Mia woke up early every day, because that’s what adventurers and heroes were supposed to do. Mia also just couldn’t stay asleep any more once the sun came, because she was too excited about all the things there were to do that day. But no matter how early Mia got up, sister was always already awake! Most days she was out under the tree, but when Mia quietly got dressed and left Ghoumi to sleep on Mea’s bed, she found sister at a table talking to Mia’s new friend Ellena in the big front room of the inn.

“Good morning, Mia,” sister said. Mia was surprised, because sister didn’t even have to look to know Mia was there! Though the surprise was small, because sister was very smart and could do lots of things Mia couldn’t. Mia felt like she didn’t have room inside for surprise, because she was full of sadness and guilt. Sister used to have a really nice voice that Mia loved to listen to, and it was all Mia’s fault that it was all quiet and scratchy now.

Mia had been trapped in that small dark room with nothing but her thoughts, and all the reason in the world to think them. Mia felt more confident after that, she felt stronger in all the ways sister had talked about, but it had come at a price. It was Mia’s fault that she couldn’t think faster, understand better, make that decision sooner. It was Mia’s fault that she couldn’t save sister from all the things that had happened. But sister said that was the past, and no one could change that, so the only things Mia could do was regret, and learn. Mia had learned. Sister had been trying to teach her, but Mia hadn’t listened. Now Mia knew. Sometimes it was necessary to do bad things because it was the only way to stop worse things.

Sometimes people had to die, and Mia would kill them.

“If you keep looking so sad every time you see me, I might start to take it personally.” Mia looked up at that with a start, unable to meet sister’s eyes since they were hidden. She didn’t even realize she was showing how she felt so obviously, but even if she weren’t, sister would still know. Mia didn’t think she could hide anything from her best friend. Not even if she wanted to.

“Come, join us,” Ellena said, pulling out one of the chairs for Mia to sit in. So she did, the chair seeming to groan and crack under but also being just fine. Mia didn’t know why things were like that, but ever since she got her new body she felt heavy and not heavy at the same time, all the time. It was weird!

Mia smiled for Ellena and for sister too, because even if she was sad inside that things weren’t the way she wanted them to be, she didn’t want to make other people sad too. Sister said it wasn’t good to keep feelings all bottled up, and Mia knew that. Mia’s hero book said it too. But Mia didn’t know what to do about it. Mia wanted to talk to someone, but who could Mia talk to? Sister just said not to worry about it, and that it didn’t matter; but it mattered to Mia!

“You have arrived at an excellent moment,” Ellena said, breaking into Mia’s thoughts. “Your sister and I were in the midst of discussing the day’s plans, and it is necessary that your opinion be included. I am told that you were intending to launch an assault upon the local orc and ogre camps.” Mia nodded. “It comes to be that I have the time to invest in joining you, and an interest in doing so. Have you any objections?” Mia was a little uncertain about that idea, because Ellena was an important person with an important job, but if both she and sister were okay with it, then Mia was too.

“Mia doesn’t mind,” she said, but immediately shook her head, realizing that was wrong. Mia was letting her feelings get the better of her. Mia’s new friend wanted to come along on an adventure, and that was such an amazing thing that Mia wanted to make sure Ellena knew it. “Mia is really glad to have you come along. Adventures should be shared!” She said, feeling much better about it the second time around.

“Well said,” Ellena gave Mia a smile, before turning back to Mea. “Shall we be off?” Sister nodded and stood.

“Meet at south gate when ready.”

“Where is sister going?”

“Errands.” Sister was always running errands and never telling Mia about them, which Mia didn’t like at all. She wanted to know about what was going on, and decided to ask Mea the next time she saw her. But that wouldn’t be for a little while at least, so she just sighed and waved goodbye before getting up to look for Jisell so she could order breakfast.

Mea had said that she gave the inn people lots of the money, and that Mia shouldn’t worry about that and get anything she wanted. Mostly Mia liked sister’s granola, but the inn people didn’t have that, so she just wanted water and some fruits. The inn people had different fruits every day, and Mia tried all of them every time, but Mia had decided that the juice was only for special occasions because it was her favorite.

“Fair morning, Miss Mia,” Fen said when he came in. Mia couldn’t respond because she was eating, and sister said it was rude to talk and eat at the same time. Mia just waved instead until she finished chewing.

“Fen! Morning! Is Nise sleeping?” He just nodded and ordered a big breakfast, which arrived quickly since he ordered the same thing every morning. Fen always ate lots of meat every day, which Mia didn’t think was very good, but he said it was the right thing for building muscle and Mia didn’t know enough about that to disagree. Nise was probably still sleeping because she always talked to sister in the middle of the night. Mia thought that was probably a secret, but she didn’t know why. Maybe it was special mage stuff! Mia should talk to Fen about special scout stuff, too.

