Mission End

The light finally vanished, and the cave returned to its dull colors as Avari sheathed his sword. The bodies of the goblins lay at his feet,each one sliced in perfect halves.

"Just how strong are you," Haise muttered under his breath.

"Aren't you exaggerating?" he called out from afar.

Avari approached slowly, careful not to step in the fresh blood soaking the stone beneath his plated boots.

"I don't see a reason to waste time when I can eliminate them in one attack."

"Well, think about my eyes next time,before Darth Mauling goblins…" Haise glanced at the bodies again, eyes lingering on the clean cuts. "If you could just poof, wipe them all out, why bring me along?"

Avari didn't answer right away. Instead, his helmet turned toward the few goblins Haise had taken down himself. "You have a strange style of combat for someone like you."

"What's that supposed to mean, 'someone like me'?"

Avari turned to face him fully, his height casting a shadow over Haise. "If I were you, I'd try to find out more about my past. You've got too much experience for a newbie your age."

"Well, give me a place to start then. It's not like I can buy memories from a market stall, can I?"

"There was a case a few years back. People started losing their memories after encountering something in the forest near the capital. It's the closest thing you've got to a clue,unless you're hoping to cure amnesia itself."

"Would you help me with that, noble knight?" Haise added extra flair to the last part, clearly mocking him.

"Seeing the situation, we're going to Arno first. The rest of the group will handle the supplies,they seem scattered around."

"And what exactly are you planning to do with him?"

"Talk."

The silent cavern quickly filled with noise,boots scraping stone, crates dragged across the floor. People moved in from the entrance, spreading out, gathering supplies. Karsen helped where he could. Meanwhile, Haise weaved between them, eyes scanning for anything that might be valuable.

We're leaving soon. Nobody's going to miss one or two gold coins.

His gaze landed on an open crate tucked between two others, with no one nearby. Unlike the rest, which were rough, this one was lined with purple velvet. Fancy. Unusual, considering most crates were basic shipping boxes,battered and scattered from weeks of travel even before arriving in this shithole.

Inside, nestled in the velvet, were several small chests. Some had golden trims. Most had little keyholes. A few were missing theirs entirely.

If that isn't the perfect treasure box...

Haise glanced around. Nobody seemed to notice him. Most were focused on gathering what remained of the caravan's supplies,though the bodies were still mysteriously missing. Best not to think too hard about that, he told himself.

He slipped a hand into the crate and reached for one of the lighter chests,one that didn't seem to need a key. It felt disappointingly hollow, but he hadn't expected much. Just as he started pulling it out, a sharp tug on his collar lifted him off the ground like a misbehaving cat.

He twisted around midair and met the familiar figure,Avari. The knight's gauntlet held him effortlessly, boots hovering above the stone. The steel visor gave nothing away.

Avari said nothing at first. Then he lowered Haise back to the floor.

"You're leaving soon," he said flatly. "Don't give me a reason to keep you here."

Haise shoved his hands behind his back, guilt all over his face. "You should know Arno's not even paying for any of this. I'm just trying to make a living."

"Arno gave you food and a roof. What do you need money for?"

"I'm sure I'd put it to good use."

Before Avari could answer, someone stumbled toward them. Karsen came jogging between the crates, nearly tripping, a sword in hand. To Haise's surprise, it wasn't the weapon Karsen had lost,it was brand new, ornate, and carried the look of something noble.

"Dorian! Look what they gave me!" Karsen beamed as he skidded to a stop. He turned to Avari and gave a short, formal bow before turning back to Haise.

"Why would they give you that?" Haise asked, narrowing his eyes. "You didn't steal it, did you? We'll get in trouble."

Haise could feel Avari staring through the helmet.

"No, I wouldn't do that. They said they couldn't carry more, so they gave it to me as thanks for helping out."

"I didn't get anything for my hard work," Haise muttered, shooting a glance at Avari.

Avari walked past them without a word.

"Well, seems like a sword is all we're getting from this mess." Haise looked over the weapon in Karsen's hands.

Karsen shifted uncomfortably. "It's my fault, isn't it? I mean… the goblins."

"I think so. Avari mentioned something like that,but forget it now."

Haise looked around the cave one last time. "Ask if they've got spare food to throw in, then we're leaving."

"Of course!" Karsen nodded and jogged off, proudly gripping his new sword.

Left alone, Haise reached into his pocket and pulled out the glowing card. Its visuals hadn't changed.

There's still a lot I need to test.

But for that, I need to get out of the knight sight.

He held the card between his fingers. Each time he touched it, he felt something strange,like he could… No. That's stupid. He shoved it back into his pocket, out of sight.

Better not lose it.

Half an hour?

How the hell does it take half an hour to ask for food?

Haise lay stretched out across a pile of crates. Not exactly a bed, but better than standing around doing nothing. He let out a sigh and stared at the ceiling.

Footsteps echoed through the cavern. Finally. He turned his head, expecting Karsen,only to meet the polished steel of Avari's armor.

Haise groaned. "What do you want?"

"The groups are formed. We're leaving soon."

"Groups?" Haise rolled to his side. "You're splitting up? Why would I care?"

"One group returns to the capital. The other,me, you, and the other outcast,goes to the camp."

"Yeah, whatever... wait,what?" Haise sat up, pointing at him. "Why are you coming with us?"

"There are unresolved matters that need attention."

"Well good for you. But why now? You're not planning to kill Arno, are you?"

"No. But with growing tension across the Empire, we need to resolve all potential threats."

Haise slumped. "Fuck... fine. When are we going?"

"Now."

Before Haise could react, Avari grabbed his leg and yanked, pulling him straight off the crates with a thud.