Chapter 36:

The warmth of Aaron’s hug dissipated with the visions surrounding me. The world faded, him with it. Aaron gave a final, grateful smile, and then he was gone. My voice caught as I said goodbye.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

The white void surrounded me once again. It was a long moment before I could speak.

“Hey,” I said.

[Yes?]

“I don’t know what you are, but…thanks.”

No response. 

Seriously, this thing. Dragging me to an alternate dimension for traumatic healing, and doesn’t even have the courtesy to say goodbye. Was it done with me? 

Movement in the peripheral of my vision dragged my eyes towards it. The void parted like mist in a strong wind. Where was nothing, now the vastness of a structure filled its place. I gaped at it, the majesty leaving me in awe. 

Atop a sheer cliff laid a massive castle, its dark stone and climbing spires tearing through the sky in spikes. The stone was clean-cut, magnificent, and without flaw. A chill crawled down my spine as I took the castle in. The sudden feeling of being watched clenched my chest.

Could this be…?

[He is waiting.]

I clenched my hands. This was real, wasn’t it? Not a dream, not an illusion, not a fiction created in the moments of my death. It was our reality. Our goal was set from the beginning, and while I was told as much, how could I ever believe it? Kill the Demon Lord? Funny to hear, impossible to consider. I had trouble killing spiders on my shower curtain, how could I kill an evil overlord?

A rush of helplessness ran through me. We had to march on that? Fight that?! I shook my head as I came to a slow realization.

“I’m not strong enough.”

[You will be.]

Sharp pain coursed through my lip as I bit it. How could we get stronger? Hero points? I was still in debt from helping Mira’s mother. It would take another demon invasion to get that kind of a haul. I couldn’t stay in Elanis, the church was making sure of that. They didn’t seem ill-intentioned, but I refused to be a figurehead while people suffered. Those desperate faces at Leyland’s gates—the child I’d healed. Resolve hardened within me. If I had to be a Saintess, fine. If I had to be a Heroine, sure. But the one thing I couldn’t be—not in this life—was idle. But where do we go? 

I had to get those documents back to Mira and Draven.

“Statue.”

I looked out at the castle again. 

“Send me home.”

***

I sat up with a start. The headache I was left with blurred my vision, my mouth dried as I woke. Blinking, I looked around me. Familiar walls. Still the warehouse, not a prison cell. The room with its peeling walls and dusty floor was bare, but for a blanket covering me and the people laid on the floor. The cultists—unconscious—snored peacefully around me. Had they been put under the same illusion? I stood, taking in the sight. Who had knocked them out? Someone put a blanket on me? I looked around. No statue. My eyes fell on something on the floor. 

It was a book, its cover a beautiful blue and conspicuously free of dust. I picked it up, careful not to step on the bodies of the cultists around me as I walked over. It was heavier than I expected. There was no title on the spine, but there was a light engraving of a symbol I didn’t recognize on the front. A lizard or something? 

The leather creaked as I opened it. On the first page was a note written in ink, the handwriting a beautiful calligraphy. 

Little Saintess, you might like this book. We’ll meet again when the time is right. And—you’re welcome. - P.

P? Was that the statue? I had thought the statue had something to do with the cult, but was I mistaken? I shook my head and stored the book in my item box. I’d have time to look at it later. I turned to the door to walk out. 

[Hero Points +500]

I blinked. “Huh? System, you’re back?”

[The Host has returned to consciousness. Communication is now possible.]

“Wait—ok, how did I earn those Hero points?” 

Was it because I didn’t step on the cultists fingers?

[Incorrect. The Hero has defeated a dangerous enemy.]

“Wow, five hundred points for one guy? Goblins were around ten, right? What’d he do, steal a cake?”

[…]

“System?”

I scratched my head and turned towards the door again. I need to find the others…Gale’s never letting me do this again, is he?

How long had it been since I’d left? 

The doors flung open, scaring me as I approached them. I jumped back, startled but ready to run. I had barely blinked at the crowd who walked in before my senses were obscured by the large, familiar figure of my boyfriend. 

Gale roped me into a tight hug, squeezing me to death, and didn’t let go. My brain rushed with happiness. He found me! 

His scent calmed my nerves, but I had to tap out of his death-grip as my air ran out. He reluctantly pulled away from me and looked down, his expression tight. Gale’s hands lingered on my shoulders, the worried clamp a welcome comfort. His eyes flicked towards the bodies on the ground. His voice came raw and rough with emotion. 

“Aria, god, you’re okay? I was so worried that—”

“I’m fine,” I said, reaching up to cup his cheek, “I’m just fine, I promise.”

Gale bit his lip. I looked over his shoulder to Mira and Draven who waited patiently. Draven had a quiet look on his face. I looked between him and Gale. 

“What happened?”

Gale tried to smile. “That’s what I wanna ask you.” He lifted his hand from my shoulder and flicked my forehead, his face growing soft. “Weren’t you just supposed to open a door?”

