Glass or Diamond: Fairy's Wish

Everyone needs a break once in a while, even the most stoic of monster slayers. Injuries from battle, fatigue from exertion, and general equipment troubles can stop even the most proficient of warriors dead in their tracks.

Murtoa of Lakia, possibly the most proficient monster slayer in the world, who started his profession on accident, will even take a moment of down time when he can no longer press forward.

The human warrior just told a story to his friends, filling in many gaps in the warrior’s personality and answering questions of what motivates a man to risk everything to save total strangers for very little reward. He takes a seat on the ground and lies out flat, saying, “Good work everyone.”

The group smiles together, and they stay near him. Gyrryth, whether in mischievous knowing or innocent kindness, places Lykha gently on Murtoa’s chest. She starts to protest, but he simply smirks down at her. He says quietly, “I shall continue to patrol, just in case.”

Murtoa replies without moving, “Thanks. Call if you need help.”

“Of course, my friend.”

Maerin whispers softly, “I… I still can’t believe you did it…”

Lykha smiles, saying softly, “We did it. You included.”

“I don’t know how… My head is killing me…”

Coco says warmly, “You can res’ easy, Machen. My love’s frien’s are my frien’s.”

The mature fairy grumbles, “Didn’t you hear what I just said a bit ago?” Regardless, she rests her chin on the top of Coco’s head.

Lykha teases, “We’re lucky if Coco listens at all.”

“HEY!” The three chuckle together.

Soon, a sand rail races close, sliding to a stop in the sand. Kolaya almost falls out of the vehicle as she looks at the scattered mud around. It looks bad at a glance, but not a single drop of the goo is moving of its own free will.

“I… I don’t believe it.”

Coco replies, “You don’ ‘ave to, Machen. Nose blasts all that sticks of tha’ nasty monsty.”

Kolaya scoffs, but the disbelief hasn’t left her. She sinks to her knees. “I-... It’s over? Truly?”

Murtoa says from the ground, “It was an unprecedented monster. But, everything we can tell, it’s dead.”

Coco snaps her fingers, making a realization. “Our li’l jar pal! Is it creepin’ on the big still?” She climbs to her feet, walking briskly to the sand rail. Vielall is still in the back, her mouth covered in disbelief.

The teen returns with the jar, turning it over.

Sure enough, the slime in the jar doesn’t pursue a direction the way it did. If the monster had sunk into the ground, it should at least be trying to point down. If its ‘self’ was present somewhere, it should be choosing a direction.

The slime in the jar sticks to the bottom, where it settled. With enough tilt, it does slide a little, but it’s not moving the way it was.

Coco hands the jar to Kolaya, saying, “I’m jus’ a rookie monsty slaya, Machen, but I say, this monsty done.”

Murtoa scoffs, “Agreed.”

Gyrryth says from nearby, “I’m seeing no signs of life as well.”

Kolaya sighs. She sinks down on the ground, breaking into laughing sobs, tears of relief and happiness as she covers her eyes with her hands and flops down onto her own back. She lets the stress and anxiety finally melt off of her.

After a moment of relaxation for all of them, Kolaya finally says softly, “I guess… I need to take you to your money, huh…?”

There’s only a brief pause as everyone looks to Murtoa. He doesn’t stir or move. He instead says, “Can’t. I refused the job, remember?”

Kolaya stares at him. She clearly believes she heard wrong.

With the exception of Maerin, who likely doesn’t know what’s on the table, the others know Murtoa just well enough to have expected his answer.

And, not even Gyrryth objects.

Kolaya stammers, “Bu-... W-... You can’t… Are you…?” She can’t choose a line of thought.

Lykha’s grip tightens a little on Murtoa’s shirt. She isn’t upset in the least. He’s an amazing person to her. And, she doesn’t care if a curse is affecting her feelings. She’d find it hard to believe she wouldn’t admire him if it wasn’t.

Kolaya finally says, “You can’t be serious.”

