As dawn transitioned into day, a milder breeze replaced the harsh cold of the tundra. While packing up camp proved relatively simple, the aftermath of the battle demanded a different kind of attention. Driven by a sense of duty and respect, Alice covered the angel corpses with blankets as best as she could.

Simultaneously, Elana, still fatigued, focused on tending to the deeper cuts on Cole's body. Adrenaline had masked the pain during the fight, but now it surfaced. Seeking to distract him, Alice engaged in a mental link with Cole, inquiring about his combat prowess and his familiarity with handling angels.

"It's just practice and training from my fellow soldiers," Cole replied. "We only ever fought angels. And training back home for that kind of life is... unforgiving, to say the least."

As Elana worked on a particularly severe wound on Cole's chest, Alice noticed his discomfort. Images of the defeated figure with fins and webbed fingers flashed in her mind, raising questions about demonic practices. Cole, unintentionally connected through the mental link, addressed her concerns.

"Yeah, that's one I'm not proud of," he admitted. "And it's why I wanted out as soon as I got in. Ignis wants us all cold-blooded."

Alice swiftly severed the mental link, turning her attention to Elana, who struggled with closing the wound. Curious, Alice questioned Elana's choice."Why not just use that magic from earlier?"

"If I could, I would. But even that little bit wore me out. I'll need a moment... besides, I think my handiwork is doing well here," Elana explained, grinning as she successfully sealed the wound with a thread.

She revealed the material as Darksilver Thread, emphasizing its durability for future encounters. Cole, relieved, tested the stitches, surprised to find them intact. "I can't imagine that will be our last scuffle, so you need something to hold up just in case," Elana added, her expression somber yet determined.

Continuing their journey towards Skycrest, the trio pressed further west. With each step, the wintry landscape gradually transformed. The frost and snow yielded to clearer ground and visible patches of muddy grass beneath their feet. As they ventured deeper, the biting cold began to relent, and the temperature rose, rendering their warm attire less essential. The changing environment mirrored the westward progression, offering a respite from the harshness of the tundra they left behind.

The trio continued their path, the forest now alive with the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of leaves. The once barren branches of the trees now bore signs of budding life. As they ventured deeper into this newfound verdant landscape, a distant sound reached their ears — the soothing rush of flowing water.

Intrigued, they followed the sound and soon stumbled upon a hidden oasis—a serene hot spring nestled within a small grove. Steam billowed from the crystal-clear waters, inviting them to rest and rejuvenate. Eager to take a break and enjoy the unexpected oasis, the trio approached.

As they drew closer, the air became tinged with the subtle scent of minerals carried by the rising steam. The grove surrounding the oasis was adorned with vibrant flowers in hues of lavender, azure, and goldenrod. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting a dappled play of shadows on the soft, moss-covered ground.

The hot spring itself was a natural marvel, its waters reflecting the azure of the sky above. Wisps of steam danced in the gentle breeze, creating an ethereal veil that added to the magical ambiance. Large rocks, worn smooth by the passage of time, encircled the pool, offering perfect spots to sit and unwind.

The trio couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected beauty of the hidden oasis. Elana's eyes lit up with recognition as they approached. "This is Marsh's Hot Springs," she explained. "A hidden gem in these woods, known only to a few."

Sure enough, as they entered the clearing, they spotted a figure emerging from a quaint wooden building nearby. Marsh, the proprietor of the hot springs, greeted them with a warm smile. "Well, well, Elana Hjerim! It's been ages!" he asked, casting a friendly glance at Alice and Cole. “You look well, dear, youthful as always.”

Elana’s eyes further lit, her wrinkled and tired face now anew with joy as she shared a quick embrace with Marsh. Alice noted the man’s features- pale pink skin of a human, but fins and webbed fingers signaling his otherness. As he spoke, pinpricks of teeth were settled behind his lips, and gills on his neck flared up with each breath.

“Ah, don’t lie, I know I look horrid,” Elana joked, her hand settling on his back. “We had a run-in with some angels by Morton’s Pass.”

