After another re-enactment of events, this time with Synthia and Iggy convincing Christoph to stay behind again, the group made to move forward.

“I mean, if this isn’t real, is there really any point to leaving him behind?” Livian was readying her guns.

“I just don’t want to see people get hurt,” Synthia said. “Besides, we can treat this as a simulation of what we’ll run into when we manage to get back.”

“If we manage to get back,” Iggy muttered.

“No use getting all down,” Evarius said. “We move forward no matter what.”

Events transpired the same way as before. Upon braving car three and entering car two, Rynne appeared once again. Synthia pointed her sword at her, wary.

“Hey. You the real one, or just another dumb illusion we have to deal with?”

“I am not here to impede your progress, despite what you may believe.” Rynne held a determined hand to her chest. “I must ensure the safe passage of the Mioja for the sake of my people. I have as much stake in your success as you do.”

Iggy groaned in frustration. “Really? Then why don’t you just go up and deal with that creepy guy yourself?”

“Because I don’t like going into battle at half strength.” Rynne snapped her fingers, and in an instant the surroundings were once again washed away to the same dark, crystalline arena that Rynne had conjured previously. Along with it, Livian’s form shimmered and washed away as she blinked in surprise. The girls stared at her disappearing form, trying to push down the uneasiness of witnessing the sight before them. This did not go unnoticed by Rynne.

“If you cannot stomach the sight of falsehoods being dismissed from your gaze, you stand no chance against any real threats that will seek to do you actual harm.”

Synthia sighed. “You have to be pretty emotionally dead to not be bothered by something like that. Or just a plain sociopath.”

Rynne gave a dry chuckle. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Come at me, Synthia Ros.”

Blinking, Synthia wondered what about that sentence bothered her until she realized. Alarmed, she held the Mioja so tight her hands began screaming in pain.

“How do you know my last name?”

“As a side effect of reflecting reality based on your memories, that means I get a little peek inside your heads.” Rynne stretched, blue gaze devoid of passion. “And so now I know all about you. The way you fight, the way you move, your little tricks with sulfur and your grappling hook.”

“Dammit.” Synthia made to make the first move but noticed that Iggy was trembling beside her. She was breathing fast and shallow breaths.

“H-Hang on... when you say you everything about her, then what about me?”

“In some ways, you’re an even more curious case, Igdalen.”

“My grandma called me Igdalen. People who at least know me call me Iggy. You’re neither.”

“Clearly.”

Continuing to glare in apprehension, the tension never left Iggy’s shoulders. What Rynne had discovered perusing her memories, Synthia did not know but she would not pry. At least, not at the moment.

Rynne turned her palms up in a gesture of making peace. “Do not worry, Miss Igdalen. I shall not divulge your secrets. Unless you choose to go against my wishes. I’ve brought you both down here because there is something you two have failed to grasp.”

Iggy kept talking. “But why us then? Why chuck us down of everybody else? And why leave Livian behind when you bothered to bring her down with us the first time?”

“This Livian being brought down with you was more by accident,” Rynne explained. “Synthia collided into her and you all went tumbling down. In truth, I had only ever planned to bring Synthia down here for training, but now that I have come across you and your terrible temper, I believe it more beneficial to teach you both a valuable—”

She was cut off as Synthia darted forward, slashing at her. Rynne managed to dodge quite easily, but it was an otherwise unexpected move that would’ve been enough to corner some people. The elf disappeared into thin air.

“That’s precisely what I hope to see! There may be hope for you, yet.”

Staying vigilant, Synthia remained rooted to her spot. She breathed deeply, trying to get as much of a feel for her surroundings as possible. Changes in the air, the pad of a footstep against the crystalline floor. She did her utmost to discern where her opponent was and respond accordingly. These were the bread and butter of a master thief, and she hoped to live up to that mantle.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Sensing movement behind her, Synthia moved. She parried the blast of fire Rynne had aimed at her, but the elf was gone in the next instant. Synthia decided to make herself less of an obvious target, keeping the sword behind her as she ran forward.

Rynne popped up on her left, this time with a bolt of lightning. Synthia raised the sword just in time but was pushed back. Gritting her teeth, Synthia held the sword horizontally in front of her face, ready to parry again. She sidestepped, slow and measured, as she looked out for another attack.

“Good. But with an opponent who moves through space itself, you must watch for every angle.”

Gasping, Synthia barely dodged out of the way as a flood of water fell down where she’d been standing. The bottom of her robes still got drenched, and the clammy feeling made Synthia’s teeth chatter.

Iggy watched with her fists clenched, hoping that Synthia would at least land a hit and they could finally escape. She grew disheartened, however, as Synthia dropped out of her stance and stood up straight again.

“What are you doing!?” Synthia ignored her as she addressed Rynne.

“You said that you were here to grant safe passage to the Mioja. Why.”

