We ran for miles, neither of us slowing down. I knew we were close when I heard Dignity gag behind. The helment worked as a pseudo-filter, keeping out the worst of the stink, for which I was thankful.

The village was thoroughly destroyed. Bigger buildings had been burned down, while smaller ones were torn apart. My guess is whoever had done this also sacked the place, as I could see bits and pieces of things strewn along the roads.

There were… bodies.

The closest I’d gotten to dead bodies before this was passing a really horrific accident on a highway years ago. I’d rubber-necked and immediately regretted getting an eyeful. I’d had nightmares for weeks afterward and made a point to avoid looking at accidents ever after.

This was so much worse. Human and animal bodies were strewn about everywhere. They were partly rotted, but you could see the injuries: sliced, gutted, in a few disturbing cases people were actually torn apart. The women had… well… things had been done to them before they were skewered. I almost broke down when I saw the children’s bodies.

But there was no one alive. I looked, even entering some of the houses. I called. Nothing.

Disheartened, I gave up and left. When I got a fair distance away from the village, I took off my helmet, fell to my knees and started barfing uncontrollably while I sobbed.

I’m a city girl, dammit, not a hardened warrior! Even though I went in there of my own free will, nothing in my human life could have prepared me for what I’d experienced. I’d only read about this level of death in history books or seen it stylized in movies. The real thing was so horrendously vibrant that I doubt I’d ever be free of those images till the day I die. This was 100x worse than the melting Demon Scorpion.

Dignity stayed nearby, cooing in sympathy and gently stroking my hair (very much imitating what I’d done to him days ago). Maybe because he just reflected my own will, but he knew not to say anything.

Solomon kept his face neutral, most likely because he had no idea why I was so upset. I’d insisted on coming, despite him saying it was useless.

After my breathing steadied, I announced: “We need to bury all those bodies.”

My demon friend had the sense not to object.

I looked at him, pleading. “Please help me.”

He scratched his chin and sighed. “Very well, what do you want me to do?”

It was slow, messy business. Solomon created the graves easily enough, just outside the village, while Dignity and I found various ways to drag bodies to them. I could have asked him to deal with the bodies too, but that didn’t seem right. Cold, uncaring hands shouldn’t be touching these mangled bodies. They deserved some kind of respect, after what they’d been through.

Once all the bodies had been recovered and placed in their graves, Solomon covered them up. To my amazement, he created beautiful grave stones for each person. When he saw my shocked look, he explained with some exasperation:

“Demons are masters of death, after all. If I’m going to be burying these people, it’s going to be in proper style.”

“Demon pride, huh?” I laughed hollowly when he agreed with my assessment.

Filthy from my work, I looked around and found a well just outside the village. The mechanism for rising and lowering the bucket had been completely destroyed, but the rope and bucket were still down there. After moving the debris away, I managed to get it semi functional again.

I was intensely relieved to find the well water still clear. I vaguely recalled reading that some raiders or armies would poison wells in places they’d destroyed. Whatever horrible thing happened here, they had at least left the water alone.

Dignity and I washed off our grime in the cold water. Solomon hadn’t touched anything dirty, so remained in pristine condition. It was near sunset, so I made the executive decision to make camp near the well.

I took out some pre-made food from inventory, too tired to make any myself. Dignity and Solomon ate with gusto, but I barely touched my food. I really wished for a human companion just then, who could truly understand how I was feeling.

Instead, I went to sleep feeling empty. I had no more tears to give and I’d soothed my conscious by giving the villagers graves, but what I’d seen would never leave me. By some small blessing, I fell asleep quickly and deeply, without having a single dream.

I woke up refreshed the next morning. I was happy for about 10 seconds, and then my brain caught up with me and reminded me of yesterday. Grimacing, I stood up and had a good stretch.

My stomach gave a loud complaint and I sighed. I was not emotionally ready for food, but my Mewnin body didn’t seem to care.

Taking out my cooking utensils, I cooked myself a very plain breakfast. My companions had been sleeping when I started but were wide awake before I’d finished. They both eagerly awaited their portions of food and ate with enthusiasm when they got them.

After packing everything back up and putting it away, we headed south once again. As we walked, I now understood why the road was empty: whatever horror had swept through here had probably killed off anyone who’d usually be traveling. What had once been comfortable silence was now increasingly more disturbing to me.

We were walking towards actual civilization, weren’t we? Even if there was a war or raiders, surely we’d reach an area where there were living people? Even soldiers would be fine, as long as they weren’t in the habit of attacking strangers at first glance.

