Excellent work, Kydan- I look forward to fighting alongside you.

The disembodied voice of Sakhtras was the first thing Kydan heard as he woke up on the forest floor, in a small crater where the cave which housed the Dungeon’s entrance once was.

He looked around and saw the girl Lendras had called #215 and the swordsman called Hai, still out cold…

…Which meant one person was missing.

“Auros?!” He got up and hastily dusted himself off, coughing, “Auros, where are you? Don’t tell me he-“

“Not to worry lad,” a familiar voice called, “I’m still very much alive. I’d just been off washing my clothes in a nearby stream, since I violently threw up all over myself when we arrived here. You all were knocked out, so at least I wasn’t embarrassed by it.”

“Well, I know now,” Kydan smirked, “I can make fun of you about it all I want.”

“Please don’t,” Auros said drily before asking, “Are the other two sleeping beauties conscious yet?”

“Nope,” Kydan answered, “They’re both still out cold. I wonder what their plan is after this- That girl, whatever her real name is… I wonder where she plans to go now that she’s a free woman.”

“She looked foreign to me,” Auros said, “Perhaps she’ll return home on a boat…”

“Lendras called her Jureinian… Any idea what that means?”

“Ah, as I suspected,” Auros’ eyes widened as if things suddenly made sense to him, “She’s from a far-off land called Jurei, an island nation not affiliated in any way with the rest of the world. I doubt Alreese would’ve invaded Jurei, so I wonder how she ended up in Lendras’ clutches…”

“Before Lendras died, V mentioned something about trade partners- About how he was a minnow in a pool of sharks.”

“Which must mean some pretty big players had Lendras in a death grip. That’s probably what led him to try and conquer the Dungeon and get an Ancient on his side. He wanted to be able to match the strength of whoever these nations are he’s been running with, in fear he’d slip up and they’d retaliate.”

“Damn,” Kydan said, “To think such a feeble, bootlicking coward had this country under his complete control…”

“It’s a relatively small country, mind you,” Auros reminded him, “And he put on a good show of being a beast-like warlord…”

“When all he was… Was just a cowering little lapdog of some other, worse ruler.”

“It would seem so, yes,” Auros said, “But he’s dead now, so the question is, what lies ahead for Alreese?”

“I doubt people would even know what happened yet,” Kydan speculated, “Would they?”

“Oh, they would and they do, lad,” Auros said, “After washing and drying my clothes off, I headed back into town, to assess the situation. The city seems in an uproar over the column of white light in the sky and the Overlord who hasn’t returned. It’s been a week and a half, by the way, since the day we arrived and entered the Dungeon.”

Kydan’s stomach suddenly rumbled fiercely, “That makes sense. I’m starving… Wait, so if the whole town’s in an uproar, eventually someone will…”

“…Make their way here, yes. That’ll more than likely be guards, which means we’ll have to get out of here, and fast! I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly at full strength.”

He’s right, Kydan… Even I probably couldn’t fight right now, Sakhtras informed him.

Damn… Looks like we’ll have to wake the others and get out of here as quickly as possible, then.

That’d probably be wise.

“Let’s hurry then, Auros,” Kydan told his friend. They each began to shake one of their strange bedfellows, or crater-fellows, in this case, awake.

“#215… No, Miss… Ah, whatever your name is, please wake up!”

“Come on, Hai, you’re really gonna want to wake up soon!”

After about a minute of this, and a lot of poking and prodding, both the former slave and the eastern swordsman started to come to.

“What… Where are we… Kydan?”

“Yeah, you remember me, huh?” Kydan smiled warmly and offered the girl a hand. She took it and he pulled her up. For a moment they just stood there holding eye contact.

Those violet eyes of hers really are pretty, huh? She’s a pretty girl in general, isn’t she, Kydan?

Um, Sakhtras, not right now…

Teehee! Is someone a little shy?

“Th-Thanks,” the girl spoke first, “For the lift up. And… For everything.”

“Um… N-No worries,” Kydan mumbled, more than a little flustered. He might have scolded her, but Sakhtras was right- She was pretty, “But, um… Look, we need to get out of here. Lendras’ old guards will probably be swarming this place soon, and I don’t want you to be captured again…”

“Got it,” the girl said, looking off in different directions, “Where to?”

