[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

The elevator was slowly heading down a transparent tube that led to the bottom of the lake. Jellyfishes and stingrays peacefully passed by and colorful fish shoals navigated through hills of coral reef. The entirety of the lakebed consisted of white meadows of bioluminescent bubble flowers.

Pavaja and Hyacinth were sitting next to each other, hugging, with exhausted, yet happy smiles.

The elven girl responded and gently caressed Hyacinth's cheek with her own. - “You must have passed the trials, your powers are back.”

“Yes... but isn't it weird? What we do is against Möljar's dogma. His rules can't be overwritten that easily.” - Hyacinth voiced his doubts.

“I know... but why can't be there an exception?” - Pavaja replied.

“It would be unprecedented, I did nothing to be worthy of such reward, quite the opposite.” - Hyacinth explained.

“Hyacinth, don't doubt yourself, my dear. Don't you remember your words? That you would undergo more of Möljar's trials... so we can be together? You spoke from the heart and showed a worthy resolve.”

“You think that it might be the case?” - Hyacinth pondered. - “When you state it like this, I'm inclined to believe...”

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

Arath's examined Hyacinth's swollen leg, then replied in a cold, stoical voice. - “I can't help you.”

“What...?” - Hyacinth replied in a slightly reserved voice, then uncertain, asked - “Will I... die?”

“Yes...” - Arath replied in the usual tone.

Hyacinth's face became pale. He was too shocked to respond and just stared at Arath in silence.

Arath examined the leg for over a half minute, not paying attention to Hyacinth's emotional state, then continued - “...as for your leg, it should be healed in three to four days of rest.”

Hyacinth regained senses. - “I don't understand... care to explain?”

“You will be able to walk.” - Arath clarified.

“...but you said that I will die.” - Hyacinth had a confused stare.

“Everyone dies.” - Arath responded.

“Wait... If it's not leg, then what it is?” - Hyacinth became nervous.

“What do you mean?” - Arath asked.

“My death. What will be the cause? ” - Hyacinth stated.

“I don't know.” - Arath answered.

“Wait...” - Hyacinth caught on. - “You took my question literally, didn't you?”

“Which one?” - Arath still made no assumptions.

“The first one!” - Hyacinth exclaimed.

“I did.” - Arath replied, unbothered.

Hyacinth relaxed, then tilted his head back and began to laugh. - “Okay... you've got me, doc. That was one cruel joke...”

“I wasn't joking, I just answered the question.” - Arath explained, but hearing this, Hyacinth only laughed louder.

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

The moving platform had stopped at the middle of a vast glass dome at the bottom of the lake. At each side, except the right one and left, it was connected to two chambers in the shape of an overturned half-cylinder. The left side was a single chamber and the right side was connected by a gate to an underwater glacier. Noemi was euphoric, it was possible to see all of the bioluminescent meadows and their fauna from up close, just outside the main chamber.

A bit behind the center of the dome was a big crystalline statue that portrayed the victorious party members posing over a defeated serpent. Below each statue was a hole in the floor, closed by a transparent, ice lid, that melted right upon touch.

In her container, Noemi had found a set of hulking, antique armor made of old material similar to stone. It had dark, marine colors and was covered in sinuous, bronze ornaments, that mostly resembled ocean waves. The armor was absurdly thick and it felt impossible to move in it for more than a few minutes. Noemi was pretty confident that she wouldn't use it.

Arath obtained three vials in the shape of an hourglass, with a pullable safety pin in a middle. They contained a weaker version of glowworm extract.

Hyacinth's reward was a jar with twenty exotic cherries, each fruit could sate the hunger for two days.

Pavaja found a casket with five universal antidotes and instructions on when to use them. They could only counter weaker poisons and there were two potions that worked against animal venom, two against plant poisons, and one against magical ones.

On top of that, contents of all containers included a pair of comfy winter boots and a hooded, one-piece fur cape that could shield the entire body from cold.

