“And you are sure?” Kite asked, turning over his shoulder to regard the spearhead of Laevyeth.

  They stood a bit removed from the others, Kite having activated a simple privacy screen which would shield them from any casual listeners. Just a few hours after Sir Ilmaril arriving with reinforcements, most of the villa ruins had been properly excavated where the adventurers had apparently found a few more quite damning objects. The team had given a proper report to their gold-ranked superior, but had otherwise been free to keep watch and recover.

  “I am,” Laevyeth stated. “If thou would still take me along, that is.”

  “Indeed I will,” Kite confirmed. “And, just to confirm, you still want to look for a matching wielder?”

  “I do,” the spear replied. “I did give it a lot of thought, though. But any true freedom of mine will probably have to be found in the company of one with whom I truly resonate, contrary as it might seem. But in the meantime, I would like to see this home of yours of which I only have borrowed memories.”

  Kite was about to speak again, but Laevyeth continued. “And as to me saying farewell to the others… My will remains firm. They deserve as much.”

  “Then I believe that we might as well get to it,” Kite said, nodding to where the other members stood gathered in the distance to watch Van Sztramm’s broken form - very much alive but also having seen much better days - being encapsulated in one of Sir Ilmaril’s crystal prisons along with Lady Ljublia and the bronze-ranked servant. “As things stand, we will probably be portaling out even before we reach Svyatograd, and Glint will carry us back quite swiftly to meet up with Riz on the way.”

  “Lead the way then,” Laevyeth confirmed, seeming to steel herself.

  Kite hopped down from the rock he had been using as a perch and walked across the sundered remains of the gardens around the ruined villa. Sensing the tone of his aura, the others of his team turned to look at him as he approached. But as he drew near, Kite stopped and unslung the spear from his back, gently holding it out towards the others.

  “Kite? Laevyeth? What is-” Christine began, but fell silent as the form of the spear started glowing and shifted, revealing Laevyeth’s tall humanoid form who let go of Kite’s hand to properly face the others. She was still dressed in Kite’s spare robes, but looked surprisingly regal with her blue-tinted skin and silver eyes. Then Laevyeth bowed, speaking with eyes downcast.

  “I… wish to convey my utmost gratitude. If it weren’t for your help, I would still remain a prisoner, having traded one cell for another even after crossing between worlds and all that lies betwixt,” she said, keeping her aura bare to show them her utmost sincerity. “And I also wish to convey my apologies for not daring to reveal myself to ye. In the end, acting on my fears brought me what I most tried to avoid while bringing ye all danger. This will be a time of learning which I will never forget, of this I swear. And thus I wanted to tell ye this in person. Eye to eye, as I believe that the saying goes.”

  As she finished, Laevyeth rose from her bow and regarded each of the team in turn; the gruff Ryker, fascinatedly staring Christine, smiling Mtanga and thoughtful-looking Linger.

  “While you don’t know too much about adventurers yet-,” Ryker began, breaking the silence, “I hope that you will at least remember us as a decent exemple in the years to come. Not all of us are perfect, but I have known plenty over the years who wouldn’t have hesitated a second to come to your aid. And the adventure society would no doubt welcome you and any wielder you find into our midst, assuming that they aren’t one already.”

  “Many of us are quite the freedom-loving sorts, after all,” Christine said, breaking in.

  “And we really, really didn’t like how that Van Sztramm or his flunky Ljublia acted,” Linger chimed in with his usual cheer. “So we got to rescue a beautiful outworlder in distress and beat up some magic society fops. I would count that as a win in all the ways that count.”

  “But on the behalf of the actually competent part of the magic society, I do wish to extend our apologies as well,” Mtanga said, smile fading somewhat. “May any further encounters with our members be peaceful, consensual and in the name of shared knowledge.”

  “It’s a shame we have to go though, as there is so much more I’d like to ask you,” Christine said. “Or perhaps only partially a shame. We all do want to go home. And you, Laevyeth, probably want to get far, far away from here. And as things would have it, Fortune has blessed us that uncle Ilmaril here will be the one to stay behind and handle the rest of the fallout from this little outing.”

