A few months had passed since Kalia and Astra returned from Fioria's farm.
During that time, Astra spent most of her days demanding Kalia manifest new items to study or challenging her to sparring matches so she could show off some ridiculous new spell.
Thanks to Astra's constant experiments, Kalia had learned a great deal about Manifest. She could now summon around fifty items from her Personal Armory, manifest several at once, and keep them stable for extended periods.
"Master Lia... I'm bored... Let's do something fun!" Astra sighed, plopping down in a chair.
"You said it... but what?" Kalia agreed.
"I know! I know! I heard there's a shop in the next town over that sells items from Kasai! If it's true, then they could have something really interesting. I've heard Kasai craftsmanship is second to none. Besides, we can stop by Fioria's house on the way back. It's only a slight detour."
"Sounds like a plan to me, Astra. I just need to get out of the house. Feels like we've been stuck inside forever."
"I'll go get the cart ready then, Master Lia!"
"So, how far out are we going?"
"Not too far. Maybe a day or so north of here."
"A whole day... Astra, remind me to start asking you where we're going before we leave from now on..."
"Yup!" Astra agreed innocently.
Well, whatever. It's better than being inside.
"Oh! I have the perfect spot to camp up the road here too! It's by a stream with a little waterfall."
"Sounds nice, Astra..." Kalia yawned, stretching out in the back of the cart. "...Wake me up when we get there?"
"Okie!"
"Master Lia! Wake up!"
Astra shook Kalia awake, anxiety in her voice.
"Huh? What's wrong, Astra?!" Kalia groaned.
"There's a group of men up the road. They have Fioria!"
"What do you mean, Astra?! What did you see?"
Kalia bolted upright.
"I pulled off the road here to check on the horses and heard screaming coming from the forest. I went out to investigate and saw a group of fifteen or twenty humans camped in a clearing. They had cages on wagons filled with Demis! I saw Fioria in one of them, Master Lia! We have to go save them!"
Anger flared in Kalia's eyes.
"Slavers..."
"What should we do, Master Lia? I'm concerned that if I try to cast any spells, the hostages could get caught up in them."
"I can use The Chime of Dusk, but that means you're going to have to carry the hostages to safety while I keep the bell powered."
"Leave it to me!" Astra replied.
"Good evening, gentlemen!" a voice shouted from the shadows of the tree line.
"Who's there?!"
"I'm Kalia, and this here is Astra," Kalia answered, stepping into the light of the campfire.
"Looks like you wandered into the wrong camp, little ladies. You two will fetch fine sums indeed. Boss is gonna be pleased."
One man sneered, sliding a dagger from his belt.
"I thought we could have a quick chat with you."
Kalia rang the Chime, causing everyone in the area to collapse, their voices lost in a rising cacophony of panic.
"What's going on?! I c-can't move! What did you do, devil woman?!"
"Just sit there quietly while I help my friends," Kalia returned harshly.
"Astra, start getting the cages open and moving everyone to safety. Did you see which cart Fioria was in?"
"Just over there on the far side of the camp."
"Thanks."
Kalia made her way toward the cart. She noted that this particular wagon had been outfitted with a crude bed, unlike the rest of the cages.
I'm going to enjoy teaching these animals a lesson...
Kalia could barely keep her anger in check as she ripped the door off the wagon.
"Fioria, are you okay?" Kalia sighed in relief.
"I'm fine," she responded flatly.
"Don't panic. You're under a spell of mine. It won't hurt you, but I had to do it to get you all out of here. More importantly, where are Kito and Kita? I didn't see..."
Kalia froze.
Fioria's eyes were hollow.
"Fioria... where are they...?" Kalia asked again softly, already knowing the answer.
"They killed them, Kalia... They killed Kito and Kita... I saw it... They just took them and, and..."
Fioria fell silent.
"...I'm so sorry..."
Kalia gripped the young girl tightly, unable to offer any better comfort.
"Say, Kalia... will you kill me? I give up... I want to be with my family now..."
"Don't say that... You need to..."
Kalia wasn't prepared for this.
She truly was at a loss.
"Please..." Fioria pleaded.
"Rest for a bit."
Kalia's voice was warm as she manifested a small feather and waved it across Fioria, putting her to sleep.
Dark shadows formed over Kalia's eyes as she turned to face the slavers.
"Master Lia...?"
"Astra, are you done getting the hostages out of here?" Kalia growled.
