"Gods... Maybe we should have brought Al too. We're all so shitty at this," Xavier muttered as he observed Sasha tending to Mani's wounds.

Sasha rolled her eyes and tightened a bandage on Mani's arm. "No need, duh. I'm like, super good at this. Al taught me." She moved on to the other arm.

Xavier scoffed. "Of course, he'd teach you. The man's in lo—"

Xavier was abruptly silenced by a kick to his leg from Vex. Though he shot Vex a glare, Vex only shrugged and settled down next to Mani. He observed her intently as he knelt beside her. Moments later, Estes emerged from the nearby forest and approached the group.

"So?" Xavier prodded Estes as he took his place beside Vex. "What'ya, you do to that guy?"

"You talk as if I was supposed to silence him," Estes replied with an air of indifference, "I paid him, and he left. He won't divulge our secrets."

Xavier sighed and sat down beside Sasha. Having just finished her meticulous bandaging, she joined them, and they formed a circle around Mani. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on their minds.

"It's horrible... What those elves did to Mani," Sasha remarked, her face etched with deep concern. "I could barely keep it together when I had to bring her food."

Her words drew sighs from all those gathered.

"No kiddin’. I could hear the screams from whenever I guarded the exit," Xavier confessed in a somber tone.

Estes, who had been quietly observing Mani, seemed to be lost in thought.

Vex closed his eyes, leaned back on his palms, and sighed. "Our rescue had to be flawless, or the entire plan would've crumbled. We were deep within enemy territory, and with just the four of us..."

"Agreed. We wasted too much time traveling here. I've lost track of how many days have passed since Mani made her call," Estes mused, gently brushing a strand of Mani's disheveled hair away from her face.

"She was smart 'nough to activate her comms even during a struggle. That's Mani for ya," Xavier chimed in.

Sasha stole a quick glance at Estes before averting her gaze. "I can't even imagine... What would have happened if she didn't."

"Then let us not imagine it," Vex interjected, his eyes scanning the surroundings for potential threats.

A brief silence descended upon the group before Xavier raised the question, "So, what now? Do we go back to Eavalia?"

"We can certainly try, although I suspect the elves will close their borders soon," Estes replied.

Sasha tilted her head, curious. "So soon?"

Estes nodded. "Mani was a valuable asset, and they won't be lenient in letting her escape."

Xavier let out an exaggerated groan.

"I sure hope Al and Tahlia are okay then," Sasha muttered, mostly to herself.

Estes kept his gaze on Mani. There was a deep frown painted on his lips.

"... Our next course of action is to return to Fejuhn," Estes announced, prompting everyone's attention.

"Wait, what?!" Xavier furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Are you sure... that's the right course of action?" Sasha questioned.

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Vex withheld his opinion on the matter.

"Yes, they don't know our true appearances, except for Mani. She will remain here with one of us while the rest head into Fejuhn. We must find someone willing and able to smuggle us out of Ylvanna," Estes reasoned.

"Estes, that's crazy. You're tellin' a bunch of humans to waltz into Fejuhn to find information? That's the pinnacle of suspicious," Xavier brought up a good point, "Only you can go out into Fejuhn; you're the only elf here."

Sasha's face lit up in realization. "Wait... Is that why you asked Al for cosmetics?"

Vex and Xavier turned to Sasha with matching confused glances.

Estes nodded. "That is correct. Al has been working on those cosmetics for the incarnation search. I argued that this rescue mission was far more important, so he handed it over."

Sasha nodded in understanding. "Oh... That's smart, Estes! As expected of Mani's number two!"

"Can someone explain what the hell you two are talking about?" Xavier cut in with an annoyed tone.

"Three of us will enter Fejuhn with cosmetics. Cosmetics are potions that alter your appearance and can give you elven ears and features. We will search for a corrupt noble, or any corrupt wealthy person who is able to smuggle us out of Fejuhn," Estes explained, laying out the plan. "Any questions?"