“We’ll loop back this way and sneak back into Mahernas!” Auros answered her loudly- He seemed to have caught Hai up to speed on what was happening as well, and the older man looked ready to go.

“All right then,” Kydan addressed his three companions, “Let’s get out of here!”

As they ran through the woods, Kydan rushed to catch up with the girl, who was sprinting ahead with those strong legs of hers.

Eyeing her legs up, are we, Kydan? Sakhtras’ teasing voice entered his mind again, and already he wished the Ancient’s telepathy had an off switch.

I don’t think I’ll dignify that with a response…

Oh, don’t be mad, I’m just messing around! I just forgot what it was to be young again, I suppose…

Kydan wondered how old Ancients actually were, and made a mental note to ask Sakhtras about it some other time, but for now he wanted to talk to the former slave.

“Um… Hi!” He called out to her as he caught up.

“Hi?” She looked at him curiously, “What’s up?”

“I was just wondering… Do you have a name?”

She hesitated, “…It’s #215.”

“I meant a real name,” Kydan said, “You’re not under that old bastard’s control anymore, so you don’t have to use his code or numbering system or whatever it means as a name.”

Another long pause followed, “…It’s Eswyrene.”

“…Eswyrene, huh. It’s… It’s a pretty name. It suits you.”

The girl blushed slightly, as if she’d never been told that before. She gave him a small smile, “Thank you. You’re a kind person, Kydan.”

You little charmer, you.

Sakhtras… It’s not like that! I’m just trying to make her feel comfortable.

“So, Eswyrene, you’re from Jurei, right?”

“Yes, although… I haven’t been there since I was about two years old.”

This revelation shocked Kydan, “Y-You’ve been a slave that long?”

She nodded gravely, “My father worked in illegal trading- Jurei doesn’t usually import or export any goods, but Jureinian herbs and spices were and still are sold on black markets to other countries. He once took me aboard the ship he worked on with him, because my mother had died giving birth and the relative who usually took care of me while he was gone had fallen ill.”

“I-I’m sorry to hear that,” Kydan said, “Listen, if these questions are bothering you, I’m sorry,”

“Don’t worry,” Eswyrene said, “I don’t mind telling you this. Anyway, the ship was attacked, and since then I’ve been bound to several different masters over the years. I’ve done unspeakable things for them- Killed for them…”

Suddenly, she had started to cry. She stopped in her tracks.

“I… I don’t deserve the kindness you showed by freeing me. I- I’m a monster… A monster who was content at one day dying by the hands of her worst captor yet.”

“You’re not a monster,” Kydan stopped alongside her, placed a hand on her shoulder, “You had no choice but to do those things- The only people to blame are the real monsters who think its all right to use other human lives as tools. But I promise… That’s over now.”

“Th-Thank you…” Eswyrene sobbed, “I… I’ve never really been treated this way before… No one’s ever… Went above and beyond for me…”

“You’re a good person, Eswyrene, I swear…”

Kydan and Eswyrene both turned as they heard the sound of panting breaths behind them. They came from Auros, who was red in the face, lagging a little behind Hai, who didn’t seem to have broken a sweat.

“Can we… Take a break… Kydan?” Auros looked like he might pass out.

Your friend has been through a lot… Just as much as the rest of you, although he tries not to show it.

“Yes, that sounds good,” Kydan said, “I doubt anyone will try and come for us now- We’re probably far enough out from the Dungeon site…”

After they found a place to recuperate, a clearing in the woods with some fallen down trees for them to sit on and catch their breath, Auros sparked up the conversation he and Kydan had been having about Eswyrene earlier once again, opening it to everyone this time.

“So… What’s everyone’s plans, now that Alfad Remeris is no more and we’re back in the real world again?”

To his surprise, it was Hai who spoke first. He proceeded to regale them with a tale worthy of one of Auros’ ballads- A tale of a fallen Emperor, a conniving Queen, and the latter’s desperate hunt for the very blade the Emperor’s old friend wielded, the very blade in front of them now.

“So, it’s safe to say I won’t be staying in one place for too long,” Hai said, a hint of humour about him, “No attempt on my life has been successful yet, but one can never be too careful.”

