Fern wandered through town, skipping and laughing, making funny faces at the people who shot her the usual looks of annoyance. She stopped in front of the cantina and, with a shove, pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Gurtrand raised an eyebrow at the sound of the creaking door. "It's 9 a.m. I’m not serving ale at this hour," he muttered before turning to look at her. His expression immediately shifted into a smirk. "Oh look, it’s the little she-devil. What do you want?"

Fern shot him a glare. "I was just coming to see—" Her voice trailed off as a blush crept onto her face.

Gurtrand let out a chuckle. "Ah, so you're looking for the boy from yesterday, huh?"

Fern’s face glowed bright red. "Shut up! I didn’t say that!"

Gurtrand grinned. "You didn’t need to."

Fern turned her back to him. "Yeah… well, have you seen him?"

"Nope. Maybe he’s still sleeping," Gurtrand replied, the damp cloth in his hand squeaking as he wiped down the polished bar.

Fern looked down at her feet, disappointment sinking into her posture.

Gurtrand sighed, feeling a pang of sympathy for the girl. "They were headed to Agnar’s."

Fern bolted for the door. "Thanks, Gurty!"

Gurtrand’s expression instantly soured. "Hey, you little brat—don’t call me that!"

But she was already gone, the door slamming shut behind her as she raced down the street toward Agnar’s house. Halfway there, she paused, her stomach twisting. Wait… did he say Agnar’s? A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead as she recalled all the times the old man had spanked her for causing trouble. Why would they go to that grouchy old fart’s house?

Still, she was determined to find Tyr, so she pressed on.

When she arrived, her excitement turned to shock. The area around Agnar’s home was in ruins. Her heart pounded. What the hell happened here? Swallowing hard, she stepped toward the splintered doorway, nerves gnawing at her insides. The destruction continued inside. They must have really pissed the old man off…

A dark presence loomed behind her.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Slowly, she forced herself to turn around.

Agnar’s voice rang out in a commanding tone. "So, you think you can just walk into people's homes?"

Fern froze, terror gripping her. "N-No!" she stammered, sweat forming on her brow.

Agnar’s deep voice boomed again. "Then why have you wandered into my home without permission?"

Fern let out a small squeak. "I was looking for someone! Please don’t spank me, I’m sorry!"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Agnar let out a loud, bellowing laugh. "You have a crush on Tyr, eh?"

Fern’s face burned. "Shut up! It’s not like that!"

Agnar’s laughter died as he suddenly narrowed his eyes. "What did you just say to me?"

Fern flinched. "N-Nothing!"

He smirked but let it go. "Relax. He’s not here. Ran out earlier. Had to tell him some hard truths… didn’t take it well." He stepped aside. "Feel free to look for him, but don’t get all bent out of shape if he doesn’t want to talk to you."

Fern nodded. "Thanks, old man," she mumbled before running out the door in search of Tyr.

She scoured the town for hours—checking alleys, shops, and the marketplace, even peering through windows, much to the annoyance of the townspeople. Frustrated, she arrived at the front gate, kicking a rock. "Where the hell could he be?!"

The rock sailed through the air and struck a knight sitting at the entrance.

"Ow! What the—who threw that?!" Rickard turned toward her, scowling. "Goddammit, Fern. I should've known. You that bored you're throwing rocks at guards now?"

Still annoyed, Fern snapped back, "Yeah, well, maybe you shouldn’t have been sitting there, dummy!"

Rickard stood, rolling his shoulders. "Oh, you little—" He paused, then squinted at her. "Wait, what are you doing here anyway?"

Fern crossed her arms. "I’m looking for someone! A boy! He said he was gonna play with me."

Rickard scratched his chin before smirking. "So Fern has a crush on a boy."

Her face went red again. "Shut up! Why does everyone keep saying that?!"

Chuckling, Rickard shrugged. "Saw Tyr run past this morning. Looked like he was in a hurry. No clue where he went, though. Hasn’t come back since."

Fern’s eyes lit up. Without another word, she bolted down the dirt path leading out of town. After searching the fields, she spotted a lone tree in the distance, standing tall amid golden wheat grass.

She trudged through the field, muttering, "I’m gonna kill him when I find him."

Under the tree, she saw him. Tyr sat slumped against the trunk, his shoulders heavy with sorrow, eyes empty and lost.

Ignoring his sorry state, she stomped toward him. "Hey! Get up, you meanie!"

Tyr lazily lifted his head. His tired eyes met hers before he sighed and looked away. "Oh… it’s you."

Fern’s irritation flared. "You’re such a jerk!" She kicked him in the leg. "You said you were gonna play with me!"

Tyr winced. "Ow… I don’t feel like playing. I just want to go home."

Fern’s anger faded into curiosity. "Yeah? Then why don’t you?"

His head hung lower as he sniffled. "Because my home is gone. Raina is gone… and I can never go back."

Fern knelt beside him, something inside her softening. "Did something happen to your home?"

Tyr wiped at his eyes. "Agnar told me… I died. And was resurrected in this world."

Fern let out a surprised laugh. "That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard!" But when she saw the pain in his eyes, her laughter faded. "Oh. You’re serious. Well… what does that old dummy know anyway?"

Tyr frowned. "He told me the truth. I’ve felt it for a while now. Something’s been different."

Fern sat beside him, voice softer now. "I used to come to this tree whenever I felt sad. I always thought it understood how I felt." She ran her fingers through the wheat. "It grew in a place it didn’t belong. Isolated. Alone. But it never gave up. It kept growing until it stood strong."

Tyr looked at her, her words stirring something inside him. "I made a promise to Raina… that we’d never stop fighting so we wouldn’t be alone again."

Fern smiled. "I don’t know Raina, but she sounds special."

Tyr nodded. "She was there for me after my parents were killed."

Fern squeezed his hand. "Maybe she wanted you to make that promise to yourself. She wanted you to keep fighting. Just like I would."

Tyr’s heart pounded. She’s right. Raina would want me to fight… I won’t be alone.

A small smile returned to his face. "Thanks, Fern."

Before she could react, he hugged her tightly. Her face burned. "I-I—Yeah, you’re welcome!" Overwhelmed, she shoved him away. "Let go of me!"

Tyr laughed. "I just wanted to say thanks!"

She turned away, cheeks flushed. "You just… surprised me."

Tyr stood, brushing off dirt. "I need to get back to Agnar."

Fern pouted. "But you promised to play with me!"

"I will. After I talk to Agnar."

"Fine! But I’m coming with you. No escaping!"

Tyr grinned. "Let’s go."

Together, they ran back toward town, leaving the lone tree standing firm behind them.