A/N: Demon Slayer, theoretically good for your health!

Theawesomess1: Whenever you return man, lemmie know whatcha think of what I did!
NetherOrbit: A teleport scroll has only one use, whereas a crystal has unlimited. (with cooldown required)
Thunderwolf: Glad you like it, man! More where that came from!

Be advised, Teika & Aoki belong to Theawesomess1, in his alternate universe of my inconspicuously non-Kirito alternate universe! Thanks for giving me permission, fam! :D

Enjoy!

Patient 054
Sex: Male
Race: Mixed, Caucasian predominant
Height: 5'4
Weight: 193 lbs (87.5 kg)

Status: Patient has been observed to be experiencing seizures, rapid changes in heart rate while under standard care. Blood samples read normal, with exception to an increase in calcium levels. Similar results have yet to be found in other patients, leading to a request for closer examination of Patient 054.

- Doctor Gonzales to Administration

November 12th, 2022 - Haru

Green eyes inspected her newest potion, its confines filled with a glowing blue liquid. Morning had recently arrived, her stock of goods slow to recover from yesterday's explosion in sales. While traffic had died down, a growing number of players had openly discussed migrating to Tolbana, a trade city below Floor One's northern mountains. But what this bottle held was where Haru's mind focused, its incandescent fluid bobbing as it lapped against glass walls.

[King's Torch - S Class Herb]
[Uses:]
[+5 Insight]
[New Spell: Baby Comet]
[+15% EXP]

Her light eyebrows lowered, snowy white hair eased aside by a stroking hand. Clouds and levitating islands dotted an otherwise perfectly clear sky, gold with a rising sun.

This herb's even better than I thought! All of these benefits, though I still have no clue what this [Insight] stat's about. Tutorial says nothing on it, and people look at me funny for asking. Drink or sell, dammit I could make so much money on this! But...spells are cool.

"Clear the way!"

A pack of six guards rushed by, dragging and suppressing a gagged villager, shoving aside anyone who stood too close. Their captive flung himself wildly, head wriggling with reckless power, his feet skidding across pavement. He tried shouting, but nothing but muffled yells escaped, other NPCs watching with lowered lips.

"Dammit, this is making a scene!"

While five continued tugging, their remaining assistant went behind their prisoner, whacking his head with his sword's pommel. Knocked out cold, Haru's posture stiffened, silent as they hauled off their resistant captive. Seeing his leather soles scrap pavement, observers whispered to each other, town security departing.

"Third one this month...wonder how many more it'll be. Where're they taking them?"

"By Cel, you're just imagining things. Ilioc has medical facilities, they always come back."

"Eat a [Swordfish], wide ear. We know you've got family in the guard!"

"Allston's got the poor in his pocket. I say we oughta be arresting him, these spies mean nothing. Nay, they be martyrs for the cause."

Haru turned her gaze away, glancing back to her [King's Torch] potion as business returned to its daily cycles. With another group of players approaching, she slipped it away in her storage, watching as they passed without a glance. Her eyes cleared, their sight past even Starting Town's walls.

What was that all about? This town's got a sort of paranoia to it. The fear of gloves, now random arrests. Next thing I know, they'll be hunting witches. I've spent copious time just keeping those worries out of my head already, gotta think of herbs. Now let's see, blonde hair dye's selling fast.

Inspecting inventory, a shadow alerted her to another's presence, quickly reverting her gaze.

"Hello sir or ma'am, would you be interested in." Haru's eyes dilated. "Buying potions?"

"Yep, heal pots please."

A band of five stood in front of Haru, her eyes set on who spoke. Tall, slender, with long, heartwood brown hair. Slanted eyes, toned a deep, baby blue. Slim facial features, smooth and with few blemishes. Thin eyebrows, his body frame similar in width, even when covered in leather armor.

"Well uh, how many?" her fingers clutched around the necks of potions, quickly counting.

"Got a number, Johnny?" he glanced to a figure at his left.

Haru turned to inspect. Dark colors adorned this even taller figure, albeit common among a significantly teenage population. Brooding, only hands as pale as snow stuck out. Wearing a brown sack over his head, discerning any facial features was beyond her. Her throat constricted inside.

"Hey, why aren't the guards after you?" Haru raised a brow. "They get twitchy with gloves so..."

