First Steps

“Please don’t look at me.” Aileen says as she kneels.

She’s dressed but attempts to hide her body from Darius. She is just a fairy, but there is one strange thing about her that Darius takes note of. He turns his head, placing the chest in front of her and keeping his sight away from her. After a few seconds, he hears something crawl into the chest before it closes.

The room is quiet for five minutes, the silence unbearable. After gathering his thoughts, Darius speaks first.

“Aileen, sorry for what happened. Are you hurt?”

“I’m not.” Aileen’s voice comes from inside the closed chest. “You must have been surprised.”

“I was. I’ve never seen a fairy without a glow before.”

Fairies have a natural glow to them, the colors can vary, but it’s rare to find one without a glow.

“Sorry for disappointing you.”

“No no, I meant, it’s just rare. I didn’t even know it was possible. Um… if you still want me to take you to the Anubis River, I’ll gladly do so.”

“Really?” A hint of relief in her voice. “I thought you’d say no, since I’ve been lying to you.”

“Well… I’m sure you had your reasons. But you’re still the person I… you’re still my friend. Of course I’ll take you.”

“Thank you. Please, take me.”

“Very well.”

Darius picks up the chest holding Aileen and heads out. His mind is riddled with questions and other thoughts. Why does she hide in her chest? Why does she wish to go to the Anubis River? And what will become of his love?

As they reach the door, however, Aileen speaks. “Wait. I’m sorry, I’m just scared. I haven’t left in years.”

“Oh… how about this?” Darius holds his finger to Aileen’s chest keyhole.

After a few moments, he feels her small finger press against his and the dim orange glow appears once again.

“Thank you, I’m ready.” Aileen said.

The journey to the Anubis River is long from Altheia, Darius estimates it will take just over a month. Despite the magic around the continent, methods of travel are still simple. Darius rides on a horse with a mane made of fire known as Elequus for the journey. They’re fast and reliable, so the journey should face no issues.

The first stop of their journey is at a village located at the sea crossing between the continent. The village owns a large bridge that one can use to cross as the sea currents are too strong for boats.

As Darius makes his way inside, he catches sight of the fields. Many young children are tending to their crops, splashing water with simple spells, or picking weeds alongside some women.

Many villages suffered a great loss of their male population during the war, this village suffered such a fate. They were lucky enough to avoid conflict near or in their village, but they must now do what they can to recover.

“We’ll just be passing through; the bridge is the best way to the other side of the continent.” Darius said.

“If you need rest, please do so.” Aileen said.

“That may not be a good idea.”

As Darius arrives at the gate to the village, the guard, an older man, glares at him.

“You Darius the coward?”

Darius sighs. “Some call me as such. I’m just here to use the bridge, I have important business on the other side.”

“Hah! Were it not for your money I’d skewer you now. Get, and don’t cross my vision again for some time.”

Darius nods and beckons his Elequus forward.

Inside the village, children and women gather to see their visitor. They whisper amongst each other, all of them scowling at Darius.

“Murderer!” Someone yelled as Darius was splashed with water.

Fruits, empty bottles, and other simple spells are tossed his way alongside the insults. Darius doesn’t protect himself, choosing to cast a barrier spell on Aileen’s chest instead. “Coward!” “Traitor!” “Rot!”

Aileen looks at everyone through the keyhole of her chest, the scene shocking her. “What’s going on?” Darius covers the keyhole with his finger, hiding the rest of the scene, but is not able to block the insults from reaching Aileen.

Halfway across the bridge, Aileen speaks. “What was that?”

“I’m glad you haven’t heard, but that is what most humans treat me like.”

“What? But you said you’re a famous adventurer now.”

“I am, or a persona I play is. When I first started again, I was rejected from every job. So, I concealed myself with a mask and some magic. The wandering Oni is who I go by since I wear an Oni mask.”

Darius’s persona has become a legend around the continent for his efforts in helping those who suffered from the war. Humans and kin alike know of the wondering Oni’s exploits and spread his tale with delight.

But Aileen is confused as to why Darius must take a persona. “Why do they… is it because of the bridge incident?”

“It is. Not destroying the bridge allowed for a counterattack that killed many soldiers. Many of them were my friends. That massacre, and many others, was what led to the end of the war, but many believe I made the wrong choice. I can’t agree, but I should have found a better way. A way to save the civilians, and my comrades. I don’t regret my decision however, if I saved even just one life, then it was worth it.”

Darius and Aileen reach the end of the bridge. Only a week and a half has passed since the left Aletheia, so they’re making good time on their journey, but it will become more difficult from here.

“We can set up camp here for tonight.” Darius said.

Aileen agrees and Darius pitches a tent. Before going to sleep, he starts a fire and cooks a wild deer-like creature he caught.

After it is cooked, he cuts some into small pieces and Aileen floats them into her chest. “You’re more skilled than I thought.”

“Warriors from the kingdom of Dike are known for their physical enhancement.”

“Yes, but you are still impressive.”

“Thank you.”

They continue to eat, Aileen looking at Darius through her keyhole as they do. He stares into the sky, forcing food into his mouth as he struggles to eat. While impressive, Aileen did notice that he is underweight.

“Darius… their deaths were not your fault.” Aileen said after gathering courage.

“You’re wrong. My actions lead to the massacre.”

“With or without the bridge, that large force would have attacked, and it would have ended with a similar result. Your actions saved lives that day.”

“I did. but many also died because of me. It’s my fault.”

“No it isn’t.”

“Yes it is!” Darius yells.

“No it isn’t! You cannot be at fault for being put in such a difficult position. Making the decision you did goes to show what kind of person you are.”

“But if I found another way… if only I could have prevented the massacres… I could have saved them. They all had families and friends. I didn’t mean for them to die but allowing you and all those kin and humanoids to die wasn’t the answer either. I’m sorry.” Darius muttered his last words, doing his best to not break down.

“… You cannot blame yourself for the unpreventable. Yes, lives were lost, but you saved many more, you saved me. Please don’t think it was a mistake, please don’t blame yourself. You’ve done so much for those who suffered, but you suffered as well. You’re allowed to be sad, and when you’re ready, tell me, I will stay by your side and hold you.”

Darius looks at Aileen’s chest, his eyes trembling. Though she is a fairy, Aileen is still the person he fell in love with. “I will, thank you. If you need me, whenever you do, I will be there.”

“Thank you.” Aileen holds her finger out her chest’s keyhole. “Here.”

Darius presses his finger against her, the orange glowing a little brighter than before.