“The spirits can detect magic.” These words, spoken by a professional slayer of the world’s numerous colossi and unorthodox knight of the fallen kingdom of Lakia, sound straightforward enough. Additionally, Lykha, the young fairy to whom he spoke the words to, has communed with the spirits multiple times, and she’s even lent her physical form to the mysteriously trapped ethereal beings.

However, there is a small problem.

“I… I just… You just asked me if I can feel them. I can’t.”

Murtoa of Lakia nods, “Yes, but you were able to use your magic just now. The balance is returning.”

Gyrryth, the drakyk spellshot towering over them both, nods in agreement as he hums in affirmation. “Ahhh. Indeed, I believe Sir Murtoa is correct.”

Maerin, piecing together what they said, retorts sassily, “Wait… You’re saying ALL magic comes from the spirits?”

Kessa, a young teen girl and secret princess of Lakia, replies informatively, “Not ALL magic. Just the magic that isn’t secret.”

Murtoa adds to clarify, “Which is why I believe Kessa’s spell caused the effect that it did.”

Kessa apologizes, “I’m sorry… I had no idea…”

Mury nods, looking at Lykha again. “Try to reach out to them.”

Lykha hesitates, but she quickly folds her hands together. “Spirits? Nieolsynys? Ulterryn? Rui-Buri? Schieranna? Gruicelle? Merzianne? Please… I need your help…” Lykha sniffles, and Murtoa says as he looks around. “Keep trying, but let’s move to the winder. The sages are going to confront us again.”

Maerin gasps. She hisses at a whisper, “You snake!”

Murtoa looks at her, but he says nothing -a sort of confirmation, given the implied accusation-. Maerin bursts into laughter in reply, and Murtoa scoops her up to stand on his hand as Lykha sits on his shoulder, still trying to pray unsuccessfully to the six spirits.

“Please… It’s my mother. I had no idea what happened…”

Maerin continues laughing, leaning on Murtoa’s chest as he carries her, but he replies to Lykha, “Don’t fret. I doubt they are scorned. They can’t reach us yet. I have an idea, though. Something your companions…”

“Outsider.” The same elderly voice challenges Murtoa once more, and he halts to face Grandmother Galla.

Lykha slides off of his shoulder into a normal hover. “Grandmother! Th-We… I…”

Galla ignores Lykha, hovering past her to confront Murtoa. “Is this some kind of trick?”

Murtoa replies, “We’re leaving now.”

“I believe with one too many, no?” She gestures at Lykha. Lykha urges nervously, “Grandmother…”

One of the other fairy sages, Chasuena, hovers to Lykha, gingerly guiding her by the shoulders. “Lykha, you must understand. We’re looking out for your best interests. Remember, outsiders…”

“THEY’RE NOT THE MANIPULATORS YOU PREACH!” Lykha snaps, and she shoves away from the sage. “THESE ARE MY FRIENDS! And they’re going to help me find my mother.”

Galla growls at Lykha, “Nelrei left the village of her own judgment against our guidance. YOU are clearly under the influence of these-...”

“If by ‘influence’, you mean they genuinely care about me-...”

Galla hisses angrily, “Lykha!”

A beep from the direction of the human warrior draws the attention of all of those present, save for a mature fairy whose wish is long expended and a drakyk spellshot, who are already looking away.

A blinding flash whites out the world for all whose eyes were caught by its brilliance. Fairies all around them and a teenage princess scream in agony as they all near-simultaneously cover their eyes. In Murtoa’s free hand is one of Coco’s flashers, a blinding tool effective at creating a light too bright to be looked directly at by most creatures without causing temporary blindness. Unfortunately, it was too risky to warn Kessa or Lykha, but Maerin and Gyrryth both saw him draw the device. The drakyk spellshot scoops Kessa up onto his shoulder, running for the trunk winder while Murtoa snatches Lykha out of the air, similarly fleeing for the group’s vehicle. Maerin climbs up onto Murtoa’s shoulder as Lykha cries, “M-MURY!? WH-WHAT-...”