I was so in my own head I almost didn’t register Solomon’s off-handed: “Oh look, a body” comment.

My stomach knotted in fear.

Please don’t be dead, please don’t be dead, I repeated to myself as we got closer.

The person was lying on the side of the road, in the ditch. As we got closer, I strained my ears, hoping to hear anything that indicated they were alive.

“Ah!” My ears perked up. “I hear air moving. This person is still alive!” I ran over without consulting my friends and re-arranged the body into a more comfortable position to get a better look at them. They look like they’d been thrown aside like a sake of potatoes.

“Oh, how disappointing. It’s an elf.” Solomon observed.

I gave him a level 10 glare: “Shut up if you aren’t going to be useful.”

Apparently he wanted to keep talking, because he crouched down and examined the elf, giving me a running commentary as he did: “Looks to be a male elf, in his early teens most likely. Based of the injuries I’m seeing on his neck, hands, and feet he was probably a slave of some kind. Oh my, and not just any slave. A very specific kind for indulging in the more grotesque sexual fetishes—”

“STOP.” I held up my hand. “I get it, no more please.”

I had strong healing potions for emergencies, but you needed to drink them. And this elf was in no condition for that. I did have a low level healing spell, which might work on improving his condition just enough to get a vial of potion down him.

Turning to Solomon, I warned. “You should probably get back a ways.”

“Why?”

“I’m about to cast a healing spell, which is light based.”

His eyes widened and he made a hasty retreat.

“O, Heavens, hear my words and grant me mercy!” As I cast Basic Healing (Level 1), light engulfed the elf and then seemed to sink into his body, as if being absorbed. I held my breath, wondering if my spell was enough, and almost whooped in glee when the elf took a deep breath and started to hack and cough.

My healing potion was already out and ready. I leaned close and gently, but firmly, put the vial to his lips, commanding: “Drink this, it won’t hurt you, it’ll make you feel better.”

I don’t know if he didn’t have any fight left in him or if he believed me, but he drank the potion.

This was my first time seeing the healing potions work, since I’d been hording them up until this point. It was much like the spell, only backwards and much stronger. A bright glow pulsed out of his body, growing stronger and stronger as the potion circulated through his body. If I hadn’t been focused on how well his wounds were healing, I’d have noticed how beautiful the light was: it seemed to weave around his body and dance.

The light slowly faded away, until all that was left was a healthy elf-boy. His eyes fluttered open, and two silver eyes looked into mine.

Surprise, confusion, and then fear.

The elf let out a high pitched squeal of terror. I backed in away in surprise.

“Calm down, boy.” Solomon demanded from near by, annoyed by the noise.

I swear the elf-boy frothed at the mouth on sight of Solomon. Rather than screaming again, he simply fainted.

We all stood there in shock for a moment, before Dignity pipped up: “I think you scared him Solomon.”

The demon in question gave an evil chuckle. “Good, he had it coming.”

Uh oh. I knew Solomon hated elves, but it hadn’t occurred to me that maybe that feeling went both ways. I slapped my forehead, feeling stupid.

“Solomon…” I hesitantly began.

“What?”

“…don’t take this personal but… might you have a way of hiding the fact that your a demon?”

He waggled his eyebrow. “And why would I want to do that?”

“The elf—”

“Don’t care.”

“Please.”

“Don’t want to.”

“For me?”

“He was scared of you too.”

I blinked. Ah! That’s why screamed. I guess if a furry beast face is the first thing you see upon waking, it would be frightening.

“Maybe make me look different too?”

“Tch.” He looked at his nails, totally disinterested.

“You can rub my ears.”

He cocked his head but didn’t look up.

“Urk… you can… all day… tomorrow.” I managed to strangle it out.

A triumphant smirk crossed his face and I had to restrain myself from hitting him.

“Deal.” He snapped his fingers.

A dark shadow rippled over his features, and where there was once dark red skin, brown skin replaced it. His horns and tail disappeared. His yellow eyes faded into light hazel brown and his teeth flattened. He reminded me of some kind of Middle Eastern Prince crossed with an Italian Mafia boss.

But as for myself…

He frowned. “It’s not working on you.” His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You don’t have an angel blood in you, do you?”

Irritated, I snapped back, “Do I look like I have any angel blood in me?!”

I looked down at my still furry hands. Drat it all! For a moment there, I’d looked forward to having my old human appearance again. Even if it was just an illusion.

My shoulders slumped in disappointment.

The elf-boy started to stir awake. I motioned to Dignity.

