Ignis' First Firesday of Harvestfall, 1442, Frostmark, Dreadfrost Highlands.

The snow crunched beneath two sets of boots as Elyssia and Kohana trudged across the tundra. The vast, white expanse stretched endlessly in every direction, the silence broken only by the soft whistle of the wind. For a while, neither of them spoke. Their breaths clouded the frigid air, small puffs that disappeared almost as quickly as they formed.

Elyssia walked slightly ahead, her pack heavy with the set of freshly forged iron armour she had carefully tucked inside. The weight on her back mirrored the heaviness in her chest—a persistent, gnawing discomfort. She knew Kohana was behind her, and the awareness of her presence prickled at her nerves. The wyvern-slayer was quieter than usual, her boots crunching rhythmically in the snow, her tail swishing low and slow, as though the usual energy had drained from her.

I should say something.

But no words came. What could she say? Kohana had confessed feelings she was not ready to hear, let alone reciprocate. Not that she did not care for her—Kohana was, after all, one of the few people who had bothered to see past her carefully constructed shell. But love? Elyssia was not sure she even understood what the word meant anymore. She even wondered if she had ever truly loved anyone before.

Had I loved Claire?

Thinking back, the sense of being out of place had been palpable; she had felt like an actress forced to play a role meant for someone else. Someone pretty had asked her on a date, and she had gone along with it. Thinking back, she wondered if it had been out of some sense of obligation or a desire to conform to people's expectations.

It's that classic question… Did I want to be with her, or did I want to be her?

Whatever had existed between her and Claire, she was fairly certain love was the wrong word. Duty, however, felt right; the meaning of the word, crisp and clear, sounded like a promise, a commitment. A contract.

But some good had come out of that relationship. She knew she loved her children. But parental love, the selfless, unconditional affection, held a different meaning, did it not? Her love for her children would never compare to romantic love.

She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze flickering to her dracan companion before darting away just as quickly. Kohana caught the glance and offered a small, sheepish smile, her cheeks faintly flushed—not entirely from the cold, Elyssia guessed. She had noticed Kohana's slightly unsteady gait and the faint smell of mead clinging to her like a second layer of fur.

"So," Kohana began, her voice breaking the silence like a pick cracking the surface of a frozen pond. "This is, uh... nice, huh? Just the two of us. Out here. Together."

Elyssia nearly stumbled.

Nice? Not the word I'd use. Tense, maybe? Awkward?

She felt like she was balancing on a tightrope over a canyon. She glanced back again, her brows knitting together. "You're drunk. How much did you have?"

"A little. Just a few," Kohana chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Figured it'd help take the edge off, y'know?"

"Yeah? Did it help?" Elyssia asked aloud, even though she doubted Kohana's answer would be honest.

Kohana sighed, her breath misting in the cold air. "Look, about earlier—what I said—"

Elyssia's stomach tightened. She quickened her pace, pretending not to hear. But Kohana was not so easily deterred.

"Elyssia, wait!" the dracan jogged a few steps to catch up, her tail swishing anxiously. She fell into step beside her, her tone softening. "I know I came on strong. I always do. It's... kind of my thing, apparently. But I meant what I said."

Elyssia kept her gaze fixed ahead, the icy tundra blurring into a monochrome haze. "You don't have to explain," she said, her voice tighter than she intended. "I get it."

"Do you?" Kohana asked, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Because I don't think so. You don't look or act like you do."

Elyssia stopped in her tracks. She turned to face Kohana; her gloved hands clenching at her sides. The wind whipped between them, carrying stray snowflakes that melted as soon as they touched Kohana's warm, flushed cheeks.

"What do you want me to say?" Elyssia asked, her voice sharper than she intended. "That I'm flattered? That I'm grateful? Because I am. I am. But I don't know how to—" She cut herself off, biting her lip. The words felt too raw, too vulnerable. "I don't know how to be the person you think I am."

Kohana's deep-blue fins drooped slightly, but she did not look away. "That's the thing—I don't want you to be anyone else," she said quietly. "I just want you to let me in. You're perfect as you are."

The honesty in Kohana's voice was disarming. Elyssia opened her mouth to respond, but before she could find the words, a low, guttural growl shattered the moment. Both women froze, their hands instinctively going to their weapons.

Ahead, a pack of frost wolves emerged from the snowdrifts, their white fur blending almost seamlessly with the landscape. Their eyes glowed an eerie blue, and their breath came in visible puffs, each exhale carrying a faint shimmer of ice magic. There were five of them, circling like predators who had found their prey.

"Guess they don't care about awkward love confessions," Kohana muttered, drawing her brand-new two-handed axe. The ice magic enchanting her weapon shone brightly as tiny crystals of ice appeared, falling like raindrops off the blade of the axe. The alcohol-induced haze in her eyes vanished, replaced by the sharp focus of a seasoned fighter.

Elyssia unsheathed her two tonfa, her pulse quickening. "Stay close," she said, though she knew Kohana would not listen.