“Understandable, my friend,” Auros said, “May you one day escape the ceaseless hounding of this wicked ogress and be able to resume your life anew.”

“You’re too kind,” Hai smiled, then turned to Eswyrene, “How about you? Planning on returning to Jurei?”

“Yes, but it’ll probably take a while finding someone who can take me back,” Eswyrene said, “You know, considering that Jurei is a closed country, at least in terms of its laws.”

“A difficult task indeed,” Auros said, “If I could… I would take you there myself…”

“Um… Thanks?” Eswyrene cracked a smile, “But… I don’t know if I’d trust you to.”

“Excuse me?” Auros’ nonchalant air faded and he looked shocked, “Did you not see that ice dragon I summoned back there? If your eyes had been on the fight, let me tell you, you’d have been more than impressed enough to let me escort you back home!”

“Oh, I saw,” Eswyrene answered, “It’s just… You seem… No offence, but… You seem unreliable.”

Kydan’s mind filled with hysterical laughter from Sakhtras, who clearly felt the same way.

Muahahahah! She has a point, you know! That white-haired fellow you hang around with has the laziest, most confused-looking expression I’ve ever seen!

Um, me too, but I don’t really say that, because he’s my friend…

“WHAT, Kydan?!” Auros looked at him incredulously, “What don’t you say about me?! You don’t really… You don’t think I’m unreliable too, do you?!”

Crap! I forgot he can read minds.

You’re on your own here, Kydan, Sakhtras seemed amused at this whole situation.

Damn it!

“Um, well… I wouldn’t say unreliable, but, well… I mean, you’re…”

“It’s fine,” Auros said, “I get it. Now that you’ve bonded with that Ancient, you don’t respect your good old friend Auros as much anymore! That’s all fine, but a woman like that will break your heart, lad.”

Um… Just what does he mean by that?! Sakhtras seethed.

Auros looked at Eswyrene and Hai, “I mean, come on- Did you guys see how red he blushed when she so much as spoke to him?”

Eswyrene and Hai shot knowing grins Kydan’s way, and suddenly the tables were turned.

Um… A little help?

I can’t stop them from telling the truth, Kydan, sweetie, Sakhtras told him, and he could almost picture the ruthless smile on her face.

“Looked like his eyes were going to pop out of his head,” Eswyrene laughed, and Kydan gave her a look of joking dismay.

“Really, Eswyrene, you too?”

“Let’s not tease the kid,” Hai said, although he too appeared to be stifling a chuckle, “It’s a beautiful thing, love at first sight!”

This earned an uproarious laugh from the group.

“Maybe it’ll be this that I pen a song about instead of your heroic exploits, Kydan!” Auros laughed, and Kydan couldn’t help but laugh along too.

The conversation moved elsewhere after a bit more teasing, and Kydan looked around at the smiling faces of the group around him, three people from three different walks of life, two of which had been on the side of his enemy not long ago.

This… This feels good.

You’re a glutton for being humiliated? Sakhtras asked.

N-No! Kydan grew flustered, I just mean… This. Laughing together with… Well, with friends.

…You probably haven’t had that feeling for a while, have you?

…Not since the fall of Hayvren, no.

Well, it doesn’t take a genius to see that all of these people feel the same way. They’re all like you- Displaced misfits, with no home to easily return to. Why don’t you ask them to stick together with you for a while longer?

I couldn’t, Kydan told her, although he desperately wanted to.

And why not? It’d probably get lonely from here on, with just the two of us.

You heard them- Eswyrene is going to try and get back to Jurei, and Hai will probably head off into hiding somewhere. I have no idea where Auros’ next destination is, and me, well… My next move is going to be a dangerous one.

Ooh, I love danger. Do tell!

Kydan stood up, and the group’s eyes turned to him.

“Um, everyone…” Kydan murmured, “I… I just wanted to tell you…”

“Yes, lad?” Auros looked as though he knew what was coming.

“Once… Once we get back to the city, I’m going to be parting ways with you all.”

To his surprise, looks of sadness appeared in Eswyrene and Auros’ face. Even Hai didn’t look too happy.

