“Are you okay Hendrick? You’ve been acting weird for a bit now,” Kira asked me. Of course I wasn’t fine! Neither of us are! You tell her Hendrick, Hanz said in agreement. Well, Hanz said to me, I’m the only one who can hear him after all. I cannot describe how nice it would be to have someone else. Without me, you would have been left on that battlefield as a large gem for the rest of your life, would you have wanted that? You use this argument everytime, at least get some creativity. No, I would not have wanted to be left behind, but please, use some verbal decorum! Some ingenuity! Maybe try blackmail?

“Hendrick? Hendrick, are you ok?” Ah, crap. We got distracted. Um. Well this is gonna be awkward now. Try to bring up the Administrator. There’s no way that woman is here for anything but violence. She has too little patience for that. I am quite fond of our current group, they work well with my ability, I would hate to lose them to her.

“Have you ever heard of the Administrator?” I blurted out. Real smooth Hendrick. It's not like you gave me anything concrete, Hanz!

“Administrator? Like an administrator at the guild?” Well, this is going to be harder than I thought. I keep forgetting that the younger generations don’t really study history. I bet they don’t even know the Art of War. It truly is sad. I am almost glad I don't have to lead them into battle. But you still do, just on a smaller scale, and without them knowing. Touché.

“Do you know what event caused the Era of Realism?” I eventually settled on starting with a big event everyone knows, hoping to show them the gravity of the situation.

“Wasn’t it because the Figments were trapped?” Well. I guess it was a little too much to ask for. Everyone believed it was the trapping of the Figments that caused the start of a new era. They would only be half right. The rise of the Faction of the Mind was the second. They had risen as the sole unified group with the power to affect the mind. Without the figments, the Era of Realism was started.

“OH! Hendrick, you're actually super old right? Sometimes I forget that with how shy you are. Shouldn’t someone over a thousand years old be more, I don't know, confident.” Ouch. I couldn't say much to defend myself as Vella chimed in. Emotional trauma will do it to you. Same here. But also physical trauma. Does it count as trauma if you don't have a body? Of course! It's trauma because I don't have one.

“Alright. Hmm. How do I say this,” I realized I said that out loud when everyone looked at me confused. It’s fine Hendrick, they are used to your outbursts. I'd say they enjoy them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been traveling with you for the last decades. Thanks, Hanz. “So basically, you know that scary adventuring group we passed a bit ago?”

“The one that cleaved the hill? Yeah, the look the armored guy gave me was enough to let me know to just keep on walking,” Kira elaborated.

“Yeah, he was super menacing. I was not about that,” Vella added. The armored guy? Huh, was there someone like that? Yeah, I checked for you. He seemed tough, but obviously, the Administrator would easily sweep the floor. It seemed that they had sparred plenty already. Okay, how should I break this to the group then? Just tell them the story. At this point, I have no doubt they will take your words seriously, even show compassion for what happened to you. You don't want me to mention you? Sadly, the world does not look highly on me after the era started. It would only harm your credibility. So, basically, you don't want them to know about our ace-in-the-hole. Precisely. Moreso now that we will probably need to deal with the Administrator.

“GET HER TO SAFETY JAC!” The tank yelled at their healer.

“I’M TRYING TO!” She yelled back, struggling to drag their rogue behind some type of obstruction so that she could return to the fight.

“Watch out!” The quiet ranger did not speak loud enough to be heard over the boom of splintering wood. The tank was thrown back by the large claws of the lord of earth. Alright Yuclaus, now is your time. You’ve been watching, waiting for the perfect opportunity to save this adventuring party, conveniently comprised of only females.

You sly dog. This is the start of your spring isn’t it? You will swoop in to save the day, dazzling them all. Your eye will catch on one, or perhaps all? It would be a real shame if you stumbled into a hot spring while they were bathing, wouldn't it bud?

“Alright, let's leave Sen.” CAUSE! What are you doing?! You could have your own harem! You fool! Go and save them! Who just observes a struggling group of adventures against an opponent who extremely outranks them, and leaves them to their fates? What, do you think you would somehow die? Please, you have the strongest armor of all: the sacred Plot Armor! No! Stop! Bring yourself and those vines right back here mister!

“Alright,” Isencia responded, following Yuclaus as he used her vines to leave. It hurt my heart to not only watch the scene, but also to be dragged along with them. What I wouldn’t give to ask what he was thinking. “Why didn’t we help them? We have chased off the lord before.” YES! Go Isencia!

“Call it intuition Sen. There were two things that unsettled me.”

“You felt it too? I’m glad, I thought it was just me. What did you see? It should match up with what I found.” I, the narrator, obviously knew what they were talking about. If one looked at the underbrush, they would have seen the monsters lying in—

“They were acting. I don’t believe they were truly in danger the whole time. Perhaps they were still outclassed, but they could have fled at any moment.” —their closet. Yes! They were scarred from previous encounters!

