With a force that caught Avaln by surprise, the world’s Essence surged like a recently breached well, circling around him, now his position but an eye in the storm. It startled him, for it was the first time he called to it since he reached the Tempered realm, and in its grey he could sense a deep difference in density and power compared to before, a disparity big enough to almost break his recently achieved focus…

And only thanks to it did he manage to notice a disturbance in the potent whirlwind. It was faint, like an impossible crevice floating in the air, a kind of scar that quickly faded into nothingness, and that Avaln couldn’t even fathom an explanation for. He did, however, commit it to memory, since the rift hadn’t been strange only because of its impossibility, but also because he completely missed it when he examined his surroundings with his seventh sense.

After that, it took him a breath to calm his mind once again, and another one to start listing his priorities.

First, I must protect the shadow. Was his thought, and so he lifted a hand to draw a rune right in front of him; the transfer rune. Given the amount of elementless Essence surrounding him, if all of it were to suddenly rush into him, he feared the sentient being now residing inside his body and soul could fall in danger.

And he wasn’t about to let that happen, not when the cost of saving their life was already paid.

A breath, then another. As if pulling with a gentle touch, he focused on his inner Essence circulation, on that clover-like shape and through it, began to poke at the world’s. This time, the method of refining was different from the one that took him to the Tempered Essence realm, for the objective too was another…

And when the current swirling around him began to flow, slowly but surely, inside him and through the transfer rune, as if being channelled, a part of him found relief in the strengthening certainty that he could, indeed, save the sentient being’s life. He wondered, too, as his mind involuntarily began to fall into a trance, if such relief wasn’t also product of his injuries being healed at the same time.

That was his last conscious thought, as the world’s Essence was siphoned directly inside his soul.

It seemed like nothing happened… but it felt different.

Such were Alary’s thoughts as she beheld her friend’s features, her own expression a mix of relief and heartache due to what had been lost. Cupping Alice’s hand between hers, her gaze traced the profile of the sleeping, and once youthful spellcaster, noting every sign of age; the wrinkles around her mouth and eyes, her slightly more prominent cheekbones, the grey in the thick of her flame-like hair… Even if it all didn’t manage to diminish her beauty, it still added twenty years to her appearance, nearly doubling her real age.

However…

However, her features were no longer a constant grimace of pain. It had taken half a day and half the night, but the elderly woman by the name of Mira, and an alchemist from what Alary could gather, had finally finished her potion, which she quickly put to use by dipping a finger in the concoction and leaving a thin film of it beneath Alice’s nostrils, right before making her drink the rest of the small flask. There was barely enough thick purple liquid for one gulp, yet the effect was immediate.

Her pain disappeared.

If anything, Alary thought, it was a small relief.

“How long does she have left?” She dared to ask the elderly woman, who was busy cleaning the improvised workplace.

It took a few breaths for her to hear an answer. “You should rest.”

Alary shook her head. Of course, she was exhausted; her whole body ached, and in fact the whole squad had already retired for the day, deep in the slumber of those whose strength has been drained… but she just couldn’t. Not yet. “How long?!” She insisted, realizing to her dismay she had failed to hold back her frustration.

Her question, however, met silence as the elderly woman’s hands moved deftly, storing flasks, leftover herbs and the many now clean instruments she had made use of. Only after a sigh, did she reply, “alright.” Her voice sounded tired, while her gaze wandered through her surroundings without really seeing; Alary could imagine her mind working through everything she had to do, wondering if there was anything left forgotten, and a few breaths had to pass before she nodded to herself.

“You are stubborn as a mule, no wonder you are so alike.” She said, then gestured to Alary to follow, not giving her time to even be puzzled at her words. “Let’s go outside. I need some fresh air.”

“But…”

“Holding her hand isn’t going to help her. Not now.” Her voice was harsh, yet Alary noted a hint of purpose mixed in there too. Guided by her gut, she nodded, then after casting a last glance upon her friend, she stood up.

The wood drew a complaint beneath their weight, and soon the couple stepped outside, something that didn’t take long given the house itself wasn’t large, nor complex, Alary noted, and so she soon received the cold caress of the night on her cheeks, her eyes now staring at the barely discernible forest, with the elderly woman by her side, both sitting at the edge of the elevated floor.