“I figured you’d say that,” Auros said, “That’s why I didn’t want to bring it up. What has the future got in store for you now that you’ve succeeded in getting a Spirit Vessel? Are you going to go off hunting more Dungeons?”

“I… I’m considering stopping off at Fort Rosharien. I’m going after that map V told me about, and… There are slaves there that’ll need freeing.”

Ooh, so we’re going to clear Lendras’ thugs out of this place? Sakhtras sounded delighted with this plan, I can’t wait to fight once more- To bring down waves of enemies like they’re nothing!

“In that case,” Eswyrene said, “I’m coming too.”

Kydan nodded, “I… Don’t know if I can allow that.”

“It’s not a question of it being dangerous, or whatever it is you’re thinking! Besides, you know I can handle myself. Plus… I feel like it’s my duty. I want to help those people like you helped me.”

“A noble mission,” Auros chimed in, “Kydan, my lad… You’d be a fool to refuse the help of Eswyrene here. You’re not invincible. You can ask for help, you know- Like you did for me.”

“Yeah, but you almost got killed,” Kydan said, his expression turning from frustration to sadness, “I’m not dragging anyone else into danger again.”

“I did almost got killed, I concede that, at least,” Auros said “But therein lies the flaw in your logic- I almost got killed. You thought quickly and saved my life.”

“Yes, but when you were lying there out cold I was crying like a baby, thinking about my past, and-“

“KYDAN!”

Following a sudden flash of white light, the voice Kydan had been hearing in his head all day addressed him, no longer in his head.

Sakhtras stood there, an unreadable expression on her face.

“Sakhtras, my lady!” Auros bowed to her and gesticulated dramatically, “How lucky I am to gaze upon you once more!”

Sakhtras gave him a slight smile, “Auros… As weird as ever, I see.”

She then turned back to Kydan, “Listen, kid, you’re being stupid.”

“Y-You’re taking their side? Sakhtras, I can’t let anyone be put in danger because of-“

“We’ll protect each other! All of us.”

Sakhtras looked to the group for encouragement, “Right?”

“I was going to keep following you whether you liked it or not anyway, lad,” Auros clapped his shoulder, “Where you go, the unreliable bard who’s going to get rich from songs about you goes.”

Kydan laughed- Hearing that put his mind at ease.

“And of course you’re not going anywhere without me,” Eswyrene said, and Kydan blushed slightly, “You’ll need me to watch your back when we’re fighting Lendras’ remaining grunts, right?”

Kydan nodded, “Y-Yeah, I’d feel safe having a companion as strong as you. You too, Auros- That dragon of yours was pretty incredible.”

“Ah, so you want me for my dragon?” He muttered, “I see how it is…”

They all laughed at this, and Kydan once again felt the gratitude wash over him- Gratitude for having met Auros by chance and the two of them heading to Alfad Remeris together. It had all worked out in their favour by the end of it all.

All eyes were now on Hai.

“Well, Hai?” Kydan asked, “There’s a place in this group for you if you want it. Safety in numbers?”

Hai shook his head in protest, but his eyes told a different story, “I can’t put others in danger knowingly… The Zhion Empire, one of the biggest superpowers in the world, with an army of obedient warriors, skilled assassins, Fiends and Dungeon Conquerors alike, is after my head! Kids like you would…”

“We’re not kids,” Kydan interrupted, but not rudely. He smiled at Hai, “You want to come along with us, but you’re just afraid of the consequences. You think the Zhion Empire have already gotten to you, but… Next time they try to come for you, the four, no, five of us will be ready.”

“… I should’ve known. You’re right, you really aren’t just kids,” Hai examined the blonde-haired boy and the extremely strong Jureinian girl, “No kids could do what I’ve seen you two do. And you,” he glanced at Auros, “You might look unreliable, but… You’re far from it.”

“Yes!” Auros grinned widely, “Finally, someone admits I’m not unreliable!”

“…At least, that dragon of yours is far from it.”

Auros yelled out in protest and the joking around resumed amongst the companions.

Sakhtras grinned to herself. Her work was done- Kydan hadn’t let these new friends slip away from him.

Thank you, Sakhtras- For showing me sense.

No worries, kid- Our little makeshift family has gotten a little bigger already.