In a wild field, two people were arguing. One was a man in a tattered cloth. His face winced as a tear streaming down from the corner of his eye. The other was a woman dressed like a saint, holding a peculiar rock that resembled a human head.

“Aria, please don’t do that to Rocky. He hasn’t done anything wrong,” Rain cried.

“Yes, your friend is innocent, but everyone has a job to do,” Aria replied, grinning. “And his job now is to be a bait.”

“I will do it instead of him. Let him go, okay?” he pleaded.

“But you told me you can’t fight a monster,” she remarked.

“Ah, I’m telling you the truth. I’m weak, very weak. If I get hit, I’ll surely die!” he confessed. “Do you see that big boar over there? It’s at least two feet taller than me,” he pointed towards the field, where a large boar with black fur and bloodstained teeth stood, looking fierce.

“That’s why this job should pass to your friend,” she said, taking hold of the smaller version of Rocky that Rain had made, making it easier to carry during their travels. She poured some oil on it, an odoriferous oil that would attract monsters, and then threw out far away to the field.

“No, Aria! You’re so mean!” Rain cried as he ran after Rocky.

She smiled and said, “Ah, I really enjoy this. It’s a relief from all the stress, even better than having a good night’s sleep.”

Four hours before this happened.

“This is good,” Aria said as stretched herself arms. Last night, she had a good sleep. Her mood and mind felt clearer after a restful night.

As she left her camp, she noticed Ella sitting near the campfire, her head resting on her knee. She had fallen asleep during her night duty, but it was alright because the magic alarm was still working.

She approached the campfire, grabbed a mug, and filled it with hot water from a nearby kettle. Using her magic, she cooled the water slightly before sitting beside her. she gently touched Ella’s shoulder and said, “Ella, the sun is rising.”

She stirred and replied with a drowsy voice, “Ah... A-Aria, good morning.” Used her hands and cleared the hair from her face.

“Here, some water.” Aria gave Ella a mug of water.

She grabbed and said, “Um... so warm.” She took a sip, smiled at Aria, and asked, “Did you have a good sleep?”

She softly replied, “Yes, a good one.”

“Um... good, Can I rest too?” she asked.

Aria Nodded for her.

Her mouth lifted a little. She moved sat closer to Aria, arm to arm, then rested her head on Aria shoulder. adjusting it in comfort.

“Aria... So warm,” she murmured, as she relaxed her body and placed the mug closer to herself, enjoying the warmth from both sides.

The warming light of the sun drew nearer, creating a beautiful scene as its rays shone brightly, signaling the start of a new day.

—§—

Okay, I’m ready to go. Everything is packed and my comrade is ready too. I could see him from afar. He came alone, without bringing his imaginary friend. That’s good.

However, something about the Red Witch caught my attention. She was staring at a sachet with gleaming eyes. When she noticed me, she held it tight and moved closer to her body, as if she wanted to protect it like a treasure.

“Aria, I won’t give it back. You already gave it to me,” she said with a smile.

Ignoring her teasing, I spoke to everyone, “Let’s stick to the plan. We will reach Sun Rock in two days.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

As we traveled, the three saints took the lead, followed by the mage, and the man with tattered clothes walked at a distance. Despite his worn appearance, he always had a smile on his face, looking around and muttering to himself. The group journeyed through the forest towards a field surrounded by a river.

The sun was directly overhead, but we still had a long way to go before resting and setting up camp. The Red Witch slowed her pace to allow Rain to catch up. “What are you looking for?” she asked.

“I’m just looking around. Maybe I’ll find some good plants,” he replied.

“Oh, that’s great! I’ve tried a plant called Chupachupa. It tastes really good, sweet to the core. It’s a little green, but that’s it, the good one. Have you found anything similar?” she asked.

“That’s right! Like I said, it’s sweet and flavorful. As for your second question, yes, I’m looking for something like that, maybe something spicy this time,” he smiled.

“It’s a little surprising. Even though I have vast knowledge and know a lot about herbs and ingredients, I have to admit, I’m impressed with your knowledge of these little green things that live in the wild and are dangerous. Where did you learn all this? Did your former... I mean, your ex-dormitory taught you?” she asked, avoiding mentioning the prison.

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He noticed her concern and nodded before saying, “Yes, they have. But technically, I learned it by myself. You know, when winter came, everything depended on yourself. A smart person would persevere and save food for the long months of starving. But a smarter person would steal it from others. So... the bad thing always comes. There are no laws at all when the snow is falling,” he said with a sad face.

“And you are the smartest, right?” she asked, wanting the story to continue.

“No, not at all. I’m actually quite dumb. I didn’t have any food, they never gave me any. So I had to look for it and when I found some and was happy, there was always someone who needed it more than me. I would give it to them. I just wish they could have talked to me for another day,” he explained.

“That sounds hard. Isn’t there a jailer or judge there to enforce the law?” she wondered.

“No, the Holy Hand never touches us when winter comes. They also fear winter and leave when it arrives. They don’t bother about how we live. They open all the gates and let us be free... to the White Death,” he said with a darkening face. “Yes, when that winter takes hold, it doesn’t matter if you’re strong or timid. It doesn’t care at all. It always takes someone. One becomes two, two becomes ten, and ultimately, half of us, our friends and foes, lost to the cruel winter...”

Listened his story, Faye's eyebrow lift a little and said “But Rain, you survived and you’re alive. Isn’t that good enough?” looked closer into his eyes. “Still have a life that can tell the story, their story.”

