A/N: Demon Slayer, it will not blend, stop asking the question.

NetherOrbit: Doctor approves of your comments, he won't warp you today.
Doctor: Alston would probably reference his job before he became a bandit, how's the pug?

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Enjoy!

Dear Yole,

To know how far you've climbed in the world, succeeded in your ambitions, it humbles me. While our last meeting was many seasons past, and as heated as it got, know that I still view you in high regard. The decree from his Lordship Andres led us both to make our own conclusions, I only wish you could've seen the reality of it.

If all were right in the world, I would have us both come together as friends. Your church, however, has made deals I cannot ignore. While the sands stack tall, the Gundarks will never pay for their crime. If, or when we meet, I hope you will come to see me as not your enemy, but your old mentor.

Cel be with you,
Acherres

A letter, received on December 15th, 2022

December 16th, 2022

Lux's hands gripped a bar's wooden counter top, Nautilus facing its server with a gentle demeanor.

"Sorry guys," a bartender wiped a tankard, "that story's old, nobody's got a thing."

"Not even your neighbors are talking?" Nautilus whispered.

"No, now will you please go? It's bad enough that I let islanders in here."

Lux nudged Nautilus, mouthing to leave. Nautilus, however, shrugged this off.

"What's going on?" he leaned and whispered, "there's gotta be someone who lost a friend there."

The bartender's container silently met tabletop, leaning in slowly.

"I'm sorry, but I'm dead if I tell you anything. Jinping's eyes, they're everywh-"

"What's this?" another man approached, "islanders. You're not selling to them, are you?"

"I was telling them to leave," the bartender waved with both hands, "they wouldn't listen."

Nautilus and Lux were met with a stern pair of eyes, a superman in green uniform, his hand on a holstered [Tonfa].

"We don't tolerate trouble here," he said to Nautilus, "do I need to escort you east?"

"No," Nautilus backed off, "we'll return east, sir."

Leaving without further comment, Lux kept herself close to Nautilus' side. Ejected to Urbus' bright west streets, eyes set upon them from many sides.

"They've got the same uniforms," Lux muttered.

"Doesn't mean it's the same people, best we leave."

Leaving for central Urbus, voices chanted titles like islander repeated, ending only upon exodus. Stopping between buildings, notes were examined in their menus.

"This is getting dangerous," Nautilus sighed.

"I know!" Lux tossed her hands, "frankly I'd rather not get grabbed for asking questions."

"Least the Tauran don't do that. Still, it leaves us with nothing unless we try finding a guy."

"Yea, and hope he isn't with those creeps?" Lux shivered, "I know this might be a bit much, but maybe we should back off this case right now?"

"We've only got six days, what choice do we have?"

"How about finding that Recon guy?"

"That runaway?" Nautilus crossed his arms.

"Maybe it'd give us time to plan that out, a chance to refresh."

Nautilus eyed pavement, chewing as he considered. Looking away Lux muttered, "starting to think fifty's not enough."

"They're paying for a reason, gonna have to remove Yuna from my friends list."

"Why?" Lux peeked up, "isn't she your girlfriend?"

"Yes, and these thugs would love nothing more than to open up my interface, find her name and lure her there. Not on my watch."

Nautilus worked at a message, writing away as Lux looked down a local street.

Wish I had someone saying that about me.

"So you got any leads on Recon?"

"No," Lux brushed her hair, "but maybe the local tribes do. They hang outside Urbus most days, surely they'd see a bowl-cut wandering."

"Messaging proves he ain't dead," Nautilus closed his menu, "people show as offline when that happens. It mentions him being in some dungeon though, so nothing's reaching him."

"Then where should we start? Hate that dumb feature."

"I say we give the Wind Manes a visit, though I'd caution any discussion regarding Garr."

"Why?" Lux followed him outside Urbus.

"As it turns out, uniting Tauran hasn't been without costs. Think you'll find out when we get there."

Leaving Urbus' one tunnel exit, a sun bathed meadow opened up. Leaves stuck out of the flat tops of forked trees, their ilk scattered almost past sight of each other, heat emanating off bald patches. Removing her hood, Lux took a moment to stare, out to horizons vast and ever-molding.

"So much space," Lux smiled.

"Just wait," Nautilus put knuckles to his waist, "there's gonna be new towns sprouting all over."

