The siblings sat across from each other at the table in Monica’s room.

  The brother pulled out a phone from his backpack and placed it on the middle of the table.

  “Sis.” Morus put both elbows on the table, his hands clasping together as he leaned into his hands, his thumbs propping his head together as the rest covered his mouth. “What do you think?”

  Monica picked up her phone and switched on the screen, checking the time [6:00pm], then switched it off, placing it back on the table.

  The girl leaned to the side and looked at the door, ensuring that it was closed and nobody’s shadow was cast under the door. She copied her brother’s posture.

  “They’re friendly. Strong. Capable. We’re not a threat to them. Yet.” Her eyes rolled in thought. “They have magic. Jin, the Chef, could control many kitchen utensils like knives and spatulas without touching them. Ban could make water out of thin air. I don’t get it, why are they here?”

  “You’ve made better progress in garnering their trust than I have. The Chief offered us a deal, they think they can heal me.”

  “Really?” Monica nearly shouted, but kept her voice down.

  “Let me finish. We don’t know yet. I’ll be meeting the herbalist tomorrow morning. To be honest, I think my time’s nearly up. I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow, alright?”

  A pleading look in Monica’s eyes, “Please, Brother. If there’s even a chance, please take it. I don’t want to lose you too.”

  “Unless it involves your life and well-being, I will. For your sake and mine.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  “Another thing is. They’re leaving in 10 days, their plan includes us. I want you to leave with them, with or without me, you promise?”

  “Huh? How’d you know that?”

  “The Chief told me. After we named Vigil. He and I talked at the forge, and mentioned that we were the answers he had been seeking for 20 years or something.”

  “Okay, I can promise you I’ll leave with them then, but you’re coming with me!”

  “Perfect. Now what happened over on your side? Witnessing magic and all? Other than their engineering, I didn’t manage to see anything magical today, Asa’s light orb excluded.”

  Monica mentioned the stuff that she had gone through and witnessed after their separation in the longhouse. From how Ban appeared with the dress she was now wearing, to having magic class with Ban, learning about affinities, the story of Ban learning there were no electrolytes from their ‘Lord’, and the story about Jin in the kitchen. Without all the embarrassing parts and how she almost slipped up, multiple times, of course.

  “Brother… There’s the mystic outside of the village. Maybe we should get our affinities tested? It’s probably our only way of fitting in here?”

  “That’s a good point. If what Ban said was true, then knowing one’s affinity is crucial to surviving in this world. I wonder what our affinities are, if we even have one. And Sis?”

  “Yes Brother?”

  “I am proud of you. Well done.”

  Morus was genuinely impressed by how well-liked his sister was, on Day One. He’s always worried that she might have been suffering because she was an orphan, or gods-forbid bullied in school. Luckily, she seems to be doing well in all academics, sports and social activities.

  The brother took in what his sister said, like a book absorbing ink, filing important knowledge like the Electrolyte story and this ‘Lord’ away. Then, it was nearing time for dinner. How did they know?

  Footsteps echoed the hallways deliberately, making their presence announced, and knocked on the door, “Honorable guests, we’re having dinner soon, please join us in the Hall at your earliest convenience.” That was the voice of Asa.

  “I’m honestly starting to like them. This world is so much more different than the one we know, but surprisingly many similarities.” Said Morus, as he finished the last of the potato wedges.

  “Right? Right?”

  “I think… We can trust them. They’ve been nothing but nice to us.”

  “Yes! I agree!”

  “Now then, what about your phone? You keeping it? Or do you need me to keep it safe?”

  “No brother, amazingly, they have pockets! At least my dress has one.”

  “Alright, great news!” Morus stood up, and asked his sister, “Dinner?”

  “Dinner!” She cheerfully exclaimed.

  Morus took out his phone and switched off the battery, then dumped it into his backpack. At that, the siblings made their way towards the Dining Hall.

  A few familiar faces were already in the Dining Hall. Asa and Gad sat on one side of a table, Ban and Bay on the other side.

  As the siblings approached, Asa and Gad waved Morus to sit down between them, while Ban ushered Monica to do the same beside her.

