“And that is my report Urist, I think it should be in our best interest to hold a meeting later tonight.”

Wiping the sweat off his brow with a towel Urist replied, “Agreed. Let's do it at sundown. Is that all?”

“Yes, I’ll excuse myself and deal with other matters now.”

“Don’t work yourself to death now. Remember to relax once in awhile Ubel.”

Ubel snorted and began walking away, “If you're not working on improving yourself you're wasting your time.”

When Ubel was out of hearing Urist shook his head and gave a mumble, “Never gonna find a girlfriend with that attitude.”

Putting Greedy Spear on the rack Urist decided to take a quick shower to wash off all the grime. Heading into the shower room Urist took off his clothes and got out the ash soap laced with woozoo flowers and pulled the rope and let cold water wash over him.

He could have activated his flames to get it at a good temperature but felt that cold water was the best. A scrub here and there and after a while he was cleaned, washed and refreshed. After getting dressed he headed to his and Uria’s room and saw her sitting their cross-legged no doubt looking at screens in her head.

Hearing the bamboo door open Uria sniffed the air and frowned, “Why didn’t you come get me and we could’ve taken a shower together. You know I need help getting around remember?”

Pointing at the cloth covering her eyes Urist could only awkwardly cough, “It slipped my mind, come on I’ll carry you to the shower.”

“Sure, although it’s not what I hand in mind it’ll have to do.” Holding out her hands Urist rolled his eyes and picked her up in a princess carry. Some dwarfs on their break saw Urist carry Uria into the shower and started whispering to one another.

“Is he going out with that blind chick?”

“Sshhh, don’t you dare look down on her newbie. If she didn’t sacrifice herself then they would’ve been wiped out. She might be mean, a bully, and pretty much a bitch. But you better not say anything bad about her or scorn her or us bothers will beat you.”

“Didn’t you just say something way worse?”

Urist frowned at words and had half a mind to thrash those talking behind his back only for Uria to pull on his arm. Turning his head in her direction he saw her shaking her head with a bitter smile, “Just let them be I don’t care what they think only what you do.”

With an aching heart, Urist led her into the shower and let her stand on her own two feet. “I’ll be right outside when you're done or need anything. The change of clothes are right here and this leaver lets the water come down. The soap is stored here in this covered and…”

Using gentle hands, Urist helped Uria get familiar with the shower before undoing the cloth around her eyes. He took a long stare to see the rip across her face scared and two glass blue eyes that seemed dull and lifeless.

Each eye cost five hundred points but Urist didn’t care about the cost and spent them willingly although they were not real at least they kept infection out. It was only that Uria liked the cloth covering her eyes better than these objects.

He just stood there and took a long look at Uria not sure what to do.

“You just gonna stare or join me, dummy?”

Shaking himself from his thoughts Urist turned around and closed the bamboo door. “I’ll be waiting outside if you need anything Uria.”

As Urist leaned against the door Uria reached out and touched the door with her hand. “Ya… I’ll be right out...”

Sliding down by the door Urist stared at the ceiling and let his mind wander as the water splashed behind him. Thinking about his memories and wonder what he would get from the armament stone when he updated his knowledge. His name, the name of family and friends? Maybe it’ll be about the man on the wall? Or maybe just maybe he'll see the girl that he saw as Uria was struck down?

Would I still be myself? No. It doesn’t matter, I must keep moving forward for Uria for everyone as they depend on me to lead the way forth for a better tomorrow. No matter to my cost I must not let the past repeat itself.

Wait. What about the past? What happened to the past? Why can’t I just remember it all?

---

Finished using the shower Uria and Urist headed back to there room in silence. The two didn’t know what to say to one another as the awkward air-filled between him, a distance that seemed to stretch like an endless chasm.

Entering the room Urist gently placed Uria on the bed and started to pull up the blanket before Uria grabbed his shirt and pulled on him making him fall on her.

“Stay with me for a little while dummy.”

Before he could answer she had wrapped her arms around him and hugged tightly to his chest. Urist tried to get out of her grip but was afraid of his newfound strength hurting her. So he quickly gave up and wrapped his arms around her and rolled so that she would be on top of him.

“Ten minutes then I have to go Uria.”

Burying her face in his chest Uria replied softly. “That’ll be enough for me for now. I keep waiting until your ready.”

Running his hand through her silky scarlet hair Urist sighed. “Sorry that I’m selfish. Until I heal your sight I just can’t get rid of this guilt.”

“It’s fine. After all, I’ve waited for such a very long time what's a few more years?”

Bewildered Urist asked, “A long time? But we’ve only known each other for a few weeks? What are you saying.”

“I don’t know why but I just know it. Even if I lost my memories, my soul, my heart knows. And as long as we are together it’s enough.”

“Uria…”