The morning rose over the village of Tamare. Arlene woke first, the ever dutiful hero. Stretching her backs and her arms as she sat still on the soft bed. She could see Wattyson still asleep, sat and huddled against the wall hugging his staff. Her expression softened, seeing him. Her heart ached for him, no doubt now the passing of the village elder weighed heavily on his mind.

  However, she need to wake him up. They need to move on, the world wouldn’t stop for them. At the very least, she thought, discussing their next destination or being on the road would help clear his mind.

  She playfully rolled off the bed, landing on her feet and arm. Stepping as light as snow drop to Wattyson. She watched his robe rustled from his breathing and nudged his shoulder with her scabbard. She whispered, “Wake up Watty.”

  Wattyson lazily opened his eyes only to half shut. “Uuuwh huh?” snored out Wattyson. “I’m wake”

  He brushed off her scabbard, and rose to his feet using the staff as support. “Let’s go”

  “Wait! At least wash your face first!”

  He looked to her half asleep, “You do it.” He moved his hand swiftly over his face. His face was cleaned and fully awake afterward.

  Arlene sighed. “Alright, wait for me then. I would like to wash up!” She made her way to the bathroom.

  An hour later, Arlene finally emerged, glowing with satisfaction. Steam was drifting slowly from the door. “That was good… wait. Of course…” she frowned. “He’s gone.”

  She donned on her Chosen One’s attire, making her way downstairs. Of course, not before locking the door.

  She spied Wattyson talking to Rond. She made her way to him, but the closer she got the more she was able to see his expression. It was a mix of joy and… dread?

  Rond noticed her and waved hello, before continuing what he was saying.

  “Like I said! Some of her family members dropped by earlier this morning saying how the elder was full of life!” his voice showed no sign of pulling anyone’s leg. “It was like she was never ill at all!”

  “That’s… that’s amazing!” remarked Wattyson in a slightly elevated monotone voice.

  “I know! It’s a miracle!”

  Arlene chimed in, bearing a grin. “Should we visit her, again Watty?”

  “Yeah!” Rond’s voice filled with snicker and teased. “Why don’t you go visit again, Watty?”

  Wattyson glared at Rond. “Don’t call me that.” Turning to Arlene, “And no, we already visited her yesterday.”

  “We’ll visit her again!” retorted Arlene, resting both hands on her hips.

  “No,” Wattyson took a sip of water. “Today’s for family. They came to visit her from afar after all.”

  “That shouldn’t stop you! She saw you yesterday as family! You should go see her again!”

  Her eyes were pleading Wattyson, full puppy-dog stare. “I won’t go with you if you can go again! You won’t have to worry about me and have some closure with her!”

  Wattyson looked at her, for some reason her eyes were getting bigger and bigger. He hesitated and finally relented, “Uughh Fine. And what will you be doing?”

  “I’m thinking of exploring the village a bit. It’s not every day I can do that and not be treated for my status.”

  Wattyson sighed. “Alright. I’ll be back in the tavern later.” He limped a bit before walking straight. He must’ve put his staff away already in that black hole of his.

  The two watched him leave.

  “What a big oaf.” Rond shook his head and chuckle. “Thanks for convincing him, Chosen One!”

  Arlene giggled at his comment about him, “Please, just call me Arlene.”

  “Alright, Aralynn”

  “Arlene”

  “Arlene, please continue taking care of him. He means well, but… he has the look of someone who’s seen too much. He just doesn’t know how to talk or connect anymore, I feel.”

  “I know…” she hesitated before adding, is there any chance you can tell me more about him.”

  Rond hesitated, crossing his arms and tilted his head. He was contemplating on it before letting out, “I aint doing it. Sorry, Arlene. I think you should hear it from him. He hates when someone treat him like a wound.”

  Arlene let a small frown on but understood his intention. “Alright, I’ll be off then.” She took out her sword shaped key. “Here you go, I don’t want to lose it while exploring.”

  Rond grinned. “Sure, let me hold onto it for you. Have fun running around!”

  “I will!” she beamed before running out of the tavern.

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  Arlene sauntered across the cobble road. Taking in the sight of the happy populace. She strolled around absented minded and whistling, taking in the joyful sounds after her prophecy ended.

  “You’re late!” a high pitched noise called out to her.

  She turned around mid-whistle, a small kid with tears in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” she crouched down, genuinely concerned.

  “Y-you’re late!” cried the kid.

  Arlene was a bit perplexed and worried, did something bad happen? She raised her hands to console the kid.

  “You should’ve come here way earlier! You should’ve seen me playing the hero!!” cried louder.

  Arlene’s mind went ehhh? How would she go about this? Try patting her head? Making promises?

  “Lini!” shouted an older voice. “I’m sorry, I hope she didn’t bother you. I’m her father.”

  He took Lini into his arm, his voice a bit embarrassed. “It was a few days ago since the village founding festival see… she played as you in one of the children’s act. She just found out yesterday you were in town and well, she’s been searching for you since.”

  Lini snorted, “I wanted to show her my cool move!!!”

  Arlene stood awkwardly chuckle. “I’m sorry, little Lini.” She reached out to pat her. “Maybe you can show me again?”

  Lini eyes sparkled. “Really?! You’re requesting to see me do it again!!” her voice was filled with smug but happiness.

  “Mmhmm”

  “Ok!” she tugged her dad. “Can we invite miss Chosen One to our home? I want to show her!”

  The father looked to Arlene, “Will that be okay?”

  Arlene nodded smiling.

  The father’s face softened, answering back to Lini, “Alright Lini”

  “Put me down!!” Lini demanded waving both hands up. Which the dad obliged. She turned to Arlene, puffing her chest out and pointing at her. “I will show you where my house is!”

