Kou took a deep breath as he walked around, glad he had brought two of the bags into the city with him. As he had expected, they were eager for his glass, especially since the next community on the other side of the mountains loved the glass and traded highly for it. Kou was easily able to get both a jacket and a new blanket, and one of the shopkeepers pointed him to the home of the old traveler. 

Kou took a deep breath as he climbed, still not used to the thinner air. It had taken them two days to reach the city after crossing the bridge and despite camping at the higher altitude, Kou still felt as if he was struggling to breathe. Vi had seemed unbothered as usual and Kou cursed under his breath, eager to get the map and leave the mountains. Couldn’t expect Vizisco to do anything when he was already struggling to breathe.

The home soon came into view, a small, squat building perched against the mountainside, the stone walls weathered but sturdy. Kou adjusted the strap of the bag across his chest and pressed forward, ignoring the sting in his lungs. A set of uneven stone steps led up to the door, and Kou took them two at a time, forcing his tired body to cooperate.

He raised his hand and knocked, the sound echoing hollowly against the thick wood. For a moment, there was only silence, and Kou wondered if the old traveler was even still alive. But then he heard the slow, shuffling steps inside and the door creaked open, revealing a thin, hunched figure wrapped in layers of patched wool.

It was an angel.

“Oh, um,” Kou stumbled, surprised to see an angel. He didn’t know the traveler had a guardian partner. “I’m here for the old traveler?”

“He is sick,” the angel said calmly, but Kou saw the way their hand tightened on the door frame. This angel was masculine in appearance and clearly older than Nrome or the angel assigned to Baco, their blond hair riddled with grey streaks. Their horns even seemed to grow more inward that Kou was used to seeing, and he did his best to keep a neutral expression. “He cannot take guests.”

“I… I just want his map. I’m trying to find First World ruins,” Kou quickly explained, watching as the angel shifted slightly, their hand never leaving the doorframe as they considered Kou’s words. After another moment, they stepped back, allowing Kou inside without a word. Kou nodded his thanks and slipped through the doorway, the heavy door creaking closed behind him. 

The inside of the house was warmer than expected, a low fire smoldering in a stone hearth. The air smelled faintly of herbs and something metallic, and Kou spotted the old traveler immediately. He was buried under a pile of blankets and from the dark marks near his mouth, Kou knew it was more than simply being “sick.” 

The man was dying.

“Who is here, Yeseld?”

“A traveler,” the angel answered and Kou watched as they slipped under the blankets with the man, placing a hand on his chest as he coughed. “They want your map.”

“Ah, wondered if we were gonna die before someone came to take it off us. Woulda been… a shame for it to get destroyed with everything else,” the man coughed more, and Kou watched as fresh drops of blood landed on the blanket. “Well come closer girl, I can’t see you that far away. You ain’t gotta worry about catching what I got.”

“I’m a guy,” Kou corrected, watching as the man managed a wheezing laugh.

“Haha, I see. Well still. I wanna see who I’m passing my legacy too,” the man insisted and Kou moved closer, his boots scraping lightly over the worn stone floor. The old man squinted up at him, his breathing ragged but steadying slightly as he lifted a trembling hand. Kou crouched down without hesitation, letting the old traveler study him.

“You got the eyes of someone who’s lost more than they found,” the man rasped, his voice rough with age and sickness. “That’s good. The ruins… they don't give to the greedy. Who was it?”

“My parents.”

“Mm, that’ll do it. How old?”

“Twelve.”

“Goodness, lad, you are a lucky one,” the man’s speech devolved into a coughing fit and Kou stood up as he waited. This man had a few days at most, but Kou wouldn’t have been surprised if he died before the sun set. “You’re gonna need a guardian. The ruins aren’t safe without someone who sees more than us.”

“I got one,” Kou smirked, his heart pounding in his chest at the thought. Although that wasn’t why he wanted Vi around and he shifted on his feet slightly to try and ignore the clench in his body. The man merely nodded, coughing up more blood as he pointed toward one of the walls and Kou turned to see a chest. He stepped over to it, realizing there was a lock on. 

“Two right, one left, push then pull.” Yeseld finally spoke again, and Kou followed the instructions, watching as the lock clicked open with a hollow snap. He lifted the heavy lid, the hinges groaning, and found a large metal tub. “It shows all the ruins we found and the communities we passed.”

