“Bonfire lit, captain.”

The fire was started early today, much earlier than a camp should start theirs, and much riskier as a result. Of course, the men surrounding the bonfire were no stranger to the risks that this action would entail. All have been outlined in their notebooks, and all have been drilled into their heads by their teachers and peers.

Monsters. Bandits. Traitors. All of them know to head for the billowing column of smoke. Thus, starting a fire so early in the day, when the camp had not had sufficient protection and manpower, can be considered equal to a challenge. Or suicide.

“You think the kids can see this?” But the men did not even hesitate, some even throwing more straw and dried sticks onto the pile. Others also reacted accordingly, donning armour and brandishing swords. “I really wonder what Guild Staff Myrtle and Guild Official Akari were thinking when they gave these kids the go.”

Indeed. After all, they set up the request themselves, even going to the trouble of begging the Guild Staff to make it urgent.

The quest was to hunt an Overgrown Dungeon Wurm that escaped into the wilderness for food. It was not a powerful monster by any means, large, dumb and without its ability to blend into the surroundings, it would be seen from miles away.

But, it was still a monster. As it appeared and reappeared, people could panic. As it showed its massive size, people could falter. As it revealed its mouth, lacking teeth but large enough to swallow smaller animals whole, people could panic. As people panicked, slicing and piercing its skin, its venom could release, incapacitating those around it. Realistically, for this, they would have wanted someone like a Guild Staff or a veteran like Silphium to tackle the issue.

And yet, those sent to hunt it were simply two rookies? How would they deal with a new monster? Would they panic? Flee? Maybe even worse? Either way, these men here could not let this stand. With the smoke, at least the two adventurers could retreat safely back here, or they themselves could kill the overgrown salamander.

It would defeat the entire purpose of the quest itself and lead to extensive damages throughout the camp…but they would rather face that scenario than let these kind people face tragedies.

Alas, however, perhaps they did not need to.

“Captain, it seems the boy is running over here.” One of the adventurers said, pointing ahead. “No sign of the girl, though.”

“I see…” The captain sighed, simply putting on his helmet with resignation. It seemed they were late, but at least they could save one ‘lucky’ adventurer. “Get ready. It’s a Dungeon Wurm, we’ve faced many before but don’t let your guards down!”

“Aye!” The entire camp shouted, finally standing up, simply awaiting their captain’s commands. As they gazed ahead, they could see their target slowly appearing.

The ground tremored with a deep, rhythmic thud. Each stomp sent a wave of dust rolling outwards, momentarily obscuring the horizon. It wasn't the panicked sprint of a fleeing boy, this was something far more colossal. As the camp stared ahead, it was as if the air started to shift, move, change. The view behind the running adventurer started to warp, a telltale sign of what they were expected.

“Wurm incoming.” The captain’s voice steeled the men for what was to come.

Finally, sensing its prey, the Wurm shedded its incomplete disguise, finally showing itself for what it truly was. A monster. A gargantuan salamander, easily dwarfing even the largest ox.

Its skin, the color of sun-baked earth, stretched taut over bulging muscles. Luminescent green slime oozed from numerous boils that marred its body, a sure sign of its venomous secretions. Two beady, black eyes stared ahead at the camp and adventurer, devoid of any intelligence, fueled only by primal hunger.

A collective gasp escaped the waiting men. This was no novice creature – its sheer size and the telltale slime confirmed it was far older than anticipated. Panic started to flicker in some eyes, but the roar from their captain quickly quelled it.

"Form ranks! You, unload arrows when it comes into range! Swords and shields, prepare for close combat!" he bellowed, his voice resonating with fierce determination.

But, before any action could be taken, a stranger sight emerged.

“Oh, hey!” The boy, instead of panicking or continuing his pace or simply screaming for help, uttered a most sincere and overjoyed statement, even waving his hand. “It’s me, Noah! Me and my sister took your quest, remember?”

Of course they remembered these two. That was why they were setting up this formation in the first place. What was more important was how this youth was somehow forgetting to care about the giant reptile behind him.

Yet, his confident demeanour did not change even as the camp stood in a daze. In fact, looking closely at his outfit, it did not even seem damaged or affected at all, save from a few patches of dust, and soon, perhaps he realised the ‘misunderstanding’.

“Don’t worry!” Noah shouted, even slowing down his pace to show that he was not in any harm. “I just wanted to bring this guy to you! Just in case you don’t believe us!”

The colossal Wurm, its beady eyes locked on the frantic boy, did not even register the danger the camp posed. As it continued, it would definitely have been killed by the seasoned adventurers…had it even managed to reach the camp in the first place. With a deafening thud, its massive foot landed squarely on a tripwire hidden beneath the dusty surface. A loud SNAP echoed through the air, followed by a yelp of surprise from the creature as the ground beneath its other leg gave way. The colossal salamander lurched forward, its centre of gravity thrown off balance.

