“This is the best inn within a reasonable budget for your average adventurer,” Arce explained as we came to a stop in front of a two-story wood and stone building. Windows peppered the face of the building, though the entrance had a pair of elaborately decorated wooden doors, held open by something from the inside. People milled back and forth, leaving from it and walking past it. “The bar the owner runs also has a wide assortment of drinks and good food.” She said as we approached the inn, Sora and I following the Fox Beastkin.

While we did so, though, I couldn’t help but notice a few people staring at us. Then again, a part of me can understand, considering both Sora and Arce are both attractive women. What concerned me, though, seemed to be that I happened to be under just as much scrutiny. As I followed them, I rolled my gaze over the people who studied us, trying to pick out the ones that seemed to stand out the most.

When we stepped over the threshold and into the inn proper, a cacophony of sounds greeted me. Laughter and clinking mugs, alongside the music of utensils hitting plates and loud chewing, were all that I heard when I followed Arce into the inn. An assortment of men and woman in just as diverse styles of armor and clothing all sat at various tables and in booths, regaling each other with a variety of tales and stories. As I stood there, as I stopped in the middle of the tavern, I couldn’t help the adrenaline that surged through me. I couldn’t hold back the playful grin that appeared on my face.

It reminded of all the stories I’ve read, I’ve experienced. The start of an adventure, a tale as old as time, a gathering of the heroes of the tale. It always started here; every cliché, every fantasy staple, started in places like this, where the explorers of the unknown gathered. Where heroes, before they knew they were heroes, began their journeys. In my heart of hearts, I became that kid again; the child that found his escape in countless stories of good vs. evil; in stories of heroes meeting the villain and proclaiming their intent for victory; of finding an impossible goal and defeating it after countless hours of struggles.

“Well, well, if that isn’t an adventurer’s smile, I don’t know what is.” A woman’s amused voice pulled me from my childish reminiscence. My smile fell as I turned towards the source; a woman dressed in a low-cut, dark brown ankle-length frock with a dark grey long-sleeve shirt under it. The rolled-up sleeves revealed a pair of slender, but subtly muscled forearms; she wore an apron over her dress, though the occasional faint stain peppered it. Her honey-blonde fell to her shoulders, though tied into a high ponytail by a piece of twine. Faintly freckled cheeks dimpled as she smiled cutely towards me, alongside an amused Soralynn and a mystified Arce.

The woman let out a laugh at my attention, focusing on her. “Now, no need to look so dour at being called out.” She placed a hand over her chest and nodded her head to me. “The name’s Kersti, and I’m a friend of Arce.” The newly named Kersti wrapped an arm around the timid girl’s neck, pulling her into a one-armed hug. “It’s always a good thing to see a few friends with my favorite Foxy.” She grinned toothily before her eyes narrowed. “Y'all are her friends, yeah?”

“I’d like to believe so,” Sora answered with laughter in her voice, clearly amused at Arce’s flustered fidgeting as she tried to escape Kersti’s grasp. “Arce has agreed to join our party for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, it is a fruitful one.”

The barmaid’s grin turned genuine, and she quickly pulled Sora into a side hug as well. I couldn’t help but notice the narrow of my companion’s eyes at that, her gaze flickering darkly as she leveled a sudden glare, before smoothing it over with a smile. “You’re good people, Missy! What’s your name?”

“Soralynn.” She answered, her voice subtly sharper than before, but she maintained her smile.

“Nice to meet you, Soralynn. C’mon, let me show you and yours to a table.” Kersti grinned as she turned and began to lead the Fox and Witch. “You too, Handsome. Follow the bar wench.” She winked over to me, even as Sora gave me the most long-suffering gaze, I have ever seen from anyone. I snorted as I followed them. My eyes scanned my surroundings, and I caught sight of a few animals resting or eating. A few dogs were sitting at the feet of table, birds perched on the back of chairs and a few felines roaming around to beg for scraps.

At my ankles, a brush of fur rubbed against my leg. I glanced down to see Marishka walking freely, looking around with narrowed red eyes. She opened her mouth in a yawn, her fangs bright white in the dim lighting of the inn. Marishka growled as she caught sight of the various animals.

“Hey. Play nice.” I nudged her with my foot, smiling down at her. She groaned at me, but still dutifully followed at my feet. “Let’s hurry. I’ll get you some meat when we sit down to eat.” She turned an intense stare towards me; red eyes glistened with emotion. Then she huffed and rushed ahead towards Sora and the others. I chuckled at her excitement and continued to follow after Kersti casually.

