Erik stayed in the sauna after Halden left for the night. He wasn't ready to sleep yet, despite the fact that it had to be well past midnight. The day's events spun too fast in his mind, keeping him awake. Trust was something he rarely handed out easily, and the sudden appearance of the twins naturally raised his suspicions. They just happened to show up in Hotto, looking for the Luminary right after they'd shaken off the Heliodorian soldiers?
While the twins seemed genuine enough, Erik held back from accepting their story entirely. It nagged at him - what if their friendly approach was just a trick to lure Halden back to Hendrik?
One of the few people he did trust was Rae. Raeyla had never let him down in the three years they had traveled together, and so he believed her when she told him about her visions, and then again when she said she felt she was meant to help Halden. Neither of them fully understood what was happening with her visions, but they had led them to Halden, to the letters from his grandfather and mother - the same letters that revealed Halden was also the Prince of Dundrasil.
It was also how Rae came to believe she was from Dundrasi too.
The thought of his friend remembering more of her past made Erik both happy and uneasy. He sighed and stood up from the sauna bench, running a hand through his damp hair. He made a mental note to check on his friend before they left town when the idea struck him. He would head back now and see if she was awake.
He washed up quickly and left the sauna, only to find that Rae had been standing in the lobby of the sauna, preparing to leave herself.
"Hey, heading back?" he called out, catching her attention.
Rae turned, offering him a tired smile. "Yeah," she replied, rubbing her eyes. "I'm wiped."
"It was a big day," Erik nodded as he joined her. "Crazy to think this morning we were on the Emerald Coast, just trying to find a door."
Rae gave a small nod as they walked out into the humid midnight air. "Feels like a lifetime ago." Her voice was soft, and the weight of the day seemed to press down on her shoulders. "Everything's been happening so fast…"
Erik shot her a sideways glance, noticing the tired look on her face, the way her shoulders sagged. "You're handling it well, better than Derk would," he said, with a teasing tone in his voice before becoming more serious. "But are you really ok? You seem a bit off."
Her steps slowed a fraction, and Erik followed suit. Rae's gaze dropped to the ground. For a moment, there was only the sound of their footsteps on the worn path. "I don't know," she admitted quietly. "The fight with Hendrik, the crypt… then my memories… it was a lot in one day, that's all."
Erik's gut tightened. He could only imagine what was going through her head. She almost died twice during the day and all after having to come to terms with the fact that she came from Dundrasil - a kingdom that was destroyed sixteen years ago. She never had clear memories of her past life, but he knew that she held on to some small hope that her family or friends might still be out there somewhere. And now? Now that hope was gone.
He was glad that he had asked her to stay with him and Derk back then. What would have happened if she'd been out there, searching for a home that didn't exist?
He didn't know how to help her with how she was feeling about her memories, but after seeing the sign of the weapon shop as they walked by, he got an idea. He couldn't help with her feelings, but he could help make sure she didn't have any more close calls with death. Erik kept his pace steady beside her, his usual smirk softening into something more genuine. "With everything that's been happening, maybe it's time I taught you how to use a knife. I've been meaning to anyway."
Rae blinked, a small, bemused smile creeping onto her face. "A knife, huh?"
"Yeah." He shrugged casually. "We'll find one back here at this shop tomorrow." He nudged his head at the direction of the shop as he glanced at her, his voice losing its teasing edge. "But you know, I'm here, Rae. We're partners."
He saw the tension in her shoulders ease a bit, and she gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Erik."
"Don't worry about it," He flashed her a smirk, quickly returning to his playful tone to lighten up the mood. "Gotta keep you out of trouble somehow, right?"
Her soft laugh was all the answer he needed. He felt like he helped to lift the weight off her shoulders, even if only for a moment.
They reached the inn's entrance, and Erik started to walk up the steps when he noticed Raeyla had stopped. He turned back to see that she was looking up at the sky, her expression distant.
The stars glimmered overhead, and Erik knew what she was thinking about - the same thing that had haunted her for the past three years. That star chart. The one she always kept tucked in her bag, hoping it would help her unlock more of her past.
