“Another round of rioting around the Port District yesterday evening targeted the area of the Braveskull Trading House. Whilst senior officials continue to urge citizens not to jump to conclusions and discriminate against all those of orcish of half orcish dissent; protest leaders have specified that their demands are purely levied against the Trading House, and not the people of Arteria.

In light of recent events. Most of the other trading houses have opened their doors to investigators dispatched by both the Chamber of Stalwart Justice and the Clover Legion in conjunction with Arbiters of the Pathfinder’s Guild and Mage’s Guild. So far, sources report that although traces of illegal activity have been discovered, there is no sign that other such trading houses have been complicit in crimes similar to what Braveskull had purportedly engaged in…”

- Arterian Affairs, Headline Article, “Fresh Investigations Declare ‘No Complicity’ For Other Trading Houses”

Sophie found it strange when she woke up to herself, or rather, her twin. It was like seeing oneself in the mirror when you were not expecting it, an almost alien sight. I must look so weird when I sleep. She moved to comfort her sister when she froze, her hand hovering as she recalled the information she had gleamed yesterday. A wellspring of sadness bubbled up to the surface and she gently stroked her sister’s cheek. I’m sorry.

Rolling off the bed, she stretched her stiff muscles and winced as the pain of her stab wounds flared up from the awkward sleeping position. Looking over to the other bed, she found Alodie still soundly snoozing away, and on the opposite side of the room, a spare bed for Eva. The older girl could’ve returned to her own dormitory or the saint’s quarters within the cathedral. But perhaps out of a sense of guilt or solidarity, she choose to stay with them.

Sophie sighed, letting out a soft breath. She felt a profound sense of regret at everything she had sparked over the course of a singular. By stopping the assassin and pursuing the figure, she had inadvertently set the city on fire. If the inquisitor and Eva’s words to be believed, the city of Arteria was in the throes of a full-scale riot as the scouting duo helped expose the crimes of a trading house. The chaos and ramifications would last far longer than expected, that much Sophie was sure of. Hells, Melton still hasn’t healed yet, much less recovered fully.

Doubt lingered on the edge of her mind however, for a part of her dreaded the incident at the Academy being exposed. While the letters of the students and information was still mostly just circulating around campus. She knew that it was only a matter of time before the assassination attempt was spread behind their walls. And then… and then Goddess save us all.

She swallowed, grimacing at the icky taste of the morning that resembled her mood. Stars, what if all that happened was we made the chaos worse? Arteria in turmoil and then Carrador and Trax are going to escalate things even more. She grunted, shaking off her thoughts and starting out her day.

With heavy steps, she dragged her body around the room, rummaging through a pile of her stuff and getting dressed for the day. Once prepped, she dragged herself outside and to the showers. Today’s gonna be a long day.

Magic, Sophie decided, is a wonderful thing. Though the winter itself was coming to an end, the chilly nip in the air still remained. The magitech heated waters of the church showers were like a soothing balm to help her collect her thoughts.

Slowly making her way through the cathedral corridors back to the room, she was caught off guard by how quiet everything was. There was a strange silence beyond her footsteps, with the campus outside and the halls both empty. The sun shining through the cathedral’s stained glass windows told of a brightening morning.

Alone, she felt the tendrils of darkness snaking themselves into her, dispelling whatever illusion of comfort the warm waters had provided moments ago. Her expression darkened as she once again entertained the thoughts at the back of her mind. She knew that she couldn’t die, at least not by any discernible mortal means. Though getting splattered falling with the arachnid did not feel pleasant in the least, heh. But that only made her more morose as she considered the fragility of life itself. Of how so many around her had suffered or were suffering. The hurt that they couldn’t just ignore like she had. Her thoughts flickered to Sophia. If I wasn’t the way that I am… would the Goddess of Shadow even empowered her to exist? Yet, because of all that, she’s suffered so much. Eva might see herself as responsible, but I am her protector, her guide. If anyone’s responsible for her, it’s me.

Her hands balled up into fists, an undercurrent of guilt filled rage running in her veins. She still could scarcely wrap her head around everything. Especially with the heinous acts of the trading house and the horrors they inflicted upon Sophia and all their other victims. She could understand the anger and outpouring of disgust from the city’s citizenry. Yet she was left with the one question that still concealed the truth, why?

