The alcohol is not helping your state of mind like you hoped it would. You are still seconds away from an external freakout. Before you end up saying or doing something that might undo all the work you have done so far to persuade the chief of Bjornholm to trade with the elves, you excuse yourself, and walk off as fast as your tired and now, drunk legs will carry you.
Having to force smiles and waves at the various natives of the village who are excited to see one of the people responsible for freeing them from a dangerous downpour, makes you feel even more stressed. Thankfully none of them seem to know what the chief has planned for you and Nene yet, so are at least spared from premature congratulations on your engagement.
Once out of sight of people, you find a small building backed up to the forest that you eagerly run behind and slump against its back wall. You let yourself do what you have been holding back since the chief had told you that Nene is to be your wife, freak out a little. After hyperventilating for a good few minutes, your breathing finally starts to slow down as you notice Undine floating near you. Was she with you this entire time?
"Summoner?" she asks, making herself known. "I know your intent was to be alone, but it did not feel right to do so. I hope my presence does not make things more difficult for you. I can sense you are in great turmoil."
"You can say that again." you exhale. "It's alright that you're here Undine. You might be the only person I can handle being nearby right now anyway…I'm a mess aren't I?"
Undine lowers herself to sit alongside you, and even though she should be intangible while in her spirit form, it feels almost as if you can feel her shoulder touching yours. It is also possible the alcohol and stress have messed with your senses so badly you are starting to feel things that aren't there…fantastic.
"While I cannot fully grasp your reactions to some situations at times, I do know that I could never think of you as a 'mess', summoner." Undine warmly says. "I also remember what you told me before, that marriage is something you are not ready for, so I do understand how the idea of being almost forced into it would cause you distress. Can you simply not decline the marriage?"
Before you can think of how to best answer Undine's question, which as usual was more complicated than she is expecting, you hear footsteps approaching the two of you.
"Geez, there you are." Flare's voice comes as she spots you from the corner of the house you hide behind. "He's over here guys!"
Before your mind gets too out of control with the idea that Flare had brought Nene with them, only Watame and Polka come running up to join you. You breathe a sigh of relief and lean your head upwards against the wooden siding.
"Don't scare me like that Flare…." you groan.
"Don't scare you?" Flare retorts as she comes in front of you and kneels down to your level. "What about you? Suddenly storming off like you were walking off to your death? Walking off alone when those HoloX creeps could still be around? You scared us, you jerk."
"I told you he just needed to be alone." Polka states. "The dude just got told he's getting married to someone he barely even knows. Of course he's freaking out."
"You can freak out to us though, Anon." Watame says. "Remember that I told you that you don't have to hide all those feelings?"
"Polka's right though…" you start. "I AM freaking out. What am I supposed to do!? If I decline the marriage outright, I'll probably be spitting in the face of their beliefs, and if I go through with it, I'm married and probably have to stay here forever. Why did the stupid fifth spell have to be a god damn bear!? Why was I so stupid to use it when I did!?"
Before your tirade can continue, you feel the sharp sting of Flare's hand across your face. Now whatever bruises you still have on that side of your face are definitely not going away for a while. In an instant you feel yourself become more grounded, sober, your mind starts to work more slowly again.
"I know Watame said you could freak out, but you were getting ridiculous." Flare scolds you. "You need to calm down Anon. You can't torture yourself with questions about what you did in the past. In the end you made the right choices to keep everyone safe, that's what has always mattered to you. That's what I admire about you."
"Yeah but-"
"No buts. You don't have to tackle this problem alone either. You have all of us after all. I promise this will all work out. We can cover for you back at the party if you want to go crash somewhere. We'll find you in the morning."
Wiping your face of the tears from your drunken emotions and the burn of Flare hitting you, you look up at Flare who now stands holding her hand out to help you up. You smile and allow yourself to be lifted as you immediately pull her in for a hug. She was right after all, you will always have these three to help you take on any challenge, be it monsters, the weather, or even unwanted marriages.
"Thanks Flare." you whisper. "I needed that."
"Anytime Anon. I'll always look out for you." she says returning the hug.
"Next time, could you not hit me so hard though?" you chuckle. "I feel like my cheek might be swelling."
"If you're freaking out less time then sure!" Flare jokes. "You were getting pretty hysterical so I needed to be sure it would bring you back."
"So what we gonna tell the chief and Nene?" Polka asks. "Should we just say Anon is a lightweight and passed out?"
There is easily no shortage of good excuses for your absence at this point. You were in a pretty intensive battle just a few hours ago, no one would probably bat an eye if you decided to turn in for the night. Something doesn't feel right about that however, you have never run from anything since you had begun your journey, you aren't going to start now.
"That's okay Polka." you start as you dust off your pants and walk up to her and Watame. "I'll come back with you all for a bit. I'm dead tired, but I think I at least owe the chief and Nene and proper good night."
"You're really alright to go back Anon?" Watame asks as she looks into your eyes. "You don't have to push yourself so hard you know?"
"I know, but this is just what my heart says to do. Plus, didn't a certain sheep say she wasn't going to leave me alone again? The least I can do is make it a little easier for her to keep an eye on me." you say while giving her fluffy golden hair a soft pat.
This earned a happy smile from your favorite sheep, and you all walked back to the still ongoing celebration. As you expected and somewhat dreaded, Nene is especially happy to see you back, her gaze does not seem to leave you no matter what is happening around her. Defusing this situation is going to be even tougher than you imagined, even with the help of your friends. Through a suggestion from Undine during the walk back earlier, you ask if it would be possible to be shown where you can learn all about the history of Ursoc and Ursol, maybe something in the teachings could clearly show that you are not in fact the champion of some bear god, and thus off the hook for marriage.
Nene happily agrees to be the messenger of her people's teachings to you all tomorrow. It does not do much to quell your static anxiety, but at least having a plan and a chance, no matter how small, to get out of this entire thing diplomatically, makes you feel a little better. As you take another drink, you do entertain the thought that this is still all an elaborate prank, or maybe even a dream, either would work.
Soon enough, you can feel the weight of your head becoming too much, as you start to slump and nod off towards the table. You excuse yourself once more with a good night to everyone and start to make off for the inn. Watame offers to escort you, seeing as it was becoming hard to stand at this point, you more than welcome the help. Polka also manages to take hold of Nene's attention to keep her from trying to come along with you as well, it was surprising to see the fox so, well, considerate. You half expected her to at least want to watch you squirm a little before stepping in, but she is entirely empathetic to your situation. You'll have to give her an extra big thank you later.
You are woken up by the sound of voices the next morning. Unsure of where you are and how you actually got here, you hold your head that was pounding harder than ever before. Guess that was all real then…damn. A hangover stronger than any you have ever felt before and you didn't even fully enjoy what caused it, it doesn't get much worse than that. Your focus is brought back to the voices that awakened you in the first place, one of them was clearly Nene's. It can get worse actually.
"Nene wants to see how her husband is doing!" you can hear her voice demand.
