*knock* *knock*
Ray knocked twice on the door, but no one answered it. The house in front of him was not yet really prepared for someone to live in, therefore he could technically just look through the cracks, but that would only hinder his plan.
"Hey, it's me Ray," he called out this time. And apparently, it worked. Shortly thereafter a rather short blond girl opened the door.
"Hi Ray, how can I help you?" asked the blond girl, Cassia.
"Ah, hello Cassia, I'm here for Nephis right now, do you may know where she is? I might need her assistance for something."
"Assistance? Regardless, Neph is out, somewhere training, like usual," came the response, and a moment later she continued with a smile on her face, "Also, you can just call me Cass. I've grown more used to it."
"Alright, and thanks for the information… Cass," Ray said, a small smile on his lips, before he turned and looked for Nephis again.
This time Ray chose to go where they normally would have trained.
Luckily, he actually found her there. The place was as open as usual, the only contrast being Nephis, with her black and white armor, going over different forms of her fighting style.
As soon as he stepped a bit closer, she noticed him, but didn't say anything. The two shared a moment of silence before Nephis raised her sword with a questioning look on her face, to which Ray shook his head.
"Nah, I'm not here to train right now. I could need your assistance with something but can't really tell you what it is. So… would you help me?" Ray spoke, though, with a bit of an uncertain tone.
Nephis thought for a moment before nodding. She could understand that this topic was important for her companion, even if he couldn't say anything specific. Yes, she already considered Ray as someone like a companion.
"Great, then let's go. We gotta get Effie, then we can start."
Both walked back to the settlement, Nephis walking a bit behind. On the way, she had her own thoughts occupying her mind, and before they even reached Effie's hut, she voiced them.
"Why?"
"What, why?"
"Why did you come for me, and did not just ask Sunny?"
"Hmmn, goo question. To be honest, I consider him as a friend, but this time, his shadow might be unsuitable," Ray answered with a bit of a thoughtful look on his face.
'Also, because he could just look inside…' those words, Ray kept to himself. He considered Sunny as a friend, but there were still a lot of things he didn't know about his aspect, and in the case, it was something that should be rather kept secret, then someone with such an easy way of spying would be bad for keeping guard.
Yes, keeping guard. Ray couldn't know what would happen, and while he was sure it would be something good, there was always an uncertainty. Therefore, he would need people he could trust, and that could hold their own, to guard his house while he did what would happen.
The duo arrived relatively quickly at the familiar hut of Effie. Ray didn't bother to knock, even if she were still asleep, she would always make the same charades, making it basically useless.
Ray pushed open the door to Effie's hut without hesitation, stepping into the dimly lit space. The air inside was warm and slightly stale, carrying the scent of worn leather and lingering embers from last night's fire.
Effie was sprawled out on her makeshift bed, half-buried under a heavy fur blanket, her limbs stretched carelessly. One of her arms hung off the side, while her messy hair covered most of her face. She was very much asleep.
Ray sighed. "Effie."
Nothing.
He stepped closer, crossing his arms. "Effie, wake up."
Still nothing.
Nephis, standing by the entrance, watched with mild amusement as Ray's expression darkened slightly. He had dealt with Effie's legendary sleeping habits before, and this was already playing out as expected.
"Alright, you asked for it."
Ray reached down, grabbed the edge of her blanket, and ripped it away in one swift motion.
Instantly, a pained, dramatic groan escaped Effie's lips as she curled into herself, clutching at the empty air where her warmth had been. "Ray… you absolute bastard," she muttered, voice groggy with sleep.
Ray just smirked. "Get up."
Effie cracked one eye open, glaring at him. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't throw you out of my hut."
Nephis, still quiet by the door, finally spoke. "He needs our help."
Effie blinked, then glanced between them, her irritation fading slightly as curiosity took over. With a loud sigh, she finally sat up, rubbing her face. "Fine, fine. You got five minutes before I regret this."
Ray explained everything as simply as he could.
"I need you two to stand guard," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen, but whatever it is, it should be important. And under no circumstances should you enter my hut or interrupt - no matter what."
Effie, still sluggish, frowned at him. "No matter what? That sounds like a stupid request."
Nephis, however, simply nodded. She had already accepted the task the moment Ray asked for her help.
Effie stretched her arms above her head, still looking at Ray with mild skepticism. "So, let me get this straight. You're about to do something mysterious and probably dangerous inside your house, and you want us to just sit outside and let it happen?"
Ray shrugged. "Pretty much."
"And I don't even get paid for this?"
Ray rolled his eyes. "I'll owe you."
Effie grinned. "That's more like it."
With the plan more or less settled, the three of them left the hut and made their way back to Ray's, just next door.
Nephis and Effie positioned themselves outside, standing near the entrance. The air was still cool, despite the current time.
Ray took a deep breath, then stepped inside.
The wooden door shut behind him with a quiet thud.
He just went further inside, sitting down in the center of the room, where many pelts lay as some kind of carpet.
Next, Ray pulled out the shards he received today, they were more than enough to fill the counter, now the only question remaining was; What might happen when the counter is filled completely?
He took the shards and crushed them one after another.
[Your presence becomes firmer…]
And then it happened.
[Your presence is steady…]