-Arc 1-

  Chapter 8

  “The Nature of All Things”

  *?*?*?*

  Aqua: “Are ya sure ‘bout leavin’ Eris alone with Cae?”

  Petra: “I didn't really think about it at the time, I got so swept up in the state of things… but I’m starting to regret that.”

  Petra fixed the last of the trees, allowing them to regrow their lost branches with a gentle flow of her magic.

  Aqua: “Well, I can't blame Cae for how she’s actin’. It’d be a lie ‘f I said I didn't have ma own suspicions of Eris.”

  Petra: “Suspicions… why?”

  Aqua swept the mud from the sidewalk, letting the water seep into the grass.

  Aqua: “Not of Eris ‘erself, she’s fine. But in ‘er state, I’m sure Carlos has tried something. She might not know any better but ta’ trust ‘im.”

  Petra: “What would Carlos try? I guess I don't get it.”

  Aqua: “Yeah, ya don't. It’s pro’lly betta that’cha don't pay any attention to it f’now.”

  Petra grimaced at Aqua’s enigmatic words.

  Petra: “Well, I don't get what you're talking about, but I just feel bad for Eris. Caelia has always had her… harsh qualities… and Eris is quite hard on herself as it is.”

  Aqua: “She ain't cruel without reason, though… well, maybe sometimes. But in this situation, I feel she’s justified, even ‘f I personally don't agree with ‘er methods.”

  Petra: “Again, I don't get what the justification is. So, I don't like the whole premise.”

  Aqua simply replied with a grin, but the lines of her eyes never moved with her smile.

  Aqua: “Sometimes, ya gotta put’cha own feelings aside for tha’ greata good.”

  Petra: “You’re implying there is something I’m missing, but either way, I reject that statement.”

  —*—

  The wind began to pick up immediately after Eitz remade his heroic self-declaration to Eris.

  Never before did Eris have to worry about her own hair being her enemy, blowing into her eyes and her face, or being pushed off course by strong breeze.

  She had seen a storm before. The previous night had seen a dramatic rainstorm. However, she had never been outside, in her memory, during extreme winds.

  With one hand on her hair to keep it from blowing, and the other on her skirt to keep it from doing the same, she shuddered from the cold breeze

  Eris: “I sure hope young Rory is okay in this weather by himself.”

  Eitz: “I’m sure he’s okay. After all, we played all throughout the rain last night.”

  Eris: “Eh? Won't that get you sick?”

  Eitz: “Not if you're used to it!”

  The young boy flashed a cocky grin, but seriousness returned back to his face as he refocused on the task.

  Eris: “Rooooryyyy!”

  She called out his name. Of course, Eris knew that doing so would heed no results, but it felt better knowing she was trying instead of just walking down the street.

  Eitz: “Rooooryyyy!”

  Cupping his mouth, the pink haired boy did the same.

  The two did so multiple times, drawing glares from the townsfolk who held onto their hats in the wind.

  ???: “Ooh, perhaps you are looking for somebody?”

  Eris: “Huh?”

  A theatrical voice called out from the sidewalk. The source of the voice was a young man, probably the same age as Eris.

  His swaying blonde haired blew in the wind like a row of waving hands. His sharp, crystalline blue eyes had a calming expression to them, casting an aura of cordiality and friendliness.

  His outfit, too, was mostly blue and quite expensive looking for the town’s economy. A silk, azure coat flapping in the wind, and woolen brown pants.

  ???: “Forgive me if it is strange for me to ask so suddenly. Indeed, it is quite unexpected for me to do such a thing.”

  Something about the man’s outgoing tone and expression made Eris doubt that statement, as the boy waved his hand at the two.

  Eris: “There is… no problem. Actually, since we’ve already been stopped; have you seen a young boy go through here named Rory?”

  Eitz: “He has red hair and he’s a bit taller than me. He’s always wearing that green jacket.”

  The blonde boy places his finger on his chin.