She received no answer. There was no move on Rynne’s part to attack, either. After an uncomfortable, perilous minute, she responded.

“My people are under the thumb of rulers from across the sea.”

“People? You mean the elves?”

“Considering your shared heritage, they could be considered your people as well. I have ventured with the express purpose of guiding the hand capable of combining the Mioja so they may be free.”

“Rulers?” Iggy’s face screwed up in confusion. “But the elves retreated into their forest country after the Western Edretica war. How have they been taken over?”

“By industry,” Rynne said simply. “The war against Viveld and Garesh all but destroyed us, and now the aeternus companies have come in and are mining our forest for resources. Our liberty was exchanged for capitalist exploitation based on our loss.”

“That’s a hell of a goal,” Synthia said. “You mean what you say?”

“Yes. This is why I must ensure all the Mioja be guided under a sure hand. One who will use its power for the right reasons. Their power to gain mastery over time would effectively make those corporations go extinct. My people would be free once more, as their business would be gone.”

Synthia smiled, pointing her sword at her once again. “Okay then. Chuck us through as many layers of reality as you want then. I want to help you accomplish that goal.”

Iggy’s eyes widened. “Wait, Synthia! I didn’t agree to this!”

“But she’s asking for our help. We can stop the Dawn and help the elves by working together.”

Iggy stamped her foot once again, growing truly livid. “Do you understand what you’re saying!? This is crazy.”

“Like I said, you are both operating under a fantasy.” Rynne folded her arms.

“What, because we’re not following your strict guidelines for saving your people?” Iggy winced as she heard how that sounded. “Uh, I mean...”

“I know what you mean. You have no reason to care about my people. I don’t begrudge you for it.”

“Then what is this fantasy?” Synthia asked.

“That you can continue living just as you had during your days in Asphodel,” Rynne said. “That you can continue to bicker and be at odds.”

The girls had nothing to say to that. They could only frown as they let Rynne continue. Satisfied with their compliance at last, Rynne continued.

“This journey you’ve undertaken is dangerous, regardless of when or where you decide to give up the Mioja. But right now, you two need to learn to work together. You, Synthia, are too eager to rush ahead. Iggy, you wish to stay rooted to the spot. If you don’t come together as a team then it truly will be the end of you both.”

Iggy could only sigh in defeat. Her expression sheepish she once again looked at Synthia for support. For once, she didn’t turn to her.

Rynne cocked her head, gaze unflinching. “Am I incorrect?”

“Shut up.”

Rynne blinked. “Hm?”

“I said shut up!” Synthia, as opposed to her friendly demeanor from before, was well and truly furious. Her eyes were filled with indignation.

“You can talk about me however the hell you want, but Iggy... Iggy’s my best friend! So what you think we don’t work well together? Isn’t that the point of being on this journey? That we can continue to work together, and get to know each other? That I can help lift her up! If anything, the person who has the blame here is me. For not trying enough to reach out to her.”

Iggy was left speechless. Here Synthia was, defending her with all she had. She was completely unaware of her true feelings, only ever seeing her as an annoyance but this was something she’d never seen from her. Or maybe it was something she’d ignored after all these years.

“... I see.” Rynne looked between the two, contemplating once more. “I think there is no doubt where your resolve lies. Which just leaves you, Iggy. How do you see your relationship with Synthia?”

“I mean, I...” Iggy couldn’t muster up the words. Years of Synthia pestering her still lingered in her mind, and her pettier side kept telling her she really had no obligation to her. But at the same time...

“Then you are not ready.” Rynne vanished into thin air, reappearing behind Iggy, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Then we’ll be putting you under this time.”

“IGGY!” Synthia ran for Iggy, but it was too late. She sunk through the floor just like before, deposited in another reality. Rynne reappeared, rising up.

“She shall be fine,” she said. She just needs to learn a few important lessons, is all.”

Synthia was seething, breaths growing hard and fast now. “I do want to help you. But nobody hurts my friends like that.”

“But she is not in harm’s—”

“SHUT UP! Listen here. You and me, we’re gonna to fight until you agree to let Iggy go. And when I kick your ass, you’re going to be punting us back up to the surface so we can face the real threat!”

Rynne closed her mouth. She nodded. “Very well. I shall graciously accept your resolve. But I should warn you...”

Reaching out into an unseen pocket of space, Rynne materialized a slender, elegant bow made of a rough-hewn wood. The string seemed to glow as she held it by her side. “My capabilities as an archer far outstrip those of being an ordinary mage.”

Her anger abating for a moment, Synthia’s eyes lit up upon seeing the weapon. “Whoooooa! Did you do that using the same trick you’ve been using inside this place? And you’re an elven archer, too! It’s just like all the stories I’ve read!”

Blinking, Rynne raised an eyebrow at her. Perhaps she really was an idiot like she’d seen Iggy say in her memories.