Lip awoke in a cold sweat panting her thoughts like a whirlwind as she clenched her fists grounding herself with the rough skin beneath her finger tips. Leaning back on the seat she took a moment to calm down her breath, the nightmares were nothing out of the ordinary she was always back in the King's dungeons with her fellow seniors being used as an experiment but she's wake up quicker, she wouldn't want to see what was happening, feel it, but tonight, she groaned scrubbing her face tiredly, tonight it seemed she wanted to remember it all. The sound of Yeojins snores helped the hunter ground herself in to the present away from the past, away from the pain. She was here in the Avent castle the King had left nobody was there to harm her… except her memories Lip thought bitterly lifting the blanket Yeojin had draped over her. Looking over at the sleeping girl on the bed the sight brought a sense of calmness to the hunter she was safe even after all their adventures and she was ready to go through even more danger for her, danger she could avoid giving to the girl if she left now left and never looked back, surely Yeojin would forgive her she was just looking out for her. Rubbing a tired hand through her hair she left the room needing some fresh air too many outcomes of this trip were coming to her mind and each of them ended poorly for both Yeojin and Yves.

“Ooff.” Lip said feeling herself stumble back looking at what she bumped in to she was expecting a statue not the eyes of the Queen of Tsume looking at her worriedly.

“Are you alright?” Vivi asked earning a nod from Lip who avoided her eyes the redness of them clearly visible to the Queen who could see how tired the girl actually was. “How about we go for a walk? Heejin could you bring us some food please?” Heejin nodded her head walking past the dazed Lip shooting her a concerned look. Taking the lead Vivi led the two out of the castle and in to the garden a slight morning chill in the air however it did little to affect the girls as they began their walk aimlessly walking through Avent’s large garden, flowers of all kinds catching Vivi’s eyes as she would stop to admire them plucking some out to hand to Kim Lip. It was soothing to be with Vivi even if many words weren't exchanged the olders presence helped ease the youngers heart as she replied to the Queen whenever she asked which flowers to pick up next.

“Are we even allowed to be doing this to the flowers?” Lip asked looking at the flowers in her hands even if she had no idea about flowers and what looked good together it seemed the Queen had an eye for it as she admired the collection in her hand.

“Since when do you follow the rules?” Vivi teased earning a smirk from the girl.

“Food’s ready.” Heejin called leading the two over to the neatly set table foods of all kinds ready for the girls to eat however Lip simply stared at the food as Vivi told Heejin to sit down and eat with them. “You know it tastes better when you put it in your mouth.” Heejin teased munching on a pastry earning an eye roll from the hunter.

“I’m not hungry.” Lip said however that didn’t stop Vivi from putting some food on the hunters plate.

“You should eat up you have a long journey.” Vivi said watching the hunters jaw tighten. “You don’t seem pleased with going do you not want to?”

“It’s not that it’s….” Kim Lip stammered looking for her words as Vivi looked at the girl patiently Heejin nodding her head encouragingly at the girl. “…I don’t want Yeojin or Yves to come.”

“Wouldn’t they be useful? The deserts a big place to look alone.” Heejin commented digging in to some more food.

“I don’t know it feels dangerous to bring them along, this quest got a lot more personal and I don’t want them getting caught in something avoidable.”

“Or rather you don’t want them getting caught by the people who caught you.” Vivi corrected sipping her tea. “If they’re caught the same thing that happened to you could happen to them.” Looking over her cup she could see the defeat in Lip’s eyes as she looked down at her untouched food.

“They’re strong they made their choice to come with you it’s a rational and smart choice.” Heejin said.

“Heejin’s right you need to trust them to look out for themselves you can’t keep yourself thinking about all the what if’s or you’ll drive yourself mad.” Vivi said noting Lip’s head rising slightly. “You’re a team out there so watch each other’s backs look out for one another and we’ll pray for your safe return, it’s better to have people to lean on than be lonely, now come eat some food it’s delicious.” Vivi said earning a nod from Kim Lip who began to eat some food much to the Queen and Guard’s delight.

