Michael knocked on the door. It must have been about a few hours of walking back to the house because he didn't know where he was. They've walked so far in Aldoria that he had no idea how to get back to the noble's resident district.
He could just recall the people's faces as he tried to get directions when he and Evelyn were dripping wet.
Stefan answered the door, squinting like he had just woken up.
Michael laughed nervously. His clothes were a little dried. He had spent a good time wringing the water out along the way.
"I'm not even going to question it."
"Sorry, I missed out on some of the chores."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, get inside."
"Thanks."
He opened the door further and stopped. There was another person with Michael.
Evelyn was holding Michael's hand, looking around at the neat doorstep.
Stefan stared at the two of them. "You know what? I'm not even going to question it again."
They walked back into the house. Evelyn immediately went for the cupboards and snacked on the sweets that Mave's father had sent to them.
Stefan stood at the doorway, trying to wrap his mind around what was happening in front of him. He wore lazy pajamas, and judging from the mess of the living room, he had slept in the sofas instead of his room.
Though he looked surprisingly normal, despite the altercation about Cerra at the Adventuring guild. Michael imagined he would come back to everyone trying to take care of Stefan's drunken body.
Michael properly dried Evelyn's hair and clothes in a towel as she stuffed her face with random assortments of chocolate.
"I'm assuming," Stefan narrowly gestured. "That's her? That's the sword you were carrying around this entire time?"
"Yeah, she's—"
Evelyn rummaged through more of the snacks.
"She's the sword," Michael ignored the noise. "Her name is Evelyn."
"Evelyn?" Stefan said again. "The sword has a name?"
Michael thought it was uncomfortable hearing her name from somebody else's voice. He's been the only person that knew about her existence.
"Do you want me to get them?" he walked to the stairs. "Or are you two just going to love-it-up in the attic?"
Evelyn tossed wrapped chocolate across the room.
"Woah! What the—"
Michael stopped her. "Evelyn!"
She dropped the remaining chocolate in her hands.
"Is this what we're going to deal with?" Stefan chuckled. "Really, kid, where did you find something like that?"
She threatened to throw another one.
"You could get them," Michael quickly moved in front of her. "I think it's fair for me to tell them about who she is."
Stefan went upstairs after giving one last look at the two of them in the littered kitchen.
Evelyn smacked her lips. "I knew this was a bad idea."
Michael picked up after her. "You don't like them?"
"No."
He blinked. Why was he expecting a different answer than that?
"They're going to get in the way if you tell them about me."
"They won't." he assured. "I trust them. It's not right for me to hold a secret like this against them for too long."
"But I like what we had. I liked having a secret with you."
"So you could hide in the attic?"
"And kiss you every night."
"Evelyn, they need to know who you are. I feel like it'll be easier keeping you around as yourself more."
"Fine, but I'm not going to pretend I like them because you told me to."
Stefan came downstairs with Ellis and Mave. They didn't look pleased being woken up so late in the night but their faces changed seeing there was another person in the house.
Standing next to Michael was a brown haired girl, bearing beautiful golden eyes with the most unconcerned face. She didn't look happy being here either.
The party stood in the living room in their sleepwear. Michael was still properly drying his hair that smelled like salty waters.
Mave folded her arms, disappointed that she was woken up for something like this.
Ellis rubbed his eyes. "Michael has a girlfriend, we get it."
"Wait," Stefan raised his hand. "Let the kid talk."
Michael took a deep breath. He explained everything from the moment he had formed his bond with Evelyn.
The concept of ego swords sounded impossible yet he described it the best as he could. Evelyn could transform into a sword just how she could transform into a human. She could look and talk like a human but she was still an ego sword to her true self. Michael kept out the part where Evelyn admitted she was immortal and also the things they've done whenever the two were alone.
Looking at the expressions on their faces, they couldn't believe anything that came out of his mouth.
"So," Ellis pointed around. "How exactly does this work? How is she a sword?"
"This is her human form." Michael awkwardly presented her. "She can turn into a sword whenever she holds my hand."
"Could we see that?"
Evelyn stared at Michael like she didn't enjoy any of this. It was like she was setting up a crappy show for them.
Michael reached for her hand. She held it. Her body dissolved into a pure stream of light, flashing into the shape of the sword that they all remembered.
Stefan applauded, clearly entertained on how Michael had pulled it off. Ellis was still observant, trying to find out where Evelyn had gone. Mave just wanted to go back to sleep.
Michael presented the blade in his hands. "Now, she's a sword."
"And get this," Stefan chuckled. "That sword's been here ever since he joined the party. She's been with us the entire time!"
Ellis's face turned pale. "That's seriously creepy."
"That's what I said!"
Michael watched them chatter, hearing Stefan spilling all the times Evelyn was with them without anybody knowing. It was not comfortable at all sitting back and having his biggest secret being talked out loud. It felt like he was falling out of his own body, slipping away from reality.
Is this what you wanted, the voice said, you don't even sound happy.
He thought she wasn't helping. This was anybody's first time reacting to a girl changing into a sword. But Stefan was going to be himself, picking around for fun just because he can.
