Guided by the azure wings of a petite bird, Lazarus, Leo, and Sylphi swam towards an elusive island. The ocean, a canvas of tranquility, harbored them on its calm waves. Despite the afternoon sun hanging in the sky, the day held onto a pleasant coolness. The sea around Lazarus, however, was tainted with a disturbing, crimson hue.

Leo was their spearhead, Sylphi was not far behind him, while Lazarus trailed further back. His progress was hindered, not by fatigue, but by an infernal burning that seared his back, an imaginary blaze that scrunched his face in agony with each stroke and he could feel the bleeding inside his body.

Sylphi, noticing Lazarus's lag, halted and waited for him. Her eyes, usually scorn filled-eyes, now carried a shadow of concern, her brows furrowed just enough to hint at her worry. Leo, too, paused his onward push, the bird alighting on his shoulder as if to contemplate the situation.

As Lazarus caught up, he found Sylphi's gaze locked onto him, full of unsaid words. A look further up ahead revealed Leo sharing the same sentiment. He was the weak link, a burden on their journey, a realization that stirred a fiery whirlpool of frustration within him. And to top it off, the relentless burning at his back was turning into an excruciating torment.

"The island is still some distance away. Can you keep going?" Sylphi asked, her voice soft, an unexpected balm against the harsh reality of their circumstances. He could see the concern etched on her face.

With a defiant arch of his brow, Lazarus met Sylphi's concern with an icy glare. "That's none of your concern," he responded, his words slicing through the comforting sea breeze. Despite the fact that he had saved her life, it was a simple calculation of survival, not a show of altruism or personal attachment.

"Eh?" Sylphi blinked, taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise, then narrowing in a semblance of a frown. A cloud of confusion passed over her face. She opened her mouth as if to retort, but the words stalled on her lips. Then she became silent, as if she was pondering something deep.

—----

In the ensuing silence, their gaze locked, two opposing forces in a quiet standoff. But then, Leo's voice punctured their silent exchange. "Hey! Something the matter, you guys?"

Sylphi shook her head and pushed forward, creating a buffer of a few feet between them. But her pace was cautious, her eyes flickering back to Lazarus intermittently, immersed in thought as their encounters replayed in her mind. Lazarus, on the other hand, was too embroiled in his battle with the burning pain to notice her silent vigil.

With the duo now within his reach, Leo resumed his leadership position, following the blue-feathered guide as it fluttered onward. Hours slid by, marked by the rhythmic lapping of the waves and the endless expanse of the ocean. All the while, Sylphi and Leo maintained their watchful gazes on Lazarus, their silent concern threading through the sea-salted air, ensuring he was never left too far behind.

—--------

As the curtain of night unfurled above, Lazarus, Sylphi, and Leo pressed on. The two fed off their mana, the mystical energy within, to sustain their movements. Meanwhile, Lazarus's injuries were steadily being healed by the nanites. But that meant, most of his nanites that were dedicated for enhanced movement were allocated for tissue repairs.

As daylight peeked over the horizon, their goal, the elusive island, made a miniature appearance.

“It’s there!” Leo pointed excitedly.

However, it was no bigger than a grape from their vantage point, it promised that they still had a considerable distance to cover.

Lazarus was spent. Unlike Leo and Sylphi, who converted their mana into energy, Lazarus had nothing to fall back on. He scrutinized the duo's faces, the dry skin and chapped lips painting a clear picture of their thirst. Lazarus's nanites enabled him to last for weeks without water, but they weren't as fortunate.

Sensing their predicament, he discreetly retrieved a pouch of water from his D-storage, the last of his reserves. A glance at his internal status informed him that he could survive for two weeks without hydration. But the question that gnawed at him was: should he part with it? He didn't owe them anything. Yet, an unplaceable, nagging sensation urged him to extend help.

The duo's constant surveillance was grating his nerves, provoking him to break the silence. "Hey, you two. I've got water." Their swimming ceased as they turned to him, the exhaustion and hope mingling in their eyes. "Stop looking back, and I'll share some. I'm not a puppy that needs your concern," he announced, irritation coloring his tone. His hatred for his perceived weakness was apparent.