“I am. Could use some pocket change, though. Lost about twenty or thirty silvers.”

Lykha buries her face in his shirt, lest she give it away. He had at least five or six gold coins in his pouch. She can’t believe him either, really. But, she loves it.

He adds, “Also, we’re taking your fairy.”

This time, everyone looks at Maerin in surprise, and her eyes widen. The fairy in question asks, “Who’s doing what now?”

Murtoa finally sits up onto his elbow, saying, “I can’t pay well, because I take jobs that can’t pay well. But, if you’d settle for people to talk to and food and drink in exchange for making explosives for me a bit cheaper, I’d be honored if you’d join us.”

She stares at him with the same expression Kolaya is still wearing; stupefaction. He adds in explanation, “I don’t need a lot. You can do anything you want. But, I could make use of your skills for the foreseeable future.”

Maerin accuses softly, still with a distant stare, “You’ll leave…”

“I’ll die. Same thing. But I’ll never show you malice. Malice isn’t worth the energy.”

Lykha says softly, “He’s telling the truth. I threw up on him.”

Coco adds, “I go’ eaten by a vege’ble. An’ I NEVER ea’ THEM!”

Maerin gently grips Coco’s hair as she deliberates, tears welling in her eyes.

“O-... Okay…”

Lykha smiles up at Murtoa, and he nods at Maerin. “Good.”

What a content way to end a grim day.

Kolaya excuses herself briefly to help inform the villagers of the state of Solace.

Coco eases to her knees and sets Maerin on the ground. She steps towards Murtoa, asking softly, “Why me, though…? I… I can’t do magic… I’m an alcoholic… I’m not that smart…”

“None of that matters,” replies the human bluntly. “My goals are selfish. You can or can learn to make explosives, as well as teach our resident mage magic -if you would-.”

Lykha looks up, asking softly, “Me?”

He nods. “Maerin was a skilled alchemist. She undoubtedly can relate lessons to your magic better than any of the rest of us.”

The young fairy stares at Murtoa’s chin. He didn’t look at her or Maerin to speak. He’s lying. He’s picking up another stray because he empathizes with her. She was abandoned by the other villagers of Solace; forgotten that she exists because she’s nothing more than a drunken lady of the night; a situation forced upon her when her wish was expended.

The mature fairy kneels next to his hand, gently gripping his index finger. She says softly, “P-Promise me… I… I want to trust you, but please, promise me you won’t abandon me…”

Murtoa says without hesitation, “Aside from death, I won’t abandon you. I promise.”

She sniffles and lays down to put her head in the palm of his hand. “Thank you…”

“You have to give up drinking though.”

Maerin tenses, and the others are briefly surprised. But, the human warrior adds, “That was a joke.”

Coco scoffs and starts laughing, “You shoul’a eyed her cheekies, Love! She all ‘waaaaaa?’” She sits back, laughing more, and Maerin growls, “I’ll get you back for that, Mury…”

“Very well.”

Everyone relaxes again, but Murtoa asks after a while, “It was Vielall, wasn’t it?”

“That was my apprentice? Yes...” asks the mature fairy.

“Not that.”

She remains silent for a long time. Lykha looks at her over Murtoa’s side. Her face is pained and distant.

Lykha whispers, making the connection, “Your wish?”

Maerin turns over, facing away from them.

Murtoa says gently, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Lykha whispers, “I don’t understand! She was your apprentice. How… how could she do that?”

Maerin retorts coldly, “Don’t start drinking. Please.”

The human warrior asks softly, “Do… you want me to-...?”

“No…” murmurs Maerin. “It’s done. Just… Let’s move on. Please…”

“We will. Gyrryth?”

The lizardman approaches, saying, “No signs of life, my friends. The slime may pose a hazard for a while, but seems to lose potency relatively quickly. It’s very interesting.”

Maerin murmurs, “The bioelectric signals of the creature likely acted as an electrolyzer… like a self-recharging battery.”

