Escort

"Why am I not surprised?" Raven muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose as she sat up on the bed. Her silver hair fell in disarray around her shoulders, glinting faintly in the morning light streaming through the window.

Across the room, Mavis leaned casually against the wall, her arms crossed and an amused smile tugging at her lips. She gazed out at the bustling city streets below, the faint hum of activity a reminder that the world had already begun its day.

"Don't you feel a bit more refreshed now?" Mavis replied, tilting her head to glance at Raven. "If I had to say, letting me take over your body for a while did wonders for you. Consider it a forced vacation. You're welcome, by the way."

Raven shot her a glare, one that lacked its usual bite thanks to the grogginess still lingering in her mind. "Yeah, sure, thanks for that," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But let's get one thing straight. I didn't ask you to play adventurer-for-a-day, attending festivals and chatting up random people like you've been living here your whole life."

Mavis's smile widened, a glint of mischief in her pink eyes. "Oh, but wasn't it fun? The Festival of Wishes, the street food, the lanterns—it was all quite charming. Besides, you needed the rest. If I hadn't stepped in, you'd probably still be sulking in some dark corner, brooding like a tragic heroine."

Raven rolled her eyes, but her expression faltered when she remembered the memory Mavis had left her with—Celia's smile, warm and genuine, as they stood beneath the lantern-lit sky. Her chest tightened, the weight of unspoken truths pressing down on her. She shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering emotions.

"But you had to meet Celia, didn't you?" Raven snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at Mavis. "And not just meet her—oh no, that wasn't enough. You practically became best friends with her! What the hell were you thinking?"

Mavis shrugged, utterly unbothered by Raven's outburst. "I didn't plan it, if that's what you're asking. She approached me, and I simply… went with the flow. You'd be surprised how easy it is to connect with people when you're not constantly brooding like a storm cloud."

"Flow? Flow?" Raven's voice rose incredulously. "You went and spilled my mana all over the place, chatted up my sister, and practically made her think I'm going to join the Pillars of Hope! Do you have any idea how complicated that makes things for me?"

Mavis's expression softened, her teasing demeanor fading into something more thoughtful. She stepped away from the window and crossed her arms, her gaze meeting Raven's. "It wasn't just for me, you know. Celia's hurting. She's been carrying the weight of your memory for years. If a few kind words from a stranger—that stranger being me—can give her some peace, is that really such a terrible thing? And I told her no to you joining her so, don't worry."

Raven fell silent, her frustration simmering but tempered by the truth in Mavis's words. She sank back against the headboard, running a hand through her tangled hair. "You don't understand," she muttered. "It's not just about her feelings. If she finds out the truth—if she realizes I've changed so much—she might not even recognize me anymore."

Mavis knelt beside the bed, resting her chin on her folded arms as she looked up at Raven with a faint smile. "Maybe she'll recognize you in ways that matter more than appearance. But for now, the truth can wait. She's happy believing you're out there, and you're not ready to face her. That's okay. When the time comes, I'll be there to remind you to stop hiding."

Raven let out a long sigh, leaning back and closing her eyes. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"

Mavis chuckled, her voice soft yet full of amusement. "Not at all. Now, get dressed. We've got work to do, and your reputation as Wraith isn't going to build itself."

Raven rolled her eyes but didn't argue, grabbing her gear and preparing for the day ahead. The katana gifted by Serine rested securely on her back, its sleek, obsidian blade a silent reminder of her growing connections and responsibilities. Mavis, in her adorable yet slightly smug dragon form, perched comfortably on Raven's head, her silver scales glinting faintly in the sunlight as they made their way to the guild.

The streets were already bustling with activity as adventurers of all ranks and backgrounds moved about. The Adventurer's Guild stood at the heart of the city, its towering structure bustling with energy. As Raven entered, the familiar blend of chatter, clinking metal, and the faint smell of parchment greeted her.

Raven approached the mission board, her sharp, mismatched eyes scanning the various quests pinned there. There were the usual low-tier missions—gathering herbs, escorting merchants, and the occasional pest extermination—but her gaze lingered on the higher-ranked ones. Bandit subjugation, beast hunts, and even a cryptic request involving a supposed haunted ruin.

"Now, what missions are there to do?" Raven muttered, her tone low and thoughtful.

As she considered her options, a familiar voice broke through the background noise. "You're here, Wraith?"

