The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield

Chapter One-Hundred-Four: Reaching Ria’s Ruins – Part Six

It was still before dawn when I awoke from my slumber. The delicate back of a tiny girl pressed against my stomach as she adorably nuzzled close to the chimera she loved.  

Sleep well, Yew.  

Slowly, I eased out of bed before silently leaving the tent. The dim glow of a campfire illuminated Tris’s serene face as she contentedly petted Surtr’s chin.  

“You’re up early,” she remarked without turning around.  

“You’ve been awake all this time?” I inquired.  

“Guilty as charged,” she replied. “By the way, Tilde’s tent is the flashiest one.” ‘I Love Master’ was written in brightly glowing lights across the flap.  

“Her idea?” I asked.  

“Yes. Tilde declared that the world must know her affection, although I couldn’t let the light wake everyone. The waypoints are only visible to those outside their tents.”  

“You didn’t want to sleep with her?”  

“I considered it. The night was so beautiful that I didn’t want it to end. Besides…” She gestured to the obvious issue. “It’s better to make them think someone is always on guard, even if their every move has been tracked for hours. It hasn’t been lonely, though. Quella spoke with Tilde and me for a while. Surtr’s an excellent conversationalist.”  

“I can take over from here if you want. An empty spot in Mila’s bed is calling your name.”  

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”  

“I’m positive, Tris. I have a few things to think about. Oh, but don’t worry. I’m fine. I know I’m not alone. I’ll speak if I’m concerned or bothered by something.”  

“Hmm… Very well. I’ll take you up on your offer,” Tris replied, standing. A slender finger touched her chin as she paused for a moment. “I’m afraid that’s an impossible task, Sekh. I’ll always be worried about you and the others.”  

“I figured you’d say that. I’ll try not to make you too anxious. Oh, before you go…” I said, removing my gloves. Tris sweetly smiled and gently took my hands in hers. Her skin felt so soft…so warm, too…  

“Have you noticed?” she whispered, bringing my palms to her face.   

“What?” 

“I based my appearance off you, Sekh. You’re an inspiration to me. The ears?” She removed her hat.  “The tail?” It curled around her waist. “They’re not one-to-one because no one can replace you, but… I’m sorry. I should’ve asked permission. There’s time before my new body is finalized—"  

So… That’s why I felt so close to her. That makes sense in hindsight.  

“I think you look perfect just the way you are,” I said, brushing a finger against her fluffy ears. They twitched to my touch. Tris’s sweet purring soon followed, immediately blessing my hearing.  “I see why Mila loves to rub them… It makes me want to tease you more.”  

“You can touch them whenever you want,” she replied. Her adorable smile melted my heart.   

“Oh, that reminds me,” Tris said, putting her hat back on after I had my fill. “There’s a chance Sera will interrupt breakfast since I cannot track her return. I’m sure you’d like to eat with everyone else, but I’ve prepared something for you.” Tris retrieved a table from her storage, which held a few covered trays begging to be opened.    

Whatever she had made smelled delicious, meaty, and spicy. “It’s not exactly the kinds of food you’d eat for breakfast, but I sampled a few dishes from Mexican cuisine, a culture found in a couple worlds. I hope you enjoy it.”  

“I’m sure I will if you cooked it. Thank you, Tris.”  

“You’re most welcome. Well, I’ll see you soon, then.” Tris waved as she entered Mila’s tent.    

“Mornings like this are made for recollecting, my lady,” growled Surtr as I sat. He crossed his flaming paws. Those smoldering eyes stared deep into my soul.   

The lions were their own entities, yet they were also me. We shared an innate connection not dissimilar to Mila and Tris. It was useless to hide anything from them.   

“They are. Forgive me if I remain silent.”  

“You know there’s nothing to forgive, my lady. Frequent apologies will elicit a lecture from Tilde.”  

“I missed her scoldings,” I said, thinking about the past. “She knew who I was—what I had done—and spoke as if it didn’t matter. She saw me for me.”   

Surtr kept quiet. He laid his head between his paws while carefully watching the other side of camp. I didn’t ‘see’ anyone, yet I sensed a dozen presences. Their lame attempts to hide their mana were laughably pathetic.  

“Surtr?”  

“Yes, my lady?”  

“This is the first time it's been just us." 

“We’ve always been with you, my lady.”  

“You know what I mean. Thank you for watching over Mila. You’ve done an admirable job.”  

“Lord Springfield is precious,” he growled in a low voice. “Even without your influence, I wish to see her grow. Becoming her lion was nothing less than a grand honor.”  

“Knowing her love… Feeling her touch… Hearing her heartbeat… It sometimes feels like it’s more than what I deserve. I can’t keep thinking like that. I told Tilde and Tris this, but I don’t want to shy away from what makes me happy. I… Those who knew me would do anything—even deny their everlasting souls from the cycle of reincarnation—to see me deprived of joy. It may make me awful, but I don’t care, Surtr.  Let the world find me unforgivable—their comments or concerns will not bother me.”  

“I’ll protect your happiness from anyone who wishes to deny it, my lady. They will not survive the attempt.”  

