It had been a few hours since Evelynn had dragged the impostor along in a mad dash from the underground facility. They fled as far as they could, running into the depths of a forest.

She thought being able to see the trees and feel the sun on her skin again would mean that her torment had ended. After all, she had lost count of the number of times she cried herself to sleep in her holding cell, dreaming for this exact outcome.

Dreaming that she would be free.

Before her capture, she was just a simple apprentice merchant, traveling with her parents and learning the family trade. She was a single child, so even though she was a girl, her parents had great expectations. The responsibility of continuing the family trade fell heavy on her shoulders.

Others had called her mature and by far too serious for her age.

Some had even wondered whether it was too much pressure to give to such a young girl.

However, she shouldered the responsibility, and worked hard so her parents could be proud and to disprove those who looked down on her just because of her gender.

No matter how difficult it was, she was happy.

She knew the road she would walk in life.

That was until the village she was staying in was razed—and the cultists captured her.

The cultists captured a lot of people... excluding her parents.

After all, her parents were just collateral when the village was being put to the torch.

She cried for many days, curled up in her holding cell and refusing to eat. During that period she wished she was dead. She almost hoped the cultists would pick her next, and drag her screaming out of her cell.

However, she had a cellmate who would sit by her side and comfort her. Her cellmate would brush away her tears and say that her parents were in a better place, and that she shouldn't give up hope.

From many hours to many days of coaxing her to eat, and trying to get her to smile, Evelynn finally emerged from her grieving.

Evelynn had asked her cellmate what her name was, and the girl had replied with a big smile on her face, "Hi! My name is Charlie!"

Evelynn watched with hard eyes as the impostor pranced through the woods, picking up and smelling the flowers.

The impostor had already gathered an armful, and made a circlet for the both of them. They were pretty circlets. A matching pair of buttercup and dandelion yellow.

With her circlet crushed in her hand, Evelynn sat and leaned on a tree trunk.

The circlet's vibrant color stood out brilliantly against the impostor's black tresses. The impostor looked so happy and carefree as it now pouted, struggling but failing to climb a tall oak tree.

Charlie was always like that. Regardless of the situation, Charlie was always an infectious ball of untamed positivity.

She would shine all the brighter in the darkest pit.

Evelynn spent months languishing in captivity with mainly Charlie as her companion. She watched her fellow cellmates disappear one after the other. Led by the cultists to a horrendous end.

Each time the cultists called for another sacrifice, Evelynn would stand in front of Charlie, shielding her from view.

In those final days as the number of cellmates dwindled, Evelynn remembered hugging Charlie and saying everything would be okay. That everything would get better.

Both of them knew she was lying.

One day, her worst nightmare happened.

Charlie was led away by a cultist.

No matter how much Evelynn had screamed for the cultists to take her instead, Charlie was already chosen. She walked out of the door with a smile on her face. She said everything would be alright, and she would be back soon.

Both of them knew she was lying.

The sadness in her eyes and the tears dripping down her cheeks betrayed her.

Evelynn rubbed her eyes, brushing away the unshed tears. She glanced up at the impostor, who was now sitting on the lowest branch of the oak tree. The same oak tree that it was struggling to climb a moment ago.

When the impostor wasn't watching, Evelynn glared at it.

She knew this impostor wasn't her best friend, and would never be.

But, why...

Why was it wearing Charlie's face?

Why was it a flawless copy of Charlie's positivity and exuberance?

Why was she always reminded of Charlie whenever the impostor gave a brilliant smile?

Rubbing at her face, Evelynn uncurled from under the tree. She stood up and looked at the sun. The ball of orange was lower than she remembered. There was only a few hours of daylight left, so they should be seeking shelter.

Disgusted with herself, Evelynn shook her head.

This was not the time for reminiscing. They were too close to the facility and probably still within the radius of any search parties the cultists could mount.

Furthermore, she felt uneasy pondering the implications of why the facility was so empty, and especially whatever mind-altering effects were happening on the lower floors of that madhouse. When the impostor told her that she was acting strangely and not respon-

A sharp pain pierced Evelynn's head, causing her to stumble.

Rubbing her head, she felt the pain receding, but her head had grown fuzzy all of a sudden. What was she thinking about? Right, she was listing out priorities for survival in the wilderness.

Also, Evelynn was exasperated trying to help Charlie.

Evelynn looked down and stared in confusion and sadness at the circlet she had crumpled in her hand.

Why did she do that?

She carefully opened up the crown of flowers from its crumpled ball and placed it on her head.

Charlie looked down from her perch, and beamed when she saw Evelynn wearing her circlet.

Evelynn beckoned, and Charlie lightly jumped down from the tree.

She landed gracefully... only to trip and fall flat on her face.

Charlie scratched her hair with a sheepish grin.

While Evelynn was resisting the urge to laugh, Charlie got back onto her feet and followed Evelynn as she started walking away.

By all rights Charlie should be dead.