This unexpected manoeuvre bought precious seconds. Noah, finally showing the aptitude of an adventurer, whipped his head around. His initial joy morphed into a grimace of concentration as he shouldered his crossbow. With practised ease, he cranked the weapon, a bolt of hardened steel glinting wickedly in the morning sun.

“Sorry, bud! I really need the money.”

The Wurm, flailing in its attempt to regain its footing, presented a magnificent – and vulnerable – target. Noah unleashed a bolt that found its mark with a satisfying thud, embedding itself deep in the creature's fleshy side. The Wurm bellowed in rage, a sound that shook the very ground. But Noah wasn't done. He reloaded with a slower speed than the veterans would but his actions were deliberate and steady. A flurry of crossbow bolts arcing through the air. Each one found its purchase, peppering the Wurm's hide with stinging wounds.

Again.
Again.
Again.

It would fail to truly kill such a large monster, but as it kept being bombarded with arrows while flailing around, it struggled to maintain its focus on the trap that had led it to this predicament. If it had used all of its strength into escaping, it could continue its rampage unabated.

However, that was not the case. Screaming, thrashing, glaring, every single fibre and action of its being were focused on Noah…so much so that despite the keen sense that it had cultivated within a dungeon…

…it failed to notice the large amount of mana gathering just overhead.

“Adele!”

Only noticing when Noah snapped his fingers.

“Macht.”

With only a faint glow of light and a simple word declaring its existence, a blast of pure, concentrated magic was fired. In an instant, there was a mere spark of light, barely seen apart from the most focused of adventurers present.

In the next, there was only light.

BAM!

With a blast that made everyone think the sun crashed down onto the earth, every sound was insignificant. Every thrash of the beast as the beast finally moved to escape its end. Every squelch as blood and slime were secreted onto the ground. Every shout from the men instinctively retreating into their covers.

Even the ringing from Noah’s ear as the magic blast made itself known. Even the final incomprehensible sounds from the Wurm as the blast ended the threat that it posed.

All were silenced. All was nothing. All became dust.

As the explosion settled down and dust returned to the ground, the adventurers finally stood up, still wondering who could have created such a magnificent spell. All they saw was the lone male adventurer once more, his frame and hair covered with blast, of course, but still unharmed.

Steadily, he took out a crumpled paper, the dead overgrown lizard behind him a mere afterthought. With a practised flourish, he presented the paper with a smile.

“Quest complete. One Overgrown Dungeon Wurm.”

The silence stretched on, broken only by the rasping coughs of the veterans recovering from the magical shockwave. Finally, the captain, weathered face etched with disbelief, stepped forward.

"You..." he stammered, gesturing at the smoldering carcass behind the boy, "now I know why the Guild Staff trusted you. Here…

…your reward.”

And thus, another quest had been completed, another few coins added to a pouch that kept getting a tiny bit heavier. Noah helped Adele get down from the tree she painstakingly perched herself on just for a single blast, and soon smiles were traded.

Like most days, Noah would almost be pulled into a rowdy celebration, only for his dutiful sister to pull him to reason, albeit this time with a light smile. Had their parents seen them now, perhaps they would be proud. Or perhaps they may be intimidated, considering their ‘cute and little’ Adele and Noah just slayed a creature that may have laid waste to a house or two.

Well, neither of them could know for sure, but that was why they had to keep moving on. No hesitation. No impure thoughts. Simply a focus on their goal.

Still, that was another quest tackled. On the next day, they will take on another challenge, perhaps now consulting Guild Official Akari directly for greater heights…and greater rewards. Then, the day after that, and the day after that.

For now, though, there was no reason for them to not relax. For that was a privilege offered by the Guild…a life and the pleasures associated with it.

“Ugh…” Adele wobbled, needing to use her cane for support. “That was 3 mana potions for me to use that spell…I need to make sure I get stronger soon…ich halte das nicht aus…!”

Of course, Noah would have been glad to support his sister’s walk, but knowing Adele, he would never get the chance.

So, he simply walked ahead, counting the coins in his trusty pouch. “That was a mighty impressive blast, though. Seems like our strategy is working out fine.”

An Overgrown Dungeon Wurm, too large and gluttonous to fit in the tight confines of a dungeon. Its traits include a way to camouflage onto the surroundings, skin covered in slime that makes it somewhat resistant to magic…and a humongous stamina. Realistically, the twins would not have taken it on in a straight fight, just like they would not have taken on any large monster in a fight.

So, they reverted back to their simple but practical strategy, where Adele would bombard spells as Noah distracted and dealt as much damage as she could - a tactic devised after their training sessions with the Guild Leader.

From then, they were now on their tracks to becoming adventurers. Not seasoned, or even veteran adventurers, but better adventurers than how they started.

“If you’re so tired, how about we go back to the camp to have a meal there?”

