Sometimes life changes for no reason. The interesting thing is whether these changes are good or bad.
Does waking up in an unknown world with many people who develop a crush on you count as a nice thing?
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Your group of five is still wandering though the Chasm. Dain on the left, Aether in the middle and you on the right, holding the Traveler’s hand. Rosa currently sits on top of Dainsleif’s head and Paimon floats around here and there, amazed by every new stone or plant she finds.
“So that means after I disappeared the first time on Watatsumi Island you asked around everywhere if someone might have seen something? Since not even people like the ones from the Crux crew knew anything, you decided to face the Shogun - she did declare me a criminal after all. Once you trained a bit with Yae Miko, you went to the Shogun, challenged Signora, won and then met me. Then, the Electro Archon attacked us both, I got one-shot but you somehow won and once everything had settled down, we were sent to Watatsumi Island so that my injuries could be treated properly by Kokomi. And then I managed to disappear, again, while being still in a sub ideal condition…”
Aether nods. “Yes. And since you managed to vanish without leaving a single trace, again, I had no choice than to move on. If I didn’t continue my travels, I could imagine how you would nag me to death because of it.” A small chuckle leaves his lips. Looking at you, he notices that offence was spreading on your face. “I didn’t mean it in a criticizing way, (Y/N). In some sense, this thought actually comforted me…” The smile which he puts on is so sincere and warm that any negative traces in your mood are melted away like a piece of butter in a microwave. You are in such a fuzzy stupor that you don’t even mind how he ruffles your hair afterwards.
“Sometimes Paimon is amazed that you two aren’t married yet.”, says Paimon with a deadpan expression.
While you are still caught in your stupor from before, Aether’s face becomes red in an instant.
A few awkward seconds later, your brain starts working again. Choosing to ignore Paimon’s statement, you decide to go back to go back to the previous topic. “When you defeated the Electro Archon, did she – by any chance - explain to you why she declared me a wanted criminal?”
“I did ask her about it, but she didn’t give me an actual answer… She only said to me that once you wake up, I should tell you that she is utterly sorry for making such a mistake.”
Dain joins back into the conversation. “Archons rarely are reasonable beings. It is better not to dwell on such matters.”
Leaning a bit forward to be able to see past Aether, you turn your head towards Dain. “Look who is back from his silent corner once we are talking about Archons. You-” Since you weren’t looking where you’re going, you accidentally step into a slimy puddle and slip into it. The sensation of having your lower arms and your shins submerged in an unknown and slightly smelly liquid is far from pleasant. “Ew ew ew- Why is there a- ah ah ahh…” Even worse is the burning pain that comes afterwards. It is as if this puddle you fell into is acidic.
Quickly you are dragged out of the dark ooze. “Aether, do you have some water on hand?”
“Yes, give me a second.” Out of nowhere Aether takes out a couple of bottles and pours their content over the body parts that came in contact with the acidic liquid. The pain becomes better immediately. “How is it now?”
“Better. Certainly better. Thank you…” Looking over to the puddle, you notice two unconscious Hilichurls laying next to it. Your eyes switch back and forth between your reddened body parts and the suspicious liquid, until you scrunch up your face. “Eww… I fell into Hilichurl residue…” Finding this both disgusting and sad, you pour some more water over the affected skin and clothes.
Paimon floats closer to you and offers you a both confused and concerned look. “Hilichurl residue? What do you mean by that?”
“Well… You see, Hilichurls are essentially just cursed human beings from the fallen nation of Khaenri’ah. The curse that was placed on them 500 years ago erodes their body and soul so long until they turn into this… goo. When they feel their end drawing near they start fearing the light, so I guess that is why there are so many of these puddles and irresponsive Hilichurls…” Some part wants to look at Dainsleif right now, but the illogical guilt you have for an event you have absolutely nothing to do with prevents you from it.
Paimon lets out a high-pitched squeak. “So we’ve been killing poor humans and not monsters all this time?!”
“Yes, kinda, though they aren’t really considerable as ‘human’ at this point. Both mind and body are far to corroded for that. …I can’t speak for them, but if I had to suffer such a cruel and painful fate, I would wish for someone to cut me down with their sword. That would be a far more pleasant death than… this.” Feeling better as the burning has completely stopped, you stand up and offer Aether, who was kneeling next to you, your hand.
He accepts it. “Good that you aren’t from Khaenri’ah then.”
“Is Paimon imagining things or does it smell… smoky in here?”
Now that Paimon mentions it, it does smell like burned wood here. Following your nose, you carefully walk in the direction where the smell is coming from. You find the source, a camp fire, in a large niche in the wall. It is an abandoned Hilichurl camp. Being used to the ones where you are attacked at the very first second of being spotted, this one feels just depressing.
“This must have been where they gathered before their final moments.” With slow steps, Dainsleif walks around and analyses his surroundings. After a few seconds he apparently has found something as he kneels down in front of a hay bed. On it there are blue-ish white flowers.
By now, Aether and Paimon have caught up to you too. It probably took him some time to pack all of the used bottles back into his imaginary pocket. “What are those flowers?”
“Those are Inteyvats. Since they only grow in Khaenri’ah, someone from afar must have brought them here.”, explains Dain.
Leaning over the former knight, you take one of the foreign flowers and observe it. They look just as fresh as if they were picked only a few minutes ago. Their petals on the other hand are oddly stiff. “It feels kinda strange to have such a rock-solid flower in your hand. The flora sometimes really amazes me. I wonder how a flower can tell if it is at home or not…”
“Could I take a look at it as well?”
The very moment you hand over the Inteyvat to Aether, he freezes.
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I don't know if anyone reads the Bungou Stray Dogs manga, but wtf was chapter 110? My poor heart.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed reading and stay healthy!