“Fen! Can we practice [Scout] stuff after breakfast?” Mia thought it was funny how if she said some things out loud, they were bigger than when it was just in her head. Some words just came with more thoughts and ideas than others did, and Mia had no idea why. Mia wondered if Fen knew any of those sorts of words about being a scout that Mia didn’t, because they tickled in a fun way when Mia heard a new one, and because Mia loved to learn new things.

“Yes,” he said, then went back to eating. He never talked to Mia very much, even though she saw him talking to Nise lots and lots, which was a little sad and unfair. But Nise and Fen had known each other a long time, so maybe once Mia knew him a long time he’d talk a lot to her too. Mia wasn’t sure how the talking more was supposed to happen, or how fast, but she didn’t like the way things would get really quiet in a bad way sometimes. Mia decided to just focus on eating too, so the bad quiet became a normal quiet.

“Morn,” said a very small voice as it transformed into a yawn, “ing.” Mia had to bend around in her seat to see Ghoumi, who had snuck up on the table without Mia noticing. She didn’t look very good, because her eyes were stuck shut like something hurt. She hadn’t changed clothes either, and still smelled like the weird drinks from the night before. The ones that stung Mia’s nose a bit when she sniffed them. But Mia was happy to see her anyway, because they were friends.

“Good morning!” Ghoumi’s head snapped back like she’d been hit.

“Please not so loud. Please,” she whispered, sounding almost as rough as sister did. Fen waved Mia’s friend Jisell over and asked for more water, along with a bowl of porridge potage. Mia had never tried that, so she asked for some too. Ghoumi just climbed up on a chair between Mia and Fen and put her head on the table before covering it with her arms. Not knowing how to help was the worst thing, but Jisell came back soon with water and soup. Ghoumi picked up her mug and drank it dry right then and there, which made Jisell laugh and run off to get more.

“Should’ve known to take it easy,” Ghoumi grumbled. “Never doing that again.”

“Why drink them if it hurts?” Mia wondered aloud. They were stinky too, so why would someone like that? Ghoumi laughed and then immediately groaned.

“Cause it tastes good, and feels nice at the time, but I’ve learned my lesson.” She tugged her bowl closer and started eating it slowly, eyes still mostly closed. Mia didn’t know what porridge potage was, but seeing her friend start eating made Mia remember she had some too. It smelled good and had a really nice orangey-white color and when Mia put her spoon in it, the soup was so thick the spoon could stand all on its own. Then Mia was scraping the last of it out before she even realized it, because it was so tasty. It was like the bread and there was a taste like vegetables and all sorts of other things too that Mia didn’t know about.

“This is really good!” Mia said, trying to stay quiet because being loud had hurt Ghoumi before.

“I can tell. Watching you eat that gave me some appetite back,” she said with a little laugh, less than halfway through her own bowl.

“That does look good,” Nise said, hopping into the last chair. They all talked about the food and about going out to the orc and ogre camps, which was a big surprise to Ghoumi who seemed scared but decided to go because Mea would be there. Mia understood that. She wouldn’t be so brave without sister around. While Nise and Ghoumi finished eating and then went to get ready, Mia and Fen went to the big space in the middle with the tree and practiced.

Fen wanted to learn Mia’s muffle Skill, so he worked on that while Mia tried to learn Fen’s intuition. Fen said that all the good scouts had it, so Mia knew she needed it too, so every day they played a special game. Fen would hide and try not to make any sound, while Mia would listen for him and the arrows he shot. Fen said it would take a long time to learn properly, because they had to get it just exactly right so the system could recognize the talent properly. Mia didn’t mind. Sister said that if something good happened too fast or too easy, it might actually be bad instead. Like cheating. Mia didn’t want that, so she thought that taking it slow was just fine.

Every time an arrow whistled past, Mia felt like she understood a little better. She could sense the danger just a little sooner. Fen said the same thing about sneaking; that every time Mia caught him, he could tell how to do it better next time. It was fun, but it was also over soon. Nise came out, cleaned up and changed into her adventuring gear and ready to go. Ghoumi had washed, but she didn’t have any equipment other than the clothes she had come with, so they decided to ask sister about it.

“Where is she anyway?” Nise asked. “I haven’t seen her this morning.”

“Sister said she was going to wait for us,” Mia tried to remember how to get to the south gate, but the city was still confusing for her. Then she remembered there was a Skill that could help with that. Sister was the one who always used it, but Mia had it too. “[Map].” She could see a little dot for sister, then tried to find how to get to her. Most of the map was covered by a dark grey that hid things, but all the places Mia had been showed things like roads and buildings.

