*Notes:

Here is pretty much the other half of chapter 3 enjoy!

I always take any (constructive) suggestions seriously

One last thing! I'm trying to test out using other peoples thoughts ( the red text) during the main pov if you don't like it tell me!

chapter 3.5

| Ema's PoV |

I feel like I'm going to die. I managed to survive a week on a hand full of hard candies and a small bag of kemiri nuts, though I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going. It doesn't help that after that river, there isn't another one on the way to the city. I only had my personal water bag with me so I had to make do with what I could carry a week in the desert. By the fifth day, I already ran out even though the bag has an enchantment for extra space it's just a cheap one that can only hold so much.

After what seemed like months in hell, I made it out of the ravine and ventured East towards the city.

Is that the city!? I'm saved! Just a little bit more, come on body don't fail on me now. That small speck in the distance has food, water, and air conditioning, just a little more. This damn headache won't go away... just a little more. I... don't think I can make it. I think I need to rest... just... just a little rest before I start up again.

I fell to the ground with a thud; before I lost consciousness I heard voices like whispers in my ear, I wonder if the reaper has already come for me.

"Heeeeyyyy, yooouuu oookkk?"

They begin to get louder but my consciousness gives out.

----------

"HEEEEYYYY, YOOOUUU OOOKKK!!?" - Youth

"Shut up Alec you don't need to scream at the top of your lungs, they're still so far away who knows if they could hear you anyway." - Girl

"Fine, geez was just trying to get their attention." -Alec

Why did I let these kids in my party. It's like I'm babysitting, but at least they got some talent. Maybe in a few years, our group will start climbing the ranks and let us sit in the limelight. Only need to put up with it until then. -Robed Mage

After a bit of walking, they finally close in on Ema, who is now just laying there motionless like a corpse.

"I think she's dead" -Alec

"No she's breathing you idiot, she's just passed out." -Girl

"Grab her and lets hand her off to the guard so we can get on with our mission. We've already wasted enough time today." -Robed Mage

The scruffy black cloaked man picks her up and throws her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes in the most "gentle" way he can, and the party heads back to the city.

"Good you guys are back. How is she? Let me see her" -Guard

The scruffy man lays Ema down and the guard walks up to inspect her.

She looks familiar... but from where... -Guard

Oh! It's Mack's girlfriend! What's her name again... Rena... Tina... Ema, ya that's right its Ema. -Guard

"Hey wake up, wake up Ema!" -Guard

Maybe some water.. -Guard

The guard splashes water on her face and Ema jolts up and mumbles something incoherently and looks around.

Where am I... Last I remember I saw a dot on the horizon that was the city and then... what happened again?

"You ok? We found you collapsed several miles outside the city. If we hadn't picked you up, you'd prob be in some animals gut." -Alec

"T-thank you for saving me." -Ema

"I'm glad you're alright, here's some water so you don't go passing out again. Take small sips to let your body recover" -Guard

The guard's face turned serious before asking

"Ema where's Mack and that beast-man that was with you? You only went out on a simple F ranked survey mission, what happened to you?" -Guard

"We... they... The cave... It was so fast. They're dead." -Ema

Ema having been through a dramatic experience on top of being dehydrated, starved, and overheated talks indistinctly with incomplete sentences.

"Ok, Ok you don't have to tell me everything right now. I'll take you to the Adventurer's branch office and you can recuperate a bit before you make your report. Hey you! (random sentry) Take over my post I need to take this girl to make a report." -Guard

Robed Mage- "I'm glad you're alright Ema, my name is Tylor. I'm sorry if this is being rude but our group has a time sensitive mission and we're already running late so if there isn't anything else, we will be on our way. That shouldn't be a problem right Sir? (guard)."

"What're you still doing here, not like I need you anymore." -Guard

"Maybe we'll meet again in the future miss, until then." -Tylor

Tylor's group heads toward the stone gate and the sentry lowers the bluish opaque barrier and sees them off before raising it once again.

"This way Ema, do you think you can walk there?" -Guard

You want me to walk... Stingy geezer you're going to make me walk after what I've been through! At least offer to get a durama to take me there.

I slowly stand up and get my bearings.

"I think I can walk" -Ema

As I take my first few steps I wobble and feign a fall while taking a knee and bracing myself up with my hand. Truth be told I don't think I can walk all the way to the guild.

I think I'll make him get me a ride.

"Maybe I can't walk. I... don't think I have it in me right now." -Ema

"Alright let me go get a durama to take you there, wait here a bit." -Guard

Ugh, there goes that bribe I got earlier. Wish I could just carry her like that fellow was, but that would be a bit awkward. Maybe the guild will reimburse me. -Guard

------

About 20 minutes later the Guard comes back with a yellow three-wheeled durama. The driver looks to be middle aged and neatly dressed.

I get in the back seat followed by the guard.

What's his name again? I only know that Mack knew him. He seemed friendly enough when I last saw him. Maybe he knows where Mack's family is, I need to tell them... Maybe later, I don't know how I can face them right now.

"You said the branch office of the guild right?" -Driver

"Yes, please hurry" -Guard

"Mr. Guard how did you know Mack?" -Ema

"Oh, I knew his father. His father and I used to be in a party together, we were the best C group around. I wonder how I'll break it to him that his son died, such a pity. The boy had his entire life ahead of him." -Guard

"If it's possible could you let me tell him. I want to tell his family what happened. I don't have the courage to do it right now, though." -Ema

"I don't know... word might get around without either of us doing anything. I'll give you some time to tell them but you can't take too long. After a few months without a word his family might even contact the guild to find out about him as well." -Guard

"Thank you, I think it's best they hear it from me." -Ema

"It's nothing, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure his parents will be happy knowing their son had someone like you by his side."

"We've arrived at the branch office, that'll be 50 almas." -Driver

Why does it seem costs go up every day around here, 50 almas for just 12 miles. That's just robbery. -Guard

"Here you go" -Guard

The guard hands his money over with a tinge of regret visible in his eyes.

"Thank you, have a nice day sir." -Driver

The guilds branch office was what ran this city. It stood at an imposing 5 stories tall, made of red marble with high archways and an imposing crest with a man holding a walking stick and charging into the horizon ahead mounted above the door. The door was just as imposing being 10 ft tall with a glossy black color with some white streaks in it. We opened the door and walked in.

The guard headed to the desk to inform the guild about the situation. I sat at a table not too far away and ordered a hearty bowl of soup to fill my empty stomach.

Afterwards, I was lead into a small bedroom upstairs so I could recover. As I laid on the soft bed all I could think about over and over was what happened in that cave. It repeated in my head nonstop until I slowly drifted asleep.

| Guards PoV |

"Now about that reimbursement. The girl most definitely has an urgent report to make, so I used my own money to get her here as soon as I could..." -Guard

"I'm sorry, I'm not authorized to reimburse you" -Desk Clerk

"Then maybe you could get someone else who could?" -Guard

"I doubt it would help sir, they most likely won't help you any more than I can." -Desk Clerk