[Scene: Island of Wahana – Remote Dock, Evening Glow]
Golden light painted the Whisper's Light ship as it docked in a crescent-shaped cove on the northern edge of Wahana.
Quiet.
Hidden.
Exactly how Master Madhav wanted it.
The crew stood on deck — watching the shoreline, watching each other. Tension hadn't left them. But now it was joined by something else.
Anticipation.
Madhav stepped forward, arms crossed, coat fluttering slightly in the ocean breeze.
Master Madhav:
"Alright. We need someone to head to the nearest town, pick up a few boats, and get us our way to Quinster."
He glanced toward the dense jungle path that led inland.
"Quietly. No fuss. No attention."
Arjun (chiming in):
"We need someone who catches the least eyeballs."
Madhav's gaze swept the deck like a general scanning his troops.
First — Solis.
Internal thought: "Way too intimidating. Looks like a bounty hunter who's already killed someone today."
Then — Arjun.
His wild hair practically defied gravity. His smirk didn't help.
"Looks like someone who'd be on a Wahana wanted poster… for charming too many daughters."
Next — Katrina.
She was casually snapping her whip in rhythmic bursts. For no reason.
"Nope."
Rhask stood sharpening his massive four-foot blade.
"Nope again."
Kael leaned dramatically against the rail with a pirate's grin, humming something that sounded like a tavern drinking song.
"Absolutely not."
Then his eyes landed on Eron.
Neutral clothes. Calm demeanor. Hair that wasn't trying to make a statement.
Just… normal.
Master Madhav pointed.
Master Madhav:
"Eron. You're going."
Eron blinked once.
Master Madhav (matter-of-fact):
"Head into town. Secure a few small boats. The sleeker the better. Don't draw attention. Don't be stupid. And don't talk unless you're buying."
Eron gave a silent nod and turned to head below deck.
Kael (grinning):
"The fate of the mission lies with the most average face. I love it."
But just as Eron reached the ramp—
Master Madhav (loudly):
"Wait. Take Ashen with you."
Eron turned.
Eron (flat):
"…Why?"
It didn't sound thrilled.
Master Madhav (grinning):
"Because you'll look like a big brother out with his little brother."
He clapped his hands together.
Master Madhav:
"Disarming. Familiar. Average. Perfect disguise."
Kael (snorting):
"He's not wrong."
Arjun (mock serious):
"I always knew Ashen's small shoulders would save us someday."
Ashen, who had been quietly leaning against the railing, blinked and straightened.
Ashen (internal):
Wait. What? Me?
Katrina (over her shoulder):
"You'll do great, starboy."
[Scene: Wahana Jungle]
The jungle began to thin.
Town was near.
Eron and Ashen stood at the edge of a slope, peering down at a modest village.
Not large. But busy enough.
Eron squinted. Arms crossed.
Eron (thinking aloud):
"…Do we ask someone in this village?"
"…Or head towards the town?"
Ashen stepped up beside him.
He didn't hesitate.
Ashen:
"…We should talk to the fishermen in the town."
Eron turned his head slightly.
Eron:
"Why?"
Ashen (shrugging):
"Merchants want papers. Harbormasters want questions. Fishermen just want coin."
Eron:
"…Huh."
Ashen:
"They won't care who we are. Just ask if any of them are renting out backup boats. They always have a few."
Eron looked at him for a beat longer than usual.
Then nodded once.
Eron (quietly):
"…Not bad, little brother."
Ashen cracked a tiny grin.
They continued forward.
[Scene: Wahana River Crossing – Some Time Later]
Ashen and Eron kept walking towards the town.
Ahead of them, a river wound through the trees.
Clear. Wide.
Fast enough to sweep a distracted man downstream.
They stopped at its edge.
Eron:
"Alright. Stay here. I'll look for a bridge or rope swing—"
He stepped off the path, scanning the tree lines.
But—
Ashen (behind him):
"…Let's just walk through it."
Eron paused. Turned.
Eron:
"…You can?"
Ashen was already stepping onto the water's surface, calmly testing it with his foot like it was firm stone.
Ripples shimmered, but held.
Ashen (over his shoulder):
"Trained for it. As long as I don't stop moving, I'm good."
Eron blinked.
Eron (grinning faintly):
"…Huh. That actually makes this easier."
A pause.
He muttered under his breath.
Eron:
"Was too embarrassed to carry you across anyway."
Ashen chuckled mid-step.
Ashen:
"I would've bit your arm."
Eron:
"I know."
They crossed together — quietly in sync.