Snow fell on our path ahead of us, but Nana continued forward. Trying to read her was truly difficult. She had to be testing me, something I knew I had to realize at some point.

"Looking at me and not the path ahead is one way to lose your head randomly." Speaking from experience, she doesn't show a hint of exaggeration.

"I tend to read people sometimes. You have been, by far, the most complex person I have met. Showing little to no signs of a clear motivation. I wonder if you are just joining for the kicks. If you are wondering if my goal is to save or recover them, at least it is true."

"Julia has told me much about you. I know your achievements. A Shadow Hunter is a mighty fine beast." Her speech is less sophisticated and simpler. She radiates a specific type of aura that makes her seem like a wild one.

"Why did you become Guild Master? By the way you act and present yourself, it highly is unlikely you to be someone that high in the system."

"Look at you, using big words. Sadly, big words won't kill your opponent. I live for the thrill, the blood, and the reward."

"Spoken like a true adventurer. Or a complete nutjob." Her ears twitch a bit before she grows serious.

"I didn't really choose to be someone like that. I love going on quests, but I also have to stand up for those under me now. Let's leave it at that. Pry further, and I don't care you are a Lord; I'll be sure to shut you up for good." Her grayish-white tail wiggles back and forth as she walks.

"Hmph, I didn't choose to be a Lord of Saiana. I didn't even want to be a noble. But here we are, two peas in a pod." A small but noticeable grin spread across her face. A small sign of affection through our shared experiences sneaked out in our conversations.

After a long night's travel, Nana motioned for camp. It wouldn't be wise to continue this late without rest and filling ourselves. I took care of the fire while she took the chance to catch anything so we could eat a healthy meal. After a few attempts at the fire, I get a spark to light the kindling, creating a warm fire. Around the same time, Nana returns with a couple rabbits and bird eggs.

"You know how to cook?" I ask her.

"Wasn't my forte. I had days of eating raw animals. Not bad, should really give it a try."

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"I think I'll pass for now."

"Heh, you'll find out the hard way then."

"Sureee. Just give me the morsels."

"I'll keep looking out until the food is ready. Don't want to gather any attention or trouble." Unsheathing her massive blade off her back, she shouldered it and began to patrol around the area. Using her beast features, night vision was a common trait of many. Her eyes glistened in the moonlight as she scanned across the trees.

Gathering the ingredients and a pot, I began to brew up a simple rabbit stew with fried eggs as a topping. The smell of the meat was intoxicating. Bits of drool worked their way down my chin. A quick mixture of salt and ground pepper with cheese was added to the eggs, making for a nice texture and thickness. The stew soon finished, and I quickly grabbed two bowls from my pack. Filling them with the contents of rich stew and specialized eggs. The smell must have attracted Nana from her patrol as she couldn't help but lick her hand, trying to contain her primal instinct to eat.

"Damn, I want you to work as a chief in the Guild with that. Our cook lacks that special creativity, I am afraid." Nana's eyes sparkle by the steamy stew placed in front of her. Resisting the urge to eat the entire meal in one sitting, she patiently waits for the eggs. "What is this? I've never seen such a creation."

"It is just eggs fried in a pan with melted cheese. Simple really. Gives it that extra kick." Taking some knowledge of cooking, I have done in the past, it wasn't my best effort, but during the middle of a snowy wilderness and the threat of danger, it was a well-earned meal.

With a quick gesture from Nana that was both a thank you and maybe a concerning curse in her language? Regardless, she was more than happy to feast upon it. However, mere moments after finishing our first bowls and starting the next, Nana began to slow down. The simple but sudden shift catches my attention. I stop momentarily to speak, but her eyes shoot toward me in an intimidating glare. I froze up, wondering what was wrong. Until the feeling of my danger sense started to tickle the back of my neck. Without a doubt, at least a single troupe of goblins were waiting to ambush us when we least expected it. Either it was the fire or the smell of my cooking; they had spotted us some time ago. Blending effortlessly into the foliage, their piercing yellow eyes just barely take image.

"You'll have to show me some of your cooking later. I would love to have this again."

"Well, if we make it back, we can celebrate.

"Hmph. I'll show you something to really celebrate about. And it isn't something you can do just in town!" With a shout, she slams the bowl in her hand into the face of an unsuspecting goblin. The creature screeches in pain at the hot stew and falls onto its back, squirming in pain.

Having enough time to wipe its eyes, it watches as the ripped beast woman grabs her giant blade, twirls it in her hand, and chops the creature down the middle. Its blood splatters the pale white snow. Its entrails and brains splatter across the remains. The rest of the ambush all react to the sudden discovery and watch as Nana flips her blade over her shoulder. The dripping of the inky red blood across her blade highlights the terrifying image of Guild Master Nana Xei...