Hello my dear readers.

You didn't expect me to come back in such a short time, did you? Well, this is the August holidays for you I guess. I'm trying to get it going as best I can, so if ideas are scarce I'm likely to take... a little longer.

And nothing to add further, that was all I had to say. Enjoy.

As the first light of dawn broke through Ashimar returned to the cave, his arms laden with firewood and a freshly hunted bird dangling from one hand. And he was surprised to see one of the two demi-humans awake by the fire, he hadn't expected either of them to be conscious so soon. This one was taller than the other, with a distinguished thick ponytail that set her apart and a light-bluish mid-length tail. Although she was certainly taller than her younger sister, she was clearly shorter than Flare.

'She must be the elder one. Must be not older than 14.' Ashimar deduced in his thoughts noticing the subtle differences. 'They definitely look better than yesterday, guess the injuries were minor after all.'

Ashimar approached her, setting down the firewood and the bird. "Didn't expect you to be awake so soon." he said casually, but not uncaringly.

The demi-human ice wolf looked up to him with a mix of wariness and caution. "Yeah… I woke up a little while ago." she replied. "Needed to check on my sister."

Ashimar nodded in understanding. "Makes sense. How's she doing?"

Lyra glanced over at her still-unconscious sister, then back at Ashimar. "She's stable. Just needs rest."

Gathering what he needed, he knelt by the fire, starting to prepare the hare. "Good to hear. Name's Ashimar, by the way."

"I'm Lyra." she introduced herself.

"Sure. Nice to meet you." Ashimar said, not looking up from his task.

"You too…" Lyra nodded still watching him. "Thank you for saving us. I know my kind isn't always treated well by humans, but you rescued us from what could've been a living hell."

Ashimar shrugged. "Not all humans are the same. And to be honest, I didn't exactly save you out of the kindness of my heart. My original plan was more about dealing with those bandits, you just happened to be there. And… I guess I couldn't exactly leave the two of you behind."

Lyra's expression didn't harden, instead she nodded in understanding. Although Ashimar's motives were not the most noble, she welcomed his honesty. "Even so, I appreciate it." She nodded with a smile.

Ashimar grunted in response, focusing on the task at hand. The bird he had caught wasn't exactly cooperating. "You're welcome. Just don't expect me to do it all the time."

Lyra chuckled lightly, easing the slight tension in the air. "I think that's fair. I suppose we're both in a bit of a rough spot here."

Ashimar glanced at her, noting the genuine but cautious demeanour in her eyes. She didn't seem to harbour the deep distrust that many demi-humans had towards humans, which was a surprise for him. He sighed as he continued to fumble with the bird.

A few minutes later, as Ashimar continued his struggle with the bird, Lyra's amusement became more apparent. "Looks like you're having a bit of trouble there." she said with a touch of humour in her voice.

Ashimar sighed in frustration and wiped his hands on his pants. "Guess I'm not much of a cook, tsk… specially when it comes to plucking birds. I usually stick to simpler tasks."

Lyra's laugh was soft but genuine. "I can see that. Maybe you should stick to stealing then. It's less likely to end with burnt food."

Ashimar gave her a sidelong glance, slightly impressed by her sharp observation. "So you figured it out huh?"

"I simply put two and two together." Lyra mentioned casually.

Ashimar raised a brow at her. "You know, you seem pretty laid-back for someone who's just been rescued. Do you seriously not have any reservations about humans, especially after what you went through?"

"It's just like you said, not all humans are the same." Lyra shook her head. "As for me, I've seen enough to know that there are all kinds of people. Some are kind, some are cruel. I prefer to judge individuals by their actions, not their species."

"I guess you're right." Ashimar replied before getting on his feet. "Well, I'm going to take a look around. Keep an eye on the fire for me, will you? Maybe I can find something better than this bird."

Lyra nodded in agreement. "Sure thing. Just don't be gone too long."