“No.”

Lack of people skills notwithstanding.

Truly, his sister was still an incorrigible loner, not even once thinking of spending time with supposed strangers. And yet, when they would finally find their campsite, Adele’s stomach would be groaning, sending signals for her mouth to call for food. Quick. Especially since it was already 2 in the afternoon - way too late for lunch for people like them.

Still, it was not as if Noah did not prepare for this. Shaking his bag for the distinct and endearing clanging of his soon-to-be food, Noah smiled.

Before he could elaborate for his fussy sister, though, his eyes caught another column of smoke rising in the distance. It was faint, barely a wisp against the clear blue sky, but unmistakable.

"Adele," he nudged his sister, who was trailing behind him, still wincing with exertion. "Seems like that’s a fire made by someone…an adventurer. Do you think…?”

Adele followed his gaze, still maintaining her serious disposition. “I’m not going to another person’s camp, Noah.”

Noah shrugged. "What if they’re having issues, you know?" He paused, a thought striking him. "Not many people would light a fire when a camp is nearby, you know? Maybe we should check on them, at least.”

A flicker of concern crossed Adele's usually stoic face. While she wasn't one for socialising, the Guild's core principle of helping others was ingrained in them. She sighed, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Fine," she muttered, clenching her staff tighter. "But let's be quick about it."

As they approached the lone smoke plume, caution became their watchword. Noah, ever the optimist, took the lead, his hand hovering near his crossbow. The terrain became uneven, dotted with scraggly bushes and loose rocks. The air, once crisp, held a faint tang of smoke and...food?

Noah sighed in relief - confident in the fact that there was no need for him and his sister to be there. Using…very off hand signs, he attempted to signal Adele to leave, only for his action to be interrupted.

“Kiddos. I know you’re there.” By a voice. A distinctly familiar feminine one, at that. “You’re having lunch, too, right?”

A jolt of surprise coursed through Noah. He whipped around, crossbow aimed at the source of the voice just in case his ears were tricked. There, poking out from behind a rather large boulder, was a mop of messy blonde hair and a pair of bright blue eyes.

“Miss Silphium.” Noah sighed.

“It’s Sylphy.” And the woman did too.

Seeing Noah's tense posture, Sylphy chuckled. "Whoa there, steady with the crossbow, young adventurer. It's just me." She emerged fully, revealing a soot-stained face and similarly dirty suit of armour. "Unarmed, totally not dangerous. Just here to have lunch.”

Relief washed over Noah, his hand instinctively lowering the crossbow. "Miss Sylphy," he greeted, a sheepish grin replacing his initial frown. "We saw the smoke and thought something was wrong."

Adele, ever cautious, remained silent, her hand gripping her staff tighter. She scanned Sylphy up and down, her gaze lingering on the grime and the worn-out equipment.

Sylphy waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, nothing of the sort. Just finishing my run for the day." She winked at Noah. “Not gonna be interrupting your meal…unless you wanna join in.”

Noah's stomach rumbled loudly, betraying his initial polite refusal. He shot an apologetic glance at Adele, who rolled her eyes but sighed in defeat. Though, thankfully, Sylphy was not exactly a stranger. While the twins never crossed paths with the veteran that much, it was only thanks to her recommendations

"Alright," she mumbled, stepping forward hesitantly. "But we don't have much."

Sylphy's grin widened, belting out a laugh. "Well, I don’t have anything anyways! Just some scraps and junk!" She gestured to a small clearing beside her, where a simple fire crackled merrily between two large rocks. A large slab of stone was messily placed on them, acting as a nice ‘grill’ for whatever dish Sylphy may create.

As the twins settled down, each participant of the meal took out their own ‘offering’. Sylphy simply took out a few buns with intermingling dark colours - a trademark of the Guild’s mixed grain bread. Noah, in contrast, was a tad more prepared, proudly taking out…a few buns of intermingling dark colours, but, this time with a worthy accompaniment.

“Spent some time doing this…” Meticulously rummaging through the bag that he did not care to sort for himself, Noah finally pulled out a jar. And then two. Upon closer inspection, it had everything from beef to carrots to even onions, filled in a suspiciously red water - an incomplete stew in a jar. Immediately, he meticulously placed the jars next to the burning wood, allowing the heat to slowly cook what was inside to perfection.

Little preparation. Little fuss. Little chance of screwing up. At least, that was what he was told by the books he consulted.

The scent of toasted bread and simmering stew filled the air, momentarily pushing away the lingering smoke from the fire. Adele cautiously inched closer to the flames, her nose betraying a flicker of interest despite her stoic demeanor. Sylphy, meanwhile, watched the jarred stew with amusement.

"That's a new one," she chuckled, nudging the jar with a booted foot. "That’s gonna taste good, I feel.”