  “Ah it is a good morning to eat outside.” Jinsouls voice called as she made her way over to the trio a smile gracing her features as she snatched some food off the guards plate causing said guard to whine at the Queen.

“Apart from stealing my food what brings you out here.” Heejin asked putting another tart in to her plate.

“I thought I’d enjoy a small stroll before meeting my advisors they have a thousand questions after yesterday.”

“Will you tell them everything?” Lip asked.

“I’ll mention as little as possible I’ll leave it be until it’s necessary I fear if they believe in Eden’s magic it will lead them to war.” Jinsoul said looking over to Kim Lip their conversation in Avent’s gardens ringing in her ears.

“It seems like you need company on this strolll Kim Lip was about to just go for a walk you won’t have to be alone now.” Heejin said grinning over at the hunter who glared at the laughing girl however Jinsoul didn’t note the two as she clapped her hands clearly pleased she could spend some time with the hunter.

“Great how about it Lip shall we go now?” Jinsoul asked, the happiness on the girls face melting the hunter a little as she stood up to join the Queen choosing to ignore the silent laughter of Heejin and Vivi.

“Don’t forget these.” Vivi whispered passing Lip the now tied up bouquet.

“Why do I need these though?”

“You’re walking with a Queen it’s a sign of respect.” Heejin replied though Lip doubted her words she had no time to ponder it as the Queen had called her over turning around she rushed over to Jinsoul Heejins laughter complimenting the sound of birds squaking.

“I thought you ran away.” Jinsoul said looking over to the girl who walked over to her, flowers conveniently covering her red face.

“I was thinking about it.” Lip mumbled putting her hands forward for Jinsoul to grab the flowers. “For you your highness.” Lip was stiff as she held out the flowers to the Queen, eyes on the ground, heart beating rapidly coating her face red but Jinsoul swore she had never seen anything quite so endearing. With a giggle she took the flowers from the hunters hands.

"Thank you Kim Lip but if I'm honest I never expected you to give me flowers." 

“Isn't giving royalty flowers a thing?” Lip questioned watching the Queen as she pleasantly looked at the flowers taking a small whiff of them, she looked peacful in this moment.

“You’ve walked with me before and Vivi and even Haseul have you ever given flowers then?” Causing Lip to shake her head as she avoided the Queens amused eyes. “Would you like to know what these flowers mean?” Making Lip nod her head curiously at the woman as they continued their walk.

“Nothing bad right?” Lip questioned though she couldn’t imagine Vivi would do something like that.

“Worried about offending me you’ve changed Kim Lip.” Jinsoul replied enjoying the red that blush that coated the hunters face as tried a half-hearted scoff at the Queen. “Though I would prefer it if you didn’t refer to me as your highness.”

“Why it’s your title?” Lip asked watching as the Queen gleefully looked at the flowers a light she hadn’t seen in the girls eyes before capturing her attention.

“Whenever you say it you begin to close yourself off I don’t like it.” Jinsoul replied looking over to Lip who was busy questioning the Queen’s words as they sat on a bench.

“If you don’t like that then what’s been the biggest drawback of having a royal title.”

“I don’t want to sound like a child but I missed having my parents care for me they were quite indifferent to my existence as long as I did everything they wanted, sometimes I wish I broke the rules went to see the different lands see if they even realised  I was gone.” Jinsoul sighed wistfully looking up at the morning sky. “They believed they protected me by restricting me to courtly duties but I feel like I missed out on the world by staying in that bubble, the continent is vast with so many cultures, so many lands, yet I know nothing about them.”

“A parent’s indifference can be hard for a child to bare, made to be invisible then suddenly your in a public role.” Kim Lip sympathised picking at her gloves.

“What about you any family you were a guard in Eden how was it growing up there?”

“I wasn’t born in Eden I was from Sven a village near Avent’s river.” Lip replied looking to see the confusion on Jinsoul’s face as she attempted to recall the map she had been drilling in to her mind.

