Gerard and Sariah pose as a married couple, as advised by Finn, while Finn and Nyx play father and son, joining the pair on a journey to Mistwood under the pretext of visiting mutual friends. Since Nyx’s hood was shredded in the cave, Finn requests the knights to lend him clothes befitting a town child and has Nyx change into them.

  “We’ll start with the most recent kidnapping case and spend the night there. Can you transport us near the site with a transport stone?” Finn asks.

  “No,” Sariah replies frankly. “We’re not authorised to do so.”

  Finn shrugs and expects this much. On Kalos, transport stones are heavily regulated by the Queen. They're mostly reserved for hunters' emergency return from expeditions. Besides, transport stones only work within the network’s boundaries.

  They spend two days walking to their destination. Along the way, Finn does his best to ease the tension and build rapport with the knights.

  “Gerard, are you married?” No response.

  He’s used to the man’s stoicism by now, so he turns to Sariah instead. “What about you?”

  Sariah shifts uncomfortably. “N—no.”

  “I see. Boyfriend, then? A capable knight like you must be surrounded by eligible candidates.”

  “...No.” The awkward pause speaks louder than the word itself.

  Finn leans in, grinning. “What kind of man are you looking for, then? As a married man, I might offer a useful perspective.”

  Sariah’s cheeks tint red, her gaze flicking, just for a moment, towards Gerard before darting away again.

  Finn catches it. Ho-ho, someone’s closer than she lets on.

  "Just teasing. I hope you don’t mind my intrusion." Finn decides to stop prying before Sariah’s face turns even redder.

  Desperate to steer the topic elsewhere, Sariah asks, “Uhm… does Nyx need a break? We’ve been walking quite a while.”

  “You’re right. Let’s rest.” It’s not like he can admit Nyx can probably outwalk all of them.

  That short exchange warms things between them. During the break, Finn learns more about Sariah’s life and work.

  She’s only a few years older than Risa and hails from a small village near Narfolk, and she joined the knights a few years ago.

  “How are you assigned to divisions?” Finn asks, as they sit around the campfire, digesting the meal he cooked.

  “I started out guarding the prison,” she replies. “Now being assigned under Sir Gerard.”

  “Ah. Do you enjoy the post?” Finn chuckles.

  “N-n…yes!” she stammers again, eyes cast down, blush made brighter by the campfire’s flickering glow.

  “We leave early tomorrow. Get some rest,” Gerard says, cutting in.

  “Aye, Sir Gerard. Goodnight, all,” Finn says, amused. Seems Gerard isn’t as oblivious as he appears.

  Finn nudges Nyx, and the boy bids the knights goodnight. Inside their tent, finally alone, Finn speaks softly.

  “Nyx, how’s Cocoa?”

  Cocoa remains limp in Nyx’s arms. It’s not because of the presence of others. It’s been like this since the cave.

  “Maybe she overexerted herself protecting Risa,” Finn murmurs. He pulls a magic vault from his storage stone and places it near Cocoa’s mouth, and even channels magic into it directly. No reaction.

  “Will she respond to a transport stone?” It was her favourite ‘snack’ when they first met. But even that doesn’t stir it.

  “Nyx…” Finn worries for him. What does Cocoa mean to the boy? Can he even feel?

  “Cocoa might just be asleep now,” he says gently, locking eyes with Nyx. “A sleep so deep… that she cannot wake up by herself.”

  "Fall asleep..." Nyx echoes softly, the dark mist in his eye twisting with slow, hypnotic rhythm.

  “We’ll find a way to wake her,” Finn promises.

  “Also, could you tell me where you went that night?”

  “I hear Finn and Risa’s voice,” Nyx replies.

  “Could you not see that time?”

  Nyx nods. “Cannot see. Can hear.”

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  “I understand. I’m not sure if your change in appearance will affect your vision, but fortunately, it’s only temporary.”

  “Nyx, next time, you can share more about what you want and don’t want. If you don’t understand something, just ask why. This is how we learned.”

  Nyx tilts his head. “Why ask why?”

  Finn pauses, considering his words. “Because… you can ask it. I won’t stop you from being curious, but if things get urgent, I might not have time to explain,” he then adds, “and when others are around, try not to ask too many ‘why’ questions.”

  Nyx nods and asks, “Why?”

  Finn grins. “Some questions are better answered when it’s just the two of us.”

  ”Why?”

  “We stop here, next question.”

  Nyx contemplates for a moment and then asks, “Why Risa not here?”

  “Missing her?” Finn ruffles Nyx’s hair playfully. “She’s resting in the Sanctuary. We’ll see her when we finish our investigation.”

  “Any more?” Finn asks with a grin.

  “Why… why you sleep?”

  “That’s a good question,” Finn replies, explaining in simple terms as their conversation continues for a short while. Eventually, he suggests he needs to get some rest to prepare for tomorrow’s trekking.

  He drifts off soon after, while Nyx lies beside Cocoa, the plushie cradled close.

