Dinner's End

Everyone at the table got a rare glimpse of the one-eyed young man. 

If Ayse's demeanor was solemn and stagnant while talking about his past, Ayse was now exuding adrenaline and zeal. Ayse still kept his table manners and remained in control of himself.

That wasn't the same young man talking about being an orphan only minutes ago. No matter how Aegri and the others looked at him. 

"We're going to find one?!" Baloo giddily shouted. 

"At least one," Ayse remarked, nodding without batting his eye. "You're up for the challenge, aren't you, Ree? To track down a beast so powerful it's treated like a god." 

"I am in!" LaRee proclaimed. "We will hunt her down. And I can surpass… I will surpass him!" 

Across the table, the old captain was no longer tense. He relaxed with his tale already spun. And Banders took that moment to revel in the enthusiasm of the youths. "Oh… how I envy you brothers. You are brothers, yes?"