"I'm afraid my summoner will need a bit more rest." you hear Undine's voice come next.
"That's okay! Husband can rest with me!" Nene argues.
"But he is…well.." Undine starts, her options are clearly almost nonexistent, since your last resonance she has been in just her spirit form, you have not gotten a chance to make her physical once again. "He is indecent!"
Well that is certainly one tactic, you think to yourself as you try to make as little noise as possible. Not entirely untrue either, you are apparently down to only your underwear, you don't remember doing that either. Gods, you hope you didn't do this in front of Watame.
"That's okay!" Nene chirps. "Nene does not mind!"
Of course she doesn't…but you suppose it is not exactly outlandish to not mind seeing your future partner like that. In any event, you should try to get your pants on at least, before she barges in on you. It sounds like Undine has tried all she can think of.
"Oh! Good morning Polka!" Nene's voice says next.
The circus fox comes to your rescue again, giving you enough time to properly dress yourself without causing too much noise.
"Anon is gonna be passed out for a while, Nene. He can catch up with us later. Do you want to take us to where we can learn about those bear gods of yours. Undine can tell him where we are, she's literally attached to him after all." Polka says, trying to give you some respite from your newest eager visitor.
"Okay! Nene take you!" your supposed fiance to be, says after a moment. "You tell husband to come find us right?"
"Of course." Undine answers.
"You gotta slow down Nene." Polka says next. "He's not your husband yet. Now come on, I wanna learn about your home a lot more now that it's sunny again."
As you hear the pair of footsteps move farther and farther out of earshot, you breathe a sigh of relief. While you don't remember much of the end of last night, you certainly remember the predicament you're in. You fall back onto the bed and press your palms against your eyes. The pressure alleviates some of the pain at least, you are going to really have to flex your brain muscles to get out of this one.
"Summoner?" Undine's voice comes as she floats in through the door. "I had felt you awake, did you sleep well?"
"Morning Undine." you groan. "I must have, but I wish I was still asleep to be honest. Thanks for holding Nene off for me by the way."
"After last night's events I had figured you were not quite ready to be met with her, well, eager nature. If it were not for Polka's timely intervention however, I'm afraid I would not have been able to stop her."
"Yeah, let's get you summoned back again asap. If it's alright with you, let's head to Uisce's shrine."
"Are you sure summoner? Should we not be focusing our efforts on how to absolve your imminent engagement?"
"Well this is part of that…I hope. I want to ask Uisce what she might know about these bear gods. With any luck Harold might also know a good way to get me out of this since he's lived here for a while."
"I am glad to see you are more like yourself again, summoner." Undine says with a smile. "Making a plan and running to action. That suits you much better than panicking."
"Thanks Undine. Let's hope it's better than some of my other plans."
Forcing yourself up, you fully equip yourself and cautiously make your exit from what is apparently the inn. Thankfully, the entire village seems to be sleeping off last night's party, which makes it easier to get around unnoticed. The last thing you need is for the chief or anyone else privy to your new status as "champion of Ursoc" to find you. Taking Polka's raft that is left at the lake's edge would make things too obvious, guess it's the long way around for you.
The walk around the lake towards the mountain is certainly long, but you don't exactly hate it. Bjornholm is definitely a marvel of nature in the morning sunlight. Everything seems thankful for the momentary stop of the rain. Birds and woodland critters are happily traversing and finding food, some can be seen tending to their own homes within the trees as well. It is still wild to think how the removal of an elemental spirit from their sacred place could spur the weather itself to such extremes. There is still so much you don't know and understand about the spirits and their role in this world. All the more reason you can't stay here, you have to keep traveling and learn all you can.
You eventually reach the base of the mountain just past Harold's house, noticing that since the door was still hanging on its hinges, he has not been back there yet. As you enter the mountain cave and get closer to the shrine, you mentally prepare yourself for what might be waiting there. Unfortunately the copious amounts of alcohol you drank did not erase the memory of what you almost saw transpire here. You announce your arrival before entering to give anyone a chance to become presentable.
"Anon? Is that you kid?" Harold's voice calls back, he doesn't sound annoyed by your arrival, that's certainly a good sign.
"It's us, old man." you reply as you walk further into the shrine. "Just Undine and I, right now."
Upon the raised dais of the shrine, in that pool of water sat Harold, now shirtless with Uisce cuddled under one of his arms. You will happily become a champion of Ursoc if he can somehow ensure Harold is wearing pants of some sort under there too.
"Glad to see you both!" Harold greets you warmly. "How's the chief? He didn't miss me too much did he?"
"The chief has quite a bit more on his mind now." you answer. "It's kinda why I'm back here so soon."
"What has that man gotten wrapped up in this time?" Harold says as he rises out of the water, thankfully clothed from the waist down.
He and Uisce descend down from the dais so they can better converse with you and Undine. Uisce rests her arms contently on the spring's edge in front of you, she looks like the picture of content right now. Despite the trouble it now caused you, you could not be prouder to have brought these two back together safely.
"Oh I almost forgot!" you say suddenly. "I need to summon you back, Undine."
"This, I have got to see." Harold says excited.
"If I may suggest something?" Uisce says. "Please use the waters of my spring to complete Lady Undine's summoning. I think you will find it much less taxing that way."
Not exactly one to argue with the spirit who this shrine is meant for, you decide to step into the water and let yourself be held up by its waters. The water of this spring does feel different somehow, like it is somehow giving your energy. The thoughts and feelings behind powering the summoning feel like second nature now, as you begin to glow with blue mana. A small push of your thoughts, and a burst of blue light appears around Undine who had joined you in the water, now fully solid once more. What is also strange is how your mana does not feel tapped out at all like it should.
"Magic springs sure are something aren't they kiddo?" Harold asks, grinning.
"It's unreal." you reply, feeling like the waters around you are renewing you from the inside out. Your intense hangover is also fully gone. "Hey…why didn't you tell us about this last night when I was practically limping!?"
"Sorry! I had other things on my mind! Real grown up stuff." Harold laughs. "But you were just fine anyway, no big deal right?"
"Whatever…" you grumble as you let yourself just float on your back in the spring. You feel so relaxed and soothed, despite the fact that Harold was clearly holding out on you.
"It is rather refreshing to be in waters like these once again." Undine hums.
"Yeah I could stay here for hours." you agree.
"Not that you're exactly unwelcome too…" Harold starts. "But what brought you here so early, kid? You mentioned the chief has something else on his mind now? Something that doesn't hopefully need my involvement?"
"Oh yeah…I'm engaged now…or I'm going to be." you say flatly.
It takes Harold a second to fully grasp what you just said, as if he was waiting for some follow up or punchline.
"Wait, you're serious?" he asks. "Well congratulations? I think? If you're gonna be engaged, why are you wasting time over here anyway?"
"I'm supposed to be getting engaged to Nene…" you answer, you almost fear to say it out loud since it further cements the fact that it is very real.
"You lost me there. How on earth did you pull that off?"