“Yes. I know you will,” I said, petting Surtr's head. “I’m lucky to have my lions.”  

“Likewise, my lady, we would not have wanted anyone else to become our creator. Now, eat your food. You don’t want it to get cold.”  

“Right. I won’t let Tris’s hard work go to waste,” I replied, uncovering the dishes. I didn’t know what I was staring at. Most of these foods were unknown, but I couldn’t deny the delicious smells.    

I recognized the rice, but something white and creamy was mixed into it—was that cheese? And on top, it had chunks of tomatoes. There were also these yellow, triangle-shaped things that looked like they’d been fried. I also saw a green, chunky mixture with bits of onion and more tomato.   

Were you supposed to dip the former into the latter?  

What about these strange wraps, packed tightly and topped with melted cheese and red sauce. I picked one up, noticing it was stuffed with rice, beans, and what I thought was chicken. Next was another dish that looked similar but was rolled up and tucked under layers of sauce and cheese, almost like a casserole.  

Finally, there was this pile of mashed, brown beans with a thick, creamy texture. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but a smoky, earthy smell rose from them, which wasn’t unpleasant. Everything looked so new, and the mix of colors, textures, and flavors made me hesitate, wondering where to begin.  

“The allure of what you know can make you desire the unknown,” said Surtr as I stirred the cheesy rice. “Believe me—everything is delicious.”  

“Were you her taste tester?”   

“Along with Tilde,” he replied, licking his lips. “This is just the beginning. Tris plans to experiment with more cultures.”  

“I can’t wait if this is anything to go by,” I said, removing my helmet. I took a chip, dipped it into the green stuff, and bit into it. Instantly, flavor surged throughout my mouth—I had to have another.    

We became quiet while I enjoyed everything down to the last bite. The trays faded into nothingness once their purpose had been fulfilled.    

The savory, exciting breakfast took about an hour. The faint glimmer of dawn shattered the horizon, casting a warm glow in the distance. Soon, it would dwarf the campfire’s luster.  

The sight would’ve been one thing if I observed it with Surtr, but we weren’t alone. A sneaky child had thought she had a veil of secrecy, but she couldn't hide from me. 

“You can come out, Yew,” said Surtr. “Why are you hiding?”  

“I… I don’t know,” replied a quiet voice. “I didn’t mean to spy.”  

“You can sit down.” Surtr stood, stretched, and shrank to the size of a plushie. He waddled to Yew, who slowly approached. She caught him as he jumped into her arms, hugging him like a toy.    

I couldn’t speak. My voice was nowhere to be found. An odd…something swelled in my heart.   

This is also the first I’ve been alone with Yew. I usually follow Mila’s lead…  

“Have you been up long?” asked Surtr, his deep voice still relaxing. 

 “Not too long. Tris talked to me a little. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t. So…I got up.” Yew squeezed Surtr a little tighter. She looked my way for a moment before her expression slightly darkened. It was like a rain cloud had landed on her eyes. “You’re feeling uneasy. Tilde said this might happen the first time without her, Mila, or Tris. I’m sorry. I didn’t—”  

“No!” My response was a little forceful as I extended my hand. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault. I… I…”   

“…”  

“…”  

No words…  

What did I want to say?   

I can’t remain silent. Come on, Sekh… Don’t let this—   

 “Are you thinking about Aetos Village? Tilde said you probably would.” Yew finally broke the uncomfortable silence. The girl’s courage shone bright enough to clasp mine in its shadow.    

“I’m sorry, Yew. I…wished…”  

“I’m not mad, Sekh. I’m not sad, upset, or anything like that. The Eagle Yew has never blamed you for its injuries.”  

“…”  

“The Eagle Yew wanted me to thank you.” 

“Thank…me? Why? I don’t understand.”  

“Because you fought to defend Aetos Village. Those bad people would’ve destroyed it. Remy would’ve finished the job if they failed, but we don’t have to worry about that because you saved the day.”  

“…”  

“Sekh, please believe me… Please…” Yew released Surtr and suddenly wrapped her arms around me. Her fragile, tiny body shivered uncontrollably as tears welled in her eyes. “I wanna be friends with you! I… You’re someone close to me, Sekh. I love you like I love Mila and the others. I want to fight to protect you like them! But… I… I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable. I can’t do that to someone like you. So…”  

“Don’t leave,” I whispered, salty water leaking from my eyes. A quiet voice squeaked from my lips, the words quivering as if balanced precariously on the edge of a cliff. “Please, don’t leave.”  

“But I…”  

“No. It’s not you. The problem lies with me,” I admitted. “I look at you, and I see my past. Yew, let me protect you. Please…”  

“Huh? You already—”  

“No, I mean this version of you. All my life… I’ve been compelled to destroy. I’ve never had anything to fight for… Nothing to look forward to until now. Did… Do you know what I had planned for Mila?”  

“No. What?”  

“I was in that crystal for so long. I swore to myself that…should—when—I break free… Nothing… No one would stop me this time. Whoever freed me would’ve been the first sacrifice.”  

