No one's POV

A moonlit night had fallen. Loki Familia's camp had been set up at the edge of the plain, a position that would let them stare down at the Rakian army. Ares Familia's encampment was visible in the distance, but the surrounding tents lit by campfires and magic-stone lanterns all belonged to Orario's familias. Except for the lookouts, the camp fell into slumber.

The fragrance of the grassy plains, foreign to Orario, drifted on the wind as a dim darkness enveloped everyone. And among the sea of tents, the light of a magic-stone lantern seeped out of one of them.

Elfie: Lefiya...Are you still awake?

Sheets rustled as her roommate, Elfie, turned to glance at her. The sound startled Lefiya, who had been on her stomach reading a book by the light of a magic-stone lamp.

Lefiya: S-sorry, Elfie, everyone. You can't sleep with the light, right?

Elfie: Nah, I'm fine with a night-light, so it isn't a problem, but...

The book was a treatise on magic. As Lefiya dimmed the light, Elfie and the hume bunny Rakuta made odd faces. There was no need to obsess over developing her skills in a situation like this. Lefiya could tell exactly what they were thinking.

They were right. Whatever she could stuff into her head right now would not allow her to gain mastery over much. It was far more important to sleep and restore as much stamina for the next day as possible. However, Lefiya could not help but be irritated at doing nothing as time slipped away.

Loki Familia didn't have a moment to waste on venturing outside the city and getting into conflicts with other countries. They needed to develop the means to combat the groups trying to destroy the Labyrinth City or else devote their time and energy to further improving themselves. With this in mind, something resembling a compulsion had seized Lefiya.

Lefiya(mind): Like I suspected, I'm bothering them.

Lefiya: I'm just having a bit of trouble sleeping. I'll try getting a little fresh air.

Lefiya said, picking up the thick book she had been studying. Waving at the lookouts she passed, she headed to the edge of the camp and sat on a comfortable-looking stump. It was decently far from the closest patrol, so she probably wouldn't be questioned. Along the way, she had turned on the portable magic-stone lantern she had borrowed, and now she started reading again.

Lefiya: Ah...Miss Asuna. And...

After a short while, a breeze blew through. As it brushed aside her long hair, Lefiya happened to glance in the direction of the wind and noticed the blue-haired, azure-eyed High Elf girl sitting there. On her lap, was one single boy clad in black, with black haired and the same azure eyed as the High Elf.

Sora and Asuna had volunteered to keep watch because they had hardly done anything during the day. The Level-1 and Level-2 members of the familia were uncomfortable to have someone in the leadership on watch duty, but they eventually gave in to her request. Though no one had mentioned anything, Asuna probably noticed that the lower-level adventurers were getting more nervous than they were during their usual dungeon crawling. Finn had also granted his approval.

Sora:...

Asuna:...

Asuna was gazing out into the plains, in the direction of the Rakian army. But Lefiya could tell that wasn't where her eyes were focused. Since long ago, Asuna's gaze had always been fixed onto a place far off in the distance. Lefiya was beginning to understand a bit now that she had experienced a similar feeling.

Lefiya: Hmph...

Normally, she would have gone over to greet Asuna, but seeing them together tonight made Lefiya only lowered her head and immersed herself once more in her attempts to absorb more knowledge.

Riveria: What are you doing, Lefiya?

Lefiya: Gyaaa!

However, a voice from behind gave her a fright. She spun around frantically and came face-to-face with Riveria, her long jade hair glimmering in the darkness. Lefiya hadn't noticed her approaching at all.

Lefiya: L-Lady Riveria! Why are you here...?

Riveria: A little while ago, Elfie came to visit me. She said you were burying yourself in books again.

Lefiya: Ah...

Beneath Riveria's stern gaze, Lefiya wilted like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Riveria: Rest. You worked harder than anyone today. If you don't recover enough Mind by tomorrow, then you will not be doing anything.

Lefiya: I am truly sorry...But...

Riveria: But what?

Lefiya: I cannot stay like this... I feel like if I don't get stronger as a mage, then I'll lose even more important things...

Riveria:...

Lefiya: I cannot just...do nothing.

Lefiya shared what was bothering her. Before Riveria could respond:

Loki:—Ya sure are diligent, Lefiya. Even though your boobs are already this big...

Lefiya: Kyaaa!

All of a sudden, someone grabbed her breasts from behind. It was Loki. With a lewd little snort, the goddess's hands started moving. Lefiya was caught off guard, since it had been so long since this had last happened, and she didn't hold back at all as she threw Loki over her shoulder. Sounding like a squashed frog, her muffled groan reverberated in the darkness. The various lookouts, including Sora and Asuna, started to respond to the noise but, recognizing the voice as Loki's, just continued their patrols as if nothing had happened.

Loki: Ha-ha-ha...You've really grown, Lefiya. Escapin' my breast bind in a flash!

Lefiya: What are you doing all of a sudden?!

Riveria: Loki, don't butt in if you intend to behave like that. It's unbearable to watch.

Loki: I've got nothin' else to do, so I've gotta fondle me some breasts.

Lefiya and Riveria glared at Loki as she writhed on the ground where she had landed without even a hint of remorse. Lefiya turned bright red and covered her chest as the goddess hopped back up and retrieved the book that had fallen in the shock.

Loki: Even after comin' this far, you're studying, huh? Heh-heh... Sorta reminds me of how Asunaaa used to be.

Lefiya: Huh?

Loki: I know you've been tryin' yer best until now, but this is the first time you've shown that stubborn side. That's what makes me think of Asuna all those years ago. Right, Riveria?"

Riveria:...Yes. I can see what you mean.

Surprised at the turn the conversation had taken, Lefiya froze up. Being told that she resembled the very person she longed to emulate made her heart skip a beat.

Loki: You wouldn't know it from seeing her now...but Asuna has really improved her manners befitting of a High Elf. When she was younger, she was quite unruly. Never listening to us, always going overboard...

Lefiya couldn't believe what she was hearing. Asuna always listened to what Riveria and Loki said. Lefiya simply could not imagine an Asuna who constantly disobeyed. She couldn't help glancing at the azure-haired, azure-eyed magical-swordswoman who was calmly sitting in the distance with the Light of Hope.

Loki: We were at our wits' end who knows how often. Right, Mama Riveria?

Riveria: Quit it, Loki. Don't tease me.

Riveria knit her eyebrows as Loki grinned up at her.

