My scrounging of the Drops had managed to net several healing and mana potions. I trudged back to Eshaan and stared down at him.

Well, we might as well get started. I sighed, and knelt down next to him. How do we-

Other me reached down and with a smooth practiced motion, pulled Eshaan’s head into my lap, pinched the Eshaan’s nose closed, tipped his head back with and poured a health potion down his throat. He gagged, choked, and sputtered, but the brilliant sparkles around him indicated that it had worked. I could see his wounds closing at least a little, and the odd fabric repair of the potion knitted a few hems together.

I suppose that’s related to the fact that adventuring clothes are literally magical. I thought idly.

Eshaan’s eyes flickered open and he blinked up at me blurrily.

“Miss Lilyanna?”

I put on a bright smile. “That’s right.”

He struggled to sit up. “Where am I? What happened?! Where is everyone else?” He jerked upright. “Why did I have my head in your lap?!”

I felt an angry blush rising into my cheeks. Why did we put his head in our lap?!

Because that’s how you get an unconscious person to drink a healing potion. Otherme replied sensibly. But since we were the same person, I could tell at least part of her also thought it would be nice to have a handsome boy’s head in her lap. We will discuss this later. I threatened.

Not having anything better to answer though, I replied “Because that’s how you give an unconscious person a healing potion.”

“Oh.” He laughed awkwardly, putting his hand behind his head. I sighed. I guess I’m going to have to get used to that. He really does do that when he’s embarrassed or caught out.

I picked up two more of the healing potions, and offered him one. “Now, I think it would be good if we drank these.” And suited action to words I swallowed down the health potion. It tasted like blended fruit going down, and the cramping twisted broken feeling inside me immediately eased. The fruit taste was nice, but it made me think of mother’s potions, and my eyes were suddenly swimming with tears.

Mother. Everyone. Did we succeed? Is there anything left?! I swallowed and wiped my lips.

Eshaan stared at the potion in his hands, then back at me. “Why are you giving this to me?”

I blinked in genuine confusion. “Because you’re injured?” I paused, tipping my head to the side in confusion. “Is this some kind of stupid strength training thing when you don’t drink a healing potion to get stronger?”

He jerked in surprise. “No! I… the commander stopped me from doing that anyway. The commander…” He got a distant look in his eyes and I could tell what was going through his head.

I staggered to my feet leaving him along with his thoughts, and trudged over to where my staff lay on the ground. It was broken. I don’t know why that was the thing that did it, but suddenly I had hot tears dripping down my cheeks as I stood there dumbly, looking at my broken starter staff.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Courage. Otherme said. We don’t know the ritual failed. And Soriya needs us. That means we need Eshaan. I turned and shared at Eshaan. He met my gaze and flinched.

“Are you going to drink the healing potion or not?” I demanded.

“I… I’m… I’m not sure I deserve this.” He replied awkwardly. “I don’t understand how you can be so nice to me!? After all I’ve done!”

I kicked at the useless fragments of my staff and stalked back over to him. “Nice? Nice?!” I jabbed my finger into his chest, looking up at him, and he rocked backwards a bit. “I am not being nice to you! You are going to get me into whatever the honey place that your Imperial Legions have locked my best friend and then you are going to help me break her out!”

He blinked slowly. “I am?”

I nodded fiercely and jabbed him again in the chest. “You are! Now come on! I need to find out what the honey happened to my home.”

I walked a few steps, stopped. Soriya needs her hat. I headed back to the center of the clearing. I picked it up and looked around blankly for a bit, then shrugged and jammed it onto my head before stalking back to Eshaan. He was clearly struggling to keep a straight face. I glared at him. “I don’t care if it looks ridiculous. A wizard always comes back for her hat! You wouldn’t understand anyway!” I grabbed his hand in mine and stalked into the forest heading back to Breezewood.

The forest was silent save for the occasionally rustle of wind blowing through the trees. No slimes. No horned rabbits. No wolves.

Well we just had the expanding dome of explosive light; I shouldn’t be shocked by that. I muttered to myself, walking faster. My pace kept increasing until I was almost running back along the path. I kept wiping at my eyes with my arm, but no matter what I did, tears kept threatening.

I don’t understand why you’re holding it back? We’re sad, shouldn’t we cry?

We don’t have time to cry. We don’t even know what we should be crying for. I thought back.

