Walking back looking defeated, Sonnia ignored the smoke around her like nothing mattered. The heat, the dead bodies, and the plague blurred into nothing. Walking back, each extra item on her felt like it weighed her down like it was heavy steel. Reaching the other side of town her skin was stained black from the ash. Freeg was the first to rush over to Sonnia and pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping her skin clean.

  “What possessed you to walk into that smoke? Are you crazy? You could’ve been burned. Then what?”

  Sonnia stayed silent for a few moments then spoke in a silent voice.

  “Let’s go back please. Today sucks. This town sucks.”

  Freeg looked back at Paul as he organized people together then nodded her head.

  “Can you help me back then? I feel heavy, I think the stress affected my condition.”

  Sonnia nodded, Freeg extended her hand with a smile as the wind blew her veil. She let out a small scream though when Sonnia ducked and picked up Freeg using both hands to carry her over her shoulders.

  “Sonnia put me down! This isn’t funny, I'm scared of heights.”

  She flailed her legs while people from afar watched. Paul looked angry and looked like he was gonna intercept but turned back to guards sighing.

  “Leave 'em be for now. I’ll trust her, get back to work. Find anyone who used the dust. We need to round them up. Ignore Chester for now.”

  The men gave a salute and walked off. While Sonnia carried Freeg away. Slowly she stopped resisting and but still breathed hard.

  “This is embarrassing, Sonnia. Let me have my dignity at least. Please. I feel like you hunted me.”

  Sonnia spoke while focusing on the path ahead of her as people moved out of her way.

  “It’s easier and quicker this way, Freeg. If you had continued to struggle I might have lost my grip. We are almost at the stairs.”

  Reaching the stairs Sonnia went up them effortlessly walking like Freeg weighed as much as a basket of clothes. Walking back to Freeg’s house, Sonnia put her down and walked inside immediately staying silent even closing the door in front of Freeg. She felt confused and insulted but shrugged it off. Freeg went inside to see Sonnia already sitting on the couch leaning back staring at an unsheathed sword with her fingers brushing against the steel. Freeg slowly walked next to Sonnia looking at her saddened look.

  “Sonnia are okay? What’s with the sword?”

  Sonnia hesitated and then spoke in a voice that sounded like it was on the verge of lashing out.

  “It belonged to a hero, Theorin, an adventurer, Seeker rank. He was a romantic idiot. I miss him, this sword might as well have stabbed my head. It’s more pleasant that way at least.”

  Freeg placed a hand on Sonnia’s leg and sighed.

  “I know the feeling. Sonnia, let's just drink and talk some. The festival is coming soon. I want to experience it with you. Doesn't that sound nice.

  She coughed again and caught blood on her hand. Both women knew the lie that was told. No one within the last two days of the dust had even lasted that long, let alone a week. Sonnia looked at Freeg’s defeated eyes. Yet she smiled at Sonnia trying to put on a brave face for her friend.

  For a brief moment Sonnia smiled and shook her head.

  “You are right. Let’s drink our problems away like responsible adults. I’m done facing my problems. Let’s get drunk!”

  A few hours passed and laughs were exchanged. They gossiped about their past experiences. Freeg her childhood and her parents. Sonnia her past experiences. Next to Freeg was a half empty bottle and a cup filled to the brim. Her cheeks were pink and her comfortably laying back.

  “You fought against four planar beasts? By yourself? Then won? That’s incredible! I don’t think many people could pull that off. You sound awesome.”

  Next to Sonnia three empty bottles and an untouched wine glass. She seemed composed and laughed loudly.

  “Technically speaking. I didn't, Sonnia did. She’s to stupid, she knew the monsters would ambush her. Yet she tried negotiating with them. HAHA Kaelith won. Sonnia said protect the village blah blah. He instantly murdered two monsters and then teased the last one. And then when she woke up, Team Reaper, the lackluster team of fools found her. Poof!”

  She let out a laugh and chugged what little drops of wine were left. While Freeg gave Sonnia her bottle.

  “I can’t drink anymore, I already feel sick. It’s about to come back up. I feel so hot Sonnia, drink mine. Why do you always talk about yourself like that? Instead of me or I it's always Sonnia most of the time. It’s very odd, did you have a secret life?”

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  Freeg laughed at her joke and turned to her side giggling and getting comfortable. Sonnia joined in laughing at her joke with a light chuckle while reaching over to hug Freeg. Her blonde hair mixed with the woman’s green hair.