Later in the morning, Flare found herself waking earlier than usual, her mind still buzzing with thoughts from the previous day. She glanced around the cave, noting that nearly everyone was still asleep. Even the horse seemed content to stay in its place, unmoving. Yet Ashimar was nowhere to be seen which wasn't entirely surprising given his penchant for wandering off.

Noticing the rain had finally ceased, Flare decided to step outside for some fresh air. As she quietly made her way out, the oldest of the demi-human girl opened her eyes and watched her walk away. Noticing the fire had died out, Lyra fixed her attention on the princess, she couldn't understand why someone like Flare, a princess with a known disdain for demi-humans, would save them. Intrigued, she decided to follow Flare, keeping a safe distance.

Flare stepped outside and noticed that the ancient grove seemed less dense in this area. The morning air was crisp, and the ground was still damp from the night's rain. She looked around, but her thoughts remained inward-focused, particularly on her last conversation with Ashimar.

'What is wrong with me?' she thought to herself as her mind flashed back to yesterday. The scene was still fresh on her mind, and it wouldn't stop playing.

'Hold on… I'll get you out of here.'

'Was that it? Was it really just out of convenience?' Flare could feel the conflict within her was palpable. She hated to admit that the thief's words had struck a chord, making her question her own motivations and beliefs.

As she wandered further from the cave, she thought back to the conversation about Qi. 'Is this Qi really as special as he speaks? Can it really unlock a greater potential than my hero's powers? If so, why would our kingdom not be aware of such power?' The question lingered in her mind. His explanation, though brief had made her realize how little she understood about power outside of magic. It seemed the world was far more complex than she had been taught.

Watching from behind a tree, Lyra continued to observe Flare's pensive state. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than just a haughty princess. 'I wonder why did she save us.' she wondered, her own confusion mirroring Flare's internal struggle.

Flare sighed, rubbing her temples. She was supposed to be strong, invincible even. The next heir to the throne should not be questioning herself, let alone her beliefs. Yet here she was, grappling with doubts and uncertainties. Her encounter with Ashimar had thrown her world into disarray, and she didn't like it one bit.

With a thick on her head, she forcefully kicked a pebble absentmindedly, watching it skitter across the ground. 'That filthy, wretched thief...' she thought with flaring annoyance. 'He's not even a hero, yet he has managed to make me question everything.'

Behind her, Lyra cautiously emerged from her hiding spot. She watched Flare with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism, still asking herself why someone of Flare's stature would have taken such an interest in them.

Noticing the girl's presence, Flare turned sharply. "What do you want, demi-human?" she demanded with irritation. "Can't you see I'm trying to think?"

Lyra hesitated but stepped forward. "I just wanted to thank you for rescuing us yesterday." she said in a sincere tone, despite the awkwardness of the situation.

Flare's expression hardened. "I did it out of convenience." she replied curtly. "Don't misconstrue it as anything more."

Lyra's brow arched in mild surprise. "Even so, it's still something to be grateful for."

Flare's eyes narrowed further. "Save your thanks. I'm not interested in your gratitude."

"A gesture of thanks is in order, it's only fair I…" The ice-wolf tried to reason.

Flare's eyes narrowed with anger, cutting Lyra's words off. "I said it means little to me!" She snapped.

Lyra was momentarily taken aback by Flare's aggressiveness, but remained composed, though a hint of exasperation was visible. It was clear that Flare had her way to dismiss courtesy and while she did expect this kind of attitude, the ice-wolf didn't expect her to react like this in her situation.

"You're quite something, aren't you?" Lyra noted. "Can't you even accept a simple thank you without being unpleasant?"

Flare's temper flared. "And what is that supposed to imply?" she snapped, stepping closer with an air of defiance.

"Nothing." Lyra held up her hands in a gesture of peace. "Just an observation."

Attempting to assert dominance, Flare summoned a burst of fire from her staff. However, the strain from her earlier exertions and exhaustion made the flames sputter out quickly. She stood panting, trying to maintain her regal demeanour despite her visible fatigue. Which of course didn't go unnoticed to the girl in front of her.

