Rosswell stood at the edge of the ridge, glider strapped to his back, staring down at Husk Field.
The valley stretched like a patchwork of jagged rocks, dry grass, and lingering qi haze.
He didn't recognize this place, or anything in it, but his instincts told him that every shift of wind and shimmer of energy mattered.
Rang Rang, already leaning forward on her glider, shot him a quick glance.
"You coming, or are you just going to stare at the scenery all day?"
Rosswell's eyes flicked to her, a faint curve at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm observing the terrain. Husk Field isn't uniform; sudden dips or gusts could throw a glider off balance."
Rang Rang rolled her eyes, but her smirk betrayed amusement.
"You're so… cautious. It's kind of weirdly impressive."
Yang Yi stepped beside him, calm as ever.
"He's right to be cautious. If you misjudge the updraft or qi fluctuation here, it won't just hurt, it could be fatal. Husk Field isn't forgiving."
Rosswell nodded, adjusting the glider.
"Noted. Your insight is appreciated. It helps orient my approach."
Rang Rang snorted.
"You actually said 'appreciated'? You're way too polite."
Rosswell allowed a faint exhale.
"Acknowledgment doesn't require verbosity. But yes, your awareness makes this safer for all of us."
Yang Yi gave him a small, approving nod.
"Just keep your speed steady. Don't overcompensate if you hit turbulence. Husk Field doesn't forgive rashness."
"I understand,"
Rosswell said simply. He glanced down the ridge, feeling the wind sweep past.
"Let's proceed."
Rang Rang launched first, glider catching the wind instantly.
"Catch me if you can!"
She called back, laughing as she soared ahead.
Yang Yi followed, graceful and precise, gliding in a steady arc, scanning the terrain for anomalies.
Rosswell didn't rush.
He leaned forward carefully, letting the wind lift his glider.
His movements were measured, deliberate, not for style or thrill, just function.
Each adjustment, each lean of his weight, kept him stable.
He noticed subtle shifts in the qi below, small currents that could have pushed him off if ignored.
As he descended, his gaze flicked toward Rang Rang and Yang Yi.
Their movements were controlled, aware, and efficient.
Rosswell allowed himself a thought: They handle themselves well. That makes my job easier.
Rang Rang shouted from below, teasing.
"You're taking forever! We're already halfway down!"
Rosswell's response was calm but slightly amused.
"I am ensuring a controlled descent. Oversights are far more dangerous than timing."
Yang Yi's voice came next, steady and precise.
"Keep your balance on the final slope. The ridge generates a downcurrent that could destabilize an unprepared glider."
Rosswell adjusted subtly, allowing the wind to guide him.
"Acknowledged. And thank you; your guidance is useful."
Finally, he reached the lower hills.
The landing was clean, precise.
He crouched briefly, scanning Husk Field for signs of movement or residual energy.
His eyes caught the faint shimmer of qi along the valley, indicators of whatever remained after past skirmishes.
Rang Rang landed beside him, bouncing lightly.
"That was… actually impressive. You didn't make one misstep."
Rosswell straightened, folding the glider.
"Observation and control. It's a necessity in unknown terrain. Your timing and coordination made it possible to maintain formation."
Yang Yi joined them, glider secured.
"We should proceed carefully. Husk Field stretches endlessly, and we don't know what, or who, might be here."
Rosswell gave a slow nod, scanning the field before taking the first measured step forward.
"Agreed. Unknown territory requires measured action. Proceeding."
As they moved into the field, Rosswell's mind remained sharp, noting shifts in the terrain, subtle fluctuations in residual qi, and any disturbances in the wind.
He didn't know this world, didn't remember much of himself, but he understood one thing clearly: survival depended on observation, patience, and trust in those around him.
Rang Rang glanced at him.
"You're weirdly quiet, you know? Not that I mind… it's kind of calming."
Rosswell's lips twitched slightly.
"Silence is rarely wasted when the surroundings demand attention."
Yang Yi allowed herself a small smile.
"Then let's keep it that way, at least until we meet Mei Mei."
He nodded, stepping forward with deliberate precision, ready for whatever Husk Field had in store.
The three of them advanced slowly through the uneven terrain, Husk Field stretching endlessly around them.
Dry grass whispered beneath their boots, residual qi lingering faintly in the air, and scattered rocks made the ground treacherous.
Rosswell's eyes constantly scanned, calculating every step, every shadow, every flicker of energy.
Rang Rang, slightly impatient, broke the silence first.
"The map says she should be somewhere ahead. Mei Mei… she's supposed to be overseeing some kind of energy node, right?"
Yang Yi nodded, adjusting the straps of her glider.
"Yes. She monitors the residual qi flux here. If it's fluctuating more than usual, it can interfere with Solarian powers. That's why she's stationed here, this area is unstable after the last quantum disturbance."
Rosswell's gaze flicked toward the distance, narrowing slightly.
"Fluctuating energy can be dangerous. If we're not careful, it could throw off our orientation, or worse, cause injury. We need to approach slowly and assess from a distance first."
Rang Rang groaned, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"You're too cautious, you know. You'll scare her before we even get close."
Rosswell's lips curled faintly, not in amusement, but in acknowledgement.