  After a quick greeting with their newly found friends, the siblings looked towards the only person they haven’t officially met, Bay. Compared to his sister, Ban, he wasn’t wearing anything leather and his clothes were pure white, with a hint of sky-blue, and shared the same colored azure eyes as his sister.

  “Hello! I’m Nichole!” Monica extended a hand in front of Bay.

  Bay grabbed only the tips of her fingers and shook them gently, “Nice to meet you Nichole. I’m Bay.”

  “Russel, good to meet you.” Morus extended his hand towards Bay as well, and was met with a full handshake.

  “Nice to meet you too.” Clearly not good at small-talk, Bay tried to let the conversation drop.

  “Your workshop is very organized, and you don’t smell too, that’s impressive.”

  At the mention of that, Monica sniffed the air around Ban’s younger brother, “Brother’s right, you don’t smell at all!”

  “It’s just… Magic. It keeps stuff off of me.” Bay spoke meekly.

  “I see, that’s a great use of your magic. High in utility too.”

  Bay thanked Morus’ praise awkwardly, and felt a sense of redemption when a loud voice filled the air.

  The heads in the Dining Hall turned towards the commotion, platters upon platters of food were being floated out of the kitchen, the curtains rolled upwards to make way.

  “Dinner is served everybody!” Jin’s passionate voice bounced across the walls and the platters were split towards each table.

  Another voice boomed behind him, “We’re celebrating the arrival of the siblings tonight, folks! We’re having ALE!”

  Cheers across the hall, with Gad’s voice drowning out sound for the siblings.

  Chief Ata was holding a barrel in one hand, and the other hand supporting a barrel on his shoulder. “Help yourselves! And don’t bother the siblings tonight! Some of you may have met them today, but they’ll be meeting the rest of y’all over the next few days! Herbalist Ren, you can expect a visit from the Brother tomorrow morning!”

  After the short speech by Chief Ata concluded, Morus and Monica looked at the platters on top of their table, fried vegetables with meat filling cooked to perfection, the aroma of meat and vegetables lingered in the air, before greedily inhaled by the diners.

  Plates were passed around, and everyone was taking chopsticks from wooden holders that were floated in along with the platters.

  Monica looked at the food and she was super curious about how it tastes, though she had no doubt it tastes amazing. She suppressed the urge to take out her phone to take a picture, and she looked up at Morus.

  Morus’ eyebrows were knitted together, he was not expecting this. It was clear this was an Asian cuisine that he knew really well, and it clearly did not belong in this medieval-esque village. He waved it off as a coincidence, but filed it away as something to remember.

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  And before he could process more, his thought was interrupted.

  “Hello, darling! Why the long face? Food not up to your tastes?” Jin slid onto the empty seat beside Ban and teased her.

  Ban rolled her eyes, “You know that’s impossible, Jin.”

  “Of course I do! But you look solemn today! I know the best way to cheer you up!”

  Morus and Monica looked at Jin in curiosity. Though the rest of the table were already used to the antics of the Fire and Water duo.

  Jin picked up a pair of chopsticks and grabbed a fried chili stuffed with meat, moving it towards Ban’s mouth. “Here comes the airship! Pururururu!”

  Ban laughed, “Okay! Okay! Stop! I get it! I’m not solemn anymore! Let me eat!”

  Jin then reversed the food in his chopsticks onto his plate, “I forgot my introductions. I’m Jin! Nice to meet you, Russel, I believe?” His eyes glowed like the embers of a brazier.

  Morus met his eyes and nodded, extending one hand towards the newcomer of their table, “Yes I’m Russel. Thanks for the finger food earlier, it tastes amazing.”

  Jin grabbed the hand and shook it firmly. “The pleasure is mine. I hope you enjoy this meal as well, and the future ones to come!”

  He looked at Morus and Monica, both had chopsticks in their hands already, “You know how to use your chopsticks!? The world must have changed out there! I’ve heard it was hard to learn how to use chopsticks!”

  Morus waved his hand in the air in front of him, “Haha, our parents taught us how to use them when we were younger. We can use it as naturally as our own hands, almost.” And to prove his point, he grabbed a slice of stuffed fried eggplant and put it on Monica's plate.

