“Seems like we just missed it.” Woody informed the group as we emerged onto the barren battlefield. Large smoldering craters marked the land. Bits of wood and stone were thrown all around, yet the group just casually walked through it.

“What caused this kind of damage?” I asked, sliding in and out a man sized deep hole. “Did someone drop some bombs or something?” Troy yanked me out of the crater by the rope.

“From the looks of it, there might have been a wild herd of angry Tocotoco.” Yavis said as he picked up a few green and red colored feathers from the debris.

“Are you saying a Pal, one of those magical creatures caused this?” I motioned to the scattered mess of holes in the area, there were many. “Did they just blow this place up before leaving?” I tried to understand what was possible.

“They are literally, a walking living bomb.” Yavis replied. He bent down to pick up a small paper wrapped pouch. “See, they dropped some feathers and gunpowder.” He held up the items for me to examine.

“What do you mean, they dropped some gunpowder?” I stared at Yavis, hoping he was just joking. I opened the small paper pouch, it was filled with a fine sparkly black powder. “You got this, from a dead Pal?” I questioned him.

“What’s so weird about that?” Troy moved me along with a shove from behind. “Didn’t you see someone drop a sphere?” He reminded me of my misadventures.

“I thought I was corrupted, that actually happened?” I gave him a worried look.

“You think that’s weird, look there.” Woody stopped us, so I could turn and view the battle torn field we just hiked through.

“What are y-... is it-...? I’m at a loss for words at the spectacle unfolding before my eyes. Tendrils made of pure liquid light spring from the ground. They touch upon the damaged land, before the land itself melts and molds to heal itself. The evidence of any battle or explosion, got in moments. The light fades from existence, leaving you with many more questions. “What?” Was all I could manage.

“The land doesn’t like to be changed.” Woody chuckled. “Enough sightseeing, we need to regroup.” He gets us moving again.

“Have you never seen something like that?” Ivy bumped my shoulder, getting me out of my stupor.

“Uh, no.” I just answered, still a bit shocked at the sight. “So, that always happens?” I try to ask.

“Only when enough of the landscape changes, otherwise it is not as showy.” Ivy waves back at the fixed area.

“Does that mean, all corpses just vanish while leaving some kind of item behind? What I witnessed was real?” I looked down at my hands. “Does that mean if I die-” Troy slapped my back with some force.

“Enough of that. Simple answer, yes, happens to every living being on these islands.” He gave me a blunt answer. “Now hurry it up, the sun is setting and I can smell the cooking fires from here.” His stomach echoed his statement.

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“It does smell delightful.” I took a sniff as we hustled down the pathways that were already mended. We crested a small ridge as I got to see a small little rack shack survivors camp. There were quite a few more buildings and people than I was expecting. “How many are there?” I asked while Woody untied my ropes.

“Our Guild is small, with only about 8 of us.” He answers matter of factly. “Oh, you mean the survivors? Not really sure, this is just a camping post. It’s only really active around wrecker season.” He undid all the ropes, except the one tied to Troy.

“Seriously, babysitting?” Troy lifted up the rope while complaining to Woody.

“Just until we get him checked.” Woody shut him down with a stern glare.

“Fine, come on, I’m starving!” A hangry Troy tugged me along down the glent slopes, through the small settlement.

“What’s wrecker season?” I ask Troy, after quickening my pace, to keep up with the big guy’s hungry walk.

“Every year, there is a week where strangers from the outer world wash up along the shores.” Troy’s eyes are deadlocked onto a steaming large cauldron, which has a delicious aroma coming from it. “Two.” He pointed to me while talking to the cook, after getting a nod, he pulled me over to some stone seats.

“So some of these people might be from my boat?” I look around at the larger gathering of assorted people.

“Impossible, only one survivor can make it here from their wreck.” An older man who was walking by, shouted at me before huffing away.

“We don’t know why, but that’s what happens.” Troy’s sight never left the cooking pot.

“So, you crashed here then?” I ask him.

“No, parents did. Finally! Food.” Troy beamed in delight as two large bowls of hot food were handed to us.

“So what is this?” I swirl the soup with mysterious ingredients while sniffing it. “Smells like chicken.” I looked over at Troy, the big man was already halfway finished with his bowl.

“It’s Chikipi Soup, just eat it.” Troy managed to say in between bites.

“Why not.” I dip my spoon in, pulling out a nice chunky bit of meat. I shoved it into my mouth, my eyes popped instantly. “Holy shit.” I devoured the rest of the soup with haste.

“Good?” Troy chuckled, while handing his bowl back to the waitress, asking for another.

“Mmhh.” I just nod with a mouth full. I let out a sigh of relief after swallowing. “I feel alive again.” I turn my head around, taking in the sights, when I freeze. “Uh, question. What if, there just so happens to be two wreckers, from the same ship?” I try to casually turn my head back to Troy, who was indulging himself in another helping.

“That would be a big problem. Why are you asking?” Troy sets down his spoon, and looks at me with a serious look. “Did you see someone from your wreck?” His eyes narrowed dangerously.

“They looked alike, but that blue hair was an impossible color where I’m from.” I went back to eating my soup, under his watchful eye. “How many Pals do you have? I saw the others use a few, but not you Troy.” I pointed at him with my spoon, while I was eating.

“You can see them tomorrow, we should sleep while we can once it’s dark.” Troy looked up at the setting sun, it was sinking low now. The few mounted torches around the settlement gave us a little light, but the dark was slowly creeping in. “Let’s get you some sleeping gear.” He grunted, while getting up.