  “My body is a mental wreck. HAHAHA it’s stupid. I’m me and she is Sonnia. I locked her away though. She doesn't like me cause I won. That’s a whole other story. You hardly scratched the surface.”

  Sonnia put her head on Freeg’s shoulder. While Freeg processed the information and put a hand on Sonnia shoulder.

  “Your life sounds interesting. Adventuring seems so free and full of excitement. I never was able to learn Thanomancy, and my weak body would never support that lifestyle. I always saw a few of them. Many brave souls going to fight for the better of the country. I liked my parents for helping people to fund that lifestyle.”

  Freeg looked straight ahead at the distant wall while her breathing got weaker. Sonnia hands glowed red and tried healing her back up. Freeg’s breath steadied and continued after coughing.

  “I remember when they got assassinated. I was laying in bed hearing the screams. I sorta froze and hid under my covers. My door opened and footsteps approached me. I closed my eyes hard and accepted fate. Then he chuckled and walked away while I quietly cried. Freeg started getting shaky.

  “At first I swore revenge, how can a man treat life so casually? Paul patrolled around the area for a while in particular as well and trained hard. Now I think ironically think Veythe's teachings were to

  Blame. If death isn’t sacred then what do we truly value when we are alive? I think of that a lot now. What do you want, Sonnia?”

  Sonnia laid against Freeg; she felt awkward on the question. Her first instinct was to brush a hand through Freeg’s hair.

  “What do I want? That’s easy. I wanna drink, sleep, eat, and continue my life while everyone gives me gifts. And find a man who appreciates me and can handle me. I’m done with all the complicated stuff.”

  Sonnia whispered into her ear slowly.

  “Sonnia wanted a family and to keep fighting until her blade wasn’t needed anymore and refused any indulgence. But that will make her keep fighting forever and be miserable. Stupid, how can you settle down and breathe if you always fight and force yourself to always be vigilant and all that stupid stuff. Blehhhh. It’s how Kaelith got her.”

  She stuck out her tongue and before her own lingered too much she hopped off the couch.

  “This is boring, come on dance with me. It sounds nice. I wanna move around some.”

  Freeg slowly sat up dumbfounded at Sonnia’s request. She laughed lightly and leaned back.

  “Two women dancing in the dark, no music and heavily drunk. It’s a very odd request, ignoring the fact I can’t stand well right now. I can’t dance well. I’ve never practiced before.”

  Sonnia shook her head and took Freeg’s hand. Yanking her off the couch and keeping her in place. Freeg stayed silent while Sonnia guided Freeg's hands onto her sides. Sonnia smiled into Freeg’s eyes and started moving left and right while her feet danced around Freeg’s sloppy awkward feet. Improvised elegance against sloppy unwillingness. Freeg gave in and laughed a little while her feet moved and two women moved left and right. Freeg stepped on Sonnia feet few times but each step was ignored.

  “Follow my lead. Come on, follow my lead silly. Stop thinking so much. You won’t hurt me. Let’s just have fun!”

  Freeg blushed a little and nodded her head. She committed to Sonnia routine and by locking her arms around Sonnia’s back. She closed her eyes and traced Sonnia steps. Together they danced, sharing laughs. The further they went on the more Sonnia had to support her weight as Freeg’s legs gave out. Sonnia got increasingly more scared and sad as she supported Freeg more and more. Still they shared a smile. Freeg laughed and twirled around as Sonnia raised her arm. Then Sonnia circled around her. The empty duty estate turned into a mini drunk ball. Sonnia kept humming a tune and moving in sync with it with Freeg shutting her eyes hard. They continued for a few minutes and they both shared laughs and Freeg sat down on the couch. Freeg was out of breath laughing.

  “I’ve never danced before, that was fun. It felt like I was flying in a way. Haha, thank you Sonnia.”

  Sonnia watched with a fake smile as she shook her head in agreement she was practically holding Freeg as the woman’s legs were limp.

  “Yeah! I always liked dancing although it’s usually with enemies. Umm how are you feeling?”

  Sonnia watched feeling uncomfortable as Freeg looked at her own arms. She sat Freeg down on the couch and kneeled next to her waiting for a response.

