I hated trekking through the woods; I would’ve bet money Nautilus was going out of her way to find as many as possible. There was no way there was this many while Nil and I were getting sick of having to fight them off. Nil was innovating ways to make the fights shorter but that was still not enough because of the sheer number we were made to fight. What was worse was when Nautilus’s blasted alarm went off; she would proceed to produce a beat down for Nil and me. We both tried innovating and to fair better, but it felt like climbing an endless cliff. It took Nautilus less than seconds to adapt to whatever we threw at her; the only thing she didn’t seem to adapt to was Nil’s tunnel trick. We both suspected Nautilus had a solution, but it would just grievously injure Nil if she used it. We still had to practice and train when we stopped for the night, which was making this torture feel endless.

As we walked down the road, we could see the next city on our tour: Bellato. The biggest challenge was the military outpost that was outside it. Bellato was unfortunately a city built as a tactical fortification; it was well placed for commerce and military mobilization which unfortunately made it horribly placed for us who wanted to avoid the military entirely. There would undeniably be patrols around the perimeter of it, and if we intentionally went out of our way to avoid it they would definitely pursue to see why. How we were going to deal with it was beyond me. Lilas was sitting still, looking at Bellato with a spyglass Nautilus gave him. I was loathe to consider it, but using Nautilus to thrash the patrols and get away might be our best option. Going around would be wildly inconvenient and add a few days at least; we might not have had much of a choice unfortunately.

“Grublin, d' ya have any that can get t’ the othe’ side?” Nautilus inquired. I wish he knew ; Nil could bring the group to Umbra from here if he wanted if he knew it.

“Maybe. I have a in mind, but I have no idea the nor how difficult it is to use on a group.” Nil answered with a bit of a grumble.

“Using untested like that would be ill advised.” Lilas interjected as he kept observing Bellato.

“Give Lilas a little longer. He’ll devise a plan.” Ailla assured us while rubbing Lilas's back.

Why was Bellato such a large city? I knew the answer, but it didn't help. The pirates, Ailla, Nil, and I all gave Lilas some time to think. None of us wanted to detour into the woods around Bellato because then we were definitely encountering a lot of . Lilas used his projection to create a replica of Bellato as he began plotting something. He did a few test runs, before smiling. Did he figure out a way that didn’t add a massive detour? Lilas checked his work again with a victorious smile.

“There’s a path through. The patrols have a small gap we can use to avoid detection.” Lilas declared, looking pleased with himself.

“Se’iously?” Nautilus checked. I wanted to believe Lilas, but it looked impenetrable.

“Yes. If we go counterclockwise around the city we have a window we can use to weave around the patrols. We’ll need to move fast because the window between the gaps of the patrols is no longer than one and a half seconds.” Lilas explained, tracing a path on his projection. It was barely possible if his projection was accurate.

“Lass, can ya move fas’ enough?” Nautilus probed. Why not ask Lilas? To be fair, we all know Ailla was going to carry him for this.

“It might be safer if you carry me.” I sighed. I likely could, but that window was so tight I didn’t want to risk it.

Nautilus effortlessly picked me up and the group began stretching. Ailla lifted Lilas, and we all sprinted. How did Lilas notice such a narrow path? It didn’t matter, as the group sprinted full steam on the path Lilas showed us. After a solid thirty minutes of full speed, we were on the other side of Bellato. Nil began wheezing next to the group as we stopped to take a breather. The pirates were congratulating Lilas on saving us so much time. Lilas looked embarrassed as he was being praised by everyone for figuring out a path passed Bellato. It took Nil about three minutes to recover enough to keep walking. And then resumed our trek along the roadside. We kept it in sight as usual. Maybe an hour later there was Nautilus’s blasted bell. Nil and I immediately got ready to fight as several figures rushed out of the woodwork. The pirates were looking immensely amused at the bandits who didn't understand what they just did.

“Oi, bandits, wait ya turn. It’ll be like, five mi'utes.” Nautilus ordered them. Ailla and Lilas were looking amused at the bandits.

“Give us your gold!” the one spat back at her.