Not a single cellmate managed to return after they were led away by the cultists.

Evelynn would have taken Charlie's survival with a grain of salt even if Charlie had returned unblemished. Instead... Charlie came back with a mass of unearthly tentacles that could contemptuously punch through steel.

Before Evelynn had gotten over her shock and fear for her own life, Charlie displayed the exact same characteristics and compassion that had earned her Evelynn's undying loyalty. Thrown into confusion, Evelynn had no idea whether she should embrace her best friend or run screaming.

It was still nice that she got to see her companion again.

Too bad Charlie seemed to have forgotten everything.

Even though she knew Charlie had changed—it still hurt her when Charlie had asked for her name.

Asked for her name with the exact same smile and introduction from all those months ago.

"Charlie, do you happen to know where we are? Or the closest sign of civilization?"

Charlie skipped over and scratched her head, taking care not to jolt her circlet.

"Nope! I'm just following you."

"I see."

Evelynn continued trudging along, following the sun so she wouldn't end up walking in a circle. It seemed like Charlie didn't learn anything while touring the facility. Nor did she gain some incomprehensible eldritch tracking ability.

They walked through the verdant forest, occasionally following animal trails, but mostly just walking on soft grass.

Since both of them were barefoot, they tried not to step on any sticks or stones, but sometimes there was no avoiding the rock hidden in the dewy grass.

Evelynn turned a blind eye when she saw Charlie surreptitiously form a pair of black slippers that clung to her soles.

Evelynn weathered the occasional sharp pain without a word.

Unfortunately, there was no hiding the gurgling of her stomach from the inquisitive Charlie. Evelynn couldn't find any of the edible herbs she knew, and aside from the twittering birds all the native animals hid from the noisy humans.

After another ten minutes of stomach gurgling, Charlie spoke up.

"So, ummm... Evy, why is your stomach making that sound?"

"...It is because I am hungry."

"As in, you need to eat food?"

"Yes."

Charlie mused over this new revelation while tapping a finger on her chin.

"What can you eat?"

"Animals. Plants. Except I can't find any edible herbs around here."

Even though Evelynn was being taciturn, Charlie still maintained a cheerful disposition. It didn't take long before Charlie suddenly beamed with a crafty idea. She quickly schooled her face and settling onto a sly grin.

"Would you be fine if I catch some animals? I might have to go a little far."

"Sure. I'll shout for you if you are not back in thirty minutes."

"Gotcha."

Charlie turned around and was about to plunge into the underbrush before being halted by Evelynn.

"Charlie, you don't have to hide your tentacles around me."

Charlie stared at Evelynn in slack-jawed amazement.

"Really?" Charlie breathed.

"Yes."

Charlie stood frozen in place, processing Evelynn's words of acceptance as tears welled in her eyes and a tremulous smile grew on her face.

Charlie suddenly turned around and ran off into the foliage with a peal of laughter. The laughter and sounds of Charlie crashing through the undergrowth slowly faded into the distance.

Shaking her head with a small smile, Evelynn walked around in a circle collecting dry sticks.

Once Evelynn had gathered an armful of sticks and branches for firewood, she glanced up at the sky. There was still plenty of time for her to prepare the camp while Charlie was off terrorizing the wildlife.

While searching for dry moss and rocks to ring the campfire, Evelynn wondered about their long-term plan.

The most pressing issue was helping Charlie. After all, Evelynn was sure this was Charlie and not a clever impostor. She could live with Charlie having tentacles, so the only issue was helping Charlie regain her memories.

Asking for help would be painting a target on their backs, sending a beacon to every adventure guild and cult in a thousand miles. With that off the table, the safest bet was quietly researching memory recall methods by herself. The best source of information would be the Veilith Grand Library. The greatest repository of knowledge in the entire Veilith Empire, and the destination that would finally bring back her best friend.

She shook her head.

Before plotting a course, Evelynn was waiting for nightfall.

Waiting for the stars to come out and display their constellations.

Seeing that it was already getting dark, Evelynn forwent finding a cave or other form of shelter.

She cleared off a patch of earth and ringed it with rocks. Then she dumped some of her dry sticks into the circle before kneeling down beside it.

Grabbing a piece of dried bark, she bent it and shoved the desiccated moss inside. Using both hands, she started twirling a stick in the mossy hollow—settling in for a long wait. When the shadows grew long and the sun painted the purple dusk sky in hues of orange and red, Charlie came crashing back through the foliage into the impromptu camp.

She came prancing back in with not a brace of rabbits, but an entire armful of dead animals.

Or at least, Evelynn assumed that mash of pulped flesh and scraps of fur was once animals.

Blood dripped from the armful of pulp and was soaking into Charlie's grey robe.

Evelynn blinked, and her twirling of the fire stick halted for just a moment.

She could see several rabbit ears sticking out of the goo, some mice tails, and... a wolf's head.

How in the mortal planes did Charlie bag a wolf?

For that matter, where was the rest of the animals?