  Jin clapped theatrically, “Bravo! Well, I shouldn’t keep you guys from eating, because they…”He points his thumbs at the rest of the table, “are going to finish everything before you manage to get to half-full.” True to his word, the mountain of piled up fried vegetables and wedges were reducing at breakneck speed, as such, the siblings quickly joined the battle, going neck to neck against other chopsticks.

  As they almost finished their meal, Chief Ata walked over with two mugs in his hand, placing them in front of the siblings. “Hey young’uns! Try this! Pride of the village, if I dare say!”

  Monica and Morus eyed the mugs of ale, and gingerly took one each, Morus took a sniff, with Monica doing the same. The fruity aroma of the ale entered their noses and they took in a mouthful.

  “Sweet.” said Morus, having compared it with beers he had taken for work, this was much preferable.

  “Tasty!” Monica had only drank alcohol with her brother’s supervision, and only beers that tasted worse than medicine, the fruity sensation was something she wasn’t expecting.

  “Thanks, Chief. And thanks for taking us in.”

  “Pssh, you’re welcome! Have a good meal, tell Jin if you need seconds, I assume you’ve met?” To which Morus nodded. “Good! Whenever you’re done here, you can settle in for the night in your rooms. The facilities are open to you, just don’t leave the longhouse, yea? The nights are dark out here.”

  After his brief appearance, Chief Ata went round the other tables, chatting and stealing some of the villagers’ food in a playful manner.

  Morus and Monica both ate their fill, the food was as delicious as they expected, and it reminded them of home. The ale went down really well as well, giving a refreshing taste that washed down the oiliness of the deeply fried dinner.

  Once everyone on the table was done eating, Monica couldn’t contain her curiosity.

  “So what does everybody do here, after dark?”

  “Cleaning.”Jin said.

  “Working!” Ban chimed enthusiastically.

  “Maintaining gear.” said Asa and Gad, at almost the same time.

  “Wow, productive!” Monica put a finger to her cheek, “Everyday?”

  “Everyday.” The table chorus’ed.

  “No entertainment…?”

  Everyone at the table, except the siblings, looked at each other, and shrugged.

  “Nope.” In sync, once again.

  A look of horror on Monica’s face, “You guys love your jobs that much?”

  This time, Morus joined the rest of the table, “Yes?” As if that was a question.

  “Adults!? I swear! I don’t know how I’ll stay sane without a book or two to read!”

  Gad looked at the others, “The girl’s kinda right… I don’t think we have a book in here.”

  This time, Morus asked the question, “No books at all?”

  Asa pondered for a moment as she mentally went through their inventory, “Nothing entertainment. Mostly work logs, you won’t be interested.”

  “Huh… I see. Do you mind lending me some writing equipment? I lost mine on the way here.”

  “I could get them for you. Do you want them now? Or I can pass it to you in your room?”

  “Whichever’s the least troublesome for you.”

  “Later in your room then.”

  The villagers of the other tables have started to get up and leave. Bay was also gone before the siblings noticed, possibly because he was shy around strangers.

  “Everyone’s going to get washed up, before we run out of hot water. Don’t worry, no one’s going to be competing for your baths. Ban,” Asa turned to look at the tailor, “Would you mind sending them spare sleepwear?

  “Sure thing! Those are easy!” And she dashed out of the Dining Hall to get the clothes.

  Morus looked down at his feet, still covered in his socks and sport shoes, but they were getting uncomfortable. “I don’t want to impose but… Shoes would be nice too.”

  Monica nodded, “Yes please! I would rather sandals or something breathable!”

  Asa raised an eyebrow, “Well that can be arranged, just not tonight. See Bay tomorrow, preferably before he starts working, you’ve seen how he can be.”

  The siblings nodded in thanks, after receiving their ‘sleepwear’ from Ban, which was just a loose robe and trousers, the siblings bid Asa, Ban, Jin and each other ‘Good night’ and went back to their rooms.

  Monica went to take her bath immediately, while Morus waited for Asa to deliver writing tools before doing the same.

