Arlene woke with her vision still blurry from her drowsiness. The forest green was all that greeted her. She sat up, arms stretching with her back arching forward. She released a brief yawn as tears escaped from her now-shut eyes. Neck swayed left and right with her hand scratching the back.

  “Morning.”

  She turned lazily to the voice, replying back lazily. “Morning, Watty.” Another yawn escaped her. “Did you sleep well?”

  Her eyes opened to see him sat with knee curled high. His staff leaned onto his relaxed shoulders. His eyelids half opened. He was back in the robe attire already.

  Despite that, it didn’t surprise her. She continued stretching out her arms. She asked with faint amusement, “Why are you sat like that?” She kept one eye on him.

  His face didn’t change. It remained completely monotone, and so was his voice. “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Nothing. Just an observation. So did you sleep well last night?”

  “…I slept alright.”

  “Really? Then why are your eyes like that?”

  “That’s my default state.”

  “No it isn’t.”

  “I woke up too early that’s all.”

  “Why? You needed to change back to your robe?”

  “Yes.”

  She rolled her eyes as she leaned her hands to her laid out feet. “Unbelievable. You couldn’t just sleep a little more after going through that dungeon?”

  He only titled his head. “Why? I’m rested. Besides, I rather get dressed now then taking turns changing in the tent.”

  That made her scoff. “Why would we take turn? I only need to don back my armor—“

  “Stinky.”

  She shot him a look. “—Until we get back to the Treehouse Inn, then I’ll take a shower.” She leaned back, pointing to him. “For the record, you haven’t taken a shower too! Why are you calling me stinky?!”

  She shifted back, covering her mouth. “Don’t tell me… you woke up early just to go out and shower somewhere in this Hub?”

  A small smile formed in him. “No.”

  “Thought so. Hypocrite.” She turned her cheek the other way, already preparing to don her armor. Her eyes remained on him. “Are you going to leave or no? I’m going to change.”

  “Why would I?” He let go of the staff still leaning to his shoulder, and rested his chin on the knees. “You said you only need to don your armor. You’re not changing.”

  “…Watty. There’s such thing as a maiden’s dignity.”

  “What? You see me that way?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t see the problem.”

  “I… hmm. Fair.” She let out a small sigh and shifted her attention fully to don on all individual armor pieces. “Don’t sit like that. You’re going to become hunchback.”

  A small rustle of his robe was heard. He did listen.

  While tying her greaves without paying attention, she called out to him. “Watty, after we get to the inn and we both get to refreshed ourselves. I’m thinking of going to Anire together. Is that… alright with you?”

  The question caught him off-guard slightly. His eyes widened a tiny bit. “You’re asking me… for my opinion?”

  She turned, brows raised. “Well yes? Don’t I always? Why do you sound surprised?”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Name it.”

  “The dungeon.”

  “…Ok before that! I asked if we can go to Toulasi, and you said yes!”

  “Oh so one wrong makes a right?”

  Her cheek puffed. “Hmph! You say it like you never got to go where you wanted!”

  “Hoh?” He sat up straighter with legs and arms crossed—full confidence. “Name one then.”

  “Tamare.”

  “Tch.”

  She puffed her chest out with an exhale of superiority while tying putting on her chest piece. “So?” Her tone was that of smug. “What is your opinion?”

  “Yes yes,” he flourished his hand out, “I’ll come with. O’ Chosen One.”

  “Good. I need my partner with me, O’ Grand Chaos.” She started with the bracers now. “However before that, I want to check on the others. Naciv, Rinea and Xylia. How they are holding up after a day of rest.”

  He stood up now with the posture of a hunchback which got her to shoot him an eyes of I told you so. He stretched out his back, letting a small groan out. “As long as I don’t do the talking, I’ll come.”

  “Oh no!” She grabbed onto his sleeve to get up and jab at his shoulder, then turned to put on her cape. “You’ll be talking to. About that whole fabricated story. I can already see it written in your face—wanting to drill it into them once more.”

  “It’s my resting face.”

  “Who are you trying to fool?”

  The two went out with Arlene leading to the whole Hub already awakened. Tables still laid out and being cleaned by others after the party last night. The thick canopy blocked out most of the light still.

  A muffled thick voice rang out to them. “Hold for a moment, if you would be so kind.” What followed were a fully armored person… then followed by five more holding halberds. They wore the Bavasr’s standard.

