The creature roared, peering out from the ground, its skin was gray and covered in moss. Surrounding the beast were larger vines wrapped around its body, the vines embedded in its skin, like roots digging into soil. Yvette was standing a foot in front of the carriage gripping her sword tightly. The creature approached rapidly, Yvette lunged toward, priming a downward strike from above, but before she could come into contact with it something grabbed hold of her and her weapon.

“Wha-what the hell is this?” Yvette struggled, the coiled trees had unraveled and wrapped themselves around her, restricting her movements.

“Not good.” Shakell commented.

“What happened?” Yves responded.

“I told yer before didn't I? The Erdcowler uses the environment as an extension of its body, that's why all these trees grow so weird.” Shakell said, exhaling, Two slashes of wind flew towards the vines, cutting them in two and setting Yvette free. She grabbed her sword and fell to the ground to plan her next attack.

“You’re a dual elemental mage, on top of being an artificer?” Shakell exclaimed.

“I have all 4 elements actually.” Yves responded calmly.

“You never cease to amaze me boy!” Shakell chucked sitting back into the carriage. “Though I don't understand something.” Shakell’s tone suddenly turned serious.

“Hm?” Yves turned back to Shakell.

“If you're so powerful, why’d you make that girl go out there to fight that monster. An Erdcowler is nothing to take lightly, I mean they take at least a couple of S-class adventurers to handle, and even then that might be a stretch.” Shakell said seriously. Yves exhaled, untensing.

“Well, I figure the reason she wanted to fight the thing was a similar reason she was crying earlier. I don't think Yvette knows but she is very easy to read.” Yves smiled, turning back to the fight. “Also, Yvette isn't as weak as you think, in fact, she might even be stronger than me.”

“Hoh, I see, you place that girl in a high regard.” Shakell looks over at the fight to see Yvette walking back to the carriage, her clothes now stained in green blood.

“I thought I was going to go at it alone, Eve. You didn't have to help me.” Yvette said angrily.

“Really? How could you have escaped with your arm bound, huh?” Yves jokes. I don't see it. Shakell thinks. What could this girl possess that is more powerful than a quadra-element mage, one who crafted one of the most powerful artifacts on this planet? The two laugh in the background as Shakell stares, deep in thought.

“Are we going to get going old man? We don't have much time.” Yves said, snapping Shakell out of his trance.

“Ah, sorry, you caught me mid-thought.” Shakell apologized shifting to the front of the carriage, whipping the reins to start the horse. The three exited the kang woods to get back on the trail to Batheld.

“By the way, you said you were headed to Blommånen, correct?” Shakell questioned.

“Yeah, why, what happened?” Yves responded.

“Nothing, but if you want to go there, why are you coming with me to batheld?” Shakell continued.

“Oh, don’t worry, we have another means of travel, besides we have time to kill and I wanted to pick up a few things in the city.” Yves said calmly, laying back down.

“I see.” Shakell said, glancing back at Yvette for answers, which she responded with a shrug.

The carriage strolls down the path, eventually reaching the gate, which acts as an entrance for Batheld.

“State your name and business travelers.” A guard demands. Yves looks at Yvette who are both holding in a laugh.

“Names Shakell, I just came back down from a mining company east of here, right around Suldan, to pick up some materials for a few crafts I need to get done.” Shakell states. Holding out a small card and handing it to the guard. The guard looks over the card and carefully studies Shakell.

“Very well, Open the gate!” The guard shouted. “You two need to step out of the carriage and identify yourselves.”

“Wait, we're with him though.” Yves says calmly, pointing at Shakell.

“It doesn't matter kid, if you want to get it you have to identify yourself, or turn back.” The guard says sternly.

“Very well, it seems this is where we part ways. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.” Shakell bows, before boarding his carriage and taking off into the city.

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“What the hell, he’s abandoning us?” Yves exclaims, agitated.

“Sir.” Yvette says walking toward the guard. “I’m sure you can make an exception, just this one time. Pretty please?” Yvette pleads, staring the guard in the eyes.

“Ha- wha- well when you ask like that how- wait, no. No, my boss would kill me! Did you try to seduce me? You wench!” The guard asks, his face red in embarrassment as he raises his weapon.

“That sucks, maybe Mr. Mogul is sleeping today.” Yvette pouts.

“Or maybe you’re just not hot enough.” Yves sighs, shrugging. “It was worth a shot though, at least we know he’s not into underaged girls.”

“Rude? Who’s not hot enough?” Yvette yelled.

“Step aside, let me show you how a professional does it.” Yves smirked. “Sir…” Yves spoke softly, his face down. When he reached the guard, instead of speaking he raised his hand before punching the guard in the face, sending him flying through the steel gate, creating a human sized hole in the door. “Looks like the gate just opened up.” Yves smiled, looking back at Yvette.