"Mm," Lux's smile weakened, "nature looks best undisturbed."

"Yep, right up until you visit a rain forest."

"You have?" Lux looked.

"Yup, teaches you to cook everything you eat. Don't ask if you feel like eating anytime soon."

"So never?"

"Pretty much."

Hours of treading through warm savanna grass yielded sight of a wandering tribe, their [Trembling Cow] grazing on local leaves and lawns of grass. Covered in blue fabric, the beast's color starkly contrasted its caretakers orange ankles.

"Red Hooves," Nautilus cringed, "okay, change of plan."

"To?" Lux raised a brow.

"Don't challenge them physically."

Lux and Nautilus' approach was met warmly, legs flexed and waving in greeting, [Slaughter Mauls] no where in sight. Requests to meet their chief were accepted, a proud ten foot Cigius standing before Graye Sight's detectives.

"Welcome," Cigius said, "it is a great day under Altai's guidance."

Lux immediately twitched.

Great, a fanboy...horse.

"Great chief," Nautilus bent a knee, "we're missing people. We believe they've wandered off alone, have you see any?"

"Yes," Cigius said, "One in black and another in green, which one?"

"Anything about both will help," Lux bowed her head, "thank you for helping us."

"The dark one made a wind fly up there," Cigius pointed north, "towards the wooded dark of Zumfut."

"That border's under lockdown," Nautilus hemmed.

"It would've worked too, if it were three sun rises earlier. I sensed a lack of insight from him, his eyes weren't focused on anything."

"What shape was his hair?" Lux said.

"Hm," Cigius' legs bent slightly forward, "forgive me, but our kind grow hair differently than you. If I grabbed some grass, I could demonstrate it better."

"Go ahead," Nautilus bowed softly.

Ripping out tufts of golden blades, Cigius clumped them together, swiping to straighten out again. Lacking a round, uniform shape, Lux and Nautilus took seconds of observation.

"Thank you, chief. Sadly you've proven it's not the person we're looking for. Could you describe the one in green?"

"Ah, he who heard Her call. He went to Moon Grove."

"Moon Grove?" Nautilus said.

"Yes, it is a sacred place. It's a land with ponds as round as the moon, its water cleaner than any other. Not even our cows enter, the mists shield it from unworthy eyes. Surely the Moon Steed invited him. He could not enter otherwise."

"Could you direct us there?" Lux shifted her stance.

Cigius pointed northeast, "the farthest corner this land has to offer, where forest and ocean meet. Asking the Moon Steed would be essential to enter."

Thank yous were given, knees raising briefly before departure. Reaching Floor two's coastline, gravel rustled under their shoes, warm and clear water lapping.

"Wonder where they got the cow," Nautilus stared forward, water washing his soles.

"You mean the Wind Mane colors?" Lux slid hands in pockets, "they probably share it with other tribes. Could you imagine how much it takes to feed one of those?"

"Hm, cause I was imagining something a bit different."

"Go on?"

"A society can have different groups of many flavors, some of them are looked more favorably than others, yes?"

"Sure?"

"These Tauran possess different body types, Wind Manes specifically. They're lean, not muscular like say the Reds or Sun Dancers. They also don't like fighting. Despite this, I see mostly the latter two groups, not the former."

"Why's this matter?" Lux said, "you'd want strong guards."

"Just imagining," Nautilus nodded, "that if Garr wanted to socially transform these Tauran, he'd do everything to build up other mindsets over others. The Wind Manes would be his least favored if he wants conquest."

"Not exactly fun to talk about," Lux rolled her eyes.

"Well what would you rather talk about?"

"Just...something fun? Like, hey today's weather's great. How about dreaming of something better?"

"Oh," Nautilus eased, "hm, Yuna has been on about finding a tropical island of our own."

"But you hate rain forests."

"Not hate, just respect...maybe fear. Anyway, she imagined we'd build ourselves a big house, no one to bother us."

"Ooo," Lux smiled.

"How about you? Where's the elusive Lux planning on settling?"

"I'd rather not say."

"You sure?"

"Ya, it'd sound stupid."

"Try me," Nautilus smiled.

Lux looked briefly upon her light brown haired co-detective, watching the tide wash over their shoes. Past him, however, breached mass from water. While too distant to make out, its sheer size rivaled rocks peaking out closer to them. Slick and indiscernible in shape, Lux's eyes turned away, uncomfortable with what eluded her mind's island of comfort.