“So you did notice it too Yu! Their steps felt off. When the tank was preparing for that last attack, she immediately put her feet into a stance —almost on instinct. She then quickly corrected, or rather disrupted, the stance so that she would get thrown back. It felt like a professional was pretending to be much weaker.” Nevermind, I give up. I’m just going to go back to narrating.

“A smurf!” Yuclaus rightly assessed, “but why?”

“Maybe they knew we were there? Reforms are known for their diversity, one of them could’ve been able to sense my vines, or maybe hear us? There are numerous explanations.”

“Let us hope they aren’t able to follow us.”

“I doubt it, they seemed desperate. Imagine how embarrassing it would be to act like that. What if they weren’t suspicious? Would you have helped them?” Isencia asked.

“It depends, are you there?” He asked the nymph. A faint scent that confused the senses was emitted. Isencia’s confusion was successfully transmitted.

“Does it matter if I’m there? Answer for both cases.”

“If you aren't there, no way. I wouldn’t be able to even save myself. Somehow, I would have to touch the lord’s head, with no real mobility whatsoever. Odds are, I’d run in there like a moron, give them false hope that is crushed alongside me. With you? Hm. I mean we’ve taken on the lord before. I guess if I didn’t have a reason to not help, then I would.”

“I’m not surprised. I would be worried if you would try to help on your own Yu. I feel like it would completely contradict your personality and show that you have no self preservation.” Yuclaus paused his vine escalator —I have no idea what to call it— in order to look at her for a moment.

“That seemed both oddly specific and unnecessary,” He eventually responded, to which she attempted to copy an action he had done quite a few times: a shrug. Needless to say, it was an adorably stiff action. W-what?! How dare you accuse the narrator of being smitten! I would never purposefully push Yuclaus into a relationship with a female adventurer he saved in order to keep the nymph to myself. I am perfectly content the way I am, thank you very much!

“In any case, it seemed our caution in the last few days was warranted.”

“Not like we had much of a choice Sen, with Gourami out of commission.”

“I have already told you, it is not dead. Gourami just has to regrow and recover now.”

“I know, but it's not the recovery I’m worried about. I’m not sure I want to use Gourami going forward. At least, not without proper communication, control, or whatever else I can do. While it seemed… benign… if Gourami would sabotage us on this, who’s to say he won't do it at a more critical event?” Yuclaus explained the reasoning for his hesitance at using his spore.

“Is that why you haven't used the shadow trees yet on Gourami? It is annoying carrying it to each of our campsites. Even if it does help keep us concealed.”

“I don't think I wanna make Gourami stronger right now. You’re right though, I really should absorb the tree soon, I’m not sure we can exit the forest with a massive tree following. It seems we will have a hard enough time already.” Yuclaus was referencing the verifiable troops that had arrayed themselves at the edge of the forest. Both Yuclaus and Isencia were correct when they assumed they might have guests waiting for them.

“Absorb the tree when we get back. I’m not liking what I’m hearing,” Isencia actually grimaced at her admission.

“What are they saying? Do they know where we are?”

“Mhm. They have been tracking every time you’ve been getting wisps, drawing a line to figure out where we will exit.”

“Well… I feel dumb.”

“We are both dumb Yu. I even had a forewarning, and ignored it. We both knew what we were risking. I am just glad we haven’t been found. Or well. Haven’t been found until now.”

“Wait. Sen. Sorry. Say that one more time.”

“We haven’t been found, until now.”

“Well…. ”

“Crap?”

“Yes, thank you. I would have gone with Carp, since it amuses me. But crap will do.”

“You are welcome.”

“So they know where we are?”

“I’m not sure about the adventurers we just left, but I know one group knows for sure. At least, one person. I think. She keeps looking whenever my vines move.”

“Phew! You scared me there Sen! I thought they knew where we were! Not just knew that we were nearby.”

“That is what I said.”

“No, you said we were found. Found typically implies they see us.”

“Ah forgive my iniquities my good sir. Happenstance allowed me to lose myself. ‘Twont happen again,” Isencia used Yuclaus’ old language, showing her mastery was above his. This was meant to refute the fact that he would know more of the language than her. It had a different effect.

“Jerk.”

“Yu. You know I don't mean it like that. I’m sorry.”

“I know, I know. It still sucks though. Anyway, so someone knows your vines are there? Why does that worry you?”

“Well, it is who the person is travelling with.”

“Who?”

“I overheard a party of adventurers talking,” Isencia paused, “it was a story. Basically, there is this woman known for slaughtering a large amount of Reforms. She is known for her quick reactions, seemingly having a sixth sense, and a repository of unexplainable weapons. Someone in her party has discovered we are nearby. It is only a matter of time before she becomes aware.”

