Chapter Fifteen: Alyx''s Day Off


    Yue woke up tired. That was her life these days. After the Wolf left, she had unofficially been put in charge of the Vanguard along with Kol, a girl named Yiro, and another woman whose name Yue always forgot. Mina or something. Because she was one of the leaders now, many people came asking for advice or help. She hadn’t gone to bed until well past midnight, and, with Rosalia’s death, the stress and sadness kept her up long after. It had been a trying few weeks, and, honestly, Yue just wished it would end.


    This day, just before she’d gone to bed, the Wolf had responded about the Eva situation. Eva was to be suspended for a week, no pay, and under vigilance from the Magefell Guards. It was true that the Vanguard were a better and more skilled army than the Guards, but even a Vanguard warrior wouldn’t be able to take down more than three Magefell Guards. Also, Eva was to be without weapons. If she disobeyed any of the rules, she would be expelled from the Vanguard. Yue didn’t know anyone who had been expelled from the Vanguard, but it had happened twice. Both by people who had committed treason. They were hanged soon after.


    Yue climbed out of bed, dressed herself appropriately, and walked out of the cabin. By all accounts, it was a beautiful day, one that most people would use to take a walk or just relax under the sun. A small idea started forming in Yue’s mind, but she brushed it aside a little. She didn’t have time for that.


    Alyx was walking around the barracks, and her look was clear. She was having another bout with depression. It was hard for Yue to see her friend this way. Sometimes, it felt like Alyx was finally getting better, and then she would look dejected the next hour. The small idea Yue dismissed returned, this time fully formed, and Yue smiled. It was a great idea.


    She needed to gather her friends.


    — — —


    “So, what are you planning?” Xander asked.


    Yue had brought all of her closest friends except for Alyx to the hospital. Xander was here, obviously, but she’d gathered Neena, Aster, Poli, and Artemis. She originally hadn’t wanted to bring the latter two, but, in the end, decided it was better.


    She realized that her friends were much closer now than they were right before Diamond’s death. She wouldn’t have ever considered Aster a close friend. Even Alyx hadn’t been too close. Now it felt like they had an unbreakable bond. And Yue liked it. It was nice.


    Joanne was in the room next to theirs in the hospital. Thankfully, she wasn’t too hurt, but her nose was broken. Yue needed to visit her after this. That girl had gone through a lot.


    “Yue?” Xander asked again, and Yue looked up sharply. She hadn’t realized she’d been lost in thought.


    “Sorry,” She responded. “I zoned out for a second there. Anyway, you know how dejected Alyx looks today?” Most of her friends nodded. “I was thinking we should give her a break. We’ll take her out to the market, have some fun. Explore Magefell. I have to go meet Zade there today anyway. We should take the day off. Give Alyx some much-needed fun.”


    Neena smiled. “That’s a great idea, Yue!”


    Xander sighed. “I agree. I love the idea. Just wish I could come with y’all.”


    “We wish you could come too, Xander,” Neena replied. “We’re all praying you get better soon.”


    “I like this idea of yours too, Yue,” Aster said. “I think we could all use a break, but Alyx desperately needs one. It will be good to help her out a little.”


    “Poli? Artemis? What do you think?” Yue looked at them expectantly, and Poli shrugged.


    “Sounds good, I guess.” Poli’s face remained impassive. “I could use a break too.”


    Yue nodded. “All right then. We’ll leave in an hour. I just need to go talk to Joanne and then I’ll be ready.”


    Her friends said their goodbyes and left, leaving Yue to walk to Joanne’s room. She knocked. No answer. So she knocked again. No one answered again. She opened the door slowly.


    Joanne was in the room sleeping, breathing slowly. Yue brought up a chair and sat down.


    “Hey, Joanne,” She said. “How are you doing? I’m sorry I didn’t step in before. I shouldn’t have told Eva it was you. It was an accident. I’m sorry. Hope you get better soon.”


    Joanne opened her eyes slowly. “Yue? Why are you apologizing? It’s my fault I’m here. I''m the one who needs to thank you. So thank you. Thank you for stepping in. There’s no telling what Eva would’ve done if you hadn’t found us. I’m lucky to get off with only a broken nose.” Her voice was slightly nasally today, and it was obvious why.


    “How are you feeling?”


    “I’m fine, all things considered. My nose hurts like hell, but otherwise, I feel good. What happened to Eva?”


