My heart was in agony as I traced the ceiling's tiles. The words left in those letters kept replaying in my mind. My tear ducts were barren from the crying.
Even when Shen woke up and asked what was wrong. I lied here. I lost track of how long I stayed in this bed, all I knew the cheerful talking was quiet. There were no birds chirping.
Furthermore, the breakfast they had made was over. I don't want to get up. My body felt enchained— heavy.
Over, and over, and over their words replayed as time passed. I can't be their daughter no matter what— even if I did inherit all her memories… I'm still myself, I am Mathew inside. Even if I do change, she is dead— dead no matter how I can put it.
I hope I don't meet her family. I sucked in my breath and sat up since footsteps neared my door. James… Shaun? Why are they together?
My back rested on my head board for a moment then they knocked.
"You can come in!" I exclaimed whilst rubbing my eyes. I should've slept…
"You sure slept a lot today." James stated as he leaned in my room. I didn't… " Shaun has something for you."
"James… It isn't anything useful to her."
"It's more useful to her than…" James cut himself off, sucking his teeth before continuing. "She'd love whatever you get her."
Shaun sighed before taking his turn inside. He slowly walked towards my bed and held his hand out.
What is it…? He had me put my own hand under his… and I heard a few clinks and a couple coins fell into my hand. That's… a lot less thought out than I thought. Well, that does fit Shaun.
They could see that I was disappointed, mainly James. Behind Shaun I could see him shushing whatever I wanted to say next.
"I'm sorry to bother you but I need your dad and you." Shaun stated in a low voice. He got to one knee and got to my eye level. "Yukina… Do you remember Lora?"
I nodded my head as I fought the urge to cover my nose. He had a sweet but sickening stench on his breath… Why is he drinking still?
"We… We need help. Your dad and me." Shaun held his breath for a second then went on. "Lora went to the adventurers' guild, we need your help. She's missing and the last thing that was recorded was her going to the dungeon."
You two can do it as a duo… I retorted in my mind. I shook my head to clear those thoughts. "Why do you need me?"
"Well… James said we need someone who can use magic…"
"Yukina, Ard has a strict dungeon rule for adventurers. There needs to be at least three roles fulfilled… Someone who can hurt the monsters, a healer and a tank."
"..."
I fell silent at their words— why can't Verd do it? Was the question I had… but then the picture of Sage popped in my head Jin was out of the picture now— that only left me.
They even reassured me it'll be fine..
And why did Lora become an adventurer? There were too many questions in my mind, but I felt my eyelids and body become heavier by their words.
"Yukina? Hey, did you even sleep?"
Was the last question that came into my ears as I felt my head drop.
"Yukina…"
Seems…
******
When I woke up, the room was dark and my curtains were closed. My blankets were set on my body carefully…
I fell asleep…
My eyelids felt like weights, but I managed to keep them open. Usual…
I changed into shorts and tights and wrapped the cloak Verd gifted me around my body. Warm… I checked myself out in my mirror, I couldn't help but grimace at it.
"This'll definitely draw more attention!" I exclaimed whilst covering my face. "You know what… at least we won't be in public…"
One shake of my head later, and a growl in my stomach I left my room. It was dark out even for my night vision, but I could see James and Shaun not far from the front door.
Both had cloaks just like mine… but it was obvious who was who. When I got closer, they turned around.
"That really fits you." James said when he realized it was me. You said it fits me… "Make sure you stay behind Shaun and I when we go in."
"I understand…"
Shaun took the lead, and we started going off in a direction near Melissa's…
"Where are we going?"
"Dungeon, remember? If we leave through that area it'd be an hour walk."
He's aware…?
"Verschund cooked us food to go…" James pulled out a box from inside his cloak. "There's extra for you, sleepyhead."
I thanked him before feeling my face get hot. Despite it being dark I turned away so he couldn't see. Thanks…
Even if I won't eat it all… Thank you Verschund… When I thanked him internally, I felt some eyes land on me. "What's with those looks?!"
"Someone's extra happy…"
"She wasn't that excited when I gave her her gift…" Shaun mumbled before turning to the road ahead. Wasn't that thoughtful….
Honestly though, Shaun seemed more thoughtful with other things… I shook my head before refocusing on the dark road ahead.
We continued in silence, and soon the safe walls of Ard fell behind us. I felt my heartbeat go up when I saw the barren landscape outside.
Forgot… I felt my nails dig into my skin, and the frigid air of Ard assaulting my body. A stinging pain assaulted my hands but I kept them tight. It wasn't like before…It won't be… we just need to find Lora, dungeon…
The thought of something new was making my head swarm. I was just starting to get comfortable in Ard— how much danger will we be in?
Before my head could be fully swarmed, James sat his hand on my head. Instantly a cool feeling shot through my body and the anxiety that caused spasms in my heart ceased.
"Let's talk about what we'll do inside, okay? It'll help ease the anxiety…"
I nodded my head and gave my entire attention. Should be standard, no? Shaun would be going in first, next to me then James.
Protect the most important member of the group. Shaun'd draw the attention of the monsters— I'll be flinging spells… probably earth darts to be careful.
But… that'd be standard… not for these guys. They prioritize my safety, which is obvious from James's words. Standard? Shaun'd go in… then him and me.
Before explaining it all, he opened his cloak. He was wearing full leather armor, daggers strapped to his legs and a confident smile.
Anyways… yatta… we'll be bulldozing through the dungeon to find her. And to give me experience.