Chapter 12

  Safe Travels

  Ellyn arrived at Marco’s home by sunset. Despite the myriad of pending issues that needed her attention, the only thing she could think at that moment was to get something to eat.

  “I didn’t realize I hadn’t eaten anything since I woke up. I’m about to drop dead...”

  She quickly made a beeline for the kitchen, and without thinking grabbed a piece of bread lying in a basket. Without any lady-like manners, she ate the bread and passed it down with water in one go. Doing so felt... nostalgic. It was strange to feel like this over a piece of bread, but bread was often the meal she would eat the most, both with her uncle and her parents. Whether it was on the wilderness with her uncle or at the long distant home of her childhood, the bread was always there for her to eat.

  Something like that could never taste bad.

  When she finished the bread, something inside of her felt right. Not just the satisfaction of having calmed her hunger, but a deeper feeling she couldn’t mistake.

  “Aah, how long has it been since I’ve eaten like this?”

  A wave of nostalgia washed over her mind. Her ‘home’ called her back. Asking where she had been. Was it a good thing to feel like this? Despite the undeniable help she had been given by the villagers to fix her mistake, to heal? She did not know. However, she still wondered; what would her parents say? Would they be sad to know that she in her heart couldn’t fully accept this place? Would they be happy to know her family was still first for her?

  Were they still watching her from above?

  She did not know.

  Ellyn dropped on the bed, aimlessly looking at the rest of the room filled with the clothes Maya had brought for her. A lot of it hadn’t been used at all.

  While most of the clothing was fit for her body, Ellyn did not do much of an effort to wear anything besides that white and green blouse and whatever else was available when they washed it. It wasn’t that she hated what Maya gifted her. She truly appreciated the gesture, especially after her old clothes were destroyed. But something about it felt wrong. She didn’t know how to fully explain it, but she felt as if she hadn’t earned such kindness. Maybe it was wrong to feel like that, yet she couldn’t help but feel that way.

  The only that she could bring herself to accept was Olivia and Rigel’s help to save the village. And that was because they wouldn’t take a ‘no’ for an answer. That was it.

  In a few hours, she’ll depart to the city in order to hire mercenaries to defend the village. Though that was the short of it, the money she was given by Akira was enough to hire a small army. The matter of mobilizing, coordinating a defense and fighting off the bandits was an unspoken part of the task at hand, one that she’ll need to figure out in ten days short.But there was little she could do at the very instant, as such; she opted for a short rest before getting ready.

  Shortly after closing her eyes, her mind began go through all the events that had transpired, from since her arrival at the country to this very moment, eventually reaching a singular: ‘How did I get here?’

  It all seemed so sudden, one day she was running away with her uncle. The next morning; she was alone, having narrowly escaped death. She was thrown into a different life full of strangers, kind strangers, but still strangers. She now needed to make calls of her own judgment and make sure almost a thousand could be freed from an untimely demise. Her previous life had ended, and now a new one had forcefully taken its place for a second time. One she needed to take full responsibility for.

  “My responsibility… I wish I could be at my home…”

  Her eyes were heavy, her consciousness slipped. As she became unable to think anymore, she fell asleep.

  Ellyn’s eyes widened, “This is...”

  She was in front of a fairly large house made out of wood. Made to fit way to more people than it would actually inhabit. Her body felt thin and floaty, while her mind heavy and dizzy. She could look behind her head and twist into any angle she tried. The house was blurry; the roads that led to it were hard to see as well. The only other thing that she could make out was the home being located up on a hill, just above a town that seemed merged with the valley around.

  “Ah... I see.” She realized, “I know this place.”

  This was a dream, from a faraway place in both time and space.

  There was a time when she would dream of nothing but this place. Nights where her heart would yearn to return here more than anything in the world. But as she grew older, she learned to deal with the memory by forgetting it existed in the first place. To not let her interfere in her work with her uncle. For it would get in the way of making it to the next day. To stop how much it hurt just thinking about it.

  And so she stopped dreaming of this place.

  “I didn’t think it’ll ever have another dream here…”

  As she spoke to herself, a familiar voice came from behind. The voice of a child and two adults.

  “What do you think about your first day at school? Did Mom teach you anything?” The man asked.

  “Mom said I should be with the other Missy, so I was with her.”

  “Whaaa?! But didn’t she say she would teach you? How awful!”