Murtoa chuckles, “We’re going to get along well, Maerin.”

Lykha watches the impure fairy shift for comfort. She smiles softly, and snuggles into Murtoa’s shirt for comfort for herself.

However, it all comes to an end too soon. Murtoa starts to shift, saying, “Alright, we should ready ourselves to leave. I can hear whispers.”

Coco replies skeptically, “Methinks… it’s all nicegab, though…”

“I know. The highest of reasons to leave.”

The group scoffs at him, but they help each other up. Murtoa carefully hands Lykha to Coco, who is surprisingly careful with the fairy’s back. Lykha murmurs, “This is so embarrassing… I feel like a potato sack…”

The teen uses her free hand to pet Lykha’s head gently, “‘S okie, Bae. E’ery someone likes fry sticks.” She grins deviously.

The young fairy frowns. “Mury, now that we have Maerin, we can trade Coco for a tent, right?”

“HEY!”

“Be nice, you two. Take a lesson from Maerin.” Murtoa gestures at the mature fairy as she stretches on her feet. Maerin looks up, “Being drunk?”

They chuckle together, and he replies, “Well, mellow, mainly.”

Murtoa then says gently, “Stay here.” He walks over to the sand rail, where Vielall is still resting. The young alchemist sits up, and Lykha looks at Maerin. The mature fairy is watching intently, but Murtoa doesn’t seem to say much. He simply helps Vielall out and carries her to sit on a bench under one of the brick roofs. He then excuses himself, ignoring several people that try to approach him. He proceeds to drive the sand rail over to the girls, instructing Gyrryth, “I’ll be heading north.”

“If you still have use of an old spellshot, I think I’ll accompany you.”

Mutoa nods, “Do as you please.”

The lizardman nods, and he departs to retrieve his own sand rail. Murtoa tells Coco, “Coco, take the sand rail over that way on the outside of town. Be gentle on Lykha, please. Maerin and I will meet you there.”

“Aye, Love!” She takes Lykha to the sand rail.

Murtoa starts to walk, and Maerin asks, “Wait, where are we going?”

He turns, “To get your belongings.”

She scoffs, as if it’s a joke, but then she remembers. She does have at least one. She jogs to catch up to him.

It isn’t long before he asks another painful question, though quietly as before. “You can’t fly?”

“Uh… I can… It hurts, though. My wings aren’t what they used to be, and… as you might know, it’s easier with magic. E-Especially with a body like mine.”

“I see. For what it’s worth, your body is fine.”

She chuckles, murmuring, “You’re very direct. Thank you. But, I meant, even… being, um… endowed… it’s harder to balance.”

Murtoa scoffs and chuckles. “I see. Fair enough.” He notices her start panting. “Would you be offended if I carry you?”

“W-...? Well, no, but, you don’t have to do that… I’m sorry. U-Unless you’re in a hurry.”

“No. But I don’t mind. At least out of combat.”

“O-... Okay. If you really don’t mind.”

He nods and gently scoops her up, carrying her in a seated position on his forearm. He walks to the spot where they found her, retrieving her blanket. He hands it to her and then picks up her alcohol bottle, which is about half-full. He caps it, sticking it under his armpit. He asks, “Anything else?”

She sniffles suddenly, whimpering, “I’m sorry…”

“What is it?”

“Th-... The coin you gave me… It was...”

“I don’t care. We’ll make it by just fine.”

She lays her head against his chest, remarking in a near-whimper, “I seriously don’t understand you…”

“I told you the truth.”

“I know… But, you know I can’t demonstrate anything for her…”

“She’s smart. The two of you will work something out.”

The fairy sniffles again. She hugs the blanket to her face as Mury carries her.

“She wished to meet and join Murtoa of Lakia…”

Mury is quiet for a little way.

“I only re-remember that because she bragged about it afterwards… and I could hear the wish etched into my memories…” She whimpers. “And, in my dreams.”