  ???: “Ohoh, a very interesting boy! Red hair you say? He reminds me of my wife! Oh, she is so amazing. Such an amazing woman. You'd have to meet her, ‘cause I couldn't describe her with more words, no!”

  The boy’s cheeks grew flushed pink as he spoke of his wife.

  Eris did find it weird that someone his age would be married. Though, he did sound like he was from a different region due to his dialect, so perhaps it was normal there.

  His accent was similar to Aqua’s, though a bit more tame.

  Eitz: “Your… wife?”

  ???: “Mhm, yes. My wife.”

  Eris: “So, have you seen Rory or not?”

  ???: “Oh, no. I’m sorry to say, but I haven't seen the boy.”

  Eitz pursed his lip in disappointment. Casting his gaze down, he mumbled out his words.

  Eitz: “Well, thanks anyways, Mister…”

  ???: “Oh, Mister! I don't get called Mister very often. You can just call me Alexander— well… just Alexander. No last name at all. I’m a lover. A great lover of my wife! She is a wonderful woman, the best woman. The prettiest and kindest. That is who I am.”

  Alexander extended out his hand and lowered himself into a bow.

  Eris: “Heh?”

  His introduction was a useless one, apart from his name. He introduced nothing about himself but that he loved his wife. An admirable quality, but not one’s most defining trait which someone would search for when being introduced.

  Eris: “Alexander… Nice to meet you.”

  Eris extended out her hand to meet Alexander's, but suddenly the boy’s hand retracted away from hers.

  Eris: “——”

  Alexander: “Oh, sorry, sorry madame. That must have seemed terribly rude! I truly apologize! It’s just that the only woman I could ever allow myself to touch is my wife.”

  As he speaks of his wife again, he blushes.

  Alexander: “She’s just so wonderful, I would feel deathly guilty if I made such a disloyal move.”

  Eitz: “That's fine. She can hold mine instead. Just don't squeeze me hard again!”

  Eitz’s small hand found Eris’s, and she made a point to not apply pressure.

  Eris: “Again, I’m really sorry about that, Eitz. Anyways, I’m Eris. I appreciate it, even though you can't help.”

  Alexander: “Eris! A great name! A wonderful name! My wife’s name is very pretty as well. Like flowers! Like honey on the tongue!”

  Alexander hugs himself and his words come out with a squeak of excitement at the mention of her.

  Alexander: “Ah, right.”

  Gathering himself, he cleared his throat.

  Alexander: “Aaanyyways! I didn't say I couldn't help! That would be unkind of me. My wife would get cross. She would scold me indeed if I didn't!”

  Eris & Eitz: “You’ll help?”

  Alexander: “Of course… You see, your situation reminds me of my wife! She always claimed she felt so lost before we met. I must say I did as well! It wasn't that she found me or that I found her, but rather we found each other! My heart was enraptured!”

  His bright red cheeks only grew more intense, and his gaze was lost as he zoned out at the thought of this woman.

  Alexander: “She spoke to me… with such grace…”

  He stared up into the sky as his voice trailed off.

  Eris: “Alexander, I’m sure your wife is great. I mean it. She sounds wonderful. But…”

  Alexander snapped out of his daze, laughing heartily.

  Alexander: “Oh, oh, oh— oh my! You get it, you get it!”

  Suddenly Alexander stopped himself, rapidly shaking his head.

  Alexander: “Actually, you don't! You see my wife is not one that can be described by mere words! Her presence cannot be imagined by those who have not observed her!”

  Eitz’s grip adjusted in Eris’s hand. She glanced down at the boy, growing in impatience.

  Just as Eris was about to interrupt again, Alexander drifted back onto topic.

  Alexander: “But yes, you are correct. I am getting beside myself. I have to make one unfortunate response to you, however. I cannot go with you on your grand adventure to find your lost child! If he is lost, that is truly an unfortunate thing. However, these nearby forests can be quite dangerous, and I need to prevent harm to my body, as if I were injured, my wife would be quite distraught!”