  “Hey! I’m here!” The mother snapped.

  “Yeah! But she didn’t!” The little girl replied in a mischievous tone.

  “We must discuss this when we get home, this is serious!”

  “Dear.” The mother called out as her hand stopped the three of them in their tracks, “Wasn’t that your idea? To not talk too much to her while on school?”

  “Wh-What?! Dad!”

  “Uhm... Maybe.”

  “Dad!!”

  “I can explain! I was talking to your uncle and...” He tried to explain, but the daughter had already taken her hand off his and embracing her mother. Defeated, he looked annoyed as the woman smugly rubbed her victory with a smile and the little girl's affections. Ellyn didn't bothered to look. The sound coming from their chatter created a symphony that ravaged her soul with each word. No matter what, she forced herself to stare at the house as they approached from behind.

  Her body now felt heavy and painful, her head hurt, her limbs felt as if they had been crushed by a rock and her heart was ready to burst. Their steps got closer; their chatter grew louder. Ellyn closed her eyes in an attempt to not see, but such things didn’t stop her eyes from witnessing everything in that dream world. And so, against her will, she saw the family whom she could never return to. Their bodies were blurry. They looked more like silhouettes than actual people.

  The only thing of detail was a small girl; A girl with long raven hair who was staring directly at her.

  Ellyn opened her eyes to the sensation of tears flowing down her cheeks.

  “How long have I been asleep?” Her mind was fuzzy, and she struggled to think straight, but also...

  “Mnh... That smell... Is somebody cooking something?”

  A delicious smell was coming from the kitchen. It was so heavenly that it took over her train of thought and made her stomach growl.

  “Well... Might be worth checking who it is.”

  She followed the smell while trying to shake off the grogginess on the way. Guided by the smell of fried vegetables, meat, and other things she wasn’t knowledgeable enough to discern, she arrived at the kitchen. There she saw someone she didn’t expect to see so late at night.

  “Ah! Ellyn! You slept well?” She said in a chipper tone.

  Maya was cooking as if nothing unusual was happening. Her bright amethyst eyes sparkled with excitement as she saw the girl appear.

  “Maya...? What are you doing here?”

  “Why I’m making dinner of course. We are gonna eat the best fish ever!” Maya puffed her chest with pride.

  But Ellyn was still confused, “Uh, no- I mean, what brings you here, so late at night”

  “We were invited.”

  An unmistakable voice spoke from behind her. It was Rigel, who sported a comfy brown cloak that made him look shorter and cuter than usual. He looked predictably annoyed and wanting to leave but still endured anyways.

  “Marco asked her to help him out.” He explained.

  Maya made a peace sign, “I said yes!”

  “And shortly after he fell asleep like a log, just like you were.” He sighed.

  Ellyn narrowed her eyes, “I see...”

  “After all that happened today, I thought it might be better to have a nice dinner together for a proper send off. Though, I’m still terribly worried about my boy.”

  “...? ‘A proper sendoff’...? Rigel, does she know?”

  Rigel raised an eyebrow, “What? Were you planning to sneak out? Are you crazy?”

  Ellyn was taken aback by Rigel’s questions, “W-well I didn't think they would be okay with it. You in particular...”

  “Of course, I don’t want him to go on something so dangerous!” Maya moaned, “But also, I can’t stop this child from going way out there. If I forbid him I know he'll escape anyway and be an even greater danger. No matter how hard I try.”

  “And you tried a lot, and also cried a lot.” Rigel added.

  “Don’t make me change my mind about this, boy. I’ll tie you to a chair.” Maya snapped.

  Ellyn looked slightly uncomfortable as she saw their exchange, noticing how Maya’s body language and unconscious signs showed how hurt she was from allowing this to happen. It made Ellyn wonder how much of an argument they must’ve had to get her to agree to such a thing. But also, she felt awful knowing that because of her, her son would be going into something so dangerous he might seriously get hurt in the process. Given how kind Maya had been to her, it stung in a particular manner, even more than the rest of the village.

  “I’m sorry for causing so much trouble, Maya. I’ll look after him.”

  “I’m holding you to that. He’s my beloved child, my only child.”

  The smile plastered on Maya further reinforced that; it was a pained smile, a bittersweet combination of sadness and optimism. She had obviously protested against his son going until her throat went sore, but now she was in a position where she could no longer do anything to prevent him going aside from physically restraining him. No way she would do that. But more than that. she wanted to trust Ellyn at her word and let her son be at once.

