Safely back with the hunters, the three girls took a moment of respite to plan their next move. Rushing ahead would only leave them with more problems and uncertainties, something they already had plenty of to worry upon.

Sryine was relieved to know that supposedly the excess flame just faded with time, but she was at this point the only one who still had the glowing thing going on. Her injury had been healed by the first night of their journey back at least, so there was no exposed flame, but the glow remaining present meant that an injury could flame up at any time. Vwyx and Riyxia had even taken turns with the shield, no longer working with the special weaponry Vwyx had made for them, both of their bodies having gone back completely to normal too. Sryine was only glowing from her elbow down, so it shouldn’t be more than a few extra days, but it left her the center of a large number of questions from other people. One of the hunters had asked Ayzherie if she was safe to be around, within her own earshot.. possibly the most painful question to hear. They had even discovered that the excess flame prevented them from dropping their augmentation, meaning she was the only one right now to be incapable of returning to a normal ability. Her overnight giggling had even done wonders for waking up the others overnight, so even her first night home was going to be spent without her bed. The worst part was the feeling that she could very easily get the rest out of her system in a quick instant.. at the price of some pretty excessive destruction. It was that temptation that qualified just how dangerous she could be at that point.

It was such concerns that continued to trouble Riyxia in turn. Looking forward, there was going to be a very possible danger from the flame ahead, a danger that only the three of them had the capacity to fully address. However, this capacity had a cost, they could very likely end up feasting on the flame again in the process, a problem which would only get worse. Their previous battles had occured in the dead sands by the fire mountain, something that hadn’t proven to hold much consequence had the flame been left to rage around them. However, if their next battleground was the woodlands, leaving even a trace of flame would start an endless inferno. To avoid leaving such traces, they would have to take up such flames within themselves. Even in that last battle, they had left almost all of the flames to just burn.. and yet things had gone fairly far. Riyxia was the only one who avoided spilling much fire, her blades having taken most of it in.. leaving Sryine in the state she was in. Riyxia hadn’t even taken out more than a small number of them, most of the beasts had been taken out by each other.. and a huge number of them had otherwise died to either the sandstorm, the lightning bow, or the wake of fire. However, it was her success in distributing the flames across many blades that showed it would mostly be up to her to segregate and distribute the flame if the need arose. All of the blades could be disposed of and recreated if required, much like the previous had already been, they could throw the whole collection into the fire mountain if they had no other choice, and that would be a prompt way to discard a massive concentration of the flame. At one point, such a concentration becomes world-changing, after all.

Vwyx’s attention was completely invested in the shield that was her responsibility at present. This was also a rather substantial concern, the other hunters being fully aware what would happen if the shield was to end up straying too far from all of the three girls. While this had its own general turn of concerns, it also included what would become of the shield while everyone slept. Every night, the shield had been tied fast to someone’s arm on their return trip, but that only really worked well sleeping on the ground. An elevated bed made it far too difficult to keep a shield stable. Vwyx was strongly contemplating sleeping right on the stone floor, just to make everything easier.. but technically that would be even less comfortable than the dirt outside. She might be human.. but she wasn’t exactly feeling like it. She actually felt she had more in common with an elf like Sryine than any of the humans she knew. Even as an ersatz, Riyxia was fully capable of winning that competition as well, and Riyxia was more like an elf than she would be like a human. They were all of the flame, and that’s exactly why everyone else was uncomfortable. It seems there were quite a number of records of their battle taken, especially once everyone was in the air. That was a prime opportunity to get records of three girls glowing, two girls burning, one girl using her own flame to cause mass destruction.. Everyone was really scared of Sryine right now, but not just Sryine. Vwyx was the only one who hadn’t suddenly started burning a purple flame, but everyone knew she could. The shield, it could also cause such a flame too, simply because of the fragment inside. This is why she was left with the responsibility of protecting everyone else from the shield she was carrying, and anything such a responsibility might entail.

