The sound of hooves on the dirt filled the air as The Radiant Vanguard and Lauren rode together along the narrow path toward the village of Vistow. The early morning sun filtered through the trees lining the road, casting dappled shadows across the ground. The breeze was cool and refreshing, and the group’s spirits were high after a long stretch of hunting trips and training. Today wasn’t about combat or improving their strength—it was personal.

Quin rode at the front, flanked by Lauren, with the others close behind. He glanced over at his companions and smiled, grateful for their support. "Thanks for coming along, everyone. This isn’t our usual mission, but means a lot to me. Lauren and I are hoping to learn more about my mother. She had a close friend in Vistow, Elisa Marnel, and we’re hoping she can shed some light on her past."

Riding just behind Quin, Cal grinned and gave him a sidelong glance. "Seems like you two are particularly close this morning," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of teasing. "Haven’t left each other’s side, even when we were riding."

Never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, Westin leaned forward in his saddle with a mischievous smile. "Oh? Does that mean you and Lauren have finally made it official?" he asked, his voice dripping with playful curiosity.

Quin felt his face heat up immediately, and from the corner of his eye, he could see Lauren’s cheeks turning a deep shade of pink as well. They both sat in awkward silence, unable to find the right words, and their blushing only made the situation worse.

Sam, riding beside Cal, chuckled, shaking his head. "They have," he said with a grin. "Look at them blushing! It’s written all over their faces."

Zach, quiet until now, looked at Quin and Lauren with a knowing smile. "About time, too," he said, his tone light and approving. "We were all starting to wonder how long it would take."

Quin could feel the heat spreading down his neck as he shifted uncomfortably in his saddle, desperately searching for a way to change the subject. Equally flustered, Lauren focused intently on the path ahead, clearly trying to will away the embarrassment.

"Can we... maybe focus on the task at hand?" Quin mumbled, hoping to steer the conversation away from his and Lauren’s budding relationship.

But his friends weren’t so easily deterred, especially after weeks of watching Quin awkwardly avoid the subject. Despite their good-natured teasing, they had all noticed the deepening connection between him and Lauren. There had been long walks through the temple gardens, shared moments in the evenings, and quiet conversations that spoke of something more than friendship.

Still, they let it go, for the time being, their focus gradually shifting back to the reason for their journey.

"So, Elisa Marnel, huh?" Cal asked, leaning back slightly in his saddle as they rode. "What do you know about her?"

"Not much," Quin admitted. "Lauren did most of the digging. Elisa was close with my mom before they left Cremoor around the same time, nearly twenty years ago. I’m hoping she can tell me more about who my mother was... and maybe why she had so many rumors about her Ascensions surrounding her."

"It’s a good lead," Sam said thoughtfully. "And Vistow’s not too far from here. If this Elisa knew your mother that well, she might be able to answer some of the questions you’ve been carrying."

Quin nodded, grateful for their understanding. It felt like a piece of the puzzle had finally fallen into place after months of dead ends and incomplete stories. He wasn’t sure what he would find in Vistow, but with his friends and Lauren by his side, he felt more confident than ever.

The journey to Vistow was peaceful, a welcome contrast to the more dangerous hunts and missions the group was used to. They followed a winding path through rolling hills and dense forests, the sun shining brightly overhead. The trees whispered in the breeze, and the quiet clop of hooves on the dirt road was the only sound that accompanied them. The air smelled of pine and earth, the freshness of the countryside.

As they rode, the conversation among the group was light, their earlier teasing of Quin and Lauren slowly fading into the background as the focus shifted to the task at hand. Expecting what they might learn about Quin’s mother kept everyone quietly reflective.

The landscape shifted as they moved deeper into the countryside. The dense forest gradually gave way to more open fields, where patches of wildflowers dotted the landscape and small streams cut through the land. After a while, the village of Vistow finally came into view, nestled at the base of a gently sloping hill. The rooftops of the tiny homes and cottages peeked out from behind the tall grass, and a few villagers could be seen going about their morning routines.