Loki: Anyway, she used to be very similar to how you are now, constantly rushing in and making mistakes that were unbearable to watch. Nothing we said could change her. Only that brat over there could. So do not try to force things, Lefiya. It's fine to work hard, but don't mix that up with overwork.

Flustered for a few seconds, Lefiya made up her mind.

Lefiya: U-Um... Lady Riveria. Are you alright with that?

Riveria: About what?

Lefiya: Miss Asuna and Mister Sora's relationship? I mean she's a High Elf...

Riveria: Stop Lefiya.

Riveria interrupted the already talking Lefiya and she looked both Loki and Riveria's face to see them already accepting their relationship.

Riveria: As you know, Asuna doesn't like to be treated as a High Elf. Even more so than me. And we already promised Sora Yatagami, that no matter what happened, we won't interfere with their relation.

Loki: It was the condition Asuna tell us before she joined. That we will not interfere.

Left behind with a surprise, Lefiya made up her mind.

Lefiya: U-um, then...Could you tell me a bit more about how Miss Asuna used to be? How she met Mister Sora and all. Why she fell in love with him?

Riveria: Hmm?

Lefiya: I mean, if I could hear a bit more, it might be a useful lesson for me. I- it's certainly not just become I'm curious about her. I mean, o-of course I'm curious, too, but...

Lefiya started to trip over her tongue as she tried to explain herself. She wanted to learn about the connection between the Asuna she knew now and the Asuna of the past who she had never known. She couldn't deny that it was partly because she wanted to hear more about her idol, but she also thought there might be something useful in looking back at how the Berserk Healer came to be. Riveria looked troubled by the request, but—

Loki: It'll be fine to tell her a bit. Just think of it as a lullaby. Will ya go to bed after ya hear it, Lefiya?

Lefiya: Y-yes!

And that was when Loki threw her a bone. As the goddess sat on the stump, the high elf vice captain sighed.

Riveria: Very well. Its a sad one, so I am sure Asuna would rather not have the stories about her spreading around. That means you cannot go sharing it, either. And you better apologize to Sora Yatagami later on. He doesn't want his girlfriend past being spread around. If that's okay with you, then I can tell you a little bit.

Lefiya: P-please do!

Lefiya leaped at the opportunity to learn more about her idol that had just fallen into her lap. Glancing over at where Sora and Asuna were sitting watch, Riveria said.

Riveria: Let's go elsewhere so they don't overhear us and try to cut us to pieces.

Lefiya could not tell how serious she was as she started to move. The young elf followed along with Loki to the second-in-command's personal tent. Riveria lit a lamp, glancing at Loki in annoyance as the goddess made herself at home.

Riveria: It was 18 years ago, when she left the forest of Alfheim. She venture the world without any knowledge or experience. All on her own.

(Flashback)

Titania Ljos Wishe, it was actually Asuna Yuuki's real name when she was still living in the forest of Alf. Unlike the current her where she had blue hair and blue eyes, the past version of her has brown hair and brown eyes.

Growing up, Titania had everything, but that doesn't mean her life was full of joy. She had the ability to read a persons mind, Legilimency. She had a brother named Kouichiro Ljos Wishe. He was a very well known adventurer in Orario. And once a month, he would come home for a week to visit his family. Titania would always learn of the outside world, a world she know so little off. And her brother would brag on how great his adventure was.

Titania: And what happen next, Big Brother?!

Kouichiro: When you grew up, I'll show you around and how to become an adventurer.

Titania would ask lively more and more of the outside world. And one day, she would want to follow her brother's footsteps and become an adventurer like he did. But one particular day, everything changed for Titania.

Titania: Hmm... Big Brother hasn't come home yet? He would always visit at the beginning of the month.

Titania said wondering of her brother's whereabout. Then suddenly, an attendant from her house appeared on her house in a panicked.

Attendant: My Lady! Terrible news!

Titania: Hm....?

What she learned from then own changed her entire life. She had found out that her brother had died from one of his adventure. A human from the outside had entered the forest with all her brother's belonging. Learning this, Titania fell into the state of shock. Both her and her mother grieve his death that very same day.

Titania: Big Brother... Don't worry, I will continue your legacy!

That was Titania's wish. She would venture on to the outside world and become an adventurer like her brother would have. But just as she was about to, her Mother Kyouko didn't allowed that much to her shock. Ever since then, Titania's life was like a cage bird. She had been lock inside her own room by her own Mother without knowing what is happening to the outside world. All her life, she only know the village she grew up in. Then one day, her Mother came in to give her to not so good news.

Titania: An arrange marriage?!

This was something not even Titania had ever expected that her Mother would suggested. She didn't want to be forced into a marriage with someone she didn't love. Who would want that?

In the end, she forced her body to get up from her bed, heading to her bathroom as she grabbed her towel that hung on a hanger next to the bathroom door. She did her usual morning routine, washing up, then drying herself and getting herself changed into formal wear. She had to look her best if she didn't wish to embarrass her mother during the meeting with one of the king's closest advisor's.

After a while, Titania met up with her mother, Kyouko Ljos Wishe, and got in their escort carriage. The carriage begins to pull out of their drive way and out onto the main road, the chestnut haired girl looking out the carriage window as her mother was talking.

Kyouko: And remember to be on your best behavior. Is that clear?

Titania:...Yes, mother.

Kyouko: I'm doing this for you, Titania. I'm doing this so you can have a better future that is guaranteed for you to be successful.

Titania: But you disregard my happiness overall.

Titania mutters. Kyouko snaps her daughter a look.

Kyouko: What was that?

Titania:..Nothing, mother.

Titania(mind): You changed after Big Brother died.

Afterwards, the car ride was silent. The chestnut-haired girl never really had a good relationship with her mother as Kyouko had regulated most aspects of her life, whether Titania wanted her to or not. One example is the current school she's going to. Her mother had opted her to go to an all elf girls' school, but with the help of her father and brother to help convince Kyouko, she reluctantly agreed. But her Mother's condition got worst ever since the death of her husband and son.

And another aspect was the current one she was going to now. To have her an arranged marriage, her mother saying that marriage to a financial stable individual often led to a successful life.

But Titania don't want any of this. All she ever wanted was decide her own future with her own two hand. Fall in love with a boy of her choice, and venture the outside world she yearns for. Especially after she met the person who were supposed to be her arrange marriage partner.

Oberon: Is nice to meet you, my name is Oberon.

