Two heaping baskets of vegetables and fruits that smelled like sweet dirt and refreshing sky was stuffed vigorously into Essairyn’s hands by Leœss’s sister, Amirael, without forewarning. Then, she and her youngest sister of five years shooed Essairyn and the rest of the group out of the house with brisk goodbyes and good luck for their journey ahead.

Seeing Essairyn’s fluster at not having a chance to even utter a word of thanks or protest at the parting gift, Leœss chuckled while scratching his head sheepishly. “Ahh…I swear they’re not usually like this.”

The girl blinked, processing them being comedically kicked out of Leœss’s own home by his own family before bursting out in a laugh.“It’s okay, haha! I know they’re just being nice and don’t want to delay us after fixing the farm and eating a late lunch. Besides, they were absolutely darling. I’m glad we stopped here.” Thinking back to the boisterous lunch and adorable antics of Leo’s littlest sister while they mended the farmhouse prompted a cheerful curve of her lips.

Despite the farm being on the group’s way, Leœss’s sisters had expressed guilt for unintentionally dragging them into mending the property. So, the group didn’t stay long due to their insistence to not take up more time. If the situation had allowed, Essairyn would have loved to stay and chat with the nineteen-year old Amirael. Also, Leœss’s baby brother was simply too precious. It broke her heart knowing that the little boy would never get to know his parents.

“By the way,” Essairyn began as she stored the baskets in her cache, and they headed back to their carriage “Your sister really makes the best food. That’s why I didn’t expect her to give me anything else after sharing the leftovers of that delicious lasagna-like dish with me.”

“Oh, you mean the friettielli? Yup, that’s sis Ami’s speciality. All the neighbors request it during the cook-off potluck.” Leœss puffed up in pride whenever speaking of his family. His devotion to his siblings went beyond his societal obligation as the new head of the house after their parents perished last year. Anyone with eyes could see that it was genuine from his heart, making it all the more heartbreaking that his parents couldn’t witness his dedication.

“I won’t be able to cook nearly as well as her, but I’ll try to do justice with these amazing ingredients.” Essairyn gave a thumbs up and accompanying wink.

“It’s all good.” Leœss laughed and waved his hand.

“And if not, you can let me take a crack at it!” Izlende offered, rolling up her selves for emphasis. The white mage had decided to join the expedition, at least until Akari was fully healed, so that Essairyn wasn't strained as the only mage in the group. The other Neu'arth students would return to the main campus as planned after helping the Farinheld villagers recuperate.

“Uh, how about not?”

Izlende sent a sharp glare toward Aispin who avoided her gaze by looking up at the sky. Seeing this, Leœss laughed and asked, “What? Are you a bad cook, Izra?”

“I am no–”

“Yes.” Aispin resolutely answered for Izlende over her protests. “Thank gods the inn’s chef was a good cook, so I didn’t have to eat anymore of Izra’s cooking like the other missions––” His words cut off as he ducked Izlende’s incoming whack to the shoulder.

Huffing, the silver-haired girl demurred, “It’s edible! Okay? You’re healthy and sound; I didn’t poison you, so stop over-exaggerating.”

Essairyn chuckled and remarked, “True. Although, even the inn’s chef might have actually poisoned us despite making good food.”

Darren nodded darkly. “We don’t know for sure since all the staff disappeared during the night raid, but Kajarn, at least, was definitely pulling the strings. I can’t believe the same man I bumped into at Byar’non was behind all of this as a member of H.T…”

“I hope the villagers are okay after this…” Essairyn frowned glumly at the memory of the shaken citizens.

Izlende patted the other girl’s back, reassuring her. “Classerth’s got it handled. If anyone can brighten the people of Farinheld, then it’s the Lieutenant Commander of the Knights.”

“Yeah…” Essairyn mumbled with a weak smile. “And K’s there too, helping the town reorganize before joining us later. I thought he had left without any notice like last time in Byar'non, but thankfully, he didn't...” The girl smiled fondly as she recalled her relief at seeing the mercenary again after helping her against Kajarn's attack. She felt content that they had grown closer in the last two weeks, even if she had rarely seen him during that time due to his independent mission.