“Until Mila changed your mind?”  

“Yes, Yew. Although it’s not how you envisioned. I was enamored by her wrath. She…hated so much. So, she was like me. Destruction was all her soul felt. It drew me to her. Until… These feelings changed. I genuinely fell in love with her. So did my desire to protect her. Not just her, though. It’s Tilde, even if she can be annoying. It’s Ichiha, Kokan, and Irisa. It’s Niva and Primrose. It’s you, too. Yes, I still want to make the ones who hurt Mila suffer uncontrollably, but there’s a secondary goal. So… What… I…”  

The words began so confidently until I lost my voice. The last sentence was a meek whisper. Just…where was I going with this? It felt like rambling took over halfway and directed the narrative.    

“The solution is simple, my lady. You are thinking about it too much. The unneeded complexity is clouding your eyes,” said Surtr, returning to Yew’s embracing hug.    

“What do you mean?” I asked.   

“Bonding,” he flatly stated. He interpreted my silence as permission to continue. “Tris has asked Quella to tutor her, you see.” 

“Why? Tris doesn’t need the knowledge. I doubt she’ll learn anything essential.”  

“She agrees and disagrees, my lady, for even the smallest revelation may trigger an epiphany. But that’s not the primary reason. First and foremost, she wants to foster a stronger sense of camaraderie. Tris knows Mary’s truth. The teacher isn’t all what she appears to be, so part of it is helping the monster tamer discover her courage. We are allies united for a sole cause—even if the reason has yet to be discussed amongst Quella’s team."  

"What’s the point?”  

“I think I get it. Sekh, I think Surtr wants us to attend. Quella can teach us when she's teaching Tris.”  

“Is that Tilde’s idea?”  

“Good guess, my lady. Her ability to read people speaks truth to her vast life experience.”  

“Umm… She also said something before you and Mila helped me with my training. Tilde told me to think about confidence, pride, and bonding. I don’t get the first two, but I wonder if she knew this would happen. Maybe Tris and Tilde are in on it?”  

“Perhaps so,” said Surtr.  

“So… What do you say, Sekh? I really wanna spend time with you. I think it might be fun, you know…” Yew averted her eyes, choosing to look out at the broad horizon. “There are a lot of things I want to experience. Lord Aetos always talked to me about the past. Stuff like food and dancing. And singing, too. Attending far away places, sitting in class to learn about stuff… So… Sekh, will…you do those things with me?”  

“… I… I’d like that, Yew,” I said.   

Her ears immediately wiggled up and down. “Really? You would? You really, really would?”  

“Yep.” I smiled. “I really, really would. We can ask Quella later, okay?”  

“Okay!” Her smile illuminated the darkness.   

Chimera or not, Yew was very impressionable. Even if I didn’t want to join—and I did—I really did—I still would’ve attended for her sake.   

“Yew, I have an idea. Tell me, does this burn?” I formed a ball of my weakest flames. She should’ve been immune to something a hundred times hotter than this, but I want to be sure.   

“No. I can touch it just fine,” Yew said, rubbing the crimson orb. She caught out of the air after I flicked it up. “Why?”  

“I was thinking… We… We don’t have to wait until later to bond. We can throw this back and forth. The memories are vague, but my father and I did this.”  

“Do you mean playing catch? Tilde talked to me about it. She said it’s something a lot of people do with their friends. Oh, she said we can’t forget the gloves.”  

I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me the fairy predicted I’d bring this up.” 

“Umm… She said if you didn’t, then Surtr was supposed to. Tilde asked Tris to make a ball and two gloves.” Yew pointed to a suspicious box near the campfire. I had thought it belonged to Quella or another member of her team—apparently not. I opened it to see a palm-sized ball and two oddly shaped gloves waiting to be picked up.  

Surtr pretended to be a toy to avoid my stern glares.    

“Once an annoyance is always an annoyance,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Tilde's too perceptive for her own good.”  

“Oh, she had something to say about that, too. ‘If I’m being annoying, then it means I’m doing something right. I can’t have Master’s favorite fiery lioness slack on the job. It won’t reflect right on me or the reputation I must uphold.’ Or something like that.”  

“Surtr, do you feel like burning a tent?”  

“Umm… Tilde…she told me she would ask Tris to make her tent immune to flames if something happened to the campfire.”  

“Then we’re having roasted fairy for breakfast.”  

“Umm…”  

“Fine. What did Tilde say this time?”  

“She’s said she’d wear Mila’s iceflame cloaks to protect her from the cold. And…she absolutely swore there was no other reason.”  

“The fairy is ahead of you at every step, my lady. She is not easily outwitted.”  

“Hehe!” Yew’s laughter was worth it.  

“Okay. Let’s get started,” I said, canceling the flaming orb as Yew handed me the baseball. The stitching pattern was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The glove’s design looked so unnatural. “Do you know which world this came from?”  

“Tilde said baseball’s almost always at least one country’s national sport. It’s really popular in a lot of worlds.”   

“Are the rules the same?”  

“For the most part. Some things are called different terms, but that’s it.” Yew told me more about baseball as she adjusted her glove. I paid attention to every single word.   