Sylphi, her gaze still laden with worry, responded softly, "You should drink it."

Undeterred, Lazarus retorted, "Unlike you two, I can last for weeks without water."

Leo interjected, trying to argue, but Lazarus cut him off. "Well, if you two want to die from dehydration, be my guest. But there's a lot you don't know about me, and I have no reason to lie."

Their response was a shared, downcast gaze. Sylphi seemed poised to counter, but instead, she swam closer and quietly agreed, accepting his terms. His reminder was curt, "You drink this; you stop looking back."

As Sylphi took the pouch, Lazarus couldn't shake off a peculiar feeling. Her placid acceptance seemed more for his comfort than hers, which agitated him further. Yet, he observed the small spark of relief in her eyes, the promise of precious water lifting their spirits, if only slightly.

–

They once again continued on, halfway through Lazarus stopped to take a breather and had decided not to say anything, as he could just follow later after a quick break, but it was clear that he was dead tired.

“ Huff-huff ” Lazarus continued to pant while gazing at his reflection in the water. Suddenly, he felt movement behind him and an arm slipped around his neck. His eyes popped wide open. He was all set to swing a punch, but the gentle touch on his back told him it wasn't some water beast.

"You’re exhausted," Sylphi’s voice reverberated softly in the quietude of the waters."Let me give you a hand."

For a second, Lazarus was lost for words. Considering their past, he was totally unprepared for the elf to offer help. And her pitying tone made him even more irritated. Was he so pathetic that even the elf who once wanted him dead was now trying to play the hero?. He grimaced.

The pity coming from these mystical energy reliant buffoons was grating. He was a DNA enhanced meta-human that was born from science. He didn’t need their pity.

"Don’t need it," Lazarus spat out, turning to glare at her. "Back off."

Sylphi's bright blue eyes widened, then her eyebrows knitted together. "I get that you don't trust me... but–"

"It's not that, Elf. I just don't need your help. I’m fine." Lazarus tried to sound less pissed, but he couldn't quite hide his annoyance and averted his gaze. He really didn't like being seen as weak.

Sylphi let out a big sigh.

Lazarus thought she was giving in, so he just waited for her to let go. Their bodies were so close that with every wave, they bumped into each other just a tiny bit.

Waiting..and waiting, and she didn’t move and kept her hold on him.

“Elf? Did you hear what I–”

“Yes, I heard.”

“Well?”

“It’s just that-...”

"As I’ve said I–" Lazarus complained as he turned his head, but the words got stuck. He locked eyes with Sylphi, her expression wasn't what he expected. Those bright blue eyes of hers were filled with worry, and other mixed emotions.

“Guys! Are you okay?” Leo called out from afar, waving his hand.

“We’re fine!” Lazarus shouted back, before turning his attention back to the elf.

Sylphi was torn. A part of her wanted to snap at him, but another part was consumed with worry. Yes, she despised him, but she couldn't just leave him be, not after what he’d done for her. Every interaction they'd ever had played like a movie in her mind, and each memory was tinged with his attempts to explain himself, his words falling on her deaf ears. This was the price of her stubbornness.

She'd offered help, and a part of her wanted to leave him to his fate if he didn't accept it. But she couldn't do it. Every encounter they'd had soured his opinion of her, and she knew it was her own fault. She wanted to help him, if only a little, long enough to have a proper conversation. But he kept pushing her away, always wanting to maintain a distance. For some unknown reason, it pained her, but it was a situation of her own making.

Confused and torn, she couldn’t help but say– “Just-...please…”

Taken aback by Sylphi's plea, Lazarus attempted to hide his surprise behind a scowl. He wasn't used to seeing this softer, genuinely concerned version of her. And he certainly wasn't used to being the recipient of such concern.

