After a long detour, Siyu made his way across the bank, leaving the others to continue fishing. After some effort, he found what he was looking for. Picking up on the trail of faded blood marks, he wades through the bushes. Sometimes there was a path along the blood trail, and sometimes it required more effort, but he did not lose the trail and continued to search. Eventually, he was no longer actively feeling out the signs with his senses, but like a hound, his instincts led him down the path he sought.

Siyu takes a step forward, unaware of my surroundings, when his forehead hit a branch, forcing him to take a step backward.

“Hmm.” He says as he looks around. “Where am I?” He asks aloud. Trees and bushes surrounded him, and the chirps of birds resounded along with the scurrying critters of the forest.

Although bewildered, he did not look back and continued to move forward, eventually finding a clearing. Further ahead was a cottage where a young man sat next to a campfire. The smell of smoke lingered in the air, but unfazed, Siyu walks forward.

As he approaches, the young man notices him and continues to wait.

“So you’ve come,” the young man says as he gets closer.

“Since there was a way, I found myself here. Are you the demon?” Siyu asks.

The young man frowns and looks at his eyes. “It seems that is what I appear to be.” He says.

“And how were you recognized?” Siyu asks, taking a seat by the campfire.

The young man grunts. “I was recognized doing what a man was intended to do. I was living life.” He says, his hand forming a fist.

Siyu chuckles. “There must be more to it than that.” He says with a sideways glance.

The man glances at Siyu before looking to the campfire. “Let’s just say that when you start living for yourself, instincts have a way of taking over.” He says before beginning to cough.

Siyu waits for the man to calm himself before asking, “What do you intend to do now?” Siyu reaches closer to the fire, attempting to warm his hands.

“What can I do? Fight?” The young man asks with a forceful laugh. “I can only pay what I’m able to pay.” He says with a shake of his head.

“You could continue to enjoy life. What’s the harm?” Siyu asks, taking a glance upwards.

The young man laughs. “And how would I do that? With your blessing?” He asks with mockery.

“You could work off your debt,” Siyu says, his head lowered.

“Ha!” The young man exclaims before turning away.

Siyu sighs. “If you have the confidence, go to the City of Starr. I will send word of your coming; there should be a place for you there. Remember to stay silent and never reveal yourself.” He says before getting up and beginning to walk away. He stops for a moment and without turning back he says, “And never forget yourself. I believe you were a child once.”

…

…

“Of course no one wants to go there!” The fisherman says as Siyu approaches their fishing spot.

“Where?” Siyu asks, walking to take a seat next to the riverbank.

“The Sleeping Tundra in the north.” The fisherman says with a puff from his pipe. “How creatures can live there, I wouldn’t know,” he says as he exhales.

Frey looks to Siyu with a raised eyebrow. “Where did you go? You were gone for a while.” Frey says with a hint of curiosity.

“Can I get some of that?” Siyu asks the fisherman, who moves to hand his pipe over. Siyu takes a deep breath from the pipe and exhales a large cloud of smoke. “I went to look for the demon. There was no trace of him.” He says before handing the pipe back to the fisherman. “If you guys are done fishing, we should head back. I expect Colonel Reyle must be getting impatient.” He says before coughing out some smoke. “Damn. That’s stronger than I expected,” He says before continuing to cough.

“Yeah, I think I’ve had my fill of fishing,” Frey says before standing up.

“Did you catch anything?” Siyu asks, looking up at Frey.

“I caught one!” Elizabeth exclaims, cautiously reeling in the line. There was a movement in the water and a struggling fish was revealed and lifted out of the water. Elizabeth brings the fish closer to get a better look. “Hmm, I was kind of hoping it would be bigger.” She says absent-mindedly.

“Size doesn’t matter; it’s all about the taste,” Siyu says with a laugh.