"I told them I have a skin condition." he spoke casually. "Long as I showed my hands, they said it's okay."

"Oh." Haru's voice drifted.

That's stupid. Hiding hands isn't okay, but your face is perfectly fine?

"Anyway, we want a hundred." their leader said.

Haru nearly gulped a ball of air.

"What? Sorry, just getting the calculation right."

"A hundred pots." Johnny recited.

Haru's face went pale.

I've only got thirty, crap. I'd have to go out all day today to get all the necessary herbs, starting right now. Ugh, why's this guy gotta look cute?

"Yea I know." his leader raised hands limp. "but he's got a point, boss raids aren't something to dick around with. So how about it?"

"Oh...see I've...only got thirty." Haru blushed.

"Ah, in that case we'll go ahead and buy-"

"W-Wait." she splayed hands. "I can get more, I just need time."

"It's fine." their leader brushed with a hand waved. "Again, I think Johnny's being a bit extreme here."

"It's called risk-assessment." his comrade groaned.

"More like overly cautious."

"No, I can do it." Haru rose. "In fact, I can probably get it to you by...probably three?"

"Really, seventy potions worth in eight hours? Bale, let's buy what she's got and go-"

"Think you can do it?"

Bale smiled gently, Haru's feet shifting.

"Y-Yea, I mean...I should get started right now."

"Go ahead, name?"

"Haru." she immediately equipped her heavily pocketed jacket. "I'll message you."

"Bale, with an e."

Her feet stretched forward, movement as clunky as wind-up toy legs.

"If you want, I can let one of my guys help you out."

"N-No, it's fine." her posture remained stiff. "I'll see you later."

Rolling up her [Vendor's Carpet], all items resting on its green surface were absorbed into what was essentially a private item, free of [Pickpocket] concerns. Turning north, Haru wasted no time, her legs picking up with a newfound propulsion. Her back slumped, keeping low.

I don't have much time, I have to be on top of my game or I'll lose this. Dammit, why'd I sign up for this?

"[Holy Water], Deus Cel's miracle cure for all ailments! Ungeared, do not fear damage or sickness."

Haru glanced in her brisk walk, refusing to slow down. An elf in white attire and gold trim shouted loudly, his man tugged wagon holding up a jug large enough to swallow wine barrels in its embroidered glass shell. Every inch of it held water, clean as glass, leaving only red-faced strong-backs, and dozens of eager consumers.

"Praise Cel!" some raised bottles.

Haru's eyes set forward, furrowing one eyebrow. Ocean waves lapped against a distant shore, their crashing mass audible to her over their chants.

This seems to follow Western religious themes, wonder why Kayaba chose that.

Further north, a band of well armed players called out to passing groups. Cupping hands around mouths, their voices rebound off buildings.

"All hands to Tolbana! Parties of level eight or above wanted!"

Haru only looked after passing, refusing to make eye contact before redirecting.

Guess that's what Bale's signing up for? I don't blame them, after Ilioc's last call? Would be leaving myself if there was anywhere worth staying.

Stepping beneath a gatehouse's shadow, events occurring nights before flashed in Haru's mind. Noises wholly alien to her, widening eyes of a crippled friend, gnashing, biting teeth. Under a gate's shadow, Haru paused. While meadows of gold danced without worry, her heart pushed against her throat.

I don't wanna go back out there, especially not at night. Sure the elves here are a bit weird, but they're not whatever's out there. What even was that thing we heard? You know what, no. Just gonna hug the walls of town, collect what I can and...

Glancing past its outer corner, her plan quickly crumbled. Others were present, their declined head positions suggesting a similar search as hers. With dozens scouring for plants, her feet once again clamped stone.

Ugh...I have to go further out to find herbs, closer to where the wolves live. This'll take longer than I had hoped, but I'm not afraid! Totally not!

Haru strode down a lonely cobbled stone road, green eyes darting around for anything furred, anything out of place. Where she was initially choked, her heart pushed against her back, tugging her to turn away, a coast's soft roar dying down as she walked. While nothing outside of avian biology sounded off, her [Dagger] remained at her fingertips, almost tugging leather. As the number of foraging players dropped, so too fell her confidence, as a new predicament emerged.

