"You blind prick." He nudged him, trying to wake Nasaki up. Nasaki grunted and slapped the hand away. "Let me sleep, Pablo…"
The hand couldn't be slapped away easily, which shocked Nasaki. He kept nudging him. "Who the hell is Pablo?" he said.
Nasaki's eyes widened, recognizing the voice. "Wait, U-" He gasped and woke up, drenched in sweat. He looked around using Mana, trying to sense him. The only thing he could sense was the campfire about to die down and Pablo sleeping next to it. "...Fucking hell." He wiped the sweat from his forehead and lay down.
He was scared to sleep again, so he decided to stay awake for the rest of the night, watching over the camp.
The two were on their way to Hades. They had been staying on the Island of Thornskar, just south of Glacilume. The island was made entirely of stone "spikes" and had no lifeform around its outer regions. The inner regions, however, had been terraformed in 237 AS and became livable and self-sustaining.
The island was rich in ores and natural resources, making it an attraction for Dawnthinkers. Thornskar was one of the Miraculous Islands. Nasaki had a map of Thornskar lying around, but that wasn't the case with Glacilume. They couldn't find a ship, either; Eldoria was too heavily regulated.
Time passed quickly, and the sun began to rise, washing over them. Nasaki could tell by the heat hitting his skin. He stood up and stretched. "I miss being 17…"
He approached the sleeping Pablo, shook him awake, and pulled away his blanket. "Wakey wakey, princess."
Pablo groaned and wiped his eyes. He slowly sat up and looked around. "It's morning already?"
"I guess your sense of time got damaged, being inside my soul and all." Nasaki cleaned the firepit with a snap of his fingers, leaving no trace. His eyes glowed faintly beneath his blindfold. "Anyway, we should get going."
Pablo packed his backpack and grabbed his Zweihander. "Where to?"
Nasaki kicked a rock and sighed. "I guess we'll head to the city, to find a map." He started walking, climbing through the stone hills without worrying about the spikes. Pablo followed. "You've been here before?"
"Yep." Nasaki put his hands behind his neck, casually traversing terrain that could kill someone with one wrong step. Pablo unsheathed his sword and used it as a walking stick to avoid getting impaled. "And you've been to Glacilume before too?" he asked.
Nasaki nodded. "Hm."
"Don't you remember the way, then? Why are we looking for a stupid map- Shit!" He misplaced his foot and nearly slipped, catching a large spike nearby to keep from falling. "That was close…"
Nasaki glanced back. "Be careful." They'd chosen to climb the hill instead of going around it to save time. Pablo started panting and coughing violently, coughing purple blood onto the rocks. "Miraculous Islands don't work with logic. No matter who you are, what your power is, or how good a navigator you are, you can't reach the islands without a map. Even if you know the way, you'll somehow get lost. Otherwise, I would've flown us there already." He rolled his eyes.
"You can fly? And how are the maps made, then? And why aren't you flying us to the top?!" Pablo bombarded him with questions. Nasaki chuckled.
"Like I told you, I know the way to Glacilume. I could've drawn a map. And this is part of your training." The two reached the top, and Pablo sat down to rest for a bit. "Why aren't you drawing a map, then?" he asked.
Nasaki mockingly waved his hand in front of his own eyes. Pablo paused and stared at him, confused. Only after a few seconds did he get it.
"...Who drew the first map, then?" Pablo avoided eye contact, embarrassed.
Nasaki snapped and raised his voice. "I don't know! Stop asking stupid shit!"
After a few minutes, Pablo got up and kept walking. They headed down the hill, which turned out to be even more dangerous. At one point, Nasaki gave up and floated down instead. "Hey!" Pablo yelled.
"Try not, do." Nasaki ignored him and drifted out of sight. Pablo sighed in confusion. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Through careful steps and near-fatal mistakes, Pablo reached the ground safely and found Nasaki waiting for him. "How are you flying? Isn't your Treasure-" Before Pablo could finish his sentence, Nasaki cut in.
"Oh, one more thing about this island- the caves are filled with Magibeasts, so be careful."
Pablo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hm? Beasts? Like… big monsters?" He wiped dust from his pants and shoulders. "Is this one of your jokes too?"
"Nah, you wouldn't see them in Thalorien. When leftover magic residue collects, it invades corpses or objects to form 'Magibeasts.' All of them are hostile." He pulled a piece of bread from his pocket and snacked on it to ease his hunger.
"But they're also soulless. They come in many forms. The ones in Thornskar are made of stone." Nasaki set foot on the gravel path leading up to the city of Thornrest.
As he walked, Pablo could feel the pain in his joints. His arms and legs were sore too. "What should I do if I run into one?"
"Killing them is a bit tricky. You've got to harm them enough for the magic structure to break, so I'd advise fleeing." Nasaki yawned, last night's fatigue finally catching up to him. Pablo stopped at that, raising his voice slightly. "You think I can't do it?"
