Chapter 8

  Nita, the wooden city

  Dreams and memories are interconnected phenomena, counting and recounting the realities and illusions on Iagorothi and all those living. Whether memories of recent excursions or hypothetical realities that never come to pass, dreams are as much a product of the world as they are within minds. After intense exhaustion strips away the coherent logic of the fatigued, there is little to be certain of in dreams and their illusions.

  Endless walking through tainted hillsides, and endless reflections through falling mirrors played out again and again within Michael’s dreaming mind. It was incoherent. Too much information to understand what was real or false, yet too simple to examine. As Michael dreamed he kept trying to understand the meaning of the images around him. When he woke, the sense that it was all a fleeting fancy tempered his frustrations. It was all just a dream, after all.

  The truth of their achievement was no dream.

  Michael sat up and assessed the situation. He had been the last to wake, there was food and water near him. Hyato sat in silence by the opening to the tent, and the others weren’t present. Michael started eating. “Where are the others?”

  “Gathering info.” Hyato looked over at Michael with his usual stoicism. He was a lean man without much muscle, but seemed bigger because of the bulky red mantle around his shoulders. It was actually a long coat that he somehow carried without wearing, and otherwise had that form fitting white outfit on to go with his sword. Hyato was Valon, the same race that made up the majority of Michael and Yan’s bloodlines, and the most common race in Myrrh. His hair was long and tied back, always combed flat and pulled into a tight tail, and it was a deep brown like his eyes.

  The way Hyato looked at Michael felt unusual, as if the man was trying to pick him apart. Michael felt that Hyato knew more than he let on, “So, what’s your story Hyato?”

  Hyato looked away, glancing at his bare wrist for a moment. He didn’t respond, so Michael shrugged and went back to eating. The rations and water felt amazing after a long overdue rest.

  A conversation carried into the tent moments before the others returned. “It looks like most people here are volunteers, or slayers from Nita.” Yan was saying, as she entered the tent with Sebastian.

  “I suppose that makes sense.” Sebastian turned to address everyone, “Good to see you awake Michael. I spoke to the commander again, told him that we saw many discarded corpses of slain animals along the hills. Considering we traveled off the main road, its of no surprise we didn’t see anyone else along the way. They have already contacted the capitol to request reinforcements to deal with the issue, though did not actually say if any were coming.”

  “Did you... learn anything else?” Michael hoped he could be understood between gulps of water.

  “I didn’t see fit to reveal anything else, nor did I find out anything particularly telling. However... we are not far from the town of Nita now.” He glanced to the side at Yan, who withdrew a desiccated hunk of gnarled wood, a drained nodule. “It seems like the most obvious place to go.”

  “Got it.” Michael finished up his food and got himself ready as fast as he could, quicker even than Sebastian was expecting. “We should get going then.” The others agreed, and departed from the blockade encampment now that they felt recovered.

  Moving from infested hillsides to a makeshift camp, then returning to the road, felt rather strange. There was an excitement at their triumph of surviving a disastrous situation, and the tension of pursuing the thing that had caused it. Whatever they felt, the next course of action was right back to a long march on the path ahead.

  Whether by design, or as a happy accident, more drained nodules were found discarded along the roadside. The Revenant may not yet realize that it was leaving a trail, or that the party had picked up on it. Either way, Sebastian had a renewed sense of assurance about what they would do, “First we find the Revenant, then we rally the guards or military to help take it down before it can escape again.”

  “That all hinges on finding it,” Yan pointed out, “Which we failed to do in the last town.”

  “We should be more methodical, and not let anyone suspect what we are up to. That way, we can catch it off guard.”

  “Or we just look for the man I saw before.” Michael took the forefront like when they approached the Zori. “Oh, unless he changed bodies again.”

  While the group walked and thought, the scenery ahead of them took on a more radical change. The treeline of titanic silvery conifers drew in closer towards the road. Eterna Forest sprawled its way as far and farther eastwards than from where Michael first exited it. Standing upon the other side of the horizon there were mountains rising into the distance. None could compare to the sheer height of the mountain behind them, but mountains they were as they reached up above the clouds. “We’ve come a long way.” Michael gawked at the sights.

  “Not so long by way of a map, but a fair distance from when we met.” Sebastian said. “But we’ll reach Nita soon. A town that borders forest and mountains, rich in resources, and with a nearby dungeon to boot. I’ve heard it's a bit of a hub for adventurous types.”

