In a cave on the east side of Hozori Lake
"Be careful," Elsa said softly as she followed Eri into the cave. Behind them, the fading sound of Erik's footsteps echoed in the distance as he ran off into the forest.
"I hope he comes back alive," Eri muttered, glancing over her shoulder.
"We don't have a choice but to believe he will," Elsa replied, though a hint of unease clung to her words.
They walked in silence for a few moments before Elsa spoke again. "Are you here for the bounty… or is it something more?"
Eri's step faltered just slightly. "It killed my brother," she said without turning around. "He was a bounty hunter too."
Elsa hadn't expected that. "I'm sorry."
Eri gave a small nod.
"Revenge, then?" Elsa asked gently.
"Yep. Eye for an eye, as they say." Eri tried to sound flippant, but there was bitterness beneath her words.
"You know it doesn't end there," Elsa said quietly.
"What?"
"'An eye for an eye' ends with the whole world blind."
Eri let out a sharp breath and kept walking. "Tch."
Elsa hesitated, then added, "I know it's not my place, but… do you think your brother would want this? For you to risk your life like this? Or what if Erik comes back and says it's too dangerous?"
Eri stopped. Her voice was tight. "He's dead. What he wants doesn't matter anymore."
She turned halfway, just enough that Elsa could see the frustration in her eyes.
"And I'm not an idiot."
Elsa opened her mouth to respond, but Eri continued before she could speak.
"You know, he was all I had. I don't even know who my mother is. He raised me. Looked after me when no one else would. And now he's gone. The longer that thing stays alive, the harder it is to breathe. I won't sleep until I see it dead."
Elsa's throat tightened. "Still…"
Eri cut her off. "You're no different from me."
Elsa froze.
"I heard you this morning, talking to the innkeeper," Eri said, turning to face her fully now.
"You said you want to see it die. I want to kill it. That's the only difference between us. Don't act like you're above me."
Elsa didn't answer.
"In fact," Eri added, her voice low, "I think you're worse than me."
She turned and walked ahead without waiting for a reply.
Elsa followed. "You're right," she said softly. "I just don't want you to become like me."
Eri didn't stop, but Elsa saw her shoulders stiffen.
"You might not realize it, but you're kind. Strong. I can see it. I just don't want to watch that turn into something else," Elsa said.
"You're not exactly in a position to be worried about me, Princess," Eri muttered.
Elsa let the silence stretch after that. She didn't have anything else to say—not yet.
They walked a little further until Eri suddenly halted.
"Wait... you hear that?" she whispered.
Elsa stilled and listened. Cracks echoed faintly through the cave—like brittle bones breaking.
"Wavens," Elsa said. "They're common in caves. Doesn't sound like a large group. Let's get a closer look."
They crept forward, crouching behind jagged rocks until the creatures came into view.
Scrawny, fish-like creatures about five feet tall paced the narrow passage ahead. Their glowing yellow eyes twitched, their dark blue skin glistening under the dim cave light.
"Six of them," Eri whispered.
"So, what's the plan?" Elsa asked, her voice calm now, her earlier tension tucked away beneath years of discipline.
"How many can you take?" Eri asked.
"If they stay close, I can take the three in front with a wind blade," Elsa said, narrowing her eyes.
"Alright. I'll handle the ones in the back. Your move, Princess."
Elsa nodded and moved silently around the rocks. The Wavens were as dull as she remembered—poor senses, easily surprised. She gathered mana, One smooth breath. A clean slice through the air with her hand.
"Wind Blade!"
The attack shot forward, slicing cleanly through the front three Wavens before they could even react.
But the others noticed.
They shrieked and lunged toward her.
"Eri!" Elsa called out, stepping back.
Three arrows flew over her shoulder in rapid succession—one, two, three—and the rest of the Wavens collapsed.
Elsa let out a long breath. "Phew. You scared me for a second."
"Damn, I didn't know you had that kind of power," Eri said, lowering her bow with a smirk.
"I can't use it often," Elsa admitted. "I'm pulling mana from the atmosphere, not my core. It's unstable… not something I've practiced much. Best to only use it when I know I can land the blow."
Eri gave her a nod of respect. "Still. That was cool."
She took a step forward. "Let's move in a bit more. Just to make sure this doesn't lead into a dungeon or anything."
Elsa gave one last glance behind them—toward the dark entrance and the forest beyond.
Then she followed Eri deeper into the cave.
They ran into a few more Wavens as they continued deeper into the cave. Nothing they couldn't handle. Between Elsa's spells and Eri's sharp arrows, the fights were quick and quiet. Eventually, they reached a dead end—not much farther in.
"This isn't bad," Eri said, resting her hands on her hips. "The spot where we first found the Wavens—that'll work for the night. Let's head back and start a fire there."
Elsa nodded. The cave was still and damp, but it was better than facing the storm outside.
They returned to the clearing near the earlier skirmish and got to work gathering dry wood. With Eri's fire magic, the campfire sparked to life in no time.
"We'll need something to eat," Elsa said, brushing dust from her sleeves. "I'll go out and find us something—"
"No need," Eri interrupted, slinging her bag around and opening it. She pulled out the swan she'd shot earlier near the lake, still intact and well preserved.
"This'll be plenty for the three of us," she said with a small grin.
Elsa blinked, surprised. "You kept it?"
"Of course," Eri replied casually. "Didn't go through all that show just to waste it."
Elsa gave a soft chuckle. She hadn't expected that kind of foresight from Eri, but she was relieved all the same.
Then came the sound—distant, faint, but unmistakable.
Rain.
It had started pouring outside.
Elsa's eyes drifted to the cave mouth. "It's raining… I hope Erik's okay."
They sat in silence after that. Eri began cleaning the swan with practiced hands, and Elsa found herself watching quietly. There was a kind of rhythm to it, the way Eri worked. Focused, deliberate.
Soon, the bird was prepared and hanging over the fire. The scent of roasting meat began to spread, warm and welcome in the otherwise cold air.
Eri rotated the swan now and then, adjusting the flames with little flicks of her fingers.
Elsa shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. She raised her hand and pointed toward the cave entrance, then tapped her ear.
Eri followed her gaze, catching on quickly.
Footsteps.
They both leaned forward, peeking just enough to see.
It was Erik.
And he wasn't alone.
Trailing behind him was someone neither Elsa nor Eri recognized.