Oberon is one of the influential noble elf in the forest. While on the outside he may look like a very noble high elf looking out for his citizens, Titania could tell he was rotten on the inside. Then with pleading eye, she begged her Mother to please not forced her into an arrange marriage. But her Mother didn't picked up Titania's feeling and agreed on the arrangement, much to Titania's horror.

Titania(mind): It's not good. I can't get along at all with this woman. I need to get out of here.

Titania knew if she stay here any longer, her future will truly be sullied. And her and her brothers dream will not be fulfilled. So Titania made up her mind to ran away from her forest if it's the last thing she did.

Titania(mind): This is goodbye, Mother.

When she returned home, she was once again locked inside her own room. But she's not upset by it. She had been trying to figure out a way to escaped from that hellish place ever since she got locked there. And after awhile, she finally figure out the locked pattern. She prepared what little rations she had, and what small weapon and equipment she posses and left during the night.

But her escaped wasn't easy either. There were many guards station around the area, and sneaking away through them all without being noticed was the challenging part. After 4 hours of trying to sneak pass the guards, Titania finally succeeded in escaping her forest of Alf and took her very first step toward the outside world. The world she yearned for. Her journey towards the City of Heroes begin.

But her journey was far from over. Ever since she step outside, she learned just how much cruel the world is. Only a day has passed since she left the forest, and she heard a news about how the an Elf Princess from the forest of Alfheim had gone missing, and a search party was formed all around her. Titania had to wear a hood wherever she go.

She doesn't have a blessing from a god or a goddess yet, but she can use a small water magic, with a simple chant. She doesn't have any person she could trust due to her ability to read a persons mind. Every time someone would ask her name, she never gave them, fearing that they might tell her whereabouts to her village. There were times where people would be suspicious of her since she refused to show her face and her named, and a search party was formed to captured her. But thanks to her Legilimency skill, she managed to to moved ahead of them and left the nearby town.

From then on, Titania grew more and more distrusting towards people. Whether it be Gods, Human, Demi-Humans, Dwarves, Pallum, and even her own Kin Elf. The money she brought with her was nearing its limit, and she barely made it halfway towards the City of Heroes. It was when during one of her journey, she was ambushed by some thugs that had probably figure out her identity. She made a run for it, only to be caught in a crossfire of a hordes of monster on her way.

Titania: Guh...!

Her hood had fell. Her mind of using too much magic was depleted. Then while her body was in the state of exhaustion, one of the monster got a clean hit on her and she was sent flying down towards the ground. Without getting a chance to get up, the monster had put its upper and lower jaw between Titania's body.

Titania: Someone... save me.

Her mind was in the state of fear that she thought this was truly the end for her. She was between the line of life and death. All her life, she had lost everything. Her father, her brother. And she never got a chance to reconcile with her own mother. Her dream of becoming an adventurer, her brother's wish was all in vain. Titania close her eyes accepting her death. But—

Titania: ?

Titania never felt the monster jaw ripping her in half. But instead, she felt a drop of blood. She opened her eyes to see that the monster right eye were slain and the blood drip out from it. Then she saw multiple lightning, surrounding her pushing the monster away. Within that thunder and lightning, she saw a silhouette of a boy wielding a sword.

Titania: Eh...?

The boy was clad in black, with his black hair and blue eyes shining through the dark clouds. Still in the state of shock, Titania could only stay in silent as she saw the boy that had saved her life faced off against the monster that almost taken hers. The boys sword was clad in lightning. He moved as fast as a lightning bolt, overwhelming the monster in an instant.

Titania:...

Titania was amazed that any human could moved that fast. And his swordsmanship this swordsman had display was probably even better than her brother. Then the swordsman jump onto the monster head and with pure grace swordsmanship, the monster was slashed in half.

???: Haaaaaaa!

The monster turned into a speck of dust. And the magic stone fell towards the ground. Titania stare with disbelief that the boy managed to win the battle with ease. After awhile, the boy sigh and stare at the elf.

???: Are you alright? Any injuries?

Titania:...

Titania continue to stare, unable to say anything. She was still in the state of shock, until the boy broke the silence.

???: I'll take you back to town.

Titania: !

Hearing that made Titania flinch. It was then she'd realized that her hood had fell and the boy had seen her face and her high elf ears. She used her Legilimency to read the boys mind, thinking that he was about to report her towards the other elf, but that never happened as the boy only thought of her well being.

???(mind): From the looks of it she doesn't have any injuries. And an Elf

Titania:...

???(mind): Oh yeah... I forgot Elf doesn't particularly like being touched.

Hearing his thoughts, Titania fell silenced. The boy didn't thought anything about turning her in. Instead, he opened his bag and pull out a map and a pouch.

???: Umm... Would this be enough? This is a map of the surrounding area, and a small amount of money, so you should be able to get back on your own.

The boy handed Titania the map and at least 5 thousand valis. Titania accepted the coins and looked at them in shock. Five thousand valis was worth way too much... And a map as well.

Titania:...

???: All right, I'll be leaving you now. So please take care.

The boy slip his sword back on the scabbard behind him and left Titania alone. Still in the state of shock, Titania could only stare at the boy. Whom had neither turned her in or captured her. But instead, saved her life.

(Timeskip)

From the moment she'd left her forest, Titania had asked herself the same questions hundreds of times, if not thousands. Why had it comes to this? Didn't Kouichiro promised he would be there when she too become an adventurer like him. Why did her relation with her own mother went downhill? Why isn't there a single person out there she could trust? Will she be able to make it to Orario before her pursuers caught her? She didn't know.

The only thing she could say was that everything had changed that day. Everything had ended. Titania locked herself inside an inn room in a small town, waiting for the ordeal to be over.

Titania: Someone, please save me.

She prayed, for someone to come and saved her from this hellish place. Her journey is still only half way through before she gets to Orario. She till needs to get to Melen first wish would take at least 3 days. Reality was truly harsh, and after 4 weeks since the start of her journey, she gave up hoping a rescue would come for her. With so many people searching for her, she understood that people was easily consumed by greed, and finding someone she could truly trust was equally impossible.

Titiania: I'm truly alone. Dad and Big Brother are gone. Mom never understood me.

The only choice left was for her to move forwards. She had the option of turning herself in and return to the village and get that arrange marriage. Or she pushed through to Orario and fulfill her Brother's dream of becoming the best adventurer out there. Regardless if she will never found someone she could trust.