“Now be careful, I doubt I found even half of ‘em,” the man croaked and Kou nodded as he stood, cradling the treasure. “Some are hidden underground, and that map is at least a decade old. Who knows what is still there.”

“Still… it’s better than starting from scratch,” Kou insisted, shifting the heavy container against his side as he turned back toward the dying man. The traveler gave a weak chuckle, his hand thudding limply against the mattress as he struggled to draw a full breath. “Should I–”

“No, no, none of that. Me and Yeseld just want our privacy. Don’t need no nosy healers,” the man insisted and Kou shrugged. Wasn’t his business. “Too old for that nonsense, and we’re both dying anyway.”

“Alright. Thank you,” Kou offered, carefully making his way back to the door. He didn’t doubt that he couldn’t catch the man's sickness, the angel wouldn’t have let him in if he could, but it didn’t mean he felt comfortable around them. 

“No problem, kid. Hope you find what you’re looking for.” the man answered and Kou stepped back outside, closing the door behind him. Outside again, he tried to take a deep breath, but the thin air just made him feel like he was gasping. Instead, he focused on making his way back down the street, back through the city so he could return to Vi and the angel waiting outside the city limits.

The streets were quieter than he expected; maybe it was the thin veil of mist creeping down from the mountain peaks, or maybe it was just that the city didn’t want to acknowledge the dying traveler tucked into the mountainside. Kou kept his head down, mindful of the way the metal tub creaked against his side with every step. It wasn’t terribly heavy, but every pound of it seemed to dig into his ribs, a reminder of what he had gained. He wanted to open it and check it immediately, but he wanted to breathe first.

It didn’t take long to leave the city again, and he saw Aldeon grazing on the small path of grass near the angel’s home as he walked back down the road. This angel had a nicer home than Nrome, closer to Kou’s cabin than a hut. As Kou got closer, he heard voices, so he slowed down to listen.

“... I see.”

“You are doing as you should.” The angel’s voice was soft and gentle and Kou couldn’t help his curiosity. “There is no right or wrong for you.”

“Alright,” Vi answered and Kou frowned as the demon stepped outside the small home. Their expression was neutral and they turned their face toward Kou. “You are back.”

“Yup, got what I needed.” Kou answered, shifting the tube as he stood in front of the demon. “He parted with it easily.”

“You smell like…” Vi’s voice trailed off and Kou groaned, hating the implication. 

“Yeah, the man and his angel were dying, so me and the tube probably carried the scent,” he complained, making his way over to Aldeon so he could place the map in one of the baskets. He also carefully removed the bags he carried, sorting the new jacket and blanket into the appropriate baskets and bags. “I can change if it bothers you.”

“No, as long as you are unharmed,” Vi insisted and Kou grinned to himself. “It is late in the day. You should–”

“I am not sleeping alone in town when my pretty demon is out here. So, we can either camp here, or–”

“It is going to snow,” Vi interrupted and Kou frowned, glancing up at the sky. There wasn’t a cloud in sight. “I can smell the cold on the air. There is no reason for you to sleep in the snow.”

“Well, I’m not going back into the city alone,” Kou insisted, turning back to face the demon. Vi was frowning, but Kou didn’t care. “So either you come with me, or I guess you’ll have to finally keep me warm.”

Vi let out a low hum of frustration, but Kou watched as they stepped back inside the angel’s home, a smile coming to his face. It still wasn’t what he wanted, but it was better than being separated. He knew Vi was right, and he didn’t want to sleep in the snow either, but he wasn’t going to miss a chance to be close to the demon. And if he could get that close, the rest would be easy. 

“Elon says we can stay here, but the pony needs shelter as well,” Vi spoke as they stepped back out and Kou nodded.

“That I’ll go back into the city for. We just need to unpack him and I’ll take Aldeon to the stable,” Kou agreed, watching as Vi slowly made their way to where Aldeon was still grazing. He sighed heavily as he watched the demon deftly loosen the straps, easily carrying all of the bags and baskets. Soon. “Alright Aldeon, you get to make some friends tonight.”

The pony merely snorted, accepting Kou’s gentle touch as he grabbed the reins. He walked past the open door, catching a glimpse as Vi set down the bags where the angel indicated. He sighed wistfully, a pulse of low, familiar hunger curling in his stomach.