  Still, the fact that they would depart tonight certainly didn’t provide an easing to her heart.

  “In truth… I also wanted to do something for you all. Wish you a safe journey, you know?” She said, fidgeting with her fingers.

  “Don’t worry too much, Mom. You know I’ve been to the city in the past with my dad,” Rigel said, and Maya’s eyebrows twitched, “And still remember it as clear as day. I’ll make sure to help us navigate the streets if something happens.”

  Maya went uncharacteristically silent for five drawn out minutes, a time frame that made Rigel aware of the words he had brought up but didn’t know how to stir away from. Ellyn observed the visible discomfort on her face the moment he mentioned his father and made her up a couple of idea of why such reaction, after all, she never met him. However, it was not her place to bring up what was obviously a touchy subject matter, at least, she didn’t think so. With that in mind, she decided to lighten the mood before it became too sour.

  “Well, until we meet the man we are supposed to meet.” Ellyn interjected.

  “… Right. Besides, I’ll help you out on a fight too.” He replied.

  Ellyn chuckled slightly before nodding, which naturally shifted Rigel’s attitude from happy to offended in the span of two seconds.

  “Hah?”

  “N-no, sorry. It’s just that you are so thin and small that the idea of ‘helping out’ on a fight is a bit funny.”

  “Don’t tease me like that…”

  “She’s not wrong, Rigel.” Maya intervened.

  “B-but I-I know magic!”

  “Don’t use magic for dangerous things; just stay close to me.”

  “I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!” He cried.

  Ellyn tried to reach to Rigel with a nonchalant smile, and blush on her cheeks, “I’ll protect you.”

  He dodged, “Gah! No!”

  Ellyn reached a second time, though it proved difficult to move around in the small space of the kitchen with three people inside. Nevertheless, she persisted, and eventually caught him as she smothered him with a long, drawn-out hug. Her rather deadpan expression served as the icing on the cake for her teasingly deadpan demeanor she fully leaned in to. Not something she was used to but it didn't hurt to have some light fun with someone as tease-able as Rigel.

  “Let me go-! Ah, b-big, too big…” He said, his face as red as a tomato.

  While it was also embarrassing for Ellyn as it made her conscious of her well-endowed body, teasing Rigel like a little brother was so easy that it was slowly became a guilty pleasure for her. Maya saw the two of them and the obvious attempts at distracting from the awkward mood that had set in, and laughed. It was terribly cute, adorable even. The sight reminded her of someone dear to her, from long, long ago.

  “Yeah, that wasn’t a mistake...” She thought. Not that she really questioned it before, but it made her feel vindicated of her decision.

  “Alright,” Maya played along, “I’ll leave him in your care, but don’t steal him from me. He is too young still.”

  “Too young for what?” Rigel squealed.

  “Hm, leave it to me. I'll be a good older sister.” She said as she pressed further into her embrace.

  “Like! I! Said! I can take care of myself!”

  “Aaah…” Maya sighed, “You have such a cute older sister type with a killer body cuddling you… I wish I had a girl like that all for me…”

  Maya positioned Ellyn in front of her as she fake-sighed, showing off her attributes in extensive detail. By now, while still a bit embarrassing, Ellyn was full into the rhythm of the teasing that it surpassed any feeling of embarrassment. Until the adrenaline wore off, anyway.

  Ellyn nodded with determination and a cutely deadpan expression, “I’ll be your older sister.”

  “You are not my sister and stop with the weirdo act!” Only to be coldly shutdown.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “Eeh?! So, mean! I didn’t spend all those years raising such a mean child.”

  “Why do you always try to tease me like this?! I don’t like it!” Rigel cried.

  Maya scoffed, “You say that, but you never take your eyes off her. Maybe you like them older?”

  Her comments struck Rigel deep, as evidence by his face going from red to the deepest crimson there could be. Even Ellyn stopped in her tracks as she realized the weaponry Maya was capable of pulling to tease her own child with. What a terrifying woman, completely unafraid of anything.

  “Maya is more dangerous than I thought.” She thought.

  “Look Rigel. Speaking seriously; it’s perfectly fine to like girls like her with such... assets. You are growing boy after all. It’s normal to start to feel that way.”

  “A-aaah! I-I don’t hear you!! I can’t hear you!!”

