Night has fallen as Eiziest and his group consisting of Mimir the sadistic drone companion who’s currently inside Eiziest as they entered the village, Felice Noviche the duo bodied self-proclaimed greatest witch in all of Niviru with her manipulative and curious familiar, Silfy, who looks like a white ferret with a gem on her forehead.

Newly added to the group is the queen of Aéthea and seemingly close friend of Felice, Eirene Altherra. Who is currently having a pleasant chat with Felice as they walk towards Vilo’s tavern. By Eirene’s side is her children, Xion Altherra the eldest, who’s cautiously looks around for danger, even though Felice explained earlier that no one can recognize them, if they aren’t someone close.

Lastly, Eirene’s daughter, Nora Altherra. Currently now carrying Eiziest who changed into his 1st tiny form before they entered the village. Nora carries Eiziest as though a child would carry their favourite stuffed toy as Mimir explained. Eiziest did try to ask Nora to just let him go, but Nora didn’t want to.

= = = = = = = = =

Sometime later at Vilo’s tavern. Vilo as usual, is serving his customers with the aid of his smoke clouds going about. As he serves one of the patrons a drink, he hears a familiar voice calling for him at the entrance.

The origin of the voice was Felice, having been the first one who entered. “Oy, Vilo!” she says with a childish grin making Vilo and some of the patrons who know her, smile and greet her as she enters.

Vilo sighs for a moment, then as he sees the other people with Felice, he looks at them in amazement, “…Well isn’t this a surprise?” he says with a smile as being able to recognize Eirene and her children, Xion and Nora, enter the tavern.

Vilo notices quickly that no one but him has noticed the Queen and her children being there, and being quick to read the situation, he nodded at Felice. To which she just smiles and nods back.

Felice guides everyone to a large rectangular table near Vilo’s bar, she then pointed at the long wooden seats for them to sit on.

Silfy jumps off from Felice’s backpack and on to the top of the table. As she lands, she puts away Felice’s huge backpack.

One by one they take their seat. Felice and Eirene on one side, while Xion and Nora who’s still carrying Eiziest sit on the other side. Mimir’s drone and Silfy rest on one end of the table having some sort of discussion to what Eiziest can understand.

As everyone takes their seat, Vilo’s smoke clouds places menus on the table in front of each one of them.

Eirene cautiously looks at Vilo as she notices that he can tell who they are.

Felice notices Eirene worrying look at Vilo, “Don’t worry about him, he’s a friend!” Felice says with a warm smile to Eirene. To which Eirene just sighs in relief.

Xion, as the menu is placed in front of him, picks it up and looks at it with a focused look as to what would he like to eat. “Hmm… coffee, bread… or…” he murmurs as he reads the rest of choices in the menu.

Nora places Eiziest on the table so he can see the menu. Eiziest walks along the side of the menu which is laying flat on the table, “What do I want tonight…” Eiziest says as he ponders over the menu.

Nora stands on top of her seat to look at the menu with Eiziest.

Eiziest looks at Nora, “…Want a recommendation?” he says to Nora questioningly, to which she just shook her head. Eiziest smiles, “…Alright, what do you want?” he says as they both look back at the menu.

As everyone decides on what they want to eat, the smoke clouds inform Vilo and then he prepares them as everyone just idly chattered with each other.

Felice talks with everyone about their journey and where they need to go first, “…If we plan to cross Rivena, best we go to Groven Burg and refill our supplies”

Eirene nods, “I agree. That may would take a longer journey, but would be much safer than going through a different route” she says as she keeps on looking at the map.

Silfy and Mimir’s drone also observe the map, “Estimate of about six days of travel” Mimir’s drone states.

Silfy continues, “…Should we stop at some other areas, we would likely arrive at Groven Burg on the eight day” she says to Mimir.

Mimir’s drone then projects a prompt at Silfy, “(￣ー￣)ｂ”

Eiziest on the other hand looks at the route on the map with concern, “…that’s quite far… can’t we just, you know… hitch a ride to get there? Like using a coach, do you guys have those here?” Eiziest says as he looks at Felice’s projection of a zoomed in Map of Midora.