    “She’s been suspended. A week. I’m surprised it’s not more, honestly. She’s also being watched by the guard, if that makes you feel better.”


    “I’m glad she got punished a little, but praise Dautha she’s coming back soon.”


    “Why would you think that? She beat you up, Joanne!”


    “I know,” The other girl said cheerfully, “But we need to win the tournament and Eva is very talented. I don’t need to talk to her, she just needs to come back. I think I’ll avoid her from now on,” She chuckled.


    Yue shook her head. “You’re too much of a good person, Joanne. Leave some good for the rest of us.” She smiled to show it was a joke, and Joanne teared up.


    “Thank you, Yue. You’re a great friend.”


    Yue felt a twinge of guilt. If Joanne knew why she had befriended her, would she hate her for it?


    — — —


    “Alyx!” Yue screamed, and Alyx turned around.


    “What do you want, Yue?” She asked sadly.


    Yue’s lips curled up. “I’m here to cheer you up. Come with me!” Alyx reluctantly followed her, and they walked to the edge of the Vanguard grounds where the rest of her friends were waiting.


    “What is this?” Alyx asked suspiciously.


    “You need a break. You need to have fun. We decided we need to take your mind off all of this.” Neena smiled at her. “You need it, Alyx.”


    Alyx cocked her head. “What do we have in mind?”


    “We’ll take a trip around the market and have lunch there. We have a meeting with Zade, the mage guy, and after that we''ll walk around Magefell.” Aster hugged her. “It’ll be fun.”


    Alyx sighed tiredly. “Okay. Let’s go.” Neena cheered and Alyx smiled softly. “Thanks.”


    — — —


    “Grab it! GRAB IT!” Neena yelled excitedly. Yue reached for the cup and downed it. She was feeling tipsy already. She was thinking this wasn’t such a good idea.


    “Done!” Alyx said,setting her cup down.


    “You win,” Yue slurred. She passed her friend a few copper spheres. Alyx smiled, looking completely sober. She drank three pints in just a minute, and looked unfazed. Yue felt sick.


    “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” She said, staggering around. Alyx laughed.


    In the outhouse, Yue threw up. She immediately felt a little better. She returned to the bar, headache already forming. When she returned, Alyx was competing again, this time with Aster, who was clearly losing.


    Yue shook her head softly.


    It was already a crazy day.


    — — —


    “That looks great on you,” Neena gushed at Alyx. Alyx was trying on a beautiful pink dress with plenty of lace and silk. Alyx looked like a flower. Yue had noticed how beautiful Alyx looked, but with the dress, Alyx looked stunning.


    “You think so?” Alyx asked suspiciously.


    “You look beautiful,” Yue beamed at her. “I’ll pay.”


    “What?” Alyx retorted, acting offended. “I’ve got money.”


    “This is your day,” Yue told her. “Let me take care of it.”


    “How much is it?” Alyx said, biting her lip.


    “Don’t worry about it.” Yue paid the shopkeeper, who smiled widely.


    “You look absolutely marvelous,” The shopkeep said.


    Alyx went into the back to put her normal clothes back on, and Yue turned to the shopkeeper.


    “When can we expect the dress to be done?”


    “Come back anytime after today. Alyx has been here before. I can have the dress done by tomorrow.”


    Yue smiled. “Thank you.”


    “Yue, I think you’d look good in this one,” Aster told her, smiling at a black dress with a neckline just a little too low for her liking. The dress did look good, though.


    “How do I look?” Poli asked, coming out of one of the dressing rooms. She was wearing a corset dress that maybe accentuated her too much. Artemis smiled warmly at her, and Yue rolled her eyes.


    “It looks amazing,” Artemis told her.


    “Wow,” Aster whispered to Yue, “Artemis can speak!” Yue laughed a little too loud. Poli glared at her.


    “Sorry,” Yue said. “The dress looks great.”


    “Okay, I’m done,” Alyx said, returning. She looked at Poli and her eyes widened. “Doesn’t leave much to the imagination, does it?”


    — — —


    “Damn, this is hard,” Aster half-yelled as the horse bucked her around. Yue just screamed as the thing threw her off again. Aster and Yue were the only ones who did not know how to ride a horse. It was embarrassing, because they were soldiers, but she’d just never learned. At least Aster stayed on. Yue had a hard time just getting on the horse. It was impossible to stay on.


    “Come on, Yue,” Neena laughed as her horse galloped forward. She was clearly having fun. “It’s not that hard.”