He hadn't seen her open it in a long time, not since that fight between him and Derk over two years ago. Rae had tried to stop them, and later, when they'd all calmed down, she spent hours staring at that chart, hoping it would jog something in her memory. It hadn't. But she never let it go.
"Rae?" His voice was quiet, but it cut through her thoughts.
She looked over to him, blinking as if just realizing she'd stopped. "Sorry… I was just-"
"I know." He nodded toward the inn door. "Come on. It's late."
She smiled at his response before quietly following him up the steps to their room. To save on funds, Halden, Erik and Rae had decided to share a room, leaving Veronica and Serena with the room they had secured before meeting the trio.
By the time they reached the room, Halden was fast asleep.
"Night." Rae whispered as she climbed into bed, her head barely hitting the pillow before she drifted into a deep sleep.
Erik glanced over at his companions, letting his gaze linger on Rae and Halden for a moment before turning his eyes to the ceiling. His mind replayed the day's events, one after the other, until his eyelids grew heavy and sleep finally took him.
The morning light dragged him back into consciousness. He groaned as he stretched, feeling the ache in his muscles, a reminder of yesterday's fall. Blaming the soreness on that tumble, Erik glanced around the room. Halden was still asleep, but Rae was already up and gone.
Not wanting to wake Halden, Erik slipped out of bed, his movements quiet as he left the room.
He didn't have to go far to find Rae. As he reached the stairs leading down to the inn's lobby, her voice drifted up to him.
She was just coming back inside with Serena, the two chatting with easy smiles.
"So, she's always been like that? I admire your patience." Rae said, her tone light but genuinely curious.
Serena smiled "I do apologize for her. She means well, I promise." Her voice was gentle, and the sincerity in her apology made Erik feel a pang of sympathy for the girl. Dealing with Veronica couldn't be easy, but Serena bore it with grace.
"Hey, you guys are up." Erik called out, making his presence known. Both girls turned to face him immediately.
"Good morning, Erik! How did you sleep?" Serena greeted him with the smile she always seemed to wear. The cyan-haired boy noticed a small bag carefully held in one of her hands. Rae had one too.
"Well enough, can't afford to sleep in though. You?" he responded, his tone casual.
"Very well, thank you. Raeyla's an early riser too, so we thought we'd grab breakfast for everyone," Serena explained, Rae nodded and handed him her bag. Inside, he found three bowls of steamed rice and egg.
"Thanks." Erik said, a small smile playing on his lips as he looked at Rae. He took a bowl and headed toward a table, eager to eat.
"Oh! Is there breakfast for me too, Serena?" Veronica's voice called down from upstairs.
Instead of acknowledging her, Erik opened his bowl and dug in, Rae silently joining him at the table. Neither seemed eager to interact with Veronica first thing in the morning.
Serena started a conversation with her sister, leaving the two thieves to eat. In between bites, Erik looked at Rae, catching her attention. "Feeling better?" he asked, his voice low.
"Yeah, some rest was all I needed." Rae replied, her tone light but sincere.
The twins soon joined them at the table. Erik kept his focus on his food, but he could feel the shift in the room as Veronica sat down, her presence always more commanding than her sister's.
Before long, Erik heard another set of footsteps approaching from behind. Halden had finally woken up.
"Finally woke up, huh? Don't worry, we only just woke up too." Erik said while going for another spoonful of rice.
Rae smiled at the brunette boy, handing him a bowl of rice. Halden rubbed the sleep from his eyes, muttering a quiet thanks before sitting down next to Erik. He looked bleary-eyed, but there was a calmness in his demeanor that Erik had noticed before - a patience that only he and Serena seemed to have in the group.
"And now that we're up, it's time to continue our little talk from before - about how Serena and I are going to help you." Veronica said, her voice direct and determined. She wasted no time getting into series matters.
Erik glanced at Halden, who looked slightly caught off guard by her abruptness. Rae noticed it too and spoke up first. "He just woke up, Veronica. Give him a minute to at least eat."