Felice chuckles, “Coaches rarely come here due to the dangers in the woods, but we could buy some horses at the stable nearby,” she says to Haiko as Felice then smirks, “I’ll be paying for all of it of course, don’t worry!”

Eirene smiles warmly at Felice, “Thanks Felice, I promise to repay you when I can” she says as she crosses her arms as she continues to ponder and plan out their route.

Moments later, Vilo arrives at their table carrying two wooden trays on both hands with the food Eiziest’s group has requested, with his smoke clouds carrying the rest.

Felice stops her projection as she smells the food coming their way. Everyone looks at Vilo as he sets their meal on top of their table. “Enjoy!” Vilo says with a smile as he finishes plating.

Vilo glances at Felice, “Let us talk later…” he says to her with a smile, to which Felice replies with a nod, as Vilo begins to return back to his bar.

Felice then takes no time to start eating, “…sow guwd!” she says with delight, with her mouth full of whatever it is she ordered. Sharing some of it to Silfy.

Eiziest is very used to see Felice eat vigorously and in large amounts, so it comes to no surprise to him to see her eat in that way. He was much more surprised by what Eirene and Xion were eating.

Eiziest looks at Eirene and Xion’s plate, “You guys eating all that?” he points to the huge pile of pasta for Eirene and a mountain size pile of Juju bird scrambled eggs mixed with some mashed potatoes on Xion’s platter.

Eirene and Xion look at Eiziest and gave him an angelic smile, “Of course!” they both say simultaneously.

Eiziest looks in disbelief as Eirene and Xion begin eating, or from his perspective, devouring their meal.

Eiziest looks at Nora and gave sigh of relief as she sees her simply eating a more reasonable sized meal and with manners. Nora chose to eat a parfait served in a wide wooden bowl, using a long wooden spoon to scoop it up and into her mouth.

Nora seemingly just closes her eyes and continues to eat, not showing any kind of reaction to her meal, but as Eiziest sees by the way she isn’t stopping on digging through the parfait, is as much of an indication that she’s enjoying it.

Eiziest panics as he remembers something, “Hey Nora! that’s serve for two, don’t eat it all!” Eiziest hurryingly says as he grabs a smaller wooden spoon and joins Nora with eating the parfait.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

After a while, the other patrons of the tavern started to dwindle as everyone finishes their meal. Only things left were the dirty wooden plates, which were simply remove by Vilo’s smoke clouds. As the last of the other patrons went off, Vilo joined in as he finishes cleaning up.

As Vilo enters, he smiles at Eirene, “No need to explain anything. I understand and wish to simply assist in any way I can” he says to Eirene warmly, to which Eirene thanks him.

Felice explains the gist to Vilo about Haiko now being called Eiziest and the change of how Eiziest is seen as Nora’s familiar rather than Felice’s.

Felice, Eirene, Eiziest, and now with Vilo, continue planning the route to Aéthea. Using a map projected onto the table by a stone placed by Felice.

Mimir, who’s now out as the tavern has closed. Backs up Silfy, they help by giving out estimates and possible situations that could occur for each route and area being pointed out.

Xion quietly listens to everyone discussing. While Nora, with one of Mimir’s drone, is fiddling with something the drone was prompting.

“…If we go to a crowded area, wouldn’t we risk other people getting hurt if they attack us?” Eiziest states as their route requires going through a lot of populated areas.

Vilo looks at Eiziest, “I agree. But after going public about the queen and her children’s disappearance. Every possible area the Queen of Alberio can reach are heavily checked by their military”

Felice continues, “I’m sure some of the champions were sent out to look for Eirene and her kids. The idea is to go to those areas where they are most certainly be posted to and hope we can snag ‘em to help us!” she says with a grin.