Titania preferred to leave the small town rather than curl up into a ball in the dark, living in fear of the future. She'd use all of her instincts to fight, learn, and grow. If she ultimately ran out of steam and perished, at least she didn't spend her remaining days regretting the decisions of the past and mourning her lost future.

Run, thrust, and vanish. Like a meteor burning up through the atmosphere. Such was Titania's mindset as she left the inn and headed out into the wilderness, totally ignorant her exhaustion. She picked out a weapon, learned a single skill, and found her way deep into the labyrinth that no one else had successfully conquered.

???: A little bit overkill, if you ask me.

Titania: ?

She turned back, only to see the same boy that had saved her life a week ago. He approached her inside the very Labyrinth that she was currently in. From the looks of it, he was impressed by Titania's fencing and magic. Though he would be surprised if he learned that she doesn't even have a falna yet.

???: That kobold was already on the brink of death after that first magic thrust.

Titania(mind): He's the boy from back then.

???: You could've finished it off with an easy counter skill instead of sword magic.

Titania(mind): He doesn't recognize me.

Titania: Something wrong with being excessive?

???: Well ... it's just inefficient. Sword with Magic take a lot of mind, so the more you use them, the more exhausted you get. I mean, you've still got to get back home, right? You should try to conserve more energy.

Titania:...Get back home?

Her voiced was a ragged monotone, seemingly exhausted, but it was beautiful. The boy tried to elaborate.

???: Yeah. It's going to take a good hour to get out of the labyrinth from this spot, and even the closest town is another thirty minutes from there, right? You'll make more mistakes when you're tired. If you're tackling a Labyrinth solo; those mistakes can easily turn fatal.

The boy was lecturing her as if he was telling her not to be reckless. That was the basic law of becoming an adventurer. A little irony for someone who is also tackling this Labyrinth solo.

Titania: In that case, there's no problem. I'm not going home.

???: Huh? You're not ... going back to town? But what about refilling on potions, repairing equipment, getting sleep...?

The boy asked, incredulous. She shrugged briefly.

Titania: Don't need potions if I don't take damage, and I can use some healing magic. And I bought five of the same sword. If I need sleep, I just get it at the nearby safe area in this Labyrinth.

Titania said hoarsely. The boy had no response. The Labyrinth outside of Orario too had a safe area was a small room located inside the Labyrinth that was never in danger of spawning any monsters. The same thing as a safe zone in the Dungeon's of Orario. It was easily distinguished by its colored torches in each corner of the room. They were useful as a foothold when hunting or mapping out a dungeon, but they weren't meant for more than an hour-long nap. The rooms had no beds, only hard stone floors, and the open doorway didn't keep out the incessant sounds of monstrous footsteps and growling in the corridor outside. Even the stoutest of adventurers couldn't get honest sleep under such conditions.

But if the boy was to take her statement at face value, she was using that cramped stone chamber as a replacement for a proper inn room in order to camp out permanently inside the dungeon. Could that possibly be right?

???: Um... how many hours have you been in here?

The boy asked, afraid to know the answer. She exhaled slowly.

Titania: Three days ... maybe four. Are you done? The next monster's going to spawn soon, so I need to get moving.

She put a fragile, gloved hand against the dungeon wall and unsteadily climbed to her feet. With the rapier dangling from her hand as heavily as a two-handed sword, Titania turned her back towards the boy.

As she walked forward, the boy saw ragged tears in the cape that spoke to its poor condition. In fact, it was a miracle that after four days of camping out in a Labyrinth, the flimsy cloth was intact at all. Perhaps her statement about not taking any damage wasn't an idle boast ... Even the boy didn't expect the words that tumbled out of his mouth at her receding back.

???: If you keep fighting like this, you're gonna die. And your adventure will end.

She stopped still and let her right shoulder rest against the wall before turning around. The eyes the boy thought were hazel under that hood now seemed to flash a pale, piercing red.

Titania:...What is it to you anyway? You don't know me at all.

Her hoarse, cracking voice seemed to deepen the chill of the Labyrinth air.

Titania: Adventurer will die, sooner...or later...

The longest and most emotional statement she'd uttered so far passed her lips and hung in the air. The boy instinctively took a step forward, then watched as she quietly crashed to the floor, as though hit by an invisible paralysis.

Finally, at four in the morning on Friday, December 2, the accumulation of so many battles caused her to black out with exhaustion, and her quest should have ended. She would soon follow her brother to the afterlife. It would have. It should have.

The moment she hit the floor, she thought that passed through her brain was the mundane wish.

Titania(mind): I'll be seeing you soon, Big Brother.

Falling unconscious was a momentary shutdown of the brain, caused by the stoppage of blood flow. Blood might stop flowing for a variety of reasons—heart or blood vessel malfunctions, anemia, low blood pressure, hyperventilation. These thoughts ran through her fading consciousness and eventually coalesced into a simple statement:

Titania(mind): I just don't care anymore.

Nothing mattered. She was going to die here. If she passed out in the middle of a labyrinth guarded by deadly monsters, there was no way she'd emerge safely. There was another player nearby, but he wouldn't risk his own life just to save a stranger.

Besides, how would he save her? The weight that a player could carry in this virtual world was strictly controlled by the game system. Deep in a dangerous Labyrinth like this, any player would be heavily laden with potions and emergency supplies, not to mention all of the loot they'd procured along the way. It was impossible to imagine anyone carrying another human being on top of all that.

Then she realized something. For fleeting thoughts escaping her brain just before she fell unconscious, they were certainly lasting quite a while. Plus, it was only hard stone beneath her body, so why did she feel something so soft and gentle pressing against her back? She felt warm, somehow. There was even a light breeze tickling her cheek.

With a start, her eyes snapped open.

She wasn't in a dank Labyrinth surrounded by clammy stone walls. It was a clearing in the midst of a forest, surrounded by ancient trees engraved with golden moss and thorny bushes bearing small flowers. She'd passed out—no, been sleeping—on a bed of grass as soft as carpet in the middle of the round clearing, measuring roughly eight yards across.

Titania: But...how?

She'd lost consciousness deep in that dungeon, so how could she have traveled all the way to this outdoor area? The answer was ninety degrees to her right. There was a gray shadow huddled at the foot of an especially large tree at the edge of the open space. He cradled a large sword with both hands and had his head resting on the scabbard. His face was hidden beneath longish black bangs, but based on the equipment and profile, it had to be the adventurer who'd been talking to her moments before she passed out.

