> Kelly PoV <

{Okay, you’re coming into range of the tower. Tell him to go slightly to the left and look down, it should be visible from this high up.}

I try to look around for it, but it’s futile. Umph’s huge back is blocking most of the view on the ground. I do see Runetap off in the distance though, so this should be the right area. Well, Nano’s directions haven’t been wrong so far, but there’s always a first time!

“Hey Umph! Go left and look down!” (Kelly)

“Left is it? Ah, I see something. Is dat black spire our destination?” (Umph)

“Yes!” (Kelly)

I’m glad he heard me. No, it’s a damn miracle he heard me! Even though I was shouting my lungs out, the wind was in my face and my mouth was covered by a scarf! Normally not even Red who sits next to me can hear me! That’s why I wanted to put reins on the titan, but he refused claiming it’s not a problem. He was rather stubborn about it, which was unusual since he's a pushover. I guess even lazy bums have their pride.

But what’s with this guy? The speed he’s putting out is nothing like the few test flights we had yesterday! Even though Red, Ellie, Sophie and Lara all put on the leather caps, goggles and scarves to shield their heads from the wind, I just had to insist I’d be fine. Because I was fine! Yesterday, that is!

I mean us dwarves can take the cold a lot better than humans, but even then my nose became runny and my boogers became icicles! We had to stop in mid-air while I put on the wind protection gear. I didn’t even realize my face had gone completely numb in less than 15 minutes! Still, thanks to that speed that put gryphons to shame we made it here in about 7 hours.

Umph started lowering our altitude in a grand downward spiral while reducing our speed. The good old creepy black tower and wall finally come into view. I see Nano’s golems are milling about as usual, patrolling the wall, tending to crops and other odd jobs like that. 

I guess we’re a bit earlier than expected. They haven’t finished packing in those huge mirror-like squares from the ground. Yet another weird thing courtesy of Nano. Supposedly they harvest the power of the sun to keep everything running while Red’s not there. I think Nano’s full of it, but I keep that bit to myself.

“NO! Not there, you moron! That’s our garden! Land over there in that empty area! Are you actually a birdbrain?” (Kira)

“Come now, dere’s no need for dat sort of language.” (Umph)

“I disagree completely! Those carrots are Ellie’s favorite! If you dare to trample them up, I’ll make sure you never even walk again, let alone fly! Are we clear?!”

“Yes, ma’am.” (Umph)

Wow, she actually put a titan under her heel! Well, that’s not so difficult to do, really. Umph caves in with even the slightest provocation. He really should stand up for himself more. 

I’m never going to understand this odd fixation with carrots Ellie has. Because of that, they’re in almost every meal Nano makes! I’m honestly sick of them by now! This has nothing to do with the fact we made a giant tortoise puke out a box of them with a weaponized fart. This and that are completely unrelated.

Umph lands on the empty grass plot inside the wall. We undo the straps around our waists and climb down from his back. Nano’s golems are already unpacking and carrying away all the luggage.

“Yes! Solid land! Oh how I’ve missed you, mister ground!” (Lara)

Lara practically leaped at the ground and plopped herself face-down onto the soil with her limbs spread out. What is she even doing?

“Ellie? What’s going on?” (Kira)

“Turns out Lara is scared of heights.” (Ellie)

“I love the ground! I never want to leave it again!” (Lara)

“Lara, stop rubbing your face into the ground! You’re getting all muddy! Come on, that’s enough theatrics! Let’s get you cleaned up!” (Kira)

“Noo! Don’t separate me from my beloveeed!” (Lara)

Red drags off the struggling Lara who’s grasping and grass and roots. I think we might have traumatized her…

“Aunty Kelly, can we go again?! The clouds looked so fluffy and pretty! I didn’t even know you could reach them! It was amazing! And pretty! Can we go?! Let's go now!” (Sophie)

In contrast to her big sister, Sophie seems to have actually had fun. She's bouncing up and down while looking at me with expectant eyes. I want to indulge her a bit, but Red will kill me if something happens without the safety net known as Ellie.

“Sorry, kiddo. I have to take care of some things. You just keep working hard on hatching that gryphon egg and take good care of it, I’m sure it’ll take you flying when it grows up!” (Kelly)

“Okay! I’ll do my best!” (Sophie)

She runs off inside the tower brimming with motivation. Well, one of those gryphons was supposed to be their guardian anyway, so it’s probably fine if one of them is imprinted on it, right?