“I wasn’t compelled to meet her.”

She nods. “Wishes are… tricky… Open to interpretation. I summoned an image in my mind -honestly, surprising she didn’t end up with you, given how drunk I was-, and a man matching that image who called himself Murtoa of Lakia arrived. He felt a need to be here… and he needed an alchemist. His had just mysteriously passed.”

“Interesting. Does the wish carry out the collateral?”

“Most likely, Mur-... the other Murtoa killed the alchemist in secret. The compulsion shuts off certain parts of the brain and makes the wish come true. There are stories of husbands murdering wives when a wish was made, babies coming out deformed and dead because they didn’t have the second piece… Magic isn’t a game. It’s why Fae villages don’t really teach magic anymore.” She wipes her eyes, saying, “Our pure magic is usually okay, but forest fires have been started by inattentive fairies. Wishes… they’re unlimited. It’s a wonder the world is still intact, honestly.”

“I see. Thank you. I know I’m not the most conversive, but if you ever need…”

“I’d like that… Thank you, Mury.”

He nods.

“Have you given it thought? What you’ll wish for?”

“Not once.”

“Why not? She’d probably do it for you.”

“She fears her wish getting used. She wants to have children.”

“That doesn’t explain why you haven’t given it thought.”

“Doesn’t it? I have no need for a wish.”

“But why!? Everyone has a wish! You could bring your friends back! You could wish all of the monsters of the world gone! You could-...”

“No.”

“NO!? What do you mean, ‘no’!?”

“You just told me the wish is the riskiest magic there is. What if we wished the monsters away, and people started destroying each other through war? The monsters form an ecosystem at least. And, my friends are right over he-...”

“NOT YOUR CURRENT FRIENDS! THE GIRL! AND THE BOY! YOU COULD REVIVE THEM!” She stands up on his arm, staring into his visor intensely as she braces against his collar.

“Why does it matter?”

“BECAUSE SHE TRUSTS YOU! Like… I trusted… Vie…”

“I’m not Vielall…”

“But I don’t understand. How can you want nothing?”

“The cost is too high. The drawbacks are too risky. And,...” She can see his eyes finally lock with hers, even behind his helmet’s dark visor. “She’s my friend.”

Maerin stares into his gaze for a long time, her own eyes watering. “W-Will you protect her wish? Would you fight off the whole world?”

“If I have to.”

The fairy chokes, looking down as she puts her forehead to his helmet. She whimpers, “And what if she uses her wish… and she has no magic and no chance for a family…?”

“I won’t abandon either of you. My promise was unconditional.”

“But why…?”

“What more can I say? I’m not Vielall. I’m not that other Murtoa. I’m me. I have no need for wishes. In fact, the only thing I care about in that regard is this; and don’t read into it, it’s a curiosity;”

“What is it?” She still doesn’t look up.

“Can the parts it cost you be restored?”

She chokes, descending into quiet sobs. She manages to whimper out skeptically, “You intend to make me whole again, Hero?”

“If it can be done, yes. No reason not to.”

“You’re unbelievable…”

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Can it be done?”

She scoffs, wiping her face and retorting, “You think I’d be drinkin’ myself to death if it was?”

“Probably. Not an abundance of mercenaries lining up to help you.” She looks away when he says this.

“No… It can’t be restored.”

“Not the wish, just your body and your magic. The things that would help you be a little happier.”

She sighs, “No. Not those either.”

“Surely, it can’t be…”

“NO! THERE’S NO HOPE! This isn’t a fairy tale. If it’s a deal breaker, then put me down. I’ll always be a useless drunk with no magic, no prospects for family, and an impure body.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. None of those things are true.”

“Yeah? How?”

“I literally asked you to join to be a chemist and just a chemist, which you are. And, a babysitter, honestly. No kids doesn’t eliminate family. And, no offense, your body isn’t useful to me, so I don’t care what you’ve done with it. I’m going to tell you this one last time and that’s it; you can do what you want. But, you have a place with us if you want it. There is no circumstance short of death or you betraying me that I would consider abandoning anyone in this group right now. And, that never leaves the two of us. Coco will never let it go.”