“Of course you have a Skill like that. Why am I even surprised?” Nise said.

“Shouldn’t do that to a girl so early in the morning,” Ghoumi groaned.

“Come on, Mia found it!” There was a small street that went from the inn where Mia was and connected to a big one that went all the way to the gate. Mia was glad it was so easy, because everyone else seemed grumpy for some reason. It was a pretty short trip, Mia thought, but the rest of them were still breathing a little hard even after having to wait for the guards to let them through. It was sad because they didn’t want to talk to Mia at all, but her attention soon shifted to the big group of people who were standing just outside the town walls. Mia looked at her map again, and saw sister’s dot ahead, somewhere on the other side of the crowd.

Then she heard the clash of weapons.

“Mea!” Mia was afraid that her partner was being attacked again! She could see over the gathering easily, but all she could tell was that sister was there. Mia moved into the crowd, trying not to push, but quickly found that everyone had begun moving out of her way. When she came out the other side, she found a really serious fight going on between Ellena and sister. Mia took a step forward to intervene, then she saw the huge smile on Ellena’s face and realized she could hear laughing. Sister looked like she was having fun too, even though Mia couldn’t see her face. Mia wasn’t sure why they were fighting if it was fun, but she decided to just watch since it didn’t seem bad.

Ellena started jabbing so fast that Mia had a hard time keeping track, but sister hardly moved at all. Even so, Ellena could never seem to touch her as she swayed gently out of the way, only occasionally having to move the spear with her long skinny sword or just her hand. Then the spear came sweeping from the side at sister’s legs in a way she couldn’t avoid, so she didn’t. She stepped into the hit, the wood making a terrible clack against her thigh, while reaching out to tap Ellena on the shoulder with her sword in the same motion.

“Touch,” Mea said in the quiet that followed.

“Yes. Not a worthy trade,” Ellena noted, “though I must insist you recognize that very few indeed could remain standing after such a blow.” Sister nodded with a small shrug, then they both took a step back, weapons held ready. The next exchange was slower, with Ellena relying on her reach and technique instead of speed to land a hit. After a little back and forth, she knocked sister’s sword aside with a little half-spin that brought the back end of her spear up to sister’s head.

“A touch!” Ellena said with a big laugh. “That puts us at seven to two, I believe?” Sister nodded. “I must admit that you are the single most devious opponent I have ever faced,” she continued, a little out of breath and leaning on her spear. “You almost managed to catch that on your shoulder, did you not?”

“Yes. Not fast enough,” Mea said, her voice barely audible.

“Dear me, I have never been so sorely pressed before,” Ellena laughed again. “Yet rarely have I enjoyed myself so thoroughly! I beg of you, allow me a moment to regain myself so we might continue.”

“Love to,” Mea agreed, then tipped her head towards Mia. The princess glanced over and caught Mia’s eye before nodding at sister.

“A shame we must cut this short, for it was an excellent fight. I do fear that I shall be wearing a most unbecoming smile for some time.” She said, accepting a small cloth that sister brought out and wiping her face with it. “It is well that there are none here who would hold such a thing against me,” she smiled at Mia and the others as they all came over, leaving the crowd behind.

“One more. No holding back,” sister rumbled, veil and long hair swaying as she shook her head. Ellena barked a happy sounding laugh.

“Oh, yes. That is indeed an excellent idea, but allow me a moment to fetch a drink, will you?” Sister just gestured with one hand, creating a stone cup filled with water. “Now that is quite the trick, dear Mea,” she said, taking it in hand and giving it a quick swirl before downing the contents. “You certainly never cease to amaze.” The cup vanished as Ellena offered it back.

“Sister is amazing,” Mia added the obvious truth. “But why were you fighting?” Mia asked, still not sure if something was wrong.

“Fun,” Ellena said. Mia wasn’t sure that fighting was supposed to be fun.

“Nothing improves without practice,” sister said, which seemed like a better reason to Mia. “The best practice is with someone at the same level, and few could match the princess here.”

“So talkative of a sudden! I profess myself envious, Mia,” Ellena said, putting a hand on Mia’s shoulder. “I could hardly pull the most monosyllabic utterances from dear Mea here until you came along. However do you do it?”

“Mia doesn’t know.” She had been thinking about the same thing with Fen and Nise earlier, but sister only talked when she wanted to, and often didn’t say anything at all. Mea laughed a little, then gestured them all towards the shade of a stand of trees further on away from town and off the road.

“Didn’t know the princess was joining us,” Nise said to Fen and Ghoumi, who were hanging back a little.