"I wanna live in...a giant flower field."

"Clarify?"

"One of those grasslands exploding with flowers," Lux said quieter, "except the flowers are really big. Like trees?"

"Tree sized flowers," Nautilus nodded, "this is a fantasy world, why not?"

"Cause whoever made this world's a dick?"

"Touche."

A fog bank lurked ahead, blinding mists blocking sight beyond a meter within its radius. Looking at this curtain of vapor from outside, Nautilus leaned his head closer to Lux.

"Expect special mobs, this is a themed spot."

Lux nodded, a [Shortsword] drawn. Humidity spiked as they stepped through, sunlight dampened as mist encompassed them both. Grass darkened to a shade of jade, its texture soft and flexible. Ground turned responsive, softly bouncing under their steps. With only crashing ocean waves to hear, hesitant steps were made.

"Hm," Nautilus shrugged, "and I thought west Urbus was sketchy."

"I know right?" Lux shivered, "can barely see."

Drawing light sources, their scenery fluctuated. Streaks of fog formed varying colors, a spectrum of dissimilar colors stretching before them. Rainbows of an uncanny mixture, greens merged with white, blue to red without intermediate hues. Flowing in directions wild and non-cohesive, Lux tucked away her torch.

"Not helping."

"Last time I woke up this early, fire didn't spawn rainbows."

Nautilus' quip earned a groan from a head shaking Lux. Distant steps, however, silenced both. Its pace was sluggish, uncoordinated. A light croon, pained and drowsy. Both detectives slowed, softening their step, Nautilus maintaining point.

"Where is it?" Lux whispered.

"Couple of meters, whatever it is."

A low sigh, a soft hiss, nothing more was heard after moments of choked focus. Refusing to seek it out, they moved with sensitive feet, deeper into Moon Grove's sanctum. Beneath them grew a series of brightly colored fungi, their capped and sometimes moldy bodies faint with illumination. Stray hairs grew off rocks, flowing gently towards Nautilus as he passed. With tips breaking off to form a five fingered shape, he drew further away.

Not sure where the holiness is, maybe Tauran conceptions of holy are different than ours.

Lux squealed, jumping into Nautilus as he turned, digging herself into him.

"The ground moved!" she shook, "something's in it!"

Nautilus crept over, bending his knees as he examined where Lux directed. A round mass elevated, swelling out like a blister, a nigh watery soil leaking out. Several legs emerged, keratinized and heavily bent. A [Sleepy Red Spotted Beetle] rose before Nautilus, but paid little heed to either him or Lux. It moved in a inebriated manner, joints bending harder than others, disjointed in direction. Its hard red shell was smothered, a mess of green and fungi encompassing its frame.

"Wait," Lux leaned back, "how'd I not feel its shell? I stepped on it, it felt like ground."

Nautilus poked its back, eyes narrowed as he withdrew moments after.

"It's soft," he nodded gently, "strange."

Laughter echoed further beyond, weak and awkward. Their beetle shook, its six legs clawing away at its hole. Soil past rich clumped as it sank back to Earthly levels, its texture like wet rice.

"We shouldn't stay here," Lux simmered down, "I don't like that laugh."

"It might be our guy," Nautilus shivered slightly, "this does make me wonder though, does Garr know about this place?"

"He'd have to, this is within his territory."

"Then why aren't there Tauran guarding it?"

Lux splayed little more than a quizzical expression, prompting Nautilus to keep walking. Following him, she tapped the ground occasionally with her toes.

We shouldn't be here, Recon shouldn't either. Almost a week before Christmas and it feels like Halloween, shit.

Breathing deeply, Nautilus stopped.

[HP: 101%]

Doing it again, he blinked.

[HP: 102%]

"This fog over-heals," he said.

"I'm just gonna accept that nothing makes sense here," Lux shook her head, "let's just find this guy and go."

A low hum grew louder as they approached, mushrooms increasing in size. Another [Sleepy Red Spotted Beetle] hobbled by, steady in its set direction. Passing it, however, a loud buzz reached their ears. Looking back, the bug's body wobbled as if in a seizure, its back forming bubbles, Lux pushing Nautilus away.

"It's gonna-!"