“Yep! So don’t worry. The night raid was rough, but we’ve got plenty of capable people.” Izlende’s smile faltered as she added in retrospect, “Though it turns out that the Knights’ extra measures ended up being more critical than we had expected. If only D and C-ranked knights were assigned instead of us, I can’t imagine what might’ve happened to the people of Farinheld.”

“True,” agreed Darren. “In some ways, I feel like the Knights actually did expect it. But they didn’t want to believe it.”

“Almost like they were holding back information on us?”

He nodded grimly at Essairyn. “Yes, it feels a little suspicious, I’m not gonna lie. Not to mention, how did they know that was our last day? We didn’t tell the staff until the evening, and yet, Kajarn was ready with the feast despite never showing up at the inn before then. Everything happened so quickly, almost like––”

“––they had insider info.” Essairyn’s eyes narrowed as she finished Darren’s train of thought.

“But that’s not possible. I only shared the Knights’ instructions with you guys,” said Izlende. “So unless one of the higher ups is a spy…” She quickly shook her head as she opened a door to the carriage. “Even if that’s true, it’s not something we ought to be concerned about. Now that Classerth’s involved, he’ll take care of it.”

Leœss concurred with a bob of his head as he ushered them all inside the carriage. “Let’s just focus on chasing after H.T. before they get too far. We’ve already lost too much time since they left hours ago from Farinheld.”

“It’s shame that we couldn’t meet your eldest sister in the next village over, though,” said Essairyn as she slid inside and checked on the snoozing Akari bundled up in a blanket.

Leœss waved his hand dismissively as he boarded the front seat to drive the horses with Darren. “Yeah, since it’s in the opposite direction. Although, I would be curious to who’s the worst cook between Izra and Kylaine. I still don’t know how she was able to get married with her godawful cooking.”

“Excuse me?” Izlende half-snorted as she objected. “I’m not going to stand for these blatant insults to my abilities! I told you, I can cook just fine! Don’t listen to Aispin. Besides, girls don’t have to be good at cooking. I can’t believe such backwater thinking still exists!”

Aispin chuckled as he replied, “That’s because you’re too used to Neu’arth by now.”

Izlende’s eyebrows creased in dismay. “Ugh… No, please. I don’t want to become one of those ignorant Neu’arthans, too. Holed up in their ‘perfect’ city––which is literally the size of a province, I still don’t understand why they call it a capital city––all oblivious and uncaring about the rest of As’pyze, no thank you.”

“That bad, huh?” Essairyn titled her head as she looked at Izlende next to her on the cushioned seat.

“Pretty much.” She sighed in distaste while glancing out the window as the carriage began moving. “The citizens live in their own world over there where they perceive us Academy students and knights as some fantastical beings.” Izlende jerked a thumb toward Aispin. “All the swooning that Sir Lanos over here receives from the girls of the nonmagical sister school is enough to drive one crazy.”

The man in question raised a brow and smirked, replying, “And you don’t have crazed fanboys, Miss Ryrarin?”

“Ahem.” Izlende turned her head away while crossing her arms. “At least I yell at them to get out of my way, so they behave.”

Everyone laughed as they could easily picture the silver-haired girl ordering the crowds to disperse.

“I can’t imagine what it must be like for Chaera Ch’tahur whenever she visits.” Essairyn thought back to Aispin's words about top ranks being treated like idols. But it appeared that the situation was far more extravagant according to Izlende.

“Oh trust me, you do not want to be there to see it. Everyone, magical included, absolutely swarm that woman. However…” Izlende snickered at her recollection. “Ever since she exuded her aura to ward them off after getting annoyed that she couldn’t walk anywhere, no one ever comes near her within twenty meters. Serves them right, they had forgotten that an S-class could rip them to shreds without even lifting a finger.”

