changed.¡± They all continue walking back to Straya, soon arriving at the city gates. The two guards stood at the gates to survey the incoming people. [ Guard 1 ] ¡°Halt! Anathea and Hearts, We permit you 2 entering. But we don¡¯t know that man next to you. Who is he?¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Uhh¡­ he¡¯s a friend¡­ Yeah, he is our friend.¡± [ Guard 2 ] ¡°Even if he is your friend, we don¡¯t know who he is.¡± Gilden walks in front of the guards. [ Gilden ] ¡°I am Gilden, a villager from the village of Fod.¡± [ Guard 1 ] ¡°Fod?!? The village destroyed by the Silver Fiend?¡± Gilden nods at the Guard. Gilden¡¯s begins to soften and lower trying to become more desolated. [ Gilden ] ¡°I was young when the Fiend attack¡­ I lost my family and all my friends¡­ I was forced to live in the forest alone and survived by myself¡­ trying to live and eat¡­ all alone in the wild¡­ for many years¡­ Then I was found by Hearts and Anathea, they helped me and wanted me to come to Straya to rebuild my life.¡± Both guards begin to swell up in sadness hearing his story, tears dropping from their faces. [ Guard 1 ] ¡°Such a tragic story¡­¡± [ Guard 2 ] ¡°I can¡¯t believe¡­ you had to survive all that by yourself¡­¡± The two guards are still crying. Ana and Hearts look at the guards with black faces, and then they both look at each other. [ Anathea ] ¡°He¡¯d made all that up didn¡¯t he?¡± [ Hearts ] ¡°He definitely did.¡± Gilden leans over and stares at Hearts and Ana giving a small thumbs up. Aanthea makes a derpy face of shock. [ Anathea ] ¡°He did?!?!?!¡± [ Guard 1 ] ¡°We¡¯ll let you in. You must have had it rough all your life. I¡¯m sure Straya will keep you well.¡± Both Guards open the gates to the city. As the three walk into the city, the gates close behind them, and Ana is standing there perplexed in surprise. Her face is dropped and slumped. All three are in the middle of the main road of the city. [ Anathea ] ¡°That¡­ actually worked¡­? They believed it¡­¡± Hearts point towards the houses of markets. [ Hearts ] ¡°That way. It has shops and markets. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find some good clothes for you Gilden.¡± Gilden nods okay, and they set off. Gilden and Hearts both walk, but Ana stands there still perplexed. Hearts comes back and drags Ana by her cloak, Ana is stiff as a statue as Hearts drags her. [ Hearts ] ¡°C¡¯mon. Let¡¯s go.¡± Anathea¡¯s eyes are blank as she is dragged. [ Anathea ] ¡°They believed him¡­¡± Hearts drags Anathea with her as they make their way to the clothing shops soon after they reach the hall of shops and houses. The three stand in the middle of the street in the crowd. [ Hearts ] ¡§So, which one shall we go to?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I have no idea which one is good. So, it is entirely up to you two.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I really haven¡ät been able to go into cities much, even in this form. I don¡ät know any good ones either.¡§ Hearts thinks for a bit. [ Hearts ] ¡§What¡äs our price range?¡§ Anathea scratches her head, looking into her bag. [ Anathea ] ¡§Uhh¡­ maybe¡­ about 30 bronze coins.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Thirty huh¡­ not much but I have a place.¡§ Hearts head off, and Gilden and Ana follow and after some time Hearts reaches a lonely small shop at the end of the street. [ Hearts ] ¡§Here. We can get some clothes here.¡§ All three of them stand before the building, it looks sad and old. [ Hearts ] ¡§This is the place.¡§ Anathea looks at it with indifference. [ Anathea ] ¡§Why does it look so¡­ dead?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Is this really a shop?¡§ The three were questioning whether or not to even go in, the door slowly opened. Startling Anathea, making her eyes jump in surprise. [ Anathea ] ¡§Eeek!¡§ The door to the shop slowly opened like a curse. As the door fully opened, the entrance was dark. Slowly emerging from the darkness was an old lady. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. [ Old lady ] ¡§Oh¡­ customers. Did you come and buy some of my clothing?¡§ The old lady''s tone was very soft and welcoming. She had a very friendly and nice aura to her. Her hair was tied in a bun, black in color, was rather short in stature, whiter skinned toned, and with a rounder face. She wore a clothing similar to a kimono. [ Old Lady ] ¡§Irasshai.¡§ The old lady returns to the shop, and Anathea looks at Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§She¡äs rather nice.¡§ Hearts look at Hearts with a sarcastic expression. [ Hearts ] ¡§Duh, I wouldn¡ät take you guys somewhere scary.¡§ Gilden walks towards the shop first, and Hearts and Ana follow suit. As they entered the shop, the atmosphere was very home-like and warm. The interior was tiny, with clothing pieces placed on counters and some on racks for display. [ Anathea ] ¡§It¡äs small.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Yup it is. But the stuff here is good. Hey, lady Oba. How have things been?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Oh you know Hearts, not many customers. It¡äs just me and my sewing kit. I¡äm just waiting for my day.¡§ Hearts chuckles a bit. [ Hearts ] ¡§That¡äs no fun. Just waiting?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Hearts, you know I don¡ät have much else to do in my free time.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I know¡­ but you should try and find something. Maybe get a pet?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§A pet¡­ I haven¡ät thought about that. I do like company.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§See?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§I¡äll think about it Hearts. In the meantime, who are these two? Your friends?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Oh yeah, these two are my companions.¡§ Hearts point at Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡§That is Anathea, she is my first comrade. She is an elf.¡§ Anathea bows slightly. [ Anathea ] ¡§Nice to meet you.¡§ Oba smiles a bit at Ana. [ Oba ] ¡§No need to be formal.¡§ Hearts points to Gilden. [ Hearts ] ¡§That is Gilden, he is our friend we met today.¡§ Oba gives Gilden a slightly suspicious look. [ Oba ] ¡§Gilden¡­ He¡äs in such ragged clothes.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I know, that''s why I brought us here to buy him some clothes.¡§ Oba seems to disappear and be right behind Gilden like she is measuring his figure. [ Oba ] ¡§You have quite the body young man¡­ if you¡äre looking for clothes. I have the things for you.¡§ Oba walks into her employee room and within seconds comes back in holding many different clothing. [ Oba ] ¡§Let¡äs get him fitted.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Alright! Let¡äs do this.¡§ Hearts walks over to Oba. [ Anathea ] ¡§Why are you going to help?¡§ Hearts turn back looking at Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hmm?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§It¡äs not like you work here right?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I work here part-time.¡§ Anathea''s face goes blank like from the realization. [ Anathea ] ¡§Eh¡­?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeah, I work for Lady Oba here part-time. Now let¡äs get him fitted! You can help too Ana.¡§ Gilden chimes in. [ Gilden ] ¡§Why do you want me to try on so many clothes?¡§ Hearts turn back to Gilden. [ Hearts ] ¡§Why not? We are already here. Now hurry up!¡§ Gilden backs up a bit. [ Gilden ] ¡§I guess but like isn¡ät it a waste of ti- Woah!¡§ Hearts yanks Gilden by the shirt into the dressing room where Oba and Hearts start to change him. [ Anathea ] ¡§Wait!¡§ She sighs ¡§I guess I¡äll wait here then.¡§ Anathea stands there and decides to wait for the outfits. As she waits there, she hears rumbling and movement in the room along with their voices. [ Oba ] ¡§Stop squirming young one.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Hey- why are you pushing so hard!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Just stop moving and let us change your outfit!¡§ After what seems like a minute of fighting in the room, Oba and Hearts come out with the first outfit on Gilden. [ Hearts ] ¡§First one done.¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Young Elf, you wanna see the outfit.¡§ Anathea was now sitting on the nearby seat by the room. She slowly gets up going to the see Gilden. [ Anathea ] ¡§Sure. Let¡äs see this outf-¡§ Gilden was wearing what looked to be an orange gi with blue clothing underneath, a blue belt, along with blue and red boots. Anathea looks at Gilden with shock. [ Anathea ] ¡§Is that Gok-!?¡§ Oba and Hearts drag him back into the changing room. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs try another one!¡§ After another minute Hearts and Oba bring out Gilden in another outfit. He was wearing a black and green coak, black pants, knee-high black boots, and white gloves. Anathea''s tone increases at the outfit. [ Anathea ] ¡§This isn¡ät Seraph of the End!¡§ They take him back in again and he comes out with a purplish-black coat, pants, black boots, and a black bandana covering his eyes. Anathea looks at him with a derpy and blank face. [ Anathea ] ¡§Just because he has white hair doesn¡ät make him Gojo-!¡§ Again, Gilden comes back with a green jacket where the arms are black and red circles on the arms. Has Black pants with white bandages on his right leg, sandless, a mask covering his nose down to his neck, and a bandana covering his left eye with a metal plate on it. [ Anathea ] ¡§That¡äs even worse! Nor does that make him Kakashi-!!!¡§ After many more outfits, Anathea is lying there gassed out, slowly getting up. [ Anathea ] ¡§I think¡­ that too many refernces in one chapter¡­¡§ Hearts put her hand on her chin. [ Hearts ] ¡§Gilden¡­ do you like any of them?¡§ Gilden is now wearing basic clothing instead of ragged clothes. He was wearing a blue shirt and black pants. [ Gilden ] ¡§No¡­ I don¡ät like any of them much.¡§ Oba frowns a bit from the words. [ Oba ] ¡§That¡äs a shame young one¡­ Are there any outfits that catch your eye?¡§ Gilden looks at the clothing. [ Gilden ] ¡§Let me look.¡§ Gilden rummages through the pile of clothes, but after a while, he stands back up. [ Gilden ] ¡§Sorry lady Oba, I haven¡ät found anything I liked.¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§It¡äs fine young one. I have lots of more clothes in the back. Here, let¡äs go look.¡§ Oba leads Gilden into the employee room. Hearts sits down next to Anathea. [ Hearts ] ¡§I hope he¡äll find something. We tried many outfits on him.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I feel like¡­ he didn¡ät choose any or liked any¡­ is because he didn¡ät choose one.¡§ Gilden rummages through the many choices of clothing, then his eyes spark at the sight of an outfit on a rack. [ Gilden ] ¡§May I try that one Oba?¡§ Oba looks at the outfit, her eyes moving a bit. [ Oba ] ¡§I haven¡ät seen that outfit in so long¡­ Sure you can try it.¡§ Gilden grabs the outfit and returns the dressing room, Oba comes out of the employee room. [ Anathea ] ¡§Maybe the reason why he didn¡ät like one is because he didn¡ät get to choose an outfit of his own.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I didn¡ät think about that¡­ We didn¡ät let him choose his own.¡§ Within seconds comes out the new outfit. [ Gilden ] ¡§I like this one.¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Oh, that looks dashing young one.¡§ Anathea and Hearts turn to look at Gilden. Both inspect the outfit. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh look at this stunning dude.¡§ Hearts put a tiny thumbs up. [ Hearts ] ¡§That outfit is nice.¡§ Gilden was in a rather simple and casual fit. Gilden was wearing a dirty blue shirt, a white jacket, and baggy white pants, with white and black boots. [ Gilden ] ¡§I want this one.¡§ Hearts hop off the bench, smiling. [ Hearts ] ¡§Alright, it''s settled. How much is it Lady Oba?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§How much? That one is such an old thing I made. You can have it for free.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Really?