"Okay, hit me again," I said, shifting from side to side as I readied myself for the next attack. "But this time, try using the forward momentum from your foot to carry the force into your punch."
Henry stared at me for a long second. Then he simply collapsed backward near the edge of the training arena, breathing hard.
"One second," he huffed. "Any more of this and I'll be gasping on the ground like a dying fish."
"He's right," Benjamin said from off to the side. "You two have been at this for quite some time. I believe it's time to let him rest."
"Yes," Henry said, lifting one tired hand. "What he said."
Looking down at him, I relented and sat beside him, flipping to the next page in the section on controlling poisons.
"You know," I said, scanning the page, "if you really wanted to test some of these techniques, it might be better to do it on me."
When I looked up from my reading, I found Henry staring at me with an incredulous expression.
"Are you insane?" he sputtered. "That's a terrible idea."
"Hey, it's not as bad as you think."
"I do believe Henry is right on this one," Benjamin said before I could continue. "Even with me here, that is far too risky."
"Oh, come on," I said, glancing over at him. "Are you saying your healing isn't up to the task?"
Benjamin gave me a flat look. "It isn't about whether my healing is effective. It's about whether I can stop the poison from damaging you in a way I can't fix."
That made Henry look even less thrilled.
Benjamin sighed, then rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "But if you are truly serious about this, then I will step in if something goes wrong. That is, assuming Henry even considers it."
Henry looked sheepishly toward Benjamin, then back down at the same passage I had just been reading.
"Apparently, it really does help to have a living target," he muttered. "A willing participant would be better, but this page mentions a restrained beast."
His face twisted with discomfort.
"And if you think about it, tracking down a beast, somehow restraining it, poisoning it over and over again, then healing it just so I can practice…" He shook his head. "That feels worse. I'd rather use someone who actually agreed to it."
"Ah," I said, grinning. "I knew you'd see it my way."
Benjamin only shook his head. "Fine. But don't blame me if something goes wrong."
I waved off his concern. "Relax. I trust you to heal me right up. Besides, this is probably the best way for him to practice."
Henry hesitated, glancing between Benjamin and me.
"Alright," he said slowly. "But don't blame me if you end up on the floor."
Stepping back into the ring, I nodded for Henry to prepare.
"Focus on what the book said," I told him. "Don't just try to cut the poison off from its source. Feel for its flow, then pull it back."
Henry took a deep breath, his hand glowing faintly green as he activated his ability. He reached out and touched my forearm lightly, the poison seeping into my skin. Almost immediately, a tingling sensation spread through my arm, followed by a faint numbness.
"Alright," I muttered, flexing my fingers. "I can feel it. Not bad, but it's a bit weak."
Henry frowned, focusing harder. The tingling grew sharper, spreading up my arm and into my shoulder. My movements became sluggish, and I could feel the strength in my arm waning. A bead of sweat rolled down Henry's temple as he concentrated.
"Feeling it now?" he asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Yeah," I replied, my voice a bit strained. "This is definitely something." I tried to move my arm, but it felt heavier than usual. A weak chuckle escaped me. "Reminds me of that time I downed a mystery drink at some random bar. Couldn't move for half a day after."
Benjamin groaned from the sidelines. "Atlas, stop joking. You look like you're about to keel over."
"I'm fine," I said, though my voice lacked its usual confidence. My legs felt unsteady, and my vision blurred slightly at the edges. "Just give Henry a chance to—"
The words caught in my throat as the numbness spread rapidly. My knees buckled, and I staggered forward, catching myself on the edge of the ring. "Okay… maybe not so fine."
Benjamin was on his feet in an instant, rushing to my side. "Henry, stop! You're pushing it too far."
Henry pulled back his hand, his eyes wide with panic. "I—I didn't mean to! I was trying to control it, but…"
Benjamin placed his hands on my shoulder, his magic already at work. A soothing warmth spread through me, counteracting the poison's effects. The dark veins that had begun creeping up my arm slowly receded, and the strength returned to my legs.
"You're insane for letting him try this on you," Benjamin muttered.
