The air was cooling noticeably with the setting sun, the dimming daylight straining to peek through the trees. Large bees buzzed busily, trying to gather the last bit of nectar before calling it a day. It was instinctive to the denizens that a dark forest was a dangerous forest. 

The small party trudged on as they made their way back to the city. Rabbits hopped about from their burrows, getting in their evening feed, undisturbed by the two legged visitors.

“I know slimes can gain weight, but I didn’t think a slime this big was this heavy.” Misterion strained as he walked, bracing himself to carry Nava. Chrono walked ahead, leading the way to the edge of the forest while Kasla brought up the rear with Mi-mi on his back.

“Right? It felt like I was carrying giant buckets of water. Do you need help? Should we have a quick stop and take a breather?” Kasla called, finding it much easier to carry Mi-mi than the porker of a slime.

“Thank you for the offer, but no. It would be wise for us to go back to the city as soon as possible. The faster we get out of the forest, the better. Once the sun sets goblins will be our next problem and we don’t want to deal with them.”  

“Right…” Kasla nodded, gulping at the thought of another encounter after their last near escape. Goblins can be hard to deal with, especially if they’re in a horde.

Misterion paused for a moment, thinking. “You know what, let’s take a break for a minute. I need to check my map and the time. We shouldn’t be near any monster camps, but better safe than sorry.”

“You’re telling me,” Mi-mi mumbled, heaving a sigh.

Misterion started to turn but paused, holding Nava, his brow furrowed. A thoughtful hum escaped him as Chrono headed back to check on his father.

“Something wrong?” Kasla asked, taking a few steps closer.

“I’m afraid if I set it down it might take off. Especially if we’re near any of those bushes you said it picked clean. It’s an obvious glutton.”

“Oh! Well, just give Nava to me!”

“But your hands…” Misterion gave Kasla a quizzical look, concerned by his logic.

“Not a problem!” Kasla leaned forward with a grin. “Set him on top!” He rocked his head side to side for emphasis.

“Set a slime that is equivalent to a load of bricks… on top of your head… so I can free my hands…” Misterion squinted, thoroughly baffled at the lack of self preservation.

“Hey, I’ve got a hard head, remember? It’d just be for a minute, right? It’ll be another type of training!”

“That I don’t doubt, but I have concerns…” Misterion began, debating just what concern he was about to voice, the list quickly growing.

“Do it!” Mi-mi cheered, a giggle escaping her as the pain meds seemed well in effect.  

“Come on, time’s a wastin’!” Kasla urged to which Mi-mi nodded as well as Chrono, fascinated at the promising scene. Once more it was three against one.

Misterion let out a defeated sigh and carefully lowered Nava on top of Kasla’s head. The pink slime plopped onto his hat and sat there, looking like a fat bird nesting. Kasla grunted, knees slightly giving at the weight, but he straightened with some effort.

“See?” Kasla grinned triumphantly, Nava balancing on his head without a worry despite the slime wobbling due to its size.

“Just my luck you’ll break your neck on my watch,” Misterion muttered, fishing around in his bag. He pulled out his map and consulted it quickly, double-checking their position. As he tucked the map away he pulled out a golden pocket watch, checking the time. “It’s 5:14. And the good news is we should be out soon enough.” He shut the watch with a click and stowed it. He retrieved Nava, freeing Kasla of his burden. 

“There! That wasn’t so hard!” Kasla grinned despite the beads of sweat on his face before turning his neck and causing a few pops. “No sweat!” Mi-mi let out a cheer while Chrono applauded, enamored. 

“Youth…” Misterion mumbled, turning to begin the journey once more.

They pressed on a while longer, Chrono skipping ahead once more. Finally there was a break in the trees and in the distance the walls of Simulan City could be faintly seen.

“Ah, wide open spaces! How I missed you.” Kasla had not realized how claustrophobic he felt surrounded by trees.