We then stood about ten feet apart. That ‘traitorous’ lion wiggled wiggled to Yew's shoulder before sitting.    

“Am I too heavy?”  

“No. You’re super light and fluffy.”  

“Those words ease my flaming heart, Yew. Well, then. Whenever you’re ready, my lady.” Surtr raised a paw. “Commence the first throw.” 

He’s a reflection of me because we share the same ‘root.’ His easygoing nature around Yew means these uncomfortable butterflies shouldn’t be in my stomach. Yet they are. I must work on myself. My future will be bright. I won’t allow darkness to clad it.   

I underhand tossed the ball. It soared, leaving behind a trailing line of faint embers that danced to the ground.   

That wouldn’t have been possible if it was a regular ball.   

I was certain Tris had added that via an illusion spell. Maybe she auto-configured something with waypoints? Accomplishing this wouldn’t have required her full attention—especially after her evolution.    

It’s probably the latter.    

“Woah… Tris said to expect a small surprise. The lights are so pretty…” Yew dashed forward— glove outstretched—snagging it like she had done this a thousand times. She twirled back, drew her arm, and tossed it overhand. I had to step back, but it landed effortlessly in my palm.  “They look like little fireflies.”  

“So they do,” I replied. “Ready?” Yew nodded.    

We did that for a few minutes—just happily throwing it without speaking. Nonvocal bonding was as precious as revealing our bleeding hearts or discussing our feelings.   

Being…  

Finding someone you could be happy with—even without speaking because you enjoy being around them... I was sure Tilde would’ve said that was a green flag you'd want in a lover.    

A relationship had a lot of give and take. It couldn’t be one-sided because, at that point, it was less about love and more about how you could extract usefulness. Just like a blood-sucking creature of the night.   

No more would I be used by others.    

No more would I use others for selfish, destructive gains.   

“Does this make you happy, Yew?”  

“Uh-huh! I’m having a blast.” She lowered her voice. “Is Sekh having fun?” I still overheard her.    

“She is. You should know she’s wearing a bright smile beneath her helmet.”  

“That’s good. That’s really good.”  

“It’s going really high, okay? Are you ready?” I got her attention.    

“Yeah! Definitely! Don’t worry, I’ll get it!” Yew shifted her stance. She delicately bounced on her feet, her eyes focused solely on the target.    

I breathed in, steadied my core, and threw the ball. Soon, it was naught but a twinkle as waypoints softly enveloped it. That was probably another safety feature. If I had to guess… The ball was connected to the gloves. It would make itself easier to spot if it was too far away.    

“Patience is a virtue needed in all walks of life, Yew. Let it come to you—not the opposite way around.”  

“Right! I got it! And… Wait…” Soon, the tiny spec grew larger as gravity took its toll.   

Yew lacked confidence in her arm until Surtr placed a reassuring paw on her soft hair. Only then did she brace for impact with her other hand, squeezing her glove around the ball as it solidly landed true.    

“I got it!” she cheered, jumping up and down.    

“Excellent work,” roared Surtr. Yew tossed it back, and I continued throwing them higher and higher.   

The game stopped twenty minutes later after we sensed magical energy. The coordinate crystal Sera had left behind flashed twice before dissolving. The fragments formed a glowing circle. A breath later, the sister of the elf who hated me the most manifested after a veil of light shattered like glass.    

“It’s still this dark, huh? Guess I forgot to account for the timezone. Oh, Sera… When will you learn?” she whispered to herself. Her back was turned, but she looked over her shoulders after wiggling her ears. She must’ve picked up Yew’s footsteps since there was no way she detected our mana when [Status Cloak] was active.   

“Sekh? Surtr and Yew, too? You’re up—” Suddenly, she went silent, looking upon those glowing letters revealing a maid’s true feelings-- desires that weren’t trying to be subtle.   

“Tilde wanted the world to know how she feels about Mila,” I said. “Don’t worry. It’s only visible to those outside their tents. It’s not disturbing their sleep.”  

“I…see… Well, Tilde did strike me as the type of fairy to wear their heart on their sleeves, so I should’ve expected this. Umm… What…is that?”  

“This?” Yew skipped over after taking off her glove. “People in other worlds use it to play baseball.”  

“Baseball? Is that…?” She pointed to the ball I held.   

“Yep. Wanna try it, Sera?  It’s really fun. You can even adjust the glove using this strap. So it’s always the perfect fit.”  

Sera observed the glove from all angles before slipping her hand in. “It feels so natural.” Yew asked about Niva and Primrose. “I’ll get them before we depart. It didn’t feel right waking them up when they’re exhausted.”  

“Did they do good?” Yew wanted to know.   

“That they did. No one advances a thousand steps without stumbling--the same is true for them. Yet they don’t give up. Failure doesn’t mean the end—it’s the beginning of something new. I’m… honestly inspired by them.”  

“Did you join their dream training?” I asked.    

Sera nodded, prompting Yew to ask what that was like.  “A land of infinite possibilities. It’s your dream, so you hold the power. The sky could rain chocolate. Or the trees could be made of candy. It could be a world of everlasting peace without any hardships.” 

