Green Bay Village

The cart rolled to stop at Green Bay village. Immediately the mercenary group of players requested signatures from Wharm. Once receiving their signatures they bade farewell to Akiol and moved towards the nearby mercenary branch. Undoubtedly to turn in the request for the corresponding reputation points.

Wharm took off his top hat and wiped his forehead. With a smile towards Akiol he expressed his gratitude, "You have been an utter blessing my friend."

"Fate has a strange way of working.", Akiol smiled in return as he slid of the cart, "Although this is where we likely part ways."

"It was a pleasure traveling with you nonetheless.", Wharm's attention returned to his cart, "Say. . ."

Rummaging through the carts contents Wharm fished out a leather cloak. Shaking the dust off it he presented it to Akiol, "Although this is a prized possession, I fear it still falls short. I want you to have this, as thanks for your help."

"I did not-"

Wharm smiled and Akiol felt his words get caught in his throat. Akiol recognized this cloak. The very same cloak that Wharm received a punch for due to its price! From Wharm's look Akiol knew the merchant would not accept any form of refusal. With a faint sigh Akiol gently received the cloak and wrapped it in his arms, "What makes it so special?"

"I should find you would enjoy its enchantments as an adventurer. Not only is it very resistant to all forms of weather, keeping your temperature regulated, but it also keeps you inconspicuous. You should find it easier to avoid trouble."

Akiol faintly joked, "Perhaps you might need it more than I."

Wharm shook his head, "Appearance is very important to a merchant. Although this cloak is mystical, its lacking in the vanity category."

"I thank you nonetheless Wharm. If fate permits it, let our paths cross again."

"I look forward to such an occasion.", Wharm took off his top hat and bowed.

"Thank you again for the smooth ride Rango.", Akiol also thanked the ox-like creature.

Rango made a gurgling sound which once again made Wharm smile.

The two parted and Akiol looked skywards. It would be roughly two to three hours before sunset. Then he could find the mine where slimes gathered. In the meantime. . .

Akiol held the leather cloak and inspected it. It really was lacking in vanity. Excluding its slightly dusty appearance, it was rough around the edges lacking any fine details. Its length dropped to below his knees, feeling more like an oversized parka. Nonetheless Akiol slipped it on and found his body temperature becoming cooler. Adjusting Stars' scabbard to be at his hip instead he moved about to test how easily it would be draw the blade.

Noticeably, Stars did not complain.

Slipping the hood up, Akiol felt its rough edges with his thumb. It was like the cloak was carved out of an animal hide with a rough knife. 

'Strange. The glow of a superior race is hidden.' -Stars

"Really?", Akiol grew surprised.

Wasn't this exactly what he was looking for? A method to hide his race?

Akiol looked back towards the cart and noticed Wharm had already vanished. Likely to purchase the surplus of Slime Cores, or to trade his wares. No wonder it was priced this high! Turns out a wandering merchant might actually have a hidden treasure! 

To think he was gifted such a thing just for traveling with Wharm. . .

Adjusting the leather cloak Akiol explored the village. Strangely the NPCs kept their heads low when a player walked past. Not a single NPC spoke unless spoken to. Perhaps as a hotspot, due to the slimes in the mine, the NPCs had some trouble and believed not interacting was the best way to avoid any trouble.

Nearby a farmer tripped and a crate of a mysterious herb spilled onto the ground. This garnered a few glances from the players but it was basically entirely ignored. Akiol crouched down and picked up a few of the herbs and gently placed them into the crate while the farmer picked himself up. 

Adjusting their straw paddy hat the farmer saw Akiol and immediately held up his hands, "No! I don't have any money to give you, I can handle this."

Placing the final herb back into the crate Akiol smiled, "I didn't do this for money."

"I really don't have anything to give!"

Akiol felt as if the NPCs here were extorted by players previously, "I didn't do this for anything. You just looked like you needed help."

"I. . . really?", the farmer seemed dubious.

"Of course.", Akiol picked up the crate and handed it to the farmer.

Cautiously accepting the crate the farmer looked between Akiol and the crate. Finally coming to terms with his situation the farmer excused himself, "Sorry! I have to go!"

Akiol watched the farmer rush off with a creased brow. Considering he still had some time before nightfall Akiol silently followed the farmer. Reaching the outskirts of the village Akiol came across a series of paddies. Many farmers knee deep in water harvested the specific herb in haste. 

To his surprise Akiol found that there wasn't a single sign of food being grown or harvested! It was purely this one herb! 

He intended to ask, but seeing the busy farmers made him hesitate. Coupled with the reaction of the previous farmer, Akiol felt it wasn't the greatest idea. The NPCs seemed held a bit of fear regarding players. Any questions he asked could come off like interrogating.

Thus Akiol turned away. There was still too much he didn't know about the west!

~ ~ ~

Basil and Whisk stared at the pile of broken statues. Whisk tilted her head and asked, "You collected them?"