“Kelly. I’m going shopping. Want anything?” (Ellie)

“Hmm? No I’m good. I already prepared almost everything back in the capital. Oh! Actually can you get me a few kegs from the Hairy Leg? The one I got recently is already empty. And make sure you give everyone at the bar my regards.” (Kelly)

“Got it. Don’t leave before I get back, okay?” (Ellie)

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” (Kelly)

“Then, see you in a bit!” (Ellie)

Ellie ran off in the direction of the [Gateway] to Runetap. With that, it’s just me and Umph out here.

“Dis place… did de Fake Titan create all dis?” (Umph)

“The way Nano explained it, everything here fell from the stars along with Ellie. All Nano did was put those things to use.” (Kelly)

“I see. Still, de Fake Titan has an army of Fake Golems in a fortress made of Fake Steel.” (Umph)

“Why do you keep calling everything ‘Fake’ like that? Do you hate Nano that much?” (Kelly)

“On de contrary! Dis Fake Titan is endlessly amusing! And my words may seem harsh, but dey are not untrue.” (Umph)

“Right… Well then, Nano, can you bring Scrappy into the workshop? I want to put the finish touches on the new weapon.” (Kelly)

{On it. I’ve done all the prep work like you asked. You can get started immediately.}

“Thanks Nano. Umph, I’m going inside to wrap up one last project. Just… stay put and don’t wreck anything okay? Otherwise Red’s gonna get really mad at you.” (Kelly)

“Eck! Understood!” (Umph)

I walk inside the tower and head towards the basement. I take out the Mountain Sapphire from a pouch on my waist and hold it up against the light coming from the ceiling. 

Yeah, this will work. This will work nicely.

* * *

“You know you didn’t have to spend all of yesterday down there...” (Kira)

The morning sun shines on Red’s dissatisfied face.I missed out on spending the afternoon and evening with these guys, so she’s a little upset. I’ll be departing soon with Umph so the whole lot’s gathered here to send me off.

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“Sorry Red. It was something I wanted to finish no matter what.” (Kelly)

“Well… that’s how you are. I can’t really complain too much.” (Kira)

“But you’re still going to complain, huh?” (Kelly)

“Oh you better believe it!” (Kira)

“Well you can’t threaten me with a pay cut anymore, so your words don’t have much weight, you know.” (Kelly)

“Tch. You got me there.” (Kira)

{You’re all set Kelly, everything’s loaded.}

I look over the luggage on Umph’s back and confirm we didn’t forget anything. I got my tools, some clothes, my lucky mug, Scrappy, preserved foods-

“-Six fully charged Magic Stones?” (Kelly)

“Ellie and I filled them up last night. We won’t be around and I can’t trust those dwarven mages just one bit, so we’re giving you some extra fuel for Scrappy.” (Kira)

“Technically, I’m a dwarven mage too, you know?” (Kelly)

She crosses her arms gives me a stern glare.

“Technically, you haven’t been very trustworthy as of late.” (Kira)

Red’s way too sharp for her own good. I can tell she’s figured out exactly what the purpose of us Darkhands is - to scour the continent for the titans and bring them back to Ecebis. I’m just glad she doesn’t know the reason why we have to bring them back in the first place. Otherwise-

“We’ll miss you Aunty Kelly.” (Sophie)

“Yeah… It’ll be lonely around here with you...” (Lara)

The two kiddos grab hold of both my arms with teary eyes. I crouch down a little give them both a hug with one arm each.

“I’ll miss you guys too. And don’t you worry about me, I got Scrappy to watch my back. There’s nothing more reliable, right?” (Kelly)

“Yeah...” (Lara)

I let go of them and look back at Red. She’s still glaring at me.

“Remember - you swore to me that you’d stay home. You and Ellie just focus on keeping this crazy family of yours safe and happy! You hear me?!” (Kelly)

Her expression softens and she droops her shoulders.

“Yeah, I know. I don’t like it, but you’ve had that whole ‘where I go you cannot follow’ attitude ever since you brought back that birdbrain.” (Kira)

That easy? I was sure she was going to protest more. I wanted her to protest at least a little, damn it!  Well, she did already promise so there’s nothing left to be said. Even if she followed me, she wouldn’t be allowed inside Ecebis no matter what. 