A loud crack was conjoined with a great spray of green, its contents splattering all around like a bomb. Chunks struck Lux's back, her limbs jerking, turning rigid as she froze. Knocked on his back, Nautilus was spared, staring up at an unmoving Lux.

"Lux?" Nautilus' eyes widened.

She fell forward without pause, laying still on grass, body sliding softly back and forth. Paralyzed, Lux made no sound, her head bobbing, face first in turf. Drawing a [Dagger], Nautilus scraped off whatever material covered his friend, who shook wildly as more was removed. Prying loose a large chunk, Lux leaped up.

"Ugh!" she thrashed, "ew!"

"You're back," Nautilus smiled, "what happened there?"

"It told me some foreign intelligence took over," Lux grimaced, "had a timer set for release, but it was scary! It kept moving my jaw, like it was trying to eat..."

"Stay close to me," Nautilus motioned, "that laugh's getting close."

"You crazy?" Lux clutched her shoulders, "I'm heading home!"

She turned the opposite direction, only to stop. Walls of fog filled her sight, not a hint to aid any escape.

"Or not!" she growled, "ugh, would Garr get that stupid [Aethereal Tether] already? I'd just warp out of here!"

"Would be nice," Nautilus shuddered, "we can go together one way or another, let's just finish this. We got this far."

"No," she shivered, "I'm staying right here."

"How'll I get back to you then?"

"We can track each other," Lux checked her friends list, "See?"

[Target is within dungeon [Moon Grove], tracking disabled]

Her eyebrows furrowed, "we can message each other!"

[Target is within dungeon, messaging disabled]

"Are you for real?"

"The more time we sit here the closer we get to evening," Nautilus motioned, "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not stay till then."

Their pace slowed heavily, neither one comfortable with the ground beneath them. Every bump or hill turned sinister, deceptive. Deep breaths yielded health, but suspicion of relations. Beetles grew in number, buried deep in lush grass. Traveling deeper, more bumps were seen.

"You might wanna stop," a voice called out.

They turned sharply to the direction it came from, but found only fog.

"Playing minefield in real life's a bitch."

Closing in, a lanky figure was found seated beside boulders, his bowl cut hair style the detectives first indication.

"You're Recon?" Nautilus said.

"Nope," he laughed, "I'm getting my next high."

Plucking a blue mushroom, he diligently brushed beneath its hood, eyeing up at them. A milky white beard hung, extending thickly down to his chest. Lux's eyebrows raised, inspecting this figure closer.

He looks like Recon physically, but his hair's like vanilla ice cream.

"The pollen's poisonous," he said, "doing this gets rid of it. Wanna try? You'll see stuff."

"Is your name Recon?" Nautilus repeated.

"Ya, ya, you mad about the sticks?"

"What?"

"The sticks," Recon pointed west, "been making a real hobby out of messing with these guys in green. Morons haven't found me once."

Both detective looked to each other briefly.

"Your friends are worried about you," Lux coaxed, "they miss you, Recon."

"And I," Recon bit his mushroom, "miss them. Woo, here it comes."

"You need to go back home," Nautilus hunched, meeting Recon's seated gaze.

"After what I did?" Recon laughed, "I'd want Lis to kick me out."

"I doubt that, mean if it made her friend happy to see you again."

"Ooh, so it's Leafa missing me," Recon nodded, "yup, not surprised. Putting that aside-"

While Nautilus distracted him, Lux snatched any remaining mushrooms nearby.

"There're some funny looking people around," Recon chuckled, "hollow as always."

Nautilus scratched his head, Recon rolling around softly.

"Did you see them? Had a bunch of them show up three days ago. Springing outta the ground, fooling around, good stuff."

Lux shivered a bit.

Three days ago, that was when Aigen was murdered. Three days ago, a party turned on itself.

"Why do you call them funny?" Nautilus sat.

"Cause they're hollow inside," Recon said, "they pretend to be like us in shape...but they're not. See, you two got color inside. Them? They're just an outline, nothing's in them."

"I think the drugs have gotten to you," Lux patted Recon's shoulder.

Recon suddenly jerked back, squirming over to a nearby puddle. Scooping and drinking its contents, he sighed.

"Please, don't do that. There're things in me, they don't like fighting. Leafa must understand, what I've done cannot be forgiven."