  The crystal-armored gold-ranker in the distance turned and gave his niece an arched look at her words, but otherwise chose to not interrupt the silvers’ moment. He had already had his fair share of exchanges with Laevyeth, and had made quite a few promises should she ever want to visit for some more moments to talk.

  “This Fortune does indeed seem kind in the end,” Laevyeth agreed. “Even though the concept of your divinities remain most alien to me.”

  “Which only makes me want to ask even more questions,” Christine complained. “Oh well, I supposed that we do have to get going. Your portal courier was to meet you outside the city, right?”

  “That is quite correct. We sent word with those that went ahead and arranged for it. Best to not challenge fate more than necessary and stay around. Going halfway across the world should help dissuade any efforts at tracking us down in the short run, especially as we use the adventure society’s couriers. There should barely be a trail to follow,” Kite confirmed before joining the others in striding towards the shimmering form of Glint who had already taken her customary place before Kite’s enchanted ship. “Soon, we shall be returning to my home. And from there, I assume that life will do plenty to keep me busy, especially if we add finding you a wielder to the list, Laevyeth.”

  “Well, any ideas where to start then? Because if you are ever in the market for a hot elf woman with stone and crystal powers, don’t hesitate to find me,” Christine joked, looking at the spear with faux expectancy.

  “Honestly, no,” Laevyeth replied, walking beside them as she kept her humanoid form in order to more properly experience the world. “But in a way, it is quite liberating. At least I can start my quest in a less… spectacular setting. Kite’s homeland seems to have its fair share of troubles, but its - what was the term? Lower mana density? - mean that I shalt perhaps find some relative safety.”

  “About that…” Kite said as they stepped up onto the small wooden ship, finally managing to bring up a topic which he had been keeping to himself ever since meeting the spear-woman and learning of her circumstances. “I would not want to push anything on you Laevyeth, so feel free to ponder the offer for as long as you need-”

  “Kite, your earnestness is very sweet, but I do believe that your intentions have gotten across,” Christine added with a wink as she flicked a small conjured crystal his way.

  “What is it, Kite? For all that thou have done for me, I would be remiss in not listening,” Laevyeth asked, stopping beside them on the small deck of the ship just outside the small cabin that was the seating area.

  “As I was trying to say-” Kite continued, sending Christine a playful spiritual nudge in way of returning fire, “- you are looking for a resonating wielder. And while I am sure that there are plenty of candidates around the world… There is someone which I would very much like to introduce you to.”

  “Please show me again, Teacher,” Sprite asked, a slight pleading tone to her voice.

  “Again? That would be the third time.” Dragonfly retorted a bit amused where she sat atop a stone outcropping. Beneath them, the compound belonging to Kite and his family spread out among the forests and tall cliff spires, nestled up around the mountain containing the aperture to the astral space. The sun was just touching the horizon in the distance, with dusk arriving within an hour or two.

  Sprite’s attempt to restrain her pleading eyes - only further heightened by her aura betraying the emotion - was enough for Dragonfly to roll her eyes even as a smile played on her lips.

  “Fine, fine,” she said with faux complaint in her voice, rising from her rocky seat and hefting Piece of Heaven across one shoulder. “The things you do for your student.”

  “Thank you, Teacher!” Sprite said happily, scurrying a few steps back in clear anticipation.

  “As I said before- ,” Dragonfly said, falling into a more balanced combat stance,” - your balance and readiness is the key foundation for your footwork. But when you strike, stepping with the blows and simultaneously keeping that balance is your next hurdle to climb. And you’re getting pretty good at that too. But when your life is one the line, I’ve found that an emission of spiritual force as well as physical will best help guide your intent. Hence… Kyyyyaaahhh!”

  Dragonfly gave off a fierce warcry as she swung, her enhanced silver-ranked strength sending torrents of air sweeping in all directions around her from the force of the blow. To further add some flair, Dragonfly also activated Ripple of Flame which sent a cascade of flames shooting out over a dozen meters into the empty air with a roar of its own.

