The men looked at each other for a moment with uncertainty and then before they knew it there was rabbit roasting on the campfire that Donoma had previously setup, as Aster tended to it, making sure everything cooked evenly and fully.

Donoma was devouring the first few fish Aster had cooked up for her that she had previously caught and she was moaning happily, as a water deer munched on some brush behind her nearer the treeline. Saelak kept looking between her and Aster as though asking him if this girl was starving or something. She held out her plate a moment later with a wide smile showing off pearly white teeth, “Giz a shot of that!”

The two friends looked at each other again and this time Saelak just rolled his eyes as Aster burst out laughing. He filled her plate with some persimmon fruit and asked her to wait a bit longer for the rabbit meat. They talked conversationally as they filled their bellies and Aster explained a bit more about what had happened between him and the prince that led to his exile.

Aster took the time to look over his notification from their battle, or more like retreat, with the bear. He was curious about something and frowned as he asked Saelak, “Hey, did you get experience from combat since we entered it with the bear?”

Saelak paused for a moment as he got that far away look one got when looking through their system. Then he nodded, “Yeah, after combat ended I was awarded with a bit of experience, not much, most likely since we fled and didn’t really fight back but it’s there.”

Aster glanced down at his logs again then gave a weary sigh, “Well it looks like my luck strikes again.”

Saelak gave him a puzzled look, “What do you mean? You already know that you never get experience, why were you expecting differently?”

Aster lifted his sword, still in its scabbard, and said, “It looks like this only cares if I actually get any.”

Saelak grimaced as he realized what Aster was upset about now, “Yeah… that does make that a lot less powerful. Are you planning to sell it then?”

Aster looked down at it sadly, “I don’t want to. I feel like even if I can’t use it to its full potential that I shouldn’t let go of it, like it should be part of my destiny, no matter how cliche that might be.” Saelak just nodded, letting Aster decide for himself.

As they finished eating and were packing up everything to head back to the road now that most of their morning had disappeared, Saelak tossed his pack over his shoulder as he spoke with a much brighter mood, “Well, now that you've stuffed your face, we'll be going.”

Donoma moved quickly to cut off his escape as she yelled out, “Wait! I know we kinda got off on da wrong foot but ‘ow ‘bout travellin’ together?”

Saelak glared at her, “What?” Then he looked suspicious, “Why?”

Aster stood up with his own pack now secured on his back, butterflies were fluttering around him in a myriad of colors as he replied, “That's a great idea!”

Saelak glared at Aster this time with another cold, “What?”

Aster shrugged a bit, “Why not? More company is always fun, plus it'll be handy to have a Light Blessed with us.” He walked towards the other two and clapped his best friend on the shoulder.

Donoma smiled micheviously as she said playfully, “And more protection from da scary bears!” she made a cute ‘rawr’ sound and Aster couldn’t help but giggle at her antics. Donoma was just fun to be around so far in his opinion.

“Come on, what harm is there to travel together? We'll be less lonely with her around.” Aster smiled warmly and gave Saelak a nudge trying to convince him.

Saelak looked seriously at him and muttered, “I wasn't lonely before…”

Aster scrunched his face up, “Don't be like that, you know what I meant. It’s nice to meet new people.”

Saelak glared back at the loud intruder in his opinion, “She's just a brat that will be a bother to us.”

Aster paused at that and seemed to ponder for a moment as he slowly replied, “You know… I remember meeting another brat in the woods a long time ago. And a person close to me also said that the brat would just be a bother to me…” Saelak softened a little, looking slightly abashed, “If I had listened back then, I wouldn't have the best friend I have today, the one who has already saved my life multiple times since this journey began.”

Saelak looked at Aster in silence for a while before looking back at Donoma who was giving her best puppy eyes, she wanted more of the delicious food Aster cooked. Giving in with a sigh, he said, “Fine. But only to the next town.”

Aster and Donoma both gave out a cheer, and Aster bent to pat the head of a small Wood Raccoon, it’s leafy fur reminding Aster of the bear they had escaped, and offered it the last scraps from their breakfast glad that it would want that instead of trying to eat them, he smiled as it happily grabbed it and ran over to the riverside to wash it before eating. As he straightened he announced, “Well, lead the way, Donoma! I am totally lost, haha! Oh! Should we add her to our party, Saelak? It’ll be useful to not get separated should we run into any more beasties.”

Saelak scrunched his face, obviously not liking the idea but he couldn’t argue with the logic so he silently invited her.

Donoma, level 19 Bright Archer, joined your party!

Roles have been adjusted automatically.

New Party Abilities unlocked.

Aster went to check the party screen again to see what new abilities they had access to.