"What'd you do?" Lux crouched, "you've been avoiding that."

Recon's laughter was weak, his hands reaching out in random directions, as if grabbing things.

"I did what I do best, avoid confrontations. When I saw what lurked behind that dungeon door, that was all I could think about. I left her there, fending for myself when stuff got rough.

His laugh grew stronger, his twitching to one side every so often.

"It found me, no matter where I hid. It's in me now, I can't go back. The fog calms it down, keeps me well...me."

"So a werewolf then?" Lux blinked.

"Something like that," Recon shuddered, "all the signs give it away. Too bad controlling it's not up to me. Least right now."

"Then why not tell your friends?" Nautilus blinked.

"Have you ever seen Leafa in a situation with a friend in trouble?" Recon laid back, "not worth it. The problem is, she'd do absolutely everything. I don't need that, I need time."

"Could you at least message her?" Nautilus patted.

"Wouldn't dare," Recon froze, "I might be safe, but the grass. It's evil."

Neither detective spoke, Recon punching the green below him.

"The animals get lured in, the fog gets them comfy, they forget everything outside...even though there's nothing to eat."

"Then how'd you stay?" Lux whined, "you seem to know what's happening here."

"I catch them early," Recon nodded, "any mob coming by here. What I have in me, it makes getting food really easy."

"Still seems really useful," Lux shrugged.

"It is, until you see anything violent..."

After several minutes of coaxing, no progress was made, Recon stern in his position. With clocks reaching five, sunset drew close.

"I told Leafa," Recon shook his head, "we should've stayed in Tolbana. A hundred floors, one hundred freaking death traps, and now I'm done. In level freaking two."

Nautilus glanced up at a setting sun, nodding to Lux as they rose.

"So hey, would you mind telling us about the greens?"

Sun Dancer

December 17th, 2022 - House of the Everlasting Dawn Basement

A lone candle flickered, PoH's eyes only picking up two sets of green uniforms behind his corpulent, knuckle cracking host.

"Where's my town, PoH?"

"I've spoken to Garr," PoH feigned weakness, "he's...he's gonna need a week till our assault team's debt is repaid."

"That raid costed me not only in blood," Nobel leaned over PoH, "but in trust."

"How can you lose trust when you have everyone's?" PoH shrunk slightly.

Nobel slowly craned back, his chin high.

"People have died, but it's the survivors costing me most. There is nothing more damaging to unity than another voice, it can confuse the flock. My men speak of awful things, I will not say what. Because to say it even now, would poison my closest followers."

"So why not eliminate them?" PoH's shoulders eased.

"Waste not, want not."

"Oh."

"So I'll ask again, where is my town?"

"He's got plans to build [Town Halls], I have proof of a list."

"I don't want a list, I want a town."

"You will have one, in fact I can put you on top priority."

"Lets see it."

PoH opened his interface, its numbers left empty before Nobel's eyes. Chuckling, Nobel leaned back.

"Are you seriously expecting me to believe nobody's signed up to be a governor?"

"He hasn't actually released this yet. In fact, I've arranged for him to mention it this evening in Urbus."

"Doesn't seem in character for him," Nobel smiled, "guy can barely keep his fetish a secret."

"Yea, he really isn't that subtle. But to be fair, he did make this today."

Nobel checked his clock.

"Time?"

"Six thirty."

Nobel turned his head to one of his subordinates.

"Ready the offerings," he put his sights back on PoH, "tell me, do you know who I'd kill first right now?"

"Garr?" PoH smiled.

"Please," Nobel wagged a finger, "he's offered me such a good rallying cry, how else could I unify my people so easily?" his hand clenched, "no, it's a person...I have yet to name."

"What?" PoH narrowed an eye.

Nobel's expression further darkened, brown eyes hardening.

"When dealing in real estate, location is everything. I've marked my location with great care, it is not random. It is aligned as to not only serve as a home for my people, but as a forward operating base for not one, but two possible fronts to your country. I've had distances measured, paid men to lay out the exact location to the centimeter."

PoH crossed arms loosely, nodding along.

"When everyone does exactly as they're told, when every person commits, everything goes smoothly. Garr is doing his part, whether he knows it or not. Everyone is doing theirs...except one."

"How so?" PoH played innocent.

"He messes with my measurements."

PoH's expression turned incredulous.