"The people of Bjornholm believe that my summoner has been blessed by their god, Ursoc." Undine answers for you. "Some witnessed the bear that the fifth spell creates in the night sky shortly after the rain had stopped. It is my understanding that since Nene has the blessing of this Ursol, they are to be married out of some sacred rite."
"Hoo boy…" Harold says. "I'm guessing by the look on your face, that this isn't exactly something you wanted huh?"
"It's a nightmare, Harold." you groan. "I'm not ready to get married. I barely even know the girl!"
"You could do a lot worse than Nene, you know." Harold argues. "She's nice, caring, and has some good physical qualities to boot. She's also a lot of fun to be around."
"That's not the point, old man!" you whine. "The idea of getting married right now scares me shitless."
"Alright, alright. If you don't want to get married so badly, why don't you just refuse? It's not like you have to live here and see the chief and Nene every day anyway."
"What possible explanation could I give that WOULDN'T blow up any chances there are for trade between the people here and elves? Sorry Chief, I'm not blessed by Ursoc like you believe, there's just no one else hanging out in my soul right now. That will go over swimmingly. Or, sorry Chief, I don't want to marry your daughter. No matter how I try to slice that, it will come out terribly."
"I get it, I get it." Harold yields. "So you don't want to insult their beliefs, that's fair. That's good of you. But you don't have a lot of options left though."
"That's part of why I'm here. I wanted to ask if you or Uisce know of any possible ways around this whole Urosc and Ursol thing."
"I never got too involved in the specifics of their beliefs." Harold answers regretfully.
"I'm afraid Ursoc and Ursol as spiritual beings are as much a mystery to me as they are to you." Uisce says. "I have never seen or heard from them myself."
"Don't get so down in the dumps yet, kid. Maybe there's a better way to handle all this. Why are you so opposed to marrying the girl anyway?"
"It's not anything about her specifically. It's just not something I can commit to right now. What if I'm meant for someone else? I always figured marriage was something I would do when I knew for sure I was in love. I don't even know what being in love is yet, or what I want out of a partner yet."
"Look, if love is the main holdup you have over this, give Nene a chance. Get to know her a little better. You may end up deciding she is the girl you want to share the rest of your life with, or she may end up deciding that you AREN'T who she wants to share the rest of her life with."
Harold did raise a good point, if you and Nene got to know each other better, you might both find out that this whole marriage thing isn't right for either of you. You know that isn't the full core of the issue you have though, Harold seems to know too as he studies your expressions.
"How did you know? How were you and Uisce sure you were meant for one another?" you ask, genuinely curious at this point, you never really gave much thought to how a human sorcerer and a spirit of water got together on this level.
"That is quite the story. I'll spare you the details and leave it at this. Uisce and I have always been meant for each other. No matter who, where, or when I am, my soul will always come home to her." Harold says as he beams with happiness from looking at his wife, who returns his warm affections. "For us, it has always been as simple as that. We just mesh and flow with each other. I know that is probably not the answer you were looking for, but it is our answer."
Maybe the explanation is more helpful than Harold is giving it credit for. To simply know you belong with someone without a second thought, maybe that is what love is. Then again, you know in your heart you belong with Watame, Flare and Polka, and even Undine. That was certainly love of one kind, even though you haven't said it as such yet, but maybe that is what romantic love is based off of.
"Here, as one lover of water to another, try to think of it like this. Love is kinda when you mesh and flow with each other as two streams come together into one. I know that's not exactly your case, kid, but sometimes nature is really that simple."
"So I'm basically a flowing stream?"
"Yup, and with any luck, your stream will flow into another's, or possibly even several more, and create a river that cannot be stopped."
Several? Now there's a thought. Undine suggested something similar back when Flare played that awful prank about Noel on you, but you thought she was well, just being her, and still getting used to the specifics of mortals again.
"And on that day, I hope to be watching with Uisce from the banks, marveling at the wonders we're seeing. Hell, if you try hard enough, I bet you can even make water flow uphill, straight into the heavens." Harold finishes with a laugh.
"Jokes about several rivers at once aside, I think I do get what you're saying old man. It is a little easier to get when you make it about water. I just wish it made me feel better."
"There's more to it than just not being sure of Nene isn't there?"
"Yeah…" you nod. "I've made a lot of promises. To Undine, Watame, Flare, and Polka. I even made promises to myself. Promises I can never see through if I have to stay here."
"You really care about all of them don't you?" Harold asks genuinely.
"More than anything else." you answer truthfully. "I want to help make all their dreams come true. I want to keep having fun adventures with them, seeing new places and people. I can't have my journey stop here."
"I think you found your solution then." Harold proposes.
"What do you mean?" you ask, your free floating finally breaking for the potential excitement of a real answer to your problem.
"You gotta spend some time with Nene. Get to know each other, speak from the heart about all that stuff you just told me about your promises. She might just let you off the hook on good terms after all."
"That is a wonderful idea Harold!" Uisce exclaims. "If Anon speaks from his heart, surely the chief's daughter will see it is not anything personal against her, or her people, but a destiny bigger than the two of them."
"Not like I got any better ideas…" you remark as you push yourself out of the spring water. "I just hope I don't end up digging myself a bigger hole."
"You could always try to play that summoner card of yours." Harold remarks. "I'm not exactly sure what girl would be thrilled about sharing her husband with someone like Undine. Since you two are tied at the soul, that could make things a little uncomfortable. Well…unless she's someone who's into that."
"Harold." you say sternly. "Never say something like that again, or I will seriously blast you into the sky."
"Okay! Okay!" Harold says with his hands up laughing. "But you gotta admit that it's not a bad idea. Mentioning that Undine is a part of you! Not the other thing!"
It was something you hadn't really thought about until now, how long would your pact with Undine go on for? Would you be connected forever? Would your role as a summoner make eventual marriage prospects complicated? Not to mention, other less permanent prospects?
"Oh privacy is a problem that is easily solved." Undine chimes in. "If my summoner and his company ever require privacy, I may simply go to my personal realm. Or if I am physical like I am now, just be somewhere else. As my summoner's connection and control over water increases, so will the distance our tether can be."
"If Anon and Nene do get married, you are more than welcome to stay here with me Lady Undine." Uisce says. "My shrine can also act as a physical anchor for you in this world, so your summoner can be across the lake itself and you would stay intact."
At least it was finally Harold's turn to have something unpreferred forced upon him. Since Undine is essentially his mother-in-law, that would limit how "cozy" he could get with Uisce at any given time. That should put him more in your corner for having you gone from Bjornholm at least.
"Do you mind if we test this now, summoner?" Undine asks. "I will only be a call away if you need me. There is much I'd like to talk about with Uisce as well."
"Of course Undine. I figured we made this visit all about me for long enough. I'll be across the lake I guess…I'll try to find Nene and get to know her a little better. Thanks again, Harold, Uisce."
"Don't mention it kid, I hope you find the solution you're looking for."
