Archer leaned into the plush pink sofa of Ally's home, wrapping his arms around the plush abomination in comfort. Marma rested her head in his lap. Ally had just walked in, carrying with her two bowls of steaming soup. Archer stared at the soup, not hungry. He was just trying to process all that happened.

"Best eat something," Ally nodded, pulling a spoonful of soup to her lips, "We both spent a lot of energy during that battle."

"Why?" Archer whispered, "Why are you hiding like this?"

"Things just felt wrong as Alathor," Ally whispered, "And as Ally, I could just be me, without the expectations of being strong or manly. Who would expect a frail old woman of being the most powerful wild witch of the Boiling Isles?"

There was a long period of silence before Archer spoke once more "Thanks for rescuing me, but-"

"Eat," Ally placed the bowl in Archer's lap.

"I will, but- why did you?" Archer shuddered, remembering how he had chased down Alathor on multiple occasions, only for him to slip from his grasp. Now she was saving him, multiple times as Ally, "You know I hunted you down before."

Ally smiled, "You're only 14, and quite frankly, if your only parental figure was Belos, I knew you'd be just as confused as I was as Alathor."

"But-"

"And I can't stand seeing people hungry!" Ally laughed, "So eat!"

Archer nodded, letting the strong salty soup cover his pallet and run down his throat.

"Now, things are going to have to change," Ally nodded, "I may have to change my face again, move the shop, and swap around my marketing campaign. . ."

Archer nodded now engrossed in his soup after realizing how delicious it was.

"Of course, I think we should lay low for a month at least," Ally smiled, "Give me time to train you!"

Archer paused at that, surprised at the comment, before giving a small smile. Perhaps Ally would be a better teacher.