"It's alright," Halden said softly, offering Rae a reassuring look before turning back to his food. "I'm listening," he added, his voice calm and steady. Erik couldn't help but note how Halden handled Veronica - patiently.
Serena, sensing the tension ease, placed her utensil down and began speaking. "We have a legend in our home, Arboria. It says that one day the Dark One will descend to extinguish the light. But that Yggdrasil's chosen, the Luminary, bearer of the Mark of Light, will rise to meet him."
Erik had always known the legend - how the Luminary of Legend defeated the Dark One and became a star long ago. But hearing Serena calmly recite a new prophecy, as if it were a simple truth, made him uneasy. It felt like they were all standing on the edge of something far bigger than they'd realized.
He glanced around the table to gauge the others' reactions. Rae was deep in thought, staring at the table, while Halden studied the mark on his hand as though it carried the weight of the world. And, in a way, it did. Erik felt a pang of sympathy for him, knowing the pressure of his sudden responsibility must be unbearable.
"How do the people in Arboria know this? Were they just talking about the old legend of the first Luminary?" Erik asked, his voice edged with skepticism. He wasn't one to trust easily - especially when it came to prophecies and legends.
Serena responded softly, her expression sincere. "The legend was entrusted to us by the great sage Serena, who helped the Luminary defeat the Dark One before living in Arboria. She warned of his return centuries ago."
Erik's suspicion lessened slightly. He could feel Serena's genuine belief in her words, and it was hard to argue against such conviction.
Veronica, however, took a more direct approach. She turned to Halden and, in her usual blunt tone, declared, "Look, I get it. You don't believe any of this yet. But it's true. You're the reincarnation of the Luminary - the one who took down the Dark One long ago. I can't explain why he's back, but that's not really the point. We just need to get you to Yggdrasil, and everything will start to make sense." She finished with a shrug, as if the explanation was simple and obvious.
Erik noted the part about getting to Yggdrasil. Rae had mentioned it when they left Heliodor, after one of her visions. His eyes flicked over to her just in time to see her wince and close her eyes. She was having another vision, one she was clearly trying to hide. He resisted the urge to reach out, sensing that she didn't want to draw attention to it.
Halden, seemingly oblivious to Rae's struggle, asked, "Why do you have to take me to Yggdrasil?"
"It is our sacred duty to bring you to Yggdrasil so we can learn how to defeat the Dark One together. You see, just as you are the reincarnation of the Luminary of Legend, Veronica and I are the reincarnation of Serenica. Together, we make up the great sage's magical ability."
Veronica chimed in, confident as ever. "We've been trained for this ever since we were kids. I assure you, we're more than capable of protecting you." She smirked, her usual self assured attitude pushing Erik's patience.
Instead he chose to watch Rae closely, noting how she absorbed every word Serena spoke. If she really was having another vision, it only confirmed her importance to Halden's journey.
The idea brought back old memories, and he thought back to when he first found her - wrapped in glowing tree roots inside that frozen ruin. Maybe Yggdrasil had something to do with it, though he had no clue why. There had to be more to the symbols, pendant and roots that had sheltered her from the cold. Perhaps it was finally time for him to look into them.
Pulling himself from his thoughts, Erik spoke up. "Yggdrasil, huh? Well I for one want to know what the heck's going on. Let's mosey on over there, no sense sitting around!" He grinned, but his enthusiasm was immediately met with Veronica's sharp, sarcastic voice.
"Have you ever tried thinking before opening your big mouth? In case you hadn't noticed, Yggdrasil is floating in the sky. 'Mosey', he says.. Honestly!" She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by his optimism.
Erik shot her a warning looking. "Watch it brat."
Before the tension could escalate, Serena intervened with her usual calm. "Legends say that the Luminary once visited the World Tree before his battle with the Dark One. But alas, the legends do not tell us how."
Erik frowned. "What? Not even you special protectors of the magical ancient wonder-truths know? Bummer." He said, turning to face Rae and Halden while in thought. Rae had seen them standing beneath the tree, but it didn't show her how to get up there. "Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil… Wait actually - I think I might have an idea!"
Serena's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? What is it?"
