“Filled with regrets?”

Andrew weathered the curiosity filled by Helly.

“Look at the stars!”

Andrew suffered Cecilia thugging at his arm.

“You are an idiot!”

Andrew winced from the reprimand Mr. Crow screamed from above. And then he waited for Terminator to add his two cents.

Suspiciously, the wolf was silent. Noticing his bond staring at him, Terminator snarled and pointedly ignored Andrew.

And he couldn’t even complain. This was all his own doing - apart from Cecilia, that is. She had decided to chase after him for some godforsaken reason.

Andrew still could not believe the woman had chosen to abandon her comrades to… Well, he didn’t know what she was expecting.

“Oh, finally noticed my charms?” Cecilia didn’t miss the bit of attention Andrew was giving her. She batted her eyelashes and pressed herself on his arm.

“Answer me, Tiny!”

Helly wanted attention, and Mr Crow sent a rude phrase his way. Andrew wanted to run away. That was the logical choice. These people, well, and animals, were insufferable.

“I am, I am…” Andrew finally responded to the annoying woman who was cradling her grandfather’s gun.

Something in Andrew’s tone made Cecilia move even closer, almost as if trying to hug him. But he felt only cold.

If not for his bonds, Andrew would have broken down and cried.

It had been his choice to leave, yes… But Andrew couldn’t… He just… He just wanted to get back to his own world and to his own family.

While Isabel and Mila spent their time in their own little worlds. They sometimes remembered about him, but it was too rare. And they… They killed people. He understood Mila somewhat, but why was Isabel so bloodthirsty?

Even now, after what he had gone through, Andrew struggled to accept this truth of this world. He had taken lives himself now and still didn’t understand why that was the solution everyone chose.

Couldn’t people just… Couldn’t they leave others to be and live another day?

“What are you thinking about?” Cecilia still stuck to Andrew.

“About stuff… About why you came with me among others.” Andrew tried to clear his mind. He was curious about Cecilia, but it was just a distraction.

The woman leaned on Andrew, matching his step and looked at the sky. “I like you, I guess?” She slowly spoke, not sounding sure of her words. “You are strange and speak about strange things. It’s fascinating, you know?” She giggled. “And it’s fun conquering an unwilling man, showing how great I am.”

“...I don’t…” Andrew shrugged, choosing not to finish his sentence. He didn’t have enough strength to push the girl away. He didn’t hate Cecilia but couldn’t return her feelings.

Andrew doubted what Ceiclia felt was anything like love. It was likely just a fascination with seeing something she hadn’t before. He had talked to her about his morals and for a girl who had grown up in Sitlag… He could imagine it was something alien in concept.

“Damned piece of shit!” Helly’s curses interrupted the night’s silence that had settled over them. She was cleaning the gun and had seemingly found a scratch on it. “Fucking retarded mage!” Her anger only rose, as did her voice.

Normally, Andrew would let the woman stew, but a lot hinged on the gun. “Is there a problem?” He inquired, trying his best to see through the darkness.

“There is a small dent here!” Helly showed the gun, which looked to be perfectly fine.

Andrew squinted but still couldn’t see the issue. “Is there?”

“You don’t get it!” Helly huffed. “Everything has to be perfect! If we want to go to that place, we need the artefacts to be as close as possible to what they were when they arrived here!”

“What place? Where is here?” Cecilia chimed in.

But everyone ignored her. Andrew looked even closer. Maybe there was a small dent. He wasn’t too sure, but Helly was more familiar with her heirloom. “What now?” He wondered.

“Now we search for more stuff. That fucktard was an idiot, but he was much better at this ritual stuff.” Helly grumbled. “And we can’t sacrifice a whole city, and gods knows how many lives to open a passage.” She hid the gun under her armour.

“You promised.” Andrew reminded. Helly hadn’t been exactly forthcoming with details about crossing back to Earth, but he trusted her.

Andrew could somewhat tell what other people's intentions were. It was a recent thing and didn’t always work. And Helly was speaking the truth.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The woman wanted to see what her grandfather’s world had been like. That was her dearest wish. She had spent almost her whole life trying to find a way to the Earth. And Helly had succeeded.

Helly had asked Andrew about the Earth. He had done his best to convey what it was like but had mostly failed.

However, it had made Helly even more interested in that world. And just recently, Andrew had…

Andrew shuddered and felt his body temperature fall. He was afraid of what he could do. His own ability was terrifying him. The brushes against other minds…

Soothing thoughts and support seeped into him from Mr Crow and Terminator. They both told him not to reject part of what made Andrew himself.

The ability had saved them so many times. Down there… And beyond. When Andrew was on the brink… His mind was always anchored by his bonds.

