A few days had passed since Wolf stepped into the blacksmith shop, and Terra was finally preparing to leave town for the chase after Nina.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4uSvkFlIA
She woke in good spirits that morning. Her flame—small and stubborn—glowed a little brighter. The ghosts of her past still lingered if she let her thoughts wander, but lately the hammer swings didn’t feel like death echoing in her hands anymore. Not harmless… not painless… just manageable.
She wasn’t ready to fight again. Maybe she never would be. And that was fine. Leena was the fighter now. Terra could support her in other ways.
Besides—she had something new in her life. Something she’d wanted even longer than she dared admit.
Love.
Real love. From a man she had chased for longer than she’d chased any dream. Though maybe that wasn’t entirely true—she had wanted a love of her own since she was little. Since she watched her mother press kisses into her father’s cheek while he smashed metal with his earth-blessed strength. Terra used to crawl around the workshop floor, watching her parents: her dad shaping metal, her mom shaping warmth around him, before terra would be wisked away to help mom elsewhere before she snuck back to watch her da once more.
She wanted both. A hammer in her hand and arms waiting for her at home.
But when her mother died, the house changed. The warmth changed. Both she and her father needed something new.
Terra tried to smash her way forward. She tried to force life to behave. She got hurt along the way. But things were finally, finally beginning to feel okay again.
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Now she sat at the table by the front window in her room a soft flowing of light offering her warmth, as she worked leaning over her newest project—a small piece of jewelcrafting.
It was funny, in a way. Like the gods were nudging her. Before, everything had felt like she was forcing life to bend to her will, bashing at problems with brute strength to make weapons or armor. Now things flowed differently. Slowly. Carefully. The meticulous detail work didn’t frustrate her. It calmed her. Let her breathe.
what terra now made was not as grand, it was simpler but mabye more pure.
She still heard her father forging in the back. The clang of metal didn’t stab through her chest the way it used to. well as much as when she wasn’t the one holding the hammer. before just the same could pull back itno that battle she lost....
She smiled faintly, turning her half-finished piece in the light.
She wanted to make Arlin a necklace.
Really, she wanted him to make her a ring. Or at least buy her one. Or maybe just say something official, like “yes, we’re together,” because even if he didn’t say it at the dance… the kissing had to mean something. Right?
She just needed to hear the words.
Her thoughts drifted, her focus slipping from the necklace, and with a sigh she set her tools down.
“Alright,” she muttered to herself. “That’s enough for now.”
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She knew she was only delaying the one thing she'd been trying to do ever since Leena suggested they chase after Nina: convince Arlin to make their relationship official—so she'd finally have something real to come home to, and maybe even a future bright enough to warm the dying ember inside her.
She could not stand the idea of leaving and him asking where she went, then finding another girl. Hell’s, maybe three new girls. He had that smug charm that she was sure the ladies ate up; he just kept coy about it. But she wasn’t afraid to fight for her man… she just needed him to agree he was her man.
Da ignored her as she brought him a light meal. He was busy working on a random sword, trying to meld a wind gem into it, so she was breaking his focus. Yet he would be fed whenever he was able to focus on something else. A light kiss on his cheek and a grunt from him let her know he was aware and was wishing her well.
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She put on some casual clothes. She wanted to dress up in a nice dress for Arlin and show off her looks, but traveling soon with Len meant she did not want to keep changing clothes. So she needed to be more practical and settled on making a nice style for her hair—still a bit of a dress-up, but not too much. It’d be wasted on long travel anyway.
She noticed a lot less stares since she’d been living here. At first, she assumed they’d somehow heard she was recently taken and beamed a bit in pride at their respecting her man—but deflated a bit, figuring it was probably more likely they just got used to her being her, and her not chasing every man who looked at her that didn’t seem taken. She was not a homewrecker—just looking for love.
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The guildhall was easy to reach and was surprisingly still busy since the ogre defeat all those months ago. She assumed things would settle down into a somber lull, everyone afraid to meet the same challenges as the heroes.
