Light leaked through the window, spilling across Erik's face.
He woke slowly, feeling better than he had in a long time.
For a while, he simply sat there on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unsure what to do with himself.
It was strange. He always had something—something to chase, something to fight, someone to save.
But today?
Nothing.
With my core still healing, it's not smart to take on a bounty. And Shasa wouldn't give me a poster even if I asked. So… what now?
He thought for a moment, then smiled faintly.
Maybe it's time to visit Eskil.
Erik dressed carefully, strapping on the new armor Elsa had arranged for him. It felt wrong on his body—too polished, too proper.
"This doesn't fit me at all," he muttered under his breath.
Downstairs, the guild's reception hall was lively.
Too lively.
He could feel it—the glances, the whispers. They were talking about him.
Then, cutting through the noise, came a familiar voice.
"Erik!"
Shasa.
Erik didn't even turn. If she caught him now, he knew he'd be stuck all day answering questions.
Acting like he hadn't heard, he pushed through the crowd and slipped out the door.
The streets were crowded too, but Erik ignored the noise and headed straight for Eskil's forge.
The moment he approached, he caught the familiar scent—hot iron, burning coal. The comforting hammerfall rhythm rang through the air.
Inside, Eskil was hard at work, hammering a glowing blade into shape. Erik leaned against the wall, waiting.
After a few minutes, Eskil noticed him.
"Well, look who's back," he called out, setting his hammer aside and washing his hands.
Without preamble, Eskil asked, "Feel like going on a delivery run with me?"
Erik raised an eyebrow. "Where's Conney? You usually drag him along."
"Poor boy's been sick since yesterday. I figured he needed a rest," Eskil said. "So? You in?"
"Yeah, why not?" Erik said, stretching.
They loaded boxes—heavy with weapons bound for the Royal Guards—onto a small carriage and set off toward the Royal Grounds.
On the road, Eskil asked, "So, how did your big hunt go?"
Erik told him everything.
Meeting Elsa, Eri, and Old Man Val.
Crossing paths with Aron.
Facing the Karken.
And learning the monster's true identity.
Eskil listened quietly all the way there, offering no interruptions.
When they delivered the weapons near the south entrance of the Royal Grounds and started heading back, Erik asked something that had been weighing on his mind.
"Hey, Eskil... do you think Elsa will ever find peace after finding out what she's done?"
Eskil thought for a moment.
"Hmm... Erik, whether it was her fault or not, what's done is done. The only thing one can do is move on. Although," Eskil added with a small laugh, "that's the hardest part."
"What do you mean?" Erik asked.
"Blaming yourself is the worst prison there is," Eskil said.
"When someone falls into that, nothing else makes sense to them except what they think they deserve. Helping her see beyond that—that's the real challenge."
Erik stayed quiet for a moment, then asked, "But still... how does she move on?"
"She needs purpose," Eskil said simply.
"Something new to live for. Even if she can't forget what happened, she has to forgive herself. Clinging to the past only rots you from the inside."
The rest of the trip was silent. No more words needed.
When they finally returned to the forge, Erik jumped down from the carriage.
Eskil clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"It's good to see you worrying about someone other than me and Shasa," Eskil said.
"You've changed, Erik."
Erik didn't respond to that.
"I'll be on my way now," he said, and turned to leave.
I've changed? Erik thought, a hollow smile on his face.
No, Eskil... you have no idea who I really am to begin with.
---
It didn't take long before Erik felt it.
The faint pull of his mana marble—the one he had given to Elsa before the battle.
The one he had never taken back.
He sighed to himself.
So this is why she didn't bother tailing me…
Without wasting any more time, Erik headed toward the source of the pull.
It led him back to the same building where he'd been treated.
Outside, a familiar sight awaited him—a black, polished carriage, undoubtedly belonging to Elsa.
He walked toward it.
As he approached, the carriage door swung open.
There she was—Elsa, dressed neatly, her expression calm.
"Erik," she said, her voice steady. "It's good to see you again. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling better now," Erik replied, stopping a few steps away.
His gaze shifted slightly.
"I see… you never gave me back my mana marble," he said.
"You never asked for it," Elsa answered, giving him a faint smile.
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of unspoken things hanging between them.
"So," Erik said, his tone sharpening, "what do you want, Elsa?"
Elsa's smile faded. She looked directly into his eyes.
"I want you to finish the job I gave you," she said.
Erik's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So you're really planning to go through with this. I thought you were better than that," he said.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Elsa asked.
She stepped back into the carriage slightly, holding the door open for him.
"Get in, Erik. I'll tell you everything that happened. Then you can decide for yourself what I should do."
There was confidence in her voice—quiet but unwavering.
As if she already knew they would reach the same conclusion.
Or maybe...
Maybe there was only one choice left.
Erik stared at her for a moment longer.
Then, without a word, he stepped into the carriage.
The door shut behind him, muffling the sounds of the busy city.
The carriage rocked gently as it started moving.
Back toward where it all began.