It didn’t take long for Snow’s stomach to growl. She was satisfied and happy with the small meal she was given, mostly when cooking wasn’t easy to do in the dungeon. Every meal was made quickly because they needed to be wary of a possible attack.

Blowing her bowl of soup, Snow took a slip. It was an explosion of flavors that satisfies her taste buds. She wondered who did the cooking as she was a terrible cook herself. Taking the bread, she soaked up the rest in a hungry fever. She didn't realize that she was this hungry.

A sting of hotness caused her to open in her mouth, trying not to burn her whole tongue. She repeated this a few more times before she gave up on scarfing down the food. Eventually, she finished it.

The pitter-patter of feet and the low hums of the people whispering about. They continuously peered over at Dairen, who was still silently sleeping. Nobody wanted to be near him. Everyone feared what could happen as they all had experienced the terrible power that he had possessed.

Even now, Dairen's power was still oozing out of his body.

Guards were stationed around him, and others kept watch outside the perimeter for a possible monster attack. Nobody wanted to get caught up in another fight, mostly when they were all tired, bruised, and spiritually low on magic. As of now, the only way they could heal their fatigue was sleep. None of them had any magical potions to recuperate, and even Snow didn't have enough for everyone.

Snow placed her bowl on the side, satisfied with her meal when a young priestess came around to pick up the bowl. She giddily looked and bowed at Snow before she ran away in excitement.

It took her a bit of time to relax, but she was able to relax. The amount of muscle pain and tiredness washed all over her in one fell swoop. Her eyes were getting droopy as she leaned back on the wall. Her hand crossed, her hair on the side, she closed her eyes.

Her mind was groggy but was still active enough to sense the presence of the people around her. She felt a presence heading straight toward her. The light tapping of footsteps that a slight gait to it, and the clunking of metal shoes made her realize who it was. It was Mike.

Snow felt a warm blanket covering her body from head to toe, making her look like a small mound.

Silently, Snow opened her eyes.

Mike was staring at her intently. He tilted his head for a moment to check if she was sleeping. When he finally confirmed that she was, he squatted over, pulling out a blanket magically from the air. He tucked her with the blanket and made her into a burrito. He awkwardly pulled back, slightly smiling at his haphazard attempt.

Snow stirred, partially opening her eyes.

Mike coughed, a bit embarrassed.

“I thought you were sleeping,” Mike said, scratching his head.

“A bit.”

“I should have known.” Mike chuckled. Stepping over, he sat next to her. With a loud thud, he leaned back.

Silence was heavy between the two. Snow couldn’t think about what to say as it wasn’t in her nature to start up a conversation. She usually listened, allowing her to contemplate on what to say next and do.

Conversations weren’t always comfortable with her as silence was her default go too. Most of the time, her short answers would deter the people away as they lost interest. It wasn’t that she thought they were boring. It was that she didn’t have much of a topic that she could talk about. She rather listen to their conversation than talk.

“Do you think Dairen would be alright?” Mike's asked. His hair slightly flopped over, covering a bit of his eyes. “I know the answer, but still….I just want to hear it from someone.”

Snow tilted her head out of her blanket. She thought over for a moment, but she knew the answer.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I don’t know.” Snow bluntly said. She couldn’t read the future like Levian. All she could do was to live in the present, tackling the problems one at a time.

“I expected as much.” Dairen sighed. “I just can’t believe he got a demon king quest. He should have told me.”

Snow snorted at his answer. “You sound like a worried husband.”

Mike burst out laughing, realizing what Snow had said. A soft smile danced on Snow’s lips. A blossoming peace between the two washing away the heavy atmosphere between the two.

Wiping his eyes, Mike nodded. “You can say that. He’s been with the guild and me for a very long time. He’s my best friend.”

Snow nodded. Her legs were brought up for her. Her hand reached out to hug it. She understood what he meant. It has been years since she knew Dairen, and they have become a lot closer.

