Provisions secured.

There is no need, not in truth, and yet he must.

"Those are trees, then?"

Fort's hands trace his wrists in turn, ghosting over his robes and where he knows the seals lie on his scales turned skin.

"You've seen them from the battlements before, have you not, brother?"

Dried meat, waterskins, bandages

"Aye, that I have, brother. But tis different from up close."

Paying little heed as he does to his companions for the moment.

flint, bedroll, rope

For there's little need to.

"Well, feel free to take a closer look if you wish?"

"Nay. It can wait."

"Brother?"

"You did say you wish for us to make good time away from the capital, did you not?"

"That I did but, surely a few minutes—"

"It can wait, brother. Unless those are the only trees in the whole world?"

"Hah! Nay, Mohg, nay. Very well, onwards then."

With the gates of the fair capital and the glare of torches, both in sconces and the guardians hands alike some distance behind them and the treaded but cared for cobblestone path ahead.

What need is there to worry.

The little mammal predators that oft skirt about during the night will be of little threat to even the fair lady with them, whom is the frailest of their group.

And their teeth are unlikely to find purchase upon his scales.

The less said about the risk posed to the twin siblings clad in blackened armor and an iron like cursed body the better.

So truly, this is the best use of his time.

Making sure all the items he can store in the sealscript, his proficiency with the art no better or worse than most in truth, he doubts his friend, despite his prodigious strength has ever learned more about it or cared to in fact.

What use would sealing an overabundance of food and medicine would be to one such as he? No, they probably can store the same. Most of their party in fact, or, perhaps, not quite so. The bag slung over Lady Tiche's shoulder seems quite hefty.

Were she off the small folk, perhaps inordinately heavy in fact.

At an owl's hoot from somewhere to the branches to his left, Fort can't help but sigh and glance at the starry sky above.

This would be so much easier if we did not travel as mortal folk do

"—Why Raya Lucaria?"

But there's a beauty in this too, tis not often he did so so in the past.

Strange, I struggle to recall the last time I explored so.

"You've studied, the maps?"

"Yes."

"Our…target, one of the paths to it can be found there."

At that he blinks back to the present, his hands stopping their exploration of his form, satisfied that he has, indeed, 'properly packed' for this trip.

One of them needed to at the very least!

"One of the paths, friend Godwyn?" he asks, speeding up his step to join the rest of the group, Lady Tiche merely sending a long blink his way but otherwise not reacting much, spreading her awareness towards their surroundings yet again.

"Aye, Fort," his friend says with a smile as he comes to stand in between the two siblings. They make for a funny image he's sure, at least, if his sister ever saw them like this she'd be likely to think so.

And that settles it.

She must never catch wind of this!

"There are other entrances, but that's not truly what you are asking, is it, brother?"

"…apologies, brother."

"Bah, there's nothing to apologize for," he says with a scowl and a dismissive gesture. "but, if my suspicions are correct let me answer your question. You wonder why we don't head north, or perhaps northeast? Yes? After all, we aren't pressed for time"

"Aye…"

"Well tis simple. There's little waiting for us up North of the capital, although I suppose we could go the roundabout way if you so wish."

"I…"

"No need to answer now, just think about it."

"Very well, brother."

"That goes for you two as well," Godwyn says, glancing at him and Lady Tiche both. "But, I'm afraid, the way northeast is…barred to us."

"How so?" Fort can't help but ask. "It's been a few days since I flew in that direction but, unless I missed something the way seemed clear—"

Only for Godwyn to shake his head. "Ah, mine apologies, my friend, you misunderstand. It is not a physical barrier," Godwyn says before pausing and scratching at his chin with one gauntlet while from somewhere up ahead the howl of the mammalian predators splits the night followed by the agonized scream of some prey, probably a goat if Fort remembers his prey correctly. "Or at least, not one that could pose a problem for us."

"Then what, brother?"

"Suffice to say tis something which would displease our Lady Mother…"

"Ah."

