(Zhenya Pov)

We stewed for what seemed like hours. Waiting for help to drag their asses up the black abyss we arrived through. At least that’s what Rose told us. I still don’t trust her, but it’s our only bet anyways.

Su was silent, as usual. Working through all the new memories her mindscaping fished up. Nirve was ways away, trying to make sense of everything. A bull-headed drive to prove Su’s guilt was the only thing keeping him going for these the past two years.

Poor guy. The person he should be hating is some nebulous entity who’s probably buried this whole ordeal by now. And the person who could’ve shared his burden is the one he’s been antagonizing.

“Is it really a good idea to leave him like this?” Nick broke the silence.

“Not much we can really do. Like it or not, we’re strangers. It’s up to Su to do something.” I whispered the last part, trying not to sway the girl’s actions at the moment.

Usually, Fredrica would chip in to complete our comment trio. But like the others, she had a lot to work through. Learning that her country was in good contention for the death of hundreds, possibly even thousands.

So like the other two, we figured it’s best to leave her alone for now.

Even more waiting later, Nick struck up a conversation with the flower avatar. It’s strange. Beyond this whole ordeal, they seem to be good friends. Wonder if he’s the poster boy for Felschonheit, the face everyone knows.

After a few hours, the rescue crew finally came climbing up with the most cobbled-together plan. One that only sounds genius because of the shit ones we’ve made recently. Pretty much climb up, setting points along the way, and with a little help from the dungeon of all things have the rescue-es, us. Climb back down on our own accord.

Or, with the case of Su and Nirve, strapped to our rescuers as they climbed back down. Not that the absent-minded duo registered.

As for the corpses, they were brought down as well. Only to be confiscated by the A.A. Well, confiscated is a strong word, more like we were strongly encouraged to hand them over. This got them on the receiving end of the dirtiest stares this side of anything from our two Islanders.

Although they backed down when it was assured they’ll be able to give their family a proper burial tomorrow. All on the A.A’s budget to boot.

It wasn’t said out loud, but we all made the connection that the A.A wanted to cover all their bases for this case.

Finally touching ground, I think I shed a tear. It was finally over, and we could sleep in comfy... who am I kidding! Cloud beds were and always will be fluffier. They ruined me! No other bed can slake my slumber.

“Oi, Zhenya.” Nick was snapping his fingers in my face. “You know we all took a buncha of clouds back down with us.”

“Ah, you sweet mind-reading boy.” Without a second thought, I hugged the life out of him, if the gagging was anything to go by. I should let go now.

Our trip back to the inn was uneventful. A few stares here or there as we exited, but nothing more than a passing glance at most. And beyond that, no one took heed of us. Though Su’s odd hair and skin color caught some attention.

“Diana, we’re back!” Before I could get another word in, the bunny woman dove at us, wrapping us in her embrace. All five of us...

In a blur of hype, she sat us down and near-instantly materialized an entire feast on a silver platter. She didn’t even have the mind to spare Nirve a piece of her mind for what he did. Not that I let her once she did notice. The boy has had enough for one day.

The ensuing night was filled with lots of clattering utensils, but little in the way of conversations. The only ones that did occur were between Diana, Nick, and me.

We explained to her what transpired in the dungeon, and let me say. Living through it was one thing listening to yourself saying what happened is wild!

We lived through a dungeon meltdown, escaped what is essentially three floor bosses mutated into a super boss, got to the top of the world tree, found a new floor! Breathe Zhenya, remember to breathe, *Inhales aggressively*. Had an audience with the dungeon avatar, found out Su is some kind of super-soldier, and uncovered an age-old conspiracy.

*Gasp!*

Is that all, or am I forgetting something? In any case, Diana hung on our every word, emotions written clear as day on her face changing with each twist and turn. It was an odd sense of joy. Is this what it feels like to be a bard?

Pride swelled in my chest, seeing Diana’s face light up when we told her that Su wasn’t guilty for the Flowering Night incident. She was already overjoyed seeing Su take part in the festivities, something unheard of for the pale girl’s past self, even if she was reserved about it.

Our tale ran long into the night even after the depressing trio called it quits, Nirve not caring, just took a room. But us three, the party all night crew, weren’t going to let them get us down. We had a blast! Some of the patrons even decided to join too. Although we had to tell them a more restrictive version. Mainly the parts where we kicked ass and took names.

--------------

The next day we decided to take things easy after everything. That and the depressed three were still angsting in their rooms. Diana gave Freddie and me the day off, considering circumstances. So currently, I was exploring the town with everybody’s favorite poster boy Nickolas.

“So tour boy, where we heading first?” I teased, knowing he was in a good mood today.

“Well, for one, I was thinking we could check out some famous flower shops and stop by the Climber’s guild.”

“Why the guild? Also, I’ve already been there.”

“If you’ve already forgotten, we made it to the top of the world tree.”

“Then we can claim all those milestone rewards!”

