“So, uh…Tulis here is joining us as ambassador for the Mygaleans,” said Raine. “She’s going to, uh, help…to make an impression. On her kind. I, uh…hope things can go well with, uh…her.”

Tulis, on her part, nodded, and was greeted with silence among the gathered townspeople. They all stared at the most unusual race that they had ever been introduced to. At first glance, she looked like a monster that plagued the desert and the Seaside Region. But her courteous gestures did not indicate a feral monster ready to kill them.

The muted response did not help Raine in the slightest, who simply cleared his throat, trying not to make the silence awkward. It started rather well, he sarcastically thought.

“T-that is all,” said Raine. “You are welcome to stay if you have questions for Tulis. But otherwise…I won’t take your time.”

Many of the townspeople returned to their previous activities without so much as wondering how a Mygalean could exist. Raine sighed, feeling that it went well enough.

“At least no one’s panicking,” said Raine.

“I told Rachna this is a bad idea, and she insisted,” said Tulis. “I never thought I’d say this, but that’s abuse of authority.”

“She’s the kind of person who gets what she wants, huh? You’re lucky she’s one of the good ones, although I’m worried that her good intentions are misplaced.”

“Let’s hope not,” said Tulis. “Let’s just get this over with. Where should I stay while I’m here?”

Before Tulis left the square with Raine, someone tapped one of her appendages, prompting her to turn to find a Lizan staring at her. Her bright, colorful scales gave her quite an impression when compared to the dull color of Tulis’s chitin.

“I just wanted to welcome you to Dragon’s Rest,” said the Lizan with a smile on her reptilian face. “Don’t worry too much about the silent treatment. Everyone’s understandably confused that Mygaleans exist. We have reptilians and mammalians, but you’re the first arachnoid we’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you, uh….”

“Silsene. I’m the town’s doctor,” said Sil. “If you don’t mind, would you like to come by the clinic if you have time? I’m…intrigued with your physiology.”

“Intrigued as in you’re going to cut me open?”

“Oh, no, no. I just need to know what to expect when you need medical treatment. Mygaleans aren’t exactly covered in school, you know. There is a field of study called arachnology, but it’s more for conservation of spiders since Havens still have unmutated spiders kept in captivity for study.”

“Unmutated spiders, eh?” said Tulis, intrigued. “Does that mean you consider me a mutated spider, then?”

“No, of course not! You’re a person, not an animal. What I mean is—”

Tulis clicked her mandibles. “I’m just joking with you, Silsene. I’ll be glad to help you with your…scientific curiosity. Better than having to be so formal every time, right, mister mayor?”

“Just don’t get too informal or else you’ll give the folks a wrong impression!”

Tulis clicked her mandibles again. Raine’s observation on their vocalizations was enough for him to conclude that it was how they chuckle or laugh. Being aware of that only made him annoyed, though he also smiled, knowing that if she got the right people to talk to, the Mygalean outreach effort could work, especially since he was worried about her and Narati being considered outsiders by visitors.

Raine wondered if this was the right idea. While it was helped by the fact that, unlike Fa’ars, Mygaleans were not as well-known, the fact that they were spiders would not make things simple. Only time would tell. He considered the Mygaleans fortunate to be based in the Emerald Valley; anywhere else and they might find themselves fighting against everyone who only regarded them as monsters.

He decided not to think too much about it. The fact that he survived what could have been a traumatizing ordeal was enough to convince him that the risk of permanent psychological damage was possible beyond the trauma of losing someone close to him to an unfortunate accident. To him, that fact alone was enough to convince him that he needed something to distract him, to let him put the experience on the back of his mind, to return to his responsibilities as a mayor.

But he should get things straight with Hima first before he became too busy again.

***

Himawari, on her part, enjoyed the small town and the hospitality and kindness of the people living in that town. She did met some unusual people such as Herbert, who was the first to greet her upon learning about a ‘nine-tailed Vulpin’ visiting the town. Hima wondered if he was a notorious womanizer, though she shrugged it off as his way to greet the kitsune. In fact, he wasn’t acting like he was trying to flirt, only greeting her, and having a bit of conversation before he went on his way, presumably getting some rest judging from his wide yawn. His furless appearance did not perturb Hima in the slightest. What intrigued her was the fact that he had a different spiritual energy that reminded her of a Fa’ar.

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“I don’t know where Raine found these people,” thought Hima. “But at least they’re harmless.”

She could say the same with the Mygaleans. Despite their monstrous appearance, they were no different than the rest of the beast people that populated the world. Hima wasn’t sure if the queen’s decision would lead to grave consequences or not. Only time would tell.

As she relaxed near the fountain plaza, sipping the tea she bought from a café nearby, she felt someone’s presence. A familiar presence. She cracked a smile and twitched her vulpine ears. Without turning around, she said, “You can’t sneak up on me, Raine. Not when I’m in this form.”

“Oh, man. And here I thought I am light-footed,” said Raine’s voice. “Kinda wish I had paws like you.”

“Don’t regret something you don’t have.”

She gestured towards the chair across the table, inviting Raine to sit. The cat-eared human did not hesitate to comply.

“So,” started Raine. “Enjoying Dragon’s Rest so far?”

“You struck quite a gold,” said Hima. “I heard from Aranis that this was a ruined, abandoned town with a nasty history underground. You’re lucky it isn’t cursed.”

“If it was, Aranis wouldn’t recommend it. And besides, we both know how to dispel a curse.”

“And you have who to thanks?”

