The inside of the wagon was spacious despite the weight of six souls within. Darkness and Emmy sat opposite three strangers: a red-haired woman with her hair tied back, a white staff across her lap crowned with an ocean-blue orb; beside her, two men—the elder broad-shouldered, green hair framing deep blue eyes, iron gauntlets his only weapon; the younger, silent and shadowed, black hair falling over identical blue eyes, a black staff at his side crowned with a purple orb that caught Darkness's gaze and held it.
The wagon creaked into motion, steady on the dirt path. Emmy's eyes never left Lloyd.
"How'd you kids wind up all the way out here?" the red-haired mage asked, breaking the silence.
"Just traveling. Got a bit sidetracked," Darkness replied, voice calm, avoiding revelation.
"That was rude of me," Lloyd cut in, grinning. "Let me introduce the Iron Terror—B-rank party of five. The redhead is Mary—" Her glare could have burned steel, but he ignored it. "Next, the Urane brothers. Craine, the muscle, and Druid, the gloomy one. He's a dark mage, but he's fine."
"If you insist on introducing us, at least don't insult us," Craine snapped, arms folded. Darkness's eyes lingered on Druid's staff, the purple glow unsettling.
"And the insufferable blonde idiot is Lloyd," Mary added, smirking.
"It's loud," Emmy whispered, pressing closer to Darkness. His mind drifted—memories of taverns, humans arguing, while he sat silent, watching.
"So, are you two a couple?" Lloyd asked suddenly.
"Couple?" Emmy repeated, innocent confusion in her eyes.
Before Darkness could answer, Craine seized Lloyd by the collar and hurled him from the wagon. He tumbled into the dirt, scrambling to catch up.
"Sorry about that idiot," Craine sighed.
"You look more like siblings than a couple," Mary said gently.
"Coachman! Wait up!" Lloyd shouted, still running.
"Please ignore him," Druid muttered, voice low.
"Understood," the coachman replied.
"Sorry… we haven't gotten your names," Druid said, hesitant.
"That fault is mine. I'm Darkness, and this is—"
"Emilia," Emmy cut in quickly.
"Well, that's a first. Druid actually asked someone's name," Craine laughed.
"I don't speak much, but I can!" Druid snapped, louder than usual.
"He looks half-dead," Darkness observed, watching Lloyd stumble behind.
Druid sighed, lifting his staff. The purple orb glowed, and Lloyd was lifted, tossed back into the wagon.
"Keep that up and next time we'll drag you in a sack," Craine warned.
"I apologize," Lloyd muttered, humbled.
"Is this how all leaders are treated?" Emmy asked.
"Absolutely not. These guys just don't respect me," Lloyd whined.
"And whose fault is that?" Mary asked, rhetorical.
"Escher's gate ahead," the coachman called.
"You kids got IDs?" Lloyd asked. Their blank faces answered. He sighed. "Without IDs, you pay tolls. No surprise you don't have them."
"How do we get IDs?" Darkness asked.
"Guild issue, inside Escher. But hey, I'll pay for you," Lloyd said proudly.
"I wouldn't trouble you. Will this suffice?" Darkness asked, holding up the gold coin.
The wagon fell silent. Lloyd's eyes widened. "More than enough. Are you noble kids?!"
"And here the chivalrous Lloyd thought he could woo them with generosity," Mary teased.
It stands out too much, Darkness thought. I should have chosen silver. A mistake. But I won't stay long.
The wagon halted at the gate. Knights inspected them, surprised at the gold coin, but said nothing. They passed through.
For the Iron Terror, entering Escher was routine. For Darkness, it was familiar—he had entered towns, left them, destroyed them. But for Emmy, it was revelation. Towers rose above her, vast and cold. Crowds surged, voices overlapping, pressing her small frame closer to Darkness. He did not mind.
"So, what's the plan? First time in Escher, right? How about we show you around?" Mary asked, turning to Darkness.
"A guide would be welcome," he said evenly. "But I wouldn't want to deter you from your goal."