I climb onto Umph and start wrapping up my goodbyes.

“Goodbye Kiressara. Thanks for everything.” (Kelly)

“Using my actual name is only going to make me more worried! Haaah, goodbye Kelly. You stay safe out there.” (Kira)

“Yeah. Same to you, Ellie.” (Kelly)

“Goodbye Kelly. Take care. Ah, Frank, Joe and Mark all wished you good luck on your trip!” (Ellie)

Those sentimental old fleabags! I’d have loved to stop by the bar for a farewell party, but knowing that bunch I’d be stuck there for days!

“Goodbye Sophie, Lara. You listen to your moms, alright?” (Kelly)

“Goodbye Aunty Kelly…” (Sophie)

“Make sure you visit okay! Definitely visit!” (Lara)

Don’t be like that! I can’t look you in the eye if you beg so intensely!

“... come on Umph. Let’s go.” (Kelly)

“I see, den we will be off. Until we meet again, Daughtahs of de Stahs!” (Umph)

A few wing beats and we’re off the ground. The four of them down there are waving while shouting goodbyes. I wave back in silence. A few more beats and we’re already pulling away from that creepy tower as it steadily disappears behind us.

“Is dis alright, Sistah of Steel?” (Umph)

“Yeah… this is fine. They’re good people, so they’ll manage fine without me. Even the one who isn’t a person. Ah, that reminds me.”

I reach up to my ear and grab hold of the ear cuff. I remember Nano using it to threaten me. ‘Don’t speak a word of this or I’ll blow your head off with it’ or something like that. Well, unfortunately, I’m not so easy to bluff.

“You can’t come either, Nano.” (Kelly)

{What are you- Oh no! Kelly don’t *KHHHRRR*}

“HNNNG!” (Kelly)

I rip off the ear cuff and toss it behind me in the wind. My ear’s bleeding rather bad, but it should heal up just fine. Honestly, who would believe that little-

*KAKABOOOOOOOM* 

… 

That was probably thunder behind me, right? There's no clouds, but that hardly matters, right? Umph’s ice-like feathers becoming a bright orange for a few moments is just my imagination, right?

It’s my loss if I mind it.

> Kira PoV <

Well, she’s finally going. Umph’s form is steadily becoming a speck in the horizon. Hmm? Why is there a ball of flame in the-

*KAKOOOOOOM* 

…

“Nano?” (Kira)

{She took it off.}

“The ear cuff? You mean it really exploded?! What is wrong with you?! Were you actually trying to kill her!?” (Kira)

{It was shaped so it wouldn’t actually hurt her. Just some singed hair, maybe lose an ear at most.}

“... ours are safe, right? They won't suddenly explode for no reason, right?” (Kira)

{Of course! I was going to replace Kelly’s with a normal one eventually, you know? I just… forgot.}

“You- no, never mind.” (Kira)

So she actually took it off. Part of me hoped she’d forget about it and that we’d still be able to confirm her safety through that ear cuff.

“Mommy, what was that?” (Sophie)

Sophie’s tugging on my clothes with a worried face. That Nano! Don’t scare my kids like that! Why does everything have to explode whenever you’re around, huh?

“Uhm, nothing to worry about sweetie! Just Nano saying goodbye in style.” (Kira)

“Ohhh! Way to go, Nano! A loud goodbye suits Aunty Kelly a lot better than a gloomy one!” (Lara)

“Heh, that’s true, isn’t it? Things are going to be quiet without her around.” (Kira)

We stare off into the horizon until we can’t see Umph anymore.

“Come on you three. It’s time for Kira’s cooking practice.” (Nano/Butler)

“Ugh, I don’t want to be a taste tester anymore...” (Lara)

“Stay strong Big Sis! You can do it! I believe in you!” (Sophie)

“Say sis. How come you never have to be a taste tester?” (Lara)

“... because I’m not strong and brave like Big Sis?” (Sophie)

“R-really? Well, it can't be helped! Alright, I'll show off my guts today as well!” (Lara)

“Yeah! You're the best big sister ever!” (Sophie)

Lara and Sophie head off towards the kitchen in high spirits. They sure got over that separation quickly, huh? Well, it won't last that long anyway.

“Kira. We’re still going after Kelly, right?” (Ellie)

“Oh you better believe it!” (Kira)