Heavy.
"..."
The pair descended down the mountain, through a heavy air.
"..."
Suna couldn't think of any words to offer. At the very least, their pace wasn't terrible, given that the path was entirely downhill. But still. It felt like it was taking awhile.
The sun eventually peeked over the mountainous horizon, casting its fire upon sky's edge. Suna wondered if Lilt was feeling a little less heavy.
"Suna… thank you…"
"Hm? It's not a big deal."
"..."
Underneath Lilt's featureless expression and gait, there were many thoughts and emotions, well-concealed, yet not well enough to be hidden entirely from Suna. Suna wondered if she had anything to say.
"...thank you…"
"Hey, I said it's alright, alright?"
She didn't see it, but Lilt's face contorted, trying to stop itself from crying, from showing excessive weakness.
Suna cast her gaze and her steps forward, leading Lilt along, by the hand. They didn't seem to mind the touch they once shirked away from.
So the two walked.
And eventually, they reached the outskirts of the town. Lilt was silent, casting their thoughtful gaze towards the ground. So it was up to Suna, to raise the head of the beast, displaying its Death to the scant onlookers present on the dirt roads and paths of the flat earth.
"They-They Did It!! It's Dead!!"
It didn't take long for word to spread. Cheer and joy seemed to flood the streets, along with people that rushed out of their houses.
"Oh, Thank You! Brave Hunters!!"
"Sniffle, thank you… for avenging my husband…"
"You did it!! You're amazing!"
People of all ages and sizes began to crowd the two, small teens. They seemed like two short blades of grass in a small field, but that field collectively bowed their heads, and directed powerful words of praise and thanks to them. Lilt seemed to rouse from their stupor, cracks beginning to show on their downturned face. Hints of a smile. Of Joy. Of Pride. Suna smiled. And pat them on the back. "Here."
Lilt took what was offered to them. And they raised it up, as high into the sky as they could reach with their small arms. And the people cheered.
Another wagon. This time, free of charge, thanks to one of the townsfolk that happily offered to take them back to Girghess, the city from whence they came.
"Oh, Man! I'm so full, Suna!" Lilt looked stuffed, as they leaned against the side railings of the simple wooden wagon, the rest of their body sprawled out shamelessly.
"Hehe, it certainly was quite a celebration from the villagers, wasn't it?" Suna thought fondly of the way they wasted no time in organizing a feast, a whole town-wide banquet and celebration. It was honestly impressive to her, and she understood. It was simply their way of expressing their overflowing joy. She remembered the way they danced and drank, her and Lilt being exempted from such things due to how small and young they seemed. But seeing how the people that drank that mysterious liquid seemed to keel over and barf, she wasn't particularly envious or jealous. But she laughed anyway, thinking back on it.
"It's all thanks to you, Suna!"
Suna looked at Lilt. "No, Lilt, you're restriction made that fight five times easier, I'm not lying to you. If it were just me… it probably would've ran away. I would've had to Hunt it for multiple days and nights, 'til it was exhausted, most likely." Suna tried to convey her honest opinion. She didn't like being put on a pedestal.
Lilt took in her words. "...you're right. Both of us, hehe, we both took down that thing." They grabbed her hand, and shook it. She could feel their excitement through their hand; the way they did a little arm pump, and looked at her with an accomplished expression. It was cute.
She booped Lilt on the nose.
"Wha, Hey!"
"Hehehe. You're silly, hehe."
Lilt pouted. But they quickly smiled, booping Suna back on the nose. The two indulged in a little light roughhousing, not letting the uncomfortable bumpiness or the presence of a coachman dampen their joy. No, the coachman, they were just as happy as the two were. They looked fondly at their two heroes before redirecting their attention back onto the road.
The two walked confidently through the doors of the Hunter's building, Suna and Lilt carrying two large bags behind them. Thankfully, they didn't have to put up with a terrible smell the whole wagon ride, thanks to the wonders of Lilt's water magic. Seeing it reminded her of a certain other water-related spell, but Suna was absolutely defeated when she learned that Lilt wasn't aware of such a spell. Lilt had never seen Suna make such a sad-looking face up to that point.
They walked up to a prominent area of the interior. They were lucky to arrive at Girgess during the evening; Suna made it clear how uncomfortable she was with crowds. Suna would rather wait a whole day than submit herself to such a terrifying enemy.
They waited in a short line, but due to the presence of multiple counters, it was a very brief wait.
Plop. Plop. Two heavy bags were placed onto the counter, shortly followed by two cards, and an official-looking rolled up piece of parchment.