All this madness and for what? For why did Sophia have to suffer so much? And how the hells does the assassin play into all of this? Why the Traxians? Sophie’s fingers dug into her palm, only releasing once she realized she wouldn’t be able to figure anything out in this state. What she did know however, was that in addition to helping Sophia heal from her wounds, she wanted to fight.

“Lady Kastiane.” One of the temple guards acknowledged her. Huh? Ack! I walked to the room without knowing.

“Err, yeah, hi.” She awkwardly spluttered.

“I assumed the others were resting. You had visitors so I sent them to the Astral Lounge.” He informed her.

“Visitors?” Who would…? “Where is the lounge?”

“Straight down this corridor, third door on the left next to the main chapel. Do you need help walking, mam?”

“I… no, I should be fine. Thank you.”

“Blessed by the stars.” He nodded.

Curious, she made her way further down the hall. By now, a few of the cathedral’s staff and inhabitants had begun their day. A few stray lightholders and lightwards of the church had already started their duties of maintaining the cathedral, casting curious glances at the very out of place outsider as they caught sight of her. Fortunately for her, beyond a few stares or awkward nods of the head, they had mostly left her to her own devices.

A lone templar watched the doors around the lounge, gesturing at her and cocking his head. Sophie responded with a quick nod of her own and the man waved her along.

Sophie found herself mildly intrigued. The cathedral had a great number of rooms, prayer rooms, gathering spaces and more. Both for the students that utilize the church’s services and those staffers who had chosen to base themselves within the Academy, including the teachers of the theology department. She reckoned that they must’ve had a plethora of different places to gather, though she had previously had little need to examine them all.

Knocking on the door to the lounge to announce her arrival, she pushed it open. Whatever darker thoughts lurked in the back of her mind quickly vanished when she caught sight of the familiar tufts of Ary’s inquisitive red hair. Delighted, her eyes sparkled and she tried to run towards the girl, wincing a little from residual pain. Alarmed, Ary rushed to her side and all was well as the two embraced, momentarily lost in their own world.

As they descended into a flutter of emotions and joy, Sophie could feel the weight of the world lift from her shoulders, the briefest of reprieves after an exhausting week. For the first time in a while, she let Ary spoil her and nuzzled the girl, soaking in every little moment that she could.

“Sophie!” Ary let out a happy cry, giving the top of her forehead a gentle rapt.

“Mmm.” Sophie murmured in satisfaction.

“Glad to see you're up and well.” Elaria smiled from the side. Behind her, Raylani offered a cursory, but pleased nod.

“The brainless little elf, did not end up on a shelf. A most distressing fact, for she is oft without tact.” The familiar whiny noise of Yana buzzed from above.

Sophie smiled a little at the crowd, barely pulling herself away from Ary. The fae looked disappointed by the lack of reaction and crossed her arms in a mocking pout.

“You’re better!” Ary’s eyes lit up as they met hers, the two pressing their noses together in glee.

“Not really. Not enough to run around outside.” Sophie sheepishly admitted, an apologetic look already ready.

“Boo, have you tried?"

"Maybe."

"Focus on getting better first before running around.” The redhead scolded her.

“Heh, not like I can go anywhere, been cooped up here.” Sophie chuckled.

“Not even walks? Just inside the whole time?”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Nope. Aside from when I tried to stretch. They’d rather us stay out of sight until we’re sufficiently healed. Thank the stars that their healer is a good one. We should be discharged sometime tomorrow or the day after, but we can’t do any intensive work for a while.”

“Heheh, that means you'll be discharged into my care.” Ary smiled, delivering a gentle kiss on the lips.

“That we can.” Sophie spoke and returned the kiss, “But more importantly, how are you? How’s everyone, really. Hope you guys are still getting things done.” She looked at the others.

“Good! I-” Ary began before being cut off.

“Everything’s going alright! Though this one is still also somewhat recovering as well and should’ve woken up far less early to see you. Excited as she might be.” Elaria interjected, shooting a pointed glance at Ary. The girl in question looked ashamedly away. “She still needs more time to recover from excessive soreness and muscle fatigue, though that‘s being remedied somewhat by our faerie friend’s constant nagging.” Elaria laughed.

“I do not nag!” Yana fluttered her wings angrily at the barb, “You right old hag.”

“Pfft. Hag? Please. You're old enough to be one, me? Nah. But you do keep Aryana on track.”

"You-!" The fae grumbled but choose to ignore her, crossing her arms and settling down upon Ary's shoulder, uncomfortably close to Sophie's face.

