Rain...

"Pours down on me..."

The sky was devoid of any color, just as it was devoid of any warmth... and I was completely drenched. My body was cold; in a way, now I felt even colder than my demon.

Yet, I didn't care. I didn't care at all... This rain soaked both me and my mother's tombstone equally. Rain that would naturally then erode the exact same tombstone, slowly wearing it away through the endless and savage course of time and nature, just as it shall do the same to my body.

Exactly as nature naturally dictates...

"Why...?"

Unlike the unnatural act of my mother...

"Was I not enough...?"

If I was shedding any tears, I couldn't even tell...

What was I feeling?

I couldn't tell...

I couldn't tell anything anymore...

"Argenta!"

A shout caught my attention, and I finally turned my eyes away from that crying sky. A sigh escaped me as I noticed him. "Joey..."

He ran towards me with an umbrella, quickly placing it over my head, as if it could do anything about my drenched clothes already. "What are you doing?" he asked as he caught his breath. "I was getting worried... I thought you'd return at least for dinner, especially with how grim the sky looked! Do you realize what time it is?"

I listened, but I really cared about nothing he said. I just stepped closer, absentmindedly resting my head against his chest; it was so damn comfortably warm...

He seemed to understand my need, and wrapped one arm around me, holding me close. "Argenta... what's going on this time...?"

Once again, I remained silent.

"Come on, let's go... Let's have dinner; and you have to dry off. You'll seriously get sick here."

I just hummed in response, and slowly, with me still holding his arm close to me, we headed back...

... As we crossed the threshold, we paused. With his arm still trapped by my hold, he closed his umbrella. "Weren't you wearing different clothes this morning?" he then asked curiously.

I slowly nodded. "I... went to see the priest this morning, and... I spilled some tea on them," I murmured. "He gave me a change."

After that, silence followed. The warmth of his home combined with the one of his body almost lulled me to sleep right where I stood. Yet, I raised my head, meeting his gaze.

Stop...

"You have to change again now," he said with a soft smile.

Don't worsen your situation...

"Argenta?" he then called.

Those are not the lips you're seeking...

"I... I'm sorry, I got distracted," I managed to reply, faintly shaking my head to push the thoughts away. "What was it you said?"

"Don't be. I know you're going through a lot," he gently reassured. "Why don't you get some rest? But I really think you should take a bath and change again; you'll get sick like that."

As much as I hated to admit it, he was right... Not only had I nearly caused a scene, but these clothes were cold and uncomfortable, making it hard to fully relax and enjoy the coziness of his home... So, with a sigh, I detached myself from him, and made his bathroom mine.

Never have I bathed in hotter water; I could've burnt in there. Yet all that heat did was soothe me. I took a deep breath as I completely immersed my body, except for my head, into the water, slowly resting it against the rim. A yawn escaped me. My demon... my mother's lover had already disappeared, but it did take away some of my energy, as usual, along with more of my sanity than ever before.

"What even is a soul...?"

My mother's lover was a human, without a doubt. She was a girl. Whatever I summon with my spell is... not human. Humans do not have claws. That thing is a monster, a demon. It can barely understand me. And from what I've seen, it only comprehends matters related to what it desires: human hearts, human lives, human souls...

So, it does have principles it acts upon, desires... And now my codex has my mother's name. It has... her soul?

I shook my head. "Don't think about it, Argenta..."

After using all my strength and willpower to distract myself and not fall asleep in that bliss, I dried off and slipped into some clothes I had prepared beforehand, and finally made my way back to Joey, to the living room.

"Hm? You changed, too," I noticed as soon as my eyes fell on him.

"Well, you drenched me," he said with an amused smile, setting the table for dinner.

There was a faint and pleasing smell in the air, incredibly inviting. But, at the same time... "I think I'll skip dinner and just go to sleep."

"Have you eaten at all today?" he asked me, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head.

"Argenta..." he scolded.

"I'm not hungry, Joey!" I dramatically whined.

"Try to force yourself a little... You can't go on like this. We have to return to Zafferbridge tomorrow; you need energy."

"Tomorrow, already?"