The wolf alone should have been nearly two meters long from snout to tail. And frankly, even though Charlie had come back with a heap of meat, it was nowhere near enough to account for how many animals she'd killed.

Maybe Charlie would carry the rest back separately?

"The animals seem pretty slow, Evy. I got as much as I could. Give me a moment and I'll bring the rest back up."

Blinking, Evelynn could only watch as Charlie walked over and dumped the pile of animal mash beside her. Although, it would be closer to call it pouring the gunk of shredded flesh and fur.

"Whew, that was quite heavy."

Charlie wiped her forehead with her bloodstained hand, leaving a trail of red.

Before Evelynn could admonish Charlie to clean her face, Charlie took a step back and turned around so she was facing away from Evelynn.

There was a hurking sound—and wet slabs of meat thudded to the ground.

Evelynn stared wide-eyed as a pile of shredded animal corpses formed at Charlie's feet.

Yup, there was the rest of the nearly two meter long wolf.

Charlie turned around with her face and front dyed crimson, and said in a chipper tone.

"Can I taste some of your cooking when you are ready?"

"Y-yes?"

Plopping down, Charlie stretched out her legs and curiously looked at what Evelynn was doing.

Evelynn ignored her and examined the two piles.

She chose to focus on the smaller pile of non-regurgitated animal mash. Out of the pile of body parts, Evelynn counted three rabbits, five mice, and... the wolf.

Some of the pieces actually looked palatable.

Evelynn knew she should be feeling horrified seeing the ease with which Charlie had killed so many animals in half an hour, and also disgust at how Charlie had regurgitated a pile of meat from her bottomless stomach.

But, frankly...

Evelynn didn't give a damn.

So what if her best friend had lost all her memories and was now an eldritch abomination?

Charlie was the only one she had left.

Evelynn shook her head and looked at the stick she was twirling.

There was a spark.

Before long, there was an ember burning in the hollow.

She carefully coaxed the fire to grow, then transferred it into the kindling she prepared in the ring of stone.

The fire flared, and lit up the small darkness around their clearing.

Charlie was staring at the fire with joy, and was reaching out a hand to touch a tongue of flame.

"Stop."

Charlie shrank back and blinked at her.

"I know it's warm and pretty, but it will burn you when you touch it."

"Okay," Charlie mumbled as she glumly went back to just watching the fire.

Evelynn found a jagged piece of rock and started the disagreeable process of skinning the clinging fur and picking out the internal organs of one of the rabbits.

Charlie watched in fascination as Evelynn butchered the animal remains. Charlie searched around and found another piece of rock. She tried emulating Evelynn, only to send tufts of fur and viscera flying everywhere.

Once again ignoring Charlie, Evelynn stripped a stick of its bark and roasted it over the fire, burning away some of the bitter sap.

Then she speared the butchered rabbit leg and hung it over the fire—between two forked branches that she had pounded into the ground.

Realizing that she hadn't heard thumping in a while, Evelynn looked over and saw that Charlie had in a short span of time finished separating the grisly remains of two rabbits and three mice from their fur and organs.

With a cheeky smile, Charlie retracted a black tentacle that was rummaging inside the fourth mouse.

"Thank you, Charlie. You can use your tentacles. You can also have a few portions from the first pile. I'll cook the entire second pile for you."

Charlie gave a sheepish grin and went back to rummaging inside the poor mouse.

With a smile tugging on her lips, Evelynn used a branch to dig a hole before dumping all the entrails and viscera. She considered throwing in the fur, but decided to keep the most intact pieces.

Sitting down, both Charlie and Evelynn waited for the rabbit to finish cooking.

It was now truly night.

The moon shone down on them while the stars twinkled in the dark void. Evelynn looked up and studied the stars and constellations. She saw a few familiar ones and realized she was in eastern half of the Veilith Empire. Now, they would have to find a settlement and ask for the closest major city.

"Can we eat now?"

Charlie whined as she blinked puppy-dog eyes.

With a jolt, Evelynn saw the rabbit leg was ready.

She stopped rotating the stick, and lifted it off the flames.

The rabbit leg was plump and tender. Even though Evelynn didn't add any seasonings, she could smell the enticing aroma. She knew that when she sank her teeth into it, she would be able to taste the hot lard and sumptuous juices gushing into her mouth.

Swallowing her saliva, Evelynn wordlessly handed the first serving to Charlie.

Charlie grabbed the snack with her bare hands, only to start an impromptu juggling act as she played hot potato.

Evelynn couldn't help but smile—and she barely stopped herself from laughing.

Charlie pouted as she finally grabbed onto the stick.

She licked the hot grease off her hands, and blew on them to cool them down. Charlie glanced at Evelynn uncertainly when she heard Evelynn's stomach give another gurgle of hunger.

Evelynn gave Charlie a nod as she stoked the fire.

Charlie hesitated for another moment before biting into the rabbit.

Her eyes went round with wonder.

"This tastes amazing!"