Hunters of the Abyss

by MrsLittletall

On the island Belouska, in the middle of the town Orth, lies a gigantic chasm filled with precious relics and dangerous beasts as well as a mysterious curse, only known as the Abyss. Many have ventured into the Abyss, but not everybody came back. This is one of the tales about the Abyss, in which a group of delvers takes the challenge to brave the Abyss and maybe turn into Hunters.

10. Corpse Weeper Territory

Characters: Laurence, Gehrman, Maria, Micolash, Rom

Word Count: 5.463

Summary: Laurence has an encounter with a corpse weeper. Gehrman has to leave the orphanage.

(Author's note: Man, my chapter summaries always look like Netflix episode summaries... Anyway, I am back with the next chapter, this time we are going back into the Abyss. It turned out, my mind still had plenty of stuff for the Blue Whistle Arc left. Or maybe I just wanted to keep them teenagers for a while, I love writing teenagers ^^

I might have one or two more chapters for the Blue Whistle Arc, but then I'll probably move on to Moon Whistle.

I am also still playing the game. I love that it tells me how the Abyss actually looks like. Makes this fic feel so much more natural ^^)

"What are we doing here? This is corpse weeper territory.", Laurence said, the annoyance in his tone unmistakable.

"I told you, I wanted to show you something amazing.", Micolash replied.

"And that something amazing is in corpse weeper territory?", Laurence asked.

"Yes.", Micolash said, now his annoyance was unmistakable.

"Let me rephrase the question...", Laurence said, "Why are we walking in PLAIN sight of them instead of carefully sneaking to our destination?! Are you in such a hurry?"

"The corpse weepers never get me.", Micolash said, "I can easily outrun them."

Another voice chimed into the argument. The voice of Rom. "I have to agree with Laurence.", she said, "That isn't exactly safe. Not everyone can run as fast as you, Micolash."

"I might be able to fight them.", Maria said, "But you know that they like to hunt in groups. Even five Blue Whistles can be easily outmatched by a group of corpse weepers."

"I would say that all of us would feel more safe if we retreated to the sides.", Gehrman said, "Even though you are not afraid, Micolash, doesn't mean that we aren't. Corpse weepers are the apex predators of the second layer."

"And they just have a three star rating.", Micolash groaned, "You could all be a little more brave. You'll never make it to the bottom like that."

"It's not about making it to the bottom, it is about FUCKING NOT GETTING EATEN BY A CORPSE WEEPER!", Laurence pretty much shouted the last part of the sentence, too frustrated with Micolash's carelessness and in an instant, knew that he had fucked up.

"Laurence, shhhh.", Gehrman hushed him, but before he was able to pull Laurence into hiding, one of the corpse weepers which had soared above them came diving down. Laurence felt how its claws clasped around his shoulders and he felt himself being lifted up.

In an instant, he started to panic. He knew that the curse would hit him once the corpse weeper would elevate to ten metres and with such a wingspan, that would only take seconds. He would have no chance of survival if the curse hit him, he had to fight back while he still could. He had his threaded cane in his left hand while he got grabbed. Laurence pressed the button to transform it into a whip and slashed it upwards, towards the face of the corpse weeper, aiming for the eye on the side of its head.

The corpse weeper shrieked in pain and blood seeped out of the wound, dripping down onto the ground. Unfortunately, the wound wasn't bad enough to let the corpse weeper lose height. Laurence prepared his whip for another strike, he needed to make the damn beast land, when his stomach lurched and he couldn't keep his lunch from coming back up.

Damn it, the curse had gotten to him. Laurence managed to keep a grip on his threaded cane, but any thoughts of fighting back were not possible anymore, not with how nauseous he felt and with the familiar tingling sensation that indicated the coming numbness of his arms and legs. Laurence would just be lifted higher and higher, until the curse hit again. It seemed like Laurence had managed to find his end in the Abyss, after only six years. He knew he should be proud that he had made it to Blue Whistle, but he really had liked to promote to Black Whistle one day...