Nasaki stopped too, sighed, and turned to face him. "We talked about this." Pablo opened his mouth to respond but changed his mind. He looked at the floor, trying to hide how his emotions had gotten the better of him again. Nasaki started walking again, and Pablo gulped and followed.
"You won't be coming with me to Hades, right?" Pablo tried to change the subject and make some small talk. "Yeah. No need to start a war with the big guys. You'll do fine on your own, right?"
He nodded and sheathed his sword on his back. "I guess. When are you leaving?"
"We'll split up in the city. I could conjure some money for you, but… I don't want to." Nasaki shrugged.
"Fair enough," he said. The two spotted the city in the distance. It was almost noon now, and the sun beat down on them both, hitting the sick Pablo especially hard. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and tried to keep walking, barely holding on.
Eventually, they reached the city. The main gate was guarded, so they slipped through the walls instead as Nasaki carved a hole in them. "Alright. This is where you and I part ways." He patted Pablo's shoulder and turned to leave. "See ya."
Pablo watched his mentor walk away, so many things left unsaid. He hesitated, letting the wind blow through his hair. After everything he'd been through, he decided he wouldn't be the guy who stayed in his little corner.
"Nasaki." He called out, sounding like he already regretted it. Nasaki turned around in surprise. "What is it?"
"Back at Eldoria… you remember what I said to you? When you were drunk?" Hearing this, Nasaki nodded. "Yeah. You had one hell of a mouth back then. What about it?"
"I just want you to know that…" Pablo gulped. He met Nasaki's eyes through the blindfold, even knowing he couldn't see him. "...I meant every word. You're a very shitty, messed-up person. But you still saved my life, and that's all I care about."
Nasaki froze, shaken. He stood speechless as Pablo turned his back and walked away. "Well, fuck you too, Pablo." He laughed and waved his hand. "Stay safe." Pablo couldn't help but smile a little. He waved back nonchalantly and disappeared. Once Pablo was gone, Nasaki fixed the wall instantly with a snap of his fingers and walked off.
He turned away from the wall and headed toward the city center. He checked his pockets. "What do I even have on me?"
The only thing left in his pockets was a handful of metal beads, meant for his Treasure. He realized all the money they'd stolen was still with Tsuyoi. The United Government had probably taken it after they imprisoned him. He accepted it and decided to move on. He'd spend his time here earning money and getting the map. "Tsuyoi can wait, right? It's probably not his first time in the slums. I should use this time to prepare," he said to himself.
"Excuse me, sir!" a voice called out. Pablo slowly turned to see who it was.
It was a short man, possibly in his mid-20s, wearing leather pants and a wool jacket. He jogged toward Pablo, papers in hand, waving them as he approached the Anomaly with a smile. "You look like you need a guide!"
Pablo furrowed his brows in confusion. "Is that written on my forehead? How'd you know?" He tilted his head.
"Oh, everyone in Thornrest knows each other. It's not like the island is a tourist attraction; we rarely get visitors!" The man caught up to him.
Pablo wasn't a tall person- in fact, barely above average- but he still towered over the man, which he found mildly amusing. "I'm guessing you want to be my guide?"
The man nodded. "My name is Hurindo. I'm just a humble guide, ready to show you around town!" Hurindo smiled.
"Hm. Well, I could use some help. How much?" Pablo reached into his pockets, even though he had nothing on him. He figured the bluff was enough.
"I don't ask for payment, sir. It's enough that someone actually wants to visit our town!" Hurindo flipped through his papers, then tucked them into his backpack. Pablo couldn't read what was on them- he hadn't paid attention- though he was starting to grow suspicious.
He decided to take the bait; anything helped at this point. "That's kind of you. Alright then, guide. Lead the way." Pablo watched his steps and body language carefully.
"Of course, sir! Follow me!"
Pablo took in the sights as they walked. He noticed the buildings were relatively short compared to those in Thalorien- most didn't even reach two stories. The streets were extremely wide, as were the buildings, with plenty of space between them. The walking areas were set far back from the buildings, and most of the space felt open. The air carried a hint of dust, irritating Pablo's throat. "Mind explaining why this place looks so weird?"
"Of course. The city was built with earthquakes in mind. The island gets them at least once a week, though fewer buildings collapse each time. Last earthquake, only three came down- and it turned out they'd been built illegally anyway."
Pablo nodded, intrigued. "I see. I'd like to ask one other thing. Where could someone get a map to Glacilume?"
At the mention of Glacilume, Hurindo went pale and started visibly panicking. "W-why would you want to go there?!"
He shrugged, uneasy at the reaction. "I'm just saying. What, you don't like hypotheticals?"
Hurindo struggled for a response, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I don't know about that." He glanced at his backpack, as if worried about what was inside. "But if you want-"
"What's in the bag, Hurindo?" Pablo interrupted. The guide flinched. "Nothing! Just some boring documents."
Pablo studied his eyes, trying to read him- though luckily for Hurindo, he didn't know body language. "If you say so." He rolled his eyes and gestured for Hurindo to lead on.