  Eris let out a sigh. She could not get upset at Alexander for not wanting to venture into the forest. However, she was disappointed all the same.

  Eitz: “But, didn't you say you were going to help us?”

  Alexander let out another hearty chuckle.

  Alexander: “Of course, I will! As long as I’m back home before the evening! I can't miss my wife’s wonderful cooking. Ah, no, I’d get deathly wife sick before that happens.”

  He visibly shudders at the terrible thought of being separated from his wife.

  Eris: “So…?”

  Alexander: “But I do not need to accompany you to assist, you see!”

  Eris could only tilt her head at that prospect.

  Alexander: “You say you are looking for a lost child, which is a stressful task indeed! But one must go about it calmly! You must think about the child in question. What may have caused his disappearance in the first place? Think about the environment as well.”

  Eitz’s grip on Eris’s hand relaxed, his young mind being occupied with thoughts of Rory. Alexander’s advice was aimed towards Eris, but of course, she had never actually met the boy. The answers to Alexander’s questions lied in Eitz.

  Eitz: “I’m not really sure why he didn't come back. But like I said, he can get quite curious. So maybe he saw something and got lost looking for it?”

  Alexander: “Ohoh, that is a good start! Even if it’s not correct, anything helps. That is something my wife always says! I wonder if the boy you are searching for, Rory, is one to get scared easily?”

  Eris’s eyes widened at Alexander’s clever prediction. Either he was some sort of genius, or knew more than he pretended to.

  However, Eris didn't think Alexander, obsessed with his wife, would be concerned with gathering information about anyone else to know such things.

  Eris: “Eitz did say that Rory can be a scaredy-cat.”

  Eitz: “It’s true. We sometimes would prank him by pretending there were ghosts in the old houses.”

  Alexander: “Oh-hoh, interesting! That seems very fun! Well, there may be something to that, maybe not. It can come when it comes!”

  Eitz: “Come when it comes? Huh?”

  Alexander: “Precisely!”

  He stuck out a finger towards the little boy, a huge grin across his face.

  Alexander: “Such is the nature of all things. They come, and then they come!”

  Eris: “I’m not sure I’ve heard of a saying like that before.”

  In fairness, that could be attributed to her amnesia. She has done well cutting that part of her mind for now. The less she thought about her amnesia and its consequences, the easier it was to be a functioning human. Right now, Rory and his family depended on her to not be occupied with such thoughts.

  Alexander: “Oh, that makes sense, indeed. After all, it is a saying coined by none other than my amazing wife.”

  Eitz: “...I’m still not sure where he could have gone, though.”

  Alexander: “Perhaps young Rory is hiding from something? Or he ran away with someone? You know, me and my wife did the same thing! We ran- ran away from home with nothing but each other! Things were not always easy, but they were always easy with each other!"

  Eitz shook his head at Alexander’s idiosyncratic suggestion.

  Eitz: “Nuh-uh. Rory wouldn’t do that. Besides, he doesn't have anyone to run away with.”

  Eris: “Alexander, since you seem very good at this sort of stuff, can't you just tell us what you would do? I get that you can't accompany us, but…”

  Alexander interrupted Eris with a wag of his finger as he shook his head.

  Alexander: “That’s no good, Miss Maid.”

  Alexander addressed her as such, despite her introducing her name.

  Alexander: “It would not be very helpful if I did it for you, don't you think? It would be much more beneficial to learn how to do such things without help! My wife says that the best way to learn is to do it! So that is what we'll do!”

  Clasping his hands together, he closed his eyes reverently, as if praying.

  Alexander: “Thank you, wife!”

  Eris didn't have a response for that. It was true that she found being told how to do something usually went in her ear and out the other. Doing it was what built the skills to do so. However—

  Eitz: “That may be right, Mister Alexander, but right now, isn’t finding Rory more important?”

  Alexander let out a hearty chuckle.

