On another day on their rag-tag team-ups adventure, Jace woke up early, well before the others, and quietly crept into the waiting woods. This was their final day of travel, if not for Jace's recommendation they likely would have reached the settlement during the night, but in this field, they all understood the dangers of the night. His separation from the group was routine, he needed the space.

Jace knew how likely it was he'd run into Alkir again, and he knew that his appearance would make Alkir understandably angry. But still, the course of events made it necessary, and now, he realized that perhaps, he was mistaken. Maybe he should have stayed, but whether that was the right call didn't matter, it was done, and this was now. His one grievance was the goddamned reminders. They will not leave his head, no matter how much effort he put to forget them. Couldn't forget him.

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"Jace! Behind us!" A blur of grey flew past a pair of figures, silhouetted against the contrasting river of fire's light before them. The object clipped the taller one's leg, sending him sprawling across the rocky bank. "Jace!" The larger one tried to speak, tried to move, yet the force of the blow left him stunned and gasping for air...

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Get out of my fucking head! It wasn't my fault! He knew, above all else, that everyone around him can, would, and has suffered, and will eventually die. He'd accepted this, so why. why can't I deal with it?!

Still, bothered after all this time? Jace sighed, sending a lingering glance skyward.

Of course, I am... being around Alkir is making it worse, I'm not sure how much longer I can take this. The pain split his head apart each time he remembered, whether he was triggered or it randomly occurred, not only did he have to deal with the emotional pain, but the added incapacitation as well.

You understand it isn't your fault. This world isn't easy to live in, it isn't safe, they took the risk willingly, and you've done nothing wrong. The soothing voice in his metaphorical ear sounded truly sympathetic, and it did little to ease Jace's distress, just the same as the other countless times she spoke to him.

Yeah, I get it, but all the same, I failed him, and that isn't something I should forget, what I don't want is to have that damned event play out every day!

I am truly sorry, but this is a problem only you can solve. Jace sighed heavily.

Yeah, I know, thanks for the words... Now tell me, why did you reach out to me?

What, I can't just be friendly? He snorted. Fine, fine. There's another Incarnate, perhaps you can find self-forgiveness and test your theory this way, yes?

Good lords, another? This is shaping up to be quite an era huh?

Indeed, now, they'll be manifesting about seventeen miles south of you, lucky for you that's on the way, right? Jace mulled it over, running some calculations in his head.

Yeah... we should be able to pick 'em' up and make it inside the border on the same day, how long until they manifest?

About 12 hours, so you best get the others up and moving, no time to waste. Jace agreed, their pace would be a bit tighter than before, but they'd make it, it was getting to the borders from there he was skeptical. Without conversing further Jace headed back to the minimal camp, now with another distractor on his mind.

He arrived at the small clearing to see the other two already awake, Alkir was just finishing up packing their gear, while Nell wrote in that book of his. Didn't think I was gone that long. "Are you all ready? We'll have to take a slight detour."

"What do you mean, detour?" Alkir rose from his squat turning to squarely face Jace.

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"Astrinar has just informed me of another Incarnation. I at the least will need to be around when the manifestation occurs, so I can either meet you both at the border or you can accompany me, it's your call. Either way, we'll make it to the city." Jace looked towards the area that was his tent earlier, seeing a neatly packed bag in its place. He smiled to himself. Perhaps he doesn't hate me as much. He hoisted the pack up and tightened its waist strap, slipping on the shoulder straps after that. Nell glanced up, his book was gone, presumably back in his small pack, and he looked intrigued.

"Well hell, I'm not missing that, count me in!" Jace was glad he had taken to the idea of Incarnation and the like so readily, it made the trip much easier, truly. Alkir sighed and looked at the ground, Jace however didn't notice the look of curiosity on his face as well. It's not like one gets a chance to see this very often, aside from me.

"Well then, you coming along?" Alkir reluctantly nodded. "Perfect, let's get moving, it'll take till the early evening to reach the spot, so let's get to it!" He laced some pep in his step and began walking, leading the others off the vague trail they'd been following and into the true wilderness, though only slightly, at times they crossed paths with the trodden dirt, in all truth, it took nearly six hours before deviation occurred. And a further five or so after that. Just as she said. Perfect.