"Indeed," Godwyn says with a nod before the smile returns. "So, we make west, or northwest for the Academy and then…" at that his friend trails off, a musing expression on his face as his fingers trail over one of his own wrists, where the curious artifact the Lady Renna, after much deliberation passed his friend's way and tasked the blond with delivering to her lady sister, now rests. Safely sealed away for the moment.

"Well, we can decide our next step once we get there."

"As you say, my Lord."

Fort buries a snort. Lady Tiche's response, full of loyalty and yet indifference…Tis amusing, in a small way.

Of course, he knows better than to say those words outloud.

There's little doubt the woman's knife can pierce his scales and prove an all together unpleasant experience.

"After, of course, we let Mohg properly examine the foliage."

"Brother I will punch you."

"Assault on a Scion of the Golden Order? That sounds like treason, brother!"

"…alright, I won't punch you."

"Mohg, I was merely—"

"I'll mix your beer with water instead."

"Monster! Just because you lack working taste buds—"

"You mean I'm the only one with some sense in this family."

Fort can't help but smile as they continue on their way until the Capital behind them shrinks more and by the time dawn breaks, Leyndell has shrunk considerably.

And by the time they reach one of the hamlets closest to the city, the people elated at the sight of his friend, not even the sight of a barely hidden Omen enough to curb their excitement. Leyndell has shrunk further still. Although its massive gleaming walls still refuse to vanish in their entirety.

The day passes swiftly, the good cheer and the company helping time pass swiftly. The impromptu feast thrown by the cheerful villagers helps as well.

Although, their cheer…Fort's own unveiled horns might have something to do with it as well.

While new, relatively speaking, the Alliance is well known by this point to most every corner of the Golden Order's holdings.

And so near the Capital?

No doubt sentiment would be as it is.

Welcoming.

Still, as night slowly envelops the sky, wraping the world in a soothing dark blanket dotted with glimmering stars, Fort can't help it.

"N-no, t-thank you, ma'am but I couldn't!"

The sight of the 'terrifying' Omen cowering away from a frail old lady who tries to offer him a mug of ale, is, well it has no right being as amusing as it is.

Fort takes another sip from his own cup, enjoying the frothy taste while friend Mohg bids a hasty retreat away from the old woman.

Apprehension gave way to acceptance quickly enough once Mohg proved harmless and, more importantly, Godwyn vouched for him as both ally and kin.

…Somehow, he suspects the villagers merely humor his friend on the later bit, not really believing him.

"T-thank you but I couldn't, perhaps my brother would like another cup?" and another has cornered him, a jolly plump old man this time.

Your luck will run out eventually, my friend.

And true to his expectations, a few hours before they retire to the hamlet's solitary inn, Mohg's arm wraps around a mug of ale at last, the young demigod growing considerably paler as he does.

Shameful perhaps, and yet Fort can't help but allow a few chuckles to escape at the sight and in contrast to his young friend who makes for his room shortly after, Fort is last to do so, opting to sit close to the comforting warmth of the celebratory fire even as friend Godwyn and Lady Tiche seek the comfort of beds as well.


"This is a dream," the words escape my limbs unbidden the moment full clarity of thought, sense of self returns to me. The fact is undeniable, as my tiny, when compared to the usual at least limbs suggest.

The fact that outside my window I see the crucible in the beginning process of turning into the Erdtree also helps confirm my thoughts.

As does the fact that around my neck and shoulders familiar hands fasten in a worried embrace, even if I've seen them but once before.

"I don't like this, my Prince," Elysia says, her voice somehow…clearer than the usual and as I make to turn one of her arms all but teleports in its haste to gently stop me. "No!"

"Elysia?"

"You are not strong enough yet! I beseech thee…"

So, it would seem that just like our previous meeting, the abominable Frenzy and Elysia both hadn't been trying to trick nor did I misunderstand the situation back then.

She truly doesn't want me to try and look at her, for now at least.

To that I can but snort.

And I can feel her nervousness by the twitch of the hand still touching my cheek. "M-my Prince?"

"It has to do with your power I take it?"

"…Verily."