And when seemingly impossible-to-defeat foes came, Andrew could push against their minds and confuse them. He could…

Andrew didn’t want to think any further. Mila had warned. Now that he thought back, his friend had suspected…

But… Andrew didn’t know. He couldn’t. Could he experiment without losing himself? But he had to know.

What were the limits?

What was better?

Death, or someone implanting thoughts into you that are not your own?

Andrew didn’t know and was afraid to find out.

“What were you talking about?” Cecilia still didn’t let go.

“Nothing…” Andrew shook his head. “Nothing, Ceci…” He focused on his bonds. They were what held him together. And so what if he could bond a person… That didn’t mean he had to do that.

*****

“...” Viola stared at Litro, who started to fidget.

“What is it?” He finally couldn’t stand the scrutiny.

“You are alive.” Viola slowly circled him, not quite believing what she saw. “Somehow.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Litro grumbled. “I am good. One of the best. Of course, I found a way out of Stilag.” He looked back at where Naran’s and Helly’s people were slowly spreading in all directions.

Helly and Andrew had already left right after exiting the passage, taking another woman with them. Mila was still missing, but it was too soon to worry about the girl. People were scattering, trying to make it harder for pursuers to find them. Viola had also separated from the group after noticing Litro. His stench was unmistakable.

“I am glad.” Viola finally spoke the truth.

“What?” Litro’s jaw dropped upon the admission. “Who are you?” His arm was suddenly on the sword at his side.

“Very funny,” Viola was past the moment. He wouldn’t get any more softness from her. “How? When I didn’t find you with the rest…” She wanted to know.

And after a sigh, Litro pointed behind him. “He took me out.”

Viola almost jumped from the sight. The Messanger was standing in the shadows, barely visible in the darkness. She hadn’t seen what happened to him before, but from the few words spoken to others, she thought he had died.

But somehow, their leader seemed… transparent. Weaker and lesser than usual. Viola almost felt like she could smell him and all his secrets.

The whisper of the mysterious man, quiet and weak, announced they were leaving.

Viola didn’t actually hear him say it. It was just a feeling, an order from someone far stronger than her. Or maybe he did say, and she just couldn’t parse it? It was strange. And she had something to say about it. “What about Mila?” She looked back at the crowd vanishing in the trees, rushing away from the city and their homes.

Litro shook his head. “We have to go. The Inquisitor we lost was spotted again.” He explained.

“Did he tell you that?” Viola found it hard to believe. “He is barely-” She wanted to say standing, but more appropriate would be existing.

In the end, Viola stayed silent about the Messanger’s state. She doubted Litro could tell their superior was just a shadow of his usual self.

And she was torn. On one hand, the reappearance of their target was important. He was their best lead towards whatever secret King Oispio was keeping. They needed to know what was happening behind the scenes.

Without Viola, they would not keep track of the man. She was necessary. And yet… “Are there no other options?” She could not help but to ask.

“Viola, what are you saying?” Litro glanced back, then gave her a reproachful glare. “You know how important this is.”

She did. Viola began moving, preparing to leave. She was exhausted, but since most fights had been too dangerous for her, she was in a passable state.

Her steps were heavy. Viola stepped closer to the larger group and gave a sign to the remaining comrades and Laura.

The well-trained operatives quickly split off and vanished together with Litro in the night. They didn’t wait for Viola, knowing she would find them regardless, and they had to receive a sitrep from Litro.

Laura’s questioning glance made Viola chuckle. She took out a bag of gold and threw it to the mercenary. “In the end, you lost far more than this gold can cover.” She paused. “I am sorry for your loss, for what it is worth.”

After catching the coins, Laura quickly hid them beneath the armour. “It is our job,” She tried to sound professional.

Tried. Viola still noticed the slight tremble in Laura’s voice. “Our contract is over. We will make sure our agents spread the good word about the “Iron Swords”.” She hesitated a little. “And if you find no other place to go, Imeglenmo will receive you.”

“If it still stands.” Laura curtly noted, clearly uncomfortable about the implications of Tordgo losing. She wasn’t the most patriotic citizen, but Tordgo was her home. Had been for her whole life.

“If it still stands,” Viola repeated. That was why she was now leaving. Her home, as harsh as it had been to her, was in danger. “Just one thing,” She dared to ask. “Don’t hurt Isabel and Mila.”

“That’s…” Something broke in Laura, and a couple tears rolled down her cheeks. “I can’t promise that. But for tonight, we will part in peace.” She stiffened her face, letting the tears seep into her dry skin.

It was more than Viola could ask. She had done what she could for her friend. Now, it was time to leave. She glanced at where Isabel lay on the ground, then walked away.

Viola wasn’t close to that girl. Maybe in the future, if they reunited. Mila would not part from Isabel, so it was only smart to befriend the girl as well.

After taking in the night’s air, Viola began to run. She wanted to spend more time with an actual friend, but the duty called.

It always did.