    “It’s my horse,” Yue replied. “It’s very wild.”


    “But I let you ride the mildest one,” The horse’s owner said. Yue glared at him, but he looked confused. She tried to get on the horse, and he looked at her as if saying Come on. Just get on already! After a few unsuccessful tries, the owner of the horse helped her on. She didn’t thank him. She would’ve gotten on the horse the next try even if he hadn’t helped her.


    “You want to have a race?” Alyx asked her friends.


    “Yes, please,” Poli replied. Poli loved horses, apparently.


    Yue groaned but forced her horse slowly to where the starting line would be. Aster got there before her and grimaced at Yue.


    “This is harder than I thought it would be,” She told Yue. Yue nodded, eyes widened.


    “Can you start us off?” Aster asked the owner. He nodded.


    “At the count of three. One, two, three! GO!” The horses were off. Well most of them. It took a good five seconds for Yue to get her horse started.


    Yue got to the finish line first.


    Just not with the horse.


    — — —


    “Oof, I’m tired,” Alyx said, sitting at a table in the inn they were eating at. Yue didn’t know what this one was called. It was the first one they found. They were waiting for their food, which would consist of potatoes, rice, and beef. All of her friends had lighter wallets than when they came in. She was sure they were all feeling an adrenaline high.


    “I’m not tired,” Neena shrieked. “I’m excited.”


    “Of course you are,” Aster resplied.


    “Here you go,” The slim waitress said, arriving with their food. “If you need refills for your drink, just ask.”


    “I’ll have one, please,” Artemis said. The waitress nodded and walked off.


    Yue yawned and dug into her food. It tasted great, and within five minutes she finished it. She wasn’t the first one to finish, though. Neena, of course, finished sooner. They all asked for seconds, and Neena and Poli even asked for thirds.


    Yue sat back. It was a good day. Finally, she was having fun. After all the recent stress, it was good to take a step back.


    She just hoped that Zade didn’t say anything that ruined it.


    — — —


    She saw Zade arrive. She and her friends had been waiting in the alleyway for a good twenty minutes. Poli had started to complain, and even Yue had been getting tired of it. Eventually, he came, with his two friends, and the girl from the first time they met. Xavier and Astil, right? She didn’t know the girl’s name. Had they told her it?


    “Took you long enough,” Yue huffed playfully, crossing her arms.


    “I’m not late. You were just early,” Zade responded, shrugging.


    “Who’s the girl?” Aster asked.


    “That’s my girlfriend, Anni,” Astil said, and Anni waved at them. She was a slim, blonde girl. A little like Neena, except a lot taller and a lot younger.


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    “You brought a lot of people,” Zade noted. “Who the hell are they?”


    “You know Neena, Aster , and Alyx. That’s Poli and her boyfriend is Artemis.” Xavier and Zade gasped, and Artemis crossed his arms.


    “I know who that is,” Astil said sourly. Yue shook her head. She’d totally forgotten that Astil and Artemis were brothers. And apparently there was bad blood between them.


    Artemis growled accusingly at Yue. “You never told me Astil was here.”


    Yue winced. “I forgot. I’m sorry.”


    Artemis huffed. “I don’t want to talk with him.”


    “Believe me, brother,” Astil replied, walking up to him. “The feeling is mutual.”


    “If y’all want to leave,” Yue said, stepping between them. “Feel free to do so.” Astil stood his ground, but Artemis left, Poli looking apologetically at them and following him.


    “How’ve your last two days been?” Zade asked somewhat awkwardly.


    “Absolutely horrible,” Yue said. She proceeded to tell Zade and his friends about Jos’ funeral, and Rosalia’s suicide, how since the Wolf wasn’t there so she had to take on a leadership role.


    “Basically, I’m tired,” She finished.


    Zade looked at her sadly. “Wow, and I thought my life was depressing.” He winced. “Sorry, that was cruel.”


    “No, it’s fine,” Yue responded. “What’ve you been doing? Any news?”


    Zade sighed. “I had a vision about the end of the world.” Yue burst out laughing. “What?”


    “You’re right,” Yue said. “A member of my army dies and that’s so much worse than the end of the world.” She didn’t even know if she was being sarcastic. “When did the world get so crazy?”


    Alyx looked concerned. “Are you okay?”


    “I’m fine,” She responded, wiping her eyes. “Just a month ago, my entire life was so different. Where did it go?”