Not a moment later I sat at a reasonably-sized wooden table with Arce and a disgruntled Sora. Kersti stood at the table with her hands on her hips. “Well now, what is it everyone wants? I’ll discount it, not just because you’re a friend of Arce, but a new adventurer as well.” She grinned and nodded once. “Now, what’ll you and your furry friend have?” She looked down and around the table, where Marishka sat at my feet.

We gave our orders, but when it came to Marishka, she pulled my attention by biting at the scuff of my pants and gave a tug. I looked down to her and took in her beseeching gaze. I opened my mouth to ask what she wanted when I felt a tickle in the back of my mind. All of a sudden, it felt like something rested on the tip of my tongue. I sat back up and faced Kersti. “Rishka will have a small rack of ribs, lightly cooked with no seasoning.” I blinked a little in surprise but brushed it aside.

Kersti smirked playfully at me as she nodded. “I’ll be right along, Handsome.” She turned and sauntered away.

“What the hell just happened?” I asked Sora with a bewildered stare.

My companion smiled proudly. “Your bond with Marishka is far stronger than I assumed.” She inclined her head to the table, towards where the Amarok at my feet. “You formed it when you first locked eyes with her, hence the change in eye color. That represents a connection between the both of you.” She narrowed her eyes as her smile widened. “Your role and Affinity influence the bond you share. I can only wonder just how much it does.”

Arce frowned contemplatively as she peered around the table. Then her eyes widened. “You have a-” Then she shook her head, eyes focused on me, filled with respect. “Young Marishka will grow into something incredible. I know it.”

I focused on her words, curiosity filling me. “What can you tell me about Rishka’s species?” As I asked that, said Amarok walked around and hopped into my lap, red eyes focusing on Arce as well.

She pursed her lips, eyes flickering around as if searching any potential eavesdroppers. “Specifics will have to wait for a better setting, but I can offer generalities.” Arce paused as she placed her hands on the table, entwining her fingers. “They’re growth rate is phenomenal. Depending on the age you picked her up, she’ll most likely grow large to hunt on her own, with consistent success.” She pursed her lips, eyes closing as she seemed to mumble to herself. “Relatively close to the height of a healthy foal, though she’ll be slenderer than normal until she gains muscle. Whether from hunting and eating to gain mass or due to aging naturally, Marishka will quickly too large to be hidden conventionally.”

Marishka seemed to hum proudly upon hearing that, straightening her posture and raising her snout with a toothy grin. I pat her head down, pushing my fingers through her fur; she groaned at my actions, even as I smiled, but did nothing to stop it. I’m starting to think she likes it.

Arce studied her intently, not blinking as she did so. “Do you know how old she is?”

I opened my mouth to tell her I didn’t know, but once again, the tickle from before gave me pause. “Five months, coming upon six within the week.” I blinked in surprise once more, turning a shocking look at the docile Amarok sitting on my lap.

“Five months and three weeks, but still the size of a pup?” Arce murmured audibly, furrowing her brow as she stared at Marishka. “She must’ve been the runt of the litter.”

Marishka stiffened, then bared her teeth. A guttural snarl came from her as red eyes focused angrily on Arce, tensing as if to leap.

My hand slid from her head to the scruff of her neck as I grasped her tightly, holding her in place. I place my other hand at her chest and kept from her attacking, teeth snapping at the Fox. Arce did not flinch, meeting the enraged Amarok’s glare without fear. “Calm down,” I ordered her, feeling the rumble of my words deep in my chest. Marishka stopped growling, recalcitrantly lowering her head, but still glaring. “It was not meant to be an insult, Marishka, but an observation,” I explained evenly, my eyes on her unblinkingly. “You may be small now, but in the future?” I bared my teeth in a smile that would make other second guess my demonstrated benevolence. “Looking at your mother, you’ll be a force to be reckoned.”

Marishka relaxed at my words, but turned her head away from Arce, staring at the table petulantly.

I turned my gaze back to Arce, who stared at Marishka in confusion, even as I noticed an amused Sora watching the byplay between us with a small smile. “Continue.”

Arce nodded shallowly. “Her species is held up as the unparalleled hunter, famous for their solitary nature.” She tapped the table before her with a single finger. “Powerful and independent, they very rarely willingly enter any form of civilization.” She closed her eyes, leaning back in her seat. “Marishka is meant to be an Apex Predator.” She opened her eyes and gave me a steady stare. “It is a surge of good fortune that you bonded her to you.”

