Zan was asleep. Jiehong checked his vitals. He was fine.

Physically fine, Jiehong reminded himself as his entire body was slick with sweat. Inside, he knew Zan was fighting a battle. A battle which would determine whether he lived or died.

Though he did not want to worry him, Jiehong wasn't doing so hot either.

Inside his own belly, Jiehong started to feel the very same churning-burning he knew Zan felt. The difference was Jiehong felt like he had a handle on the burning. When the airship crashed, Jiehong had the luck of many golems breaking his fall. Zan had no such luck and was violently flung like a ragdoll. Jiehong tried to reach him, of course, but when your whole world shook, when you felt as if your bones were attempting to shake their way out of your body, what could you do?

Nothing. Which was all Jiehong did before the ship destroyed itself against the soil.

Although he felt he had his handle firmly planted against the parasite wiggling out-of-control, Jiehong knew he should take it easy. Overexerting himself might result in the parasite gaining in power as it attempted to save him. He could end up like Zan without even knowing it. Then, both of them would die. Which was beside the point anyway. Despite how much Jiehong wanted to take it easy, though, he knew it was only possible so much. They were in some wood. Jiehong doubted he would need to build a shelter anything more complex than a basic tarp covering; predators in this part of the country were rare and would not bother them on the precipice of a field and forest anyway as this was not their habitat. And though gathering some firewood would be nice, he did not need to build let alone light a fire now. Jiehong tried to think about what would be most helpful. Yet he drew blanks. He was so tired. So hungry. So... done.

Stomping around the clearing as he thought, every thought he had about his situation faded to the back of his mind when Jiehong saw Zan's satchel.

'There's medical kits in there,' Jiehong muttered to himself.

Kneeling by Zan's side, Jiehong told Zan he was only searching for the kits within his satchel as he gently moved his adoptative brother. Zan made no stir, however, as he was firmly asleep. Jiehong removed the satchel and returned Zan to his resting position.

With bag in hand, Jiehong unlatched the satchel and saw a pack full of medical kits. 'Why hadn't we thought of these before?!' Jiehong uttered. Though to be fair with himself, he reminded himself they had only recently acquired the medical kits. Until now, they had to make do with whatever was on hand or what their local allies had. Having their own kits was a novelty.

Holding the kit in his arms, it was about the size of a ledger a traveling merchant used to take note of transactions. As Jiehong remembered seeing one day when one such merchant came through town and traded for rest and food. He opened the kit and found bandages, pills, oils, and more. Though Jiehong knew not what half of the kit's contents did, included under the kit's cover was a simple engraving of words denoting what each element of the kit was used for and how to use them; Jiehong thought that was awfully clever of the manufacturer, including the instructions within the body of the traveling case.

Jiehong read through each description for each item. The pills were called 'Rescue Pills' and seemed to act as an energy supplement. The oils had concentrated magical energy in them, somehow, and functioned essentially the same as the pills, but they restored some magic to the user instead of energy. Also in the kit were a number of painkillers, fever reducers, and anti-bacterial aides. For the time being, Jiehong took the gauze and applied it generously over his own bleeding form and that of his friend. He took a swig of the oils; Jiehong figured if his and Zan's conditions were caused, in part, by a lack of magic, hence the mana sickness, then some emergency magic energy oil might help, even diffuse as it likely was in the tiny bottle he held.

After Jiehong took a generous sip of the oil he gave the rest to Zan. He gently held it to Zan's lips, urgently whispering to him to drink. Only in a semi--unconsciously state, Zan slowly swallowed the liquid, though his throat was encouraged by Jiehong's gentle petting. "That should help, bud. Hang in there," Jiehong said, acute worry for his friend wearing his face.

Jiehong would have liked to continue coaching Zan's recovery, but sleep was threatening to overtake him. With his last energy, Jiehong erected a simple tent covering using a rope and blanket. He grabbed from their supplies a cozy emergency resting mat and threw it to the ground under the tarp. He maneuvered Zan underneath the tarp. More roughly than he would have liked, but when he was a blink's away from unconsciousness himself, some edges had to be sawed away, such as being gentle with his friend, whom he had to mostly drag under the tarp.

Done with his final task, and more ready for sleep than he ever had been before, Jiehong slid himself alongside Zan.

A sound: pod, pid, pod, pid-pid-pid--

Rain.

The temperature dropped and Jiehong fell fast asleep.

Jiehong's awakening was not a clean affair. Although he 'came to' several times over the course of his rest, he did not spend any longer than a second awake. He fell back to sleep and drifted back into a dreamless, restive calm.

Even when he did finally awake for real, it was not of his own volition. Someone was shaking him.

"Zan... Zan!" Jiehong muttered, eyes still crusted with drowsiness.

Still, he shook.

"Come on. Zan, please!" Jiehong said, until he stopped cold.

What made Jiehong cease his mutterings? He saw Zan still as a stone next to him. Yet, Jiehong's body continued to gently shake.

