Morning time rose on the day. Grimm awoke beside Nimul. His routine began the same as always. 5 sets of 50 pushups, situps, and crunches. All done in a similar span of time. Nimul hadn’t even awoken yet, however he had other things to do before his day really started.

He exited his room, and immediately found Vesta walking past.

“Morning Vesta.” Grimm said to the passing woman. She noticed him, and began to approach him with a smile on her face.

“Good morning Grimm. Are you going to get some breakfast?” Vesta asked. A hand appeared behind from Grimm and wrapped around his large waist.

“Oh. Maybe we could go together.” Nimul said in her sleepy voice.

“Only after you get dressed.” Grimm responded, Nimul left to gather her clothes and Grimm returned to his conversation with the young sorceress. “Anyway. I need a favor.”

“I’m not sure if I’m in the mood for favors.” An irritated Vesta crossed her arms at the man.

“Don’t get mad. You know me and her aren’t really a thing. If it makes you feel any better, I could get you breakfast too.” Grimm tried to ease the woman.

‘What does it even matter? I tried and failed on guys less than you. So what is this favor?”

“How many potions can you make before noon?” Grimm asked.

“How many do you need?” Vesta, still irritated due to Nimul walking out now in an outfit similar revealing to the one she wore last night, said in rebuttal.

“About 60. Small ones for the boys. I’ll be fine.” Grimm answered.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. Hmm...I could get it done. If I had an assistant.” Grimm thought for a second of who to help the young sorceress. Nicholai was the first to come to mind. He would not be coming with them on today’s mission. So it would be best to have him learn something in the meantime.

“I’ll have someone come to your shop. It’s the boy in purple from yesterday. Don’t be too mean to him.” Grimm said to her. Vesta didn’t even respond. The sight of Nimul continued to grate her nerves. ‘Let’s go.”

Ezra had already awakened. For the first time since he arrived in the Freelands, he got the chance to engage in morning exercise. His regular routine. Swinging his sword 1000 times, 500 push ups, sit ups, and for fun 100 laps around the village.

As he did so. Grimm’s boys were also doing their exercises. Ezra had overshadowed them by a long shot. Passing them faster and faster with each lap.

Cloudwick had a few more amenities that allowed his after workout routine to be more convenient. There was a shower within the inn for washing his sweat, and a sauna for cooling off. More of the shops had better cooked food.

Anabelle and Nicholai began to wake up. They exited the room just as Ezra was coming back.

“So what’re we doing today?” Anabelle asked.

“We should check in with the old man. See what the plan is.” Ezra replied. They both left the inn. Ezra lent the two some food he got from a stand so they could have some breakfast.

As they walked they noticed the elevator was in use. Grimm emerged from it and was greeted by the three.

“We have a mission.” Grimm said as he began to walk past them, they followed behind.

“What mission?” Ezra asked.

“There’s a town called Fernal that is said to have sightings of the knights. But there’s another reason we’re going. I’ll fill you in on the details later.” Grimm informed them.

“Alright. So when are we leaving?” Nicholai asked.

“You aren’t coming.” Nicholai gasped at Grimm’s words. They continued to walk outside of the village, they saw Grimm’s boys still halfway through their morning exercises. Grimm stood by watching as they ran laps. Nicholai, who was left behind, caught up to him.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re good with a staff, but you lack any physical strength unlike Ezra. These are Serx Knights we’re going to be going up against. Every single one of them is well trained and won't give you time to cast spells. Especially at your level of ability.” Grimm stated for him. “For this mission i’ll need allies who are quick on their feet and can hit hard. Something you lack at the moment.”

“So what can he do? Nicholai is a skilled mage.” Anabelle came in to compliment the young mage.

“Your right he is. But there’s something missing from you. Muscle. While we're gone you’ll do some weight training.”

“Weight training?” Nicholai said.

“Oh hell yeah! Imagine it man. If you get stronger you won't have to worry about using spells to regain your energy.” Ezra said. “Plus you’ll just be able to do more.”

Nicholai sat back and thought on the possibility. He knew his body was fragile and weak compared to the others, and perhaps if he did bulk up, then there would be a chance for him to learn something new. Or gain even more.