"We risk returning too late otherwise," he reasoned. "The weather gave us some problems. Hopefully, it won't be as bad and we won't have to slow down. I managed to say hello to my parents, at least..."

I sighed; I had to tell him... "I'm sorry but... I won't be going back there for a while."

"Huh? What do you mean?" he asked, looking at me with sheer confusion.

"There's... something I have to do first," I replied. "Then, I'll come back."

"And I suppose you don't want to tell me what it is..." he shrugged with an understanding sigh.

"Sorry, Joey... It's about my mother. I'd rather do this alone."

"Well, how much will it take you?" he asked.

That made me realize... "I... actually don't know yet. Tomorrow, I'll let you know. When are planning to leave?"

"I planned to leave in the morning, but in the evening is also fine, probably," he said, his finger reaching for his chin. "So, there's time. But won't Leonard get mad at you? You have some responsibilities."

"I don't care about responsibilities..." I flatly replied. "And I already told Crimson I would probably skip this dungeon."

"Alright. But since I'm willing to take the blame for not dragging you back to the headquarters..." he said, grabbing plates from the kitchen. "You'll eat."

I groaned, surrendering. "Fine, fine. I'll eat. It's a fair deal."

He smiled, and I settled at the table. The food looked as good as it smelled. He made some tender meat and vegetables, and the cutlery was already neatly arranged. Then, as he took his seat right across from me, we began.

I calmly picked up the fork, but as soon as I went for the knife, the sudden image of what I had done with the dagger right in front of my mother's tombstone flashed in my mind; the clear image of that kitchen knife in hand coldly and bloodily slicing my throat just as my dagger had, mingling with the fleeting memory of the reaper similarly killing me followed.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Shivers went through my entire body, along with a wave of nausea as the sole thought of my mother doing something similar surfaced.

How sweet. Three for the price of one?

"Argenta?" Joey's voice cut through the fog as the sound of my knife clattering to the ground reverberated through the room.

"Yes...?" I replied, my voice weak.

"You turned pale..." he pointed out, looking at me with eyes full of concern.

"Ah..." I had trouble coming up with an excuse. "I-it's nothing..."

My head spun.

"I..."

My stomach was turning upside down.

"Actually, I..."

And I felt cold.

"I feel like I'm about to throw up..." I admitted as my voice shattered, feeling bile burning its way up my chest.

Joey quickly rose from his seat, moving to my side in an attempt to calm me down. "Hey, relax..." he said, trying to sound reassuring, waving his hand to fan me with some fresh air as I leaned back completely in the chair, looking away from the cutlery.

"I just need some water," I whispered, breathing steadily to calm my senses.

Joey nodded, and filled my cup with water, handing it to me. I slowly took a little sip before taking another deep breath. Slowly, I regained some color.

"Now you're really worrying me, Argenta. This isn't like you..."

He was right... This was getting worse with each death. But, as I managed last time, I just had to get used to it again... hopefully.

A nervous chuckle escaped me. "I'm fine, I'm fine... I'm just weak because I haven't eaten all day."

"Are you sure...?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sure, Joey. Could you just... slice the meat for me?"

"Huh, alright..." He complied, blinking at the request. "You just breathe. Take your time."

"Thank you..."

Once Joey finished meticulously slicing my meat, thankfully, he even took my knife and set it beside him. Now he had two, and I could just avoid them and focus on the tender meat he prepared.

After the meal, I stepped outside under the pretense of needing fresh air. Joey was against the idea of going out so late, but I reassured him saying that I knew this little town like the back of my hand.

I was exhausted, to tell the truth... but not enough. I knew that if I put myself to bed my mind would just go in circles, dragging me deeper into the pit I was already in and making my situation worse, and I couldn't be with Joey now; it was absolutely not the right time...

Staying with Crimson, I learned there were some ways to distract one's mind in a bed. And, for as much as I'd loved some warmth, and the idea felt extremely tempting, the last thing I needed was to jeopardize my relationship with the only person I could truly trust.

"Keep control of yourself, Argenta," I murmured to myself as I walked around the city. Now I was truly beginning to feel desperate... Desperate for some distraction; anything that could help me cope with the reality I'd faced in the last few days, and the ones yet to come.