"I feel the same way Anon. There is one parting gift I would like to give you before you leave though. Please come closer." Uisce says, as you follow her request and kneel down so you are only a head above her.
Uisce places a cool blue fingertip to your forehead, a spark of magic light comes from it and is gone in an instant. You rub your head out of reflex, not really sure if you felt anything at all.
"That is a piece of knowledge of the nature of water I have bestowed upon you. When the time is right, it will reveal itself. It will be the salvation you seek when you require it." Uisce says with a comforting smile.
"Magic sure can do anything can't it?" you say as you still try to make sense of what Uisce just did to you. "Thank you Uisce, I really appreciate it."
You bid your goodbyes and leave the shrine. It is a rather odd feeling, walking further away from Undine, feeling her be further and further away from you. You had gotten so used to her proximity, you had almost forgotten what it was like to be alone, but you did not feel truly alone anyway. You still feel a solid connection to Undine, that she really is just a call or thought away.
On the walk back toward the village you reflect a lot on what you and Harold talked about. It still feels weird to be giving Nene a solid chance, especially when one of the outcomes is one you simply cannot afford to have happen. As you begin to approach the final curve of the lake's edge near the village, a woman approaches you.
She is much more tan skinned than the other villagers you have seen so far, as well as a little shorter than most of the other natives, but still a few inches taller than you. Her straight hair is jet black and falls just past her cheek bones. She is adorned in what might be considered the woman's version of the chief's attire, also sporting a bearskin that drapes from her shoulders.
"You are Anon right?" she asks you kindly.
"That's me." you confirm, a little weary of what this woman wants with you.
"It is nice to meet you. I am Aldreha Momosuzu. Chieftess of Bjornholm, Wife of Brann, and Mother of Nene." she says, offering a hand to you.
You take the woman's hand and lightly shake it as questions begin to race through your mind. This is really Nene's mother? She looks to be the complete contrast to her, and her father, so calm and proper.
"I understand you are to be engaged to my daughter." she starts as she lets go of your hand. "Please accept my apologies for the hasty nature of my husband and daughter. I understand that the nature of this engagement must feel a little overwhelming to you."
"Overwhelming might be putting it lightly." you say without thinking. "What I mean is…I'm just not sure how I actually fit into this whole Ursoc and Ursol thing that apparently is pushing Nene and I together."
Your candid response earns a giggle from the woman.
"That is very understandable. I was once in a similar spot as you. As you might be able to tell, I am an outsider to Bjornholm as well. I am actually from Shallah, the kingdom far south of here."
"Really? That was actually where we were supposed to go next, but plans kinda had to change." you say, slowly finding yourself more comfortable talking to this woman. Another human outsider to this place like yourself was very welcome. Someone who might be able to explain all this bear spirituality in a way you can understand.
"The world certainly works in mysterious ways. My journey to Bjornholm was also unexpected. I used to work aboard a trade ship that would bring goods across the sea. On one of our return trips home, we were chased by one of the more notorious pirate groups, the Houshou pirates."
The name sounds familiar, but pirates would never come anywhere near your shores growing up, so one group might sound just like another to you.
"We could only try to outrun them for so long." Aldreha continues. "A few miles outside the shores of Bjornholm, their cannons finally punctured our ship. I awoke sometime after in the care of Brann. That is how I came to be here in the first place."
"Is that how the two of you ended up getting married?"
"Not even close." the woman giggles. "Brann is as kind and soft as they can be, but he was a stubborn fool of a man back then. As the man who wanted to be blessed by Ursoc and lead his people to new heights, he made it his mission to seek out the pirates who still roamed his shores. I tried again and again to explain to him that they will likely leave and never come again, but just would not listen. He actually wanted me to leave once I was fully healed if you can believe it."
"Considering how welcoming he was to me and my friends, I actually have a hard time believing that."
"Love can change a person, Anon. Him and I are living proof of that. To make a long story short though, Brann found himself in a bad situation with a couple of those pirates that lingered to try and find any manner of treasure from these lands. He was all alone until I found him, on his last legs. I still don't know what then compelled me to jump to his rescue, I was not a fighter, I had no business fighting ruthless pirates, but something unexplainable happened."
"Let me guess." you say as you take her brief pause as an invitation. "Ursol happened?"
"Perhaps. I may never really know. All I know for certain is that I was filled with a burning courage and desire to save the life of the man who had saved my own. I managed to take one of the pirates by surprise with a large rock I had found. I had never felt so protective before. Nothing would stop me from keeping Brann safe, so that is what I did. I fought, and Brann too was also fueled by something…primal. We saved each other that day as we fought off those who were unwelcome in these lands."
"And after that was…"
"After that we were married, yes. You see Anon, the blessings of Ursoc and Ursol are not tied to magic spells, your birthplace, or your beliefs, but through deeds and stout hearts. The desire to do what is needed to protect, and what is right. That is what Ursoc and Ursol lend their strength for."
"So if the blessings of Ursoc and Ursol are meant to happen in tandem, how does what I did alone make me and Nene destined for each other?"
"That is only one interpretation. Those who are actually blessed by their power are meant to be together. Together they will take on bigger challenges, and do even more good for the world. Many in the village believe the power you wield is of Ursoc himself, and Nene has already shown the potential of Ursol. So to Brann, this is a no brainer."
"What about you though? Are you really okay with your daughter marrying someone you both barely know? Nene seems really nice, don't get me wrong, but that's kinda exactly why I am a bit unsure of this whole thing. I don't want her to promise herself to someone she may not fully understand yet, and that goes for me too."
"You are certainly as kind and honorable as people are saying Anon." Aldreha smiles at you warmly. "I care about what makes my daughter happy. She is rather smitten with the idea of you as her husband already. I know this was not exactly your choice, but perhaps you can give Nene a chance. Give Bjornholm a chance, just as I did."
"I owe her that much I suppose." you concede. "Any idea where she is around this time?"
"Weather permitting, which thanks to you it is, she is probably at her favorite spot in the forest not too far from here. She almost couldn't keep herself from going there earlier, but she mentioned something about showing your friends more about our beliefs. I'll point you in the right direction."
"Thank you, Chieftess. I appreciate the help. I also appreciate your story. It's helped a little."
"I'm glad it has Anon. Now off with you, if you and Nene getting to know each other more is your goal, you can't waste another moment with me."
With a thankful smile, you say goodbye to Nene's mother and make off in the direction she pointed you in away from the village. You didn't peg Nene for the stroll through the forest type, you're not sure of much of her for that matter. Hopefully you can start to clear some of that up. You are also unsure what you would rather find, Nene alone, or Nene along with your friends. On the one hand, your friends would make things much more comfortable, but on the other, you almost welcome the idea of what might be considered a first date with a pretty girl, even if you hate the circumstances surrounding it.
