Chapter One I: Sunburns, Side Quests, and Silent Judgments

My gut groaned again, loud and ugly, followed by a sigh so deep it felt like my soul was leaking out with it. I knew I should've eaten breakfast. But nooo, Master just had to send us on an errand first thing in the morning. Oh right—I forgot. Faith. Or was it destiny? Either way, screw both.

I trailed behind Nolan as we walked through the ever-bustling market district—loud, colorful, chaotic, and packed to the brim like always. Didn't matter what day of the week it was, the market was always this full, like half the kingdom decided to buy tomatoes at the same time. The sun was blazing directly overhead, sitting smug at its apex like it owned the damn sky. We'd been walking for six hours. Six. Hours. And while I could hold my tongue, seriously—what the hell was taking Nolan so long?

"You know," I started, hopping around a vendor lady and sliding dramatically in front of him, "we could've gotten this done in, like, I don't know... thirty minutes?"

He didn't even look up. Eyes glued to the parchment in his hand like it held the meaning of life—or more importantly, Master's death list. Yeah, the one with our shopping tasks. It was double-sided. Of course it was.

"Yeah, we could," Nolan muttered voice flat as stone. "And risk buying the wrong herbs… again."

The wind caught his black hair, sweeping it back like some kind of dramatic movie moment, while he stayed cold as ice beneath the sunlight. "Again," he repeated, under his breath.

"Come on, that was one time, Nolan," I groaned, flopping dramatically against a nearby herb stand. "Cut me some slack."

The stand was overflowing with leafy bundles and dried roots in various states of crusty confusion. I scanned it while trying not to look totally useless. If I remembered right, we were supposed to grab the Logian root. The greenish, swirly-rooted thing that Master always smashed like it owed him money.

"And we were able to fix that problem," I added, proud that I even remembered what we needed.

"We were…" Nolan said, reaching for the root and inspecting it with surgeon-like precision. "After hours of arguing with the vendor, Arian."

He tossed it into the bag with the others, shaking his head slightly. "Sometimes I really wonder what's going on in that head of yours."

I placed a hand dramatically to my chest. "Endless valleys of imagination."

"No, Arian," he sighed. "It's just a barren wasteland filled with dust and idiocy."

He handed the vendor three glinting gold coins. The old man smiled wide, nodding as he waved us off. I waved back like I was the favorite child, but Nolan didn't even blink. He turned, merging back into the flow of the crowd like he was born to walk away from conversations.

"Hey, wait up!" I called out, hurrying to catch up. "Let's rest a little, okay? My legs are killing me."

"Suit yourself. I can go on without you," Nolan replied, tossing a glance over his shoulder. He didn't slow down. Not even a little.

"Nolan, when I said let's rest, I meant the two of us."

"Yes, you did. But I'm not tired."

"Then be tired! My limbs feel like they're gonna snap off!"

"Good. That means you'll stop slowing me down."

I stared at the back of his head, seething. This boy… he was trying to push me. He wanted me to lose it. And worst of all, it was working.

"I've never heard of a friend who feeds off my suffering," I muttered, catching up beside him.

"Well, you're looking at one," he said, still reading the parchment like it was more interesting than me, the walking tragedy.

This bastard was ignoring me.

"Okay, listen here, you littl—" I started, ready to rant.

He silenced me with a raised finger.

And for some annoying, ridiculous reason... I actually stopped talking.

I groaned, dragging my palm across my face. How do I even put up with Nolan?

The sun blazed on, relentless and cruel, beating down like we'd personally offended it. Why was it that I was the only one affected by this giant fireball in the sky? I scowled up at it and pointed, muttering curses under my breath.

My stomach let out another low, threatening growl. I wanted to punch it. Maybe that'd shut it up. Doubt it.

Then the breeze swept in—thank the heavens—a cool gust slicing through the heavy air. It was strong enough to make people scramble to hold onto their hats and parchment. My brown hair whipped backward as I exhaled in relief. I glanced at Nolan—he hadn't even blinked. His hair was a windswept mess now, strands sticking to his forehead and flaring wildly. And yet... the damn parchment in his hand didn't even flutter.

Tch. Lucky bastard.

Then it hit me.

A smell.

No—an aroma. Warm, savory, divine. Like the scent of hope itself drifting across a battlefield. My nose twitched. I turned my head slowly, eyes scanning, tracking, and searching for the source.

And then I saw it.

A food stall, glimmering like a beacon of mercy in the middle of the storm. Steam rose from sizzling pans, golden crusts shimmered in the sunlight, and there—there they were. Perfectly round, golden-brown munchy spheres stuffed with leafy green goodness and godly flavor.

I didn't even realize I was drooling.

"Arian," Nolan's voice came—low, stern, and unmistakably fed up.

I didn't respond. I was already drifting toward heaven.

"Don't," he warned.

I didn't even think. My feet had minds of their own. I zipped toward the stall, skidding to a stop, grabbing the wooden pillar like it was the edge of paradise. I inhaled, eyes wide, soul restored. This was it. This was the purpose of my life.

"Arian," Nolan said again, closer now. His voice was colder than glacier water. "We were sent on a task. Which is still pending. And you're over here salivating like a mutt."

I turned slowly, hands clasped together in prayer, falling to one knee for maximum guilt-puppy effect. "Nolan, pleeeeease," I begged, dramatically shaking in fake despair. "I'm dying. Do you want me to die?"

He didn't even blink.

"No."

Cold. Unforgiving. Unmoved.

Was he... seriously kidding me?

"Nolan, by the heavens and the gods, I beg of you," I pleaded, my hands clasped as I nearly knelt before him like a sinner before a holy relic. People around us had started to stop and stare. Some muttered under their breath, probably wondering if they were witnessing a lover's quarrel or a mental breakdown. Either way, if causing a scene would get me food, then so be it. Let the drama begin.

