With Elion's help, I was able to acquaint myself with the technique a little better than before. Like he said, he had impeccable defense. It would seem to me that the principles of their warrior ways were first founded on the importance of defense and breaking through that defense—which was quite timely and advantageous for me. Unless able to force them to move against their opponent, they would not consider the other party as their equal.

It was a fascinating tradition, but it was very frustrating for me to experience. Elion looked smug when I was unable to break through—even while utilizing the technique that Mistress Veronika imparted to me.

I suspected I was not strong enough nor skilled enough to use it yet. As it is, my understanding was still quite limited. Still, I was able to further it a little with his aid.

In the end, late midnight came. Mistress Kora went out looking for me and pulled me in for bedtime, thanking Elion in Simarian tongue as he towed me back. I smiled wryly, having forgotten the flow of time, and waved our Vertvalden neighbor a goodbye as we retreated back into our tents.

Though I was admonished, they did not scold me too hard. My intentions were well enough, and it wasn't like I was doing anything wrong—though it was not really nice for a girl to be hanging out with a dude so late at night. My mistresses were still the conservative and overprotective type, especially in that regard.

Eren had fallen asleep by the time I returned. She was sweating a little, so Mistress Veronika stuffed a dry towel on her back to alleviate the discomfort of wet clothes. Maun, on the other hand, seemed to still be awake. He'd peeked out of the tent where he and Mistress Kora were staying in when we arrived.

I went out to wash up for the night, deciding to leave my hair dry for the meantime, and ready myself for bed. After which, I tucked myself under the covers, taking sanctuary under the flimsy tents that barely kept out the freezing night air. It was still the dry season, so we did not have much trouble dealing with the weather, but I was rather concerned when the rainy days would come. Storms would be frequent then. I wasn't sure whether our current living arrangements would be bearable under such conditions.

I remembered the monk's offer about being given better beds and whatnot—but that was until we could admit ourselves as disciples of the Temple. There was some uncertainty. And even if it did happen, that was not until a month or so. With the pace we're taking in this competition, it should last quite a while.

Well, they did say that before. The final selection process was a lengthy one.

I plopped on the blankets, shuffling across the tough but padded surface as I curled into a more comfortable position. I could feel some ache rising from my muscles due to overwork along with the rippling stings rising from small wounds I couldn't care less about.

All will be better, I assured myself. All will be better soon.

I cursed the Empress in my mind in place of counting sheep. Though it was quite gruesome, imagining her being tortured and suffering brought me greater comfort than any sheep.

I was able to sleep easier like that.

I did not always dream of my past life, but there were times, like now, wherein the memories of it would spill forward—bursting from the hidden recesses of my mind. I was more vulnerable to these flashbacks in my dreams. Perhaps it was because the guards of my consciousness were down, and my guilt would worm its way to remind me of my failures. I did not think much of it now, considering how seemingly irrelevant all of it was with my current life, but a part of me knew it wasn't so.

The loud clanging of bells from the high towers called the people into its walls. High, lofty. The walls were thick, the floor of waxed marble. Pigeons flitted within its towering ceilings, their wings reverberating in beat with the singing choir.

We were late. The procession had begun. My mother tugged me forward by the hand as she straightened my white Sunday dress, scolding me for protesting our visit to the church. She had grown tired of my reasons, and would continuously remind me it was a sin to neglect one's duty to faith.

"That is enough, River."

I was startled. I had not heard anyone call me by that name for a long time.

Right. My name.

The scent of Sambac Jasmine wafted off the stringed flowers from the hands of those selling them by the door. My mother bought two, handing me one. She then curtsied upon entering before scouring the room with her eyes in search of vacant seats. There was none, so we had to make our way to the back to stand—with many others.

I brushed my finger down the velvety petals in my hand, lamenting the accursed fate of these things—how they ended up as nothing more than a garland that churchgoers would buy. Often, it was as an offering to a religious image. I found it pitiful, but I didn't know why. Perhaps it was because I related so much to it.

I lowered my head as the priest came into the pedestal to begin the sermon. Seeing him arrive, I quickly lowered my eyes. I pushed myself inward, hoping I would not be noticed by him. Nonetheless, I knew it would all be futile in the end. We all came forward to greet and kiss his hand before we left, in order to ask for blessings.

I strained to block myself from his preaches, knowing full-well he didn't really mean them. He guided others, spread the word of god, yet he himself would not obey them.

"Why do you hate him so much?" came a voice so loud it resounded throughout the whole church. Startled, something cracked in my current reality, and the many eyes of the people stared over to where I stood.