  “M-maya,” Ellyn stuttered, “Maybe we should stop. Besides, my body isn’t that-”

  Ellyn tried to plead Maya to end their teasing of Rigel, but before she could finish her pleads, Maya’s hands straightened her back on reaction. Her eyes widened, her breath was caught in her throat, her and Rigel’s faces flushed crimson red as Ellyn realized she made a terrible mistake. She had decided to play with fire, but didn't realize she was playing with one unafraid of getting burnt.

  “Oh, no.” Maya snapped, “You don’t get to be modest when you effortlessly have a body I worked to get!! It’s not fair!!”

  “A-a-a-a-a-h!!” Ellyn’s mind went blank with embarrassment.

  Rigel simply observed as the two struggled with eyes wide open. He had to admit to himself that it was difficult not looking… at those mountains...

  ...Meanwhile, at the other side of the house.

  Their screams and banter continued to echo across the house and showed no signs of stopping. They were so loud; he could hear them clearly inside his bedroom.

  He thought about stopping Maya from driving Ellyn insane with her extreme antics, as well as save Rigel from her furious teasing, but hearing them all interact in such a silly manner made him deeply satisfied, somehow. It reminded him of the happiest years of his life, as well as the relief that such moments of complete, simplistic happiness were possible for someone like the raven-haired girl. The proof that there was hope for her.

  It made him satisfied to know he could still deliver on his promise.

  An hour later Marco took a peek at the kitchen to see how things were going. While he trusted Maya as she was a far more skilled cook than him, there was no harm in checking... Though in reality, he was just hungry and wanted to see if she was done—but if he admitted to that she would never let him hear the end of it.

  Maya stood alone in silence as she continued to work diligently on her cooking. She had prepared fish, rice, salad, potatoes, among other dishes. The vegetables were fresh and cut into neat pieces, grouped together in a bowl, and washed properly with water. The already cooked fish sat on a pan and kept hot, its golden color testimony of how well-prepared it was, yellow colored rice mingled with vegetables and tiny bits of meat. All made for a feast worthy of a king, and not a couple of villagers in some abandoned corner of the world.

  She also didn’t forget to prepare drinks made out of fresh fruit for all the guests, just for good measure. Incredibly so, she had made all of it with the ingredients they had at hand. Marco knew she was a good cook for a long time, but even then, she had outdone herself by leaps he couldn’t really understand. One taste of the rice was more than enough proof of it for him. Yet she looked strange. Her eyes were submerged into the food she was making. All attention was directed to the dishes. It wasn’t a bad quality to have while working, but he knew that just wasn’t the Maya he had known for so long.

  Soon enough, it became obvious to him what afflicted his dear friend.

  “You look awfully quiet.”

  “...? A-Ah! Uh- Sorry, didn’t see you there.” She said, focusing her gaze into the food.

  “Everything alright? You seem a bit…unusual.”

  “Y-yeah, I’m almost done with everything here,” She winked, “You hungry~?”

  “Hm.” He smiled, “Where are the other two?”

  “Sent them to receive the others; Minerva and the others should arrive shortly, so...”

  “I see… Hey, sorry to put you through this after helping out this morning too, you must be exhausted, but I appreciate your help.”

  “Aagh- don’t worry about it! Besides, all the injured are being taken care for by their families. Can you help me carry this to the table?”

  He nodded, and the two of walked straight towards an adjacent room as they placed all the food under covers to keep it hot. After a minute, though. Marco felt the need to ask what was obviously bothering her, “Are you okay with-?”

  “Of course not!!”

  She took a deep breath, “I hate that this is what that decrepit old hag from the beginning of time chose to do! I hate that Rigel is taking part of it! I would rather get eaten by a pack of garms than letting my son go off to help get an army.”

  “Yeah...”

  “But then... What? Am I supposed to keep him in bed and pretend that this dead end of a village is safer?” Maya fretted, “I can’t do that. I can’t delude myself like that.”

  “...And stopping him from going is also impossible.”

  She nodded with teary eyes.

  Marco placed the dishes as he listened to her voice crack more and more with each passing word. It wasn’t a complicated reason. Rigel was her son and as such, she favored him with all her heart. The mere idea of him getting in danger was enough for her to intervene. But now the village now was just as dangerous, if not more, than the outside. There was not a place she felt comfortable having her child in. Rigel joined on his own terms to help Ellyn, whom she had come fairly attached too and equally disliked the fact that she had been given the responsibility of procuring what was basically an army to repel the bandits and risk her life in the process.