Lyra's eyes caught her moment of weakness. "What's happened to you?"

Flare struggled to regain her composure. "It's nothing. Just… a bit tired."

Lyra's scepticism was evident. "You look like you're dealing with more than mere fatigue. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I said I'm fine. It's none of your concern." Flare bristled.

Lyra studied her with a calm, almost pitying look. "I've seen many people like you. You're clearly struggling more than you're letting on."

"Do not presume to understand my struggles. You're merely a demi-human." Flare hissed.

Lyra's deadpan reply cut through Flare's anger. "Spare me the pretence. Acting tough while hiding your weaknesses is hardly new."

"What did you…" Flare's face flushed with indignation. "How dare you…"

"I'm just saying." Lyra said, trying to maintain things civil. "It's obvious you're not as unshakable as you want everyone to believe. Just like every other high and mighty figure who hides behind their title."

Flare's temper flared further. "You insolent varmint, I should have left you and your kind to the bandits! Don't test my patience or you will regret it!" She raised her staff, her aura flaring to life as she attempted to assert dominance. However, the strain from the previous day's exertions took its toll. The aura flickered and then vanished abruptly. Flare stood there, with an expression of frustration and exhaustion.

Lyra watched with an impassive expression. "Seems like you're not in the best shape to be threatening anyone. You should take some time to rest." She shook her head, her tone softening slightly.

"Don't you dare using that tone with me!" Flare hissed, attempting to summon her magic to intimidate Lyra, failing. "C…consider yourself lucky I'm in no mood to deal with you right now."

Lyra let out a deep sigh. "Look, I didn't come here to fight. I just wanted to understand why someone like you, with your disdain for demi-humans, would go through so much trouble to help us. But if you can't even accept a simple 'thank you' then I'm just wasting my time." she concluded, turning her back on Flare. "I'm heading back."

Flare lowered her staff as she tried to steady herself. 'How am I supposed to be to any use to my party if I cannot even summon magic without exhausting myself?... Ridiculous, I am the Magic Hero and as such, I will certainly learn the means to remedy my situation.'

After a few moments of wrestling with her emotions, Flare took a deep breath and followed Lyra back to the cave. As she stepped inside, the warmth of the fire greeted her, a stark contrast to the cool, damp air outside.

Ashimar was already back, crouched near the fire with a hare in his hands. His expression was one of focused concentration as he attempted to skin the animal.

Flare's eyes narrowed as she watched him struggle. A smirk curled on her lips as she approached the bonfire. "Having trouble there, thief?" she remarked, deriding him. "Your cooking skills are just as poor as your etiquette, not that I would have expected anything more from you."

Ashimar paused and looked up, rolling his eyes with a sigh. "Not all of us were born into luxury, princess. Besides, this coming from someone who cooked and ate parts of that Death Hound."

Flare crossed her arms, clearly unamused by his attempt to remind her of that particular moment. "I cooked it properly did I not? And managed to make it edible. Unlike whatever mess you're making right now." Despite her arrogance, there was an edge to it, almost an attempt to assert herself as better in some way.

Ashimar shook his head in mild exasperation. "Yeah sure." he muttered, handing the partially skinned hare to her. "If you think you can do better, be my guest."

As she began to work on the hare, Ashimar watched her for a moment, noticing something that caught him off guard, she was actually helping him. It wasn't out of kindness of course; Flare didn't operate that way. But the fact she was contributing to their survival, even if her motives were far from altruistic, caught him off guards slightly.

While Flare busied herself with the hare, Ashimar's attention shifted to the others in the cave. The younger demi-human girl, who had just woken up, caught his eye. She was smaller than her sister, probably around 11 or 12 at best, with the same blue-ish hair and lupine features. Her eyes were large and expressive, carried a shy curiosity as she looked around the cave. Unlike Lyra, who had shown a cautious confidence, this girl seemed more reserved, her movements hesitant as she made her way over to her sister.