"You know that guy we busted out of jail yesterday?" Erik began, his grin returning. "I remembered where I know him from - he sells information to…people in my profession." He quickly skipped over naming his less-than-legal profession, catching Veronica's suspicious glare. But, to his relief, she chose not to comment. Rae's eyes lit up with recognition at his statement.
"Wait, it's that Noah?" she said.
"Sure is." he replied as they shared a moment of understanding. His friend now knew what the plan was, and Veronica was becoming more suspicious of the two.
Serena, ever the optimist, clapped her hands together. "And you think he might know how we can reach the World Tree? Wonderful! Well, what are we waiting for? To the bar!"
She rose quickly, practically bouncing to the door, her eagerness contagious. Veronica, with a more measured pace, followed her out.
As Erik stood, he glanced over at Halden, who still sat, staring down at his hands. The kid hadn't said much since this whole thing started, and Erik could only imagine the thoughts swirling in his head. He sighed. The road ahead was only going to get tougher.
"You ok, man?" Erik asked, his voice casual, but his eyes sharp as he tried to figure out whether something was seriously wrong or if Halden was just that quiet by nature.
Halden shook his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the floor. "Yeah, it's just… it's all happening so fast. I don't know if I'm ready to be a hero. I can barely help a little girl," he said, his voice distant, not looking up at Erik or Raeyla.
Erik glanced at his partner, unsure of how to respond. Comforting people had never been his strong suit - he usually left that to her.
Right on cue, Rae stepped in. "You've only just started, Halden. It takes time. But look at how much you've learned in just a few days." she said softly, her words full of quiet encouragement. Derk and him always relied on her for the empathetic words.
Halden considered her words for a moment before giving a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Raeyla. I'll try to stay positive." His voice was hesitant but sincere. He turned and walked toward the inn's entrance, following the twins to the bar. Rae watched him go, her brows knitting slightly as she glanced back at Erik. He gave her a contemplative look and she returned a questioning one back.
"You had another vision, didn't you?" Erik asked in a low voice, not wanting to waste time while they were alone. The last thing they needed was for the twins to overhear something they shouldn't.
Rae's face lowered into a frown, and she nodded, leading the way out of the inn. She slowed her pace, allowing Erik to catch up so they could speak quietly. "It wasn't like the others," she whispered. "I didn't see anything this time."
The cyan-haired man furrowed his brow, confused. "What do you mean? What happened then?"
Her voice was distant as she tried to explain. "It felt… more like a memory than a vision. I don't know how to describe it. When Veronica and Serena were talking about the legends, my head started hurting, and then I just… knew."
"Knew what?" Erik pressed gently, trying to make sense of what she was saying.
"That everything they said was true. I know about a conversation Father Benedictus had with them before they left Arboria. That they were sent to find and protect the Luminary. I even know what Veronica really looks like," she said, her voice full of disbelief. She looked at Erik as though she was searching for an explanation.
Erik's expression darkened with doubt. "Wait - how could you possibly know that? The twins only just left Arboria to search for Halden, and you were with me in the Heliodor dungeon for a year. There's no way you could have a memory of that."
Rae's voice wavered slightly as her anxiety grew. "I know. It doesn't make any sense. But it feels like it would if I were to recall any memory I have of you and Derk. It felt just like it did when I woke up. Erik… what if my memories aren't mine?" Her breathing quickened, panic creeping into her voice. The girl who had just so calmly settled Halden down was now trapped in her own feelings, and Erik wondered how she'd managed to control herself so well up until they were alone.
Erik quickly stepped closer, his usual calm demeanor breaking just enough to show concern. "Hey, slow down. Take a breath. Why wouldn't your memories be yours?" he asked, his voice firm but gentle, trying in his own way to calm her down.
"If this feels like a memory in the same way that my memories feel, then what if everything I remembered about before you found me aren't really my memories either? What if it's someone else's?" Rae's voice shook slightly as she admitted her fear.
Erik frowned. He didn't have an answer, and it was rare for him to feel this out of his depth. "I don't know," he finally said, running a hand through his cyan hair in frustration. "But I do know one thing - everything you've experienced with us is real. Focus on that, and we'll figure out the rest together, ok?"
