-Back to the present time, a couple of weeks after Taft’s funeral-

“Are you leaving?” Wen’s voice made Yurika paused her packing activity, she turned herself facing her best friend.

“I guess..., ” tucking her losing hair to the back of her ears, she smiled sadly.

“Why?” Wen was upset, “because of Moira? How many times do I have told you?! Taft’s death is not your fault!”

“Wen...” Yurika's face looked forlorn, “It is not just because of that. There’s... hmm, there’s something I need to do too.”

“What things? Do you really need to leave?” Wenona’s shaky voice showed how much she tried her best to not cry.

Yurika rushed to hug her. They both went quiet with the sadness lingered in the air.

“I am not going that far, you can still come and see me,” The platinum-blonde girl leaned back and smiled, “I just-- I can’t -- you know... stay here. It’s just too much for me. I can’t be in a place where his memories are at every corner of this building.”

“O-Okay, if you think that’s best for you,“ Wen broke the hug and nodded finally, ”Where are you going? Are you going alone? I’ll go with you.”

Yurika’s eyes widen hearing what Wen said, quickly she shook her head, “No! uhm I mean… I think you should stay here, for now, don’t worry.”

Wen starred Yurika curiously, “What do you mean I don’t need to worry?”

“I mean-- I am going to move out to the lake house since Moira hated the place and no one using it. It is not like I will go somewhere far away or something,” Yurika quipped quickly.

Wen’s face became more curious, “Wait a minute, what’s going on here?”

“What? Nothing is going on. What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell me... Are you going to move out with Z?” Wenona’s eyes squinted, “Is there something going on between you and Z?”

“Wha--What!! No no no! Seriously, don’t get strange ideas Wen,” Yurika anxiously protested, “Z is going to help me training that’s all.”

“Yeah, yeah sure~~ by the look you guys been hanging out lately, also those secretive conversations you guys had...,” Wen raised her eyebrow teasingly, “I didn’t even know that you have this ‘Savior Syndrome’ Yuu?”

“OH MY GOSH! Wenona Alstair! I said nothing is going on, NOTHING!” Yurika exclaimed.

“Okay, okay calm down!” Wen chuckled while raising her both hands up in defense; somewhat relieved, “I guess for now there’s really nothing going on between you two.”

Then there’s a pause, Wen eyes dropped to her toes and with her hands in her pockets she mumbled, ”to be honest I am glad if there’s really nothing between you two.”

Yurika tilted her head; confused, “and here I thought you want something actually going on between me and Z?”

“Well... not really, we just knew the guy. Sure he was there to save you from the monster that killed Taft”

“The one that somehow manages to get away,” Wenona mumbled and rolled her eyes, “Anyway, I don’t know… it just that for me he kind of suspicious for a Builderat. I wonder if it is because he doesn’t act as brash as a Builderat as he supposed too? Like you can see, he sounded quite a gentleman and educated. And I know it’s normal to give your common name. But ...'Z’? Is that even normal? One letter name doesn’t sound right.”

Yurika’s laughter exploded hearing her reasoning, “Is that all??”

“Stop laughing!! I know that sounds silly, but my gut feeling is always right. There’s something fishy about that man,” Wenona protested and slapped Yurika’s back.

“Owie! Okay, I am not laughing, I am not laughing,” Yurika flinched at the burning sensation on her back, “I understand he is a mysterious guy. But trust me Wen, he is the last person that will ever do harm on me.”

Wenona tilted her head curiously and said, “and how are you so sure about that?”

“Let’s just say, it’s my gut telling me,” said Yurika confidently.

Wen’s lips were tight and straight; there was still some doubt clouding her face.

“Nah, I still don’t trust him for some reason, Yuu. Just be careful, okay,” she shook her head and put both of her hands on Yurika’s shoulders firmly.

“Wen....”

“Promise me at least? Promise me to be cautious and assertive around him,” pleaded the indigo-haired girl.

Yurika scanned her best friend’s serious face; the silence hung in the air like the moment had been suspended. She didn’t know how to make her trust Zeke without telling the truth about her being a Fanaura. It’s the last thing she ever wants to do, she had lived a whole life being an outcast and loner when she was Eireen and she didn’t want to experience it again. The fear of losing her best friend gripped tight in her heart to the point she felt her breathing started to go shallow.