Jiehong felt a hand shoving his body. Back and forth. Snapping around, and dislodging the hand, Jiehong turned and snarled, "Who's there?!"

Going with his bare hands as his weapon of choice -- just to save time as his sword and buckler was currently in a pile back in the tent -- Jiehong emerged from the tent to see... someone. Or something. It looked human but wasn't quite human.

"Who are you?" he asked the Other.

"I am sorry to disturb you. I only wanted to know if you were dead or not. Or if you might be painfully dying. I am a Wood Elf. My name is Charlez," the Other, Charlez, said.

Jiehong had no reason to distrust the Wood Elf. Other than the fact he knew nothing about Wood Elfs and have no clue what their temperament was like.

Then again, Jiehong could not afford to be so mistrusting. Not when they were weak. And the will of the Gods and their Holy Laws against killing, drove all Life Forms.

"Nice to meet you, Charlez. My name is Jiehong. His is Zan. We're Martial Order affiliates who were participating in a battle nearby. You probably heard it -- the whole world probably heard it. An airship crashed. We're trying to reach a nearby city. Perhaps you've seen it?" Jiehong asked.

"I have! I actually debarked from that city only so long ago. I can bring you back to it if you want," Charlez said to Jiehong's immense satisfaction.

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"Yes! Please, do! Let me gather my stuff and friend. It'll only take a minute!"

"Sure. Take your time. I have research papers to read."

A learned Wood Elf? Like many things in the world, Jiehong was ignorant of if it was common practice for Wood Elfs to have an education or if they went un-educated. Jiehong technically had an education, though it was home schooling instead of a fancy state school.

As he packed up camp, Jiehong sweated profusely. His rest made him feel no longer like a piece of smooshed bird crap, but his body wasn't used to such exertion and excitement so soon after waking. Drip, drip, drip... sweat fell from Jiehong's skin as he hurriedly packed the camp.

"Okay. Ready," Jiehong panted.

Charlez nodded. He put away a scroll he had been reading and stood. He was ready.

Jiehong hoisted the SPIDER exo-suit back on him. Per the norm, he then encouraged Zan to grab hold and hold on in his semi-sleepless state. He was awake, or so Jiehong thought, but was not responsive.

Jiehong followed just at the back of Charlez. He did not know the lay of the land like his new Wood Elf companion, so he wanted him to take point. Almost side-by-side, however, they could keep up a lively conversation through the hours they walked. Or Jiehong hoped they would have a lively conversation, anyway.

After walking for some time without any serious conversing, Charlez asked, "I hope it is not too bold of me to ask, but it's been tugging at me ever since we met. May I ask you a personal question?"

"Go ahead," Jiehong replied with a grunt, Zan's weight starting to take its toll.

"Are you juveniles for your Form of Life? Humans, I mean? SORRY! Human children?" Charlez asked.

Not knowing where such a conversation would go, Jiehong simply said the truth. "Yes. Why do you ask? We are teenagers, specifically. More adult than child."

"Oh, I am curious about this stuff. Biological arcana, differences and similarities among the Life Forms and Kinds. I am a researcher. Unfortunately, it seems I picked a bad time to visit your country, I am afraid."

"Yeah. Boy, you did! Not like you could've done much to know ahead of time. Who can count on an invasion?"

"Lots, actually," Charlez said.

"What do you mean?" Jiehong asked.

"It's just that... if you run with the intellectuals of certain power blocs, you hear whispers of things. Rumors. Invasion plans. Before I departed my home, rumormongers became insistent the Expanse was to attack your home. I did not listen to them, however, and departed anyway," Charlez explained.

A knot formed in the bottom of his stomach. Jiehong felt mixed about hearing a foreigner talk so blatantly about his home being invaded. As if it was just another statistic in a political game.

Not wanting to sour someone who was giving him aid, however, Jiehong did not take Charlez to task over his insensitivity. He had to be smart. Not emotional, which was the opposite of smart, as far as he was concerned.

"Regardless, you're here, now. So, what are you doing in this neck of the woods? Visiting the Wizard Tower, maybe?" Jiehong asked.

"I was considering visiting the tower. The tower though is not the initial reason for my visit. I am here in pursuit of a rare and legendary creature known as The Questing Beast," Charlez said.

Jiehong was to question Charlez, but they entered an overgrown area of the forest. Coming upon a rough patch in a deeper part of the woods, Jiehong had to slow down and watch his step. Still conversing with Charlez, Jiehong became worried for a moment Charlez was to overtake him. Charlez seemed to know, however, he was gaining on Jiehong and slowed himself to match Jiehong's clumsy path-forging. With an exo-suit and an unconscious half-brother on his self? Anyone would have trouble. Charlez seemed sympathetic to this.

"I have never heard of this monster. What is it? The questing beast," Jiehong asked.

"It is a beast my family has hunted for generations. It has the noggin' of a snake, the girth of a leopard, haunches like a lion, and feet like a stag."

Listening to Charlez explain the beast, he could honestly say he had never -- in his life -- heard of or encountered such a beast, either in his physical existence of in his metaphysical, as might happen when absorbing a learned man's lecture on the grassy field.