“So when are we leaving old man?” Ezra asked Grimm.

“At 1pm. We need to get Katreena as well. I’ll need her strength to.” Ezra, Nicholai, and Anabelle all looked at each other nervously.

“I don’t think she’ll comply easily.” Anabelle said. Grimm stood up.

“Which is why I’ll talk to her before she gets any other ideas.” Grimm said as he began to walk away. He noticed from afar, Vesta coming from the elevator. “Nicholai. Since you need something to do. Go help Vesta. She’s making potions for our mission.”

Nicholai turned and saw the sorceress in white. She was heading towards a shop left of the elevator. He quickly left to the shop in search of the young girl. Ezra and Anabelle stood alone now.

“So do we do?” Ezra asked aloud.

“Get breakfast?” Anabelle replied.

“Get breakfast.” The swordsman and the horse both left to find their first meal of the day.

Grimm came up to the back of the inn where Katreena slept. A single door was in the back that faced a small passage out of the village and into some woods. Grimm put his back to the wall and waited.

After a few minutes. The door opened, and the green haired girl walked out.

“Going somewhere?” The older man questioned seeing her nonchalantly go by.

“Home. I completed my mission. I’m done here.” Katreena stated firmly. She didn’t turn to greet or even look at the Grimm. Her feet began to move slightly, ready to continue on.

“So your just going to go? Leave these two boys who saved you all alone to fight a battle that you warned everyone about?”

“My job wasn’t to fight. It was to deliver a message.”

“So what? Katorn sends his strongest daughter to the Freelands just to send the word. Even you know there’s more to it. Even if you got anyway, what would you do?”

“Wait until the battle is over before going home.”

“So you would hide. Katorn wouldn’t be happy about that.”

“I can care less what two old men think.” Grimm started to laugh at the girl. He saw she was so dead set on leaving before anything became complicated. “I’m leaving now.”

“And you’re just going to leave those two boys here by themselves?”

“I’ve repaid them.” Katreena said, starting to get angry.

“Okay. But what about Zarcah?” Grimm pronounced the necromancer's name. Making the tall girl turn around and face him.

“What about him?” Katreena asked tensely.

“I’m sure you know more about yourself than others do. If others like Zarcah aren’t dealth with what do you think will happen to others like you?” Grimm said. Katreena’s face grew shocked. She remembered her moments of captivity. The necromancer may have been small but he was still one dangerous man. And he was long gone, taken by some dragon rider.

“Fine. I’ll stay. But once the battle is over. I’ll have the guys take me home. Ezra already wants to go to the Serx Empire.” Katreena started to walk back into the inn.

“Good. You’ll be coming with me on the mission. We’re leaving at 1pm. Be by the front gate. I don’t want to have to come looking for you again. Grimm took his leave. Katreena continued back into her room, and laid down for the remainder of time she had.

Nicholai found himself at the shop Vesta was headed too. He stopped and wondered if it would be the same as Candace’s shop. However, through the window it wasn’t. All that inside was Vesta and her large cauldron. The door flung open.

“Come on! Are you the boy sent by Grimm?” The sorceress’ yell came through the door.

“Umm...yes.” Nicholai answered cautiously.

“Then get in here!” Another scream from the girl rang out into the street. Nicholai raced inside. And saw the girl hard at work. Her cauldron was bubbling intensely. “Get over here now!”

Nicholai came to her aid. He looked over everything happening. The girl was frantically stirring the large amount of liquid with a massive stick. It has a black color to it, some of it had began overflowing onto the floor, tainting any paper scattered about.

“Umm...what’s going on?” Nicholai asked.

“I fucked up the potion! I was mad at Grimm for something and accidentally put frosted troll horns in. Now the potion is going to overflow and it will be ruined.” Vesta cried out.

“Well, how do we fix it?”

“I need to fish out the horns or else the horns will melt and cause the entire pot to freeze, making it worthless.”

“So stop stirring and let’s fish them out.” Nicholai suggested. Vesta immediately looked at him with her cheeks puffed angrily. “Okay so I guess we need a different plan. How many did you put in?”