  She was happy that her son would be willing to help the raven-haired girl to this extent... but she also couldn’t help but wish someone else was in his place.

  “Trust me, if I could just…” She whimpered, “Uhg....”

  Dangers aside, it also meant Rigel was undoubtedly going to try doing something she’s avoided addressing for many years.

  Shortly after Ellyn, Rigel and Olivia finished their reunion with Akira and agreed to set off to the City of Finglas in order to hire enough mercenaries to defend the village. Ellyn had returned to Marco’s home, Olivia had gone off to talk with her mother, and Rigel found himself with a very distraught Maya.

  “It’s too dangerous!” She cried.

  “Here it’s dangerous!” He snapped back.

  “What if you get hurt?!”

  “If I don’t help them then we will all have it worse than just getting mildly hurt!”

  “You are just a kid.” Maya brushed her face with her palm, “Ellyn wasn’t tasked to visit a cousin, she and the others are going to bring an army here! They expect her to risk getting hurt too!”

  “I know that it is dangerous, but I can’t sit here and do nothing. Ellyn and Olivia need all the help they can get. Besides, I already have been to the city while they haven’t. It’ll help them find their contact.”

  “And why does it have to be you? Surely there are adults who could do it instead...”

  “Why can’t it be me? I learned magic to eventually go to the outside. Or what? I can’t because it might be dangerous?”

  “I didn’t let you learn magic to go off like this!”

  “What will happen when the bandits come? Do we abandon everyone and run away just as father-?!”

  “RIGEL!!” Maya raised her voice to an uncharacteristic tone. Her cheeks were red with anger and her body sweaty from getting so worked up. Maya wasn’t the type of mother that could easily be angered, but ‘him’ was the sensitive topic that always caught her from the worst angle. For her own son to bring it up to use it against her... felt especially painful.

  Rigel was taken aback by his mother’s reaction. However, he quickly gave her a defiant look, one that told her he was not changing his mind on the matter. She was frustrated; why did he need to go? What could he gain from attempting something so dangerous? It wasn’t like Rigel possessed some special skill Ellyn would be lost without to. There was no need for him to do this. But taking that aside, she simply feared for his safety. More than anything, what would be of her if something was to happen to her child? The mere thought of it was enough to grip at her heart and threaten to crush it.

  If it were to truly happen, she…

  Rigel approached her hunched over mother and lifted her face, there, she saw a worried smiled that looked out for her, “I know it’s dangerous, mom. However, I’m more scared to stay here, not do anything and wait until they come for us.”

  Her grievances didn’t go misunderstood for the boy. For Maya, Rigel and her sister were the last of her family, as the rest had been taken by time and fate. Losing them both would be too much for her heart to bear.

  It was for that same reason, however, that he felt the need to struggle like never before.

  Marco and Maya finished organizing the table. At the same time, the sound of chatter could be heard from outside. Ellyn and Rigel had returned with Olivia, Minerva, and Darius. While the three were chatting among themselves about miscellaneous topics, Ellyn and Minerva walked silently only a few steps behind.

  Trying to not show how distressed she looked earlier, Maya put on her best smile.

  “Hi! Please come in, we’ll serve you up in a moment.”

  All three of them nodded and walked right in alongside Marco, Ellyn and Minerva stayed at the door with Maya with less than cheerful looks.

  The red-haired woman tilted her head. Then, with a soft voice, she asked: “Thank you for your kind invitation. But I must ask; What brings this gathering, Maya?”

  “You know they are leaving today, right...?”

  Minerva looked gloomier than ever as she nodded in response.

  “I wanted to do something to wish them a safe journey.”

  Ellyn frowned.

  Minerva’s face softened. After all, she too, was a mother whose daughter was going into a place she hadn’t been before with almost any time or preparation. She too, went pale upon hearing the ‘plan’ and her daughter’s eagerness to go. She too, had an argument about it. And she too, had to reluctantly accept she couldn’t stop her child.

  “Ah... I see.” Minerva nodded.

  The amethyst-colored eyes lighted up faintly upon seeing the mutual understanding between the two mothers.

  “I wish things didn’t have to be like this, but I know we’ll all make it through this.”