Noah puffed out his chest, a hint of pride in his voice. "Well, I’m far from being on others’ level, but I’ll try to improve.”

Sylphy chuckled silently, before she took a piece of bread from the hot slab. With one bite, Adele could tell that it was horribly tough, with almost no crumb at all, and she gulped in preparation. At least the ‘stew’ would make the bread more palatable. Usually, in the meantime, to quell her stomach, she would dart her eyes around the surroundings - a lost cause considering the homogenised patch of green and brown a forest would be.

But this time, gazing into Sylphy’s side, she found items worth her attention: a pile of crumpled paper that were especially familiar to her.

“You just finished quests?” Adele inquired, trying to make out words from the pile to no avail. “Three quests…that’s really impressive.”

“Impressive? Heh.” Sylphy chuckled again, a drier one than before almost as if she did not believe in the assessment herself. “Well, it was just a few monsters. Sliced them with my metal stick as always.” Her voice got lower, almost remorseful, before she regained her usual disposition.

“I mean, you’d be able to do the same in no time. It’s nothing special.” Then, she took out a metal canister hanging on the side of her belt before chugging its content. Adele, with her ‘experience’, could immediately identify it as alcohol.

Noah, oblivious to the undercurrent of Sylphy's emotions, eagerly chimed in, "But three quests a day? That's amazing, Miss Sylphy! You must be really strong. I heard that you were the one to kill the big flower monster we met in our first quest too, how did you do it?”

Adele, ever the pragmatist, kept her praise more measured. "Indeed," she said, her voice still gruff but lacking its usual edge. "We do want to learn from you… considering that you’re a respected veteran in the craft.” Indeed, even her limited experience told her that facing off against monsters was no easy feat, and Sylphy's nonchalant attitude belied a clear skill that they both envied.

And yet…

Learn? Veteran?

Respected?

These words crept up Sylphy’s neck, quickly forced to hide by a scratch from her metallic glove. "Well," she mumbled, taking another swig from her canteen, "maybe I am quite good at being a blunt weapon, after one point I just get good at hitting things hard, I guess.”

Unfazed by Sylphy's deflection, Noah pressed on, his youthful enthusiasm bubbling over. "And I really want to thank you for helping us reach out to miss Akari a while ago. It was a great help! We really could not do it without you…Maybe you could train us too?”

A bead of sweat trickled down Sylphy's temple. The praise, though genuine, was starting to feel suffocating. "Uh, about that…" she stammered, casting a nervous glance at her sword, which hung limply at her hip, its once bright polish dulled with grime. "Me…training? You must be kidding.”

Adele, sensing Sylphy's unease, stepped in to mediate, pulling her brother back to reality with a not-so-sneaky elbow. “Sorry for his energy, Miss Sylphy…but we are serious with that consideration.”

Sadly, the damage had already been done. Replacing Sylphy’s ever-present smile was a similar one in size, shape and vibrance, yet it seemed off. Adele could tell. She had seen many smiles of the sort.

The smile of false reassurance as her father sold the crops that she knew would not sell well.

The smile of hidden pain as her mother almost fainted another time, yet gave her and her brother more money for food.

The smile that forced down the obscured negativity boiling up in Noah’s heart ever since they arrived here.

Every time, everywhere, smiles that tried to obfuscate darkness with strength.

“Man…how do I say this?” Now both of them realised very well that they have seen a part of Sylphy that they never should have seen. Or never could have seen. Realistically, they expected to be kicked out and never talked to again. Overjoyed as they were when that was not the case with Sylphy’s continuous talking. Briefly, at least.

“You guys should not really not try to think of me highly.”

Confusion. Surprise. Even concern.

Surely this was a joke, surely she was just pushing them away like Guild Official Akari once did.

Surely it was just a misunderstanding.

“Cuz you know…I’m a fuck-up. I can’t do anything.”

The revelation hung heavy in the air, thick enough to choke on. Noah and Adele’s faces, usually so distinctly recognisable from each other, were now similarly contorted in concern. Sylphy, avoiding their gaze, stared intently at the burning toasted bun without even a reaction.

Finally, Noah found his voice, albeit small. "But... you're strong, Miss Sylphy. You complete quests all the time. Many adventurers look up to you, you know?”

Sylphy let out a humourless chuckle, the sound devoid of its usual warmth. "Look up? Me?" She gestured vaguely at herself, her once pristine armour now caked in grime and dust. "Look at me. I'm a mess. I rush into fights. I kill things. Like a glorified mercenary" she stopped herself, taking a deep, shaky breath. "Maybe Guild Leader Elphaba intended for me to have a bigger role when she gave me this name…but I still have nothing to prove for it.”

Almost instinctively, Sylphy raised her steel canister again, gripping it tightly as if she would a weapon. In a sense, it was one. A weapon against her clear mind - her greatest enemy.

CLANG! The sound of Noah’s sword dropping onto the ground.