Soon enough, you are walking along a rather well made path through the forest, the afternoon sunlight reaching its full strength above you. Up ahead you see a small clearing, and there swaying from side to side on a stump, is Nene. She looks kinda radiant in the sunlight like this, surrounded by nature. It makes you hesitate and stop right in your tracks. What should you do next? How do you do what's next? The only time you ever asked out a girl was when you first became a teenager back home. Needless to say, as a cursed child from the sea your advances were not well received, so you never did that again.
This should turn out differently at least, so take a few more steps closer. You can feel your stomach flutter harder with every inch, if not for Uisce's spring, you would have definitely thrown up everything from last night by now. Get a grip Anon! You don't even want to marry this girl, who cares if you screw something up or look ridiculous. Just get things rolling.
"Umm…Hi, Nene." you say when you are safely within earshot.
Nene is broken out of…well, whatever it is she normally thinks about, after she hears your voice. Her smile goes from ear to ear at the sight of you, she looks ready to get up and sprint at you. Not wanting to give her the chance at a running start, you quickly take a few larger steps toward her, you are not sure if all of her boasting about her own strength has any merit or not, but you'd rather not find out the hard way.
"How's it going?" you ask, already kicking yourself for using such a lame opener.
"Nene is great!" she chirps as she rockets from her seat and jumps off the stump she sat on to land in front of you. "Nene had a fun morning showing new friends all about Ursoc and Ursol. Then Nene went looking for husband, since she wanted to show him that favorite spot is finally dry thanks to Husband, but husband found Nene! Nothing can be better!"
"Right…where are my friends anyway?"
"They said they would help find husband, said they would check where Harold lives."
"Well their hunch was right. That's where I was earlier. I wanted to check on how he and his wife are doing. Plus, Undine wanted to spend more time over there."
"Is that why your pretty blue spirit friend isn't here?"
"Yup. So it looks like it's just us for a while, Nene. Would you uhh…like to go on a walk with me? Or maybe something else?" you can feel your nerves stretching at the seams to try to get the words out.
"Okay! Where would husband like to go? Nene will take him anywhere."
Alright, the whole husband thing will need to stop if you want this to even resemble a normal date in any way. How on earth do you explain that to this girl?
"Anywhere is fine with me." you say truthfully. "I like to just walk around and really take in the wonderful parts of nature around me."
"Nene too!" she gasps. "Husband is more perfect for Nene by the second."
"Before we go, can I ask that you just call me Anon?" you take a chance and ask, sometimes complicated problems have simple solutions after all.
"But you are Nene's husband, so she calls you husband." she replies, her head clearly trying to work through what would make you request this of her.
"Wouldn't we need to be officially engaged first? Besides, let's not worry about titles right now. Let's just be two people getting to know each other. I think that sounds kinda fun."
"Nene does want to know everything about husband. New friends tell her a lot, Nene thinks he's very cool!"
Thanks guys…really helped out the situation didn't you…they better have found something useful earlier.
"But I don't know a whole lot about you yet. Do you see what I'm getting at Nene?"
"Ohhh! Nene sees! It's like Polka said! Husband is very shy, he often talks around his feelings."
"Of course she said that…" you grumble, way to help out a guy Polka.
"Okay! Husband may take Nene on a walk! Nene tell him all he want to know, and husba-, Anon, will tell Nene what she wants to know." she suddenly says with a proud look on her face.
Appreciative that the girl is trying to take your considerations into account, you give her what is hopefully your best smile, and motion for her to walk next to you further into the forest.
Your heart feels like it will jump out of your throat at any second,why are you so flustered? This is supposed to be a chance for the both of you to get to know each other better and you cannot think of a single good question to ask.
Nene's hair bounces and weaves in the sunlight as she skips next to you, it's like she honestly could not want for anything more in the world right now her smile was so big. Those wonderful pools of emerald that make up her eyes also seem to tear down every defense you thought you had. Gods, this girl is cute, no wonder it's hard to think, but you can't just walk in silence forever. Just focus Anon! Be calm and just let the words flow out of you, like water. That feels good to remember, just be like water, you can do that.
"So how do you usually like to spend your days, Nene?" you finally manage to get out after a hard swallow. "What do you do for fun?"
"Nene likes doing this! Nene really likes seeing the forest every day. Every day there something new. Something new for Nene to see and enjoy. If Nene not in forest, she back in village playing with kids who are not old enough to go out on their own yet, or helping at the inn, or with anything else Papa or Mama need."
"The forest here is impressive." you say. "I could probably walk through here for hours and still find interesting new things to look at."
"Flare told Nene you get reeeeally distracted by dirt and leaves." Nene giggles.
"I don't get distracted…" you try to argue. "I just like to pay extra attention to how it's different everywhere I go."
"Nene thinks that is cute. Anon likes to see how things are different in different places. Anon respects and likes nature. Nene feels the same. Trees, grass, dirt, animals, they all alive, they all have something that makes them special. Anon knows this too! That makes Anon cute!"
You feel your cheeks flare up from her affectionate compliments. Should a man be cute though? You don't seem to mind being called cute in this case though.
"It's hard not to notice how everything is alive and unique." you say, trying to recollect yourself. "The forests in the elven kingdom looked like they could be from another world entirely when compared to the ones near where I grew up."
"Tell Nene more about you!" she almost demands. "Did Anon always want to go and beat up bad guys?."
"Well, not always." you begin.
You tell her about your home near the coast, your beginnings, your dad, uncle, how you were an outcast that eventually did not aspire for more than just helping your dad with his crafts. That all changed of course, when Hector and his castle showed up.
You don't think you will ever get tired of reliving some of those moments. When you first came face to face with Watame is such a bright and vivid memory for you. The burning determination you felt to help that fluffy sheep is something you hope you carry with you forever.
Meeting Undine was also something you can't stop yourself from retelling without warm feelings starting to swell. It wasn't even that long ago, but you feel like you've known Undine forever. You can't really imagine life without her at this point.
"Nene sees! Anon found out he good at smashing bad guys because of Watame and Undine! So he want to travel the world and help people that way!"
"It's a little more complicated than that." you chuckle. "For the first time in my life, I felt like I was finally accepted, and that I had a purpose. Watame and Undine make me feel like I have a real place in this world."
While you can tell Nene is perfectly happy just listening to you talk, you can also tell that she's trying really hard to understand what you meant. You get the feeling she is not the type of person who ever questioned who they were or what they're meant to do.
"I feel like I'm at my best and most happy when I'm alongside them, seeing the world and getting closer to our dreams. It's like my heart tells me it's exactly what I'm meant to do. What about you Nene? Is there something you feel you are meant to do?"
"Nene always knew that she is meant to do great things with the champion of Ursoc." she says plainly, and lacking her usual enthusiasm. "Ever since Papa found out that Nene has the power of Ursol, she's been getting ready for when the one blessed by Ursoc will appear. So Nene can help everyone in Bjornholm be happy and safe."
"Do you really need someone blessed by Ursoc to help you do that though? From what I've seen already, you make everyone pretty happy. I saw how happy you made the people at the inn while the rain was still going."