“Damn, girl.” Essairyn gasped in admiration.

Izlende flashed a wink as she corrected, “Of course, I’m mostly referring to the nonmagical and lower rank students. She’s strong, but she’s no mage. So her aura abilities can only extend so far from her.”

Essairyn nodded vigorously. “Still, that’s impressive.”

“You bet it is!” Leœss suddenly interjected from the front seat, making Darren beside him snort.

“I remember the trainees teasing you about Chaera on the first day.”

Leœss blushed faintly. “Yes, my crush appears to be universally known by everyone in the area ever since Kylaine revealed it in front of Chaera, no less.”

“Right, I remember Ami saying that Kylaine and Chaera were childhood friends. So that’s how you got to know her, huh?”

Leœss’s expression turned sheepish as he confirmed Essairyn’s speculation.

“Weren’t you, like, seven when you met her?” Darren smirked roguishly and jabbed Leœss in the side.

“Yes, and she’s still the most beautiful fourteen-year old and now twenty-seven year old that I’ve ever seen!” Leœss profusely blurted with an adamant, defensive face.

Darren sarcastically face-palmed before smiling and bursting into laughter with Leœss. Essairyn and Izlende giggled while Aispin shook his head while grinning. Happy, simple little moments like these made them all momentarily forget about the terror of the early morning and direness of their trip northwest.

“That’s pretty amazing, though, that you knew Chaera before she became so famous. But you never got to see her again after that time in your childhood?”

Leœss sighed regrettably at Essairyn’s question. “Unfortunately, no. She moved away pretty soon to become a Knight, and our family also moved to Farinheld…” He suddenly gripped his fist in an aggrieved manner. “But she’s so amazing, becoming the youngest and strongest Commander that the Order has even seen! No one can compare to her—”

“Okay, come back to Earth, Leo.” Darren bonked the other boy’s head with the back of his hand.

“Excuse me, but I’ve never lived on Earth.” Leœss shot right back at Darren with a smug smile.

“Hah, the saying just slipped out.”

“And just you watch, when I move up the ranks, I’ll properly confess to her one day. Although we were young, having that history and connection with my sister has to account for something, right?”

“Of course,” cheered Essairyn. “I’m sure once we complete this mission and uncover H.T.’s schemes, we’ll be able to meet her in person, just like Classerth!”

“Ugh, don’t mention that name. I nearly gagged at the sight of him earlier.” Leœss held his stomach for added effect.

“Come on, he’s a pretty cool guy!” Essairyn laughed.

“Yeah, and he’s my biggest rival!” Protested Leœss while clutching his heart as if hurt by Essairyn’s abrupt betrayal.

“Pft. Such a drama king.” The girl rolled her eyes in mirth. This star-crossed romantic was a comically stark contrast to her first impressions of Leœss.

“It doesn’t even look like he’s interested in Chaera, seeing how he was all over Izra in Farinheld. Then again…” Essairyn paused thoughtfully while Izlende shook her head and tutted at the memory. “Based on what I’ve heard about Chaera, I feel like you two are pretty similar.”

“Me?” Izlende pointed to herself while jerking back in shock.

Leœss tipped his head to the side and pondered the comparison. “Now that you mention it… You two are alike in some ways.”

“Oh no no no.” Izlende hurriedly dissented with a brusque laugh. “I can’t hold a candle to to her. You too, Leœss, you all haven’t seen her dual and multi-wielding sword abilities with her aura…”

In this lighthearted, amicable manner, the quintet plus one sleeping, swaddled fox pursued H.T. on a carriage drawn by six horses, all provided by the grateful townspeople for their dauntless journey. But after several hours of riding, the horses suddenly neighed skittishly and teetered in their strides. Alarmed, Leœss pulled back the reins and halted their running.

“Look!” Darren pointed straight ahead and directed everyone’s attention to ominous smog surrounding blurred figures in the near distance ahead.

“What…is that?” Essairyn murmured, confounded by the swirling mass that seemed to pulse with dismal energy.