  Alexander: “Ohoh, a practical way of looking at it, isn't it? But I must say, learning under pressure often yields the best results.”

  Realizing that they would not convince Alexander of anything else, Eris buys into his statement.

  Eris: “Fine. But we still don't really know what we’re doing. I’ve never looked for a missing person before. I’m assuming Eitz hasn't either.”

  Alexander nodded, grinning at the two of them.

  Alexander: “Of course. Naturally! Well, I’ll admit I haven't done much missing-persons-searching myself, but… as my wife always says; ‘it’s always in the last place I'd look!’”

  Eitz: “Oh, my mom says that too… But I don't really think that applies here.”

  Alexander shook his head, waging his finger again as he checked his watch.

  Alexander: “Well, that is just a closed minded way of looking at it, don't you think? You should always be willing to apply any experience or knowledge you have onto any new experience. It's how you overcome your apprehensions, after all.”

  Eris grimaced. Where did all this wisdom suddenly come from?

  Alexander: “It’s true, because my wife said so. All of her advice turns out to be very helpful.”

  Having her question answered without it ever being asked, Eris couldn't help but smile. An unintentional breath escaped her, something between a laugh and a sigh.

  Alexander: “Oh, speaking of my wife, I have to see her now! I get deathly wife-sick, you see… I'm sorry to leave you to your own devices, but please reach your goals with what you have learned so far! If you can't teach yourself with my advice, I fear I haven't done my job! Dreadful! My wife would scold me!”

  So, Alexander began to jog down the road, presumably to his wife.

  —*—

  Eris: “While I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do with Alexander’s advice…”

  Her and Eitz were back at the field by the stables. The wind had only intensified, maybe because the field was much more open than the streets. Eris inspected the footprints. Though, like Caelia, she couldn't interpret them for effective clues.

  Eris: “I still couldn't take you into the forest in good conscience.”

  Eitz pursed his lips, placing a hand on his hip.

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  Eitz: “That’s just not fair. I’m sure you probably feel responsible for me ‘cause I’m small, but you need me!”

  Eris bit her cheek, debating the child’s words.

  It’s true that Eris probably wouldn't get far without him. On the other hand, putting him into danger would be reprehensible.

  Eris: “But if the woods are as dangerous as they say—”

  Eitz: “Don't worry about that. They’ve actually gotten a lot safer lately. Most of the demon-beasts have left.”

  Eris: “Demon-beasts?”

  Eitz: “Miss Eris, don't tell me you've even forgotten about demon-beasts?”

  Eris hadn't completely forgotten about them. She knew them as well as she knew a fish. She hadn't actually seen a fish in her life since losing her memories, however the basic knowledge of their existence had remained.

  Eris: “That’s not it. I was just… gathering my thoughts, I guess.”

  Eitz squinted at her suspiciously.

  With reinvigorated knowledge of the presence of demon-beasts, Eris’s apprehensions grew. Though, at the same time, their population had apparently, curiously decreased.

  She also knew that finding Rory without Eitz's knowledge would be difficult. Maybe even impossible, considering her abilities and lack of experience.

  Eitz: “Besides. If anything scary happens, you’ll protect me, right? Not that I think that will happen.”

  Eris looked down at herself. She was not a hero nor a knight.

  She was not a capable maid, who was the lifeblood of the manor.

  She was not a Count, one of the most splendid fire-casters in the nation.

  She was not a great lover, who could give great wisdom attributed to her spouse.

  She was not an imaginative, adorable young boy with aspirations to be a legend.

  Even so, despite her apprehensions to do so, Eris already had come to a conclusion.

  She could not allow her own self loathing to prevent them from finding Rory. The dangers would be minimal, after all. Without Eitz, she would get nowhere. So even if there was a risk, it was better than not even having a chance.

  If something bad, like a demon-beast, did show up, they could just run, right?

  Eris: “Right. I need you. Rory needs you.”

  Eitz: “Well, that’s true. But I couldn't find him myself. So he needs you, too.”