For a moment, silence descended between them, only broken by the lapping of waves against their bodies. Lazarus sighed deeply,

Lazarus was quiet for a moment. Thinking about her strange behavior. Then it hit him–

“If this is about you getting saved, it wasn’t me. It was Leo, so–”

“Stop lying!” Sylphi snapped, then realizing what she’d done she averted her gaze. Still she didn't want to relent. Her grip around him tightened, not harshly but with a firm insistence. "Stop being so stubborn," she chided softly, her voice carrying a mix of annoyance and worry. “At the very least, I want to have a proper talk with you.”

Lazarus was about to counter her words when he caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the water. His eyes looked heavy with exhaustion, a stark contrast to the defiant spirit he was trying to portray.

Sylphi watched him silently, letting him process her words. There was a determination in her eyes that matched his own, a quiet stubbornness that refused to let him continue down this path of self-destruction.

He sighed heavily, his resistance slowly crumbling under Sylphi's insistent gaze. "Fine, do what you want," he conceded, his voice barely above a whisper. He could see he wouldn't win this argument, and truthfully, he didn't have the energy to try.

Sylphi's face softened at his words, her grip around him easing slightly. "Then, please relax" she murmured, her relief evident.

While he wasn't comfortable admitting he needed help, Lazarus couldn’t bother resisting anymore.

Leo was swimming energetically ahead of them when he suddenly realized he'd perhaps let his enthusiasm carry him too far. Glancing back at his companions, he noted with surprise that Lazarus was being towed along by Sylphi. His eyes widened, alarm darting across his face.

"What happened!? Is he alright!?" Leo's concern echoed in the quiet water around them.

With a reassuring wave, Sylphi dismissed his worries, and Lazarus weakly followed suit. Seeing that his companions were fine, Leo let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and continued, this time at a more relaxed pace to ensure he wouldn't leave them behind again.

As they progressed, an intense silence fell over Sylphi and Lazarus, broken only by the occasional lapping of water around them. Sylphi was helping Lazarus stay afloat, his head resting on her shoulders to avoid any accidental water intake. However, the close proximity meant that Lazarus could feel the firm press of her chest against his back with every movement she made, an unintended intimacy that left him unsure of where to place his thoughts.

Within this silence, Lazarus's mind began to wander, finding itself in the realm of long-buried memories. He was transported back to his first day at the virtual elementary school. He remembered how small and scared he felt as he stood in-front of the class, about to introduce himself. The alien environment had seemed so frightening to him. It was the first time he had interacted with people his age but from another world. He was filled with a combination of excitement and dread.

And then, there was Sena - the lustrous silver-haired, sapphire-eyed girl who stood out amidst the sea of new faces.

“Hi!” A young feminine voice startled him, her friendliness throwing him off guard. He remembered stuttering out his own name in reply, feeling a hundred pairs of curious eyes burning into his back.

"I-I'm Lazarus Hargrave.... I," he stammered, only to be met with puzzled looks from his classmates.

"You?" Sena had asked, trying to urge him to continue on with his introduction.

"I gotta go....... see yah!" Unable to bear the pressure, Lazarus had fled, only to find another unexpected boy in the swings, his name was Smith and he was missing two front teeths. THe boy jumped down from the swings to meet Lazarus and said,

“I’m the red Ranger!”

Smith's open nature had been a welcome change, his introduction as the 'Red Ranger' bringing a much-needed smile to Lazarus's face.

—----

Lazarus was lost in the depths of his memories, a nostalgic smile creeping up his face as he recalled the unique personalities of his NPC friends. Their distinct individuality, in contrast to the predictable patterns of other NPCs, had always puzzled him. His reminiscence, however, was interrupted by a gentle tug on his cheek.

"Hello? Are you there?" A concerned feminine voice questioned.

"Huh?" Lazarus blinked a few times, his eyes heavy. Slowly his focus was shifting back to the present. A pair of sky-blue eyes belonging to a blue-haired elven maiden met his gaze. Drops of water from her hair, a wavy cascade mirroring the hues of the ocean, fell on his cheeks like a gentle reminder of where he was.

"We're here..." She announced.