  “So there will be more people, and it will be harder to find a raging spirit in the crowds.” Michael frowned at the memory of Liniva, which returned unbidden whenever he least expected it. He tried to shake his head to clear the thoughts, but they were persistent.

  Sebastian also considered the issue with some humming and hawing, but kept to himself when no one asked him for his thoughts. Hyato remained inscrutable as usual, but Yan had been glancing at the distant mountains and chewing on her lip ever since they came into view. She muttered, and Michael almost didn’t hear her, “Hope it's not in the mountains.”

  The paths through the last of the foothills wound about until they straightened into a long road leading towards a tall wooden wall. The gates of Nita they approached were built into natural cliffs to make use of the terrain, but were huge wooden defenses with ramparts carved right out of the bark of trees. The amount of guards visible was no small amount, but there were also other travelers heading into town and the gates were wide open without any stops. Without hassle, or so much as a wave, the party passed by the guards to enter the town of Nita proper.

  Nita was a sprawling town that dwarfed what Michael expected to see. He wasn’t sure if he could see the other side of it, but the numerous wooden structures and streets spread across a river and three hills, nestled between a young pine woodland and the slopes of the mountains that they’d been seeing as they approached. Nita was huge, and bustling with people down the many large streets visible from the first plaza.

  Beyond the light wooded area there were encampments near the forest, lumber yards situated near the forests. Michael wondered if they ever cut the massive Eterna trees.

  “Well, I hope we can find our quarry.” Yan shook her head. “This isn’t a small town.”

  “I have every confidence that we should be able to turn something up.” Sebastian said as he scanned the streets of the city.

  Hyato looked around before pointing at some storefronts. “Dark glasses, for Michael.”

  “I’ll get those, you guys wait here.” Yan started towards the stores.

  Sebastian fixed up his coat and started walking as well. “I shall see to our accommodations by finding an Inn or something.”

  “Don’t run off on your own like before. We still need to make a plan.” Sebastian nodded, though paused as a few women walked by. Yan rolled her eyes and punched his shoulder to snap him out of it, then both headed off. Michael and Hyato waited in the plaza, sitting closer to the wall where they had the cover of trees. What kind of plan would they be able to make?

  The town of Nita was as much for adventurers as it was for the local industry. Enough people were wandering about with arms and armor that Yan was able to blend in with less effort than usual. It also meant there were more shops, so Yan scoured a few, judging them by their window layouts. She noticed the guard presence in the town was high, so at least she wouldn’t have to worry about common thieves trying to sneak into her pockets.

  Yan found a store with some shaded lens glasses that were within her price range. She bought the glasses and wondered if she should try and earn some money while in town. With a sigh she returned to the others. She never worried about money before she went traveling, but that didn’t make it worth it to go back.

  “Here.” Yan handed over the glasses.

  Michael took them and inspected them. They were small round lenses, but enough to hide his eyes. He put on the glasses and smiled at Yan. “How do I look?”

  Yan shook her head, “Goofy. Has Sebastian returned yet?”

  “Nope. I guess that means we keep waiting.”

  “I was thinking we should find a way to earn gil while in town.”

  “Agreed” Hyato said, “I will seek out swordsmanship contests.”

  Yan smirked and folded her arms. “You think you’ll find any? That’s kind of odd isn’t it?”

  “I suppose. But we do not have time to explore a Dungeon do we?”

  “I’ve never really gone Dungeon Delving. But I guess I’ve heard it can take a while.”

  “Not something to do while on a manhunt. We need to be active in town. I will look for contests of skill. Michael, you try to learn more about the place.”

  “Okay.” Michael wondered what all this Dungeon stuff was.

  “Are you a strategist now?” Yan asked Hyato.

  “Not as well as him.” Hyato pointed. Sebastian was just arriving in return from the town.

  “I have acquired accommodations. Though I am afraid I have exhausted what little gil I had left in getting two rooms.” He frowned, holding up cards.

  “We were just talking about earning money.” Yan said. “Hyato will look for contests, but I’m not really sure what I should do.”

  “Me neither.” Michael said.

  Sebastian approached and handed Yan and Michael each a card with the name and location of an Inn. Michael wondered if he could locate it with just that. “I have a few options I can look into. But I don’t know how either of you should go about trying to earn money.” Sebastian handed Hyato a card as well. “But if we are going to be doing so, we might as well look for signs of the Revenant while we are at it.”

  “Should we go into town now?”

  Sebastian nodded, “Hopefully those glasses do the trick. Let’s go.” Everyone made themselves ready and moved out.