The entrance to the village was simple, marked only by a weathered wooden arch with a few carvings etched into the beams. It was a humble, peaceful, quaint place, with a single dirt road leading through the village center. The path was lined with homes made of stone and wood, their thatched roofs giving the village a rustic charm. Off to the side, the faint sound of children’s laughter could be heard as they played in the open fields near the edge of the village.

As the group approached, they slowed their horses to a steady walk, taking in the peaceful surroundings. The air was calm, but there was a sense of anticipation. At the entrance, an older woman emerged, her hands folded in front of her. She was a mortal, her face lined with age, though her eyes still held a spark of youth. She watched them approach, and she gave a small wave as they neared.

"Welcome to Vistow," she called out, her voice warm but cautious. "What business brings you here today?"

Quin was the first to speak, offering the woman a polite nod. "We’re searching for someone—Elisa Marnel. We were told she lives here. We’re hoping to speak with her."

The woman smiled gently, nodding in recognition of the name. "Ah, Elisa. Yes, she’s still in the village. I can take you to her, but I’ll need you to leave your horses tied up outside the village. Many children are running around here, and I wouldn’t want them to spook your warhorses. They’re strong creatures, and we can’t have any accidents."

Quin exchanged a glance with the others, understanding the reasoning. Warhorses were mighty and, though well-trained, could be dangerous if startled. Everyone in the group except Lauren rode one, and they were all considerably larger and more aggressive than standard horses. Warhorses were bred for battle, not for navigating through villages, entirely for playing with children.

"That’s perfectly understandable," Quin said, nodding in agreement. He turned to the others. "Let’s tie them up over here."

They all dismounted, leading their horses toward a nearby post where they could secure them. The warhorses were large and muscular, each radiating strength and readiness, their hooves heavy on the ground. Zach’s horse, a towering black stallion, snorted impatiently as it was tied to the post, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its dark coat. Sam’s sturdy gray mare's warhorse pawed at the ground with a certain restlessness while Cal’s chestnut-colored mount tossed its head, clearly eager for action.

On the other hand, Lauren's horse stood out among the others. Her horse was more petite, a calm and easy-going mare with a soft white coat with brown patches along its sides. Compared to the others, Lauren’s horse was gentler, and its temperament was more suitable for a quiet ride than for battle. The horse’s demeanor was peaceful, its dark eyes calm as it waited patiently, unconcerned with the warhorses around it. It had been with Lauren for years, a steady companion with a mild disposition, radiating quiet strength. Unlike the others, Lauren’s mare was the type of horse you could trust with children running around, making it clear why the older woman hadn’t been concerned about it.

After securing the horses, the group turned back to the woman.

"This way," she said, motioning for them to follow. "Elisa lives near the center of the village. It’s not far."

As they began walking, the sounds of the village grew closer. The chatter of villagers, the playful shouts of children, and the rustle of wind through the trees all blended into a peaceful symphony. As they began their walk through the village, the older woman leading the way glanced back at them with a warm smile. "By the way, I’m Maren," she introduced herself, her voice kind. "I help look after the children here in Vistow. It’s a simple life but a rewarding one."

Quin smiled back, grateful for her guidance. "I’m Quin, and these are my friends Zach, Cal, Sam, Westin, and Lauren. We are Acolytes from the various temples in Cremoor." He motioned to each of them in turn. "Thank you for showing us the way."

"It’s no trouble at all," Maren replied as they continued walking deeper into the village. Their path was narrow and winding, lined with tiny, well-kept homes of stone and wood. Each house had a thatched roof, and the scent of fresh hay and warm bread lingered in the air. The village radiated a peaceful, rustic charm, with flower boxes under windowsills and chickens wandering freely in small courtyards. It was a quiet place except for the vast number of children who seemed to be shouting and playing around every corner, uncaring about the turmoil of the outside world.

The road split off into smaller paths that led to barns and storage sheds, and the villagers, who greeted each other with friendly waves, moved about with a sense of contentment. Fields stretched beyond the homes, with farmers working quietly, their tools digging into the fertile earth. In the distance, there was a small stream where more children were splashing in the water, their laughter carrying through the air. Everything about Vistow seemed tranquil, as if the village had found its pocket of serenity.

