The workshop was much the same as Lauren remembered, except for a few new parts and gadgets for repair on the work table behind the counter where he served customers. A row of gears hung from the ceiling above the table, shelves with all kinds of tools decorated the walls, and a ceiling fan turned lazily just to keep the air circulating. In one corner, a door that led to the rest of Amara's house stood open. But if there was anything different, it was the fact that it was real and tangible. It seemed that finally being there made a huge difference for the former Red Ocean Online player. Lauren had accomplished her goal.

Amara had gone to get bandages while Jean helped Daena put Katarina, who was still unconscious, on the mechanic's bed in another room. Darka observed the room thinking about what he would do now that he found his friend, relieved that at least he didn't hate him and that was already a big step forward.

— Darka? — Miko tugged on their friend's cloak, feeling some concern at seeing him so airy. —Does it still hurt?

— Huh? No, no, I'm fine.

— Of course he's fine, Miko. — Daena grumbled, returning from the room. — I was the one who hit my head, you should ask if I'm okay.

— But you were mumbling the whole way about saving Darka, I thought everything was fine with you.

— But I really saved him! If it weren't for me showing up to tell him how to stop Katarina, he wouldn't even be here right now.

— I think everyone is fine, yes. — Darka interrupted. — A shower and everyone will be as good as new.

— Are you saying I stink? — Daena stamped her foot.

— I didn't say that, Daena. Miko, stop smelling your clothes, you're not stinking either.

Amara returned with the first aid kit and some towels, just in time to hear the conversation about bathing. That relaxed atmosphere put a smile on his face.

— I think the bath is more to wash the soul. Whatever was that in Caadis, you must be exhausted. Here. — He handed towels to Daena and Miko. — Second door on the left. There's a dryer for your clothes there too.

Watching the two race to see who would get there first, Darka felt a nudge from Amara.

— You made good friends.

Darka's face slightly blushed. Talking to him in person was still something magical and new, and it was going to take a while to get used to it. Jean alternated her gaze between the Unpronounceable and Amara, as if she were watching a scene from her favorite soap opera.

— So, your name is Darka... — She tried to start a conversation. — My name is Jean, if you want to know. Amara said a lot about you, and only good things. Is it true that you eat baby bats to stay young?

Amara rolled his eyes when he realized the interrogation was about to begin.

— Jean, not now.

— Bats?! — Darka was perplexed. — Of course not! Bats can transmit rabies!

— But if it didn't transmit, would you eat it, then?!

— Amara... Were you the one who said that to her?! — Darka looked hurt.

— Of course not! And what the hell is this topic?

— Wait... did you say Amara said good things about me? — A silly little smile appeared on his face.

Feeling his face turn red, the boy just grunted and threw the last towel in Darka's face.

— Enough! Jean, get out. — Amara pushed the woman towards the door, irritated.

— Oh, oh! Okay, I'll stay quiet! Stop pushing me! I just wanted to break this gloomy vibe... Whatever happened, you guys are very tense.

— There are better ways to break the mood than asking if someone eats bats. — He loved his gossipy friend, but felt that notion wasn't her strong point.

— Can I ask other questions then? If it's not about eating bats?

— No.

— Ugh, Amara, when he's not here you're annoying, when he's here you're annoying too, that's so unfair.

The phrase caught Darka by surprise, as it meant that somehow Amara had noticed his absence. Doing some math in his head, if the day passed there as it did in the game, it had been almost a month since he had visited his friend. For someone who didn't go more than three days without showing his face, it was really a long time.

— It's okay, I don't mind answering. I'm sorry I didn't come for so long.

— Wow, Darka, this one turned into a grumpy old man after you stopped visiting him. — Jean hurried to get into the subject. — He was worried for exactly five days before he freaked out and started saying he wasn't even your friend.

— JEAN!

— Oh... — Darka felt a pang in his chest.

— Darka, it wasn't exactly like that! I was just...