Lyra noticed her sister's approach and offered her a reassuring smile. "This is my younger sister, Elara." she introduced, her voice gentle as she placed a comforting hand on Elara's shoulder. "And that little one." Lyra added, nodding toward the small white wolf cub that had nuzzled close to Elara's feet. "…is her familiar. His name is Frost."

Ashimar recognized the wolf cub as the one he had freed from the cage the day before. The creature had grown more comfortable since then, its tiny body bristling with energy as it stuck close to Elara. The bond between them was evident.

While focused on her task, Flare couldn't help but glance at the trio. Her eyes swept over the two demi-humans, noting the similarities and differences between the sisters. Elara's shyness contrasted sharply with Lyra's more confident behaviour.

As she continued working on the hare, a thought gnawed at the back of Flare's mind. 'Should we even give them food?' she pondered, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered the matter. 'They're just demi-humans… yet they're also not enemies. But still… ugh.'

Her thoughts were interrupted by Ashimar's voice cutting through her internal debate. "What's the point of saving them if you're just going to starve them?" he asked, his tone blunt and a little irritated, especially after everything that had happened.

Flare shot him a glare, clearly not pleased with being questioned, but his words hit a mark. She hated to admit it, but he had a point. His words struck a chord, forcing her to confront the inconsistency in her actions. 'Damned thief…' she thought with irritation. After a moment of internal conflict, she sighed in resignation and continued preparing the hare, albeit reluctantly.

"Fine…" she muttered under her breath, though it was clear she wasn't happy about it. "But don't expect me to make a habit of this." Flare, though reluctant, finally agreed to share the food. Her hands moved with practiced efficiency as she finished preparing the hare over the fire.

Ashimar got up and took charge of dividing the portions. The hare was finally ready and he carefully handed out the portions. First to Flare, then to Lyra and Elara, ensuring that everyone had their share. "There's some more food in the wagon from the bandits. If you need anything else help yourself."

Lyra nodded in thanks, accepting the food. She took a small bite, savouring the taste and looked at Flare, who was eating her portion. Unlike Lyra, who was more composed, Elara's eyes were filled with a mixture of reluctance and fear. She watched Ashimar and Flare cautiously, as she clung to her sister's side.

Elara hesitated before taking her first bite, her eyes flicked between Flare and Lyra as if seeking reassurance. Her sister offered a gentle smile, nudging her to eat. "It's alright Elara. We're safe for now. There's no need to be afraid."

Elara nodded, though her movements were still tentative. She settled down next to Lyra, her familiar curling up by her side.

As they ate in relative silence, Flare's mind wandered, the quiet giving way to her internal musings. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease, the nagging doubt that had been gnawing at her since they had arrived in the Ancient Grove. Her gaze flicked over to Ashimar, who seemed completely at ease despite the strange company they now kept.

Finally, breaking the silence, Flare spoke up. "You seem to know this place well, thief. Do you have any idea where we are exactly?"

"Sorta." Ashimar looked up from his meal, meeting her gaze with his usual bluntness. "It's not that simple though. The Ancient Grove isn't a place you just get to know in a few visits. It's easy to get lost if you don't know what you're doing."

Flare raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with his answer. "But you've managed to navigate us through it so far. You must know something."

He shrugged, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before continuing. "While I was out hunting, I noticed that this area is less contaminated and poisonous than where we were before. The water's cleaner and the plants aren't as twisted, which is probably why I managed to snag a healthy hare. It's a good sign, but it doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet, literally."

Flare considered his words, a hint of frustration bubbling beneath the surface. It wasn't the concrete answer she had hoped for, but it was something. "So, what now?"

Ashimar didn't hesitate in his response. "We rest. We need to recover our strength and so do they." he added, gesturing toward Lyra and Elara.