"Hey," I said, giving Benjamin a weak grin. "We've got you, don't we?"
Benjamin huffed, though he didn't argue.
As I straightened again, I turned back to Henry. "And don't look so guilty. You're learning. That's what practice is for."
Henry stared down at his hands, slowly clenching them into fists. "Yeah, but I almost—"
"Oh, please," I cut in with a laugh. "If you think that was enough to kill me, then you think far too little of me."
Henry looked up, still uncertain.
"So get back to it," I said, giving him a firm nod. "You're not going to learn anything if you quit the second it gets scary."
Nodding, he began again, and this time I was prepared. Yet as the hours passed, spent between sparring and poison control, I quickly found how painfully slow the progress was.
Even though Henry was improving combat-wise, the poison mastery took far longer, forcing Benjamin to heal me time after time.
After yet another attempt, I felt the familiar burn of the poison creeping through my veins. My strength faded as I dropped to one knee, the world spinning slightly. "Alright, alright," I said, holding up a hand. "Ben, you're up."
Benjamin sighed as he hurried over, muttering under his breath. "You're both going to drive me to an early grave." His healing magic flowed into me, chasing away the effects of the poison once more.
Henry collapsed onto the ring floor, panting heavily.
"This is impossible," he said, his voice thick with frustration. "I've been at this for hours, and I still can't neutralize it."
"You're close," I said, rolling my shoulder as the last traces of poison faded from my system. "That last one didn't spread nearly as fast. You're getting there."
Henry let out a bitter laugh and stared up at the sky. "Doesn't feel like it."
"It never does when you're learning something hard." I grinned and offered him a hand. "But I think it's about time we call it quits for today."
Henry eyed my hand for a moment before taking it. "You'd better be right. Otherwise, this whole 'poison thing' might end up being more trouble than it's worth."
Benjamin shook his head as we packed up to leave. "Let's just hope you don't accidentally kill someone before you figure it out."
Henry groaned dramatically as we stepped out of the training ring. "That's comforting, Ben. Really motivational."
Benjamin glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You know, I noticed you all have been calling me 'Ben,' more often. When did that happen?"
I exchanged a look with Henry, and we both shrugged.
"No idea."
Benjamin sighed, "I figured as much," he muttered as we passed through the open training grounds and into the main hall, where the warm glow of lanternlight and the buzz of conversation washed over us. At a nearby table, we spotted Amelia and Emily deep in conversation, leaning in like sisters sharing secrets.
As we approached, I raised a brow and asked, "Any luck with the search?"
Amelia leaned back, arms crossing as she sighed. "Well… there's good news and bad."
"Always start with the bad," I said, bracing for it.
Her eyes met mine. "I haven't been able to find David or anyone from his team."
I nodded, but before I could dwell on it, Amelia's face brightened.
"But," she added, glancing at Emily with a grin, "thanks to Ophelia, Emily got picked up by a racing team."
That caught my attention. "Ophelia?"
"She's a guild member," Amelia explained. "Big name in the aerial circuit."
Benjamin perked up, practically glowing. "That's amazing!"
"I start training tomorrow!" Emily beamed, barely able to sit still. "I can't wait."
Henry smiled and gave her a warm nod. "You deserve it. Congrats."
Benjamin looked around the room, his expression thoughtful. "What about Ella and Grace? Have you seen them?"
Amelia tapped her fingers on the edge of the table, thinking. "If I had to guess? They're still at the Library."
I opened my mouth to add something, but before a word left my lips, a booming voice thundered across the guild hall.
"You're alive?!"
We all turned toward the entrance to see David standing there, shell-shocked. "How are you alive?!" he exclaimed, his gaze darting between us as if verifying we were real. "What happened? Where have you been?"
"Whoa, one question at a time," I said, holding up a hand to slow him down. "We're not going anywhere."
David exhaled sharply, dragging a chair closer and sitting down with a heavy thump. "Alright, let's start with what happened."
