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The boat set off. The lake region ahead was like a forest of stalagmites and close to impassable for an inexperienced navigator. Lucky for the party, Noemi used to guide boats back in her dense swamp forest, so she knew the dangers well and took measures against them.

The group safely reached areas behind the rearmost point of the town's coast. At the hill, next to a coliseum, a few lights were shining brightly in the night, suggesting the presence of fish creatures. As time passed, they were put out, one by one, and the cave was engulfed by near absolute darkness.

Only at the opposite side of a lake, it was possible to notice the lights of a few lanterns, where the fish hideout was present. There was a single water-filled cavern with small docks and two floors of weed-made platforms, where four fish people were playing a game with inscribed shells and consuming nautilus meat. There were also two moored boats.

Noemi gestured to her team to stay low and stay silent. She allowed the boat to move on its own until the party is no longer in sight.

The boat arrived under a stone arch-bridge and grappling hooks landed at the edge of a cliff. Noemi and Pavaja climbed first, while Arath helped to fasten a rope around Hyacinth, so he could be lifted, and climbed last.

Both ends of the bridge were marked by tall totems. As adventurers took their first steps, they could feel a passing chill breeze, which soon turned into a short strong wind. It was easy to slip on the wet surface, but the width of a bridge prevented a fall to the water.

Noemi and her companions finally reached an entrance. It was ten meters tall and grassy. Walls inside a cave appeared to be a soft, muddy, brown soil and cold droplets of water were constantly dripping from the mossy ceiling. There was a puddle at every step, with longer and wider ones at the sides, which were connected to several serpentine pools.

The path led downwards and there was nothing special in sight other than water, grass, ferns, berries, and polypores. The walk took a few hours, so it was decided that it would be a good time to take a short rest. Since it was cold, everybody was waiting around the campfire until Arath finishes his blueberry glazed palap's ribs.

“Smells delicious...” - Hyacinth broke the silence. - “.. we didn't have berries as juicy as those in our homeland.”

Arath brought the ribs and sat down.

“Thank you.” - Hyacinth responded as he received his portion. He pierced a piece with a drill, bit into the meat, then spoke with a half-full mouth. - “...amazing... you outdid yourself again, chef.”

Arath didn't react. He simply consumed his portion.

“Arath, you forgot about your lesson...” - Noemi responded before touching the ribs.

“What?” - Arath muttered while eating.

“Be thankful to those complimenting your efforts.” - Noemi responded.

“Ah, that thing. I forgot. Thanks, Hyacinth.” - Arath replied in his usual, uncaring voice.

Noemi reacted quickly. - “Arath! You should put more heart to it, you sound dismissive!”

“Haha, don't torment him Noemi, it's not necessary.” - Hyacinth laughed the matter off.

“I'm just trying to help him.” - Noemi pouted, but she quickly changed her mind after tasting a rib. - “Mmm... delicious... I'll let it slide this time.”

Arath ignored the last remarks and consumed in peace.

Hyacinth impaled the second rib, his expression was a bit more serious. - “You know... I was thinking... we must be close to a boss chamber. Are we well prepared?”

Noemi had doubts. She recalled the events at the second layer and it affected her deeply. - “I don't know. We may never know what's lies ahead.”

“...and nobody came to help during our two-week long break.” - Hyacinth noted. - “We're in a miserable situation.”

“Hyacinth, please don't think like that.” - Pavaja tried to comfort the man. - “You know that the boss chamber has a participants limit, someone would likely have to stay here.”

“...and it probably would have to be me.” - Hyacinth saddened.

“We have to do our best with what we have.” - Pavaja responded.

“...and what do we have? Just two warriors, a cripple and a cook...” - Hyacinth remained in a depressed mood.

“Hyacinth... we are more than that.” - Pavaja assured. - “We will do it. Our two was always enough, now we are four.”

Noemi was eating in silence. She knew how hard her and Arath's fight was, compared to the challenges of Hyacinth and Pavaja. If she mentioned anything, that would only dispirit them.

“I only pray you're right.” - Hyacinth replied.

“You know, we still have hydra venom.” - Noemi mentioned. - “It might be enough.”

“See, Hyacinth? Everything will be okay.” - Pavaja added. - “Have faith.”

“I try, but the faith alone won't make my powers come back. I'm worried it might be my next trial and I... I don't want anyone to die because of me.” - Hyacinth responded.

“Everyone is going there on our own volition. It's our choice, don't worry about it, Hyacinth.” - Noemi also tried to support the heartbroken man.

“I can respect that.” - Hyacinth replied. - “Still, I'm thankful for that choice. I... wouldn't make it on my own...”

“You're part of a team, Hyacinth. Don't forget that. We need you too.” - Noemi tried to lift man's spirit.

“Right. I'll try to do my best.” - Hyacinth had a sad, gentle smile. - “I'm still capable of kicking some butts...” - He lifted a drill-claw.