Eirene ponders, “It is a risky plan,” she looks at Felice and then to Eiziest, “But with Felice’s spell, we can remain unrecognizable and undetectable to everyone but our friends…” she glances at Vilo, “Hopefully”

Eiziest looks at Eirene questioningly, “Are the champions someone you’re close with?”

Eirene looks at Haiko with a smile, “We like to keep a close relationship with everyone, especially the rulers of each part of land in Midora. As is gives us insight as to how they are doing”

Felice sighs, “…But not all are buddy-buddy with your people though” she says with a weak grin.

Eirene wryly chuckles, “Sadly yes… My husband still has his hands full with the issues regarding the races, and now has to deal with this cult in hopes to find us…” Eirene sighs, “I really hope we can find one of the champions to help us tell my husband we are just fine now”

Eiziest looks at Felice, “Can’t you just teleport us their or use some kind of spell or magic tool?”

Felice looks at Eiziest and quickly explains, “I can’t, based on Eirene’s story. I believe they have a way to intercept any portal and lead it to their area. And sadly, I don’t have any tool that I can use to let the King of Aéthea or Queen of Alberio know where we are,” she says with a sigh.

Felice shrugs, “Only the Champions are given such tools, as it contains highly important information and a private direct link towards where the Champions are set to.” she says with a smile, “That’s why it would be best we get to meet one as we do have a very long journey ahead of us!”

Eiziest nods, “Guess our only choice is really just to go by foot huh?”

Silfy interjects, “Should we go without any issues and travel by horse, we would likely arrive at Aéthea within two hundred days at most. Not counting the waiting time for the air ships at Alberio leading to Aéthea”

Mimir continues, “Besides the thought of being attacked at any time, we can consider this as a way to see the rest of Midora as you have wished” Mimir nonchalantly says to Eiziest.

Felice, Vilo, and Eirene, all nod in reply. While Eiziest just sighs and they continue on planning.

Some time later, Nora finishes whatever she was doing with Mimir’s drone. The drone returns back to Mimir. Mimir and Nora nod at each other.

Eiziest catches Mimir nodding at Nora, “What was that?” he says looking at Mimir.

Mimir ignores Eiziest and continues looking at the map, letting his drone speak for him with a prompt, “‾\_(˚ー˚)_/‾”

Eizeist just sighs and ignores it for now, as he looks back at Nora yawning. Everyone else notices Nora’s yawn as they see Xion already asleep, resting his head on the table.

Eirene, Felice, and Vilo, chuckle at the sight of Xion snoring. “We should continue this tomorrow,” Vilo says to everyone as he then looks to Felice, “…Felice, would you mind sharing you room with them?”

Felice smiles as she grabs the stone projecting the map, “Yep, no problem. I’ll guide them up then”

“Much appreciated,” Eirene says as she moves towards Xion, waking him up.

Nora on the other hand looks at Eiziest and raises both her hands towards him, “…Eizy, carry…” she says meekly at Eiziest.

Vilo looks at Eiziest who’s looking at Nora with a confused smile, “Hai- I mean Eiziest, would you mind assisting them? Apologies but I’ll need to prepare for tomorrow”

Eiziest looks at Vilo, “Sure,” as he says, Eiziest jumps off the table and turns into his 2nd form.

Everyone, besides Vilo, then went upstairs heading towards Felice’s room.

Felice’s room was twice the size of Eiziest’s, having two beds, one of them filled with Felice’s stuff.

Silfy jumps onto the nearby desk of Felice. She then removes the things on the other bed and places more pillows on it.

Xion sleepily plops himself face first onto the cleared-out bed, “…comfy…” Eiziest simply rolled Xion to the other side making room for Nora.

As Eiziest tries to put Nora down onto the bed, he struggles as Nora grips tight on his neck. “…Nora… time… for… bed…!”

Felice and Eirene laugh at the sight as they prepare themselves to sleep. Felice snapping her fingers and changing clothes in an instant, then sitting on a chair facing the table. Eirene removes her hair tie and her sword, putting it on one of the bedside wooden tables.

