11 – A Gift

It took a while for Alan to free Celia. He needed to unfold layer after layer of the webs that wrapped that girl, and in each layer, he had to pour some sticky-removing liquid.

"That liquid smells really bad, like a mixture of wine and sewage." Celia came back wearing a shower robe. She sniffed the back of her hand. "I've cleaned myself thoroughly, but the smell still remains."

The liquid seeped into the webs' crevices, so it hit Celia's body.

"Elaine says the smell will go away after a while." Alan, who was petting the orange cat's head, answered. He wears special gloves when helping Celia and fixing the webs so that no odor remains on him.

"I hope this really wears off quickly. If not, it'll be more difficult for me to sleep. I've been struggling to sleep in my pants." The female fighter crouched down to rub the cat too, but the animal quickly ran away. "And why do you hate me, Miss Cat?"

"I've treated that wyvern as best I can. I'm not a healer, after all." Elaine entered while smoking her tobacco pipe. "It seems she wants to meet you before she takes a rest. The potion made her sleepy."

Celia and Alan thanked the shop owner, then went out to check on Brunch. Celia gasped at the sight of the wyvern's bandaged body. That beast was curled up with her eyes opening and closing, indicating she was really sleepy.

"The saliva from the spider prevented me from using a healing spell," Elaine explained.

"Brunch, you've worked hard for us." Celia jumped to where Brunch was, knelt down, and pressed her cheek against the wyvern's neck. "I'm really grateful to you. Thanks"

That beast then closed its eyes completely.

"Ah, she fell asleep." Elaine smoked her pipe again. "Don't worry, tomorrow she can do her activities."

"I can't express my gratitude more than this, Elaine," Alan said. "You really helped us."

"No problem." Elaine walked back to her shop. "This may be the right time to talk about payments. Anything you need, young man."

Alan followed the woman. "First is something that can hold my water blast. We need a water supply."

"Ah, I just happen to have the right thing." The shop owner searches briefly behind her counter. "I bought it because it looks interesting, but you can have it. I already have a device to produce water."

She took out a metal bucket and placed it on the counter. Alan frowned as soon as he saw that bronze-colored thing.

"Why?" The young man was bewildered by the many carvings of naked men and women on that thing. They are doing intercourse in various positions.

"The most important thing is the function, right? Many buckets like this were made when we went to the sky. As we know, water sources here are very scarce. We cannot rely on wells or rivers." Elaine tapped the bucket. "The material from this thing is commonly used for shields and armor because it can withstand a certain level of force. That's why this is very suitable for collecting water from water blast."

"Yeah, this is great." Alan tried not to be distracted by the carvings on the bucket. "Then, we need a compass, ropes, some food, some potions, some medicine, some cloth, and do you have any crop seeds?"

"Ah, you want to build a house with a farm, huh? Nice plan, but I don't have seeds like that. Sorry." Elaine shrugged. "What else do you need?"

Alan cleared his throat. "Do you have the materials for a propeller like yours, Elaine? And maybe you have a blueprint or something that explains how to make it?"

The shop owner chuckled. "Yeah, you can't just rely on Brunch. You're going to enlarge your place, right? Eventually, Brunch will not be strong enough to push your home. Good news. You can make that thing with the debris in the sky as long as you have the right tools. I can also provide those tools."

"But I assume propellers like yours need magic or something, right?"

"Yeah. The first is the magic seal. I can make it for you." The woman sat on a chair while smiling. "The second one is a bit tricky. You should have a wind crystal, and unfortunately, I'm out of stock."

"Can you show me where we can get it?"

"Yeah, in a remote village in the south." Elaine scratched her hair, looking slightly pissed off. "They're not hostile, but you guys have to persuade them to give it to you."

"I wonder if they also have crop seeds." Alan felt that the persuasion he had to do was not 'a little.'

"And I apologize to you." Elaine sighed. "I quite like you, Celia, and Brunch, but I still have to do high-level missions, so I can't bring you guys along. I can't take you to town."

Alan smiled. "It's okay. You have provided assistance to us. Again, I am very grateful to you."

"Anything else?"

"Money, if there are still remaining payments for us. You know, as my weapon to persuade people to get wind crystals."

"Sure." Elaine nodded. "I will also write you instructions on how to make the propeller. And once again, sorry. Tomorrow you guys have to go. I want to continue the journey right away.

Alan widened his smile. "No problem at all."

***

Night has come. Elaine's orange cat walked over to Brunch, who was outside.

"Hearing your story, I've come to like you quite a bit." The cat sat in front of the wyvern's face. "I admire anyone loyal, you know? Your sacrifice to save your friend is truly extraordinary."

Brunch didn't respond because she was asleep.

"So, I'll give you a little gift." The cat touched Brunch's head with her left hand. Then, the wyvern's entire body emitted white light, but it was only for a few seconds. "Unfortunately, this magic takes a long time to fully activate."

Brunch opened his eyes slowly, and the cat just meowed.

The wyvern tried to sleep again.