“But there is no village called Sven.”

“Not anymore your father never came to aid us when the beasts attacked even though it was under Avent’s protection. When the beasts had been defeated only a few of us lived so your father decided to destroy the village and use it as a port.”  Lip explained the look of shock on the Queen’s face not surprising the hunter she knew how out of the loop the Queen was, she was practically learning about her Kingdoms history as she took the throne. As much as wanted to hate the Queen when she first met her she just couldn’t find it in her to see red especially when the Queen kept her head hanging low as she profusely apologised.

“It wasn’t your fault you didn’t have a clue what your parents planned.”

“Then let me apologise for something that was my fault.”

“What was your fault?”

“Yesterday, I can’t imagine that would have been easy to share or to have been in the same room as the King.” Jinsoul replied looking down at the hunters’ clenched hands the gloves covering the scars she now knew resided there, a painful reminder of a past Jinsoul wanted to coax away.

“It’s fine.” Lip said through clenched teeth not happy with how much she had ended up telling the Queen about herself, she was being more honest than she would like but she just felt comfortable the thoughts had been meaning to come out soon but she had hoped she could have kept them dormant and spoken anything but the Queen, be it a horse or the grass even the fire seemed like a cozy option.

“It may just be fine to you but it means a lot to me you placed yourself bare before everyone and I just…. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Not everything needs to be repaid it was part of the job.” Lip said picking at her gloves once again.

“Maybe but I want you to know if you need an ear I’ll be there for you.”

“That’s not part of the job.”

“Not everything has to be about the job I just want to be there for you.” Jinsoul spoke, her words sincere as she smiled at the hunter a smile that for some reason lightened the load like a thirsty man finding an oasis of water she felt grateful.

“Shall we continue our walk?” Lip asked looking over to Jinsoul with a small smile.

“I’d love to.” As much as the Queen wanted to link arms with the hunter on their walk she kept to herself instead occasionally smelling the flowers as they walked through the gardens an air of comfort she wouldn’t have expected coming from the hunter. Peace. She felt. Protected. She was. Proud. She was as she walks side by side with the hunter.

Kim Lip stood outside watching as Yeojin and Yves were busy saying goodbye to everyone, Haseul stood lecturing her sister on behaving as Heejin sharpened the ex princesses weapons one last time whilst Yves was busy talking to Choerry as Chuu clung on to her guard like a baby penguin.

“You don’t have to pretend to be so cool and stand so far away from everyone.” Gowon said standing beside Lip causing said girl to scoff at the girl.

“I don’t have to pretend I know I am.” Lip countered causing Gowon to cringe at the girls words. “You don’t have to come here and pretend to be mean to me if you just want to talk to me.”

“Ugh who wants to talk to you?” Gowon questioned faking disinterest in the girl before cracking up with her. “I wished me and Olivia Hye could have come with you guys.”

“It’ alright you’re doing some secret stuff for the Queen just try to not assassinate her advisors.” Lip said chuckling at Gowon’s surprised face.

“How do you know what we’re doing?”

“I don’t know what you’re doing but I know you’re doing something, just, be careful her advisors are like a pack of wolves.” Lip corrected.

 “Gowon please tell Haseul how awesome I am in a fight.” Yeojin cried causing Gowon to chuckle at her friends words, bidding farewell to Kim Lip Gowon went to the girl in distress wondering what side to play.

“Before you leave.” Jinsoul spoke replacing the spot Gowon had been standing on. “I just wanted to give you this it’s a letter signed by me it may aid you in the future it states whatever you say will be granted to the receiver.”

“I don’t see how this will help in a desert.” Kim Lip said reading over the parchment.

“It's a letter of good faith usually royals of Avent give it to their most trusted knight.” As Lip pocketed the parchment she couldn’t help but feel the Queen was far too naïve handing out something with so much power to somebody but she shouldn’t be surprised after all it is Jinsoul. "Even if you're not a knight from Avent I trust you to see this case to the end."