"Nene tries…but even Nene gets tired. It can be hard being the one everyone turns to…"
This you did not expect. The girl with seemingly boundless energy, has her moments of weakness too. You cannot even begin to imagine what it might be like for an entire village of people depending on you every day. Maybe that's why she's so gung ho into this marriage thing, just so she doesn't have to shoulder those burdens all by herself.
"That's why Nene comes out here every day." she continues. "Trees and animals don't ask anything from Nene. Nene can just be her."
"Have you ever thought about leaving? Not forever, just for a while, so you can do things however you want and see more things." you ask, it might seem a little tactless, but the idea has worked so far for you and your friends.
"Once or twice." Nene admits. "But Nene would feel bad if champion of Ursoc appeared and Nene was gone."
"I'm not really an expert yet, but it sounds like to me that both people end up finding each other exactly when they're supposed to, right? So I don't really think you have to worry about missing them."
"Nene knows she won't miss them now, since you and Nene found each other."
"Nene…" you start, trying to sort through all the different and conflicting feelings you have.
On the one hand, getting to know Nene a little has been good. You learned that she's not only kind, but also considerate of your own comfort. Her being a fan of nature is also a plus, it would be nice to talk to someone who has a similar fascination with it as you do. She also has her own worries and problems, which makes her that much more relatable, the idea of an eternally carefree and bubbly wife was intimidating to say the least.
The fact that you could not seem to make your eyes stop wandering over her exposed legs and chest was not making this any easier either. What is with you today? You normally don't have much of a problem with this sort of thing, and that's saying something considering the company you keep. Could it be the stress? You almost feel like your body is getting extra signals from somewhere. Oh please let this not actually be the work of this Ursoc.
Shaking off those particular thoughts, you take a deep breath and let your heart say what it needs to say.
"I don't actually think I have anything to do with Ursoc." you manage to say. "My one spell taking the form of a bear is a total coincidence."
"But…you made giant bear spell to help Nene and her home."
"I also used it to help protect my friends, and to make sure Harold and Uisce would be safe. I also used it once before to protect my friends and a very important person to Flare. I'm sorry Nene, but I really don't think I'm the champion you've been waiting for…"
The words almost hurt to say, but there was no other choice. You couldn't lie to the poor girl. Especially not after she confided in you. She doesn't deserve that, she deserves nothing but the truth from you, sorry Rosal, this may ruin your trade plans.
"Nene had a feeling…" she says before you can continue. "After talking with new friends, and then with Anon…Nene knew deep down you are not champion of Ursoc."
"So why did you keep calling me your husband still?"
"Nene wasn't sure what to do. Papa was certain Anon is blessed by Ursoc. Nene wanted to believe it too…so Nene could share all her problems with someone…"
"You can still share your problems with me, you know. We don't have to be married or be connected by your bear gods for that."
"But, Nene is supposed to only be helped by the man blessed by Ursoc. That's what Nene always believed."
"And if a few months ago you told me I would be getting help from a sheep, a half-elf, a fox, AND the ruler of the waters herself, I never would have believed you. My point is that help can come from very unexpected places, and it's sometimes the kind of help you need most."
"And you…want to help Nene?"
"Of course, that is, if you still want to be friends with me. There's a lot more to you than I first thought, and I kinda like who Nene really seems to be. So yeah, I'll help you in any way I can."
What were once dejected, and watering eyes, are now filled with surprise and hope.
"Anon really likes Nene?"
"I do, as a good new friend." you quickly add with your most charming smile.
"Nene likes Anon too!" she cheers. "Nene come to you whenever she needs help okay?"
"You got it Nene!"
"Will Anon help Nene with something right now?" she asks.
"Depends on what it is." you respond, knowing you still need to be careful with what words you use with this girl.
"For the rest of this walk…can Nene…can Nene call you husband?" she asks with her face growing slightly red and bashful.
There are worse things she could have asked for, you suppose. The idea of being called husband by this girl still makes you uncomfortable, but you suppose she's earned this much. She's lucky she's cute.
"Just for the rest of this walk." you concede. "Also only when it's just the two of us." It never hurts to set ground rules.
"Yay! Husband! Come with Nene!" she suddenly says as she finally lets you free from her hug and takes you by the hand. "Nene know next spot we should go to."
The girl seems to bounce right back to her normal energetic self as she tugs you along through the forest. She is actually stronger than you expected, and runs at a pace that you would even give Watame a run for her money. This is actually pretty fun, just running through the forest with a new friend, not having to care about anything but this moment. Maybe this is what Bjornholm is all about at its core, maybe this is part of what made Nene's mother want to stay here. You certainly can't stay here, but it is hard not to be swept up in the freedom and whimsy of it all. It wouldn't hurt to just enjoy the ride for a little more right?
Nene leads you out of the forest with the lake outstretching before you. You don't think you can ever get tired of seeing the fruits of Uisce's own magic. Still holding your hand gently, Nene brings you over to an overturned log that sits a few feet from the lake's edge. Finally letting you go, she takes a seat in the middle and pats the spot next to her for you to take.
Obliging, you sit next to her, which apparently was not close enough at first as she bounces to shift herself so that your hips are touching one another. Nene sure isn't shy about contact, you wish you could say the same for yourself sometimes.
Most of your nervousness flows away when you take in the scene of the glittering lake in the sunlight. It makes you think about just what else is out there in this big world waiting for you. Where might you meet more of Undine's helpers? Will you end up meeting a helper of another spirit before you end up making a pact with them? Those kinds of questions excite you.
"Nene is glad that husband likes her favorite seat on the lake too!" Nene suddenly says as she notices your brightening expression.
"It's a really nice spot, thanks for taking me here." you say. "I could probably just sit here and watch the water all day."
"Nene can do that too, if it's with husband. Nene knows there is much to do though, can't spend entire life watching the lake."
"You're right about that, there is a lot I still need to do." you say.
"Nene has decided! After Nene explains that husband is not blessed by Ursoc, she will come with you. Nene will help you and all your friends make their dreams come true! After that, we come back, and maybe be real husband and wife."
The sudden declaration catches you off guard. That might be the best outcome you can hope for at this point. There is still that bit about how she still wants to get married at some point, but this, you can work with, this gives you time. Time to figure things out, figure yourself out, and where you might actually fit into her life.
"You really want to come along with us Nene?" you ask. "Are you alright leaving Bjornholm for a while? I don't know when we might actually be back. The places Watame and I come from could be on the other side of the world for all we know. It can get dangerous too."
"Nene is not worried about any of that!" she looks into your eyes with conviction. "Nene is strong and will always protect her husband and friends! Nene will miss home, mama, papa, and everyone else, but this bigger than just Nene!"
"I'd actually really like it if you join us. If you are as strong as you say, it might really help us out." you say honestly, last night's encounter definitely planted some worrying seeds. Just how big of a group was HoloX? Could there be even more like them?
"With Nene, no one will be able to stop you! Nene smash anyone who tries to hurt husband with the might of Ursol!"