Despite my best intentions, my body simply wasn’t built for a marathon. I couldn’t run the entire distance back to the village. When Eshaan caught up with me, I was bent over with my hands on my knees, wheezing for breath.

He stopped and stared at me for a bit, then said “Get on.” And turned around, holding his hands behind his back.

I glared at him, wishing I could dissolve him with the force of my gaze. “You want me. To get. Onto your back?” I wheezed.

No! Never!

Oh yes! Yes!

Never until the spirits themselves die!

Do you want to get to the village quickly, or not? I felt the weight of a {Persuade} push on me.

Stop that! No! I will not get on the back of the boy hero!

I straightened up and stalked past him. “No thank you.” I ground out.

He blinked in surprise, and I could feel the hurt coming off him. I spun around angrily and jabbed him in the chest again. “We! Are not! Friends! I am not going to be carried by you like some kind of stupid love interest! You will lead me to my friend and then we are quits! Do you understand me?!”

He recoiled a bit, his face filled with confusion. “Uh…? What?”

“I am not going to be your stupid girlfriend! I am not giving in to this stupid plot!” I screamed. I threw back my head and shouted at the sky “I am not your play thing!” at the top of my lungs.

Eshaan took several steps back from me, looking at me with concern.

He’s right to be concerned. We’re acting crazy. He doesn’t know about the world soul. He doesn’t know we’re running from our destiny. He was trying to be nice, in the only way he knows how.

“I! Do not! Care!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, clutching my head.

“Miss Lilyanna…!”

I opened my mouth to shout at him, to tell him my name, and otherme grabbed my throat again. We already broke the world once. I will not allow us to do so again. We will bear this burden, because the other cost is so much worse.

I screamed again, tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn’t get her voice out, and I didn’t know what to do, and I wasn’t the healer girl and none of this was fair! A red mist filled my vision, and then… I was being restrained, my arms held at my sides, my head throbbing fiercely and my hands aching. The tree in front of me-

When did that appear?

-was scored by dozens of marks across its trunk, and broken sticks lay everywhere around it.

Eshaan… it was Eshaan holding me, murmuring softly in my ear. “Miss Lilyanna, Lily please, stop! Snap out of it! You’ve got to come back! Lily, there’s nothing left to break!”

A wave of exhaustion hit me, and I went limp. Eshaan slowly let go and I slid to the ground. Eshaan crouched down next to me. “Better?” he offered after a bit.

I glared at him. “Don’t you dare pretend you care about this! Your precious empire is responsible for everything! Everything!”

He squatted there, silently, then nodded, sinking into a cross-legged pose next to me. “Alright. I suppose that’s fair. Do you want to hit me? Will that help?”

I glared at him, but the white heat of my fury was gone, and I was suddenly bone tired. “No.” I muttered, looking down at the ground. “You’re just the patsy. You didn’t know any better. And if the plot holds true, you’re irritatingly noble and goodhearted.”

He blushed, rubbing the back of his head again. “Ah. Well. Thank you? I guess?” He chuckled nervously.

Can we ride on his back now? otherme whispered. He won’t dare take advantage of us, if he’s as sweet as you say.

Bitter dregs of irritation with myself dragged me to my feet. “Never.” I muttered to myself, clenching my fist. “I refuse to give in.” I staggered off along the path. Behind me, Eshaan stood up and followed silently.

We arrived at the edge of the forest much sooner than we should have. It wasn’t surprising, the blast had leveled the trees for dozens of yards. I stared at the empty field of blasted dirt, a trickle of muddy water flowing into it. Beyond, a strangely shaped body of water that couldn’t be our lake stretched into the distance.

“This isn’t right.” I whispered, staring at the field.

“Lily…” Eshaan touched my shoulder and I shrugged him off.

I staggered a few steps, looking for anything familiar. Where was the lake? Why did the path just end here? Why…?

I took a step forward, and felt something twist in my head, like my inner ear had flipped upside down. I staggered and almost fell, Eshaan catching me.

“But the lake isn’t…” I turned to look back at the new edge of the forest. It was somehow too close and too far away. I frowned, a wild hope slowly building in my heart. I looked back, and then slowly stepped backwards one careful step. The same dizzying flip in my ear there and gone, and I felt a bubble of laughter rising up in my chest.

