Chapter Text
“Aenwyn,” Arasne whined out, her voice a mix of frustration and annoyance as Aenwyn, ever the meticulous one, pulled her twin’s hair up into their signature braid. “We’re identical, Arasne. You do not have a sensitive head,” Aenwyn retorted with a firmness that only came from years of familiarity.
I sipped my coffee, leaning back slightly in my chair as I tuned out their morning squabble. My gaze flickered toward the windows. Gray skies, but no rain. The kind of weather that made everything seem a little quieter, more subdued.
Late last night, the queen’s fairy had visited me with a new assignment one that was far more dangerous than I had hoped. I let the weight of the parchment rest on the table between us. Aenwyn’s eyes flickered from the paper to my face, the curiosity in her gaze evident. She wasn’t used to seeing me without the mask or my white domino mask, but this was an intimate setting where I wasn’t inclined to wear the usual façade.
“Girls,” I spoke up, my voice cutting through their chatter. Aenwyn and Arasne both straightened instantly, the tension between us all palpable.
“Yes, captain?” Aenwyn’s tone was both respectful and slightly wary, knowing I wasn’t one for frivolous words.
“I received a message from the queen last night,” I said, setting my empty cup down on the table and reaching for the parchment the fairy had delivered. I slid it across the table, waiting for them to read it for themselves.
Aenwyn took the paper first, her brows furrowing as she read over the queen’s words. Arasne leaned in beside her, both of them scanning the page in silence.
“You can’t be serious, captain,” Aenwyn’s voice was laced with dread as she handed the letter to Arasne.
“It’s not like we’ll be permanently dead,” Arasne added, though her tone held more skepticism than optimism. She glanced skyward, as if waiting for the very heavens to fall down upon her for speaking so flippantly.
I couldn’t help but let a small smirk escape at their antics, despite the serious nature of the task. “But we’ve never been assigned to a dungeon, let alone one of this caliber,” Arasne moaned, grabbing her freshly braided bangs in exasperation.
“Ow!” she winced, as Aenwyn smacked her hand.
I huffed in slight amusement at their antics, the atmosphere momentarily lightening. “There’s no need to overreact.”
I stood, walking over to the large map on the wall. “This assignment isn’t exactly what it seems.”
“I hope you’re right, Captain,” Aenwyn muttered, but I caught the flicker of worry in her eyes. Despite her sharp mind and calm demeanor, I knew her fears ran deeper than she let on. I couldn’t blame her. The queen’s message was clear: we were to enter one of the highest-level dungeons to have popped up in the Eastern Continent. Dangerous monsters, dark magic at play, and enough risk to send most fresh canary squads running.
But worst of all she sent us as backup for his squad
I exhaled, feeling the burden of the years in my bones. The same weight I’d carried when I was younger, almost a lifetime ago. Back when I’d been someone else, and so had he. But that was before everything had fallen apart. Before the envy. Before the change.
No use dwelling on it now. He was a different person. I was, too.
“Aenwyn,” I said, forcing the thought away, “I’ll handle it. Just stay close. I’m not letting anyone die down there, not if I can help it. Revival or not”
The words were solid, sure. But inside, something churned. Something I didn’t have the energy to examine right now. The dungeon was waiting. And I had a ship to prepare.