However, suddenly the corpse weeper shrieked again, this time in even more pain than when Laurence had injured its eye. At the same time, it started to tumble and head towards the ground. Laurence blinked and saw Rom standing there, aiming at the corpse weeper with her bow. A quick look told him that she indeed had pierced its right wing with an arrow. As Laurence looked at Rom again, she saw that she nocked another arrow, taking aim. If this arrow would hit, both Laurence and the corpse weeper would end up as a bloody dollop in the Abyss.

"Rom, NO! Don't shoot again! It's forced to land!", Laurence shrieked, hoping that the corpse weeper would land near his friends because he still had to fight this thing after it landed, but of course he was out of luck. The corpse weeper was tumbling down a steep cliff, attempting to get rid of Laurence to not crush as hard. Laurence had to hold on for his dear life, not even the numbness of the curse would make him let go. Luckily, because he was going down, the effects already were alleviated and he felt the strength coming back to his arms.

"We are both fucking going down, you jerk.", he said through gritted teeth, his shoulders hurt from the claws and he still was not out of the danger zone. He could see two more corpse weepers approaching his friends and prayed to the Abyss that they would handle it just fine. If he would make it out alive of this, Laurence would salt all of Micolash's dessert for a week, he totally deserved it for getting them into this easily to avoid predicament.

The corpse weeper finally landed on solid ground and Laurence, who had held on for his dear life, let go and took up his weapon, turning around to face the corpse weeper, surely not letting go of its prey so easily, especially because it would need strength to heal its injuries.

"Come now, you feathery asshole, I am not fucking afraid of you!", Laurence said, but his shaking legs betrayed his words. Still, he would not die without a fight. The corpse weeper was injured, an eye was useless because of his earlier attack and Rom had pierced the right wing. This took a huge advantage from the corpse weeper.

Laurence still waited for the beast to make the first move, too afraid to run into some trap and end up in its stomach after all. However, before the corpse weeper could do anything, it howled in pain and fear. Laurence stared as another beast was effortlessly slaying the corpse weeper.

After he had stood around for three seconds watching the gruesome scene, his survival instinct kicked in and he dove into a nearby crevice, observing the beast that had snatched the corpse weeper.

That primordial beast... he had never seen it before. It was HUGE, even larger than the corpse weeper and it... didn't really have flesh. It was all bones and fur and its skull looked... uncanny. The worst though was that it was discharging electric energy. Laurence could feel his hair standing, so pregnant was it in the air.

It slowly became clear to Laurence that he had only survived this encounter because the unknown beast was occupied with the corpse weeper. He decided to stay just here, in hiding, and not move until the beast was gone. Even if it would take hours. He had just escaped what he had thought was certain death, he didn't plan to run into another certain death.

Once the beast was done with slaying its prey, it ripped huge chunks of meat out of the corpse, feasting on the spot. Laurence sure hoped that it would be full after the meal, because he didn't want to end up as dessert. He made himself as small as possible in the crevice, praying to the Abyss that none of the smaller predators would find him and force him to leave his hiding spot.

After a while, the sounds of a beast feasting on another beast ceased and Laurence heard heavy footsteps that indicated that the beast had left the area. He still stayed in his hiding place for at least ten more minutes before he felt brave enough to enter the territory of a potential newly discovered primordial beast.

He could see blood on the ground, from the corpse weeper. A corpse wasn't seen anywhere. Either the beast had swallowed its prey whole or it had taken the rest to feast on it later. Laurence was probably safe from being desserts, but he really had to find his way up. He was alone, he was still in corpse weeper territory and there was something even larger and scarier than a corpse weeper.

The curse was the main problem of course. While it would normally not hit when you stayed below ten metres, it was really not possible to guess what exactly ten metres were. Also, often there was no other way but to keep moving. The Abyss didn't forgive dawdling.