THUD! The sound of Adele’s staff colliding with the earth.

In an instant, both of them saw Sylphy’s actions coming, their minds flashing back to many moments before. In an instant, both of them reached out, holding her back even as the scorching heat from the fire threatened to burn them.

They did not let go. They would not let go. They must not let go. Not again.

And…for a long, tense moment, the only sound was the crackling of the fire and Sylphy's ragged breaths. Then, slowly, almost sluggishly, her shoulders slumped. The metal canister clattered to the ground, its contents forgotten, but not the thoughts that spurred Sylphy to wish for it in the first place.

“See? You’re good kids. Must have been raised well, unlike me.”

All said with the same smile.

Still, with the heat near their legs becoming unbearable and the canister of alcohol out of Sylphy’s grasp, Adele and Noah similarly slumped down their seats. They were silent, not knowing what to say. They had done what they wished for…but what else could they do? What else but simply listen?

Finally, Sylphy looked up again, facing their eyes head on. “Aww…not running away yet…alright.” She knew she was not getting away from this situation.

“Quite a lot of towns were left in…very bad states after the war…easy pickings for bigger nations, monsters, or…” Sylphy started speaking, still maintaining her pleasant smile that could no longer hide a shred of her inner emotions. “...or the inhabitants, really. I mean, some towns are so bad you can hardly call it a civilization.”

Noah and Adele exchanged a worried glance. They hadn't expected such a dark response. But now…again, all they could do was listen.

“I was born in one of those towns, you see.” She relaxed her muscles, eerily looking up to the sky. “I don’t know who gave birth to me, or who was my dad, all I knew was that the moment I had a thought, I was already surrounded by other kids like me.”

Sylphy scoffed, a harsh laugh escaping her lips. “I dunno what you guys learnt as kids, but it’s probably words or something, right?” Her gaze drifted back to the fire, the flames casting flickering shadows on her face. “Never learnt any of that. I’d say it was at six that I learnt how to take a beating? And at seven I learnt how to hold a knife. Then, at ten, I found my little trusty friend over here.”

Humorlessly, she kicked her ‘friend’, the steel bottle of alcohol without a second thought. It crashed into one of the large rocks and flew to the side, Sylphy’s eyes not even once following its movement.

“Had a lot of fun afterwards, you know? Would always sneak into pubs and take whatever they were brewing at the time…in some days, that was my food.” Horrifyingly, she uttered her first genuine chuckle. “But then…one day…you know what happened?”

Finally, Adele mustered her courage and spoke, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes?”

“Well…A few people came there, saying that they were from the Minerva Observation or whatever.” Sylphy seemed startled by the question, almost as if she hadn't expected them to listen so intently. “Wanted to give some kids a better home and education, and some families agreed. They were nice.”

Then, she shrugged, the movement strained. “Not mine though. They didn’t care. I wouldn’t call them a family either…so I ran away myself, got on the carriage while no one was noticing.”

Sylphy's voice trailed off, the cheerful facade crumbling further. The twins remained silent, their gazes fixed on her. They understood, on a fundamental level, the pain of a childhood stolen. Noah, ever the optimist, piped up first.

"So, that's how you ended up at the Guild?"

Sylphy scoffed, a flicker of her old fire returning to her eyes. "Not exactly. I was just a scrawny kid, barely ten. Survived on scraps and luck for a while. Then, well..." she trailed off, her hand subconsciously darting towards the sword hanging at her hip. “I wanted to do better. Wanted to learn, to help, to do something…but well, nothing worked. In the end, I was just used to carry books.”

“Like I said, I was a fuck-up. Couldn’t do anything right. Teachers tried to help. Didn’t work. I mean, I can speak now, but my handwriting is utter shit. After a while, they recommended me to join the Guild, at that point it started getting big…and I had my first quest at 16 or so…it’s actually been so long I forgot.”

She kicked up dirt using her boots, some falling onto the bread that has long since burned.

She did not care.

“But now I’m here. Hooray! I’m living, yeah. But I’m still a fuck-up. All of that ‘veteran’ stuff and I’m still the same. Get some money, get some booze, lose it all. At the end of the day I’m still the same brat. I’m sure I’m still as expendable as I was back then.”

She reached for the steel canister once more, now covered in dirt and mud.

She did not care.

“So, there you go. Don’t be like me, don’t respect me. I’m really not worthy of it. You got a better life waiting for you back at home, no? Better finish this job and go back there, be done with it!”

Her sword finally fell onto the ground.

She did not care.

“If in the future I still see you kids doing these dumb jobs…I’ll be disappointed. If you’re still being like me, then you really are a fuck-up too.”

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Tears welled up in Adele's eyes, blurring the image of the flickering fire. Noah, his usual cheer momentarily dampened, clenched his jaw.