“Oh you beautiful beautiful girl. You marvelous mad genius.” I whispered. I clasped my hands to my chest, and poured the little mana I had left into a hope, a prayer. “Oh spirits of space and time, reveal your gift to me… the danger is past, let the world unwind.” I prayed to the faintest shimmer in the air in front of me.

A tiny speck, like a mote at the limit of sight appeared in the air in front of me, rapidly ballooning larger and larger as though it was rushing towards me from a great distance. The space around me stretched as the entire village of Breezewood appeared, expanding outwards from the stretched compression of unspace. The weirdly warped landscape of lake and forest edge, pulled together by its absence, was rapidly pushed apart by its arrival, returning to normal. I fell to my knees, laughing and crying as the entire town suddenly burst into existence, vivid and real and entirely unharmed, a ring of elementally torn ground surrounding it in a perfect circle, the blasted plain dug by the unfathomable energies unleashed by the battleship turned into a shallow moat surrounding the village in a perfect circle.

“Merciful spirits of earth and sky…” Eshaan whispered. “This is what your ritual was for…” He said in an awed voice.

I laughed giddily, nodding like a fool, tears streaming down my cheeks. “This is what our ritual was for.” I agreed.

We did it. Soriya, we did it! Breezewood is safe! We changed a flag!

<{Spiritualist} Advanced to level 3. {Aura}, unlocked. {Arcanist} advanced to level 2. {Arcane Circle} unlocked. For saving the town of Breezewood from certain annihilation you have advanced to {Spiritualist:3} & {Arcanist:2}> The world soul whispered in my mind.

“But how did you know?!” Eshaan burst out. “I… the Commander never even gave a hint…?”

I looked at him and bit my lower lip in thought. “It’s… hard to explain.”

“Can you see the future!? I have to know! Does it have to do with you being from another world?”

I smiled and shook my head. “Alright. I’ll try.” I turned and started walking towards my house. “In my world, there are… I suppose ‘stories’ is the best way to think of them. Anything else would be confusing. The stories have a well-known pattern they follow. When…” I stopped, unsure how to continue. “The events here started following one of the patterns. Knowing the end of the story, Soriya and I decided that we were going to try and change the ending. That’s probably the simplest explanation.”

“So you can see the future!”

I heaved a sigh and shook my head in irritation. “No, Eshaan. I can’t see the future. If the world stops telling the story I know, then I’ll be wrong every single time. And the story…” I shook my head in irritation. “I can’t know what’s coming unless it matches the story, and the story has never had… this.” I waved around me. “Before.”

“You’re saying my world is a story!?”

I sighed again. “Eshaan, did you not listen to me? This world is like a story from my world. It has… markers. Signposts. I don’t have a script with everything written in it that I can read from.” I frowned in thought.

Do scripts exist?

Of course they exist, we have plays and puppet shows here.

Oh. Good.

“So… if this world is a story, what’s my role?” He asked.

I stopped and turned to him. “Eshaan. You do not want me to tell you your fate.” I quirked a slight smile. “I can tell you that if I told you your fate and you didn’t like it, you’d dedicate your life to overthrowing it. So really, no matter what I told you, you’d choose your own fate.”

He chewed on that for a bit, then said “So you’re saying… we choose our own fates?”

I smiled at him. “I’m saying you’ve always chosen your own fate. So does everyone else in this world.”

He nodded. “I think I understand. So you don’t really know the future, you just know a person’s heart better than they do.”

“I… I guess that’s a pretty good way to put it.” I said, surprised.

See? He’s not stupid!

He stopped, clearly struggling with something, then burst out “So… so can you tell me if I’m a good person?! Did I do the right thing?!”

“Oh Eshaan. Whoever could possibly know what the right thing is all the time? Do you want me to praise you? Tell you that everything is ok?” He looked down, clearly ashamed. “Commander Khine probably thinks he’s doing the right thing.” I sighed.

Eshaan looked up in horror. “That’s… that’s impossible! How could someone… how could he just order the destruction of an entire village like that?! How could he think that would be good?!”

“Because he thinks he needs to make hard choices? Because there’s some greater good that justifies it? That’s usually the excuse everyone chooses.” I shrugged sadly.

Don’t leave him hanging like that! Tell him at least that we trust him! Because we do trust him!

Stolen story; please report.

