The instant they walked outside, Alice had shoved a chimaera wing into their hands, and took off, skipping at the speed of a cheetah towards Stornway. Marine looked at the small wing in her hand, and raised an eyebrow at it, before handing it over to Sheila.

"What is it?" Marine questioned. Sheila always had been the smartest of the three, albeit the youngest.

Sheila sweatdropped, "...Marine, we learned about chimaera wings back in school! Weren't you listening?"

Iris smirked, "She was too busy drooling all over her desk, remember?"

Marine growled at Iris, and smacked her upside the head. "Shut up, Iris! Sheila, speak words!"

Sheila laughed quietly, "...Chimaera wings will magically transport you to a location you've already been to if you say the name of your location out loud."

Marine swiped it out of Sheila's hands, scoffing. "Well, why didn't you just say so?! Let's get our asses to Stornway!"

A magical blue light enveloped the three of them, and they heard a swooshing sound as they disappeared.

When everything in their vision stopped being completely white, they became aware that they were now just outside of Stornway's walls, with Alice sitting on the steps, staring at them (probably), head slightly tilted in her hands.

"First time using chimaera wings?" Alice giggled, "Amateurs."

Marine frowned, and stomped up to Alice, holding her up be the back of her cape. "You're like, what? Five? Six? Didn't anyone tell you to respect your elders?! When this is over, I am going to escort you home and meet your parents!"

Alice frowned, and it slowly turned into a scowl. "I'm no kid, you incompetent m-" Her scowl quickly disappeared, and a large grin took its place, "-Okay! Can we go to Erinn's now? I'm super tired~"

The three of them stared at Alice, shocked by the abrupt change in attitude. Marine sighed, and rubbed her face with her free hand.

This kid has some serious problems.

The second they walk through the door of the Quester's Rest, Erinn stampeded over Marine to snatch Alice away, and swished her around in a tight hug. Alice looked slightly green, and was waving her arms around (presumably asking for assistance).

"Ooh, Alice, I'm so glad you're okay!" Erinn rubbed their cheeks together, "You're staying in my room tonight, okay? We'll talk all~ night!"

With that, Erinn took off, dragging a struggling Alice down the hallway to the staff's quarters. Marine snorted at the abrupt change Alice will go through when Erinn's involved.

Even Alice, who will viciously attack monsters, is scared by Erinn's motherly affection, huh? Snickering, Marine made her way to her own room, ignoring the faint screaming for help she could sense as she passed Erinn's room.

Sucks to be you, kid!

When Marine opens her eyes, she finds herself back on top of the large building. However, today there are no little children running around, as well as the creepy little girl from last time.

"...Still, it's incredibly peaceful here..." Marine let out a big, content sigh as she leaned against the large tree.

Her peaceful quiet didn't last long, since not five minutes later, there was the distinctly heavy sound of quickly-moving footsteps, and a figure came bounding up the stairs to the tree. It was the little girl from last time; except she was grinning, and her face was slightly dusted with a light blush.

"Papa? Is 'dat- oh. 'S only you." The girl scowled, and swiftly kicked Marine in the shin.

"Ow! What the hell, kid?!" Marine shrieked while rubbing her sore shin, tears slightly poking out of her eyes.

"'Ya got my hopes up, 'ya little shit. Papa was goin' 'ta be comin' back today. Since he's not here, 'm leavin'." The kid turned around and stomped back down the stairs.

Marine stared at her as she stomped off, "...What kind of dad leaves his kid all alone for long periods of time?"

But... where have I seen that grin before?

For just a moment, a bloody figure with no face grinned at her, white snow falling down, like a thick blanket; but then, just as quickly as it was there, it vanished.

Marine could still feel the coldness of the snow, and heard a faint, dark laugh ringing in her ears...