¡§ Oba nods slowly. [ Oba ] ¡§I made that outfit for my son many years ago when I was still active. I don¡ät know why he made me make that outfit for him. Considering he never once wore it. Though I wished I had seen him wear it once before he passed. I guess that¡äs why I kept it.¡§ Hearts take in the words.Hearts and Ana both seem to get visibly sad. [ Gilden ] ¡§How did he pass?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§He passed from an illness. I still miss him to this day, but it¡äs been a long time now. Now, I¡äm sure you three have things to you have to be doing. You don¡ät have to waste your time here at an old lady''s shop.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§We do have to head to the guild.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Gilden is registering to be an adventurer.¡§ Anathea and Hearts both head towards the front door to leave. [ Hearts ] ¡§We¡äll be leaving now Lady Oba.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Thanks for the clothes Oba.¡§ Hearts and Anathea walk out the door, Ana turns back. [ Anathea ] ¡§C¡ämon, hurry Gilden.¡§ Gilden is next to Oba. [ Gilden ] ¡§Give me a second.¡§ Oba turns to Gilden. [ Oba ] ¡§You know young one¡­ you remind me a lot like my son.¡§ [ Gilden ] "Do I?" Oba nods at Gilden. [ Oba ] ¡§Tell me¡­ Gilden. Who are you? I can tell you¡äre hiding something. A mother¡äs feeling.¡§ Gilden stays calm from what she said. [ Gilden ] ¡§So you did notice I¡äm different. Do I have to tell you?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Ohoho, no you don¡ät. If it¡äs a secret I won¡ät tell soul. But I understand if you don¡ät trust an old lady like me.¡§ Gilden nods no. [ Gilden ] ¡§You wanna know who I am¡­ I am the Silver Fiend.¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Silver Fiend huh¡­? So you¡äre him¡­ Tell me¡­ are the stories true?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Not all are true.¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§I see¡­¡§ Anathea speaks out loud from outside. [ Anathea ] ¡§What¡äs taking so long?¡§ Oba turns to Gilden. [ Oba ] ¡§You should leave, don¡ät keep them waiting.¡§ Gilden walks towards the front door. [ Gilded ] ¡§Yeah.¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§And once more thing before you go.¡§ Gilden turns back around. [ Gilden ] ¡§What?¡§ [ Oba ] ¡§Don¡ät be so hidden. I know from looking at you, that you are hiding many facts about yourself to them¡­ I recommend¡­ try to open up to them¡­ They are your comrades.¡§ Gilden thinks for a bit, turning back and going outside. [ Gilden ] ¡§I¡äll think about it.¡§ Gilden walks to Hearts and Ana outside. [ Hearts ] ¡§Took ya long enough, now let¡äs go.¡§ Hearts turn back at Oba. [ Hearts ] ¡§See ya next time lady Oba.¡§ Oba is now at the front door. [ Oba ] ¡§Ohoho, Mata Dozo.¡§ Hearts waves goodbye and the three walk off towards the direction of the Guild. [ Oba ] ¡§What amazing kids.¡§ [ Chapter 14 ] Register Again [ Chapter 14 ] Registering Again The three walk towards the Adventurer¡äs guild. As they are making their way Hearts decides to break the silence. [ Hearts ] ¡§So Gilden. What do you think your Will Rank will be?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Will rank? I¡äm not sure¡­ if I am sure Will rank is how powerful your Will is right?¡§ Hearts nods. [ Hearts ] ¡§Yup, what do you think it is?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I¡äm not sure, we¡äll have to see when he gets there.¡§ Hearts pouts a bit. [ Hearts ] ¡§Awh~ That¡äs no fun not guessing.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§We¡äre here now.¡§ They stood in front of the Adventurer¡äs Guild. As they entered, they saw Ceres working at the counter. The adventurers were either resting or deciding their next actions. Ceres noticed their arrival. (Author¡äs note: I didn¡ät say it but Ceres is fair-skinned, has medium-length brown hair, and green eyes.) [ Ceres ] ¡§Welcome back you two. Came for another mission?¡§ The three of them walk over to Ceres. [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeah we did, but we also came to get thin one registered.¡§ Ceres looks over to Gilden. [ Ceres ] ¡§Regristation huh. We don¡ät have any registrations right now. It should be quick. What is your name?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I am Gilden.¡§ Ceres elbows Gilden very lightly. [ Ceres ] ¡§Nice name you got there. Follow me beau.¡§ Ceres leads them next to the room, but as they are about to enter they hear Ragna¡äs voice. [ Ragna ] ¡§Oi. Anathea, got some news for you?¡§ Anathea turns to Ragna. [ Anathea ] ¡§What¡äs the news?¡§ Ragna was on the second floor of the guild, he began to walk down the stairs. [ Ragna ] ¡§About the conversion of elven money over to coins.¡§ Anathea tilts her head a bit at Ragna. [ Aanthea ] ¡°What about it?¡± Ragna reaches the bottom floor. [ Ragna ] ¡°I learned of some adventurer who knew a bit about money conversion. He gave me a basic understanding of elven money. I¡¯d say¡­ tomorrow. I should have a good enough conversion rate.¡± Anathea eye¡¯s lights up in minor excitement. [ Anathea ] ¡°So? Tomorrow I should be able to convert my money is that right?¡± Ragna nods at Ana. [ Ragna ] ¡°Yes, that is correct.¡± Anathea nearly jumps at the words. [ Anathea ] ¡§That¡äs great!¡§ Ragna looks over to Gilden. [ Ragna ] ¡§Whose the newcomer?¡§ Gilden looks at Ragna. Hearts raises her hand a bit.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. [ Hearts ] ¡§May we know who you are sir?¡§ Anathea looks over to Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡§You don¡ät know him?¡§ Hearts tilts her head slightly. [ Hearts ] ¡§No. Who is he?¡§ Ragna clears his throat. [ Ragna ] ¡§I am Ragna Gin.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Gin huh¡­ so you¡äre a part of the Gin family. You are the older brother of Crimson.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡°Oh, you know my brother?¡± [ Hearts ] ¡§We know him, owner of the inn down the street from here. Has a daughter named Nora.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Seems you¡äre acquainted with Crimson. Say, Ana? Who are these two?¡§ [ Anathea] ¡§Oh, these two are my comrades.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I Am Hearts. Hearts Blue.¡§ Gilden turns to Ragna. [ Gilden ] ¡§I am Gilden.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Hasn¡ät been three days and you¡äve already found two comrades. I guess you could say my hopes for you were right.¡§ Anathea looks down with a slight blush, scratching her head. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hehe~ I guess you can say I¡äm great.¡§ Ragna crosses his arms. [ Ragna ] ¡§What are you guys here for today?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§We came to get Gilden registered today.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Registering huh¡­ let¡äs get the newcomer registered then.¡§ Ragna walks over to Ceres. [ Ragna ] ¡§It¡äll be you, I¡äll just watch.¡§ [ Ceres ] ¡§Right boss.¡§ Hearts and Gilden look at Ragna with a slightly confused look. [ Hearts and Gilden ] ¡§Boss?¡§ Ana looks at them both. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh, you didn¡ät know. He¡äs the manager and owner of this adventurer¡¯s guild.¡§ Hearts eyes pop out like a cartoon character. [ Hearts ] ¡°Oh¡­ I didn¡¯t know.¡± Hearts look at Ragna with a bit more sincerity. [ Hearts ] ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were the guild master sir Ragna.¡± Ragna chuckles at Hearts. [ Ragna ] ¡°No need to be formal now, we are all technically adventurers here. Now, let¡¯s get him registered.¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°Follow me.¡± Ceres opens the door to another room, and the rest follow. [ Ceres] ¡°Do you have any questions about registering Gilden?¡± [ Gilden ] ¡°I could get a quick overview of it.¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°We will rank your will strength by having you touch a Will Stone. Touching it will shine a light depending on your strength. Brown, Orange, Green, Blue, Red, and Yellow. Brown weakest, Yellow strongest. We also will need some basic information about you like age but that comes later.¡± [ Gilden ] ¡°I see¡­ anything else I should know?¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°Do you want to explain what Will is?¡± [ Gilden ] ¡°Sure, tell me.¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°Will is the essence and power of the Soul. It is the strength and ability every living being has. Allowing the person to conjure and use it to make magic or skills. Every person is born with a Will, changing depending on the character of Soul in the person. For example, as my character developed over time, it became an Earth Will. A Will element can be almost anything, depending on the Soul.¡± [ Gilden ] ¡°So that is how Will works¡­ if I may ask¡­ what determines how strong someone¡¯s Will is?¡± Ceres thinks for a bit before answering. [ Ceres ] ¡§What usually determines one''s Will strength is how strong their resolve is. How determined they are for their resolve. That is usually the case. Because of that, there have been many cases of people¡äs Will or resolve being broken and weakening. They lose their resolve.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I think I get it now¡­ can someone make their Will stronger?¡§ Ragna chimes in to answer this one. [ Ragna ] ¡§Of course, you can, you can always train yourself to become stronger. Along with mentally improving yourself, as that relates to your Will.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Hmmm¡­ Yeah, I got the gist of what Will is. Tell me.¡§ Gilden looks over to Hearts and Ana. [ Gilden ] ¡§What are your guys Will rank?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§My Will''s color is green rank.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§So is mine, I am also green.¡§ Gilden looks at Ceres and Ragna. [ Ceres ] ¡§Oh, me? Well, I am orange rank.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§I am Red rank.¡§ Gilden¡äs body rises a bit. [ Gilden ] ¡§Red¡­ that¡äs high.¡§ Ragna touches his chin. [ Ragna ] ¡§Well I was an adventurer too and a damn good one at that.¡§ Ceres reaches the room of the Will stone, opening the door has the same atmosphere as when Anathea had entered it. The giant rock in the middle of the room. [ Anathea ] ¡§Still looks the same.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Yup.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§What else do we add then?¡§ Both Hearts and Ana shrug their arms. [ Ragna ] ¡§Exactly.¡§ Ceres walks to the Will Stone standing next to it. [ Ceres ] ¡°The first process of registering is finding your Will rank. So may you please place your hand on it?¡± Gilden walks forward and places his hand on the Will Stone. [ Ceres ] ¡°Now, release some of your Will energy into it.¡± [ Gilden ] ¡°Okay.¡± Gilden begins to pour some of his energy into the Stone. Black winds came from the sides after a couple of seconds. The winds swirl around the room fast and rough. Everyone covers themselves from the wind. [ Anathea ] ¡§What¡äs with this wind? It wasn¡ät like this when I did it.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§This man¡­ it¡äs affecting the Will Stone enough¡­ he¡äs-¡§ Gilden is still in the middle pouring his energy into the Will Stone. The black wind swarms behind the Will Stone, collecting. Within seconds it bursts into a shape made of wind, the shape was that of Fiend¡äs face. Then the black wind all clashes into the Will Stone going into it. [ Hearts ] ¡§What the heck is happening!¡§ Gilden takes off his hand, then the Will Stone begins to shine a bright light after absorbing all the black wind. Blinding all of them into the room, making all cover their eyes. [ Ceres ] ¡§It¡äs-!¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§He¡äs-!¡§ The light dies down slowly till you see the color that shined from the Will Stone. All were shocked by the color shining from the Stone. [ Anathea ] ¡§No way¡­¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§That color¡­¡§ [ Ceres ] ¡§Ragna? Are you seeing this¡­?¡§ Ragna smiles and gulps down as a single sweat gland drops. [ Ragna ] ¡§Damn right I¡äm seeing it¡­ this man right here is the real deal¡­¡§ The light from the Will Stone shined a faint yellow color. Gilden stares at the stone. [ Gilden ] ¡§I¡äm¡­ yellow?