Noemi left her items where she found them and decided to go sightseeing. In the corners of the dome, that is the middle spot between the other rooms, she has spotted tall aquariums. Each contained a unique, edible lake animal and plenty of consumable fishes and flora. The first tank held lobster, the second had oysters and in the other two, there were respectively large squid and eels.

The largest room, situated opposite the gate, had a king-sized stone bed covered in a spongy mattress and clean sheets. There was also a lot of glass furniture, like desks and stools, some decorated by ornamented vases with bioluminescent flowers inside or bowls with fresh fruits, herbs, or vegetables. On the walls, vertical venetian blinds were installed, they were made out of white wood. Two of the remaining rooms were similar, although twice as small and with a single bed. The last of the chambers were a kitchen combined with a dinette and hot baths next to smaller, closed bathrooms.

Hyacinth approached Noemi, speaking. - “It's beautiful and cozy in here.”

“A house under the water... I never even dreamed of living in places like this.” - Noemi responded.

“Me neither. Yet, we're here.” - Hyacinth smiled.

“I can't fathom what lies beyond the next gate.” - Noemi responded. - “I would love to see it all.” - For the sake of Augmi, she thought to herself.

“I have a vague idea.” - Hyacinth spoke with confidence. - “It's the ice we were speaking of. The area might be resembling some aspects of my and Pav's home.”

“Wonderful! Will I get to see the snow with my own eyes!?” - Noemi asked with excitement.

“Hopefully.” - Hyacinth replied.

Noemi twirled in delight, extending her hands, smiling brightly, and looking at the ceiling, where glowing jellyfishes floated.

Hyacinth let the girl enjoy the moment, then after she calmed down, declared. - “Noemi, I came because I wanted to ask you a question.”

“Yes?” - Noemi waited.

“Can you marry people who don't belong to your tribe?” - Hyacinth asked earnestly.

Noemi tilted her head and contemplated. - “Village codex doesn't forbid it, so it's a 'yes'. Technically, I could even do it here...” - Noemi made a roguish, suggestive grin. - “...is that what you are thinking about?”

[ ––––––––– Y ––––––––– ]

The white meadows were getting dimmer, since it was already past the evening. Hyacinth approached Pavaja, who was just admiring the statue. - “Pav!”

“Yes?”

Hyacinth knelt and placed his arm on his heart, like when taking vows. - “Pavaja, you're the reason I broke my previous vows, and you're the reason I will keep my next, until the end of time. What I want to vow, is to never leave your side and love you forever.” - Pavaja blushed and during that pause, their eyes connected. - “Will you marry me, Pavaja?”

“Yes.” - She replied in a heartbeat... - “YES!” - ...then tossed herself in his arms.

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

Arath was in his room, disassembling the furniture, bed included. Sponge, cloth, wood, table legs, shards of glass... he wondered if he could make use of all of that.

The remaining three party members visited the boy.

“Arath, we would like you to know. I and Pavaja are engaged and would like to have a weeding, right in this place...” - Hyacinth relayed the happy news.

“A wedding? Never heard of it.” - Arath responded coldly and continued tinkering with furniture.

“You really DON'T know!?” - Noemi shouted in disbelief and gazed in shock.

“I don't.” - Arath responded.

“Okay, allow me to explain.” - Noemi spoke. - “You see, when a girl and a man love each other, they will marry... it's a ritual that binds two souls together, for eternity. The wedding is a big party to celebrate it, that comes right after!”

“...so, marrying is just a contract that lasts forever?” - Arath responded. - “Why would they sacrifice their freedom to that extent?”

“Gosh! Arath!! You just don't understand! It's L-O-V-E.” - Noemi responded. - “It's about spending the rest of your life with a person who makes you happy.”

“I don't get your concept of happiness, but okay. What it has to do with me?” - Arath asked.

“We wanted to officially invite you to the wedding... haha...” - Hyacinth laughed awkwardly. - “...but it's kind of unreasonable thing to do, since we would like to request your help in organizing it.”