“Sryine, you doing okay? Does that hurt or anything?” “This? Not really, it’s just a bit awkward, really. Why? Doing your reporter thing and getting the latest scope?” “Actually, no, stuff like that is the sort of thing people would be more open to hearing something interesting over something true. I really hate stories like that. As is, all the hunters are treating you like some freak of nature.” “Aren’t I though?” “What? Of course not. You’re a hard working devoted young woman with a few interesting quirks.. and honestly I’ve heard my sister called the same thing in the past, so I really wouldn’t think that’s something to be alarmed about.” “Hmm.. you haven’t had to fight your sister in her power armor. Now that was.. alarming.” “Sorry, I guess that comparison doesn’t work anymore. I mean, I’ve seen how much you two have worked hard, how much you’ve achieved, and how much.. pretty much everyone should owe you. An honest elf trying to make an honest living, but left to work with some harsh subjects just because luck hasn’t been on your side. I’ve been there too, why do you think I have some pretty dark contacts to work with on a frequent basis.” “Because she’s your sister?” “Oh, I was talking about the hunters. But seriously, at this point I see you as family yourself. Well, not like a sister..” “Ha, you’re funny. You make me sound like a wife or something.” “Sure, let’s go with that. Actually, that’s probably perfect. Oh hells, I should have thought of that sooner, I could have picked up a ring from town.” “Wait, what?! Are you serious?!” Jwyexzn had caught Sryine completely off guard with that sudden shift, turning everything into a proposal right out of nowhere. Jwyexzn had even pulled out his cell and started a search for a decent enough place for such a ring, not even hesitating.

“I mean it, I mean, you’ve caught my attention for a while now, and most of it has had nothing to do with reporting. Actually, I wonder if that’s why work keeps saying I’ve got myself a girl now. By the divine, I’m slow, I should have just done this a long time ago, shouldn’t I? Look, I’m sorry for being slow at this, but you know I’m not usually this awkward, right?” “Oh, of course not, excluding any car accident or really horrible disguises or… A hard working devoted young man with a few interesting quirks.. that actually does describe you very well.” Jwyexzn started to get worried when Sryine started laughing suddenly.

“Well, if you know me at all, then you know I can be a very rough business lady. If you’re trying to talk business, what kind of offer are you willing to provide.” “Oh hells, right.. I don’t even have the money right now for anything worth you. This really sucks…” “It’s not the first time you haven’t had any money either. I still remember that car accident incident.” “Yeah, and I don’t think buying you a simple lunch is going to cut it this…” “Deal.” “.. what?” “Do you see anyone else even interested in making anything close to that offer right now, other than maybe Riyxia or Vwyx? The girl with the glowing arm, everyone else would be terrified. Heck, I’m not sure I would have been brave enough in your shoes, this whole subject used to be my darkest fears.” “Really, I’ve not actually been seeing things that way, and I’ve known you back when you were having those crazy lady moments.” “Now that’s low.. crazy lady...” “You used to be strong enough to end my life because I sneezed wrong. Well, you still can, but it was like my earliest lesson about you, how you’re actually way more amazing than anyone else thought. I was the first of anyone to be afraid of you, probably before it was rational, and after that, I was left seeing just how amazing you actually are. If people are still dragging their feet after all the good you’ve accomplished.. maybe they’re just being slow. I fully expect the only thing to really fear from you is that you’re going to do things that are so amazing that I’m going to miss something if I blink. And I’ve already learned that I probably blink way too often for that as is.” Jwyexzn really didn’t have this whole thing together at all, but Sryine could tell he was trying and he was being very honest about his feelings.