The mature fairy lays across Murtoa’s shoulder to taunt the sages, “HA! Didn’t see that comin’, did ya’, ya old hags!? Flickin’ your wings and snappin’ your fingers! You’re up against Murtoa of Lakia!”

Murtoa warns, “Maerin-...”

“I’m not done, Murmur!” She taunts the sages again, “You claim you care about Lykha, but you’ll let her mother go missing! Disgraceful! I hope your wrinkles double, ya slimy-EEEEEP!”

Maerin ducks and Murtoa braces at the rush of air, stumbling from a fireball that slams his armor’s shoulder plate. He grunts, and Maerin and Lykha both scream, “MURY!?”

“I’m fine. Lay off the taunts. They can hear our direction.”

Maerin nods, and Murtoa resumes his sprint to the trunk winder, boarding the vehicle as it roars to life. He closes the hatch quickly, jogging past Gyrryth as he sets Kessa down on one of the cargo hold crates. She’s still rubbing her eyes, sniffling.

Mury sets Maerin and Lykha in their split bunk, continuing forward to the cockpit. He stumbles briefly as it starts moving, but he makes it without falling. Coco is already driving, and she hears someone enter. “OI! Wha’cha goobs doin’ ou’ there!? I was tryin’ta wiggle Blastie out’a her hidey hole, an’ I see a flicker flash!”

Murtoa leans against the driver seat, replying quickly, “Get us to the trunk and begin descending. Aim southwest if you can.”

“Aye? Ain’ that the way we was?”

He nods. “Lykha’s mother left in that direction. We think she’s trying to rescue some junior fairies.”

Coco shifts in her seat, straightening her posture. “Aye. We right Tricksie heroes, at this rate.”

He scoffs. A flash slams the windshield, and they both flinch. Coco asks sharply, “The Tricksie babas attackin’ us!?”

Murtoa chuckles. “Negotiations broke down. As I hoped, their magic is weaker.”

Coco looks at him while the tracked vehicle rumbles towards the way they came. “Goob ye say?” She gasps. “Wonkbrain! SHE did it!”

“That’s the theory. It won’t last forever, though. Get us out of here. I doubt they’ll follow indefinitely.”

“An’, if they do?” She looks up at him, and he looks down to meet her gaze.

He retorts surprisingly coldly, “I didn’t knight myself.”

Her eyes widen, but she nods grimly. She returns her focus to driving. She shouts, regardless of whether the sages can hear her. “Hear that, Baes!? Flicka ye wings and skeeta vanish ‘fore ‘Bando fryin’ ye wi’ me eggs a la Coco for brea’fast!” She blares the air horn, which causes the fairies to flinch and cover their ears. Their magical attacks presently look much worse than they are, glancing off of the hardened materials of the trunk winder. Even summoned stones and glass shatter and spray the hull with rubble, rather than denting or piercing as the sages would normally be capable of doing.

Maerin’s voice asks, “Murmur?” He turns to find her flying, landing on one of the rear cockpit seats. She asks, “Is it possible that Nelrei went to look for the two fairies you and Lykha saved from Yanari?”

He nods. “If we’re lucky, that’s all the further we have to go. But, it’s impossible to know for certain without finding her. Once we’re clear of this,” He pauses and braces as a particularly powerful hit -a giant rock summoned by several sages at once- slams the vehicle and shakes it. Still, it rolls away and tumbles off of the limb towards the ground far below.

Murtoa finishes his thought, “I have an idea of how to contact the spirits. They can detect magic at range.”

Maerin nods, “Alright. Don’t suppose you have another of those potions? Wouldn’t that do it?”

“No. The issue isn’t Lykha. There’s a void of magic in the forest. The presence of the spirits was driven back. It’s probably too far to simply drive, but there’s one thing that should be able to reach them.”