  Even though Eris decided to put her self depreciation aside temporarily, that did not mean she would suddenly allow complements to reach her.

  Eris: “Well… okay. Let’s…”

  A strange smell hit Eris’s nose.

  Eris, in her seven days since waking up without memories, had experienced many new things. Everything had been new to some extent.

  The taste of spice and exotic sea food. The strange sensation of soft carpet and Petra’s massages.

  The buzz of wine, the tingling of staying in the hot bath too long. The smells of dust, breakfast in the morning, and flowers in the greenhouse.

  The sounds of birds chirping, rain against the windows, the gentle brush of a feather duster, or Seraphine’s sobbing.

  Those were all things that felt new, but were not foreign. Even if they were fresh experiences, they were nothing unexpected.

  But this scent— a pungent odor which stung every receptor in Eris's nose, was both foreign and unexpected.

  The smell of something terrible. Perhaps rotten, or simply of someone with terrible hygiene. Even though it burned her nostrils, she could tell that the source of the scent was only at its faintest. That what she was smelling now was only a fraction of what it would be at its source.

  Eitz: “Miss Eris? You suddenly got a really scary looking face.”

  Eris: “Do you smell that, Eitz?”

  The boy paused, sniffing aggressively at the air. Even after doing so, and giving his nose time to process the scents, he shook his head.

  Eitz: “I don't smell anything weird.”

  The scent was not a terribly powerful one, however it was definitely noticeable. In fact, it was hard to avoid.

  So if Eitz could not detect the scent, it would mean that the smell was either a hallucination, or something very specific that her nose was tuned to, and Eitz’s was not.

  Sniffing again, the pungent odor intensified with the wind.

  Eris: “It’s coming from this way.”

  Eitz held on to Eris’s sleeve as she began to follow the smell into the woods.

  Eitz: “Wait, shouldn’t we be looking for Rory?”

  Eris: “Of course, I know. But this is our best lead, even if it’s not very conclusive.”

  Eitz: “Is this… what Mister Alexander said about things coming when they come?”

  Eris glanced down at Eitz, thinking back to the blonde boy who spoke of his wife.

  Things come, and then they come.

  She could interpret that in many ways, but one of the most appealing was that she could focus on the most immediate task, and the other issues can be resolved alongside them.

  Maybe even her own thoughts could be applied to it. She could let the unstoppable flood of self-injuring words which poured from her subconscious, come. But, she could sideline them when they came to focus on the bigger picture.

  It wasn't about her, after all. It was about Rory, who was lost alone in the woods. His family, waiting for Eris to return with him. The maids, who have had their friend taken from them, without even the closure of seeing her buried.

  She gave a smile at the young, pink haired boy.

  Eris: “He sure said some silly things, didn't he?”

  Eitz tilted his head.

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Eitz: “What is it actually that you smell, Miss Eris?”

  Eris sniffed the air again. As the two made their way through the misty woods, still dripping from yesterday's rain and alive with the sounds of nature.

  Eris: “I’m not sure. It smells really bad, so it’s good that you can't smell it.”

  Eitz: “Ehh? What kind of bad? Maybe it’s me…”

  Eris watched the boy sniff at his armpits, but he found no bad smell.

  Eris: “No, no. It's not body odor or anything like that. Besides, you’re a bit young to have to worry about that sort of thing…”

  Eitz: “Hm?”

  Eris: “I’m not sure how to describe it. Maybe like… bad breath?”

  Though nobody at the manor had such bad breath, and as such she had no real memory to compare that smell to, for some reason, that comparison felt appropriate.

  Eitz: “That is weird. Maybe someone is breathing really hard.”

  Eris: ”Maybe.”

  She doubted that was the true origin of the smell, but as it came from a child, a being whose thoughts are usually sidelined in favor of the adults’, she gave the idea some credit.