“I don't work for free.” - Arath responded.

“Arath! Where are your manners!?” - Noemi exclaimed. - “You were invited, by your friends!”

“I have no friends.” - Arath answered boldly.

Hyacinth and Pavaja had mixed feelings, albeit both felt a bit withdrawn and sad.

“After all this!? You still can't trust us?” - Noemi asked, in shock.

“I will only trust a proper contract.” - Arath responded. - “What do you want from me, and what are you willing to pay?”

Hyacinth understood. - “We want you to prepare meals for an entire day, starting afternoon tomorrow. Give it your best shot.”

“I always do.” - Arath declared. - “What do you pay?”

Hyacinth pondered, he could only offer one item. - “The special berries, will they be fine?”

“Works for me.” - Arath agreed.

Pavaja and Hyacinth left, satisfied with the outcome, but Noemi wasn't happy.

“Why are you like this?” - She asked. - “Couldn't you stay silent and do it for free, just for the sake of our contract?”

“As a prepayment, yes, but you never asked.” - Arath responded.

“You know. It's an important moment to them, please don't ruin it.” - Noemi mentioned. - “It would be nice If you wouldn't speak anything disheartening during the celebration.”

“I will stay silent.”

“No... it also wouldn't be nice. Just... keep your anecdotes and opinions to yourself. Don't say anything that could ruin the mood.”

“I often have no idea what would be proper and what not. Don't count on me. Staying silent is the best I can do.”

“Arath! Just... for the future... If you ever start saying something that is undesired, I will loudly cough. At that moment, you just shut up, okay? Otherwise, feel free to speak what's on your mind.”

“Got it.”

“Now, remember when you said that you've no friends.”

Arath nodded.

“We were through a lot, bad and good. Usually, people get close together by things like these. That's what it means to be friends.”

“...I didn't get close to anyone and I don't want to.”

“I respect that, but your remark... could hurt their feelings... a bit. You should try to fix that.”

“How?”

“Let me think... you could make them a gift, just for their wedding. I saw how you padded your armor and made me a bag, perhaps you could make Pavaja a nice wedding outfit?”

“More unnecessary work.”

“Do it for me.”

“As a prepayment?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” - Noemi exclaimed, a bit irritated.

Arath understood, took the bedclothes, and started working.

[ ––––––––– ֎ Day 114 ––––––––– ]

It was early in the morning, Arath visited Pavaja, who was alone at the moment, working on the preservation of her armor plates.

The boy approached, uttering. - “Gift. For your wedding.”

Pavaja curiously examined the dress, then unfolded it. It was a bit loose, since the boy didn't know the girl's size, but luckily, he implemented straps and belts that would help to adjust the size. The dress imitated gowns of Lynnian matrons, except it was in white colors instead of black. It looked better than a common dress, since Arath already had experience in that kind of servitude.

The elf's face soon teared with joy, but Arath couldn't tell what the tears mean. He thought it was quite the opposite.

“It’s… beautiful.” - A gentle smile appeared on Pavaja's face. - “Thank you.”

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

For the couple, it would be the happiest days in their life. For Noemi, it started as a headache, mainly due to one person.

Arath didn't understand a few things. That he couldn't hide in the kitchen forever, that he has to attend the ceremony, that warm courses must be served after everyone is at the table and that to Noemi, his presence at the table is mandatory.

All tables and chairs were moved to the central hall, which was the largest place, and the ceremony would take place there. On the tables, bowls of leftover fruits were placed decoratively, together with cold dishes served by Arath – that included the oysters, poke bowls, ceviche, various salads, sauces, lobster rolls, bitter crackers made out of a gourd-looking plant, crispy squid rings, and stuffed veggies.