  “Hm. That is true. Let’s hope for the best.”

  Ellyn watched them closely. It made her uncomfortable to listen, yet considering it necessary, as it was yet another thing she needed to assume responsibility for.

  Everyone enjoyed their plates in a different manner. Rigel ate at a slow pace and took his time to eat, Maya and Minerva spent more time chatting than eating. Marco had already finished his plate and was also chatting with the women. Darius was going for seconds and Olivia tried to go for seconds—she failed miserably. Ellyn had also finished her plate at an incredibly fast pace and was spending most of the time observing the rest. It was, after all, a sight she wasn’t used to seeing. Many people reunited and happily exchanging words. It looked as if the events of today weren’t the reality these people lived in, as well as the deadline they had due in ten days.

  Were they so used to it that they couldn’t let it bother them anymore? She couldn’t help but wonder. If it was her and her uncle, they would have already fled this place in disguise. While it might be harder to leave in this situation, she could bet that her uncle would have tried.

  Still, whatever the reason, they put their hopes into finding a way to save both their loved ones, and the place they called ‘home’.

  “I wonder... What does it feel like? To have such feelings?”

  She didn’t get it.

  “That was great!” Darius said, “I wish I could have some more~.”

  “You’ll end up like your dad.” Rigel taunted.

  “Not if I burn it all doing exercise! Besides, you need to eat some more too.”

  “I don’t need it- Agh! Hey!”

  Ellyn observed as Darius grabbed him by his thin arm, feeling his considerable lack of muscle mass.

  “Look at that! You are like a squalid chicken with no feathers!”

  “Rigel has always been small and cute~” Olivia squealed, “Like a little doll~”

  Rigel struggled red from embarrassment, as he had a hard time to free himself from his grasps, “H-hey! Stop it!”

  “I think he is right, son.” Maya chimed in, “Don’t you wanna grow taller?”

  “Look who’s talking!” He snapped, “You are smaller than me and barely eat!”

  “Well, but you are a boy, though.” Maya said before trailing off to Darius, “Speaking of eating, Darius any reason why your father didn’t come?”

  “Knowing that fat oaf it’s surprising he would let pass an invitation on free food.” Minerva scoffed.

  Darius let go of Rigel immediately after. Ellyn saw how his body deflated in disappointment as he recalled something that truly must be quite tiring.

  “My old man got drunk and passed out after we returned home. The whole mess with Roy got him so good that he ‘needed his fix’...”

  Minerva sighed, “Hm... Unsurprising.”

  “Sounds like Randall, alright.” Marco said.

  Maya, Olivia and Rigel looked away in various levels of awkwardness over the mood that had set in. Though Ellyn only raised her eyebrows.

  “Is he really like that most of the time? Seeing what happened today, I thought he’ll be more.... Uh…”

  “You can count on him to move his ass when his life is at stake,” Darius leaned back, fixing his gaze into his empty plate, “but anything before or afterwards is a lost cause.”

  “Indeed, the man only moves if the consequences of not doing so is never eating his fill again.” Minerva added.

  “I see. That must be rough.” Ellyn said.

  He sighed again, “I-ah... gotten used to it.”

  Seeing the conversation about Randall die down, Olivia took the opportunity to speak, “By the way. On the topic of missing people. Rigel, did you ask Alan to come?”

  Rigel shook his head, “He told me he was busy with his family. Making emergency rations on the following days for everyone in the village.”

  “It would have been nice if a chef like him would come with us to Finglas.” Olivia sighed.

  “He seemed very moody about it.” Rigel added, “Maybe he didn’t feel like coming after today. I understand.”

  Ellyn swallowed. Looking tense and uncomfortable as she recalled her messy encounter with Alan earlier.

  “Well, it is better to give your friend his space. We all are doing what we can to help.” Minerva said.

  “Yeah, I might not be going, but I’ll be helping mount as many defenses as possible.” Darius intervened, “Everyone needs to be capable of at least holding a spear for the worst-case scenario.”

  “Everyone is working really hard from the get go, surely something good ought to come out of it, right?” Olivia said.

  They all smiled. Timid smiles that showed their worry, but it also showed hope and resolution. No matter what could happen, they had each other helping to save this place. Their home. With something like that on their side, they all couldn’t help but smile.

  “Mn...”

  All but one smiled.