  After being done with their baths, the siblings went back into their rooms as they contemplated their day.

  Monica fluctuated between worry, sad, excitement and hopefulness until she drifted off to sleep, it was a taxing day for her, being chased by wolves and all, so someone’s muscles are going to be aching the next morning.

  Morus on the other hand, stared at the inkstone and calligraphy brush on the desk, he never would have thought he’ll be seeing this here, let alone using this to write his diary.

  “Oh well… Beggars can’t be choosers. Better this than nothing at all.”

  Morus has a habit of writing diaries, especially after their parents passed away. They contain everything that he wanted to share with Monica, life lessons, stories about their parents… preparing for the eventuality of his death, so that even after he’s gone, she still had something to remember him by… Something to refer to, even without him around. No matter how well he had prepared and trained her for society, it was bound to be insufficient, so this was the plan that he came up with.

  “I’ll have to be extra careful today… Don’t use too much ink, in case it smears the other pages, and I have to let it dry…” He started writing the first line.

  ‘I think my time is nearly up, eating no longer hurts, my days are probably numbered, but I will know for certain tomorrow, after meeting the Herbalist…’

  Two hours later.

  In Chief Ata’s office.

  The entire village stood within.

  “In ten days, we shall leave the village.” Chief Ata announced, standing beside his desk.

  Murmurs in the room, as the villagers talked to each other for a moment.

  “Why the rush?” A voice spoke up.

  “Because I am eager to return home.”

  More murmurs.

  “Why can’t it wait?”

  “Must it be now?”

  “Why not after harvest?”

  “We’ve just sowed the seeds!”

  Four identical voices, four identical faces. The farmers. Quadruplets.

  “What changed?” Another voice.

  “You all remember the mystic?” Ata said.

  “Fuck the mystic!”

  “She’s one of the reasons we’re here!”

  Asa raised her hand. Everyone immediately silenced themselves. They all looked at the woman seated in the office’s only chair.

  “Ata, explain.”

  “Yes, commander.” Ata walked over to a cabinet behind his desk, retrieving a box that was the length of the stone plaque, the exact same one that arrived with Vigil.

  “5 years ago, when the mystic arrived, she said a message was attached within.” He opened the box and took out the letter inside. “In our Lord’s handwriting, the message states, ‘If you still do not know your purpose here, you will know when the Guardian is named.’”

  Silence, as all eyes turn to Ata.

  “The siblings named the Guardian — Vigil. That is… was our purpose.”

  Gad asked, “That’s it? Our… Vigil? It’s over?”

  Ata nodded, “Yes… We can go home now.”

  A wave of hope washed over the crowd, most of them tearing up silently, some of them even wiped their eyes with their sleeves.

  “But that is not all.” The Chief continued. “Huan, tell them what you saw.”

  The middle-aged woman dispelled her illusion, revealing her true form, a woman in her twenties, “The mark of the snake consuming its own tail… The insignia of our lord, he had only shown to us, and a select few.”

  “Are you sure?” “Are you certain?” “Do you have proof?” said multiple voices at the same time.

  “I vouch for her.” Ata led.

  “I saw it.” Gad said.

  “Me too…” Ban followed.

  Then all eyes on the scarred woman sitting on the chair.

  “There is no doubt about it. He… No. They are related to our Lord somehow. Regardless of who exactly they are… Be on your best behavior… If any danger were to come to harm them…” Asa trailed off, looking at the crowd expectantly.

  “We will lay our life for the Lord!” the crowd chorus’ed.

  “Dismissed!” Asa commanded.

  “Yes! Commander!”

  With that, everyone left, leaving Asa and Ata in the room.

  “You should have consulted me before making your decision, Ata.”

  “I apologize. The young man beat me on the negotiation table.”

  Asa cocked an eyebrow, “Fascinating. One of the greatest minds of the Kingdom, losing to a young man? Either he’s that impressive, or you’ve grown old, my dear friend.”

  “Hah, he caught me off-guard. But without a doubt, he is dangerous.”

  Asa smirked, “I know.”

  She got up and left the room as well, leaving Ata in his office.

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