“What did Niva dream about?”  

“It was almost an exact replica of the Spiritual Grove. Think of it as less her dream and more of Lord Aetos’s manipulated slumber."

“I don’t think he will ever pick anything else,” noted Yew.    

“I don’t blame him. The place is special,” I added.  

Mila and Tris emerged from their tent before Sera replied. “I thought I heard your voice. Welcome back. I take it you’ll fetch Niva and Primrose before we depart?”  

“That’s the plan. I wanted those two to rest a little more. Don't worry. This won't delay us." 

“That’s fine. Are you curious about that?” Mila pointed to the glove Sera was still fiddling with.  

“I am. I’ve seen a lot throughout my time, yet this is a first. It has an intriguing shape. I’ve played catch before with my sister and father. Our ball was wooden with mossy vines wrapped around it.”  

Is this the chance I need? The eagle asked me to watch Sera. She’ll never trust a face she can’t see, so…  

“I’ll be your partner if you want to try it.”  

“An excellent idea, Sekh.” Tris after realizing my plan. “You two can do that while we prepare breakfast. Yew, would you like to help?”  

“Okay.”  

“Then I’ll join you two,” added Mila.   

“Sera?”   

“Ah—lead the way, Sekh. I’m in your care.”   

I nodded. We walked away from the camp. It wasn't too far-- just about two minutes near some rubble.   

“We didn’t have to come this far to throw a ball.”  

“I realize that,” I replied, turning around. “I figured you’d like the privacy. We haven’t had a chance to really speak, have we? We could do that while we play.”  

“Oh?” Sera raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Observant, are we?”  

“More than most.” I tossed her the ball. Sera failed to catch it because she closed the glove a moment too soon. She scowled an innocent annoyance—far unlike the murderous gaze I’d become intimately familiar with. “Tilde’s the most perceptive of us. Nothing can get past her. She often knows what I’m feeling before I do.” 

“That’s a hard skill to learn. Only someone truly in tune with what makes a person a person can do that. I’m nowhere as good as her, but…” She picked up the ball and threw it. “It’s your heart. Rather, it’s the way it beats. It becomes faster when I’m around. That can indicate nervousness. You know that, don’t you? It’s not something you’re unaware of.”  

“You’re right. I… I’m not the most sociable, Sera. I’ve spent a long time alone. Only recently did I realize I could change. To do that, I’ve had to confront parts of myself I’d rather ignore.”  

“So… it’s not me? I’m not the reason you’re uncomfortable?” Sera held onto the ball. Her voice was gentle.  

“No, it’s not your fault.”  

Sera exhaled, a relieved smile crossing her face. “I’m glad to hear that. You mean a lot to Mila. I’d like to mean something to you, too. I want to be your friend.”  

“Even if I’m too afraid to remove my armor? How can you trust a face you can’t see?”  

Sera’s smile only softened further. “In most cases, maybe that would be a problem.” She hesitated, then continued. “I won’t ask you to tell me anything she hasn’t shared, but… Mila’s been through a lot, hasn’t she?”  

“She has.”  

“…” Sera silently threw the ball.    

“Mila was a lot like me,” I said, answering the question Sera didn’t know how to ask. “Her life was filled with horror and cruelty. We had nothing but revenge and isolationism. Then we met. And despite everything, somehow… I want to believe it was meant to happen.”  

“Like fate?” Sera's gaze was steady as she tossed it back. 

“Yes.” I caught it. “You could say we saved each other.”  

A thoughtful look crossed her face. “I know it hasn’t been easy for her. I wish I could have spared her some of that pain.”  

“I feel the same, Sera. I sometimes wonder how different things might have been if we’d met sooner.”  

“It seems we have that in common, Sekh. We both care deeply for her.”  

“Without Mila, I… I wouldn’t be who I am now. You and I wouldn’t be having this conversation.”  

“Would it be rude if I asked you to explain?”  

“…”  

“Sorry.” Sera quickly backpedaled. “I crossed the line. You don’t have to answer that.”  

I fell silent, then finally spoke as Sera drew her arm back. “I used to be violent. I made enemies to feel something. Honestly?” I caught the ball and stared at it. “Mila… she was supposed to be another victim.”  

Sera’s eyes widened, but she didn’t look away. 

“I planned to use and discard her. But…that didn’t happen.” I paused, the words settling between us. “Do you know why?”  

“Why?”  

“Hope. They say it keeps people going, but it has never touched me. I never felt it.”  

“Until Mila?”  

“Yes. She gave me hope. She promised a future worth fighting for. I don’t have to fear what’s coming because I’m not alone anymore. Neither of us had that until we met each other.”  

Sera’s eyes softened. “You know, Sekh, my sister used to say that we’re never truly whole until we meet those who complete us. We may think we’re fine, but we don’t know what’s missing until we find it. It was true for her, and it’s clear it’s the same for you. For what it’s worth… I’m glad you two found each other.”  

“Thank you for saying that.”  