[Frenzy Boar], dozens of them, all gathered along civilization's outskirts. Barely any space between their groups, their snorts drowning out most sound. While Haru spotted a familiar red bush, her competition was numerous, determined, and hungry. While she hadn't seen many pigs near where foragers resided, here they reigned dominance. Haru turned away, rubbing her brow slowly as pigs snorted greedily.

I can deal with a pig or two, but whole families? Wish I kept some of those [Candle Tops], could've scared them off. Maybe if I'm quick, I can take a few.

Setting eyes on a [Saint's Touch] herb slightly away from an oinking garrison, Haru moved hastily, her shoes pushing against shin high grass. Her brow furrowed, watching a [Frenzy Boar] approach, its large snout bobbing, inspecting. Her [Dagger] was drawn, legs stretching further, pushing her to reach.

Her knife jammed through, blue fur parting as indications of a [Sneak Attack Critical] flashed. Squealing loudly, it detonated swiftly, its glass fluttering away before fading. Problems arose upon a return in stature, however, as Haru quickly spotted more [Frenzy Boar] converge, oblivious to their fallen brethren. While she tried lashing out, her targeted herb was quickly consumed, leaving her again rubbing her brow, expression pinched.

"Of course..."

Haru stared low, refusing to rise until she heard a distinct humming. It was energetic, quick in its pace. Looking up, another girl had approached her. Barely taller than a few strands of grass, Haru quickly noted her numerous freckles, light skin, eyes less slanted than normal.

"Ya alright there, lass?"

Haru stared for a second, opening her mouth to speak, but finding no words.

"Um, excuse me?"

"Ya seem hurt, lyin' there like a bag of messages."

Haru shook her head, continuing to stare as she rose.

"I'm okay, if that's what you're trying to ask."

"What's gotcha down, ya look like ye got dragged 'cross road bumps."

"Why're you talking like that?" Haru's mouth opened. "It's really...never mind. Pigs're eating my plants."

"Aye, ya got loads of the bawbags. I could whack a few, but I gotta keep movin' soon."

"That's perfectly fine." Haru nodded, splaying a hand. "Please, take some of these for me. They're annoying me bad enough. What's your name, by the way?"

"Lisbeth, nothin' a good club can't fix."

Her temporary ally rushed in, drawing a [Wooden Club] and swinging. Watching Lisbeth charge in, a slack expression remained on Haru's face.

Loud, annoying, eccentric, sure reminds me of someone.

Trying to keep up proved difficult, Lisbeth's strength breaking her pig problems like folded potato chips. Wood cracked, pigs squealed, Lisbeth opening up space for Haru to pry out some spare [Saint's Touch]. Plucking out herbs in a hurry, Haru jumped aside, a pair of pigs colliding with tusks raised.

Haru shuffled back, nearly falling from her sudden leap. One [Frenzy Boar] was flipped, quick in its recovery as it charged its challenger again. Lisbeth paid no attention, breaking others as they disputed, shrieking and wrestling, dust kicking up as cloven hooves scraped.

They do that?

Glancing urgently to Lisbeth, Haru found her hitting pigs across the face, only to run away, putting herself behind another. Wishing to tackle her, [Frenzy Boar] collided among themselves, infighting taking place after strikes were made. Sadly these disputes were fleeting, both animals distancing themselves after a few clashes, although wounded.

A fourth herb was plucked, saved from hungry jaws. Libseth continued swinging away, guiding larger groups into each other, though never exceeding five. A gasp stopped Haru, who swerved to find Lisbeth taking injury, tackled down by a furred swine. Rushing up, she stabbed it, converting its mass to glass before it could pummel her further.

"Aye, I may've taken too much." Lisbeth chuckled, risen. "Thank ya."

While she continued clearing pigs, Haru wasn't finished plucking her sixth herb when Lisbeth returned.

"I'm really sorry, but I can't stay."

"But you've barely been here for fifteen minutes." Haru said.

"I'm sorry, I'll end up back in town if I dun keep movin'."

Haru groaned. "You were making good progress."

"Lass, there's so many of them. I'm seein' blue fur for miles. I'm so sorry, I know I said I'd help."

Haru's expression pinched, rubbing her forehead while looking away from her surroundings.