Marsh nodded in understanding, not appearing surprised. “I saw a few overhead the other day. I imagine that’s who you mean?”

Their banter back and forth is warm and friendly as Elana regales the events of battle. Marsh follows her words with interest, a keen ear picking up the details. Alice, ever curious, peeks into his mind in his distracted state. Instead of thoughts or memories, she finds herself blocked out. As soon as the barrier is established, Marsh’s eyes briefly flick from Elana to Alice, a look of disapproval briefly overcoming him before returning rapt attention to Elana.

“My dear, if I may ask, who are your companions this fine afternoon?” Marsh asks, his word coming at a dip in Elana’s retelling.
Elana gestured towards Alice and Cole with a proud smile. "These brave souls are Alice and Cole. We're on a journey to Skycrest, seeking answers and, well, trying to avoid any more trouble."

Marsh's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he greeted them. "Welcome, Alice and Cole. It's not every day that the hotsprings receive such distinguished guests. Now, what brings you to my humble abode?"

Alice, always upfront, explained their situation, recounting their encounters with angels and the ominous pursuit from Skycrest. Marsh listened attentively, his expression shifting from interest to concern as he absorbed the gravity of their journey.

After hearing their tale, Marsh's gaze lingered on Alice, and she couldn't help but feel a subtle discomfort. Sensing an unspoken tension, Elana interjected, steering the conversation toward a more casual note. "Marsh, do you still have that special blend of tea? The one you used to make back in Chillmoor?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Marsh's lips. "Ah, the Chillmoor Blend! Of course, my dear. I have a fresh batch ready. Let's head to the inn; I'll brew some for all of us. You must be tired from your journey, and a cup of tea might be just what you need."

The trio followed Marsh to the inn, a quaint and cozy establishment adorned with seashells and aquatic-themed decor. The warmth of the hearth and the inviting aroma of tea filled the air as they settled into comfortable chairs. As Marsh busied himself with the tea, Elana couldn't contain herself, sharing further stories of their battle and the destruction of Chillmoor.

“Yes, that was certainly who I saw,” Marsh mused, pouring the tea for the three guests. “Admittedly, I’ve seen plenty of angels flying about, but they usually fly back after an hour or two. They’ve taken up parcel deliveries so I assumed it was nothing more than such.”

Elana’s eyes widened. “I heard Skycrest was phasing out carrier pigeons, but I certainly hoped it would take longer than a few months…”

She went quiet, blowing on her tea to think. Cole, drinking his without hesitation, sighed when the molten liquid parched his throat. He perked up immediately, the tea serving as the first proper warm meal after his plight in the tundra.

“Eternus runs the city, if he wants it he gets it,” Cole added. “Probably pushed it so the angels can check all the mail.”

“No doubt,” Marsh replied. “There have been rumors of a Mindweaver even before the change was proposed.”

His eyes shifted to Alice, who sat awkwardly with her tea. She had nothing to contribute, knowing nothing of the Yonder’s political turmoils and laws. Her cheeks flushed with embarassment as she was addressed, remembering her failure to inspect Marsh’s mind previously. Cole looked at him with suspicion while Elana remained silent, averting her eyes.

“That is why I cannot allow you to establish a mental link with me, Alice,” Marsh said, addressing a totem on his necklace. It hummed with magic and a soft green glow, the eyes of the serpent on it staring blankly as it shielded its wearer. “The angels have already come through here once. They’re unstoppable when they suspect anyone knows anything.”

His tone turned somber, leaning forward on the table.

“They took Viv, Elana. One of her classmates discussed the coming of a Mindweaver and they took her. I don’t know what they’re doing to her…”

Elana's eyes widened with concern, her hands gripping the edges of her teacup. The weight of Marsh's revelation hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the once serene atmosphere of the inn. Alice, now acutely aware of the stakes involved, felt a shiver down her spine.

Cole, his suspicions justified, stared at Marsh with a mixture of intensity and skepticism. "Why would they target her?"