Rae nodded slowly, though the worry didn't leave her eyes. "Thanks, Erik. I just… I don't know what's going on. I'm not sure yet, so I don't want to tell the others, but I'm certain this is tied to Halden's journey."
Erik nodded, but his expression remained guarded. "It has to be. I agree that you shouldn't tell the others. We need to be careful about who we share this with." He cast a glance toward the twins, who were several paces ahead, nearing the bar.
"You're suspicious of the twins?" She asked, her tone curious but not accusatory.
"We don't know them yet," Erik replied, not wanting it to sound like he greatly disliked them. "They don't seem too bad, Veronica's attitude aside, but we don't know their game, and we don't know what's happening to you." He didn't need to say much more for Rae to understand his caution. They'd been through too much to just take things at face value now.
Rae considered this for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "You're right," she said quietly, her voice carrying a weight of understanding as they moved to catch up with Halden and the twins.
By the time they reached the bar's entrance, Serena was already reaching for the handle. Erik's sharp eyes took in the scene immediately - Noah was sitting at the bar, clearly drunk, with his daughter Connie beside him, looking both frustrated and concerned.
"Come on, Daddy! Let's go! The nice man who keeps bringing you drinks must be getting tired." Connie pleaded, tugging at his sleeve.
Noah, swaying on the stool, hiccupped and waved a hand dismissively. "Jusht - Hic! One more for the - hic! Road, shweetie! You never know, 'e might - hic! - 'ave shome 'ot gossip that I -hic! - need to 'ear!"
Rae wrinkled her nose in distaste. "He's drunk. Connie's right there." Her voice was low, her disgust clear in her tone. Erik silently agreed, his expression tightening as he observed the situation.
Erik decided to step in. "Fishing for rumors, huh?" he teased lightly, trying to get the man's attention. "Some things never change."
"Hm?" He responded, too intoxicated to understand what the thief was doing.
"You're Noah, right? You were famous in the circles we used to move in," Rae added, her voice steady but with a hint of familiarity. "You were the guy who knew things… for the right price."
Noah blinked slowly, as though trying to process her words, but the haze of the alcohol slowed his comprehension. Erik exchanged a look with Rae - this might take a minute.
Noah's eyes flashed with recognition. Erik couldn't tell if it was because he remembered them from yesterday or if he was finally piecing together what they were getting at. "'No nugget of knowledge too big or too small, Noah the know-it-all knows 'em all.' That's what they used to say, huh?" Erik continued, his tone casual but with an edge, hoping this would land with the drunken man.
Noah chuckled, leaning back slightly as if warming to the familiarity. "An' what if they did? I can't 'elp it if juicy titbits 'ave an 'abit of fallin' in me lap now, can I?" He swayed a little on his stool, squinting up at Erik and Rae. "I don't go tryin' to get mixed up in this stuff, it just… 'appens! Like when I went in the ladies' baths an' them monsters, they kidnapped me! I only stuck me 'ead in there to see what all the commotion was, an' there they was, attackin' some poor girl. Normally I would've walloped the lot of 'em, o' course, but I'd just 'ad me tea. The villains collared the both of us, and … well, I just 'ope she's alright."
Erik fought hard not to laugh at the absurdity of Noah's explanation. He caught Rae's smirk out of the corner of his eye, her lips twitching in a barely suppressed grin. Halden, however, seemed more concerned, his eyes flickering to Veronica, who looked ready to snap.
Veronica's body stiffened, her hands curling into fists. Erik could tell she was restraining herself with difficulty. He gave a brief cough, redirecting Noah's attention before Veronica could lash out.
"She… uh, kind of. Anyway, we were wondering if you might be able to help us out. What do you know about Yggdrasil?" He asked, trying to keep things on track.
Noah's drunken demeanor shifted at the mention of the World Tree. His eyes sharpened, and he sat up straighter. "Crikey, you lot don't do things by 'alves, do ya? Got a big score in mind, eh? Well, seein' as 'ow you saved me life. I'll tell you what I know."