"Why're you in such a hurry?"

"Cause I owe someone." Lisbeth's feet turned. "What's yer name? Maybe I'll gather some of those eh, what do ya call 'em?"

"Just forget about it, I can do it myself."

Lisbeth's freckled face pained, running north, glancing again to Haru moments later before further retreating. Green eyes followed her, exaggerated sighs escaping.

She seems pretty unstable, didn't even stay to clear most of these either! Ugh, should've just told her to keep going.

A rising sun and dwindling time brought Haru's stomach low, kiting around packs of swines, searching for even a hint of red in an almost cohesive sea of blue. Mimicking previously shown tactics, Haru received a similar, lackluster result.

They won't kill each other, they'd much rather eat my herbs.

Hours passed, Haru utilizing her [Dagger] more than her [Mortar & Pestle], let alone glass beakers. With a couple short of a dozen herbs, when three were required for one potion, her legs grew heavy.

"If only you'd all go away..." Haru turned her head. "Jeez, you're like people."

Pigs trotted along, paying no heed to her as she cursed them. Scavenging among them, Haru snatched only a couple more before stopping again.

I should go find some [Candle Tops], might make clearing them out a lot easier.

Minutes later, pigs started squealing, scampering away in all directions, smoke's signature odor lofting. A fire had taken form several meters away, Haru scrambling to her feet, retreating with widened eyes.

"Of course!" Haru backed. "Nothing's going to work out, is it?"

The [Frenzy Boar] were gone, members of their ranks ablaze and fleeing, many of whom shattered without exceeding any great distance. Witnessing such an immediate immolation, Haru's feet glued. Fire grew, but it only convinced her to step away. What happened in response to great heat, however, drew her attention.

Entire lawns of grass pitched, extending towards flame with outstretched hairs. Blades of green uncurled, their bodies lurching, reaching. Frozen in her spot, Haru watched with eyebrows raised, hands cold.

Um, grass...isn't supposed to do that.

Their bodies burned, yet they extended closer. Licked by great heat, their bodies turned brittle, graying and cracking like chips of old paint, entire swathes of Earth losing its color. Crumpling like grains of sand, a scar was forming, lifeless moonscape where biology previously reigned. Yet the flames, they didn't die, only with a soft hiss was an end brought to the queerly stationary flame. Smoke dispersed, leaving a blemish of singed landscape. Shaking her head, Haru caught sight of three individuals. Happening all without warning, her legs tightened like coils, eyes honed on these wanderers.

Should I run? They look like they're just walking down a park road, nothing hostile. Course, they scare me.

Grounds matted with fire moments before were conformed to a monotonous uniformity. Nothing of hardened, charcoal-like refuse remained, the fire had left a desolate bald spot on an otherwise pristine meadow. Treading, Haru found it unyielding, compact.

"Are you alright?"

Haru had been distracted longer than desired, all three wandering strangers closed in. A male of towering height, who's blonde hair was kept short, dark blue eyes gentle. Comrades of his were both female, slanted eyes their only commonality. Dwarfed by all, one had light brown hair styled into a pair of tails, red eyes bright and open. Second had a darker complexion, almost tanned. With hair reaching to her mid-back, a rigid posture and pocketed hands did little to mask her lither frame.

"Uh, yea actually." Haru said. "You saw that fire, right?"

"Yea, you can thank Aoki!" the shorter girl said. "She-!"

"Hey." her friend looked. "What'd we just tell you?"

She paused, frowning and looking down, fidgeting fingers. "Sorry."

"We saw one of those [Candle Tops]." the tall male said. "You know what those are?"

"I do..."

Haru's eyes trailed off slightly.

I've set those off before...what changed?

"I'm Teika, I'm glad you weren't hurt."

"Oh, don't mention it." Haru waved a shaking hand. "I'm Haru."

His head nodded to their shortest member.

"She's Silica. Don't let her height fool you, she's older than she looks."

"Don't say that!" Silica buried her face beneath hands.

"Aoki." his friend bowed. "What're you in for?"

They were all of young age, with Silica most divergent. Aoki kept hands in her pockets, sleeves past her elbows. Thick leather gloves poked out, distinguishable from her various colored attire.

"Excuse me?"