There is something about this girl's optimism that is simply contagious. Faced with forces that neither of you can understand, and she is ready to tackle it head on just to try and help you. You can easily see why Harold and her mother wanted you to just give her a chance. Nene may not be a girl you want to marry at this very moment, but she is certainly someone you like. Her company is enjoyable in its own unique way, she makes you feel comfortable, free, and wanted, but you can't help but feel like something is missing, as if it's a picture painted with the wrong colors.
The sound of something ripping its way through the air interrupts the thought just on the tip of your tongue and brings you both to alert. From the corner of your eye you see something approaching fast, and push Nene forward out of the path of whatever it might be.
Before you can move yourself, a large net entraps you and pulls itself taunt. You fall sideways off the log as your prison gets smaller, you fail to try and stand, and are quickly yanked towards the direction it came from.
"Husband!" Nene yells as you are dragged along the ground.
"Husband!?" Chloe's voice gasps. "No damn way!"
"Are you kidding me!?" you yell. "What the hell are you doing back here!? We had a deal!"
"We agreed to not pursue the spirit that lives in the mountain or the people of Bjorholm." Iroha's voice comes next.
Finally having a second to lift your head up, you look through the net and see Chloe and Iroha at the forest's edge. Chloe has some strange device strapped to her back, likely what helped her get this net around you from as far away as she is.
"And you're not either of those things, so sucks to be you!" Chloe gloats.
"You give back Nene's husband!" Nene shouts as she begins to run after you.
"Get back Nene! These two are too strong to fight on your own!" you plead. You don't know how Chloe is back on her feet so soon, but just Iroha on her own is dangerous, you don't want Nene to get hurt.
"You should listen to the boy." Iroha says coldly as she prepares to draw her sword. "Our orders are to retrieve him as soon as possible. You would be better off just forgetting about him."
"Just blow her away Iroha." Chloe grunts as she finishes pulling you so you are on the ground in front of her. "We don't want the rest of this guy's team to catch up to us."
In agreement, Iroha begins to channel mana all around her sword. With one swift motion, you can hear the blade leave its sheath and lock back into it. A second later, a powerful whirlwind bursts forth toward Nene, blowing her off her feet and right into the lake.
"Nice job!" Chloe chirps. "Now I'm gonna pay you back for last night you jerk!"
Pay back for what, it could be any number of things, but you quickly get the point as you suddenly feel your body convulse with electricity. You hated this feeling when Gildmoore zapped you, but this was even worse than that.
This is bad. You are being kidnapped by an organization of psychopaths, and you're losing consciousness. Should you call Undine? No, that might be their plan. They might just be using you to get her since Uisce is off limits now. You can't risk Undine's safety. These two are idiots deep down, you can find a way out of this…when you wake back up that is.
—-
Nene frantically swims back to dry land, Her eyes race all around, looking for a sign, any sign of Anon. How did everything go so wrong? A moment filled with such comfort and promise, turned into a nightmare. Nene continues to look for him, but he is gone without a trace. She falls to her knees and starts to cry.
Nene failed…Nene said she would always protect husband, and bad people came and took him away. Nene broke her promise…
"Oi! Nenechi!" Polka's voice comes from the lake.
Nene can hear Polka call to her, but she can't move. The guilt and despair freeze her senses entirely. She is blessed by Ursol, how could two strangers snatch her husband from her without even putting up a fight?
"Nene?" Polka's voice calls again. "Are you okay? What happened?""
Not wanting to say the words since that would make it all so much more real, Nene begins to cry. Polka kneels down beside and puts an arm around her to pull her close, not really sure what is wrong, but knows a friend in need when she sees one.
Flare walks around the pair and her eyes go wide. She turns and surveys the area, she is unsure what exactly she should be finding, but something about the scene does not sit right with her.
"Someone took Anon didn't they?" Watame says. "I got a real bad feeling after we left the mountain."
"I think so, Watame." Flare answers as she looks over the area that Anon was dragged along.
"Hey hey, Nenechi." Polka softly says to try and soothe Nene out of her sobbing. "What happened? Where did Anon go?"
"He…husband…two weird girls came and Nene couldn't stop them…" Nene finally starts to speak between cries. "Husband even pushed Nene out of the way so she wouldn't get caught too…Nene couldn't protect him…"
"Two girls?" Polka asks. "Flare you don't think?"
"It's likely those two from HoloX." Flare agrees. "What do they want with just Anon though?"
"Who cares what they want him for." Polka argues. "We need to go get him back."
"And where exactly do we start looking, Polka!?" Flare fires back. "He could be anywhere in this forest? We can't be careless with those two as our enemies either. You and Anon barely managed to beat them, remember?"
"And every second we waste sitting around trying to plan, is a second Anon gets further away from us!" Polka says, raising her voice as she leaves Nene to stand in front of Flare.
"You think I don't know that!?" Flare spits back. "But we can't run around blindly, we could end up going in the opposite direction! We need a lead to follow."
"Do you see any cart tracks this time huh!? Those two were dumb, but they aren't dumb enough to make that mistake twice."
Watame was in shock. She did not want to believe the deep dread she felt earlier meant anything. Anon was really taken from her, and she was not here to watch out for him like she promised. He could be anywhere. He could be scared, he could even be dead.
That last thought was just too much, the tears can't be stopped now. Watame falls to her knees and begins to cry into her hands. Why did she leave Anon alone? She should have been with him like she said she would.
Between Flare and Polka continuing to argue, and the crying from Watame and Nene, no one even notices Harold's arrival from the lake. He almost looks disappointed no one noticed him surfing along the water with only his feet, thanks to Uisce's magic of course. Undine looks stricken with worry as she walks past him and looks over the scene.
"Something bad happened to the kid didn't it?" he asks Undine, as he steps onto the dry land as Uisce floats closeby half submerged.
"I could not be certain at first." Undine starts. "But now that I am here, I can feel this is where he was last awake."
Harold takes a moment and looks around for anything that might be a lead. All he can see is two girls arguing, and two crying…was he this bad when he found out Uisce was missing?
Before he could try to mediate, Undine splashes both Polka and Flare with cold water with a flick of her wrist. They look back at her with a mix of shock and embarrassment
"Polka, Flare." Undine says sternly. "Where is my summoner? What happened to Anon?"
Both of them looked at the ground in shame. No one wanted to be the one to tell the great water spirit that her closest friend in this world had been taken by an organization of villains.
"HoloX took him…" Flare finally says. "We don't know anymore than that…there aren't any clues this time…"
"That's why we need to get moving now." Polka chimes in.
"And do what Polka!?" Flare says, getting heated again. "Run around until we get lucky? We can't even risk splitting up this time. You know how dangerous those two are."
"At least it's SOMETHING! By the time you come up with a plan that might not even work, it might be too late for Anon!"
Harold could see something snap in Flare's eyes. A bad situation was getting even worse by the second. If these girls don't pull themselves together soon, whatever chances you have will go up in smoke.