Flare's eyes narrowed in irritation. "Rest? Are you out of your mind? We should be moving! I need to get back to my kingdom as quickly as possible. If we keep going, we might run into someone sent to rescue me."

"You're not thinking straight." Ashimar countered immediately. "Lyra and her sister need rest and whether you admit it or not, you do too. Pushing forward without taking the time to recover will only get us killed. The Jioral Kingdom might be looking for you, sure, but they won't think twice about who's with you. They'll see the demi-humans and…"

"That's not my problem!" Flare snapped, cutting him off. Her eyes blazed with anger, unwilling to accept his reasoning. "What happens to them isn't my concern. I'm the princess of Jioral and my duty is to return to my kingdom as soon as possible."

"And what good are you to your precious kingdom if you're dead? You think being outside the danger zone gives you a free pass to not risk your ass out there again?" Ashimar questioned with his usual roughness.

"How dare you speak to me like that! I didn't ask to be dragged into this mess. My priority is my kingdom!" Flare argued.

Ashimar's frown hardened. "And what exactly do you think will happen if you charge ahead like an idiot, again? You'll get yourself killed and potentially everyone else with you. You might not give a shit about these two, but if you die your kingdom's still screwed anyway. Ever thought about that?"

Flare's breath caught in her throat, but she masked her surprise with indignation. "That's not your decision to make. I am the future ruler of Jioral. I know what's best for my kingdom!"

"Do you want to end up like yesterday with that fire you started? Burnt out and useless? Because that's where you're headed if you don't stop and rest. But I don't think you're that stupid." Ashimar retorted. "Shit, even the wolf cub has probably more common sense than you." He added.

Flare bit back her irritation. "What of them?" she shot back, gesturing towards the demi-humans. "As if any of them would. They're just demi-humans… they were just in the way."

After a brief pause, Lyra's voice interjected, cutting through the tension.

"You're not making any sense you know?" She pointed out.

"Pardon?" Flare shot her a frown.

"You said it was 'convenient'. But what does 'convenience' even mean in that situation?" Lyra asked, her tone calm but probing. "The odds were against you and yet you chose to help us. The question still remains. Why did you do it?"

Flare's gaze shifted to Lyra with a glare. "I acted out of necessity." she replied stiffly. "Those bandits needed to be dealt with and you happened to be part of the equation."

Lyra frowned, clearly unconvinced. "But saving us didn't exactly make things easier for you. How was that convenient?"

Flare hesitated as her formal demeanour wavered slightly under the weight of the question. She didn't have a straightforward answer and the uncertainty gnawed at her.

"I… I did what I had to do." she began, but the words sounded weak even to her. "It was a strategic decision, nothing more. Do not think this means anything, you disgusting animal! I would have been perfectly fine if I… if you…"

'What a fucking drag.' Ashimar groaned in displeasure at Flare's denial, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "For fuck's sake, use your brain for once, will you? Stop trying to come up with excuses and just shut up for a minute without complaining."

Flare's jaw clenched, swallowing her irritation. It grated on her to be once again spoken to so rudely, but she couldn't deny that Ashimar had a point. They were all worn out, and pushing on now would be foolish. Still, admitting that rankled her pride.

Finally, after a tense pause, she exhaled, her shoulders dropping slightly. "Fine." she said, though her tone remained formal and edged with reluctance. "We'll rest, but don't think for a moment that this changes anything."

'Holy shit, about damn time…' Ashimar sighed internally with a tired expression on his face. On the other hand, Flare knew she had no choice but to go along with it.

The following afternoon

As the day wore on, Ashimar found himself seated near the entrance of the cave, his scimitar daggers in hand. His eyes were focused on the task, but his mind was elsewhere, mulling over their situation and how best to navigate out of the Ancient Grove.

'We need to be smart.' he thought, the rasp of the whetstone against metal accompanying his mental musings. 'Can't afford to be wandering around aimlessly in this forest. Too many things can go wrong, especially with Majesty Moron lurking around. She could still stab me in the back the first chance she gets for all I know.' His gaze flicked briefly to the cave's interior, where Flare was resting, her presence still a potential threat that he couldn't ignore. 'As for the demi-humans, they're not much of a concern… for now.'