    “I’m with you. I still had parents back then.” Zade’s voice was pained. “Oh no, now I have to tell that story, don’t I?” Yue nodded at him, but he shook his head. “I can’t. I’m sorry. But I’ll tell you about the visions.”


    “There’s more than one?” Zade nodded. “Go ahead then.”


    — — —


    “Wow, I’m going to need to process that,” Yue said, shaking. Zade had told them of his visions and his talk with High Mage Aegon. Most of it was just a scary story that Yue loved to hear about but didn’t affect her too much, but one thing did.


    The first vision included her. Zade had had a vision about her before he’d met her. It was a scary thought. She didn’t know what to think but now she felt afraid.


    If there was one good thing about the vision, it was that she seemed to be a really good swordsman. But the rest, she didn’t know what it meant, and it terrified her. She was clearly trembling, and Zade looked guilty.


    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Zade told her.


    “Don’t be. I’m glad I know,” She lied. She started to fall, but Alyx caught her. Alyx’s concerned face told Yue all she needed to know.


    “You’re pale, Yue,” Alyx said. “Do you need a drink?”


    “I’m fine,” She said, not wanting to look weak. “I’ll be…” She wasn’t able to say anything else before she lost consciousness.


    — — —


    Yue woke up in a strange room. She looked around. It looked like an inn. Alyx and Neena were in the room. The others would presumably be outside.


    “How are you feeling?” Neena asked.


    “I’m fine. What happened?”


    “You just fell. Apparently what Zade said really affected you.” Yue rubbed her head. Her headache from the beer was much more potent now.


    Everything came back to her, and she groaned. She hated that she was in Zade’s vision, but there was nothing to do about it now.


    “I’m fine. Let’s go. This is your day off after all, Alyx," Yue said stubbornly. Her friends tried to push her down, but she shook them off and walked out. She took the stairs of the inn down to the common room, where she saw her friends waiting anxiously like she expected. Zade saw her first and smiled concerningly.


    “You’re up. Are you ok?”


    “Yeah, I’m better;” Yue responded. “I don’t know what came over me.”


    “Do you want to talk about it?”


    “No, I’m fine,” Yue said. “But we should talk about the rest, though. Let’s take a walk. It will be fun and relaxing. This is Alyx’s day.”


    “You keep saying that.” Alyx complained, smiling. “But I like your idea. Let’s go.”


    She walked out with her old and new friends, and began to take a trip down the market.


    “So, you think the visions are going to come true?” She asked Zade as they walked down. She noticed Xavier talking to Neena from the corner of her eyes and narrowed them. Anni and Astil were talking to Aster and Alyx.


    “According to High Mage Aegon, they will,” Zade replied. “It’s a scary thought. I saw it all firsthand, and it’s not something I would wish on anyone, you know?”


    Yue nodded. “I understand. That’s horrible. So you know what Dautha looks like then?”


    Zade shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think it was more of a physical representation of him. I’m guessing he’s more of a spiritual figure.”


    “That''s complicated. So you’re saying that if he was brought here, we wouldn''t be seeing Dautha but just an earthly mirror of him or something?”


    “Something like that,” Zade nodded. “Strange, right?”


    Yue laughed. “Yeah. So, how long have Anni and Astil been together?”


    Zade snorted. “Officially, maybe a week. They’re cute. Astil’s like my little brother, so I’m really proud of him.”


    “That’s strange.”


    Zade looked at her. “What do you mean?”


    Yue shrugged. “Well, Neena’s like my little sister, but I wouldn’t want her dating anyone. I’m really protective of her. Strange that you’re not the same.”


    “You think I’m not protective of him?” Zade asked incredulously, “Why do you think I was beating up Raakhshas so much the first time we met?” Yue guessed Raakhshas was the man who attacked him.


    “Raakhshas threatened Astil?”


    “Yeah, he cut him on the chest with his sword,” Zade responded. Yue winced.


    “Woah, no wonder you were hitting him. If someone tried to hit Neena, I would kill him.” She saw Zade looking at Astil and Anni fondly. “You got one?”


    “Huh?” He asked, looking at her sharply.


    “Are you dating?” She said more clearly this time.


    “Oh,” He replied blushing. “No. I don’t have anyone.”


    “Why not? You’re old enough?”


    “Why don’t you have one?”


    “That’s fair,” Yue chuckled. “But I can see it in your eyes. You’re in love.”


    “You’d be wrong,” Zade responded. “I don’t like anyone that way.”