"Almost. Why?" Astra asked sheepishly, having never seen her master angry before.
"Once you're done, go wait by the cart for me to come back," Kalia commanded through gritted teeth.
She didn't want anyone else to see what she was about to do.
"S-sure..."
Astra quickly finished her task, leaving Kalia and the men alone.
"Now that we're alone, boys..."
Kalia spoke in a disturbingly calm tone.
"We need to talk."
She glared down at the incapacitated slavers.
"I have nothing to say to you, demon witch!" the man spat.
"Silence!"
Kalia roared, slamming her boot into the man's head.
"You will answer my questions! You may even get out of here alive tonight. There should have been twin girls here. Where are they?"
"Th-they got sick, and we had to dispose of them before the others got it..."
One man replied, unconsciously glancing toward the far side of the encampment.
Having caught the movement, Kalia made her way to where the man had been looking and found two small bodies wrapped loosely in rags.
Kalia lifted the corner of the cloth.
She had to be sure.
It was indeed Kito and Kita.
Kalia took a moment to regain her composure before returning.
She grabbed one man by his collar.
"Which one of you is the leader?"
"Boss Hurgol isn't here... but Jarl over there is in charge," another man answered, looking toward a burly man a few paces away.
Kalia strode toward Jarl.
"I see. I assume you have a base of operations somewhere, don't you? Where is it?"
"Damn you, Harl! We aren't telling you that!"
Kalia's anger was at its limit.
"I said..."
She manifested a mace and held it above the man's head.
"Answer me! Where is your hideout?"
"I-it's two days due s-south of T-Tuugo. In some ruins," Jarl answered in a whisper through gritted teeth. "Y-you said we could go if we answered your questions."
"I said may, but I suppose you did answer me, so how about this?"
Kalia turned her back.
"Which one of you lives?"
The men erupted into shouting.
"Ugh... I grow tired of your bickering..."
Kalia shook her head.
"Since you cannot decide, I will do it for you."
She leaned over the man who had claimed to be an underboss.
"You."
"Th-thank you!" Harl sighed in relief.
"Oh, you're so very welcome. Harl, was it? I'll remember that name."
Kalia's voice was sickeningly sweet.
"Now that that matter is settled..."
She returned her gaze to the rest of the men.
"Manifest," she whispered.
An almost human-looking doll appeared in front of her.
"This gentleman is my friend Suzuka. She'll be sending you off tonight."
"Suzuka, devour."
The doll merely rolled its head to one side, letting out a haunting wail.
"What is that monster?!"
"Keep it away!"
One man screamed as the doll approached, lowering its head right above his.
Its mouth expanded to an impossible size.
An instant later, it closed completely, removing the man's head.
The doll continued chewing as it moved to the next victim, tearing off his arms and cramming them into its mouth.
"No, please... have mer—"
Another tried to beg as the doll thrust its hands into his chest and removed his heart.
Suzuka continued until only Kalia, Harl, and a few bloody stains remained.
"What kind of monster..."
Harl was barely able to speak from shock.
"ME?! A monster?"
Kalia screamed furiously.
"Those innocent people... Fioria... had everything taken from them. You took her will to live, and I'm the monster?"
"You brought this..."
Kalia motioned toward the blood-drenched doll.
"...on yourselves."
"Now run back to your boss and tell him what you saw here. Tell him that I will be coming for the rest of you."
Kalia's tone was grave as she rang the Chime.
"Don't think we'll let this go! There are a lot more of us than you think!" Harl yelled back, sprinting pell-mell through the woods.
"Suzuka."
Kalia commanded, and the doll rocketed after the man, stopping directly in front of him.
"I am the one who isn't going to let this go," Kalia stated calmly. "Now go before I lose my patience."
A few moments later, silence settled over the clearing.
"Jesus, Suzuka..."
Kalia muttered to herself, glancing at the doll glistening with blood in the light of the fire.
"...I know you were supposed to be a cursed item, but... that was... bleh."
Kalia shook her head, letting Suzuka disappear with a faint shimmer of light.
"Let's go home, Fioria..."
Kalia knelt down, picked up the still-sleeping girl, and carried her to the cart where Astra was waiting.
"Master, are you okay? I heard a lot of screaming..."
Astra was more reserved than normal.
She knew something had happened in that clearing.
"I'm fine, Astra. Please look after Fioria. She's going to need us," Kalia answered quietly.
"What do you mean, Master Lia? What about Kito and Kita? I didn't see them anywhere."