“Yuu?” Wenona sensed the change and she shook Yurika’s rigid shoulder softly, “Are you okay?”

Yurika quickly dragged her lips into a smile and nodded, agreeing to what she asked, “I am okay, don't worry. And Wen... I promise to be cautious around him.”

---

Aynalago lake house stood quietly on the center of Marama's northwest district, not many people passing the area or even stopped by to pay a visit despite its beauty. It has been abandoned many years ago. Some said that it was haunted by ghosts of the dead people who died at the Holy War. The lake house position was near the battlefield, where thousands or more people of many races had died on the last Great War. Some people even said that sometimes they could still smell the stench of rotten iron lingering, mingling with the fresh air of the lake. 

But for Taft, the place was his safe haven; quiet, private, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He had been renovating the house for almost three years despite Moira’s objection, ever since he accidentally stumbled upon it. Only a few knew about it and Yurika was one of the few people he trusted. He took her there sometimes either to help him doing the renovating or just for her brawler training.

Under the blue sky with some spots of clouds dotting, the view was wondrous to behold, the trees that embracing the lake were in their carnival suits, gold and scarlet of the autumn days. They play about the earthy hues of the branch and trunk, proud flags in any sky. The air filled with hints of earthy aroma, the fragrance of comfort and home.

The sound of clashing swords broke the peaceful air, a young woman held her sword even, a perfect undaunted horizon; always leveled with the nose, just like how she was taught to.

“Haaa!” Yurika yelled as she moved forward with her sword aimed at Zeke. Her opponent took two easy steps to his right dodging the attack, then swiftly parried her attack. The clashing sword made her staggering, almost falling back over the brute strength of the colliding swords. She quickly pulled herself together and readied herself for the upcoming attack. Sweat was all over her face and her throat felt dry. She coughed a few times trying to catch her ragged breath. Zeke stopped his advances and watched her carefully.

She used to be and always been enjoying these kinds of training even before her awakening as a Fanaura, even Taft was overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. Those training days with Taft were hard and fun for her, but Zeke ‘s training was on another level.

“Do you wish to stop now?” Zeke asked, giving her some time to catch her breath. She quickly shook her head; still unable to speak. She just wanted to get it done quickly, she must grasp the essence of sword mastery before moving on to the next one. Her arms felt numb of the heaviness of the huge sword on her hands, she could see on how shaky they were as she tried to keep it steady.

“Let’s take a break,” decided Zeke suddenly. Yurika looked up with a protested look.

“Your face screamed like you are about to pass out already Yuu,” he said gently, “forcing it out would not get you anywhere. Let’s take a break then we could go to Fractured Hills dungeon if you want?”

Hearing that he would take her to the dungeon brighten up her pale face a bit, she dropped her body to the ground with a huge ‘huft ‘and laid flat on it with her sword beside her. Zeke sheathed his sword to his back and sat next to the girl. His eyes gazed the blue lake.

“I’ve got to say I admire your eagerness in these training,” he chuckled, “I guess some things do change.”

Yurika took a random pebble and threw it playfully at Zeke,

“Ouch what is that for?” he complained.

“Nothing really changes, I still don’t enjoy war or being a pawn for the Goddesses' power conflict,” Yurika slowly sat up and gaze upon the horizon, “just that… instead of running away, I finally choose to stay and fight.”

Zeke gazed at her from the side, there’s mixed emotions swirled around his eyes but it went unseen as fast as it came.

“I got to admit you learn way faster than before. Two months! Only took you two months to actually started to grasp the basic essence of swordsmanship when it took me more than a decade to do so. I wonder if it’s because you are a Fanaura. But then again a good teacher also has an important role,” Zeke grinned cheekily, “ pretty sure I am better than Jace.”

Yurika took another pebble and threw it again at Zeke, which he dodged it easily.

“You wish!” she giggled but then let out a long sigh, “then again… I guess you are better than him.”

Her face went grim and dark as memories from the past played out on her mind.