The receptionist was surprised, that two small-looking kids took down a beast with a head so large, all by themselves. But they didn't doubt or judge them, the proof was right in front of them. A healthy amount of remuneration and a flash of the cards later…
The two were stumped. They didn't really know which sort of quest they should take next.
"You sure we shouldn't try and find another party member? You know we don't have to commit to staying with them if you don't like them, right?"
Suna shook her head back and forth, making it abundantly clear how against the idea she was.
"Well, alright then… So, you're fine with me just picking again?"
Nod.
Lilt shrugged and walked back over to the familiar looking shelf. Except this time, something caught their eye.
"Hey, Suna, look at this…!" A sense of worry pervaded their voice. Suna briskly walked over. "It says a Gold party got lost in La'Ferrith Woods! This is recent, nobody's taken the quest yet, they could need help!"
Suna… Suna had her doubts. In her experience, after coming to this world, and even before it, risking her life to save others never seemed to end well. But… seeing the look on Lilt's face… she gave in. She too did not like the idea of just leaving Hunters to die, especially if they are able to be saved.
Suna nodded. The two almost ran to the counters, a section dedicated to receiving quests.
"You sure about taking this one? There's only two of you, and the Guild is putting it at high platinum. A Plat and a Gold, I don't think this one's for you, guys…"
Lilt stared at them, in opposition. They were dead set on this.
"Sigh, well, alright, but try and find another Platinum Hunter before you go, alright? Also, we're letting any amount of Hunters take this quest, so don't be surprised if people show up behind you. You might even want to consider waiting for another party to accept the quest. The Guild has no clue why that group of Hunters went missing, we don't know what befell them." The receptionist eyed the gazes of the two small Hunters, gauging their resolve. Ultimately, they handed them a scroll of parchment. "...Stay safe, alright?"
The two exited the building.
"We should do as they said, Suna. We should try and find another member."
"But what if we wait too long, and they die?"
Lilt's face tightened. This was a tough situation.
Suna didn't really care deeply about the lives of those Hunters. If they died, they died, and if they lived, they lived. That wouldn't really be decided by her, rather, by whatever foul beast they were unlucky enough to encounter randomly. What she really cared about was not working with people she didn't trust. Not only would it make her ridiculously uncomfortable, but she doubted she would know peace if she were to always need to factor in a volatile entity at all times of the day. Especially during combat, she would rather just run from such a situation than risk leaving her back open to someone else that might try and hurt her. She was adamant about this.
Lilt struggled to come to a conclusion.
Suna spoke up to the hesitating Lilt.
"I say we go now. We're going to take things slow, and we're going to make sure we can always disengage, from any situation. We're going to calmly and stealthily investigate that forest, and we're going to find out what happened to the Hunters. Luckily, we find survivors. Or we find corpses. Either way, we find out, and we leave. No combat necessary."
Suna liked the mission and their odds.
Lilt was extremely uncomfortable with the complete lack of information. All the Guild knew was that the forest should have been a rather safe place for Gold Hunters, who were there simply to pick some materials from a Silver-rated species of bird. They shouldn't have encountered trouble.
Lilt preferred to wait for backup and help, but doing that when those Hunters' lives were at risk, simply sitting back while they died gruesomely, clinging to their last breath the Hope that someone would come to save them, the thought of it made Lilt sick. They were lucky enough to have someone strong nearby, on that mountain. These people weren't. So now that they had the opportunity to help someone else in dire need, when they were helped in their time of need, was there really an option? If they ran from this, if they let them die, they would never forget their cowardice. They would never forgive themselves.
Lilt looked Suna dead in the eye.
"Let's go."
"Heh." Suna smiled, satisfied with the look in Lilt's eye.
The two were planning on purchasing a few items and bobbles with their newfound money, but it seemed that time was dwindling, there was none to be wasted. Unfortunately, Suna was still beholden to Lilt's cripplingly slow stamina. It would take a couple days by carriage, a distance Suna wagered she could traverse in 10 hours, 8 if she really pushed herself. But Suna didn't mind. She was just glad that they were not going to pick up another member.
Lilt and Suna discussed and talked and planned, throughout their wagon ride. But with the stakes so apparent, Lilt inevitably took on a very serious disposition.
"Hey. Lilt. You have to relax."
"Huh? I am relaxed, Suna."
Suna squeezed Lilt's shoulders, eliciting another slight jump of startlement.
"No, your body's too tense. If we encountered an enemy right now, you'd be slow to react, your body wouldn't move normally, you'd fight yourself along with your enemy."
"Suna, there's no enemies anywhere near us."
"Lilt. You cannot let your guard down. Ever. That's how you die."
Lilt was a bit taken aback by Suna's serious words. She wasn't joking.
Lilt gulped, before nodding.