    Yue’s lips curled up. “Who is it?”


    “NOBODY!” Zade said exasperated. “Look, there’s this one girl but I don’t like her that way. Her name is Jade, and, even if I loved her, it wouldn’t work. She lives far away.”


    “Probably Erenfeld, right?” Yue asked and Zade nodded. “Heartbreak, huh? That sucks.” Zade rolled his eyes. “Also, your names rhyme. That’s so cute!”


    Zade groaned. “I always hated that part. People always made fun of that or called it a sign. It means nothing, okay?”


    “Sure,” Yue laughed, “Sure. How’d you meet them?”


    “They were friends before I came, and Xavier was my guide around Zenyth, so nothing special. It just happened. How about you?”


    “Most of them I met because they were in the Vanguard too. But I’ve known Aster for a while now. A lot of what has happened recently pulled us all close, you know?”


    “I feel the same way. I’ve gotten closer with Xavier and Astil in a couple of weeks than with most of my friends in Erenfeld.”


    Yue smiled. “My grandparents were born in Aleumdaun Seom.”


    “I can tell. I’ve always heard people there are beautiful. Now I’ve seen it firsthand.”


    She blushed and swatted his shoulder. “None of that, please. Jade would be mad.” He glared at her and she laughed. “My parents were born there too, but they moved here before I was born, so I was born here in Magefell. My old friends all live somewhere here but I haven’t talked to them in years. They were never that close anyway. My friends now, though,” She said, glancing at Aster and Alyx, who were now laughing at something Xavier was telling them, “With them I finally know what it’s like to want to protect someone.”


    Zade looked at her. “So this is your group, then? It’s pretty big. Are you all fighting in the tournament?”


    Yue shook her head. “Not Poli and Artemis. And there’s another one part of our group, his name’s Xander, great guy, you would love him. Anyway, Xander won’t be either. He’s infiltrating the cult.”


    Zade glazed up sharply. “What did you just say? Why didn’t you tell me this before?”


    “I forgot,” She replied. “He joined the cult, and their initiation ceremony really hurt him, so he’s in the hospital now. We’re hoping he gets out soon, and not so he gets more ingratiated in the cult. He’s sweet. He needs to get better. We all love him”


    “You need to tell me when something important happens like this,” Zade said sternly. “If we’re going to work together, there can’t be any secrets.”


    “I wasn’t hiding it from you! It’s just that he’s been in the hospital, so I hadn’t remembered his mission.”


    “It’s fine. Just remember next time.”


    “I will. And what about you? Is this your whole group?”


    “Mostly. Anni not so much—don’t tell Astil I said that—, but Xavier and Astil are the closest. There’s another named Th’ul, but we’re not super close. I met him the day I met you, actually.”


    “Obviously, I’m the best person you met that day.”


    Zade chuckled. “You’re better than Raakhshas, I’ll tell you that.”


    “He was the guy that…” She mimed a sword thrust.


    “Yeah,” Zade grimaced. “That’s him.” They fell silent, and soon Zade was talking to someone else.


    — — —


    Two hours passed, and Yue barely noticed the time. She spent most of it talking to Zade, but some of it with the others too. Sometimes her friends joined in. The conversation grew lighter as the day grew darker, and smiles grew on everyone’s faces.


    This is what life should be like always, Yue thought, Making new friends, and just having fun.


    “I can’t help but notice, Zade,” Yue told him. “You’re carrying around a sword. Are you good with it?”


    He nodded with false modesty. “I’m decent, I think.”


    Astil looked at him in amazement. “He’s not just decent, he’s great. He must be one of the best swordsmen in Zenyth.”


    Zade blushed. “You know that’s not true, Astil.”


    Anni rushed in. “Yes, it is. You’re great, Zade.”


    “Want to test it out?” Alyx asked. “I’m always willing to kick ass.”


    Zade sighed. “Can’t. I got bruised. Doctor won’t let me fight with this bruise on my wrist.” He shook his wrist and winced.


    “Excuses!” Exclaimed Alyx. “How did you get the bruise anyway?”


    Zade blushed again and whispered something.


    “Huh? Say it louder, Zay-Zay.”


    “What did you just call me?” Zade said in mock outrage.


    “Just answer the question, Zay-Zay,” Alyx responded.


    “I got it swordfighting,” Zade said finally.