He must have found some way to carry her out of the Labyrinth and to this forest. She turned back to her right. Perhaps sensing her movement, the man's shoulders twitched beneath the gray leather coat, and his head rose slightly. Even in the midst of the midday forest sun, his eyes were as blue as a calming sea.

The instant she crossed gazes with those azure eyes, a tiny firework went off deep in the back of her mind.

Titania: You shouldn't...have bothered.

Titania Ljos Wishe growled past gritted teeth. The slumping, black-haired swordsman dropped his eyes dark as night down to the ground. He seemed to be slightly older than she, but the surprising naiveté of his gesture surprised her. A few seconds later, her original suspicion returned as a cynical smile crossed his lips.

???: Whatever.

It was the voice of a boy, but something in it disguised his actual age.

Titania:...Why didn't you leave me back there, then?

???: It's not like I wanted to save you. But if I didn't, I would have to face something more frightening than death. So this isn't for your sake, but my own self interest.

She sucked in a breath at the logic and efficiency of his explanation. She was expecting the same answer that most people she'd met had given her, some claptrap about the importance of life, or the need for everyone to band together. She'd been prepared to cut through all of that nonsense—verbally, of course—but the practicality of his answer left her speechless.

Titania: Then stop getting in my business. I'm currently on my way to Orario. I don't have time to play with you. So long.

She put a hand in the grass to get to her feet, but her legs wouldn't stay steady. The clock in her window showed that she'd been out almost a full seven hours, but her exhaustion hadn't entirely worn off yet. She started to made her way towards the path that will lead her towards Melen.

There were still a few suspicions lurking in the back of her mind. How had the swordsman in the gray coat managed to bring her out of the dungeon to this forest clearing? And why did he take her all the way outside, rather than just to the nearby safe zone within the Labyrinth?

They weren't worth turning back to ask him about, however. So Titania turned to her left, in the direction of the black, looming labyrinth, and started to march off.

???: Hang on, Magical fencer.

Titania:...

She ignored him and kept walking, but what he said next made her stop in her tracks.

???: You just said, your on your way to Orario, right?

Titania...Yeah?

She wondered aloud. The swordsman's explanation reached her ears on the gentle forest breeze.

???: Someone like you who is probably a Level 1 shouldn't head towards Orario, yet.

Titania: That's none of your business.

???: Right now, the current Orario is brutal for a Level 1 like you. The Zeus and Hera Familia, which is the strongest faction in Orario is currently fighting against Egyptian factions such as Osiris, Set, Sobek and Horus, if you were to go there now, you would immediately get crushed if you tried to go to Orario in your current state.

Titania:...

???: That is the reason why the monsters outside of Orario right now is in a riot, since the Zeus and Hera Familia were too busy to deal with them. And the path lays ahead is blocked by a huge monsters equivalent to a Level 4. There's going to be a meeting tonight at the town of Tolbana near this path. They're going to plan out how to beat the monster, so unless you don't want to die, I suggest you join.

Titania:...

(Timeskip)

The meeting went on like the boy had expected. It turns out, the monster that was blocking the path was an irregular known as Bloodsaurus. A monster that could be found at the 30th floor of the dungeon in Orario. Some of them were murmuring on how some dungeon monster had managed to escaped from the dungeons of Orario. Luckily for the adventurers there, they got their answers. It turns out some monsters had used the water route of the 27th floor that leads straight out to the port town of Melen, called the Lolog Lake. Which where the Leviathan had managed to slip through. Titania was surprised by the boy's explanation as he gave her every details regarding the monster.

After the meeting is over, Titania had her first meal after 4 days trying to pass through the Labyrinth. Titania chose a heel of the cheapest black bread the town sold, as well as the free water available at the many fountains around the place.

She'd never particularly enjoyed eating the bread, but her stomach was craving for something to eat. Since her budget was running low, she had no other choice for some cheep bread. No matter how gorgeous the feast might appear, not a single grain of sugar or salt reached her body.

She'd learned how to shut out the feeling of hunger through sheer willpower while lurking in the Labyrinth, but there was no hiding the need once back in town. As an act of protest, she always chose the cheapest possible option, but it made her angry, in a way, that even the rough black bread eaten a scrap at a time actually tasted pretty good.

Titania was sitting on atop of a heel where a huge tree stood there at the center of Tolbana, chewing away with her hood pulled low. For only costing a single valis, the bread was fairly large. Just as she'd finished half of it —

???: Pretty good, isn't it?

Came a voice from her right. Her fingers stopped in the act of ripping another piece free, and she threw a sharp glare in that direction. It was the man she'd just left behind at the meeting a few minutes ago, the black-haired swordsman in the gray coat. The meddlesome stranger who'd somehow transported her unconscious body outside of the Labyrinth, keeping her journey going when it should have ended.

Her cheeks suddenly grew hot at the thought. After all of her bold statements about dying, not only was she alive, but he'd seen her chowing down on a meal. Her entire being was wracked with shame, and she froze with the crescent of bread in her hands, uncertain of how to respond. The man eventually coughed politely and asked.

???: May I sit next to you?

Normally, she would silently stand up and leave without a second glance, but in this unfamiliar situation, she was at a loss. Taking Titania's lack of response as silent permission, he sat down on the far right corner of the huge tree and rummaged in his pocket, giving her as much space as possible. When his hand reappeared, it was holding a round, black object—a one-valis roll of black bread.

For an instant, Titania forgot her shame and confusion and looked up at him in simple astonishment. If he was good enough to have reached that deep a spot in the labyrinth, and have such excellent equipment, this swordsman must have enough money to afford a full-course meal at a nice restaurant. Was he just a cheapskate? Or ...

Titania: Do you really think that tastes good?

She asked, before she could stop herself. His eyebrows took on an expression of hurt dignity, and he nodded vigorously.

???: Of course. I've eaten one every day since I got to this town. Of course, I throw in a little wrinkle.

Titania: Wrinkle...?

She tilted her head in confusion beneath the hood. Rather than explain out loud, the swordsman reached into his other pocket and produced a small porcelain jar. He set it down on the bench between them.

???: Use this on your bread.

For a moment, she wasn't sure what he meant by "use it on the bread,". She reluctantly reached out and took the small spoon that was on top the jar. Then she applied them on her bread. With a brief jingle, the bread was suddenly white, coated—no, covered— with a thick substance that appeared to be—

Titania:...Cream? Where did you get this?