Smiling proudly at the Amarok in my lap, I ruffled her fur with both of my hands, fingers entwining with her thick black coat. “You hear that girl? You’re going to grow up to be a badass.” She hummed with joy, her body essentially vibrating in my grasp.

“And to think,” Sora started with a smile as she watched Kersti approach the table with a tray of drinks in her hands. “Having her join us was done on a whim. Nicely done.” Following Kersti, a second young woman, with dark red, almost black, hair. She held the tray with our food.

We took and enjoyed our meals, but it ultimately didn’t take long; myself and Sora both getting a meat stew with bread, Arce ordering something resembling a vegetarian course, and Marishka enjoying her ribs with a passionate intensity. We did talk as we ate, but we had agreed to eat out, rather than at Alba’s manor. After having ordered a pair of rooms for ourselves over the next six days, we left the tavern to find something else to do.

“Arce, what can we do for the next six days to kill time?” I asked her as we left the tavern, the two of them walking at my sides.

Arce hummed she chewed on a piece of jerky, pulling it to side to side as she held it in her mouth. “Most merchants and adventurers will be working on preparing for the Fallen Hero Festival so that most stalls won’t be as active, and jobs will be more specialized.” She cocked her head to the side, her tail swaying behind her and ears twitching cutely. “Perhaps…we should explore the outskirts of Xadria. We’ll have to step through a checkpoint to go outside of the city limits, but there’s plenty of areas where we can gain privacy.” Her intense gaze fell onto me. “In the short time since you’ve awoken, you’ve yet to find your limits, correct fully?”

I nodded at her words, my lips twitching at the corner to show my frustrations. “Yeah. I haven’t. Half-trained bandits aren’t what I’d call an adequate measuring stick.”

Arce gave a resolute nod. “Then we can head out and find a clearing amongst nature outside. With Soralynn aiding me, we can perhaps touch upon what your body is truly capable of achieving.” She turned her to request our companion’s support silently.

Sora closed her eyes but nodded nonetheless. “My enchantments should hold amid combat. You have my support, Arce.”

Just as Arce opened her mouth to reply, a voice called out to us. “Oi! Wait a moment, you three!” We stopped, and I turned around to the source — a group of four people, three men, and a woman, approaching us. The leader, an excitable-looking young man with a faint slash scar on his right cheek, grinned as he rushed up to us. He wore a set of half-plate armor that covered his torso, his forearms, thighs, and shins, with his upper arms, shoulders, elbows, and knees covered in leather. At his hip, a sword rested in a sheath. His light brown hair fell to his shoulders, tied into a loose ponytail. “Can you meet with my team for a bit and me? We want to talk about something.”

Sora and I traded looks for a second, then I faced Arce, who appeared unsure as she chewed her lip. At my feet, I felt Marishka’s body vibrate as if to subvocalize a growl. I reached behind me subtly, sliding a finger along the hilt of Kato’s knife form. Offering a tentative nod, I said, “Sure.” I got a broad smile from him, but I couldn’t help the suspicion I felt from his exuberance. “Mind if we talk at the park down the road? The tavern’s probably too loud for a casual chat.”

He blinked, clearly surprised by my suggestion, before his smile widened. “No problem. I’m just glad you agreed to talk.” He turned and waved for his party to follow him. “They said ‘yes’!” He cried out with laughter, drawing attention from different passersby around us. Some of his party appeared amused, but one gave him the driest glare I’ve seen from anyone. The guy waved off their reactions, exuberantly motioning for them to approach us.

“I feel the urge to light his hair on fire. While’s conscious.” Sora whispered to me, staring forward with an unassuming smile. “May I please do so?”

Despite myself, I couldn’t fight off the genuinely amused smile that grew on my face. “He’s not that annoying.”

“The fool’s excitable.” She drawled as if it were a blaspheme. “It’s only a matter of time.” Sora maintained her polite mask as the guy’s party approached us.

The party consisted of an older man with a bald head and a salt and pepper beard; a young woman with waist length silver hair; and a baby-faced girl who appeared to be fresh out of school. The youngest looking girl glared at him. “Rorick, you’re tiresome, you know that?”

The newly-named Rorick gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. “Apologies, Faithe.”