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§He is¡­ a yellow rank¡­¡§ Ragna makes a big smile at Gilden. [ Ragna ] ¡§I expect good things from you Gilden, don¡ät let me down.¡§ [ Chapter 15 ] Fer [ Chapter 15 ] Fer The group leaves the room, walking towards the next room to register. [ Anathea ] ¡§To think you''re yellow Gilden¡­¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§No wonder we lost to you when we fought earlie-¡§ Gilden flicks Hearts head. [ Hearts ] ¡§Ow! Hey!¡§ Hearts made an annoyed tone when he flinched back. [ Gilden ] ¡§Don¡ät bring that up!¡§ [ Ceres ] ¡§You guys fought?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Yes we did¡­ when we meet¡­ because uhh¡­ I thought they were enemies but they weren¡ät.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I have a question to ask Ragna.¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Oh, what is the question?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Do you know of the adventurer¡­ Fer Uni?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§Fer huh¡­? If I remember correctly he did register as an adventurer, but aside from that, I don¡ät know much about him." They reach the next room, Ceres opens the door and takes Gilden in. [ Ceres ] ¡§You will need to fill out your information. You two can wait outside.¡§ Ragna, Ceres, and Gilden go into the room. Hearts sighs at the sight. [ Hearts ] ¡§Well¡­ what shall we do now?¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°It shouldn¡¯t take long, let¡¯s just wait here.¡± They both wait there for a bit. As they wait Hearts seems to fidget and become restless. [ Hearts ] ¡°Uhhh! I¡¯m bored! Let¡¯s find a job that we¡¯ll do next. I can¡¯t just stand here.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Yeah, sure. Let¡¯s go.¡± Hearts movement brightens as they walk back into the main room of the guild. They open the door, walking to the quest board. [ Hearts ] ¡°I wonder what mission we could do next?¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Let''s see here¡­¡± As they turn to look at the board, they see a similar figure. It was Fer Uni standing in front of it, analyzing it. [ Fer ] ¡°Treants¡­ I¡¯ll take on that one.¡± Hearts waves to Fer, her voice raising in volume. [ Hearts ] ¡°Hey Fer! Watcha doing?¡± Fer turns over to Hearts, his face sour at Hearts. Hearts move her body with confusion. [ Hearts ] ¡°Geh?!?¡± [ Fer [ ¡°We¡¯re not that close.¡± Hearts flares out her arms in confusion. [ Hearts ] ¡°Ehh?! Nande? You fought with us?¡± [ Fer ] ¡°I did it on my own accord.¡± Hearts pout at Fer, turning her face away. [ Hearts ] ¡°But you didn¡¯t need to be mean! Hmph!!!¡± Fer sighs, and then his tone becomes a bit softer. [ Fer ] ¡°Fine, sorry. What do you guys want?¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°We came to find our next mission.¡± [ Fer ] ¡§I¡äve already found my mission. I¡äll be leaving now.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Leaving so soon? That¡äs no fun. Let me take a look.¡§ Hearts get close to Fer, leaning close in to look at the paper showing the information of treants. [ Fer ] ¡§Hey-!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Hmmm~? Treants huh¡­¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Why so close¡­?¡§ Hearts stands up right looking at Fer. [ Hearts ] ¡§Why don¡ät we join you?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Join me¡­ No, I wanna do it alone.¡§ Anathea chimes into the conversation. [ Anathea ] ¡§It says recommended 3 people for it to be safer. I feel like we should. It would be three in total.¡§ Fer seems to get visibly annoyed a bit. [ Fer ] ¡§I already said I¡äm doing it alone. I don¡ät need help.¡§ The door where Hearts and Ana came from opens again. Ceres, Ragna, and Gilden come out. Gilden darts his eyes to Fer and the two. [ Gilden ] ¡°Oh, he¡¯s here.¡± Ragna turns his head towards Fer. [ Ragna ] ¡°Oh, look who¡¯s here.¡± The three of them walk to Fer. [ Ragna ] ¡°What¡¯s going on here.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°Nothing, I¡¯m just deciding my next mission.¡± Ragna looks at the paper Fer grabbed. [ Ragna ] ¡°Treants¡­ then why are you two here with him.¡± Ragna looks at Ana and Hearts. [ Anathea ] ¡°We just happened to meet him here. We also wanted to look for our next mission.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°Ceres?¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°What is it?¡± Fer shows the paper to Ceres. [ Fer ] ¡°I¡¯m taking this job alone.¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°Alone¡­? If that is what you wish you can. But it is recommended for another two members.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°Alone.¡± [ Ceres ] ¡°Alright¡­ Here, let me submit the job.¡± Fer hands the paper to Ceres. [ Ragna ] ¡°Before that!¡± Ragna looks at Hearts and Ana, then looks to Fer. [ Fer ] ¡°What?¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m making you a deal here Fer.¡± Fer looks at Ragna in confusion. [ Fer ] ¡°A deal...?¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°Yes, that''s right. Suppose you take those two with you on this mission. I¡¯ll give you extra earnings.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°What if I decline?¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°You are very inclined to decline.¡± [ Fer ] ¡°Then I¡¯ll do it myse-¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°However!¡± Ragna looks at Fer with a smug face slowly forming. [ Ragna ] ¡°I¡¯m sure it wouldn¡¯t look good on you to decline a deal from the guild owner¡­ especially to someone¡­ higher up.¡± An anger vein appears on Fer¡äs head. [ Fer ] ¡§Oh¡­ that¡äs how it is huh¡­ fine then. I¡äll accept it.¡§ Fer turns to both Hearts and Fer, pointing at them.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. [ Fer ] ¡§You two better not mess around!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Don¡ät worry, we got this!¡§ Fer walks towards the exit of the guild, Hearts following. Anathea waits behind next to rhe other three. [ Anathea ] ¡§If you don¡ät mind me asking¡­ who is this¡­ higher-up person you were talking about?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§This higher person I was talking about is someone who only relates to him.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§So¡­ it is a person important to him¡­ that¡äs why you brought it up?¡§ Ragna nods at Ana. [ Ragna ] ¡§Yes, yes it was.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Do you know his name or who he is.¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°Almost everyone in this city knows him.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Who is he?¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°He¡¯s known as the Terra¡¯s Savant, a knight working for the king and city.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°Oh¡­ I had forgotten that this city had a King. What is his name?¡± [ Ragna ] ¡°The King of city Straya is Caesar Erwing.¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°So¡­ who is this person to Fer?¡± Ragna pats Ana¡¯s head. [ Ragna ] ¡°Be around him enough¡­ and you¡¯ll learn who it is.¡± Fer reaches the exit of the guild, he turns back to Ana. [ Fer ] ¡°You coming or what?¡± Ana turns to Fer in confusion, she points at Ceres. [ Anathea ] ¡°She didn¡¯t even submit it yet.¡± Hearts giggles at Fer. [ Fer ] ¡°S- Shut Up!¡± [ Hearts ] ¡°I can¡¯t help it.¡± Ceres laughs a bit, going to the counter. [ Ceres ] ¡°I¡äll get it done.¡§ Ceres takes a stamp from the counter and stamps the paper. Ceres takes the paper and shows it to Fer, smiling at him. [ Ceres ] ¡§May you return safely!¡§ Fer takes the paper rolling it up. [ Fer ] ¡§Let¡äs get this done already. Let¡äs go.¡§ Fer leaves towards the exit. [ Ceres ] ¡§Safe returns!¡§ Hearts follows after Fer. [ Fer ] ¡§Why such a hurry?¡§ Anathea follows soon but turns around back to Gilden. [ Anathea ] ¡§What are you doing next?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I¡äm not sure¡­¡§ Gilden looks at the quest board. [ Gilden ] ¡§Save at cat¡­ huh¡­ that one. I¡äll do that one.¡§ Gilden walks to the board taking the paper off the quest board. [ Gilden ] ¡§Missing cat¡­ return to owner, the reward is 5 bronze coins¡­ Yeah, I¡äll do this one.¡§ Anathea leans to look at the paper [ Anathea ] ¡§Hmm?¡§ Ana stands back up straight looking at Gilden. [ Anathea ] ¡§Starting small huh¡­ but it works.¡§ Fer reaches the exit of the guild. [ Fer ] ¡§You coming or what elf?¡§ Ana walks towards Fer, her tone a bit higher. [ Anathea ] ¡§Coming!¡§ As Ana goes towards Fer, she turns and waves to the three. [ Anathea ] ¡§Later!¡§ Anathea jogs over to Fer and Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§Let¡äs get this done with.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Why need to rush? We can take our time.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I want to get it done quick.¡§ Fer opens the door leaving the guild with Fer and Hearts following around. They walk towards the city gates of Straya. [ Anathea ] ¡§Hey Fer?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§What?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Where are we going exactly?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§We¡äre hunting treants, from the information given. The location is Terr Swamp. It¡äs located West of Straya. Head towards the lands of Thuafin, the country of the dwarfs, and the town of Garn.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Terr swamp huh.. That¡äs pretty far.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§How long will it take to reach there?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§On foot¡­ it would be a around a 2-day walk.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Two days!?¡§ In her mind, ¡§I won¡ät get my money before I return.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I say it¡äs fine on foot, we could get to know each other.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Doesn¡ät matter to me. As long as we get the job done.¡§ They reach the city gates and walk out of the city, walking with the path toward the West, following the plain path toward forests and mountains. [ Fer ] ¡§Let¡äs keep our pace high, I want to reach there quicker.¡§ Fer walks fast along the path, leaving Hearts and Ana following behind. [ Hearts ] ¡§Geez¡­ what with him. He¡äs so staid.¡§ Hearts slump her body, leaning her arms forward in boredom. { Hearts ] ¡§Bor! Ing!¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Let¡äs just go catch up with him.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Fine.¡§ The group travels further toward their destination, walking through forest terrains. As night strikes the three of them set up a camp to rest the night, They all sit there near a made fire, in silence as the moon is prominent above them. Hearts decides to break the silence. [ Hearts ] ¡§Augh! This is so boring! Why aren¡ät we talking!?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§What¡äs there to talk about?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I don''t know! But we can¡ät stay like this if we¡äre teammates.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I didn¡ät want to join you guys, I only did it because he made a deal with me.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Well that¡äs harsh¡­ still, it¡äs better if we get to know each other.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§It¡äs not like we¡äre gonna be teammates after this anyways.¡§ Hearts start to get visibly annoyed at Fer¡äs perception. [ Hearts ] ¡§That doesn¡ät make it so we don¡ät!¡§ Anathea chimes in a soft voice and attitude. [ Anathea ] ¡§Say Fer¡­ would you mind telling us about yourself? I¡äm sure it won¡ät cause any harm right? Even a little, we¡äll be able to get along better.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I don¡ät want to.¡§ Anathea makes a small frown at Fer. [ Anathea ] ¡§That¡äs fine¡­ even if you don¡ät let me tell you about myself.¡§ Anathea fixes her sitting position. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äm staring from the beginning; My name is Anathea Choju, I am an Elf from the elven land of Kathin. I came over to the human country to build better bonds and relationships due to an elf not making any major contact in a long time.