A few days and nights pass by. Two of the three groups had returned with their quests completed. Holding a special celebration for their accomplishments and moving to Silver Rank. I took the time to give them my praise and congratulations. Waiting in the Guild Hall like before, I am approached by the Phantom Blades, except Gale. Each one takes a seat next to me.

"Where's Gale?" I ask. They look at each other and nod before Lukia speaks up.

"None of us know. I guess he has been wandering the town drunk for several days. It seems he has realized many of his issues from what you said before."

"Yeah, his spirit has been shattered. He isn't the same man I knew." Herk drops his head after speaking.

"We don't have our leader, so it's been hard to focus any efforts on the party. Seemingly, you are training the next generation of this town's adventurers. At this rate, they won't need the Phantom Blades anymore." Ivian stressed his concerns on his sleeves before speaking. His brow dirty with sweat in dirt.

"Even with his one eye, Gale still is formidable. Yet, hearing about his sister by you must have caused him to question his entire mental state. I wonder if he will ever return." Yann spoke up for once. It was soft and quiet. I had nothing but a group of friends worried about their own. A long sigh escapes my lips.

"It was good that he learned the truth. I think it would have consumed him further if he let his hatred for me and others like me to continue on blindly. If he quits, he quits, you can't stop him. I'd rather have him stay as the leader of his party, but sometimes moving on is to rid yourself of other parts." They each take a turn to think over the possibilities. A silent conclusion is agreed upon them.

"We all agree that the Phantom Blades aren't going to be the same either way. So, we were hoping if you would like to... Lead us, Caleb. None of us have what it takes to be a leader of a party such as ours. We would make too many mistakes and get each other killed, and that is a nightmare we wish to avoid. So, if we had you-" Lukia grasps my hand and speaks with full conviction.

"I refuse," I say bluntly.

"What? But don't you ever think you could-"

"I can't replace Gale. Hell, I don't even think I could get close to matching him and his tenacity for you guys. I just can't. If I were the leader of the Phantom Blades, I would run you guys into the ground, trust me." I get up from my seat, hands on the table, letting my voice in their ears. "Besides... I still have a lot to learn about myself anyway."

There is a sudden sound of the door of the Guild Hall kicking open. Stumbling into view, Gale approaches the table, extremely intoxicated with a large bottle in hand. It caught us all by surprise. Hitting a couple of chairs, Julia attempts to run to him, but I place my hand up to stop her actions.

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"Gale? What are you doing here?" I say, trying to examine him.

"You told.. mur to losh forsh you..." Slurring his words, I barely piece what he is trying to say.

"I did."

"Now I am hersh to talshk."

"If you want to talk, put down the bottle and sober up a bit, then I will."

"Com ons... I gost to talk nowsh.."

"Lukia, Julia, can you ensure Gale gets some rest tonight? He is not himself and needs rest."

"Sure thing..." Lukia steps up to Gale. He reacts by flailing his hand before himself, pushing her away.

"Get away from me..! I dosh need yourss... hup... I just need to speesh to Calbos..." Before he could continue, I started walking toward him without him realizing it. I barely push him, which causes him to fall over on a table. He slowly gets up and turns his view to me. "Why's you do dat..?"

"Look, you're drunk, Gale. If you want to talk to me, like I said, do it while you are sober. I'll leave him to you guys." Turning my back against Gale, I exit the Guild Hall. Julia follows behind me, expressing she will watch over him. I reach outside in the cold snow and head home.

"Hey! You better not walks awayysh" Following after me, Gale pushes past his friends and past Julia and places his hand on my shoulder. Without hesitation, I give him a punch to the jaw. Dropping him down to the ground instantly and barely conscious. My punch did more than it should have since he was drunk. "Oshh! Why you do dat..! You want a fight..! I'llsh give it to ya..!" Gale falls over and barely stays awake as he can't even reach his feet.

"One of you bring a bucket of the coldest water you can find."

"What for?" Lukia asks.

"It will sober him up real quick. I need to see how he wants to handle this now. If he wants to fight, I will give it to him." Without question, Lukia goes and finds a bucket of ice-cold water. She runs back with it.

"Are you going to fight him for real?"

"That is his decision if he so chooses. I'll teach him a lesson in that case."

Lukia splashes the water over Gale's face and chest. The water beyond freezing causes him to shoot straight up in a mad panic. He shoots up, shivering and wiping his face off the water.

"What the fuck!" Gale shouts and stampers around in a fit. Shaking himself awake, he turns his attention toward me. "You..."

"Gale, this behavior isn't you. I can tell you have a lot of things still left on your shoulders. I'll allow you to get it all off right now." I unsheathe my sword. The blade glistens in the moonlight. "If you are up for it."

"You know, I am." Gale finds his longsword to his side and draws the blade. Holding it steady, despite being cold from the water, Gale looks focused.

"You want me to close one of my eyes? Make it a fair fight?" I mock him.

"Do what you want, I don't care. Just don't think you let me win by doing that."

"Fair enough."

"Gale! Caleb! Why do you have to fight?" Lukia asks while holding herself back from interfering. The rest of the party shares the same feeling.

"This is something he needs to do. As long as I live, he won't forgive what happened to his sister despite knowing the truth. Trust me when I say I won't kill him." I grip my sword firmly.

"Time to end this..." As he holds his sword closely, Frost begins to form on Gale's face and hair. Ready to strike the first moment he gets, a duel between each of us to prove something. I don't intend to hold back regardless; he wouldn't do the same to me...