"Suspected as much, but, answer me this, if you please," I say and feel her all but freeze in place, somewhat similar to her power, the power I wielded before. Although, I'm far more disconcerted by how deep my voice sounds. Which isn't all that unusual, but to hear it come out of this memory vessel which is, by my reckoning, scarcely older than lil Ranni…

That's unnerving.

"Would I be correct in presuming it would be the same for the rest of your…kin, were they in similar circumstances with their own…err, 'Prince?'"

The gremlin's absolutely vicious hiss, catches me by surprise.

"Nay! And…verily."

"Goddess?"

As if realizing what she just did, her arms flail around my neck and she almost…falls off. Only my arm rising to steady her ensuring she doesn't fall off, something which catches her by surprise if her stuttering tone is any indication at least.

"A-ah!"

"Gremlin?"

"T-tis nothing!"

"…if you say so."

"B-but to answer your question properly, yes. My…kin." Again with the bloodthirsty growl which is almost cute. "If they want to forge a true awakening will have to do the same. But you are also wrong! Wrong!"

"Elysia?"

"You are my Prince and none others, got it!"

At that I can't help but smile and wrack through my other set of memories, how did it go again?

Ah, right.

"Clingy Elysia is cute."

"G-gah!"

And again she almost falls.

Something which I don't allow to happen, of course, mostly due to some sense all but making it clear that were the gremlin to do so, for the rest of this…'dream' I'd be alone.

Which is not that big of a deal, but, my gremlin deserves better.

"So, my goddess."

"G-gah!"

"What say you we explore?"

"Y-yes…"

The quicker we do so the quicker I'll probably get out of here and back to the waking world, which, is for the best. For I've no idea how the passage of time works in this place.

For all I know time is not slowed down and might, in fact, be sped up instead.

Something which would be catastrophic.

Especially when one considers that I've a certain overly attached knife close by.

To say nothing of my brother and Fort.

…or mother forbid, well, my mother most beloved if the flow of time is so convoluted.

Somewhat angry she might be with me but, her worry will probably eclipse her wrath if I remain trapped here long enough to necessitate her intervention and as a consequence she is likely to keep me in Leyndell for ages to come.

Which is quite unacceptable, to say the least.

The fate of many a precious person rests upon my head and shoulder and demands I help separate the head from many another fool's shoulders instead.

Luckily, a not inconsiderable amount of relief fills me as we, or rather I and my limpet continue walking.

The sight of the dreamscape mutating and shifting with each step an interesting experience in and of itself.

A step followed by another and I'm at the door but as I cross through it, the world seems to turn into a blurry smear for a moment before resolving into another room, one which, if memory serves is much closer to the entrance which as I approach, it too, turns into a smear and then I'm in the streets of Leyndell the Crucible up ahead.

Step step.

Smear.

Step step.

Smear.

"Hooh?"

"W-what, what is it?"

Rubbing at my chin, the tiny hand feeling disconcerting still, something which I ignore with some effort I stare at the looming crucible.

"Fret not, my Goddess, I merely have a suspicion as to the orchestrator of all this."

"Eh? Really? Who is it?"

My answer is a non-committal hum as I take one step after another and soon enough the world smears again.

"Moou!"

The pout next to my ear makes me laugh and decide that perhaps, just perhaps I should tease my little gremlin a bit less.

Maybe.

Some of the time.

Her grumbling and flustered squeaks are adorable after all.

"G-geh."

Heh, that's what you get for trying to read my thoughts.

"To answer your question, oh goddess," I say as the world resolves into a massive cavern that will one day turn into the center of power for a person near and dear to my heart. "Someone who is kin to you and me both, apparently."

"Eh? Who…" I can feel the moment the realization hits Elysia. "No…No!"

"Verily…brother," a familiar voice says as she, for lack of a better word, warps into view near the center of the cavern and steps towards me, towards us with a mysterious smile and both eyes open. "Thine intuition is sharp I see. I am pleased."

"And what do you want," Elysia growls, arms tightening in a possessive manner as Melina…or is it the Gloam-eyed Queen, comes to a stop right in front of me.

"Does it matters, brother?"

Feeling my cheeks strangely burn as I find it difficult to raise my head past Melina's hips which are just a bit above eye level, and very difficult to glance past her bosom and meet her enchanting eyes…

I somehow manage and shake my head.