¡§ Fer stays silent from Ana¡äs response. [ Hearts ] ¡§Okay, how about mine? I am Hearts Blue, I was an orphan who was taken by my caretaker, who I call Grandpa. But his name is Donny Lee. He taught me martial arts and was the one who guided who I am.¡§ Fer stays silent, not answering or talking to either of them. [ Hearts ] ¡§No answer huh¡­?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§It¡äs getting pretty late now.¡§ Hearts looked at the sky. [ Hearts ] ¡§Yeah, we should probably get some shut-eye.¡§ Anathea and Hearts go to their tent about to enter. [ Fer ] ¡§I don¡ät have a father¡­¡§ Hearts and Ana turn back to Fer. [ Fer ] ¡§I was raised by my single mother and have an older brother. We are five years apart. My mother¡­ worked most of the day to get enough money for us. So, it was mostly just my brother and I together. That¡äs a bit about myself.¡§ [ Anathea ] In her mind ¡§Brother¡­? Is that the person Ragna means?¡§ Hearts smiles and puffs her shoulder at Fer. [ Hearts ] ¡§See! What it that hard?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§You know what wasn¡ät hard?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§What?¡§ Fer points at Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§Walking past a lizard.¡§ Hearts jump in shock and make a horror-struck face. [ Hearts ] ¡§Geh!!?¡§ Flashback to a couple of hours ago, Fer and Anathea were in front of Hearts. They were walking when suddenly an iguana walked onto the road, between them. Hearts jump with horror and screaming. [ Hearts ] ¡§GYAHHHHHHH! IT''S A LIZARD! I HATE LIZARDS!¡§ Hearts start to tear up and back away from the iguana. The iguana just stood there between them. [ Fer ] ¡§Just walk past it, it won¡ät hurt you. Iguanas aren¡ät hostile to what I know.¡§ Hearts stood there, taking the information. With a loud burst, Heart''s voice became high and deafening. She was shaking her head and hands no. [ Hearts ] ¡§YADA!¡§ (Author¡äs Note: Japanese for ¡§No¡§ or ¡§No Way¡§) [ Hearts ] ¡§Yada, Yada, Yada, Yada, Yada, Yada, Yada!!!!!!!¡§ (Author¡äs Note: I like adding Japanese words if you didn¡ät know.) [ Anathea ] ¡§Calm down Hearts. Just walk past it¡­ it won¡ät hurt you or anything!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§No Way! I¡äm not doing that! Look at it! It¡äs just staring at me!¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Just¡­ walk over here. It won¡ät hurt you. It¡äs only staring at you because it thinks you¡äre a predator to it.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§It won¡ät¡­ right?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Yes.¡§ Hearts begin to walk slowly from the side of the iguana, her eyes filled with tiny tears. The iguana slowly turned to Hearts as she was to the side. [ Hearts ] ¡§Heh¡­?¡§ The iguana stood there for a moment, then it slowly began to move and jump at Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§EYAHHHHHHHH!!!¡§ Back to the present, Hearts was tearing up looking away from Fer from the memory. Anathea was laughing in the back. [ Hearts ] ¡§That was terrifying! I hate lizards! I can¡ät stand how they look or move!¡§ Fer begins to laugh a bit. [ Fer ] ¡§Why are you so scared of lizards anyway?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§When I was maybe around 7, I was playing around outside when I spotted a tiny lizard. I crouched next to it to see what it was, then when I was poking it. It jumped on my face! I can¡ät stand lizards!¡§ Fer and Ana both laugh as Hearts has a dejected face. [ Anathea ] ¡§Lizards aren¡ät that bad Hearts. Besides they aren¡ät hostile.¡§ Fer turns to Anathea. [ Fer ] ¡§You¡äre making seem like you¡äre better? [ Anathea ] ¡§Huh?¡§ Fer makes a smug face at Ana. [ Fer ] ¡§You couldn¡ät even handle a spider on your arm.¡§ Anathea¡äs eye turns blank as she recalls the memory of a couple of hours ago when they were walking through a forest. As they walked through the forest, Anathea was behind Hearts when a tiny spider jumped on Anathea¡äs arm. Anathea looked at her arm and saw the spider, causing her body to go rigid as she stopped moving. [ Anathea ] ¡§Guys¡­¡§ Hearts and Fer turned around at Ana. Anathea held her arm out to the side like she was keeping it away from her. Anathea pointed at the spider as tiny tears began to form in her eyes. [ Anathea ] ¡§Please¡­ get this¡­ thing away from me¡­¡§ Fer looks at Ana with a frivolous face [ Fer ] ¡§Hah..? Look at how tiny it is, just flick it off.¡§ Anathea shakes her head from side to side multiple times. [ Anathea ] ¡§I can¡ät move much¡­ please¡­ I don¡ät wanna be left alone with this thing. I hate spiders.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Ana¡­ it¡äs so small, just blow it off or something.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äll try¡­¡§ Anathea began to shake her arm up and down fast multiple times, keeping her eyes closed. After she stopped, and slowly began opening her eyes. [ Anathea ] ¡§Is it¡­ gone-?¡§ The spider was gone from her arm. Anathea felt a pressure release from her chest. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh thank the blessing of Kathin it¡äs gone-¡§ The spider slowly lowered itself in front of Anathea¡äs face, hanging from its web dangling from Ana¡äs hat. [ Anathea ] ¡§YAHHHHHH!!!!!!¡§ Anathea throws her hat to the floor as she backs up. Fer face palms at the sight. Anathea sees the spider slowly crawl back onto her hat. Ana puts her hands together like she¡äs praying. [ Anathea ] ¡§I pray you well my oh well hat, we must separate now. I hope you don¡ät miss me.¡§ Fer and Hearts take in the sight. [ Fer ] ¡§Is she serious¡­?¡§ Fer walks over to Ana¡äs hat on the ground, he squats down and looks at the spider. He extends his arm and flicks the spider away. [ Fer ] ¡§Was it that hard?¡§ Anathea looks at Fer, grabbing her hat. [ Anathea ] ¡§T-thank you Fer¡­ I didn¡ät want to leave my hat¡­ Let me dust my hat off. Anathea walks toward the side. [ Fer ] ¡§You¡äre walking to more spiders.¡§ Anathea turned as she stood right in front of a spider web with a giant spider in the middle. Anathea just stood there, she slowly began to fall like a rock. When she landed, she was pale and had a tiny ghost coming from her mouth. [ Fer and Hearts ] ¡§Did she just knocked out?" Back to the present, Anathea was hiding her face with her hat from Fer. [ Anathea ] ¡§It was scary¡­ I don¡ät like spiders¡­¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Oh yeah, you¡äre not any better!¡§ Flashback, As they were walking up a hill in a forest. Fer led the two. [ Fer ] ¡§This way-.¡§ Fer¡äs foot hit a tree root. [ Fer ] ¡§Ah.¡§ Fer¡äs body fell to the ground like a wood plank. Back to the present, Fer crosses his arms. [ Fer ] ¡§I had to look at you guys, I had an excuse.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§But how you fell was so funny.¡§ Fer starts to get slightly annoyed. [ Fer ] ¡§S- shut up. I couldn¡ät stop that from happening.¡§ Hearts continue to tease Fer. [ Hearts ] ¡§It was so funny!¡§ Fer snaps quietly, as he slowly begins to make a figure with his wood Will. Fer points over to nothing. [ Fer ] ¡§Hey Hearts, look over there.¡§ Hearts turn to where he pointed. [ Hearts ] ¡§Huh?¡§ Fer then put the figure he made on Heart''s shoulders, the wood figurine he made was a lizard. Hearts turn screaming and jumping away. [ Hearts ] ¡§EYAH!¡§ Fer sits down laughing at what he did, and Ana chuckles also. [ Fer ] ¡§Hahaha, that was funny.¡§ Hearts points to Hearts with a pouty face. [ Hearts ] ¡§You¡äre so mean!¡§ Anathea finishes chuckling, then turns to Fer. [ Anathea ] ¡§See Fer? We had a good laugh when we started talking, I¡äm sure we got to know each other better. Was it so bad sharing?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I guess you¡äre right¡­ maybe this wasn¡ät so bad after all.¡§ Fer looks at the moon. [ Fer ] ¡§We guys should get to bed. We need energy for the hunting, we are almost at the location.¡§ Anathea nods at Fer. [ Anathea ] ¡§Yeah.¡§ Anathea goes into her tent, puts her staff down next, laying down to sleep. [ Fer ] ¡§You too Hearts, I¡äll watch for a while.¡§ Hearts scratches her head nodding. [ Hearts ] ¡§Alright.¡§ Hearts head towards her tent, going in. [ Hearts ] ¡§Make sure to get some sleep too Fer.¡§ Fer nods. [ Fer ] ¡§Don¡ät worry, I will.¡§ Hearts closes her tent. [ Hearts ] ¡§Goodnight Fer.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Night.¡§ Fer looks at the moon and then at the fire, slowly smiling. [ Fer ] ¡§I guess they aren¡ät so bad.¡§ [ Chapter 16 ] Hunt [ Chapter 16 ] Hunt The day the group left in the main castle of Straya, where the king was stationed. Emessio walks into Caesar Erwing''s throne room. The room had many windows shining light, a long carpet going to the throne, and was rather empty. Emessio kneels to Erwing. Ewring face was covered by shade. [ Emessio ] ¡§Your majesty¡­ we failed to subdue the Fiend.¡§ Erwing leans forward to Emessio, sitting on his throne. Erwing had the appearance of a 40-year-old, with smooth medium-length white hair, yellow eyes, a bit pale skin tone, a crown, and dressed in royal clothing with an endowed robe. [ Ewing ] ¡§Were there any casualties?¡§ Emessio keeps his head down, as he kneels. [ Emessio ] ¡§To our luck, yes. We sustained no major injuries from the Fiend.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§Did you learn of who the Fiend was?¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§Yes, your majesty. The identity of the enemy was the Silver Fiend.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§Silver Fiend¡­ the one who destroyed the Village of Fod. Where did the Fiend go off to?¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§After the Fiend took us down, he left leaping away into the forest and mountains.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§To think even you Gin Emessio known as the Gale¡äs Savant, couldn¡ät beat the Silver Fiend.¡§ Emessio puts down a lowered tone to Erwing. [ Emessio ] ¡§I wasn¡ät strong enough your majesty. I had attacked him while he wasn¡ät prepared, chased to fight, and still lost. I don¡ät deserve that title.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§Put your head up Emessio.¡§ Emessio leans his lead up, still kneeling at Erwing. [ Erwing ] ¡§It doesn¡ät mean you aren¡ät strong, you simply fought too strong of an opponent. For your entire barracks and you to be defeated is one thing, but you prevented their deaths. That is commendable Emessio Gin.¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§Thank you, your majesty.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§Emessio, did you see anything suspicious as the battle ended? We should try to track down that Silver Fiend.¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§Right, your majesty. As I recall, when the battle ended we all were recovering. In the distance, I saw two figures running toward the direction where the Fiend leaped away. They were also there when I chased to see Fiend.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§Who were these two people?¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§They were two woman¡­ I didn¡ät pay attention to those two much, but one was a brawler and a mage. The brawler had blue hair and the mage had blonde hair. And, I¡äm not sure if I saw it right¡­ but the mage woman¡­ looked like she was an elf.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§An elf you say¡­ hmmm¡­ that¡äs weird. An elf hasn¡ät entered Astrea ever since some time if I remember correctly. What¡äs the change now?¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§I remember hearing of a tiny rumor, about an elf coming to this city yesterday. That could be the lady.¡§ [ Ewing ] ¡§Then, I would like to start a search for that elf lady. I would like to question her.¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§Yes, your majesty. I have one more thing to report.¡§ [ Erwing ] ¡§What is the information?¡§ Emessio stands up and turns to his right, looking at a figure of a man who stands resting on the wall. A prominent shade covers most of his full body. [ Emessio ] ¡§I saw another one run in Fiend¡äs direction too. I got a good look at him. Young-looking and had green hair. Say¡­ Kusan¡­ Why is your brother interested in the Silver Fiend?