She rolled her eyes and offered us an apologetic smile. “Our friend’s impulsive. Forgive his outburst.”

Before I could respond, Sora replied kindly. “It’s no problem. Lyall’s pretty infamous for his exuberance at times.” She gave me a wry smile, jabbing her elbow into my side. I grunted at her statement, rolling my eyes with a faint smile.

With that, we walked over to the park to which I had referred. We made our way to a small section of nature attached to the paved dirt road, with a few trees that dotted the artificial clearing and some parallel sitting benches with a table between them. A small pond rested in the med left, framed by a knee-height wooden fence. The two of our groups sat around the table, idly noting the pedestrians that walked by us, going about their day.

Rorick grinned as he slapped a hand on the table, causing it to shake from the impact. “Before I make my request, let’s do some introductions.” He lifted a hand and waved it. “Name’s Rorick. I’m a vanguard registered with the guild.”

Faithe sighed heavily at him before shaking her head with a smile. “I’m Faithe. A ranger and cartographer. I’ve surveyed my share of abandoned dungeons and labyrinths in Veritas and Kohinoor.”

The older adult hummed as he nodded. “Garland. A priest of the Church of the First Hero.” He placed a clasped fist over his chest as he inclined his head to us. At first, I thought he held a cross in his hand, which confused me, considering the symbol doesn’t have the meaning on Verum. However, upon focusing on it, I realized that it depicted a sheathed sword, the hilt attacked to a sliver-linked chain. The crossguard pointed out shorter than a standard cross, but it remained longer length-wise.

The woman with silver hair smiled enigmatically. “Helma. A fellow vanguard.”

Sora regarded them with a masked smile. “Soralynn. I am a three-star caster, registered to the guild.”

“Arce. Scout.” Arce stated curtly, her shoulders stiff.

“Lyall,” I answered before offering a rueful smile. “In the process of registering with the guild. Prospective vanguard.”

The four of them gave me almost synchronized shocked looks. “You’re not registered?” Helma asked me, her voice a shade deeper, but still feminine. “You have the look of an experienced warrior already.” Her eyes trailed along the side of my face; no doubt focused on the faint scars along my jawline.

“Circumstances prevented me from properly registering until now,” I explained myself, though I kept it vague. Helma nodded, a look of grim understanding crossing her features.

Marishka hopped onto my lap from the ground, then onto the table and sat upon her haunches, looking to the group before her imperiously. I snorted and patted her on the head, pushing her down playfully. “This little pup is Marishka.” She grumbled at my lackluster introduction but did nothing else.

Faithe’s eyes widened, her smile growing. “She’s gorgeous. Where did you find her?”

Marishka soaked in the praise. “We found each other on our travels. More a quirk of chance, than anything else.” I explained, watching as the Amarok turned and hopped off the table to lie on the ground next to me.

Rorick seemed oddly excited, hopping around in his seat and causing Faithe to give him a stern glare. “Not yet registered, eh? How about you and your group join us for a job? We’re short a few people and need some roles filled. What do you say?” He spoke rapidly as if the words spilled from his mouth.

I paused and blinked as I processed his words. While I did that, Faithe closed her eyes and sighed. “Please forgive my brother.”

I waved her off, “Nothing to forgive. Just tell me what you can about the job. I’m not doing anything blindly.”

Rorick blinked in surprise before he grimaced. Faithe gave him an exasperated glare; eyes narrowed at him. She huffed and turned towards us, her expression turning apologetic. “I’m sorry about my brother. He always seems to get ahead of himself.” She reached behind her, pushing a hand into her cloak. Pulling out a folded sheet of parchment, she offered it to me. “The job’s a routine cleansing of a dungeon near Xadria. A few hours ride northeast.”

I took the paper, feeling the coarse paper with a faint frown. Opening it, I read over the posting. It offered specifics of the job, but I just committed the gist of it to memory. ‘Monsters have repopulated the dungeon near Xadria. Traverse its depths and rout them to clear it out. Bring back proof of completion from the bottom most floor’. As I read it, I couldn’t resist the childish nostalgia that filled me. Still, I kept my expression stoic as I turned to Sora, then Arce. “What do the two of you think?”

Sora frowned as she studied the posting. “Why do you need seven people to clear the mission? The dungeon near Xadria is nowhere near dangerous enough to warrant a party of five, let alone seven.” She narrowed her eyes as she stared at them.