  “That’s at least what has worked for me,” she finished, turning to her willowy student who had fallen to her backside from the mere proximity to the demonstration. “You couldn’t feel it, but I shoved outwards with my aura as well. It’s something Soul taught me, and I’d like to think I’ve gotten a lot better at it. You’ll learn too, in time, especially when we know your path in the future. Oh, and speaking of Soul, it’s probably time for us to make a trip to Convergence soon too. I wanted to wait for Kite, but as he seems to be further delayed he’ll just have to catch up. If I choose my words well, I might even be able to convince Soul to give you some more pointers.”

  “... Thank you… Teacher,” came Sprite’s reply, a lot less enthusiastic than before.

  “Oh I know how she is. But you really improved in leaps and bounds last time,” Dragonfly said, trying to comfort the girl whose aura was now emitting a distinct sense of dread. She also leant to help Sprite to her feet, but the girl instead performed a decent technical stand-up as she regained her feet on her own.

  “Well, she sure took to that quickly,” Dragonfly thought, inwardly smiling a bit helplessly at Sprite’s persistent behavior. She could feel the girl steadfastly pushing down her trepidation through sheer tenacity before Sprite eventually gave Dragonfly one of her signature serious looks.

  “If it can lead to me mastering the fire essence like you, Teacher, then I will bear it.”

  Her voice might have wobbled slightly there at the end, but Dragonfly pretended not to hear as she replied.

  “That is most brave of you, Sprite. But on that note, don’t settle on essences just yet as you have many years ahead of you. We’ll see what path calls to you and what will be available at the time. My own master always provided for me, but my fire essence was part because she deemed that it fit my nature and part necessity due to it being relatively common. You and I now have the luxury of an even greater support system through the guild, and we should make the most of it.”

  “Well, I still want a fire essence. If it is not too much to ask, Teacher,” Sprite said, deflating a bit as she forced some humility into her tone. She knew, at least in theory, the value of even the common essences and tried her best to not act too eager at the fact that she was well on her way to having a full set as soon as she came of age.

  “I won’t say no, Sprite, but I still urge patience,” Dragonfly said, clapping the girl on the shoulder. “And speaking of, I believe that Dove’s pot has been simmering all day. I can smell that curry even all the way up here. Let's find our way down and-”

  “Teacher? What is it?” Sprite asked as Dragonfly fell silent mid-sentence, eyes scanning the distance.

  “I think… Ah, there!” Dragonfly exclaimed, pointing off towards a patch just outside the family compound which was kept clear of any more sizeable greenery. A grey stone gateway had started to appear, and Dragonfly knew that if one gazed into its depths one would see a path lined with rows and rows of similar archways.

  “I can’t… What is it?” Sprite asked, squinting as she tried to spot what Dragonfly was pointing out.

  “It’s a portal! Riz’s portal! Which means that Kite should be back!” Dragonfly said happily, holding out one hand. “Come, let’s take the quick way down.”

  She felt Sprite shove down another wave of fright, letting it give way to the accompanying excitement as the girl took Dragonfly’s hand and let her teacher scoop her up with one very strong arm as she grabbed her axe with the other hand. Then Dragonfly leapt, further augmenting the motion with her essence power even if she moderated the force carefully so as to not risk harming Sprite and her still oh-so-delicate insides.

  The pair soared out over the compound, and as they began their downward trajectory Dragonfly activated the animating power of her axe and used it to guide their descent in a much more graceful spiraling motion which had them touch down on the gravel path outside the gates mere moments after Riz - the colorful, elven portal-user - had exited the dimensional aperture.

  “I hope you enjoyed your travel with the great Riz and her dimensional enterprises,” the elf began while bowing towards the portal like a polite manservant. “The tip in the form of those candied fruits in port Singhni was most appreciated too and- oh, hi Dragonfly! I brought him home, safe and sound! And with an extra to boot!”

  The other silver turned and gave both of the new arrivals a cheerful wave as she skipped with excitement while Kite made his exit from the aperture. Used to portals by now, Dragonfly only detected a faint hint of disorientation in his aura upon his arrival before his spirit and eyes found hers immediately.

  “Dragonfly!”

  Their auras intertwined slightly even before they had the time to close for an embrace, and Dragonfly felt the usual faint tension bleed from her heart.

  “Thank Fortune that you are safe yet again,” she murmured into his chest, uncaring of the armor. “I know you have good support and competent teams but- oh heavens!”

