Mani was prepared; the hood of her cloak concealed her face as she stepped into the plains. She didn't know where Estes was, but she figured it was time to do something. His brief call to inform her he was out of the walls had been enough to set her into motion. She walked forward, trying to get a glimpse of Estes's whereabouts.

"This way," Estes directed through the comms, but not to her.

He was leading Aerendil toward her. As two figures in matching armor approached, their forms glinting in the sun, Mani struggled to confirm if it was indeed him.

"That's him," she muttered, although she wasn't really sure.

Mani pulled her hood lower, obscuring her face. Trying to appear casual, she walked toward the main road leading to Fejuhn's gates. As they neared, her nerves intensified, and her heart raced.

They were alone, the three of them.

"Hey you!" Aerendil called out, a voice she hadn't heard in a while. He sounded the same. "Are you alright? It is dangerous here, perhaps you should return if you do not have any business."

Estes remained silent; his gaze fixed on her. Aerendil jogged to get closer, and Mani glanced up at him when he was a few feet away. She watched as he halted to a pause. His helmet obscured her sight of his face, but she knew he recognized her instantly.

"Theo, go inform the others that Mani has been found!" Aerendil yelled behind him at Estes as he broke into a full sprint towards her.

Mani took that as a cue to run, dashing into the direction of the forest. Aerendil was hot on her heels, despite him being clad in heavy armor. She couldn’t help but find the familiarity of the situation a bit humorous. Observing Estes waiting for them at the forest's entrance, she knew he couldn't follow now without arousing suspicion.

Aerendil released gusts of wind, narrowly missing her. As Mani reached the forest, she sprinted faster, evading his sight.

"Mani! Stop!" Aerendil shouted, surprised by her speed. His armor, a hindrance, prevented him from catching up easily.

Mani pressed on, ducking behind a tree as Aerendil closed in. She panted, focusing on slowing her breath. Raising her palm, flames engulfed her hand, and she awaited his approach. He would be there soon. After slowing her breathing, she focused all her attention on her surroundings.

Aerendil's footsteps on the crunchy leaves signalled his proximity. Once she deduced his position as 'close enough,' she stepped out, and flames erupted from her direction. Aerendil backed away quickly and unsheathed his claymore. In the midst of the fire, Mani lunged at him. Her palms alight as she aimed for his head.

Caught off guard, Aerendil barely managed to defend against her attack with his claymore. She backed away slightly before retrying with her dagger in hand. Her dagger sliced through the air but managed to graze his cheek. Aerendil growled and swung his claymore to fend her off. Mani retreated, recognizing her dagger's inadequacy against his weapon.

"Mani," Aerendil managed to say between heavy breathing.

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Mani, exhausted and drained from the recent events, realized her surprise attack had failed. She didn't answer, no, she couldn’t answer. 'Shit, I should've rested more,' she thought as her vision blurred.

The bounty hunter, although inept, still left an impact on her stamina and Aerendil, although weary, still posed a formidable challenge. Sleep deprivation compounded her struggles. Aerendil saw her unfocused gaze, tightened his grip, and lunged. Mani, gripping her dagger, prepared for his onslaught, unwilling to surrender. Her mind fogged as a blurred Aerendil brought his claymore closer and closer.

"Fuck," she muttered, and the dagger fell from her hands.

It’s over…

A golden light briefly flashed, accompanied by the thunderous cackle of lightning. Mani fell to the ground, but the anticipated blow of Aerendil’s claymore never landed. The last sound she heard was the claymore hitting the ground before succumbing to unconsciousness.

***

Mani awoke abruptly, scanning her surroundings with panic. Estes was the first thing she saw, and relief replaced her panic.

"Tes..." Mani rubbed her face. "D–Did the plan—"

"It worked," Estes pointed to the unconscious Aerendil. She could see him with anti-magic shackles on his wrists. He was also tied up, securely. Ropes were wrapped around his torso, constricting his arms to his sides. His legs were also bound in ropes; not only that, but his mouth was also gagged as he sat with his back against the tree.

Estes noticed Mani staring at the shackles and he explained, "They're standard items carried by guards."

Mani nodded at the explanation. She faced him, and he didn't look happy. No, he was pissed. Mani gulped, having an idea of why he was upset.

"Good jo—"

Estes cut her off. "What were you thinking?" His voice was eerily calm. That was way worse.

Mani avoided eye contact, fidgeting with the blanket draped over her. "What are you talking about..."

"Don't give me that bullshit, Mani," Estes gestured angrily to her general direction, and his expression morphed into fury. "Look at you. You look horrible, like… like you haven't slept at all. You passed out after a little run. If I wasn't there on time, do you understand what would have happened?!" Estes’s voice rose even more.

Mani chewed on her lips and remained silent.

Estes continued, "Are you trying to kill yourself?! Mani, look at me!" He grabbed her shoulders and started shaking her. "You look malnourished... what the hell is wrong with you?!"

A sob escaped Mani. "I'm sorry..."

“What the hell is saying sorry going to do?!”

Estes gripped her cheeks, forcing her to meet his gaze. The corner of her lips was downturned, and her tired eyes welled up with tears. She felt guilty for making him worried, it was always like this. Nothing had changed from when they were little.

"I can't believe you..." Estes furrowed his brows, and his eyes welled up. He closed his eyes to hold back the tears threatening to fall. With his voice trembling slightly, he mumbled quietly, "Don't you... understand how scared I was? I–I'm not Al, I can't... what if I couldn't save you from what you did to yourself. What if..."

Mani couldn’t hold back, and tears ran down her cheeks. Estes was the only person she could ever cry in front of.

"I know, I–I forgot... I'm so sorry, please. Don't be scared, don't be mad." She sobbed uncontrollably, and a few tears ran down Estes's cheeks.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and she buried her face in his neck. Her shoulders trembled as she cried in his arms.

"Don't you dare do this again..." Estes mumbled as he rested his cheek on her head. "Just don't do this again. Please."

Mani sniffled. "I know, I p–promise."

Even though his armor was uncomfortable, she couldn't bring herself to separate from him. A few minutes passed by, and Mani was calmer. Estes had calmed down way before her, and he just patted her head until she completely quieted. He released her, and she looked down, hating her weakness.

"Have you eaten today?" Estes asked as he looked down at her, his voice gentler than when he was scolding her. Mani shook her head, and he sighed.

"Stay here. I'll get something for you, and I'll make my report while you eat," Estes said, and with one more pat on her head, he stood up.

"Tes, I really am sorry," Mani mumbled, and he glanced down at her.

"Don't feel too bad; you promised you wouldn't do it again," Estes reassured her.

“Listen… um…” Mani shifted slightly. "You wouldn't tell the others, would you?"

Estes let out a humorless chuckle. "No, I promise I won't."