We — Or, rather, mostly just Brigid and Kaanton — finished off the few monsters that made it past the barricade. I couldn’t see anything that was going on, and could only wait in silence as the rest of the raid repaired the barricade. It was roughly an hour before Geistig and the rest of the raiding party returned.

“Alright, people.” Geistig called out to the townsfolk. “The barricade is repaired, but we can’t guarantee this area’s safety until we hear back from Gavril. We’re going to be moving to the closest town, where we’ll stay until we hear back. If all goes well, we should have barricade town rebuilt in a little over a week, at which time you should all be able to return to your new homes. Any questions?”

Several people started talking at once.

“One at a time, please.” Geistig lowered his arms in a placating motion. “You, with the pickaxe, what’s your question?”

“What of our wages? Some of us were barely making ends meet, here.”

“We’ll be providing temporary shelter until this town is rebuilt. As for wages, sorry, I can’t help you there. Take it up with your local IG office. Until then, look on the bright side. At least you won’t have to pay rent.” Geistig smiled, but the joke only made them angry. “Next question. You, with the baby.”

“Where’s Charles? Where’s my husband? He went over to assist your raid as soon as you all arrived. Where is he now? Did he go with the others to assist?”

Geistig hung his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see anyone who joined us mid-way among those in the pursuit squad. If he’s not here now, then…”

“But your captain, that holy warrior, I saw him resurrecting people. Why not Charles? Why?” Her face contorted in anger, and tears wet her cheeks.

“I’m sorry. Even Gavril couldn’t save everyone.”

“I’m sorry, Charlene.” The elder said, “It’s my fault. When the dragon attacked, Charles threw himself between it and me. I guess he took the brunt of it. I’m sorry, he died saving me.”

I looked around, and noted the raiding party seemed smaller than I remembered it being when we first left. Most of that is from the few who went with Gavril to pursue Lux, and the casualties were still much lower than they would have been without Gavril, but it was still a noticeable difference.

I wonder why most of them were even there, besides to support Gavril. He was doing basically all the work. And to think Tishina tried to join that fight, and even brought me along with her…

“Uh, Geistig?” I called out to him. “Where’s Tishina?”

Geistig shut his mouth, but someone behind him interrupted “Tishina? That crazy elf girl suddenly ranked up and ran inside the labyrinth.”

I blinked a few times and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Yeah, that sounds like her. She ran inside the labyrinth? Really? Is she still in there?”

Geistig stared daggers at the person who interrupted him, then addressed the rest of the raid. “Everyone, go on ahead. I have to talk to this one in private.” He turned to me. “Yeah, she’s still in there. She can handle herself as she is now, but I still wanted to start a rescue operation. Unfortunately, some miners were in the labyrinth during the dungeon break. We already sent eight people in to find them. We can’t inform them that Tishina could be in there too. Too much interference from the surrounding labyrinth stone for communication spells to work.”

“Then send another party in.”

Geistig shook his head. “Labyrinths have… A mind of their own, basically. They’re attracted to outside mana. The more mana they feel, the more agitated their inhabitants become, and the more dangerous it becomes for everyone inside. That’s why we have to make barricades at their entrances, the labyrinths will just keep pouring out more and more monsters unless it’s sealed.”

“Still, I know it’s her own fault for going in there, but she’s just a child. She doesn’t know any better.”

“I understand, but it puts too many lives at risk.”

I opened my mouth to make a counter-/argument, but nothing came out. I’ve been in her situation before, and it would have been better if I had died. What is the value of a person? No one should die just to save a useless, arrogant kid who got themselves into their own mess. Better to let them die, rather than sacrifice those who proved they could do more with their lives. She’s just an arrogant kid. Just an elf…

Just an elf? Just a kid?

I’m doing it again. I’m letting my past define me. When will it stop? I’ve been given the tools to finally become a better person, something more than what I once was, and I’m just going to squander it again?

“No.”

“No?” Geistig raised an eyebrow.

“We— No,” no getting others caught up in my own mistakes. Not again. “I’m going back to get her.”

“Sylas, what in Vorfahr’s name are you talking about? What makes you think you’re ready to go into a labyrinth?”

“I’m not ready, but you said it yourself. How ‘slowly’ do you think I can afford to take it when I’m on Tishina’s team?”

“If you’re not ready, then you can’t go. No one else is going, and we can’t afford to protect you.”

“You’re right. No one else is. I’m going alone.”

“Sylas, there are things you don’t know. Things you haven’t seen. Trust me when I say this, she’ll be fine.”

“Geistig, after our last interaction, do you really think I can?”

Geistig didn’t have a reply to that topic, so he changed his angle. “Sylas, it’s suicide.”

“Perhaps, but it won’t be the first time.”

Geistig raised an eyebrow, then narrowed his eyes. “I can’t have you do that, Sylas. Rosh will have my head if she hears I lost two trainees in a day on an emergency quest they weren’t even supposed to be at.”

“Don’t stop me, Geistig. This is something I have to do.”

“You’ll die.”

“I won’t, Geistig. As you know, I’ve been keeping my own secrets as well. I am better equipped than anyone to go in there. Believe me when I say, I won’t die.”

Geistig thought for a moment, and something seemed to click. “No soul. Immortality. You’re one of his, aren’t you?”

I tilted my head. “His? Who is He? Do you know something about where my powers come from?”

Geistig sighed heavily. “Perhaps a little, but you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, and I physically can’t tell you. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to trust you, and I’m sorry you haven’t been able to trust me. Find Tishina, and you’ll find your answers. Hear it all from the source.”