  Dragonfly cut off as she, from the corner of her eye, noted the other person emerging from the portal; a tall woman with skin tinted blue and silver eyes, otherwise completely bereft of hair and dressed in one of Kite’s spare robes. She only had a moment to brush up against an odd aura, silver-ranked yet with a completely different feel to it than any Dragonfly had previously felt, before the woman, after a moment of wide-eyed fascination with her new surroundings, suddenly started toppling like a felled tree as her eyes lost focus.

  As one, the embracing pair disentangled and caught her before she hit the ground, and it was only then that Dragonfly’s mind managed to belatedly register the ‘extra’ which Riz had mentioned which was only further confirmed by Kite being completely calm as his perception power had surely shown her emerge after him.

  “Heavens… Thine world is most… unstable, Kite,” the woman said, silver eyes still partly glazed over.

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  “I do believe I warned you that the disorienting effects of portals would take more than a few hops to get used to,” Kite noted in return, helping Dragonfly to keep the woman steady as she found her bearings.

  Eyes clearing somewhat, the woman finally seemed to manage to focus on Dragonfly.

  “Oh, and thou art Dragonfly!” she said, looking surprisingly happy at the apparent recognition. “Kite is most fond of thee. Most fond. His memories of the time spent in thine company were very vibrant!”

  “I… am indeed,” Dragonfly replied, throwing Kite a befuddled glance. “And you are…”

  “My name is Lae- Laevyeth,” the odd woman said, finally managing to stand on her own. As if that explained everything.

  “Pleasure to meet you…?” Dragonfly replied before remembering. “Oh, and this is Sprite. Sprite, come greet our latest guest. I am sure that her story is a most interesting one,” she finished, giving Kite a curious look only to receive a nod and a look in return which easily transmitted the unspoken ‘believe me, you have no idea’.

  “Little Sun Sprite, disciple of Dragonfly over Sun’s Reflection greets the honored guest!” Sprite proclaimed loudly after a moment of embarrassment as she found her bearings.

  “Well, it seems like someone has listened to auntie Crow’s lessons in etiquette,” Kite noted amusedly as he returned her bow with the corresponding one of a returning acquaintance.

  He stopped and took a long, steadying breath and let his senses spread out over the compound, the inhalation more to properly take in the scents of home rather than any actual need for air. The forests, the scent of the wooden buildings, of the people and-

  “And as for etiquette-,” he continued, turning to the others. “- I believe that auntie Dove is making a most delectable curry. Why don’t we show Laevyeth some proper hospitality?”

  “That sounds most wonderful, my dear Kite,” Dragonfly said sweetly, waving farewell to Riz who went back into her portal before taking Laevyeth by the arm and guiding her towards the compound gates. She almost let go as the woman stiffened slightly, but seemed to accept the gesture after a moment, so Dragonfly continued. “But I don’t believe that you’ll get too much eating done anytime soon, Kite. You’ll be too busy telling us a nice, long and detailed story of - what I’m sure - are most grand adventures.”

  During the last day of Laevyeth’s life, beginning with torment and ending with freedom and a stop in Port Singhni before moving on towards Kite’s homeland, she had come to a few realizations.

  The first was that she did not want to be afraid anymore, especially not of each and every person. As such, she had tried not to stiffen or flinch too much as she had finally met Dragonfly and Dove, one of his adopted mothers. Both had greeted her with casual touch - and in Dove’s case, a full-on hug - while Crow and the young Raven watched the newcomer from across the room. It was, in a way, people she knew. Or at least knew of. And knowing their importance to Kite, who remained her firmest anchor point in this new world of hers, Laevyeth decided to not make the same mistake as last time. As such, she bore their touches and the surprising amount of care shown to her as she was led into the house made of wood and smelling of herbs. It was an intense experience, but not an unpleasant one she decided once she had recovered from the shock of it.

  Second was that being part of a prolonged conversation, especially one between many people at once, was challenging. Through Kite she had a sense of the odd kind of rules and nuances in place, but actually navigating it remained a work in progress which Laevyeth suspected might take a while.

  And third, she had realized that this food which she had observed taking such a central place in the lives of the people Laevyeth had met so far had earned its place. And by quite the margin too.