"My measuring poles, for my town project!" Nobel's face turned a beat red, "I've had to install a twenty four seven guard post on site just for him! The first time, he took out all of my posts, rearranging them into the shape of a penis!"

"Um," PoH rubbed his chin.

"No warning, no rhyme or reason, just penis! I took back my sticks, spending four hours measuring not only on x and y, but z coordinates. Two nights later, he does it again! So I repeat, placing a sentry to watch over it."

Nobel stopped, seating himself again, hands clenched in front of his nose.

"Do you know what happened yesterday?"

"He moved them?"

"Ye-," Nobel stopped, "yes and no. That industrious fool, he found a way around my sentry. He not only snuck through, he made yet another penis out of my measuring poles! Worse though, he made me realize one thing. He completely ruined my second measurement, fooling me into thinking it was my original!"

Rising again, a forced sigh left Nobel's gut.

"When I find him, he'll wish he could log off."

PoH by then, had taken a diet out of his own tongue.

This textbook example of obsessive compulsive disorder's forcing me so hard not to laugh. It's such a stupid little thing, yet he goes ape shit over it. Reminds me why I'm getting rid of him when all this is done.

"He has it coming," PoH nodded weakly.

Nobel grinned proudly, motioning PoH towards the stairs.

What a pretender, playing at being someone's boss. He smiles a lot, but it is a snake's. He betrays the ruler, but expects me to trust him? My father's dealt with monsters like these countless times, I will not disappoint him.

"Shall we?" Nobel clasped hands together, "the victory is yours, PoH."

He nodded, shaking Nobel's hand.

Sun Dancer

December 17th, 2022 - 7:12 PM - Garr

I stared down at Taiyama's chessboard, my forces dwindled to stray pawns and a king. With every turn, another one of my little guys got eaten, was depressing.

"Mm," I rubbed my face, "well it's official, man."

"What is?"

"My strategy sucked," I laughed, "God, makes me glad I have Asterius leading my guys."

"You were trying too hard at offense," Taiyama directed, "I'd just bait you and punish."

[From PoH: I think we can call this case closed, a guy's requesting audience with the culprits]

My brows furrowed softly, reading it thrice over.

"Hey Tai," I said, "you mind staying after the game?"

"I guess," Tai stared, "what's up?"

"Apparently we've got some suspects, would like to see if you can ID them."

Taiyama's expression burned up, leaving me a bit cold. What if he condemned innocent people out of anger? Anyone I submit to ass-Yole was gonna be executed, I couldn't imagine it being any better. It reeked of self-righteousness.

"Show 'em up."

[To PoH: bring him in, I'll inform Illfang]

Several minutes passed before my doors opened, PoH and his security detail returning with guests. Their green uniforms were torn, their heads low like cattle as they were corralled inside. Each of them had their ankles chained, branching off to each other, forcing rows out of their broken, ragged ranks. Leading them, a man of substantial girth took a knee to me.

"Altai, it is good to finally meet you. Your minister has been most helpful in reaching an understanding."

"It's a pleasure," I tried smiling, "and you are?"

"Nobel, sire."

"Alright, get off your knee. Tai?"

Taiyama inspected every prisoner brought forward by this Nobel, lifting chins, a glare growing on his face.

"Where did you find them?" I crossed arms over my abs.

"In basements all around our community," Nobel said sternly, "sabotaging us, turning us against each other, lying about you. All after murdering your friend in cold blood."

Nobel said as much as he did, but it was Tai whose attention grabbed me most. One of the prisoners whispered something to him, only to be spat on.

"Tai," I growled.

"What?" he rose quickly.

"You must remain honorable, you are under watch."

"What're you talking about, man? This is your palace."

"Yes, but what you did will turn these suspects into martyrs. Keep it civil."

PoH slipped up beside me, smiling warmly to me.

"Nobel was going to have the people judge them, but he wanted to pay respect to you."

"Yes," Nobel bowed, "consider it a peace offering between our community and yours."

Oh God, finally something was going my way.

"I will happily accept," I watched Taiyama, "if they're actually guilty."

Such a hollow response, how was I supposed to know? Tai was surely going to throw them all away, but they would lie if it meant keeping them alive. Looking at their hazy eyes though, I had to remind myself. War was too close too soon.