Sand had snuck onto his palm and the soft comfort underneath his head was replaced by a firm presence. Looking around, he realized that they had reached their destination: the island. Sylphi was sitting in the shallow water nearby, her gaze focused on him. It dawned on Lazarus that he had dozed off and it had been Sylphi who had pulled him ashore.

A surge of gratitude flowed through him, and he opened his mouth to express it, only to be cut short by Sylphi. "Leo is waiting up ahead, let’s go." Her soft voice accompanied by a light smile disarmed him. She then rose and started heading towards the land, and looked said,

"Once you've regained your strength, we need to have a chat."

Lazarus pushed himself up and trailed behind her, he was wrestling with the confusion brought on by the unexpected exchange. It was then he noticed,

Sylphi's green dress was drenched in saltwater, adhering to her elfin figure, accentuating her hourglass shape as the fabric, once billowy and light, now clung tightly, tracing every curve and contour of her form. The once vibrant hue darkened with saturation, imbuing it with a rich, deep emerald color, while the golden laces at the hems and skirt shimmered in a different way, weighed heavy with brine. Sand speckled the sticky seawater-soaked fabric, the tiny grains adding a rough texture, contrasting the smooth sea-drenched cloth. The leather belt that crisscrossed near her thigh tightened slightly with the absorption of saltwater, its attached pockets weighty, seeping out seawater, with tiny rivulets trailing across the leather before dripping onto the sandy ground below.

Not wanting to stare, Lazarus scanned the surroundings, taking in the island.

The blue-leaved trees, the absence of fruits, and an array of low-lying flora painted a picture of a place untamed and untouched.

A few meters away, Leo was lounging comfortably, a broad grin spread across his face. "What took you two so long?"

The setting sun was casting an orange glow, painting a beautiful end to the day. Leo suggested they rest, and deal with food and water the next day. Sylphi echoed his sentiment and Lazarus found himself agreeing.

Feeling the discomfort of wet clothes and sand adhering to his skin, Lazarus proceeded to gradually peel off his damp garments. He hung them over a plant, matching his height, to dry, leaving on only his leather pants which clung to him with a stubborn persistence. Simultaneously, Leo embarked on a small mission of his own, gathering leaves from the surrounding area. With a bit of magical incantation and a flick of his wrist, a spark ignited, and a comforting fire crackled to life, casting an inviting glow in their little camp.

On the other side, Sylphi, still in her soaked dress, removed her leather belt. The sand and saltwater-soaked fabric of the dress still clung to her, and she was acutely aware of its wet weight against her skin. However, as the dress was a one-piece, taking it off entirely would leave her completely exposed, a prospect she wasn't keen on. So, she chose to leave it on, letting the sea breeze and the warmth from Leo's fire gradually dry it out. The sand stuck on her outfit would slowly come off, grain by grain, as the fabric dried. The evening was settling in, with only the sounds of crackling fire and lapping waves to accompany them.

–

As the night fell and the world dimmed around them, Sylphi had begun gathering leaves into a neat pile. Captain Leo, on the other hand, was already deep into his nightly slumber, his snoring a comforting background drone in the relative quiet of the wilderness. Lazarus, however, was content merely to sit by the fire, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. He could feel his strength returning, the power surging back into his limbs. Could it be that his nanites were finally finished with their healing process?

Glancing at the invisible display projected by his neural chip, he studied the data. Only half of the nanites were still committed to bodily repairs, the rest now free to circulate within his bloodstream once again. His scrutiny of the charts, detailing his body's condition, was interrupted by a voice.

“Is something the matter? Shouldn’t you be resting?”

Sylphi's question made Lazarus shift his attention towards her. She was busily arranging leaves into a soft pile, her voice soft and considerate, a stark contrast to the shouts he had grown accustomed to. He found her gaze locked onto his, and he quickly mumbled a noncommittal response, “It’s nothing.”

She simply nodded, aligning the leaves to form a makeshift bed, and then patted it invitingly. “Since it’s nothing, then here, you should get some rest.”

