Claud stared at the message in front of him. From the seven-coloured box, he knew that the dead Bearer of Destiny was definitely one of the Coloured Gods’ own, but the timing was a bit too coincidental, if his Second Tutorial was just one of the many possible futures in store.

“…It’s the Red God’s Bearer of Destiny, right?” Lily asked.

“I’ll let you sit on my head if it isn’t,” Claud replied. “Of course, I don’t think I’ll feel your weight, so I’ll be fine.”

“Nice way of flattering me, but I wonder what happened,” Lily muttered.

“Well, if I go by what apparently happened, the others — they’re called the Seekers of Life now, by the way — cornered him and killed him afterwards,” Claud replied.

“Seekers of Life?” Lily asked, tilting her head in an impossibly cute manner.

“You know, since the Moons descended in the Istrel Sovereignty.” Claud waved his hands airily, using the motion to prevent himself from reaching out and squishing her cheeks. “Can’t disrespect the new rulers of the place, you know. So they decided to change the name to something more innocuous. It might account for why we heard nothing about the Moon Lords from the Trading Boards, since they’re under a new name now.”

“I’m sure that the network of information the Profiteers set up should account for this change, though,” Lily pointed out. “In my opinion, they probably can’t actually transmit information across that barrier.”

“Possible, yes.”

Claud and Lily mulled on the series of events that had occurred so far. The things that had occurred in the future that had played out for him were coming true piece by piece, and he didn’t like it. At this rate, when the Trial of Aeons started and ended, the Red God would come for him and Lily.

He knew how that would play out. If he did nothing here, the future that had played out once for a fictional him may very well come to pass; it would be something he would bitterly regret and hate himself forever and ever.

“What am I supposed to do here?” Claud muttered. “Now that I’m made aware of such a possibility, I’m supposed to come up with a plan, but I don’t have any plan at all.”

“No one’s expecting you to do everything, Claud.” Lily rubbed his head. “The world shouldn’t rest on your shoulders alone.”

“In the future I saw, that’s what apparently happened,” Claud replied. “I wasn’t even conscious to boot. Just an automaton who attacked anyone who dared to come too close, or in response to wills strong enough to keep me awake for a few moments. It’s a horrible future for both of us.”

“Claud…”

After hugging him for a few seconds, Lily rolled off the bed and pulled him up. “Don’t keep thinking about bad things. You need to eat too.”

“I did eat,” Claud replied.

“Yeah, twenty-four hours ago. You skipped dinner to buy more artefacts, made skillsticks, trained your muscles, and then your endurance at night. As a result, you overslept and refused breakfast when I asked you to.” Lily looked at him, a stern expression in her eyes. “I know you’re worried, and I’m more than comforted by how you’re working so hard for my sake, but you need to care about yourself too. I’m here. Don’t leave me out of this. I’ll get worried too, you know.”

Claud lowered his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“I know you had the best intentions, so I won’t blame you.” Lily smiled. “I should be thanking you instead.”

With those words, Lily pushed him out of the room and down into the tavern below. Business wasn’t as bad as it could have been; ever since he and Lily rescued a bunch of bandits by persuading them to return home, the old man manning the counter had a few regulars dropping by to talk and buy food. Over the past few months, the restaurant that doubled as a bar — not an innovative invention by any stretch — had turned into the centre of all things social.

Considering that there were still children, Claud really wanted to question this sudden development, but there really wasn’t anyone he could question regarding this.

“The usual?” the old man at the counter asked.

“That’ll do,” Lily replied.

“Oh, you spoke first today. Interesting. Is he in a bad mood?” the old man asked. “Or is he simply frustrated by something?”

“Worried, as usual.” Lily patted Claud’s shoulder. “He’s always worried for me and the future. He’s sweet. Anyway, do you have that calming tea you served us last night? We want some. He needs it.”

“Who, me?”

“Who else, silly?” Lily smiled. “If you keep this up, you’ll definitely suffer from being too anxious. I’m going to make sure that you’re nice and calm, no matter what.”

The overwhelming amount of concern flowing out from Lily was so dazzling that Claud couldn’t help but fall mute, which she immediately took as a sign of acquiescence. With a victorious smile, she sat him down on a chair and started fiddling with his hands.

“What are you doing with my hands now?” Claud asked.

“I’m massaging them, why?” Lily pressed down on a particular part of his right palm, and an odd sensation flowed up his arm. “Making all these things and preparations must be tiring for you. We’ll start with your fingers. After breakfast, we’ll move on to your shoulders, which are harder than rocks, by the way, and then I’ll figure out what’s next.”

“I need to make preparations for the inevitable battle,” Claud replied.

“You’ll have to return to your room eventually,” Lily replied.

Claud looked at his enthusiastic partner, and the words of refusal died before they could leave his lips. He could roughly understand why Lily wanted to help so much; if he was in her shoes, he would have done the same too. Furthermore, he himself had awoken from a prophetic trial that directly foretold Lily’s death.

Lily herself probably wasn’t doing all that well either. If he didn’t get it wrong, this was the way she coped with all that pressure that came with a foretold death, and…

“I’ll protect you.” Claud looked at her. “So support me with all your might, okay?” No matter what comes, I’ll be here to protect you. Be it the Coloured Gods, the Moons or the Dark. This time, they’ll need to step over my body to get to you. I’ll never leave you alone.”

Lily nodded once, his eyes abnormally bright, and then brushed her arm over her eyes. “Silly me. Why are my eyes so itchy? It’s morning. Nothing’s supposed to happen to them.”

Taking a deep breath, she looked away from Claud. “It’s a nice day outside. And you’ve been cooped up for too long. Do you want to pick up one of those toddlers outside and feed them with substances of dubious origins?”

“…I know what you’re referring to, but the way you phrase them sounds like a crime,” Claud replied, hiding a smile with his hands. “I…suppose I do need to step out once in a while. And besides, we need to meet with Count Lostfon today. He owes me a bunch of favours. It’s time to call them all in.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“All his artefacts, I suppose. While I’m sure we’ll do piddly-squat to the Red God if he ever comes calling, we can at least try to secure a way to escape or something. I’m not sure why he came after me and killed you, but I’m not about to lie down and let him have it.” Claud looked at the table. It was clean, but he could see some stubborn stains on it.

“Opposing a god, huh.”

“Yeah. Happens, I suppose.” Claud shrugged. “Why, back when I was directly hit by that Grand Cross ritual magic, I had already pitted myself against the power of the White…uh, I shouldn’t be saying this here.”

Lily giggled. “So we’re going to visit Count Lostfon later? You know, normally we’re supposed to send in a nice polite letter to him and everything. Flattery, gifts, etiquette…things like that, really.”

“I’m a tetra-folder now,” Claud replied. “I know I don’t act like the few examples we have, but I am indeed a majestic tetra-folder. Etiquette can go and sit in a corner when it comes to me.”

“How domineering.”

“A shame we still need to pay for our food, though.” Claud shook his head. “And speaking about food…”

Before long, their breakfast — bacon with eggs and sausages — were sitting on the table, emitting a delectable smell. It was a good meal, considering what Claud was planning on doing next, but more importantly, it also signified the start of a new day.

Every breakfast meant that the three promised dates were getting closer and closer. The Dark and the Moons were going to descend soon enough; whatever peaceful times he and Lily had left were drawing to an end

Claud looked at the scrambled egg, his resolve to protect Lily strengthening once more.