I looked towards the sound of the voice and found someone there who wasn't meant to be.

Amber eyes met mine.

"I can sense your loathing for that guy. It's not about the religion, is it?"

The images of my dream blurred. The people, the droning choir, the stuffy daytime heat—all faded away. I stood before Amber, still in my Sunday dress. We were now in nothingness.

"You know, you don't look half bad in your past life..." he said. "You don't have these dreams often. But when you do, it's the really interesting ones. I sort of can understand why you didn't want to reincarnate. You've had some pretty tough things about you, gave you lots of issues, didn't it?"

"Have you never heard of privacy?" I asked. "Why are you here? In all places?"

He stepped forward. "I dunno. I was bored."

I was a bit touchy about these things. I wouldn't want anyone snooping around my memories like they were nothing, so I was pissed off. "And my life is entertaining for you?"

"Let me teach you something..." he said. "Do you know why memories disappear when you go into your next life? It's not just about a fresh start..."

I looked at him.

"They become ground down and becomes a part of your soul. They're hard to let go, but you know...they become a core part of you in the end. It's the weight of your memories that you become worthy enough to endure the cosmos—and become a star. You know...you were lucky you were born human," he told me. "When you reincarnate, you can end up into becoming anything from an insect to a toad, to something so simple as a rock."

I tried to comprehend it, but I did not see the point. "How is this supposed to help me?" I asked.

"You're trying to move on from your memories like they're no longer related to you, and it's understandable and all, especially since you're already in this life. It's also much easier. Thing is though, these things will come and haunt you until the very end, until you find a way to make peace with them."

I scoffed. "Make peace..." It was ridiculous, but it made sense.

"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot," he began. "And I admit I did not treat you well when you were reincarnating. I should've been a little more understanding of your circumstances. These replays help me a lot with that."

I looked at him. He avoided my gaze.

"I wasn't exactly made to be the best communicator out there. I was interning in this job precisely because I was told I lacked proper empathy. Otherwise, I wouldn't be ferrying souls along."

"Interning?"

He shrugged. "I told you I was a stand-in. Those...damn gods just up and went away. I mean, who does that?"

"The gods?" I said.

"Anyway, let's make a deal," he said. "Full cooperation. No animosity. I know this is long overdue, but if you can help me solve this problem before they get back and see that I've messed up, I'll make sure to give you VIP treatment in your next three reincarnations."

I looked at him pointedly.

"Fine. Five reincarnations."

I raised a brow.

"Ten. I can't go any higher than that."

"I don't need it," I told him. "But I do want your help on something when all of this is over."

"Fine. Let's hear it."

"I'll tell you when we get there."

"It shouldn't be unreasonable. And it must be within my capabilities."

"I think you'll be able to handle it well enough just fine," I said.

"Fine. I agree."

"It's not about torturing the empress, though. That's a different arrangement."

"Tch. You cunning little aberrant."

I gave him a toothy grin.

"I need you to do something for me though," he told me.

"What is it?"

"Within around three or four years, my body will finally manifest in this world. It's taken me a long time to rebuild it, but when I finally have it, we can put an end to the matter concerning the Veils and Vertvalden once and for all."

"A body?" I reiterated.

"I can't exactly move like this now, can I? It's not exactly the most efficient. Also, I'm very weak to this world's energies without a shell to move around in. I need a degree of protection, otherwise, I'll be just as vulnerable to the Veils without one. Thing is, building a living body that can withstand the energy of death is very tough. I'm sure you know that."

"I understand."

"You don't know how lucky you are to have half the blessing of the serpent, and half from the dragons. Your physical constitution is exceptional. Had you been born in a different body, you would be suffering a lot from the blessing of death," he said. "I bet you wouldn't even have lasted this long. In an odd way, I do not think we were abandoned by the gods."

"I don't think I'd like to thank them either."

"Mm." He shrugged. "Anyhow, I just hope we have enough time. I'm already making haste as it is. I do not think the limitations I put in place would keep those things down for too long. Also, hearing what that boy had said about the other continent...it seems the Veils have become a force to reckon with."

"How do you plan on taking them down?"

"The power of Kaliya, as this world's people like to call it, should instill within them a certain degree of reverence and subservience. But you see, Kaliya's power is not exactly bounded by rules—in fact, it encapsulates the very essence of lawlessness. You would have to be strong enough to beat them into submission."

"It sounds like fun."

"Ha. I wish it was as fun as it sounded."

"I guess we'll find out in three or four years."