"You do owe quite a lot to the kid. Without him, you might have never found Uisce in time. The same lunatics that took him were going to do who knows what to your wife. When you thought you were at your lowest, the kid picked you up and convinced you that it was going to be alright. He fought his heart out to make that happen too, even against an opponent who should have had him beat dead to rights. Only a handful of people you've known have been capable of overcoming an opponent who could neutralize over half their normal arsenal using pure guts. If he's the one who keeps this little group at their best, you'lljust have to step in and do it for him until he's back. Not even a full day and you're back out of retirement again, that's a new record!"
"You need a plan right?" Harold says loudly to get everyone's attention. "If I give you one, will you two get a grip? The second that kid is gone, you all fall apart. Do you think that's what he wants? Even an old man can tell how much he trusts and cares about you. The least you can do is play nice for his sake."
That seemed to hit Flare and Polka hard. They always want to have Anon's back whenever he needs it, and just when he needs them the most, they are at each other's throats. This wasn't them. The two looked at each other apologetically and just nodded, spoken apologies can wait till later, after Anon is back safe with them.
"Good." Harold says as he walks up to Undine. "We'll get your summoner back. This old man still has a few tricks up his sleeve that should help us find him."
"Are you sure Harold?" Undine asks. "Is Uisce not your top priority? What if this is a ploy to get to her or even myself?"
"The thought did cross my mind, but my mind's already made up. Besides, I'd like to see either of those two be able to catch Uisce in her own lake. Ain't that right sweetie?"
"Harold is right, Lady Undine." Uisce replies. "If I stay within the lake until your return, I will be safe. I have a few tricks of my own that I wouldn't mind showing off if the need arose."
"I think it's also a safe bet to assume that they wouldn't send the one who can zip through water and inhale it like a vacuum. Since the kid is a wiz at water magic, and has your support to boot, I'm thinking they wouldn't ditch their best weapon against him." Harold says with a smile.
"You really have a plan that can help us find him Harold?" Undine asks.
"I do, but if we're gonna do this, we need everyone on board and ready." Harold says as he moves his eyes to the still out of commission Nene and Watame.
Undine gets the intention behind Harold's words and walks in front of Watame and kneels down. She had been so preoccupied with your own disappearance she did not even register how distraught the little sheep is.
"Little sheep." she whispers. "I promise you, we will find my summoner. We will find Anon. You do believe me don't you?"
The voice of the water spirit stirred Watame from her quiet hysterics. It seems like the first time she is even registering that Undine is here and in front of her. Her eyes, watery and wide, stared back at her.
"Undine!? Is that really you?! You're still here!?" she asks through tears.
"That's right, little sheep. I need your help to find my summoner. You will help me won't you?"
Watame wipes her eyes and blinks a couple times. Undine is really here asking for her help to find Anon. If she's here, and solid looking, that means he is obviously still alive, somewhere. Maybe it wasn't hopeless after all, it is time to show just how much this sheep can be depended on.
"Of course I will!" Watame says as she wraps her arms around Undine. "You and Anon mean everything to me…I'd do anything to make sure he's safe."
Undine returns the sheep's embrace and smiles. While she is wracked with worry over the disappearance of her summoner, she knows Watame feels equally devastated. They would need each other to get through this. Undine knows her summoner would never give up, even when things are at their darkest, it was time she took another lesson from him.
Harold smiles and turns to his own pep talk recipient. He can't recall the last time he saw Nene this upset, he can't even recall if he's ever seen her not smiling for that matter. He wasn't even sure if she was truly capable of feeling sad, this definitely wasn't the way to find out, but it is what it is.
"Hey Nene." Harold says to her, kneeling down in a similar fashion as Undine. "I know this might be a stupid question, but are you alright?"
"Nene is very not alright…" she answers. "Nene let husband get stolen. Nene is terrible champion of Ursol…"
"Sometimes, things happen that you just can't stop Nene. What matters is what you do next. There are some things that can be fixed and made up for. We could really use that strength of Ursol you're so proud of. It would make rescuing Anon a lot easier."
"Nene would just get in the way…bad girl with sword blew Nene away like forgotten laundry."
No wonder the girl is so down. She even had a chance but was blindsided by one of those brutes. I may know what might put a fire back in her belly, but you aren't gonna like it kid. Sorry, but maybe you'll thank me when this is all over.
"You know." Harold starts, contemplating if what he is going to say next is going to bite him in the butt, or maybe someone else's butt to be more specific. "If you come to the rescue of Anon, that might be what Ursoc and Ursol meant for. He rescued your town and people from the rain, and now it's your turn to help him. That sounds a lot like some of the other unification stories I've heard over the years. So what do you say?"
This sparked the girl's interest for sure. While she had decided only a short while ago that she would try to travel with Anon and his friends, and leave the whole marriage thing for later, maybe this is what Ursoc and Ursol meant to happen. This way, you would see that Nene is the one for him. This way, Ursoc and Ursol blessings would come to life in an hour of great need.
"Nene will…Nene will…" she starts, letting her swelling feelings rise and become louder. "Nene will teach those girls never to steal from Nene again!"
Nene rockets up to her feet as fierce, dark golden mana crackles around her hands.
"You tell Nene where to find them! And she smash them with the full might of Ursol!" she demands from Harold, who is looking both content and apologetic.
"Now that everyone's finally on the same page again, I'll do just that." Harold says.
"So what is this plan of yours anyway?" Flare asks. "We have next to nothing to go off of."
"We have more than we need actually. Don't forget, this old man might have more love for water magic than your friend, and I got decades of experience to boot. I happen to know just the kind of spell we need to find him."
"What kind of spell can find a missing person?" Polka asks next.
"Divination of course." Harold says proudly. "Normally, it is only used to help the caster find something related to themselves, or something more ambiguous. Lucky for us though, if we perform a divination on the ruler of the waters here, it should give us two locations."
"Because Undine and Anon share their souls?!" Watame gasps. "Will that really work?!"
"That alone won't paint the full picture for us. We need to at least guess a general area he might be in. But I think we piece together enough of what we know to do that right?"
"If I had to guess, I would say they might take Anon where they were going to take Uisce originally." Flare offers. "I remember one of them saying she was going to be studied, and for that they would need to be near a decent source of water. Obviously the lake is out. Maybe the beach?"
"That's a good idea, Flare!" Polka cheers. "They know Anon can do all the water spirit stuff too, so they likely want to test that out somehow. But there's a lot of beach out there huh? It might take a few tries to get it right."
"Not a problem." Harold says. "The girl who happens to know a lot about the waterways here is pretty sweet on me. I bet she could help us narrow it down if I ask her nicely. I might need to promise a romantic evening or two, but I'll gladly pay the price for the kid's safe return."
"I would have done it for free." Uisce adds. "But who am I to deny such an offer?"
"Let us get started then." Undine says with Watame at her side. "Just tell me what I need to do Harold."
"Alright, time to divine us a guy who is luckier than he probably knows." Harold says cracking fingers between each other.