"Not really. Thou'rt family and that is all that matters," I say and her smile widens. "Tis merely confusing to ponder is all."

Her soft laugh makes me feel all weird inside, as she leans and ruffles my head which, the moment I lean into her soft touch makes it click for me.

Ah, hormones. That explains it, if my estimate is correct right now I am even 'younger' than before the hag…

Thoughts of Alecto and my complicated feelings toward the psychopathic woman help fill me with enough rage to shove Melina's arm away with a growl, something which only makes her titter with delight.

"Thou are adorable," she says and pinches my cheek.

And I can feel my cheeks burn even as I focus more on the anger to help clear my head. Anger and bloodlust. After all, in this place, or a future version of it Mother showed me the difference in strength between us and helped assuage my fears, despite how baseless I knew them to be on a logical level, that I'd reached the peak of strength.

But no, there are still mountains to climb, peaks to scale! Skulls to take!

"Shooh, shooh you hag! He is mine, mine!"

And now Melina is looking annoyed at both me and my goddess.

"Thou'rt no fun."

"And you, I dare say, had your fill, sister," I say and cross my arms. Despite how no doubt ridiculous I look in my current state. "Carest to fill us in as to what all this is about?" I ask with an arched eyebrow.

Something which she reciprocates.

"Can'st thou guess?"

"I have my suspicions," I say and she doesn't react beyond merely staring at me, at us. "It's about our pact, isn't it?" I ask with a sigh and the Gloam-eyed…Melina? My sister smiles.

"Verily, little brother, verily."

"And let me guess, this is the only way you could…nay the only way it was safe for you to do so?"

Again she cooes and leans forward, ruffling my hair, only this time I am prepared even as Elysia tightens her grip and growls like an adorable corgi behind me. Besides some heat spreading down my neck I react little, merely raising an eyebrow in response and making Meli…the gloam…my sister huff as she pulls back.

"Tis as you guessed, brother. Only in this realm between realms. Between the land of dreams and the waking world can I risk reaching you with her attention so focused on the both of us at the moment."

Her glower aimed my way makes it clear just who she blames for this predicament.

I care little.

My people and my family needed protecting, and Nago…perhaps the risk I took was foolish but with what I knew at the time it seemeth like a reasonable one. How was I to know that the abominable Frenzy wanted to have a face to face?

That besides…

"Gloamy," I say, pointing at my sister.

"W-what?" making her startle backwards, eyes wide.

"I can't figure out what to call you, so Gloamy it is."

"I-impudent!"

Right, she seems about to, how did those memories put it, ah yes, 'a kettle about to burst' so, time to use my current state to my advantage. If it worked on the hag it should work on my sister.

Stepping forward, I grab her, or more like her thighs in a hug.

"I-I'm sorry…" I say, even trying to add a sniffle, which, judging by Elysia's barely muffled wheezing in my ear I ain't all that successful at. But, in my defense it has been a while since I was this young and more besides…

"T-tis alright, brother. I forgive thee…"

Gloamy's cheeks burn a bright red as she averts her eyes and pats me on the head before taking a hasty step back, coughing on her fist as she does.

"N-now, f-for thine part in our pact, listen and listen well dearest brother!" she says and as she speaks I'm torn between anticipation and annoyance.

The fact that I'll get to crack some skulls is nice and all, but, the rest…

Troublesome

"My Prince…"

I know, Elysia, I know. But one problem at a time.

And eventually dealing with uncle Mal is going to be a problem.

"I trust thou understands?"

"Yes, sister," I say with a sigh.

"Good, then our pact is sealed and renewed," she says and within me I feel something etch itself into my soul. "be on thine way," she says and with a wave of her hand the connection between us, which only now becomes apparent to my senses, starts to unravel. The dreamscape fading even as my sister's Outer eye starts to close. "I expect good work from thee, brother—"

"I won't let you down…Gloamy."

On the plus side, Melina losing her shit does help destabilize the dreamscape even further and all but shatters the connection.

And a moment later light hits my eyelids, forcing me to open them.