It was at this moment that Sryine thought of home.. her original home way back in the village. Supposedly, if none of this had actually happened, she would have eventually been expected to find herself a husband and married into that family as almost a business move. This was itself almost a business move with a work colleague, except she was the one who was making all of the business. In fact, at that level, it was even a smart move, mixing his information skills with her business prowess. It was at that moment that she realized she had invested thought into trying to prove a business case for the whole concept to her family, if ever that might be required. That implied her mind was already made up, that she was long sold on this idea, and had only been waiting for it to happen. Maybe she was also slow to pick up on her own feelings in this very subject…

Vwyx unbuckled the shield and held it in her hands as she started looking for the others, having pondered the situation for a while. She had been stuck considering the fragment as a shield, to have only recently considered that the fragment could simply be removed and then applied to something far more suitable for their needs. None of them were even good with shields, it had really only gotten in their way. Especially in combat, she had learned what Sryine had needed to go through in order to use her bow with the shield present. Riyxia hadn’t even had to fight with it, but near the end she was preparing for that possibility.. and left to realize that holding the shield really left her without much ability to fight for herself. It was about the same problem Sryine had suffered when trying to use the rapier and the shield at the same time. Vwyx herself had realized that she wasn’t especially certain what her own solution would have been either, her original terms had been to generally freeze up with the shield at first, but otherwise she could have just thrown grenades with her other hand. Her hammer style was generally very two-handed, the shield would have completely gotten in her way with that. In fact, out of futility, she wondered if her best bet would have been to start smashing foes with the shield like it was also a hammer. No one fights like that though, of course, it would have been weird. But if a shield was a bad choice, she needed ideas for an alternative.

“Dhyinze, do you know where either Riyxia or Sryine went? I’ve been looking for them.” “Did you try to call them? That’s what I would have done in your shoes if I was looking for someone. Though, now that I think about it, I’ve typically not had much luck with that solution either. Anyway, I heard Sryine went somewhere with Jwyexzn for some kind of late lunch or something. Riyxia, I have no idea, I haven’t seen her around at least. Maybe ask Eqriuxzl? That guy has been busy with a lot of astral flame research, and if he isn’t talking to you, and isn’t talking to Sryine, then he’s probably talking to Riyxia.” “I might have, except no one wants me in such an area filled with papers while carrying the fragment.” “Oh, right, and I can’t help you with that either, the only ones who can are the two girls you’re looking for.” Dhyinze paused to consider Vwyx’s dilemma. This is why he knew people needed to keep some focus on their cells, it made this problem considerably less challenging.

“I heard my name, is anything going on, or am I just hearing things?” “Oh, Eqriuxzl, we were just wondering if you had seen Riyxia around?” “Actually, I was hoping I might be able to find her, research and all that. Is that the shield I’ve been hearing about?” “Yes, actually, though I’m hoping we can find something better for it soon. A shield just doesn’t seem to work for anyone, it was a horrible idea.” “Right, because you would have made this shield in the process. So the shield is basically normal materials, but the fragment is something more. I wonder how much the constant interaction with the fragment has affected the shield. Right, you can’t go far with that thing though. I have a couple instruments handy nearby, could you wait here for a bit while I bring them over? Running some tests on your shield here might give some really useful information about the flame.” Eqriuxzl ran off as quickly as he came, leaving Vwyx to sit and wait for his return. Dhyinze decided to sit with her and wait as well, considering he really couldn’t find Nuiqhyx anywhere, not even having thought of asking anyone for himself.