“There is no need for that, dear.” - Pavaja was more careful. - “Don't risk it in your state.”

“Don't worry, Pav.” - Hyacinth reassured. - “I know my limits. I will not act unless it's safe or absolutely necessary.”

“I'm glad to hear that.” - The elf responded. - “Just know that we are here for you, there's no need to push yourself.”

“Yeah, I know that.” - Hyacinth affirmed. - “I hope it all will be over after we manage to win.”

“Me too.” - Pavaja replied. - “It would be nice to take a rest.”

Noemi decided to change the topic to something lighter. - “What do you plan to do once you find a place to stay in?”

“Hyacinth wants to teach choral music.” - Pavaja mentioned with a smile. She knew the man isn't going to give up easily.

“Ambitious.” - Noemi replied. - “What about you, Pavaja?”

“I don't know yet, but I would like to settle down, perhaps as a guard or an officer If fate allows. If not, I'll have to act as a mercenary and hunt down monsters. What about you, Noemi? What do you plan to do after you accomplish your goals?”

“I never thought about that.” - Noemi answered. - “I guess that I'll try to find a way to go back to my village first... maybe I will find a Dijha...”

“Dijha?” - Hyacinth looked puzzled. - “We don't know that word.”

“Oh, really!?” - Noemi answered. - “Arath, you too?”

Arath nodded.

“The closest meaning is... sister in battle, but let me explain. It's a bit more complicated. After my trials, I have become a Dijhak, a village warrior. It's a male title, but I was the first girl to acquire it... The Dijha is a female title. However, in my case, it would be an exception and Dijha would have to be male.

To become Dijha, one has to find a rare flower, azure nigella, then offer it to Dijhak and Dijhak has to willingly consume it. Dijhak and Dijha often, but not always, unite, becoming Dijhanii. It's... something more than a marriage. You could translate it to husband-and-wife in battle. However, we also have a normal marriage, Dijhania. A village representative, which also happens to be me, can validate a union in a traditional ceremony... and then we throw a BIG party!”

“...ah, so does it means that you are also trying to settle down?” - Pavaja asked.

“No... I just think it would be nice to continue adventure alongside someone I'm very close to.” - Noemi responded.

“Never-ending journey.” - Hyacinth remarked, then turned to the cook. - “What about you, Arath? What are your plans?”

“Plans?” - Arath asked.

“For the future.” - Hyacinth added.

“Killing the creator of the labyrinth.” - Arath replied.

“Were you even listening to our conversation, Arath?” - Noemi hissed in an irritated tone.

“No.” - Arath outright admitted.

“We ask about what you plan to do after that.” - Noemi replied.

“Nothing.” - Arath tossed a clean bone behind him and took his last rib.

“Nothing?” - Noemi kind of stopped being surprised.

“Nothing.” - Arath confirmed.

“You could open a restaurant... or save people... we mean things like that.” - Noemi tried to hint the boy at the answer. - “What do you plan to do for a living?”

“Nothing. None of that.” - Arath repeated himself like he knew no other answer.

“You're hard to speak to, what do you mean by nothing? You have to work!” - Noemi insisted on knowing.

“I won't work.” - Arath answered.

“Then, where will you live?” - Noemi asked.

“Anywhere where there are no people.” - Arath replied.

“That's it?” - Noemi couldn't understand. These answers sounded nonsensical to her. - “What will you do in your spare time, then?”

“I already told you.” - Arath didn't want to repeat himself.

“Nothing? Will you just sit in one place, meditating?” - Noemi pushed.

“No...” - Arath actually pondered on what to answer for a while. - “I will sleep, probably.”

“All day?” - To Noemi, Arath sounded like a lunatic, but she kept questioning him for a better understanding. - “Until the end of your life?”

“...” - Arath didn't finish his last rib. For some reason, he put it back on the plate. - “Yes. I don't really care what happens to me. Can you stop bothering me with these questions?” - He spoke very slow and very calmly.

“I can, but I'm worried about you.” - Noemi replied. - “Perhaps you should take a job as a healer, it would help you atone for what you did.”

“If that's what everyone wants, that's fine.” - Arath responded. - “Just please, don't bother me no longer.”

Hyacinth and Pavaja looked at each other, wondering what the whole atonement is about, but they felt uncomfortable asking now, and directly. The breakfast ended quickly, and the party was getting ready to set off. Only Noemi still had something to say.

“Arath.” - She talked to the boy while he cleaned plates and packed.

Arath didn't answer. He kept doing his things.

“Perhaps I was too meddlesome, I wanted to apologize.” - Noemi lowered her head. - “...and I also wanted to thank you, for what you are doing for us. We really need you here.”

Arath equipped his backpack, then stood up, replying. - “I will keep my contract. You keep yours. That's what it is.” - He then joined Hyacinth and Pavaja, who were slowly scouting the way ahead.

Noemi's face clouded over. She would prefer to get no answer at all.