“Well?”

“I’ll explain when we can all be together.”

“YOU AREN’T GOING TO TRY TO USE HER WISH, ARE YOU!?”

Coco flinches, looking over her shoulder.

Murtoa replies, “That would save us time, wouldn’t it?” He chuckles as Maerin’s face twists in anger, and he adds, “I’m joking. Lykha said blood magic works even when she has no magical energy.”

“Ah… I see. She’s not going to refuse.”

“No, but someone might. Anyone’s right to refuse if there’s a better idea.”

Coco interrupts, “Oi! ‘Bout to be drainin’ ye noggins!”

Mury nods. He picks up the intercom microphone, calling to the back. “Everyone, we’re about to begin descent. Buckle down and brace for shift.” Coco, for her own part, swallows visibly and squirms in her seat, bracing herself against her own fear. She closes her eyes as the vehicle begins to tilt.

Maerin sighs, flying up and onto the back of the seat she was on as the gravity shifts from the cockpit tilting forward. She sits crosslegged as Murtoa shifts his own position to stand on the platform portion of the console as Coco shifts against the harness keeping her in her seat. Her eyes are still closed, and she murmurs, “‘Bando…”

“Almost there, Coco. This pace is good. Feels like we’re gripping firmly.” She nods and continues to breathe nervously as her body dangles against the harness.

She complains to distract herself, “Ye’d think they’d make these machen straps li’l more comfor’ble.” She tugs with her left hand on the harness, trying to reduce the strain.

Maerin teases, “I’ve heard regular massages help them grow.”

Coco glances at her with wide eyes, and she bounces what little the seat and harness will allow. “I was jus’ sayin’. No’ complainin’.” She swallows again, looking forward quickly.

“Sure, sure,” retorts the mature fairy dryly. She looks at Murtoa, who scoffs lightly and shakes his head. Coco murmurs wearily as she battles her fear, “We no’ fallin’, we drivin’ down a hill. Nothin’ to i’.” The warrior pats her shoulder gently, replying softly, “Barely even a down-slope. We’re driving towards a wall.” Coco nods nervously, gripping the steering mechanisms tightly. “Aye…” she croaks.

Murtoa declares, “I’m going to go check on everyone. Remember how to get to the village where we met Kessa?”

Coco hesitates. “I’ll get us ta to d-dir-... The wall, Love. From there, I’ll let you drive. A machen and her machens need some rest.”

“Very well. Call over the intercom if you need anything.”

“Aye Love.”

Murtoa climbs up the ceiling ladder, exiting the cockpit rearward -which is now up-. As usual, one problem leads to another.

***

Lykha’s vision finally clears as Murtoa is climbing past the bunks. She whines, “MURY! How could you!?”

He pauses long enough to lower and peek in her bunk. “Sorry. There was no way to warn you without tipping off the sages.”

“Are you crazy!? Th-That was-... They’ll kill us all!”

“They’re trying. Fortunately, you’re not the only one presently weakened.” He nods, continuing his ascent towards the cargo bay.

Lykha darts after him. “HEY!”

“They weren’t going to let you go, Lykha.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“I-... I was trying-...”

“Trying to convince them wasn’t going to convince them. They’re afraid of what they think you know. What Yanari might have shown you.”

Lykha fidgets, following comparatively effortlessly at his head level as he climbs. “I… What… What do I do?”

“I’m not sure. I’m just a human at the end of the day. I specialize in solving the problems right in front of me. Little else. Right now, it’s finding your mother.”

Lykha nods, resisting the urge to cry both tears of fear and worry, as well as tears of joy to have such a loyal friend.

“Thank you,” murmurs the fairy.

“Haven’t found her yet.”

“You will. I know it.” She hovers close and kisses his helmet. “And… I think you answered my other question.”

“If you say so.”

Lykha smiles as she follows the warrior into the cargo hold. Mury cleans his helmet on occasion, but she does wipe the metallic taste from her lips when he isn’t looking. She dare not speculate on what specific substance it is.

