After recalling the memories of Stefan laughing and mocking his own party, it was hard to tell that was the same person that had this type of trauma inside of him.
The way he spoke about Cerra was as if he really liked her, just like how Michael adored Evelyn. Maybe they were closely similar, maybe the reason why Stefan was so inclined about their relationship was because he didn't want the same thing happening to Michael.
Stefan didn't even know Evelyn was with them the entire time, sitting on Michael's back listening along to everything they said.
They walked along the same trail, picking off the flags left behind from the party before. Stefan would study the trampled grass, investigate areas that seemed suspicious, and plant the flags to verify their scouting. Other than that, they haven't discovered anything to take note of. This just felt like some normal hike to burn off the calories that he scarfed down earlier.
On the bright side, he was more talkative to Michael compared to the last few days when they were together. It was like revealing his past sort of opened him up more because he trusted Michael.
Michael thought people had their own ways of dealing with grief. He didn't really specify what happened after Cerra's death but only said that people hated him for it. When Michael's parents died, he was obviously surprised but they didn't even give him enough attention for him to grieve. His mother only kept him around because of the crippling responsibility that she had to carry, giving birth when they barely had any money as adventurers.
He didn't even get to see his parents either, they could have just faked their deaths and left him alone because it was too expensive raising a child. Michael had nothing to begin with, that was why he treasured his magical sword so much.
Maybe Stefan's story was a reminder on how easy it was for someone to die. It didn't matter how gifted a person was, or how well they grew up, because fate was twisted enough to spin their story around and have the worst end. Michael just had to be strong enough to prevent that.
"Thanks, by the way," Michael said. "I didn't mean to ask about your past when you know nothing about me either."
Stefan looked back at him. "Kid, I definitely know enough about you."
"You think so?"
"Your parents died when you were young, you met a girl that you liked, you needed money to impress her, and now you've gotten yourself in this mess. Does that sound accurate enough?"
Michael tried to find something to argue about. "Uhh…"
"No offense, really," Stefan let out a small chuckle. "I know about a hundred people with cases similar to yours. It sounds like we're all cursed by love, right?"
Michael didn't know how to answer that.
"You should introduce her to us, at least let her know about the people that's taking care of her boyfriend."
"Umm…"
"What?" he scoffed. "We're not good enough for her?"
That was exactly the point, Michael thought, nobody else should know about her.
He wanted Evelyn all to himself even if that sounded absurdly selfish. But it was true, he didn't want anyone else to be worried about her besides him. This world didn't deserve someone like her, especially the presence of other adventurers.
Who would ever know if someone had caught a glance at Evelyn and thought something repulsive? Even the chances of that made Michael sick to his stomach. Evelyn already hated Mave, she thought Ellis talked too loud for someone so short, and she barely tolerated Stefan. And to know that Michael's party was the only good batch of the Adventuring guild.
Michael gulped. "Maybe once we get back home, I'll try to ask her about meeting you all."
The sword deeply hummed on his back. It sounded like she refused the idea.
"Sounds fun," Stefan placed his hands behind his head. "Because right now, none of them believe that she's real."
Michael laughed nervously.
"But, look at you," Stefan gestured to him. "You've been training pretty hard. Did you finally put on some muscle?"
Michael checked his arms. "Really?"
"No."
Michael was starting to dislike how loudly he laughed again. Maybe the silence they had before wasn't so bad after all.
Stefan wiped his eyes. "You're hilarious, kid, you know that?"
Michael just kept following behind him.
"I can't even crack jokes around you anymore? Don't be like the rest of them, kid, come on. I thought you liked being around me."
"I never said that."
"That's cold, right into the feelings."
Michael thought Stefan was too sarcastic for someone his age. Though it was good to see that they've moved the conversation from Evelyn. Still, his story about his past still bothered Michael a lot. Watching him laugh now and casually stroll like nothing happened made him debate if he was really fine on the inside.
Stefan abruptly stopped them, making Michael bump behind him. He looked around, studying the color of the flags and the trail leading off the path that they usually took.
Michael tried to follow his gaze. He wasn't really paying attention when Ellis briefed what their shift was about. It was honestly irresponsible of him but he trusted that Stefan would be the one taking the lead. But the look on his face, it was as if they'd done something wrong.
Stefan kneeled and reached in his bag and pulled out the different color flags, comparing them as he looked around. Even if he felt unreliable, he knew when it was time to get serious when listening to Ellis.
Michael looked over at him. "Is something wrong—"
He signaled Michael to stop talking. He looked around again, his eyes vigilant and sharp like there was danger nearby.
Michael reached for his sword from behind, ready to sheathe the blade in action.
"It's wrong," Stefan said. "It wasn't supposed to be like this from yesterday, it's all wrong. It's like they were inexcusably stupid listening to Ellis."
"Are we okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine. It's just something else that's bothering me in my mind. It's almost as if…"
Michael watched him stare off into nothingness.
"It's almost as if someone else tampered with our shift, messed with the flags, and led us somewhere deeper in the uncharted. That would explain the new footsteps that weren't yesterday's shift too."
"Are you saying—"
"Yeah," Stefan unsheathed his azure blade. "We're not alone."
Michael pulled his ego sword from behind. The bond must have comforted his fear, feeling the rush of magic washing over his body.
It's the same people, the voice said, the same people that you messed with. I told you, Michael, to stop fighting with them.
Michael thought her voice sounded more angry than usual.
Because I am, the voice said, you're in the middle of nowhere and they're out to kill you. Why wouldn't I be angry?
"Stay behind me," Stefan pulled him close. "We're going to head back—"
"You're not going anywhere," someone said behind a tree. "Not this time."
Stefan pointed his sword to the voice.
Rowe walked from behind. His face is still slightly bruised and swollen from the spots that Stefan struck earlier. Still, it looked like he had abandoned all of his pride when Stefan had beat his party in front of everyone watching.
His mage and the rogue from before flanked also, popping from all sides and surrounding them. There was nowhere to run, everywhere looked the same in the uncharted and the trail they left were blocked by the people that wished death upon them.
Michael gripped his sword even harder. Rowe was right, they weren't going anywhere. They were going to fight this out for the final time. Without anyone watching, whoever would lose would be forgotten in the uncharted.
Stefan tried to push Michael behind him as they came closer. The mage walked with his thick cloak as he leaned on his ominous staff. The rogue brandished his daggers in view, trying to draw out their fear and morale.
Rowe leaned against a tree, folding his arms as he grinned at them.
"How miserable," Stefan loudly scoffed. "How long did it take you fools to plan this beforehand? Did you wait until it was the right time? Did you gather around and talk among your—"
"I would be quiet, Stefan." the rogue said from behind. "Besides, it's always the dead that talks the loudest."