  “Lini! Don’t point your hand at people!” reprimanded the father.

  Lini turned to her dad. “Sorry” she meekly looked down and then apologized again to Arlene.

  Arlene crouched down again to be on the little girl’s eyes level. “Let’s go see your cool move.”

  “Ok!” Lini perked up, holding the hero’s hand as she wobbled to her home.

  Arlene followed them and watched as Lini gathered her friends to re-enact the play. It was heart-warming to watch kids wobbled and tried their bests to remember their lines.

  Soon the afternoon arrived, Arlene said goodbye to the Lini and her friends and family.

  “That was wholesome” she thought to herself, feeling healed by that play.

  She continued her stroll, wide smile from ear to ear. People walking by waving to her and commented on her smile. She waved back of course. It was strange. They didn’t come on to her, asking about her tales like she was used to in cities or towns. It was refreshing.

  In the distance near the shopping district she spotted, a person in maid outfit, looking like she was gasping for air. It activated Arlene’s protectiveness as the Chosen One and reached out to her.

  “Neciel? Are you alright?”

  “Weak…” Neciel exhaled loudly. “Sun! Too hot!”

  Arlene sighed. Neciel was in her full maid outfit, and carrying a lot of bags.

  “Of course it’s hot!” remarked Arlene. “You’re in full maid outfit!”

  “Speak for yourself! You’re in full armor!”

  Arlene placed her hand on her chest, proudly announcing “I’m the Chosen One, I’m used to this!” she paused for a bit, helping Neciel sit down. “What are in those bags?”

  Neceil pulled out a water bottle from one of the bag, having a drink. “Ingredients, foodies! Grandma’s family is hosting a party for her miraculous family. Maybe it’s because of my blessed bloodline!” she grinned.

  “Your blessed bloodline?”

  “Mhmm” she nodded so fast. “You see; my family always have this ability to bring luck to other people. Hehe at least what my mom used to say. I like to think maybe this is it.”

  “Maybe that’s why she’s recovering” chuckled Arlene.

  “That’s right! Grandma’s family party is going to be epic!” her eyes beamed as she stood back up. She immediately picked six large bags back up. “I’m more fired up now after resting! I’m gonna go now!”

  Arlene stood, reaching her hand out. “That seems a lot. Let me carry some for you”

  “No need!” Nini shook her head. “I’m more capable than you think! Let me deliver the ingredient, the prelude to Grandma’s epic party!!”

  Nini ran off after, betraying the weak almost dying posture she had earlier.

  Arlene just sighed, and observed her with a smile. She muttered to herself, her voice gentle yet tingled with loneliness. “Must be a fun family…”

  The evening had set nearly into night, Arlene had her dinner back in the tavern and picked up the key from Roland. Roland said Wattyson was in his room the entire day after coming back.

  The door crept open, revealing Wattyson just sat there on the floor, reading a book.

  “Watty?” Arlene quietly murmured, treading to his side. “Is everything alright? You had a proper talk with her right?”

  Wattyson flipped the page before turning to her, then returned to the book. “I have.” It was blunt as usual, yet his voice was hollow.

  Arlene sat beside him, leaning against the cold wooden wall. “Then why do you look so… unsettled?” she leaned closer. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, it’s just…” Wattyson hesitated, biting back his lips. “I don’t think she’s getting better.” He paused before continuing, “It’s like… a second wind before they eventually pass on. I... I didn’t know how to tell her just arrived family about it. They were so happy about the news…”

  He gazed downward. “I just sat there, quietly listening to them and drinking coffee.” He raised his head a bit. “That coffee was too sweet though...”

  Arlene said nothing. She gripped onto his shoulder, caressing it. For a while, she let him be before finally speaking up, “Don’t blame yourself. She said herself yesterday that she knew her own body. She’s likely at her happiest right now getting to see her whole family one last time.”

  Wattyson didn’t reply, but a smile played on him.

  “You’re right.” he finally spoke, lighter this time. “I also saw that maid of her looking pale and about to pass out. She wobbled like an undead though” he tittered.

  “I saw her too, she looked like she was dying. I asked her what’s wrong, she said the sun was too hot!”

  “The sun huh,” he paused for a bit before adding, “Yeah… in that outfit anyone would get a heatstroke.”

  Arlene got up, prodding him. “You should go eat something.”

  “You already ate?”

  “I did” her hand above her chest. “I’m the Chosen One, things like dinner are essential for one like me!”

  “So what’ll you do now?”

  “Sleep” she stated flatly. “We have a lot to do tomorrow like deciding where to go and travelling.”

  Wattyson stood up, put his book away and sighed. “Alright. Goodnight then in event you already asleep.”

  Arlene’s eyes sparkled. Wattyson? Saying goodnight first? He was lowering his wall.

  “Goodnight, Watty!” she waved him goodbye as he left, the door shut quietly.

  “Now,” she muttered, already mid undoing her armour. “Time to spend a lot of times in the bathtub!” she happily hummed to herself.

  Wattyson soon returned to the room finding her to be already asleep. It was nearly midnight.

  “Must’ve enjoyed herself today.” He murmured as he strode close to her, pulling the blanket over her fully.

  He sat down across the back, leaning against the wall. He pulled out a staff from his storage hole and hugged it like a body pillow. Soon after, the weirdo fell asleep.

  In a time after midnight passed.

  Loud knocks on the door in short interval. Arlene woke and sat up, hand already reaching for her longsword. It was dark still but she could see a white robe figure already standing, pushing down the doorknob.

  “Wattyson!” a desperate voice belonged to Rond. “The mound is still lit up! I know they’re having a recovery party but I have this, this bad feeling back of me head. I don’t like where my mind’s going. Can you go check them out?”