"Good," I say as I rise to a seating position from my bed, examining an arm as I do.

"My Lord?"

Everything is back as it should be. "Nothing to concern yourself with, my dear," I say, waving away Tiche's concern with a smile. "Return to your bed."

After all, while the Inn's beds can't hold a candle to those within Leyndell's walls…they are still beds. The best the inn has no doubt, so best Tiche and the rest take advantage of them as best they can for pretty soon and until we reach Raya Lucaria we'll be relying mostly on bedrolls and hammocks and those, those are not near as comfortable, although, a properly set hammock can, under ideal circumstances come close.

"Ah, but, my Lord~"

"Eh? Tiche?" I say with a blink as the white-haired beauty hops out of her bed and saunters over with a hungry smile, her fingers dancing over her armor, pulling it piece by piece.

"What if I need some…help to fall asleep?"

My arm wraps around her waist pulling her lithe form towards me with a delighted gasp.

"Then tis only right I help you, for what lord would I be if I didn't see to the needs of my vassals."

…There are other benefits to inns, yes.

Perhaps I should scout ahead with Tiche from time to time?


Her footsteps are, for the most part, quiet. Soft.

Not that it takes long for one gossiping student to notice Sellen as she strides towards the Hospital Wing with firm purpose. The student's eyes widening even as his face pales.

"And then I put itching powder in—ow!" before the gulping young man all but buries his elbow into his friend's stomach. "What the—where did that come from?! Don't tell me you grow a conscience now after you—"

"Ssh!"

"Don't you 'ssh' me you ingrate! I know where you keep—"

"No!"

Finally it seems, realizing something is up. The nervous glances her way no doubt serving as considerable help, the other teen glances behind him with…

"C-crap!"

…and promptly turns just as pale as his friend.

"P-professor Sellen! I…we…"

"We were just discussing the merits of a new glintstone spell."

"Y-yeah! That's right!"

They are, as one of her students hailing from a distant land likes to say, 'yanking her chain'.

Feeling a grin form despite the circumstances and her need for haste, Sellen nonetheless slows but a few steps from the duo, and arches an eyebrow while crossing her arms.

"Oh?" she says, trying to stop herself from outright laughing as the pair squirm. "Please, children, do enlighten me! Knowledge is its own reward and—"

"Human progress should be celebrated…" the duo groan with the air of someone that's heard that line a thousand times.

"Indeed, so, do share, my students~"

The squirming intensifies as the pair exchange nervous glances.

They are 'yanking her chain', yes. But worst than that, she knows. And they know that she knows.

"Err…"

"That is to say, Professor…"

"Detention, my little birds, on the evening two days hence," she says at last, eliciting another round of groans. "It would seem you are not yet quite ready to fly from the nest."

"But Professor—"

"Need I perhaps double it?"

"B-but—"

"N-no, Professor, sorry Professor!"

Once again jamming his elbow into his friend's guts, the lad all but drags his weezing friend.

"Oh, and don't let me catch you playing any more games with poor Tristan, yes?"

She needs not look behind her to all but feel the pair tense but wisely, they say nothing as she resumes her march towards the nearby entrance to the Hospital Wing.

Some hazing is fine and perhaps even necessary in their line of work.

Glintstone sorcery, sorcery in general means studying and unraveling the very secrets of the Cosmos. Wielding the primordial powers of life for the sake of humanity and one's self.

Something which can prove taxing.

Demanding.

Dangerous work.

So, a few pranks and jests, even if somewhat on the mean side, with or without harsh words are understandable, encouraged even.

"Professor."

"Madam," she says with a polite nod as she enters the Hospital Wing and draws the eye of the Matron, courtesy of one of her assistants pointing towards Sellen.

"Is aught amiss?" the woman asks, stepping back and away from the bed and the softly groaning youth which, from the looks of it, if the crystals dotting part of her arms are any indication, has foolishly chosen to attempt something rather beyond her current skill. "I implore you professor," the Matron says as she places her gloves on a tray and steps closer. "Prithee tell me that tis not some dunderhead casting their arm as a spear yet again."