???: I made them.

He said seriously, using the jar on his bread with a practiced motion. He opened his mouth wide and took a large bite of his cream-slathered bread. His chewing was so vigorous she could practically hear the sound effects, and Titania realized that for the first time in ages, her stomach pangs were not an unpleasant pain, but the healthy sign of honest hunger.

She took a hesitant bite of the creamy bread in her hand. Suddenly, the rough, dry bread she'd been eating had turned into a heavy, rustic cake. The cream was sweet and smooth, with a refreshing tartness like yogurt. Titania took a few more rapturous bites, her cheeks packed full with a numbing sense of contentment.

The next thing she knew, there was not a single crumb left of the item in her hands. She looked over with a start to see that she'd finished her food just two seconds before the swordsman. Overcome with shame again, she wanted to get up and run off but couldn't bring herself to be so rude to the man who'd just treated her to a tasty meal. Breathing heavily, attempting to get her mind in order, Titania finally managed to squeak out a polite response.

Titania:......... Thanks for the food.

???: You're welcome.

Done with his meal, the swordsman clapped his fingerless-gloved hands together and continued.

???: If you want to eat it again, I would be glad to teach you on how to make it.

Titania:...

She couldn't deny the temptation. With that yogurt cream, her cheap black bread turned into a proper feast. She wanted it again—every day, if possible. But ... Titania looked down and quietly shook her head.

Titania: I'll pass. I didn't come to this town in order to eat good food.

???: I see. Why, then?

While the swordsman's voice wasn't particularly melodious, there was a boyish inflection to it that was not displeasing to her ears in the least. It was perhaps this feature that led her to speak what was on her mind, something she hadn't done with anyone else in this world.

Titania: So that...I can be myself. If I was going to just hide back in my homeland and waste away, I'd rather be myself until the very last moment. Even if it means dying at the hands of a monster... I want to fulfill my brothers long dream. I will keep looking towards beyond that.

The 7 years of Titania Ljos Wishe's life had been a long series of battles. It started with the moment she took her first step outside her forest and followed with an endless succession of tests big and small. She'd beaten them all. Losing in a single instance would mean that her life was no longer of any worth, and she'd successfully shouldered that pressure since the very start.

As though the faucet holding her innermost feelings had been opened the tiniest bit, the words trickled drop by drop out of her mouth. The confession came in fragments, pieces of logic that didn't add up to full sentences, but the black-haired swordsman sat and listened in silence. When Titania's voice had died away in the evening breeze, he finally spoke.

???:...You're just like this tree that we're currently sitting on.

Titania: Huh?

A few seconds later, Titania skeptically wondered why he would say that. Then with a smile the boy explained what he meant.

???: Do you know the name of this tree we're currently sitting on?

Titania shook her head.

???: Apparently the name of this tree is called, Asuna. It means, "I look towards tomorrow! Into the beyond!" (明日を見る、彼方まで！, Asu o miru, Kanata made!). Henceforth, it was named, Asuna.

Titania: Asuna...?

???: Yeah. This place was once a huge deep forest. But during a huge rainfall one day, all the surrounding tree around were destroyed. Landslide damage were everywhere. But this one tree, it survived. Some people and gods believed that this one particular tree wished to always stand towards tomorrow and beyond. That was why it was named Asuna.

Titania: Eh...

Titania was quite astonished that such amazing tale represent a name for such tree. Then the boy continue.

???: About tomorrow attack raid, I would like to explain a bit more. So could you give me some of your time? Since I don't want a party member dying on me.

Titania: Where will you be giving me this explanation?

???: Oh... I can talk anywhere you like. How about a pub around here?

Titania:...No. I don't want anyone seeing.

The boy was briefly stung by her implication but recovered his pride by choosing to interpret her meaning as "seen with a man" rather than just "seen with him."

???: Okay, how about a Farm house? But still, someone could wander in... We could get a room at an inn so we could lock the door, but that's obviously out.

Titania: Of course it is.

This time, the boy suffered piercing damage from that retort, which was as sharp as the end of her rapier. The fencer sighed and continued.

Titania: Besides, the inn rooms in this place barely live up to the name. They're like tiny boxes with a bed and table, and they expect you to pay fifty valis a night? I don't care about food, but the sleep you need is real, so they could at least give us better accommodations.

???: H... huh? You think so? You know there are better places available if you search them out, right? They just cost a little more.

Titania: How hard do you have to search? There are only three inns in town, and they're all the same.

The boy finally understood.

???: Oh... I see. You only checked the places with the big INN signs, right?

Titania: Well ... isn't that self-explanatory? An inn's an inn.

???: Yeah, but that only refers to the cheapest possible places to spend the night here on the ground floor. The inns aren't the only place to pay valis for a room.

Her lips suddenly pursed.

Titania: W-well ... why didn't you say that earlier?

She shot back. Then the boy, proudly described his favorite spot in town.

???: I stay on the second floor of a farm in town for eighty valis a night, but it comes with all the milk you want, has a comfy, spacious bed and a nice view, not to mention the bath...

At that last phrase, she struck. With the speed of the Sword Magic the boy had seen deep in the Labyrinth, her hand leapt out and grabbed the collar of the boy's gray coat. Her voice was steely and menacing.

Titania:...What did you just say?

The constant stress and rhythm of battle in the wilderness and Labyrinth left no time for reflection, but when she returned to town and lay down in bed, she fell into an endless replay of her actions from a month before.

Whenever she fell into a light sleep reflecting on that particular regret, she had nightmares. She'd twitch and wake up with a jolt, then check the clock in the lower left corner of her vision to find that at best, she'd only been asleep for three hours. After that, no amount of lying in bed with her eyes closed would bring sleep back. In a way, if she'd just been able to get a good night's sleep, Titania wouldn't have driven herself to punishing dungeon crawls for three or four days at a time.

Titania wished more and more for a nice room and bed to spend it on. The inns in this world were cramped and dim, and whatever material the beds were made from, they were noisy and tough. She didn't need Italian-made high-resistance polyurethane foam... but maybe simple latex would at least lengthen her rest from three hours to four. And beyond that, a bathtub, or at least a shower, would be nice. She was ready to die alone in a Labyrinth if that's what it came to, but if she could just have the chance, just once, to stretch out her legs and soak in a nice, hot bath...