Givale felt Mira gently touch her arm. Slowly letting out a shaky breath she nodded, "We did."

The twins turned towards Givale and Mira. Surprisingly a smile formed on their faces as Basil thanked them, "We are glad. Thank you."

For the first time the twins rose to their feet. Taking awkward steps they moved towards the statue pieces and began to sort through them. Givale watched their every move carefully before asking, "What are you doing?"

"Putting them back together.", Whisk answered.

Exchanging a glance with Mira, Givale hesitated on her next question, "Why?"

"They are broken.", Basil answered simply.

Mira's wound had long since healed as he walked upwards. Now that his heart had calmed a bit, Mira realized what a chance this encounter was! Somehow these twins were capable of stirring the Hydra's Heart! He fully intended to use this opportunity to master his own control over its instinctual actions!

Gritting his teeth he approached the twins, "Would you like help?"

The twins paused and looked towards Mira. Their heads tilted towards the other's and they asked simultaneously, ""Why do you want to help?""

"There's a lot of pieces.", Mira didn't give a direct reason.

The twins nodded in tandem as they continued to grab various pieces while Whisk answered the original question, "You can help."

Mira suppressed the urge to sigh in relief. Grabbing a piece Mira turned his head upwards to the very large pile. 

Givale's face twisted as she remembered her words of such a process going to take ages. It really was going to take ages! She didn't wish to spend her adventure in a foreign continent putting together an insane level puzzle!

Suppressing her complaints Givale also moved to assist. Since Mira was insistent on staying, she too would stay. Especially when Mira showed signs of losing his mind so soon. So although she really didn't want to help, she grit her teeth and got to work!

Time passed unbearably slow for Givale as she sorted the pieces. It was unfeasible how she was supposed to figure out which piece was connecting to what piece. Even if she used her mastery of space she wouldn't be able to crack this problem much faster.

She shot a glance towards the diligently working twins and felt it might offend them if she tried to brute force it with her magic. There was no shortcuts in this matter! Only hard work.

Meanwhile Mira felt a strange sense of peace about two hours into the sorting of the statue pieces. Despite his heart being on edge, the sounds of the stone pieces clinking together and the distant ocean waves brought him a sense of peace. While sorting the stone statues kept his mind alert and sharp. This sort of benefit wasn't expected, nor was it something Mira reflected on during the moment.

Instead he fully immersed himself in the moment.

Soon enough the sun began to set and the twins stopped working in tandem. Looking towards the sunset their voices blended together as they spoke in unison, ""Night is for sleeping.""

Givale's heart soared now that she was free from such a mindless task. They had been doing this the whole day! Meanwhile Mira felt a bit unwilling, but placed his pieces down. The forest floor was littered as the statue pieces were being laid out one by one. 

Returning to the place the twins were freed from being statues they sat with their backs against each other. Givale and Mira joined them. A silence overtook the group before Givale nervously asked, "You two hungry?"

The twins tilted their heads in the same direction, but since they were back to back it didn't look like it. Basil asked, "Hungry?"

Whisk added, "We're allowed to eat?"

"Everybody is allowed to eat.", Givale was adamant on this fact.

Reaching into the subspace she pulled out some of the preserved food Akiol previously obtained for their trip. Taking two separate meal packages she gently handed one to each twin.

They stared at the food despite their blindfolds before reaching out in tandem. Grabbing the meal packages they went to take a bite before Givale reached out, "Wait wait! They need to be warmed first!"

She hadn't expected the two to try and eat the food with the packaged wrapping whole! Rapidly controlling some nearby dead branches Givale created a firepit and allowed the light to cover their small section of the forest. Setting up a rudimentary stove Givale motioned for the twins to come over. 

They stood up and approached the fire, their hands carefully holding the food package as if afraid to drop it.

Gesturing to the stovetop Givale said, "Place them here, they'll heat up quickly."

The twins hesitated before doing so. These food packages were made of a specific plant fiber that was sensitive to heat. It was designed to absorb the heat quickly, rapidly heating the prepared food! A fantasy form of a microwave!

Within minutes a steam rose from the packages, and a smell made the twins gulp in tandem. Tenderly unwrapping the package revealed two basic meals, standard selection of meat and vegetables. Well balanced and still seasoned!

"It's hot. Ignore the wrapping, just eat the inside.", Givale warned.

As the twins were Third Stage she believed the heat wouldn't harm them yet to prevent them from trying to eat the package again she also gave simple instructions.

The twins cautiously picked up their opened packages and sat with their backs touching. Gently touching some of the food they each picked up a morsel and gently placed it in their mouths. 

A pair of tears fell. One from Basil's right eye, the other from Whisk's left eye. Extending a hand behind them the twins instinctually wiped the other's tear.

Then the two increased their fervor with eating the meal. No longer being as careful, but still savoring it. 

Upon witnessing this sight both Givale and Mira felt their fear towards the two lessen.