Lost in his thoughts, Ashimar almost didn't notice the soft footsteps approaching him. It wasn't until he sensed a hesitant presence nearby that he looked up from his blades. The younger of the two demi-humans, Elara, stood there timidly. She was clearly nervous, her eyes flickered between Ashimar and the ground, her hands clasped together in front of her.

Ashimar raised an eyebrow, pausing his work. "You need something, kid?"

Elara fidgeted, struggling to find the right words. She opened her mouth to speak but faltered, the words catching in her throat.

Ashimar sighed, setting his dagger aside and leaning back against the cave wall. "If you've got something to say, just say it."

She took a small breath and finally managed to speak. "I... I wanted to give my thanks too." she began, her voice soft and halting. "For... for saving us."

Ashimar nodded, acknowledging her gratitude with a simple grunt. But he could tell there was more on her mind, something she was hesitant to bring up. He paused his sharpening, giving her a more pointed look. "That it? Or is there something else you're trying to say?"

"Uh." Elara bit her lip, gathering the courage to continue. "Why… why are you and the princess working together?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of confusion. "I mean… a thief and the princess of the Jioral Kingdom… It just doesn't make sense."

Ashimar sighed, the irony of the situation not lost on him. He leaned back slightly, slipping his dagger into its sheath. "Wasn't exactly my choice." he replied with a bit of annoyance. "We got teleported here together a few days ago. Pure accident, believe me. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be stuck here with her."

Elara's eyes widened further at the revelation, her expression a mixture of surprise and understanding. "Teleported…?"

"Yeah." Ashimar shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "Some kind of dark magic's work, or whatever that was. It was a clusterfuck and now we're both stuck here trying to figure a way out." He glanced at her, curious about her reaction. "Why? Something about that bothering you?"

Elara shook her head quickly. "No, it's just… I didn't expect all of this." She paused, clearly reflecting on something deeper. Ashimar was an enigma to her, his expression never changed much ever since she started to address him. But that wasn't all. "You're a thief, right? So why would someone like you… act the way you do?"

Ashimar's hands stilled on the dagger he was polishing, his expression hardening slightly as he considered her question. "Look, I don't consider myself a hero. Far from it. I've done shit in the past… things I'd rather forget." His voice was low, almost as if he was speaking more to himself than to her. "But then again, even scum like me knows it's wrong to leave two people behind to fend for themselves in a place like this."

Elara tilted her head, processing his words. Something about the way he spoke, about the way he referred to her and her sister, struck a chord with her. "People." she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a touch of surprise in her tone, as if she hadn't expected him to use that word. "You just called us 'people' and not… not something else."

Ashimar glanced at her as he caught the meaning behind her words. "Yeah well, you are people." he said gruffly. "Doesn't matter what you are or where you're from. You're living, breathing, conscious beings. Same as me."

Elara's eyes softened, easing a bit. In her experience, most humans didn't see demi-humans that way. They were often treated as lesser beings, as creatures to be scorned or feared. But here was this thief, this man who admitted to being no hero, and still acknowledging her and her sister as equals. It was a small thing, but to Elara, it meant a great deal.

After a brief silence, she finally spoke again, her voice hesitant but sincere. "Thank you." she said, her gratitude extending beyond just the words. It was clear she was thankful not only for being saved but also for the unexpected kindness and understanding he had shown.

Ashimar shrugged, dismissing her thanks with a wave of his hand. "Like I said, don't mention it."

Elara nodded, understanding that he wasn't one for grand gestures or emotional displays. She glanced around the cave, finally noticing that Flare and her sister were nowhere to be seen. A flicker of worry crossed her face as she turned back to Ashimar.

"Where's my sister?" she asked softly. "And… the princess?"