“Can you answer another question?” I nodded as I threw the ball. “You hide your mana better than anyone I’ve ever met. Even I can’t do that. Something always slips out.”  

“I didn’t teach Mila if that’s what you're asking.”  

“Then who?”  

“Tris. She learned it from Tilde. We met those two not long after Mila and I found each other. Tris… It took a while for her to come around.”  

“I’ll admit my curiosity is scratching to know more, but I won’t press the issue.” Sera looked like she was having fun. She put more power behind her throw. “Regardless, I can tell you’re strong.”  

“That’s an honor coming from a Vredi.”  

“I’m glad you think so. I’ve never heard of someone evolving spirits from hundreds of miles away. That alone tells me what I need to know about your combat prowess. I dread to imagine what could have inflicted wounds so grave that you required Lord Aetos's aid." 

“The chaos in Ria.” I pointed to the rubble. Memories of that clash surged to the forefront of my mind… The disgusting tendrils of that awful curse… Even now, I felt phantom sensations of it latching deep into my heart, further tempting me to fall back into the one I was most ashamed to be. “I fought to truly protect something that day. I couldn’t let the ones I love come to harm. In my eyes… Fighting is what I’m good at.  It’s defined my life—for better or worse.”  

“Knowing how to fight isn't a bad thing,” Sera said, spinning the ball before throwing it. “War is inevitable. It’s something everyone has to do. Some learn to take. Others for the opposite reason.”  

“What was your reason?” 

“Protection is what I would say, but I was a young elf wanting to be like her big sister. Susize had a lot of pressure on her shoulder. I wanted to take some of the burden, so I used her as my inspiration. I suppose the reasons became less and less selfish as time passed, but the initial cause wasn’t some noble goal. Anyway, I was never as good of an archer as Susize. She was athletic. Physically gifted in more ways than one. But this?” Sera summoned her staff. She eyed the priceless weapon with pure adoration. “It’s my strength. Magic came naturally to me. It’s the one thing I did better than her once I acquired the fundamentals.”  

“I’ve heard Mila speak of it,” I replied. “You taught her magic while I was out of commission, didn’t you?”  

“I did. If I can be honest, Sekh…” Sera’s staff vanished, and we resumed our game. “Teaching her felt like…I was transported to the past. I’d just gotten my first staff… Susize was there… Haha, we spent the whole day going over the basics. Susize never lost her patience with me. She was the perfect teacher, so I’m glad what was taught to me isn’t going to waste. You really don’t know how happy it makes me.”  

“Do you miss her?” The question was risky, but I carved a connection of trust using it.   

“More than the day before. Do you have any family?”  

“None that are still living. I miss my father,” I confessed. “My mother, too. And the maid. It was us four together.”   

“A maid? Do you come from money?”  

“Yes, yet the wealth they had accumulated did nothing. They died when I was young. It’s been so long that I can’t remember their faces or names.”  

“…”  

“Do you…sometimes wonder if Susize—if the ones who aren’t here would like who you’ve become?”   

“All the time. One of my biggest fears is doing something to dishonor everything they fought for. Susize, Reina, Murag, Beccy, and Yaekira… I looked up to all of them. I hope they’re looking down on me. Is it the same with you?”  

“Yes. I’ve already told you, but… Who I am now isn’t who I used to be. That woman… That person… No one would be proud of her. However, this me? The Sekh you see? The one who knows what true love feels like and wants to protect the things she cherishes? I…hope they’d proud of who I’ve become.”  

“I’m sure they would, Sekh.”  

I smiled, although she couldn't see it. “Your words are kind.”  

“I understand why Mila despises Meruria even if I don’t have the full picture,” said Sera as she caught the ball. Her motions had gotten much more natural. Her technique had improved, too. “If you don’t mind me asking…” 

“I’ve never met her,” I carefully observed her expression. “It’s hearsay for me, but anyone who hurts my Mila is denied all mercy. The rumors reinforce all the awful things I’ve heard, so that’s enough for me to hate her.”  

“’My Mila?’ I love how protective you are over her, haha! Really, it makes me so happy she met you and the others.” Suddenly, Sera went silent. She gripped the ball, sighed, and looked up at the sky. “I know I’ve assaulted you with so many questions. You must be getting annoyed."  

"Far from it.” That was the truth. I knew… I knew this would inevitably end with disastrous heartache. The moment this helmet came off…  

Really, only one outcome was inevitable.   

Yet there was a chance, right?  

A small chance.  

A chance so insignificant not even Tris could calculate it... 

A chance, nonetheless…  

I wonder if I should mention that…It could foster another connection. Anything to improve that minuscule chance, right?   

“There was a time I called Mila Master.”  

“Master?” she confusingly repeated. “Like…”   

“Like a slave. It’s as I said. I was a foreigner to love. What…I thought was affection was a crude interpretation of it.”  

“What changed your mind?”  

“I got drunk. I suppose my love twisted from master and slave to that of a lord because she said I kept calling for a liege in my drunken stupor.”  

“Ppfff! I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh. It’s just I didn’t strike you as the type to be affected by alcohol like that.”  

