The sun slowly began to fill the room, though more softly than usual. The curtains helped keep the light from entering too strongly.
On the bed, Aeris and Raizen remained curled up under the blanket.
Raizen slowly woke up.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Aeris still sleeping beside him.
Her breathing was calm.
Her face looked peaceful.
Raizen couldn't help but blush slightly seeing her so close.
Raizen: I'm really lucky…
For a few seconds, he simply watched her.
The silence in the room was pleasant.
Only the soft sound of the wind outside the hotel could be heard.
Aeris moved slightly under the blankets, still half asleep.
Aeris: mm…
Raizen smiled softly.
Raizen: good morning, sleepyhead.
Aeris slowly opened her eyes.
It took her a few seconds to realize where she was.
When she finally saw Raizen so close, she blushed a little as well.
Aeris: good morning…
Aeris sat up slightly while rubbing her eyes.
Then her gaze drifted toward the small table in the room.
The letter they had found in the forest was still resting on it.
Aeris's expression changed slightly.
Raizen immediately noticed the change in her gaze.
Raizen: are you still thinking about the letter?
Aeris nodded slowly.
Aeris: yes…
Aeris: someone was waiting for that letter to arrive.
Raizen also looked toward the table.
The paper remained there, silent.
Raizen: then we should deliver it.
Aeris looked at him.
Raizen: if someone wrote something like that…
Raizen: it means someone is still waiting.
Aeris lowered her gaze to the letter.
Aeris: then we'll find that person.
Raizen leaned slightly closer and gently kissed Aeris on the cheek.
Raizen: don't worry… for you, I'll find whoever is necessary.
Aeris smiled tenderly.
Aeris: I love you, Raizen… you're so wonderful.
Raizen blushed slightly and looked away with a small nervous laugh.
Raizen: i-it's nothing, dear… hahaha.
After getting dressed and preparing their equipment, both of them left the hotel room.
The town streets were already full of activity.
Even though it was barely seven in the morning, workers were beginning their shifts and several adventurers were patrolling the streets or heading toward the guild.
It was a place where activity never stopped.
Raizen and Aeris walked through the crowd until they reached the guild building.
When they entered, the atmosphere was the same as always.
Voices.
Armor clashing.
Adventurers discussing missions in front of the quest board.
Aeris approached an adventurer who was sitting near a table.
Aeris: excuse me… do you know someone named Cynder?
The man looked up, thinking.
Unknown Adventurer: doesn't ring a bell…
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then he frowned slightly.
Unknown Adventurer: …or maybe it does.
Unknown Adventurer: I think Cynder had a somewhat problematic squad.
Raizen stepped a little closer.
Unknown Adventurer: why are you asking?
Aeris replied calmly.
Aeris: we're looking for his wife.
The man crossed his arms while thinking.
Unknown Adventurer: mmh… I see.
Unknown Adventurer: I'm not sure if it's the Cynder you're looking for… but his wife is named Rosa.
Raizen and Aeris exchanged a glance.
Unknown Adventurer: she lives on the street across from Sun Park.
Unknown Adventurer: door number 578.
Unknown Adventurer: second floor.
The man shrugged.
Unknown Adventurer: I can't say much more than that.
Raizen nodded with a grateful smile.
Raizen: that's more than enough.
Raizen: thank you.
Aeris bowed her head in gratitude.
Without wasting time, they both left the guild.
Now they had a clear destination.
Rosa's house.
The person who had been waiting for that letter.
On the way, Raizen and Aeris walked calmly through the town streets.
The address they had been given wasn't far from the guild.
After a few minutes, they arrived at a simple house located across from Sun Park.
The number 578 could clearly be seen on the door.
Raizen raised his hand and knocked.
Knock.
Knock.
A few seconds later, the door slowly opened.
A woman appeared on the other side.
Her face showed a slight expression of concern, as if she had been waiting for something for hours.
Raizen spoke gently.
Raizen: hello… are you Cynder's wife?
The woman nodded.
Rosa: yes… why are you asking?
Aeris stepped forward.
Aeris: has your husband been home recently?
Rosa's expression changed slightly.
Rosa: I haven't seen him since yesterday morning…
Rosa lowered her gaze for a moment.
Rosa: I thought he was on a mission.
Aeris slowly took out the letter.
She held it carefully before handing it to her.
Aeris: here…
Aeris: tell me if you recognize his handwriting… or anything written here.
Rosa took the paper.
The moment she saw the handwriting…
Her hands began to tremble.
Tears slowly started falling down her face.
Rosa: tell me it's not true…
Rosa: tell me my husband is okay…
Raizen felt a knot in his chest.
Aeris lowered her gaze for a moment.
Aeris: your husband is…
Raizen spoke in a low voice.
Raizen: love…
Aeris took a deep breath.
Aeris: we have to tell her.
Then she looked back at Rosa.
Aeris: your husband died in battle.
Aeris: he fought against humanoid beasts.
For a moment…
The world seemed to stop.
Rosa collapsed to her knees while hugging the letter with all her strength.
Her sobs broke the silence of the street.
Raizen lowered his gaze, clearly affected.
Raizen: can we do anything…?
Rosa shook her head through tears.
Rosa: no…
Rosa: please…
Rosa: leave me alone.
Rosa slowly closed the door.
From inside the house, children could be heard crying.
Raizen remained silent while looking at the closed door.
Raizen: that… must be really hard.
Aeris looked at the door for a few more seconds.
Aeris: that's what happens when you're an adventurer.
Aeris: you know you can die at any moment.
Raizen sighed.
Raizen: it's a rather harsh truth.