"They're..."
Kalia shook her head, tears forming in her eyes.
"No... but..."
Astra sobbed.
"I know..."
Kalia placed an arm around Astra.
"...but we need to be strong for her sake. She asked me to kill her..."
"So, then those screams were...?" Astra asked after the two finally settled down.
"I took care of the problem, if that's what you're asking..."
"Okay..."
Astra understood and didn't want to know the details.
"What we're going to do with all these people is the real question," Kalia wondered, changing the subject.
"I'm not sure. We didn't really think about that part, did we?"
"Everyone!"
Kalia addressed the small crowd.
"I know the shock of these events may still be fresh, but we should get moving. If anyone here wishes to leave, they may. Otherwise, we can at least get you as far as the next village."
After a few minutes, several groups of survivors thanked Kalia and Astra before disappearing into the night.
"We're slaves... We have nowhere to go..."
One of them finally broke the silence.
"Yeah..." another agreed.
"You may have set us free, but to what end? We have no home, food, or money. We're just going to die out here!" a girl yelled angrily.
"Eh...? But..."
Kalia hadn't expected this, though she should have.
Of course these people would have nothing.
"Hey! Show Master Lia a little gratitude! She saved you!" Astra shouted back.
"Astra... don't."
"But, Master—"
Astra was cut off by a glare from Kalia.
"I understand their feelings. We may have opened the cages, but we didn't consider what was going to happen afterward."
"I'm sorry."
Kalia bowed to the young girl.
"I didn't think."
"Like that's going to be good enough!" the oldest of the four snapped back.
"Master Lia, it's only four people. Couldn't they use the guest rooms until we find a permanent solution?"
"That could work. We do have the room, and it's not like anyone is using it anyway."
"Then it's settled!"
Kalia turned back to the young woman.
"You can all come stay with us until something can be figured out."
"What do you say...?"
Kalia paused for the young woman to answer.
"It's Eron, and I'll talk it over with the others. I'm not going to speak for them."
"Sounds reasonable. I'll leave you to it, then."
Kalia left them to speak in private.
A few minutes later, Eron approached her.
"Kalia, we have a few points we need to discuss before we make a decision."
"Sure." Kalia nodded.
"Will we be able to leave freely?"
"Absolutely."
"Are we going to be expected to work upon arrival?"
"No. We can take care of all that. A few extra people to look after won't make any difference to that one anyway."
"Will our basic needs be taken care of?"
"Of course. You'll be eating with us. Honestly, it'll be nice having more people around the table. I can arrange for anything else you may need. Just ask."
"All right, then on to my question. Why are you doing this? You understand why we're so wary, right? Anyone offering the things you are is generally lying."
"Listen, Eron, I can't force you to trust me. The best I can do is tell you my intentions, and you have to decide from there. I can promise you I meant every word. I selfishly tried to play hero without thinking about the consequences, so I want to make amends," Kalia answered.
"I'll go talk it over with the rest and be back shortly."
Eron returned to the others with the information she needed.
After some time had passed, Eron returned to Kalia.
"So, did you come to an agreement?" Kalia inquired.
"We'll go with you, but we still don't trust you. If anything seems off, don't expect us to let you off easy!"
"Understood, Eron. If you're set, we should get going. If we hurry, we can make it back before sunrise."
"We're ready, then."
"Excellent. Load up."
"Astra, we're going back to the house. Can you help get everyone into the cart?"
"Sure, Master Lia. What about Fioria? She's still asleep."
"She can ride in the front with us..."
Kalia's voice trailed off as she looked down at the girl.
"Master Lia... you said we needed to be strong. For Fioria's sake."
Astra grabbed Kalia's clenched fist.
"Y-you're right. Thanks for reminding me, Astra."
Kalia stammered, surprised that Astra had even noticed her inner turmoil.
"Off we go, then!" Astra announced, snapping the reins.
A few hours later, the group reached the gates of Astra's estate.
"Astra, will you take everyone to the guest rooms and see about getting them bathed and into some better clothes?"
"Yup!"
"I'll take Fioria up to my room and get her settled in."
"Okie! C'mon, girls. Just follow me, and I'll take you to your rooms."
"I've never had a hot bath before!" one girl exclaimed upon entering the bathroom.
"It's huge!" another added in awe.
"Can we really use it? We're really dirty..."
