Abyssal Awakening

"Tsk, all of us are working hard and there she goes, sleeping on your lap. Rika’s quite a handful no?" Tobi scratched his hair as he walked over.

He was currently taking a break having finished most of his tasks. And the first thing he noticed was Rika sleeping on Feris’s lap.

"A handful? Mnm... I think it’s fine." Feris shook her head with a smile.

It was only lending Rika her legs as a pillow after all. It’s not like it’s hindering her ability to work.

Much to her surprise, or perhaps she shouldn’t be surprised at all, the presence of the largest fragment in this place had made it exceedingly easy to manipulate and utilise the powers of the Void.

In fact, it felt as though the distinction between realms had faded to a point where it’s practically just a blurred outline you can’t really make out unless you really squint at it.

The Void was bleeding into the Surface Realm.

Looking at how much space Rika was occupying, Tobi let out a sigh and sat on a rock instead.

"Rika must’ve been quite scared if she’s acting like this. But it’s understandable yeah?" Tobi looked up at the sky.

"We’ve been together as a group for so long... It’s hard to imagine any of us being missing from the group. It just doesn’t cross your mind you know? When you’re having fun." He let out a soft laugh as Feris closed her eyes.

Fun?

It was... an emotion that only briefly showed up whenever she indulged herself. Whether that be the starts or the fragments of the Void.

But ever since recovering the crystals, this feeling has made itself known in other things, not just her obsessions.

One of them being whenever she’s with the group.

"Mnm, I had a lot of fun. Noah is the charming one. Yama is the serious one. Rika is the cute and spirited one while you’re..."

"I’m what? The cool one? The awesome one? The protegee to surpass captain Noah?" Tobi struck a rather goofy pose, causing Feris to giggle.

A charming smile that hid the knife she was about to plunge into his heart.

"You’re the average down to earth one."

"Blergh..." Tobi clutched his chest, feeling as though a critical hit had just been landed.

Average, down to earth.

In other words, forgettable with no identifying properties at all. Someone you can just find off the street.

"Ouch... You really don’t mince your words do you?"

"Mince them? Why would I do that? It’s not meat." Feris blinked her eyes in confusion.

But this innocence only made it more painful for Tobi.

"The fact that you don’t know is what makes it hit harder you know? But yeah... You’re not wrong." Tobi raised his hands, holding them behind his head as though they’re a pillow.

"I’m aware that I got nothing special going on. I can’t move like Yama, Captain’s the one who’s basically good at everything. And honestly, if I try to act like Rika, it’ll probably gross me out more than anyone else." Tobi let out a hollow laugh.

One that was mocking his own situation.

"If I’m gone from this group, I can probably be replaced at any moment and nothing would change. Hell, it’ll probably get better."

"I don’t think it would." Feris shook her head.

There was no hesitation in her words.

She meant every single word she said.

"Mnm... When I say you’re the average one. I don’t mean someone else can take your spot. You’re just as irreplaceable as everyone else." Feris clarified. "You’re down to earth because you keep us from taking unnecessary risks. A voice of reason, one who can see the absurdity of things? Mnm... I’m not sure how else I can put it."

She scrambled her mind for words that she could use as she could tell he was upset.

Not necessarily at her but at his ’role’ in this group.

With Feris struggling to explain herself, someone else interrupted their talk.

A hand came down and patted Tobi on the head.

"What she meant is that you’re our foundation. You give us a baseline to work with and understand what we’re going up against. Without you, we wouldn’t know how crazy of a thing we’re about to do." Yama found himself a seat between Tobi and Feris.

"In a discussion between us, if everyone else agrees, your job is to disagree and get us to slow down before we get too carried away. To evaluate things again and make sure the risks are properly laid out." Yama smiled.

He couldn’t stress how important Tobi had been for some of their adventures before this contract. He had been the one who stopped them from blindly charging in, to think about hidden risks and worst case scenarios.

With such praise, Tobi couldn’t help but puff out his chest.

"Mnm, I see I see. Indeed. If you REALLY think about it, I dragged us away from danger quite a few times haven’t I? Me and my amazing instincts." Tobi’s nose pointed towards the air as Yama glanced towards Feris.