Later, the meals would include three different soups, a lobster, a stew made of the larger portion of leftover squid, jellied eels made over last night, grilled eels fillets, grilled veggies, a fish dish similar to one served when Hyacinth and Pavaja were met for the first time, hot-pot from adequate leftover parts and drinks. On top of that, Arath preserved some food for the later journey.

Noemi was amazed by the number of dishes. - “How... could a single person make all of this?” - She looked at Arath, expecting an answer.

“Experience.” - Arath responded.

“Nobody in my village would be able to do that! How did you get that experience?” - Noemi couldn't restrain her curiosity.

“I was chief at private parties for the highest members of syndicates, all by myself.” - He explained. - “One mistake and my entire crew, including me, would be slaughtered or worse. Adapting was a matter of survival.”

“I can't believe it.” - Noemi gasped. - “That's cruel.”

“Nah, It was rather nothing but a common day to us.” - Arath stated, unbothered.

“How are you still alive?” - Noemi responded.

“Statistics.” - Arath replied.

“What do you mean?” - Noemi couldn't grasp it.

“In my job, dozens of deaths happened per month, but not everyone died. I'm that statistical error. A lucky survivor.” - Arath explained.

“Are you telling me, that there were more people like you... and they are... just gone?” - Noemi was angry and terrified.

“Yes.” - Arath confirmed.

Noemi couldn't open her mouth. It was beyond her comprehension. A city where dozens of people were killed just for making mistakes for serving dishes... and from Arath's words alone, she knew it had to be a populated location.

It wasn't justice, but Noemi had to recollect herself, so she spoke no further. There was a wedding and she had an important role, she wasn't supposed to think about that at the moment.

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

Noemi moved to the main room, it was about the time to begin the ceremony and take her role as priestess. She moved under the statue, in front of plighted lovers, who awaited her eagerly.

Noemi took a formal pose, folded hands in prayer, and whispered to herself three names of minor Ontherian deities.

“Gavai, bestow your gift of wisdom upon us, for our spirits to comprehend the divine aspect of this ceremony, so we can recite our ritual script with honest heart, mind, and full comprehension.

“Ozen, bestow your gift of strength upon us, for our spirits to overcome the challenges of time, so the sacred aspects of the ceremony are never blemished by the earthly weaknesses.

“Nava, bestow your gift of love upon us, for our spirits to become one in heart and mind, so your kindness and compassion can guide us to mutual understanding. Nava, bestow your gift of love upon Hyacinth and Pavaja, so their bond is eternal.”

Noemi relaxed, then requested. - “Hyacinth, Pavaja. Please, advance.”

Hyacinth and Pavaja stepped forward.

“Please join your... arms.” - Noemi recited in a clear, solemn voice.

There was a pause and the girl continued. - “We have gathered here today, as a united tribe, to be witnesses of Dijhania – an eternal pact to bind two souls as one.”

Noemi opened her palm and placed it horizontally, in front of Hyacinth, at the level of his waist, then spoke. - “Hyacinth, do you take Pavaja, to be your partner in a spiritual voyage that lies ahead?”

“I do.” - Hyacinth responded.

Noemi turned to Pavaja. - "Pavaja, do you take Hyacinth, to be your partner in a spiritual voyage that lies ahead?"

“I do.” - Pavaja confirmed.

Noemi took sacred, anointing oil and poured it in the bride's palms. The groom lowered his head, allowing himself to be baptized by his bride.

Next, Noemi placed a bowl with the fragrant oil between cantor's arms and Pavaja helped to lift it by supporting it with her hands. With help, Hyacinth poured the oils on Pav's hair and concluded the rites.

The priestess took the liturgical bowl and newlyweds were allowed to kiss.

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

Arath transferred the warm meals from the kitchen to the main hall, then began to meticulously explain the proper order of consumption and what sauces go well with specific foods.

During the time when the newlywed couple attentively listened to the instructions, a crunching noise to Arath's left interrupted the lecture.

Arath paused and took a one-minute long stare, it wasn't as cold and emotionless as usual. The man was mildly disappointed. Noemi was already shoveling the food down her mouth, without spending more than two seconds savoring the taste.