"Of course." Hurindo started moving again, guiding him through the streets of Thornrest- the shops, the houses, the places to stay. Pablo didn't care much about any of it, but the guild building caught his eye: large, loud, and clearly interesting.
"If you need money, this is where you'll find quests! Careful, though, they're dangerous. For safety, you're required to go in a trio." Hurindo pointed.
"If I want the map, I'll need money," Pablo thought to himself.
He put a hand on his chin and considered. "Hm. I guess we can pick some easy quests."
Hurindo gasped at his casualness. "Are you cra- I mean, sir. I just said you need a group of three…"
Pablo shrugged and walked toward the guild entrance. "It's fine, we'll find the third guy inside."
Hurindo froze, watching him go in disbelief. "Wait, no- that- HUH?!"
The guild hall was warm and alive with quiet purpose. Polished wooden beams stretched overhead, draped with faded banners from old victories.
A massive stone fireplace crackled at one end of the room, filling the air with the scent of burning oak and spiced stew. Long tables were scattered with maps, mugs, and half-finished contracts, while a worn notice board overflowed with quests pinned beneath rusted daggers.
Shelves lined the walls, holding dusty tomes, strange artifacts, and bottled potions that shimmered faintly in the firelight. Near the entrance, adventurers came and went in armor, robes, and cloaks, their conversations blending into a steady hum.
Despite the constant bustle, the hall felt welcoming- a place where legends began, friendships were forged, and every new face carried the promise of another story.
Pablo took in the sight before stepping inside. A few people looked at him- some menacing, some curious, most just trying to figure out his gender.
But the moment he stepped through the door, the entire guild turned to look at him. Most froze in shock; some seemed outright crippled with fear. Pablo couldn't see it, but his mana was overflowing into the room. He still hadn't gotten the hang of suppressing it, though he could at least control it enough not to hurt himself now. The staring made him uncomfortable and a little confused. "Do I have something on my face or something?"
He muttered to himself nervously. As he approached the quest board, people cleared out of his way. Seeing this, he looked behind him, hoping it wasn't him scaring everyone off. The only person behind him was Hurindo. "Well, it can't be you, can it?" Pablo said.
Hurindo was really starting to panic over the attention Pablo was drawing. "You sure made a great first impression, mister."
Suddenly, he felt the cold wind hit his neck once again. He flinched and turned back, but before he could realize what was happening, he saw a fist about to connect with his face.
The attack landed and sent Pablo flying through the guild hall. He hit the wall with his back and broke into a violent coughing fit.
"It's been a while since I've killed your kind." The man rolled up his sleeves. He was tall, slightly taller than Tsuyoi, but even more muscular, with a longsword sheathed on his back. His dark hair reached his waist, and he wore a dark, open-chested doublet paired with leather pants.
Pablo coughed, desperately trying to catch his breath. "I have to get up quickly…"
The guild officer yelled in panic. "No fighting in the guild!"
The man turned and pointed at the officer. "Shut the fuck up!" He then started approaching Pablo. "You got some balls, I'll give you that. Coming to this guild like you own the place…"
Pablo stood up and wiped his mouth. "Back off!" He unsheathed his Zweihander and gripped it firmly.
"Fuck you!" the man yelled. He threw a punch toward Pablo's liver; Pablo parried it, though he felt his foot slide out from under him as he did. The man kicked his shin, then went for Pablo's face, but Pablo managed to duck at the last second. The man's fist crashed into the wall, breaking straight through it.
Pablo looked around- there was no escape in sight. The only exit was the door, and the man was blocking it. "Fine!" Pablo yelled.
He swung his weapon at the man's back. The stranger withdrew his fist just in time and swung a fierce right hook at Pablo's face.
Their attacks clashed in the air, neither side backing down. "Why the hell are you attacking me?" Pablo asked.
"Keep talking and I'll ruin that pretty mouth of yours!" The man grabbed the blade with his bare hands and twisted it, flipping Pablo along with it. "So strong! I don't see anything glowing- is he doing all that without a Treasure?"
Memories of Nasaki's words and teachings flashed through his mind.
"You're a nimble fighter- you can't afford to take hits head-on." Nasaki was choking him. He threw him with all his might.
Pablo thrust his sword into the ground to stop his momentum. "And you're going to tell me to work on my durability?"
"No, smart-ass. I was going to tell you to focus on your speed more. We don't have decades to train. Don't focus on your weak sides. Make your strong sides stronger." Out of nowhere, Nasaki jumped and stood in midair. "By emitting mana from your feet, you can create a sort of propulsion. Should help with mobility and sustain, if you don't want to risk destroying your legs with mana." Nasaki grinned.
Even though Pablo was in awe, he couldn't let Nasaki's snarky comment pass quietly. "I only did that once, okay?! Stop reminding me of that!"
He snapped back to the present, and just before he could fall, he decided to attempt it. He couldn't do it back then, but maybe now…
"Tsuyoi… I swear, I'll defeat this bastard and save you!" he grunted.