"Hey-!" Veronica started to protest, her tone harsh, but Rae smoothly cut her off.
"That would be great, thanks." Rae's eyes flashed in warning at Veronica, her quiet authority doing the job without raising her voice. Erik admired the move while Veronica, still fuming, crossed her arms in a huff as Serena leaned in to whisper something in her sister's ear. She kept quiet after that.
Noah, oblivious to the near outburst, continued. "On the way 'ere, Connie an' me was travellin' across the desert when we came down wiv a bad case of 'eatstroke. We didn't 'ave no grub left, no water, nuffink. We'd just about given up 'ope. But then these soldiers from Gallopolis came along. Next think I know, I'm wakin' up in the sultan's bleedin' palace! Talk about lucky! Anyway, when I came to, that's when I seen it. Beautiful, it was… this… rainbow-colored branch fing. All… shimmery and beautiful. Well, I know top-end gear when I see it. If that weren't a branch o' the old World Tree, I'm a monkey's uncle!"
Erik listened carefully, noting the excitement creeping into Noah's voice as he described the branch. A branch from Yggdrasil? Erik thought that it was the best lead they had so far.
Serena's eyes lit up, her voice lifting with hope. "Did you hear that Veronica? A branch from Yggdrasil herself!" she exclaimed softly, her tone full of optimism.
"Yes… It sounds like we need to take a trip to Gallopolis." Veronica said, her expression shifting into a calculating smile as she glanced at Erik. "So it turns out you are capable of having ideas that aren't completely stupid after all."
Erik grinned back at her, refusing to let the insult phase him. "I try my best."
"Where is Gallopolis?" Halden asked, glancing toward Rae, clearly assuming she'd have the answer.
Rae shook her head slowly however. "I'm not sure. I've heard of it."
"It's a city in the desert, beyond the checkpoint southwest of here," Serena chimed in, her tone soft but informative. "A branch from the world tree will surely help you find a way to Yggdrasil, I do hope you won't mind us tagging along?" Her voice was kind, but there was a certain weight behind her words - this wasn't a simple question. They had no choice but to trust the twins, at least for now.
Erik shot a glance at Rae. She wasn't saying anything, but he remembered what they had agreed on just a few moments ago. They couldn't fully trust the twins, particularly Veronica, who had already lied to them. But their path seemed tied to the twins, with them vowing to protect Halden. If they were going to travel with Halden, they would be stuck with them. And with Rae's visions of them and Mia, there was no way he was separating from the boy now.
Halden, trying to sound like a leader, spoke up. "You know more about all of this than we do. If you're willing to help, we'd be grateful." His voice was sincere, almost too trusting for Erik's taste, but the kid had a way of keeping things grounded. Rae stayed quiet but nodded slightly in agreement.
"Wonderful, glad that's all sorted. Shall we go then?" Veronica said, her confidence oozing through her words as she turned on her heel toward the door. Serena flashed the group a warm smile and followed her sister out.
"Wait, you said there was a checkpoint. Won't we need a pass?" Rae asked, raising a concern as they were about to leave.
Veronica spun back around and smiled triumphantly, "Good thing we already have one!" She reached into her bag and pulled out a small orange pass, holding it up with a flourish.
"The guards at the checkpoint are awful sticklers for formalities, but if we show them that, they should let us through." Serena explained.
"I guess we should go then?" Halden asked, looking between Rae and Erik.
"Actually, I need to find something at the markets before we leave. Come on Rae." Erik said abruptly, walking toward the door.
Veronica scoffed, her hands on her hips. "You waited until now to say something?"
Erik ignored her, hearing Rae's soft footsteps behind him as they exited.
"You're still serious about this?" Rae asked, her voice laced with mild disbelief.
"Of course. You need something just in case monster's get too close." Erik replied, his tone firm but protected. He glanced back, hearing footsteps come up behind them.
"Erik! We'll meet you at the front gates ok?" Halden called out. Erik gave a casual wave without turning back and continued onward, Rae following behind.
As they descended the stairs, Rae asked, "Alright, fair enough. I guess it would be useful. What kind of knife should I look for?"