Instead, it spurred them on. A huge influx volunteered in helping the hunter guild, and others seeking fame rushed to join the dungeon delves…
She’d heard a few more eager ones—those who didn’t heed the warning—were lost and never reappeared after going deeper than floor five. Or at least, there were no bodies to be sure. But still they came, and still a few random fools fell.
It led to Ziala implementing a training program for anyone attempting to go deeper than the third floor, complete with new necklaces and rank tags. That last part had been more her idea—born during one of their girls’ nights out.
The system helped set expectations for dungeon divers and gave veterans a way to quietly show their skill. More importantly, it discouraged impulsive newcomers from getting themselves killed; most of them, it turned out, wanted the status more than the fight.
For Terra, there was another, quieter benefit. Supplying the necklaces to the guildhall kept the shop steady, ensuring a reliable income while mana crystals stayed expensive and most people kept their coin purses tight after seeing her shop’s prices.
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The counter was manned by familiar faces: Rosa, who she’d seen a few times—a bearkin—and a random human who might be new? She was a plump young lady, but Terra didn’t recognize her. Rosa saw her and waved despite taking care of a guest. They turned to see what the fuss was about and flinched in surprise.
Guess not everyone is used to me yet. She smiled and waved, and he tried to play it off as no biggie but was still unsettled. If I was bothering him, maybe he should stay out of the dungeons, she thought.
Rosa pointed toward the back, making her giggle a bit. She was finally being welcomed enough that Rosa knew why she was here, and she didn’t even need to be escorted!
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She slowly worked her way to the kitchen and saw Arlin at the table writing. She was unsure what it was, so asked, “Wha’cha doin’?”
Arlin jerked at the voice, not expecting her. He scowled before looking defeated, going back to writing. "Hey, Terra."
The flame in her chest died a bit with that, but she wasn't going to let this be over before she started. "U didn't answer me, boy."
Arlin's scowl made her grin like a cat who caught a mouse. She did not relent. "Well? U going to say?"
A smile bloomed on Arlin's sour face as he shook his head. "They're forcing me to train the new guards and people wanting to go deeper dungeon diving."
She tilted her head. "That's good news... or no?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I'm being respected with more work and people coming to me. but personally. I like being left alone. If Ziala hadn't asked me to agree, I would've told the mayor no... But then they would've chosen my mother instead of me as she keeps wanting to help vs just staying retired..."
She wanted to comfort him but felt like he was leaving things out. "Why does your family need to do that training? There's others, no?"
Arlin looked over at her like she'd said something stupid, and she wanted to slap the look off his face to remind him he was the one not telling the whole story... And he saw the look.
"My mother was a former Hidden Blade. Memories or no, they want her to judge them. But she's too nice now, so they wanted her successor and a hero to do it instead..."
Aha. Yeah, that did make sense. Terra thought. And she wasn't sure if she could handle that. She was happy no longer fighting, and Arlin had even said he didn't want to either, so this compromise must be rough...
Yet she IS his girlfriend, right? So why wasn't he asking why she was here... Doesn't he care I'll be gone for who knows how long?
He went back to writing as if she wasn't there, and she was unsure what to do. She didn't want to leave on a indifferent note, but she was unsure how to push more—
"Who's your friend, son?" Arlin's mom, Tanya, spoke from behind Terra as she moved past deeper into the kitchen, giving her a warm smile.
"His girlfriend. I'm Terra." Pride and flame growing with each word said—before she wanted to bite her tongue and take back what she said...
Arlin never made it official... And if he never told his mother, what if he didn't really love her? Or hated that she said it without giving him time to come out instead? She wasn't sure why he would keep waiting if he cared, but she might be pushing and breaking what she barely had...
Watching Arlin, fearing the worst, seeing his cheeks blush red—she was unsure how to take it till he spoke up, relieving her instead.
"Yeah, Mom. She's my girlfriend."
"AAAAAA, THAT'S WONDERFUL!" Tanya screamed excitedly, scaring Arlin and Terra at the same time.