While Laurence knew it was better to find the long way around, he decided that he would rather face the curse again and started to climb the wall, which had enough protrusions and irregularities to give him a good hold. He also was in luck, he found a little ledge to rest on, which hopefully calmed the curse down enough so that it wouldn't hit him too soon.

Just as he was about to climb the rest, a voice called out to him.

"Laurence! Thank the Abyss, you are fine! I already thought you were done for.", Gehrman called down to him.

"So did I!", Laurence called back, "A little help, please."

"Yes, of course.", Gehrman lowered a rope that Laurence could grab on and he managed to get up to Gehrman with the curse only bothering him once. His stomach truly was empty now...

"Where are the others?", Laurence asked, surprised to see Gehrman on his own.

"Searching for you. I decided to search on my own because I am the most experienced. We should regroup. Are you okay? Any injuries?"

"Just a few cuts and bruises, I have a horrible taste in my mouth and my stomach hurts from puking so much."

"So did you manage to kill the corpse weeper?", Gehrman pulled the rope back and handed Laurence a flask with water, which he used to wash out the bad taste in his mouth.

"You won't believe that.", Laurence said, "There was something else that killed the corpse weeper. I know it was injured, but it just slaughtered it like it was nothing. I was hiding, of course, I didn't plan to end up as dessert."

"Something else that challenged the apex predator of the second layer?", Gehrman's eyes widened, "You need to tell us more once we regrouped. That is concerning... but also exciting. There is so little we know about the beasts in the Abyss."

"I would share your excitement if I wouldn't be worried to meet it again and land in its stomach.", Laurence said dryly. Wait a minute, was the thing even having a stomach?! It had been quite literally a skeleton... Maybe the organs inside of it were just invisible? Now Laurence had the feeling that he wanted to dissect it to find out. Dr. Zoe once had said that this was the trait of a true medicinal student. They wanted to find out how bodies worked. Laurence wondered if he should view this trait as admirable or as concerning.

They walked for a few minutes until Rom and Micolash came into view. Rom saw them first and gasped: "Gehrman, you found him."

"Yes, and as you can see, he's fine and not getting dissolved in some beast's stomach.", Gehrman said, "Where's Maria?"

"She wanted to search a bit farther down. I am getting hee.", Rom said, turning on the spot and running towards Maria's assumed location.

Micolash stayed and walked towards Laurence: "Glad to see you made it out alive. And with your pants dry this time."

Laurence groaned and covered his face in his hands: "Will you EVER let me live that down...?" He knew that Micolash wouldn't. Laurence probably would have teased Micolash over it for ages too.

"Guys, I am sure that even adult delvers have soiled their pants in fear of the Abyss.", Gehrman said, "Stop teasing Laurence about this already."

Micolash seemed to consider Gehrman's words for a moment and then simply said: "No."

When Gehrman was about to open his mouth, Laurence nudged his arm and murmured: "Leave him be, it's okay, I would do the same thing if the roles are reversed."

"You guys just are like this, huh?", Gehrman said, "Ah well, as long as nobody gets hurt. And just in case, I am carrying around a fresh pair of pants to change into anyway."

Laurence just stared at Gehrman, then turned around and crossed his arms. "Now I am offended.", he hissed.

"It's for safety reasons, Laurence.", Gehrman groaned, "Besides, sometimes we might need a change of clothes because they got bloody or soaked with anything that attracts predators and stuff. There are many reasons to carry a change of clothes around."

"I know, I am just teasing you now.", Laurence said, grinning to himself. It was too much fun getting back to Gehrman.

"There are Maria and Rom.", Micolash said, waving to the girls.

"Good to see you are fine.", Maria said once she was near enough.

"Good to see you guys fine.", Laurence said, remembering the corpse weepers that had closed in on them, "I saw you were attacked as well. So you managed to flee."

"Actually, we killed them.", Maria said.

"What?!", Laurence wondered if his ears were plugged, because he had been worried to win a battle against an injured corpse weeper and now Maria was saying they had killed two healthy ones just like this.