¡§ As morning dawned before the group. Hearts slowly woke up being stricken by the light, waking her up. Hearts slowly raise her body, stretching her arm, and yawning. [ Hearts ] ¡§Aaahn~ Mourning¡­ to myself.¡§ Hearts wipes her eyes, getting up and out of the tent. [ Hearts ] ¡§Anyone awake¡­?¡§ Hearts looked around, her eyes were still tired. Hearts goes and checks on Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hey Ana? You awake-?¡± Hearts opens Anathea¡¯s tent, seeing her still soundly asleep. [ Anathea ] ¡°Zzz-zzzz- hnnghmm- no¡­ don¡¯t take my food¡­-zzz¡­¡± Hearts stared at Ana¡¯s sleeping figure. She was hugging her staff and had drooling coming from her mouth. Hearts made a derpy, blank face. [ Hearts ] ¡°She¡¯s sleep talking¡­¡± Hearts sighs leaving Ana¡äs tent, looking around the area. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hmm? I wonder where Fer is at?¡§ Hearts walk a bit into the nearby woods towards a small river nearby. [ Hearts ] ¡§So sleepy¡­ I have to wash my face.¡§ Hearts yawns walking to the river. As she makes her way, she hears a water splash from the river¡¯s direction. [ Hearts ] ¡°Huh¡­? Someone¡¯s here?¡± Hearts stick to the tree walking towards the sound, being cautious. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hello¡­? Fer¡­ is that you?¡§ Hearts peaks more as she walks, seeing the back of Fer''s head. Seeing Fer, Hearts seems to lose the weight on her chest, as she sighs in relief. [ Hearts ] ¡§Phew¡­ you¡äre over here. Why are you over here Fer-?¡§ Hearts walks more seeing the full figure of Fer¡äs body, she has a back view of his body. Hearts saw Fer topless, standing next to the river. Hearts took a good look at Fer, seeing that Fer had a very toned, athletic, and muscled body. Hearts jaw seems to drop, and a slight blush appears on her face. [ Hearts ] ¡§Wha- t- d- why- is- huh-?¡§ Hearts stuttered a lot trying to make words. [ Hearts ] ¡§Why are you so fit!!!!!¡§ Hearts scream as she points at Fer. Fer turns around to meet Hearts. Seeing the front side of Fer¡äs body. Fer¡äs front side body is just as chiseled as the backside. Hearts cover her eyes, with one eye peaking at Fer¡äs body.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. [ Hearts ] ¡§Put some a shirt on! It¡äs distracting!¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Could you quiet down?¡§ Fer picks up his shirt on the ground. [ Hearts ] ¡§No! Not until you put a shirt on!¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Then why are you peaking?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§It¡äs hard not to look at your body, OKAY!¡§ Fer puts his shirt back on. His tight black shirt seems to show his muscles but also hide it. [ Fer ] ¡§I was going to anyways, I already finished cleaning myself.¡§ Hearts look at Fer with a look of confusion. [ Hearts ] ¡§How¡­ does that shirt for being tight¡­. not show your full muscles?¡§ Fer walks over to Hearts, tapping her shoulder. [ Fer ] ¡§Don¡ät worry about it.¡§ (Author¡äs note: The shirt is tight, but not super tight.) [ Fer ] ¡§ What''s your business over here?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§I wanted to wash my face to wake myself up, but considering how I got a good waking from seeing you. I think I will skip it.¡§ Fer and Hearts both walk back to their camp. Hearts had her arms and body slumped over. [ Hearts ] ¡§Why did I have to see you shirtless today¡­?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Why are you making it seem like it is my problem?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Because it is!¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§You¡äre the one who walked to me!¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§But how would I¡¯ve known you were there!¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§You didn¡ät have made a scene when seeing me.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Ugh! Let¡äs just forget this happened¡­¡§ They both heard footsteps coming quickly toward them and within seconds, they saw Anathea in front of them. Her voice panicked a bit as she seemed to be hurried. [ Anathea ] ¡§You two alright¡­ I heard Hearts voice yellin-¡­¡§ Anathea looks at both of them, Hearts seems slumped while Fer is stoic. [ Anathea ] ¡§What happened¡­?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Nothing¡­ important.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Let¡äs just continue going. [ Anathea ] ¡§Okay¡­ then.¡§ The three make their way back to the camp, but there seems to be an awkward tension between them. [ Anahtea ] In her mind ¡§Man¡­ what happened with those two?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§So¡­ how far are we to the location? ¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§We made a good amount of distance yesterday, and from the path I took. We should make it to Terr Swamp in about an hour''s way of walking.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§An hour huh¡­ Not too bad.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Key word is walking. We won¡ät be walking.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§What? Are we gonna run?¡§ Fer turns to Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§Yes, we are.¡§ Hearts sighs at the answer. [ Hearts ] ¡§Fine, let¡äs head back and get ready.¡§ The group eventually reaches the camp, packing their items quickly. Fer walks over a distance between Ana and Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§C¡ämon, let¡äs go.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Damn¡­ how does he do it so quickly¡­?¡§ Anathea shrugs her shoulders at Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§That¡äs no help¡­¡§ A small amount of time passes before Hearts and Ana make their way to Fer. [ Fer ] ¡§Ready?¡§ They both nod at Fer. [ Fer ] ¡§Then let¡äs go¡§ Fer begins to run off toward their location. Hearts and Ana follow suit after Fer. [ Hearts ] ¡§So! What exactly are we trying to do?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§We¡äre hunting treants, but we must find the one causing the most ruckus around these parts.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§What does that mean?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Finding the one is causing all the trouble for this mission to be posted.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Do you think we¡äll be able to do this?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I was gonna take this mission on alone, knowing I could do this. What does that say about our odds?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§We should still be careful!¡§ Fer slides his feet on the ground slowing him down before stopping. Ana and Hearts stop behind him. [ Fer ] ¡§We¡äre here¡­ Terr swamp.¡§ Reaching Terr Swamp, the atmosphere was very gloomy. The swamp had very green-tinted water, the trees were darker-toned, and had a very saddened tone to the swamp. [ Anathea ] ¡§This is Terr Swamp¡­?¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§As always¡­ looks the same. [ Fer ] ¡§Still as dead as ever huh¡­¡§ The group scans the area around them. [ Fer ] ¡§Let¡äs look around¡­ I¡äm sure they¡äre bound to be somewhere.¡§ Fer walks along the path, scanning the surrounding area. [ Fer ] ¡§They¡äre bound to be somewhere¡­ keep a look out.¡§ Hearts and Ana follow behind Fer also keeping their eyes out. [ Hearts ] ¡§What exactly do they look like? I haven¡ät seen a treant before.¡§ Fer turns over to Hearts, walking towards her. [ Fer ] ¡§Treants are creatures that take on the form of trees. Born from malevolent Will energy forms into the trees over time. They usually hide and keep hidden until they find the right opportunity to¡­¡§ Fer took out one of his daggers from his sweater tied to his hips, quickly sheathing it out and slashing the tree behind Hearts. [ Fer ] ¡§Strike.¡§ The tree splits in half, and it falls apart a cloud of dust starts to appear from the tree as it begins to reveal a face on the tree. Three holes were on the tree that made a face, showing it was a treant. Hearts turn seeing that Fer had saved her. Fer puts away his dagger. [ Hearts ] ¡§So that is a treant¡­ so creepy.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Uhh guys¡­ we have company.¡§ Fer and Hearts turn around to Ana. From the distance the trees are breaking apart showing they are treants, having big arms and legs breaking from the ground, and showing the face hiding in the tree. [ Fer ] ¡§Seems like killing one woke them all up.¡§ Fer begins to slowly reach into his hip jacket for his daggers. Hearts stretches her arms looking at the Treants. Ana fixes her hat and points her staff at the treants. [ Fer ] ¡§Let¡äs get the job done.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Hopefully they don¡ät break so fast.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Be careful guys.¡§ Fer looks at the direction of the treants. [ Fer ] In his mind ¡§One¡­ two¡­ three¡­ four, five. Five in front of us. I hear more behind us.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Ana take care of the one behind u-!¡§ Anathea had already turned around as she heard the treants first. [ Anathea ] ¡§I¡äll take care of the backside!¡§ Hearts grab her hand, then make her ice gauntlets appear on. [ Hearts ] ¡§Let do this!¡§ Hearts rushes into the closest treant. The treant stikes his arm down at Hearts. Hearts punches the treant¡äs arm clashing with it. Causing a small wind of collision to fly. [ Hearts ] ¡§Aatahh!!!¡§ The treant roars at Hearts, trying to overpower Hearts. [ Hearts ] ¡§Rather sturdy huh? Then try this one!¡§ Hearts grips the treant''s arm with both her hands. [ Hearts ] ¡§Will of Ice, Grip of Tundra.¡§ Hearts begin freezing the treant¡äs arm, then shatter it by crushing it. The treant uses his other hand to slam down onto Hearts. Hearts jump up dodging it, smiling. [ Hearts ] ¡§Blizzards Touch!¡§ Hearts swings her arm throwing out snowflakes towards the treant. As they reach the treant they explode into spiked ice balls, into the treant''s face. Piercing through the whole treant¡äs body. The treant falls dead. [ Hearts ] ¡§One down!¡§ Fer watched as the fight happened so quickly. He turns around to Ana. [ Anathea ] ¡§There are about 4 over here!¡§ Anathea points her staff at the 4 treants grouped in the back of them. The orb on her staff begins to shine bright. [ Anathea ] ¡§Oh divine light from above, hear my call and heed my desire. Bless me thy power to destroy my enemies!¡§ Anathea then points her staff at the sky. [ Anathea ] ¡§Will of Light, Luminescence of Demise!¡§ The clouds move as a hole in the sky is made. Light begins appearing in the hole, and a giant beam of light shoots down from the hole in the sky. The beam flies down fast reaching the treants, disintegrating the treants. Hearts and Fer watch as Ana easily destroys the four treants with ease. [ Fer ] ¡§Well¡­ that was overkill.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§Woah!!! Why don¡ät you use that one more?¡§ Anathea turns in their direction. [ Anathea ] ¡§It can be unpredictable unless I really concentrate on it.¡§ ( Author¡äs Note: That is why Ana needed to say an incantation.) Fer turns back around seeing only 4 treants remain. [ Fer ] ¡§I haven¡ät done anything yet¡­ let¡äs change that.¡§ Fer blitzed towards the closest treant in their direction, doing an X-slash through a treant as he passed forward. The treant splits into four. [ Fer ] ¡§That¡äs one.¡§ Two more treants rush towards Fer. Fer crouches down and then dashes forward to slice off one of the legs of one of the Treants. As he turns around, Fer touches the ground. [ Fer ] ¡§Will of Wood, Roots of Restraints.¡§ Roots from the ground wrap around the arms and leg of the fallen treant. Fer points at the middle of the treant he restrained. [ Fer ] ¡§Will of Wood, Heart Piercer.¡§ As the treant is restrained, from the ground comes a giant wood spike piercing through the treant''s body. [ Fer ] ¡§Two down.¡§ The other treant besides the one Fer killed, came swinging at Fer¡äs back. Roots come from behind Fer, making a wall of roots. Blocking the treant attack, as the treant hit the wall made by Fer. Fer runs to the side dashing up at the treant slashing through its head, and landing as the head of the treant falls. [ Fer ] ¡§Three¡­ Now where is the last one?