“I’m sorry… about before.” Alary began, her gaze on her own intertwined fingers, resting on her lap. “I shouldn’t have shouted, much less to someone who has given us aid.” She lifted her chin then, and tried to look the woman in the eye. There was but a slit of a moon in the sky, yet its brilliance was enough to let her recognize her timeful features. “I don’t think we were properly introduced during my brief visit. I’m Alary Greenleaf.” She extended a hand. “Should I address you as Venerable Mira?”

The title seemed to draw a wince from the woman, as she reached for it. “Better not. It brings back some bad and recent memories.” She shook her head, then her body slightly, as if wanting to get rid of a lingering feeling. “Since you and that boy know each other, Grandma Mira should suffice.” Alary’s mouth went agape, her next words dying in their birth in an attempt to ask what she meant, since it wasn’t the first time she heard such an allusion, yet the elderly woman seemed to have yet to finish. “As for your friend…” She shook her head again, this time in disbelief, Alary noted. “I don’t know what drove her to use so much of her lifeforce, and I get the feeling she is not a fool, being an Archon and all that. Yes, I know what that symbol she carries means.” Mira waved her question away, only to fall silent for a breath, before adding, “but healing her is beyond my means.”

“Wha…?” Her voice faltered, hesitant like one who has to step near a cliff, her mind recalling the long process, Mira’s movements as she worked. She definitely didn’t seem like a novice, and although it bothered her greatly to not see any use of spellcasting, her heart still held on to hope… yet now, she felt as if her whole body was falling, not sure of her surroundings anymore. “Then…”

Mira, however, lifted a hand. “Breathe. You don’t seem to be an idiot, so you must know a loss of lifeforce cannot be easily overcome. Here, drink this.” From one of her pockets, she handed her a flask with a liquid that, despite the lack of light, seemed to her to be the same one Alice was given. “Your case is different. By tomorrow you should be far better.” Mira didn’t miss her new doubts, almost as if she could read her mind. “And no, giving it to her won’t do her any good.”

Alary nodded, and maybe due to the shock, or her own pragmatic mind, result of her years of experience as an adventurer, she drank the potion in one gulp, her expression grimacing due to the bitterness. “Definitely medicine.” She couldn’t help saying, as she handed her the flask back, yet soon her own conclusion had more evidence than just the taste; a warmth and vaguely familiar feeling spread from her chest to her limbs, and her own exhaustion seemed slightly chiselled away after just a few breaths. “Amazing… “ She let out. “How…? Without spellcasting even…?” Yet soon took control of her own surprise, and added, “I- I’m sorry. I know it’s bad manners to ask about someone else’s means. I shouldn’t have.”

Mira waved that away, a blurry gesture beneath the moonlight, one Alary had to use her seventh sense to fully perceive, just like she’d been doing since they stepped outside, and into the dim moonlight. “Let’s just say that sometimes, some properties are lost when you are rough with the reagents.” Another wave, but this time to make it clear she wouldn’t explain herself further. “What you must know is that the potion you just drank should restore your lifeforce in a week. Your friend, however… it only slowed down her rapid ageing. Almost to a halt, but the effect is temporary.” Mira didn’t need to wait for the question, playing at the tip of Alary’s tongue, to answer it. “Three weeks, at most.”

Mira expected her to need a moment to swallow the news, to comprehend the fate befalling her friend, yet to her surprise, and amazement, she just nodded. “Good. There is still time; enough to take her to Ms. Lizbell. I’m sure she’ll know a way.”

“Of course. She is a squad leader, and a good one at that.” Mira thought, as the young woman by her side seemed to be planning her next steps out loud.

“Yes. And even if she were unable to heal her completely, all she needs is to be able to fight. Daedalus’ Labyrinth is going to open in two months. If I can get her up on her feet by then… she might have a chance.” A smile played on her lips as the hope she thought lost sparked into a flame once again, her chest swelling and releasing a sigh of relief. “I don’t know how to thank you, Ve- Grandma Mira.” One of her hands settled over her heart as she spoke. “If you ever need anything from me, I’ll use every power at my disposal to make it possible. You have my word.”

She meant it, Mira discerned, and couldn’t help thinking a young woman of her status shouldn’t be making such promises, not to people she barely knew… yet she also had the feeling Alary was aware of it. Her words, like her actions, had weight and intent. “Don’t bother.” She said finally. “By helping you, I’m repaying a debt of my own.”

