Homecoming

Shrugging his shoulders awkwardly, Free simply answered.

"Seren isn't too happy with me."

"..."

Halting mid-step, allowing a moment of silence to pass, Dawn responded in a sarcastic tone.

"Seren? The Lunite who won't even leave his house?"

"Yep."

"*PFFT*"

Letting out a scoff, she continued strolling forward, prompting Free to question.

"You know, I don't quite think we're on the same page."

The mention of the name alone caused millions of memories to flood through Free's mind.

His body inadvertently shivered, recalling the pain of millions of flames surrounding every single part of his body while he was forced to sit and watch...like a spectator.

Seren hadn't even physically attacked him once... no punching, sword attacks, or even kicks.

Free remained calm outwardly, not wanting to display any weakness, but inwardly, he was a wreck.

Every time he closed his eyes, visions of flames and sand dunes surrounded him.

Honestly, Free wanted to drop to the ground and die.

He was an unprepared child thrown into a dangerous world, and the worst part?

It's all my fault.

But there was a single thing tying all his thoughts together, protecting him from complete breakdown.

Space Crystals.

The purposeless Free was finally given something to do.

Despite his free spirit, Free's weak mental state had forced him into submission.

Without an overarching goal to achieve, he was... lost.

But, like a guide or teacher, the holographic menu had given a goal to complete.

He had something to do...for the first time, some order in his chaotic life.

And that order held him together.

Snapping Free of his thoughts, Dawn, with a more serious tone, said.

"Let me guess, he chased you down to stop you from claiming a crystal?"

Seeing Free's silence, she rubbed her head and continued.

"You should have known that no one except those allowed by the Stars were allowed to leave their house tonight."

Taking a deep breath as if bracing herself for a hit, Dawn continued in a grim tone.

"Did anyone besides Seren see you? Any soldiers? Anyone at all."

...there were soldiers?

And why is she asking?

Is she...looking out for me?

*CLAP*

Before Free could finish his thought, a sudden loud clap sounded before him, and a moment later, Dawn's dark voice sounded.

"I would yell if I could...but my vocal cords won't allow me to."

"I need to know. Did anyone besides Lunite Seren see you out yesterday? Can you think of ANYONE who saw you exposed to the moon?"

Pausing to allow the severity of her words to set in, Dawn continued grimly.

"Think hard; this answer determines whether you live or not."

Thankfully, through his expeditions in the desert and map drawings, Free had trained his memory.

Forcing himself to recall the events of last night, his legs starting to wobble like a Jenga tower falling over, Free took a deep breath and resolutely answered.

"No...just him."

Seeing Dawn's face, he didn't dare add a "maybe or likely."

A deep breath immediately left Dawn's mouth, her dark face replaced with relief as her eyebrows relaxed.

"Good. You may live."

Sensing Free's confusion, Dawn sighed and continued.

"If the Star finds out anyone from the town, besides the chosen Eclipser, was allowed outside yesterday...the entire village would be decimated."

"Yesterday was perhaps one of the most important nights of the decade. Things like this are taken seriously. Rural towns, with disobedent children, are likely being wiped out in the dozens."

Gesturing for Free to follow, Dawn paused and added.

"I've seen it before...the pure blood that figures are willing to spill to ensure their superiority."

"If Seren saw you outside yesterday...and you are still alive today, he will not dare tell a soul about it. Otherwise...the entire town will meet its end."

"He values his life greatly, so you don't have to worry."

Suddenly turning around...and winking, to Free's dismay, Dawn continued.

"If someone else had seen you exposed to the moon yesterday, you would have to...never be seen again."

Trailing behind Dawn with a sigh, Free responded.

"Is that a threat?"

"Depends."

Practically forcing the words out of his throat, Free managed to spit out.

"T-thanks."

Immediatly, though, Free regretted his decision as she quickly fired back.

"I didn't do it for you."

Well, there goes my plans to find a new life...back to the village, I go...!

Free wasn't necessarily angry, though; he knew himself that he was far too weak to attempt traversing the desert.

The only reason he had considered it before was that it was the only option.

Going back to the village was simply Free choosing the lesser of the two evils.

Although...

What the hell am I supposed to say when I meet him!?

"Oh, yeah, the two of us are good now!"

Hearing Free's muttering, Dawn said.

"He barely leaves his house; you'll be fine. Rather, I'd be worrying about Eva..."

Sprinting to catch up to Dawn, now walking almost side-by-side with her, Free quietly whispered, seeing a chance for revenge.

"Don't call her that. She's Evangel to you, alright?"

"..."

No response came.

Instead, Dawn slowed down, allowing Free to go straight ahead of her and forcing herself to watch Free's back as they headed to the village.

For some reason, as they continued walking, though, Free...couldn't stand the silence that had descended.

It forced him into his own thoughts. And, he hated that.

So, when he suddenly spat out a question, Dawn was completely caught off guard.

"Get any cool traits?"

"...w-what!?"

"*PFFT*"

Chuckling, Free turned back...and finally realized why Dawn had been so quiet.

Only one pair of footsteps was left behind by the two of them, trailing back to where he had overtaken her.

Her eyebrows raised and mouth open, Dawn carefully jumped forward, perfectly landing within the imprints Free's fancy black shoes had left in the sand.

What if I...?

Instead of walking forward at a constant pace, Free began lunging his right foot forward and his left foot back invariably, making his footsteps harder and harder to follow.