“Ellena is nice,” Mia said, joining them as sister and Ellena walked ahead, talking to one another. With nothing more to keep their attention, Mia noticed that the crowd dispersed instead of following. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she was glad not to have so many strangers staring.

“That is not precisely…” Fen said before trailing off.

“Not really the problem,” Ghoumi finished. “You and Miss Mea are one thing, but having the actual living breathing Lightning-Lance Princess out here with us is a bit much.”

“Mia doesn’t understand.”

“That’s because you’re a princess too,” Nise said, but she was smiling.

“Not a princess!”

“You are, and you’d better get used to claiming that title,” Ghoumi said. “Even if the sirol don’t have the same system, nobody cares. You’re as good as a princess, and that’s how people are going to see it. Arguing going to help anyone.” Mia looked around, but Nise and Fen didn’t look like they disagreed. the details isn’t

“She’s right,” Nise said. “We’re friends, so I can sort of let it go, and I’m willing to keep it secret — Fen is too,” she said, bumping the quiet elf with a shoulder as they walked. “But people are going to find out eventually, and you won’t be able to argue your case to everyone.”

“Why should you hide who you are?” Fen added. “Your title and station are not things for which you need feel discomfiture. You did not seek them, nor do you appear to desire them. Equally, as they are not the result of anything you have earned, there is no reason to be supercilious. Accept it as a burden if you must, for the responsibility is indeed heavy, but you must accept it.”

“Fen’s right, for once,” Nise said. “There’s no sense in being proud or ashamed of who or what you are, since you can’t change that. What you do is what matters, and you’ve got a lot to be proud about there.” Ghoumi made a rude sound at that, but Mia hardly noticed.

//Mia thought about it, and it all sounded right, but that wasn’t why she didn’t like the idea of being a princess. She just didn’t know how to say it.

“If your concern is the treatment you inevitably will receive as a result, then look towards Princess Ellena. Accept that which is acceptable, reject that which is not. As in all things — is that not so?”

“Mia understands.”

“Good,” sister said, startling Mia. While she had been thinking, they had arrived at the little grove, and of course sister had heard them. She seemed to hear everything. “Important lesson, that. You should listen to them. Reject reality, or ignore it, but there’s no escape from the consequences of doing so. Remember that.” Mia took out her journal while sister started coughing again, and wrote it all down, word for word. She always tried to copy things down, because she wanted to remember everything people said exactly as they’d said it.

“Succinctly put,” Ellena said while sitting against a tree and slowly fanning herself. “I may well appropriate that when I write the report for this debacle.” Sister’s coughing still wasn’t done by the time Mia finished writing, and she was getting worried. Mea seemed to be hurt, and she wasn’t getting better, but Mia didn’t know what to do. Everyone looked concerned, even Ghoumi, who didn’t seem to like Mia very much at all, was looking to her like Mia was supposed to do something.

“Sister?” She began, taking a step forward with one hand raised, but just like she thought, Mea immediately waved her off.

“Fine,” she said, or Mia thought she said. It sounded so scratchy and hurt she wasn’t sure, but she stopped anyway. Sister never wanted help and would get mad – or worse, go completely silent – if Mia insisted.

“Are you unwell?” Ellena asked. “I yet need my rest, and it would seem you need much the same. Sad as I am to say it, we might postpone our duel for another time if need be.” Mia thought she looked okay already, her flushed skin having already faded back to normal. Maybe she was just being nice, since sister really didn’t seem well at all.

“No. I’m fine,” Mea ground out, seemingly taking control of her coughing with sheer willpower. There was a long stretch of silence as Ellena kept fanning herself and nobody else knew what to say. Ghoumi eventually sidled up to Mea with a question.

“I’ve heard from the others about wiping out the monster camps, and we’re after another one today. That’s fine for someone like you, Miss Mea, but I’m just a novice [Fighter] without any equipment, so I’m not sure what you want from me.” Sister stared at her for a long, long moment before a jolt seemed to rock her back.

“Ghoumi!” There was an aborted cough that sister seemed to struggle with before continuing. “Yes. Wait,” she said, slinging her bag off and digging through it. Eventually, a variety of arms, armor, and jeweled accessories were piled up on the ground, sorted generally into several piles.

“Here,” Mea said to Ghoumi, pointing at the pile with the goblin chief’s war-axe, along with what seemed like armor made using the fur of the kobold chieftain. “Yours. Anise,” she said, pointing at another pile that had a set of robes that looked a lot like the ones that Nise always wore, but nicer.

“I thought these weren’t ready yet!” Nise said.