  Hyato departed from the group in search of contests, saying he would be back before nightfall. Sebastian showed the others the location of the Inn personally, then departed as well to find work.

  “I guess we should stick together.” Yan said, “Look for work and clues together.”

  “Thanks. I’d rather not be alone anyways.” Michael said.

  “Yeah, me neither.”

  As they headed through town Michael got his first close look at the place. Nita had wooden roads, and some roads were suspended wooden roads, bridges over entire other streets built on wooden platforms supporting plazas, market stalls, gardens, and even entire buildings. “What if there’s a fire?”

  “They have enchantments and lacquer, and some other things I think. I’ve been to this town before.”

  “You have? So do you know your way around?” Michael asked.

  “Not really, I was only passing through then.” Yan glanced at a noticeboard. “We could try running odd jobs around town, look.”

  Michael looked at the noticeboard too. Delivering mail, pushing cargo up a hill, street performing? “Those seem random.”

  “Yeah, but they pay. Wanna try some out?”

  “Sure. I’ll do the cargo one and go from there.” Michael grabbed the slip from the job, and looked for the street signs to orient himself.

  “I’ll show you there for now.” Yan guided Michael through the streets, showing him how to navigate along the way. Michael and Yan helped move cargo up a hill, which took a few trips, but worked and they got paid.

  Yan sat on a bench, panting and sweating after moving all the cargo. Michael sat with her. After a few moments and a drink of water Yan looked over, “How are you not even sweating?”

  Michael shrugged, “I dunno.” Yan shook her head.

  Yan spent a minute catching her breath, then stood up. “Shall we keep looking for work?”

  "Okay." Michael stood up as well.

  They checked out a few more noticeboards, wandering from plaza to plaza as they slowly explored the city. Yan kept alert for any signs of the revenant, though none had presented themselves.

  Michael spotted a job he thought he could handle, temporary help loading and unloading logs. Yan accompanied him, just to make sure he didn't get lost.

  Nita's stone district had wooden streets, Hyato noticed. Why was it called the stone district? Hyato pondered this as he looked for the location on the flier in his hands. He was holding the flier, so he may as well follow it.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The sign over the plaza Hyato walked to read, 'Granite Square'. He checked the flier again. This was the place. A simple look around the square showed many people taking on a variety of competitive activities. A few foot races were ongoing, as well as a bunch of people casting spells. Some groups sat around simple tables to move pieces on a board, playing Command. There were even contests of skill.

  What was he doing here? He read the flier. 'A contest of wills, skills, and thrills. Be it blade, fist, spell, or metal; come on down to test your mettle.' Hyato thought about that.

  Hyato approached the contest site, ready to begin. “Hello young man.” A woman said to him.

  “Hello.” Hyato said, “Can I take on the challenge?”

  “Of course! It’s only three hundred gil to participate.”

  Hyato fished out the money from a pocket in his jacket. Three hundred gil might be enough for some food from a street vendor, it wasn’t much. He paid the woman, “How do I start?”

  "Right to it huh. Well step right in and let's get you started." She explained the rules, target practice. Several small discs would be spun into the air, and Hyato needed only to strike them before they struck the ground.

  Hyato nodded and moved into position as soon as he heard the rules. It couldn't be any simpler. He accepted the provided training sword and inspected it, swinging it to the left, the right, and up. It had an odd balance, but would work.

  "Begin." Hyato said.

  The showrunner blinked, muttering, "That's my line..." And started the challenge. A machine whirred to life and began spitting spinning discs into the area around Hyato.

  The swordsman struck the first disc, then the next. They were small and designed to be tricky, but Hyato's edge found its mark without issue. After the first ten discs they started to come faster and more numerous. The few spectators watched in amazement as Hyato struck each disc with perfect precision, and the showrunner ground her teeth.

  Hyato struck one of the discs away, then blinked and looked around. He took in his surroundings. "Where am I now?" He wondered aloud.

  "Why are you stopping?"

  "Huh?" Hyato turned to the person who spoke to him. "What?" A spinning disc bounced off his head with an audible bonk.

  The people in the audience looked confused and disappointed. The showrunner shook her head. "Hit the discs out of the air, remember? The contest?"

  Hyato rubbed his head a bit, and looked at the discs being shot into the air. He shrugged, and began swatting them away with precise strokes of the sword in his hand.

  After the contest Hyato was paid. As he put the gil away he saw a note in his handwriting. 'Earn gil.'

  "Do you want to keep it up? Your performance is excellent." The showrunner asked.

  "Sure. I can do that."