I swallowed nervously. This was treading dangerously close to triggering a flag, but… but otherme was right. He did deserve that. His heart had been torn in two, and his world thrown into turmoil, and what good was a white mage that wouldn’t heal someone in pain?

I stepped closer and patted his arm. “I can tell you that I trust you. I can tell you that I know you’re brave, and determined, and care about what happens to others. I can tell that you’re hurt by Khine’s actions, and want… lets see.” I tapped my lips thoughtfully, trying to think like a jrpg hero. “You’re not sure what you want, you’re torn between demanding an answer from him, hoping he’ll give you a good reason, and getting violent revenge for his actions.” I smiled up at him, his mouth hanging open. “Close enough?”

He nodded dumbly.

“Good. Now close your mouth, you’ll attract flies. Let me introduce you to my mother, and then… and then you’re going to help me rescue my friend.”

“But how do you know where she is?! She could be anywhere!”

I shook my head and patted the brim of Soriya’s hat. “Khine threw me her hat, and told me to meet him in Farna.”

“But… why would he do that?”

I looked back at him over my shoulder. “He thinks I can give him something he wants. And when I learn what that is… well. I guess I’ll decide what I want to do then.”

“You can’t give it to him!” Eshaan protested.

I giggled. I couldn’t help it; he was so earnest. “Eshaan, whoever said I would? He was willing to level my village. Whatever he wants, at the very least, does not include any room for my wishes or input.” I stopped and turned to look up into his eyes. “And I am done being a pawn.”

***

We reached my house just a little before full twilight. I pushed open the front door and announced “Mother, I’m home!”

The sound of rushing footsteps from the workroom and mother burst into the kitchen, tackling me with an urgent hug. I staggered backwards under her assault, then returned the hug.

“Oh Lilyanna! I was so worried! Everything has gone so strange! It was noon and then suddenly it was evening and there’s the strange noises, and the lake has gotten lower, and who is this you’ve brought home?! Where is Soriya? Is she ok?!”

Eshaan rubbed the back of his head and smiled awkwardly. “Hello Miss….?”

“Holly.” Mother supplied.

“Right. Miss Holly. Uh. My name is Eshaan Nakamu. Ah. I met miss Lilyanna at the Cavern, and she was kind enough to take me under her care on the walk back from the Cavern of Trials.”

Holly took a step back and examined Eshaan up and down, giving me a look.

Oh lord, mother likes him!

Of course she likes him. We like him, regardless of what we say.

Not like that!

We’re just admiring the scenery… otherme singsonged in my head.

I gritted my teeth. “Soriya…” I stopped, unsure what to even say.

Mother blinked and turned back to me. “Something’s happened, hasn’t it?! Something’s happened to Soriya!”

Eshaan coughed. “Miss Soriya… let me explain. The empire has tested a… a device. It is responsible for the strange events you’ve noted and the strange effects. Soriya… was caught up in the events, and is currently in Imperial custody.”

Holly sat down in a chair, her hands drifting to her mouth. “Oh… oh no! Is… is she alright?”

I stared at Eshaan, both jealous and appalled. How does he lie so easily?!

“She’s fine, for now. But we…” he gestured to me and himself. “Miss Lily and I-

Mother shot me a glance that took no skill at all to read. ‘So it’s just ‘Lily’ now, is it?!’ it said.

-are concerned about her. We’re planning to go to Farna and inquire after her. Hopefully we can bring her home quickly.”

Mother looked at me, then at Eshaan, and then back to me, her expression serious. “So it seems you really are going on an adventure after all.” She said with a tone of sadness.

I huffed angrily. “It’s not by choice! I’m going to get Soriya back! That’s it. That’s all!”

Mother smiled at me and shook her head. “Lilyanna, trust your mother when I tell you that it’s never ‘just’ one adventure.” She got up from the table. “Just a moment. I have something for you.”

She vanished into the workroom, and I heard her rummaging around. She returned shortly, holding a dusty satchel. “I thought about what you said, before you left. I don’t want you to go, it’s dangerous out there, and I want to keep you safe… but you’re right. You’re not a potion bottle I can keep on a shelf. I see that now.” She opened the satchel and pulled out a dusty journal. “But maybe I can be with you this way. Maybe I can help keep you safe after all.” She slid the journal across the table to me.

“My diary, from my time as an adventurer.” She smiled. “It may not be much, but it has a few useful tips in it. And my maps were first rate, if I say so myself.”