"Right... I need to procure information on how to get to The Forgotten City..."

I knew where to go; someone who could give me information and tools for the right price. Knowing him, at this hour, he was surely in the usual place, doing the usual job. Old habits die hard.

I moved my legs towards the small tavern of the city. Its orange light provided me quite the comfort, unlike the gazes that fell on me as soon as I stepped in; some of them familiar.

I went straight to the bartender. "What can I get you?" he asked me as he polished a glass.

"The Sober One," I replied; a password to gain access to the room beneath the tavern where my contact would be.

"A platinum coin," he demanded.

I placed the coin on the counter, and he pocketed it with a nod. He then began to mix a drink, performing for the sake of the onlookers. Finally, he slid the glass toward me. "Wait for the current client to leave," he then whispered along, leaning in.

I nodded, and took the drink with me. After some minutes, from the door I had to enter, a man came out, and I slipped inside, slowly descending the stairs. The stairs led me to his personal space; a little, cramped, dimly lit room, or a little office smelling of smoke.

I slid the drink across his cluttered desk, and he nonchalantly let it meet his palm, casually lounged in his chair, legs propped up on the table.

"Well, well, well... Those who don't die see each other again, unfortunately," he drawled as his eyes fell on me with disdain. "Argenta... And here I thought this town had finally gotten rid of you."

"Pleased to meet you again as well," I curtly greeted back.

He adjusted in his seat, finally sitting up and addressing me with more seriousness. "What business does this little assassin have with me?"

"I have to reach The Forgotten City."

"Oh? Visiting your passed mother's birthplace?"

My eyes widened at such affirmation. "You knew?!"

He stared at me for a second before bursting out laughing. "You didn't?!"

"Huh..."

He kept laughing; a mocking laugh that asked for nothing but to be silenced. "The Silver Witch's daughter unaware of who her mother was! Now that's rich!"

Anger surged within me, and before I knew it, my hand was on my dagger, pointing it straight at him. His laughter died instantly and his expression turned serious, but as my eyes caught the blade, flashbacks of what I had done resurfaced in the wake of my action.

My hand trembled, and I had to look away as bile threatened to rise in my throat. Slowly, I lowered my dagger. "Just give me what I need. You're not one to ask for reasons. I just need to reach that place. Where is it and how much it will take me?"

"It's in the north," he grumbled in response, leaning back in his chair, resting his arms behind his head. "And it'll take you about five months."

"HOW MANY?!"

He flinched before regaining his composure. "You heard me."

"T-that's too many!" I shouted, stepping forward and slamming my hand on his desk so hard that part of the drink spilled. "I can't wait that long! You can provide me some faster way!"

"Don't get cocky, Argenta!" he snapped back, huffing before leaning forward, putting his arms on the desk. "You don't have a mount, do you? You have to take account for provisions, weather, sleep..."

"I don't need sleep! I need answers!" I cut him off. "And whatever gets me there can recover using potions, just as I do."

“Both you and your mount would be dead long before you arrived trying that.”

"I can endure!" I clenched my fist. "Please, just procure me something fast that can cut the time down as much as possible.”

He stood silent, eyes darting between me and his glass.

"I'll give you anything," I continued, trying to convince him to the best of my possibilities. "Name every price. Name every task. Name every victim. Name anything. Anything you want... I just need to reach this place."

"I wouldn't want to share the same air with you if I had a choice," he replied spitefully before sighing heavily. "But I have an honor... Get here in the morning... I'll see what I can do."

I calmed down, letting out a faint sigh of relief as I slowly retrieved my hand from his deck, almost not believing it. "Thanks..."

"Now get the hell out of here and don't ruin my night," he demanded. I just nodded, and walked out.

I slowly made my way back to Joey; the cold air calmed me even more, and my eyelids felt unbearably heavy. "Now I can rest..."

Once inside, I threw myself face-first onto the bed, the mattress swallowing my weight as I bounced, and with my mind mercifully drained to form any coherent thought, everything drifted off...

"Ugh..."