Turning her head, Raven saw Serine approaching with the rest of the Red Band party in tow. Serine's crimson braid swayed as she walked, her sharp red eyes narrowing slightly in what Raven interpreted as a mix of curiosity and amusement. Behind her, Angus waved enthusiastically, his massive axe strapped securely to his back. Kara adjusted her glasses as she carried a stack of papers, and Dren hung back, his usual brooding demeanor intact. Fiora, ever cheerful, beamed at Raven with a radiant smile.

"You're up early," Serine said, crossing her arms as she stopped a few paces away. Her gaze flicked to the katana on Raven's back. "And already equipped with your new blade, I see. Getting comfortable with it?"

Raven gave a small nod, resting a hand on the hilt of the katana. "It's a good weapon. The balance is excellent, and the craftsmanship speaks for itself. I appreciate the gift."

Angus grinned. "That's what we like to hear! A proper blade for a proper fighter." He gave a hearty laugh, clapping Dren on the shoulder, who only grunted in response.

"So," Serine continued, her sharp gaze scanning the mission board. "Looking for something to do? If you're interested, we were about to pick up a job ourselves. Might be more fun with you tagging along."

Raven shook her head, her voice calm but resolute. "I'm going to find a mission that I can do alone. Maybe next time."

Serine raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "Not so bad to find some time alone for yourself. Well, we're off. Heading to some old ruins or something like that. Strange disappearances, you know the drill. Don't get too lonely without us," she added with a teasing smirk.

Angus gave her a hearty wave. "Take care, Wraith! Don't go stealing all the good missions now."

"Bye," Raven replied simply, her gaze already drifting back to the board as the Red Band crew gathered their things and left.

Once they were gone, the bustling noise of the guild seemed to fade into the background as Raven's mismatched eyes scanned the board more intently. Her fingers brushed against a particular notice pinned to the center. The parchment was finer than most, bearing the seal of the royal family—a golden phoenix rising from a silver crown.

"Imperial Escort?" she muttered under her breath, reading the details. Her brow furrowed slightly as she read further. "Escort the Princess of Eldoria... Valenor and Seralyne Eldorin's daughter? The heirs to the Eldorin dynasty?"

She tilted her head, considering the implications. The Eldorin family, rulers of Eldoria, were known for their unmatched magical lineage and centuries of unbroken reign. To be tasked with escorting their daughter—an imperial princess—was no small request. The mission was ranked high, suggesting danger, and carried a significant reward in gold and favor from the royal court. Yet it was oddly vague on the specifics of the journey or the threats expected.

Mavis, still perched in her diminutive dragon form atop Raven's head, tilted her head and peered at the notice. "An imperial escort, hmm? That's quite the leap from beast hunts and bandit brawls. Feeling ambitious?"

Raven's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Not ambitious. Just curious. There's a reason a mission like this is posted publicly and not handled by the royal guard."

"True," Mavis mused, her tail flicking lazily. "It reeks of politics or trouble—or both. Either way, it could be... entertaining."

Raven plucked the notice from the board and approached the guild counter. The clerk, a young woman with auburn hair tied back in a braid, glanced up and gave a polite smile. "Ah, Wraith. Interested in the escort mission?"

"More curious than interested," Raven replied, setting the parchment on the counter. "What's the catch? A mission like this doesn't get outsourced unless there's something unusual about it."

The clerk hesitated, glancing around as if to ensure no one else was listening. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "The details are confidential, but from what I've heard, it involves traveling through the Shadowed Vale."

Raven's eyes narrowed. The Shadowed Vale was a notoriously treacherous region, its dark forests and ancient ruins teeming with mana beasts and remnants of forgotten magic. Few ventured there without good reason—or without expecting casualties.

"The Vale, huh?" Raven tapped the counter thoughtfully. "And the princess?"

"She's traveling incognito," the clerk continued. "For security reasons. You'll be briefed more if you accept the mission, but suffice it to say, this isn't just about getting her from point A to point B."

Raven considered for a moment. Escorting a princess through one of the most dangerous regions in Eldoria wasn't exactly her idea of a quiet mission, but it offered intrigue—and a challenge. Besides, the potential connections and favor from the royal family were too valuable to ignore.

"I'll take it," she said finally.

The clerk nodded, sliding the parchment into a ledger. "Very well. Please report to the royal envoy stationed outside the south gate by noon. They'll provide further instructions."

Raven nodded and turned to leave, her mind already turning over the possibilities. As she stepped out of the guild, the sunlight spilling onto the cobblestone streets, Mavis chuckled softly.

"An imperial princess and the Shadowed Vale," the dragon mused. "You do know how to pick the interesting ones, don't you?"

Raven smirked, adjusting the katana on her back. "Let's see if the princess is worth the trouble. Something tells me this isn't going to be as simple as they make it sound."