As they passed through the center of the village, Lauren finally noticed the oddity of the town. The unusual number of children running about—more than what would seem normal for a town of this size. Dozens of them were playing games, chasing one another through the fields, and laughing without a care in the world. It wasn’t that children in villages were unusual, but there were so many of them here, far more than she had expected.

"Excuse me, Maren," Lauren asked gently, her voice curious. "There seem to be a lot of children here... that appears to not be normal for a village this size."

Maren glanced back, a fond smile spreading across her face. "Oh, you noticed! Yes, there are quite a few children here. Vistow is more than just a village—it’s also a place where we care for orphans."

"Orphans?" Zach asked, raising an eyebrow.

Maren nodded. "That’s right. We take in children who’ve lost their families, whether it’s from the surrounding villages or even from Cremoor itself. Many smaller villages can’t spare the resources to care for children who don’t have anyone to look after them, so they send them here. We give them a place to live, grow, and play with other children. It’s a way to give them the childhood they deserve, even after losing so much."

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The group exchanged impressed glances, admiration clear in their expressions.

"That’s... amazing," Westin said, his voice full of respect. "It’s a noble cause."

Cal nodded in agreement. "It is. To provide a place like this for those kids, where they can just be kids... it’s not something you see every day."

Zach, always thinking practically, spoke up. "But how do you manage to afford it? Running like this can’t be easy, especially with so many children to care for."

Maren smiled warmly at his question. "You’re right, it isn’t easy. Many of the caretakers here, myself included, are retired from jobs we once held in the city. Some were merchants, others were craftsmen, and a few, like me, were simple workers. We no longer have families, but we still want to do good in the world. We don’t ask for much, and our needs are few, so we make it work. We do receive some donations from Cremoor, but most of our funding comes from a charity run by followers of Serenity, the Peaceful—the Goddess of Tranquility and Peace. Her followers believe in giving back to those in need, and they’ve been kind enough to support us for many years."

The group exchanged respectful nods, clearly impressed by the village’s dedication to such a noble cause.

As they continued their walk, Quin felt something stir within him—a strange sense of déjà vu. He had never been to Vistow before, yet as they moved through the village, certain spots seemed oddly familiar. A house, a particular turn in the road, the view of the hills in the distance... it was as though he had seen these places before. But where? He had visited many villages during hunting trips and other missions, but none that should have felt so distinctly familiar. The feeling nagged at him, pulling at the corners of his mind, but before he could dwell on it further, Maren stopped in front of a modest stone cottage at the end of the lane.

"This is Elisa’s home," Maren said, smiling at the group. "I’ll introduce you."

She knocked on the door, and after a brief moment, it opened to reveal a woman in her mid-forties. Elisa Marnel was of average height, her long chestnut hair streaked with gray and tied back in a loose braid. Her face was kind but lined with the weight of experiences long past. She wore a simple dress of pale blue fabric, and though she carried the aura of someone who had once lived a more active life, her quiet strength remained. Her eyes, a soft shade of green, studied the group with a curious but welcoming gaze.

"Elisa, these young Acolytes were looking to speak with you," Maren explained kindly, stepping aside to allow Elisa to greet them.

Elisa’s gaze shifted to Quin and his companions, and she smiled gently. "How can I be of assistance?" she asked, her voice warm but carrying an edge of curiosity.

As Maren took her leave, Quin stepped forward, his heart racing. "My name is Quin," he began, "and these are my friends. We’ve come to speak with you... about my mother, Loma."

Elisa’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of Loma’s name, recognition flickering across her face. "Loma..." she whispered, almost to herself, before returning her full attention to Quin. "If you are looking for information about Loma, then I am sure we have much to discuss."

Quin stepped forward, his voice calm but filled with purpose. "Elisa," he began, glancing briefly at Lauren for reassurance before returning to Elisa. "I know you do not know me, but I recently came to Cremoor to train in the Temple of Solarius and learn more about my mother. I came across your name as one of her closest friends, and I was hoping you could tell me more about her."

At the mention of Loma, something shifted in Elisa. Her body went still, her expression tightening in a way that was hard to miss. Her soft green eyes widened slightly, panic flashing across her face for a fleeting moment. She almost seemed to lose her composure, her hands trembling slightly as she stood frozen.