“Paid extra. Surprise,” sister said, sounding pleased. Maybe. It was hard to tell with how rough she sounded. “Next, you,” she gestured towards Fen and the remaining pile, and then came towards Mia, holding the last of the things she’d taken out of her pack. Sister had things for everyone, it seemed.

“Impressive capacity on that bag.” Ellena said, as she got up and began doing stretches. “Would that mine were half so spacious!” She patted the bag strapped to her own hip with a wistful look. “Though I am grateful to possess one at all, for I would certainly be at a loss without ready supplies.” Sister nodded at that with more vigor than usual. Mia hadn’t thought much about how difficult their life would be without Mea’s pack, so she had to agree with the sentiment.

“Mia,” sister finally said, handing over a sword and dagger that both had a faint purple sheen to them, and then a strange little necklace that seemed strangely familiar and made Mia feel funny when she touched it. “Should protect from magic,” she whispered in that scratchy voice she had. Suddenly Mia remembered that the lord man had been wearing the necklace, and that it had protected him from sister's magic sickness. There were lots of things in the piles that Mia had never seen before, and wasn’t sure where it had all come from, but she knew that sister was always collecting things she found. “From my errands and the camps,” Mea said, as though reading her mind. “You should do the same. Anise knows.” Mia nodded, but still felt a little lost.

For all that she wanted to be a hero, for all that she felt like she was on the way to becoming one, she just didn’t know enough. Her hero book, sister’s advice, even the wisdom shared by her friends — each and every little thing made her realize how little she knew, and how much there was left to find out. It was exciting and daunting and humbling all at once.

Then there was a soft sound like laughter that broke her from her thoughts. Mia turned to look where sister was pointing and found Ghoumi trying to get a good enough grip to lift the goblin chief’s weapon. The moment she got it off the ground it changed and shifted, becoming appropriately sized for the diminutive dwarf. The armor likewise changed as she put it on, its magical nature making it suited for anyone who wanted to wield it. Anise had retreated behind the trees, but soon came out wearing the new robes, which looked nice on her.

“It seems things are well in order,” Ellena said, watching the proceedings as she finished her stretches. “I find myself rested and refreshed, so,” she took up her spear and pointed it at sister,” shall we?”

“You charmer,” Mea said, checking her clothes and equipment over carefully and cinching them tight.

“What can I say? I find you too interesting to resist,” Ellena said with a smile. Mia didn’t really understand why they wanted to fight, but she knew enough not to intrude. She and the others stood back near the trees as the two conferred with each other for a moment before taking their distance. They stood still for a long moment before, without a word or any obvious signal, their duel began.

“Laicher,” the princess said, and vanished. A fraction of a moment later, the meaning of the [Lightning Charge] Art washed through Mia’s mind as Ellena reappeared, spear seeming to pierce straight through Mea. Before Mia could even think to panic, a wave of water provided cover as sister’s sword snapped out with incredible speed, forcing the two fighters to disengage. The momentary pause as they sized each other up revealed a hole in sister’s robe, and that Ellena was now soaked, but nothing more than that.

“Laila,” Ellena said, followed by a lash of blinding blue-white light that caused an explosion of burning dirt as a clod of the stuff had formed mid-air to stop the princess’ [Lightning Lance].

“I didn’t even know that was possible,” Anise said as the exchange repeated several more times, with Ellena throwing only partly voiced Skills or Arts that Mea parried, blocked, or narrowly dodged. “Only using the bare minimum for the command is brilliant!” Mia was torn between being worried for sister and trusting that she could handle it just as she always did.

The next time Ellena tried to attack, she was tripped by a small rock that hadn’t been there a fraction of a second earlier. The stumble left her unable to cope when her lightning-wreathed spear hit stone instead of dirt and the unexpected resistance caused her to lose balance entirely. The stone still exploded, however, showering her in hot blinding sand.

“Laiba!” Ellena cried as sister immediately attacked, but her frost-chilled sword was deflected by a crackling [Lightning Barrier.] The princess pulled back, shaking the worst of the wet grit out of her face and regaining her footing while breathing heavily. The pause let Mia realize that all the bright lights had left spots in her vision that didn’t want to go away when she blinked.

“Your reactions are incredible, dear Mea,” Ellena said, wiping her eyes and lightly stomping the foot that had hit the rock, but never letting her spear waver from where it pointed straight at sister. “I never would have believed that my lightning could be so deftly dealt with, and so I must make clear that I respect your prowess – I praise it unreservedly! – but equally I must protest that you do fight dirty.”

“Thanks,” Mea said, making no moves to attack. “Continue?”