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  They continued. “Our business is not with you, the Chosen One.” They stood and saluted her before their voice rang clear again. “We would like to ask the person behind you to come with us.”

  Arlene held her arm out blocking Wattyson who was about to step up. Her eyes on the main armor unit. Her voice dropped low and cautious. “What for?”

  The Halberdier gave a quick bow, noticing the tension. “A thousand apologize. We have come off as brash. An official of Bavasr recognized him and would like to summon him. He has told me it is regarding the ‘Red Grove’.”

  Wattyson took a small step, lowering Arlene’s arm. He held contact with that unit, even if the latter is in full armor. “What if I refuse?” A monotone response yet one to test others.

  The Halberdier responded while standing completely still, their head turned to him fully. “I am sorry. I am not aware of what the Red Grove is, but the official wish to speak with you in earnest. Should you refuse, we are authorized to drag you with any means necessary.”

  They held an arm out pointing to the right. “There are more halberdiers stationed nearby should us six are unable to complete our task.” That arm went to the left, implying there were more.

  Arlene crossed her arms. “A bit excessive no? To deploy that much as if to catch a high level criminal?”

  Wattyson frowned, questioned other things. “Why halberdiers?”

  “Really, Watty? That’s what bother you?”

  The Halberdier responded with a small nod. “It is excessive. We do not know what he did, but the official said any means necessary. We assumed the worse. It is better safe than failing our task. And yes, we only had halberdiers on hand. We are here to protect this Hub from monsters. Polearms kept them away from people easily… we just didn’t expect to bring a person. The Adventurer’s Guilds usually deal with those since most here are under their jurisdiction.”

  They folded their arm behind them. “We know you came out of that dungeon with the Chosen One and three others, successfully defeating the monster that taken so many lives. We have our utmost gratitude to your group, but personal feeling must set be aside in our line of duty. We are only doing our task.” They bowed again. “We would like you to come with us.”

  Arlene shot him a look. “Well? I can’t really say much since I don’t know your ‘Red Grove’ as much as you do. What will it going to be? Checking on the three others with me or talking with a likely overworked official?”

  The Halberdier added, “He is indeed overworked.”

  The answer didn’t have to wait long. Wattyson let out a long winded sigh and took a deep breath. “Alright... take me to your overworked uppity noble official so I can get this done. I rather not get stopped every times I’m in a Bavasr’s city.”

  The Halberdier held their head high. For a moment, they could read all the halberdiers faces’ brightened up. “Right this way, sir.” The Halberdier stepped aside, and fold his arm near his chest, allowing him to walk in the center while they formed around him.

  Arlene watched the highly professional guards escorting a man that was dragging his feet and staff as if to delay as long as possible. She shouted out, “Let’s meet up here after you’re done!” It got him to raise his arm slightly, acknowledging it.

  Arlene sighed placing both hands on her hip. “Guess he got his wish to not talk to them.” With that, she turned to wander, to find those three.

  The Hub was filled with humming of others cleaning up the party. Arlene couldn’t tell what time it was, but the cold winds brushing against her was likely sign of an early morning.

  These adventurers are up early already after that heavy celebration last night? What a… good work ethic Bavasr’s branch has.

  She harkened her mind back to other cities. The adventurers of more renown branches would party after a big successful quest was completed—either them or other groups, and they would never get up till late afternoon.

  Though, it was probably because there were Bavasr officials stationed here. Nonetheless, those early signs were beneficial to her. She didn’t have to wander around waiting for those three to wake up. The question was... where would they be?

  Walking around aimlessly while pondering, she got into the red cross tent. Peeking in, there were numerous beds with patients inside. Injured adventurers and some missing their limbs all sleeping soundly. One of them she noticed was Rinea. The healers were already up, performing their duties diligently and quietly.

  “Miss Chosen One?” A small voice came, but it didn’t alert her. She turned to find a medic—normal personnel with no healing spell, carrying healing supplies. “Do you wish to see the patients?”

  “I... no,” she stepped aside, giving her a bow in gratitude, “I just want to get a brief check is all. Thank you for your hard work.”

  The medic let out a bright smile. “No, thank you for dealing with that monster! We were… losing hopes whether it can be dealt with or not with more injured and… bodies coming. You put a stop to it! Thank you!”

  Arlene smiled but it was a bit forced. “No, thank you. You who are working around the clocks for them. I… only came to this situation too late.”