Finally, Adele spoke, her voice trembling slightly but firm. "Sylphy," she said, wiping away a stray tear, "You're not a…fuck up."

Sylphy chuckled, a hollow sound devoid of conviction.

Her head jolted, as if struck by a terrible blow.

She did not care.

“Don’t even try. A lot of people say so, but I’ve disappointed them all. Akari once tried talking to me…but I guess she realised just how annoying I was. After she became a Guild Official, we don’t talk as much anymore. I asked her for some medicine a while ago and she helped me with it…but I doubt she really cares about me. It’s just a duty.”

She leaned backwards again, as if she was imagining an entirely new reality.

“You know, I respect her though. She had it really rough too, probably even more than I did, before she was saved by the Guild…well, she went on to become like this. I heard that she’s even a Guild Caretaker candidate now. She didn’t ruin her chances like …you know…me.”

Now, the stew had become much hotter before, almost as boiling as the hearts of those stuck in this conversation. With a PANG, the lid burst open, sending out steam and boiling cooking water onto the surroundings.

The twins did not care.

They did not know what to do. But they did not care. Still, they refused to let go.

“Miss Sylphy.” Noah began, opening up never being his strong suit. “As we grew up, we’ve seen a lot of people think that way…I…uh…”

Then, Adele, finally regaining her will to speak, interjected. “We’ve seen villagers fight over squabbles, foreigners being treated unfairly…either way, the world is always unfair and unjust.”

She did not know where she was going with this.

She did not care.

In the first place, Sylphy’s ears could no longer be pierced with hard, cold, logic. In the first place, what she needed to do was touch the depths of Sylphy’s soul.

“And…many gave up.” As she spoke, Noah stood up, moving the steaming hot jars of stew out of the way as if they were afterthoughts. He slowly walked closer to Sylphy, cautious but not scared. “When we had a bad year, some of my neighbours gave up on improving the situation, many even breaking down as their crops went to waste.”

Adele did not know what she was doing, still. This hurt her. This was something her old self would never have done.

Again, she did not care.

“When my mother got sick…my father gave up too…got into alcohol…stayed at home…that was the first time he hit us.” Her hands crossed together, trying to contain the depths of her emotions. “I myself…almost gave up, just a while ago…I missed my home. And I still do. I’m not as strong as you think I am.”

From the depths of one soul, to another, Adele cast her gaze upon Sylphy’s form, and tried to form a smile.

“So…the fact that you are still here, realising what is wrong…that means you haven’t given up, right? That’s…pretty admirable. Sehr gut.”

Sylphy stared into the dying embers of the fire, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. Shame battled with a flicker of surprise, a spark ignited by Adele's unexpected words.

"Sehr gut," Adele repeated, the unfamiliar phrase catching on the wind. "It means 'very good' in my mother's tongue. I believe that most people would consider you that way…as long as you look at them."

A humourless scoff escaped Sylphy's lips. "Very good, huh? Right, because surviving and drowning my sorrows in booze is such a stellar achievement."

"No," Noah interjected, his voice gaining strength with every word. "It's because you haven't given up on trying to be better. You may not see it, but we do. Here.”

Then, he finally handed over his own bread bun and the steamy jar still in his hands. “This is the result of the fact that YOU were here. We learnt how to cook, we became better…thanks to you.”

He had never been good at dispelling emotions, for he had never even accomplished that with his own sister. But he could never back down from helping others.

“Please, just try it. Maybe you aren’t thinking straight. Let’s eat…and head back for a rest. You must be tired.”

Sylphy stared at the outstretched bread bun, her fingers twitching with a strange indecision. The fire crackled, casting long shadows that danced across their faces. The comfortable but dying warmth of the flames seemed to mock the turmoil within her.

"Don't be ridiculous," she finally snapped, her voice rough and strained despite the smile. "I don't deserve your...pity."

But the word hung heavy in the air, lacking its usual conviction. Even to her own ears, it sounded hollow just as the smile she still had pasted on her face. Pity wasn't what she saw reflected in the twins' earnest eyes. It was something far more unsettling - a sliver of genuine care. A care that kept spreading as the twins stared at her, unnervingly unmoving.

“Alright…you brats.” She muttered. “I’ll try it, since you’re begging for it so much.”

Relief washed over the twins, the warmth comparable to the midday sun. Noah scrambled back to grab the spilled stew, miraculously managing to salvage most of it. Adele, ever the pragmatist, simply sat, awaiting the chance to scoop up the stew with her bread.

As they settled around the fire once more, the tension began to dissipate. The stew, though slightly singed, tasted surprisingly good, perhaps due to the shared moment of connection. Sylphy ate slowly, picking at her food with a newfound self-consciousness. The twins, sensing her discomfort, kept the conversation light, talking about their journey to the ruins and the minor mishaps they encountered along the way. Sylphy listened. She did not talk, but she listened. It was a small victory, but for the twins, it was a resounding one.