Izlende narrowed her eyes and mumbled uneasily, “Demonic miasma?”

Essairyn looked down at Akari, but the fox gravely needed her rest. So, she wasn’t about to wake Akari up to ask if she knew.

Severe lines etched Aispin’s face at the sight of the horde of strange creatures encased in shadowy energy. His voice was low and strained. “Possession. No, not quite… Those animals are…being eaten by the demonic energy!” He leapt out of the carriage and unsheathed his sword, calling the others to follow while Leœss remained with the carriage and Akari.

Although they didn’t know what to make of the situation, or what Aispin specifically meant, they trusted him. Upon nearing the scattered animals in a stupor, Aispin’s sword ignited with a burst of dark silver magic in a cone. The struck animals were harshly singed, but the demonic clouds around them dispersed. Aispin sharply observed the animals in the clear air and widened his eyes in horror. He could now see their crazed eyes, a reflection of their deteriorating mental state.

“It’s no good. They’re lost now. We can only kill them to stop the spread of the demonic energy.” He gritted his teeth and charged forward to swing his blade in sweeping strokes. The wind generated by each blade fanned out in a thin arc of magic and severed all creatures in its path.

“Essairyn! Do you think you can do something about this smoke? Our swords alone will not be able to eliminate the demonic energy in the air.”

She pursed her lips, racking her brain to think of a solution. The smog seemed to suck the very life out of the congregated animals. From farm animals to wild ones and even what seemed like demon or spirit animals, they were all being consumed inside and out. The smog covered several square acres, so Essairyn needed to cast a wide range spell or quickly take out sections in increments.

So far, their group had been cautiously avoiding the smog by tackling the animals on the peripheries. But this method wouldn’t allow them to reach the bulk of them in the center. Even if they used their aura to shield themselves, they didn’t know how long they would last. So, knowing not to get ahead of herself based on the hazardous situation, Essairyn didn’t try to whisk all the miasma away.

Instead, she engulfed a small portion of the dark mass in a flurry of lavender particles that exploded in miniature bursts. After repeating this consecutively, Essairyn started perspiring lightly. As she had guessed, the demonic smog was simply too dense and expansive. It was almost as if something was released into this area to cause such a concentration.

“No good, even if we clear the air, it’s literally being reinfected by the ground. Look.” Izlende pointed to the section they had just cleared. Faint wisps were seeping from the earth itself.

Now that they knew the source of the miasma, they scanned the area, squinting while trying to discern the innermost depths. Aispin was the first to notice, zoning in on a rectangular outline lying flat on the ground near the center of the demonic field. As they cleaved a passage toward the geometric shape, they instantly recognized it upon closer inspection.

An underground entrance—! Essairyn gasped inwardly as she stared at the denser fog snaking through the cracks of the seemingly out-of-place trapdoor. The fragile looking lock and hinge barely appeared to do their job.

Without any hesitation, Aispin kicked through the battered wooden door, snapping the corroded metal. Beneath laid crumbling stone steps leading to even murkier depths down a tunnel with smashed wall lamps. Together, they cautiously treaded forward with a bubble of protective magic from Izlende enveloping them.

Barely ten meters inside, the tunnel opened up into a large space full of broken machinery and glass chambers. When they neared one of the shattered chambers, Essairyn pinched her nose from the foul, strange colored liquid that had seeped out and coagulated into a pool on the floor. The solidified substance looked like ash mixed with bloodied earth, and the liquid glowed ever so faintly in the color of smoldering rust.

“What is this place…?” Essairyn inhaled sharply with bated breath. “This can’t be…the plans that Kajarn was talking about…?”

Aispin sighed deeply with hardening eyes. “It might very well be. In fact, there might have been many more places like this right under our noses for a long time. From the looks of it, whatever they were doing here, perhaps injecting some demonic energy into those animals, it exploded, releasing all of it above this place while diffusing into the ground itself.”