Exchanging a look with Amelia, she began to recount our recent adventures. Though she conveniently left out specific details like our encounter with Grace and my newfound powers, as they were things she likely knew I wasent ready to share yet. Still, the story had enough weight to hold David's full attention.
"Incredible," David muttered, leaning back in his chair. "You're lucky to be alive."
Before I could respond, Amelia's expression softened. She leaned forward slightly. "David, I just wanted to say… I'm so sorry for your loss. We heard about Lauren and Matthew."
David's face darkened, and his shoulders sagged. "Yeah," he said quietly. "I wish I could've done more. By the time I realized we were under attack, it was already too late."
As silence settled over the table, David's gaze flicked around the room. His brow furrowed slightly. "Wait… where's Ella?"
"She's fine," I said quickly. "She's at the library."
Relief washed over his features, and he nodded. "Good. It's just… nice to know you're all alive."
"How's everyone else in your party holding up?" I asked.
David sighed heavily. "Not great. Rebecca's taking it the worst. She blames herself for… well, thinking she got you all killed." He hesitated, his tone softening. "But she'll be relieved to know you're okay."
And after a moment, David brightened slightly and offered warmly, "Why don't we have dinner together tonight? It'd be nice to catch up properly."
Amelia smiled. "We'd love that. But we'll need to find Ella first, and… would it be alright if we brought a new member of our group?"
David nodded. "Of course. It'll be great to meet them."
A little while later, we found Ella exactly as expected, hunched over a book with her usual focus. Grace sat nearby, studying a glowing core intently.
"Hey, Ella," Amelia called softly, drawing their attention.
Ella glanced up, blinking as if surfacing from another world. Her face lit up when she saw us. "Oh, hey, guys!" Her eyes darted to David, and her smile widened. "And David! Long time no see."
David grinned, leaning one arm against the back of a chair.
"Good to see you too, Ella. Still buried in books, I see."
"Of course," Ella replied, closing her book gently. "Someone has to keep learning while the rest of you run around getting into trouble."
Amelia smirked and motioned toward David. "Well, if you're done with all your learning, David invited us to dinner."
Ella's gaze shifted to Grace. "Is Grace invited as well?"
David looked toward Grace, then nodded. "Of course. She's more than welcome."
Grace stood, smoothing her hands over her cloak before extending one to him.
"It's nice to meet you," she said.
David took her hand with a polite nod. "Likewise. Any friend of theirs is welcome."
"So," Ella said, standing and stretching. "When do we eat? I'm starving."
David chuckled. "We can head out now if you'd like."
Ella grinned. "Absolutely."
With our dinner plans settled, Ella and Grace gathered their belongings, and we made our way to David's residence. His home stood out even in the dim light of the evening—a cozy, two-story cottage-like structure with brick walls softened by climbing vines that stretched toward the second floor. Warm light spilled from the windows, giving it an inviting glow that promised a respite from the day's chaos.
David pushed the door open, grinning over his shoulder. "Come on in! Don't just stand there gawking."
The tantalizing aroma of roasting meat and freshly baked bread greeted us as we stepped inside, immediately setting our stomachs rumbling. The interior was just as welcoming as the exterior, with warm wood tones, soft rugs, and a well-loved couch near the hearth.
Before we could say anything, a high-pitched voice rang out from somewhere deeper in the house. "Dadda!"
The rapid patter of small feet followed, and a little girl came darting into view. Her dark hair was tied into two messy ponytails that bounced with every step, and she wore a simple blue dress, slightly wrinkled, with socks that didn't quite match. Her face lit up with excitement as she launched herself toward David, who caught her easily, spinning her in a wide arc.
"Isabella!" David exclaimed, his voice full of warmth. He settled her in his arms and tapped her nose lightly. "How was your day, kiddo?"
She beamed at him, her words tumbling out in an excited rush, slightly garbled in the way only a small child could manage. "My fren' came over, and we made mud cakes! Lotsa mud cakes! We put flow'rs on 'em, and they was soooo pretty!" Her little hands gestured wildly, as if to show just how big and pretty the cakes were. "But Mama made me clean it up! Said it was all messy!" Her bottom lip jutted out in an exaggerated pout, and she crossed her arms. "It wasn't all my mess!"