Jiehong gently made his way around a stubborn root system. "Well. Incredible. I haven't heard or seen it, though. What reward will you receive if you slay it?"

"I know not!"

Staying himself, regaining some energy from hauling around another human plus his cage, Jiehong said, panting, "Then why are you on this quest?"

"It's the family goal. Isn't that enough?" Charlez asked.

Jiehong thought he had a response. He had opened his mouth in anticipating of giving that response. And yet, when he went to vocalize, nothing came out. He closed his lips. Considered Charlez's statement. Then said, "I guess it's enough. We all make our own destiny and purpose. I guess I don't see why it is worth the effort if you don't have anything more than a familial reason. What will you do with your life once you kill the beast?"

"Oh. I don't expect to kill it. I expect to hunt it. My contribution to the hunt will be to take all of my family's accumulated knowledge of hunting the beast and perhaps contribute something of my own. Maybe make a new weapon to better hurt it. Or invent a custom armor piece to protect future generations of my family from its aspect. If I could do that, I would be happy," Charlez explained as Jiehong resumed his trek.

"A simple goal in life," Jiehong said. "I can appreciate that. You know your place. You know how to extract value from your existence."

"Not sure I would go that far but I understand the basic contours to my life. How to live it."

From here, the conversation petered out as the two made their way through the deepest part of the local section of the woods. They worked through their doubts and pushed ahead, Jiehong holding up remarkably well, he thought, despite the immense weight cast upon him.

The conversation picked up again when Jiehong felt a strong breeze on his face. By seeming cue, Charlez asked, "And what about you?"

"Huh?" Jiehong answered.

"What about the contours of your life? I can see your honor. You wear it like a badge. You and I, despite being strangers, share in our existence our burden. If you are anything like me, you are searching for ways to relive that burden. I have my gadgets. What do you have to live by?"

Charlez's question took Jiehong off his guard. "I have no idea how to answer that. I am fighting in a war to free my homeland. Isn't that all I need?"

"No. You need more," Charlez stated.

Anti-verbiage permeated the still between the Wood Elf and Human. Jiehong did not want to say anything, for anything he did say would result in his defeat. He wanted to ask what the Wood Elf meant, he needed something more, but he did not ask. He didn't want to know if his aspirations were, in fact, not enough. Life, however, did not care about what Jiehong wanted. Charlez spoke freely. He said, "Statistically speaking, your homeland will fall. The Expanse has never been militarily defeated, before."

"We will be the exception. I know we will. I am part of a Martial Order with advanced weapons. And people with unusual properties," Jiehong said, thinking of the Wardens. "We can do it."

"Your hope is catchy," Charlez told Jiehong. "But it is misplaced."

Breaking off again, the conversation ended there. The two resumed their travel with their minds focused only on taking one step in front of the other.

The field they had come onto was unimpressive. It was like any of the hundred-of-thousands of similar fields spread throughout the nation. Flanked by the forest on either side, the field continued as nature's carpet, leading Jiehong and Charlez to unknown ends. So less a field, Jiehong thought, and more a forest clearing. Jiehong knew if they continued along this grassed carpet, they would reach another wood and have to traverse through another neck of the woods. Predictable as the sky was blue.

The two traveled all day. Zan remained asleep. Or moaning. Jiehong did not know what his friend's status was other than 'in pain,' as the oil he gave Zan seemed to help, but not by much. Jiehong himself was feeling better but what did that mean when his Order Master and half-brother still was on death's door?

Sitting by the fire, Jiehong and the Wood Elf had a simple stew dinner from herbs and vegetables they gathered in the forest, plus fresh rabbit. It was a light stew, everything considered, but filling. Kingship hare, apparently, was a delicacy, as Charlez kept many praises for the meat.

"Will your friend make it?" Charlez asked as they were close to finishing their meal.

"I hope so. I don't know what I would do without him," Jiehong said, his worry after a long, hefty day of traveling clogging his mind. Worry caused him to muse on ill-tidings when he knew he should be rejoicing in the silver lining which always came with the less agreeable aspects of life.

"What does he have?" Charlez asked.

Jiehong tried to explain to Charlez the condition, but it was a hard thing to accurately convey when Jiehong himself only knew the basics. Crystal-parasite, mana sickness, the parasite-reacting-to-the-mana-sickness, now the parasite's relation to Shining. And all of this egging each other on until Zan's body was pushed too close to the edge.

"I see," Charlez said, offering what little he could in a confusing situation. "You should search for spiritual solutions to your companion's issues. Gods have all aspects of reality under their control. There are many gods, Jiehong. Surely, somewhere, there is a divinity who specializes in symbiotic life."

Symbiotic life? Jiehong had never considered the notion. The crystalline entity within him and Zan he always thought of as a parasite, true and simple. Shifting his thinking into considering they and the parasite as a new entity was a bold way to live. Yet nothing Charlez said was false. A god for symbiotic life did, surely, exist. How would he find it, though? That was the question.