"Better to be cautious and alert than reckless and injured. You understand the terrain, I trust your guidance in timing our approach. Proceed when ready."
Rang Rang tilt her head back a little and said,
"You had an amnesia, how do you know all this thing, and details?"
"I don't know it just came out of my head, i don't know I just, knows it all."
They moved forward, Rosswell's pace deliberate, Yang Yi matching him stride for stride, and Rang Rang darting slightly ahead but keeping within sight.
The shimmer of residual qi became stronger, weaving between the rocks like faint blue threads.
"Look,"
Rang Rang whispered, pointing to a slight rise ahead.
"There she is."
A figure emerged, a young woman kneeling near a cluster of glowing rocks, her hands hovering above the energy nodes.
Her hair was long, silvery-white, glinting faintly in the waning sunlight.
Her robes were simple, practical, yet elegant, with faint inscriptions along the edges that seemed to shimmer in the light.
Her focus was absolute, every motion precise, yet there was an air of calm authority about her.
Yang Yi stepped forward slightly.
"Mei Mei, we're here. We've come to meet you."
The woman's head lifted slowly, eyes scanning them in a measured, almost analytical manner.
Her gaze paused on Rosswell.
He didn't flinch; he merely inclined his head respectfully.
"You are…"
Mei Mei's voice was calm, even, but laced with curiosity.
"Travelers, or… wanderers? You're not Solarians I recognize."
Rang Rang spoke up quickly.
"She's our contact. Mei Mei, this is Rosswell, well, he's new here. Amnesiac, so he doesn't remember much of himself."
Rosswell's eyes flicked to Mei Mei, voice steady but neutral.
"I do not have memory of my past. I am unaware of my origins or the details of this world, beyond what I observe."
Mei Mei's gaze lingered on him, studying his posture, the controlled calm in his movements, the deliberate precision in his steps.
"You do not know yourself… yet you move with intent. Careful, observant. That is unusual for someone without a clear identity here."
Yang Yi added,
"He's… cautious, but capable. Trustworthy in terrain like this. I've observed him closely during descent; he's methodical, attentive to detail. Not reckless."
Mei Mei inclined her head slightly.
"Acknowledged. Amnesia or not, I can sense the qi in him is stable, if untrained, it is at least controlled. That is a good sign. Most untrained Solarians lose composure when faced with Husk Field's residual flux."
Rosswell's expression softened minutely.
"Your insight is valuable. I am unfamiliar with the hazards here. Guidance is appreciated."
Rang Rang tilted her head, a teasing note in her voice despite the tension.
"See, I told you he's polite. Even with zero memories, he has manners."
Rosswell's lips twitched slightly, though not in laughter.
"Manners are survival tools as much as weapons or skills. Courtesy keeps cooperation functional."
Mei Mei's gaze softened fractionally.
"You are… composed, even in uncertainty. That is commendable. Most people, or Solarians, would panic or hesitate, wasting time or endangering themselves. You are… efficient in evaluation."
Rosswell bowed his head slightly.
"Efficiency is necessity in unknown territory. Hesitation here can cost life or opportunity."
Yang Yi observed the interaction, nodding slowly.
"He's observant, yes. He may lack memories, but he seems to learn quickly, adapt to unfamiliar variables… I would advise letting him proceed, but under supervision until he acclimates."
Mei Mei stood slowly, dusting her robes.
"Very well. I will monitor him. He may have unknown potential. Husk Field is not forgiving to the unprepared. If he intends to continue, he must remain aware, focused, and adaptable."
Rosswell's gaze swept across the field, noting the faint energy currents, the shifting qi threads.
"I understand. I will proceed with awareness and caution. I will observe and adapt as necessary."
Rang Rang bounced slightly, clearly impressed.
"Well, that's him done with introductions. Let's move, he's technically ready to go, right?"
Mei Mei nodded, her tone serious but not unkind.
"Yes. But Husk Field is more than terrain. It is living energy, residual from past conflicts. It reacts to your presence. Step lightly, breathe deeply, and pay attention."
Rosswell's eyes met hers, steady and calm.
"Noted. I will remain observant, and adjust to the field's responses. Your guidance is appreciated, Mei Mei."
Yang Yi and Rang Rang exchanged subtle glances.
Yang Yi whispered to Rang Rang, just loud enough for Rosswell not to hear,
"He's precise, but not arrogant. That will serve him well here."
Rang Rang nodded, whispering back,
"I like him Nya~ Quiet, efficient, doesn't waste words… and he actually listens."
Rosswell, overhearing the faint exchange, allowed a slight acknowledgment.
"Efficiency extends to communication and observation. Both are critical in unknown fields."
Mei Mei finally turned back to the field, motioning for them to follow.
"Then let us proceed. Husk Field waits, and caution must accompany every step. Observe, anticipate, and adjust. I will guide where necessary, but much will depend on your perception and decisions."
Rosswell straightened, glider ready on his back.
"Understood. I will proceed with vigilance."
As the group advanced into the heart of Husk Field, the sun dipped lower, casting long, jagged shadows across the ground.
Every step, every glance, every inhalation of wind carried weight.
Rosswell remained calm, serious, and deliberate, an unknown man in an unfamiliar world, yet already learning, already adapting, and slowly earning trust in a place where even the air was a hazard.