  In reality, Eris wasn't that different from a child. Eitz was technically older than Eris. ‘Eris’ had lived in the body before her for an unknown amount of years, but considering the age of her body, definitely around young adult age.

  Eris, however, had only been around for seven days.

  She was practically a newborn, though at least she retained the mental age which ‘Eris’ accumulated. Presumably, because they shared a brain.

  Eris: “This is pointless.”

  Eitz: “Miss Eris?”

  Eris: “Nothing, nothing. I wasn't talking about the search. I was… talking to myself.”

  Eitz: “I talk to myself sometimes, too. It’s not pointless.”

  Eris: “——”

  Eitz: “Sometimes, it helps me think better.”

  Eris: “You’re right. You’re very smart. I think, probably smarter than me.”

  Eitz’s answer wasn't anything mind-blowing, but his perspective, unburdened by self-loathing, felt far more mature than her own.

  Eitz puffed out his chest upon hearing Eris’s praise.

  Eitz: “No way! There’s no way I could be as smart as you, Miss Eris!”

  Eris: “Eh?”

  Eitz's response was immediate and confident in his lack of confidence in his own intelligence.

  Eris: “You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. I really meant it.”

  She knew it was a hypocritical thing to say. However, Eris knew she was being hard on herself because she needed to, and Eitz was being humble.

  Eitz: “No. I know I’m smart. I got it, I hear it all the time.”

  Eris: “——”

  Eitz: “It’s just, there is no way I could ever be smarter than you, Miss Eris.”

  Eris: “I don't get it.”

  Eitz: “I guess you forgot a lot of stuff, so you probably forgot all the times you were smart.”

  Eris: “——”

  Eris didn't want to reply with another autophobic remark. So, with lack of any other words than those, she had nothing but silence.

  Eitz: “Like when you—”

  Eris: “—Actually—”

  But Eris suddenly jumped there, as if her life depended on stopping Eitz’s words just now. As if he was going to say the words that would activate a bomb.

  Eris: “I’d prefer if you didn't… remind me, of them.”

  Eitz frowned in confusion, but obliged her request

  Eitz: “That’s fine… But, you should still try to remember that you’re reeeaaally smart.”

  Eris: “I’ll try to do that…”

  Eitz: “I’m supposed to be a hero. You know, your knight.”

  Eris: “You are a hero, Eitz.”

  Eitz: “Even though you said I exemplified many heroic qualities,”

  The longer words were foreign on his tongue and he struggled to speak them.

  Going through this patch of woods, the scent was getting clearer.

  Eitz: “—that doesn't mean I am a hero, you know?”

  Eris: “Well—”

  The boy’s face grew gloomier, as his gaze sunk to the ground.

  Eitz: “How can I be your hero if you’re way smarter than me? And you're way stronger too. Waaay stronger. And you're bigger, and you even said you would protect me here in the forest. So how can I be a hero if you’re so much more…”

  Eris: “——”

  Eitz: “...heroic?”

  Suddenly, Eris stumbled.

  —*—

  Catching herself by grabbing a branch of a tree, Eris was able to prevent herself from tumbling pitifully into the mud.

  Eitz: “Woah, Miss Eris, are you alright?”

  Eris: “Erm, I… think so?”

  Eris lifted her foot to inspect what had nearly caused her to tumble, her shoe dripping with mud.

  Witnessing her own footprint, as she withdrew her shoe, she saw her tracks dwarved by the cause of her trip.

  A massive, padded, beast’s paw print was cast into the mud. It was much bigger than Eris’s footprint, more like the size of a giant tree stump.

  Eris: “Could this be…”

  Eitz: “Magic?”

  Eris knelt down, sniffing the area near the track.

  The scent was definitely stronger here than anywhere else so far, but even in its current intensity, she could tell it’s true source was not nearby.

  Eris: “This doesn't look like Magic, Eitz. It looks like a big animal’s footprint.”

  Eitz: “Not that, Miss Eris. This!”

  Eris ducked under a low hanging vine to approach Eitz, who was pointing at a patch of grass.

