“Vivi…where are we? This doesn't…look like the base.”

“It’s a really, really long story, Fae.”

“Also…why do you look so old?”

“I’m only 21! And now that I get a good look at you, you don’t look like you’ve aged at all…”

“21?! H-how?! Did I time travel?! This has to be the work of some strange magic stone…”

“Well…you’re not wrong there. There’s a lot we have to explain to you, but most of all…I’m just glad to have you back.”

“‘We’?’ Are you including that guy?” Fae asked, pointing at Kenrich in the back of the room.

“Yes. That’s Kenrich. He helped me find you. He’s my partner in crime, you could say.”

“Violet has a boyfriend?! I never thought I would see the day!”

“It’s not like that!”

“It’s nice to meet you, Fae,” Kenrich said, stepping forward. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“If it came from Violet, you should take it with a grain of salt. She dotes on me a little too much.”

“I do not! Now, c’mon. I’ll help you down so we can get you out of those rags.”

Fae took Violet’s hand as she led her down to the floor. Violet then turned to Kenrich.

“I’m going to help her change, so if you sneak a peek, you’re dead. Got it?”

“I wasn’t planning to…” Kenrich said, turning around and facing the dark marble wall near the door.

Violet then took out a set of clothes from her bag and gave them to Fae. Even after not having been alive for half a decade, Fae had little difficulty getting into the outfit. Regardless, Kenrich heard them quietly bickering from behind him, as Fae was adamant that she did not need help changing to the objection of Violet. After a few moments, Violet told Kenrich that he could look. He turned around and saw Fae exactly as described by Violet during her story. She was a petite girl with a modest chest and very light blonde hair, which was understandably a mess. She was a lot shorter than himself and was wearing a black dress with red accents that reached all the way to her feet. She was cute. Kenrich could definitely understand why Violet felt the need to protect someone like this. From what Kenrich was told though, she was quite the skilled fighter.

“So, are you gonna tell me what’s happening?” Fae asked. “I remember dying…at least I think I do…”

“...You did. You died five years ago. When we were deployed in Shangloo.”

“That’s a long time to be dead, Vivi…I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but…how?”

“Do you remember when I told you that my parents gave me a mission?”

“Yeah, and I remember you being very vague about it.”

“Well, I’ll start by telling you what it was…”

Violet told Vivi about her parent’s mission, the ring, and everything else that she thought was important as they made their way back to the palace. Once they arrived at the front doors, Fae was very taken aback by the prospect of this massive castle being her home, which Kenrich completely understood.

“We’re really gonna be staying here?! Wow, you two are some bigshots, huh?”

“Hardly. We just managed to make a powerful friend is all,” Kenrich said. “Queen Puri set us up in her castle personally.”

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“I wouldn’t consider her a friend just yet, Ken. The mission she gave us is near impossible anyway. She should be crowning us royalty if anything for what we’re about to go through.”

“You mentioned that the queen gave you a mission earlier, so what is it?”

Violet explained to Fae about our mission to destroy the ring by collecting three different items from Darkvent, Shangloo, and The Capital. Fae listened carefully and seemed to make up her mind about something the second she heard about how dangerous it would be. As they talked, they finally made it back to their rooms in the palace, where Violet immediately invited herself and Fae into Kenrich’s dorm to continue the conversation.

“It’ll be quite the pilgrimage…” Fae said quietly. “At least we’ll be able to keep each other company! Five years' worth of stories should be plenty to keep me occupied during the boring parts.”

“I don’t want you coming with,” Violet said.

A silent, awkward atmosphere filled the air in the room. Violet had a deadly serious look on her face, but so did Fae. Kenrich turned away and walked towards the edge of the room. He knew that this conversation should only be between them.

“...And why not? You bring me back to life after being dead for five years, and now you’re just gonna leave me behind? That’s not fair, Violet.”

“I only want you to be safe. I will be back once this journey is over, I promise. I know the queen will let you stay here while we’re gone, and I don’t want to risk you dying again…because of me.”

“It was my choice to die like that, Violet! It’s crazy that even five years later, you’re still wallowing in the same self-pity as before. Stop blaming yourself for everything that goes on around you! I’m coming and that’s that. There’s no debate here.”

“I can’t let you do that, Fae. You have the mind and body of a sixteen-year-old, and we’re going to be going against some very powerful people. Just let me and Kenrich handle this, then when it’s over, you and I will go tons of places together. I won’t leave you here forever.”

“Correction – you won’t be leaving me here at all. Even though my body may not have changed, I guarantee I could still beat you in combat…in fact, why don’t we let that decide this? I challenge you to a duel, Violet! If I win, I get to come with. If you win, I’ll stay behind. If you think you’re so much stronger than me now, then prove it!”

Fae and Violet were now both standing and facing each other, with Fae pointing her finger in Violet’s face.

“Ugh…keep your hand away from me,” Violet said. “It smells like a dead body.”

“H-how am I supposed to help that?! Stop changing the subject! Accept my duel!”

“I now have five more years of combat experience than you, and Commander Sticks trained me personally after your death, so I wouldn’t take me so lightly. I’m much stronger than I was back in the academy.”

“You trained under the commander? Glad to hear you two were getting along. Nothing like the death of a loved one to bring people closer together! Anyway, if you’re not afraid, then accept the duel! I’ll accept the outcome, as I hope you do.”

“Fine! First thing in the morning, I’ll put you right back in the ground!”

“Ha! Like you could even if you wanted to!”

Violet and Fae grasped each other’s arms signifying the acceptance of the duel. Violet then turned to Kenrich.

“You’ll be the judge. And, no matter what happens, don’t interfere.”

“You sure we can trust this guy?” Fae asked Violet silently.

“We’ve been traveling together for over a month. He can be trusted.”

Fae nodded. Then walked over towards Kenrich.

“It’s nice to formally meet you, Kenrich! I’m happy to be working with you! I hope you continue to look after that bullheaded woman right over there.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Kenrich smiled. “Don’t tell Violet, but I’m rooting for you to win,” he then whispered to her.

“Ha! I love a judge with a little favorable bias! I like this guy already, Vivi!”

“‘Favorable bias’? Ken, do I need to kick your ass?!” Violet asked, cracking her knuckles.

“N-no! It was only a joke!”

“Better have been. Now, it’s been a long day. C’mon, Fae. I’ll show you to your room.”

Violet walked out of the room with Fae following behind her. Fae gave Kenrich a cute smile and wave before she made her way out the door. Kenrich was now alone in his bedroom, exhausted. He took off his boots, untucked his shirt, and laid down in the middle of his large comfortable bed facing the light gray ceiling. He closed his eyes and dozed off shortly after.

After what felt like no time at all, there was a knock at Kenrich’s door that shook him out of his slumber. He rubbed his eyes, got up, and went towards the door. He did not have a way of knowing what time it was without a window, so he had no idea if it had only been an hour, or if it was already morning. He turned the doorknob and was surprised to see Fae on the other side of the door.