Kessa points at Mury accusingly, complaining, “You’re not a monster hunter. You’re a monster! Kidnapping a fairy! Blinding a princess! Failing flint strikes on purpose!”

The last one causes Lykha to pause. She looks at Murtoa, who gives no indication of his thoughts on the accusations. However, she’s seen him strike flint many times. Many of those times, it’s in the heat of a moment where time is of the essence.

When he does reply to Kessa’s accusations, he simply retorts, “Maerin and Gyrryth figured it out.”

She whines, “THEN HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW!? It apparently wasn’t a secret.”

Murtoa retorts somewhat teasingly, “Then, you should be blaming Maerin and Gyrryth.”

She swings her hands and groans in impotent frustration. For a moment, she looks eerily like Coco. Gyrryth chuckles, asking, “If we’re all here, is…”

Murtoa nods. “Coco is handling it.”

Lykha snaps, “COCO!?” She realizes anyone else who could drive the vehicle is present in the cargo bay. “She’s afraid of heights!”

“And yet, we’re moving forward.” Lykha flinches when Murtoa’s tone seems blunt, but it resonates with a firm confidence -his typical confidence-. He adds, “In the army, we didn’t have the luxury of fear getting us out of anything. Coco chose to be here.” He then looks at Gyrryth and asks the lizardman, “Any other issues?”

Gyrryth shakes his head. “It sounds like our pursuers may have relented. Strange. I’ve always heard approaching fairy villages was a death sentence. Especially if one makes an enemy of the fairies.”

Murtoa replies, “I gambled. Apologies for risking your lives.”

Gyrryth cocks his head, and Murtoa explains, “Fairies are the original ambassadors to the spirits. Or, descendants of the spirits. I’ve heard multiple things. Point is, they apparently rely on spirit magic like most modern mages.”

Gyrryth nods. “I see, I see…” He bursts out a short laugh, musing warmly, “You never seem to be without crafty schemes, Sir Murtoa.”

“More like I’m more willing to gamble than most. Is everyone alright?”

Kessa complains, “Other than my eyes being seared like fried beittles!?”

Lykha remarks softly, “You’re asking about curses, aren’t you?”

Murtoa looks at her, but he only nods subtly. Lykha raises her finger to refute, but she pauses. One of the very first conversations she ever had with Murtoa was about a curse she thought the village that hired him was going to use. She’s familiar with curses because they are a tool of elder fairies, though never against fairies. She’s always been told they use them to defend the village. Which means cursing intruders with horrifying effects -long term included- isn’t outside of the scope of possibility.

Murtoa replies, “If you notice anything off about yourselves, say something. We didn’t make any new friends today.”

The others nod. Gyrryth then asks, “Any ideas on how we are to find our quarry, Sir Murtoa? You briefly mentioned…”

Mury nods, looking at Lykha. “I’ve mentioned it to everyone but you. You once told me blood magic is something you can always do, correct?”

Lykha nods in surprise. “Y-Yes. But,...”

“Hear me out. I won’t force you.” She nods, and he continues. “The spell you used when Nieolsynys had possessed you, do you remember it?”

Lykha shakes her head. “No. I-... I vaguely remember hearing Maerin’s voice, but I’m not in my body when the spirits are inhabiting it.”

“I see. This was why I wanted to gather everyone. Are you all okay to move to the cockpit?”

The group nods, and he states, “Kessa, be careful climbing down. The trunk winder will move when it drives over knots and new branches.”

She nods. “I remember. Thank you, sir knight.”

He scoffs and begins climbing down first. Kessa grumbles, barely audible from above, “Monster butt.” Lykha follows him once more, apologizing gently. “Sorry, Mury… Are you sure it’s safe, though? F-For me to use blood magic, that is.”

“Safe enough. We’ll spread the load as they did that time. We’ll have to see if Maerin knows anything else.”

