A touch — someone's hand gripping mine. I open my eyes. My vision blurs as he pulls me upward. Higher and higher, my body burns, my lungs blister with heat. Is this what dying feels like?
The light grows sharper, almost blinding. The man hauling me up keeps glancing back at me, and the clearer he becomes—
Oliver.
I choke awake with a harsh cough, water spilling out of my mouth.
"Hiro? Kid? Young Master?" Their voices echo faintly.
Crowds blur in front of me. I lift my head slowly as my sight sharpens.
"Are you alright, kid?" Oliver asks, his voice cracking with relief once I'm fully conscious.
"Captain! How much longer until we arrive?!" Bartra yells.
The helmsman shakes his head. "We're already here. Zepharia."
Rose steps closer, giving me a thin, soft smile. "Are you okay, hm?"
I shake my head slightly.
"Young Lady, find the village veil near the harbor. Use Bartra's scope," Oliver orders.
Rose nods and starts to rise.
I catch her hand and hold it. "Please… don't."
I turn to Oliver, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine, Oliver."
He shakes his head. "Don't do that, kid. We owe you. Let us repay it."
I stand slowly before the crowd, stretching my body. "See? I'm fine, everyone." I look around at each of them—then freeze at the view behind them. "Look. We made it." I point toward the horizon.
"Whatever your purpose is for coming here… that's what matters, Oliver."
He falls silent for a moment. "Whatever you ask, Young Master." He nods faintly.
"So… where are we going next?" I ask.
---
They reach the shore. Oliver, Rose, Bartra, Grizz, and Gruzz disembark. Santiago and the rest of the crew take the ship to scout the coastline, planning to return at the exit route while tending to their wounds.
Zepharia. I grew up in the far north. Now I'm standing at the far south. This crystal will take me as far as—
"So where are we going, Uncle?!" Rose blurts, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Oliver hasn't lifted his eyes from the map since we boarded the carriage. "Border towers. Dozens of them. We'll head there and try to breach one. If we can send a signal, the guards across the continents will tighten their lines, Young Lady."
"I see…" Rose murmurs.
She glances toward me. "Hiro?"
She squints. "Are you sleepy or what? You're way too quiet."
I let out a deep breath. "Just trying to stay calm and silent."
She shakes her head. "Ukh… always like that."
---
The village comes into view after we crest the hill. I smile. The scenery quiets my heart.
"WHOA—IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!" Rose's scream shakes the whole carriage.
My body jolts. "Young Lady, your excitement is becoming work. You're the one going down to the market," Oliver says.
"UNCLEEE!" she yells.
I let out a soft laugh. "Busy, busy…"
"HIRROOO!" she screams again.
---
"We've arrived at the market. Is this where you wish to stop, Sir, Young Lady?" the coachman asks.
Rose starts stepping out.
"Take us to the harbor—in this direction," Oliver says, showing the map.
The coachman stops, turns back, and bows slightly.
"I don't think I can go that far, Sir. I can only take you up to here." He points far from the spot Oliver indicated.
I stay quiet, listening, absorbing.
"Why is that, Sir?" Rose asks.
"The guards have tightened up lately. The posts are unpredictable. We can only take travelers this far and no further," the coachman replies.
Oliver thinks for a moment. "Very well. Take us there."
Rose rises again. "These supplies are all we need, right?" she asks Oliver.
"Correct, Young Lady. Nothing more, nothing less."
---
The supplies Rose bought turn out to be more than I expected. I stand to help her, but Oliver stops me. "I'll handle it, kid. Sit still and rest."
He steps out immediately to help Rose carry everything to the carriage's rear storage.
"What is wrong with you, Uncle? Why *this* many supplies, huh?!" Rose's voice echoes inside the carriage. I watch the two of them struggle.
"This isn't much. Just this," Oliver says calmly.
"FOR YOU—NOT FOR ME!" she yells.