They looked at each other.

His face softening. “Yes, that is good—enough. They also lived in my mind. Thank you, Faye.”

She giggled, relieving the tension in the air. “Oh, what about your rocky friend? Did you leave him alone in that cold forest? He’s going to get cold and sad.”

“Oh, you’re concerned about him, too? You already know how cute he is, don’t you? Hehe, don’t worry. He is coming with me too,” he replied.

Then he showed her a small rock decorated with vines, just like Rocky’s head. “Here, see? Even though he only has a tiny head, I made this one with special materials,” he said, caressing its hair with a smooth motion. He smiled and proudly presented it.

“This hair made with Goma Grass. I grind it, mixed it with vital cray, dried it under moonlight for six hours to make it soft with a smooth touch. I worked on it all night to ensure it met the desired aesthetic quality,” he proudly declared.

Thud! Aria held her walk step, turned her head to want to see what caused the disturbance. Horrified! She saw a mess of green hair attached to that stone, making it look like a cursed doll’s head. Even the Red Witch agreed, wearing an eerie expression on her face.

I have to destroy it, confirmed to the heart. That wicked thing needed to disappear. Otherwise bad luck will catch us all. This is unacceptable. Aria turned and continue walking.

“Have you not sleep to make this?” Red witch asked with dry smiled.

“Yes, he is my best friend, and I wanted him to be created with care and gentleness,” he replied earnestly.

“Okay, okay, good for you. But why does he have long hair? Is he modeled after... A-aria?”

Aria swiftly gazing back. How can I be that wicked thing? She sent her darkest, dangerous eye to make sure that he can sense it from afar.

The Red Witch noticed, but her expression remained unchanged.

In Opposite, Rain stayed farthest from the group. He still felling the cold sensation attacked him. As he tilted his head, his breath caught in his throat. Beautiful face but darkie eye stared at him. Not even use his Verity Eye, he knew blue mana waved at him, actually both he and his best friend.

“N-No, I didn’t intend for that. I just thought long hair meant beauty, right?” Rain nervously replied, his face covered in sweat. “Ah! Why are you asking me this, Faye? You also have long hair!” he protested.

The Red Witch smiled mischievously, like a child with a new toy. “Rain, even though I have long hair, it’s wavy,” she said, gently caressing her hair down to the tips. She continued with a sweet tone, “Ella has braids tied and styled with elegance. Only Aria has long, straight hair, just like that R-O-C-K-Y.”

Aria walking slowly at them, step by step.

Rain noticed. Nervously Looking left and right, his hand rubbed together, sweat make his hand moist.

Ahh!!

Never bother want happening Rain sat ducked his head stay in surrender position. “Spare us! For the name of The Great Rocky, we did nothing wrong.”

Aria swiftly turn back, looking for a way of coming sound. Saw Ella with a white dress but her shoe dumped in a pond of dirt. Contrary to that, the Eeon at her side stood on the surface, with no stains or dirt attached to him.

“I hate mud! It’s everywhere. My shoes were completely filled with it. Why is there so much dirt in this area? And it’s even stained my skirt, my dear skirt,” Ella said angrily.

“Control your mana, Ella. If you can stable it well, there’s no need to worry about this little dirt,” Eeon replied nonchalantly, showing no concern or willingness to help her.

Aria walked towards Ella and sent a magical energy towards her. “Ella, follow my lead,” the mana flowed and guided her as it continued to cover her shoes.

“Thank you, Aria,” she said gratefully, following the direction of Aria mana. The white mana flowed through her feet, erasing all the stains and mud. She lifted her foot out of the mud and could walk easily.

Aria gazed at a vast mud pool surrounded by green plants under the river.

“What happened, Aria? Is any wrong in this place?” Ella inquired while using her mana to clean her shoes.

“Why Mud pool in this time? It should be river along the way before the Fall,” I answered her question.

“This is a threat? Or something happen?” Ella asked.

“Actually, it’s a good thing,” Aria replied, unfolding the map and indicating the river symbol. then dragged her finger straight to the mountain. “We can take a shortcut and save the day.”

“But that is not in line with our direction and plan,” Eeon said with a determined look.

“Yes, but time is not the only benefit. On this tiny island, we can also find a boar and resupply our food, meat, and water,” pressed at the top of the tiny island on the map.

Eeon stiffened his shoulders. “This is not good at all, Aria. We have already prepared and calculated everything. We have prepared the food specifically for the timing and sequence of this period. We can re supplier at next stop point.”

“I agree with Aria! Eons. Have you grown tired of porridge lately? I’ve heard you always say that you’re ‘not good with soft food’. Wouldn’t it be nice to find something else to eat?” Ella said nonchalantly, showing no concern for his reaction.

He stared at Ella, but she remained unfazed, staring back at him without even blinking.

“I agree with Aria too. I’m so bored with eating grainy things,” the Red Witch chimed in with a smile.

Eeon cleared his throat and said, “Do as you please, Ella. This is your mission. Take responsibility for yourself if something goes wrong.”

Ella smiled and then hugged Aria's arm. “Okay, let’s go, Aria. Show us the way. Let’s hunt the boar!”

“Um, Ok.” Yes, let hunt the boar, she said, while planning something in her mind.

Meanwhile, everyone continued talking with each other, completely ignoring Rain, who was still crouched down, raising both hands to the sky, seeking forgiveness from the sun. “It’s just a hair. I just thought it looked beautiful on him, like it does on you,” he muttered, but no one paid him any attention, leaving him alone...