“Exactly 5.” With confirmation, Nicholai rolled up his left sleeve, and held his staff with the other arm. “Are you…?”

“Have too. I got this” Nichaoli raised his hand up, then struck it down into the liquid. Immediately his hand was met with scorching heat from the contents. He let out a small scream. He felt the liquid beginning to give him burns. His hand reached further down to the bottom, and grabbed one of the horns. He quickly retreated his hand. The horn was tossed aside.

“Your arm!” Vesta screamed. Nicholai’s staff began to shine.

“Muse 5: Revitalize.” Nicholai casted a spell which removed the pain from his arm. He then stuck it back into the liquid. Vesta was impressed by his quick thinking. He started to pull each of the horns out one by one. Until they all had been removed. Once done he laid back on the wall. Casting his spell in order to ease the pain, all while slowly healing it.

“That was amazing. Thanks!” Vesta congratulated.

“Well. I’m sure Grimm is going to need these potions. So there was no time to waste.” Nicholai said panting continuously.

“If you're hungry you can help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge.” Nicholai chuckled at her offer and went over to check the contents. The first thing he noticed was a bag of white grapes. Which is what he chose first.

“You know. I expected you to be a bit more harsh, considering how you acted towards those guys yesterday.” Nicholai said sitting down at the desk.

“Well. Sometimes you have to put on an act to get your point across, and to get what you want from others.” She replied.

“I’m Nicholai by the way. If we skipped all that.”

“Vesta. So what brings you into Cloudwick?”

“Starting my adventure. I’m here with friends.”

“That’s awesome. Seems to me, from the way you acted with this pot. You’re gonna have tons of fun.” Vesta smiled at Nicholai.

“I hope so. There is still so much to learn, and see. Grimm is leaving on a mission today. He doesn’t want me on it. So I guess i’ll stay here and study my potion making book.”

“Hmm...you have a book on potions. Where’d you get it?”

“From this girl in Dustgarde.” Nicholai said as he pulled the book from his bag. He then looked over to see Vesta sweating over the pot. “Need a hand?”

Vesta started to laugh right away. “Yeah. like you’ve got one to spare.”

“I do! Come on. Let me stir.” Nicholai asked, trying to come over. However, Vesta finished stirring.

“All done. Now we wait.” Vesta then sat back in her own chair.

“For what?”

“Just a few hours. Once then, we’ll add the final ingredients.”

1pm. Grimm stood at the front gate with all of his young men. Katreena, Ezra and Anabelle walked up with all their equipment. Some of the boys became concerned upon the sight of the tall girl. Vesta and Nicholai were both pulling a huge cart filled with a small bottle of a purple potion. And lastly, Benneb arrive with another garrison of horses.

“If we had the time, we may have constructed a land vehicle. But these old girls will have to do.” Benneb said presenting the horses.

“Thanks old man. Alright listen up. We’re heading down to the town of fernal to rid it of any Serx Knights that have appeared. We also have an alternative mission to discover anything they might know about the Charm of Inera! This isn’t the day for slacking, playing, or mistakes. These knights are going to be coming at you with everything they got. So don’t go in there with a plucky attitude, remember everything I taught you, and everything you already know.” Grimm gave his small speech to everyone.

“Take two potions from the cart and put them in you bag. Use them carefully because you wont get another chance.” Vesta announced as the boys came and got their potions.

“You three wont need them?” Benneb asked Katreena, Ezra and Grimm. To which they all replied the same thing.

“We’ll be fine.”

Benneb approached Grimm. He handed him two small discs.

“What are those?” Ezra asked, seeing them handed to Grimm.

“It’s how we get over the mountain with the horses. They're called Cloudroads. They emit a surface that we can walk on.” Grimm answered. Ezra thought about how useful they would had been earlier, and especially that he wished not to return to the cavern. Katreena looked to him to confirm his worries.

“If that’s all. Then good luck.” Benneb stated. Everyone mounted their steads, and set off. Ezra looked back to Nicholai, and smiled. Knowing he would see his friend again.