  Leaning down to more closely inspect the grass which he was motioning too, a brief flash of violet caught her eye.

  Eris: “Hm?”

  She pushed the grass flat, revealing specks of a dark purple dust. Just barely there, the specks were like tiny drops of sugar. Nearing black in color, crystalline fragments on the grass.

  Eris: “Good eye, Eitz.”

  She patted the boy on the head, truly impressed by his remarkable perception. Even Eris had to lean closely in to spot what he had seen at a glance.

  Eris: “Although, I’m not exactly sure what it is…”

  Eitz: “It’s magic residue, I think.”

  Eris: “Magic residue… I don't really feel any magical presence… though, I am runeless…”

  Eris glanced at the back of her palm, which lacked the distinct glow of a rune.

  Eitz: “It’s dark magic. The color of it is, anyway.”

  Eris: “Do you have a rune, Eitz?”

  Eitz: “Not yet, but we'll see.”

  Eris gave the boy a smile, and turned her attention back to the faint crystals on the grass, as she rubs the blade gently with her finger. Indeed, it just felt like small specks in her fingers, but she could not discard the idea of it being magical residue.

  Eris: “Eitz, does Rory have a rune?”

  Eitz: “Actually, he does. He has a silver rune. Buuut, his parents tell him not to use it.”

  Thinking back on the only other silver-rune she knows, she nods.

  Eris: “Maybe it’s for the best.”

  The only lead that she had formed in her head had been severed by Eitz. The obvious speculation was that the magic residue would be from Rory, who casted dark magic.

  Her initial theory worked with the demon-beast’s paw print as well. Rory might have casted magic in defense against that beast, leaving behind residue which they had found.

  However, obviously, that theory no longer fits.

  Eris: “But, we can still track the beast… Eitz, do you see any human footprints around here that aren't ours?”

  Relying on his keen eye, she asked him hopefully.

  Eitz: “Actually, I do! There are two different ones.”

  As he pointed to the floor, Eris’s eyes widened. She did not actually expect for there to be footprints, and asked out of instinct.

  Not to mention, that apparently there were two.

  Eitz: “Here,”

  He pointed to a spot almost directly under him.

  Eitz: “...and here.”

  His next point was near where she tripped over the beast paw print.

  Eitz: “These ones look smaller…”

  Eris ran her hand over her hair, clenching at her locks and caught her frilly headpiece in her grip by accident.

  Taking a deep breath and holding it in, her crimson eyes scanned back and forth between the three different footprints, while her nose caught a fourth trail.

  If she followed one trail, the other two would be unconfirmed. Perhaps, they were threats. Of course the demon-beast’s trail was most threatening, but finding Rory took priority.

  If it was one human trail and one monster trail, there would be no dilemma.

  Eitz had said that the ones under him looked smaller, so they were probably Rory’s if not another child’s.

  However, with a second human trail, it complicated things.

  The magic residue was the cause for this apprehension. Without it, the decision would be much easier. One of the trails could be the caster of dark magic, leaving behind the residue. If that was true, then not only would it eliminate Caelia from being the one who left the second trail, but it would also immediately put them in the ‘threat’ category.

  Even with that, Eris—

  Eitz: “I can tell you're thinking really hard about something, Miss Eris.”

  He was giving Eris a comforting smile, which soothed her racing mind.

  Eris: “You’re right. There are a bunch of factors I’m considering right now. One of them is the fact that I don't really think I should be the one to make this decision.”

  She seldom voiced her insecurities aloud like that.

  Eitz: “I think I get what you're trying to say. But I also get that it’s not very pleasant for you.”

  Eris: “——”

  Eitz: “What did Mister Alexander say?”

  Eris: “He said a lot of things…”

  Eitz: “Things come, and then—”

  Eris & Eitz: “—they come…”

  Eris let out a breathy chuckle despite herself, looking into Eitz's amethyst eyes.