Once everyone’s gathered in the cockpit, Murtoa stands on the center console while Gyrryth stands on the side, and Kessa manages to strap into the other rear seat from Lykha and Maerin with the lizardman’s help.

Maerin asks, “Did Murmur tell you the plan, yet?”

Lykha shakes her head. “We discussed the basics, but I told him you knew more about what happened at Almunaicho.”

“Ah… That.” Maerin looks at Mury, crossing her arms. “Limited wish, huh? Was that your plan?”

Mury nods. “If that’s what was done to rescue me and the girl. It was a column of water too powerful to have been a human or drakyk spellcaster. In my experience.”

Coco asks, “What about Killerines?” She flexes her eyebrows eagerly for an affirmation.

“Queltarines. I’ve never seen a Queltarine mage in action, save Kessa. She was undeterred by the spell she cast.”

The latter teen fidgets with her hands, murmuring, “Th-... There’s a cost-breaker spell I used first.” She fidgets, admitting nervously, “I-... I had to use… alcohol.”

Everyone looks at Maerin briefly, who seems equally surprised. She massages her head, saying distantly, “Oh… I… I thought… That’s such a relief, actually…” She looks at the others staring at her, and she whines, “I didn’t give it to her! I thought I drank an entire quarter keg in my sleep!” She fidgets nervously with her empty flask. “I-... I’ve been trying, again… S-So stop getting hurt, Murmur. Lykha.” She points at each of them sternly to emphasize her request.

Coco retorts, “I don’ know why ye botha, Maerin. ‘Bando’s firs’ to jump the hurt when our stinkies in a pinch.”

Gyrryth remarks, “Interesting. Very clever, Kessa. I have heard of such spells, but never had much use for them. Or rather, it’s inconvenient to carry so much hard liquor for each spell.”

She nods, apologizing to Maerin, “Sorry, Maerin.”

Maerin waves her off warmly, and Murtoa asks, “What is a limited wish exactly? Can it be used to locate your mother? I assumed it was simply an elemental spell, which would hopefully force a connection to the spirits.”

Lykha fidgets, murmuring, “I-... I’ve never really used one. O-Other than that one.”

Maerin explains, “It’s blood magic. Like any other blood magic, it draws on the spirit energy of the source’s blood. I’m not sure about all of the perks and drawbacks, but generally, it can unleash a spell the caster doesn’t know how to perform or ‘perform a function’, sort of. A limited wish doesn’t rely as much on the imagination of the fairy, and it’s at the behest of the caster. Unlike a wish, though, it has to use words tying to the soul. Mmm… ‘Markers of Fate’, I guess is a good way to put it. The fey words don’t translate super well. Hell, I don’t even know that I know them anymore. Curse words are about all I got.” She smirks.

Murtoa continues gathering information. “Then, if we wish for Lykha’s mother’s location, would we get it?”

Maerin thinks for a moment. Coco asks, “Why no’ jus’ wish Tricksie-mama back ‘ere?”

Maerin shakes her head. “No go, Coco. It’s not powerful enough to transport someone. It could compel her… maybe. But, I don’t think that’s the best route, personally. With Mury, the wish triggered the column of water to soften his landing. I think.”

Murtoa adds, “And, if she’s being pursued, it would be better to engage when we have the element of surprise. Knowing her location allows us to assess what we’re up against. At least more than that pursuer arriving at our location without knowing what to expect.”

Everyone nods, and Gyrryth suggests, “Perhaps, Gentle One, you could simply wish to contract with the spirits once more, as before. Would this suffice?” He looks at Maerin, who nods as she continues deliberating. “I’m no expert, mind you. But,... I think that’s more reliable than trying to extract Nelrei’s location directly. However, I don’t know the extent of influence the spirits could attain. Last thing we want is for them to automatically get permanent control of Lykha’s body.”

Lykha murmurs, “I… I don’t think they’d do that. A-At least… not now.”

