While waiting for God's Smile to return, I fell asleep leaning against one of his barren walls. When I woke up it was slowly, hours later, to the sound of Piercing Gale and God's Smile talking in hushed voices, "… if he's surprised by it."

"I know but I'd rather he didn't learn it while he still thought of himself as the same as Ves'hil'n."

I tensed, my breath catching and my eyes almost opening before I regained control of myself and pretended to stay asleep.

"He's not going to be happy with you, if-"

"Look like the Dream Spirit released her hostage." Piercing Gale raised his voice. I jolted when his hand grabbed my shoulder and finally gave up the act by opening my eyes

Piercing Gale smiled down at me, the low lamplight casting deep shadows on his face, "it's good you're awake. We should head out while it's dark." Piercing Gale stood up from his crouch, offering a hand to help me up.

"What were you talking about?" I asked flatly.

Piercing Gale shrugged, still holding out his hand, "nothing that concerns you."

I smacked his hand aside and rose to my feet, feeling an extra wave of anger that I couldn't tower over Gale like Ves'hil'n did Eun. "Bullshit! I heard you mention Ves'hil'n's name!"

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Well, it's not your name, is it?"

"Oh, fuck you."

"Not if it's like last time."

I choked on my own spit, face growing hot instantly. A few feet away, sitting on the ground, God's Smile cleared his throat. "If you two are done flirting, I'd like you to leave so I can sleep." He stood with a grunt and handed a bag to Gale.

Piercing Gale nodded as he took the bag and followed God's Smile to the door, like the conversation was simply over. "Grab Death-Bringer" was the only thing he said to me. By the time I located her and picked her up, they were already out the door. I held her tightly, rolled back my shoulders, and ran after them.

"Hey, I wasn't-" Piercing Gale turned around to shush me. Sullenly, I clamped my mouth shut and followed in silence through the dark streets. We went down unfamiliar roads and wound up on the other side of the town from the way we entered.

Piercing Gale gave God's Smile a grateful smile, "thank you for the help. I hope it doesn't cause problems for you with Massacre and Blood Rain."

"They'll probably chase after you three."

"Great." I muttered.

"Well then we better move quickly," Gale adjusted the strap of the bag, "until we meet again."

…

Without issue we crossed the bridge into Xora and by morning Death-Bringer was back in her human body and Piercing Gale filled her in and when night fell again we set up the tent we finally had. Gale took first watch. In the darkness, I asked, "do you think I'm like Ves'hil'n?"

"In some ways," was Death-Bringer's answer. She fell asleep soon after while I couldn't sleep at all.

Days passed without much happening. Aside from buying food, we didn't stop in any small villages and towns along the way as problems seemed to find us in populated areas.

The day we were meant to arrive at Uling's home, I trudged along with my head down, thinking of how to handle it if Eternal Lullaby was as unhelpful as God's Smile. I ran right into Death-Bringer's back. "What-!" I looked past her into the town, "…. the fuck?"