Sadly, the grumbling Matron is not being metaphorical. Many an unprepared student has managed to make an impromptu spear out of part or the whole of their arm over the years.

And is part of the reason why Sellen turns a blind eye towards harsh words and mean spirited pranks, but only up to a point.

Weeding out those without the fortitude for this work is one thing.

Delighting in tormenting others…

Is quite another, and not one she likes to endorse.

But the needs of progress demand she sully her hands, so to speak.

And besides.

What's turning a blind eye towards such acts when compared to what the eminent Professors Lusat and Azur have hinted, nay, all but outright said in their private talks with her…

…and what does it say about her that she's considering it?

"Fret not, Matron," she says instead, plastering an easy grin instead, one forged and perfected to be a lethal weapon against many a misbehaving student. Not that it seems to have much if any effect on the woman in front of her. "I know of no such incidents" Not recent ones at any rate. "I've come for an altogether simpler reason, I trust you know why," she says, trailing off and a great way seems to slump off the Matron's shoulders.

"Thank Marika," the woman says and Sellen can't help but minutely frown. For while she is indifferent, for the most part towards the new Order, round these parts at least. That's just it, she's indifferent.

The sudden bouts of…well, there's not a polite way of saying it, of conversion and almost…zealotry, to whatever extent by many of her colleagues, is somewhat distasteful, yes.

"The idiot is where you remember her, Professor," the Matron says, making a vaque gesture behind her towards one of the doors leading to another section of the Hall. "But if there's nothing else…"

"That will be all, Matron, thank you," she says with a nod and if her tone is somewhat clipped…Well, the Matron's new found spirituality over the last year or so coupled with her address towards her friend…

Tis only to be expected.

"Then good day to you, and let us hope it continues to remain so…" the Matron murmurs going back to the bed surrounded by her aides.

Ok, perhaps Sellen is being a tad too harsh.

The Matron's sour attitude is somewhat understandable, after all, being forced to patch up, as she puts it, 'dunderhead after dunderhead' with seemingly only the faces changing year in year out but the underlying stupidity and thus the results remaining the same…

Yes, Sellen would be a tad grumpy as well.

And besides—

"Hey there, Gurren," she says with a soft smile as she enters the ward and makes her way over towards one of the bed near the window and the soft light streaming in from outside. "How are you feeling today?"

"Like an overly amorous crustacean had its way with my body."

"G-gurren!" she says with a scandalized gasp, before sighing and shaking her head. Gurren merely giggling, her yellow eyes shining with mischief as Sellen settles in a nearby chair.

"What, tis the truth~!"

Indeed, from a certain point of view, Gurren's present circumstances are a result of just that.

But then again her friend and fellow professor always was a bit too curious for her own good.

And Sellen can't help but wrinkle her nose a tad, for underneath the ever present scent of antiseptic there's a faint touch of…

Unbidden, her eyes fall towards the heavily bandaged wound of her friend's side, the bandages covering nearly half her torso and near whose edges small black lines can be seen lining the pale flesh.

Paler even than the usual, that is to say nothing of how her friend's eyes have turned a, frankly, revolting yellow and her cheeks seem almost hollowed in. No doubt as a result of her encounter with one of the overgrown soup ingredients, or if the rumors are to be believed, of a pack of them.

But still, for Gurren to be in such a bad state…the only spells that could do that…

No, it doesn't make sense.

For one, the idiot still seems to have all of her limbs attached, when even on the best of times that spell-chain requires near-perfect concentration, and even she is not certain whether she'd be able to pull it off with a pincher biting into her flesh and trying to tear her in twain.

To say little of the Matron's tight lipped answers when asked as to when the idiot will be fit enough to roam the academy proper…

"Sellen."

"Yes?"

"I know that look, stop worrying about me."

"I wasn't worrying!"

"And hippos can fly."

"Maybe they can!"

"Uh-huh. Now spill."

"What do you mean."

Revolting glow aside, Gurren rolling her eyes is familiar enough for the both of them to make her smile with fondness.

"Oh, alright you big baby, Professors Lusat and Azur might, might have spoken of it."