    “Hah,” Alyx laughed. “And you’re supposed to be the best! At least tell me you won the fight?” Zade shook his head softly. “Man, I expected some sort of challenge. Well, it sucks to be you.” She walked in front of Zade, who looked at her, something strange in his eyes. Yue groaned, knowing what was coming.


    “I’ll do it.” Alyx turned triumphantly toward him.


    “Yay, Zay-Zay. Thank you.” She unsheathed her sword. “All right, on the count of three.”


    Yue glanced around to make sure no one was near. They had passed the market a while back, so not many people would pass, but it wouldn’t do if even one person saw it. It wouldn’t look right.


    “One, three!” Alyx yelled and attacked Zade. Zade stepped back with lightning speed, shocked. He held his sword delicately as if even a touch would injure his wrist more. Alyx should have no problem disarming him then.


    And she was intent on doing just that. She attacked, but this time she didn’t strike at his body. She put all her force on hitting his sword. Thankfully, he anticipated that. He positioned himself well and absorbed most of the impact with his body, but he still slid back a little. He was already starting to sweat.


    He attacked then, and took it softly, less aggressive. Alyx didn’t expect that, but she knew enough to block it, and swung her sword around to strike the pommel of his. The resounding metallic ting told Yue that Zade should be wincing. And wincing he was.


    “That was dirty, Alyx,” Zade growled competitively.


    “I always learned to use others’ weaknesses,” She replied, shrugging, then ferociously rushed at him again. And this time, it was over.


    She rushed his side, and he went to block it, not anticipating her feint. Her blade came in from the other side, and he doubled over in surprise.


    Alyx had won,


    “ALYX! ALYX! ALYX!” Neena cheered.


    Alyx offered her hand to Zade. “You did good, Zay-Zay. You might just be the best outside of a real soldier.” Zade took her hand and got up.


    “Thank you,” He said humbly, but Yue noticed something else in his voice. Was that sadness? Why would he be so sad about this? His happy face immediately returned and Yue wondered if she’d made it up. She shrugged. It was probably nothing, and if it was something, then it wasn’t her business.


    “We should head back,” Xavier said. “It’s getting late, and it’ll take a while to get back to Zenyth.”


    Yue felt a twinge of melancholy. So soon?


    “We’ll walk you there.” Aster replied. Xavier smiled at her, and she returned it. They took off in the direction of the big black tower in the distance.


    “I have a question,” Xavier told Yue. Zade and Alyx were listening in. Neena and Astil were talking, and so were Aster and Xavier. Poli and Artemis were off to the side isolated.


    “What is it?”


    “Since you’ve lived here all your life, you should know. What are the palaces here in Magefell for? The black one and the white one. Because I know there isn’t any king, and the parliament doesn’t live there. So, what is it?”


    Yue shrugged. “It’s a secret. Nobody knows. But I’ve heard it is a mage secret, so I’m sure you’ll know eventually.”


    “Yeah,” Aster chuckled. “And when you do, please tell us.” Xavier laughed too.


    “I will.”


    “Sometimes, if you’re closeby,” Yue said, “You can see part of it glow. The glow disappears soon after. I don’t know what it means.”


    Zade looked thoughtful. “I’ll look into that.”


    Xavier grumbled. “Privileges of being friends with a High Mage.”


    “Me?” Zade gasped. “I’m not friends with him. He’s a…um… acquaintance, that’s what!”


    “Sure,” Xavier replied, poking him, “That explains why he went to greet you today, and only you.”


    “Don’t be jealous,” Zade told him.


    Yue looked at Alyx. “I don’t know if they’re serious or not.”


    “Me neither,” Zade replied, whispering too. “But play along.” Yue shook her head playfully at him.


    The market came into view soon. The inns were already full because of how late the day was, telling Yue it was close to the end of the first day she’d relaxed in a long time.


    — — —


    They arrived at Zenyth, and Yue knew the time to say farewell had come.


    She gave all of them a hug.


    “Thank you,” She whispered to Zade. “I appreciate you trying to help us.”


    “It’s good to have friends, isn’t it?” He told her, and she agreed.


    When they entered the tower, Alyx turned to Yue and gave her the most aggressive hug Yue’d ever felt. She almost fell down, barely steading herself.


    “Thank you for this day, Yue,” Alyx told her. “I haven’t felt happy in a long time. Thank you so much.”


    Yue saw the tears of joy on Alyx’s face and teared up herself.


    She was always happier when her friends were happy.


    Alyx deserved it. It was good to help her friends.