“I’ll only use it in a dire emergency even then I shall try not to touch it.” Lip replied touched by the faith the Queen had placed in her.

“I give it to you to use, the road is fraught with dangers.” Jinsoul said peaking at the hunters hands. “I just want to give you every advantage I can so you come back safe.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“I…Yes…Yes I am.” Jinsoul stammered a red coating her cheeks as she saw Lip let out a little huff of a laugh.

“Then do me this favour before bed write about every adventure you wish to take every village you wish to see and when I come back, one day, I’ll take you there away from the pressure even if it’s just for a moment.” Kim Lip didn’t know what came over her when she those words but as she saw the blush deepen on Jinsoul her hands fiddling around trying to find something to do she couldn’t help but feel like she said the right thing. And when this is all done she’ll do the right thing.

 

The group had stopped off in Eden grabbing some supplies before leaving to the desert Lip hadn’t felt so nervous in a while but the further they travelled the hotter the heat beat down on them, the bickering that usually ensued between Yves and Yeojin had disappeared as the two tried to conserve their energy. Lip understood why the guards never travelled so far, this was the farthest she had ever come and she was ready to turn back.

“Let’s set up camp we’ll continue when the sun goes down.” Lip instructed.

“But we won’t be able to see much in the dark.” Yeojin countered as Lip found a spot and dismounted her horse.

“We won’t be able to ride much longer in the heat before we have to turn back or pass out.” Lip replied Yves nodded her head as she went to work putting up a tent following the two who knew Eden better, Yeojin followed their instruction and soon enough the group were inside a tent housing the three and giving them sufficient space to call more people to join them not that there was anybody to call in a desert.

“Drink up we need to keep hydrated.” Yves said passing Yeojin a bottle taking it gratefully Yeojin took a small sip deciding how best to ration the water through their journey. “How are we even meant to find anything here the place is empty?”

“Well if he ran this way he couldn’t have gotten far.” Yeojin said.

“That was years ago for all we know he could have gone anywhere by now.”

“He could have.” Lip reasoned taking a swig of water. “But we need to make sure he hasn’t.”

“So we comb every inch of the desert?” Yves questioned lying down.

“What do scholars say about the desert?” Yeojin asked.

“They say it’s cursed not a single tree will grow here and no water shall pour itself over this land for whatever touches it rots and dies.” Yves replied recalling Chuu's lessons.

“That sounds like somewhere a scholar would hang out.” Yeojin said earning a laugh from Yves.

“I guess but how would a scholar live here? He’s a single man he couldn’t have survived so long by himself.” Yves questioned. “I’m expecting a huge tavern in the middle of nowhere.”

“As long as there’s a bard I’m happy.” Yeojin said sighing at the thought of the taverns she took for granted.

“Dr Alucard mentioned there would be drunk people who would go to his practise, they’d stray too far in to the desert and come out saying heretical things like they’d seen knowledge and the God’s divine plan.” Lip said recalling the Dr’s words her thoughts jumping around as she looked at the faces of her companions.

“Maybe they weren’t drunk.” Yeojin voiced wondering what they would find in the desert.

“Let’s go the sun’s gone down.” Lip said leaving the tent Yves and Yeojin following behind packing up their supplies the girls went to work finding something relating to the scholar and his people. Hours turned to days turning to weeks their pace greatly slowing as their horses were barely running on fumes. Highlighting their movements on the map Yves noted how far they had come looking. Her anger reaching a boiling point as Lip adamantly walked ahead keeping her eyes open as if something would pop out the only thing awaiting them was a hallucination Yves thought bitterly as they walked through the dessert the moonlight being their only guide.

“We should turn back.” Yves stated however she received the same shake of the head she had been getting for the past three days looking over to Yeojin she saw the chapped lips on the younger girl and the tiredness she always tried to hide. She had become more subdued lately attempting to save her energy for the worthless pursuit that was only harming those around her.