"You wash before getting in, but yes. This is for you to use like any other guest, and there are changes of clothes over there. Hopefully everything fits."
Kalia pointed toward another part of the room.
"If you need anything, just ask."
"I'll send Astra when dinner is ready."
"I don't know, Sarah. I still think something's up..." Eron snorted.
"Stop being like that, Eron. Why would anyone go through all this trouble just to take it away?" Sarah snapped back.
"You saw the horns and that tail. She's a demon, after all. Maybe she likes playing with people."
"I don't think so, though... She doesn't seem like any of the demons I've ever heard about."
"It could all be an act, Lucy... You don't know what it's capable of. You heard all that screaming back there!"
"I don't really care about what happened to them. If she wanted to hurt us, she would've already. Why would she have let all those other people go? Just relax, Eron..." Milena sighed.
"You'll see. Demons are all the same. You guys can be led around like dogs. I won't."
"Whatever, Eron... Hey, Lucy, what do you think they're making?"
"As long as it's hot, I couldn't care less. What about you?"
"I'm with you. I can't remember the last time I had a hot meal."
"I hope it's cake!" Sarah replied cheerfully.
"Haha, I doubt that, Sarah." Milena snickered.
"Food's ready!" Astra called from outside the door.
"Okay!" Sarah, Milena, and Lucy called in unison.
"Fine..." Eron whispered to herself.
"It smells so good!!" Sarah screamed. "Look, Milena! No bugs or dirt in any of it!"
Kalia motioned for the girls to sit.
"Eat as much as you want. There's plenty for everyone."
"What did you put in it?" Eron questioned with an upturned nose.
"It's potato soup with cream and cheese. I chopped up some bacon and ham and threw it in. Is there something you don't like or can't eat? I can get you something else," Kalia asked innocently.
"No, I—this is fine..." Eron retorted, dissatisfied with Kalia's reaction.
"This is delicious, right, Lucy?!" Sarah chimed in.
"It is! Master Kalia, you're amazing!"
"Mmm!" Milena mumbled in agreement with a spoon in her mouth. "C'mon, just eat, Eron. It's really good."
"Fine..."
Eron finally sat down and took a mouthful.
As she swallowed, a tear ran down her cheek.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten anything that tasted so good.
"See? I told you it's good!"
"I'm glad you like it."
Kalia smiled.
"We have a few things to attend to, so please make yourselves at home."
"We're not eating with them, Master Lia?" Astra asked sullenly, eyeing the soup.
"Sorry, Astra, but we still have Fioria to take care of. Besides, I saved us some. It's in the kitchen."
"Yay!"
"Call if you need anything, okay?"
Kalia waved as the two headed out.
"Okay, Master Kalia!" the girls replied.
"New plan, everyone. We stay here forever."
Milena piped up, having gone through three servings before uttering a word.
"Agreed," Sarah instantly confirmed.
"You know we can't stay here forever. Even Master Kalia has to have a limit to her kindness. All we know how to do is clean anyway."
"That's just it, though! You saw how big this place is. There's no way they do it all by themselves, and I haven't seen any servants or slaves around here. We just need to make ourselves useful, and she'll have to let us stay!"
"We can start by cleaning up after dinner," Lucy added, optimism convincing her of the flawless plan.
"Well, are you gonna help or not?" Milena asked, turning to Eron.
"I guess... it couldn't hurt to try. I mean, she never said how long we could stay," Eron conceded.
"Exactly!"
"Now, Sarah, you gather the dishes and take them to the kitchen through that door. Lucy, you clean the table while Eron and I start washing the pots and pans."
"So why couldn't we eat with them, Master Lia? I mean, Fioria is still sleeping, and I really wanted to get to know them..." Astra complained.
"Because they still don't trust us. If we sat there, they wouldn't be able to completely relax. They would almost instinctively treat us like their new masters instead of being themselves."
"I guess I didn't think about it like that..."
"We can do proper introductions tomorrow. More importantly, though... about Fioria..."
"I have an idea, Master Lia... but I need Fio to say it's okay," Astra replied.
"What's the idea?"
"I know a spell that can erase memories, but it can't pinpoint specific ones, so it's all or nothing. Do you have an item that could do it instead?"
"I do... but no. It can target specific things, but the item may require a trained user to operate," Kalia replied.
Her Personal Armory did contain Project M-W-8, a device capable of altering just about any aspect of the human mind.
She could most likely manifest it, but it wasn't magic.