"Right then, here we are." Both his companions look weary.

"There's nothing here." It was true, the patch of woods they were in was completely plain, and nothing made it any different from the trees they were in before.

"Ah, yeah, just wait, should be any moment now."A gust of wind rustled the leaves, the bushes and grass through the forest shifted, and a slight pressure settled into the space around them. "Any moment..." The greens and browns of a clump of trunks before the trio began to shift, an unnatural swirl of hues bending in front of their eyes. And, now. the bubble rapidly swelled, further distorting the path of light, expanding to the size of the trio itself, then without a sound collapsing in on itself, leaving behind a bewildered figure, clad in a maroon shirt and strange blue pants. The Incarnation arrived, right on schedule as always.

"Good afternoon, or rather evening, I am Jace, hopefully, you've already been made aware of my presence and purpose." Jace performed a low bow, his compatriots remained standing, one seemingly indifferent, the other star-struck at the scene before him.

"No shit, It's real. Holy..." The stranger looked around their immediate surroundings, taking in the sights. "Not going to lie, this is a lot more, normal, than I was expecting."

"Ha, yes I guess you could say that, our worlds aren't all that different in this regard." Jace took their moment of wonder to examine them a tad further. They looked to be about 17, by Jace's estimate, with a couple of years of variance, a girl, a pale complexion, and shoulder-length brown hair. "Well, might I ask, what's your name?"

Alkir spoke up at this. "It doesn't have to be your old name, just figured I'd let you know that."

She looked at him at that tidbit. "Old name? Oh, from the other world? Makes sense, let's see..." She thought for a moment, giving Jace some time to scout their near area for threats. "How about Agni?" She looked expectantly at the trio.

"Well, it's your name, so if it's what you want, then that's what it shall be." He gave a reassuring small, Nell remained silent, and Alkir nodded.

"So, about this guide business, if you're the guide then who are those two?" Agni gestured to the pair behind Jace, who turned, nodded, then faced her again.

"Well now, we are on a bit of a, well, a quest is what you could call it. I'd like to think of it as a perfect learning opportunity." Jace was truly putting as much optimism into his mind and words as he could. I'm trusting your judgment, don't make me regret that. He could only hope it was the right choice. Alkir nodded and waved, while Nell gave a slight hand raise of acknowledgment.

"Ooh, so what? Fight a demon lord? Reclaiming lost artifacts and weapons? Saving the world!?"

Ah, this brings me back to Alkir's Incarnation. He smiled at the pleasant memories, quickly addressing the eager girl. "Well, saving more like some small towns, not so much the world. Right now we're on our way to one nearby, speaking of which we might want to get going, got to be there before night and all."

She stepped forward and nodded her understanding. "Yeah, of course, can't be standing in the woods forever. Lead the way!" Alkir nodded and set back off, Alkir and Agni hot on his heels, with Nell trailing a little bit after.

"So, you're actually from another world!?"

On their several-hour hike to society, Nell shot dozens of questions, which Agni answered in stride, returning right back with her own about this world. The two seemed to get along, which was good for Jace, the less friction their group had the better, especially since Agni would likely have to join them for this quest. Ulisar, I won't let that happen again. He grimaced, hidden from the other's view he indulged in some moderate emotional distress, righting his expression as the trees slightly thinned.

"Alright, pipe down now, we are about to come into view, make sure your hands are visible." Jace looked over his shoulder, Alkir splayed his hands out slightly, palms up, while both Nell and Agni were hesitantly following his lead.

"Why? are they gonna shoot us?"

"Not if we make sure they know we are friends, this settlement deals with a lot more trouble than us three's home does, so they have to be cautious and all." Agni nodded at his words, more confidently holding her hands in view, Nell was still hesitant, yet doing it all the same. Ah, so it begins, right, Astrinar? Jace lead the makeshift party out of the wood, and towards a stone wall, significantly smaller than that of Rueka's, yet no less formidable, and towards the heavily fortified and closed gate, hands in their air.