"Honestly, it mostly was Maria and Gehrman.", Rom said, "They were amazing. If they were old enough, I am sure they would be able to become Moon Whistles already. It was a beautiful dance."

"You two helped too.", Gehrman said, "Micolash's explosives helped distract them and your arrows helped to keep them grounded. Please don't underestimate yourself, Rom."

"You two still did most of the work.", Micolash said, "Even though Gehrman was distracted. He ran towards the area where Laurence had last been seen immediately after the battle."

"Aw, I am glad you care so much about me.", Laurence grinned, "But seriously, thank you, Gehrman. I was really freaked out on my own. I don't think I am ready to traverse the second layer alone yet."

"It will come with time.", Gehrman said, "And now, maybe we should get back to why we came here in the first place. Micolash, can you lead us to what you wanted to show us and can you please NOT lead us through corpse weeper territory this time?"

"Wait.", Laurence said, "I haven't told you about the beast yet."

Rom, Micolash and Maria, who had already started walking, turned around.

"What beast?", Maria said, "The corpse weeper? Haven't you killed it? You wouldn't be here otherwise."

"No no.", Laurence shook his head, "Of course I planned on killing it, but before I could even make a move, a giant beast appeared and slayed the corpse weeper right in front of my eyes. I went into hiding then and waited until it was gone. I already told Gehrman."

"So.", Micolash said, "While we were fighting off corpse weepers, you were hiding your sorry ass and letting someone else do the work."

"You haven't seen the beast, Micolash.", Laurence' eye twitched, "It effortlessly killed the corpse weeper. Even though it was injured, that thing is stronger than a corpse weeper. Hiding my 'sorry ass' was the only common sense thing to do."

"Oh, I know.", Rom chimed in, "Can you draw a picture of it for us, Laurence? It seems you discovered a new species. Here, you can use my sketchbook."

"Good idea.", Gehrman agreed, "Let's just move to a place where we are relatively safe."

Five minutes later, the group was hiding in a small alcove where Laurence was scribbling the beast he had seen in Rom's sketchbook. Once he was satisfied with the drawing, he showed it to the others.

"Here, that is how it looked.", Laurence said, "It was kind of skeletal with these fur tufts coming from the bones. And it was discharging electricity."

"Electricity? I thought that was supposed to be fire.", Maria said, staring at the picture.

"Bones? Looks like a stick figure to me...", Micolash commented.

"Was its face really looking this goofy?", Gehrman chimed in.

"Oh come on, guys, you know that I am not the best artist around. Fuck you, all of you.", Laurence turned around with his arms crossed and then corrected himself, "Well, not Rom, you were not mean."

"I think the drawing is fine.", Rom said, though she still had to chuckle a little, "But we can't see how large it was. Can you draw a scale?"

"Um, I guess...", Laurence took the picture back and added a stick figure next to the beast, "It was large. It looked like I would be able to stand upright when under his belly."

"We should probably report this to the guild.", Gehrman said, folding the drawing and pocketing it, "Now, we finally can go to Micolash's secret place."

"It was about time.", Micolash grumbled, "The attention was on Laurence for far too long now."

"I didn't get abducted by a corpse weeper on purpose, you know.", Laurende grumbled back, "But fine, I will stay quiet for a while, the words are all yours."

"We all know that you can't stay quiet for longer than five minutes.", Micolash said and the rest of the group minus Laurence fell into hushed laughter.

Gladly what Micolash wanted to show them wasn't that far away and so Laurence didn't even have to break his promise of silence. However, he could not stay quiet when Micolash finally revealed what he had been so secretive about.

"Tadaaah!", Micolash said as he lifted some leaves from a hollow trunk, showing a bunch of...

"Slugs.", Laurence said, "Fucking slugs. You put us and especially me through hell only to show us slugs?! Fuck you specifically, Micolash."

"Aw, I think they are cute.", Rom chimed in, "Look at them, they are so slimy. They must feel amazing on your skin."

