Our Second World book three: Personal Truth

Chapter 25: Nephinae

"You shouldn't be here."

I spun around ready to fire a spell, only to find the tip of a sword at my neck. In the dark, I could just barely make out the outline of a tall figure standing over me.

"Hold, I'm not here to fight."

"Says the one pointing a sword at me?" I answered.

"You were going to shoot me with a spell, weren't you?" The person shot back. From their voice, I could tell it was a woman," anyway, what are you doing here? Don't you know this area is dangerous?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Will you just answer the question?"The woman huffed," like I said: this place is—"

"Shush."

It was faint, but I heard a sound from inside the mine. A sound like a monster.

The woman went quiet and dropped down next to me," you heard that too?"

I nodded," that wouldn't be why you're here, would it?"

"Yeah."

I sighed," of course." I stood and brushed the snow off my clothes.

"Where are you going?" The girl hissed.

"I've got nothing better to do right now, so I might as well help you out with this," I answered, stretching my arms which were stiff from being crouched for so long.

"Really? Thanks, I appreciate it."

"Let's go," I offered my hand and pulled the girl to her feet before making my way down to the mine entrance.

Slowly, I pushed the door open and checked inside. The tunnel leading down was empty, so I stepped inside; the girl followed.

Before we got too far the girl pulled a torch from the wall and lit it with a flint lighter. As she held up the light, I got my first good look at her face. She had pale skin and long copper colored hair that framed her face. Under the orange glow of the torch it was hard to tell if her eyes were blue or brown, but I guessed they were blue. Her pointed ears were on the longer side and had a blue tint to the ends, so it was safe to say she was an elf. I could guess she was an adventurer judging by the simple leather armor she wore under her fur lined cloak.

"Say...what's your name?" The girl asked, taking the lead down the tunnel.

"Why does it matter?"

"Well, since we'll be working together, I thought it would be easier if we knew what to call each other," she grinned," my names Lynari, but you can call me Lyn if you want."

The girl looked at me expectantly and I sighed," Nephi."

"Nephi, huh? That's a cute nickname."

"Do you know what exactly is in here?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"There's supposed to be a nest of goblins lower down. We shouldn't be too far now," Lynari pointed up ahead where the path widened and split off in other directions.

We continued down the middle path where we eventually came across a small room. The door was closed, but I could hear the sound of monsters—goblins—moving around on the other side.

"I'd say there's about 20 or so," Lynari said putting her ear to the door," I should be able to take 'em no problem, but just in case, can you watch my back?"

I nodded," I'll follow your lead."

"Right. On three. One...two...three!"

Lynari burst through the door and swung her sword at the goblins with surprising speed and accuracy. She cut down a good number of them before the monsters figured out what was going on.

"She's good," I thought, watching her move, as if dancing, across the room. Within a few minutes, the group of monsters had been completely wiped out.

"Well, That didn't take long," Lynari turned and waved.

"Watch out!" I shouted, launching an icicle at a shadow about to leap at the girl.

The body of a shadow wolf landed with a thump behind her as Lynari turned around.

"Thanks for the save," she smiled, sheathing her sword.

"You always check the area after fighting monsters to make sure there aren't any hiding. That's common sense for an adventurer," I huffed," But you're welcome."

"Say, we make a pretty good team. Want to join my party?" Lynari asked as she started collecting the core crystals from the goblins.

"First of all: I'm solo. Secondly: we've only just met," I said," but...I'll think about it."

"Really? That's great!" Lynari grinned," when we get back to town I have to stop at the guild hall to report my completion of the job, and I need to sell the drops. If you decide you want to party up then stop by, ok?"

"Sure, I'll do that."

It was a little past three in the morning by the time we left the mine. Lynari and I parted ways when we got back to town, and I headed for the inn I was staying at. Once in my room, I threw my coat and scarf on the floor and flopped down on the bed.

"Aien, you there?" I activated the link.

There was silence for a few seconds," what's up?"

"The tip was bad. There was no meeting, just a nest of goblins."

"What'd I tell you?" Aien teased.

"Whatever."

"So? What else?"

"...I met an adventurer. She offered to party with me but..."

"If you think you can trust her, I say go for it," Aien said.

"I'm solo. You know that," I sighed.

"...maybe it's time for a change. Either way, it's your call to make," Aien answered.

"Alright. That's all for now. I'll link in again if I get any new information."

"Sounds good. Night boss."

"Night."

I turned the link off and pulled the crystal from my ear. Putting it in my coat pocket before laying down on the bed properly.

"I wonder what I should do," I thought, gazing up at the ceiling," maybe Aien's right. Maybe it is time for a change."

"Nephi, I think you should accept that Lynari persons offer." I looked over as Luna appeared next to me on the bed.

"So do I," Emiko agreed, plopping down on my other side.

"You think?" I rolled over and buried my face in Lunas fur.

"The choice is yours," Emiko said, resting her head on my shoulder.

"We'll follow you no matter what you decide," Luna nuzzled my hair.

"Thanks, you two."

Curled in the warmth of my familiars, I drifted off to sleep. Though I didn't get much of it. Waking up around seven a few short hours later. Emiko had returned to me, but Luna was still sleeping by my side.

"Good morning, Nephi," the white fox murmured, noticing I was awake.

"Morning Luna," I sat up and stretched with a yawn.

"Do you want me to sleep inside today?" Luna asked as I slid off the bed to put my coat on.

"...walk with me today," I answered after thinking about it for a minute.

"Alright. Where to?"

"I've decided to accept Lynari's offer."