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I slept like a log that night. Not a single dream.
...Tik ti iiiik ik... Tik ti iiik ik...
The sound of a rooster's cry pulled me from deep sleep. Both of my guards were long gone, and I found myself wondering about their daily routine beyond just watching over me.
...Kreak...
Someone was at the entrance of my hut. The interior was simple—a wool curtain for a door, a single window opening southwest, and a bed positioned in the opposite corner.
"Umm... Can I come in?"
It was Meliss.
"Yeah, I'm up. Come in."
After my permission, she entered and sat by the small fireplace in the center. She wore her usual shaman attire, but today it was brown and without a hood. I could feel her glancing at me—uneasy, uncomfortable. She should be, after what happened.
"So, what brings you here?"
She looked me directly in the eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for what I did the day before yesterday."
I stayed silent, meeting her gaze.
"And? Is that all?"
She stared back, then took a deep breath.
"The truth is... Sasta was my mother."
I paused for a moment before answering.
"Who?"
She frowned at my question, clearly offended.
"Sasta. The shaman who brought you here. She sacrificed herself so you and the others could return safely."
"I didn't know she was your mother."
"Figured as much. You're new here. But I hate the fact that if it weren't for you, she wouldn't have had to go on that stupid mission. She would still be here, teaching me, traveling to the frontlines, exploring the far north..."
Her voice wavered. She looked fragile, as if she might shatter at any moment.
"When I first met you, I thought you were special—like my mother. But when they tested you with that life gem, all they found was spirit energy, not mana."
She clenched her fists.
"I just can't accept that she's gone. And every time I try to deny it, your presence makes it even harder. That's why I acted the way I did. I'm sorry."
She sounded like she was about to cry. Consoling others wasn't my strong suit—especially a grown woman. But I had to say something.
"I—I don't mind. None taken. I mean, I understand. Let's not make things awkward between us. I still need your help... and you're a great teacher. A great person, too."
The tension eased a little. She pulled out a small bag—about the size of a wallet—and handed it to me.
"Since 'Ni' assigned me to aid you, I retrieved some of your personal belongings from your world."
Grateful, I took the bag and turned it upside down.
Bad idea.
...Thud... Thud... Clank... Clank...
My smartphone, binoculars, Swiss knife, camping kit—everything spilled onto the floor as if the bag had infinite space.
Meliss stood frozen, watching, until she jumped back as the camping kit landed near her foot.
The hut was a disaster.
"Can we put it all back in?!" I panicked.
"Yeah. Just place them inside one by one, or hold the bag near the pile and push it forward."
She took the bag, lowered it near the scattered equipment, and shoved it forward. Instantly, everything disappeared back inside. She handed the bag back to me.
"If you want something specific, just imagine it, and it'll come out—if it's inside, of course."
"Whoa. That's amazing. How did you make this?"
"It's just an enchantment. Takes me a few minutes. Unlike those pesky magicians from outside."
"Wait. There are other magicians out there?"
She rolled her eyes.
"There are many countries, east and west. Each has its own mages and magicians—except for the East. They despise magic users."
"Why?"
"I don't know. But according to my mother, they believe magicians are evil and the reason the South became dark and corrupted."
She then explained the continent's geography, as her mother had taught her.
"A massive storm barrier surrounds the far East. And here—" she drew a rough axe-like shape on the floor with a piece of charcoal. "—this is the continent. The Ancestral Mountain Range divides the East and West, stretching from the far North to the Southeast. The land west of the mountains holds many nations."
She paused, her tone shifting to anger.
"The largest kingdom in the West is Drakunis. They constantly raid our Lula tribe, capturing our people. But we can't fight back—most clans avoid war because our numbers are already low.
"In the South, there's what we call the Evil Lands. It's our duty to battle the creatures there so they don't overrun the world. The Sand People, also from the South, fight alongside us and are our allies. But most Western kingdoms and empires look down on us."
So that's what the Silver Eagle meant by "helping my people survive." If things continued like this, the tribe would eventually disappear. But something didn't add up. Something felt... wrong.
"Meliss... why are there no men or children in the village?"
"Men? And children?" She seemed puzzled at first, then answered, "According to my mother and Ni Lani, men aren't native to this world. We bring them from elsewhere when needed. There can only be three at a time. But the last man from our tribe was taken by a traitor—sold to the Drakunis Kingdom."
I froze.
The reality hit me like a punch to the gut.
Tears welled in my eyes—not for them.
For myself.
I had to make sure my body stayed healthy.