David chuckled, his eyes soft with affection as he smoothed one of her messy ponytails. "Sounds like you've had a busy day, kiddo."
Turning toward us, he grinned, still holding Isabella. "This is my daughter, Isabella. Say hello, sweetie."
Isabella squirmed in his arms, her gaze darting between us. She gave a quick wave, her small fingers wiggling. "Hi!"
"Hi, Isabella," Amelia said softly, her tone warm and inviting.
Isabella giggled, hiding her face in David's chest before wriggling free. She dashed back toward the kitchen, yelling, "Mama! Dadda brought peoples!"
A woman stepped into view, drying her hands on a well-worn towel. Her silver-streaked hair was pulled into a loose bun, though a few strands had escaped to frame her face. An apron was tied hastily over a flour-dusted blouse and skirt, as if she'd come straight from kneading dough. When her hazel eyes settled on us, they were warm and curious, her smile touched with a hint of playful exasperation.
"David," she said, her tone half-scolding. "You didn't think to warn me we'd have guests?"
David rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry, love. It was a bit of a last-minute thing."
She sighed, shaking her head but smiling nonetheless. "Well, you're lucky I always cook enough to feed an army." She turned to us, her expression softening. "Welcome. I'm Olivia Roberts, David's wife. It's lovely to meet you all."
"Thank you for having us," Amelia said with a gracious nod. "I hope we're not imposing."
"Not at all," Olivia replied, waving off the concern. "You're more than welcome. Just make yourselves comfortable."
David gestured for us to follow him into the dining area, where a long wooden table awaited. The chairs were mismatched but sturdy, and the table was already set with elegant but straightforward plates and glasses. The delicious aroma of the meal grew stronger, making it impossible not to anticipate dinner.
Olivia rang a small bell, the delicate chime resonating softly through the house. Footsteps followed, faint at first but gradually growing louder as they descended the stairs. We stood near the long dining table, taking in the cozy warmth of the room. The flickering light from the hearth danced across the walls, and the savory aroma of the meal Olivia had prepared filled the air.
As the footsteps drew closer, the first figure stepped into the doorway—Nicholas. His eyes widened in surprise, his gaze flicking between us as though unsure if we were real.
"Hi, Nicholas," I greeted with a small, warm smile.
"H-Hi," he stammered, still visibly taken aback.
"Take a seat," Olivia instructed gently, guiding him with a smile.
Not long after, Daniel and Nick entered together, their faces mirroring Nicholas's astonishment. They exchanged quiet words, their curiosity evident as they found their seats at the table.
Then Rebecca entered.
Time seemed to slow as her gaze swept across the room and landed on us. Her steps faltered, her breath catching audibly. Her eyes widened, shimmering with disbelief. For a moment, it looked like she might collapse under the weight of her emotions, and then tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
"You're alive," she murmured, her voice trembling as her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a whimper. Her body moved before her mind seemed to catch up, and suddenly, she was rushing toward me.
I froze, entirely unprepared for what came next. Her arms wrapped tightly around me, her head burying itself against my shoulder. The sheer force of the hug made me take a step back to steady myself.
Awkwardly, I raised my arms, hesitating mid-air for what felt like an eternity. What do I do here? Comfort her? Pat her shoulder? Eventually, I settled on the safest option—a tentative, stiff hug in return. My arms encircled her just enough not seem cold, though I felt completely out of my depth.
Rebecca pulled away after a moment, frantically wiping her face as her cheeks flushed bright red. "I'm so sorry," she stammered, her voice thick with emotion. "I—I don't know what came over me." She ducked her head and hurried to her seat, clearly embarrassed, her face still a deep shade of crimson.
As I stood there, unsure how to respond, my eyes caught Henry's mischievous smirk from across the room. He wiggled his eyebrows at me, his grin practically radiating smug amusement. I rolled my eyes, biting back a sigh. Trust Henry to find humor in everything.