"Could you turn her back?" Mave's demand cut through Stefan's laugh. "You snuck her in this house without telling us, the least you can do is let us ask her some questions."
The sword flashed back into Evelyn's body. Stefan and Ellis stopped talking and turned their attention back to them.
Mave's eyes studied Evelyn. "What are you? And what do we call you?"
"She's an ego sword," Michael answered. "Her name is Evelyn—"
"Let it speak for itself."
Evelyn held his hand tighter. "You think you're tough talking like that?"
Mave narrowed her guarded eyes.
"Mave Hawke, is that your name? I know who you are too, does that make me any scarier?"
Michael tugged her hand. "Evelyn…"
"Do you know about us too?" Ellis asked. "If you've been with Michael along these quests, then you must know about the rest of us."
Evelyn didn't answer. Michael had never seen this side of her before. She wasn't necessarily frustrated but neither was she inclined to meet any of them in person.
"We don't mean to be hostile," Ellis said. "But this is new to us, I don't think anything across Wilmere could make someone turn into a sword. An ego sword? That's not even a term in any type of book."
Mave folded her arms. "Have you two done anything when we're gone from the house?"
"Mave, that's enough."
"Then what's wrong with that idiot's face?"
Stefan suddenly turned his face around.
Ellis sighed. "Michael said your name was Evelyn, right? Could I ask how you two met?"
Mave groaned. "Are we going to lose sleep trying to learn about their dumb story?"
"She's not human, is she? Nobody in this land could ever turn into a sword. And she gives Michael magical properties? Be immune to any type of spell? Are you telling me you're not interested in that, even if it's sitting right in your home?"
"Are you saying you want that thing to stay here?"
Michael's chest felt heavy. "Thing?"
"Is she a thing?" Mave said back. "You tell me, boy, are you hiding anything else from us?"
"You don't talk to her that way."
"Oh, did I offend you? It's not like I gave you a place to live, right? It's not like you smuggled your girlfriend inside my home—"
"For the record," Stefan raised his hand. "He told me before any of you guys."
Mave looked around to find something to throw at him.
"Please, relax," Ellis calmed her down. "But Michael, do you understand why Mave is angry?"
Michael nodded. Evelyn shook her head.
"I was asking Michael."
"And I understand that you people are all crazies," Evelyn said. "Just like Michael has his magic sword, you have your own problems. That guy gets drunk, you're too short, and she has the emotional range of a spoon—"
Michael closed her mouth. "She didn't mean any of that!"
Stefan bursted into laughter, smacking his knee repeatedly. Ellis wasn't even fazed by his insult because he was probably already used to being called short. Mave, however, stormed closer to Evelyn.
Michael quickly moved in front of Evelyn, confronting the tall woman that was already used to beating him up.
Ellis didn't feel like trying to stop her anymore. He covered his eyes, trying to avoid what was about to happen but just enough to peek.
Mave towered over Michael. "So, how are we going to do this?"
Michael gulped.
"At least one of you is getting hurt."
"Come on," Stefan held her shoulder. "They're just kids."
Mave smacked his hand away. "You think this is a joke?"
"They're just kids." Stefan repeated. "Hell, I didn't get mad when she called me a drunk."
"Because that's what you are. If this brat, or whatever she is, wants to talk to me like that then I'm going to rip her mouth off."
Michael felt a swell in his chest. "You won't touch her."
"Oh, really?" Mave scoffed. "And who's going to stop me?"
"I am."
Mave grabbed his collar and dragged him to the hallway.
"Hey—" Evelyn ran after them. "Let go of him!"
Mave kicked open the back door and threw him. Stefan held Evelyn back trying to jump in, even if she was still hurling insults. Michael crashed into the ground, rolling away a couple feet where Mave stood.
It was night, the air was chilly and the only source of light was the lantern by the door. Michael had never been in the backyard this late so this was a new experience. He stood just as a wooden sword stumbled to his feet. He knew where this was going.
Ellis came outside, joining them as he leaned by the doorside.
Mave picked up her own wooden sword. "You want to make decisions, fine, let's see you decide on this. One duel. If you win, you and that girl you brought along can stay with us. If you lose, you get the hell out of my house and find some other party to wreck with."
Ellis sighed. "Mave, you're taking it too far—"
"No, no," Stefan waved him off. "I wanna see this. Let the kid prove himself—damn! This girl punches hard!"
"Evelyn, stop!" Michael shouted to her. "Let me do this!"
Evelyn turned to him, startled by the raise in his voice. She dropped her shoulders. Michael couldn't tell if her eyes were doubting or unexpectedly hopeful.
Stefan stared at him like he was determined. He thought the idea of being threatened to be kicked out was a great motivator to win.
Michael exhaled, gripping the wooden sword in his hand. "Alright, deal."
Mave tied her jet-black hair back and pointed her sword. Her eyes were awake and ready for any fight, locking right at Michael.
Michael turned his sword to her. He remembered all of his fights against her. He studied her form, the pace of her footing, and the pattern of her attacks, it was all going to count right now. This time, they were going to recognize his spot in this party.