It was a complicated piece of technology, and she worried that using it incorrectly could damage Fioria's brain irrevocably.
"Even if I could use it safely, erasing someone's memories feels wrong."
"I think for now, the best we can do is let her sleep..."
Kalia hung her head, having found no better solution.
"...We can figure something else out."
"It seems that way, Master Lia..."
"We should probably check on the oth—"
Kalia's thought was interrupted by a tremendous crash from the kitchen.
"Oh no! Lucy! Are you okay?!" Milena exclaimed.
"I'm fine. I just slipped, but the bowls are..."
Lucy stared down at the shattered stack of bowls, a deep-rooted fear rising within her.
"Kalia will never let us stay now... or worse..."
Lucy sobbed.
"I ruined everything!"
"Way to go, Lucy..." Eron snapped.
"I'm sorry! Please don't hate me... I didn't mean to. It just fell..." Lucy cried.
"Maybe we can clean it up before anyone notices...?" Sarah chimed in, trying to break the tension.
"Notices what?"
Kalia had just come through the door, causing the four girls to freeze.
"I'm sorry, Master Kalia! I slipped and broke your dishes... Please don't punish the others. It was my fault. We were trying to clean up after we ate to help out."
Lucy fell at Kalia's feet, weeping.
"That explains the sound."
"It was an accident, I swear! Please just let the rest of them go!" Lucy wailed.
"Master Kalia, if you're going to punish someone, let it be me... I am the oldest and should be held responsible. I beg you, please spare Lucy."
Eron stepped between them, her entire body trembling.
"No one is getting any punishment tonight or ever again. I swear."
"Lucy, you aren't hurt, are you?"
Kalia leaned down to help Lucy up.
"I-I'm fine... just a scratch. You shouldn't worry about me."
"Let me see."
Kalia examined the cut.
"It isn't bad, but just to be safe..."
"Manifest."
Taking Lucy's arm, Kalia began to tie a bandage around it.
"That should do it. Keep it clean so it doesn't get infected."
"Thanks, Master Kalia... You're not mad?"
"Mad?" Kalia echoed, genuinely puzzled. "They're only bowls."
"So can we still stay here... at least until we figure something else out?"
Lucy sniffed, wiping away a tear.
"Of course. I couldn't possibly throw four adorable girls out into the street anyway," Kalia replied warmly.
"You mean it?"
"Really?"
"Yay!"
The girls cheered in unison.
"Good. Now you four run off to bed, all right? We're going to Tuugo tomorrow for some errands."
"Tuugo, the capital? You mean we're going into the city with you?!" Sarah inquired, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Yep. We've got five new people staying with us now, so we should probably stock up on a few things."
"I've never been to a big city before!"
"Me either," Milena agreed.
"Master Kalia... you don't have to do that. We're fine. Just having a place to sleep inside is enough," Eron chimed in.
Seriously... you girls are gonna make me cry...
"You can call me Kalia. I really don't like this 'Master Kalia' business. It feels wrong, especially coming from you all."
"But doesn't Astra call you Master?"
"That's different. She's my student or something like that."
"Then can we call you Master Lia too?"
"Yes, that's fine, I suppose."
Kalia still didn't like it, but she knew when to let things go.
"Now, to bed with you. Astra and I will come get you in the morning."
"Okay, Master Lia! Goodnight!"
The four announced in unison before taking off down the hallway.
"Goodnight, you guys."
"Master Lia, are they gonna live with us too?"
"Probably, but I want them to ask me directly."
"But why? Wouldn't it be easier to just tell them they can stay?"
"You're right, but they need to have the courage to make their desires known. Being slaves their entire lives stripped too much away from them. I want them to be their own people again, to decide their own futures. I don't want them to feel like they have to earn their place here."
"What if they don't ask, Master Lia?"
"I wouldn't worry about that, Astra. Now help me clean up this mess. It's been a long day, and this demon girl is exhausted."
"I got it, Master Lia! You go to bed!"
"You sure?" Kalia questioned, already making her way toward her room.
"Yep! I'll come get you in the morning, okay?"
"Thanks, Astra. Night."
Kalia yawned, opening her bedroom door.
"Night, Master Lia!"
"See, Eron! Master Lia is super nice! She made us yummy food, let us take a bath, and she even wrapped my hand instead of getting mad about the broken bowls!"
Eron sighed, shaking her head.
"I get it... I was wrong this time. She really isn't so bad."