"These four," Tai pointed, "Asuna injured them," he moved his finger, "these six ganged up on me at once."

Aiming last at the two remaining suspects, Taiyama lowered his hand.

"These two cut my leg...but where's Aigen's killer?"

"He's hiding still," Nobel said sorrowfully, "I suspect he may be the same animal responsible for killing members of west Urbus."

"So they're all culprits?" I looked to Tai.

"Yep, you recognize faces pretty well when they're trying to kill you."

Sitting down on my shanty throne, my lips pressed together. This was it, I had to make the call. My insides hardened, weighing down like kettle bells. If I'm wrong, their blood will be on my hands. If I let them go, I would possibly let loose saboteurs.

"I hate saying this," I nodded, "but Tai? I approve."

Sun Dancer

December 18th, 2022 - Central Urbus - Lisbeth

[Great!]

[Great!]

[Perfect!]

The blade flashed, remolding to its old shape, my hammer lowered as I reached for it.

"Asuna?" I called, "is Graye still there?"

"Yes!"

"Bring him in, his weapon's almost ready!"

Taking its one bolt, I twisted it in place, fastening his [Glaive's] blade to its staff. A pretty basic weapon, but effective. While its range rivaled Aid's [Siege Blade], it broke neither one's bank, or one's back. Clothed in deep purple, I couldn't help but aw at his approach.

"What?" he smiled, "you laughin' at me, girl?"

"I can't help it!" I giggled, "you look so adorable, all that over-sized clothes and that baby face."

"Oh stop," Graye wagged a hand, "I'm not adorable."

"Liar," I leered teasingly, "so hey, your weapon's ready."

Graye took a firm hold of its wooden pole, gazing up at its thick blade.

"You told me it keeps breaking on you," I nodded to its spine, "so I added more mass behind the blade. It's heavier, but it'll last."

"That's perfect," Graye planted it vertically, "my stats go [Strength] n' [Dexterity] anyway."

"Fair and balanced," I leaned on my anvil, "how's Oran by the way?"

"Still him," Graye rolled his eyes, "getting him to approach anything green is still a hit or miss."

"That...seems specific."

"It kinda happened after Diebry. Saw something I'd rather not describe, ya."

"Understood, though I wonder now. Does breaking ethics code send you to Black Iron?"

"Back then it did."

"Before?" I stiffened.

"See at some point or another the Ethics Code got removed. Think it was after Diebry."

"How do you know?" I said.

"Oran."

"Aye, of course it is. The one thing keeping me feeling safe in town's gone, great."

"So wait," Graye rubbed his chin, "how's it been so peaceful despite this? I handle some criminal cases with Oran and the worst we ever got was this one guy on a loli."

"I-I don't need more details."

"Don't worry," Graye shrugged, "Garr's Tauran arrested him shortly after it happened. Never heard from him since."

"Ah," I smiled sheepishly, "so besides terrifying me to the possibility of fantasies turning to reality, anything else?"

"Not really."

"Lis!" Asuna called from the storefront, "got Kibaou here wanting to speak to you."

"Oi!" I almost jumped, "let me know how that weapon works, alright Graye?"

"You bet!"

Adjusting and dusting my sleeves, I quickly peeked to a nearby mirror. After a quick touch up, I put up my biggest grin, least as big as possible without looking forced. I've heard of Kibaou, he was one of the guys responsible for defeating Illfang, leading others out of that awful place. Seeing his spiky hair and dark uniform, I couldn't help but think. Why not pink?

"There she is," Kibaou extended a hand, "do you have a minute? I've got plans today and gotta schedule to keep."

"Sure mate," I righted my posture, "how may I help?"

"The ALF's got big goals," Kibaou put hands behind his lower back, "it's a big guild, you've seen us marching through town a couple times. We got places to visit, conquer and explore. The only way we're getting out of here's if we keep moving."

"Right," I smiled.

"I don't know if Diavel's offered you a position yet, his Illumi-knight group's still getting things together."

"Never heard of them," I tilted my head, "what's yours?"

"We got an opening for Senior Brass Master. You'll help build armor and weapons, repair, upgrade, all that jazz. You'll also be tasked with training newbies, for additional pay of course."

Asuna watched as I listened, her discomfort easy to read. Ever since she slept with Tai, I swear she lost it. There's no talking about boys, not without her getting all protective.

