The woman smiled as she spoke, it was… Almost comforting, if not for her hollow eyes. But before anything else could be said, Guille had drawn his sword, pointing it at the woman. And yet, her expression didn't falter.
"My, it's quite rude to point a weapon at a maiden, don't you think? Or might you be some kind of brute, and these two your trophies?"
"Silence, witch!" Guille spoke with anger, despite his body betraying him, trembling slightly.
"Hmm, A tad rude, wouldn't you say?" the woman replied, grabbing Guille's sword. Then came the sound of steel breaking, fragments scattering at her feet like glass. . Lona's breath hitched, this woman didn't seem like she was strong and yet…
"If she wanted us dead, Guille, we'd have been dead already. Vese isn't known for theatrics when she kills."
The woman, revealed to be Vese, nodded, keeping her smile, "Indeed. Rather, I'm here simply on a whim, one could say, and I couldn't help but sense her."
Vese, without missing a beat, strode towards Lona. Similarly to Erris, Vese began to place her hands on her, keeping her left hand between her breasts, and her right, feeling Lona's lips. Though unlike Erris, it felt more… intimate, and Lona couldn't help but feel her cheeks grow warm.
"After all," Vese spoke in just above a whisper, bringing her face closer, her eyes piercing through Lona, as if she was looking at her very soul, "it's not often an other-worlder arrives, let alone on this continent."
"Get your hands off—"
"Quite rude to interrupt, don't you think?" Vese spoke to Guille, as suddenly his body forcefully sits on the ground.
"Besides, I'm not hurting her, right?"
Lona hesitantly nodded, "R-right."
Though inside, Lona was freaking out. This was the Queen of Ruin, and while her eyes didn't match her smile, she didn't seem malicious. Vese soon backs away, sitting near Lona.
"I suppose I don't blame you for your aggressive behavior, young man. After all, my name has been dragged through the mud many times now."
"The hell do you mean? You caused your infamous—"
Vese put her finger up, "So you say, but as you should know, history is written by the victor, they only write what they wish for others to believe."
As Vese continued her antics with Guille, and Erris occasionally interjecting, Lona stood up, walking away from the group, sitting near the cliffside. Not long after, a presence sat next to her. Vese.
"You seem rather troubled, am I wrong?"
"Well… Yes— I mean, no, you're not wrong. It's just… You seem nothing like the way people have described you."
Vese sighed, "Well, it's because people wish to paint people the villain as soon as their hero commands so. Though, it's not to say I'm good, I'd like to think I'm not as bad as people portray me."
"So… Did you destroy that city?"
Vese smiled once more, but shook her head, "I did not. Whether you choose to believe me or not, it was that bastard of a man who calls himself a benevolent king."
She then leaned back, before continuing, "Your journey is to reach Sybel's Tree, correct?"
Lona nodded in response. She let the silence sit momentarily before giving a verbal response.
"I… Don't know why, but something is leading me there."
"My safest guess is to start you on your journey to recover your memories. In fact, I'd be surprised were a memory not there."
Lona looked at Vese in shock, "How did you…"
But deep down, Lona knew the answer, she was a witch, and given how she's acted all night, Lona could safely presume that Vese was quite perceptive to say the least.
"Nonetheless, it's quite the task you have ahead of you. While it may seem daunting, and people may reveal their true colors, hold the ones who won't betray you, and you'll blossom into a rose, so to speak."
Vese leaned forward once more, before standing up, "I think we should head back to the others, don't you agree?"
Lona merely nodded in agreement. As she sat back down, Guille spoke suddenly, "Just so you know, Queen of Ruin, I don't trust you."
Vese giggled, and Erris merely sighed.
"Well, I don't expect trust, as my infamous title is rather unpleasant."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
It was later in the night, Guille and Erris were fast asleep, and yet, Lona felt restless. Rising from the ground, she noticed Vese sat near the cliff's edge and joined her.
"You mentioned I wasn't from this world?"
"Precisely," Vese said, "You can think of this world as its own world, but people from your world only come here when they're between life and death. Though many come here with a misconception, this is Purgatory."
"I… See," Lona couldn't think of anything else to say. After all, Vese had just told her that she wasn't necessarily alive in her world anymore. She had the feeling that she wasn't from this world, but all the same, it was a lot for her to take in.
"Ever since coming to this world… There's just been a lot to process. I can't remember who I am, I'm not from this world, and I've nearly died, and…"
Erris and Guille did nothing about it. They left me, in the cold rain. Everyone there did.