"The real issue is figuring out how else we can help. Cleaning up after dinner isn't going to be enough."
"Why don't we make breakfast?" Sarah suggested. "We all know how to cook, and I think there was enough food in the pantry."
"I'm in," Milena agreed.
"I'll help too... but under one condition."
"What's that, Eron...?" Milena asked, rolling her eyes.
"I'll get out the dishes..."
"Oh, don't be mean, Eron! I already said it was an accident, and she wasn't mad..." Lucy pouted.
Eron burst into laughter.
"I was only joking, Lucy!"
"Meanie..."
Lucy snapped, throwing a pillow at Eron's head and hitting her squarely in the face.
"Now you're gonna get it, Lucy."
Eron slowly raised her pillow above her head.
"Wait! Eron, no! Sorry!"
Lucy dodged the thrown pillow. It whizzed past her and struck Milena.
"Eron! Why are you dragging me into this?" Milena shouted, grabbing her own pillow and throwing it.
"Missed me!"
Eron rolled across her bed, causing the pillow to strike Sarah.
"Hey! Watch it!" Sarah cried, arming herself.
"It seems we have a war..."
All four girls exchanged glances before launching into full-scale combat.
"Master Lia, are you up?" Astra called from the doorway.
"Good..." Kalia stretched lazily. "...morning, Astra..."
"Morning, Master Lia! The girls made breakfast for everyone, and it looks super yummy! Let's hurry before it gets cold!"
"Yes, yes. But first, what about Fioria? Is she awake yet?"
"Yeah, she is, Master Lia..."
Astra's demeanor darkened.
"...but..."
"Is she all right?"
"I'm not sure. She hasn't said anything since she got up and won't respond to me."
"I'll go talk to her and see if she'll at least try to eat. You go ahead to the kitchen. I'll be down later."
"Okay, Master Lia. Please make Fioria better..."
"I'll do my best, Astra..."
Kalia answered, wholly unconvinced.
"Fioria..."
Kalia gently knocked on the door.
"...May I come in?"
After several minutes of silence, she spoke again.
"I'm coming in, okay?"
Kalia gently pushed the door open to see Fioria sitting at the end of her bed, staring blankly out the window.
Kalia sat down next to her.
"Kalia... do you think they miss me as much as I miss them?" Fioria asked, breaking the tense silence.
"They do, Fioria. I know it."
"Then why didn't you kill me like I asked...? I want to be with them..."
"Fioria... I couldn't. I won't do that..."
"But it hurts so much, Kalia. Every part of me screams for them."
"I know it hurts, Fioria."
"How could you?! You haven't lost anything like I have! You still have a home and Astra!"
Fioria snapped, anger flaring in her eyes.
"I watched my entire family die, and you say you know how it feels! How could you say something so cruel?!"
"Fio, I'm sorry, but I do know what it feels like. Honestly..."
Kalia soothed her, knowing Fioria's rage was born from suffering.
"I lost my parents in an accident when I was about your age. They were on their way to pick me up from a friend's house when their cart ran off a bridge. Just like that, I was alone in the world."
"Kalia... I didn't... I'm sorry..."
"It's okay, Fioria. That was a long time ago. I know how much it hurts to feel so alone that you wish for death. I blamed myself for years, saying, 'If I hadn't gone to see my friends, they would still be here right now.' It ate at me until I was nothing more than an empty husk. It took years for me to come to terms with it and move forward with my life."
Kalia gripped the girl in a tight embrace.
"Which is why I won't sit by and watch that happen to anyone else. Life is meant to be lived."
"I-I... Kalia, why did they leave me...?"
Fioria wailed, burying her head in Kalia's chest and weeping uncontrollably.
"They didn't leave you. They're always..."
Kalia pointed to Fioria's chest.
"...in here."
"But..."
Fioria trailed off.
"It's okay..."
Kalia held the girl even tighter, letting her cry.
"If you feel like it, you can come downstairs and eat with us," Kalia offered warmly.
"I don't think so, Kalia. I just want to sit here a little while longer... if that's okay."
"Of course it is. I'll leave something out if you get hungry later, though."
"Thanks."
Fioria fell quiet for a moment.
"Kalia, you're pretty strong, right?"
"I guess you could say that. Astra probably has me beat if she ever gets serious, though."
"I thought so. I saw what you did to those men..."
"Ahhh... what? No. That... but I used the feather..."
Kalia stumbled over her words.