Suna turned her head back in front of her, examining the scenery, as she had continued to do throughout the entirety of their wagon rides thus far.
"...you never really… relax, do you?" Lilt caught her attention.
"Relax? I mean, you can relax and still be wary of your surroundings." Suna didn't really seem to catch Lilt's meaning.
Lilt remembered Suna, who clutched and clawed at them as if she was going to die that night.
"...What kinds of things have you been through?"
Suna, puzzled at the abrupt inquiry, thought to herself, trying to come up with a succinct answer.
"...Death? Hell? No, those are too figurative and abstract…" Lilt was caught off-guard by Suna's word choice. "...Well, I can't sum it up. And I won't tell you where I come from. But it was dangerous, that's for sure." Suna tilted her head. "But then again, this place is dangerous, too… I dunno. I've lived my life. That's all there is to it."
Lilt gained little new information about the mysterious girl. But they did gain more of a sense for the kind of person she is. Lilt joined her in looking at the scenery. They tried to relax their raised shoulders, which were beginning to feel a bit sore. They thought about Suna, throughout the wagon ride…
La'Ferrith Woods were off-putting. It was hard to describe the cold air that ran through the place. It was far off the main roads, so her and Lilt had to walk a good distance. It had been two days since they accepted the Guild's commission. Suna doubted there were any survivors.
Whereas the previous forests Suna walked through had been vibrant, full of hidden life, a lush, beautiful green painting the leaves, this forest… It was cold. Dim. That vibrance was nowhere to be seen. She was truly curious why the forest itself seemed to emit an entirely different air. It didn't make sense to her.
"Suna…"
"Lower your voice. From here on out, we make minimal noise."
"...got it. I… I'm… I'm getting second thoughts about this place, Suna."
Suna turned towards Lilt. "You can stay here, or go back to the road. I'll scout the forest."
Lilt was taken aback. "Wha-, no!" They exaggerated their whispers as much as they could. "Suna, I, I'm not leaving you here, alone!"
Suna walked up to Lilt, a bit close, so her faint whispers could be heard clearly. "Then make up your mind, Lilt. There's no room for hesitation. I can't save you every time."
Lilt looked back at Suna, processing their worries. They really considered. Just backing out of this whole thing. This forest was simply too creepy. They didn't like it, they didn't want to stay here for another minute longer. But they thought of the Hunters. They looked at Suna, full of determination and resolve, which she didn't show on her face, but which she felt, undoubtedly. Lilt gulped. They really didn't want to say this, but…
"Okay. I'll be right behind you."
It did not escape Suna's eyes, how Lilt's knees had a slight shiver, their steps a little hesitant, how their gaze flickered through each tree they passed by. She herself was beginning to hesitate a little, too. She didn't have a good feeling about this forest. But her legs carried her through it, anyway. She didn't have much of a choice. She simply couldn't imagine herself avoiding this forest, backing out of the quest when they were already here. It just wasn't something she'd ever do. So she stopped dwelling on her hesitation. She heightened her senses, softened her footfalls, and continued walking. Lilt followed.
The forest was not lifeless. There were small critters here and there, if Suna looked closely. But she didn't really notice any larger animals. She didn't get it. Usually there'd be the occasional rabbit-like creature rustling and poking through a bush, or a bird accompanying them for a period of time, or a deer-like creature staring at them, from afar. No such animals graced this forest. There's something in this forest. Without a doubt.
The two continued. They walked slowly and quietly, their progress slow. Suna was thankful for Lilt's miniscule imprint on their surroundings. She realized that if she was accompanied by a large warrior, or even just someone like James, stealth would be much more difficult. But she could tell. Lilt had a knack for this sort of thing. They just didn't have much experience with this niche skill.
Suna raised a bent arm and an extended hand. Lilt stopped. Suna listened.
…
She lowered it. They continued.
A while passed. Suna raised her arm again. Lilt stopped.
Suna ushered Lilt to the side of a tree. The two sat, against the trunk. Lilt was scared. They couldn't hear or sense anything that Suna seemed to be picking up on.
In the quiet, quiet forest, the two sat by the tree. 5 minutes, which felt like 10 to the nervous Lilt, soon became 20, 25, 30…
Lilt was struggling to keep their composure.
Suna brought her mouth very close to Lilt, who tried to keep themselves as still as possible. In the faintest of whispers…
"...we should leave…"
Lilt could barely register the words. But they did. They were scared. None of their fear was hidden on their face.
Suna, soundlessly, crept up off the ground, and started inching her way back the way they came. Lilt did their best to do the same.
Step. Step.
