I didn’t have to say that twice. Without waiting for even a second, Cellestra undid the knot that was used to close off the linen bag before opening it to reveal its contents. To assist her vision in the falling darkness, I experimented a bit once again but found that I wasn’t able to create a source of light without an actual flame. Thus, I created a flame that hovered in the air above the two of us where it couldn’t cause any harm.

The bag’s contents were finally revealed. On top, there were two thin, long loaves of bread. Those were probably the most perishable things among the goods. Beneath that were several square-shaped leaf-wrapped packages. Cellestra opened one, revealing some pieces of dried fruit.

I took a package from the bottom that was slightly larger and opened it to find some dried strips of meat, generously salted to increase the time before spoilage would occur.

“Heh,” I chuckled. “Good thing we have no short supply of water, huh?”

“True,” The elf said as she took off her own backpack and placed it in the grass next to her. “You want something as well?”

“Just an apple is fine. I’d like to save as much for you as possible.”

“Sure,” Cellestra replied as she fetched one and tossed it to me. She took one for herself as well and then picked up the package of meat that I’d opened and placed it on top of the stack of packages in the bag.

“I think that much will be enough for me for weeks. How will we manage food for you, though?” She asked.

“Well, I’m not hungry in the slightest. I’ve eaten plenty when I was in the dungeon last time, so I hope that’s going to be enough to last for quite a bit, but you’re probably more experienced with spiders than I am. How long could your tarantula go without food?”

“Uhhh,” Cellestra let out. “Well, you’re not exactly a tarantula, but I know they can go for months without food, as long as they have water. Not sure how it will turn out with all the running you’re doing, though.”

“Months?” I said in awe. “By the goddess, spiders are unbelievable.”

Cellestra smiled. “They are. And you’re the most unbelievable of all.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” I said with a smile of my own before I bit into the apple.

Cellestra took a few small bites of the apple and the meat as she tried to relax. I could see that her mood was elevated thanks to the good news from today regarding her curse. This, in turn, caused me to be in a good mood as well, as I loved watching her smile.

“So,” Cellestra finally said after eating a bit. “Any idea what you’ll say to your parents when you meet them? What were their names again? Keelarin and… I forgot… something with lina, as that’s part of your name.”

I closed my eyes and smiled as I said my mother’s name. “Lilinia.” I then paused as I didn’t know what to say. I ultimately decided to admit it. “And I have no idea what I’ll say to them. I am totally clueless.” I looked at the grass before me as I said that last part. It didn’t make much difference in what I could see, but I guessed I did it out of habit.

“I can’t blame you,” Cellestra said softly. “With all that has happened, and what happened to them before… I would probably have even less of an idea than you.”

“It’s already weird that I’m technically all grown up. I was eight years old when they died. Then there is the whole… spider story. I’m not quite sure to what degree Elysa has altered their memories. I hope she didn’t… I believe she didn’t, as she was talking about some kind of memory lock, rather than that.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Cellestra said. “I have never heard of any magic like that, but then again, it’s a goddess we’re talking about.”

“The thing I’m worried about,” I continued, before breathing in a deep breath and letting out an equally deep sigh. "This is why I deeply hope she hasn’t messed with their memories. You see, if their memories are changed, are they still my parents?”

“That’s one of the things you worry about?”

I nodded.

“I understand.”

“I mean, I can see why she locked away some memories. I just hope that’s it,” I continued again.

“I’m going to assume that Elysa understands exactly what she’s doing and that it is as you say,” Cellestra said. “We’ll find out what they know when we find them, I guess.”

I nodded. “And I hope you’re right. Elysa should know a lot about me, so I'm gonna be hopeful and assume the same.”

Cellestra smiled and finished her dinner before taking her canteen to drink some. She then stood up and excused herself, taking her backpack with her. She used her illumination spell to light the way as she walked a bit off from me, to relieve herself, obviously.

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I was left alone with my thoughts, if only momentarily, and summoned as much courage as I could. I could feel myself grow more confident, but I wouldn’t tell her tonight yet. I wanted another day of travel to be behind us… and I needed just a bit more conviction. I made a promise to myself that I would tell her tomorrow. For me, that was big, as whenever I promised something, I’d always adhere to said promise.

It was just that… Cellestra had changed a lot about who I once was, or at least, who I believed I once was.

Without paying it much heed, I took the venomous strands of silk that I’d put on my spider head and noticed that they had lost their green color and had changed to an ugly brown. I quickly discarded them as I wasn’t going to make shirts with those.

The elf soon returned when I came up with an awkward question.

“Would you like me to use my spell to wash your hands?”

Cellestra frowned at the question. “Uh, sure?”

I cringed in my mind, but the question was meant in good faith. I knew maintaining hygiene could be hard on the road, and I could help out with my magic, so…

I stood up as Cellestra held her arms forward. I used my water spell to create a pleasantly warm stream of water with some added force behind it for her to properly wash her hands.

“You know,” The brunette started. “This is quite useful, for sure. Running water, as far as I know, was only reserved for those rich enough to afford it. I bet they would be quite jealous to know you can do that, and more, all while being portable as well.”

I shook my head and smiled. “Better not let them find out what I can do, then.”

Cellestra laughed and moved back to where she sat before, closing the bag with the thread again.

I sat down again and unwillingly let out a yawn. I immediately regretted that as Cellestra took the opportunity to comment on it.

“Well, it seems you didn't get through all that running unscathed after all.”

Even when making a remark like that, she was still so gentle about it. I couldn’t help but smile at her words.

“Maybe so. Then again, it’s late. I’m surprised you haven’t yawned yet.”

“I’ll probably do that soon enough.”

The elf placed her canteen back in her backpack and took the two wolf pelts in her hands as she stood up. “It’s time for bed, either way, so it doesn’t really matter.”

She looked at my side awkwardly for a second before speaking again. “You don’t mind me sleeping against your side, so you?”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

“Alright.”

She sat down on the grass and rested the back of her head against my soft hair before closing her eyes. “You have no idea how lovely this is. I’m almost happy I forgot my pillow.”

“You forgot it?” I asked incredulously.

Cellestra nodded. “I actually did… and I thought I had everything.”

“That’s unfortunate, I guess. Also, I know exactly how lovely this is,” I said as I laid myself down on my spider back, enjoying the fluffiness to the fullest.

Cellestra opened her eyes again to look at me laying down on myself. She smiled as she closed her eyes again to get comfortable while putting one of the wolf pelts over her frame.

“Will you be okay with your special ability regarding sleep?” She asked.

“I don’t think it will be an issue. You should worry about getting some proper sleep of your own.”

I cast the healing light spell on the elf as I remembered what Elysa had said about her ailment. As long as I could cast the goddess’s magic on her, her ailment would not progress further. As such, I preemptively cast it, and I would probably do it from time to time.

“Thanks,” Cellestra said softly.

I could tell she was ready to go to sleep, even if she hadn’t shown me how tired she was.

“Good night,” I said.

“Good night,” Cellestra replied.

And so I started my watch with my spider half as I could feel my other body slowly drift into sleep.

At least I could watch the lovely elf while I slept at the same time…