Izlende dolefully shook her head at their discovery, adding, “And then the wind further scattered the demonic smoke in such a wide area… If we don’t do anything about it, this miasma could affect Farinheld.”

Essairyn clenched her hands with a grave expression. “Then, what do we do?”

Aispin’s face darkened. “Burn this place until there isn’t even ash left.” His words and ominous tone caused everyone to glance over at him with concerned shock. Feeling their stares, Aispin eased his expression before turning to them with a reassuring smile.

“If Sairyn and Izra spark a magical fire, that should clear out this place. But we also need to entrap the premises so that no smoke or anything else leaks from burning the debris.”

Izlende nodded in agreement. “Before that, however, we need to take pictures of this place. We can’t leave it alone due to the demonic energy leaking, but the Knights can at least examine the pictures and have some proof of H.T.’s experimental labs. Better yet, if I could scan this place…”

“Scan it?” Essairyn repeated curiously.

“Yes, it’s more intensive than taking pictures. Unfortunately, I don’t have the capability to scan without the necessary device aiding—” Izlende halted as if lightning had struck her. “Wait. You might be able to!” She gripped Essairyn’s shoulders in excitement.

“I can?” The bewildered girl peered into Izlende’s bright blue eyes. “We didn’t learn scanning at the Byar’non Regional Academy, only simple pictures, but if you think I can, then I’ll take your word for it. How does it work?”

Izlende hurriedly explained the differences from taking a photo, process of scanning a space, and the method of adjusting the detail level to limit magic consumption. When she finished, Essairyn’s eyes seemed to glow with a brilliant light. Magic scanning had thoroughly enraptured her.

Confident, yet curious, Essairyn sharpened her gaze and initiated the process. Steadily, her vision and magic focused on one area and spread out, skimming over the surface and every nook and cranny of the underground space. Her outstretched hand guided the enveloping magic while she walked with it. The method of adjusting the detail and magic output was based on the visual information desired to be stored in the scan.

Watching the raven-haired girl glide through the room, Izlende breathed in wonder. “What a fast learner… I’m not sure if even I would be able to pick up the scanning process that quickly if my magic type was compatible without an assistant device…”

Seeing Darren looking at her questioningly, she clarified, “Traditionally, white mages like myself should only be able to do common magic spells outside of advanced healing and support. While my additional fighting and knight-abilities came from a spirit god’s blessing, that didn’t enhance my magic outside of what white mages can usually do.”

“I see…” Darren quietly observed Essairyn who had gotten the hang of scanning and was now swiftly accelerating until a transparent veil rippled over the entire space. The whole scanning process took nearly ten minutes.

Incredible. Darren couldn’t suppress his amazement but refrained from verbally commenting. Yet again, he felt like had lost to Essairyn once more. If I had been blessed with rain magic too, then would I also…? He hurriedly shook these thoughts away. He would have to accept the fate dealt to him and make the most of it. Constantly comparing himself to Essairyn and feeling like he had gotten the short end of the stick coming into this world would only hold him back.

Sighing, he watched as Aispin handed a medium-sized diamond to Essairyn for storing the scan. Higher-level knights or those on important missions would be given gemstones to store magic and spells curtesy of the Order. Aispin had been given these even before the attack on Farinheld. And once they reached a town, Aispin would transmit the scan at a relay station used for magical communication and mail delivery.

Tapping into the world’s flow of magic made sending letters and packages easy, but with the slightest error, the message or item in transit could implode. So, relay stations were established to provide a more stable and large-scale delivery process than what could be sent via personal inboxes connected to one’s magic cache.

Upon taking the diamond with the stored scan, Aispin thought back to Lyam’s escape. He originally believed that the H.T. member had used some kind of transportation talisman to teleport to a previously fixed location. Similar to relay stations, teleportation stations also existed across Sol’h’meyr. But As’pyze had few due to the exorbitant cost and upkeep of creating and running them.