An ugly sting in her heart shocked through her chest. She had to breathe in short breaths as she placed her head on her knees. Her heart tightened, and her emotions swung toward an explosion of negative thoughts. Why and where did this pain suddenly come from? A short burst of headaches throb in her head, making her dizzy.

“This whole Demon King thing is bullcrap. If that Pope wasn’t alive…..” Mike gritted his teeth and clenched his hand. He was looking toward the direction where Dairen was sleeping. “He started this. I know it.” The venomous anger in his voice was present, making the air around his crackle lightly with electricity.

When Snow didn’t answer, Mike glanced over. He noticed that Snow was huddled up, wrapped around her legs.

“Snow?” Mike asked. He scooted over. Unable to touch her as he didn’t know what to do.

Snow didn’t answer. Her headache was pounding, almost to the point where she was drowning out Mike’s words.

“Snow?”

Mike came even closer. He reached out to touch her shoulder, gently shaking her.

Snow’s white hair gently blew in the soft wind, tickling his finger.

Shaking her one more time, Snow moved. She peeked out from the corner of her arm, staring at him with such intensity that he held his breath. Her golden eyes were glowing with light, giving her a mystical and magical aura.

“Yes?” Snow said with a bit of difficulties. It was a bit too soft for anyone to hear. The pain in her head was slowly fading away.

Mike didn’t answer.

Snow pulled her hand away, sitting up straighter. She tilted her head, wondering what he wanted.

“Yes?” Snow asked again. The throbbing headache dissipated, allowing her to be able to think much more clearly. Even the tightening of her chest was cooled down, allowing her to breathe a lot better.

Mike let out a sigh to see that Snow answered. His worry was washed away. “Don’t scare me like that.” He dryly chuckled that had a hint of concern.

Snow didn’t reply back. She didn’t want to.

Only the soft chattering of the female group could be heard, constant chattering among each other about the horror of the dungeon and the worry that it brought with it.

Snow understood them as the dungeon life for someone like the priestess who had never gone inside the dungeon. It wasn’t a life for them as they had never gotten their hands dirty. Maybe a few priests had followed a group of adventurers, but it was still difficult for them. She noticed that their perspective and demeanor changed when they entered such a place.

“Dairen will be alright.” Snow was able to slip out of her mouth. This is what she believed. No, her gut instincts told her that there was something more to this than just predetermined destiny.

In the past, Snow would grudgingly worry about the situation and get herself so hyped up that she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Nowadays, she can push such worrying thoughts aside and continue to move forward, dealing with the consequences one-by-one. She realized she couldn’t control the events around her, but that did not mean she couldn’t control her actions and thoughts. This was all she could do, and she believes that Dairen would wake up and not become a monster.

The burden in her heart lessened. The stress in her body shriveled up, allowing her to breathe a bit more than before.

Peace and conviction swept through her body, allowing her to have better control of her mind. The rapid beating of her heart was lulled, but the slight trigger of her chest squeezing every time she worried about Dairen was still silently there.

“You’re right.” Mike had said a bit later. His body's worry was washed away, allowing him to have a bit more stability than before. “We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

“Or you deal with it now.” Levian had come over and took a seat next to Snow.

“Why are you here.” Mike glared, disliking that Levian had shown his face.

“Because I can, and I don’t want to be around those fools over there.” Levian waved his hand in front of him. “Their thoughts are childish and pointless to be talking with.”

“And you’re not?”

Levian snapped his attention toward him. “Absolutely not.”

“Right….” Mike rolled his eyes.

Snow tuned them out. Her eyes cast toward the Dairen. She could see his chest rising.

Suddenly, Dairen was stirring.

For a moment, Snow waited, making sure that he wasn’t just moving around.

She then took a moment to get up. Both Levian and Dairen, who were bickering amongst themselves, suddenly went silent, wondering where Snow was going. When they saw that she was heading straight toward Dairen, they jolted up to follow behind her.

Anyone who was still awake looked over toward Snow, wondering what she was doing. When they saw that she was heading toward Dairen, they went silent. Many hold their breath. They all remembered what Dairen had done and hoped that he wouldn’t attack them when he woke up.