  Sebastian walked along the wooden streets of Nita, taking passing glances at notices for jobs and stealing long looks at the various women enjoying the sunny weather. The women of Nita didn't need a beach to dress for it, Sebastian noted. He examined a few fit looking Evari gals, when he saw Michael and Yan step onto the street. Sebastian looked at a noticeboard before Yan saw him, moving fast so he wasn’t caught.

  A few fliers of adventurers looking for training guidance stood out as Sebastian looked at the noticeboard. ‘Make me as strong as Maximus’ one requested, Sebastian rolled his eyes. Not going to happen. Most of the other notices posted were of a similar vein, too far removed from reality. A few looked promising. Advising someone could be easy money, he took the better fliers.

  The flier gave him directions to a nearby training yard. Several people were there, working out and practicing their skills in the large dirt plot filled with various training dummies and weathered obstacles. Sebastian noticed the women more than anything else, but decided to look for the people who posted the fliers instead.Various young people were moving about, training or prepping or simply managing the yard. In Myrrh, such places were free to use, though equipment carried a rental fee.

  Sebastian looked around for his would-be contractor. He spotted people training in earnest, though whether they were preparing for some contest, to pursue Delving, or simply to strengthen themselves against the ever present threat of Zori, it didn’t matter. Among some of those approaching their training with a headlong gusto, Sebastian noticed a young woman whose flier he had taken.

  She had posted in her flier that she wanted instruction on how to get stronger in the fastest way possible. As Sebastian strode near he watched her strike a training dummy with furious blows using a bat. She struck a few more times, then noticed Sebastian. “What do you want, old man?”

  Sebastian did not react to the remark. To youths like Yan or this young woman, Sebastian might have seemed old. “You posted a flier, looking to get stronger as fast as possible.” Sebastian explained.

  The woman turned to face Sebastian, resting her bat on her shoulder. “Yeah? You don’t look strong.” She was a fit Valon woman, with a decent amount of muscle on her. The bat she held might be a stand in for something larger, such as a club or an axe.

  Sebastian smiled, “But I do know perhaps The fastest way to get more powerful.” The woman was panting from her training, and Sebastian carefully noticed her heaving chest as she recovered her breath.

  “Then why aren’t you super buff?” She asked, unaware or unabashed by Sebastian’s overt ogling.

  “I seek not such strength in myself.”

  “Well I’m not paying if it's bad advice, or if it doesn’t work.” The woman went to a bench to get some water.

  “Before I offer the advice, I have two questions about your pursuit of power.”

  “Not power, strength.” The woman clarified.

  “The method I have in mind is a functional way to grow in any combat fashion, at a rapid pace.” Sebastian said. “My first question, why do you want such strength?”

  The woman sat down as she collected her thoughts, and Sebastian sat on a nearby bench so as to not loom over her. She was of average height, for a Valon, but Sebastian was naturally taller and leaner, though not considered very tall for an Evari. After a moment’s contemplation the woman answered, “I don’t really have a reason. I just feel most alive while I fight, or use my strength.”

  “That is a good reason. If you feel passionate about something, don’t diminish its importance.”

  The woman nodded and looked at Sebastian again. She seemed to change her opinion of him, and smiled. “Okay. What’s your other question?”

  “How much risk are you willing to take to gain this strength?” Sebastian asked.

  “Well I don’t want to die. But, I’m not afraid of danger.”

  This didn’t surprise Sebastian. You’d be hard pressed to find a Valon that was afraid of much anything. It was as much a boon as a fault. “Then my method will serve you well. And it is simple. Slaughter Zori, and use the gathered Synergy to strengthen yourself.”

  The woman frowned some. “Everyone knows that.”

  “Indeed. Well, not everyone.” Sebastian hummed, recalling Michael’s many questions about ordinary commonplace things. “But it is a rather simple and well known strategy.”

  “Yeah, so-”

  “However.” Sebastian raised a finger to silence the woman who had not asked his name. “I’ve a more specific and fruitful method than randomly stalking Zori in the wilderness and hoping to get lucky slaying them. The obvious part is free of charge. My method in particular is what I am selling.”

  The woman shifted a bit. “So, how do I know your method will work?” She asked.

  “I can offer you some proof, but before that I would like to know to whom I am advising. My name is Sebastian.”

  “I’m Kyria.” the woman stood and offered her arm in greeting. Sebastian completed the greeting, moving his right hand to her right shoulder as she did the same to his, gently squeezing for a brief moment.