Raine let out a chuckle. “Hoarding compliments now, Hima?” he said.

“Since it’s you, yeah,” said Hima, sipping her tea.

“I’m surprised your foxy friend isn’t here with us.”

“If you’re worried about his whereabouts, he’s currently with Aranis and her Chitra friend. Turns out Chitras and kitsunes have similar ideas when it comes to magic. Not that I expected someone to come up here from that far south, but Aranis’s well-traveled, so I’m not surprised.”

“Well, that suits me quite fine. It’s hard to find someone that is wise in this time and age, you notwithstanding. What do you think of Kaz?”

Hima chuckled. “What? Jealous?”

“It’s an honest question, Hima.”

“Honestly, Kaz is…well, it’s hard to say. Reminded me of you, in some way, but without the snark and quips.”

“That’s part of the charm, you know. I’m nothing without an audience.”

“But only time will tell if he’s going to just go off to some adventure without saying anything,” said Hima. “That’s when I’ll think he’s just you, but…foxier.”

Raine wanted to laugh, but he knew what Hima was implying. He did manage to let out a restrained chuckle, one that Hima could tell full of reluctance and awkwardness, before he said, “I’m…sorry. I really do.”

“Hey, cut it off, Raine. You’ve been telling me the same thing over and over again. At this point, I don’t care anymore.” She sighed. “You established quite a community and you found something you can be responsible for. If you are an aloof man wondering what’s the next adventure, it’d take more than that for me to forgive me. But then, I saw you and the Fa’ar. He respects you, considers you a trustworthy friend.”

“It’s a long story,” said Raine. “Yet I’m glad to have met him. You’re right, you know. Without Nara, I would not even consider going back to the Emerald Valley. I would just go on and on, searching for something until I die somewhere in the desert, leaving behind nothing but memories. In fact, I didn’t even know what I’m searching for. The thrill of it? The world? The people? A rival, perhaps?

“I found a rival. He’s dead now, sadly. Another friend of mine is fighting for his life against Aether corruption. Before you say anything, no. I don’t think this is something that you can help with.”

“Yeah, I know,” said Hima. “There are corruptions that I can’t purify.”

“Or you can try, but I doubt I’d change anything. The thing is…this town gave me a chance to prove that I am more than just a mercenary. I think in the end, despite my reluctance to be a part of something great like the Knights, I ended up becoming something just as important. Dragon’s Rest…this will be my legacy. A town founded by everykind, even a Fa’ar.”

“And created out of the sacrifice of a dragon.”

“I’d not want that to be the case, but it sounds so badass I can’t just shrug it off. Besides, Dragon’s Rest has a second meaning. It’s a final resting place of a dragon, but it’s also the resting place of a dragon we rescued.”

Hima’s ears perked up. “A dragon? Alive?”

“In the egg, but still alive,” said Raine. “Don’t expect me to let you see it, though. It’s Narati’s responsibility.”

“Ah.” Hima chuckled, then finished her tea. “Well, then. What’s your plan from now on?”

“Make sure our Mygalean guest is not getting into trouble, and probably visit the folks back home. When are you planning to leave?”

“When you decide to come with us,” said Hima. “Just…don’t wait until the year has passed.”

“I promise, this time, I’ll go as soon as everything’s done,” said Raine. “You have my words, Hima.”

Hima nodded and Raine smiled in response. He then excused himself, intending to return to his work as soon as he could so that he wouldn’t break his promise to his former lover. Somehow, knowing that he would finally return home with all his achievements and stories to tell made himself felt proud to go on an adventure, even though it didn’t exactly go without consequences to his private life.

As Raine left the fountain plaza and returned to his office, Hima stayed in the park, her expression turned from cheerful to serious. Raine was not the one she was waiting for. She expected him to visit her, but there was someone else who she needed to talk to.

She was intrigued that he did not bother joining their conversation, but he could just try and spare his friend from doubting him. He was already invited by Raine to come with them back to Cavilen, after all, so Raine wouldn’t suspect anything. Maybe it would be best for Raine to know this fact. Knowing him, he would to whatever he could to help a friend.

“As I told Raine, I can’t guarantee anything,” said Hima. “But you seek answers, both for yourself and your future with them. That is a wise decision, because no one is supposed to be burdened by something so dangerous that they cannot be sure whether it’s better for them to be dead or not. Am I right…Narati Vasra?”

Narati, the Fa’ar who had been the subject of Hima’s conversation with Raine, was standing behind her with an equally serious expression. Or rather, a troubled expression on his rodent face.

“Kazenami was right to tell me about it,” continued Hima. “He knew what it feels like to struggle against a powerful darkness. So, Narati, why don’t you come here and have a talk with me?”

Narati silently walked to the chair Raine was sitting on just moments ago, feeling anxious, but nevertheless tried to appear strong. His long, rat tail, however, betrayed him by wrapping itself around him, causing him to instinctively grab it for comfort. Hima also noticed that he was shivering not from the cold, but from worry.

Ever since Rachna confronted him with the question of who he was, and what she said afterwards, he became uneasy about his identity, and what Fa’ars were supposed to be. His fight with Asran in the middle of a powerful Aether radiation should’ve killed him horribly, yet he survived with Aether sickness and none of the associated symptoms that should’ve ravaged a race with no natural protection to mana or Aether. He couldn’t simply dismiss that fact as a ‘miracle’. It was not in the slightest.

Whatever Hima could tell him, or whatever her father could tell, would help him know what he was and what his fate would be.