  The medic tilted their head confused, they thought the Chosen One would be more upbeat. They didn’t pry into much. “Then, it’s thanks to us all that this problem is dealt with! Thank you and you’re welcome.”

  That earned a small quiet chuckle from Arlene. “Yes, thank you and your welcome.” She watched the medic entered the tent as she left to find the two.

  She didn’t take long till she spotted a small mage with a giant wizard hat, sweeping with a broom. Xylia’s face were drowsiness personified. The people nearby shied away from her every times she yawned to not be infected with sleepiness.

  Arlene took quiet stride, waving to her. “Good morning, Xylia,” she greeted in a higher tone of voice.

  Xylia’s eyes were still shut. She replied in the groggiest way possible. “Ahhhh… Is that Arlene of the Chosen One?” Her mouth widened as if it was to take a big bite, but it was her yawn escaping out loudly. “Hey, can you believe this, Arlene of the Chosen One?”

  “Just called me Arlene, and what is it?”

  “I helped right? I’m part of the group that vanquish the evildoer in Floor Forty… well… Thirty-Nine, but still. I should be held to high respect as the mage of all time! Instead… I got assigned to broom duty!”

  “Right, why do you think that?” She asked watching Xylia ramping up her sweep on an empty ground.

  “I don’t think! Why would I think about it?!” Her voice raised in protest but her eyes never did. “I’m part of why the beast is slain! I should be exempt from this!”

  Arlene rested a hand on her shoulder, “But Xylia, you’re sweeping over nothing right now.”

  “Huh? Am I?” Rather than opening her eyes, she just stomped around. “You’re right! You are truly of the Chosen One, Arlene.”

  Said Chosen One just stared at her in disbelief. “A-Are you… is this a sign of protest of how you were treated?”

  “What? No! I’m not so petty to do such thing!”

  “Then why were you sweeping over nothing earlier?”

  “…Because I didn’t know.”

  “Then open your eyes, Xylia!”

  “I can’t! My eyes are too tired! I stayed up all nights!”

  Arlene could only groan, defeated by Xylia’s impeccable reasoning. “Xylia,” she said with a warm voice while pressing down on the small mage’s shoulders. “Don’t you think it is the highest respect they could give you?”

  “W-What? Impossible! I should be exempt!”

  “Yes, but you know there are many injured right? They are shorthanded right?”

  “Mmmm… yes?”

  “So… they assign you a task with the least amount of work?”

  “What do you mean?!”

  “Think about it! The party area wasn’t that large, and all you have to do is sweep sweep sweep.” Arlene mimicked the motion, completely forgetting Xylia has no vision to that. “You don’t have to move anything around or organize anything!”

  “Hmmmmmmmm,” Xylia’s tapped her own raised chin. “That does… sounds good. Then why did they give me a short broom?!”

  “W-What do you mean?”

  “I should have the tallest broom!”

  “Xylia, you use a bundle of wands. They give you the mightiest short broom possible to your height! You should be proud of them honoring you any way they could.”

  “Hmmmmmm, that does make sense… Your logic are full of senses, Arlene One!”

  “Arlene One?”

  Xylia ignored her. “I will perform my duty to my utmost ability.”

  “Will you open your eyes?”

  “I can’t. Too tired.”

  “Mm. Well, good luck mightiest mage of all the mage.”

  “I don’t need luck! I am luck personified!”

  Arlene took a step back now as Xylia spun her broom like a pole stick. She glanced around the Hub to find the quiet workspace still here before turning back to her. “Xylia, do you know where Naciv is?”

  “You intend to reprimand the gofer for not basking in my glory?!”

  “H-huh? Uh.. yeah.”

  “Hah!” That was the loudest she had been this morning. “I then shall tell you where the gofer is! He is in the Adventurer’s Guild tent doing ‘PAPERWORK’!”

  Arlene nodded to the answers before raising her brows. “Right,” she took another glance around the Hub, “which tent exactly?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Xylia… all of them are yellow in theme. I can’t check all of them.”

  “Hmmm… The Chosen One Arlene face with a trial against time, fear not! I know where it is!”

  Arlene leaned in, anticipating the answer to be something stupid.

  Xylia however, triumphantly pointed to a direction. “He is at the south area!” She pointed to the west. Which in Arlene’s mind was close enough.

  “Alright,” she gave her a pat on the shoulder, “I’ll be heading there then. Thank you Xylia and good luck on your destined sweeping mission.”

  Xylia raised her mighty broom. “Tis is but a step of the stone to ascension!”