Jin had been holding on for a long time not to tell anyone about what was happening to him inside his own mind. Even his own brother did not know what was happening to him. What he was truly dealing with.

But he needed to ask.

“Vendrick, have you ever seen someone with red eyes? Maybe a girl? ”

Looking sideways after hearing that question worried that his brother had been heard. As if he had asked a forbidden question. With his hand on his brother's shirt, he pulled Jin into an empty alley.

Vendrick looked at his brother with an astonished expression. His yellow eyes widened.

"Tell me what happened."

“Huh? Have you heard of her before?”

“Well by your description alone…” Vendrick looked around as if still worried about anyone else listening to their conversation. “It narrows it down. By a lot. ”

"Jin you realize that these days there aren't many people out there with red eyes walking around."

"That’s my point, so where did you hear about her before?" Asked Jin. "Do you know her name?"

Vendrick looked at his younger brother with a thoughtful expression. That was a grimace that Jin saw quite often. Especially when they received strangers in their village.

In the absence of his father Alaric, it was generally Vendrick who took the reins in the village. And with that, that thoughtful expression was usually the one he used with strangers.

But for the first time, that same face was now being used against him. As if in Vendrick's eyes, he could not be trusted with the absolute truth. And with that look, he pondered what should be filtered out of his vast knowledge.

As if he wasn't worthy of the truth in its most absolute form. And despite this situation deeply irritating Jin, it was not as if Jin could confront his brother about a mere expression of faces.

This was neither the place nor the time for such a conversation.

“Strictly speaking I don't know her name myself. But I have a place in mind where you may find the answer you seek. ”

Jin slightly clenched his wrists, trying to deal with the endless curiosity that just now had peaked. Internalizing the impatience that grew inside him, the frustration was clearly there.

It had been almost twenty-four hours since he had made a contract with the girl and he still didn't know what was different about himself. He didn't know if he had any new supernatural powers or any new abilities.

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How hard was it to find out that damn girl's name?

“Sure you may be having dreams with her a few times. But would it really change anything? ”

"Yes, it would."

"Knowing her name would change everything."

Vendrick frowned at his brother's reaction.

Names were praised and adored by warriors who used supernatural powers. The elemental warriors used prayers that invoked the influence of the nine gods. Requests for strength were granted, as long as you knew the name of the deity you were worshipping.

“In that case… After our mission in Ferri Village, you can look for more information inside the library. Listen dear brother, outside of me, do not mention your visions. Not even to your group, or the Sages."

"I was not planning on it."

"Then keep it that way."

"I should head there now."

"You can't, we were all tasked with this contract by the High Elders."

"I don’t really care about the mission they gave us." Stated Jin as he unsheathed his sword, escalating the situation. "I have my own task to accomplish."

"You'll get your reward in time."

Jin couldn't contain the anxiety inside him. He couldn't wait to find out who that girl with the red eyes was. Of course, they had already kissed in the dream world. But discovering the name of the owner of those lips generated a whole new meaning for him. A whole new level of intimacy was on the horizon. And the fact that he found out more about her made his heart beat faster, more slightly. A feeling that in a way made Jin feel different. And according to what Jin knew, these feelings had nothing to do with the elemental gods or their shared goal. It was all about her.

It made Jin feel alive, however much he wanted to deny it.

Suddenly familiar voices echoed from the rear of the two boys. And as a shock of surprise, he resumed the rationality that had briefly escaped his control. Hovering in the air was the delicious smell of chocolate cake. Such a fragrance stole the boys' attention completely.

"There they are!" Said Eliza.

“It’s been two hours already! Time to head out to Ferri Village!”

Organizing all preparations quickly on horses and backpacks. Everything was prepared for the trip. Viktoria made sure to take everything you needed for a medical emergency. While Eliza had made enough chocolate cakes to feed an army for an entire week. Jin and Tristan on the other hand, were already sneakily attacking the chocolate cakes before the trip even started.

The group shared a very captivating mood and energy. Even for those who did not know a group they could see from a distance that they got along very well. Interacting in ways that lifted the spirits of others, almost subconsciously.

And it is said that when people have fun, time passes quickly. That had been the case for Jin. That even though he couldn't stop thinking about the red-eyed girl, he could still be distracted by the company of those of his adventurous colleagues. Days and nights went by without him noticing. Going through the motions, day by day. Things went by faster than he realized. And when Jin noticed the group had already reached its destination. They were in the public center of Ferri Village.

Vendrick took the lead and announced to the other four.

“This village is way more crowded than I expected. Let’s split up and talk to the locals. See if we can gather some information on what we’re dealing with here. ”

"Eliza and Viktoria can follow my lead," Supplied Tristan, his chin up and index finger pointed up at the sky.

Vendrick nodded.

"What about us?" Asked Jin to his older brother.

"We’ll both head over there." Pointed Vendrick at a saloon in the center of the city.

If anything was going on in that village, that saloon would be the right place where answers could be obtained. The problem with these places is that they tend to attract all kinds of visitors. And that includes stupid people looking for trouble.

And for those kinds of interactions, Jin was not in the mood for.