“You’re the least threatening out of the three of us right now. Try and keep him calm the next time he wakes up.”

Marching over to the elf-boy, Dignity sat next to him and began to stroke the boy’s pale brown hair. I was pretty sure that was the Kobold’s defacto method of calming a person down at this point.

Again the elf-boy’s eyes fluttered open. Two striking silver orbs looked up to met Dignity’s dark blue ones. The elf-boy blinked several times.

Carefully and calmly, Dignity introduced himself: “I’m Dignity. I’m a Kobold. Do you know what a Kobold is?”

The boy nodded.

“My friend, my master, saved you and healed you.” He informed the elf-boy. “She is very kind, so you mustn’t be afraid and scream, alright?”

The elf-boy hesitated, nervous, but nodded again.

Dignity smiled, and I saw the elf-boy visibly relax.

Good job my Kobold friend! I thought with relief. Your cuteness has the power to heal!

“Let me introduce you to Angela, my friend.” Dignity continued. “She’s a Mewnin. The de—I mean—Solomon says he’s never seen one, so maybe they’re rare? But it’s ok, because she soft.”

Oh come on, what did me being soft have to do with anything?!

Dignity motioned to me and I walked over.

“Hello there.” I offered in greeting.

The elf-boy tensed up, but before he could scream again (rude!), Dignity grabbed my hand and stuck it on the boy’s pale cheek.

“See? Soft right?”

The elf-boy was too stunned at first to object. When Dignity started rubbing my hand on his cheek, the elf-boy whispered in agreement, “Soft.”

I sighed inwardly. This was my life now: part rabbit, part knight.

“Didn’t I say? Someone this soft, they can’t be bad, don’t you think?” That absolutely wasn’t true, but for some reason the elf-boy accepted it.

I could almost feel Solomon boring holes in the back of my head from jealously. I cleared my throat. “Uhm, yes, well… I’m glad everyone enjoys my softness. May I have my hand back now?”

With all my limbs mine again, I sat with my legs underneath me and said,“Let me properly introduce myself: I’m Angela, a Mewnin, as you were just told. I’m also a Knight by trade and currently on a quest for knowledge. I have two friends traveling with me and helping me on my quest: Dignity the Kobold and Solomon.” I pointed behind me, where Solomon was currently feigning indifference. “We found you on the side of the road and patched you up. If you have family or friends or even a town to call your own, we’ll do our best to get you back there.”

The elf-boy’s silver eyes clouded and he looked away.

Ah, I expected as much, after what I’d seen from the village nearby.

But that meant only one thing: I’d have to take this kid with me. Either find him a new family or some place of employment that would allow him a new life. Until then, since I’d healed him, it was on me to take care of him.

Why do I keep doing this to myself? Am I just a sucker for a good sob story or what? I never picked up random people and took them home when I was human! Dang it, is it because I’m Mewnin? They were always a cheerful helpful kind of race in the game. Darn you, Mewnin genetics!

Ignoring my conflicting feelings, I kindly continued: “If that’s the case, why not travel with us?”

The elf-boys head whipped around to stare at me in surprise just as Solomon gave a protesting, “What?!”

The Demon Prince stomped over to us, clearly furious. “You can’t seriously mean to drag this good-for-nothing elf along with us!”

Dignity wrapped his arms protectively around the elf’s head, protesting, “He’s not good-for-nothing—!!”

“I healed him, so he’s my responsibility.” I calmly explained.

“But he’ll slow us down!”

“Aren’t elves pretty hardy people?”

“He’ll be a resource hog.”

“Then how about you stop eating, so he can.”

“He’s going to be broken in his mind.”

“As long as he can walk & eat, there’s a chance for recovery.”

“HE’S AN ELF!”

“WELL, YOU’RE A—” I stumbled to a verbal stop as I realized what I almost said, “—a person of questionable moral character!”

We glared at each other.

Neither of us moved an inch.

Finally, I said, “I didn’t want to do this, but—”

“Oh no, not again!” He groaned, hand over his eyes.

“TERM NUMBER FOUR: Friends don’t discourage each other from doing a good deed!”

He made a sound like he’d been punched in the stomach, and bent over, his whole body shaking. After wheezing for few minutes, he finally stood up straight again, beads of sweat showing on his forehead.

He’d clearly just lost the internal battle with my wish.

“Do whatever you want,” He hissed, leaving in a huff, a bitter look twisting his human face into something close to demonic.