“Oh, but of course. I do not have your endless stamina, I fear, and I am not at leisure to make public the full measure of my capability. Nevertheless! I shall commit my utmost, for you are far too perfect an opponent, and I am in no mood to yield!” In spite of that determination, the sunlight was still too weak to burn off the morning’s chill, let alone dry Ellena off since she was still soaked. That was the only reason Mia could think of to explain why the princess seemed to be shivering slightly. Mea merely nodded, and the duel began again.

The princess came forward without exercising any of her talents, just pure technique, strength, and speed. She batted aside the frozen clods of dirt that sister summoned and stepped lightly around the trip-hazards that sprouted from the ground before launching into a complicated exchange of spear and sword that Mia could hardly follow.

Then suddenly she could follow it, the pattern the same as the one she’d seen before, where Mea was drawn in until her sword was knocked aside and the back of Ellena’s spear spun up towards her head. Sister hadn’t been able to dodge it the first time, and this time it happened even faster, even more aggressively, and on top of that—

“Laila!” The princess once again used her Art to wreath the spear in lightning. Mea couldn’t get away from it, and she fell. Anise and Ghoumi both gasped, but Mia trusted.

Mea’s hat went flying with a bang. The sword was lost too, sailing into the air — and into Ellena’s face. It was so fast Mia wasn’t sure, but she thought sister had let herself drop and took the blow on her hat instead, while throwing her sword up. Mea then tackled the princess around the waist while a stone rose up from the ground to trip her up. In a moment of scrabbling it was over, the spear cast aside, and the elven woman pinned in the dust.

“I am bested. I concede,” Ellena said, sounding frustrated but strangely happy. Sister snatched up the now tattered hat that had landed nearby and stuffed it on as the dust settled. The two were covered in scratches and dirt, but nothing too terrible considering how hard they’d fought. The worst was Ellena’s freshly split lip, slowly oozing blood. Sister laughed as she helped the princess up, sounding happy too.

“Good fight,” Mea said, then something strange happened. A window popped up that looked like the status one Mia was familiar with, but wasn’t. It was a notice which said that Mea had met the necessary requirements to ascend her class.

“Congratulations!” Nise said, and the others chimed in too. But Mia wasn’t really sure what it meant to ascend. She just watched all the colors of mana draw in towards sister and wrap around her, flow through her, as her body seemed to shine. Then suddenly the shine grew too bright to look at, and Mia thought she heard a scream before it vanished, and all the mana fled. Mea slowly leaned to one side before falling flat with a thunderous crash, her hat falling off once again. She didn’t move after that, but in her place was another Mea standing there.

But it wasn’t Mea.

“Patron?” Mia wondered aloud, uncertain because she wasn’t expecting it, but at the same time she was also completely sure. There was no way to mistake the feeling in her bones of being in the presence of something vast beyond understanding. Even if the big one was small just now and looked like Mea – though with black hair and eyes instead of the silver and gold Mia knew so well, and clothed in a simple black dress – it couldn’t be anyone else. Mia noticed that Ghoumi had bowed low, having also realized who it was, but she was ignored as the big one stared straight at Mia.

“Big one, is sister okay?” She said, finally able to take a breath and rushing forward.

“No. I’m afraid not,” came the voice, so like sister’s used to be, but not big and echoey like usual. It was a normal voice for once, even as the big one bent down and touched sister’s too-still body, making it vanish. “I am here to retrieve the remains, and to take a measure of responsibility. My usual body is busy at the moment, so this one was all I could spare,” a flip of one hand, so like sister’s mannerisms.

“I build that thing’s body a little carelessly, I admit,” the big one said, “but you’re a proper hero now, aren’t you? That’s what it told me, anyway, so it did its job before it self-destructed at least. In any event, I need to perform a little maintenance on you, or you’re like to suffer the same fate when you do this ascending business.” The big one cast a hand in Mia’s direction, and she felt a tingle pass through her body as things inside her seemed to shift and change before settling back, feeling better than ever.

“Aye, now that’s done. Well, ought to do it anyway. Worst that happens is you’ll get ejected back into your other form when the golem body can’t take the strain, and then I’ll have to make you another one — but that’s not really a big deal, I’ve got spare parts now.”

“Hold on a moment now,” Nise said, tearing herself free when Ghoumi tried to hold her back. “Hold on, are you saying Mea’s dead?”

“You must be Anise. It spoke fondly of you.” The big one stared at Nise for a moment, head tilted to one side. “Yes, you do have interesting eyes, just as it said. That thing wanted a favor from you, as it happens. It wanted you to teach Mia magic. Don’t know why, but there you go. In any event, that is correct. The thing you call Mea did not survive because I didn’t account for the tampering that this ascension process, as you call it, does to the body. It is,” the big one seemed amused for a moment, “my fault.”