At that, Garland grimaced and shook his head, the corners of his mouth curving downwards and his brow furrowing. “That would be the case normally. However, something dangerous has settled in the heart of the dungeon.”

“How dangerous?” Arce asked him as she continued to read the posting in my hand.

“Dangerous enough to kill the previous party that made an attempt.” The woman with silver hair straightened her shoulders with a determined frown. That caused both Arce and Sora to face her, intently staring her down with their combined intensity. Helma pursed her lips and gripped the edge of the table, a straining sound reaching us from her grip. “My sister and I were a part of that party.” She paused, her jaw shifting as she faced us. “I alone managed to escape, thanks to the distraction my former leader and stubborn sister.”

“You fled?” Sora mused, sounding contemplative as she examined Helma.

“Against the might of the horde, my former party and I were no match.” She offered a self-aggrandizing smirk, shaking her head. “The skills of a Hero are beyond the common adventurer.” Helma shrugged. “Not many have the suicidal bravery of the Fallen Hero.”

I…didn’t know how to react that particular description of my past actions. I had a choice. My life compared to the lives of Nyrill. Anyone with a conscience would make a similar choice, or at least I’d hope so.

“There’s no need for self-deprecation or judgments.” Garland cut in gently, waving his hand through the air, palm facing down. “Threat of death will shake the belief of all but those of the strongest of wills. We are all but flawed peoples, trying to find our path in this life.”

For a moment, I saw rage and disgust flash in Sora’s expression. Her amber eyes flickered with light, her lips curling and baring her teeth. Then, in an instant, she smoothed her mien to a calm smile. None of the people in front of us reacted, which made me believe they all missed it. Keeping that in mind, I turned towards my companions, looking between them. “Would this affect me? I don’t know how it’ll work with my registration.”

“It will not count in the official payment from the guild,” Arce stated softly, her voice low, but still able to be heard. “However, it’ll lean in your favor and make it easier for your first promotion.”

I nodded at her explanation. “What do the two of you think? We’re a party, after all.”

“I’m familiar with that specific dungeon,” Arce said, causing Faithe’s eyes to widen. The Fox Beastkin caught the question in her gaze. “A past job of mine was to scout and map out as many secret paths hidden in it.”

“Then…?!” Rorick leaned forward with a grin.

“I can help.” Arce nodded shallowly, turning her gaze towards me.

Sora hummed as she crossed her arms. “I’ll join on one condition.” She lifted a hand, pointing her finger at the sky.

“Name it.” Faithe declared.

The Witch in disguise offered a smile that would’ve made most shiver in fear, but the four in front of us seemed unaffected. “All the loot we find as a group must be split between both of our parties, 50/50.”

For a moment, Helma expression twisted, eyes narrowing. I couldn’t blame her, considering some of the things we find may have belonged to her old party. Some items may have sentimental value, which would make anyone selfish enough to want to fight for it. Helma stiffened for a moment, focusing on Sora before she forced herself to relax. “I find that acceptable. All I ask is that I keep what used to belong to my sister.”

“Then it’s a deal.” I cut in, meeting Sora’s unflinching gaze sternly. She held my gaze for a moment, before nodding once and relaxing in her seat. I faced the group in front of me and handed the posting back to Faithe. “We can meet up tomorrow?” She inclined her head in a nod. “Where then?”

“At the eastern gate. It’s a straight shot from there to the dungeon.” Faithe smiled at my answer. “We’d have to leave early though if we wanted to return by nightfall.”

We all came to an agreement, setting up a more specific time frame to meet up, then went our separate ways. As we got out of earshot, Sora spoke in a faint whisper. “I don’t trust them.”

Walking down the dirt road, I looked to the sky to see the gently rolling clouds. “I don’t know enough about the culture of the guild to know either way. However,” I paused and frowned. “They agreed to your terms too easily, Helma aside.”

“Some prefer the adventure itself, rather than the prizes they collect,” Arce explained carefully, facing forward.

Marishka grumbled as she followed at my feet. She had remained oddly silent during the entire meeting.

“Yes, but we have control over the situation with our agreement.” Sora mused. “This way, a refusal would’ve left us at the mercy of being ignorant of their locations. We’ll know where they will be.”

Arce nodded languidly, flexing her hands into claws, before relaxing. “I’ll be vigilant. They can’t watch me the entire time.”

“Let’s gather provisions today. Prepare.” I set out our plan for today.

For tomorrow? We have an adventure.

A smile played at my lips, excitement dancing in my chest.