“It surprised me too. That was the first time I drank for fun and pleasure.”  

“So, after that?”  

“Ria happened. I had a chance to converse with myself while within the coffin. A moment to confront the Sekh I never want to return to.” I chose my words as carefully as lifting a sick child. “I could stand behind Mila, stand in front, or take my place beside her. The path of a slave, a servant, or an equal. So, I chose the latter because being treated as equal? It’s what she’s always wanted.”  

“Is that really true? Tilde calls her Master. Tris calls Mila ‘my lord.’” 

“That they do, but those titles do not mean what we believe they mean. Mila, Tilde, Tris, and myself are equals. Tilde’s pretending to be a maid—that’s what she does. Sooner or later, she’ll probably dress like a sailor and call Mila ‘Master Captain.’ She’ll say something like: ‘What’s better than a maid? A sailor maid, Master Captain. I’m here to bake cookies and swab the deck, so I combined the two! I’m a genius, aren’t I, Captain Master? Go ahead, you can praise me.’”  

“I’ve not known her for long, but I can see her saying those exact words.”  

“She’s one of a kind in a thousand ways. Tris’s situation is unique. She knows Mila’s fine with being called Mila, but she prefers ‘my lord’ for a specific reason.”   

“I see… It seems like you all share a very unique relationship. So… Umm… If it isn’t too much… Please permit me to ask one more question. When it comes to loving someone who’s loved by many... I guess what I’m asking is... How does it work?”  

“What do you mean?”  

“My sister loved someone named Murag. He loved her back, of course. Yet they also loved Reina, Beccy, and Yaekira. That’s five people. They were happy—everyone could see that. But… Maybe I should be quiet. I don’t even know how to phrase my question.”  

“We aren’t devoted to Mila. Rather, we don’t live solely to love her because we don’t want that. Neither does she. The connection we share is…deep, I would say. Mila and I saved each other from traveling down a path with no happy ending, and Tilde helped us through our feelings when we were uncertain. I may want to burn the pesky annoyance, but she’s someone I respect. That turned into genuine love. It’s the same with Tris. She looks out for us, and we look out for her. So, when it comes to it, why not love each other? We’re stronger than the sum of our parts. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”  

“…”  

“Susize and the others probably thought the same. I’m sure they must’ve experienced a lot. It could not have all been fond. Some of it must’ve been sorrowful. Still, they forged an unbreakable bond that extended through love. To them? It made sense to love each other, although I’m positive there must’ve been an issue here or there at the beginning. If I recall, Beccy was a queen of a kingdom that no longer exists. Your sister was the First Princess of Vredi. Taking a husband was expected, but there was pushback when her husband took three more wives. They endured, though. Their love kept them together through the thick and thin. The idea of forcing Murag to pick one probably entered their mind, yet it was unfairly cruel to put the onus on him.”  

“Kind, strong, and thoughtful with a profound elegance of the heart? It seems like you have it all, Sekh.”  

“…”  

“It almost sounds like you knew my sister.”  

"I’ve heard a few stories from Mila.” 

“Stories, huh? You know… The past is behind us. I can’t say it’s impossible to develop a spell to transport me back in time by 1,000 years. To do so...would mean…throwing away the promises I made to the ones no longer here. I miss them so much. But… This is the world they left me. To selfishly want to live in the past… That would deny everything they fought hard to protect. I can see why Lord Aetos wanted me to face the future. Can I admit something to you? Something selfish and childish?”  

“I don’t mind. Speak, and I’ll listen, Sera.”  

“Being the Second Princess of Vredi Forest meant I was younger. That’s only logical. So, I sometimes hated that everyone constantly looked after me… Except now I miss it. I miss the over-protectiveness… I miss the feeling that I was everyone’s little sister no matter where I went. Now? There’s no one out there to treat me like one. It doesn’t make sense, does it? I’m old even by High Elf standards, yet… It feels like I’ve yet to mature—huh?” Sera flinched before looking up from the ground…  

…because I had my hand on her head.   

“Lord Aetos asked me something before departing. Do you know what it was?”  

Sera shook her head. She didn’t try to move my hand away. I didn’t know if she was stunned, shocked, or too happy to move.    

“It was to look after you. I told him I’d try, at least.”  

“Why?”  

“You’re an important link to the past Mila thought she had lost. So many have died due to my actions. I’m tired of fighting to kill to feel joy or thrill. It feels much better to defend what I love.”  

“…”  

“Maybe…there’ll be a time in which I can confidently shed this armor in front of others. Maybe…by then, I can be proud of the woman I’ve become. Until then… It has to stay, but I still hope we can be friends, Sera. Maybe one day, you can regard me as a sister. I’ll look after you, too. Not because Lord Aetos asked me to, but because I want to.”  

“Sekh… You… You…” Sera’s emotions vented from her eyes. She sobbed like a blabbering baby and hugged me, resting her head against my helmet.    

It couldn’t have been comfortable.   

“I think breakfast is about done,” I said. “I already ate, but you must be hungry.”  

“In a minute… I want to stop crying first,” Sera said, sniffling.   