However, Quin didn’t pick up on the sudden change but focused entirely on his quest for answers. "Elisa?" he asked politely, oblivious to Elisa’s emotional turmoil.

The rest of the group, however, exchanged uneasy glances. Zach’s eyes narrowed slightly as he caught the subtle panic in Elisa’s demeanor while Cal shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension in the air. Standing next to Quin, Lauren noticed Elisa’s hesitation but remained silent, watching her closely.

Elisa took a slow, deep breath and, with visible effort, regained her composure. Her smile returned, though it was tighter than before. "Sorry," she said quietly, stepping aside to allow them inside. "Come in, please."

Once inside the modest cottage, Elisa offered them simple water and herbal tea. The house was warm, with a hearth burning gently in the corner, casting a soft glow across the room. The furniture was modest but well-kept, and various trinkets and keepsakes adorned the shelves, giving the space a homely feel. It was clear Elisa lived a quiet life here.

The group accepted her offer and sat around a low wooden table. Elisa served them quickly, her hands steadying as she poured the tea, though her movements were still tense. She avoided eye contact as she handed Quin his cup, and once everyone had settled, Quin leaned forward, his voice soft but filled with curiosity.

"Thank you, Elisa," he said. "I am sorry to repeat myself, but I am eager—could you tell me about my mother? I’ve been searching for answers, and I know you were close to her. Anything you can share would mean a lot."

For a long moment, Elisa said nothing. She stared into her cup, her fingers tightening around it as if the question's weight was too much to bear. The silence in the room grew heavy, and Quin could feel the air shift again.

Finally, Elisa spoke, her voice quiet and filled with a sadness that had lingered for years. "I was friends with Loma," she began, her eyes distant, as though she were seeing the past. "We were close. Despite everything, she was kind, gentle, and strong in her way. I never imagined seeing or hearing anything about her again, let alone meeting her son." She looked at Quin then, her gaze searching his face for a moment before dropping again. "I thought Loma was gone forever after she disappeared. I didn’t know what had happened to her."

"Disappeared?" Cal echoed, his brow furrowing. "You didn’t know what happened? She did not tell you she was leaving the city?"

Elisa shook her head slowly. "No. She vanished one day, and no one knew where she had gone. I assumed she had... I assumed the worst. I had searched for months, years for her whereabouts and found nothing. When you mentioned her, I thought perhaps something terrible had happened to her, and that’s why you were here."

Quin felt a lump form in his throat, the weight of the past pressing down on him. "She... she died giving birth to me," he said quietly. "That’s why I’m here. I wanted to learn more about her life and how she became the person she was."

Elisa’s face fell, and a deep frown etched across her features. "Loma... died?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "During childbirth?" She shook her head, disbelief mingling with the sorrow in her eyes. "No, that doesn’t seem right."

"What do you mean?" Zach asked, leaning forward slightly, sensing that Elisa knew more than she was letting on.

"Loma was a Disciple when she left," Elisa explained, her voice growing firmer as she gathered her thoughts. "She wasn’t a woman of conflict but strong in her own ways. She had ascended multiple times, and I knew her well enough to say that she should not have perished during childbirth. It’s rare—unheard of, really—for someone with her level of strength to... to die in such a way."

Quin clenched his hands in his lap, the words stinging despite his best efforts to keep calm. "I don’t know all the details," he admitted, his voice strained. "Lief Stoneheart, the man who raised me, told me that Loma had complications during childbirth. He said it was a rare situation, but that’s all I’ve been told."

Elisa’s frown deepened, her eyes filling with a quiet anguish. "Complications or not, it doesn’t make sense," she muttered, almost to herself. "Loma was stronger than that. There must have been something else that happened that day that no one is telling you."

Once again, the room fell into a heavy silence as Quin processed Elisa’s words. He knew why his mother had died during childbirth, but he could not state the reason. Telling Elisa anything about him and his brother being Demigods and causing the death of Loma was a terrible idea. Lauren glanced at Quin, clearly not having previously found the oddity in Quin’s story but not that Elisa raised the question. She saw some flaws in Quin’s story about his background. The others at the table, knowing Quin’s secret, did not react to the accusation about Loma’s death.