“Peggin’ board, should we leave ‘em alive?” Nautilus checked as the pirates were all chuckling. These bandits had no idea what they challenged.

“Are you hard of hearing? If you hand over the gold, no one will get hurt.” The bandit in charge snapped.

“Bodies will only attract unwanted attention. It’s better if you just knock them out.” Lilas informed Nautilus.

Without a word, the pirates sprang into action. The bandits were not ready for the force of nature that was Nautilus’s crew that took all of a minute for the bandits to all be tied up and barely conscious. With one final look over the bandits, Nautilus began attacking Nil and me. At least she was kind enough to deal with the bandits first. It was a blissfully short scuffle, as we clearly needed to keep moving. Nil seemed annoyed that we had to still spar Nautilus after the delays with Bellato and the bandits but didn’t voice his complaint. He just sighed as he walked to my side. Some part of me liked how he would return to my side as we traveled and sparred Nautilus.

I miss home. Nil whined as we resumed our hike.

I do too. We’re slowly getting there. I comforted Nil.

Do you think we’ll still be doing the Imperial Hunting Festival when we return? Nil inquired as he stretched a bit more.

It was three months away before our adventure, so we should be back with plenty of time to spare. Do you really want to return to the woods that soon? I asked him with a bit of a smile.

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I know someone insisted I learned a specific dance. Plus, I think it might be fun to do something normal once we’re back. Nil replied. That would be nice, not around-the-clock lessons from Nautilus.

We passed Bellato, so we’re slowly getting there. I told him. I wasn't entirely sure how close we were unfortunately.

I can’t wait to have a meal from the castle chef again. And not have to drink moltaug. No more moltaug. Nil added. We both shuddered thinking of how bad moltaug tasted.

I miss my bed. And hot showers. And pest control. I lamented. Being back would be so nice.

One step at a time. On the bright side, we have gotten in a lot better shape. Nil stated. Oh yes. Who did not enjoy intense workouts and sparring for the privilege of your bones remaining intact?

Definitely worth despising the sound of bells for the foreseeable future. I joked. Nil chuckled at that.

Fair trade. Who wouldn’t take disliking the sound of bells? Easiest decision of our lives. Nil played along.

We also get to have moltaug based nightmares. Who wants not knowing what their dreams will be? I continued. Nil poked my cheek.

You know you like remembering that taste even as you sleep. It is fine dining; only the poshest of restaurants would dare serve something like it. Nil laughed. We truly were living in the lap of luxury. Who was I kidding?

You are right. We should be paying Nautilus more for the joy we’re experiencing. I informed him as Nil nodded along.

How could one put a price tag on this experience? Experience is a valuable payment to begin with. Nil retorted. We both did a half-hearted chuckle. Home would be so nice.

We just got to chant to ourselves, we’re in Speranza over and over again. It helps take the sting away. I added. Why did being so close feel so much worse? Knowing we had to keep enduring until we finally got back?

On the bright side, when we get back, I’m pretty confident I can whoop Lux’s butt. Nil cheered. I’d imagine after sparring the beast of Nautilus, Lux would be a welcome difficulty decrease.

Nil and I continued to chat until the sun began setting. The two of us helped set up camp as we finally were stopping for the night. My feet were killing me, so this was a welcome reprieve. How many more days of this? I wish I had an idea of how close we were; I was definitely going to study geography in case something like this ever happened again. Hopefully next time Nil could use and save us from the agonizing journey back. I liked traveling, but traveling was far more enjoyable when you controlled the trip. As Nil and I went to settle down, Nautilus perked up. Her eyes shot to the woods.

“Grublins, ya need t’ go kill that. Make sure ya get the killin’ blow, Nil.” Nautilus ordered immediately. Nil and I sighed as we went to stand.

A small distance off from the campsite, I saw what Nautilus wanted us to fight. What was it? I actually didn’t recognize it. It had antlers like a deer with a bit of a ram like spiral, but its face was a skull with fangs. The had four glossy white eyes. The beast resembled a skeleton with flesh tightly wrapped around it, as it was deathly thin. Whatever this thing was, it had an almost elk like body, but the limbs were stretched out and elongated. Instead of hooves were gnarled, grotesque hands with talon like nails. Where the hind feet should have been was this ethereal fog. What was this? It gave me chills just looking at it. It shifted, seeming to phase in and out of existence as it moved. There was this unpleasant corpse smell in the air as we got near it.