Mia looked at the big one, so like sister, but not. The black on black on black was scary, instead of comforting. The face and voice and manner alien instead of familiar. Mia should feel mad or sad or something, but she found she couldn’t feel anything at all, and just watched them all instead. Fen’s face was completely blank, but Nise was openly crying, and Ghoumi just looked confused. Mia felt like she was watching herself too, as she stood there mutely, wearing a lost expression.

“If I might interrupt,” Ellena said. The big one rotated to look at her, and only then did Mia realize those dark bare feet weren’t touching the ground, but she wasn’t surprised. The big one always floated. “If I am understanding this properly, would you happen to be the God of the Mountain?”

“Ellena, I believe. Ah, it asked a favor for you, hold still.” A soothing glow radiated from the big one’s raised hand and washed over the princess. The split lip vanished, as did all the dusty mud, grit, scratches, the tears in her clothes, and even the sweat and water she’d been doused with. She looked as fresh as she had in the morning, as though nothing had ever happened. “There we are. As to your question, I suppose I’ll have to answer to that stupid name since I started it, even if it was a joke at the time.” The princess looked herself over, her face a war of wonder and confusion, before she took a deep breath and calmed herself.

“Am I to understand that I have inadvertently contributed to a death here?”

“Eh. You could see it that way, if you were determined to do so for some reason. But nah, not really. It was only ever a small part of me; something I made to help guide Mia. It’s hard to even say it died, since it’s part of me again, so I wouldn’t worry about that. Reminds me, though. Mia,” the big one said, rotating again to face her. “So! This bit’s important now, so listen close. Last will and testament, all that kind of thing here.”

“Okay.” Mia wasn’t sure what a last will and testament was, but she thought she could figure it out and didn’t like it at all. But if it was from sister, then she needed to do her best.

“Heh, you are a good kid. That thing did a great job! Anyway, I can resurrect it, if you want, but I did promise to tell you that it didn’t want to come back. I think I tinkered with its head too much when I was making it, ‘cause frankly it was more than a little crazy, but yeah it wanted to stay dead. I can bring it back anyway if you say so, or just make you a new one. Your call.” Mia thought about it, but just shook her head.

Mia still didn’t understand how the big one could make new ones, or what that really meant, but a new one wouldn’t be sister. If it wasn’t sister then it just wouldn’t be the same, wouldn’t be right. Even though it made Mia sad, and Nise and Ghoumi and maybe Fen and Ellena too, but if sister didn’t want to come back, then that was that. Mia would respect sister’s wishes.

Respect or not, Mia still felt nothing. But not nothing. When she examined her own heart, what she felt was too much. She was sad, angry, helpless, lonely, desperate, and afraid. She didn’t know what to do with it all, so all those feelings just sat there, burning softly inside her. The big one couldn’t replace sister, even though they were almost the same, and even though Mia loved them both. She wanted a hug, wanted a hug from sister, maybe a hug from anyone. But when she thought about hugging the big one, she didn’t want to be touched at all. She just shook her head again.

“Mm, if that’s what you want. Last thing, then. A bit of advice. That crazy thing wanted me to give you this ridiculously long list of lessons on all kinds of things, but I’m not doing that. I said I’d pass along one, so here it is. Cheating!” Mia felt her brow furrow at that. She had strong feelings about cheating.

“Yeah, I know you don’t like cheating, kiddo. That’s good, actually, but you’re really missing the point. So, the real problem of cheating is that you miss out on all the opportunity for growth that overcoming adversity and hardship provides. Refusing to use a tool that you have, that you own, that’s yours by right or by luck, just because it seems too easy, isn’t good or right. Use everything you’ve got at your disposal when the time is right for it, and never forsake anything just because it’s too much of a good thing. Just don’t rely on it. Cheating is about skipping the journey for the destination, but not using what you’ve got could easily mean you never get to your destination at all.” There was silence all around as Mia tried to absorb that.

“Wow,” the big one laughed, interrupting the moment. “It wanted me to deliver that one word for word, but how cheesy can you get, eh? Well, whatever. I was gonna deliver this bit of news to that thing the next time we talked, but I guess I’ll just have to tell you directly. So, there’s this place called the Mystic State right? Might’ve heard about it. Anyway, they’re really putting up a stink about that Invader we had and some other boring diplomatic issues. Point is, you’ll probably cross paths with them again, sooner or later.”

“We had an encounter with one of their Investigators just last night,” Ellena said.