  They both stepped from the greeting at the same time, and Sebastian nodded to himself. “Well, Kyria. I will show you proof, on the condition that you do not tell anyone or speak of it.”

  “Well, okay. I won't reveal it.”

  Sebastian moved his pack on its strap around to the front of him. It was a bit worn, but a rather handy satchel he kept close to him, usually on his back. He opened the pack, then opened a hidden flap to a secure pocket of the pack and beckoned Kyria to look inside.

  Within the hidden pocket was a folded up light coat, a red coat with black trim along the collar and all down the part of the jacket and along the hem. Sebastian held it up to show to Kyria, while also trying not to show anyone else.

  “You have a red coat from MAW.” Kyria whispered, astonishment on her face. “And black trim!”

  Sebastian was right to think that most people living so close to the capital would know what that meant. He did not expect to go to such lengths for a random person like this, but he had to admit, Kyria was his type. “So, what say you?” He asked.

  “I’ll buy the advice.” Kyria said without hesitation. “But I can’t pay more than what I offered in the ad.”

  “That’s quite alright.”

  “Why don’t you wear it?” Kyria asked, as Sebastian hid the coat away.

  “That,” he paused for a moment for emphasis, “is not an answer I am willing to give.”

  Kyria nodded, sitting back down and rocking back and forth a little, her excitement welling up. Sebastian appreciated her form openly for a moment.

  "Now, about that training method." Sebastian said, "It starts with killing Zori, which you need to be able to do efficiently. Show me how you fight.” Kyria demonstrated her attacks for Sebastian on the training dummy, and went on to train with the man.

  Michael heaved a log onto the cart and turned to grab another, but there were no more to grab.

  "That's all of them." The foreman called as she approached. "You did great today. Sure you don't wanna work for me full time?" She asked, patting Michael on the back.

  "No, thank you." Michael smiled at the foreman as he fixed his shades.

  "Well alright. You can pick up your pay at the gatehouse. Your partner's already waiting for ya."

  Michael nodded in thanks and jogged off towards the entrance of the camp. The other hired hands and the loggers were lounging or shuffling towards the gate.

  Yan smiled as she watched Michael approach, and held up the two gil pouches. "All done?" She asked.

  "Yeah." Michael stopped next to her, rolling his neck and shoulders when he found them too stiff.

  The thicker of the pouches was handed over. "That's your share." Yan paused, "Why did you take your shirt off?"

  "It was too hot." Michael took the pouch and a water bottle to slake his thirst.

  He was more muscular than Yan would have expected, so much that she found herself staring for a few moments. “But you aren’t even sweating.”

  "I was earlier." Michael looked inside the pouch of golden coins. "Is this all for me? Weren't we getting money to get an Inn?"

  "Sebastian already got us rooms, remember? So that's yours."

  "Oh, okay." Michael slipped his shirt on.

  "Come on. Let's take a cart back to town." They left the logging camp and returned to Nita, arriving as the Suns began to cast an orange twilight over the world.

  The streets of Nita, all made of wood, were interwoven throughout the town on many levels. Several staircases were used to reach the suspended roads, which had residential dwellings more often than not. Yan was able to locate the Inn using the card after trying to show Michael how to read a map. Michael kept glancing at street signs, but decided not to worry about it since Yan knew her way around.

  With the money they had earned, Yan took Michael to get some new clothes. They both had worn through their outfits for the most part. Yan went with simple clothes, some baggy shirts and long shorts. Michael found some sleek black pants that seemed to be made of tiny scales, and a few shirts to wear under a green jacket. The clothier talked Michael into buying another item, a simple leather chest piece with a pauldron over his left shoulder and short cape that only fell halfway down Michael’s back.

  Once garbed in their new threads, the pair made their way through the streets to find the Inn. Outside the Inn was their newest companion, Hyato, watching the street with glazed eyes. "Hey, Hyato." Michael's voice snapped Hyato back to reality.

  "You have returned."

  "Yeah. Did you get to do contests like you wanted?"

  Hyato turned over a glittering gil he was holding in his hand. He showed it off for a moment before answering. "Yes."

  "I hope you got more than one." Yan mused.

  "I did. I was waiting here." Hyato paused, “Ah, a swordsman’s pauldron. Very nice.” Michael smiled.

  "Well, let's check out the rooms Sebastian got us." The boys followed her as she went inside the office.

  Sebastian had gotten them two rooms just around the corner from the main building. The rooms were on the ground floor, making it easier to get out onto the main roads. Yan gave Hyato and Michael cards as they went to them.

  "How does this work?" Michael asked, looking over the room card.