Party

Leader:

Saelak, Maker of Myths

Level 17 Shimmer Knight

Health:420/380 [+40]

Stamina:350/290 [+60]

Mana: 710/610 [+100]

Qi:65/340 [+40]

Inspiration:410/360 [+60]

Favor:165/520 [+80]

Members:

Party Goer Aster

Level 0

Health: 200/200

Stamina: 420/410 [+10]

Mana: 460/460

Qi: 310/310

Inspiration: 94/240

Favor: 57/290

Wanderer Donoma

Level 19 Bright Archer

Health: 290/290

Stamina: 580/520 [+60]

Mana: 520/510 [+10]

Qi: 470/440 [+30]

Inspiration: 10/250 [+50]

Favor: 24/230

Roles

Tank

Healer

Support

Magic Damage

Physical Damage

Saelak

+3% Defense

& Threat

None

None

Donoma

+3% Magic Damage

Aster

+3% Physical Damage

Party Abilities

Friendly Fire

Effect: Party members are immune to spells and abilities from other party members.

Requires: 2 party members

Tundra Traveler

Effect: Party members do not suffer from cold environment damage.

Requires: an Ice Blessed party member

Mini Map

Effect: Party members can see the direction and distance from one another.

Requires: an Illusion Blessed party member

Refill

Effect: Drink containers refill over time.

Requires: a Water Blessed party member

Share the Load

Effect: Storage containers weigh 30% less.

Requires: 3 members party members

Light Step

Effect: Party Members are light on their feet; they don’t leave tracks and move 15% faster.

Requires: a Light Blessed party member

Note: More Party Abilities may become available with more party members and their contributing levels and abilities.

As they walked Donoma led the way with Aster following her, making small talk and Saelak bringing up the rear. They passed tons of woodland creatures but luckily none of them tried to snack on them again. It seemed like Aster and Donoma cliqued pretty well as they got to know each other better. The woman asked, “So where’d ya learn ta cook so well?”

Aster looked a little nervous as he replied, “Uh… well, my mother taught me when I was young” He couldn’t really tell her that he had a lifetime of experience cooking for his children and grandchildren to draw upon.

She looked a little unbelieving, “Go way outta that! t’was sooo good! Yer mum must be a bloody amazin’ cook! I'd love ta try her food some time.”

Saelak started to interject angrily but Aster cut him off, “I also cooked meals for the kids that lived at the orphanage with me. So I have a lot of experience.” Aster glanced back at Saelak who went back to his… sulking? Was he actually sulking at not being able to verbally spar with their new party member? Donoma meanwhile was looking back at him with a puzzled expression before her eyes went wide with realization and she said, “Oh, I- I’m sorry.”

Aster smiled back at her and said, “No worries, that was years ago and I’m used to it. People who aren't arses seem to always feel awkward around me when they learn what I am but I try to be pretty open and not get bothered by it, it’s just a fact of who I am. What about you? Any family?”

She gave him a half smile before replying, “Yeah but I’d rather not talk ‘bout it either.”

Aster gave her a nod as they continued walking, “Sounds good. We won’t pry but I’m told that I’m a pretty good listener if you ever need to talk to someone.”

Her smile brightened a little as she nodded also, “Thanks, I’ll remember that.”

“If you want to ask me anything, don't be afraid to. I’ll never get upset or offended by a question asked in good will.” Aster readjusted his pack as a small lightning sparrow alighted on it to ride along.

Donoma’s eyes filled with joy as she took a deep breath and then Aster thought he had released the flood gate with the stream of questions that spilled forth.

“So are we headin’ ta Ahtil?”

“Yes.”

“Where ya guys from in da Winterlands?”

“A small town called Seppen.”

“How’d ya two meet?”

“I found him in the woods as a kid.”

“Do ya know how ta fight?”

“Yes.”

“How does an Unblessed fight?”

“Very very carefully.”

3 hours later...

“So why didn't yer step-uncle come with ya?”

“Well, he's the heir of his house.”

“Isn't it yer house too?”

“I was kicked out.”

“Ya get kicked out a lot, huh?”

“Tell me about it.”

“Who taught ya to hunt?”

“My stomach.”

3 more hours later...

The group made camp and was seated around the small fire as Aster stirred a pot he was cooking in. The questions still hadn’t subsisted yet, “So where ya goin’ after Ahtil?”

“I’m heading for the Grand Library in Arexia. Saelak, I believe, will be going as well.” Aster replied as he focused on the stew. Saelak for his part just nodded in affirmation.

Donoma watched the elf for a moment before asking, “Does Saelak owe ya a life debt or somethin’?”

Aster gave out a barking laugh as a small fire owl landed on his shoulder getting warmer and looking for scraps, “He seems to think so, though I would never want to collect.” Aster reached over his shoulder to give the bird a taste of meat which it took greedily.

Donoma saw Saelak’s face pink a bit at that and she gave a wicked grin as she asked Aster, “‘ave ya ever been in love?”

Saelak groaned and interrupted with exasperation, “Don't you ever STOP talking?!?”

She gave him a wide grin and said cheekily, “Nope!”