
“If we all survive tomorrow… what are all of you going to do?”
Wisps of flames crackled around the bonfire underneath the purple night sky.
“If?” Chuckled the warrior.
“If.”
The stars had lined up in an immense view, one that would never be visible from the other side of the world. Even barren lands had a beauty that only belonged to them, a beauty that all of them were never tired of.
“I think…” A soft voice rang like hymns out a lyre. “I would help the ones displaced and the ones in need. I don’t want to go back and return to being a tool for the nobles.”
The other six nodded gently at the saintess’ words.
“Me too,” Echoed another voice. “I am curious about this land. I think we can figure something out if we give it enough time.”
“You plan to stay here? The king would riot.”
“I am a magician, you fool. I stored enough in a spatial dimension. It’s easier to research back home anyway, and I can even get Dad’s help.”
The hero raised his brows at the magician’s words. Despite what lay ahead tomorrow, it relieved him to see her as feisty as ever.
A clap resounded as the warrior suddenly sat up. They all turned their heads to the warrior, who had a giant grin.
“I’ll gamble. I want to double my money.”
“Lose it all, you mean?” Snapped the Magician.
“Double. After that, I’ll invest it all in my land. Get them all enough material to smith all day for a month straight! I am sure the people of our duchy would like that.”
The warrior then turned to the thief, and everyone’s gaze followed. As the thief sighed and ran a hand through his hair, the warrior laid back down and stared at the sky.
“I heard my mother back home is sick. It’s hard for her to walk around these days—old age. I’ll rush to her…” The thief then pursed his lips. “They say she’s sick, but I haven’t received a letter from her in months. I think it's already too late.”
No one said a word. Realizing the change in the atmosphere, the thief tried to laugh and change the mood again.
“I wasn’t close to her, and she used to beat me up all the time and bother me for cash. I don’t mind if she’s gone. Your turn, you continue.”
Everyone was already far too used to the thief’s attempts to change the mood—by usually making it worse—and learned to brush over it.
“Hmm…” The archer crossed her arms and tilted her head. Her ears quivered as she went deeper in thought. In the end, she let out a resigned sigh. “If I survive tomorrow, I’ll try to survive the day after.”
The hero chuckled at her words.
“I am going to adventure again. You wanna come with?” he asked.
“Nah, I’ve had enough of you for two lifetimes.”
“Hahah!”
A soft laugh spread around the camp.
It was a strange night—a beautiful one.
Nervousness, fear, all of it still gripped them, but strangely enough, all they could do was smile and laugh and stare at the sky.
“Ethan, you?” asked the Hero.
“I’ll buy a house in the countryside and relax, throw some money in a lake or something. After that, I think I’ll explore that side of the world a bit too.”
“A world tour?” the hero exclaimed. “You are the only one who can claim to have seen the whole world.”
“I’d like that,” said Ethan. “I’d like to see the world… I think it needs a change of pace anyway.”
“The world does?”
Ethan shrugged, and the hero laughed once more.
“You’re right… the world itself can use a change of pace after this war.” With a smile, the hero sat up and looked at each of his friends, one after the other. “I’ll hold all of you to your words. It’s a promise, ok?”
“If we survive tomorrow?” asked the warrior.
“When we survive tomorrow.”