However, self-teleportation was dangerous due to the meticulous intricacy required to separate and reform every iota of the body after traveling on the world’s flow of magic. Improperly done, the linked soul could be forever lost. So, transportation talismans already weaved with this complex spell would ensure a safe teleportation. But regardless of the method used, an enormous amount of m’u would be consumed. Thus, this highly inefficient and expensive means of travel was limited to high-rank elementals who could teleport with relative ease for small distances.

And yet, H.T. spent that much magic to save a mere bodyguard? But was it even a transportation talisman? Aispin frowned at both the possibly of H.T. holding vast stores of magical power and an unknown method of teleportation existing. Perturbed, he questioned Essairyn on how Lyam had specifically fled. He hadn't been able to ask her earlier due to town restoration work and her distress over Akari.

The girl pursed her lips as she recounted the cracked pill in his mouth. “But what does that have to do with anything we’re doing right now?”

Aispin exhaled slowly as he pieced together his theory and answered, “Just like scanning, teleportation is both tricky and magic-exhausting, but multiple times more. If he had used a transportation talisman, then you could’ve easily killed him when his body broke into magic before traveling away.”

Izlende’s eyes widened as apprehension quivered through her center. “No…” She murmured as she surveyed the laboratory before them. “It can’t be… You said he disappeared in black flecks?”

Essairyn confirmed with a wary nod, sending alarm bells ringing inside Izlende’s head. The silver-haired girl cursed and clenched her hands. “That must be demonic magic if it was black since teleportation produces white particles.” She glared at the severed tubes and fractured glass containers. “They developed a new method through the most abominable means.”

Not following the other girl’s deductions, Essairyn asked, “Do you mean they did something…” She grasped for the correct word. “…immoral?” She furrowed her eyebrows while tilting her head to a side.

“To be honest… I’m not positive,” Izlende confessed. “But anything related to demons can never be good. If they’re injecting demonic power into humans––which seems highly plausible now that we discovered these animals experiments––then Lyam…could be a demon now himself.”

Essairyn suddenly recalled the demon teleportation portal she had inadvertently broke in the Spirit and Demon Forest. Gasping, she blurted out her recollection, garnering trepidatious shock from the group.

“Shit! So to empower humans, they turned themselves into demons?” Darren grasped his spinning head at the absurd revelation. Although not confirmed, demons could make teleportation portals which might be connected to how H.T. could transport and save their key members.

“Considering that As’nyte elementals are demonically attributed while technically humans…” Aispin pressed the creases on his forehead in consternation. “It’s possible they artificially developed a similar process to create a human-demon hybrid.”

“But why would the demons go along with H.T. if that’s the plan?” Izlende pointed out a critical flaw in their theory. “Demons hate As’nytens even more than spirits, their natural adversaries, because they see them as a stain on their race.”

“Like a puritan belief?” Essairyn presumed.

“Yes, they disliked that humans could wield their powers while also being stronger than them.”

“Then shit, why even have this theory at all?” Darren argued. “That’s exactly what we’re proposing H.T. to be doing.”

“But was it willingly done?” Essairyn countered. “H.T. could be forcefully extracting demonic power.”

“Then how can they overpower strong enough demons to get a substantial amount of power? We learned that most magic transferral is not loss-less between bodies.”

“The mage-napping.”

Everyone went silent at Essairyn’s words.

A heavy sigh exited Darren as he massaged the taut skin between his eyebrows. “What a hypocritical organization H.T. is then. They advocate for human power and equality among races while stripping away the powers of both humans and demons.”

“…For now,” Aispin slowly began, “let’s focus on the task at hand. We can continue our discussion when we start moving again.”

“Yes, I’ll seal the space, so Sairyn, go kaboom.” The two girls nodded determinedly at one another and prepared to obliterate the laboratory.

Retreating to the safety of the tunnel, the rest of the group watched as Essairyn set fire inside the space enclosed by Izlende. As the flames grew, the explosions became violent enough to make the magic enclosure tremble. Rather than be surprised by the combustibility of the machinery equipment, the group was alarmed by the liquid substance’s extreme reaction to Essairyn’s magic.