The frost wolves lunged as one, and the tension between them dissolved in the chaos of battle. Kohana let out a fierce battle cry, swinging her axe in a wide arc that caught one wolf mid-leap, sending it sprawling into the snow. Elyssia moved with precision, her tonfa intercepting the jaws of a wolf. She immediately retaliated with a direct blow followed by an elbow strike on a second wolf, smoothly falling into the rhythm of her class attack pattern.

For a moment, the only sounds were the clash of iron, the snarls of the wolves, and the crunch of snow beneath their boots. The fight was over almost as quickly as it had begun. Kohana stood panting, her axe resting on her shoulder, while Elyssia assessed how her tonfa and their weight had affected the flow of the battle.

"You okay?" Kohana asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Not bad," Elyssia nodded, sheathing her weapons. "You?"

"Never better!" The dracan flashed a grin. But her expression softened as she looked at the sylvani, the tension of the fight replaced by something gentler. "Thanks for having my back."

Elyssia hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Always."

As they resumed their journey, the silence between them felt different—less heavy, more... tentative. Elyssia hefted her pack off her shoulders, the leather straps creaking slightly, and reached inside, her fingers finding the familiar weight and chill of the iron armor she had just crafted. She glanced at her companion out of the corner of her eye, her heart pounding for reasons entirely unrelated to the frost wolves.

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"Hey…" she said, her voice barely audible over the wind.

"Yeah?"

Elyssia swallowed hard, then pulled the iron helmet from her pack, holding it out to her. "I made something earlier. For you."

Kohana stared at the helmet, her eyes widening in surprise. For a moment, she said nothing, and Elyssia's heart sank. But then Kohana took it, her hands brushing against Elyssia's as she did. "Em..." her voice was thick with emotion. She turned the helmet over in her hands, her tail swishing with excitement. "This is... incredible. You made this for me?"

Elyssia went back to her pack, fishing the gauntlets as she nodded, her cheeks heating despite the cold. "It's just... I just hit the level needed for iron armour, and making a set was worth a ton of experience…"

Kohana's grin was blinding. "Wait, you made a whole set? You're amazing, you know that?"

Elyssia looked away, her lips twitching into the faintest of smiles. "Just... don't make a big deal out of it."

"Too late," Kohana declared as she smoothly and swiftly placed the helmet over her head.

The helmet—and the rest of the armour—all fit her perfectly, of course. Although this was in good part thanks to the magic of video game physics. Not having to measure and size armour specifically for anyone was rather convenient.

As they continued their journey, the snow gave way to rock, the jagged peaks of the Dreadfrost Highlands behind them as they reached Bitterwind Approach, the lone passage to the Scalemarshes. The path to Luminara was still a long one, but Elyssia was confident nothing in the upcoming areas would pose a threat to their combined might.

As they descended the sinuous trail, the Scalemarshes sprawled before them, a tangled web of damp earth and waterways. The transition from frozen mountains to swamp was abrupt and surreal, the stark white snowbanks dissolving into pools rimmed with reeds. Mist clung low to the ground, curling around the twisted trunks of barren trees, and the faint croak of frogs mingled with the distant splash of water.

Elyssia adjusted the strap of her pack, rolling her shoulders to shift the weight of her crafting gear and tools. Kohana walked beside her now in her brand-new armour, her magical axe resting across both shoulders. Her steps were lighter, and her grin had not faded since Elyssia handed her the gifts.

"So," Kohana said, breaking the quiet again, her voice carrying a teasing lilt this time. "What's next on your grand adventurer's to-do list? Solo a zone boss? Forge more weapons? Master another trade skill?"

Elyssia smirked, her eyes fixed ahead on the marshy path. "Actually, I'm headed back to Luminara to pick up goldsmithing."

Kohana tilted her head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Goldsmithing? Fancy. I take it that means jewellery?"

"Mm-hmm," Elyssia nodded. "Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings. They provide really high stat bonuses, when you add them all up. Once I'm done, everyone in my group will have a custom set tailored to their build. Then…" She hesitated, glancing at Kohana. "Then we'll be ready for our first dungeon."

Kohana stopped mid-step, her tail swishing. "Wait. You haven't done your first dungeon run yet?"

Elyssia shrugged, kicking a loose rock into one of the marshy pools. "Not yet. I hit level fifteen earlier with you, remember? Needed to hit that point for crafting and gathering. Don't like going into instance combat under-prepared."

"I hear you," Kohana said, falling back into step. "But you're, like, hyper prepared. High-quality gear? Full set of accessories? Your party's just going to steamroll the place, you know? But where are they, anyway?"

Elyssia shrugged, opening her party interface. The familiar transparent screen flickered into view, hovering just above her palm.

Kaelyn Moonshadow, Encantadora, Priest 15, Stonereach.

Vaelith Dawnscale, Ícono, Mage 16, Myrknar Woods. Partied.

Elyssia Windwhisper, Guardián, Martial Artist 15, Scalemarshes. Partied.

Leoric Stargazer, Galán, Ranger 17, Myrknar Woods. Partied.

"Looks like Kaelyn's not too far in Stonereach," Elyssia said, pointing towards the east. "Leoric and Vaelith are in Myrknar Woods. They're probably going to Umbraholme."