“Listen to me Jungeun we need to turn back before we run out of supplies we barely have enough to make it back as is.” Yves attempted to reason to the hunter however the girl only continued walking away ignoring anything coming from the older girl. "Come on Jungeun don't make us leave you."

“You turn back I’ll find them.” Lip said continuing on her way however the older girl was having nne of it as she grabbed the younger girls arm causing her to harshly pull away resulting in the two falling in to the sand. “What are you doing?” Lip said pushing the older girl off of her however Yves had pinned down the hunter.

“Stop this we didn’t find anything so we need to leave don't die over it.”

“I can’t I need to find them.”

“I get it they hurt you so you want to find them fo…”

“I can’t fail!” Lip exclaimed shoving Yves off of her surprising the older girl. “I can’t fail, I can’t fail somebody who believes in me like it’s the most natural thing in the world even when I push her away she trusts in me, I can’t fail her, not Jinsoul.”

“You’re not failing.” Yves whispered sitting beside the girl. “You’ve done more than the Queens own kingdom she trusts you more than her guards, you and Yeojin, you’re the team that could never let her down.” The words heaving a bit of the burden off of Lip as she let out a dry chuckle looking up at the night sky never had she dreamed the Queen of Avent would have such an impact on her but here she sat in the sand foregoing all rationale for someone she never dreamed she could get along with.

“Hear that Yeojin we’re a dream team.” Lip said turning to the side expecting to see the younger girl there however she was nowhere in sight. “Yeojin!” Lip yelled heart hammering in her chest as she scrambled up please don’t disappear please don’t be caught Lip thought swallowing back the cry in her chest as she looked at the ground hoping to see footsteps of the young girl however they disappeared.

“Yeojin don’t play games where are you?” Yves cried looking around lost. “Yeojin I swear to…”

“Why are you shouting?” Yeojin asked materializing in front of them in confusion taking the pair in shock. “What happened? I was walking thinking you stopped fighting but then you weren’t there it’s a bit cooler so I took a little break thinking you’d catch up.”

“You idiot don’t walk off like that.” Yves chided pulling the girl in for a hug one that Yeojin caved in to missing the feeling of caving in to someone, Lip stared at the floor in astonishment walking between the invisible barrier.

“Magic.” She whispered capturing the attention of the hugging pair. “A barrier, there’s no footsteps beyond the part Yeojin came from, that sides also cooler making it easier to continue the journey.” A happiness took over Lip as she walked through the barrier enjoying the slightly cooler atmosphere on this side the pair joining her and when they looked at the floor it was as Lip said their footsteps weren’t there.

“They must be close.” Yeojin said allowing a smile to overtake her features a spring in her step as she began to walk in front of the group.

“We should be turning around and report it in we don’t know how big this place is we won’t have enough supplies for the journey back our horses are barely standing as is.” Yves said petting her horse in apology.

“We’ll see where we end up tonight and then we’ll turn around tomorrow.” Yves nodded her head picking up the pace so they walked beside Yeojin. Walking for the night a slight pang of sadness hit Lip as she saw noting materialise before them it seemed their journey had led to nowhere as the sun came up. They’d walk a little while under the sun’s rise and when noon hit they’d rest in their tents the rest would be welcome after their tiresome walk.

“Wait.” Yeojin muttered stopping the two beside her. “I’m not crazy that’s a tree right?” Yeojin questioned squinting their eyes the girls were surprised to see it was indeed a tree, making their way over they saw nobody close by except the lone tree with apples growing.

“How’s there a tree here?” Yves questioned pulling an apple off the tree sniffing it to see if there was anything wrong with it she debated whether to eat it or not so she decided to stare it instead.

“Guess this is one of theirs but there’s no sign of where they could have gone.” Lip said picking up a dozen amulets off the floor packing them in her bag.

“I’ll pack a few apples as emergency food.” Yves said plucking a few more.

“Shouldn't we have some now?” Yeojin questioned plucking an apple from the tree the vibrant red calling out to her, after so long on eating rations this could constitute as a full meal. Noting the look of hunger Yves yanked the apple from the younger girls hands causing her to whine.