¡§ Fer looks around, unable to find it. [ Fer ] ¡§What th-¡§ Fer was standing next to a tree. The tree began to form a mouth, going to chomp down onto Fer¡äs head. Fer turns as he hears the moving, trying to jump back up. [ Fer ] In his mind ¡§Shit! This is gonna hurt!¡§ The next second Hearts was in front of Fer. Hearts was holding the mouth open with her strength, not allowing the treant to bite. [ Hearts ] ¡§Hey! Be careful!¡§ Fer does a back roll from his jump back, landing down crouching. Fer touches the ground. [ Fer ] ¡§Roots of Restraints!¡§ Roots come from the ground wrapping around the treant''s arm, pulling it back. Hearts feel the tension lessen and back up. [ Hearts ] ¡§Now Ana!" Ana had her staff pointed at the treant, glowing and ready to fire. [ Anathea ] ¡§Erase!¡§ A tiny light beam formed, shooting through the treant, leaving a hole in the treant. Fer releases the restraints as the treant has died. [ Fer ] ¡§That should be the job done.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§We have to collect some parts of the treants we defeated.¡§ Fer''s tone becomes slightly worried. [ Fer ] ¡§It says we need to collect branches off the treants¡­ all of the treants.¡§ [ Hearts ] ¡§That isn¡ät hard¡­ why are you saying like it is a problem.¡§ Fer points over to the small crater left by Ana¡äs Luminicences of Demise. [ Fer ] ¡§At least four of them¡­ is completly erased.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Eto¡­ un¡­ uhh¡­ gomen.¡§ Anathea makes a cute yet sorrowful face at Fer. Fer sighs at Anathea. [ Fer ] ¡§Whatever¡­ let us just finish the job.¡§ Anathea and Hearts nod at Fer, making their way towards the trants with Fer. [ Chapter 16. 5 ] Cat Rescue [ Chapter 16.5 ] Cat Rescue Gilden stares at Ana and the group leaves the adventurer¡¯s guild. Looking at the paper about the job, he walks back to the board grabbing the paper. [ Gilden ] ¡§Ceres.¡§ He walks over to the counter where Ceres was, ¡§I would like to do this mission.¡§ Ceres takes the paper analyzing it, looking back at Gilden with a slightly boggled expression. [ Ceres ] ¡§Hmm?¡§ She puts the paper down on the counter, ¡§You sure? I know you¡äre new but you are a yellow rank you know. Why are you starting with such a low job?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I have my reasons¡­ but I want to start small. Working my way up, building my reputation. Being ranked yellow doesn¡ät change that for me.¡§ Ceres moves, taking out a stamp from the drawer. [ Ceres ] ¡§I can see why you feel that way. It is uncommon, as I¡äm sure others would go straight to higher jobs.¡§ She stamps the paper, ¡§Well, off you go then. Safe returns. Though I doubt anything would happen.¡§ Ceres hands the paper to Gilden. He takes it looks at the paper, then turns over to Ragna. [ Ragna ] He notices the glance from Gilden, ¡§What is catching your eye? Spill the beans.¡§ He crosses his arms. [ Gilden ] ¡§I have a question.¡§ He pauses for a bit, ¡§I¡äm surprised you don¡ät care that an elf here.¡§ Ragna scratches his head thinking for a bit of time. [ Ragna ] ¡§Hmm?¡§ He lowers his hand with a softer tone, ¡§We know elves haven¡ät been here in Astrea for a while. And seeing one is kinda surreal. However, she is no different from us besides her age and ears. I don¡ät want to make a scene of an elf coming here.¡§ [ Ceres ] She smiles nodding at Ragna, ¡§That is true, I also feel that way. She is no different from us. So why is there a reason to make her seem special? Though an elf hasn¡ät been in this country for a long time, we still know they exist.¡§ [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§I see their point¡­ but will everyone feel this way?¡§ He says to Ceres, ¡§How long has it been since Ana arrived here?¡§ [ Ceres ] Her expression wavers in diffidence, ¡§How long¡­ I believe¡­ hmm¡­ It is her second day as an adventurer. However¡­ how long since she arrived¡­ I have no information there.¡§ [ Gilden ] He turns over to Ragna, ¡§How about you? Do you know?¡§ [ Ragna ] ¡§I was the one who got her registered¡­ Ana first came to me looking to exchange elven cash for human coins. But, she didn¡ät tell me when she arrived. Though I would assume it would be the same day.¡§ [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§So we don¡ät know the exact date huh¡­¡§ He turns to Ceres and Ragna, ¡§Anyway, that is all I have to say. I will be going now.¡§ Gilden turns away towards the guild¡äs exit. Ceres waves at Gilden, her tone soft. [ Ceres ] ¡§Come back safely!¡§ Gilden leaves the guild, walking in an unknown direction to him. [ Gilden ] He ponders to himself, ¡§An elf has arrived in the human country in such a long time and there isn¡ät anyone talking about it¡­ this is weird.¡§ Gilden takes out the mission paper and takes a good look. [ Gilden ] ¡§Huh¡­ missing cat¡­ black fur¡­ yellow eyes¡­ has a scar on its right eye¡­ and the name is Kuro. Posted about¡­ 2 days ago. It hasn¡ät been too long. The cat should still be here in Straya.¡§ Gilden puts down the paper and looks at his surroundings. His face slowly becomes more bewildered. He stands between the waves of people walking. [ Gilden ] ¡§Where... am I¡­?¡§ he looks around the area, ¡§Is that¡­?¡§ Gilden sees from afar a similar-looking shop. Looking run down and eerie mostly isolated. It was a similar sight. [ Gilden ] ¡°Oh¡­ Oba. I wonder if she knows where the cat is.¡± Gilden walks towards Oba¡¯s shop and makes it to the entrance opening the door. [ Oba ] ¡°Irrashai.¡± She was tidying up clothes on display and then turned to Gilden. ¡°Oh, back so early? What is your visit young one?¡± [ Gilden ] ¡°I came just to ask a question about a missing cat named Kuro. Have you heard anything about it?¡± [ Oba ] ¡°A cat¡­? Hmm¡­? I remember I saw a cat around at the borders of the city. I am unsure if it is the correct cat.¡± [ Gilden ] ¡§From what was said in the job, the cat should have a scar on its eye.¡§ [ Oba] ¡§A scar¡­ I don¡ät recall seeing any scar on the cat. Why are you doing this job?¡§ [ Gilden ] He takes out the job paper showing it to Oba, ¡§I got registered as an Adventurer and this is the first job I chose.¡§ Oba tilts her head slightly with an inquired look. [ Oba ] ¡§A cat saving job¡­ what is your rank? This would be a low-ranked job.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§The rank I was given was Yellow.¡§ Oba''s demeanor seemed to be caught off guard by the words said. [ Oba ] ¡§Yellow??! Yellow ranks are rare. From what I know, I believe only about 80 yellow ranks exist globally. Counting all of the countries.¡§ [ Gilden ] He puts his hand on his chin, talking in his mind, ¡§If they are that rare¡­ Ragna didn¡ät seem to make a big deal¡­ I¡äll ask later.¡§ He put his hands down, ¡§Anyways, I¡äll ask around then. I¡äm sure someone will know.¡§ Gilden turns back, grabbing the door to the exit. [ Oba ] She slowly bows at Gilden, ¡§Itterashai.¡§ Gilden waved at Oba while leaving her store, and walked through the market nearby. As he does he turns to a vendor. The vendor has packaged meats for sale. The vendor looked young and had a kind of hairnet on. Under the hairnet, he had light red hair. [ Gilden ] He walks towards the vendor, ¡§Hello sir.¡§ [ Male Vendor ] ¡§Hello good sir! Would you like to take a look at our meats? We have all kinds for sale.¡§ [ Gilden ] He shakes his head no slightly, waving his hand, ¡§No, I am fine. But I came to ask a question.¡§ [ Male Vendor ] ¡§Oh, not buying anything. What¡äs the question?¡§ Gilden takes how the job slip showing it to the vendor. [ Gilden ] ¡§I wanna ask, have you seen this cat anywhere? Black cat, has a scar, and named Kuro?¡§ [ Male Vendor ] He analyzes the job, ¡§Oh you¡äre an adventurer¡­¡§ He thinks for a few seconds, ¡§I don¡ät recall seeing any cat of that description, sorry sir.¡§ Gilden rolls up the job slip and puts it away. [ Gilden ] ¡§It¡äs fine, I just need as much information as I can get. Thank you.¡§ Gilden begins walking away. [ Male Vendor ] He put his hand out, ¡§Wait!¡§ The man runs over to Gilden, and Gilden turns around to face him. [ Gilden ] ¡§What is it?¡§ [ Male Vendor ] His tone slightly increases in volume, ¡§What is your name sir?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§My name¡­?¡§ [ Male Vendor ] ¡§Yes!¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Why do you ask?¡§ [ Male Vendor ] He lowers his tone slightly, ¡§You remind me of an old friend¡­ I knew a long time ago. Looks and all. My name is Reku Varala.¡§ Gilden eyes widen and shake for a couple of seconds before returning to normal. [ Gilden ] His voice was shaken slightly, ¡§What¡­ was his name¡­ if you remember?¡§ [ Reku ] His tone was resolved, ¡§His name was¡­ Eun Yuga.¡§ [ Gilden ] He smiles with a low tone, ¡§No¡­ I am not Eun Yuga, my name is Gilden.¡§ Reku''s confidence and attitude looked to be disheartened. [ Reku ] ¡°Sorry sir, I guess I got the wrong person then.¡§ [ Gilden ] He waves his hand, ¡§No, it¡äs fine. I get it. Then, I¡äll get going now, I have a job to do.¡§ Reku extends his hand out once more. [ Reku ] ¡§Wait!¡§ He heads back to his small market, ¡§I want to get you something.¡§ He returns shortly with a small bag, ¡§This is for you.¡§ Gilden takes the bag with an unsure look at Reku. Gilden opens the bag seeing it has kinds of raw meat in it. [ Gilden ] ¡§Why are you giving me this? I haven¡ät done anything to deserve this.¡§ [ Reku ] He scratches his head smiling, ¡§You¡äre saving a missing cat right? Maybe it will come in handy. And¡­ for being an adventurer. I respect adventurers who help around, so it is just a small gift.¡§ [ Gilden ] He smiles faintly, ¡§I¡äve done nothing to deserve this. But, I¡äll take it with gratitude, Thank you Reku.¡§ [ Reku ] ¡§I gotta get back to work now. Would you mind eventually keeping in touch? I wanna learn more about you since you remind me a lot of Eun.¡§ [ Gilden ] He nods at Reku, ¡§Sure, I¡äll get that in mind.¡§ Reku nods, turns back, and heads back. Gilden looks as he returns to work, turning around and leaving. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§Gotta find this cat.¡§ Gilden begins to go to other vendors in the area and reach another vendor. [ Gilden ] He shows the paper to the vendor, ¡§Have you seen this cat anywhere?¡§ [ Vendor ] Shakes their head no, ¡§Sorry, no I haven¡ät.¡§ Gilden goes to another vendor to ask.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. [ Vendor 2 ] Shaking their head, ¡§No, I haven¡ät.¡§ He goes to another vendor. [ Vendor 3 ] Crosses their arm, ¡§No, sorry.¡§ Gilden goes around asking all the vendors in the market area. After minutes pass, Gilden sits down on a bench clearly exhausted. [ Gilden ] ¡§How¡­ did¡­ only one give me a hint.¡§ He sighs deeply, ¡§I¡äll go ask around some more.¡§ Gilden walks towards the cates of Straya. As he draws near, he hears some of the guards at the outpost talking. [ Guard 3 ] ¡§Hey have you heard?¡§ [ Guard 4 ] ¡§What?¡§ [ Guard 3 ] ¡§The rumor about an elf coming here to Straya.¡§ [ Guard 4 ] ¡§An elf came to Straya?!! I thought they only stayed in Kathin?¡§ [ Guard 3 ] ¡§I know, I thought elves were rumors!¡§ He gestures a bit, ¡§Hey! Apparently, the two stationed at the front saw what the elf looked like.¡§ [ Guard 4 ] ¡§Let¡äs go ask about them!¡§ Gilden stays hidden, watching the two guards leave the outpost towards the gates. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§So the city does know about Ana¡­ rumors are bound to spread¡­ but what will this lead to I wonder.¡§ Gilden follows the two as they walk to the front Gates. He stays near the city walls eavesdropping. [ Guard 3 ] ¡§Hey, Johun! Hull!¡§ [ Guard 1 / aka Johun ] He turns to the sound, ¡§What?!¡§ [ Guard 2 / aka Hull ] He gestures, ¡§Can¡ät you see we¡äre busy here!¡§ [ Guard 4 ] ¡§Sorry, we both just got some questions.¡§ [ Johun ] ¡§What?¡§ [ Guard 3 ] His voice increases in excitement, ¡§Is it true you two saw the elf that came here?¡§ [ Guard 4 ] ¡§What was it like seeing it? I heard they exist but they don¡ät leave their country much.¡§ [ Hull ] He thinks for a bit, ¡§We didn¡ät talk to her much¡­ she looked like any one of us¡­ but with longer ears.¡§ [ Guard 3 ] ¡§She!!! A woman elf!¡§ He pokes Johun with his elbow, ¡§Hey tell me¡­ was she cute?¡§ [ Johun ] He sighs, ¡§Why is that the first thing you ask? I guess you can say she¡äs cute yes, but we didn¡ät talk to her much.