“As for how everything stands," Elaria turned to Sophie, "You’d be happy to know that she was more than excited to come visit. Which, I confess, I was a little too.” Elaria grinned

“Heh. Good to see you too. It’s good that everyone’s doing well.” Sophie replied.

“Any updates on your end?” Elaria looked back to Sophie, an expression of saddened kindness in her eyes. Ahh, even she’s finding this whole ordeal annoying to deal with. Dammit Sophie, look at her. Everyone’s tired of this. Should’ve just been you, now everyone’s involved, and then…

She could feel the exact moment her uncontrolled facial expressions brought down the mood of the room. Elaria’s face looked a bit more serious, Raylani shifted away from a relaxed position, and worst of all, Ary pulled away slightly to get a better look at her face. She deserves so much more than me.

Sophie shrank back and found a seat, nervously glancing at the others as she tried to turn her thoughts into words. Ary looked equally worried, scooting next to her and laying a comforting hand on her back. Sophie leaned over, resting her head atop Ary’s.

“Not good, eh?” Elaria grunted, only the barest hint of joviality remaining.

Sophie shook her head, “No, not really.”

Elaria sighed, taking her place opposite the duo. Raylani shifted over a little closer to the group.

“I…”

“Take your time.” Ary nuzzled her some more, “We’re here to visit you guys after all.”

“The campus is technically still on lock down, so… no classes.” Elaria tried to lighten the mood.

“Heh.” Sophie managed a soft chuckle.

“Sophie…” Ary cooed, “Sophie.”

“I know, I know.” Sophie murmured, “Anyone ever tell you you’re wonderful?”

“Yeah.”

“O-oh?”

“You, silly.”

“Ah! Heh.”

“Mmm.” Ary looked up at her, the girl’s soft face turning into a frown, “So what’s wrong? What happened?” Gah, I was hoping they'd just forget.

Sophie pulled Ary in and began smooching her head affectionately, searching for some sort of balm for her strained emotions. Finding little that could cure her, she closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath, letting it out ever so slowly to delay the inevitable.

“I think… I think we made a mistake and I got both Sophia and Eva hurt. Really, really hurt.”

“What do you mean?” Elaria’s expression turned to one of worry.

“The riots, the trading house, the city. That started because I got those two involved.”

“In Arteria?”

“Yeah, the ongoing ones.”

“Damn.” Elaria let out a soft huff.

Sophie clutched onto Ary a little harder, the girl feeling the motion and wrapping her hands around Sophie’s offering a gentle squeeze of support.

“But the people, the trading house. Apparently they caught Sophia.” She abruptly stopped.

“And?”

“She…” Sophie grimaced, “She got raped.” She closed her eyes, her mouth clenched shut.

“She… oh.” Elaria’s surprise quickly gave way to horror.

Ary just held on a little tighter.

“I couldn’t protect her, I was stuck here. Planted the stupid ideas into their heads that we needed to find out everything.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“Still. If we just left it alone, someone would’ve already been investigating. Hells, if we just left it at that after Sophia gathered what she could from where the assassin was. This could’ve been an inquisition case. They would’ve done right, better, maybe.”

“But there’s no way any of you could’ve predicted this. Or at least… not prepare for it. You did basically grapple the assassin until you distracted him long enough. No one could’ve thought there would be more to it.”

“I know! But there was no reason for us to have gotten involved any further! We stopped the guy and turned in what evidence we had. That’s it. We should’ve called it right then and there!” Sophia growled.

“Perhaps. But you can’t change any of that now.” Elaria glared at her, “What matters now is what happens next.”

“I-I suppose that’s also true.” Sophie stammered, withering under the sudden intensity of her sister’s gaze. Hah, she almost sounds like Sophia for a little bit. Guess we’re all a little more similar than I thought.

“Bah. We can assign blame and speculate all we want later. For now, how is Sophia? Is she…?” Elaria prodded.

“She’s recovering, but she’s… I can’t say if she’s fine. I’m sorry.”

“Spirits help her.” Ary muttered.

To Sophie’s surprise, Raylani’s cold hands gently grazed her shoulders, the sudden touch making her look up at the dark elf.

“The scars will never heal, though they might mend.” The dark elf spoke, her voice low and unhurried.

“Raylani?”

“If you and the mistress permit,” The dark elf looked to Elaria who hesitantly nodded, “Perhaps… I can share a few words with her. Though I have not known her long, the pain she faces… it is one I unfortunately know.”