  “Would you like some more, Lavyeth dear?” Dove asked, holding out another ladle of curry.

  “Please, Lady Dove,” the outworlder replied, accepting the third helping.

  Dove only smiled in response, pleased in equal parts of her cooking being appreciated and the most noble title. “Oh it’s no trouble, dear,” the woman replied, her tone pleased but even. “It was a nice and needed break for me to gather myself a bit and find acceptance that I seem to be developing a case of bad hearing. Because I surely didn’t just hear my little Kite telling me that he and his little Gauntlet friends decided to go and fight a gold-ranker.”

  “I too, am most curious,” Dragonfly added with a more genuine smile. “Kite, who was it? That Van Sztramm who robbed you? Oh, I hope it was him!”

  “Dragonfly, don’t encourage him!” Dove chided. “Think of your student and what ideas this might put into her head.”

  “Oh… You’re right… Sprite?”

  “Yes, Teacher?”

  “You're not allowed to fight a gold-ranker as a silver without asking me for permission first.”

  “Understood, teacher.”

  It took Laevyeth a moment to untangle and sort the rapid-fire exchanges, where irony, humor, care and other abstracts mingled. But fortunately, she had the curry and flatbread with which to occupy herself as the family bantered.

  “Well, he did effectively kidnap Laevyeth. And we were five against one core-user with only a few combat powers,” Kite added in an attempt at an explanation.

  “And you still could have avoided it by going to that gold of your own, no?”

  “But that would have given Van Sztramm time. Too much time, as it turned out,” Kite began, before glancing at Sprite and Raven. “But those details are best left for another day,” he finished with a meaningful tone.

  “But you did succeed then?” Dragonfly asked. “I mean, you are both here?”

  “That we did,” Kite agreed, as he started telling his family about their attempt at liberation. Laevyeth still found it fascinating to hear of it from another’s perspective, and knowing the preparations which had been underway while she was enduring the spiritual pressure - and worse - did alleviate some of the more uncomfortable feelings which the memories gave rise to.

  She did note that Kite chose to highlight some parts of the fight more than the others, skimming past most of the actual violent details.

  “It is… for the young ones sake,” she realized after spending a moment sifting through some of the memories and knowledge which Kite had provided. “An odd sentiment. I will have to ask him about it.”

  “-and so, we returned as quickly as we could. Sir Ilmaril would make as sure as he could that our portal-trail wouldn’t be on proper record and have the society keep an extra eye on anyone trying to access my files,” Kite finished. “So we should not have any pursuers come looking for us anytime soon, or even at all, Fortune be willing. From what little Sir Ilmaril told me, I got the sense that Van Sztramm wouldn’t be talking with anyone, anytime soon, if at all. He apparently had some most illegal possessions there at his hidden villa. Ones that will find even a gold-ranker in the deepest kinds of trouble.”

  As he finished, Laevyeth was surprised to find that most gazes shifted from Kite to her.

  “You… poor dear,” Dove exclaimed softly in the silence that followed. “You poor, poor dear. Ripped across worlds - which in itself is still most baffling to me - and then having to go through such horrors.”

  Laevyeth did not know what to say. From what she knew of the woman from Kite’s memories, this behaviour was entirely in line with how she would act. But to be on the receiving end of her concern like this… Laevyeth had not expected the intensity of it, or the emotions that Dove’s eyes - tears glistening at their corners - and aura would cause to stir inside her.

  “I…” she began, but paused as she noticed something odd. Her vision was blurring as the remnants of roiling fear inside her felt like it became something else. The sensation was painful in a sense, but not like the touch of that horrible, bone-handled thing. No, it came with the sense of something - the fear perhaps? - wanting to come out.

  “I believe that mine eyes might have suffered some kind of damage. They don’t seem to be working as they should,” Laevyeth eventually managed to get out, feeling something wet rolling down her cheeks. Tears? She knew of them and had seen them just now. But from her?

  There was a moment of silence before Kite replied, voice gentle.

  “There seems to be quite a lot more to your new self for you to experience,” he said, voice understanding. “And plenty more than this, I assure you. But hopefully, you’ll finally have the time to get reacquainted with what it means to be you.”