"And?"

"And what?"

"You're going to go through with it, yes?" Gurren asks, leaning forward some, an almost mad glow in her eyes as they're momentarily veiled by her black locks, gripping the sheets with a pained hiss and wince.

"Take it easy you fool!" Sellen hastens to say, glancing with nervousness towards the entrance but luckily no sign of the Matron.

"Ehehe…sorry…"

"What am I going to do with you…"

"Grow old and boring?"

Snorting she tries to glower at Gurren and for a moment or two manages to, her friend even almost succeeding in looking somewhat close to contrite. But then the moment passes and they share a brief chuckle.

Just like old times.

"Sellen?"

"Yes?"

"You haven't answered my question."

At that, the fond smile fades only to be replaced with a serious frown.

"I don't know, Gurren."

"How can you say that? Hasn't knowledge always been what we strove for?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"And besides, are you content to let her remain as the Headmistress of the Academy."

"Gurren…"

"When you know that with the power of the primal you could introduce a little chaos and bring about much needed change—"

"Gurren!"

Glancing nervously left and right, a relieved sigh escapes her. For the fool's treasonous talk could get them both in trouble, regardless of the validity of her words. Rennala, after all, is…a right and proper mess at the moment.

Unfit to be left unsupervised by herself, much less lead the illustrious Academy of Raya Lucaria, and yet…

"Sorry…"

Her friend can be such a bother sometimes.

And much as she would prefer not to shout at the idiot, sometimes? Sometimes tis the right thing to do.

"I'll think about it, Gurren."

"But—"

"I"ll think about it," she says and that's that. And judging by her friend's pout, Gurren knows it too. "Besides, don't you remember?"

"Eh?"

"We've always had each other's back, so, if I'm to…well, you know, you need to be right there with me. So, get well soon you idiot and then we'll decide."

"Fine…"

At her friend's magnificent pout she can't help it, she giggles again, something which causes said pout to blossom further still.

And yet, the mere fact her friend is still here with her, is a blessing in and of itself, something Sellen is quite thankful for as moments turn into minutes and minutes into an hour.

Most of her old classmates have left the Academy, either due to heeding the foolish call of adventure, teaching proving too boring apparently, somewhat understandable if she's being honest. Or, like her friend almost did, well…

Suffice to say, she'd like to keep what few friends she has left here and, preferably among the living.

Wise the older Professors might be, but if she has to rely on only them for company.

And wrangle the students…

She's likely to go mad!

If she isn't already.

Perhaps Throt wasn't as foolish as she thought when he choose to go gallivanting across the Lands Between.

He doesn't have to hear the stupidest excuses imaginable day in day out, and worse still, realize that no, when they used them their Professors didn't believe them either!

This wasn't the sort of grievances she had in mind when she stared this journey!

"What's on your mind?" Gurren asks making her blink and realize that the sun has passed the midpoint if the change in the light streaming in through the window is any indication.

"Merely how foolish we were," she says and Gurren snorts.

"Were?"

"Oh shush you!" she says as the fool giggles before Sellen sighs and rises.

"Sellen?"

"Duty calls, I fear."

"Heh, sucker," her friend says, leaning back with a grin, one that almost manages to hide Gurren's exhaustion as the woman places her hands behind her head, sinking into her pillow in an almost provocative manner. "Dealing with the little shits is one thing I don't miss."

The growl that flies past her lips is only in part faked as she glares at the idiot. "Just you wait till you get out of here, I have it on good authority that a mountain of paperwork awaits you, one that is growing by the day!"

"…I think I'll just stay here, thanks."

"Vengeance," Sellen's hiss promises.

"Yeah, yeah, get out of here you goof."

Making her way out of the Hospital Wing proper and heading towards her quarter, Sellen's heart feels heavier with each step, her smile dimming, and it has little to do with what she's contemplating doing to said heart. At least if she goes along with the plan of Professors Azur and Lusat.

Her friend is trying to hide it, as is the Matron, but her wounds…

She…

No, Sellen is just being paranoid, yes.

Soon enough the fool will be on her feet being a right and proper menace once more, yes…