Rebecca fidgeted in her seat, her gaze fixed on the table as if trying to disappear into it. Despite her visible embarrassment, the relief in her eyes lingered. She took a deep breath, attempting to pull herself together. "It's… good to see you all back in one piece," she said softly, her voice steadier now but still tinged with emotion.
"Good to see you too," I replied, keeping my tone as even as possible.
Rebecca nodded, her eyes briefly meeting mine before darting away again. She shifted uncomfortably, her earlier outburst clearly still on her mind.
The tension eased slightly as Emily leaned forward, offering a gentle smile. "After the attack, we managed to get behind the massive doors," she began, recounting the events that had unfolded. She carefully omitted anything about Grace or my newfound powers, keeping the focus on our survival and journey back.
Rebecca listened intently, her earlier embarrassment fading as relief and gratitude replaced it. "I'm so glad you made it out alive," she said sincerely, though her voice wavered just a little.
Nick broke the momentary silence, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Where did you meet Grace?" he asked, glancing toward her.
Benjamin stepped in smoothly. "She joined our team yesterday," he explained. "I swear she and Ella hit it off immediately."
Rebecca offered Grace a kind smile. "Nice to meet you, Grace. Thank you for looking after them."
Grace returned the smile, her tone polite. "It's nice to meet you, too. They've been very welcoming."
The conversation shifted as Olivia brought out the meal—plates of roasted vegetables, tender meat, and freshly baked bread. The aroma alone was enough to stir a sense of comfort, and the table filled with light conversation as plates were passed around.
Ella, however, turned the tone somber as she spoke softly to David. "I'm sorry for your losses."
David's face grew solemn, and he gave a slight nod. "Thank you," he said quietly. "We're all doing our best to get through it."
The air grew heavier for a moment, the weight of recent losses settling over the group. Henry, ever the one to lighten a mood, grinned and leaned forward. "I heard there's going to be a festival soon," he said brightly.
David's expression shifted, a spark of recognition lighting his features. "Ah, the Solstice Frostfall Festival," he beamed.
Curious, I tilted my head. "What's that?"
David leaned in, his voice carrying a hint of enthusiasm as he explained, "The Festival celebrates the change of seasons. It's a chance for everyone to come together after the harvest and enjoy the best the city has to offer, like food, music, and games."
His eyes sparkled as he continued, turning his attention toward me. "And you know what, Atlas? There's an event I think you'd find particularly interesting. A fighting championship. But there's a catch. You need to be at least level 25 to enter."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A fighting championship? When is it?"
David leaned back, resting his elbows on the table. "It's scheduled for two weeks from now, but with the fallout from the expedition failure, it might be delayed another two weeks."
His words sparked an idea, and I seized the opportunity to dig deeper into the situation. "What's the guild's plan for the ruins after the expedition?" I asked.
David's expression grew more serious, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The guild's requested reinforcements from the capital. They're assembling a team to clear the ruins and gather what they can. It's likely we'll see a lot of new adventurers flooding the city soon. And that means plenty of potential challengers for the arena."
I nodded, realization settling in. "Looks like I'll need to level up if I want to stand a chance."
Olivia, ever the attentive host, turned to Emily with a warm smile. "Emily, I heard you're joining the aerial races. Will you be part of the festival?"
Emily's face lit up at the realization as her hands clasped the edge of the table. "Yes! I got accepted into a team, and my training starts tomorrow. I cant wait to start."
"That's fantastic," Olivia congratulated. "I'd love to watch your races. You'll have to tell me when they are."
The conversation shifted into a lively exchange as everyone shared their thoughts on the upcoming festival. Rebecca chimed in occasionally, her earlier embarrassment lingering but gradually fading into a quiet warmth as she became more comfortable.
The sun's last rays sank behind the mountains, and the room transitioned into a softer ambiance, lit by the glow of flickering candles. The city outside, once alive with bustling activity, had quieted into the tranquil hum of the evening.