“Hell yeah, we can!”

Off like two jacked-up rodos we charged past the front door, eagerly informing them that we made it to the top of the world tree. And instantly got laughed at...

“We don’t have proof, do we? Wait... We have the clouds and stuf-”

“I don’t think they’ll accept that. I guess old man Ed is trying to keep our little adventure secret for now.” Seeing my blank ass stare, Nick continues. “Edward the town’s A.A branch head.”

Ah. “You really are the town’s poster boy, aren’t you?”

“Well, with mom working the mornings, anytime I wasn’t helping with the shop, I’d hung out ‘round town.” A cute blush of embarrassment flushed his face. Teasing Nick will never get old.

“Where to now, that this is a bust?” I asked. Now we were back roaming the streets.

But passing by some lively characters, reminded me of a story told by a merchant. “Oh. How bout the gardens. Even I heard about them all the way back home.” One of Felschonheit's touted tourist attractions. The eternal gardens, they call it. Always in full bloom regardless of season or weather.

If the world tree was the crown jewel that all came to see. Then the fields were the treasure box rife with exotic items.

“Zhenya, that’s a graveyard... Remember, trees.”

... “You mean like those up there.”

“Yep.” We walked right the hell past that colorfully grim reminder of mortality.

“Morbid seeing all these people enjoying themselves around those corpses. Don’t they know?” There were people having picnics under the shade of a tree, artists using them as muses. I can’t get it out of my head that each one is a corpse.

“They do, but some don’t care, and even more don’t believe it is true.” Hearing his somber voice. No, not today! I got to do something. We’re supposed to be the party hard group! Can’t have him joining the gloomy triad.

“Hey, Nick say what. You were going to show me the flower shops, right? How bout you show me ‘round the marketplace, and we’ll call it a date.”

“Ah, hum. Sure, why not. But date’s on me, my treat.” He fires back, a sly grin and a happy hum.

Happy days are back on track. Onwards and forwards, towards lovely times! I found and introduced Nick to a couple knick-knacks I was familiar with. Commonplace for me but exotic for him, and he in turn, taught me about the various flowers that were on display.

“Nick, you sure? I know we’re calling this a ‘date’ and all, but-” The boy waves me off.

“Don’t worry about it I’m already buying some for my mom, and she taught me manners. So how can I buy flowers in front of a girl without getting one for her.” He slips a yellow flower called a winter aconite into my armor, just above my chest, near the collar bone. Apparently, it means hope.

After that, we swung around a few more shops before ending up in front of an unusual clothing store. One that was clearly marketed as being run by Bargas. A name I never thought I would have the pleasure of hearing again.

Predictably they were closed for business.

Huh, if his name wasn’t plastered prominently on the building, the aesthetics certainly gave it away. “Hey, poster boy. What’s the story behind this?” He had to have known Bargas in some capacity before the incident. Hell, it’s hard to miss a building like this.

“Ahem. Uhhh. This is... Well, yeah. I knew him from a while back, even personally on some accounts.” Nick wiggled uncomfortably "On all accounts.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it-” Immediately shutting up, I spot silver on the horizon. A head full of it, in the overgrowth that had taken over since the place’s closure.

Putting a hand up, I motion for Nick to follow. Our time in the dungeon doing wonders for this type of thing.

Closer and closer. My feet were silent, not a crunch of grass heard... “Virgil?” I ask like a dumbass at the sight of him.

“Mr. Virgil?” And Nick followed suit. It’s been at least a month or so since we last saw him. Now he shows up here, of all places.

(!) The silvered-haired spy perks up, and I feel it my bones. He was ready to attack, only stopping when he recognized us. “Zhenya? Nickolas? Huh. Is this where you’ve been all this time.”

“Alright, first of all. Is the dungeon open again?” I cut him off to answer a question that’s been burning a hole in my mind.

“Yeah, about a day after it closed.”

Damn. Still, no regrets coming here. “Alright, what are you up to?” I know Virgil. He’s never somewhere without reason.

“That is a question, isn’t it? Hehehe.” Caught red-handed, he sheepishly chuckles, rubbing the back of his head.

He was tattered by the look of things. Out in the wilds for a while. His eyes now sporting dark bags that were not there before. Indicating whatever Lyra put him up to is important and time-sensitive. Lastly, his shoes were caked in dried mud, running all the way up to his thighs.

As someone with experience tracking, I know this form all too well. But what is his prey?

No, the question is not what but who. “Bargas, he broke out of prison. Lyra has you hunting him down. And since you’re here.”

“Bargas must be here too.” Nick capped it off ever so eloquently.

This got Virgil silent. He’s about ready to keel over. “Come on Nick, help me get him up. We can hear from him at the inn.” There was a slight wince but no words from the silver rag of a man as I dragged him home. Nick split off about halfway in, still having to gift the flowers he bought to his mom.

Go, party hard squad...