  “Sonnia… I feel happy, I think even content. You are right I should’ve given Paul more of a chance, who knows what would’ve happened. At least that’s the only regret I have. I don’t know. This is good, isn’t it?”

  Freeg’s own words started trailing off while she clenched her hand. She took a heavy breath then exhaled. For a minute the house grew silent but Sonnia spoke out against the silence and kept talking.

  “Hehehe Freeg? You talk like your story has ended. HAHA you're silly. We have a lot to talk about. Ummm wanna know about why Theorin was called baby seed? Or maybe when Sonnia was hit on by a woman? Haha.”

  Freegs wasn’t responding. Sonnia didn’t quite feel like herself. She felt a twinge of sadness and fear in her voice. Sonnia cupped her hands together. She looked over to Freeg and called out in a low voice.

  “Freeg?”

  The woman stayed still and went quiet, she lay unnaturally still. Sonnia called out again with a low laugh.

  “Freeg? Did you fall asleep? Eh I tried to not move you around too aggressively. Sorry, friend. I’ll be more gentle next time.”

  Sonnia waited for a response, closing her eyes like it was a cruel joke. Finally Sonnia opened her eyes and nodded her head looking over at the woman. She got up and let Freeg rest by herself while Sonnia sat silently on the ground next to her couch. Sonnia was speechless, no tears came out but for a moment she was stunned, unable to move while her eyes looked down traumatized. Sonnia laid for a few minutes trying to accept what happened. She closed her eyes and when she opened again appeared in the bar. Kaelith sat at a table staring at her. He wore purple formal garbs.

  “Hello Sonnia, welcome back. You went through a lot these last few days. You must be tired. Did you come here for a quick drink? It’s blackberry wine.”

  Sonnia took slow steps to the demon and snatched the cup out of his muscular red fingers and gulped it down. She savored the taste and sulked in the chair. Kaelith hovered over her as he tilted his head.

  “She really got to you huh. I didn’t think someone like you would be bothered by such a frail woman and her flower. “

  Sonnia stared at Kaelith, ready to attack him with her staff. She stared without saying a word. Kaelith stared and walked back a few steps while raising his hands in the air.

  “No need for that Sonnia. I’m trying to help you. I think we might have a deal. Do you want to keep the bad thoughts in your head? The thoughts watching her death? Or would you rather I keep them instead?”

  Sonnia spoke while her staff pushed against Kaelith’s armor.

  “What would you want then Kaelith? My body? The staff? We already work together?”

  Katelyn shook his head and pointed at her stomach.

  “I want the key.”

  Sonnia immediately tensed up and smacked his head. The metal brushed against and bounced back like it hit a solid wall. Kaelith stared unbothered and laughed.

  “Now now, I’m sure we can come to an equal agreement. She can stay in the room, I won’t let her leave without your permission. However I want to keep her company when I want. She won’t control you. You are in charge, remember?”

  Sonnia looked at him and then smugly smiled while patting her stomach.

  “How would I get it out? It’s in my tummy, remember?”

  Kaelith put a hand on her head and glowed red. For a brief moment she forgot her troubles before it came back.

  “That’s up to you Sonnia. I’m sure you can come up with a way if you think hard enough.”

  From deep in the dark room Sonnia tried listening. She heard Dark Sonnia and Kaelith talking. Unable to hear anything specific. When suddenly Paladin started screaming loudly she felt like her stomach was being ripped apart by a fetal beat. No blood was seen yet she felt it so vividly. She punched the walls around her, even headbutting the door. Anything to distract herself from the pain. Outside in the bar Dark Sonnia turned around and threw the key to Kaelith which itself was covered in blood. She was panting heavily and used her red magic to heal herself up and slipped back on her robe.

  “Now do it please.”

  Kaelith put her hand back on Sonnia head and slowly she glowed red. Her memories became dazed. Slowly events of Freeg’s death emptied her mind. Sonnia went from sad to neutral. She opened her eyes and smiled then let out a small giggle.

  “You feel good, Kaelith. I like it when you are useful and enjoy your trophyyy. Bye bye.”

  She phased out and opened her eyes. She felt sedated and calm now, looking over at Freeg she tilted her head curiously.

  “Poor Freeg you passed on without me saying goodbye. I’ll miss you. Rest easy. The dance was fun at least.”

  walking up on the floor of Freeg’s house hearing shouting outside as night poured in. She groaned and got up seeing the torch fire outside.