Cete's Charm should have been flawless.
"I was just barely conscious, but I definitely saw it. What was that thing?"
"Its name is Suzuka. It's a cursed doll, and I guess you saw what it can do... Sorry about that," Kalia answered honestly, knowing she'd been caught.
"I would be lying if I said it bothered me. They deserved it."
"I won't argue that point. But why ask?"
"Can you teach me to fight?"
"Planning your revenge already, I see."
"Yes. That one you let go told you where their hideout was, didn't he?"
"Fioria, I probably don't have any right to say this after you saw me in a fit of rage, but fighting shouldn't be for revenge."
"I don't care what happens to me. Kito and Kita deserve to rest in peace, and they can't as long as those people are still alive. They deserve to die," Fioria answered resolutely.
"I won't train you to die, Fioria. If you want to learn from me, then you're going to have to find a real reason to fight."
"Why isn't avenging my family enough? They murdered everyone I loved!"
"That's not exactly what I meant. I can already see it on your face. You planned on getting some training and then sneaking off to fight them alone. You weren't asking me to help you live. You were asking me to help you die."
"That's not true... I..." Fioria responded quietly.
"Like I said, I won't train you to die."
"So, you won't teach me anything, then, will you?"
"I didn't say that. I said you need a real reason to fight. Astra and I are heading into Tuugo for some things. Think about it and give me an answer when I return. If you can't, then I won't train you to fight."
"But..."
"I'm sorry, Fioria. I won't let you throw away your life like that. Just think about it, all right?" Kalia answered firmly.
"Okay," Fioria responded, deflated.
"Master Lia! Are you and Fio coming?!" Astra called from the hallway.
"I'll be down shortly, Astra. Fioria is still resting, so just leave her something out."
"Okie, Master Lia! We're ready to go whenever you are!"
"I guess everyone is waiting. We won't be gone very long, but if you need anything, I asked a local guard named Torrin to stop by and check on you later."
"All right. And Kalia... I never did thank you for saving me back there. So, thank you."
"You don't need to thank me. Just get some rest and think about what I said. We can talk when I get back."
"Okay. I will."
"Is Fioria okay, Master Lia?"
"She'll need time, but at least she hasn't given up on living."
"She wanted to learn to fight. If she's going to get stronger, then she'll need those memories to push her forward."
"Is she going to join us in training, then?"
"Not until she understands the reason she's fighting. She's focused on revenge, not strength. I won't let her be consumed by hatred."
"I guess that makes sense."
"Is that other girl okay, Master Lia? Is she hurt?" Sarah asked, poking her head around the corner.
"Not physically, Sarah. She lost something very precious, and we need to help her find it."
"I can help! I'm really good at finding things! I'm small, so I can look in all the little places!"
"Haha! Thanks, Sarah. I think she'd really appreciate a friend."
Kalia laughed, patting the young girl on the head.
"You can count on me!"
Sarah chimed with a salute before trotting off to sit with the rest of the girls.
"Where is everyone else?" Kalia asked, turning back to Astra.
"They were so excited they've been sitting in the cart for an hour!"
"Let's go, then. I'd like to be back before sundown. I have a surprise planned."
"Oooh, what is it?! I wanna know!"
"It's a secret. I know patience isn't exactly your specialty."
"I can be patient, Master Lia. Just watch!" Astra pouted.
"Gahhh! Tell me! Tell me!"
"Wow, five whole minutes. A new record!" Kalia laughed. "You're gonna have to wait."
"Oh, fineee!" Astra conceded, snapping the reins.
"Master Lia, Sarah said we needed to help that other girl find something. What did she lose?"
"Something very special, and it's going to take all of us to help her find it."
"Okay, but what is it, then?" Eron asked bluntly.
"Ehh, that's hard to explain."
"Try?" Lucy asked.
"Well, umm..."
Kalia stammered, searching for the proper words.
"She lost her heart. We're going to help her find it again," Astra interjected.
...Since when did Astra get so good with people?
"Her heart? How? Isn't that inside her?"
"She didn't mean her real heart, Sarah. She'd be dead if it was missing," Eron quipped.
"How can we help her, then?" Milena asked.
"Just be kind to her and treat her like family. That's all I ask of you four. Can you do that?" Kalia answered.
"Yep!" the girls replied in unison.
"When we get back, I'll ask if she'd like to meet all of you. If she does, don't ask her too many questions, all right? She could use a few friends."
"We can do that!"