Ashimar paused his work on the daggers, glancing at her before returning his attention to the blade in his hand. "The princess is out blowing off some steam." he answered with a gruff shrug, not sounding overly concerned. "Needed to clear her head I guess."

Elara's brows knitted together, expressing worry about her sister. "And Lyra? Where is she? Is she with the princess?"

Ashimar nodded. "Yeah, she's keeping an eye on her. I asked her to make sure that idiot doesn't do anything stupid. Your sister was up for it and has rested long enough, so don't worry too much."

Despite his words, Elara still looked uncertain, her hands fidgeting slightly as she tried to suppress her anxiety. "But the princess…" she hesitated. "She seems so… angry, so hateful. What if…"

Sensing her concern, Ashimar interrupted her with a dismissive wave. "Relax kid." he said, his tone a bit softer but still carrying his usual bluntness. "Flare's not in any shape to pull anything big right now, not with her magic running low like it is."

Elara blinked in surprise and confusion. "Her… magic's running low? Why?"

"Well…" Ashimar hummed. "It happened after a certain encounter with a certain monster." He trailed off, causing Elara to blink a few times before Ashimar could continue.

In the meantime, Flare moved through the grove. The trees weren't as thick as it had been the previous day, making it easier for her to navigate, but the change in terrain did little to lift her spirits.

The thoughts of her father and her kingdom nagged at her. 'Surely by now, they must be looking for me. But how could they possibly find me here? According to the thief, the Ancient Grove is vast, hidden… they'd have no idea where to start.' She let out a frustrated sigh. 'What am I even doing out here? I should be back, reclaiming my place, not wandering aimlessly in this cursed forest.' Flare's thoughts suddenly travelled back.

'Just my luck.' she thought bitterly. 'As if being stuck with that insufferable thief wasn't enough, now I'm saddled with those demi-humans too.' Flare's thoughts suddenly travelled back to their previous conversation.

'What's the point of saving them if you're just going to starve them?'

She shook her head. Once again, her frustration started to boil over as she clenched her fists. The uncertainty was eating away at her and the thought of being so helpless was unbearable. As she walked, lost in her thoughts she didn't notice the dark, rippling movement in a large puddle nearby.

Suddenly, a beetle-like creature emerged. Its body was a mix of dark purple and blue, accentuated by magenta and purple highlights. The creature had multiple segmented teal paws, each with sharp purple spikes. Its head was crowned with jagged mandibles and piercing magenta eyes fixed on Flare. At the back, a curved stinger glistened, dripping with venom.

Instinctively, she grabbed her magic and her mind commanded the familiar magic to erupt from her staff and incinerate the menace before her. But nothing happened. She tried again. 'Come on... not now...' But it was useless. Her magic was still drained, drained by the Chimera's poisonous bite.

'Again. Of all the times… Why now?' Panic began to rise within her as she realised just how vulnerable she was. 'Dammit… Damn that beast, damn that thief, damn this whole situation!' She tried to steady her breathing, gripping her staff tighter, even though it felt more like a useless stick in her hands than the powerful weapon it usually was.

But before she could make a move, a sudden sharp sound cut through the air. Flare barely had time to register what was happening when large, sharpened shards of ice flew at high speed from above, piercing the creature's tough exoskeleton with precision. The beetle-like monster screeched, before it finally collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Flare stumbled back, widening her eyes with shock and confusion as she looked up to see where the shards had come from. Her gaze locked onto Lyra's figure perched on the branch of a nearby tree. The ice-wolf demi-human looked down at her, her expression calm and composed as if she had simply swatted a fly.

"Well, what do you know." Lyra said carrying a hint of dry amusement. "Ashimar was right, you really do have a knack for drawing trouble."

Flare blinked, still trying to process what had just happened. She straightened herself, brushing off the dirt from her clothes as she tried to regain her composure.

"I didn't ask for your help. I had it under control." she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.