After a moment of awkward silence, Murtoa asks, “Could the connection be formed to another person? One without magical ability?”

Coco barks instantly, “Oi! I’m no’ lettin’ them boggleslys in me thinka! No way! Ratha kiss all four o’ Tricksie’s cheeks!”

Murtoa replies bluntly, “I was talking about me. I think they know what my mission is in full. They won’t jeopardize it for selfish reasons. I think.”

The girls hesitate nervously, but Maerin reluctantly admits, “Unfortunately, I think that would work. You’re not gullible enough to be fooled by words, and… they all do seem to like you.”

Lykha whines, “Why not me, then!? They like me just fine!”

“They could use your wish,” declares Murtoa bluntly. “If they had unlimited access to your body, they could take over when they had such an opportunity. If they can repeatedly take control of my body, then the only thing lost is my knowledge, which is quite limited.”

Maerin and Gyrryth both scoff and chuckle, while Coco refutes, “HA! If ye’ a dummy, we all bu’ stones tryin’ ta swim.”

Murtoa looks at her, replying, “I may have the most knowledge of slaying monsters, and I’m not convinced that’s true, but I am far from a sage or wiseman. All of you can easily learn what I know. I would struggle to learn what all of you know.” He looks at Maerin again, “Is there any other option? Something that favors us more?”

Maerin scratches her chest as she thinks a little more nervously. “I… If we stewed on it for hours, maybe. I don’t like giving the spirits you of all people, but… Like you said, they probably won’t betray you, and even if they do, the impact is limited. Trying to target Nelrei directly has too many variables.”

“Agreed. Lykha, you will use blood magic to wish for a direct connection to whichever spirit you wish to form with me.” He urges more gently, “This is the best option.”

“Wh-... What if… What if she removes your helmet? O-Or…”

He chuckles. “That’s probably the only thing they might try to do. If it happens, it won’t really matter. We’re not at a place of advantage anyways.” He looks at Kessa, adding, “We have someone he would kill everything on this world for.”

Kessa declares innocently, “Technically, it’s a whole dimension he has dominion over.”

The group looks at her, and Coco asks bluntly, “The goob does that even mean?”

Before Kessa answers, Murtoa says curtly, “Focus. Let’s find Nelrei, and then we can goof around. Hopefully.”

Kessa whines, “I’m not goofing-...”

Murtoa draws a knife, as well as a torch. He sets the torch where he can light it, and he draws his flint. Lykha watches diligently.

Clack-clack! Clack-clack!

She clutches the collar of her own simple cape. She always thought his motions were just… He doesn’t have magic, so it’s not as simple as snapping his fingers.

But, his motions do seem to be intentional. Intentionally sloppy, casual, and slow.

Clack-clack!

Small sparks form, but aren’t enough to ignite the dry tinder wrapped into the torch.

The young fairy watches on bated breath as his fingers shift. It’s a tiny motion, but it’s there. She would swear on it.

The very next strike is more fluid. It looks the same, but has a much smoother strike and slide, which generates a stream of sparks that begin to smolder on the torch’s burn end. He is able to simply wave his hand over the smolder to rapidly grow a flame on the simple torch, and the human warrior begins sterilizing his knife with it.

Lykha grips her collar tightly, looking down. Now’s not the time, but she can’t believe it. Kessa was right.

Why would he fail intentionally, though? He could get himself killed!

The young fairy resolves to confront Mury about it later. He must have a reason, but she just can’t figure it out. It’s Mury, after all.

Mury lets the dagger cool briefly, removing his left glove. He draws blood from the back of his hand, dribbling it into one of the small glass phials he carries on him. Coco slows the vehicle to a halt, even clinging to the tree as it is. She ratchets her chair around, smacking Murtoa’s shin. “Oi! Don’ even think abou’ it, Love. Hand it over.”

“Think about what?”

“Blood magic be cursed, yeah? We sharin’, or we no’ doin’ it.”