  She pointed to the smaller footprints, which had a higher likelihood to be Rory's.

  Eris: “Let’s follow this trail, then.”

  —*—

  Eris: “It looks like it’s going to rain again…”

  Spring was the rain season, so it was to be expected. But being out in the woods in the pouring rain while searching for a lost child was not really what Eris wanted to do.

  Though, for some reason, she felt happier during the search than being at the manor.

  Eitz: “Hopefully it doesn't wash away the trail…”

  The rancid scent was no longer attacking Eris’s nose, as they went the opposite direction it was blowing. She did not miss it, either, though its source intrigued her.

  Eris’s foot suddenly planted in the mud as Eitz said this. Her hand, interlocked with the boy’s smaller hand, was pulled outwards as Eitz continued to walk.

  Eitz: “Eh, Eris?”

  She had heard a noise.

  Eris ducked down to whisper in Eitz’s ear, cupping her hand to do so, however as she did so—

  Eris felt a sudden gust of wind, as slight strands of her white hair were severed.

  A sharp crack reverberated through the forest. Quickly snapping around, a tree, decapitated from its stump, began to slowly lean, collapsing down towards them.

  If she hadn't ducked, she would have been bisected like the tree.

  Eitz: “I think I see something…”

  Eris yanked Eitz to the side, pulling herself afterwards. The tree slammed into the ground a second later, sending a second crash through the woods.

  Eitz: “Is that wind magic?”

  Eris: “Rory?”

  She pulled Eitz down again, this time behind the cover of the fallen tree.

  Eitz shook his head.

  Eitz: “Uh-uh. Rory doesn't use his magic.”

  Eris: “Even if he’s desperate?”

  To that, the boy shrugged.

  Eitz: “I’m not sure about that, but I don't think he would.”

  Eris peaked over the tree, the visage of the forest slowly revealing itself from behind the bark.

  She felt her blood ice over, her cheeks draining with dread.

  Also revealed, between the trees, a bright, frilly figure. Silver flowing in the damp breeze, a black and white dress against the natural backdrop.

  Eris: “Hk~”

  The figure’s hand was extended, two fingers outwards. A gentle, pale glow around her wrist.

  Eitz: “What is it?”

  Eris: “C-Caelia..?”

  A powerful gale of wind suddenly hit her, her own hair and dress blowing against the pink-haired boy. He frantically pushed the fabric away from him.

  Eitz: “The silver lady?”

  Caelia: “Oh, Eris. It is you. My mistake.”

  Her sharp voice called out from the woods, barely audible over Eris’s racing heart.

  Caelia lowered her hand, placing it on her hip, as if she had not almost murdered Eris.

  Eris: “What…”

  Caelia: “I understand that you were startled, but we do not have time to sit about. We must look for Rory.”

  Eris tried to speak, but nothing came out. Her throat had tightened around her vocal cords, and prevented any airflow. Even breathing was hard, her lungs only getting scraps.

  Eitz: “It was you, Silver lady?!”

  Caelia: “Shouting isn’t necessary. It may alert beasts, anyway.”

  Eris: “Caelia…”

  Caelia: “Staying here is pointless, let’s search for the boy. There is a trail here, correct?”

  Eris’s hand snaked over her chest, clutching at the fabric until her knuckles were white.

  Eitz: “We’ve been following it. We think it’s Rory’s.”

  Caelia inspected the footprints which weaved between the trees, nodding.

  Caelia: “Indeed. Though, we cannot be sure it is indeed that boy’s trail.”

  Eitz: “It’s about the right size, so we think so.”

  Eris: “Are you going to… join us… while we look, Caelia?”

  She had to search for her words carefully, only using the ones which she found appropriate.

  Caelia: “While splitting up was efficient before, now that we have found the trail, three pairs of eyes are more likely to find our target.”

  Eris: “Our target…”

  Caelia: “I’m aware that I startled you, Eris, but please, gather yourself.”

  Eris: “Mmh. Mhm…”