Eiziest continues to struggle with making Nora let go, he looks at Mimir for assistance “…Mimir, a little help?”

Mimir simple faces away towards Eiziest and Mimir’s room, “Goodnight everyone” he says as he leaves Eiziest to his troubles.

Eiziest sighs and sits on the bed, thinking of a plan to make Nora let go. A second later, Eiziest uses shadow movement while making sure Nora lightly drops onto the bed.

Eiziest pops out by the doors shadow, looking at Nora victoriously, “Night everyone!” he says as he goes to his room. Last thing he saw as he closes the door was Nora’s dead fish eyes looking at him.

Eiziest returns to his room, sees Mimir on a small table, seemingly resting as his shutter like eye is closed.

Eiziest lay on his bed and thus ends another day.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

The next morning, Eiziest wakes up as he hears his door slowly creak open. He looks at who opened it and sees Nora standing at the door, waiting for him.

Before Eiziest can ask why Nora was there, he sees a prompt from Mimir, “Felice planned that it would be best that Nora would carry you down”

Eiziest sighs and chuckles, as he stands up from his bed and changes to his 1st tiny form.

Nora quickly grabs Eiziest before his feet could touch the ground, much to his surprise. Eiziest tries to use shadow movement again to escape but to his confusion, he couldn’t.

Nora, carrying Eiziest and with Mimir’s drone floating at her side, went down stairs where Eiziest sees the tavern with a few patrons as Vilo is doing his job. While Eirene, Felice, Silfy, and Xion continue on with the planning on the same table they were in last night.

Eiziest joins them as he’s carried by Nora towards them.

Xion, with the help of Mimir. Lists down things they want, or need, to bring for their trip tomorrow and food to request Vilo to make for them to bring along.

Vilo also explained to Eirene about Eiziest power of using both Aevos sphere’s and Mieza earlier while Eiziest was still sleeping. Eirene understood quickly the importance of keeping it hidden from others. Mimir and Silfy help clear things about the bond system as well.

Out of spite, Nora, nonchalantly plays with Eiziest body from time to time throughout the day. Molding him to whatever she wants. Much to Eiziest dismay, but to everyone’s enjoyment by seeing him turn to different things.

The day ends having their plans ready and their food being prepared for tomorrow.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

On the day they leave, as morning comes, Eiziest slowly wakes up. Noticing something different, he looks at his right hand and sees it now looks human. He then touches his head and notices he has long hair.

Eiziest drowsily looks at it confused, and added to his confusion. He sees Nora sleeping soundly while hugging his left arm.

As Eiziest mind clears up, he panics as he notices something else. He looks under the sheets and sees he’s not wearing any clothes.

Adding even more to Eiziest problems, he hears Felice coming, “Eiziest, get ready! We’re leaving before noon!” Eiziest then panics even more as he hears Eirene as well, “…Where’s Nora?”

“Probably with Eiziest, I sent her to get him earlier this time,” Felice says to Eirene, “Look! The door is already open!” the voice becoming louder as they get closer to his room.

Eirene sighs, “… she probably fell asleep with him, being woken up so early…….” Eirene’s words drift off as she sees her daughter clutching onto a naked man.

Felice laughing with her eyes closed, “Yeah, I’ll be-!” as she sees what Eirene sees, she conjures up small glass spears aimed at the unknown man, “WHO ARE YOU!”

Eiziest begins to go white as he panics. “… h-hi…” he says with a dainty wave while his whole-body shivers in fear.

Eirene on the other hand showed a smile one wishes to never see how a mother smiles when you do something wrong. She holds the hilt of her blade making it glow as she slowly unsheathes it.

“H-Hey! Chill guys! I-It’s just me!” Eiziest tries waking up Nora to help him explain, but Nora remains asleep and continues on not letting go of Eiziest arm.

The last thing heard was Eiziest scream of pain and a loud explosion at his room.

Xion, Silfy, and Vilo were all surprised by the loud commotion. Except for Mimir’s drone, who just simply prompted, “(─_─)人”