She didn't like to think those thoughts, but they were her honest feelings. She wanted to trust the two, despite everything, wanted to give them the benefit of a doubt, but it didn't sit well with Lona. If the two had really cared about her safety, then wouldn't they have jumped in and save her? Wouldn't they have told Sophia that what she did was wrong, that she was innocent? And while Guille said something after the fact, he didn't say or do anything. He, too, sat in warm shelter with food, leaving her to freeze nearly to death.
Lona paused a moment, before looking down at the ground just below her, "I don't even know how much I can trust those two. They didn't step in to defend me, they acted like everything was fine. That, because I was alive, there was nothing to worry about."
"I mean, I don't even know why I'm telling you. You have a bad reputation, and you're incredibly powerful and you—"
Lona stopped as Vese placed her hand on her head.
"You're telling me because you needed to vocalize these thoughts. It's not about trust, rather, someone to listen to you."
Vese continued, "I won't say who to trust, and who not to, for it's not up to me, but you'll know the answer when it matters most."
Lona pondered for a moment. After they had left her, it was hard to trust them, it really was. But Lona decided for now, she'd give the two a second chance. There had to be some explanation after all, right?
"I understand," she said, "and thank you. For listening."
"It's not an issue. I'm simply providing advice based on experience. I've met people who I can trust, and others… Who betrayed such a special bond."
As Vese spoke, Lona looked at her, and although she couldn't see her face, she imagined that Vese had some issues in the past. A sadness, lightly touching her soft, neutral voice. But as Lona thought that, Vese turned, wearing the same smile she'd been wearing.
"I suppose it's about time now. But before I leave, I've a small gift for you."
Before Lona could respond, Vese cast her magic, and soon, Lona's clothes changed.
What was once a robe was now a light long sleeved paired with a pinafore, and some boots that were far more comfortable than walking barefoot.
"I… I don't know what to say. Thank you," Lona managed to spit out. She ran her fingers over the fabric, soft and warm — a far cry from the rough robe she'd worn since waking. For the first time, she felt less like a lost stranger, and more like a person.
"Well, it's far better than wearing rags, isn't it?" Vese put her hand on Lona's head, "But I must be off now. And depending on how your journey unravels, we may meet again."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"I see you've gotten a gift," Erris said.
It was now morning, and the trio were all awake, preparing to finally reach Sybel's Tree.
"It's a gift from a witch, I really wouldn—"
Guille was soon interrupted by a jab to the liver from Erris, "It doesn't matter if she got it from a witch or not. And I told you already, Vese isn't as much a threat to us as you keep thinking."
"Still, she's known to cause destru—"
"That's a lie," Lona said, surprising both Guille and Erris, "I… I think she's innocent. I know she's a little scary but… She's actually quite nice."
"That doesn't matter, Lona!" Guille snapped, "You're wearing a gift from an infamous witch, people find out, and they'll kill you simply by association!"
Erris let out a long sigh, "Then, it's simple, don't tell anyone about it, Guille."
"People are bound to find out, Erris, I'm just trying not to get her killed"
"Then where were you when I was out in the cold? Weren't you in a warm shelter, with fresh food and a cozy bed?"
Lona spoke, for once, letting her feelings spill out.
"I…" Guille lowered his head, "I can't stand against Sophia, alright?"
"It hurt… You know? Neither of you did anything when I could have died."
It was likely evident to the two how Lona felt now, as she spun around and began walking, leaving them to catch up.
The trio began to walk towards the towering tree, now closer than ever, the tension was palpable. Guille and Erris were in the front, neither saying a word. She knew that she cut through Guille with her words, but what else was she to say? She soon dismissed those thoughts, as their goal was approaching
Lona steeled herself, remembering the conversation she had last night with the witch Vese.
"My safest guess is to start you on your journey to recover your memories. In fact, I'd be surprised were a memory not there."
I'll finally learn something about myself, Lona thought to herself.
She was both brimming with excitement and anxiety. What kind of life did she lead, where exactly did she live, what were her friends like, would this memory just show a snippet of herself, or would it show her the entirety of her life?
And soon enough, the three stood at the base of the tree.
"So… What exactly is supposed to happen here?" Guille asked.
"I'm… not sure," Lona said, running her fingers against the bark.
"Another day to waste away."
"Huh?"
Lona looked at Erris and Guille. Were they speaking? But it couldn't be, it sounded like her own voice.
"What's wrong?" Erris spoke with concern
"N-nothing, I just thought I hea—"
"Well, suppose this is better than nothing."
The world soon tilted sideways, Lona saw Erris and Guille both rush towards her, before her vision went black.