Ever The Contrarian

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE 

Mercury, who had finished her day's training (because she had run out of rocks), had shown up and changed into her pajamas, but there were still two hours before she wanted to sleep. Not that she could sleep, anyway, because they were heading back for the war tomorrow. As soon as she looked up, BAM. She got hit by the full-force beauty of the full moon. all her nervous, jittery thoughts just stoop up and threw themselves out the window. "Oooooh, I should sit down and look at the moon. It's nice today." Mercury whispered to herself, her bare toes glowing in the light. After walking through the mud for about 10 minutes, she frowned at her now mud-stained toes. Oh well. At least she had found her moon-watching spot. As she sat down the the rock, she gazed up at the moon, towering above her. it was so big she felt she could reach out and grab it in her hands, craters easily visible. after swishing her hands in the air and drawing them empty (she couldn't grab the moon with her hands after all), Mercury laid back and stared up at the moon. Suddenly, a sound shuffled between her, and Mercury sighed. Even if it was an assassin at this point, she didnt care. Her sword was in the tent anyway, so she ws dead. 

Luckily, it wasn't an assassin, but Nox. Yayy!! "Oh! Nox! Over here! Did you come here to watch the moon too?" Mercury said, instantly brightening up. Nox was holding a cookie jar in his hands and also in his pajamas, so Mercury assumed they came here for the same thing. "Couldn't sleep, Mer?" Nox asked, and Mercury shook her head. "Nah, we're leaving for the war tomorrow, so sleep won't be visiting today at all." She sulked, and Nox patted her head. "By the way, I brought a blanket, so you can at least try to sleep." Nox said, opening up a blanket and swishing it over her. "Want a cookie?" He asked, also unfolding his blanket, and Mercury grabbed three before he could say anything else. Suddenly, something dawned on her. "But why are you awake so late, Nox…?" She asked, and Nox sighed. Loudly. "I don't know who to choose." He said finally, and Mercury didn't even need to hear him say it to know what he was talking about. She knew pretty well already. Argh, if she was in that spot, she could have lost her mind already. Back and forth, between the elves and the humans?! Ah, thinking about it was making Mercury have a headache, but she supposed that was why it was a problem Nox was dealing with and not her - if it was her, she would have messed everything up. "It's fine. Whatever you choose, we'll be behind you." Mercury said dismissively, and Nox sighed. "Ahhh! Don't sigh at me, I was trying to help!" Mercury said, even more exasperated, and Nox laughed. Mercuyr frowned, and then turned back to look at the moon. A sort of comfortable silence settled in, where both people were just enjoying the fact that the other was there - and there was nothing more that needed to be said. Eventually, despite her constant thoughts, Mercury drifted off to sleep. 

When she woke up, the sun was shining on her face. Hey! Bring the moon back! let her sleep in peace! But, no. Even though I could technically write it to that there was an eclipse that blocked out the sun so our dear Mercury could continue sleeping, by then I had missed my chance and Mercury was already groaning awake. Nox had ong since woke up, and there was a ruffled pile of blankets next to her. After whacking herself on the head with said ruffled blankets, Mercury felt more awake and decided to head into the camp, where the elves were huddled and whispering. Mercury glanced at them curiously, wondering what caused this football-like team huddling formation, expically since there were 700 elves. Still, she ultimately decided that it was none of her business and barged into Iodine's tent, kicking the pile of blankets. ah, satisfaction. She considered beating up the blanket some more because it felt so good, but of course that would be rude to her friend. A yelp followed, and Mercury nodded. "Wake up, Io." She sang, and Iodine hesitantly removed the blankets covering her head, to peek out, and now rubbing her leg. "Todays the day." Mercury sang now, even louder, but her voice didnt sound cheerful at all. "Its okay, Mer. You can say it. I'm scared too." Iodine said, yawning. But Mercury couldnt take that at face value. "No, I dont get to be scared. This is ultimately resting on my shoulders." Mercury said quietly, her singing voice yetted out the window, and Iodine stopped yawning to meet her eyes. A sort of unspoken sentence passed between them : "No matter what happens, we go down together." (dont try this at home by the way, it only works with fictional best friends.) Our radiant little MC smiled, and held out a hand. Iodine took it, and Mercury helped her up. After heading out the tent, the elves were still whispering furiously, and Mercury saw Nox's white hair peeking out of the middle. Oh, so he was the center of attention. Mercury felt a lump in her throat. They were probably welcoming the new elf. Ah, now her stomach was sinking to her feet. 

Suddenly, the elves all turned to her, and said, "Mercury." "hmm?" Mercury asked, a bit confused at the overlapping voices. "We want to help you. However, we can." The elves all chorused, and Mercury's heart stopped for a minute. an idea instantly flickered into her head. "You can tell me if it's too much. But, we need help for the war. Could you possibly…?" Mercury asked, her heart suddenly pounding in her ears. Don't get your hope up, Mer. She said to herself, clenching her fist. Ah, she was nervous. The elves all looked especially nervous, then burst into an uproar. Through the voices, Mercury could hear the words, "Of course! Our savior, anything for you!", and she smiled. Their chances were somewhat better now. In the end, it was clear, that, if she was successfully able to take control of, the guild of Ulteron, the outcome of the war would be in her hand. 

Oh, but of course there was also a completely different problem. "How are we going to get them to the capital..?" Iodine asked, and Mercury sighed. "Everyone, these two are going to show you how to craft teleportation scrolls. Listen carefully." Mercury said, cupping her hands in front of her mouth to broadcast her voice. After an hour-long tutorial, 700 elves and two humans held up their hand-crafted teleportation scrolls. there was another human, and she was holding up two scrolls. One was for teleportation and the other scroll was for the guild of Ulteron. This person was Mercury. "Everyone, rip yours on three… two… One… To the Guild of Ulteron!" Mercury hollered, and instantly, around her, the sound of paper being shredded emanated, like a wave. With a wooshed, the wind stormed around her, and Mercury was suddenly standing in a dank foyer. Her teleportation scroll was gone, and now only the bamboo paper scroll lined with gold thread remained in her hand, which was now quite clammy. Hooded figures glared at her with slit eyes all around. Mercury smiled. The ID building all over again, but now with way more people. "Hello, My name is Rue. I am the new leader of the Guild of Ulteron." Mercury said, raising her scroll in the air.