"She's wondering why're you out here." Silica said. "Most don't travel this far from town unless something's wrong."

'Maybe because they're smart?"

Haru laughed weakly, checking everyone's expression.

"Are you implying Teika isn't smart?" Aoki tensed slightly. "I'll have you know, Teika's gotten to a college level by the time he was-"

Teika patted, her shoulder bobbing seconds after Haru's gaze fixated.

"Don't mind her, she's been through a lot. For real though, why here?"

"Got an order for healing potions due in like...six hours. [Saint's Touch], need tons of it or I can't finish it."

"Really?" Silica bounced a bit. "Teika, you said we've got a bunch!"

"Yea, how many days have you played here just to pick flowers?"

"Two?" Silica spun index fingers, extending her statement.

"Four." Aoki said. "You can't fool me."

"Oh don't start." Aoki snickered.

Haru's stomach jumped, her feet lifting for a second.

"Really? How many?"

"Let's see."

Teika shouldered a fairly sizable ax over his shoulder.

"Oh wow, one sixty four."

"How much for them?" Haru almost jumped.

"Hm." Silica put a hand over her mouth. "I don't know, wasn't really picking them for money."

"How about this." Teika said. "You're an alchemist, right? Could you train Silica a little in that?"

"Thought you said you wanted her to learn how to fight." Aoki turned.

"I don't wanna fight." Silica frowned.

Teika waved a hand towards Silica, splaying to Aoki with a sheepish grin.

"Okay, I need about...one eighty to finish this job." Haru rubbed her chin. "If I can have all of them."

"You crazy?" Aoki crossed arms. "We need those too for the boss raid tomorrow!"

"Aoki, the meeting is tomorrow." Teika lowered his head.

"Oh." Aoki groaned.

"Besides, this'll help us in the long term."

"Long term me again, Tiki. See what happens!"

"Dammit, told you not to call me that!"

Haru glanced over to Silica, whose red eyes trained on her. A soft, childish curiosity was palpable, the alchemist sat and motioned her closer. A [Mortar & Pestle] were drawn, a ceramic bowl and crushing implement passed over.

"These are your starting tools. They're not much, but they're pretty interactive compared to these." waving a glass beaker. "makes leveling the skill faster for starters."

Taking a [Saint's Touch] from a nearby patch, Teika dropped it over both of them. Half torn, Haru glanced up to him.

"You didn't just pull it, did you?"

"Er."

"Thought so." she sighed, looking to Silica. "Digging under the herb's what usually works."

"Usually?" Silica tilted her head. "Why not always? They're plants."

"Oh ho ho, I hope you haven't pulled any yellow flowers then."

"I didn't, but Aoki did."

"Don't remind me!" Aoki said.

Haru and Silica discussed alchemy, teacher and student relations forming quickly. Watching them go, Aoki adjusted her gloves away from their sight.

"Stop checking, you've already lost sleep." Teika whispered.

"I can't help it, it's so ugly."

"Let's change subject." Teika glanced away. "Kibaou and Lind, trying to decide which guild to join."

"You have plenty of time. Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't asked her for white hair dye."

"True, she does look good with it..."

Aoki shoved his arm, resulting in a reactionary laugh.

"What?"

"Just...just no." Aoki crossed arms. "As for guilds, Kibaou would be my pick."

"Really? Cause I was gonna pick Lind, he's got that excitable spirit."

"Nah, too hot-headed."

Beneath their feet, new strands of grass sprouted, engulfing what gray powder previously accumulated. Unlike its surrounding hairs, however, it was born a bright pink, Teika shaking his head before averting sights.

"Man, designers sure had a field day with the color palette."

"Can we go back to Harunka after this?" Aoki shifted. "Cause ever since that moment with the guard, you know I would rather not be there. On second thought, Lind might be a better idea, I mean he's passionate, right?"

Teika looked back, an eyebrow raised.

"Right?" Aoki splayed hands.

"What's going on? I've never seen you talk this fast."

"I-I'm just excited." she stepped aside.

Formerly pink, a return to green coloration made for a patch inconspicuous to its neighboring expanses. Meanwhile, Haru was smiling, watching as Silica created her first [Saint's Aid], liquefying three [Saint's Touch] herbs in a borrowed beaker.