After they finished their meal, a comfortable silence settled around them. Noah stoked the fire, sending a shower of sparks dancing into the sky. Right now, they could leave or stay, either leaving Sylphy to her own devices, surrounded only by her thoughts, or bring her back.

To their joy, Sylphy made that choice for them.

“Hey, you’re going back to the town, right? I guess I’m going back too.”

Surprise flickered across Noah and Adele's faces, quickly replaced by a wave of relief so strong it almost felt like exhilaration. Still, they were gentle, driven by confusion on what to do as well as a sense of duty…as if taking care of a family member.

They could not understand what Sylphy was thinking. She kept staring, staring and staring ahead, still not once stopping her unnerving yet reassuring smile. They could not comprehend what thoughts were flowing through her mind, even as they waited for a carriage, even as they got on the carriage, even as the carriage sped through the verdant plains that were so different from their home…yet so homey.

They could not comprehend what Sylphy was thinking, or whether she was thinking at all. Perhaps she was simply deep in thought, allowing her mind to rest after her own chaotic thoughts. For once, the best they could do was simply leave her alone.

In the end, she was tired. And so were they.

“We’re back.”

The carriage rattled to a stop, jolting Sylphy awake. She blinked, the afternoon sunlight momentarily blinding after the long journey. The twins, ever watchful, helped her down. In the end, it was almost dinner time. Time sure flew, they thought.

Still, the town bustled with activity, like many days before. Merchants hawked their wares, children chased each other through the streets, and the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith echoed through the air.

There it was. Civilization. Not a home yet, but a place to stay.

Usually, Adele and Noah would return to their humble abode to count what they had earned. If they had made enough to reach a milestone, they would make a form to transfer what little money they could have back to the Principality. If not, they would simply rest and talk to each other, their worries taking a background role.

But now, seeing Sylphy still deep in thought and walking silently ahead, they were hesitant to follow their original plan. They themselves knew what loneliness can do to others. To those burdened by a past.

Just then, a flash of vibrant red caught their eye. Akari, her azure blue pulled back in a long and elegant, emerged from the bustling crowd, a wide smile lighting up her face as she spotted the twins.

“You lil’ rascals!” She shouted, her voice lacking any sort of malice. Despite many adventurers returning from their quests, she chose to make a beeline for the siblings. “I was told! You killed that Wurm spectacularly! See? The training went well, yes yes?”

"Yeah," Noah mumbled, scratching the back of his head sheepishly as he shifted his gaze to Sylphy’s side. "Well, I think we did well. Yeah!”

“Well well, thanks to that, you’ve accomplished your very first quest that could be considered difficult!” She winked, patting Adele on the back. “Which means…party time. Already gathered people for it, so no declining for you.”

Sylphy, momentarily stunned by the voice, turned around. Usually, she too would greet this chipper Guild Official with a smile, maybe ask for a few items, before she proceeded to drown her sorrows with a few pints of booze. Now, she was not so sure.

She tiptoed, her mind violently shifting from wanting to stay to wanting to leave. In the end, it was Akari who turned around to face her instead.

“You’re gonna be there too, right? Come onnnn! It has better food and booze than the random pubs you go to!”

The question hung in the air, a test for Sylphy. A part of her recoiled. For sure, she could have gone to a party any time any day, it was a great place for her to get free food and booze…but could she put up with being so close to so many great people for so long?

Akari simply tilted her head, walking past Sylphy with only a bump to her armour. “At least come for the kids.”

In an instant, she departed once more, leaving everyone as they were before, simply with a party to bear in mind. Adele and Noah, initially wishing to push her forward, simply chose to walk ahead.

They needed her to make the choice.

To accept such a joyous occasion. To show up as she was now, incapable of maintaining the smile that she usually can. To show up and act as if she felt worthy of being there.

Act? No. It was harder than that. To show up and try to feel as if she felt worthy of being there.

What could she choose? How could she choose?

She hadn’t made a choice she felt satisfied with for a long time.

…

…

…Just maybe…

“Hey, you two…”

“Cheers for the kiddos! I know you aren’t that younger than me, but CHEERS FOR THE KIDDOS!”

Sounds of celebration too loud for her to feel fitting in.

“Myrtle made some of the sides today, while I assisted with the main dish. Eat up before I shoot you!”

Sounds of praise. For cooking - a skill she could never learn.

“You learnt how to cook, Miss Akari?”
“Rude. I ALWAYS knew. I just never tend to do it.”

Ah, multitalented, all of them were. She assumed Adele and Noah could whip up a decent dish too. Better than her.

“You know, Miss Sylphy managed to beat three quests this morning!”
“Impressive…I actually managed to beat 7 within a day once, while I was an adventurer.”

Ah. They were so much better.

“Woah. Really!?”
“Yeah…it took an entire day though, not just the morning.