I didn’t reply—instead, I hugged her until Sera had calmed down.   

“Ready?” Sera nodded, wiping her reddened eyes, so we returned to the campfire. By now, delicious smells radiated all over Ria’s ruined remains. The surrounding soldiers stared with venomous expressions and envious stares as Mila waved at us.   

“Come on!” Sera playfully grabbed my armored hand. “We can’t keep them waiting!”   

We ran the rest of the way back.   

***** 

***** Mila's PoV *****

It happened a few minutes after breakfast. A timid soldier loitered uneasily near the dividing line. He glanced up, then away. Then back again before swallowing a mix of nervous anxiousness.   

“Umm… Lord—Lord Springfield? I don’t mean to interrupt anything, but the captain has requested a meeting concerning your request to him.”  

“Okay, thank you.,” I replied. Of course, I already knew that. Tris hadn’t let anyone within the city’s ruins out of her all-knowing gaze. “Get ready,” I said to the rest. “We may be leaving sooner than later. I’ll be back soon. Now, after you.”   

“Umm—right! Please follow me!”  

“Ensure I arrive safely,” I said, teasing him. It would only be me. I arrived at the captain's tent a few minutes later. While the stares weren't as antipathetic as yesterday, those eyes held little fondness for me and my actions. 

“Sir—”  

“I trust you have good news,” I said, pushing through the tent’s flaps. The visibly shaking and nervous man sat on a chair nearly too weak for his hefty girth, except he wasn’t alone. “The mage near you is from Requiesta, yes? The attire suggests he’s from a unit far closer to your Holy Lord than a normal battalion of soldiers.”  

“You’d be correct, Lord Springfield, and might I compliment your deductive sight. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He bowed. His hood fell, revealing a bald man with tribal tattoos across his head.   

“Are you also our teleporter?”  

“Indeed, Lord Springfield.  Please be ready within the hour. It’ll take that long to inscribe the magic circle. You’ll be teleported to a meeting chamber within Lord Gloria’s castle, where a servant will be waiting." 

“A servant? Why won’t she welcome us herself?” Remy's late spies within Gloria's sphere of influence meant I already knew the answer. 

The dumb bitch was JUST recently told about the Eagle Yew burning, meaning she had a lot of pieces of a puzzle to fill. That took time. Now, she had two options.   

Meet with us immediately without delay, which left her no time to prepare anything. Or she could pawn us off to someone else under a thin lie, letting her at least ‘try’ to organize something for our encounter.   

Of course, she chose the latter.  Gloria was in crisis control to grab a ‘stable’ grasp of the situation, not knowing she was playing right into my trap.   

“Unfortunately, she is busy with important matters vital to Requiesta and Dirge. The Captain's message was relayed to members of her cabinet. Although a scout has been dispatched to her location post haste. I’m certain she’ll spare no expense in returning to the castle once she gets word of your arrival.”  

So… That’s how they’re playing it, huh?    

“Very well. We shall await your completion,” I replied, returning to camp. Everyone was informed of our immediate plans after I called a meeting. Quella privately spoke to her team near a ruined building. No doubt she had to ‘play’ leading her group through these ‘untested’ times without any ‘advice’ on how to proceed.   

She hated lying to them. She desired to tell them the truth, but it was too risky.    

“Suppose I’ll be off to fetch Niva and Primrose,” said Sera, flourishing her staff. True to her word...  

She wasn’t gone but for two minutes—maybe three at the most.   

“Niva! Primrose! You’re back!” Yew gave her a big smile while Lei hopped into her arms. Primrose looked satisfied. I liked seeing her with a rousing aura of confidence, so I knew the training had paid off so far. The road ahead was still long, though. It was full of rocky uncertainties that Niva had no choice but to weather.   

I knew she had it in her. Her morale was another level—her drive to survive probably eclipsed my own. Niva had ample chances to give up, yet she always clung to life.   

This would be no different.   

“It’s good to be back. I hope we didn’t make you wait too long.”  

“Eh, you could’ve taken another forty minutes,” said Tilde. “The magic circle ain’t ready. Anyway, want to talk about your training? I know I’m super curious to hear about it.”  

“Me too,” I added. “Tris?”  

“Oh, most definitely.”  

“I wanna hear it too. Lei does, too.”  

The slime squeaked happy noises as Tris created tables and chairs. We listened to Niva describe her training while the mage finished his preparation. As Tilde had said, it took about forty minutes before we got the message to assemble.   

The circle was drawn just outside of the city limit.   

I detect no foul play, my lord.   

Good to know. I doubt Gloria would try something here. If she does, it'll happen when we're inside her domain. 

“Now, if you would, my esteemed guests…” The mage tapped the circle with his staff, causing it to glow. That was our cue to enter. Surtr had returned to Yew’s arms. While a fight breaking out was unlikely, it was better to catch any assailants by surprise when a small lion suddenly transformed into an 8-foot-tall behemoth of a force of fiery death.   

Besides…  

He looks so cute when he’s that small… He’s just like a stuffed animal!   

Ten seconds later, a blindingly white light obscured our vision…