Kohana raised an eyebrow. "That's a bit of a trip. What level are they all?"

"Between fifteen and seventeen," Elyssia said. "Kaelyn and I are the lowest levels, but the first dungeons caps you at level sixteen, anyway. If we're lucky, everyone will be in Luminara by the time I finish their sets. Then it's just a matter of heading to the first dungeon, and see what they're made of."

"Sounds like a plan." Kohana grinned, though there was something wistful in her expression. "Mind if I stick around to meet all the members of the infamous Golden Dawn?"

Elyssia arched a brow. "You're staying?"

Kohana's grin turned sheepish. "Well, at least a little? I asked you to introduce me to your priestess during lunch, remember? Kaelyn, right?"

Elyssia blinked, her steps faltering for just a moment. "Right."

She could not quite keep the edge out of her voice, though she was not entirely sure why it was there. Kohana had been clear about her interest before, and Elyssia had no claim on her. Still, the thought of Kohana fawning over the seductive Kaelyn sent a twinge of irritation through her chest.

Kohana did not seem to notice. She was staring dreamily at the horizon, her dracan tail swishing like an excited cat's. "I mean, I've seen the moves she pulled during their dance. It's impossible not to be curious, you know? And she's like, totally hot. And you've got her, healing you in the middle of combat, keeping everyone alive, looking cute while doing it—what's not to love?"

Elyssia snorted, crossing her arms. "You realise she's a total femme fatale, right? She'll probably call you chiquita within five minutes of meeting you."

"Chiquita?" Kohana laughed. "That's so cute. And you say that as if it's a bad thing. Anyway, I can take a little teasing."

Elyssia smirked, her mood inexplicably lifting. "Oh, you think so? I give it ten minutes before she has you wrapped around her little finger."

Kohana glanced at her, laughing. "You, my friend, sound jealous."

Elyssia stiffened. "I'm not. She's just going to walk away with the clothes off your back."

Kohana's grin softened into something more sincere. "You still sound jealous." But then the grin came back. "Also, you make her taking my clothes off sound like a bad thing!"

Elyssia rolled her eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind it. If anything, the playful banter felt like a return to something familiar—something easier than the unspoken weight that had been hanging over them since Kohana's confession.

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you," Elyssia said, picking up the pace as they crossed another patch of boggy ground. "Kaelyn's trouble. So long as I'm around, she should behave. But don't come crying to me when she eats you alive."

"Don't threaten me with a good time!" Kohana laughed, the sound warm and unrestrained. "But okay. Duly noted. I still think I'll take my chances."

Elyssia shook her head, hiding a small smile. The other woman's energy was infectious, and despite herself, she found her tension easing. Maybe Kohana was not so infatuated with her after all. Maybe she was just... Kohana—reckless, passionate, and always chasing after the next spark of excitement.

It was almost reassuring. Almost.

The swamp stretched on, the mist thickening as they waded deeper into the Scalemarshes. Kohana seemed content to chat about nothing in particular—her favorite axe techniques, the ridiculous amount of experience she had gained from the wyvern quest, and the time she had accidentally fallen into a frozen lake because she smashed the ice trying to hit a frostling. While Kohana did not explain how she evaded hypothermia, Elyssia concluded that Kohana's subjection to the rules of the universe was dependent on her consent.

She listened with half a mind, her thoughts drifting back to the party interface she had checked earlier. They were all inching one step closer to their first dungeon. She could feel her blood boil in excitement. She knew the first dungeon would not be too hard; it had to serve as a tutorial for new players, after all. But it was the first step towards more difficult encounters. Someday, she might even test her mettle against the raid bosses of this game.

"What got you so excited? You're almost glowing."

"Just thinking about the future."

Elyssia paused for just a moment as she felt the smile on her face.

Wait… When's the last time I did that? Not just thinking about the future, but smiling about it?

She wanted to say thirty-something years ago? Before puberty hit? Even though she only recently came to her truth, had she known subconsciously all along that something had been terribly wrong about her life? And had she seriously not looked forward to the future all that time? Had she been merely surviving the last three decades?

Is this how people normally feel, when someone randomly asks them "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

The boggy trail twisted ahead, disappearing into dense patches of cattails and low-hanging mist. As Elyssia skipped a few steps ahead, the squelch of wet earth beneath her boots sounded almost cheerful—a sharp contrast to the grim, tangled environment of the Scalemarshes. Kohana trailed behind, swinging her axe absently over her shoulder, her tail swaying in a peaceful rhythm.

"You've got a spring in your step suddenly," Kohana said, her voice light and teasing. "Don't tell me you're one of those people who actually likes swamp zones."

Elyssia smirked over her shoulder. "Actually? I hate this place. What do you say we speed run through the rest of the zone?"

Kohana laughed. "What, are you planning to just train all the mobs to the zoneline?"

"Sure, why not? Race you there!"

Without waiting for a reply, the sylvani launched herself in a sprint. Kohana blinked, then grinned—and took off after her.

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