“It’s a life or death ration everything here’s supposed to rot so if something happens to one of us I’d rather a doctor be close.” Yves said shooting Lip a look to stop moving further away from the tree. “To Eden we restock then tell the Queen what we found.” Lip sighed but agreed knowing not to further aggravate the woman.

Close to a month went by before they entered the Kingdom of Avent the roads of the bustling kingdom surprisingly empty picking up a crumpled paper Lip sighed handing it over to Yves, another attack with missing people, the people were angry ready to revolt against the Queen if the paper was anything to go by. What a beautiful return Lip thought sarcastically as her eyes roved them empty streets. It had been a difficult journey back to the Kingdom of Eden their boots had to be practically peeled off of their feet and the remains were peeled skin and blisters so aggravating to walk on they had to use herbal medicines to atleast walk a few meters without pain. Yeojin was ready to kill the person who had stolen her good boots so long ago, so they journeyed to cobblers in Eden however they would have to wait a month before they could have new shoes as they stopped trading with Avent, cursing her luck Yeojin put on the old pair and rode off cursing the thief every chance she got. So now as they placed their horses in the barn Yeojin thought of ordering a pair however the pain in her feet did little to motivate her to walk to the barren town to see if the merchant was even open after the last attack.

“I’m going to Dr Alucard he might have magic to heal my feet.” Yeojin said walking off to the Doctor, Lip and Yves walked to the Queens office Choerry opened the door her vibrant smile easing the pairs pain as she greeted them like old friends allowing them to enter the Queen's office.

“It’s good to see you well.” Choerry said peeking out the door for any sign of the third member.

“You’re too kind on us we should look like prunes.” Yves said taking a seat.

“Yeojin’s gone to Dr Alucard her feet are pretty busted after our little mission.” Lip said chuckling at  the younger girls antics.

“Yours aren’t too pretty either.” Yves elbowed.

“Guess not all of us were blessed with Eden’s finest clothes.” Lip countered looking at the shoes Chuu had given to Yves to wear her usual guard armour would only roast her.

“Pro’s of having a Princess as a girlfriend you should consider it.” Yves winked causing Lip to become a stuttering mess as Choerry laughed putting water in a glass for the two.

“Considering your happy I’m guessing things went well.”  Jinsoul asked ignoring Yves remarks as best she could though from the red coated on the Queen’s face Kim Lip could only guess what was going throuhg Jinsouls head at the time. Wanting to avoid anyother remark from Yves that would land her as a bumbling mess in front of Jinsoul Lip took out the amulets she had found prompting Yves to take out the apples as they went over the story. “Good work you two I don’t know what these mean but they mean something.” Jinsouls optimism causing them to laugh as the girl looked at what was before her.

“Considering how long it took you to come back I’m surprised the apples didn’t rot.” Choerry noted holding the apple in fascination.

“The fact there was a tree there was surprising enough oh let’s not forget the magical barrier.” Yves said passing over the map to Jinsoul where she had marked where they had found the barrier.

“What about this latest attack?” Lip asked the happiness from earlier displaced.

“It happened when I was in Tsume but this time people mentioned seeing beasts come and take people so we increased security however the people are scared that the beasts had even gotten so close to the walls in the first place.” Jinsoul replied. “Haseul sent aid and Vivi even came herself to the castle helping me with the nobles they’re…more open with what they say these days…but you don’t have to worry about that Chuu’s been a great help.”

“The nobles love her.” Choerry chimed in making Yves proud. “You should get some rest you’ve been on the road for so long.” With a tired sigh Yves stood up knocking her chair against Lip’s waking the girl from her thoughts with a farewell Lip walked towards her bedroom Yves by her side her thoughts swirling as she tried to guess what they had seen.

“You think too loud.” Yves mumbled causing Lip to chuckle. “Get some sleep you need it.”

“Say’s you, you look like a prune.” Lip said knowing there was no punch to what she said however the two laughed anyway glad to be off the road and somewhere they could rest.