Truths and rewards

I tell them about everything.

How not only I have awakened in this body, but how I am a soul that has reincarnated from a different world. How I spoke to Sonala and about the deal I made, where I’m supposed to help this world.

They don’t say anything and just let me speak until I’m finally done.

“You’re… Being serious?” Juni asks “One thing is for you to have awakened, the first in over ten years. But a soul from a different world, brought here by Sonala herself?”

“After all of our time together and everything we have gone through, please believe. Because I would never dare to lie to any of you ever again.” I look at them dead in the eyes. Not making any expression.

“That… certainly explains a lot of things about you.” Lafanda says.

“Yeah, of course he beat me in the potential exams. He had help from the goddess herself.”

Juni once again attempts to lighten the mood, and we begin to giggle.

“You may have lied about why you decided to join, but what about everything that came after?” Lafanda says with a tone of concern in her voice.

“I swear that it was all real. Every laugh during meals, every struggle during training, and every single tear I shed.”

They look at each other one more time before extending their hands once again.

I hesitantly reach out my hands. But they just grab them both and pull me closer into a hug. Mimi wrapping herself around me to do so.

“It doesn’t matter where you came from. I can tell it was real. Showing your ugly side when crying is not something you would do if you were trying to fool us.” Lafanda says.

“Yeah we’re in this together no matter what.” Juni says.

I want to cry again, but I take a deep breath and calm myself down.

We start to make our way back to the city.

“Sooo… What’s your world like? How much different is it from ours” Lafanda asks, trying to contain some of her excitement.

“It is very different. For starters we don’t live on top of mesas and…”

I begin to tell them about the differences between our worlds. The walk back to the city takes a very long time and is not easy. The difficult terrain and our injuries makes it take even longer to return.

But at the very least, the many questions they have about my world with no blessings or gods helps keeps us distracted, both by the long road ahead and the events that just transpired.

We finally arrive at the winding path up the mesa.

“So, about your deal with Sonala. What now? Do you just wait for her to talk to you again?” Lafanda asks.

“She mentioned how the Resting Guild headquarters were sort of like a point of power where her influence is stronger. After we return, I should be able to talk to her.”

“I see. Well, we can think about this when we get back”.

As we reach the entrance of the city there’s still some time left until sunrise. We can see Bardon wanting for us with lots of guards and torches in hand. Even though there was nothing he could do, he and the rest of the guard stayed up so they could welcome us back.

He walks up to us and speaks.

“So. Is it done?” He asks.

“Yes.” I answer.

“I see.” He kneels on the spot.

All the guards behind him do the same. We’re taken aback by the gesture, and the loud sound of all the metal armor moving in unison gives us a scare.

“We cannot thank you enough for this gesture. In the name of the city of Hariot we once again owe to you our safety and the peace of mind, knowing those around the city aren’t suffering anymore.”

I know how scary it is to face slumberwalkers with no blessing or protections. The feeling of not being able to do anything. And some people will feel that for the rest of their lives as long as Umbravar influence is around.

The relief of being back to the safety of a town washes over us and the exhaustion hits. We can barely keep ourselves awake but before we can go to bed the medical team of the guards quickly patch us up and clean our wounds.

Before long we are taken to our rooms and pass out into each of our beds.

As we wake up the next morning, we are received with even more hospitality than before.

However, as nice as the townspeople are, the memories of last night are still too fresh. All we wish is to return to headquarters, and we know the road is long.

Our appetite is nowhere to be found. We can barely eat anything, but we make an effort as to not be rude. Before going they insist on changing our bandages once more.

We go inside the carriage and our track home to HQ starts again.

Time goes even slower than before. We barely speak and play no games, but we all are surprisingly fine with that. The silence and the passing scenery help us relax and the day going by slower than before helps us stay grounded to the current safety.

It takes two more nights, but in the middle of the third day of travel we can finally see it. The tower like mountain on top of the Mesa. The Resting Guild HQ.

We go up the path and getting there I can see some familiar faces Gora, Lumiere, Ruina, Salazar and Olivia. All 5 are waiting for us.

We get off the carriage and make our way there.

“Were you all able to complete the sighting?” Gora asks me.

“Yes. We did.”

“You did well.” Ruina says with a gentle smile.

“You can rest now.” Lumiere says with his hands on my shoulder.

“I’m here to listen if any of you need. We must share our burdens when possible” Salazar taps my chest with his fist.

Olivia is holding her start amulet tight in her hands and gives us all a hug, with tears in her eyes.

“You better come to the infirmary later for a checkup, okay?”

We promised to meet there as soon as we can.

Only one more thing before we can say is truly over. To give our report to Mr. Tom. We begin to head towards the information hall. But as we walk, I noticed someone else in the distance, it’s almost like he’s hiding between the carriages.

Is the orc guy with the eyepatch from back when Salazar arrived from his first mission. No one else seems to have noticed him but as I look over his direction we make eye contact. He starts grinning as he sees me and backs up, disappearing behind the carriages.

I’m too tired to get angry so I decide to just ignore him.

The four of us stand in front on stand in front of Mr. Tom office and take a deep breath. Once we check to see if everyone is ready, we make our way inside.

We see Tom sitting in his chair and next to him to our surprise we can see Volkan.

“You’re back safe, thank the Goddess!” Tom says with a face of relief, his eyes are also watering a little.”

“Volkan! What are you doing here?” I say, surprised.

Juni, Lafanda and Mimi get nervous. Even if I did tell them about me meeting with the Guild Master, I bet they weren’t expecting for them to be meeting him so soon. Just goes to show how respected and well know Volkan is.

“Akihik! Is fantastic to see you. And these must be the other recruits from your batch I presume. Is good to see you all getting along.”

We were nervous before, but hearing his voice calms us down. There’s an air of security behind his presence.

“So. For you all to be here like this could only mean one thing.” Tom says.

“We have successfully completed the sighting request in the city of Hariot.” Juni steps ups and hands over the request scroll.

“Marvelous. And with that I am beyond happy to see that the Resting Guild has four new official members in it’s ranks. Guild Master Volkan since you’re here would you like to do the honors?” Tom asks.

“If I may.” Volkan says.

Tom hands him four dreamcatchers.

“With you first mission completed, you now truly understand how hard and important our work is. You understand the suffering of those under Umbravar influence and have steeled your resolve to be the ones to do the impossible deed of taking their lives. The country of Morlum is forever indebted to you.” He comes over to us and places them around our necks like medals.

May Sonala continue to bless and protect all four of you for the rest of your lives.

We take our leave and head straight to our rooms. The long trip and everything that has happened has really taken a toll on us and all we wish is to go to sleep in a familiar bed.

Before we head to our own rooms we stop and look at our dreamcatchers.

“We really made it huh.” Juni says.

“All the hard work paid off” Lafanda smiles, and Mimi flicks her tongue.

“I would never have gotten this far without you guys.” I say.

We give each other one last group hug before we head to our rooms.

I lay in bed and look one more time at the dreamcatcher. It is hard to believe that it’s real.

(I really did it. I never expected to be a part of something this great. But now is when is time to get serious.)

I close my eyes and let the sleep take me.

(What comes next Sonala?)