"Only you could think slugs are cute.", Laurence grumbled.

"Well...", Gehrman said, "I am not saying that Laurence is right, but I can't help but be... a little disappointed, you know."

"I also was hoping for a rare relic or something.", Maria said.

"Those are not regular slugs.", Micolash said, "Let me explain before you judge. Here, let me show you."

Micolash picked up one of the slugs and then massaged it a little bit. Suddenly, the thing transformed into a mass of tentacles and closed around an unlucky stinger that had searched for food in this area.

"Woah.", Laurence said as he heard the crushing of tiny bird bones and saw the blood dripping on the ground once the slug had transformed back in Micolash's hand.

"Aren't they beautiful?", Micolash said, "I stumbled onto them by accident and while they look really harmless at first, they can shape-shift like demonstrated and turn into a devastating weapon. I am totally going to take a few of them to the surface."

"Well, I am not helping you feed them.", Laurence said, "Only you could get the idea to use a slug as a weapon. Why don't you let Gehrman build you one finally?"

"I would love to.", Gehrman said, "But Micolash refused every design I proposed to him so far."

"I think this is more elegant.", Micolash said, handing the slug to Rom who had shining eyes.

"Oh, they are so cute, I love them. I will help you keep them. You know I know all about insects and molluscs. I will make sure they are greatly cared for."

Laurence turned to Maria who still hadn't said anything about this absurd situation. "And what are you thinking of.. all of this?", he asked.

"...I am staying with my Rakuyo.", she simply said, "I hope that Micolash is happy with his slugs. Just... don't ask me to touch them ever."

"You don't like slugs, huh?", Laurence said. He was too used to handling bait for fishing, so slimy things didn't disgust him. He supposed that Maria's reaction to them was much more normal than Rom's.

"Alright, everyone, it seems like we found out about the mystery. Once you are ready, let's head back to the surface. We shouldn't stay longer here than planned, especially not with Laurence' injuries.", Gehrman said once they were done surveying the slugs.

"I am fine.", Laurence said, "Just a bit scraped up. But I agree, I am having enough of the Abyss for today. Let's head back."

hr

"Hey Laurence, why are you looking so down? Shouldn't you be happy for me?", Gehrman asked upon encountering Laurence on the morning of Gehrman's eighteenth birthday.

"No, I am sad because today you have to leave us.", Laurence said, looking at his shoes, "The orphanage is not housing anyone that is eighteen or older. I knew this for a long time now, but now that the day is there, it still feels like a shock."

"Aww, Laurence, I am so glad to hear that you will miss me.", Gehrman laid a hand on Laurence' shoulder, "But it is not like we never see each other, I am just moving into a room of my own and we still can go on delves together."

"...But who is making rice omelette for me now? Yours were always the best.", Laurence cried.

"...Laurence, are you only sad that I am leaving because you liked my food?", Gehrman said, squeezing his hand a little more into Laurence' shoulder.

"It's one of the reasons.", Laurence admitted, "But actually, I will miss you, Gehrman. Even though we can still see each other, you have been around for so long now. You have been like an older brother to us. And today you leave and you haven't even confessed to Maria."

Gehrman's face flushed and he hastily said: "I... I still plan to do this, just not today. I have planned a certain time for it and only then can I say it to her."

"If you don't hurry she might run away with another guy or another girl.", Laurence said, "Well, it's your choice. I think you have a chance with her. She always stares at you, you know? And I am sure she noticed how you looked at her. And when you two fight together, you feel like a union."

"You should maybe be more concerned about your own love life.", Gehrman sighed, "Wait, did you say that Maria might run off with another girl?!"

"Yeah, have you seen the gazes she and Adeline have changed?", Laurence said, "I am just saying, you should make your move sooner rather than later, that's all. And regarding my own love life, I am having enough of girls since Yuria slandered me. And it isn't like there is someone I am crushing on, I am having time. You are not having time."

