Sides

We traveled further south, ending up in a small town called Ciudad de la Rosa. It was a small region filled with mountains and endless valleys of golden crops. The chaos had managed to reach down here, though it was clear that the true problems were much more alike to those that I had faced. As our group moved together as a unit, people sat up in the fields and looked at us, staring until the crack of whips went. They returned to their work silently, and once again all that could be heard was the sound of the corn rustling with the wind and work. I walked close to Kae, not wanting to look at those who reminded me so much of my past self. Though we had been saved, slavery was commonplace here. Those who came from elsewhere overpowered the natives who had lived here for years and years, forcing them to work the land that once had been their safe havens. They lived in horrible conditions and worked long hours without break. La Provincia del Flores used to be a beautiful place, according to the Great White Bear that traveled with us. Supposedly it once had been so full of life and light that spirits would dance in the streets with the people. Harvest always was plentiful, and music swam through the air freely and constantly. Now the endless golden rows of corn were prison cells. I wanted to burn it all down for them. 

We traveled a good long while until we found a lake. It was a good chance to stop and discuss our next steps, as well as to eat some food and make sure our wounded were healing properly. I helped with getting the food prepared, cutting up the turkawk that we had managed to catch along the way. It was ridiculously large, and although the meat was somewhat tough, it would boil down well enough. I worked alongside of Jude, a young man who had been saved alongside me. He was a nice boy with a bright future and a tendency towards being rather passive. We had never spoken much. I never spoke to anyone back then before I was reborn. None of us really did. He turned his head, black hair straight despite the boiling sun and deep humidity. 

"Elize, is it true that you and Lady Kaeruko…" He whispered, nudging my shoulder teasingly. I found a blush form on my cheeks, but I did not let my embarrassment get to me. After all, it was not a secret. 

"Yes. I mean… Yes we are dating now." It still didn't feel real. Jude grinned from ear to ear, gently shaking his head. 

"Damn, you are lucky you know? Everyone is madly in love with her. She is so beautiful, they say that she is actually a spirit in disguise as a human. Of course that is ridiculous but… Man, I am jealous of you. How did you manage that?" He asked in a good natured way as he cut the vegetables for the large stew we were tasked with making. 

"I honestly couldn't tell you. It still feels like a dream… She is everything to me. I really don't know what she sees in me, but I am so happy. I love her, with all of my heart." I felt like squealing after I said that aloud. Jude laughed warmly, as if he understood well. 

"I understand it. I.. I feel like I have someone like that as well for me." Jude hummed, his cheeks turning peak at the top. 

"Oh? Who who??" I asked him, turning the embarrassing conversation from myself to him. It was way easier to tease than to be teased after all. Jude paused, placing the knife down for a mere second before he looked me straight in the eyes. 

"Her name is Milla. She was in one of the last places we visited. She was tall, with this beautiful golden hair that went down to her waist. It curled up so cutely at the end… And she has this serious face all the time but.. It makes my heart stop. Her conviction and determination is infectious." He rubbed the back of his head. "But I doubt she noticed me. My only hope is that we are able to come back and I will be able to talk to her properly. So I guess you are doing better than me in that regard." 

We continued to prepare food quietly after that. Once it was finished, we said goodbye and went our separate ways in the camp until it was time to eat. I found my way over to Kae, who was busy talking to the hero about some business. By them was the white bear, staring at me cautiously. Supposedly the bear could talk, but I had yet to hear it utter a single word. I wasn't sure I wanted to know what a bear would sound like if it could talk like a human. Kaeruko looked over at me and smiled that beautiful smile of hers. 

"Elize. There you are, I am glad you are here." She said, offering her hand towards me. I happily took it and moved closer to her, hoping that I wasn't bothering her. I always worried that I was a bother to her. "Kumako and I were speaking, and we both agree that you are one of the few we have found who has such a proficiency for magic. Beyond that… we are in desperate need of help with Ciudad de la Rosa." She said, looking down at me with those stormy eyes. 

"What can I do to help?" I asked, confidently and eagerly. "I will do anything that you need of me!" 

"Woah, you sure are eager even though you haven't heard what we need you to do yet.." The hero said softly, crossing their arms as if in judgment of me. I didn't care, I would do anything for Kae after all. It seemed only natural that I would say yes regardless of what was asked for me. 

"As I am sure you noticed, Providencia de los Flores is in a bad spot right now. We are worried that the cause of this is similar to what happened to you… That is to say that chaos has taken hold of some humans and created this injustice." Kaeru explained carefully, her eyebrows knitted together in thought. "We sent a scout out to see what was truly going on, and it became obvious that we need to do something here. We cannot go around killing these slave owners without there being a large consequence.. However, if we can influence them enough to give it up, we are hoping that we can help the poor people being tortured." 

"What we would need you to do is to see how far you can stretch out your aura. '' Kumako spoke slightly over Kaeruko, their voice strong and confident. "If you can get it to reach far enough… we are hoping that we can show them the goddess's will and get them to stop." 

I found myself thinking about the request for only a second before I agreed. I had no idea how they would be able to do the rest, but it did not matter so long as it helped Kaeruko. I did not care much for these people who reminded me of my old self. I didn't have the energy to spare. There was far too much at stake to worry about such complicated things. I had to simply worry about Kaeruko, and that was enough for me. I was happier this way. 

"I will try my best." I had no idea what an aura even was. It didn't matter, I would figure it out I was sure. After all, if it was for her, for Kaeruko I could do anything. My goddess smiled down at me and gently kissed my forehead. 

"Thank you, Elize. You have no idea how grateful I am to have you working along with us." Kaeruko said, hugging me tightly. I hugged her back and nuzzled my face in her shoulder. 

"Of course, Kae. I would do anything for you." 

"I know you would." She said, fondly. Kumako rolled their eyes, but I decided to ignore it. It didn't matter. ALl that mattered was that I was with her. 

"Well now that this is settled, we should eat and rest up for the night. I know that tomorrow will be a lot, and I do not particularly want to risk having everyone exhausted." Kumako said, walking up to me and clearing their throat suddenly. "And um… Elize, I realized that I may not have been the most welcoming. I know you and Kaene are dating now, and I just kind of ignored it. I am sorry about that. There is just a lot on my plate right now, but I am really happy that you both have each other now." They said softly. Kae looked as if she was going to cry. I looked at them before I smiled, letting go of Kaeruko and hugging Kumako. It seemed like the right thing to do. It would make Kae happy if we got along after all. 

"It is okay. I know I am not always the easiest to talk to either. I am incredibly thankful for all you have done for us. I promise I will protect Kaeruko with my life and treat her well." I said, confidently. In that moment I felt that Kumako and I finally saw eye to eye. They understood that I was being honest, and that we had the same goal in the end. 

"Let's go eat. Jude and I worked hard to make a good stew for everyone." I said, smiling brightly. I felt normal, almost. I couldn't wait for this all to be over. To be able to return home with her, and to know the tribe that motivated her to stop chaos. I wanted to see her home, to pay my respects to those who had helped her. I couldn't help but daydream about the domestic life that we could have together after this was all over. Maybe we would be able to adopt a cat or the like, or even a child if it came to it. I lost myself in the daydream as we all sat together and ate.