“Ray?” Elaria let out a soft gasp.

Ralyani just smiled, although her eyes did not show any joy “When one is enslaved and made to serve in my home, there is little choice for one’s future.”

“Then…”

“It is fine, mistress. The kindness you and your kin have shown is more than enough. In this matter, I wish to offer counsel with your sister. To both deepen our bonds and to pay back what I can. ”

“I-uh by all means. Sophie?” Elaria spoke.

“Of course. But maybe later? The others should still be asleep right now.” Sophie gave the dark elf an encouraging smile.

Entangling herself firmly within Ary’s embrace, Sophie’s shoulders relaxed a little, though her spirit remained tense.

“If it’s alright with everyone, I think I want to spend a few more minutes here before we do anything.” She quietly announced, “I need to gather my thoughts.”

Elaria and Raylani nodded, Ary giving her a small kiss and a sad smile. This warmth… I need to share this warmth with Sophia. She needs it more than me.

The four of them made their way back to the prayer room, whatever cheery mood the trio had begun with vanished after Sophie’s update. Sophie herself felt downright rotten for ruining the mood, worst yet, that she had unknowingly brought so much misery to the people around her with her stupid ideas. It didn’t help that she had no proper gauge for Sophia’s current state, uncertain if bringing so many people to visit would just end up agitating her twin. At the same time, she knew that when she was in distress, she’d appreciate the company. She only hoped Sophia would as well.

The temple guard let them through easily enough. For technically, Sophie and Alodie were merely here to heal and not prisoners. Though with each passing day having to be spent within the confines of the cathedral, she could see the other argument. Sharing a quick glance at the guard, he nodded. The others are awake, stars above.

Entering the room, she felt a strange sense of unease. Though she had also suffered during the attack of the assassin, there was a familiarity to her wounds that didn’t bother her mentally. After all, in a situation like that, she only had to wait and heal. But now, she was out of her depth, unwilling to take a wrong step in comforting her twin, yet unable to see a clear way out of her pain.

“Sophie, oh! Hello everyone!” Alodie bobbed excitedly, attracting the decidedly more sullen greetings out of Eva as well. Sophia barely stirred from her breakfast at the table, but she at least managed a small if pained smile to greet the arrivals.

“Alodie! Eva! Sophia!” Ary instinctively matched with Alodie’s excitement and bobbed up and down in return. Their combined cuteness brought a little mote of joy into Sophie’s disquieted soul.

Elaria looked far more attuned to the other two, constantly sneaking in glances towards them and then looking at Sophie to see how she would react. For her part, Sophie could only offer a meek greetings, still uncertain of what to do after last night’s discussion. I know Sophia wouldn’t want us to worry, and hells, I wouldn’t want people to fuss over me either. But I just know that Eva still feels responsible and I do too. We can’t just ignore this, that’d be… wrong, right?

“Morning everyone.” Sophie timidly spoke up.

The others mostly just grunted in response. Ary nudged her, gently patting her hand and directing her towards Sophia. She’s quite commanding sometimes. Heh.

Taking the hint, she shuffled over and sat down beside Sophia’s side, the girl’s eyes lazily but intently flickering over to examine her.

“Sophia.” Sophie whispered.

“Mmm, that’s me.” Sophia spoke through another bite of oats.

“You… you feeling…”

“You left me.” The girl curtly stated.

“I-huh?”

“This morning. I woke up and there wasn’t anyone there.”

“O-oh. Sorry. I just figured I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Hmm.” Sophia made a dissatisfied noise, “It’s fine.”

“I-”

“Sophie, it’s fine.” Sophia reiterated.Though judging by her tone, Sophie doubted the girl was very much not fine.

“If you say so.” Sophie mumbled. But as the girl deliberately turned back to her food, Sophie was left with an increasing sense of despair. I’ll help you, I promise Sophia. Even if you’re hurting, I’ll be here. Elaria and Ary too.

She put a supporting hand on Sophia’s shoulder, her counterpart tensing up and shooting her a quick side eye. There were no words exchanged but the tension was palpable, Sophia was both distrusting but comforted by the gesture. It’ll have to do for now.

Exchanging a few looks with the others in the room, she could tell that they were also keeping an eye on the two of them. Taking a deep breath, Sophie just rested her head on the table next to Sophia. Her counterpart arched a judgmental brow but remained silent. For now, there would be peace between them, however tenuous at best. Stars protect her.