"Elisa," Quin said softly, "I cannot explain further the circumstances behind Loma’s death. However, I need to know about her life... anything at all... please, tell me."

Elisa hesitated momentarily, her eyes flickering with indecision, but then she met Quin’s gaze, her expression resolute.

Elisa’s inquisitive gaze lingered on Quin; her lips pressed together as if she wanted to push for more answers. The weight of what she had just learned seemed to hang heavily over her. Her eyes, though kind, carried a burden of expectation as if waiting for Quin to open up more about what had happened to his mother. Finally, she gave up and sighed.

Sensing the tension rising, Lauren stepped in smoothly. "Elisa, it’s very distressing for Quin to talk about his mother’s death. We came here hoping for closure and understanding if you can help." Her voice was calm, firm yet gentle, and her gaze softened as she gave Elisa a reassuring smile. Inside, Lauren was equally curious about the information that Quin was withholding, but she could and would ask later.

Elisa hesitated, her expression softening as well. She seemed to understand, albeit reluctantly, and gave a slight nod. "Of course," she said, her voice quieter now, more resigned. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push." She sighed, her eyes falling back to the cup in her hands. "It’s just... it’s a lot to take in."

The group relaxed slightly, and the tension in the room eased. Quin offered Lauren a grateful glance, feeling a momentary sense of relief.

Quin leaned forward, steering the conversation back to what had brought them here. "Could you tell me about your history with my mother?" he asked gently. "I don’t know much about her life before she disappeared, and I’d love to know more about who she was."

Elisa paused momentarily, her eyes distant as she gathered her thoughts. "Well," she began slowly, "Loma and I... we grew up together. We were both raised in the same orphanage." Her eyes flickered with a touch of nostalgia. "It was this very village, Vistow, that raised us. This orphanage and its charity work have been around for a long time. Loma and I always talked about coming here someday, giving back to the community that gave us our childhoods."

Elisa smiled faintly, though there was sadness in it. "After Loma disappeared, I kept that promise, in a way. I returned here a few years later, hoping to do some good. But..." Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at Quin. "I always hoped she would return and join me."

The room was silent momentarily, the weight of her words hanging between them.

"What happened before she disappeared?" Quin asked, his curiosity piqued. "Did she say anything to you?"

Elisa’s expression grew clouded with old memories. "Before Loma disappeared, she was... troubled. I could see it in her eyes. She seemed so distraught as if something heavy was weighing on her heart. I asked her several times what was wrong, but..." Elisa shook her head sadly. "She never told me. She just... left, and no one knew where she went."

Elisa paused, her gaze turning to Quin once more. "Do you know where she went? What was wrong with her back then?"

Quin swallowed, his heart racing. He needed to be careful here—there was so much Elisa couldn’t know. "She traveled to the Abil Mountains," he said carefully, "and she was pregnant when she arrived there."

Elisa’s eyes widened slightly at that revelation, but Quin quickly continued. "As for what was wrong... I don’t know. Lief, the man who raised me, told me she arrived with complications, but I never knew much about her state before that." He lied about not knowing his father, hoping to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "I’ve always wanted to learn more about her before that time. What kind of life did she have? What was she like?"

Elisa leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Loma’s childhood was... plain, I suppose. We were raised as orphans here in Vistow, along with many other children. Life wasn’t easy, but we had each other. Vistow did not have nearly the number of caretakers and funds it has now." She smiled softly, the memories bringing a touch of warmth. "We grew up together, and when we became teenagers, we were sponsored by the followers of Serenity to travel to Cremoor for a formal education at one of the temples."

"Serenity?" Zach asked, his brow furrowing. "The Goddess of Tranquility and Peace, the same group sponsoring the village?"

"Yes," Elisa confirmed with a nod. "Serenity’s followers ran the charity that sponsored us. It’s one of the reasons I decided to eventually give up on following Altruism, Goddess of Selflessness and Charitable Acts, and follow Serenity and serve her temple after our journey. I felt a deep connection to the charity work they did for me, and it shaped my path to eventually return here."

"But my mother chose Solarius," Quin said quietly, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Why?"