Discovery

Avi woke to a sharp, cold ache that pulsed through his veins, the dull throb of exhaustion weighing down his limbs. The room around him was dimly lit, shrouded in a muted light that filtered through the thin curtains dividing the space into narrow alcoves. Each curtained-off section housed a bed, and the sound of labored breathing and the soft rustle of sheets filled the air.

Avi shifted, feeling a warm weight on his chest. He looked down to find Ellie, her small, pale face relaxed in sleep, her hair a silken cascade of silver. She had curled up near him, as if finding solace in his presence. A pang of gratitude mixed with exhaustion gripped him, making him momentarily forget the pain that gnawed at his ribs.

A deep voice broke his reverie. "Ah, you're awake," Thalor, the bald guildmaster, said with a kind smile as he walked up to the edge of the curtain. His piercing blue eyes held a twinkle that spoke of both mirth and wisdom. "No one touched the kid, don't worry. She insisted on sleeping near you, so we just let her be."

Avi's brows furrowed as he tried to gather his bearings. "Where...where am I?" His voice rasped, still hoarse from the battle that had nearly claimed him.

"Generally? You're in Luthra, the town you've been brought to. Specifically? You're in my guild's medical facility. A bit rough, but it'll do for now. And don't worry, your friends are here, recuperating as well." Thalor's lips quirked into a grin, his eyes narrowing playfully. "But let's not sugarcoat things. We'll be charging you once everyone's up and about." His chuckle echoed in the large, airy room.

Avi's pulse quickened at the mention of his friends. "Friends?" he repeated, the word slipping out as if it were foreign to him. Panic flared in his chest, a sudden wave of dread gnawing at him. Are they here? Are they alive? Did I really managed to finally find them?

Thalor, sensing Avi's anxiety, pulled back the curtain to reveal the rows of beds lined up like cots in a barracks. Each one was occupied, some with groaning figures barely stirring, others completely still. The metallic scent of blood still lingered, mixed with the sharp aroma of herbs and antiseptic.

Avi pushed himself up, ignoring the pull of pain in his muscles, and carefully lifted Ellie off his chest, placing her gently back on the mattress. She shifted in her sleep but didn't wake. Then he limped, still weak, toward the closest bed, the rough wooden floor creaking beneath him. Thalor then decided to let Avi look at his friends and left the room.

Avi's vision cleared as he took in the uniform of the man lying motionless on the bed. His heart leapt. It was Ken. His best friend, still alive, though battered and bound with coarse bandages that spoke of hurried treatment. Avi's chest tightened, a mix of relief and frustration burning behind his eyes. He gently reached out and brushed Ken's shoulder, resisting the urge to shake him awake. He moved to check on Emily, then Ryan, Mia, Sophia, his eyes darting over each figure with growing tears.

He can also see Tyler who was with him earlier bandaged like a caterpillar again, snoring and grunting in his sleep.

"Morons, you made me worry!" Avi whispered, his voice trembling as the first tears traced a path down his dirt-streaked face. He struggled to keep his composure, the weight of guilt and the fierce need to locate them finally freeing him.

Avi's attention then turned back to Ellie, who was rubbing her eyes and looking up at him with sleepy confusion. "Why cry, big bro?" Her voice was soft, small fingers reaching out, her hair still partially hiding her pale face.

He smiled through his tears, leaning down so only she could see. "Big bro finally found his friends, Ellie. I'm happy. When they wake up, I'll introduce you to them." He reached into his system, pulling up his [Comrade System] to send a quick message to Alex, the one person he knew could help coordinate their next steps.

[Avi Eques: I found them]

[Avi Eques: You should've invested in health care. Now we're gonna be in debt.]

The message sent, Avi wiped his face, smiling at his own joke and feeling a little lighter as hope took root in his chest. The room felt smaller as the weight of exhaustion pressed down, and he knew it was best to let his friends rest. Turning, he gently picked up Ellie, who yawned and clutched at him, her tiny fingers curling into his tunic.

Avi stepped outside, the sudden rush of light and noise almost overwhelming after the dimmed medical ward. The guildhall was a grand affair with high ceilings that stretched 8 meters above. Rough-hewn beams lined the upper reaches, holding a simple chandelier with flickering lanterns, and the room echoed with the chorus of voices and laughter. Adventurers in worn leather armor and bright, embroidered tunics stood at the bar, clutching rough-hewn wooden mugs of ale, sharing stories that mixed bravado with exhaustion.

Eyes turned as Avi entered, the silence in the room palpable for a brief moment before murmurs and shuffling resumed. Whispers followed him—fear, admiration, respect, awe. The child who had fought the Alpha Spirit Wolf, who had held his ground even when seasoned adventurers quailed. But Avi had little patience for the stares. He walked past a group playing dice, their laughter interrupted by an outburst from a tipsy man.

Ignoring it all, he approached the reception area where a young woman with pale skin and dark braids stood, eyes wide as she watched him approach. "I want to talk to that bald guy earlier," Avi demanded, his voice firm.

"Do- do you mean the guildmaster?" She stuttered, looking nervously from Avi to the small girl clutching his hand—specifically at her hair.

"Yeah, I need to ask him some questions," Avi said, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice.

The receptionist hesitated, eyes darting toward the back of the hall. "He went straight to the lord's castle after he left the medical ward. You can wait here, but... I'd suggest you be careful. People here think that the kid is cursed."

Ellie flinched at the implication, instinctively placing her hands on her head, trying to cover her hair with a twinge of fear creeping into her small features.

"What the heck is wrong with her hair? I have the same color as her!" Avi snapped, his voice cutting through the air, sharp and defensive. The room stilled again, the murmurs silenced by the sudden outburst.

"N-no, sir. There's some resemblance, but the child's hair... it's different. It matches the legends-" The receptionist's voice quivered, eyes now wide with fright.

Avi's hands clenched into fists, his anger simmering. But he looked down at Ellie, the small figure hiding under his arm, and his resolve cracked. He took a deep breath, tamping down the urge to shout. "Forget it. I'll step outside. Can you notify me once the guildmaster returns?" His voice softened, a trace of weariness lacing the edges.

"Yes, sir. We'll find someone to tell you," she answered, bowing low as Avi turned his back at her, still holding Ellie.

Outside, the noise of the city assaulted him—The sight that met his eyes was a far cry from the village he had imagined. The city of Luthra stretched out like a maze of stone and wood, with tall, jagged buildings that seemed to lean into each other as if whispering secrets. Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, selling everything from polished wares to roasted meats and honeyed bread that sent tantalizing scents wafting through the air.

The marketplace was alive with the chatter of merchants and adventurers, their voices a symphony of excitement and bartering. Guards clad in iron armor, with gleaming weapons that caught the sunlight, patrolled the streets with sharp, vigilant eyes. Adventurers, some with weapons that hinted at their rank and power, moved through the crowds, chatting with old friends or keeping watch for potential trouble.

"Who said this was a village?" Avi muttered, a grin stretching across his face. His eyes sparkled as he glanced down at Ellie, who was still clutching her hair, wary of the eyes around them.

"Want to have a date with big bro?" he asked, trying to mask the sudden excitement coursing through him.

"Date?" Ellie's eyes brightened with confusion and curiosity.

"Yeah! We'll go around the city and eat tons of yummy food," Avi said, realizing too late that his words could sound odd. But it didn't matter; Ellie's eyes lit up like stars, and she bounced in excitement.

"Ellie will go on a date with big bro!" she squealed, giggling as she pressed her hands to her cheeks.

With a deep breath, Avi led her to the nearest stall, determined to find solace in the chaos, a brief reprieve before the future that lay ahead.