The others nod, and he sighs. He passes the phial down to Coco, resterilizing the knife before passing it to her.

As members of the group add a few drops of their blood to the phial, Lykha fidgets nervously. “A-Are you sure, Mury? Y-... You don’t even know my mother.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Most people I help, I’ve never met.”

Lykha smiles with a sniffle. “Thank you…”

Once everyone has added a small amount of blood to the phial, including Lykha, Maerin shakes it to ensure a good mix, and she hands it back to her younger counterpart. She asks Murtoa, "Should we establish a safe word, Murmur?" She snickers, but he agrees. "Good idea. Ask me the price of your bombs.”

Maerin stammers, clearing her throat. “R-Right! Iiiii was thinking the same thing.”

Coco and Lykha cross their arms as they smirk at Maerin, while Kessa flexes her eyebrows in amusement from behind Maerin.

Murtoa asks, “Everyone ready?”

Everyone nods, and Lykha takes a deep breath. She drinks the full contents of the phial. It’s something she has to stomach, and learned to long ago, because it can heal her without using any other magic, and she had to when she was a child. That said, the moment the taste of iron reaches her tongue is always unpleasant, and she gags a little. She sighs. “Alright. On this noble sacrifice, hear me and grant my wish: My wish for another is that the named be bound; a contract with they who are not found; Murtoa of Lakia and… Rui-Buri.”

Gyrryth cocks his head at the named spirit, though all of them watch as a magic, flickering mass of energy forms between Lykha’s hands. It swirls around her briefly before passing to Murtoa, dancing around him for a moment. It then submerges into the human warrior, and a glow comes from those parts of his body where his skin is near seams or somewhat exposed.

He wobbles briefly, sinking to a kneel. “Mury!” “Murmur!” The girls call out, but he holds his hand up. His voice is weak and strained, but he replies, “I’m well enough. Be ready…”

Lykha hovers close to the warrior as he braces himself against whatever is happening within him. His fist clenches, and Lykha reaches towards him, unsure if there’s anything she can do to help.

And then suddenly, the human warrior seems to become almost limp, staying in his crouched position only because of how stable he placed himself. His hands fall to his sides, and his helmet dips. Lykha whimpers, “Mury?”

After a moment of silence, Gyrryth asks softly, “What happens if a wish fails?”

Maerin shakes her head, “It… shouldn’t be possible. Or… I don’t know. I…” She also swallows hard, visibly nervous.

A cough comes from the helmet, and a soft groan, and the entire group sighs in relief in unison. Coco jokes, “I though’ ye done slayed ‘Bando.”

Lykha shouts, “That’s not funny! Don’t you think I thought that too!?”

Murtoa wobbles as he stands up, regaining his senses as he shakes his head and finds his balance.

Maerin asks, “Alright, Murmur. How do you feel?”

The human warrior still looks unstable on his feet, and Gyrryth leans a little closer to prevent him from falling towards the windshield. He asks, “Sir Murtoa?”

The armored being shakes his head one last time and seems fully stable, saying in a strange, unnaturally deep tone, “I didn’t knight myself.”

As the others stare at him, a snicker comes out of the helmet, a sound no one alive has ever heard Murtoa make.

Suddenly, the odd-behaving warrior spots Lykha and says, “OH! Lykha! There you are!” The humanoid figure inspects Murtoa’s body, pivoting as his helmet looks around at his legs and lower body, his hands, and the others around him. “Heeheehee! I feel tall!”

“Rui-Buri?” asks Lykha cautiously.

‘Murtoa’ whirls and faces her again. The human warrior’s body salutes, taking a strangely… femenine posture. “That’s me! I can’t believe I’m really here! I feel so cool. So edgy. SO mysterious.” Rui-Buri, inhabiting the warrior’s body, strikes another pose, attempting to exemplify the last point.

The other four in the cockpit glance at each other awkwardly.

***