“Sorry that you’re having to go through all of this mess. No one is making any of this easy for you three, are they?” “It’s boring, yeah. Typically, we would have just had one of Ayzherie’s training sessions to get things taken care of, but it seems things aren’t going to be that easy anymore. I know, don’t I sound desperate, I’m actually missing Ayzherie’s training. But she’s not exactly in charge of such stuff anymore, now it’s… wait, if Riyxia’s the one in charge, why is…” “Oh, you didn’t hear? This was actually Riyxia’s decision apparently. I brought it up with Ayzherie, not liking how things felt, and it seems even Ayzherie had been worried about it. She had been told that Riyxia had made such a decision because it was clear there was a surge of uncertainty and distrust among the hunters, and Riyxia wanted to earn that trust back by finding a way to first keep everyone safe.” “Actually, that does sound like her. Now I really need to find her and talk about this stupid shield. It would be nice if Sryine was around too, but it seems she’s off on a.. I don’t know, lunch date?” “He actually gets such open lunches because he isn’t even a hunter. Sorry, I know you three aren’t exactly hunters either, but you’re close enough.” “Thank you. I know we make lame hunters, not being part of any of the rules or anything…” “No way, you’re not lame. You’re like the best hunter I know, and I thought that was Ayzherie for a while. We were hunter partners for a time, and I’ve never had someone I could trust to have my back as much as you. Yes, even while you’re holding such a fragment, you’re still a hands down undisputed top class in that area. If another opportunity comes up for us to pair up again, I know I will take it in a heartbeat.” Dhyinze was surprising Vwyx with such measures of support and confidence. Having been left to consider the idea, Vwyx suspected that she would be perfectly fine devoting her future to staying with the hunters for the long term, even if her other two friends found other paths for their futures.

“Sorry for taking so long. Nuiqhyx wasn’t the most clear about where my stuff had been moved to since our return.” “Wait, you’ve seen Nuiqhyx?” “Oh, yeah, I found him not far from my workspace, almost taking a nap. His mumbling was most of the problem when talking with him.” Eqriuxzl looked up from his supplies to find Dhyinze was already gone. “Anyway, shield. It’s fascinating you decided to hold it in a shell that almost feels like an instrument’s crystal, but I guess that’s a crafter’s instinct. Right, that’s also a lot like what is left behind once the flame kind of devours things. I wonder actually if there might be any common grounds between the black of an instrument crystal and the black residue from the flame. Seriously, can we test this? But I would need matter that has been incinerated by the flame.. and I guess no one picked up a sample. Wait, the latest reports say that the flame has permeated into your blood, and we know it can augment your gift.. might there be an association to the gift and the flame? An instrument’s crystal is supposed to be capable of magnifying the gift because of its material composition.. wait, the flame augments the gift too. Might it be then that the crystals we’ve been using all of this time had always originated from the flame, like the faintest of possible embers in the same manner of your own augmentation?” Eqriuxzl knew this was something that needed to be tested, now that it had come to light. The current location wasn’t safe for such a task.. and he wasn’t safe for such a task either no matter what he did. Vwyx then knew she was being assigned to complete this test on her own.

Vwyx would have to go find a rock somewhere in the mountains to set up on, then see if she could roast some minerals into something like the crystals she had grown to appreciate. Honestly, the whole idea was starting to raise her own curiosity too. It was a shame the others were missing out on this, Vwyx personally knew how expensive such crystals could actually be. Her own ability had proven incapable of producing the same clarity of the original thing, even if her augmentation made strides in compensating. Producing a pure authentic crystal naturally, at will, with a very high quality.. Sryine could probably make a fortune off of a single large crystal, let alone the ability to mass produce them. Riyxia would have plans.. almost certainly. Actually, on the matter of Riyxia.. Liyuzhe would do anything for this, it was her dream, wasn’t it. A dream that Khyzae had apparently supported. This news might provide them with a clue on where they should go from here, couldn’t it? Pondering this thought, Vwyx almost froze when the shard suspended over the shield turned pitch black and crystalline. The rock below it however went slightly pale. This caught her off guard for a moment, hadn’t she used a rock in the first place? She picked up a rock for a second test, which resulted in a slightly pale rock once completed. This was annoying her, she was right the first time, but she was too distracted to pay attention to what she was actually doing. She tested her unaugmented gift on the crystal, quickly discovering it was very suitable for an instrument, with high quality results. She reported her findings and failures to Eqriuxzl, who was likewise impressed and disappointed in turn.

They were on the edge of a substantial discovery, with this sudden realization. If Vwyx was to create a properly shaped design of the correct material, then fed the flame through it carefully, the resulting crystal could be capable of far more than any modern implementations.