"Uh yeah?! Cosmetics?! How is that even possible?!" Xavier seemed to be having a crisis about the possibility of cosmetics.

Estes and the others winced at Xavier's outburst.

"Lower your voice, Xavier. You might wake Mani," Estes cautioned. "Al crafted these cosmetics, and that's all you need to know. Aleistor is an alchemical genius."

Xavier, though still skeptical, lowered his voice. "But still, changin' your appearance? That's crazy..."

"I mean... It's not like he brewed it overnight. It took years," Sasha added.

Vex, clearly weary of Xavier's antics, sighed. "I have a question, Estes."

Estes welcomed the interruption. "Yes?"

"Who will stay with Mani?" Vex asked, his eyes on Mani's slumbering form.

Estes contemplated for a moment, rubbing his chin. "We need someone capable of defending her alone. I hope you won't take offense, but that rules out Sasha and Xavier."

Sasha nodded in agreement, acknowledging her lack of combat prowess. Xavier, however, took offense.

"Huh?! Are ya sayin’ I'm weak?" he protested.

Estes shook his head. "You're not weak, but you're not on par with incarnations."

Vex spoke up before Xavier could launch another tirade. "So, it's either me or you?"

"Correct," Estes confirmed.

Sasha glanced between the two. "So, who will it be?"

Vex glanced at Estes. "I'll go into Fejuhn. You can hold your own, and Mani would probably prefer to wake up to you."

Estes raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure she'd be glad to wake up to any one of us."

"Sure, but you know her the longest, so it's different. You should stay, Estes," Sasha agreed with Vex.

Xavier reluctantly nodded. "Mani would've definitely wanted to wake up to my handsome face, but I suppose she'll see it later."

Everyone rolled their eyes.

"Then it's settled. You three will return to Fejuhn, and I'll stay with Mani," Estes confirmed.

He concealed his relief at being the one to stay by Mani's side, as there was much he needed to discuss with her. He was determined to find out who she was struggling with when she made her distress call.

"When should we head out?" Vex's voice snapped Estes out of his thoughts.

Estes glanced at the sky. "You should leave as soon as possible. In a few days' time, perhaps."

Vex nodded. "That's settled, then. We'll start packing."

"Pack only the essentials. We wouldn't want to raise suspicion," Estes advised, turning his attention back to Mani. "And, Sasha, don't lose the cosmetics."

"Got it. I'll keep them safe," Sasha assured, clutching the belt with the valuable items close.

Suddenly, it dawned on her, and she hurried to retrieve a black bag from the pile of supplies. The others watched her with curiosity.

"What're you doin'?" Xavier asked.

Sasha didn't respond at first, but when she retrieved the bag, she turned back to the group, holding it up triumphantly.

Estes raised an intrigued eyebrow.

Xavier crossed his arms, his curiosity piqued.

Vex offered her an appreciative but puzzled round of applause.

Sasha rolled her eyes at their reactions and explained, "It's Mani's belongings. I saw Elanor stash it in her office when I was infiltrating. Elanor was the captain of the group that captured Mani."

Estes, impressed, gave her a real applause. "That's amazing! Well done, Sasha."

Vex and Xavier nodded in understanding.

Vex smiled. "Quick thinking."

Sasha bashfully smiled at the praise.

"Huh, I didn't see that bitch stuff it there," Xavier muttered.

"That's because you're incompetent," Vex offered Xavier his opinion.

"You little—"

"Enough," Estes interjected. He extended his hand to Sasha, and she handed him the black bag. Estes opened it and found Mani's personal items within. Closing the bag, he placed it at his side.

"Did you see where they put her swords? Gael gave them to her, and she'll be distraught without them," Estes inquired.

She took a moment to try to recall if she did. She nodded. "All I know is that it's in Elanor's office. I didn't look properly before since we were in a rush."

"It's alright. We'll ensure Mani's swords are returned to her one day," Estes affirmed.