“Ya grublins will ge’ a break from ya lessons if ya win wit’out my help. It’s important ya kill i' Nil.” Nautilus informed us.

“Why do I specifically need to kill it?” Nil inquired, not getting why that was so important.

“It should let ya finish that . Luna, don’ drop while fightin’ it.” Nautilus answered. Nil suddenly looked quite motivated to fight. The fact Nautilus warned us in advance to use was not comforting to me though.

I began using my to buff Nil. He rushed the monster, going to swing at its skull. Then we learned just how much of a fight we were in for. The simply shifted away, phasing around Nil. It swung down on Nil, about as fast as Nautilus did as we sparred. Shiza. I used a projected arm to deflect the attack. My magic decayed as it got close to it which forced Nil to get some distance with . It followed his path effortlessly, trying to gore him with a horn. What was this? The unleashed a wail that felt like it was trying to shatter my soul. I grit my teeth, trying to attack it. The instant I got close, the body dissipated into some fog; my skin felt like acid had been poured on it as it passed through where the body used to be. Nil took advantage of the incorporeal form, trying to expand the space it was occupying in retaliation. The hissed as it reformed. In a flash, it was upon Nil again. It’s fast. Nil activated his , making a sword of to parry this thing with. He went to counterattack with his normal sword which just passed harmlessly through the monster. The beast was barely deflected in time from hitting Nil. Physical attacks seemed to amuse it more than anything.

Nil was in full scheming mode as he tried several . All decayed as they got near the . It kept its focus on Nil as I increased the strength of my buffs. I coated both of us in . My head was starting to hurt from maintaining three buffs at once. I rushed in, trying to see if now we could connect. Nil deflected an attack, giving me an opening to attack. The most unsatisfying thud in the world greeted me when I connected. My hand, wrist, and arm were all screaming at me from connecting with it. Despite the frail appearance, this thing was solid as metal. Not even punching Nautilus hurt this much. Why bother dissipating if its body was this strong? Nil and I alternated our attacks, trying to get it to show the fact it could feel pain. If we were succeeding the certainly didn’t show it. Us switching locations, coating each other with our , nor attacking simultaneously seemed to even scratch this thing. What wasn’t helping was the was forcing us to react and dodge its attacks; there was this chill behind them I really didn’t want to feel personally. We needed to hit this thing with something stronger. I wanted to strategize with Nil, but there was no breathing room. The was not stupid enough to give us a second to compose ourselves.

Nautilus was staying nearby, clearly ready to intervene if needed. Of what she made us fight so far, this was our most difficult opponent. It felt like we were up against something like the . We needed to win, somehow. One of its hands was descending upon me rapidly. I didn’t have time to deflect, so Nil switched us and parried it away with his ; it had a trailing attack that tore through the and gave Nil a massive set of gashes on his side. Then Nil had the bright idea to try again. He coated his sword with it to my surprise. Since when was he able to control it? Nil cut in, slashing rapidly at the beast. For the first time, it howled in agony as Nil clearly did major damage. Nil was visibly sweating, looking like he was absolutely struggling. Nil is losing a lot of blood. We need to end this. I went to attack our opponent which Nil had the complete attention of. This time when I hit, the body didn’t feel so solid. It let out a frustrated roar, which shook my soul. It didn’t matter, as it was struggling to focus on Nil and I at the same time. The brief moment I slugged it in the back was enough for Nil to stab it. He lost control of the , launching us in separate directions from the explosion. We both got to our feet, looking for our opponent. All that was really left was the head, impaled into a tree nearby by its horn. Nautilus gave us a small round of applause.

“Not th’ clea'est win, but ya did i'.” Nautilus praised. Nil and I reunited, with both of our bodies shaking heavily. Nautilus carried us back to camp as we both struggled to stay awake. Being honest, I wasn’t sure which of us fell asleep first.