Saintess Summons Skeletons

After Sofias little panic-like revelation episode, the group headed to a restaurant to have a long chat in a VIP room. The first topic was the circumstances of Sofias sudden and late arrival, and Mornn was the one trying the hardest to piece things together because she knew the least.

So, let me get this straight. Your long-lost sister that you thought dead is alive because you saw her name on one of the Spires scoreboards. And that was on the last floor, where she finished second or third overall, AND you finished at rank 1 and won an actual crown?

Thats about it, yeah.

Maaaaan, I knew this quest was rigged, Sun is always like this! What am I supposed to do? Get rank zero? the tall elf complained, she looked deflated and defeated on her seat, Congratulations on the win and the good news then. Do you know how to look for your Sister already?

Sofia had a bitter expression as she shook her head. Certainly, there were many ways to search, but search for what, how, where? How many girls named Saria were there? And if she kept a low profile, who exactly would have even heard of her?

And it had been so long, it was possible that even if they passed by each other in the street Sofia and Saria wouldnt recognize each other.

Astelia found an opportunity to stop stuffing her face with ice cream and try to help, Maybe we can find her fast, actually? We have embassies everywhere on the human continent, someone has to know something. We could also offer a bounty? I can try asking Moon too but I would not count on that

You could also put up a request for information at the adventurers guild? You have that citizenship now, might as well use it. I wouldnt mind going back to Drakron too, its been a while, Alith added.

I dont know where to even start But I appreciate the help. She probably believes me dead too

Mornn fixed her posture, grabbing a roasted chicken leg, she lightly waved it around as she spoke, you know, Sofia, I dont know you that well, but. If youre strong enough to finish as the all-time first in the trial, finding one lost sister shouldnt be too hard. She bit into the chicken and kept talking with her mouth half full, I can hook you up with an old diviner if you want, his prices are high but hes very good at finding lost things. Youd have to come to our city in the desert, bit of a long trip.

Yeah I- Im not even sad or discouraged or If anything, Im too happy to explain how Im feeling right now, but its so sudden. It makes it Hard to focus on anything. I just need some time to get my thoughts together, I guess. A diviner uh

[You have been affected by : confusion. But your skills negated the status]

Sofia jumped on her chair as if she had just gotten shocked by electricity.

Astelia and Alith asked if Sofia was alright.

Yes! Yes, I . Woah. Sorry, one of my skills just activated on its own.

Thats all it took for you to stop acting like a wet mop? Whats this skill? I need it too.

Everyone stared at Mornn.

What?

Pareth chose this second of silence to appear in the room, leaving a small envelope on the table and disappearing again.

Everyone urged Sofia to open it, was this a message from her lost sister? Was Pareth trying to communicate? Inside the envelope was a single sheet of paper, on one side was a pencil drawing of a Dragon mask, on the other was a very short message:

Quickly seek the wind fox, good luck - Sen

Valeure?

Hey, looks like we know where your next destination is. Do you know the wind saintess or want me to guide you?

No need, thanks I met her once already.

That so?

Sofia having regained a bit of composure and with a clear goal, the subject matter moved to everyones results in the trial. The others had not yet shared their ranks as they had decided to wait for Sofia to be there as well.

Alith had the worst performance, failing at floor 89. Both Astelia and Mornn expressed that they also found it particularly hard, though they couldnt discuss the details without being censored.

I couldnt use my ghost form so I really didnt have a chance. But thats not a problem anymore with my race evolution so its fine, Ill perform better on the next one. My exact rank isnt even worth talking about, Im in the four thousands

You were so close to the main rewards

Eh, no point worrying about it now. I did the best I could.

You did good for someone whos not even alive, shorty. You were just unlucky that floor 89 was a bad matchup. What about you, Astelia?

Rank twelve.

Mornn stared glassy-eyed at the small vampire who was somehow still eating when everyone else was stuffed.

You managed to pass 97!? Ugh. It was too much

Astelia failed against the Master and Mornn failed at the orbs? Woah. Astelia was the one who started from the lowest spot as well. So you failed on 97? Sofia asked Mornn.

Yeah I just couldnt Too much too fast

Shes so tall, I can see how that would be an issue with the orbs, and her skills for the most part dont look like they would help much. But Astelia found the black orb? Its too bad that theres this damn censor

Astelia explained more, taking her time to find the right way to avoid being censored, It was a floor very well suited for me. It was not easy but I managed without being hurt too much. But floor 98 was impossible. I had to give up. Were you close to finishing 97?

Not at all. During it I went from rank 433 to 348, when completing the floor gives rank 62. So mine was among the worst attempts even. Well, Ill say it though, 300 out of who knows how many, not too bad. Sun might beat me up later, but Im okay with my score.

97 and 98 were both very close calls for me too

Alith pointed at Sofias crown, How was floor 100?

Uh How do I explain that in a way that wont get it censored Whatever you may be thinking of, its worse than that, and then worse again. And if you still think there could be a way then youre not there yet.

Youre saying that But you still won?

... I cant say anything more it seems.

The friendly discussions lasted through the night.

Alith had explained to Sofia that Zerei had left ahead to start building her school, which she had explained in a letter passed down to them by a city guard. After that, it was decided that after a quick teleportation to the goatkin city-state, Mornn would take everyone back to the human continent on her giant sword as it was by far the fastest way they had to cross the sea.

When they arrived in Hooasow, the group split up, Agran picked up Astelia, promising they would be on the lookout for any trace of Sofias sister. Mornn also left, explaining that she had to return and report to her Oracle quickly before he came to fetch her himself. Before that, she gave them an explanation on how to reach Herzal, the elven capital in the desert, and the name of the Diviner she had mentioned before. That left Sofia alone with Alith in the city, on a random bench in the middle of the night.

So, were going to find your sister or what?

I cant believe Im saying that, but that is the plan. Youre going to come with me?

Uh? Yeah. What else am I gonna do? Let you chase after your past alone again? Last time I did that you started murdering the whole church. What kind of a friend am I if I leave right now?

Lets go to Valeures place then.

Alright! I want to see the immortal fox lady too!

Sofia stood up and started walking through the street, she might not even be there again though

Alith jumped off of the bench, trailing behind Sofia, Then we can wait for her to show up. You wont be able to focus on anything else anyway, might as well follow this clue for now. If its from Sen, it should be reliable. Also Saria is probably stronger than you by now, I reckon she can survive a bit more until we find her, right?

Sofias gait as she walked regained a bit of energy. After a few steps along the unlit homes of the city, she turned around.

Hey, Alith.

Uh?

Thank you.

Wh-... Sofia, are you crying?