This fervent wish shot to the forefront of her mind at the black-haired swordsman's words.

???: Huh...?

Titania: What did you just say?

Titania repeated, not realizing she'd grabbed him by the collar. Unless she'd just suffered some hallucination, she could have sworn he'd just said...

???: A-all the milk you can drink ...?

Titania: After that.

???: C-comfy, spacious bed and a nice view...?

Titania: After that.

???: W-with a bath...?

So she hadn't misheard. Titania let go of his coat and continued, flustered.

Titania: You said this room was eighty valis a night?

???: I ... I did.

Titania: How many extra rooms does this inn have? Where is it? I'll take a room, just show me the way.

Finally he seemed to understand the situation. He coughed and solemnly stated.

???: Um, well, I told you I was renting out the second floor, right?

Titania:...You did.

???: What I meant was, I'm renting out the entire second floor. There are no open rooms. And they didn't have any to rent on the first floor.

Titania: Wha...?

She had to hold her feet firm to keep from slumping to her knees.

Titania: Then... the room's all ...

He seemed to understand what she was trying to ask, and responded regretfully, his eyes wandering.

???: Well, I've gotten a good week's worth of enjoyment out of the place, so I'd love to switch with you ... If you'd like. I can find somewhere else.

Titania: Really?!

The swordsman was still studiously looking everywhere but at Titania when she lowered her head and said in a voice barely loud enough to reach his ears, but was demanding

Titania: Take me to your place... Let me use your bath.

???: Uh, sure...

(Timeskip)

The farm at which the swordsman was staying was at the edge of a small field to the east of Tolbana. The building was much larger than she expected; the combined size of the stable and the house itself might even be as large as Titania's house in the forest.

A pristine stream ran through a corner of the plot of land, pushing a small waterwheel with pleasant creaks. The two-story house was occupied on the first floor by a farming family. When Titania stepped through the front door, the farmer's wife flashed her a beaming smile.

The swordsman led her up a set of heavy stairs to a short hallway with a single door at the end. He touched the knob and it opened automatically with the clicking sound effect of a lock unlatching.

???: Um...well, come on in.

He pushed the door open and gestured her in awkwardly.

Titania:...Thanks.

She said quietly and took a step inside—then screamed.

Titania: What the—? It's so big! And... and this is only thirty valis more expensive than the place I'm renting? It's so cheap...

???: Being able to find spots like this is a special skill—it's just not on your character sheet. Of course, in my case...

He stopped mid-sentence. She looked at him curiously, but he merely shook his head. Titania gave the room another once-over and sighed.

The room they were standing in now had to be at least three hundred square feet. If the door on the east wall led to the bedroom, it must be about the same size. On the west wall was another door with a placard reading BATHROOM over it. The oddly decorative script seemed to have a sorcerous suction to it, drawing Titania closer. While the design of the place was rustic, it was very comfortable and homey. The swordsman removed his sword and boots and sank into the cushy sofa.

After a luxurious stretch, he looked up as though just remembering Titania was there, and coughed awkwardly.

???: Um, well, as you can see, the bathroom is that way, so ... b-be my guest.

Titania: Ah ... th-thanks.

It felt a bit rude to visit someone's room and plunge right into the bath, but it was far too late to observe restraint now. She accepted his offer and was heading for the door when his voice drifted over her shoulder. She opened the bathroom door. She slid inside and pulled the knob shut behind her.

She locked the door. She was already in the bathroom of a boy she'd met just yesterday, about to use his tub. The black-haired swordsman—whose name she still didn't know—was hard to gauge in terms of personality and age, but he was not the kind of person to barge into a bathroom without warning... she thought. Titanis tore her gaze away from the door and looked to the south.

Titania:...Wow...

She murmured. Even the bathroom was large. The northern half was the changing area, complete with a thick, soft carpet and shelves of untreated wood on the walls. The southern half was polished stone tile, most of which was covered by a large white bathtub in the shape of a boat.

High on the brick wall was a faucet in the shape of a monstrous face, and clear liquid was shooting out of it with terrific force. The hot water and its thick white steam filled the bathtub up to the very lip and cascaded onto the tile floor, where it ran down into a drain in the corner.

Titania silently thank the boy for lending her his bathtub. She silently started undressing herself.

All the things she'd been wearing for days and weeks—the hooded cape, the bronze armor that covered her chest, the long gloves and boots, and the rapier at her waist—all were undressed, and her long chestnut hair fell across her back. All that remained were a woolen three-quarter-sleeve tunic and tight leather pants. She undressed top and bottom as well, leaving only two pieces of simple underwear.

Titania gave the door another quick glance, then she unequipped everything, and she felt a chill on her skin. She quickly crossed the room and straddled the ceramic tub. When her left foot sank into the water, the sensory signals hit her brain like a wall. She stuck her head into the flow of water from the faucet, resisting the urge to slide entirely under the surface just yet. Only when the warmth covered her entire body and took the chill of the air off did she slip down into the hot water on her back with a splash.

Titania... Aaaaahh...

There was no holding in that sigh of contentment. The sweet sensation had led her to be able to close her eyes, stretch her limbs, and relax. It was a bath. And not just any bath, but a deluxe one nearly six feet long and full to the brim. She sank up to her lips, eyes closed, letting every muscle relax.

Titania: I can die happy now. I have no regrets left. Oh, but... That black bread with cream on top. What I wouldn't give for one more of those before I die...

Titania was disturbed by the desire that suddenly rose within her. She opened her eyes and sat up slightly.

(Timeskip)

After her wonderful joyous bath, Titania left herself out to meet the boy. He was drinking himself on the all you can drink milk, while glancing at her nervously.

???: Y-You done?

Titania: What are you doing in the corner there?

???(mind): Trying my best to asses this whole situation. Who the hell uses a persons home bath, especially when we just met?

Titania(mind): Ah...

Titania's ability to read mind was truly unbelievable. But after hearing the boy's thought left her fluster, even though its not visible through her hood. After seeing that she was fully clothes, the boy sigh in relief.

Titania: What...?

???: Uh, nothing.

Then he brought out some towel and some wool, some knives and other tools were all spread across a sheet atop the bed as well.

Titania: That's...

???: Oh... This is to maintain your weapons.

Titania blinked over and over at his sudden declaration. Not minding her reaction, the boy beckoned to her.

???: Come on—over here.