  By the next afternoon, they arrive at a small farmer village. Finn spots several tending the rice fields and approaches one.

  “Hello, sir. We’re passing through on our way to visit friends in Mistwood. Do you know where we might spend the night?”

  The farmer, a young, talkative lad, beams. “Another travellers? I’m Bren. And you are?”

  “Finn. This is my son, Nyx. And these are our friends, Sarah and Jared,” he gestures toward them.

  “Odd time for a visit. Mistwood was just hit by a predator wave,” Bren says, voice laced with concern.

  Finn plays surprised. “Really? We hadn’t heard. We just wanted to pay our friends a visit.”

  Bren’s expression darkens. “A young couple passed through a few days ago, heading to Mistwood to visit their parents. Thankfully, the predators were driven back, and things have settled down.”

  “God… I hope their parents are alright. And our friends too.” Finn’s face tightens with concern. “But it’s getting late, and my son’s exhausted. Could you recommend a place to stay?”

  “You’re talking to the right man,” Bren says brightly. “You’re welcome to stay at ours. If you don’t mind squeezing into one room.”

  “We don’t mind at all! Better than sleeping out in the wild again. You’ve saved our hides, Bren!” Finn laughs.

  Bren calls out across the field. “Daisy! Let’s wrap up for the day. We’ve got guests!”

  “Alright!” Daisy calls back cheerfully, not a hint of fatigue in her voice.

  The couple tidy up quickly and lead them home.

  “Our place is just down this path,” Bren gestures.

  As they walk, Finn asks, “Still working the fields this close to winter?”

  “We’re prepping the soil for the next season. What about you—what do you do?”

  “Just a wandering magician.”

  “With a child that young?”

  Finn grins. “Don’t underestimate him. He’ll outshine me one day.”

  “Inspiring magician, eh?” Daisy chuckles and chimes in.

  “That’s right! Nyx, greet Uncle Bren and Auntie Daisy.”

  “Good evening, Uncle Bren, Auntie Daisy,” his greeting is polite, though the cold tone of his voice doesn’t match his words.

  They chat all the way to the house.

  “Let my wife cook you a proper meal,” Bren offers.

  “I’ll help,” Sariah says, following Daisy into the kitchen.

  Bren shows the others to the guest room. It’s empty, clean, and far better than sleeping under the stars. They put down their bags and walk back to the living room.

  “How long have you been married?” Bren asks ‘Jared’.

  Gerard’s eyes twitch, albeit barely, but Finn catches it with his sharp eyes. “Three years,” he replies curtly.

  Sariah’s been working with him that long. The lie isn’t that far off.

  “We’re travelling together since our destination aligned,” Finn adds quickly, covering Gerard’s chilliness.

  “Seems like you make friends easily, Mr Finn!”

  “Just like you, Mr Bren,” Finn says with a wink. “So… Mistwood was attacked, but has this village seen any trouble?”

  Bren leans in, voice dropping. “Aye… not from predators, but from a cult. Echoes of… something…”

  “Echoes of Ascendence?” Finn offers.

  “Yes! That’s it.” Bren taps his temple.

  Finn asks in a worrying tone, “They were supposed to be wiped out, weren’t they?”

  "Not just here… about eight kids have vanished from nearby villages too. That’s why it’s mostly adults out and about now. Parents are keeping their little ones inside. You should keep a close eye on your son, too—just to be safe."

  Finn nods. “I will. Have the knights made progress?”

  “They sent some investigators. But it’s been weeks.”

  “Sounds like they’re not much help,” Finn says casually, even though there’s a real knight in the room.

  Bren freezes, eyes darting nervously. “Please, Mr Finn, don’t say that out loud! If anyone hears, I’ll be in real trouble!”

  “What? You think they’ll haul us away just for saying it?” Finn arches an eyebrow.

  “Have you ever heard of a knight called Gerard something from Narfolk?” Bren whispers, his voice barely more than a breath.

  Finn’s eyes go wide with alarm. ‘Jared’ remains utterly still.

  “What about him?” Finn asks while mimicking Bren’s tone.

  “He’s known for being ruthless during interrogation. Broke a man’s legs to get a confession, they say. But do you know why he’s like that?”

  “Why?”

  “His pregnant wife was kidnapped by criminals who broke out of prison… and tortured to death. Tragic.”

  “Bren! Help me bring the food!” Daisy’s shout cuts the mood perfectly.

  “Coming!” Bren pushes himself up and heads to help his wife, leaving Finn, ‘Jared’ and Nyx in an awkward silence. Finn scratches his head, while ‘Jared’ stares outside the window and Nyx sits motionless. Soon, the others return, arms full of steaming dishes. They gather cross-legged around the small wooden table, savouring Daisy and Sariah’s delicious cooking as the conversation drifts to gentler, happier subjects.

  When they finish, Finn uses a cleansing spell on the table. “Sorry I’m not good enough to clean plates,” he lies with a straight face.

  “No need,” Bren laughs. “I’ll help my wife. You all must be tired. Go rest.”