I blinked, pulling the battered journal to myself, and opening it cautiously. Sheaves of papers, outlines of coastlines, continents, roads… it was a world map but so much more detailed than I’d imagined! And there were reams of notes about all sorts of details!

Exactly the kind of thing you might get if you’d traveled the whole jrpg game and kept meticulous notes…

I looked up at her, my eyes wide. “This… mother, are you sure?!”

She nodded, her eyes shining. “Promise me… promise me you’ll try to come home safe. Promise me you won’t do something unnecessary!”

I closed the journal and hugged it close to my chest. It might have been my imagination, but it felt warm, like mother’s hugs. I smiled weakly at her and nodded. “I can promise that.”

Eshaan, dear boy, clapped his hand to his chest. “You don’t need to worry Miss Holly! I’ll guard Lily with my life! My honor depends on it!”

Mother gave me a look freighted with meaning, then looked Eshaan appraisingly for a few moments. She looked back at me. “Lily, do you trust Eshaan?”

I looked over at Eshaan. Oh spirits, he’s giving me puppydog eyes. I looked away quickly, and coughed. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

Mother sat back and sighed, then nodded. “Then I’m… I’m as content as a mother ever can be when her daughter is going her own way. Eshaan, I entrust her care to you.” She gave him a glare that was filled with weight. “I do not make this choice lightly.” She said seriously.

Eshaan dropped to one knee, and drew his sword, bowing his head. “Miss Holly, I swear on my honor, I will guard Lilyanna with my life, against any and all harms! Our cause is one!”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help feel a little flutter of pleasure and fear. That was pretty close to a flag if it wasn’t one already!

But darn it, I do need him on the trip! I can’t make it just with myself! The slime fights proved that!

Mother nodded and tapped him lightly on the head, smiling. “Then I accept your oath, Knight of the Road. Go and come back safely with my daughter.”

Eshaan said “I will!” in the most wonderfully solemn voice, then jumped up.

“You’re not seriously thinking of going now are you!?” I protested.

He looked at me in confusion. “Should we not?”

“It’s almost nighttime! We have no food, no supplies!” I waved my arms in agitation.

“Ah heh heh.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I guess you’re right.”

Mother smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you set up properly. I still have a few contacts. Right now, you both need a good night’s sleep. Eshaan, you can sleep on our couch for tonight.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Miss Holly!”

“Moootheeer!?” I protested

“I think it’s perfectly reasonable-“ mother said

“I-if it’s a bother, I don’t-“ Eshaan stammered out

“No, Eshaan, it is not a bother. It’s my house, and you may stay the night as my guest.” Mother said, looking me dead in the eye.

I chewed my lip, and then nodded. “Fine. Mother, if you’ll give me a second, please?” I pulled Eshaan away out of earshot and hissed at him. “We are getting supplies in the morning.” I poked him firmly in the chest. “We have plenty of money! You will not rummage around my mother’s house stealing things!” I scowled up at his sheepish expression. “You’ve already stolen something haven’t you!?”

“Not from your mother!”

“I don’t care what it is. Put. It. Back! Do you understand me?”

“Urm…”

“Put all of it back!” I waved my arms. “What were you thinking anyway?!”

“Uh… well, Commander Khine said it was just smart scavenging, and an Imperial province should supply...”

“Mmhm!” I crossed my arms. “We have money! And the town is not destroyed, so you will put. Everything. Back!” I demanded.

“Ok, ok! I will!” He paused. “Is this… more of your fortune telling?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” He said quietly, looking at me with what I dearly hoped was respect.

I marched back over to mother.

“What was that all about?” she asked.

I pressed my lips together. “A difference of opinion about how adventures should be conducted.”

Eshaan laughed nervously. “It’s fine! I think maybe I have some bad habits that Miss Lilyanna is going to help me with.”

Mother looked back and forth between us. “Hm.” She said, noncommittally. “Well… if you’re sure. I guess you’ve got an early start tomorrow. I’ll give you some of my potions stocks. Don’t forget to buy a few shelters for your journey! It’ll a long trip to Farna!”

“Oh. Right. Camping…” I bit my lip.

“Are you concerned about sleeping with Eshaan?”

Eshaan looked offended. “Lily I would never! You have to know that!”

I glanced at him and felt myself blush. I looked away again. “I do know that, yes.”