Marsh sighed, his gaze averted as he traced the rim of his teacup with his fingers. "The angels fear what they can't control. Mindweavers, especially untrained ones, pose a threat to their established order. They believe suppressing any potential rebellion is the key to maintaining the balance dictated by Eternus."

Elana, her voice laden with a mixture of anger and fear, interjected, "So, they're taking innocent lives to quell a perceived threat? This is madness!"

"It is," Marsh agreed solemnly. "And that's why I need your help. Viv is my daughter, and she's being held captive in Skycrest. Virgil is overseeing the prisoners there. If you help bring her back, I'll help you with whatever you seek in Skycrest. My knowledge of the city and its inner workings could be invaluable."

Alice felt the weight of the situation press down on her shoulders, a mix of anxiety and determination swirling within as their eyes turned to her. The complexity of the journey seemed to multiply with this new innocent life in the mix, potentially more when she truly thought about it. How many more were captured under suspicion? How many were still alive for them to save? While a monumental task to undertake, there wasn’t an ounce of her that would deny an attempt to help.

After all, what else could she have been summoned here for? Her destiny was her own but to squander the potential of her powers for hedonistic purposes felt inappropriate. Alice felt a service was owed to this land, to these people, as an outsider harnessing one of its rarest forms of magic. Illegal or otherwise, this quest felt like destiny, even as it made her stomach quiver anxiously.

"We can't just leave her there. We can’t leave anyone there," she finally said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty inside her. "If there's something we can do, we should do it."

Cole nodded, his expression hardening. His hand rested on Alice’s shoulder reassuringly, a moment of shared understanding. Though, in his grip, Alice could feel the tension. "I'm in. If we're taking on Virgil, though, we're going to need a solid plan. And more information."

Elana reached across the table, taking Marsh's hand. "We'll bring her back, Marsh. Viv is family to me, too. You've always been there for me; now, it's my turn to be there for you."

Marsh's eyes glistened with a mix of gratitude and fear. "Thank you," he whispered, then turned to Alice. "As for training you, Alice, it'll be dangerous. You're stirring the pot just by being here. But I suspect you'll need every advantage you can get against Virgil."

Alice nodded, a sense of resolve building within her. "I understand. And I'm ready. Whatever it takes to help Viv... and to learn more about my abilities."

Marsh smiled weakly. "Good. We'll start training tomorrow morning. For now, rest and gather your strength. You'll need it."

The trio stood, the meeting adjourned, the weight of their new mission settling in. As they made their way to their rooms, the inn's warmth and the earlier tranquility of the hot springs seemed a distant memory, replaced by the looming challenge ahead.

~~~

In her room, Alice sat by the window, staring into the starlit night, pondering the journey ahead. The path was fraught with danger, but the resolve in her heart grew stronger. She wasn't alone; she had allies, friends, and a cause worth fighting for. Night dawned as quickly as day, their time traveling marking most of her time in Yonder at this point, and her feet ached from the miles trekked. As the cold of the north turned to mild weather and clear skies, no wonders of the world were seen, just trees and brush, much like the ones that bordered the farm back home.

As she stood in her room, prepping for bed in a comfortable cotton gown, her mind wandered to home more. She thought of the farm and her parents. Admittedly, she’d thought of them a lot during her short time in Yonder, curious as to whether or not they noticed her absence. Did they worry for her like Marsh worried for Viv? Were they enlisting help like Marsh is, finding capable people to find her? The thoughts clouded her mind and made slumber impossible, her eyes welling up as the considerations kept flowing.

The eventual hold of sleep took over when emotions posed a ceasefire, Alice’s homesickness falling into the void as she rested. Her dreams, a tapestry of emotions and thoughts, traveled far into the dreams of those in the inn around her. The worry of home dissipated as she linked and peered into these vulnerable moments, seeing the patrons dream of family and friends, ambitions and desires. The act was unconscious, much like her in that moment, but she still understood the gravity of her destiny.