The Inner Odyssey-Chapter 178: Opening Up

Alden sat on a grey, withered log, flipping a skewer of roasted meat.

Reflected in his sole eye, the fire crackled, shadows dancing and scurrying.

Drops of fat sizzled as they dripped onto the fire. The tantalising smell of grilled leopard enveloped the camp, causing not only Alden's stomach to rumble, but also that of several others as well.

He hid a smile.

Closing his eye, Alden allowed himself a few moments to relax.

He wasn't worried about any abominations stumbling across their camp thanks to several Runic Items the Stonewardens had activated. One of the stone disks isolated them from the world, encompassing them in a small, hidden dimension. Another masked their presence while the third created an invisible barrier to ward off any potential threats once the first Runic Item had been removed.

Apparently, it consumed a lot of mana, so the Stonewardens could only activate it for a relatively short time. That meant someone would need to stand guard in order watch over the stone disks and the others.

However, Alden didn't mind. They had more than enough people to alternate between, anyway.

The white-haired young man basked in the pleasant warmth of the fire, ignoring the dry, scorching air's attempt at soiling his mood. Whistling through the bond, the Keeper's Apprentice instructed his familiar to return.

The pitch-black bird abruptly changed direction, pausing its race with the little sparrow.

Ignia landed on his knee and Alden smiled as he opened his eye, retrieving a smaller skewer of wolf meat just for her.

Sparks of desire ignited in her amber eyes.

Alden chuckled.

The little phoenix was practically salivating.

'Here, little one. Careful! It's hot.'

He felt foolish for telling a phoenix to be careful of heat, but the worry was an instinctive one. The little bird swallowed the strip of meat in one gulp, expressing her satisfaction through their bond.

"She's a cute one. Where did you two meet?"

Alden glanced to his right where Marion sat.

The puppeteer scrutinised Ignia curiously.

"In Nature's Grove. I was being chased by some Dryads and stumbled across her, right before she was about to be devoured."

The handsome youth whistled.

"It's unusual to find a phoenix there. Even rarer to see one so… dark."

Marion paused for a moment.

Alden's stomach sank.

"…Still, I'm glad you saved her. Don't worry, I have no plans of taking her from you. My hands are full enough with this guy."

The puppeteer stroked his little sparrow with a small smile - it had returned alongside Ignia.

It chirped adorably, trying to steal Devin's share of meat.

Alden smiled, relieved his fear was unfounded.

A brief lull in the conversation appeared as each of them focused on their food.

Very soon, though, it was Devin who broke the silence.

"Why did you refuse any help against the Djinn?"

Alden froze, caught slightly off guard.

He glanced around the fire and discovered that everyone's attention was now on him. Some tried to hide it, but their prying ears gave them away. Others, like Terra, stared unflinchingly at him, awaiting his answer.

The Keeper's Apprentice racked his mind for an adequate response. Eventually, however, he couldn't find one. Or at least… one that could justify him putting the entire mission at risk.

"It's just… I…"

"Struggle with accepting help?"

Devin turned to face him, his grey eyes swirling almost hypnotically with a little mirth.

Alden blinked.

"How did you know?"

The poet just chuckled.

"It's obvious."

Releasing an exhale that was between a sigh and a scoff, Alden shook his head.

When it came to emotions, Devin had the uncanny ability to glean what someone else was feeling or trying to express with just a glance. Alden did not believe that was part of the auburn-haired youth's Magic Class; it was simply a matter of identifying the underlying emotion and deducing the possible reason behind that.

'He's too sharp for his own good.'

Alden grumbled silently, though there was no real venom in the complaint.

The Keeper's Apprentice shifted his attention, taking note of the reactions of his squad, before his gaze fell on the Stonewardens. As usual, they wore an expressionless look, hiding their thoughts behind a stony mask.

"I'm sorry."

Alden wasn't sure what had caused him to apologise - he guessed it was a mixture of remorse, guilt and the Stonewardens expressionless look. But, he was glad he did, for the air in the camp suddenly lightened considerably.

It was as if there had been an unspoken tension weighing down on all of them.

"My mother left me when I was young."

Everyone snapped their necks towards Steel, who scratched his head with a pale smile.

"What? Why's everyone looking at me for? I thought we were each sharing something about ourselves."

Alden's lips twitched.

He shared a glance with Marion and Devin, the three of them struggling to maintain their composure. Clearing his throat, the Keeper's Apprentice sent a grateful nod towards Steel, who returned it a small smile of his own.

"I used to be a thief."

Marion spoke, donning an innocent mask.

The others in the squad looked at him strangely, before a few of them chuckled good naturally and shook their heads.

Alden smiled, retrieving another skewer.

Meanwhile, Yuki was up next.

Her pale skin glowed in the light of the fire. However, a certain darkness seemed to veil her cold eyes.

"I hate men."

Alden almost choked.

As he sensed numerous glances converge on him, the Keeper's Apprentice coughed to hide his awkwardness.

"I dislike bugs."

Isolde's answer was simple and matter-of-fact.

After her, came Conrad.

He fidgeted slightly, sensing everyone's attention on him.

"I like worms."

The air in the camp turned slightly strange. Conrad blushed.

After him, Sybil spoke:

"I dislike lies."

'Fitting for a person who can see the truth.'

Alden nodded.

Finally, it was time for the Stonewardens to share.

The three [Adepts] among them enjoyed literature, acting and fishing, respectively.

Meanwhile, Avel who was sharpening a fallen branch for his own amusement, grunted only one word:

"Farming."

On the other hand, Clay appeared to be the more affable out of the two. The Stonewarden displayed the ghost of a smile, seeming wistful:

"I like mud cakes."

Last but not least, it was Terra's turn…

"I enjoy communing with the earth."

Her expressionless facade softened as soon as she closed her eyes and placed a careful palm on the ground.

Alden raised an eyebrow, impressed.

From what he could tell, Terra was a true prodigy. There seemed to be no limit to her power.

'No wonder I felt the need to keep an eye on her.'

The depth and sheer potential she displayed unnerved Alden.

Since he had never come across her before - even during mandatory schooling - he assumed she was a hidden ace cultivated by the Stonewardens in secret.

A grim solemness settled over him at the thought.

The provisional Paladin squad finished the rest of their meal quietly, apart from the occasional conversation between one or two members. Alden washed down the rest of his food with a waterskin, and then carefully folded Alistair's cloak on the ground, sensing sleep tugging persistently at him.

He promptly bid Devin and Marion goodnight.

Wrapping a sleepy Ignia in his arms, the corner of Alden's lips rose slightly.

'Maybe opening up like this every once in a while… isn't so bad, after all.'

That was the last thought he had before he sank into oblivion's embrace.