¡§ [ Guard 3 ] ¡§Why not!? It was an elf, you don¡ät see those here often.¡§ [ Hull ] ¡§At the moment we didn¡ät talk much, we had nothing to say and just let her in.¡§ Gilden hears their conversation from the side. [ Gilden ] He thinks to himself, ¡§Johun and Hull¡­ those two are the ones who saw her and let me in¡­¡§ Footsteps are heard from afar, as the four guards turn toward the direction. [ Gilden ] He turns to the person thinking, ¡§This guy is here now¡­ What does he want?¡§ The man walks to the four guards intervening in their conversation. He puts his hand on Johun¡äs shoulder, showing himself to them. [ Emessio ] ¡§What is this about seeing an elf?¡§ All four of the guards'' faces distort into a startled look. [ Johun ] His tone was bewildered, ¡§Emessio-! What¡­ brings you here sir¡­?¡§ [ Emessio ] Crosses his arms, ¡§I heard your talk of the elf that came to this city. Would you care to tell me about this¡­ elf?¡§ [ Johun ] He straightens his posture, ¡§Y- Yes Sir, the elf is a woman of blonde hair and recently left the city with two others.¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§Who were the other two and where were they headed?¡§ [ Johun ] ¡§The elf was with two others, a girl, and a man. The girl had blue hair while the man had green. May I ask sir, why are you curious about this elf?¡§ [ Emessio ] ¡§I do not care for the elf girl much, I am only doing this for his majesty''s order. I do not care for elves, they may not come to this country but that doesn¡ät mean they don¡ät exist.¡§ [ Johun ] ¡§The King¡äs wishes¡­ then we¡äll keep a look out for her.¡§ Gilden listens intently from afar, taking in the words said. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§The King¡­ rumors spread fast huh¡­ what does the king want¡­? Doesn¡ät matter, I have to finish the job first.¡§ Gilden sighs, closing his eyes, and begins walking. As he opens his eyes, he bumps into Emessio without knowing it. [ Gilden ] Reels back a bit, ¡§Oh, sorry sir. I was paying attention.¡§ [ Emessio ] Gestures his hand, ¡§No, it¡äs fine. I should¡äve paid attention too.¡§ Emessio looks at Gilden before his face slightly alters in a strange manner. [ Emessio ] ¡§Question? Have you seen or know anything about the elf that has come to this city?¡§ [ Gilden ] Slightly shakes his head no, ¡§N- no, unfortunately I have not.¡§ Emessio keeps a glare at Gilden for what seems like seconds before backing off. [ Emessio ] ¡§Sorry to bother you then, I¡äll take my leave.¡§ [ Gilden ] As Emessio leaves, ¡§Wait!¡§ He takes out the job papers, ¡§Have¡­ you seen this cat?¡§ Emessio turns around to look at the paper. [ Emessio ] ¡§A adventurer huh¡­¡§ He points further into the city, ¡§Near the walls separating the city. I remember seeing a cat there with a scar.¡§ Gilden nods, putting away the papers. [ Gilden ] ¡§Thank you.¡§ Emessio nods then walks away, leaving. Gilden also begins walking in the direction given. [ Gilden ] In his head, ¡§I should probably ask around more.¡§ As he came close to the border between the city, he paused for a second thinking, and looking around. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§Where is that cat¡­?¡§ As Gilden looks around he feels someone bump into his back. The squeak of a woman was heard. [ ??? ] ¡§Eyah!¡§ She stumbles back a bit, ¡§Sorry, I wasn¡ät paying attention sir.¡§ [ Gilden ] He turns around gesturing, ¡§No, it¡äs fine.¡§ Gilden sees the woman holding bags of groceries. The woman''s head was slightly bruised from the impact. The woman is Nora. [ Nora ] ¡§I¡äll take my leave then-¡§ She looks better at Gilden, ¡§Wait¡­ weren¡ät you with Ana earlier today? I remember shopping and seeing you with Ana and Hearts earlier today.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§I was with them earlier yes, who are you? And how do you know Ana and Hearts?¡§ [ Nora ] She smiles, ¡§My name is Nora, I know Ana because she and Hearts rescued me from goblins up in the mountain. I also work at the inn downtown. Who are you?¡§ She tilts her head. [ Gilden ] ¡§Oh, I am Gilden. I am a friend of Hearts and Ana.¡§ [ Nora ] ¡§You¡äre a friend of them¡­ Are you also an adventurer?¡§ [ Gilden ] He nods, ¡§Yes, I just got registered today. I¡äm currently doing a job right now.¡§ [ Nora ] ¡§What¡äs the mission?¡§ [ Gilden ] He brings out the job papers, ¡§Finding a missing cat. Have you seen it?¡§ Nora looks at the paper, looking at it quickly. Before a quick jolt in her face appears. [ Nora ] Her pitch rises as her tone increases in hurry, ¡§Oh that cat! I saw it around these streets yesterday.¡§ [ Gilden ] He gained a relieved face, ¡§Oh finally, do you remember where it went?¡§ [ Nora ] She nods no, ¡§No, but I remember it was scraping for food, maybe you can lure it with food. Come, I¡äll make it for you!¡§ Nora seems rushed as she turns away, Gilden reaches his hand out calling for her. [ Gilden ] ¡§I have some meat you can use!¡§ Nora turns around seeing him holding up the bag. She walks back quickly to Gilden. [ Nora ] She takes the bag, ¡§Give me some time, I¡äll make a meal for that cat!¡§ Nora darts away with the bag, leaving an air dust, and towards the direction of downtown. Within seconds she was gone, this left Gilden slightly agape. [ Gilden ] He says to himself, ¡§Guess¡­ I¡äll look around for the cat.¡§ Gilden walks around the block of the border, examining the area. [ Gilden ] ¡§I wonder where it is at?¡§ He turns and looks around. Gilden sighed looking down, and then a sound of something light landing was heard. Gilden looks back up and sees a cat in the middle of the pavement near him. Gilden eyes lock in as he examines the cat. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§Black fur¡­ yellow eyes.. and a scar¡­ that¡äs it. How do I deal with cats¡­?¡§ Gilden kneels on one leg, bringing one of his hands out to the cat. [ Gilden ] In a softer voice, ¡§H- here kitty¡­ I won¡ät hurt you. I want to return you home Kuro.¡§ The cat begins slowly walking toward Gilden, being cautious. Gilden notices the movement of the cat. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§Oh, easier than I thought.¡§ He reaches his hand a bit more, ¡§Come her Kuro. Let¡äs get you back hom-.¡§ [ Kuro ] ¡§Nyah!!!¡§ Kuro jumped up and sliced Gilden¡äs face with its claws, landing and running away. Gilden was there kneeling with his hand out, 3 lines of scratches on his face. He stands there still for several seconds with nothing but a blank smile. A bulge of anger appears on his head and a face full of fierce. Black and Silver wind come forming around his open hand. [ Gilden ] His voice was sonorous, ¡§I¡äm gonna kill that cat!¡§ He clenches his fist destroying the wind he made, fixing his tone, and taking a deep breath. ¡§It¡äs okay¡­ It¡äs okay¡­ it¡äs for the job¡­ no need to get angry¡­ it¡äs just a cat¡­ calm down¡­¡§ Gilden gets up, taking a breath. [ Gilden ] ¡§Now, where that cat head off too?¡§ Gilden heard a voice behind him, but it wasn¡ät the voice of Nora, but yet another. [ Mysterious Woman ] ¡§Hey~¡§ Gilden stops, as he was moving forward. His eye shakes a bit in shock. [ Gilden ] In his mind, ¡§This voice¡­¡§ He turns around, ¡§What is it?¡§ Aa Gilden turned he saw a woman with short green hair, orange eyes, and was medium skin tone. Her attire was a brown coat, black shirt, dark green jean-like pants, and black gloves with black boots. She also had an earring of what looked like the Silver Fiend. She crosses her arms behind her arm leaning forward with a seductive tone to her voice. [ Mysterious Woman ] ¡§To think~ You are here in Straya~ What brings you here~ Eun Yuga~? Or also known as¡­ the Silver Fien-.¡§ [ Gilden ] Interrupts her, ¡§Don¡ät!!! Don¡ät¡­ call me that here. Nor Eun Yuga. I am Gilden now.¡§ [ Mysterious Woman ] She leans back smirking, ¡§I¡äve been watching you Eun.¡§ Gilden steps in front of her, his face and tone threatening. [ Gilden ] ¡§Don¡ät call me that anymore. You should know that by now.¡§ [ Mysterious Woman ] Keeps the same smile, ¡§What¡äs wrong~? Eun was the name we always knew~. Why does Reku get to say it, but I don¡ät~?¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§You know why¡­ and he doesn¡ät know the current me anyways.¡§ [ Mysterious Woman ] She begins walking around Gilden gesturing her hands, ¡§I¡äve been watching you, being with those two girls, registering to be an adventurer, and now you¡äre looking for a cat. One of the girls is an elf huh... Truth be told here I thought elves were rumors, but I guess we didn¡ät learn about them in class for a reason.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§How is this important?¡§ [ Mysterious Woman ] Looks at Gilden, ¡§What made you turn a leaf? I know you¡äre trying to rebuild your name.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§That elf girl¡­ reminded me of someone.¡§ [ Mysterious Woman ] ¡§Oh¡­ that person¡­ that¡äs why? You know, what makes her different from me? Why can¡ät I help you? You know I am always down to help you~.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§This isn¡ät something you should get involved with, I don¡ät want you tangled in my problems. Especially not after what you¡äve seen.¡§ [ Mysterious Woman ] ¡§Ahh~ that¡äs sweet. But you know I won¡ät stop. No matter where you go, I¡äll keep following you~. Until you give in, or do I have to prove myself~?¡§ She begins walking closer to Gilden, trailing her fingers on his chin. [ Mysterious Woman ] ¡§Cause you know~, no matter what they say about you or what you do~.¡§ The woman leans close to Gilden¡äs ear. Gilden was able to feel her scent and breath brushing against him. [ Mysterious Woman ] In on soft and alluring voice, ¡§My love for you still stays~, but yet you don¡ät allow me to be with you? I just want to be by your side you know~?¡§ Gilden slightly moves her away from him, making a slight distance. [ Gilden ] His tone was remorseful, ¡§And that is the reason you shouldn¡ät. You shouldn¡ät be with a Fiend¡­ Narn.¡§ [ Narn ] ¡§You¡äre still on about that¡­ even after all these years?¡§ She sighs, ¡§What will it take until that¡äs gone¡­ But it isn¡ät so bad. You being here now is already an improvement and more of a reason why I won¡ät stop until you give in~. Got it Gilden.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Is that all you came to say? The usual whenever you find me.¡§ [ Narn ] ¡§Of course, but now¡­ I don¡ät think I¡äll leave your side now that you¡äre trying again, even if you don¡ät want to. But not now¡­ I have things to attend to¡­ but the next time I find you Gilden~, expect me to stay.¡§ [ Gilden ] He sighs, ¡§Well¡­ I can¡ät stop you¡­ even if I don¡ät want you to. Do as you wish.¡§ Narn''s face turns in confusion and her mind bogged. [ Narn ] ¡§Huh¡­? What¡äs with the change in heart?¡§ She smiles smugly, leaning at Gilden, ¡§Then expect company the next time we meet~. You can¡ät back out now.¡§ Narn turns around quickly, turning back to Gilden. [ Narn ] ¡§Then I¡äll be taking my leave~. Don¡ät miss me~. Jaa ne~!¡§ Gilden watches as Narn begins walking away. [ Gilden ] ¡§When have I ever missed you, I feel you¡äre rather a nuisance.¡§ Narn turns back around, and the distance between them is prominent. [ Narn ] ¡§Last thing before I go, remember Gilden. I¡äm always here to help. Same with Reku. After all, we¡äre your old friends from Fod. You shouldn¡ät distance yourself from us.¡§ [ Gilden ] He pauses for a bit, ¡§I¡äll think about it¡­¡§ [ Narn ] ¡§And also¡­ the cat is in that direction.¡§ She points towards the direction the cat ran off, ¡§Keep going over there and you¡äll see the cat.¡§ Gilden looks in that direction, turning back. [ Narn ] ¡§And one more thing! Stop being around other girls too much, it makes me a bit jealous.¡§ She turns away waving, ¡§Bye~, bye~!¡§ Narn walks away, leaving Gilden. Gilden turns around walking toward the direction of the Cat ran off. [ Gilden ] ¡§She¡äs so¡­ mysterious¡­¡§ Gilden looked around as he saw an alleyway where Kuro was lying down. Gilden slowly walked to Kuro before hearing Nora from behind him. [ Nora ] Running towards Gilden, ¡§Gilden! I got the food!¡§ She reaches Gilden holding a cat bowl of meats and vegetables, ¡§I got the food for the cat! Now where is the cat?¡§ [ Gilden ] He points in the alleyway, ¡§Kuro is there.