Ben didn’t want to get out of bed as the sun rose, the desire to stay within his sheets and hide from what was to come overwhelming him in a way it never would in the past. He’d tried to sleep properly during the night but failed to get any real rest as he was assaulted by his dreams until he eventually gave up to spend the rest of the time with Myriad, giving his body a chance to relax that his mind would lack.

After what felt like far too soon though he got up, splashing some water on his face and trying to put on a positive expression as a single thought swarmed his many minds.

One more day.

He and Thera were going to be meeting up with Yuzu and the others in the late afternoon, but they had all morning to squeeze a bit more enjoyment from the city itself and he didn’t want to bring down the mood for their bit of peace together before they willingly threw themselves into whatever unknown dangers the trial held.

They’d spent so long going through the library that even considering the breaks they’d taken to do other things, there was still plenty in the city left to enjoy, so with that goal firmly in mind he left his room to face the day, meeting up with Thera as he did before beginning things by going off to get breakfast.

They’d been trying a few different restaurants, doing their best to go beyond just eating at the library’s canteen and gotten to enjoy a collection of exotic dishes for their trouble, the benefits of being in a gate city meaning that it was far easier for food and culture to spread compared to somewhere farther away like Stonewall, and it was yet another chance for Ben to grow as he experienced the different ways food was being prepared, considering how it could be applied to his own cooking when they got home.

Maybe I should build a commercial kitchen in Stonewall when I get back? He idly wondered. I can do plenty in a normal kitchen, but if I was to have a building constructed that would be dedicated to it I could do so much more. I could get a bunch of utensils and other things I don’t currently have room for and maybe build a big wood fire oven for it. Oh, and maybe an old-fashioned clay oven too, there’s plenty of stuff better suited for that sort of thing.

Getting lost in his thought was a great tool to escape the world, one he was putting to use again and again throughout the day as the hours stretched on, checking out different shops and looking at any public statues and monuments to pass the time, with Thera stopping to admire what they were seeing if it caught her eye enough as Ben, in turn, pulled out some paper and a pencil, sketching out anything that snagged his attention, with the potential that he’d continue with a bigger drawing sometime in the future if he got the chance.

It was only after hours of it that they finally stopped to take a seat in one of the busier parts of town, watching the people go about their lives as a nearby bard started to sing a song of adventure, Ben halfheartedly listening as he mostly focused on Thera by his side, with her talking animatedly about all she’d enjoyed in her time there before gently cocking her head, what started as a small smile forming on her lips quickly changed to her keeping a hand over her mouth, doing her best keep herself from collapsing into laughter as Ben just looked at her confused.

“What, is there something on my face?”

Instead of answering, she just nodded behind him, making him look back but see nobody, just the small crowd gathered around the singer as he weaved his herculean tale. Some simple story of a pair facing and overcoming challenges from a god to earn their freedom as they fought to survive everything tossed their way. It wasn’t until his name came up in it that he was able to put together that it was a song about what he and Greed went through.

“...You know, it’s funny, you can never really tell you’re dreaming while it’s happening, can you? I mean, not usually, but I’m obviously having a nightmare right now. Not sure if it’s worse than my usual trial based ones or not.”

At that Thera finally lost it, leaning into him as she gasped for air while she laughed, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Sorry Ben, but this is very real. It’s not like Greed didn’t warn you he was going to make a song about your time together, right?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know other people would be singing it!”

He knew that as a person with an awakened music skill, Greed had a high level of fame, but Ben had still expected the crab would be the only one singing whatever he’d made to smaller venues than anything he’d expected from an A-list musician from Earth. He’d never even considered the prospect that other musicians would hear the piece Greed made and spread it around as well, to the point that Ben could just casually run into someone performing it.

Ben couldn’t help but want to just curl up and hide away as Thera got her laughter under control, dragging him by the arms to get in with the crowd to listen to the performance while he was unable to escape the lyrics of exaggerated heroism and valour that had supposedly been displayed in their fight for freedom, the song stretching on for an unbearable fifteen extra minutes from when he’d figured out what they were listening too as he was forced to hear the story of him and Greed going through each trial, with the occasional interlude in between of what they did as they waited and ending with their glorious freedom, Ben confessing his love to top it all off.

As the crowd applauded, people went up to tap their cards against the performers, tipping the man for the free show as Ben and Thera did as well.

“That was excellent,” Thera told the musician. “I couldn’t be happier to have run into this while we’re still in the city.”

“Ha, well thank you very much miss, though it doesn’t look like your companion feels the same,” He said as he nodded to Ben, still looking like he wanted to die.

“Ah, no it was great,” He said awkwardly. “Real entertaining, I just have a bit of a headache is all. Mind if I ask though, I don’t think this is the first time I’ve heard this. Is the song popular?”

He was praying the answer was going to be a resounding no, that the musician just happened to be taken with it after hearing it and that running into the one other man performing it was nothing more than a terrible coincidence, but Ben continued to lack luck on that front as the man laughed in his face.

“That might be an understatement. One of the song's stars has been selling out shows left and right. Honestly, I can’t do it proper justice compared to a man that actually suffered through all of that, so if you did enjoy it you should do your best to get your hands on some tickets for Greed’s performance. Well, maybe not any time soon, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to be performing this for the rest of his life so a time will come eventually.”

“...Yeah, we’ll look into that. Thanks.”

After an explanation like that, Ben tapped his card against the musicians, thanking him again for the show as he all but stumbled away, Thera once again doing her best not to laugh as Ben eventually laid his head on her shoulder.

“Yeah yeah, enjoy this all you want, but the more this spreads the more likely it is that your parents find out about us before you tell them yourself.”

With the thought of what she’d have to hear if her parents found out about their relationship planted firmly in her head with that simple sentence, Thera’s face took on a look of horror that matched how Ben was feeling on the inside as they both finally went to meet up with Amy, Jake, and Yuzu.

With the many emotions at play from the performance eventually calming down, the two of them went back to the embassy, waiting outside as they saw the five of them in the distance.

Uliel and Vasta were walking behind, seeming relaxed despite keeping vigilant of anything that might harm those in their care while Amy, Jake, and Yuzu waved, Ben and Thera making their way over to them in turn.

It was nice to reunite with some familiar faces despite what they intended to walk into and Ben couldn’t help but smile, even if the feeling of his sacrilege snuck up on him as he looked at Yuzu. It wasn’t quite the same as looking at a god, but there was no doubt in his mind he was looking at someone destined for godhood as his skill screamed at him, pointing out a target he might have a chance against, at least compared to any true gods he’d seen in their higher realms.

Alright, not attacking a friend. He told himself, suppressing the effect the best he could.

Thera had no eye for the skill effect he was dealing with, only sharing that bit of happiness he felt to see them all again as Yuzu rushed up ahead despite the calls from the two mages, her eyes locked as she went to reunite with her friend, only as a small glance to him brought her focus to Ben in full force, first looking in confusion, only for it to turn to naked shock as they finally met, the soul mage switching from going to hug Thera to grabbing Ben by the shoulders, shaking him with all of her strength as she yelled out.

“It hasn’t even been a year! How did all of this happen!”