— Sober, that's right. — The girl interrupted. — But do you want to know something funny? When Amara drinks he is much more honest, and he said you were a nice and misunderstood guy.

At that point, the mechanic just hid his face in his hands, trying to hold on to what little dignity he had left. He avoided looking at Darka, but he still wanted to explain better what happened.

— It wasn't like that at all... I just thought that if people saw that we were really good friends, maybe they would understand that I was some kind of accomplice of yours and end up causing problems for me.

Darka lowered his head, reflecting a little. Amara's logic made perfect sense, and he honestly didn't feel bad about it. He was even relieved to see that he worried about his own safety instead of taking risks defending the story's big villain.

— It's ok! I really understand.

Before Jean could open her mouth again, Amara hurried to push her out the door, handing her a small bag of draks.

— Everyone's hungry and I didn't go to the market, go buy us something to eat, go!

— Ow ow, but I haven't finished...

— Go! — Amara slammed the door in his friend's face and turned to Darka. — And you... there's another bathroom at the end of the hall, you can use it.

— Amara?

— What?

— Thank you. Like, for caring. My mom said it's always better to say "thank you" instead of "I'm sorry", so I'm grateful for still being my friend.

With a long sigh, Amara relaxed. He was worried that Jean's gossip had really hurt Darka, but that didn't seem to be the case.

— I appreciate... that you came back.

✰★✰★✰

Dia and Noite headed north, following the road that led to the Mountain of Jhotar. The rain was behind Caadis, but the sky still threatened to water Ninell's lands for the next few hours. Dia's lamp illuminated the path made of well-worn pavement, as it had been more than a century since that road led to the former capital of the province.

— I thought it was going to collapse the whole city, but there was only a little hole left. — Dia complained, pouting. — That's not even that scary.

— Maybe it was better that way. The lord needed ground to fight the paladin.

Noite walked ahead while his hands were busy with something. The pieces of Dia's broken mask were skillfully glued back together by the boy's nimble fingers, who repaired the item with precision and firmness. Her sister jumped with joy when he returned the almost intact mask to her.

— Thank you, Noite! It's as perfect as the day Lady Yrina gave it to me. — Dia put on the mask. — Shall we go straight to Jhotar?

— Not yet. We need the lord to get there first. We will have to wait to put together the final act.

— Is he really going there? I think we'll end up having to lure him back with some mission.

— That wouldn't work anymore, he already knows about us. But don't underestimate his ability, I know we'll find him there at some point.

Noite stopped, followed by Dia. An uncomfortable sensation crept up his neck, as if something was lurking, not around him, but within him. It was a feeling that appeared every now and then, but in the last few months it had increased in frequency and he wondered if Dia felt the same. Beneath the mask, he looked fondly at his sister, who just smiled back. He thought about saying something about it, but he didn't want to worry her and distract her from her goals.

They both stopped to rest at a small structure on the side of the road that looked like an old hut, only now without walls and which probably served as a shelter for travelers in other times.

— When our lord manages to bring Lady Yrina back, I will ask her to return to Fearaniar. — Noite sighed.

— To the western continent? But we don't even know what it was like there! — Dia lay down, resting her head on her brother's lap. — I can't remember anything since Lady Yrina brought us with her to Argrene.

— I don't remember either, but I think if we came from there, it must be our place. Have you ever had this feeling that we don't belong in these lands?

Dia looked thoughtful and nodded. In fact, she sometimes felt like she didn't belong anywhere. Maybe if one day she saw the infamous Western Lands that feeling would disappear, but until then she knew that her brother was the one she was supposed to be with.

— Noite, I've been thinking about something... All our work in making the lord feared and respected... Will it really work?

— Of course yes, it's already working. If people fear him and see how powerful he is, they will never try to hurt him or mom again.

Noite observed the silhouette of Jhotar Mountain in the distance, illuminated by the lurid light that remained from the sunset behind it, unable to contain the excitement that arose with the possibility of already being with Yrina in a few days.

Somewhere in his mind, whatever was lurking gave him a chill.