And soon enough, it was time to leave. We rose from our seats, thanking David and Olivia for their hospitality. Olivia clasped Amelia's hand warmly as we said our goodbyes, and Isabella waved enthusiastically from the doorway.
"Come back soon!" Olivia called after us.
David clapped me on the shoulder. "Don't forget about that championship, if we fight, I'll be sure to go easy on you."
I smirked, nodding. "You might regret that when I win."
His laugh followed us out into the cool night air, the door closing behind us.
The chill in the atmosphere was sharper now, cutting through our clothes with a quiet insistence. Benjamin pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and glanced at me. "We should probably think about getting warmer gear," he said. "The seasons are changing fast."
I hadn't noticed the shift until now, but the crispness in the air was undeniable. "Good point," I replied. "We can look into it tomorrow."
The city was quieter now, the streets bathed in the soft glow of street lamps. Our footsteps echoed faintly in the stillness, a rhythm that matched the steady beat of my thoughts. My mind drifted to the day ahead, running through potential hunts we could take on to gather coin and experience. Plenty of options, sure, but none stood out as the right one. My thoughts flitted from one possibility to the next without settling.
As we reached the hotel, I barely noticed its familiar façade or the warmth spilling from its windows. Inside, I nodded absently as Benjamin and Henry exchanged a few words about tomorrow's plans, then we parted ways. The hallway blurred in my periphery, my mind circling back to the moment that had lingered since dinner: Rebecca's hug.
Once inside my room, I let the door click shut behind me and leaned against it for a moment. Dropping into the chair near the desk, I propped my elbows on the table and let out a sigh. The memory replayed itself, unbidden—Rebecca rushing toward me, her tear-streaked face, the tight grip of her arms around me. I'd hesitated, awkward and unsure, before settling on a stilted hug that felt as unnatural to me as this entire situation.
What was I supposed to do in a moment like that? Offer words of comfort? Pretend to understand what she was feeling? I didn't. I never had. That kind of emotion wasn't something I'd learned to deal with, let alone reciprocate. But her reaction… it had felt real, raw. Human, in a way I couldn't quite grasp. And my response? It felt inadequate, cold, even.
I tapped my fingers on the desk, my thoughts circling the same point. Should I have said something? Done more? Maybe tomorrow I could talk to her, explain myself somehow. Apologize, even. But would that make things better or worse? The questions twisted in my mind like a knot I couldn't untangle.
And then, as quickly as the thoughts had come, they slipped away.
The memory of the hug blurred, its edges smudging and twisting in my mind. What was I thinking about? My pulse quickened as the confusion set in. One moment, I had been dissecting something important—something that mattered—and now... now I couldn't even recall what it was. My surroundings sharpened as though I were waking up. The room, the desk, the faint flicker of the lantern's light, they all pressed in suddenly, grounding me.
I sat up straighter, bewildered. How long had I been sitting here? And why did I feel like I'd forgotten something? I rubbed my temples, trying to force the memory back, but it remained just out of reach, like a word on the tip of my tongue.
Then the mark on my neck pulsed, a faint vibration that sent a chill down my spine. It wasn't painful, but it was enough to jolt my mind. Images rushed back—Rebecca's hug, her tearful eyes, the warmth of the moment. I clung to the memory, trying to hold it in place, but it began to fade again. The details, so vivid just a moment ago, slipped through my grasp like water through cupped hands.
What was happening? I pressed my fingers against the mark, as if it could somehow offer an explanation, but it was as silent as ever. The confusion deepened, weighing heavily in my chest. Why couldn't I hold onto it?
My gaze fell to the lantern on the desk, its flickering light casting erratic shadows against the wall. My mind felt like that flicker, unsteady and dim, on the verge of extinguishing. I leaned back in the chair, exhaustion pulling at me even as frustration and confusion warred within.
Eventually, my thoughts dulled under the weight of the day. The questions and uncertainty faded to the edges of my mind, leaving only the steady hum of the lantern and the rhythmic cadence of my breathing. My head rested on my arms, and the flickering light dimmed as sleep took me, leaving the lingering sense of something unresolved to follow me into the void.