“It’s alive?” Izlende almost shrieked as the essence of the liquid rebelled wildly, as if trying to escape. “I don’t think I can hold this barrier much longer, Sairyn––!!”

“Yes! I got it!” Essairyn hastily formed another barrier inside Izlende’s and slowly compressed the sphere, making the rebelling energy cower and dissipate. Involuntarily, the girl shivered as faint beads of perspiration formed on her pained face.

Seeing her struggle, Aispin rushed over and laid his hands on her shoulders, channeling his magic through her as aid. The fire alone could not dispose of the latent energy inside the strange substances, so he prayed that Essairyn’s rain magic could yet again purify the demonic outburst.

Gradually, Essairyn’s expression relaxed, and her skin tickled with the sensation of another’s magic streaming through her fingers. It was a pleasant warmth that stemmed the gnawing ebb of magic departing her body. After the last of the demonic energy was dispelled, Aispin hugged Essairyn from behind as she drooped over in exhaustion.

“Are you okay?” He asked gently by her ear.

“I think so… Thank you for your help.” Essairyn straightened and turned to Aispin with an appreciative smile.

Smiling benignly back, he let go of the girl. “No problem. I might not be able to cast magic, but I can at least support you in this way.”

Staring at the pair, Izlende arched her eyebrows as a sly smirk curved her lips. Grabbing Darren’s arm, she dragged him out of the underground tunnel while yelling behind her. “Come on, let’s head back up. I’m sure Leœss is wondering were we went, and we still have a job to finish up there.”

Upon resurfacing, the group continued clearing the air along with the lunatic animals. Even if they had destroyed the source, such malicious energy was contagious. Essairyn recalled Akari’s past words that wounds inflicted by demons could corrode. So, it was crucial to eradicate every lingering shred of demonic energy.

But since the earth was still suffused with harmful demonic energy, and Essairyn was fatigued from having to expend nearly all of her daily magic’s quota, the group decided to rest here for the night. In the early morning, Essairyn would attempt to finish cleansing the area.

While the others pitched camp and arranged an early dinner, Essairyn rested in the carriage and checked on Akari who was now awake.

“Hum, so you finally came to see if I’m still alive, eh?”

The girl chuckled while flopping onto one of the cushioned benches with half of her body sprawled out and hanging over the edge. “I see you’re feeling well. I can’t say the same for me.”

Pinpricked by guilt at Essairyn’s enervation, Akari backtracked on her usual sassiness. “Tough day, huh? I’m…sorry about that.” She coughed a bit with a paw over her mouth.

Essairyn grinned and poked fun at the fox. “You don’t have to apologize, haha. I could use some of your sarcastic peppiness right now. Besides, I’m sure it was tough for both of us. You still haven’t told us just what happened to you.”

Akari stuck out her tongue. “That’s because I couldn’t, dummy. And you swaddled me like some baby—do you know how hard it was to get out? I nearly twisted a paw!”

“Ahahaha, my bad, I just didn’t want you to roll out while we’re traveling.”

“I’m more worried about rolling away!” Akari’s eyes flashed wide as emphasis, making Essairyn giggle and smile warmly. Despite Akari’s prickly exterior, it seemed that she could easily make Essairyn feel better in her strange, cute fox way.

“Mmhmm.” Essairyn murmured while reaching out to pet the fox’s soft ears.

Akari flicked her ears in annoyance before quickly submitting to what she had to admit, felt nice. Only as an animal could she find this motion to be soothing. Just one of the perks in her original form. On that thought, she wondered whether she’d be able to gain enough power in this life to change form. Inwardly sighing, Akari laid down on her belly and placed her head on Essairyn’s other arm. She blocked the latent pain from rising up in her heart. It wouldn’t do any good to think about her past self.

Essairyn gave Akari a quick, last ear scratch before ruffling her neck fur. Then, looking at the fox seriously, she continued, “Now, enough stalling. Tell me what happened.”