“Well then it’s fine.” Mother decided. “Now, you both need sleep and it’s a long trip, with an early start.”

I twisted my hands in my robes, then nodded. “I suppose so.” I wasn’t sure what else to say, so I finally settled on “Well. Goodnight, Eshaan.”

“Goodnight Lily.”

I headed upstairs to my room, and got ready for bed. It had been a very very long day and I was exhausted.

I sank into bed, and otherme whispered Now we can finally have that cry. And I felt a gush of emotion that I’d be holding back since the airship attack hit me like a truck. Sadness, anger, bafflement, confusion, happiness… I sobbed, and sank down on my bed, hugging my pillow to me.

Were you holding this back?! Is this what we were feeling?!

Yes. I promised us a good cry when we could afford it. And now we can.

It was true, I finally could, and so I let myself go. It hurt, but it was also a relief and I knew if I’d been feeling this, bottling it up more would have destroyed me. And when I finally pulled myself into bed, curled around my pillow, I slept a dreamless sleep.

The morning sunlight woke me, and I feel refreshed despite feeling the deep pangs of emotion from my rollercoaster of yesterday. I hurriedly got dressed and headed downstairs where I found mother already making breakfast, and Eshaan already eating like a starving man.

“Lilyanna! Your mother’s cooking is amazing!”

I smiled as I sat down across from him. “She’s very good, yes.”

Mother served me a plate. “Eat up you two.” She seemed a little wistful and misty eyed, it was pretty obvious she’d had a bit of a cry herself last night. I tucked into the food.

“Lilyanna, will you be ok?” Mother asked me. I looked up, my mouth full, and thought about it. Would I be?

Tell her the truth. We don’t do very well otherwise.

I opened my mouth, not sure what I would say, and instead we spoke from the heart. “I don’t know, mother. Who can really say?” I swallowed back a lump in my throat. “But I can’t just stand still.”

Mother wiped at her eyes and nodded. “Of course you can’t.”

When I had finished, mother passed me a small bag that clinked. “Potions for you both. Sell a few in town, and that should get you plenty of cash for basic gear.” I took it and peeked inside.

“Mother! This is far too much!”

“Nonsense! Nothing is too much to keep my daughter safe!”

I huffed. “I suppose you won’t take no for an answer?”

“That’s right.”

I surrendered to the inevitable. “Alright. Eshaan, are you ready?”

He nodded eagerly. “Yep!”

“Then… we’ll see you again in a few hours mother.”

She hugged me close. “Take care.”

We left, and I pretended that I hadn’t seen mother wiping her eyes as we did.

The shopping trip in town was both easier and harder than expected. Everyone wanted to know where I was going, and what had happened, and what the strange disturbance had been and why the sky had flickered to evening, and did I know anything about that strange moat that part of the lake had flowed into?!

I let Eshaan handle most of the questions, while I worked to pack up Soriya’s booth, and haggle with the merchants. It wasn’t so much haggling though, as convincing them to let me pay them. Once they found out that I was going on a trip to Farna, it was “Oh, let me give you some gear! I have some tips! Please let me know!” We also picked up a half dozen letters and parcels that seemed to need to be delivered.

Strange that a destroyed village has parcels.

This is normal. Anyone travelling is given gifts and a duty. How does your world do it?

Ah. Not like this. I shared a few memories of mail carriers and post boxes.

Oh how strange!

After some careful shivving of Eshaan “Yes, you really do need to return all the items!”, we finally got our supplies. Shelters, apparently were magic tents… or that’s how I thought of them anyway. Small pop-up elemental bubbles that lasted a night and kept the elements out. The bedrolls looked surprisingly comfortable, and it seemed that despite {Entropists} being uncommon, {Tinkers} commonly created bags, satchels, and pouches of holding. An entire camping expedition and supplies disappeared into Eshaan and my belt pouches. I had to admit, it was far more convenient than a clumsy backpack! Eshaan also insisted on buying me a new staff from the market, which felt… well not entirely comfortable, but if I was going to be adventuring, I needed one and there was no two ways about that.

A few hours later, not much reduced in money, but much increased in supplies, we headed back to my home to say goodbye to mother. It was awkward and gushy, but otherme demanded it, and I really couldn’t say no. I was leaving the only home I’d known in this world, and I’d only barely arrived here. It seemed unfair.