Lazarus could only furrow his brows in response, confusion seeping into his features. She was indicating the leaf bed she'd made - for him? Her intentions became clearer when she averted her eyes, nervously fiddling with her damp hair.

The realization hit Lazarus like a wave, leaving him stunned and utterly speechless. He felt an unspoken response bubble up within him, but before he could articulate it, Sylphi was already striding towards another makeshift leaf bed she had arranged for herself. She nestled into the foliage with a soft sigh, her back towards him, signaling an end to their interaction. “I already have mine, so...rest well,” she murmured.

Lazarus was left to merely stare at her retreating figure, a swirl of bewilderment muddying his thoughts. This side of her, this quiet and almost shy display, was a far cry from the haughty, firebrand elf he was accustomed to. He found himself wrestling with the disparity, his eyes still locked onto the slumbering form of the elf maiden as he grappled with this newfound complexity in their dynamic.

—------------------------------

The next day–

Waking up, Lazarus took a moment to take in the world around him. The island, shrouded in darkness when they arrived, now radiated a bizarre beauty under the morning light. The sand, once a dull canvas, now sparkled, each grain bathing in the warm glow. The sky had traded its cloak of inky black for a bright, clear blue that somehow perfectly matched the odd blue-leaved trees swaying in rhythm with the soft ocean breeze. The island had transformed completely from the enigma it was last night, revealing its surreal side.

As Lazarus stood-up, he felt a rustling beneath him and looked down to discover a leafy bed that cradled his form. A blanket of woven leaves covered him, their soft rustling a gentle reminder of the comfort they had provided in the cool night. His fingers traced the intricate weaving and he realized only someone familiar with the forest could have made such a thing. It was a strange and unexpected tenderness from Sylphi that left him feeling somewhat strange but grateful.

His reverie was interrupted by Sylphi’s melodic voice, calling him back to the present, "Did you rest well?"

He glanced at the elf, noting her clothes had dried, leaving behind speckles of white grains – dried salt, a souvenir from their sea voyage. “Better now,” he responded, eyes scanning the area, “Where’s Leo?”

“He went out exploring, looking for a water source. But the island isn't large; he should be back soon.”

Because his mind was hazy yesterday, he hadn’t realized but– “Wait, can’t you just create water with your magic? Like that water blade thing you did when we were...”

Sylphi’s eyes widened a bit, and then she seemed to retreat into thought. Eventually, she responded, “Water created from mana returns to nature mana over time. If you drink it, it’ll quench your thirst momentarily, then leave you even thirstier.”

Lazarus stared, dumbfounded. Magic was even stranger than he'd thought. And without water... they were in real trouble. But that doesn’t make sense since–

"Uh, this may sound dumb, but if that's the case, why didn't the fire Leo lit last night keep burning?" Lazarus queried, his brows furrowing.

Sylphi looked at him strangely. "That's because when a fire is started, the fuel it burns isn't magic. It consumes the material itself, so it keeps burning until there's nothing left."

Lazarus gave a slow nod. Magic was certainly... peculiar.

As he was lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed that Sylphi’s gaze was on him, as if he’d just asked something very obvious.

Just as Lazarus was about to retort, they heard a rustling from the shrubbery. Leo emerged, his face worn and weary. "No water on this island," he reported grimly.

Sylphi's gaze dropped to the sandy floor, a small frown creasing her forehead while Lazarus cupped his chin in thought.

-’How do I get some drinkable water?’- He mused.

There was an abundance of water around them, but it was all salty sea water. Without any filtration system, how would they transform it into something drinkable?

"Hmm..."

Several methods sprung to his mind - Reverse Osmosis, Electrodialysis, Nanofiltration, Gas Hydrate Formation, Solar Distillation. Considering what was available on the island, and his own equipment, the choice was clear.

"Don't worry about it," Lazarus confidently declared, "I know how to get us some."

Sylphi and Leo exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up at the prospect of drinkable water. However, Leo's expression soon turned serious as he questioned, "How?"

Lazarus was about to respond, but then the realization hit him. He couldn't explain it in Valerian since the concept of ‘Laser distillation’ didn't exist in their language. With no other option, he resorted to using the English term.