“There you have it, then. They’ve got this big demon problem, which — actually I never did pass along anything about that, did I? Turns out calling them Invaders is pretty spot on. You see how there are three strands woven together to form the Braid?” The big one said, pointing into the sky where the arc of the world was plainly visible. “Right, so, those Invader guys come from a different one, and the Mystic State has a big wall set up right where they cross over. Since you were involved in killing one of them, I’m pretty sure they’re gonna try and recruit you for their war. Up to you what you want to do with that.” The big one tapped its cheek with a finger, as it looked around, then shrugged.

“Yep, I think that was it. Come by the mountain sometime, alright? Sunny and Brin miss you. Bye now!” With that, the big one simply vanished.

“That stupid…” Nise sniffled. “Stupid idiot. She was totally part god, the liar. Of course she could do ridiculous magic like it was nothing!” Fen laid a hand on her shoulder, and Nise turned to bury her face in his side.

“Told you so,” Ghoumi said softly, dry eyed but with a bitter frown. Mia sat down where sister had been and picked up the tattered and dusty hat she had worn, the only thing that had been left behind. She stared at it a long moment, wondering at why sister had worn the thing, why she’d never talked to Mia about so many things. So many whys, but no answers now. She put it on her head, noting the way the veil obscured her vision, and wondering how sister had been able to see and do things in spite of that. Then she took it off, placed it in her lap, and got out her journal. She needed to make sure she’d never forget anything that had happened.

“Wise,” Ellena said, looking over Mia’s shoulder. “I should jot down details for my own reports while they’re fresh.” She sat down and pulled out her notepad and began writing as well, but Mia didn’t pay that more than a moment’s attention.

By the time she was done writing, she knew what had to come next. Ellena glanced over as Mia stood up before turning back to her own notes, but the princess wasn’t important for what Mia needed to say. Her friends all still looked miserable, but they focused on Mia as she approached them, clutching the hat in one hand and her journal in the other.

“Will you all still come adventure with me, or would you rather go your own ways?” She asked, afraid of the answer, but needing it anyway. Nise and Fen looked at each other for a moment as they sat leaning against one another, but Ghoumi didn’t hesitate.

“I’m coming, even if you didn’t want me. I mean, what would it all be for if I didn’t?” She said, tapping the goblin chief’s armor she was wearing. Nise nodded.

“We agree,” Nise said, speaking for both of them as she often did. Mia smiled, relieved though unsurprised to hear it.

“Okay. Then, we should keep going. Without sister, it will be a lot scarier, but we can still do it. The monster tribes are still a threat to the town, but we can stop them. Or make them less dangerous, anyway.” They all looked a little worried but nodded in agreement. Mia knew they could do it, they would just have to be careful. Ellena came up to her side, touching Mia lightly on the arm.

“If I might, I would offer to assist. I feel—” she stopped speaking for a moment, seeming to struggle to find the words. “Due to my position, I must make it plain that – as I am not responsible for her death – I am not morally or legally obligated in this matter. I do bear a responsibility for the safety of the citizens of Venbuelli Township, so I will endeavor to clean the mess the former lord left behind.” Fen had an interested but wary look, but the others, like Mia, weren’t sure what the princess was saying.

“For myself, and I ask that you do not share this, but I feel a certain personal debt,” she continued. “I am compelled to say so, for myself, and for Mea. I did not know her long, but I find myself dearly wishing I had.” Mia reached over and gave Ellena a hug, surprising the smaller elf, who nevertheless didn’t resist at all.

“Thank you, Ellena,” Mia said. “Okay. We’ll all go and fight the monsters and make the town safer. But,” she said, as her friends began climbing to their feet. “Lots of people need help, not just people here. We should travel around, helping everyone.” There were slow nods from her friends, but Ellena had a slightly bitter frown.

“A lovely and admirable goal, and one I would support, but I am bound by certain duties. I would not be able to personally assist beyond this township, though as I command a variety of resources, I can commit to sending certain material aid as you may need it.” Mia nodded. It would be good to have someone helping that way, just like Mister Mougein had found them a place to stay. Fighting monsters was certainly not the only way to help people out, and Mia meant to remember that.

“Then, stopping the Invaders is the biggest way to help everyone.” They all gawked at that, even the princess. “We’re not strong enough yet, but someday. Someday we can do it.”

“May as well dream big,” Nise said after a long moment of silence. “Yeah, I’m in. Why not?”

“In for a bell, in for the night,” Ghoumi shrugged in agreement.

“It sounds like madness, yet somehow I do not doubt you will be able to do it, Mia,” Fen said with a crooked smile.

“Shall we be about it, then?” Ellena asked, gesturing out towards the road and the orc and ogre camps that lay that direction.

“Yes, let’s go. For Mea,” Mia said, and the others echoed it.