Lyra's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Sure you did." she replied, leaping down from the branch with effortless grace. She landed lightly on her feet and walked over to the now-dead creature, nudging it with the tip of her boot. "You're lucky it didn't get a good hit in, this thing looked pretty nasty."

Flare's pride resented the comment, but she couldn't deny the truth, if it hadn't been for Lyra's intervention. "Why are you here for?"

"Ashimar asked me to keep an eye on you." Lyra replied casually, not bothering to mask her amusement. "He seemed to think you might get yourself into some kind of trouble if left alone."

Flare's eyes narrowed, her pride stinging at the implication. "And you think I require protection?" she shot back, though the usual fire in her tone was lacking. "I am the Magic Hero. I don't need assistance from you."

Lyra rolled her eyes. "It doesn't look much like that to me." she said, though she noticed something changed in Flare's tone. She gestured toward the dead beetle-like creature. "What happened back there? Why didn't you use your magic?"

Flare hesitated, her grip tightening on her staff as if to remind herself of the power she should have. "I…" she began, but the words stuck in her throat. She wanted to retort, to dismiss Lyra's concern as unnecessary, but she couldn't ignore the truth staring her in the face.

Lyra stepped closer, her eyes searching Flare's face. "This morning." she began. "When you tried to summon your magic… it didn't work, did it?"

Flare gritted her teeth, the vulnerability she had been trying to hide seeping into her expression. "It's not… it's nothing." she muttered, though even she didn't believe the words.

Lyra didn't press further but kept her gaze steady on Flare, waiting for her to continue.

Flare's pride and frustration warred within her. She had always been considered a powerful sorceress, the heir to her kingdom's legacy, yet now she stood here, weakened and exposed. She hated how much this bothered her, how it made her feel small. "The chimera." she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Its venom… it did something to me. My magic… it's not what it used to be."

Lyra noted the hesitation in Flare's voice, the way she avoided eye contact as if ashamed. "So that's why you can't use your magic like you want to." Lyra observed, her tone laced with understanding rather than judgment.

Flare's lips tightened into a thin line. "Yes." she admitted, though the word felt like a bitter pill to swallow.

Lyra sighed, sensing the inner turmoil within Flare. "Then why are you so eager to get back? Especially in the state you're in? Rushing into danger when you're not at full strength isn't exactly wise."

Flare frowned, her expression hardening at the question. "It's my duty." she replied, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "As the Magic Hero, as a princess who will one day become queen. I can't just stay here doing nothing while my kingdom might need me."

Lyra met her gaze steadily, unwilling to back down. "But if you're this weak, what can you possibly do? How can you protect your kingdom when you can barely protect yourself right now?"

The words stung, hitting far too close to the truth Flare had been trying to avoid. She snapped back, her frustration boiling over. "I know that!" she shouted, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. "But if I stay away forever, then everything I've planned, everything I've worked for will be for nothing!" She paused, catching her breathe in her throat as she struggled to contain the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I have to return. I have to gather the Hero Party, defeat the Demon King and…" Her voice trailed off, her eyes flickering with something darker, something she kept buried deep within her.

"And what?" Lyra asked, sensing there was more to Flare's motivations than she was letting on.

Flare's gaze dropped to the ground, her voice almost too soft to hear. "There's someone I need to bring back… and someone I need to… end." she added, her tone darkening as a scowl painted on her face, giving only the slightest hint of the darker motives she harboured.

So that's it.

This chapter was entirely dedicated to the interactions between Flare, Ashimar and the two demi-humans. And no, before anyone asks, the two of them are NOT related to Setsuna. As you know, the interactions in the canon suck, to say the least. Obviously, coming from such work. Therefore, I tried to make them more natural and human.

And we finally have a clue as to Flare's REAL goal, as to why she wants to do what she does. Of course canon makes her evil over the top and for no reason, but here her 'evilness' will be much less pronounced, and her goals clearer, making her at least an actual person.

This is everything for now. Take care you guys.