"Why Brass Master?" I fiddled with my collar, "blacksmith does fine, aye?"

"Sounded cooler," Kibaou kept his proud grin.

"True," I shrugged, "is there a time limit on this offer?"

"Of course," Kibaou laughed, "it's not like I'm gonna hold back an entire expedition-"

"Aye!" I joined him in laughter, "quick, what happens if I say yes?"

"You will be sent to Task Group Casual, along with anyone else you think we'll need."

While Kibaou kept harping on about benefits, I barely moved. How could I build Aiden's army if I was sent elsewhere. How was I gonna see him? What would happen to my friends? Concluding with a request for time, he left with a warm goodbye. It was only a front door bell's jingle warding off Asuna's imminent confrontation, a jingle arriving seconds after he left.

"You shouldn't go," Asuna looked.

"How'd I guess you'd say that?" my eyelids drooped.

"Kibaou leads assault teams," she continued, "they're going to dangerous places. Not a good idea for you."

"Survived here just fine, why're you acting so uptight?"

"I'm not being uptight," Asuna lowered her volume, "you're just being aggressive."

"You're not my Mom," I shook my head, "if I want to join, there's nothing you can do."

"So you'd just abandon your friends? We can't run the shop without you."

"You could turn this into a cafe," I nodded to her outfit, "you've already got the right skirts."

"That's not the point," Asuna leaned on the counter, "you're leaving behind friends for yourself, it's not exactly..."

"Normal?" I groaned, "really? We're trapped in a video game gone postal and you say that?"

"No, it's not moral. You don't just leave your friends cause some stranger offered you a better place."

"I can take you guys with me," I splayed hands, "you could be a commander, Leafa an instructor. Wick, I dunno."

Yuuki entered softly, walking in with a soft smile.

"Hey Lizzy," she bowed her head.

Greeting her back, my eyes kept on her. Yuuki wasn't jumping anymore, her eyes barely meeting mine for more than half a moment.

"How're you feeling?" Asuna approached, grabbing Yuuki's arms.

"I'm okay."

A green message flared up, forcing me to an early retreat to my forge room. Reunited with my anvil, I laid out a couple of [Bronze Ingots], opening my interface.

[From Silica: Hi Lis! When did you want it again?]

[To: the 23rd, how's it doing?]

[From: *thumbs up*]

Got me almost bouncing just thinking about it, the scene of giving Aid something so big. Replaying it over and over though, it sent my fingers straight to deep pockets, my grin tucked away. As hard as it was to admit, I had never gifted someone like this, especially not like this. Was I overthinking it? Was this some new symptom, trying to drag me back? I couldn't lie, I was happier than I ever recalled. The bottle was a memory, my friends taking its place. Aiden though, he was an entirely different matter.

I'd be there for every one of his speeches, no matter how crammed my orders were. I could never stand up in front of so many people, not without crying or something. He'd do it without breaking a sweat. He brought the Tauran together, bettered their lives, gave us a better life. Nobody liked knowing it, but Aid gave us food for free. Half of his crop would go straight to us, but they dared not speak of it. Cycling through old messages, warm turned to emptiness.

[From Garr: we're gonna have to rethink how we meet. Op sec, you know the drill]

[From Garr: There's a spot east of Urbus' entrance, along the wall. We'll meet there tonight]

Nothing I did would ever remove that one wee fact. These people hated Aid, even people I spoke to. Asuna wished I didn't care, Leafa just spouted whatever Recon used to tell her, Wick doesn't dare say. Only Leopon saw him in any positive light, and she was very withdrawn. If what went through my mind ever escaped, I wouldn't survive the night. In this way, however, I was blessed too. I had learned to lay low ever since my parents moved me to Japan, this was like a Wednesday. If only I had experience with these sorts of emotions.

Bottling it up with a brief brushing of hair and sigh, I raised my mallet over ingots. Fourteen hundred kids, thank god it wasn't only me doing it. There's no way I could get them all in time.

For as long as the great houses of old remain standing, one would be wise to only speak ill when addressing Dryst.

Unknown Document Scrap, found in Old Rovia on February 14th, 2023

A/N: And the smith carries on. Hey guys, thanks so much for reading! Be sure to leave a review, let me know whatcha think. Bad or good, it helps me figure out how I can improve.

See you next week!