A Journey Unwanted

[Realm: Álfheimr]

[Location: Rumpelstadt]

Alexander kept his arms folded, shoulder pressed against the tavern's worn wooden wall, watching Dante and Tamamo-no-Mae converse with the tavern owner. Or rather—Tamamo conversed; Dante simply stood like a statue, unmoving save for the faint shift of his posture every now and then.

("Those two really caused all that destruction from just fighting?") the thought scraped through Alexander's mind for the hundredth time, and still it felt unreal. The memory of the mountain-sized slab flying through the sky replayed in the corner of his vision like a threatening possibility. People weren't supposed to be capable of that. Not normal people.

He leaned in toward Ivan. "Oi, Ivan. You sure you wanna tag along with those two?" His voice dropped lower, as if he feared Dante might overhear despite the distance.

Ivan raised a brow, trying to appear confident. "Yeah…"

"You don't sound even remotely convinced." Alexander clicked his tongue, examining Ivan's expression as though trying to read the truth beneath it. "Seriously, is traveling with them even safe?"

Ivan exhaled through his nose. "They don't seem like bad people. And they did help settle the whole mess here in Rumpelstadt."

Alexander shot him a sideways glare. "They also caused earthquakes and apparently destroyed a forest just because they got into an argument. That doesn't exactly scream 'reliable traveling companions.'"

"I know…" Ivan admitted quietly. "Honestly? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it too. But if they're after those dragons, then…" His voice drifted, his expression turning thoughtful and tense. "I have to follow that lead."

"So you're after revenge?" Alexander's frown deepened. "That doesn't sound like your speed. You can't even stay mad at me when I eat the last piece of bread."

Ivan let out a soft, self-conscious laugh. "I don't know what I'm after. Not really. Revenge? Maybe. Closure? Maybe. Or maybe I just need answers. Pursuing the dragons might give me something to hold onto."

Alexander sighed heavily, pushing off the wall just enough to roll his shoulders. "Great. So we're joining two lunatics because you're having an existential crisis. Wonderful. Can't wait."

"You don't have to come," Ivan reminded gently.

Alexander blinked at him, scoffed, then gave him a lopsided grin. "I know. But you're an idiot, and without someone sane watching you, you'll probably wander into some cave and get eaten by some Deseruit Beast. Or those dragons. Or that damn fox."

Ivan snorted. "My hero."

"You two going to kiss now?" a flat, unimpressed voice cut in.

They both stiffened and turned. Gretchen stood there, arms loose at her sides, her expression unreadable though her presence felt like someone had poured a bucket of cold water into the air.

Alexander's face twitched. "I barely know you, yet somehow you're already more annoying than that damn fox."

"Seems I have that effect on people," Gretchen replied dryly, it didn't bother her in the least.

Ivan tried to smooth the tension with a polite smile. "Well, I guess we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Ivan, and this is Alexander."

"Gretchen." She offered the name like it was something she had been forced to give up. Her eyes lingered on Ivan, studying him. "Hm. You really are only on your second stage of evolution. Pity."

Ivan opened his mouth to ask what that meant—but she was already losing interest.

Alexander frowned. "There a reason you walked over here? Or are you just here to judge us for breathing?"

Gretchen didn't respond immediately. Instead, her gaze drifted toward Dante and Tamamo again. Tamamo's nine golden tails flicked idly as she continued her conversation; Dante remained still, arms folded, quiet and imposing as ever.

"A fox spirit and a man who doesn't even show his face," Gretchen murmured. "I ask this not out of curiosity, nor because I care—but what do you make of them?"

Alexander blinked. "If you don't care, then why the hell are you asking?"

"Just answer," she said, monotone. Not demanding or irritated. Simply expecting obedience.

Ivan hummed thoughtfully, chin resting lightly between his thumb and forefinger as he observed Dante and Tamamo. "Well… we haven't known them long, but they don't seem like bad people. Tamamo's… odd. I can't get a proper read on her yet. She feels unpredictable, but not malicious."

"And Dante?" Gretchen asked, her tone unreadable.

Ivan hesitated, then said truthfully, "He's… intimidating. But he's straightforward. Honest, in a blunt kind of way. He doesn't waste words. And I don't think he lies."

Gretchen stared at him for a long, unsettling second. Then shook her head. "Naive." With that, she turned away, searching for another quiet corner of the tavern to brood in.

Ivan blinked, stunned. "What?"

Alexander muttered under his breath, "What a bitch."

Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alexander… don't start."

"What? Am I wrong?" Alexander scoffed. "She walks over here, asks for our opinions like she's grading us, makes some cryptic remark about your 'evolution,' and leaves like someone insulted her. I'm being generous."

Ivan sighed, glancing toward Gretchen again. "Maybe she's just… guarded. Like she doesn't trust easily."

"She doesn't like easily, more like that." Alexander corrected. "There's a difference."

Ivan's lips twitched. "You really aren't going to let this go."

"Nope."

They both quieted a moment, watching as Dante finally shifted his weight—barely—but enough to suggest the conversation with the tavern owner was close to ending.

"…Do you still think we shouldn't go with them?" Ivan asked quietly.

Alexander paused. Then sighed softly. "I think you're going to follow them no matter what I say."

"That's not—"

"It is," Alexander cut in, but without annoyance now. His voice was steady. "You've already made up your mind. I can see it. So if you're going… then I'm going too."

Ivan blinked. "…Really?"

