Lyra: "Heyy Altair, are you done?"
Altair: "Yeah, I got quite a lot from the lake. Around 32. That should be enough for a few weeks."
Aeris: "Wahh that's a lot in just 2 hours!"
Lyra: "See? I told you he's stubborn and hardworking."
Altair: "Are you talking about me?"
Lyra (blushing): "N-no! (looking away) I was just answering Aeris' question."
Aeris: "Ouhhh, is that so? Hehehe…" (whispers)
Altair: "Let's eat before it gets cold."
"Okaay."
The warmth of the evening sun and the gentle breeze cooled the atmosphere. The lake reflected the orange light of the setting sun beautifully.
Altair: "Ahh, finally done. Oh yeah… now that I look at it, your hair is really nice, Lyra."
Lyra: "R-really?? Thank you… yours too… your white hair is unique… I've never seen hair that beautiful before."
Altair: "Thank you."
Aeris: "Hey, don't act all lovey-dovey in front of me!"
Lyra: "W-we're not being lovey-dovey! What are you talking about?"
Altair: "Haha." (chuckles) "We're not, Aeris. Sorry if it looked like that."
Pat-pat — Altair gently pats Aeris' head.
Aeris went silent for a moment. There was something in Altair's calmness — a white aura that made her chest feel lighter.
She blinked, then laughed softly.
For the first time since this journey began, she truly felt safe.
Aeris: "Oh right, where are we going tomorrow?"
Lyra: "Yeah, Altair, can you check the map?"
Altair: "How about we try to gather some money first? We should buy Aeris some proper clothes and light armor. I'm worried that if we get attacked, she won't have anything to protect herself."
Lyra: "That's a good idea. We can also sell the flowers we found. But we need to go to an alchemist since they're usually used for potions."
Aeris: "Eh-eh, I feel kinda bad…"
Altair: "It's fine. We'll be traveling together for a while, so you have to look neat and cool. Who knows, maybe you'll get a boyfriend someday."
"Haha, just kidding."
Altair felt something he had never felt before.
Warmth. Happiness.
"I will protect this warmth as much as I can. Lyra. Aeris."
Aeris: "Hmm okay, your joke wasn't funny though!"
Altair & Lyra: "Haha." (soft laughter)
The night grew quieter.
Only the sound of burning charcoal could be heard, along with the warmth between them.
The next morning.
Altair: "How about we head to the nearest town? According to the map, there's a small city nearby."
Aeris: "I'll just follow you guys."
Lyra: "I'll go wherever you go, Altair."
Altair: "Alright. Let's head to Synderk."
After walking for hours, they finally arrived.
Altair: "This town looks pretty cool…"
Aeris: "Even though it's small, it has a crazy history. Hard to believe, but they say a swordsman once defeated 100 dragons just to protect this place — the place he called home. I want to be like him."
Lyra was surprised. It was her first time hearing that story.
Lyra: "Wow, I didn't even know that. That's amazing. I'm sure you can become like him."
Altair: "That's impressive… the history really sounds unbelievable."
Altair: "Oh yeah, by the way, we need to sell these materials. Where should we go, Lyra?"
Lyra: "We should go to an alchemist shop, or somewhere that sells potions."
Altair: "Hmm okay. Maybe we should split up."
Lyra: "U-uhm… okay. I'm fine with that."
Altair: "Alright, Aeris. Who do you want to go with?"
Aeris looked at Lyra and immediately noticed that Lyra was acting slightly different.
Aeris: "I'll go with Lyra."
Altair: "Okay. Let's meet back here after selling everything."
They all agreed and went their separate ways.
Altair: "I'll try selling these mushrooms and some rare leaves… but where is the alchemist shop?"
Meanwhile—
Lyra: "Before that, let's buy you some clothes. You only have one outfit, and this journey will be long."
Aeris: "Uhm… okay."
They entered a clothing shop and started choosing outfits.
Lyra: "How about this one?"
Aeris: "Too… cute. I don't like it."
"This?"
"Don't like it."
"This?"
"Too revealing and ugly."
"This?"
"Too pink."
"This?"
"Ugly! What even is that?"
Aeris: "Ah, forget it. I'll choose myself."
Lyra: "O-okay…" (a bit sad)
Aeris: "Now this is good."
Aeris chose a full black theme with a belt to hold a sword.
Lyra: "Woahhh, you look so cool!"
Lyra: "Are you going to become a sword wielder?"
Aeris: "Yes. Like the legend of this town. I want to protect my home."
Lyra felt touched by her determination.
Lyra: "I'm sure you can do it, Aeris. Altair and I believe in you."
Back to Altair.
Altair: "Ah, there it is. The alchemy shop."
Altair: "Excuse me."
Shopkeeper: "Welcome! How can I help you?"
Altair: "I'd like to sell some items. Is that possible?"
Shopkeeper: "Of course, young man! What do you have?"
Altair showed some flowers and mushrooms.
Shopkeeper: "Whoa… these mushrooms are quite rare. But these flowers… extremely rare. Finding even three of these is already lucky. But you found ten? How is that possible?"
Altair: "I just found a lot earlier."
Shopkeeper: "I won't ask where you got them. Thank you. I'll calculate your payment."
Altair: "Okay."
Altair looked at the potions on display.
Altair: "These potions look useful. I'll buy five."
Shopkeeper: "Young man, your money is ready."
Altair: "Alright."
"WHAAAT!!!???"