She's actually pretty sharp, however old she is.

"Look Teika!" Silica cheered, holding up her creation overhead.

Casting a shadow over her, he plucked it from her hands, nodding.

"Forty percent...sweet. Wait, till level ten?"

"Yeah, it reduces by half every time you're a multiple of its level." Haru said. "That's a level five pot, therefore it'll only give you twenty percent at level ten...and ten percent at level fifteen."

"Does it work the other way around?"

"I hope so. Since we haven't reached new levels, I don't have a definitive answer."

Teika's blue eyes reverted to Silica.

"Could you replicate this?"

"Yes." Silica bowed her head. "Three [Saint's Touch], one glass beaker, ten minutes."

"And two if in a town." Haru smiled.

"What she said." Silica giggled.

Their clocks struck twelve, Silica repeating a taught process, creating more potions without supervision. Pressing his left ear with a finger, Teika paused, groaning a second later.

Forgot, no smart optics...god, I miss home. If Dad finds a way to keep Mom from locking me in a padded cell after this, I'm getting him a new car. Fuck it, I don't care if I have to go minimum wage with this, he's getting one.

Looking to Haru, his shoulders slumped. Silica danced around her, marveling over her creations.

"Haru, I appreciate what you did." he extended a hand.

Haru glanced down to his hand, a shiver recoiling in her gut. Turning her body away slightly, she weakly shook it.

"Is there a problem?"

"Oh Teika, I thought I told you." Aoki said. "Physical contact in Japan's very unusual. Especially so openly. Have some manners and bow."

"Yes, Mom." he rolled his eyes, head lowering briefly.

"No, it's fine." Haru waved hands. "I just...okay, I'm not used to it."

"S'all good, sister." Aoki slid beside Haru. "Haru, right?"

"Yep, and I owe her now." Teika sent a [Trade] request.

With open arms, Haru received a whopping one hundred and forty six herbs, leading her to a total of one fifty eight. Pressing a palm to her heart, she exhaled softly.

"Thank you." she shook her head. "You have no idea how much this helps."

"Worth it." Teika smiled. "One thing though, would you be willing to join us? Silica seems pretty fond of you."

Haru's legs tightened.

"I've...kinda got my own group."

"Oh darn." Aoki elbowed Teika. "Looks like you won't have three girls following you."

"She's got a great skill!" Teika said, hands thrown in air.

"Ya!" Silica rose. "Haru's a great teacher!"

An exaggerated sigh from Aoki cued Haru's departure. Saying goodbye to all three, Haru accepted friend requests, wandering south towards town. Returning to another distant patch of grass, her eyes trailed, setting on outstretched limbs of grass.

Since when does grass reach towards fire? From what I understand, it shouldn't be moving at all. Physics engine must've been given a flaw, but everything put together? I still don't know what that was Garr and I heard last night. It leaves me feeling a bit jumpy, my imagination's getting too much freedom.

Another two hours passed with decent progress, finding all six remaining herbs an hour before three. For every free moment, however, Haru glanced back to what cushioned her feet. While nothing of an outlandish sort stood out to her, it was nonetheless distracting. With her last [Saint's Touch] acquired, her legs took on a life of their own, fleeing towards cobbled stone roads without a second thought. Haru's heart bounced a bit, settling as solid stone laid beneath her.

Why was Aoki the only one wearing gloves? Oh no, the town's culture is getting to me. Their superstitious, backwoods ignorance, I'm going native.

Hearing nearby ocean waves, her chest relaxed, spotting high walls and overshadowing gates of stone. Passing under its arching layers, guards looked with only mild interest, as her [Reputation] was neutral, neither negative or positive. Many still resided along streets, either lacking money or lacking adequate space.

Haru's lips straightened, keeping her gaze away from them with everything she could muster. Starting Town's air rested, laying its dense exterior on her slim shoulders, easing her to sit at her usual spot beside a local guardhouse. Readying a message, chills ran up her wrists, silence found wholly undesirable.

[To Bale: got the herbs, just need some time to make the pots. I'll be at my spot if you need anything.]

With three beakers deployed, Haru broke down herbs. Water poured in each, herbs melting away slowly, dissolving into a vibrant apple red. Three potions every two minutes, her [Vendor's Carpet] ensuring none would steal what was hers. Passing villagers looked as they passed, smiling.