Tanya embraced Terra in a warm hug, making her feel loved. It was something she'd missed. It reminded her of her mom—not as big as her Da, but just as gentle. She embraced her back, happy. as tanya voice spoke in her chest slighjty muffled.
"I knew I kept seening you around, but did not want to push or assume, so I tried to remian out of it. You know how my son can brood."
"Everything okay?" a voice spoke in the distance. Maybe Rosa? She wasn't sure.
"It's fine! Sorry!" Tanya explained she was excited she'd found out her son had a girlfriend and went to the main hall to tell everyone about it, leaving Arlin alone with Terra.
"Sorry. I didn't think." Terra said lamely. She wasn't sure why she was the bad guy for expressing their love, but still felt like she'd done something wrong...
"You're fine. I've just got a bit much on my plate. Not trying to ignore you—just not used to having less time..."
That stung a bit. Felt like she was a burden. "I just wanted to see U before I left. I'll leave U be."
"WHAT? Where are you going?"
That surprised her. Two seconds ago you barely cared I was here. Now you care I might be gone? Stupid boy... But she felt like she was winning, so didn't press him.
"Leena wants to visit her sister Nina. Wants me to go show support since she just left to her old tribe. Dunno why, but I want to support Len, so I got to go."
"Nina left? Why? She seemed to love staying up Wolf's butt the last few times I saw her at his shop."
Terra laughed and felt bad. She didn't share the same seriousness Len did, but she agreed with Arlin—if she was so happy, why leave?
Tanya came back wondering how things were going. Terra thanked her for her support and told her she was leaving for a week or more due to long travel to a beast tribe.
Arlin finally stepped up, realizing she wasn't just being needy but was going to be gone for a while. He tried to appease her with a lunch date before she left to show he cared. Tanya refused, saying this was a perfect chance for a family meeting lunch with the new girlfriend...
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Ziala ended up joining. She'd known about her time with Arlin but not that it was official—just that they were getting more serious—so she was happy for her.
The talks were random—a lot of things she found boring. Ziala dealing with changes in making the guild run smoother, with so many details they took for granted. Tanya kept asking how they met and promising to visit the blacksmith shop later in life when she returned safe, which made her happy.
With Arlin mostly sulking—whenever he was brought up in talks, he was spoken of fondly but felt mocked, even though they all spoke of him lovingly—she was hoping for a few goodbye kisses. But the look on Arlin's face told her: be happy I agreed you're my girl. So she took what she could get and would try for more later... A lot more if he sulked less... But that was a later battle. For now, Len needed her. And she guessed so did Nina.
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Leena's dad had spare carts they used for long-distance trade. Nebo had their best one, but the others were still good, and they were just using it for travel, so it'd be fine.
Neither girl was a stranger to travel. Terra was more accustomed to long-distance travel, but they both knew they'd be fine. They packed a few gifts for the tribe as a tribute for helping Nina, and the rest was supplies for the travel. There was plenty of space for the girls to swap, taking turns sleeping or pitching a tent for the night if they wanted to be more lax. Though there were a couple stops they could rest in a town or city, both wanted this to be a quick trip—any extra time spent with Nina or returning quicker over more comfortable resting.
The trip started well enough—quiet and uneventful. Girl talk mixed with occasional pit stops for light training due to the boredom of endless riding did slow them a bit, but not so much they didn't feel they were making good time.
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Terra, finally feeling emboldened enough to express her annoyance as her butt was getting numb for the third time just from sitting since the trip started, spoke up.
"So why are we going so far for Foxy when she left us with indifference?" It was a bit blunt, but she knew her sister Len wouldn't balk at her bluntness.
Leena did look over at her thoughtfully before facing the road once more, the clomping of hooves the only answer for a while before she spoke.
"Because when she needed us... or me.... We let her go as if it was no big thing. I just want to know my sister's okay and for her to know she's loved, same as brother does."
Terra smirked, not understanding. "I fought for all I got. Why's she better?"
