As it turned out, the journey was longer than Taylor had expected. Dammit, I knew I shouldn’t have trusted Kira's description in the novel, Taylor cursed. The guy had unnatural stamina and strength but hadn’t fully realized it yet. Kira thought this was normal, partly because his sister also had strength beyond the average human. Meanwhile, Taylor had below-average strength and stamina, making this trek feel especially grueling. There is definitely something wrong with this family he thought.

“Are you okay?” Kira asked, glancing over at Taylor.

“I’m fine,” Taylor replied, waving away Kira's concern and ignoring the quickening pace of his own heartbeat. He soon stopped paying attention to whatever Kira was saying next, lost instead in thoughts of a place to stay in Valey. Not much was known about inns and rentals there, and Kira had only taken the first one he'd found. Taylor didn’t know any good options, where to find them, or how much they cost. Besides, he didn’t have any money, so he’d have to work something out—maybe a temporary job at a shop or inn in exchange for a place to stay. But he needed to leave Valey soon. The villains, after attacking Deep Hollow, would move on to Valey just two days later. It was all too random, like they’d just felt like causing chaos. or were following Kira. Though the casualties in Valey would be fewer than in Deep Hollow, thanks to Kira.

“Hey.” Kira and Mira both turned toward Taylor as he spoke. “What are you going to do now?” They didn’t have a home anymore, but Kira should be able to find one for himself and his sister.

“You don’t have to worry! We’ll just stay in Valey. What about you?” Mira said enthusiastically.

What? Taylor frowned. They were going to stay in Valey? He knew he’d changed the story, but were they not even upset about their home being destroyed? Thinking back, he realized that Kira's primary motivation had been revenge for Mira’s death; he’d hardly mentioned his village. Was it that bad of a place? Had Kira and Mira endured such a hard life there?

“Don’t you want revenge on the people who destroyed your home?” Taylor pressed.

Kira and Mira merely shrugged.

“We actually just moved there recently, so we didn’t know anyone,” Kira explained.

“Yeah, we move around a lot. It sucks, especially since we planned to finally settle down. But, oh well.” Oh well? Taylor thought. Guess that makes sense. Who would risk their life for strangers? I wouldn’t either.

“I suppose that makes sense. Also, about that debt you want to repay me…” Taylor began, only to be interrupted by Kira and Mira, who both leaned in with stars in their eyes, getting right up in his personal space.

“YES??” Taylor shoved them back.

“I don’t have any money on me, so I’ll stay with you for a while.”

“Of course! I thought that was obvious,” Kira said, nodding, while Mira gave him a look that seemed to say, Are you stupid?

“So, what about the debt?” Taylor asked.

“After that, consider it paid,” he replied.

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“Just like that?”

“Do you have a problem with that?” Taylor asked, watching Kira's uncertain expression.

“Wait a second, why don’t you have any money? Where were you planning to stay in Deep Hollow?” Mira interrupted, realization dawning on her.

“It was destroyed in the attack,” Taylor lied smoothly.

“That sucks.”

“Yup.”

Taylor turned his thoughts to getting Kira on his journey. The only way to motivate him was to make things personal—though Taylor wasn’t sure how personal it needed to be. Would it be enough if he had friends with the same goal? Or would someone need to be injured? Maybe if I got hurt in the attack on Valey… But he quickly dismissed that idea. Taylor didn’t want to get involved, or worse, injured. New plan then.

There were two people in Valey who were somewhat aware of the villain group due to rumors and, after witnessing the attack, decided to join Kira in stopping them. If they became friends before the attack, maybe they could convince Kira to join them after it…

Kira caught Taylor as he stumbled.

“Are you—”

“I’m fine. I just wasn’t paying attention.”

Kira hummed, and they continued walking in silence. Taylor put a hand over his heart, taking a deep breath. Everything’s fine. Finally, he saw Valey. The city looked a little more modern than Deep Hollow, though nowhere near as advanced as Earth. However, what Valey lacked in technology, it made up for in magic. The buildings looked like something from a witch-hunting era, but they still had ways to communicate, like the strange glass balls people used to make calls.

Once in Valey, Kira rented a small house, and Taylor spent some time exploring. He noticed a stand selling weapons and another with magical items, like the enchanted pouch Kira had. Mira was about to wonder off when Taylor stopped her. Not even 15 minutes later they headed to the house.

“This place isn’t bad,” Mira murmured, examining it. The house wasn’t the one from the novel, Taylor noted. It was a single-story house with three bedrooms and a cozy kitchen. Taylor quickly located the kitchen, where Mira had set down groceries she’d bought while the others explored. Despite his fatigue, Taylor set to work on cooking Dinner.

“Are you going to make something?” Mira asked.

“Yes, that’s why I asked you to buy these things,” Taylor replied, not looking up.

“Wait, you knew she was going shopping?” Kira joined the conversation, surprised.

“You didn’t? She mentioned it while you were looking around.”

“I must not have been paying attention. Where’d you get the money, anyway?”

“Stole it from you,” Mira replied, shameless.

“When!?”

Mira and Taylor both looked at Kira with unimpressed stares.

“You’re useless,” Mira declared, then turned to Taylor. “Taylor, you’re my big brother now. Apparently there is a chance I might get stolen if I rely on this moron.”

Taylor ignored their antics.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Kira protested. “Besides, Taylor is my little brother—that way I don’t have to worry about you corrupting him.”

Taylor was lost. He didn’t understand the argument but didn’t care either.

“I’m neither of your brother, so don’t drag me into this.”

They both laughed. Taylor felt like he was missing something. The siblings continued bantering, with Taylor occasionally chiming in. Eventually, the food was ready, and they all sat down at the table together.

“What did you make?” Kira asked.

“Potato soup,” Taylor replied, unsure if it was good since he hadn’t cooked much back on Earth. His few attemps always ended in someone else taking over. He only remembered a few recipes.

“IT’S AWESOME!” Mira practically shouted.

“This is the best soup I’ve ever had!” Kira agreed.

Taylor smiled. “Thanks. I’m glad you like it.”

“You should stay with us!” Mira immediately suggested, looking at Kira with a pleading expression, like she was asking him to adopt a stray cat.

Taylor felt like he didn’t get a say in this.

“Definitely! You’re always welcome to stay with us,” Kira agreed enthusiastically.

“Thank you, but it’s fine,” Taylor said, still planning to keep his distance once the novel’s storyline resumed. Though, with the way Kira was acting, he wondered if he’d already altered the storyline beyond repair. The Kira he remembered from the novel had been ruthless and aloof, even difficult for his friends to understand. Yet, here he was, laughing and calling Taylor his little brother. It felt… strange.

After a while, fatigue overtook Taylor. His heart was pounding.

“I’m going to head to bed,” he announced and headed off. He heard Mira and Kira calling after him.

“GOOD NIGHT!”

“Sleep well.”