I gave a hefty sigh, happy I’d won but upset that it had to have been through force. Solomon was going to be a huge pain to deal with, and I’d promised he could touch my ears as much as he wanted tomorrow. I wondered if he was going to rough them up in revenge. I was pretty sure he wouldn’t outright hurt me, at least.

I looked down at the elf-boy, who had watched the entire fight with huge fearful eyes.

Poor kid!

“Don’t let Solomon’s attitude bother you. He’s naturally cranky and ill tempered.”

“I heard that!”

I ignored the sulking Prince and continued, “If you join us, I’ll make sure you’re safe. Whatever bad things were done to you in the past, I’ll make sure they aren’t done to you ever again. What do you say?”

The boy licked his lips, clearly nervous and undecided. I was asking a lot, I knew. Hesitantly, he nodded.

Dignity gave a squeal of delight and hugged him excitedly. I gave him a gentle pat on the head.

“What’s your name, kid?”

“Atlas.” He spoke in a whisper voice, as if unused to talking.

Atlas, like a map? I couldn’t help seeing some irony in my situation: I finally got a map, but instead of being made of paper, it was made of flesh and bone. That was just my sort of luck: always slightly off the mark.

“Anyway, you can’t stay on the ground like that forever. Let’s get you up and moving!” Standing up, I grabbed his arms and lifted him in one big movement. He had no time to object, and found himself upright before he knew it.

Atlas, the silver eyed elf, looked down at his body in surprise. There was no pain. He began to pat himself all over, as if checking to see if he was dreaming. He looked up at me in awe.

“Nothing hurts.” I only heard him because of my extraordinary hearing. I’d have to teach him to speak up if he was ever going to integrate back into society.

“Eh? I told you, I patched you up, remember?”

“But that’s—” He shook his head, changing his mind, and then gave me a deep, Asian-styled bow, tears in his eyes.

“Thank you.” He whispered, heartfelt gratitude in his voice.

“Er, your welcome.”

I never did know how to deal with sincere gratitude.

“Anyway, now that you’re standing I realize you’re gonna need new clothes.” I fingered his raged shirt, though that might be giving the garment too much credit. It was in tatters, giant holes and tears, and absolutely useless for keeping out the cold. His pants, or skirt, or whatever that was suppose to be, was in the same condition. He was shoe-less too, like Dignity had been. “I can make them for you, it’ll just take a—”

“I think not.” Solomon had returned from his sulking fit, a grim look on his face. “I’m not going sit around and wait for you to pamper this elf.”

The Demon Prince snapped his fingers and a plain but sturdy outfit appeared on Atlas. The boy looked down at his own body again, totally surprised.

His outfit was mostly made up of cow leather and undyed cotton from the looks of it: he had a jacket, sweater, sturdy pants, and slip-on boots. It wasn’t the most flattering color or cut, but because Atlas himself had an elfish beauty about him, he managed to pull it off.

I heard Solomon mutter quietly to himself: “—won’t even do me the favor of looking ugly—”

And I had to suppress a chuckle. So I wasn’t mistake: the clothes themselves weren’t good looking. Solomon had done it on purpose but still failed.

Atlas seemed unaware of the demonic slight, and ran over to Solomon and gave him a deep bow too. Several, in fact, all the while whispering “Thank you, thank you!”

Something that might have been guilt flashed across Solomon’s face. But he quickly smothered it when he saw me looking and shooed the boy away with a “Yes, yes, your welcome!”

I gave him a knowing smirk and was even more amused to see the Demon Prince blush.

I walked over to my friend and gave him a hearty pat on the back.

“I know you don’t like elves, and I know you objected, but I really appreciate it.” And I really did, quite sincerely. Especially the shoes. I had no way of making them on my own.

He took a step away from me, head turned, and said: “Don’t think that I’ve forgiven you so quickly.”

What is he? A teenage girl?

“Aw, don’t be like that, you’re my bestie!”

“What does that even mean?” He asked in annoyance and forgetting to be angry, looked me in the face.

“You don’t know? It’s short for BEST FRIEND. I could also call you my BFF—best friend forever—if you like.”

“Er,” He looked genuinely disturbed by the idea. “No thank you.”

“Bestie it is then.” I said, winking.

“Tch.” He looked away, but I caught a smile ripple across his lips despite himself.

While I had wished it, I was still a little surprised: he really played the role of “best friend” exquisitely well. And sometimes, like right now, I forgot he was even acting. He seemed like a genuine friend.

Shaking the thoughts away, I left Solomon and walked over to Dignity and Atlas, who were talking. Well, more accurately, Dignity was talking at Atlas. Atlas listened politely, but I saw him fingering his jacket, and knew he was focused on the clothes rather than conversation.