Alary shook her head immediately, gesturing the refusal away. “I couldn’t possibly take your help for something that was my duty, one we should have fulfilled much earlier too. In the end, it’s my fault my squad was left with such injuries, if only I had…”

Mira stared at her for a moment, blinking her own confusion away. “Ah. Yes, you are right. It was your duty, and although I’m sure the blame doesn’t fall on you alone, the situation could have indeed been handled better.” Alary returned her gaze, the scarlet in her eyes fully determined, Mira gleaned; her words may appear even kind in comparison to the ones the young swordswoman must be directing to herself.

She is one of those, uh? Mira thought, then added outloud. “My debt, however, is to another.” A sigh escaped from her lips, as she shook her head out of being hit with a realization. “That boy’s habits must have rubbed off on me.” Then, she looked Alary up and down, as if measuring her, even if she could barely see her. “And I can see you two are alike, with that strong sense of duty and all.”

Alary cooked her head, puzzled. “Who may you be talking about? It isn’t the first time you’ve mentioned a boy.”

“Well, I guess he is a boy from my perspective. He must be around your age, I gather.” She made a pause, then added, “A bit younger, actually. But not by much.”

Alary just shook her head, not following.

“Didn’t you know he was here?” Now it was time for Mira to be puzzled. “He told us he had become lost in the demon boar forest, but I doubt that’s the truth. At least not entirely… Now I’m thinking he came looking for you.”

“Who?” She asked, her mind going through the different faces she had met, of adventurers capable of surviving in such an unkind environment alone, and failing to come to an answer.

“Avaln.”

Alary furrowed her brow, not entirely sure why such familiar features appeared in her mind. “Could you repeat that?”

“Avaln.”

She shook her head, not fully aware of the words. “Again.”

“I said Avaln. Girl, have you cleaned your ears recently?”

Her lower lip trembled slightly, before what her mind was thinking. “Tall? Black hair, beard, purple eyes?”

Mira brought a hand to her chin, before nodding. “I don’t know about a beard, albeit little Ri did mention he had shaved before arriving here.”

“Why?!” Alary stood bolt upright, both hands hanging by her sides into fists, recalling the destruction and the blood and the fleeing, rampaging beast she allowed to escape. “Why would he risk venturing into Demon boar territory?” Her own words gave her the answer.

Had it been that promise? Did that push him to do something reckless?

“I don’t know if it was much of a risk for that kid.” Mira mentioned, slightly amused by her reaction. “Saved little Ri’s life thrice. Mine, once, too. And against a fully fledged adventurer at that.”

Alary gave her a stare that was far from respectful. “What… what are you saying? That’s impossible.”

“I thought so too, given he had only recently reached the Tempered realm. But he did.” Mira couldn’t help shaking her head in disbelief, as the memories resurfaced, and neither could she help the consequent nod. “He did.”

However, nothing prepared her for the shock she heard in Alary’s voice. “That’s… it can’t be. Let alone tempered, he hadn’t even refined his Essence when I left… Are you certain of his name?”

Mira fell deep in thought for a breath, recalling everything she knew; but far from being surprised by her words, all that came out of her mouth in the end, was a laugh. “HA! Of course! You dirty little liar!”

The swordswoman, however, misunderstood her meaning. “It wasn’t him, after all, was he?” She pondered, as a hand settled on her chest, feeling a hint of disappointment amidst her heartbeats.

“Oh, no. I’m fairly sure he is who he said he is.”

Alary’s mouth went agape, not sure of what to take from it. “How… ?”

“Miss. I think you should rest.” Mira said then as she stood up as well, cutting her short. “We have much to discuss tomorrow. What happened here had no small connection to you and your name.”

My name? She repeated in her mind, quickly working through Mira’s words, the stain of dried blood on the dark, wooden floor, flashing in her mind; that something else she had inferred had happened in the village. But her thoughts, however, were focused on another matter.

It was no surprise then, that as the elderly woman started towards the house’s interior, Alary couldn’t help grabbing her shoulder. “How are you so sure?” Her other hand was still in her chest, palm open, something Mira didn’t miss, bringing a smile to her face.

“I’m sure…” She began, gently taking her hand into hers, easing the strength of her grip. “... because when the man who came here to kill you, mentioned your name, he was the first to strike.”