I woke up to the sunlight knocking on my eyes. Despite the rest, my head hurt, and my body was cold.

"Curse you, sun."

With a groan, I pushed myself up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rubbed my eyes, staring blankly at the floor.

"I have to depart for a long ride... alone..."

Why would I even be worried about being alone? I always did everything alone...

I sighed. Being with Crimson softened me; love is nothing but a distraction, in the end, and I've grown weak because of it.

"Whatever, I have to tell Joey..."

I dragged my feet out of the room. Joey was already awake, preparing breakfast. I greeted him dismissively, barely making eye contact as I headed to wash my face, hoping the cold water would shake off the last remnants of sleep and clear some of my thoughts.

It didn't, really, but it still helped me a little. Afterward, I moved towards Joey. The breakfast was warm and inviting; too much to ignore and have a conversation. So, after filling my stomach with the comforting meal, it was finally time to... come up with an excuse.

"Joey, we need to talk."

He was still eating, much slower than me, but he still paused and looked up. "What is it?"

"I'm not going back to Zafferbridge for... some months," I murmured; the latest part barely audible.

He still heard it, though. "Some months?!"

I slowly nodded.

He set his spoon down, sighing. "Okay, Argenta... what's going on?"

"You know I went to talk with the priest," I began.

"Yes, I know."

"Well... I never really talked with him much before now, but it turns out he knew my mother well, and… I guess I got nostalgic," I said with a faint smile. "I want to stay here and listen to some of his stories, maybe while I lend a hand. So, I'll stay here for a while."

Joey stared at me for a while before letting out yet a little and subtle sigh. "Do you want me to stay?"

My eyes slightly widened at that. "Huh? You would?"

"Of course I would," he replied, not a crumb of hesitation in his voice. "It's always been like this, hasn't it?"

"What about the responsibilities you mentioned yesterday?"

"Well, we'd face them together. You're more important than a job, and I'm a collaborator thanks to you, remember? We've always stood together in difficult times; this doesn't have to be different."

My lips couldn't help but curve into a smile. "Thanks, Joey... but no... You go back. You can wait for me there... so that when I come back, I know there'll be someone waiting for me."

Despite the genuine happiness that brought me, I really had to refuse. I had lied, and I couldn't risk him finding out.

He sighed with a shrug. "Alright... Do you need the keys?"

"As much I'd like to sleep in your bed, it'd be weird to wake up and walk into your parents," I said with a comforting smile. "Don't worry, I'll find a place where to sleep. I'm sure the priest can provide me one."

He just nodded. And I, with relief, approached him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders from behind. “Thanks for everything, Joey,” I whispered, pressing a small kiss to his cheek.

"You're making it sound like we'll never meet again," he said, his hands gently clasping mine.

A little chuckle escaped me. "We will. I guess when it comes to my mother I'm just... a little dramatic."

"When it comes to your mother?" he laughed. "You always are. You go from one extreme to the other."

"Then, I might be a little unstable."

"Just a little."

I let go of him and headed for the door. However, before actually stepping out, I couldn't resist adding a bit more of theatrics. "I won't forget you..."

"Okay, now you're doing it on purpose," he countered with a smirk.

I hopped away with a giggle, and finally went to the tavern for an update from that man.

"A three-leg chocobo?" I commented, blinking as I stared at my apparent solution.

"Yes. This is the fastest way I can offer you. It's so fast it can even outrun summon spells," he proudly said, puffing on a cigar.

"Huh..."

"The wagon's there," he continued, gesturing towards a small, rickety cart. "Just load it with whatever you need. I'd suggest picking up some potions at the next town; better alchemists there than in this dump."

"Hmm... alright," I murmured, turning my attention back to him. "Thanks."

He huffed out a cloud of smoke, handing me a folded map. "This is a map to get to The Forgotten City."

"Why is it called like that, by the way?" I asked him, tilting my head as I grabbed the map.

"You really don't know anything, do you?" he said with annoyance.

"No, I don't."

He sighed, smoke trailing from his lips. "Just get out of this town and never come back," he then spat, stepping away without another word.

"Um... okay..."