  "I dunno. Ask Sebastian." Yan unlocked the first room. They all looked over each room. There were two beds in each room, as well as a lockable chest and small kitchen. Michael looked at the place, examining the chairs and end tables in mild wonder, while Yan checked the window to make sure it was locked.

  "Bathroom has a shower." Hyato reported, a minute later. "If both rooms are identical, you two should take this one."

  Yan looked up at Hyato, "Me and Michael?"

  "Yeah, don't you always room together?" Hyato asked.

  "This is the first time we've gotten a room since we met." Yan looked at Michael, who had just sat on one of the beds and was bouncing a bit. He was like a child, but then he didn't have a memory before that clearing in the forest after all. This was all new to him.

  "Oh. My apologies. Shall we make new rooming arrangements?" Hyato asked.

  Yan thought about it for a minute. "No, I'll share the room with Michael."

  Hyato nodded. "Then good night." He left and went to the other room.

  Leaving Yan alone, in a rented room, with a man she barely knew. What would Aeroth think, what would Nayo think? She shuddered. Would they even know what that meant? When did she start thinking about that? It's Sebastian's fault. She thought.

  "Are you cold?" Michael asked. He seemed very innocent sitting over there.

  "No. I'm fine." Yan put her things down on the other bed. "I'm going to take a shower. You going to do any training?"

  "I planned to."

  "Do it outside, and take a shower afterwards."

  "A shower?" Michael looked over at the restroom.

  Yan suppressed a laugh. "I'll leave instructions."

  "Okay. Thanks!" Michael got up and went outside heading over to an empty area between buildings. He took a deep breath, and began to train.

  Michael trained alone in the dirty empty plot. He practiced his timing with the techniques over and over. The very thing that had saved his life back when they were facing those Zori. He needed to improve, and continued to work with no signs of stopping.

  “Heeey, Michael!” Sebastian stumbled into the empty plot, reeking of an unfamiliar stink. “How are ya, buddy?”

  “I’m... fine.” Michael said, watching Sebastian nearly fall but lean against a pole at the last moment. “Were you attacked?”

  Michael looked for Zori while Sebastian chuckled. “No. No, I’m fine. Just had a bit of a drink, see.”

  “What?”

  “I had some beers. Some wine, you know. The good stuff.” Sebastian was starting to slur his words.

  “He’s drunk.” Yan said, arriving with Hyato. “Of course.”

  “I take it this happens often.” Hyato braced Sebastian to prevent him from falling. Sebastian mumbled something incoherent.

  “Who knows. Can you take him inside?”

  Hyato nodded and started to lead the tipsy tactician away. Yan turned to Michael. “You should shower and get some sleep.”

  “I... yeah, okay.”

  Yan explained what being drunk was to Michael and gave him a short tutorial on the shower, before leaving the young amnesiac to his own devices. He figured it out.

  Michael felt like he was starting to understand how things worked now, and becoming more familiar with the world. He knew he needed to learn more and learn fast if he was going to be of any real help. When he returned from getting clean, appreciating the feeling of being washed and in clean clothes, he sat on the bed across from Yan as she was dimming the main light.

  “Hey, Yan.”

  “What is it Michael?” Yan turned to face him.

  Michael sat looking at his hands for a moment. “Is this okay?”

  Yan took in a breath, and the thought that she would be spending the night with a boy her age crossed her mind again. “Is, what okay?” She asked, her blush hidden by the darkness of the room.

  “You, Sebastian, Hyato, Me. Going after this Revenant, even though I don’t know anything for real. Am I doing the right thing?” Michael asked.

  The serious question made Yan pause, then she walked over to Michael. She patted him on the head, ruffling his wet white hair. “You dope. Of course it’s okay.”

  “But, how do we really know...”

  Yan patted his head again, then tickled one of his furred ears, making the man giggle. “Don’t second guess yourself Michael. We already saw how bad this thing is, and who else can even deal with the problem? There’s an enemy out there, probably somewhere in Nita, causing havoc.”

  “But are we the right people to deal with it? I mean, I released it, I guess. But I don’t even have memories. How am I supposed to deal with this?” Michael gazed at Yan as he spoke, his violet eyes betraying uncertainty.

  “If someone more powerful shows up to take care of it, we’ll let them. For now, I trust the path you set.” Yan walked back over to her bed. “Get some sleep.”

  Yan turned out the light and crawled into her bed. Michael nodded and got into his bed. It was more comfortable than he expected. The embrace of the mattress made him fall into a deep slumber.