Time Elapsed: 00:16:58

Severance stood in the Memorial Grounds, watching the little flowers sway at the base of each memorial stone. He didn't approach any of the stones, but his focus remained on the one that held Rasin's name.

He wasn't sure why he here. He'd had time to kill before meeting up with his team, and with the House being relatively empty, his feet had inexplicably wandered over here.

The place was quiet and peaceful, yet the air felt heavy. It was like the countless names inscribed on each stone bore an intangible weight. He could only imagine what it must have been like to engrave all those names seven years ago. All those names, all those people, lost all at once.

How many days had it taken?

He'd been there when Rasin's name had been inscribed. That had been awful enough.

Severance observed the unique writing that represented Rasin's name. Each symbol was engraved into his mind. This man had needlessly died for him. There wasn't anything Severance could do to change that.

Just as he couldn't do anything to change Fenn's death.

He sighed and lowered his gaze before walking out of the Memorial Grounds. Like the Veiled, he could only walk on.

Vast found him on the way back to the House. The beast seemed quite excited about the large bone he was carrying. Judging by the look of it, it was disturbingly fresh. Severance eyed it warily. There were some things that didn't vanish into the violet death sparkles, but were meant to be consumed as food. This bone was obviously one of them, but the shape of it...

"You didn't kill someone for that, did you?"

Vast's ears flicked his way. Then the beast raised his head higher, a definite pride in his manner. He practically pranced all the way back to the House.

Severance decided that some things were better off unknown.

When they arrived back at the House, he spotted two familiar figures outside. One was rather petite with a stunning, perfectly symmetrical face and a short bob haircut, and the other was taller and willowy with a dark braid hung over her shoulder.

His eyes lit up.

"Mouna!"

Both young women turned at his call.

Severance broke out into a smile and hurried over. Mouna's gaze softened upon recognizing him, her dark lashes lowering a fraction.

"How are you?" He blurted, coming to a stop a couple feet away.

Common sense told him he was far too close to her, but his feet refused to move. His head lowered a bit so he could properly see her face. In turn, she had to tilt her head back so she could look at him.

Her liquid black eyes held his. She signed something, but he missed it entirely. The movement was like a little butterfly fluttering past on the sidelines.

The sound of someone clearing her throat loudly startled him. He finally turned to see Zillah's narrowed eyes.

"I'm doing great, thank you," she said coldly. "Nice of you to ask."

Severance felt vaguely embarrassed.

"Oh ah, hi."

Zillah scoffed and folded her arms. "You idiot."

Don't call him that, Mouna sighed. She gave the other woman a sharp look. Then her gaze warmed as it returned to Severance. I am well. How are you? You look tired. Have you been getting enough rest?

Severance blinked. Then a silly grin showed up on his face.

Yes, he signed back.

Aloud, he said, "I'm good. It's been a little crazy, but we're making progress."

"I heard," Zillah stared at him, her lips pursed. "You sure don't waste time, do you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He wasn't sure, but he was getting the sense that she wasn't happy about something. He didn't understand why. Confused, he looked to Mouna, only to find that she'd closed the gap between them. One of her hands slid into his.

Everything else flew out the window.

All his focus was on the warmth wrapped around his hand, and the close proximity of her body. She lifted her free hand up between them, and signed very deliberately in the shallow space between them. It was impossible not to see the fluid movements her fingers and hands made. She had his full attention.

You joined them, she said. You should not have.

He frowned slightly, before realizing what she was referring to. The Fang.

"I had to," he murmured softly. "It's part of Olen's plans."

Her eyes narrowed at that, and she made a sharp, negative sign. That does not mean you should-

He caught her fingers with his other hand, stilling her movements. Her eyes widened slightly. They stared at each other with their hands tangled together. Severance found himself smiling.

"It's okay," he said. "This is something that'll help everyone in the long run. Besides, even if the Fang are a little crazy, they won't hurt me. Not when I hold their lives in my hands." He chuckled softly, finding that statement to be rather funny. Who would imagine he'd ever be in this position? Being a healer was quite useful! "Also, no matter what happens I will survive. So don't worry about me, okay?"

"Ugh." Zillah made a disgusted sound from the side. She was ignored.

Vast nosed between him and Mouna half-heartedly, but when he too, was ignored, he whined and sat down.

In the silence that followed, Mouna gazed up at Severance, her eyes revealing a complex look. It was hard to tell what she was thinking or feeling, but the fact she didn't pull away from him was enough. She wasn't rejecting him.

Severance found his mood to be very good.

"You two must have been quite busy as well." He finally remembered Zillah was there, and glanced at her for a split second before returning to Mouna. "I haven't seen you around here for a while."

Mouna's fingers twitched, almost like she wanted to sign something. But Severance found himself reluctant to let go.

Zillah had to answer. "Yes, we've been searching through the Lost Lands for any more signs of the Valkyrie."