Maerin snorts, “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe. So can we go?”

She nods.

“I’m… sorry.”

“F-For what?” asks Maerin confused.

“If I asked things that shouldn’t be asked.”

She shakes her head as he continues walking. “Don’t be… At… At least you listen…”

“Always. Except…”

“In combat?”

He chuckles, “Yep.”

“I’ll allow it.”

The two regroup with the party outside of town at the two sand rails. Unfortunately, Gyrryth’s is a single-seater, so the two fairies are either stuck in the back of Coco’s with whoever is in the back seat, or split between a driver and the back seat.

Lykha groans pitifully from the back seat as she lays on the seat on her stomach. She whines, “Mury…”

“I know. We won’t be able to travel far like this.” He starts taking his glove off, and Lykha shouts, “ABSOLUTELY NOT!”

“What? We should heal you…”

“DON’T BE DENSE! I’M NOT LETTING YOU DO THAT EVER AGAIN!”

“It’s nothing.”

“IT’S NOT NOTHING!”

Maerin asks softly, “Did you use blood magic?”

“That’s what she calls it.”

“I MEANT FOR HIM TO USE MINE!”

The mature fairy smiles softly, “I see.”

Gyrryth suggests gently, “Perhaps we could take turns and,...”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” shouts Lykha. “It hurts almost as much as the pain knowing people I care about suffer my injuries. NO.”

The lizardman sighs. “Very well. We shall use this, then.” He presents a jar of some kind of salve, tossing it to Murtoa. “What is this?”

“Basic salve. It’ll help soothe the pain for her. It’s the best I have right now, sorry.”

“It’s plenty.” The warrior hands it to Maerin, saying, “Will you apply it?”

Maerin nods without hesitation, but Lykha gives herself away, squeaking, “You won’t?” She blushes the instant she realizes she blurted it out.

Both Maerin and Coco grin deviously, but Murtoa replies plainly, “She’ll need to take your robe off. We’ll cover you with the blankets while she works so you have some privacy.” He hands Maerin a small knife from his shin sheath, saying gently, “Go easy on her please.”

“Of course. And please put my bottle with us.”

The warrior looks at the impure fairy, and she defensively retorts, “For sterilization! Plenty of time left to drink.”

Murtoa nods, and he sets her in the back of the sand rail with Lykha, covering the back of the sand rail with blankets. Coco leans over the head of the driver seat to watch -likely to enjoy Lykha suffering some small amount-. Though, even the most cynical Lykha actually knows the teen is more likely just worried.

“Warrior?”

Murtoa turns to find Kolaya approaching semi-sheepishly. He instantly replies, “Not interested. Use the money to rebuild or return it to the donors.”

“Please… You don’t even have a weapon anymore because of this monster…”

“I’ll manage. I always have.”

Coco peeks at them, saying proudly, “Don’ strain your thinkin’ blob on scare’ness. I’ll make ‘Bando the bes’ weapon he ever swing!”

Murtoa gestures at the teen, satisfied himself.

Kolaya looks down. “I can’t thank you enough, Murtoa of Lakia.”

“I never said…”

“I put the pieces together. Don’t think me a fool. Please.”

He nods, “Fair enough.”

Her hand finds the pommel of her sword, and she suddenly perks up. She quickly takes her belt off, wrapping it up neatly and offering it to him.

“No.”

“Not an option. Take it, please. It’s the least I can do.”

“No.”

“Mury, please. I’m begging you. Let me repay you at least with this.”

“I’ll manage without. Please stop-...”

She pushes it to his chest, insisting, “No. Let me tell you a story; this sword belonged to my father. He used it to fight a colossus. He drove it back from injury, but… He lost his life. Before the monster could return, it… was killed. Do you know who killed it?”