“I didn’t think we’d ever get out.” Mi-mi heaved a sigh next to his ear, leaning over his shoulder. “I’m feeling a bit drowsy… The meds must be working.”

“We should follow the road. We’ll be able to make it back to the city by dinner time then.” Misterion nodded towards the road that weaved in the direction of the far off city walls. They followed the road as the sun creeped lower, shadows growing darker and longer, stretching towards Simulan City.

“By the way, Misterion… How long have you been a mapmaker?” Kasla inquired, curious and restless at the quiet that had fallen over the group. Even the birds’ calls and the chirping of insects couldn't ease Kasla’s mind as he stared at the back of the tall, serious man.

“Yeah, I’m curious too,” Mi-mi piped up, eyes widening with a burst of energy. “I know you’ve been in the field for a while, but I have no idea how long you’ve been working a dangerous job like this.”

Misterion was quiet for a few moments. At first Kasla thought he had hit a sore spot, grimacing. Finally he spoke, “A long time, since before you were even born, Syssmi.”

Mi-mi let out a gasp. “I didn’t know that you’re that old! You don’t even look like a middle-aged man! Are you sure you’re Human? Or are you secretly Merperson or an Elf in disguise? Beastman?”

“I’m human,” Misterion stiffly replied, his voice nearing a tame growl.

Seriously? He’s not part Merpeople or Beastman? Kasla blinked in surprise, thinking of the mapmaker’s sharp teeth. Well, I guess you can’t account for all of your ancestry…

“Now that you mention it, Mi-mi, he does look like he's in thirties. Say, have you discovered the secret of eternal life or something like that?” Kasla gasped loudly with realization, stopping suddenly. “DUDE, maybe you did! Got a map to the source?”

Misterion let out a noise of frustration, clicking his tongue. “I’m forty-seven. And, no, eternal life sounds like a death wish. Youth or not, that’s a living hell existing forever. Even Elves eventually die.”

“Man, even if you told me that I wouldn’t believe you. You don’t even have any gray or white hair! Or do you pluck it?” Kasla scoffed, giving Misterion a doubtful look.

Chrono looked at Kasla puzzled. “Am I an old person?”

“Wh-what? No, you’re still young.”

“But you said old people have white hair.”

“Uh…” Kasla blanked as Chrono gave him the most confused and innocent look. I did say that… He groped for an answer, Mi-mi and Misterion letting him sort out his mess. “Ah… well, most of the people I know that are old have white hair, but they are tall and have long beards! And their hair wasn’t always white!”

Chrono turned to his father who was sighing, shaking his head. He stared intently at Misterion’s face, seemingly trying to picture him with a long beard.  

“Is there something on my face, Chrono?” Misterion asked, looking concerned at his son’s intense and thoughtful expression.  

Hmm… Kasla looked at Misterion, trying to picture the mapmaker with facial hair. Maybe the guy is self conscious and doesn’t want to look old. Especially with a young kid like Chrono. Over his shoulder Mi-mi let out an audible thoughtful hum, apparently trying to envision the same thing.

Misterion looked between the three intense stares, thoroughly confused. He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He hurried along with Nava to get back to the city and away from the scrutinizing gazes of his younger company.

Finally they arrived at the bridge leading into the city and began crossing it. As soon as the guards spotted them they came rushing. It was the same duo from earlier.

“Wha-what happened?!” Reggie looked panicked. He stared in horror at Mi-mi’s state, concern evident.

“Troll encounter. It was bad,” Kasla quickly explained, feeling bad for Reggie.

“Please get Syssmi medical attention right away.” Misterion nodded at Kasla and Mi-mi who was looking rather bashful.  

“R-right.” Reggie seemed to snap out of his panic at the order.

“I’ll stay and watch over the gateway.” Suul had an equally concerned expression, nudging his friend. “Go, man!”

Kasla turned around to carefully hand Mi-mi off to Reggie who quickly gave his spear to Suul. The brunette guard took her into his arms, supporting her in a bridal carry. Mi-mi blushed, turning her face away as she hooked her arms around his neck.