“So what's the plan?”

“They are a little bit behind, and from their conversation seem unaware of why everyone is waiting. My guess is that one of them is keeping the rest in the dark, or that they are all being kept in the dark. This makes me think they are either the most dangerous —almost guaranteed with that one woman there— or the group that most likely won't kill us.”

“Go to the edge of the forest, away from the rest. We will see where they go, and you will go the opposite direction.”

“Sounds good to me! Let’s go!”

“Alright, I'll see you later Yu.” Yuclaus stopped his vine-mobile at Isencia’s comment.

“What do you mean? You aren’t coming?”

“Well, they are looking for two multisystem users. Somehow, even though they are tracking you, they also know of my existence. Not too big of a surprise. If two people are discovered in the forest, the most logical conclusion would be made. I will follow you from a distance, tracking you with my vines. If you get out of a certain range, I’ll use the lord of the earth’s wisp to move through the ground.”

“I mean. I don’t like that idea too much, but I guess there is nothing I can do about it. If a fight breaks out, the usual strat?”

“Mhm. Make sure you keep your feet locked in this time.”

“One time Sen! You’ll never let it go will you?”

“Never. I get such a good response every time.”

“BAH,” Yuclaus yelled bah. He had always wanted to use that, and now he had a fair reason to. A man after my own heart. They say friends start to act like one another right?

After that, Yuclaus moved himself through the canopies of the forest. As he rested on the limb of a tree overlooking the edge of the forest, he finally stopped. He could barely see a group of people off to the left. They seemed on edge, with weapons drawn. At least, that is what Isencia told him through the trees. She constantly kept him updated on the whereabouts of the main group, as well as the dangerous party.

Supposedly, the adventures were upset at the party once they noticed they were branching towards the forest. Some were annoyed because the orders specifically stated that they were all supposed to work together. That did not stop the few… entrepreneurs from trying to get the jump on the bounty. The party of girls from earlier was one such group, who was actually quite successful in finding mutlisystem users. It seemed that the typical multisystem user got power for some petty reason like being bullied his whole life, and wanting power. Then, when he found a group of girls in danger, he would see a chance to look cool. In the end, the only thing he would see is the girls getting a healthy payout. Good call Yuclaus! I knew they were a trap!

They seem to be heading towards you, Isencia said as Yucalus watched. He made no response, expecting her commentary to continue. The one who noticed the vines seemed to be whispering to the dangerous one somehow. Justine is the dangerous one's name. I am not quite sure what the other one’s name —oh. Her name is Meagan. So we have Justine, the dangerous one that another party knows of, and Meagan. Oh by the way, I think you will appreciate this. The Reforms noticed the leaves moving. Ha! They are freaking out! I added the exclamations on my own. She sounded the same through the leaves. Without the scents, it sounded robotic.

I think there may be some conflict in the group. The two girls are standing back a fair distance. Why is that one guy looking at that bush? I'll try connecting to it—

Sen cut out at that point in time. Yuclaus waited a moment. A second more. That scared me! Once again added by yours truly. The armored one overheard the two talking, it seems they both know of the vines now. He destroyed the bush right as I took it over. They are continuing to walk now. Another long silence elapsed. Yuclaus started shuffling impatiently. He could see the group off to the left, but the leaves in his way prevented him from seeing anything too far in the distance. He waited longer, what felt like an hour. In reality it was five minutes in complete silence. The mind has a weird way of bending time, doesn’t it?

“What’s happening now?” Yuclaus blurted. Another few seconds passed.

Meagan knows where you are now. I guess she found the vines through hearing. She’s looking straight at you.

“Run?”

I don't think we could. Maybe? She seems more disturbed than I thought though. Maybe retreat for now, swing around. No, I don’t think so. Go out and meet them.

“I'm sorry, what?”

Go out and meet them.

“Why? That makes literally no sense. You were explaining how dangerous they were a second ago.”

Just trust me. I have a good feeling. Luckily, he did not question the good feeling.

“Alright, bring back the vines.”

No, you should walk. We don’t want them to know too much about our abilities.

“Sen, I don’t think I can walk with my leg like this,” Yuclaus punctuated his point while shaking his leg, which was thankfully solid at the moment. That attribute seemed to change randomly these days. A vine slithered up, wrapping around his leg, while simultaneously covering the thorned vine scar on his arm. A familiar pair of reflective maple leaves connected by some type of plant also descended. It was the pair of glasses Isencia had once used to hide her eyes. Not that Yuclaus would know.

Here. I can control the vine and hopefully keep your leg together while you walk out there. The vine on your arm will help us too. The glasses will hide your eyes. They probably know you are one of the multisystem users, but I would prefer not to give away any tells.

“If I didn’t trust you Sen, I would be questioning you, ranting, and ignoring your plan.”

I know, but you do trust me.