"Alchemy, respectable work...nothing like Wudramor's."

"Hush." another said. "Don't encourage humans, lazy bunch'll steal from ya."

Lazy? I'd have them know I spent half my life studying, the other half supporting...my mother.

Her green eyes trailed away, staring at a nearby fountain with a glazed manner. Starting Town's bronze bell did little to wake Haru, her environment fading.

Where is she right now? Did she do it?

Tears attempted escaping, only to be trapped behind lids, choked off with no means of exit.

"You okay, Haru?"

Clipped back to reality, she swerved. Bale stood over her, arms low as he rested on one knee. Her head bucked, eyes training on him for a moment, nodding.

"Where're your friends?" she said.

"Training, told 'em I'd check up on you."

Haru smiled softly, eyes settling on a hook shaped sword on Bale's hip. Forward bowed, its curved ran backwards, opposite to most similarly shaped tools.

"What kind of a weapon is that?"

"Oh, it's a [Khopesh]." He drew it. "Got it from some NPCs, saying they'll get us sweet stuff if we work for 'em. Money was short so..."

"Wait, you couldn't afford the pots?" Haru said.

"Relax, we had enough for them. No, we needed more armor."

"Oh, sorry."

"Don't be." Bale handed off his [Khopesh]. "Check out these stats!"

Holding up its light framework, Haru's eyes flickered upon further inspection.

"Hey...this's got damage similar to a [Battleaxe]."

"Not only that, its got great swing speed too." Bale pointed along its chart.

"Huh." Haru nodded, returning his weapon. "Oh, forgot to load more herbs."

Another three potions were ready, extracted hastily with corks pressed in.

"So what's your opinion of the raid?"

"What raid?"

"On the Floor Boss, Diavel, this ring a bell?"

"I'm so lost." Haru shook her head.

"It's cool." Bale sat in front of her. "I'm just gonna say this, I don't agree with either of them."

Haru tilted her head, prepping more potions.

"This town's got everything we need. Defense, infrastructure, food production, everything. You know what they're saying? Nah, we wanna go out there. At least here, we know what roams the wilderness."

"Wait, we do? Cause I remember hearing something weird last night."

Haru tried explaining what she heard, but received only raised eyebrows and shrugs from Bale.

"It's probably a [Mother Nepenthe], some genius deciding to poke it. Anyway, what's to stop Ilioc from taking control of whatever towns we move in? He's a commander of a former imperial power."

"I'd rather not take a side, I mean I see where you're coming from." Haru shook a bottle. "You should talk to them, cause it does make sense."

"Yea, only one problem with that. They won't listen, they all wanna be big heroes. Thinking of forming my own group and taking care of things myself, cause their plan's gonna take a week to prep for, quote me on that."

"Hm, alright." Haru smiled. "So, got space on your roster?"

Bale brushed his long brown hair, a slightly pained expression emerging as he looked away for a moment.

"I don't know. See, we lost one of our own two days back."

Haru's eyes widened, lips lowering.

"Oh no."

"But tell you what. We need someone with your skills, would you okay being a healer too?"

"Well...I mean we'll see." Haru's posture erected. "I'll try."

"Come on then. I'm sure the others will understand."

Smiling softly, Haru followed him out of town.

Found a horse? Wanna ride it? Well you're in for a real treat, sucker! With civilization largely absent, the steeds you'll find out here will be mostly wild, as untamed as Garr's opinions!

Horses surprisingly enough come in different body types out here. Some are big and strong, others are thin and jumpy. You might even find a pony, perfect for manly guys like Kuradeel.

These beasts will toss you around all day, so patience is a must if you wanna tame. They get sick, malnourished, tired, just like you. Mistreat them and I'll kill you myself!

- Argo, The Beta Tester's Survival Guide

Edit: Do not ride in front of Taurus, that is all.

A/N: Free weapons, always a good start (least for me!)

Hey guys, sorry for the delay in chapter posting. Had stuff to do, finals to curbstomp, all that good stuff. I love reviews, bad and good ones help me build a better story (favorites? Ha, like anyone'd favorite this dumpster fire!)

See you later guys, I'll try to post again this coming Wednesday!