I rubbed the spot, aggrieved. “The vent broke, wasn’t my fault.”

Gale’s morose face struggled between his worries and a bubbling laughter. 

“Huh,” He said, snorting, “I guess Heroines do get fat.”

My face paled. Oh god. If I hadn’t had all those sweets, would the vent have broken…? No, I already died, I can’t lose my snacks too!

The mirth in Gale’s face didn’t linger for long. His visage soon returned to a guilty scrunch. I watched his lips pull tight. What happened to him? 

My silly mood died out. 

“Hey…?” 

He squeezed my hand twice. “Later.” 

Draven stepped forward, arms crossed. “I was going to complain but…” He looked at the bodies on the floor, raising an eyebrow. “I’m impressed.” 

I shook my head. “Wasn’t me…long story.” I gestured around. “What now?”

Mira looked over. “We could inform the authorities, they would be here in minutes. Lingering would be a poor choice.”

I looked over the unconscious bodies. The snooty boss guy wasn’t there. Had he left? Bailed while I was unconscious? Maybe he was serious about getting killed. 

“I found a bunch of stuff I don’t understand. I’ll show it to you guys later.”

I looked at my friends, smiling. “Let’s get the fuck out of this city.”

***

“I don’t think Heroes are supposed to steal carriages,” I said.

Draven shrugged. “It’s that or we walk.”

“You have forgotten,” Mira said, “That the Leyland family coffers run deep. We will buy one.”

“Waste of money,” Draven said, putting his hands behind his head in a stretch.

The two of them walked ahead, bickering. I noticed Gale lagging behind, stone-faced and distracted. I slowed my pace, bumping my shoulder against his as we walked. We said nothing, but the lines in his face softened at my touch. I linked my pinky finger around his.

The purple glow of the city lit our path as we climbed the layers. I looked around at the people meandering about their daily lives, the families laughing and joking. I saw a daughter in her mother’s arms, their smiles.

“It’s a shame we didn’t get to see much of the city. Do you think we’ll come back?”

Gale looked over. “Yeah, maybe. When this whole thing is done. If the church leaves us alone.”

“I liked that house.”

“Me too.”

We walked a few more steps. I linked the rest of my fingers into his, and his grip, at first hesitant, tightened.

“You know, I was kinda joking about it,” I said, “Being newlyweds, I mean.

“But…I don’t know, doesn’t it seem kind of…nice?”

Gale looked over, surprised and amused. “That’s gotta be the worst proposal I’ve ever heard.”

I laughed. “You wish, we both know you’d propose first.”

He grinned. “Wanna bet?”

“You can’t resist my charms.”

“You think I didn’t notice you checking out my abs?”

I scoffed. “And you say I’m the competitive one.”

Our idle chatter lifted his mood, and so I kept him distracted as we walked. I wasn’t sure what was bothering him. Maybe we can find an inn to stop at or something?

It wasn’t long before we approached a stable. Mira stepped forward to speak, but I grabbed the scuff of her outfit in a few quick steps. She stumbled, looking at me in bewilderment. I gave her a gentle smile.

“Did you forget what you’re wearing?”

Her face dropped. She looked at the frilly outfit, a flash of fury running across her face. Her piercing gaze made Draven take a step back. She rose her fist to strike, when a voice behind us called out.

“Wait a moment, if you will.”

The familiar voice pulled my attention. I looked over, and approaching in a surprisingly swift walk was Askret. 

I smiled. “Askret!”

I almost walked over to hug him, happy to see he was still alive, but stopped. I eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not here to take us back, are you?”

He shook his head. “That is the intention of the church. Fools.” He gave me a warm smile. “I came to thank the woman who saved my life.”

Something crossed my mind. “How did you know we’d be here?” 

“Where else? Would you walk out of the city on foot? I walked to every stable and cartwright I knew.”

I eyed him suspiciously. Some timing, huh? 

He laughed. “Leave an old man his tricks, would you? Here, take this.” 

Askret walked to me, his hand outstretched. In it was a small note, and another of the candy he’d given me on the ride here. I blinked, before taking them and giving him a hug. 

“I’m glad you’re not dead.”

“As am I. And, hopefully, you will follow my example.”

I looked at him. His eyes were full of warmth. Why was he so kind to me? Was that an aspect of a priest? Weird tattoos aside, he was a really good guy. I looked at the note. 

“This is…?”

“You should be able to purchase a decent cart with that. It’ll be on my tab.”

I grinned. “Draven~!”

A hand snatched the ticket from my grip. Draven sauntered off with a cheeky grin. 

“We’ll be sure to put it to good use,” I said. 

Askret’s lips twisted for just a moment before he collected himself. 

“I am…pleased to hear you appreciate my gift.” 

Gale reached a hand out, shaking Askret’s. “We’re heading out.”

Askret nodded. “Stay safe. Take care of her, she’s a special one.”

With a pat on Gale’s shoulder, Askret wandered off down the road.