“Who wants a mid-morning snack?”

“I do, I do!” Dignity raised his hand up excitedly. I didn’t often do snacks, but my Kobold friend knew from experience I always went all out when I did.

Turning to Solomon, I waved him over. “You too!”

After they’d all gathered around, curious to see what I was going to give them, I opened my pack and scanned my dessert section. There were so many options!

Desserts in the game were designed to give you energy and stamina boosts. They were also delicious looking.

I picked out a simple strawberry cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top. I had a lot of those, since they were easy to make and gave decent boosts. As I selected one, it appeared in front of me, and landed gently on the palm of my already upturned hand.

I’d gotten pretty good at guessed where an item would appear. It was to the point that I could almost make it look like I was conjuring things with my hands. Which was a useful impression to make, considering what Solomon said about it about it being impossible.

Atlas’s eye turned into enormous silver saucers at the sudden appearance of a fully formed slice of cake on a plate (with small fork included) in mid-air. When I gave him his plate, he didn’t eat it, but simply stared at it in stunned disbelief.

“ISHT’TH AMAZSHING!” Came a muffled yell from Dignity. He hadn’t bothered with the fork, and just picked the whole slice up and stuffed it in his mouth. He had the look of a small child about to go on a sugary rampage.

“Quite delicious.” Solomon agreed with Dignity but added with a frown: “Don’t talk while your eating.”

The Demon was using the fork properly and taking small bites with it. I was reminded that he was referred to as Demon “Prince” for a reason: the guy could eat with style.

“Do you not like cake?” I asked Atlas, concerned that he hadn’t touched his yet. “I could get you something else…”

The boy shook his head vigorously and then awkwardly grabbed the fork and stabbed the cake. Watching him, I got the distinct impression he didn’t know how to use cutlery. But he rallied and managed to skewer a sizable piece of cake and get into his mouth before it fell off.

The first bite caught him by surprise. It was sweeter than he’d anticipated. But as the cake and silky frosting mingled in his mouth and hit his taste buds, it was like an electric current ran through him.

This… This was cake!

Using the dainty fork as a shovel, he attempted to cross that fine line from eating to inhaling your food. When he’d eaten it all, he then licked the plate.

Solomon shuddered in horror at the elf’s lack of manners, while I grabbed the plate hastily away.

“Woah there, no need for that! I’ve got more cake!” I raised my hand and another cake, just like the first, appeared. “Since you’re new, you get seconds.”

“Aw… I want another one too!” Dignity begged, seeing Atlas’ luck.

“You’ve had this cake before already.” I said somewhat exasperated. I’d actually let him try a bunch of my game desserts by this point, so it’s not like he was being deprived.

“But, but!” His lower lipped trembled, pleading, but my face hardened in response.

“No, and I mean no.”

He looked ready to fight me, when Atlas tugged on the Kobold’s shirt. He shyly offered his cake to the smaller boy.

“You’re giving your cake to me?”

At Atlas’ nod, Dignity took the cake and then looked at the boy in awe. Atlas had just won a friend for life with this gesture.

“Aw, well, Angela—” Solomon scowled at the Kobold for purposefully using my full name. “—is right. I’ve eaten this cake before.”

Apparently he was feeling ashamed for being greedy. After a moment of internal struggle, he reached a happy compromise:

“I know, let’s share it! That way we both get seconds!”

Atlas gave a warm smile of agreement.

Aw… that was adorable! Atlas wasn’t a “good for nothing” like Solomon had predicted. Learning to share, to be kind to those who are suffering, that’s valuable. And that’s what Atlas was teaching Dignity.

As I watched them share the cake, I couldn’t help wondering what else Atlas would bring to our little group. He was weak now, but everyone started that way. With care, love, and kindness, who knows what type of person he could grow up to be? Maybe with our help, he could grow up and make sure what happened to him, never happens to anyone else. That would be worth it by my own estimation.

Oh, but I hoped I wasn’t there to see all that. Even if I lost my job, my apartment, and all my stuff because it took me years to find a way back, I still needed to get back. I had a family, and they’d be worried sick about me. They might even think I was dead if this took too long!

I felt a prick of homesickness at the thought of my family, but quickly suppressed it. Wishing for something I couldn’t do and didn’t have the means to even try was a waste right now. (Plus, it was painful to think about.) Survival was way more important. It wouldn’t do me any good to miss my family if it distracted me and I ended up dead.