Maris Tayla POV

I am riding my horse back home, after a really long mission to the outskirts church. I am glad the mission went well especially since there was an undead lord out there. After my team had managed to purify it, our mission is done over here. I am in a bit of a hurry as I want to get back to the main church to see my daughter, though I have nothing to give her after this mission. I promised her a keepskate from a passing town, but I was just too busy this time.

Oblivious to my surrounding I gallop on my horse thinking about if I have time to stop by a town and get her something but my team all decided to ride straight back and get home in a few days. Thinking to myself while on my horse I hear a weird noise in my head.

[Ding! New user found! What would user like to trade?]

What?

[Heard you were in need of a toy to give to someone and thought I could help you out, all you need to do is trade]

A mysterious voice told me, but I was slightly suspsious. Sounded like a deal with a demon or something.

[Don't worry I ain't gonna ask for your soul or something, just that Undead Core you got there]

I don't want to go and aid a demon, but only trade the Undead core? for what?

[For a toy for your little girl, also an artifact to protect her if need be.]

I brandish my sword. "What did you say you'll do to my daughter! I yell out.

[Relax, only you can hear me, and I bet those teammates of yours are confused]

I look around and the mysterious voice is right, My teammates are looking at me with weird looks on there faces.

"Maris are you okay?"

"Uh yeah I'm fine."

"It's okay if your not we did have a big battle with the Undead lord, if your still a bit spooked you don't have to worry, we'll protect you."

"No it's fine, thanks anyway Abby."

I guess they can't hear the voice and I quiet down thinking in my head to communicate with the voice.

[I promise on the Light elemental I will not harm you, I only want to trade.]

I let out a sigh of relief, if this being is going to promise on the Light element that means it truly means no harm, though I still have my guard up slightly, why does it want the Undead core though.

[Lets just say The Undead core will help me out a bit, and I have something of equal value I'd like to trade with you for it.]

I see. Well I don't know if I should trust you yet.

[Think of me as being a rare encounter with a merchant, I have something you need you have something I need, so how about it? Want to trade?]

Although I don't trust the voice, it is right, it is a trade I don't have to trust a merchant, but because it swore on the Light element, it has to be truthful, so I decide to trade with it.

Sure you can have the Undead Core, now what will I get in the trade?

[Thank you for the trade :) Your daughter will know, bye bye]

Wait!

But the voice didnt respond, I look into my pack for the Undead core, and it is gone. In its place is a little Pony doll, it is super fluffy, and I realize the voice was right. This is the perfect gift for my little girl. I ride with my team until we get back to the main branch of the Church of Light three days later.

I walk inside, going to my annex where my family lives, though it is just me and my little girl in it. I always worry that she will be lonely when I leave for missions but she always stays cheerful. I open the door and she runs to me, and I wrap her in a hug.

"Mommy! Your back!"

"Yes Frankie, and I got you a gift this time."

"You did? What is it?"

"Tada!" I hold out the plush pony to frankie, and her eyes light up looking at it.

"Wow! It's a horsey like mommy's!" She takes it from my arms and hugs it. "I'm going to name you, Mr. Horsey."

Suddenly Frankie tilts her head to the side as if she is listening to something. Looking around I see nobody around but I hear Frankie talk again.

"Okay! Thank you Mr. Voice!"

My brows furrows a little bit, but the voice did say Frankie would know what the toy would do, but not talk to her. I ask what the voice told her.

"Mr. Voice says Mr. Horsey will protect me if mommy goes away, but I said I want to protect mommy. Mr. voice called me a good girl and thanked you for the undead core."

I smile wryly and pat Frankie on the head. Telling her I had to go to the main hall to give a report to the cardinal, because I was in such a hurry to get here that i skipped out going straight there. Frankie told me it's fine because she wanted to play with Mr. Horsey now. I have a long report to give the cardinal but I decide to keep Mr. Horsey a secret for the time being.