"I'm starving. I need to eat. Please."

"Maybe you should've eaten before we left," Nolan replied, voice cold and sharp like an icicle through the heart.

"You think I could've eaten that fast? You think I'm a time-bending gourmet?!"

"Shitty to be you, then," he muttered, running a hand through his already-messy hair like he was ready to throw me into the sun.

Gods, I wanted to punch him. Harder than I wanted to punch my own stomach to shut it up. The hunger was a beast gnawing at my insides, and this smug, emotionless bastard was just existing like he wasn't even affected by the mortal needs of food.

"Are you two going to buy something?" a woman called out, drawing both our gazes.

Behind the food stall stood a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties. She wore a flour-dusted apron and a hairnet; sleeves rolled up and face glowing with that 'fresh out of the oven' vibe. She looked like she belonged in a bakery commercial.

"No, miss, we're just going—"

"—actually, we're arguing about what to choose!" I cut in, shooting Nolan a daring grin as I rose from the ground and dusted my knees like a hero standing from battle.

Nolan's glare burned into the side of my skull. I could feel his rage. But I ignored it. The vendor gave a cheerful chuckle and pointed to her left—to the exact snack I had locked onto earlier: the perfectly shaped green-filled munchies that glowed with divine energy.

"These here are the Drenja bites," she said warmly. "Filled with steamed herbs and a touch of honey glaze. Very popular with kids and hungry young men." Her smile widened as she saw me practically vibrating with joy.

"YES, that! That one, please!" I leaned forward, eyes wide, stomach rumbling like an ancient beast.

"And this one's the spice-kissed fried mochi," she continued, pointing to another tray. "And the little skewers here—sweetened root sticks, dipped in nectar syrup."

"Ma'am," I said reverently. "You're a goddess."

She giggled, then said, "They're two silvers per piece."

I froze.

"Nolan," I said slowly, like a child about to confess a crime. "Please... please, please can you get one for me? Just one. I promise I won't complain again. I'll even carry the bag."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You swore that same thing last time."

"Yeah, well—this time, my soul's on the line!"

The vendor let out a teasing chuckle, hands on her hips. "You two fight like an old married couple," she quipped.

I gasped. "He WISHES."

Nolan groaned, rubbing his temple. "You're unbelievable."

"I'm adorable and dying of hunger."

She giggled again. "Tell you what. I'll knock off half the price, just because you made my day. One silver."

Nolan stared at her. Then at me. Then back at her. His shoulders dropped like he was surrendering to fate itself.

"You can be gods-damn annoying at times," he muttered under his breath as he tossed four coins onto the stall.

I didn't reply. I was already tearing into that snack like a beast unleashed. And sweet holy heavens—it melted in my mouth. Savory and sweet danced across my tongue, flavor swirling like fireworks behind my eyes.

I moaned softly. "By the gods, this is… divine."

"I hope you choke on it," Nolan said quietly.

I was too deep in my bliss to even care.

Swallowing the last heavenly bite, I tore the second piece in half and handed it to Nolan. He blinked down at it, then back up at me with suspicion.

"What's this?"

"It's a peace offering," I said, smiling sweetly.

He snorted. "More like a bribe."

"Call it whatever you want, just take it."

He eyed it like it might explode. Then, slowly, as if it were armed with a trap sigil, he reached out and accepted it. I watched intently as he raised it to his lips, took a small bite, chewed with exaggerated slowness, then finally swallowed.

"Well?" I nudged closer, eyes wide. "Taste heavenly?"

He met my gaze with a squint. "It's… not bad."

"HAH! Told you," I grinned, feeling victorious.

I leapt to my feet like a resurrected hero. No, I wasn't full, but I wasn't hungry anymore—and that was everything. Nolan dusted his hands off as he turned back toward the path, and I followed with a spring in my step. The sun wasn't frying me anymore, which meant the gods had forgiven me. Probably.

"So, what's next on the list?" I asked, rejuvenated like a phoenix outta ashes.

Nolan glanced at the parchment. "We're actually done here," he said, voice as flat as always, though it was missing that usual icy tinge.

"It looks like we're going back home without the Dracal shrub," he added, clearly disappointed—though I could tell he wasn't mad. Just… Nolan-level frustrated, which meant barely blinking but silently judging himself.

I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, we're giving up on it? After all this time we've spent?"

"It's on the far corner of the market," he replied, gesturing toward the distant northern alley. "That's over an hour's walk. And didn't you just say you were tired?"

I stretched dramatically, bones cracking like thunder. "That was before I tasted those heavenly snacks," I replied proudly, earning an eye roll so sharp I thought it'd slice through air.

I twisted my back and stretched again. Passersby glanced at me as I flailed my arms like a cat fighting sleep. I was unstoppable now. Fueled by food, freed from fatigue, and fired up for action.

I looked toward the northern alley. Then up at the sun, still hanging high.

I smirked.

"Anyway," Nolan began, "let's head back before—"

Before he could finish, I snatched the parchment from his hands and bolted.

"Arian, what are you doing?" he shouted behind me.

"Completing the task!" I yelled, scanning the list. Yep—there it was. Dracal shrub. Red leaves, bundled. Shouldn't be hard to find.

I folded the parchment and sprinted down the path.

"ARIAN, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO STAY TOGETHER!"

"I'LL MEET YOU AT THE ENTRANCE!" I called back, dodging a woman with a basket of apples and a group of laughing kids.

Behind me, I heard Nolan groan and mutter something. Probably a curse. But he didn't chase me.

Which meant… he agreed.

Wind smacked my face as I ran the scent of spices and sweat, whirling around me. My boots thudded against the stone, my heart pounding in rhythm.

We'd already come this far.

Might as well finish the damn job.