Noemi stopped eating and for a few seconds stared at Arath with her mouth opened and stuffed, then swallowed its contents. It took her a while to understand what's going on. - “Sorry.” - She uttered silently and blushed, embarrassed. Her traditions were apparently different from what Arath had planned.

Arath continued, then politely told everyone to enjoy their meal.

The celebration continued until an evening. It was mostly spent on chatting, drinking, and stupid games, in all of which Arath tried not to participate unless he absolutely had to.

Occasionally, tipsy Noemi teased Arath by poking his cheek with a mug of wine, in an attempt to persuade him to cheer and drink. Each time Arath would answer that he doesn't drink.

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

At the late hour, Arath excused himself from a party and moved to his personal chamber, to start the construction of a cart and glass buckler.

However, he had no peace, since drunk Noemi barged into his room and badgered him with a question.

“What are you doing?” - The girl asked.

“Crafting.”

“What exactly?”

“A cart.”

“A cart...” - Noemi grabbed a wheel connected to the stone leg and dissembled it.

“...” - Arath took the part from the girl and started fixing it.

“...and what is this?” - Noemi asked again.

“A piece of wood.”

“What for?”

“The basis.”

“...and this? What is it for?” - Noemi picked a T-shaped piece.

“For pulling.”

“Ah.”

There was a pause, during which Noemi finished her mug of wine. After this, she asked. - ”Arath, why don't you drink?”

“Survival.”

“Again!? How so?”

“I need to stay sober to better judge the situation.”

“We're safe here.”

“There can always be an accident.”

“You're such a killjoy and a worrywart. Nothing will happen here, what is the chance!?”

“The smallest chance is enough.”

“Then you can at least socialize!”

“I don't want to.”

“Just try, you'll be happier!”

“I don't desire to be happy.”

“Why are you so...” - Noemi was mildly angry. - “...hard to talk to?” - She gave up, ignored the boy, and went to have snacks and another drink.

Arath finished his cart and buckler in peace. He was still dripping in sweat from the entire day of work and didn't even have a bath. Exhausted. he took the spongy mattress and went to sleep.

[ ––––––––– ֎ ––––––––– ]

“Weeeeeeeeee...” - Noemi extended her arms like an airplane and jumped into a vehicle, situating herself on her belly, then crashed at the opposite wall.

The noise woke up Arath from his deep sleep. He opened his eyes, seeing the loose planks, cracked glass parts, and a drunk driver.

Noemi sat opposite Arath bed, with her legs shaped like a letter W, then said in a sad, childish voice. - “Wheely broke.”

“Good.” - Arath responded and closed his eyes, planning to go to sleep again. He never felt as annoyed before. However, his rest wasn't for long, since he overheard a cry. Noemi was sobbing, right in front of him. The boy had no idea what is it about, so he got up and started fixing the cart, thinking it was the issue.

“See? Fixed.” - The boy responded in an uncaring voice. - “Now, stop.”

Noemi wasn't stopping. She moved her knees to support her crossed arms, in which she hid her sobbing, gloomy face.

“What's wrong, again?” - Arath responded.

“Drive me... to Pav.”

“Fine.” - Arath lied. He knew that Hyacinth and Pavaja are occupied.

The lizard girl listened and scrambled onto the cart. She was lighter to pull than Arath would expect.

Arath silently moved to the main hall, since it was a night, bioluminescent meadows barely illuminated neighboring rooms. The tables were a mess, but at least Arath knew they don't have to be cleaned.

“Pav is asleep.” - The man lied again.

Noemi moved to lie on her side and began to weep louder, so Arath had no choice other than to haul to her personal chambers.

“I'm not getting paid for this.” - Arath uttered to himself as he moved the drunk woman to the bed and tossed a blanket over her.

As the man was leaving, he overheard Noemi weeping out two words.

“Augmi... Augmi...”