Chapter 26: The stars

Chapter 26: The stars

The lightning bolt had killed all 26 of the Lesser Phageids that had been in the house, bringing Sofia up to level 88. The levels are starting to come slower, well need many more to reach 100.

Pareth had barely survived the blast, his skull, or what was left of it, had been propelled far away by the explosion and it was all that remained of him, his status indicated 0.3% health points left. Im lucky that I can always locate him or I wouldnt ever have thought he wasnt dead. She summoned the same old light pillar from the void above and chatted with Alith while Pareth regrew his lost bones.

You need fireproof clothes. Alith said after glancing at Sofias exposed right shoulder.

Yeah, but I dont think theres any here.

Maybe there were some before. I think the walls ate everything. Alith explained her theory, Its weird that everything is so empty, there isnt even any dust anywhere, my bet is that those monsters eat everything except the crystal walls.

It wouldnt be surprising. But then what do they eat now? People like us?

I dont know, maybe they dont actually need to eat. The dungeons in your world dont make more sense in the first place. The whole magic system doesnt. Alith rolled her eyes, Whats with the kisses and the dances

I think your world without mana is weirder. How do you even survive sickness without healers?

Come on, youre talking to someone who made medicine for a living and youre asking that?

Oh, right, havent seen you do that at all. I kinda forgot. Sofia declared and shrugged. Maybe you should cook yourself some growth medicine, since youre so self-conscious about it.

Weve been traveling non stop and I don't know the plants here, what can I even do? Alith complained. Also that doesnt even exist!

Uh? Im pretty sure it does though? Ive seen growth potions being advertised in Einsen.

What! See, I told you your world doesnt make any sense. No plant based medicine should be able to make you grow taller, ever.

Oh it wasnt potions about height Sofia corrected, a smirk on her face, looking down at her aerodynamic traveling companion, but that must exist too, dont lose hope Alith! she added, giving her a thumbs up.

Screw you!

Alith picked a handful of rubble from the ground and chased a laughing Sofia in between the collapsed buildings, throwing small pebbles of blue and white crystal at her one by one. The surprising part was that she could almost keep up despite her shorter legs.

And even without all this, like, what if we grow to hate each other's guts? What if you erase my skill? What if you die? Do I have to watch you grow old and be happy by yourself? What even am I to you? A friend? A sister? Or a disposable summon, a tool to get stronger, accomplish your own goals? she observed her hand, on fire but not burning. I I just dont know.

...

Sofia got up from the rock she was sitting on. She approached Aliths rock on the other side of the fire and sat right next to her. Her sudden closeness to the fire was a bit unnerving with all the burns she had suffered from the whole day.

Hmm Sofia couldnt find the words. First of all, I dont have an answer for everything. It was me who brought you here and at first I didnt think for a second about what that would mean for you, so Im sorry, she said, grabbing a stick and poking at the embers too.

BUT! Sofia sat straight up, and grabbed Aliths face, forcing the depressed girl to look at her in the eyes, Youre not a tool! A sister" Sofia's face cramped for a second, "maybe. A friend? More, even? I don't fucking know, you tell me! But a tool? Never.

Hear me clearly while I say this. N. E. V. E. R. NEVER! Who the fuck cares, ghost or whatever, youre human! Thats not a question. You are free. Do whatever you want! She let go of Aliths head and opened her arms wide as if to show Alith how free she was. Then she started pointing at things to illustrate her next points.

Want to stay around? You can. Want to go live your life somewhere else? You can. Want to find a way to no longer be a ghost, go back to your old world? Youre free to try, Ill help you even. Youre free. And the skill? If I need to keep it forever then so be it. I dont care. Do you think Id trade the life of someone I care about for anything like this? Especially for a fucking skill slot?!

Sofia let her go and took a few seconds to calm down, it was her turn to stare at the fire.

And I have no idea what will happen to you in the future. No idea what happens if I die. No idea what you want to do with your life. Honestly I dont have a clue what Im doing with my own life. I cant manage yours too. Maybe someday Ill get summoned into a prison cell by some dickhead at the church, and youll never have to see my dumb face again. A fitting end for a summoner right?

She stared at the fire for a few more seconds, and stood up.

The only thing I know for sure is Im happy youre here. Not as a summon but, as a person.

After that, Sofia laid down to sleep away from the fire, on a big flat rock. There were many such rocks all around the mountainous plains. She covered herself in a large but thin cape she had bought back in Einsen. It was Aliths turn to have the bedroll tonight. The crackling fire a few meters behind and the roaring wind were the only noises disturbing the tranquil silence of a cold spring night.

Sofia gazed at the stars for what felt like forever. Eyeing the unknown.

Theyre not the same, Alith said out of nowhere. She had walked up to the rock without Sofia noticing, she also looked at the cloudless night sky. Holy that scared me. She laid down on the rock, next to Sofia, and grabbed a corner of the cape to cover herself. They had to be very close for it to be large enough for two.

What, the stars?

Yes, its very different. More colorful.