¡§ [ Nora ] She stops in her tracks, ¡§Wait? Did you say Kuro?¡§ [ Gilden ] Nods slowly, ¡§Y- yes¡­¡§ [ Nora ] ¡§Kuro¡­ that is the cat of a friend of mine. Here let me try.¡§ Nora puts down the tray of food, kneeling to Kuro. [ Nora ] Her voice was very energetic and friendly,¡§Kuro! Come here! It¡äs me Nora. Do you wanna return home?¡§ Kuro turns its head hearing Nora¡äs voice, standing up and running towards Nora. [ Kuro ] ¡§Meow!¡§ Kuro jumps into Nora¡äs arms. Nora catches Kuro and holds Kuro, cuddling him. [ Nora ] ¡§Aww~ Kuro, your mother is missing you. Why did you leave?¡§ Kuro purrs as it is in Nora¡äs arms. Gilden watches the scene with a derpy face. [ Gilden ] In a low tone, ¡§I think he has favorites¡­¡§ He reaches his hand out to pet Kuro, ¡§Hey Kuro-¡§ Slap [ Gilden ] He looked at his hand seeing Kuro slap his hand away, ¡§Ahh¡­¡§ He softly touched his hand pulling it away, and in a soft and sad tone ¡§I think he hates me¡­¡§ Nora laughs at the sight. [ Nora ] ¡§Hahaha¡­ Kuro just isn¡ät used to it. Now, let¡äs get Kuro back home.¡§ [ Gilden ] ¡§Can you come with me to the guild, I need to show them Kuro.¡§ [ Nora ] She smiles, ¡§Sure!¡§ Gilden and Nora both walk together through the streets of Straya making their way towards the guild. After what seemed like minutes of walking, they reached the guild. Gilden opened the door, walking to Ceres with Nora. [ Ceres ] Bows to Gilded, ¡§Welcome back, I assume you found the cat?¡§ [ Gilden ] Points at Nora, ¡§Yes, I did. With some help. Nora here helped me.¡§ Gilden gives Ceres the job papers. Ceres takes the paper, putting it to the side. [ Ceres ] ¡§Let me get you your payment.¡§ Ceres leaves into the back, coming back within seconds with a tray. [ Ceres ] She places the tray down, ¡§Here is your payment Gilden. We appreciate your work for the guild.¡§ She bows to Gilden. The tray had 8 bronze coins on the tray. Gilden takes the money turning back to leave. Both Nora and Gilden leave the guild, seeing the sun is now setting down into darkness. [ Gilden ] ¡§Thanks for the help, Nora.¡§ [ Nora ] She smiles, ¡§No problem, I¡äm going to return Kuro home now.¡§ She walks away waving at Gilden, ¡§Bye!¡§ Nora walked in a different direction from Gilden leaving him alone. As Gilden walks around aimlessly, he hears a tiny squeak. As he goes to investigate the noise he sees a tiny baby cat in a box alone. [ Gilden ] ¡§A cat¡­ by itself? Who would leave it here?¡§ He picks up the box, ¡§I can¡ät take care of you¡­¡§ He ponders for a moment, ¡§I know who can take care of you.¡§ Gilden begins walking,carrying the box with him. Click The door of the store opened. [ Oba ] ¡§Irrashai.¡§ She turns to see the customer. Gilden stands there holding the cat out of its box showing it to Oba. [ Oba ] ¡§A Neko¡­?¡§ ( Author¡äs Note: Oba adopted the cat. ) ( Gilden didn¡ät have a place to sleep so he now stays at Oba¡äs shop to sleep. ) ( Narn still spied on Gilden. ) [ Chapter 17 ] What Changed? [ Chapter 17 ] What changed? Ana, Hearts, and Fer make their way back to Straya, following the road back they took to Terr Swamp. Fer holds a small bag filled with treant remains. [ Fer ] He sighs as he puts away the bag, ¡§We might get paid less now¡­ Did you really have to use that technique on them?¡§ [ Anathea ] She giggles softly under her breath, with a sincere tone to her voice, ¡§Hehe¡­ gomen¡­ there was just a group of them. So, I had to use the technique.¡§ Fer makes a blank face toward Ana, bewildered. Hearts jump towards Ana, her voice filled with thrill. [ Hearts ] She put her arm around Ana¡äs shoulder, ¡§What skill was that Ana?! How many more skills do you have? That was your Light Will right?! That was so cool!!!¡§ [ Anathea ] Speaks sheepishly, ¡§Huh¡­ yeah it was. It¡äs one of my arts for light. It¡äs a strong skill of mine I use only for groups.¡§ [ Hearts ] Steps back from Ana, ¡§Kakkoi! You have to show me more! Especially having other elements too!¡§ Fer listens to their small conversations but takes in the word ¡§other¡§. [ Fer ] Intervenes with their conversation, ¡§Others¡­? What do you mean by others? Are you telling me, Ana, you have more than one Will element?¡± Both Ana and Hearts turned to face Fer. [ Hearts ] Tilts her head slightly, ¡°Oh yeah, you don¡¯t know?¡± [ Anathea ] ¡°I have three Will elements. Light, water, and earth.¡§ She scratches her head slightly, ¡§I don¡ät remember how I got water and earth Wills. Light is my original." [ Fer ] His eyes turn in bewilderment, ¡§You have three?! What the hell¡­ you don¡ät see any more than one most of the time. Not many have multiple Wills.¡§ He turns away, contemplating, turning back to Ana, ¡§Who¡­ are you¡­? And¡­ not remembering is weird¡­¡§ [ Anathea ] Scratches her head while tilting, ¡§Sorry, I really don¡ät remember how I got the other elements. Whenever I try to dot down how I got the other elements, my brain just stops and shuts down. Like I¡äm not allowed to or something is preventing me.¡§ [ Hearts ] Puts her hand on her chin, ¡§Do you have memory loss, Ana? Did something happen to you and you don¡ät remember?¡§ [ Anathea ] Nods her head slightly no, ¡§Not to my memory, no. I don¡ät believe I have memory loss¡­ but I could also¡­ It¡äs only how I got the elements¡­ that is what I don¡ät remember.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§It is quite prominent you have minor memory loss¡­ The best choice here is to let you figure it out yourself for the time being, these things don¡ät come naturally quickly.¡§ The three continue their way back. Fer looks at the sun setting, turning back to Ana and Hearts. [ Fer ] He signals, ¡§Hey! It¡äs getting close to nighttime, let¡äs set up for camp.¡§ Ana and Hearts nodded, following him. The three set up camp near grass plains near a forest. As they set up their tents, the sound of a campfire was prominent. Hearts had separated to collect firewood. [ Anathtea ] She talks as she makes the tent, ¡§Hey, Fer!¡§ [ Fer ] Her turns to Ana, ¡§What?¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§May I ask you a question?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Depends on what the question is but ask.¡§Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. [ Anathea ] Turns her head to Fer, ¡§Who is the¡­ higher up¡­ person Ragna was talking about? Who is he to you?¡§ Fer stops in his tracks. An awkward silence stretches between them for what seems like seconds. Anathea decides to break the silence. [ Anathea ] Her tone was dismissive, ¡§You don¡ät have to answer it if it is uncomfortable.¡§ [ Fer ] Puts the final pin to his tent, standing up straight, ¡§No, it isn¡ät anything bad. I just don¡ät like sharing this information out much.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§You don¡ät have to share it then.¡§ [ Fer ] Nods no, ¡§No, I¡äll say it. The person Ragna was talking about was¡­ my brother.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Your brother¡­? I remember you mentioned him yesterday. Why¡­ don¡ät you like talking about him, if I may ask?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§It¡äs not I don¡ät like him¡­ it just¡­ him and I¡­ we don¡ät have a great relationship. We don¡ät get along well.¡§ [ Anathea ] Turns her head, ¡§Why¡äs that? Do human families not get along? In Kathin, we rarely see hostile families.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§It isn¡ät¡­ that we hate each other¡­ We just have indifference. So, we don¡ät talk or see each other much.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Did something happen to you two? You said it was just the both of you growing up.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§As far as I can remember, nothing happened. Just one day after he had left joining the Royal Arms. As we were home one day¡­ we got a knock on the door. I remember staying in the back listening to their conversation. It¡äs not as prominent in my head anymore¡­ But they were walking about him joining the Royal Arms.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§What is the Royal Arms?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§The Royal Arms is the guards and power of Astrea. The army and protectors of this city. Think of it as our military source.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§What happened after he joined the Royal Arms?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§He joined the Royal Arms at 15¡­ when I was 10. He rarely came home to Mom and me. But ever since when he did¡­ he acted differently. He became¡­ distant and blunt. He used to always cheer me up when we were little¡­ but now all he does is try and bring me down. I don¡ät know why.¡§ [ Anathea ] Touches her chin, ¡§Maybe something happened when he joined? How long did it take for him to come back?¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§I remember the day he left¡­ he said to me¡­¡§ Fer begins to remember his past, going back to the day he left. Fer but his younger self stood looking at a door. A black figure he was looking at, his brother. [ Young Fer ] ¡§Brother¡­ why are you leaving us¡­? Leaving me and Mom.¡§ The figure kneeled down to Fer, his tone became low and soft. [ Brother Figure ] ¡§I am leaving to to help us. I¡äll make sure you and Mom don¡ät have to worry about trouble. You won¡ät see me for a year but¡­ I¡äll be back. Trust me.¡§ [ Young Fer ] Tone was of plead, ¡§But I don¡ät want to be alone¡­ why are you doing this?¡§ [ Brother Figure ] ¡§I¡äm joining the Royal Arms to help Mother. Don¡ät worry Fer, you¡äll make new friends.¡§ The figure had closed the door, leaving Fer alone standing at it. Tears began to fall, and soon, a small cry was heard. Fer and Ana were both now sitting near the campfire. [ Fer ] ¡§He came back the next year, but he wasn¡ät the same.¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§That¡äs¡­ I don¡ät really know what to say. I¡äm sure your brother has a reason right? He wouldn¡ät change that much without one.¡§ [ Fer ] Lowers his head, ¡§Maybe¡­ but I don¡ät know if it is either.¡§ Hearts was behind a tree listening to their entire conversation. Talking a step onto both of their visions. [ Hearts ] Carrying firewood, ¡§Have you asked him about what happened? He is your brother, I am sure he¡äll answer.¡§ [ Fer ] Turns to Hearts, ¡§No¡­ I haven¡ät asked him yet, he has been so distant. I can barely talk to him.¡§ Hearts put the wood scraps onto the campfire, sitting near Fer and Ana. [ Hearts ] ¡§Like Ana said, he¡äs your brother. Find some time to talk to him¡­ and if he¡äs a good brother, he¡äll answer you. My grandpa whenever he acted off, I always asked him and he answered feeling better.¡§ [ Fer ] Thinks for a second, ¡§I¡äll ask him then¡­ when the time comes.¡§ Both Ana and Hearts smile at Fer, the poping of the campfire prominent. [ Anathea ] ¡§If you mind¡­ what is his name?¡§ [ Fer ] Hesitates for a second, ¡§H- His name¡­? His name is Kusan.¡§ [ Hearts ] Her eyes widen in blastomey¡§K- Kusan?!?! You mean¡­ Kusan Uni? One of the three Royal Hounds?! The Terra¡äs Savant??!?!¡§ [ Anathea ] ¡§Terra¡äs Savant is your brother, Fer? Ragna told me that man is the one who he used to bargain with you.¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§Yes¡­ my brother is the Kusan Uni. Is it that important?¡§ [ Hearts ] Stands up quick, ¡§Important?!? He is one of the few chosen by King Erwin to lead the Royal Arms!¡§ [ Fer ] ¡§That is true but¡­ that doesn¡ät change much about who he is to me.¡§ [ Hearts ] Sits back down slowly, ¡§I know, but still. It might be hard to be in contact then. Considering the amount of responsibility he has.¡§ Anathea chuckles slightly at the interaction that happened. [ Anathea ] Looks at Fer, ¡§I¡äm sure you can find a way, just take some time Fer.¡§ [ Fer ] Nods, ¡§Right.¡§ All three of them stay there in silence for a couple of seconds. The moonlight glows onto them as the campfire keeps a warm temperature. [ Hearts ] Stands up slowly, ¡§I¡äm going to get some shut-eye now, get some sleep you two.¡§ Walks to her tent going in, ¡§Thanks for building my tent for me Fer.¡§ [ Anathea ] Stands up also, ¡§I¡äll go to sleep then also. Make sure to go to sleep soon, okay?¡§ Fer nods as Anathea slowly goes into her tent, leaving Fer alone sitting near the campfire. [ Fer ] ¡§We should be back to Straya tommorrow, hopefully¡­ nothing goes wrong.¡§