As soon as we landed, I slipped behind the trees to change. Martha and Amelia gathered our gear, stowing everything neatly on Safari. I emerged moments later in new clothes—a deep red tunic, a black scarf wrapped around my neck, leather pants, a black sword strapped to my back, and a magic staff tucked into my pocket beside the signal I had bought.
Xiver: Amelia, how do I look?
Amelia blinked, caught off guard.
Amelia: Huh… what kind of question is that?
Xiver: Just answer, damnit.
Amelia: Hmmmm… I don't know. What about you, Martha?
Martha: I'm blind.
Amelia: Hmmm… I guess you're okay.
I smiled, a little happiness sneaking through my exhaustion.
Amelia: You look different today… did something happen?
Xiver: Just thought I'd… open up more, ha ha ha.
She gave me a suspicious glance but ignored it, moving on.
We stepped into the shifting sands. Each footstep changed the color beneath us—from pale yellow to deep orange, then to muted pink. The world felt alive, almost like it was breathing with us.
Xiver: Hi, Martha… why doesn't anyone come here?
Martha: Dangerous creatures. But for Maria… I'd risk it.
Amelia: This is weird. I've been signaling Tea, but he doesn't respond.
Martha: Yep. That's why we let Xiver have no say in new members.
Amelia: When we find Maria, she decides who joins. Not us.
Martha: Why?
Amelia: She's the one who introduced me to you.
Martha blushed, looking down.
Martha: Ah… yeah. But… weren't you the one who added Xiver?
Amelia: He's useless.
Xiver: You still remember our mission?
Amelia: Of course, yes.
She straightened, determination in her eyes.
Amelia: Let's go save Maria.
Xiver: Martha… I wanted to ask—
Martha: Hm?
Xiver: Why doesn't anyone visit the Dream Lands?
Martha: Two reasons: high magical pressure, and the monsters.
Xiver: High magic pressure?
Martha: Yeah. Some zones need specific magic power, or you die. It's like gravity multiplying on you.
Xiver: And the monsters?
Martha: There are different types… but nothing worth the kingdoms' time. They just hire adventurers to clean them up.
Amelia laughed suddenly, pointing at herself.
Amelia: Huh? Xiver, why don't you ask me? Ask me questions!
Xiver: Last time I asked, you gave me wrong information about the basics.
She flushed, shocked.
Amelia: Because your mom… focused me too…
Xiver: Let's just go. Keep up.
We kept walking, the sand crunching beneath our boots, until Amelia suddenly froze.
Amelia: I think I forgot my magic staff on Safari.
Xiver: You use magic staffs?
Amelia: Yes. Last time, it wasn't useful—but for saving Maria, I need it. For Martha.
Xiver: Huh?
Amelia: Of course, we won't defeat the Fate Dragon… but for Maria, Martha can break the curse on her.
Xiver: I see.
Amelia: My role is assisting with health, mana, and defense.
Xiver: Divine magic… sounds useful.
Amelia: You and I use similar types… probably because of your blood.
Xiver: Hm?
Amelia: Alexander… uh, I mean Alex… and your mother.
Martha: Wait… Xiver is Alexander's son?
Amelia: NO! You didn't hear anything from me!
Xiver: Yes, Martha. My father is Alexander.
Martha's eyes widened, processing.
Martha: I… understand.
Amelia: Huh? Didn't you want to keep your identity hidden?
Xiver: I trust Martha.
Martha blushed, biting her lip.
Martha: I trust you too, Xiver.
Amelia (disgusted): Ew, Martha… he's only twelve.
Martha (blushing, shouting): I KNOW! STOP MAKING IT WEIRD! I'm not flirting with him!
Amelia laughed, teasing her mercilessly as we continued walking. I tried to focus on the mission instead of the blushes.
Eventually, we reached a cave. The entrance felt unnaturally cold, and inside, a black pool shimmered in the dim light.
Xiver: Martha… what is this black water for?
Martha: I… don't know.
Xiver: Then here goes nothing.
The water leapt toward my bare hands. I jumped back, but it was sticky and slimy, clinging to me.
Amelia rushed forward, using magic to loosen its grip—but the slime still cut my arm, and black tendrils tried to seep into my blood. I made a second cut on my arm and used water magic to control the flow, but it refused to let go. Amelia wrapped a leather belt tightly around my arm to contain it.
We fled the cave as pain seared through me. Outside, a sandstorm began. We ran for cover, finding a strange rock formation. Martha fell, dizzy and blind, struggling to sense mana in the whirlwind. I grabbed her, pulling her close until the storm passed—or at least slowed.
Amelia: Looks like we might need teleportation magic.
Xiver: That'll drain so much mana… let's wait.
Through the swirling dust, a dark figure approached. Its robes swallowed its shape, face hidden beneath a hood.
Weird Figure: Come to me.
Xiver: Who the hell is that?
Amelia: Martha… do you want to risk it?
Martha: Wait. Let's do something first.
Amelia: Oh… yeah. Xiver, go to him—we'll follow.
Xiver: Huh?
Amelia: Just do it. Remember, I'm older, smarter, prettier, stronger… wait, you didn't have to rush so much.
I charged through the blinding sandstorm. The figure loomed ahead. I hugged it tightly, trying not to fall as the storm battered us.
When I woke, water dripped onto my forehead. I was in another cave.
Xiver: Who are you?
A figure stepped forward, silk blond hair flowing, long ears stretching gracefully from her head.
Weird Figure: My name is Hazel. I am an elf.