— It had already been six days since the group had been walking through the dense forest. During all that time, there had been no problems; Kaelen always managed to detect threats and take a different route, which kept the group at a safe distance from any danger. It also gave Obi the time he needed to recover as best he could for a future confrontation—a confrontation he never stopped preparing for, lost in thought as he mulled over possible answers to his thousand and one questions. Krax approached him, slapping him on the back to wake him up—
"What's wrong with you?"
"What have you been thinking about since you woke up?"
"That's none of your business."
No, wait—I haven't asked him about the voice yet.
"Wait, do you know anything about a voice?"
"A voice? What do you mean?"
"The moment the beast died on the floor of the hangout and the moment I transcended—on both those occasions I heard a strange voice. It wasn't entirely human or robotic, and it had a slightly feminine tone"
— Krax began to think as he stroked his chin, searching for a memory that might correlate with the descriptions Oberon had given. It didn't take long to find something; his gaze returned to Oberon —
"I remember something"
"Really? Tell me"
"When I transcended too, I'm not entirely sure because my mind was occupied with something else at the time, but I think I remember hearing a voice like the one you described to me"
"You think? —he sighed—, Those words aren't enough for me"
"I'm sorry for you; I never really cared much anyway"
What could be going on that he didn't notice a voice speaking directly into his head?
"What are you talking about?"
—said Elena, suddenly appearing from behind Obi, flashing her classic smile—
"Your conversation seemed quite interesting to me; you were talking about a voice, weren't you?"
"You don't even think about giving me answers, let alone telling me yes or no."
"That's true, but a good merchant must know their customers' needs."
"Weren't you an investor?"
"The connection between investment and commerce is the engine that drives the economy; nothing forces me to choose just one"
Great, now she's giving me a marketing lecture instead of answering my questions.
"But I didn't come just for your little discussion"
—Elena moved closer to Oberon, standing right at his right side—
"I noticed that Kaelen hasn't been himself since he woke up, as if he's overthinking things—something that's not normal for him"
Is she calling Kaelen stupid? Actually, I said the same thing, but coming from her, it makes me angry.
—Oberon thought as he furrowed his brow at what Elena was saying, yet he didn't stop her —
"If something happened to him, it must have been last night, after he went to see you"
"Just tell me where you want to go; I don't have much patience for conversations"
That's a lie; I just don't have much patience for her.
"I need the beast in top condition; he belongs to me. We made a deal: I saved his life in exchange for him running an errand for me. I don't know what you told him, but you'd better not do something like that again."
"Do you think Kaelen is your pet?"
"As long as he owes me a debt, that's how it'll be."
— Elena could sense Oberon's anger as she watched him clench his fists tightly while putting on a false show of calm; it was something that made her laugh, but she could only manage a smile as she tried to hold back her laughter —
"I understand, but that means it's none of our business"
"That's right"
"And if I understand correctly, Kaelen just has to run an errand for you; there's no story about protection or guard duty. We could simply split up and leave you alone"
— That last sentence was met only with Elena's silence, a silence that made Oberon smile —
"Krax, let's get out of here. We'll run her errand when she's in her grave."
— But unfortunately for Obi, that last sentence was also met with Krax's silence, a silence that wiped the smile off his face —
"What are you playing at?"
"I made a deal with her"
— Krax said, looking Oberon straight in the eye with a neutral expression; there was no doubt, sadness, or remorse in his words—it was a decision he had made with his full mental faculties. At that moment, Obi realized the group had already been taken; he had been so focused on Malicia's experiments that he hadn't noticed it. He just sighed, turning away while Elena laughed behind him.
The night of the sixth day arrived. The group took another break, eating around the campfire, but this time the atmosphere seemed colder. Everyone ate in silence within their own personal space; no one spoke to anyone, and no one looked at anyone. Time passed. Elena was the first to go to sleep, as always, but surprisingly, Kaelen followed her. Krax had finished eating but had decided to stay by Obi's side. They remained silent for a long moment until Oberon, staring at his food, was the first to break the ice —
"So you became his subordinate?"
"That's right"
— That answer brought another brief silence, which was broken again by Obi —
"Is it worth it?"
"I haven't done anything yet, but my goal is totally worth it"
"Is itthat important?"
"It's a big part of my life"
"Why didn't you tell me as soon as I woke up?"
"Tell you about the agreement with Elena or about my goal?"
"Both"
"For the first, I simply didn't think it was necessary—I didn't think you'd get along so badly with her. And for the second, would you tell me about your past?"
"No, there wouldn't be any need
"Exactly, it's the same for me. My past drives me toward my goal and your past drives you toward yours. There's no need to know each other's past; we just need to be on the same path and heading in the same direction for now
"Yes, that would be correct, but if we were just strangers"
— Krax relaxed his facial muscles, showing a friendlier expression, a more human expression toward Oberon —
"Well, tell me. I'm curious about your world. What's it like there?"
"Oh, it's no big deal. There are giant buildings, televisions, cars, and humanity's greatest creation: the internet."
"What is that that you say is so exceptional with such excitement?"
"Oh, of course I'm excited. With the internet, you can connect to the knowledge of all humanity."
"That sounds incredible. Do you also have to sacrifice a limb for that?"
"Believe me, it is. Wait, what?"
— Oberon and Krax began arguing nonstop, talking about cars, airplanes, and other technological creations; every invention Oberon described only excited Krax more, who now seemed more like a child than a bloodthirsty mercenary. It was a calm discussion that didn't end until all the wood in the campfire had burned out —