Erik gestured toward a shop next to the stairs leading to the sauna, with a sword and shield symbol hanging above its door. "Something small and lightweight would be best," he replied, holding the door open for her. "You don't need anything too fancy, just practical."
Inside, the store was dimly lit, with gray stone walls and dark wood accents that gave the place a sturdy, no nonsense feel. Weapons of all types were mounted on racks along the walls, and shelves displayed armor and smaller tools. Erik's eyes scanned the knives with practiced efficiency.
A man with spiky black hair and a tan tunic, red undershirt and black pants stood behind the counter labeled "Weapons," while a woman in a similar outfit worked the "Armor" side.
"Welcome to our forge," the man greeted them. "Blades and tools for every need. What is it you seek?"
Erik stepped forward, "We're looking for some knives or daggers. Something discreet but effective."
"Blades both sharp and swift, rest upon my careful shelves." the man said, "Which will suit your grip?"
Erik turned to Rae, his gaze softening just a bit. "It's up to you, but I'd recommend something small and easy to hide. Steel or iron, nothing too fancy. The simpler it is, the easier it'll be to maintain."
Rae looked at the knives with a thoughtful expression. "I'll take your advice on that, but I want it to be comfortable to hold. And useful for more than just fighting."
"Fair enough," Erik said with a nod, appreciating her practicality.
Looking through the knives, Erik didn't find anything that suited what he was looking for, when the shop owner came up from behind them.
"Tucked away from sight, one blade awaits in quiet sleep. Shall it meet your hand?" he asked, producing a knife wrapped in cloth.
Erik took the blade, noting the craftsmanship immediately. It was a sleek, double-edged dagger with a slight curve, resembling a bird's talon. The knife looked to be made of steel, and he thought that its matte black finish would surely help avoid unwanted reflections. Its minimalist design and black leather grip appealed to his tastes. As he held it in his hands, he noted that it felt light, and would likely be a well balanced knife for Rae in close combat.
"Try this," Erik said, passing it to Rae. She took it, her movements cautious but curious. She tested the weight, giving it a few swings that looked awkward to the shopkeeper but perfectly normal to Erik.
"It's really nice," Rae said, her tone almost surprised. "Do you think it'll suit me?"
"With a little practice, yeah," Erik replied before turning back to the shopkeeper. "How much?"
"Three hundred in gold, for a blade both swift and true. Worth its weight in fight."
Rae reached for her bag. "I'll take it."
Erik shook his head, already pulling out his own pouch. "I'm the one that insisted on this. I'll cover it. Besides, I'll be the one training you to use it."
She hesitated but relented with a quiet nod.
After completing the purchase, Erik handed her the dagger, which she clipped to her belt. "Thanks," she said, her voice softer now, more appreciative.
"I'll train you a bit, so you can be ready when the time comes," Erik replied, his tone as practical as always.
They walked back to meet the others at the front gates. Veronica was already tapping her foot impatiently, arms crossed.
"About time. Can we finally go now?" she snapped.
"Yeah, we're good," Erik replied, keeping his tone even, not rising to the bait. His patience with Veronica was wearing thin, but now wasn't the time for another argument.
"What did you get?" Halden asked as they began walking, Rae having moved up ahead to chat with Serena and Veronica.
"A knife for Rae. Just in case something like that pitfall happens again," Erik explained.
"That's a good idea," Halden said, nodding thoughtfully. "Though, hopefully, we won't have any more incidents like that."
Erik's expression stayed neutral. "It's best to be prepared."
He cast a glance toward Rae, who was still talking with Serena, her new knife hanging securely at her side. She wasn't just another traveling companion to him. She was his partner, and close friend. But aside from all that, she was a crucial part of this mess. Erik's gut told him that this journey, this 'Dark One' business, was bigger than any of them fully understood yet, and while Halden was the Luminary, Rae would be a part of the puzzle as well.
His instinct was to protect, to shield someone he cared about from whatever lay ahead. But deep down, he knew he couldn't stop Rae from facing this. All he could do was protect her along the way.
He just hoped that would be enough.