He waved his finger in a circle, silently commenting: This guy is crazy.

Seeing the relationship between Yama and Tobi, Feris, once again, let out a charming laugh as the two paused and looked at each other before smiling.

"Seems like Rika’s concern is a little unfounded." Yama folded his arms.

"Seems like it. I can’t imagine little Feris changing. I mean... Even after getting all those fragments she’s still the same old same old. Even if she’s a little more expressive." Tobi closed one eye with a confident smile.

Yama nodded.

Though he could understand Rika’s concern.

It was... always strange to see the sudden shift in Feris whenever she saw a fragment. It’s as though an obsession grasped at her mind, refusing to let her go. All things in this world fade into darkness and the only thing for her is the Void.

Seeing that kind of sight over and over...

It’s no wonder Rika was worried. Had Rika not vocalised her worries, Yama probably would’ve done the same. Even if his words may be a little... rougher compared to Rika’s.

But he’s not exactly the delicate type so this job was better left to someone else.

And thankfully, Rika did just that.

"I thought it was only break them for one or two of you lot. What do I see when I come here? The whole lot goofing around." Noah called out as he walked over from.

"I just sat down okay?!" Tobi complained while Yama nodded.

"Can someone else take my place then? I’ll scout around a bit." Feris volunteered but Noah quickly shook his head, earning two glances from both Tobi and Yama.

"Ahem. If everyone is so tired, why don’t we prepare some food instead then? We can rest up for the night early and get started when dawn hits. Surely no one has an issue with that right?" Noah coughed awkwardly.

Yama stood up and gave his body a stretch.

"I suppose that’s my job then. I’ll find us something decent to eat. Based on the things around here... it shouldn’t be too difficult. Worst come to pass, I can see if there are any rations that I can repurpose into a stew or something."

"I’ll be counting on you. I’ll get the fire and camp going." Noah nodded but Tobi jumped up instead.

"Let me handle that Captain. It’s simple enough where even I can do it."

*Yawn~

"The idiot’s right. You should rest as well. I’ll bake some bread over the fire so we can have something with the stew." Rika yawned, rubbing her eyes and sat up.

"It’s fine, I’ll-"

"Just rest captain. You ran around enough right? I’d much rather set up the camp than scout. I’m not exactly the strongest amongst us." Tobi grabbed Noah and forced him to sit down.

Watching the three of them walk away, Noah couldn’t help but shake his head.

Tobi realised halfway through that Rika had called him an idiot earlier, protesting in the process.

But doing so only earned him a kick to the butt from Rika while she stuck out her tongue, blaming him for his slow reactions.

Yama was there in case things went too far but by this point, they were all adults. Every one knew when to take a step back if needed.

For a moment, Noah felt like they had been transported back to the pit.

Three childish silhouettes overlapped them as he suddenly felt nostalgic.

Perhaps it was the talk he had overheard, perhaps it was the location.

But all in all, he was reminded of how far they’ve come.

And naturally, the biggest surprise of them all was Feris.

"Are you tired?" Feris asked with concern in her voice.

Back then, rarely would she care about anyone else.

But now?

Noah was about to reply with he’s fine but after a quickly thought, he changed his mind.

While not entirely fatigued, he could definitely use a rest so that his mind was ready for any dangers that might approach them.

"I suppose I do need to sit down for a moment. Can’t help but feel a little nervous now that we’re this close." Noah admitted.

To his surprise, Feris leaned towards him and grabbed his head.

"!!!"

Freezing up, Noah allowed Feris to pull his head towards her lap.

"Rika seemed to enjoy this. She fell asleep quite quickly."

". . . I see. I suppose I should get some rest now as well then."

As he closed his eyes, Noah’s breathing soon slowed down as sleep took hold of his mind.

Feris found herself strangely mesmerised by the strands of his hair.

Moving them off to the side, she then stared at his eyelashes.

And before she knew it, Feris felt her face turn hot.

Her heart slammed against her chest as an unknown feeling took over her mind.

She found it ever so difficult to look away from the man who took responsibility for her wellbeing.