Bewildered, Titania did as he said and sat on the bed with him. She watched him as he sat at ease, rummaging through the sparkling tools before suddenly pushing her sword and a cloth into her hands.

???: Try to do it just like I tell you. First, run it along the core of the blade...

Titania: L-like this?

Following his instructions, she began the weapon's maintenance. Titania grew flustered when she couldn't emulate The boy's movements the way she intended; it forced her to acknowledge once again just how unskilled she was. Still, she did not have anything else to do at the moment, so she silently focused on her work.

After the boy taught her what to do, he returned to wiping down his own weapon. It was difficult to describe the mood as the time passed. The boy fell silent as the two of them continued to polish their weapons together.

Titania(mind): It felt like Big Brother is here with me.

As something whispered in the recesses of her heart...

???: After seeing you fight the other day, I want you to know that you have to take care of your weapons like this.

The boy broke his silence.

Titania:...?

???: If you leave them soaking in monster blood, they'll rust. If even a speck of dust sticks to them, the edges will grow dull. Weapons seem sturdy, but the reality is that they're delicate things.

Titania:...

???: There's a saying. 'Weapons are an extension of their wielder.' We have to take care of them as parts of ourselves.

Titania: That's...What?

Without raising his face, still focused on his sword, the boy narrowed his eyes.

???: It's the same for adventurers.

Titania: !

Titania opened her eyes wide at those words.

???: Look at the sword in your hands. It's the weapon you were using today. It's covered in wounds... just like you were.

Titania:...!

The rusted shortsword in her hands exemplified the truth that Titania had refused to recognize. Just like the boy said, the sword was damaged all over. She looked at all the nicks left on it. This extension of Titania was crying out in pain right now. She saw her scrawny arms, scarred skin, and damaged hair reflected in the steel blade.

???: If you don't pay attention, it wears down, and wears down, and wears down...and in the end, it breaks. Gone too soon.

Titania: Oh...

???: But if you take proper care and maintain it...Look, just like you see before you. Damaged weapons can regain their luster.

With one hand, the boy lightly picked up his sword , its maintenance complete. Just as he'd said, the weapon glinted with a sturdy light despite some lingering scars.

???: Breaking isn't the only fate swords can have. If you can bring back their shine like this, if you put together the broken pieces, they can be reborn, too.

Titania:...

???: That's why you have to take care of your weapons—and of yourself, too. If you can do that, it will be your first step to becoming a fine adventurer.

Looking at Titania, the boy broke into a smile. With his compassionate expression in his face, he seemed cheerful and kind, like a gentle person. Truly different from all the people she'd met. She couldn't help but blurted what she'd lock within her heart.

Titania: Why would you do so much for me?

???: We're going to fight a very dangerous monsters tomorrow. We've gotta do whatever we can do.

Titania: But you don't have to do this much for me.

???: It's just that I don't want my party member dying on me. If you're planning to go to Orario, with its current state, you need to be prepared for everything.

Titania:...

???: Now let's talk about the fight tomorrow.

Titania: I don't understand you.

???: Eh...?

Titania: Every people I met so far, only ever think but themselves. Selfish, and abandoned other adventurers. So why are you truly doing this? Judging by your skills, you could have used me, captured me, or even assaulted me, yet you didn't.

???:...

Titania: After all, that's what adventurers do!

Her voices started to sound more heated. Then the boy asked calmly.

???: If you have something to talk, I don't mind listening. And I promised you, I won't tell a soul.

Titania: How would I know you wouldn't turn your back on me?

???: I had plenty of chances, yet I didn't. I could have let you to die in that Labyrinth, but I didn't. I could have ignore your request, but I didn't. I thought after that much, I would gain your trust a bit. But if you would like, we could go to a slave market.

Titania: Slave Market?!

???: Yeah. You could make me your slave so I wouldn't turn my back on you.

Titania was surprise just by how much the boy was willing to go just so he could gain her trust. Seeing his resolute eyes and determination, let her to told him the truth.

Titania: I had a brother who is an adventurer of Orario. He said he will bring me there. But...

???: I'm sorry to hear that.

She didn't say any further, but the boy had realized in her tone that her brother had died. Then she continued on in telling her life ever since then. How her Mother had locked her, turning her into a cage bird. The arrange marriage. How it led her to running from her home. And how every adventurers she'd met all wanted her not to help her, but to used her.

Titania: He'd promised, but... And even my Mother didn't understand me at all.

After she was done, she hung her head. Her eyes were on so much pain as if she had live an entire life of misery. After awhile, the boy finally spoke.

???: I won't deny that the world is indeed a cruel place. With each adventure, our lives are on the line. On top of that, in the heat of battle, in extreme life-or-death situations, a person would do anything to survive. But in a situation like this, there's no telling what people are capable of. You can see who a person really is when he's being nonchalant and normal. That's what I think.

His voice were calm, yet soothing. Like a snow white gently covering her wounded soul.

???: It doesn't matter if you're an experienced adventurer or not. What kind of person your Mother and your Brother is...

Then the boy smile calmly at her.

???: You should know that yourself.

Titania: I know... Who they are?

Kouichiro: When you grew up, I'll show you around and how to become an adventurer.

Titania(mind): Big Brother...

She recalled all the fun times she and her brother would have. All the wonderful stories he'd shared with her. Her reason why she's wanted to be an adventurer in the first place. Then through her hood, she smile at the boy.

Titania: Thank you. I feel a little calmer now.

???: I see. That Big Brother of yours is something else. He said, "I'll show you around and how to become and adventurer", right? What a truly wonderful Big Brother you have. Unlike me...

Titania: Eh...

The boy mutter the last part which Titania overheard. She peered to her right and saw that he was hunched over on the bench, his elbows on his knees. His lips shifted, and more faint words reached her ears.

???: That's something that I never could've done. I'm sorry. The reason you're in this situation in the first place... In other words, what drove you into the corner, in a sense, it's my...

But she couldn't make out the rest. The especially large windmill in the center of town started ringing its wind-powered clock bell. It was eleven o'clock at night, it was getting late and she needs to return to her inn. Before she went, she spoke in a whisper that only the boy could hear.

Titania: What you just started to say... If we both survive tomorrow's battle, let me hear the rest.

As she headed out of his room, the boy silently thought.

???(mind): Yes, I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I left my little sister behind for the sake of getting everything back.

Titania(mind): A Little Sister?

Little did he know, Titania had heard them all with her Legilimency.