  “And now we have not one, but two others sleeping downstairs, tucked away in their rooms,” Dragonfly mused where she sat on the edge of the bed she shared with Kite, wrangling her mass of curls into submission. “Not that I’m complaining mind you. If I can bring a student home unexpectedly, I won’t complain when you do the same. Even if Laevyeth’s circumstances are quite more spectacular. And she really is… a spear? Or at least in part? I have seen it, yet it still boggles the mind.”

  “Well, I believe that neither of us had the intent to return home in company when we set out, but hopefully it speaks well of our compassion,” Kite agreed, already in bed and just taking the time to admire his lover. “In a sense, it almost feels like we’ve gotten ourselves a little family. Even if Laevyeth is, in all probability, quite a temporary addition while she finds her way.”

  “Certainly an odd family, if that is the case,” Dragonfly giggled, finally finishing with her hair and sliding down next to Kite beneath the covers. As silvers, neither really needed to sleep much, but as life often kept them apart for days or weeks, they made sure to keep the ritual of spending that time of rest close to one another. “But I suppose that we lead an odd life, so it is surely fitting. Back to Laevyeth though… She still seems set on looking for a compatible wielder?”

  “That she is, even if I believe that some initial peace and quiet will do her good.”

  “So… have you told- ?”

  “I sent a missive as soon as we arrived in Port Singhni. With Laevyeth’s approval, of course.”

  Dragonfly sat up a bit, locking eyes with Kite.

  “Then, Kite?”

  “Yes?

  “Swear to me.”

  “That?”

  “That I can be there when they meet. Kite, promise. Swear on it. Because I wouldn’t miss his reaction for anything between heaven and earth.”

  “Well, that could have gone better,” Koram grumbled as he exited the local branch headquarter of the adventure society.

  “Brother, it could also have gotten a lot worse,” Maram countered, easily keeping pace with her brother even in her heavy armor.

  Every time Koram looked at his sister and her gear, he was a bit proud of his craftsmanship, with the steelglass allowing the natural glow of her runes to shine through. But this time not even that was enough to improve his mood.

  “He keeps insisting on stepping out of his role whenever he deems it ‘necessary’. If this team is to function and not become a laughing stock wherever we go around the Sea of Storms, this little foreigner you’re so fond of will have to learn his place.”

  “But brother, his conjurations are-”

  “-are just what our team needs, yes. They slot into things beautifully, power-wise. Gods know I’ve never seen so many spears before,” Koram replied, preparing his retort. “It’s his mentality that is the problem. Just because you’re sweet on him doesn’t mean that we can just keep going like this.”

  “Brother, I am not ‘sweet on him’.”

  “Really? Could have fooled me, the way you’re defending him.”

  “Koram, the man unironically calls out his attack named ‘Darkness Penetrator’. I’ve seen women actually flirt with him, and it’s like his mind can’t even register the attempt. I’m more surprised that the church of Purity hasn't scooped him up and named him a saint yet.”

  “So why are-”

  “Because-” Maram said, interrupting her brother. “- he’s only been with us for two months. And while it may feel long, it truly isn’t in the grand scope of things. Given the fit of his power set, I’d say he deserves at least a few more months to prove that he can acclimatize. Where else would we find such an ideal striker to synergize with your power set?”

  Seeing the other two members of their team across the small, rain-slick plaza, the runic siblings lowered their voices as they drew near.

  “... Fine. Three more months. I’ll offer him three more months,” Koram murmured begrudgingly as the other two came to meet them.

  “Thank you,” Maram replied, smiling and waving at the others. “That’ll give me some more time to actually make my shot at him too.”

  “Maram, you said-”

  “That’s not the actual reason, brother,” Maram replied with a roll of her eyes. “But just look at him; dashingly handsome yet naively pure. Oh how I’d like to corrupt him in juuuust the right way,” she finished, the gleam in her eyes as mischievous as it was lustful.

  “Koram, Maram!”

  Before Koram could protest any further, Triumph of Indomitable Will, the object of the sibling’s quiet dispute, gave them a cheerful call of greeting.

  “How did you fare? Any troubles?” the tall, blonde elf asked, trailed by Xanon, the group’s soft spoken healer.

