Unfortunately, only stale bread remained, but Mani refrained from complaining since any food was better than none. It was her fault for not replenishing the food supply anyway. She chewed thoughtfully as Estes recounted his exploits and achievements.

"Patrols were everywhere but snagging one of their armors turned out easier than expected," Estes casually remarked, settling beside her sleeping bag. "Then, I built a fake identity and gained the trust of the other guards to gather intel on Aerendil."

Mani nodded, absorbing the information. "Aerendil called you Theo," she interjected.

Estes chuckled. "Ah, Theo. Maybe you don't remember, but he was one of the orphans, like an older brother to everyone. Left the orphanage early, though."

Mani shrugged, signaling her lack of knowledge about Theo.

"No matter," Estes continued. "Met Aerendil in a tavern, shared a few drinks, and now he thinks we're pals."

Mani glanced at the still-unconscious Aerendil.

"... I killed the guard that was meant to patrol today; I'm guessing all the competent guards were sent off to the war. Then I lied to Aerendil, saying we were the ones meant to patrol." Estes glossed over his murder; Mani understood not to ask about it. "Hell, he thought other guards were attempting to sabotage him; he even thanked me for telling him."

Mani chewed silently as she listened. She could tell Estes simplified it by a lot, but she appreciated the report.

"I see," Mani turned to Estes. "You did really well. Did you hear about Vex and the others?"

"Yes, I was about to get to that," he sighed. "They uh... were arrested."

Mani's jaw dropped, and he grimaced. "What happened?" she asked.

"Xavier."

Mani took a deep breath. Just one word, and the whole story was told. How many times had she told Xavier not to be so hotheaded? Even Vex was with him! Vex was usually enough to stop Xavier's antics.

"Long story short, Xavier initiated a brawl in the middle of a marketplace, a busy one. Vex and Sasha were caught up attempting to cease the squabble, but they all ended up arrested." Estes rubbed his chin. "Prior, they were already on the run for a misdemeanor; now they're arrested for assault, so they might be detained for a while."

Mani leaned back, closing her eyes. Her brain throbbed.

"Maybe sending them back to Fejuhn wasn't the best call," Estes mumbled.

Mani shook her head. "No, you did what you thought was right. Now, more than ever, we need Aerendil's info and then head back to Minervah for backup."

Estes began to respond but was cut off by a groan. Mani and Estes turned to Aerendil as he stirred. They remained still until Aerendil's eyes slowly opened to stare at the grass beneath him. His emerald eyes slowly raised, and they widened at the sight of Estes and Mani.

Aerendil tried to speak, but the gag prevented him; only muffled sounds escaped him. He thrashed around in his ropes, but Estes had made sure he tied him as securely as he could. Aerendil's brows furrowed, and he didn't relent in his attempt to get free. Mani and Estes just watched for a moment before glancing at each other.

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Estes rose and approached Aerendil. He didn't speak, just stared down at him. Something seemed off about Estes, a look in his eyes Mani hadn't seen in a while. A look that even she feared. Estes's grey eyes were always as bright as the moon, but at this moment, they were dull and devoid of color as he watched Aerendil thrash around in his bindings.

A loud thwack reached Mani's ears, and she flinched. The sight of Estes suddenly kicking Aerendil in the side surprised her as much as it did Aerendil. Aerendil fell to his side with a muffled grunt before breaking out into a coughing fit.

"Tes—" Mani started, but another kick interrupted her. She sat still, torn between stopping Estes and witnessing Aerendil get his due. Blood splattered onto the ground as Aerendil coughed some more.

Estes wasn't done; he relentlessly continued to beat Aerendil. At some point, Estes found himself sitting on top of Aerendil; each fist connecting with Aerendil's face produced a sickening thud. Mani knew she should intervene, but seeing Aerendil suffer was too satisfying. After everything he’s done, it was inevitable he would have to pay. He deserved it.

Eventually, she slowly rose to her feet. Even as Aerendil's face became unrecognizable, Estes didn't cease his assault.

"Tes," Mani finally said, placing a hand on his shoulder. His fist halted mid-swing. "He's nearly dead."

Estes' shoulders heaved as he breathed heavily. His usually calm demeanor shattered. His fist tightened, but he dropped it. Looking at the battered Aerendil with disdain, he rose, shaking blood off his knuckles. Turning to Mani, his eyes betrayed no regret, no remorse.

"I will fix it," Estes said and walked over to grab the medical supplies. The tension in the air was palpable as he began to clean Aerendil's face. Aerendil's face was a mess of bruises and swelling. Mani couldn’t help but feel a tinge of pity at his state. The feeling quickly dissipated as she recalled how similar she looked within that cell.

Estes was an elf, but he did not possess healing magic. He was an incarnation, and incarnations could not possess any magic other than their own element. Al was the one who took up alchemy, and he was an excellent alchemical doctor.

"... Why?" Mani finally uttered, and Estes's lips thinned into a line. A displeased expression fell on his features.

"Why? Mani, you cannot be serious," Estes said, not bothering to glance at her. "He deserves more than this."

Mani couldn't deny that. She despised Aerendil for what he did. He was the only reason she went through the torture. The betrayal was still fresh in her mind.

"You're right," she said and walked back towards her sleeping bag. She sat down and stared off into the distance as she waited for Estes to finish.

All the nightmares were his fault; every moment of despair was the result of his actions.

Estes, being the brother of a great alchemist, was adept in medical care. It didn't take long for him to finish bandaging Aerendil up, although Mani suspected he intentionally did a haphazard job. He wiped his hand on a piece of cloth and went to sit next to Mani.

A long pregnant silence ensued, and Mani glanced off to the side, unwilling to break the silence.

"You're not the same anymore," Estes muttered, breaking the silence.

Frowning, Mani asked, "What do you mean?"

"You're not the same as before, and it's all his fault," Estes said, his expression souring. "You were clumsy before, sure, but you never outright neglected yourself this terribly. You feel so distant, you're not yourself, Mani."

Mani sighed, and her gaze fell onto her lap.

"Mani, I won't force you to talk, but I'm here for you, as I said before," Estes said, grabbing her hand and attempting a smile. It was weak, but it was there. “I understand you do not wish to appear weak, but it is only I. You need not hide from me.”

Mani met his eyes. She smiled back, though she had no intention of opening up. How much weaker could she get? She wasn't acting like the leader that her master expected of her, that anyone expected of her. He was right; she felt detached from reality, everything was going by in a blur.

She couldn't admit it, but everything reminded her of the nightmares Zeran put her through. The pain and suffering he inflicted were forever etched into her mind.

"Thank you, Tes," Mani whispered, and it was from the bottom of her heart.

"We'll all be home soon. All of us," Estes reassured her.

Mani marveled at her luck to have a friend like him. Meeting in that alley all those years ago seemed fateful. Perhaps fate wasn't as cruel as she thought. Estes and Al were more than friends; they were family. Family that were there for her throughout the majority of her life, despite her family's distaste for elves. They were the exception, and no Hexin could deny that.

They were family.