Chill at Castle Phoenix.

"It happens, it happens," explains Laira. "Sometimes, you just get so caught up in a project that you fail to sleep or eat for like, days! It's totally normal."

Vivi stares back at her. "... Uh. I wouldn't say normal per se, but I guess I don't have a lot of experience. All things considered, I've still barely been out of that forest, and I was in there for decades. We should probably bring her water though."

"Is everything all right?" you ask. The two girls are conversing right in the center of town. The marble phoenix statue sprays fresh, glistening water high up and into the fountain base below. It's a colourful sight. Even though it's fall, there's a rainbow of flowers and trees--the latter of which will eventually blossom into fruits to be eaten come spring time. You're excited to see it.

"Yeah. Luna has just been working all night long," Vivi explains. "Ever since she heard about the swimsuit calendar."

You put a hand to your head. "Of course. I'm not surprised."

"Oh! But I helped fix the road already. Sorry again about that. I was just... filled with so much emotion when I saw her. All I could think to do with attack like a kid having a tantrum. It won't happen again."

"It's all right, Vivi. I understand."

You notice the sound of the fountain cease. Then, a chill up your spine. You turn to see that the water has frozen over, and farther past that stands the Empress of Ice herself, Aak'aba. She stares at you blankly as she often does. Her visage is always that of calm melancholy.

"I know it's unfortunate to say, but I somewhat wish that this Hunter would strike, so that we might cast him down and be done with it. I don't want to spend the rest of my days within these walls," she says.

"Are you unhappy here?" you ask.

"Not necessarily, but I've gone from being forced to stay on an island, to being forced to stay here. I'm about finished with feeling constrained. If this takes too much longer, I may depart."

"That would be a bad idea. This guy is probably waiting for somebody to do that. Please, stay. I don't want you to get hurt."

She lowers her head. "... All right. I suppose that would be wise."

Your attention returns to the witch. "Hey, Vivi."

She looks up. "Do you need something?"

"Are you all right?"

"I think so." She swallows hard and stares down between her shoes. "You know, I'm a lot older than you are. You don't have to worry about me."

"I only do because I care."

"We all do, grandma!" Laira says with a smile.

"Grandma?!" Vivi shouts back. "Listen. I know I have white hair, and I know I'm probably older than anyone here--" She looks to the woman standing adjacent to the frozen statue. "Besides the demigods anyway. But I am not a grandma!"

As they bicker, you feel your FONE vibrate in your pocket. You withdraw it and see that the contact is Rose. After stepping away from the noise, you hold it to your hear and answer the call.

"Hey, Rose. How's it going?" you ask.

"This thing is really neat. You sound so clear too. If you can produce these in mass, sell them all to me. I'll give you a good deal. I mean, not in money, but maybe I could do you some other favours~?"

"Did you call me to order a crate of FONEs?"

"No, no. Actually, I'm doing a favour for a contact of mine. Goes by the moniker of Monarch. It seems you've met before. She wanted me to pass a message onto you. If it makes you feel good, she was pretty generous with her payment. She must really like you."

"Do I get a cut of that payment?"

She laughs. "Oh I wish I was there right now... Here, let me read the message verbatim." She clears her throat, and you can hear the sound of paper being unfolded. "To Demon King Warren. I have heard rumours, and while they may be nothing, I have a terrible feeling. After what happened, I am concerned of whom to trust. Meet me in Tanver's Crossing. Tell Gloomstar when you have arrived."

You wait to see if she continues before speaking again. "Vague."

"I know. Unfortunately for her, I think it may be less of a secret than she believes. I'm nosy, so I looked into it too. In the Western Pecho Peaks, monster activity has been erratic, like they've scattered. Gossip has travelled through the dwarven cities beneath. Legends say hobgoblins once had a terrible warlord with strength like a god. A long time ago, he was sealed away, funnily enough, up in the mountains where those very hobgoblins live. That's where the story gets muddled. A lot of people claim he was their leader, but it makes a lot more sense if they were the ones who sealed him."

"And you think he's free now?"

"I think he's dead."

"Excuse me?"

"I hate to admit this, but I think Monarch knows more than I do. Maybe if she tells you, I can convince you to share that intel with me afterwards."

"What if she convinces me not to tell?"

"Then it'll be a contest of who can be more convincing."

"How urgent do you think this is?"

"Not very. If it was, everyone would know. It's also very likely this started weeks ago. I doubt it happened yesterday."

Xavex. But he'd be long gone. Like she said, we're probably just noticing the effects now of a being that was slain awhile ago. It isn't like the monsters in the mountains are eager to come down and explain everything.

"Then I'll head out tomorrow. Just in case."

"You don't gotta tell me. I'm not anywhere close to Tanver's Crossing. Actually, I'm having a nice relaxing bath as we speak. Do you want me to describe anything to you? I'll give you one detail about my body for one gold coin.""

"The paper you were reading must have gotten pretty wet, huh?"

"Don't call my bluff so quickly. It's more fun to play along for a bit first--Oops. I gotta go. It looks like he's finally ready to talk. Turns out when you bring in your ogre friend, people's lips loosen up."

"Interesting time to call me."

"I had to pass some time while I waited. It's called being efficient. Goodbye, Kyle. Be careful out there."

She hangs up.

You open your lips to speak to the others now that your conversation is complete, but then you notice Yin patiently standing nearby. She looks adorable in her little maid outfit--hands crossed, smiling back at you. When she notices that you're free, she bows her head low, and then curtsies politely.

"Sorry for the interrupting, Master, but you have a guest."

"Excellent. Thank you. Where are they?"

"She's waiting for you at Café Nymphaea."

"That's opened already?"

"No, but both Amara and Sen-nu insisted. Come, Master. I'll lead the way."

As the follow behind her, you ask the obvious question. "Who is our guest?"

"Oh, yes. Of course. It's Ms. Tedrilui."