Lilt was hyper focused on Suna's back. Rather than letting their mind wander, imagining all sorts of horrors, they found it effective to simply trust Suna. They knew, that if something were to occur, they needed to be ready to act, immediately. If they found themselves panicking or caught off guard and they were attacked, they would die.
As Lilt was managing their mental hygiene, Suna was confused. Her body, no, her being was sending her mixed signals. Her body didn't experience goosebumps or other signs of fear or nervousness. She couldn't see or hear any sort of creature or entity, thus her mind reasoned there was nothing to be afraid of. But her gut, something deeper within her, it was telling her to leave. She was beholden to her gut. If her gut told her something, she would always follow it, even when there were no apparent reasons for its instincts to be true. For, she had simply been saved by her gut too many times to count. It wasn't always right, sometimes it told her to make decisions which seemed mundane, which she figured had absolutely zero effect on her survival or well-being. And sometimes… it led her to danger. But, she had to admit. She was still alive and kicking. So she always listened and followed her gut. But her gut, it wasn't just telling her to leave. It was telling her that she was going to die.
Of course it was impossible for Suna to maintain their composure. This signal was too strong, too unordinary. As if something she always relied on was now unreliable. Without a light in the darkness, she felt blind. She didn't know what to do. So she simply tried to extract herself from the situation. She considered ditching Lilt… but she just couldn't. If she did that, she'd never look at herself the same way. She'd never be able to lift her head up high again. She already felt responsible for Ei's and Cyra's deaths, but those were different. If she left Lilt… she would be completely, 100%, undeniably wholly responsible for their death. She could not live with that, the burden would be too great, she would break. So she went slowly, letting the slow Lilt keep up with her.
Danger!! Suna cursed in her mind. She didn't know what to do. What should she do? Was she imagining things? No, this was real, she was going to die! Fuck!
Suna broke out into a run. Lilt hastily attempted to keep up. The two were now dashing, through the forest. Suna still had a rough idea where they were, relative to the road, but her mind wouldn't cooperate, it wouldn't calm down. It was receiving death signals which wouldn't go away. They only escalated, becoming stronger. Suna was becoming more and more convinced that she was going to die relatively soon.
Suna did her best to keep her breathing under control, to keep her thoughts calm and flowing. But it wasn't enough.
"Lilt, Buffs…!"
"Hah,
Impra Gorgheim!
Hah,
Fallas Aa'medth!
Hah…"
It wasn't helping. Suna felt no better, no calmer, she was only growing more and more panicked. She caught a glimpse of Lilt. They seemed to be growing increasingly more unsettled and unnerved, but it seemed it was because of her own demeanor, rather than their instincts yelling at them. Fuck, is this, some kind of attack!? Suna couldn't wrap her head around what was happening to her.
"Ah!" Suna's head hurt. It was painful, it was a mind-searing pain, it was her own thoughts attacking her. She was falling victim to panic, sensations that seemed to grow their own wills, inflicting her with the full extent of their mind-ripping, reality-distorting capabilities. "AagghHHH!!" Suna was struggling just to not fall to the ground. Danger!! Danger!!! It's here!!!
"AAAGHHHHH!!!" Suna started writhing. Lilt looked on in horror. At it.
Lilt didn't hesitate to act.
"Empric Fantalla!!"
Water surged, carrying both Suna and them up into the air. Like a wave, the water carried them forth.
Lilt breathed a massive sigh of relief. It didn't seem to be that fast. They quickly started putting the pieces together, whilst carrying an increasingly frantic and worried Suna away from that place.
–
Suna awoke, a terrible feeling over her. She felt fear.
Funnily enough, this sensation was something she was starting to become a little accustomed to. But being prepared for its debilitating effects and symptoms did nothing to actually decrease their potency. But it was better than battling a sensation she had never faced before.
"Lilt?"
Suna looked around her. It was a cave-like area, of dirt. Fuck. She suppressed her irritation. She saw Lilt, focusing on a sort of Magical energy. She looked around. Corpses. Great.
She moved her body. She felt sore, as if she had exerted her body for a long period of time. She didn't remember doing that. She would never treat her body so poorly. She was befuddled, and confused.
"...Lilt?"
They barely seemed to register her presence. They were too focused on their task.
She moved her creaking body over to Lilt's side.
An emaciated body. Cut in multiple places, disgusting infections plaguing its wounds. What's Lilt doing to a dead body? But to Suna's shock, it wasn't dead. It twitched, for but an instant.
Seriously? They're still alive? Suna had never seen someone in such a bleak condition yet still cling to life. Suna had many questions, but she didn't want to interrupt Lilt, and it seemed they were in a relatively safe place for now. So she made little noise, watching Lilt perform some sort of Magical operation.
It was a lengthy process…