Saving the world usually is unfair. I bit my lip. I have to be even more careful now, the flags are everywhere!

We headed out of town along the northern road. Otherme bubbled with excitement, apparently mother had kept me very close to home. I did wonder about that. Had I even existed? Had she existed? It wasn’t a comfortable question, but it seemed that the world would demand that I learn an answer.

“Alright.” I muttered to myself. “Then that’s what I should do.” I pulled open mother’s travel journal and started reading.

The maps and journal were helpful almost immediately. We found a shortcut, with the local wildlife encounters helpfully marked. Horned rabbits turned out to be pretty fiercely territorial after all, and apparently the local wolves were drawn to the sounds of battle. We were scratched and bleeding by the time we finished, but with Barrier, and Eshaan’s frankly astonishing blade skill, we won out.

As I cast heal to close our wounds Eshaan smiled brightly. “That was exciting! Even the Imperial field medics can’t patch you up this quick! You’re amazing, Lily!”

I struggled to keep a blush down. “Thank you, Eshaan.” I bit my tongue hard as otherme tried to demure and say it wasn’t all that special, and look away. This was flag country, and I couldn’t stop here! “I have to pull my own weight. I have to get stronger if I’m going to rescue Soriya!”

For some reason, otherme was just as satisfied with this statement. That was a little troubling.

My feet were definitely sore by the time we reached our campsite though, and I could feel the strain of our hike. On the other hand, I’d been hiking in heels for something like eight hours, and I was only tired, not wiped out. That was… pretty cool, honestly. I dearly wished for a bath though! I sat down on a log and pulled off my boots, massaging my feet, and letting out a little sigh of relief.

“I wish we were close enough to a stream to bathe!” I sighed.

Eshaan looked up from setting a fire with an elemental crystal and shook his head. “Bad idea. Look at Miss Holly’s journal. I bet she talks about the flying piranhas.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh you have got to be kidding me!” I pulled out mother’s journal and flipped through it. Sure enough, there was a nearby stream marked, and on it was ‘Flying fish, aggressive and definitely carnivorous. Good drop location!’ I sighed and closed the journal.

“You were right. Just elemental crystals for us then.”

“How are you holding up?” he asked, as the fire started going. I held out my hands to the warmth.

“I’m…” I shrugged. “I have to keep going. Nothing changes if I don’t.”

Eshaan was silent for a moment, the pop and crack of the wood filling the silence between us. “I don’t know how you can be so strong, Miss Lilyanna.” He said quietly, poking at the fire with a stick.

That startled a laugh out of me. “Me? Strong? Eshaan, I’m a wreck! My best friend is kidnapped, there’s… something out there that’s been unleashed because of my mistake, I’m on a hike directly to the enemy stronghold… I’m about to fly into a million different pieces all at once!”

“You’re not, though.” He looked up at me with those large brown eyes of his, the firelight flickering in them. “You picked a path right away. When everything fell apart, you immediately knew what to do. You knew what I wanted to do, and you pulled me along so quickly I didn’t even have time to realize this was the right course of action before we were already on it.”

Ok, whoa, this is getting way too dangerous!

And what’s wrong if he-

NO! Not even if he could call back my shadowself!

I shook my head. “Eshaan, no. I’m… it’s not… continuing to walk forward is not strength.”

He looked at me, then back to the fire again. “There. That should last us. I’m starving.” He sat back on his haunches.

“Well.” I clapped my hands together. “How should we split up meals? Do you want me to cook first, or do you want to?”

The stricken look in his eyes was all the answer I needed. I sighed. “You don’t know how to cook, do you?”

“The Imperial mess-”

“Alright, alright. Enough.” I waved my hands and blew a strand of my hair out of my face.

This deal is getting worse all the time! Now I’m doing the cooking!

And what’s wrong with that? We’re really good at cooking!

Because it’s always the girl’s job to cook!

I’m not eating burned food. And our choices are…?

I heaved a sigh. “Fine. I’ll do the cooking.” I stabbed my finger at him. “That means you have to lay out the camp!”

He nodded rapidly. “Of course!”

“Right.” I started pulling ingredients out of my pouch. “Something simple then, I guess. I suppose curry works.” I shortly had a pot of curry bubbling over the camp fire, with a pot of rice cooking beside it. Eshaan watched me with fascination.

“It’s really not hard you know” I told him with a sidelong look. “Anyone can learn this recipe.”