  At this deep into the night, even the bandits were falling prey to the alluring sweetness of sleep. This was the hour Ellyn and the rest were scheduled to leave to Finglas, the closest city to the village and the Bandit Lands. The current hour was chosen specifically to sneak past the watchful eyes of the Wood Fang at The Pillars, the mountains that trapped separated the village and the rest of the Kingdom of Vigram.

  All three of them found themselves at the outskirts of the village; Rigel sported traveling fitting clothes for their trip: a white cloak to combat the cold, a deep blue outfit, long boots, and a leather bag where he carried all their needs.

  Olivia wore a dark green, leather shirt and dark brown pants all to serve for a light weight and mobile outfit. Combined with her cape and sword at her side, Olivia looked much more like a thief from books and bard songs than she would likely admit.

  The only person who largely remained the same was Ellyn. Choosing to still maintain her borrowed white and light green blouse and brown pants, on the chest, a leather breast guard for suppoer, and one shoulder pad to keep her cloak in place. Her long boots were replaced by a new pair after her intense running destroyed the last one, as well as her black gloves.

  “Are you sure you don’t need anything else?” Olivia asked.

  Ellyn raises her eyebrow, “Why? I have my waterskin and the gold.”

  “Well, we are going to off be at least a week. You need to be prepared, right?”

  “I’m used to travelling like this.” Ellyn replied, seemingly not getting why Olivia asked such a thing.

  Darius appeared with a brown horse that very obediently remained quiet and still. Marco, Maya, and Minerva were also beside them.

  As well as...

  “So is everything’s ready, it seems.”

  Akira stood among them, her frame shining under the moonlight to a downright otherworldly manner. Marco did his best to not put a bad face on her presence, but it was clear to Ellyn that he was uncomfortable.

  “...Akira.” The raven-haired girl whispered.

  “We are counting on you, girl. Please, do not fail us.”

  “...Be careful.” Marco added.

  Ellyn merely nodded to Akira’s words, then turned and smiled towards Marco. He nodded back.

  Minerva carefully placed her hands on Olivia shoulders. The woman struggled to wipe the frown on her face to form a smile, and her daughter couldn’t blame her for it, “Take care, my daughter. I’m proud of you, but please return to me safe and sound.”

  “D-don’t make a face like that… It’ll make me worry too…” Teary-eyed Olivia replied, moments before being embraced by her mother.

  Maya checked frantically around her son’s body and clothes as she tried to make sure not a single hair was out of order, much to his frustration, though he also let her do as she please this time, “When you see someone suspicious you cross to the other side, also remember to stick to the girls the whole time. If you need help ask Ellyn or Olivia-”

  “I’m fine! I’m fine! geez…” He brushed her off.

  Maya took a deep breath. After a moment of painful silence, a single, tearful whisper left her lips, “Please be careful.”

  Rigel nodded and hugged her with all his strength.

  Darius approached the horse with a dead-serious look he had ever shown to Rigel and Olivia.

  “Wish I could join you, but I’ll be of more help here, preparing the village for whatever will to come.”

  After a deep breath, he continued, “Good luck.”

  Ellyn nodded, “Hm. Leave it to us.”

  “We’ll bring you a gift when we return~”

  “Just wait and hope, Darius. Also, you better find that book because we are definitely making it pass this!”

  Darius smiled, he guided the horse and signaled all of them to mount it. The well-trained animal in response stood still as a rock to invite the trio on.

  “Good boy. Olivia, you remember how to ride, right?”

  She gave him a thumbs up.

  “Then the rest is up to you.”

  Olivia tightened her gripe on the reins. The group looked back one more time to see a myriad of expressions; an ocean’s worth of emotions.

  Worry, unrest, confidence, expectation, hope. All-natural reactions to the nature of this rushed plan. Yet all of those left behind were smiling. Their beloved children were going off to save them. It swelled their hearts in pain as well as it soothed them in the warmth of pride.

  Even if it tore them apart, they still placed their hopes in them.

  In turn, the children smiled back, with the promise of returning with head held high in triumph.

  “We’re off!”

  “…We’re off.”

  They spoke.

  “Have a safe journey. And return soon.”

  They replied.

  Olivia hit the reins, as the horse dashed at full speed through the night and into the dark hills where none could see a thing. A faint glow from the boy’s magic could be seen as a last message from the group. A fickle, yet strong-willed light, determined to deliver their people to a better tomorrow.