“Lazer distillation” He said, trying to make it sound as Valerian as he could but it still came out completely like english causing Sylphi to repeat it with uncertainty,

"Laezer desteylaseeyon?"

Lazarus looked at Sylphi. For a moment, he was reminded of the leaf blanket she had crafted for him. He made a mental note to find a way to express his gratitude to her. Leo chimed in,

"Never heard of that before."

Sighing, Lazarus thought that this was the result of relying too much on magic. He couldn’t help but feel a small sense of superiority.

“It’s a hassle to explain, so, you two find something to do while I set things up on my side.”

Sylphi, still not entirely convinced, replied, "Oh... okay," while Leo nodded in agreement. "Then I'll gather some more wood," he offered.

Sylphi added, "I'll get us some food since I can easily catch some fish with my water magic."

As they went about their assigned tasks, Lazarus started digging holes in the sand using his bare hands. He worked diligently, creating two holes a couple of meters deep and wide.

Gathering an abundance of leaves, he continued exploring the island, searching for soil or mud. After some time, he discovered solid soil near the island's center, which he used to make mud. Carefully covering one of the holes with leaves and mud, waiting for it to dry before layering it with sand and then repeating the process until the afternoon sun reached its zenith.

Amidst his work, he caught the familiar scent of fish being cooked. Leo's voice called out to him,

“Hey Lazarus, the food’s ready!”

"I'll be right there!" Lazarus responded, waiting for Leo to go back before materializing a couple of leather pouches. He began gathering saltwater, filling each container before dropping the sea water into one of the prepared holes. He repeated the process until the hole was filled.

As his movements became almost automated, Lazarus's thoughts drifted back to Sylphi and the leaf blanket she had made for him. She had insisted on helping him and even expressed her gratitude. The guilt tugged at him, and he realized he wanted to find a way to repay her kindness. The sight of the white grains of salt on her skin and clothes from the dried seawater from this morning, gave him an idea. He started digging a third hole.

Soon, the shrubbery rustled again, and this time it was Sylphi who emerged, a skewered fish in hand. "Ah, there you are," she said, catching Lazarus's attention. "You never came, so here," she offered him the fish.

Lazarus hesitated for a moment, feeling the walls of resistance he had built slowly crumble. "Oh... okay. Thanks," he replied, accepting the fish. The weight of owing her a favor seemed less daunting now, and he found himself appreciating her gestures more.

At first, he expected Sylphi to leave, but to his surprise, she observed his work with genuine curiosity. She crouched down next to one of the filled holes, inspecting the sea water within.

"I'm not done yet, but we should have drinkable water by tonight," Lazarus assured her.

Sylphi nodded in response. She looked at his work once more before turning to face him, her eyes scanning his body with a mix of concern and relief. "Are you truly alright now? You were bleeding badly before."

"As you can see, I'm doing fine now," Lazarus assured her.

Sylphi's face softened with relief. The sight of her worry felt oddly foreign yet comforting. "That's good to hear," she said. "But how did you heal so quickly? Do you know healing magic?"

Lazarus shifted uncomfortably, he couldn’t really mention the small robots in his bodies enhancing his regeneration and averted his gaze as he replied, "Something like that." He began eating the fish.

Sensing his unease, Sylphi turned and said, "I'll gather more food for tonight."

Lazarus let out a sigh, still adjusting to these unfamiliar dynamics. After quickly finishing his meal, he gathered more leaves and stripped the bark from trees, using them as improvised strings to tie the leaves together. Carefully, he covered the filled hole with this makeshift shade, ensuring that it inclined towards the other two empty holes. Retrieving his sword, he materialized it, and with a decisive will, the blade emitted a low hum and emitted a blue light. He dropped the sword into the water, and as it made contact, the liquid began to boil.

-’It should boil more quickly using the laser from the sword,’- He thought to himself.

With his work done, Lazarus settled down and waited, contemplating his surroundings and the ever-present question why the elf’s attitude made a complete 180.

—------------------