"Yeah." Alexander shrugged. "Someone's gotta drag your corpse back if things go south."

Ivan let out a genuine laugh. "Thanks, Alexander."

Alexander smirked, but his eyes softened just slightly. "Don't mention it. Ever."

The moment lingered until Tamamo shouted across the tavern:

"We're done here! Come, you two, your destiny awaits~!"

Alexander grimaced. "I already regret this decision."

Ivan sighed. "Too late now."

They both pushed off the wall and stepped forward—toward Dante and Tamamo, Gretchen followed. Tamamo-no-Mae perched lightly on Dante's shoulder once more as they stepped out of the tavern. The dreary streets of Rumpelstadt greeted them with their usual misery—fog drifting low and lanterns dim.

Alexander shot Dante a sideways look, arms folding across his chest as they walked. "You were talking with the tavern owner for ages," he muttered. "I doubt that was just you two chatting about the weather."

Dante didn't slow. "We were gathering information regarding our next destination." His voice was steady. "The Deathless Fortress."

Gretchen raised a brow. "An ominous name, to say the least. Care to enlighten us as to why we're heading somewhere called that?"

"To meet the Mortifer who took an interest in you," Tamamo replied without hesitation, lips curling into a mischievous grin. Gretchen stopped mid-step.

"…You're not thinking of—" Her eyes narrowed, posture tightening.

"Calm yourself," Dante said, tone flat but firm. "We are not going there to hand you over."

Gretchen scoffed, though her shoulders remained taut. "And I'm meant to take that on faith, am I?"

Dante tilted his head slightly toward her. "Tell me, Gretchen—do you believe I require deception to achieve my aims?"

His question struck harder than she expected. ("He's right… he's strong enough to do whatever he wants. He wouldn't need lies.") His scuffle with Tamamo attested to that. However, the thought did nothing to ease the unease twisting inside her.

Ivan, visibly discomforted by the tension, stepped in with an awkward throat-clear. "Er—well… meeting a Mortifer…" His brows drew together. "Is there an actual purpose to that? Beyond terrifying all of us?"

Alexander nodded sharply. "Yeah. Mortifers aren't exactly… approachable. They're not the type you stroll up to and say hello."

"And here comes the cowardice again," Tamamo sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "You were improving, Alexander. Really, you were."

"It's called being cautious, you— you dumb fox!" Alexander snapped, eye twitching with irritation.

"Call it whatever makes you sleep at night," Tamamo mused, tails swaying in an infuriating rhythm.

Alexander looked ready to fire back, but Dante cut through the argument before it sparked.

"The Retorta Guild appears to know about Albion and Ddraig—and the other calamities. Meeting with this Mortifer could give us clarity."

Ivan perked up. "Right, those… 'calamities' you mentioned before."

"If the Mortifer spoke truthfully," Dante continued, "they possess knowledge on far more than that. Tamamo and I were extended an invitation to join the Retorta Guild."

Ivan and Alexander both halted mid-stride, staring.

Gretchen exhaled sharply. "And I suppose if you join, I'll be dragged along as well."

"Oh, come now," Tamamo purred. "Surely it can't be that awful. Dante will simply become your dashing knight, guarding you from the big bad world." She winked. Gretchen did not look amused.

Alexander ran a hand through his hair. "You're not seriously considering joining them… are you? That's—That's insane."

"I intend to hear the Mortifer out," Dante answered, unshaken. "The Guild's overarching goal is dangerous—undeniably so. But it aligns with my own in certain ways. Should they choose a reckless path, I will dismantle them."

Gretchen frowned, watching him more closely than before. ("His goal aligns with theirs? What goal could he possibly have that overlaps with a group like that…?")

"So you would join?" Alexander pressed.

"If the stars align," Dante replied. His calmness only unsettled Alexander further.

Alexander exchanged a glance with Ivan, exhaling heavily. "I know you said before… we're going to end up walking roads we never wanted to touch. That this path is going to be brutal. And binding ourselves to others… that's not exactly something I'm thrilled about." His expression softened a touch. "But if it's necessary… then so be it."

Ivan swallowed, then nodded. "I understand too." A thoughtful look passed over him. "We'll stay with you regardless. If joining the Retorta Guild is the step we must take, then we'll take it. Together."

Tamamo gave a pleased hum. "Still trembling, but at least you're brave. Not like someone else I could name." Her eyes moved to Alexander pointedly.

Alexander glared daggers at her. "Keep talking. See what happens."

Gretchen finally interrupted. "All right, fine. Where is this Deathless Fortress located?"

"Far north," Tamamo said. "Not much else to go on. But we'll likely gather more information along the way." Her ears twitched. "The northern outskirts are apparently crawling with cult activity and Deseruit Beasts. Sounds like a lovely vacation spot."

"Fantastic," Gretchen muttered. "And this fortress—Retorta Guild territory?"

"Partially," Tamamo replied. "It's complicated. It functions as a prison, a headquarters, a research site. All under a sorcerer named Koschei. Seems rather unpleasant."

Alexander groaned. "This is going to be a nightmare."

Dante didn't respond. He simply turned, coat shifting around him, and began walking into the fog-soaked street. The others followed, though a beat slower. His steps were steady, but his thoughts ran heavy beneath the helmet.

("The Keepers of Order… removing them would cleanse the realms, but doing so is nearly impossible. If the Retorta Guild truly has a method that doesn't unleash what sleeps within the moon… then my course is inevitable.")

He made his decision long before he spoke it aloud.