At that, Severance's smile faded. He remembered the last survivor they'd found in that horrid, underground place. Even worse, he remembered Mouna's stricken look as she held the only survivor in her arms. His fingers tightened around hers.

"Did you find any more?" he asked, voice low.

Zillah hesitated, which made him look over at her, his lavender eyes narrowing.

"Not alive," she said carefully. "We found two more places, but there weren't any other survivors."

That meant they found the dead. Severance's chest tightened. He could only imagine the things the two women would have seen. A sense of helplessness filled him. He shouldn't have let them go alone. He should have been there with them.

But he had his own tasks that could not be denied.

"If there's anything, or if you need me, leave a message with someone," he said. "I'll help as soon as I can."

Zillah rolled her eyes. "We're not children, Severance. We can handle it on our own."

"I know," he returned. "But if any of you are hurt, or if you do find a survivor, I can help you."

"You going to bring a Valkyrie to the Champion's House again?" Zillah's lip curled. They all knew very well what the Veiled Leaders thought of that.

Severance grimaced. He'd already been warned to never use the Eternal Champion's token again. "I'll bring them to the Vigilant in Tomorrow's Edge."

It wasn't a great option, but it was better than doing nothing at all. Even if it meant he'd draw all kinds of attention, it would be worth saving a Valkyrie's life. Which reminded him of the other survivor. He'd never heard back whether she survived or not.

Mouna finally tugged her hand free so she could form a few signs.

Leave it to us. If we need you, we will let you know.

He frowned. "You better. If you get even a scratch, you have to tell me. I'll heal it right away."

To his surprise, Mouna's lips lifted at the corners. It was just the tiniest of fractions, but it was enough.

I will.

"Oh, come on," Zillah exclaimed.

She walked over and shoved them apart. Severance hadn't been prepared, so he stumbled back. On the other side, Mouna looked similarly startled.

"We have work to do. Come on, Mouna."

Grasping Mouna's wrist, Zillah pulled her into the House. Severance was left standing outside like an unwanted stray cat. Zillah's actions were baffling. Had he done something wrong?

He didn't realize that he'd been staring at the House like a fool until Vast let out a rumbled warning. When he followed Vast's gaze to the far wall, Severance spotted a man in black sitting leisurely on the wall, one chin propped up on his knee.

"Ugh." Severance immediately scowled. He turned around, intending to leave.

But a familiar voice called out before Severance could even think to teleport.

"Sev, wait!"

A moment later, Vast's warning grumbles grew deeper. Severance knew without even looking that the man in black was approaching. With great reluctance, he turned back around.

"Maun," he greeted grudgingly.

"What's with that look?" Maun asked as he neared. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

He wore an irritating smile, one that made Severance raise his guard. A smiling Maun was never a good sign.

"What do you want?" Severance asked.

"Ah, I get it. You're only happy to see Mouna." Maun sighed and shook his head. "But those were some good moves, Sev. Well done."

Severance instantly flushed. "Shut up."

He didn't even want to know how long the man had been sitting there, watching. The fact that Vast hadn't picked up on his presence didn't mean much, either. When it came to stalking, there was no one better at it then the Veiled.

"Look, can you tell Olen something when he gets back?" Severance decided to change the subject before it got even more ridiculous.

Besides, it was something important. Since Olen wasn't in his office, chances were good he was in the System Tower. The man never went anywhere else, after all.

"Hm?" Maun tilted his head slightly.

"I found Asrani."

For a split second, Maun's entire body went still. His entire demeanor changed, becoming serious.

"Tell me what happened," he commanded.

Severance's brows lifted. "He tried to kill me, just like you did. Fortunately, I was able to show him the marking on my shoulder, so he backed off. Which is good, because I can't exactly return from the dead in my own world."

Maun's expression grew dark. "I see."

"I don't think he likes me very much," Severance added. "But whatever. At least he knows I have a connection to you guys, so hopefully he'll be willing to talk."

"How did you find him?"

Severance shrugged. "It's a bit of a long story. Remember my uncle who died?"

Maun gave a slight nod. He was more than aware; he'd even helped Severance deal with the grief by taking him on the most nightmarish hunting trip possible.

"He worked for the organization who made the ah, connection possible between my world and yours. He's also the one who gave me the equipment needed to travel here." Severance paused, choosing his words carefully. His world had very different technology than Eliona did, so he had to explain it in a way Maun could understand. "Anyway, my uncle knew some things. He had hidden the directions to a certain place and had it given to me after he died. I followed those directions and it led me to Asrani."

"Your uncle had ties to Asrani?" Maun's brows lifted.

Severance nodded. "Yeah, seems like. I was pretty surprised myself."

"Hm. Then perhaps..." Maun's voice lowered. "You were meant to find us."

Letting out a startled laugh, Severance shook his head. "I doubt it. Uncle Fenn would probably have a heart attack if he'd known how things ended up. No, I think he just tried to pass that information on just in case."

It was a little strange though that out of all people Fenn could leave that information with, he'd chosen to leave it with Seth. That was something Severance couldn't make sense of.