"Will you let it go already?", Gehrman sighed, "Anyway, can you come to the common room? There is something I want to give all of you."

"It's your birthday, we should give you gifts.", Laurence said, "Happy birthday by the way." Laurence produced a package that he had held behind his back and handed it to Gehrman.

"Thanks Laurence.", Gehrman said and carefully opened the package. It housed a small bottle with a liquid inside. "What is this?", Gehrman asked.

"An antidote.", Laurence said, "It helps against the pollen from the bugs that sap all your strength if you are getting doused by it. I hate when that happens, it always makes the ascend so much harder. The dose should keep you covered for a while."

"Thanks, Laurence.", Gehrman said, "You are getting better at this whole first-aid thing. Well, meet me in the common room once you are ready."

Laurence nodded and followed Gehrman into the common room once he got rid of the trash the opened package had produced. Micolash and the others were all already there. There was a cake and it seemed like all of them had already given Gehrman their gifts.

"Why did nobody invite me to help make this thing?", Laurence grumbled as he took a seat.

"Because you would have ruined the cake with salt.", Micolash said, "You don't even like sweets."

"Which is why I organized some crackers for you.", Maria put a plate with salty crackers in front of him.

"You still could have asked me to help, even I know that cake isn't supposed to be salty...", Laurence murmured, "Thanks for the crackers though..."

"That you dislike sweets is good for us, because it means we don't have to make a second cake only for Micolash.", Rom chuckled. Micolash was the biggest sweet tooth among them. Laurence always had given him his dessert. He hadn't liked sweets since he was a child. He much more favoured salty snacks.

"One day we will find a cake that Laurence will eat.", Gehrman said, "Well, let's eat and after we are done, I have a surprise for you."

"Oh right, you talked about it in the hallway.", Laurence murmured as he nibbled on a cracker, sometimes washing it down with a glass of juice.

They had a nice comfortable morning with breakfast cake (breakfast crackers for Laurence) and once everyone was full and the dishes were put away, Gehrman got all of their attention.

"So, as you know, today I am turning eighteen years old. That means that I can't stay in the orphanage anymore, because I am now classified as an adult under Orth law. That means that today I have to leave the house."

All of the others looked down at the table. All of them would miss Gehrman. They were only sixteen and would be able to stay a bit longer. (Though Laurence was already worried about his eighteenth birthday. Two years could pass faster than one thought.)

"We will miss you, Gehrman.", Maria said, "You always have been a good friend to all of us."

Several murmurs agreed with her. Laurence used it to lament the absence of Gehrman's rice omelette again.

"It is not like we'll never see each other again.", Gehrman smiled, "And besides, remember that we all wanted to get the house on the field of eternal fortunes? I honestly wonder why nobody has bought it so far."

"Because it's broken down and needs repairs.", Laurence said. He was passing there regularly and had looked at it closer, "Nothing that we can't fix though. We just need enough money to actually buy it and that won't be possible as long as we are Blue Whistles."

"True.", Gehrman said, the smile never leaving his face, "We will keep working towards our dream. Please survive until then."

All four of them nodded and then Gehrman clapped in his hands. "And now it is time for the surprise for all of you.", he said and lifted a rather large box, "I worked on them over the last few months, I hope that you cherish them."

"What is it? More weapons?", Maria asked, her eyes glimmering.

"No, something else.", Gehrman said, putting the box down on the table. Then he reached into it and pulled out... a doll. A doll that looked exactly like Laurence, down to his auburn hair, blue eyes and annoyed expression.

"I always liked making dolls."; he said, "I decided to make dolls for all of you. This one is obviously for you, Laurence."

Gehrman pressed the doll into Laurence' hands and then pulled out another one that looked like Micolash. It even captured his gremlin face. He did the same with Rom and Maria. Laurence had the impression that Maria's doll looked the prettiest, but she was the prettiest of them, so that was no surprise.

"Woah, I never knew you could make such amazing dolls.", Maria said as she received hers, "They look amazing. Are you sure you want to be a delver? You could easily make and sell toys."