“I thought we weren't going to use force on people, huh? What happened to that?” Yvette sighed.

“It's his fault really.” Yves said walking toward the hole, a crowd now formed due to all of the commotion.

“Right, he should’ve been into little girls.” Yvette said sarcastically following after him.

The two walked around the city looking at shops and whatever else was around.

“What do you need to get anyway?” Yvette asked, peering through a store window.

“I just need a map, like of this continent.” Yves said, looking around.

“Why? I thought you could teleport with just a map.” Yvette questioned, standing up and walking next to Yves.

“Yeah, I can't, that's not what I need the map for. It’s just useful to have, to kinda get an idea where we are.” Yves said, stopping and staring at a building. “I think that place might have one.” Yves pointed. The two walked into the store to be greeted by a lady behind the counter. The lady had elk-like antlers and elongated downturned ears and furry.

“Welcome to ‘Balbo’s Botany’! How can I help you?” The lady said, her furry ears wagging as she talked.

“Yeah, um, do you have a map?” Yves responded, approaching the counter.

“Yes! Um, our maps should be somewhere over there.” The lady spoke softly, her cheeks flushed.

“Okay.” Yves responded coldly, heading to the side of the store where she pointed.

“I have a question too.” Yvette said, mischievously.

“Oh um, I’m happy to help!” The lady turned away to look at Yvette with curiosity.

“What are you?” Yvette asked, rudely placing her hand on her chin and inspecting her antlers.

“Huh?” The lady paused, her ears stopped wagging as she froze in place.

“Okay this is all I need.” Yves interrupted, placing a piece of rolled up parchment and a couple coins on the counter.

“Oh okay! Thank you for shopping!” She said, startled, picking up a few coins and leaving the rest on the counter. Yves picked up the change and held the rolled parchment in the air, the parchment turning into a black mass and disappearing. The shopkeeper looked at the missing space in mystery.

“Okay we’re ready to go, and should be perfect timing too.” Yves said, looking down at Yvette, he grabbed her shoulder before they too turned into a dark void before completely disappearing, leaving the shopkeeper frozen in shock.

“What strange children.” The shopkeeper finally spoke, her stillness only interrupted by the bell on the entrance door. The cold is unbearable. Freezing gusts rage on, the snowstorm covering everything in the snow. The church bell rings once more.

“What's the situation? A man shouted, the double doors swung open to reveal a man standing at a circular table.

“It’s not looking good. Damn!” The man shouted, his face wrinkled in anger as he stamped his fist into the table. “An official declaration of war, from Yel.” The group that had just walked in were shocked.

“What?! We can’t negotiate or something?” A girl wearing pink armor spoke up, a pink rapier at her hip to match.

“Frill, you’re too young to understand, just go back to your room.” The man said, his head lowered and his hands clasped together as he sat at the end of the table. The rest of the people who entered took their seats.

“Wha- Are you serious Cad? I’m a hero too, it’s not fair that I'm the only one left out!” Frill responded angrily.

“Enough Frill, just go. And, please, Commander Cadence when we’re in the middle of a meeting.” Cadence spoke coldly. Frill’s eyes darted to all of the heroes at the table before landing back a Cadence who was now reaching for something in the cabinet beside them.

“Ngh! You’re so frustrating.” Frill stomped her foot on the ground grabbing at her head before turning back and walking off.

“Dontcha think you were a bit harsh, Lord Cadence?” A deep voice bellowed from behind Cadence. Cadence sighed.

“Back onto the topic of discussion.” He said seriously, turning around with a folder in hand. “Yel has already sent an envoy to Blommånen.”

“What?!” Everyone exclaimed.

“You can't be serious?” A woman stood up from across the table.

“Unfortunately.” Cadence responded, sitting back down. “It seems Yel never intended on making negotiations.” Cadence spoke sternly.

“Those jerks!” Frill yelled, tears streaming down her face. She repeatedly punched her pillow in anger, throwing a fit and messing up whatever she could.

“Lady Frill!” A voice called out to her. A maid was running towards her before grabbing her away from the bed and holding her down as they fell to the floor.

“Calm down lady Frill, please!” The maid shouted, concerned, struggling to restrain the beast in her arms.

“I don't! I don’t-” Frill could barely make out words over her tantrum, she choked on her own words, her face red and her cheeks stained with tears.

“What?! You don't want to do what?!” The maid tried to reason.

“I don't want to die, Tifa! I’m scared! I don’t wanna die.. Please…” Frill said after finally calming down, Her voice shaky. Tifa lies there in horror after hearing her words. The silence lasted for a minute despite feeling like hours, only interrupted occasionally by Frills sobs and sniffing.