Much better than she was.

“So…if you and Miss Sylphy were to have a competition…would you lose?”
“Hmm…Nah, I’d win.”

Of course she would. She was better. She had a life.

Indeed…Sylphy was regretting it now. Without her ‘friend’, her ‘trusted companion’, it became clearer and clearer, just how much of a disappointment she was compared to everyone else.

…Like how it has always been.

“What did you say, Ange, you brat?”

The voices were there again. If she weren’t alone, she would hear them, always full of comparison. They were always right.

“You want ME to let you go? Are you joking?”

Indeed, perhaps she should have stayed.

“What are you gonna do? You can’t do anything apart from pick trash. At least stay here where you can help your family!”

Indeed, perhaps she should have just been that. A helper.

“You waste of space! DID YOU FORGET THAT I RAISED YOU!? UNGRATEFUL!”

Bam. Her head jolted.

Bam. Her head jolted.

Bam. A smile spread on her face. Like then, like always.

“...you freak.”

And yet she ran away. From home. And she lost all of her next homes the same way. She was given away, or she ran away. Until she reached…this place. She had stayed here for much longer, but what was to say that she would not be cast out?

Guild Leader Elphaba…she must be disappointed.

Wait…why did she go to the Guild Leader? She was not supposed to remember this.

Not good. She was becoming too sober…not good.

“Ange, your name was?”
“Yes! I can hit things hard! That’s all I can do, but please send me on whatever quests you deem worthy! I’ll take anything!”

Not good. She was remembering things she did not want to remember.

Not disappointment. That was not scary

“Ange…a nice name…what do you really want, though.”
“What I want? I just wanna stay somewhere.”

Hope. Hope was scary.

“I see…then how about a different name? An old friend of mine used to do it…a way for people to always remember what they were fighting for.”

Why here? Why now? She could have gone by this day without remembering any of this!

“How about…Silphium? The compass flower…for you to search where your home should be.”

BAM!

It was too much. Sylphy’s hands searched for any pints of booze to pour straight into her mouth. To drown out the people she had disappointed.

And yet.

GULP. The sour taste spread in her mouth.

“I know it will be hard. It used to be with me too.”

GULP. The bitter taste spread in her mouth.

“But…just as she believed in me once, I will now believe in those I have appointed.”

GULP. The unpleasant taste spread in her mouth.

“And I am sure those around you will see what you may not see…One day, open your eyes.”

GULP. The taste…ended. She could not get drunk. She could not feel anything. She wanted to be drunk. She wanted to be with her ‘friend’. Without her ‘friend’, how could she, alone as she was, deal with this world? This world that was too great for her eyes to see?

How could she, alone as she was, smile at the world, without her ‘friend’ at her side? How could she, alone as she was, react to the world, without her ‘friend’ at her side?

She had to drink. GULP GULP GULP. But she only became more and more sober. Her body forced herself to reveal the truth of the world. Her body forced herself to see the truth of the world.

All she could smell…was food. Was home.

I believe that most people would consider you that way…as long as you look at them.

Her eyes snapped open, her mouth coughing.

Suddenly, a gentle hand touched her shoulder. Sylphy flinched, instinctively wanting to pull away, but the touch remained. It was Adele, her concerned gaze piercing into Sylphy's.

"Miss Sylphy," Adele said softly, "Are you alright?"

Sylphy opened her mouth to respond, a sarcastic retort on the tip of her tongue, but the words wouldn't come. She was not drunk. Not at all. She was sober.

Her eyes…were bright. It was too bright. It was not muddy at all…she has not seen this at all.

The faces around her blurred, then solidified.

“You good? Got too much to drink? Don’t go celebrate without me, bud.”
“Maybe she’s tired, maybe someone could take her back to her room?”
“I will notify Elphaba…maybe this lady isn’t handling the day well.”
“Or maybe it’s summer? The heat sucks.”

Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame.

Shame threatened to consume her again, but this time, it was different.

It wasn't the crushing weight of self-loathing, but a raw vulnerability she hadn't experienced in years.

Tears. No, tears? That could not do. She could not afford to cry now, after so long. These brats…for pushing her to experience all of this chaos, she at least needed to save her tears for them.

When they could finally return to their home, and get a better life.

…but maybe, she could do that too?

Breathe in. Breathe out. The voices surrounding her kept going. They kept mentioning her name. So annoying. Has care always been this annoying to feel? But…for the first time, maybe she could answer them.

“Sorry, I kinda choked. Been a bit tired.”

For the first time, she opened her eyes even wider.

For now, she could smile truthfully. Maybe tomorrow she would start out drunk again. Maybe she would disappoint people again.

Sehr gut.

But at least now she knew people were here.

She really did have friends.

She really did have a compass.

“Now then…

…cheers?”

…Maybe she should sign up for something soon, then.