"As a fact, the side job I found actually is in a toy store.", Gehrman said, "The owner saw my dolls and hired me on the spot."

"Thank you for this gift.", Maria said, "It will always remind me of you when I look at it."

Micolash and Rom also gave their thanks but Laurence just kept staring at his doll and then raised his voice: "But Gehrman, why is there no doll based on you?"

Gehrman stared at Laurence and then went a tiny bit red: "Um, Laurence... wouldn't that be a bit embarrassing giving out dolls of yourself? I am not that vain... I saw it more as an artist giving out paintings of his friends, just in the form of dolls..."

Laurence heard Micolash chuckle behind him. "What?!", he hissed, turning around, having his doll in a tight grip.

"Oh, it just sounded like you wanted to keep a piece of Gehrman, Laurence.", Micolash chuckled anew, "Is there something about you two we should know...?"

Laurence stared at Micolash and then at Gehrman and then it hit him. "What?! NO! Our relationship is not like that!"

"I am afraid I am not into guys.", Gehrman added, "Laurence is a friend for me. All of you are." As Gehrman said that, his gaze lingered on Maria and she actually seemed to be a tiny bit hurt by his words.

"Rom, Micolash, let's get outside for a few minutes.", Laurence said, "Let's give Gehrman and Maria some time."

"Huh, why?", Micolash said, but Rom picked up on the hint and dragged Micolash outside with them. In front of the orphanage, Micolash looked questioning at the both of them.

"They had a crush on each other since they were children.", Rom sighed, "You can be really dense sometimes, Micolash. Even though you are super bright under any other circumstances."

"Yeah, it's time for them to finally confess.", Laurence agreed, "Your comment about me and Gehrman didn't help by the way. We are more like brothers. We have always been like that."

"Alright, sorry.", Micolash said, "I just rarely think about girls, that's all."

Laurence saw Rom wince next to him and narrowed his eyes. It seemed like there were more couples that needed some coaching.

"I think I will go for a little walk.", he said, "You two stay here."

"...Have we done anything?", Micolash asked, but Laurence vehemently shook his head.

"No, you idiot, I just want to be alone for a while. Dealing with Gehrman's departure. I am back in an hour."

Laurence was off then, just wandering Orth, hoping that they got the hint and there would be two fresh couples once he returned home. He wondered a bit about himself. They were five, so one of them would always be the third wheel, he guessed, but he also never had managed to have a crush on someone? Maybe there just had to come someone along that clicked with him. Laurence was still young and didn't care so much about finding love. The Abyss was still there and that would always be his first love.

During his walk Laurence came along the house again. He leaned against the fence and stared at it.

"It would be really nice if we all could live there together.", he said to himself, "One day it might happen. No, I am sure it will happen. We will make our dream come true."

Laurence certainly would survive until that. He was sure of it.

After a while, Laurence returned back to the orphanage to spend as much time with Gehrman and the others as he could. In the evening, Gehrman left the orphanage and all of them helped him carry his stuff to his new home.

Once Laurence fell in bed this evening, he was exhausted and tired, but he also felt a flash of loneliness. Even though he knew that Gehrman was not gone for good, he would really miss seeing him each day.

With those thoughts in his mind, Laurence fell asleep.

(Author's note: I actually am a bit exhausted writing wise. I went HARD on writing for around three years and I feel a burnout coming. I decided to take a break to come back with many fresh new ideas and a lot of new energy. This is the last chapter update for a while ^^

The characters ran away from me a little in the second part. The ships were already decided once I started this fic, but I actually didn't want them to confess so soon. Of course it all happened off-screen because we follow Laurence around and he decided to give them privacy. This is not a ship fic anyway, so the couples will just be established in the background.

By the way, I never specified the character's sexualities, so here it is. Gehrman and Rom are heterosexual and Micolash, Laurence and Maria are bisexual. Laurence just hasn't found out yet, he will know it coming the next chapter.)