Leena looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "We all handle pain differently. Not everyone can run forward, smashing through their pain. Some quietly walk away."
Terra didn't like that. It reminded her of the day they all fell defeated and only one stood alone—even now...
"Sorry, Len. I love U."
Leena laughed and seemed to glow a bit brighter. "We're not going on this trip to support me, but Nina. I'm fine, and you never left me alone. You've supported me from the start."
Maybe it was true. When they still had girls' nights out, Nina randomly wouldn't show, and she didn't care... Maybe that was the start—the first cries for help. Or maybe, just maybe, she ran away and nothing they do will help...
Yet would it be right to leave her alone because she didn't fight and demand to be loved? "Some people quietly walk away," Len had said...
So the real question is: do you follow, or watch them fade away?
Len chose to follow, and in a way, Terra chose to stay... but she was here, so she could change that.
"I'm here with U, Len. Let's get Foxy back."
"No," Len said quietly. "We're not bringing her anywhere. Just letting her know her choices aren't wrong and she's loved. Like us, she's finding herself. We just need to let her know she's not alone."
Terra frowned. Was she still trying to push things only one way? Why was love and life complicated? Straightforward is best—blunt, to the point... But she quietly nodded in agreement. Maybe she needed to learn the subtle things if she wanted to be closer with others.
And Arlin.
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Days passed with lulls in conversation turning boring. She wondered a few times if they were lost and if this was worth it. Len assured her Nebo told them tribes were always easy to find—they sent scouts to make sure nobody was ever lost.
Terra saw something in the distance with her mana sight. The flame mana that boosted her strength could be used to enhance her sight. She'd used it a few times in the past to check out boys...but now she used it to see in the distance. The blur became clear as she focused. It was a bearkin, but seeming to move at a decent speed towards them.
1"I think I see one, Len." Leena nodded, looking the same way. Leena had to shield her eyes from the sun but knew what Terra saw.
The tribesman welcomed them warmly, said they were slightly off the trail that would lead to the clan with the hero. the guide oddly refused to use Nina's name when they mention it vs the title but still was guiding them the right way with a smile.
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The village was abuzz with activity—constant people doing different things, all friendly but focused on their tasks, save for the ones gathering at a large tent. There seemed to be the most activity, and it was hard to get close. If she wasn't so tall, she'd be unsure if this was even the right place. But she saw Nina in front of the tent, looking exasperated despite all the people giving her love and cheer.
And Terra felt bad, knowing this wasn't what she wanted. She wasn't sure why Nina came here, but she knew this wasn't it. She wanted to start shoving everyone out of the way to tell Foxy sorry, but held back out of respect, not wanting to start a fight here.
She couldn't help smiling when she saw the squinting face of Nina noticing her. So she decided to get the crowd to part the best way she knew how.
"HEYA, FOXY! WE CAME TO SEE U!"
And as if those were magic words, they did indeed part like the sea for them to easily rush up and greet her. The shock and awe from all in surprise, wondering how they could casually greet the hero, turned to rapid fervor as they finally knew they, too, were heroes from stories. Terra started to panic as she got a full dose of what Nina had dealt with from the start. They bowed and apologized for rudely not acknowledging heroes who helped their tribe hero and came to see her—and were met with scorn.
The last part was a bit far-fetched, but they insisted they'd brought shame to their tribe by letting them come to such a poor greeting, and a feast was being prepared. Making Terra feel a bit ill—this wasn't good-natured love of friends. This was weird and off.
She saw Nina's ears flat, and knowing where this would go, she wasn't sure how anyone could live this every day. She would've fled first chance she got—yet Nina did not... Why?17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPue24H4iE8
Looking to Len to confirm one way or the other didn't help. She was used to shouldering the hero's burden and even now was doing it well.
It seemed since they were here and a feast would be in their honor, they would learn firsthand how Nina survived out here. And maybe they would too—or it would all come crashing down when her flame grew hotter versus being smothered down from the crowd.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uX5I4IAwb
and then Add to home screen.