  “As we suspected, our work did not qualify for the bonus. But we did get paid,” Koram replied, straightening and assuming the posture that was his best attempt at the confident team leader.

  “Hmm, a shame, but the path towards the heavens and the excellence found therein is ever the long one,” the elf replied, nodding sagely. “It seems like I will need to further polish my Heavenly Shaft, even though fighting along your side is a great boon to me. Even after weeks of fighting together, I still marvel at what your forge path can bring out in my conjurations.”

  As usual, Will did not deign to acknowledge the wince and snickering which followed his particular choice of words, even though the reactions might have earned themselves the occasional grumbled ‘base-born’ or ‘commoners’ in the beginning.

  Instead, he turned to look out over the Sea of Storms off in the distance to the east, even striking a thoughtful pose as he gazed upon the raging waves beyond the storm shields.

  “Well then, illustrious team leader, where to next? Have you picked up any more contracts? Just say the word and I will thrust into whatever targets you choose; thrust until my stamina is spent and I can thrust no more.”

  Behind him, Maram’s smile only grew while Koram facepalmed. Still, after a nudge from his sister, the team leader straightened. “About that… We have indeed another contract; a broader monster sweep throughout some more rural regions further inland. A long and hard trip, but Team Grand Arsenal should not fear to keep throwing ourselves against the grindstone that is the world. As such, we would like to offer to extend your trial period by another three months before we can sit down for a proper evaluation. You bring much to the table, Will, and synergize splendidly. But our differences in methodology and approach still leaves some issues for us to iron out.”

  At Koram’s words, Will turned to regard the runic man. “As I believe I have said, team leader, my path is a calling in and of itself. To become the next Saint of Spears, I must strive for excellence, so limiting myself as you are suggesting does not harmonize with my nature.”

  The words weren’t antagonistic but much the opposite, with Will delivering his sentiments as if trying to share something deeply personal and important rather than going on the defensive.

  “If you are to be part of a team, Will, we will need to count on you upholding your role in our plans and formation,” Koram said, pressing an oft repeated point. “I know that things are done differently in your homeland, and I will keep mustering my patience. But you are in Rimaros now, and from what you have said this isn’t the first time this issue has come up. Still, we do hope that you’d consider working with us some more. Perhaps you can yet become the offensive cornerstone of team Grand Arsenal.”

  Will looked to be deep in thought for a moment, before eventually nodding.

  “Father did send me here to gather proper experience of the world and its myriad perspectives. And he is as patient as he is wise, so I shall have to trust his judgment in this too,” the elf said, giving each of the others a smile and a nod. “Then, I would-”

  “Message! A message for a… Triumph of Indomitable Will…?”

  The messenger, having just emerged from within the adventure society administrations building, looked almost lost in his stride as he tried to comprehend the - to him - no doubt exotic name. Will waved the man over, and the full members of team Grand Arsenal could only watch with growing curiosity as the elf had to prove his identity both through his badge and a match against an aura reading, indicating that someone had paid premium to make sure that the message would only be read by its intended recipient.

  Seeming satisfied, the messenger eventually handed Will a sealed letter which he unsealed with a touch of his society badge, but not before moving away slightly from the others by stepping closer to the railing overlooking the distant ocean.

  “My apologies. It was apparently stated most clearly that it was for my eyes only,” Will explained with an apologetic bow before he got to reading.

  During his time spent with the team, the elf had always displayed a good control of his aura. This meant that all three of the other members almost jumped in place as Will’s aura suddenly surged outwards. Excitement, disbelief and - most of all - a passionate drive roiled in the man’s spirit, enough to cause other nearby adventurers to cast disapproving glances his way.

  Moments later, Will folded the missive and tucked it away in an inner pocket of his flowing warrior’s robes.

  “I must go!”

  With that, he turned and strode briskly back towards the buildings of the society campus, team Grand Arsenal becoming stunned onlookers to his departure.

  “W-what do you mean go? What happened? What was in the message?” Koram eventually managed to call after the retreating elf as he found his words.

  “Destiny!” came the return call. “An opportunity. Gods beyond, may my path - no - may I prove worthy! Portal! I need a portal!”

  And with that, Triumph of Indomitable Will vanished from sight. Heading home.