“Someone claiming to be Murtoa of Lakia.”

“No… The man never identified himself. But everyone knew who it was.” She smiles at him, and she insists more tenderly, “This isn’t all I have of him, but… Both he and I would be honored if you would take this blade… Let our family serve you. As you’ve served us time and again.”

Murtoa of Lakia stares stoically at the young female bailiff; effective overseer and administrator of the small desert town of Solace. He is a legendary slayer of monsters, whose name is worth in gold the weight of the monsters he slays, and yet, so rarely does the true owner of the name collect. He tries to vanish before thanks can be given, interested only in moving forward and slaying the monsters plaguing the world.

He puts his hand on the scabbard of the sword. He asks cautiously, “Are you sure? You may never see it again. And, you’ll be without a weapon.”

“Hardly. I have a blacksmith. Do you? More importantly, I’m sure. Better to vanish in combat in the hands of a true hero than to sit idly on a common bailiff’s hip. And… grant me permission to tell people this story.”

“I’m not a hero…”

“We’ll have to disagree on that. Take it, on the name of my father, Yegor, and his daughter, Kolaya, of the town Solace.”

Murtoa sighs, gripping the scabbard and using his other hand to take hold of the bottom of the belt. “I accept. You honor me with this family blade. I will honor you.”

She smiles, gingerly touching his chest as he holds the sword along his hip. “If you do find yourself this way again, Hero, you’ll always have a home in mine.”

He nods, “Thank you.”

She nods with a happy smile. “You’re welcome. And, thank you, Hero.”

Coco blurts out, “I ho’e you‘ave room for ‘Bando’s techromancer wife!” She snickers deviously.

Kolaya takes it in stride, though. “Of course. You’re all welcome. And, truly, you’re all heroes to Solace. You don’t have to leave.”

“Better to keep moving than to drown in praise. Thank you for everything, but we’ll be going. Or, I will at least.”

Both fairies and Coco shout, “WE’RE ALL GOING!” Gyrryth nods, “Agreed.”

Kolaya sighs, “Alright. Take care, Mury, Coco, Lykha, Maerin, and Gyrryth. May you find your way back here safely.”

Coco boasts confidently, “Done deal, Boss-machen! An’ wit’ tales o’ legend in yer slasha!”

She smiles and nods, finally departing.

Murtoa takes the back seat with Lykha, letting her lay on a blanket on his lap as Coco drives with Maerin riding in her lap. The group heads out, heading north of Solace. It’s still night time, and the batteries only get them a couple hours. That, or Coco’s batteries only get them a couple hours north. Either way, Murtoa decides to make camp.

Maerin applies more ointment on Lykha’s back, and the younger fairy says softly, “Sorry for being a burden.”

“Sorry for being tipsy while doing this.”

Both fairies chuckle together, and Coco smoothes out a spot to sleep, waiting on her usual partner under the blanket. Lykha limps closer to her when Maerin is done, and the senior fairy excuses herself for a little bit, seeking out Murtoa one more time.

“Hey…”

Murtoa is inspecting the blade of the sword with his fingers, quietly sharpening it while he keeps watch. “Need something?” His reply lacks condescension or frustration; just tranquility.

“What did… Vie say to you?”

“Asked if I had seen where Murtoa went. I don’t know, obviously. Asked if I wanted an alchemist to travel with.”

Maerin tenses, but he replies, “Relax. I don’t need anyone I travel with. You just make my job easier.”

“An alchemist can learn to be a chemist…”

“I get that you have trust issues. But nothing you ask will change my promise.”

The fairy sighs with a content smile. “I still don’t understand you, but… Thanks… It’s… kinda a relief to have people who care about… something else.”

“Lykha and Coco think I’m obsessed with monsters, though.”

She smiles, “I can live with that.”

He nods. “You should get some rest. Every day is a new day out here.”

“What about you?”

“I have a few matters I attend to every night, and then I’ll rest.”

“Like… rituals?”