“Not me! I’ve got a black thumb! I almost set the barracks on fire trying to boil water!” He laughed in embarrassment. “The others banned me from trying after that!”

I twitched a smile. That did sound pretty funny.

After a bit, he said “Do you know why I joined the Imperial army?”

“No.”

He smiled into the fire. “And here I thought your seer sight had told you.” He heaved a sigh and ran his hands through his hair. “I wanted to be a scholar. That’s who my shadow in the cavern was. I knew him right away, even though I didn’t want to admit it. He’s the me who got into the Academy. The me who can study the ruins of the Ancients directly. The me I wanted to be, instead of… this.”

“Is this about not getting into the imperial academy?”

Eshaan nodded. “Look at me, Lilyanna. I’m not a smart man. I know that. My family’s just fisherfolk in western Arlan, so no social connections for me. I’m not rich. I’m not a noble. I’ve got no patron to bribe my way into the Imperial Academy, and I certainly can’t breathe the rarified air of true genius. The entrance exams proved that.”

I stirred the pot, not meeting his eyes. “Ah. This is one of those settings then.” I said quietly.

“But the Ancient’s have fascinated me ever since I was a little boy! The church will preach at you for hours and the only thing they’ll tell you about Gods War is that the “Pride of Man caused the downfall of The Ancients” his voice took on a mocking pompous tone. I couldn’t help but laugh.

He continued “And so I thought… well why not join the army! With the imperial corp send to guard the excavator teams that delve into the ruins, at least I’d get to see more of them, and maybe I could sneak a look at some of the notes the scholars take!”

I looked up at him curiously. “Did it work?”

He shook his head bashfully. “No. I’ve been on three assignments, and this was the closest I’ve been to an Ancient ruin.” His eyes almost glowed with excitement. “Inside one! At the heart of a mystery! And then it goes and dies on me?! And spawns another double mystery from the beautiful women I just met?!”

I poked at the curry angrily, hoping the fire hid my angry blush.

He looked at me thoughtfully. “What does your foresight tell you about the ancients? Do you know anything?”

I leaned back thoughtfully, tapping the stirring spoon against my lips.

Go on, he’s sweet! We should tell him!

No. No way. This is flag central! We’re not going to study the ancients! We’re not going near ancient ruins! We are going to rescue Soriya, and that is all!

“The… the stories are a little contradictory…” I hedged.

Eshaan’s eyes sharpened and he leaned forward. “So you do know something!”

I looked over at him, and then back at the curry. “Ah! This is about ready to eat!” I exclaimed and started spooning out plates for both of us.

He took a hesitant bite, almost burning himself.

Serves him right. I thought viciously, then almost burned my own tongue with my next bite.

I chewed thoughtfully. This came out ok. Passible, but that could be the hike talking. Exercise will make anything taste better.

“Lily, this food is amazing! You’re an incredible cook!” Eshaan gushed.

I rolled my eyes. Oh here we go. I pointed my spoon at him, freezing him in mid compliment. “Stop. Just because I have pink hair and boobs and know how to cook, does not mean I am girlfriend material! Are we clear?!”

He looked at me like a wounded puppy, recoiling. “W-what? Girlfriend?!” A bright red blush swept over his cheeks. “What are you saying?! I don’t even… I didn’t-!”

That was crass and rude and incredibly childish of you. Otherme chided. We know a million different ways to discourage boys, and that was probably the worst one I’ve ever seen. You apologize right now!

I heaved a sigh and muttered at my curry, before looking up. “I’m sorry Eshaan. That was incredibly rude of me. I’m… I’m way more focused on rescuing Soriya, and avoiding doom, so when a cute boy starts praising my cooking-” I stopped dead.

What was that!? What did I just say?!

I felt my cheeks turn scarlet, my ears tingling from the force of my blush. I looked down at my curry and muttered “Stupid pink haired bimbo. Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

Eshaan’s eyes got large, and a sappy smile spread across his face. He stopped talking to me, and focused on his food in silence, but he didn’t stop smiling once.

He finished up and gathered up the empty plates and pot. “Thank you for cooking, Miss Lilyanna.” He said seriously. “I’ll go clean these.” He headed off to the edge of the camp. Unfortunately, he refused to take my burning embarrassment with him, and my cheeks stayed scarlet for a long time afterwards.