“Man, this is embarrassing, you seeing me like this,” Mi-mi complained, some pink still lingering on her face.

“Not like you ever saw me at my worst growing up,” Reggie countered, looking at her legs. “Let’s get you taken care of.”

“You should accompany Syssmi to the clinic, Mr. Kasla.” Misterion turned his attention to Kasla. He promptly handed Nava over and Kasla suppressed a grunt, forgetting momentarily just how hefty the pampered slime was. “It wouldn’t be wise to go to the Adventurers’ Guild and hand over Syssmi’s commission without her. You should wait for her to recover to avoid unnecessary rumors.”

“R-right, I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks a ton for helping us, Mis—” Kasla’s words caught in his throat as Misterion glared at him, reminding Kasla of his identity’s secret. “Ah—Mr. Mapmaker. What about you two though?”

“As you can see,” Misterion gestured at himself, caked in dirt from his time evading the trolls, “I need a bath and I have to prepare dinner. It’s getting late.”

“Oh yeah… You need to take a bath. Guess this is goodbye for now. Thanks again for helping us back there.” Misterion nodded and Kasla went to join Reggie and Mi-mi.  

Chrono watched Kasla’s retreating figure before becoming alert, remembering. He hastily wrote on his board and showed it to his father. “I want to ask if big brother Kasla and big sister Syssmi can join us for dinner.”

Misterion looked in surprise at the words before glancing at Kasla and Mi-mi. “Maybe another time.” He gently patted Chrono’s head. “They can’t join us because they have to go to the clinic to recover.”

Chrono’s expression fell, lowering his board. After a moment he brightened, writing hurriedly. “Maybe once he’s free to leave, big brother Kasla can visit Miss Ara’s house for some food!”

“Chrono…”

“Please, I want them to taste how amazing your cooking is!”

Misterion was quiet as he thought, Chrono giving him puppy eyes. After a moment he exhaled, shoulders dropping. I guess it wouldn’t hurt. He did save Chrono yesterday and a mere thanks seems empty in comparison to the trouble he went through.

“Fine.” Misterion pulled out his journal and hastily drew a quick map. He folded the paper expertly into a small square in a matter of seconds, making it thick and heavy. “Mr. Kasla!”

Kasla turned, curious. 

“Catch.” 

Misterion tossed the folded paper with precision at him. Kasla managed to balance Nava on his one arm and caught the paper. He looked at the folded paper and then at the mapmaker, confused.

“If you manage to get Syssmi to the clinic and still have time, you can find us at that location. I’ll prepare you two some dinner.”

Kasla was surprised by the offer. He looked at Chrono who wore a big smile, eyes nearly sparkling with excitement. A memory clicked from earlier, Kasla recalling the conversation before they left the city, Reggie wanting to take Mi-mi out. Tough luck, man. At least you get to carry her.

“Got’cha!” Kasla nodded at Chrono and his father with a smile. He tightly held the piece of paper in his fist, tucking his hand back under Nava to help even out the weight. He turned to join Reggie who pivoted and rushed towards the gateway, Mi-mi safe in his arms. Misterion was left with Chrono on the bridge with Suul. 

Suul seemed a bit nervous, eyeing Misterion from underneath his helmet. “Hey, um… Since I’m stuck here… Could you tell the Adventurers’ Guild what happened to Syss? The old man will be worried.”

Misterion gave a tired and pointed look at Suul who let out a nervous chuckle. Despite the Beastman guard now being armed with two spears, he seemed as though he rather incur the mapmaker’s ire than face Mi-mi’s great grandfather. And if he was honest, Misterion didn’t blame him.

Misterion heaved a big sigh, dragging a hand over his face. “Right.” He glanced down at Chrono who looked up at him with innocent eyes, tilting his head.

Have to face that hell of a monster Guildmaster.