He scoffs, “You could say that. Traps, early warnings. Make the area safe enough to sleep.”

“Don’t stay up too late, Mury. You’ve got three ladies to take care of now. That’s a lot of energy.”

He chuckles, “I’m no one’s parent. But, don’t worry. I had to sleep all the years I was alone. It’s a routine now.”

She nods and says tenderly, “Good night, Mury. If you need any service…”

“No. We need to get to a village to buy supplies first.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.”

There’s an awkward silence, but this causes her to smile. She finally steps away, finding a spot next to Coco and Lykha to cuddle to her knees and try to fall asleep.

The morning comes soon enough, and it goes well enough. Murtoa is the first awake, and he lets everyone get their heads clear and tidy up their gear. He then drives the sand rail as Coco holds Lykha.

Maerin rides in Murtoa’s lap, and she does her best to listen to his hearbeat over the driving. What she can hear is that it’s calm and steady, unfazed by her.

Soon enough, they arrive at the next village, and she stands up as he slows down, which allows her to see.

The human warrior remarks, “This could be a problem.”

Coco asks, “I’n’e that the ‘rizon chasuh of tha’ name-griftin’ goob?”

Maerin studies the bright blue sand cruiser parked at the outskirts of the town. Murtoa replies, “It looks like it.”

Lykha tries to lift her head high enough to look. She grumbles, “We should do something about him.”

“Like what?” asks the human warrior.

“He stole your name!”

“He’s not the first.”

“But it’s wrong.”

Coco adds in, “Yeah! He a sand grain’s log the man ‘Bando is.”

Gyrryth remarks, “Cowards die a thousand deaths. Let him be swallowed by it.”

The human warrior sighs, “It’s never that simple.” He leads into the village, fastening the belt with Kolaya’s sword to his waist. “Gyrryth, would you guard…”

“I’m going with you,” growls Lykha. “I may not be mobile, but I have my magic available.”

“I was going to say the vehicles. But, very well. Coco, would you mind?”

The teen puts her hands on her hips smugly, saying, “I dunno how ‘Bae gon’ repay me. I ain’t even collected my dues from you.” She grins.

Lykha teases, “You may not be a grifter, but you sure are a crook, Coco.”

“Bus’ny is bus’ny, ‘Bae. Someone in this crew need a jingle mind.”

Murtoa replies plainly, “Fortunately, there is more than one way to make money.”

Maerin frowns, but the warrior says as he starts into the town, “Monsters come in all forms.”

Coco carries Lykha on her shoulders, while Maerin stands in the teen’s gear bag. Maerin says softly, “Thank you, Coco.”

The teen grins, “You, Love, can repay in juicers.”

“Juicers?”

“Batteries,” fills in Lykha. She tugs gently on Coco’s ear, saying sassily, “And I know what ‘Bae’ means.”

“A girl can ‘ave a rival, can’ she?” The teen says more softly, “I’ll never forget, Lykha… Ever…”

The younger fairy smiles softly. “I suppose I’m honored to have a rival as worthy as you, Coco.”

Murtoa’s voice suddenly says out of character, “Be alert.”

The three look ahead, and the discovery is surprising. There is a man with a shovel who has been cut down by a bladed weapon. Coco gasps, and Murtoa says, “If you need to, go back.”

“I-I’ll be okay…”

The human warrior takes up the shovel, inspecting it for a moment. It has a resin-reinforced handle with a slightly rusty blade, though the blade appears to have been sharpened regularly to maintain a good edge.

Lykha asks, “Why not use the sword?”

Murtoa doesn’t answer. He leans the shovel over his shoulder, walking towards the noise in town. Someone is shouting.

Lykha does wonder if Murtoa expected what they find in the center of town. Honor is easy to fake for a time, but eventually, everyone’s true color shines through.

One is a legendary warrior with an enviable name for deeds thought impossible for one man alone, compounding with every year he lives.

The other is the man using that name.

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