[Dealer’s Choice pt.1]

An oasis. There were no other words or descriptions to better explain what the path opened up to as it breathed life back into their eyes. Heaven was surely calling out to the group, bathing their view in a soothing warm light. The fatigue plaguing their bodies felt a hint of relief. They continued down the path, listening as it softly beckoned them deeper into its embrace. It really was being given a pillow when sleepy. But Kyrha was cautious by nature, never trusting anything that seemed too convenient.

This caution was further justified when Law had his Guide, Valin, pull up a map using its connection to the system. "According to the map, this area is just more jungle. Up to this point, where we've gone has been marked down with its related details and characteristics, but that's not the case for this oasis." His deep voice relayed a similar hesitation to go deeper.

However, when she cast a glance over the group again, Kyrha could only frown. With a majority of the gHosts weakened and still recovering, the only option was to allow them some time to rest. Even the healthier ones showed symptoms of dehydration, so any thoughts of sucking it up and moving on were killed silently.

"It's okay! We'll just have to be careful!" a voice from the small crowd shouted out. Several others echoed in agreement.

Kyrha saw Law shrug beside her, silently gesturing that he had tried. She gave a wry laugh in response. "Fine," acquiescing, she thought to use this as an opportunity to stock up on a vital necessity. Looking down at Ace, she inquired, "Do Guides come with an inventory space?"

Unsurprised by her question, he gave a general nod. [Yup.] The others looked to their own Guide, seeing them confirm in a similar fashion.

"Good, let's use this chance to get as much water as we can."

A relieved exhale shook the group. Most having heard her conversation, a hand raised, followed by a timid voice. "We don't have anything to carry the water in, but I know how to make a container. I just need wood," the young woman's face paled after uttering the word, her latest memories of wood none too pleasant. More than a few other gHosts cringed at the thought of any further interactions with that particular substance. She continued on quickly, "or leaves work too! It'll just be a little harder, and the water might leak a bit if it's not done well enough." By the time she finished speaking, she was looking down at her shoes, her entire being radiating a lack of confidence in her words.

Law shifted his sight up to the small glowing "leaves" mounted on the trees that encompassed the oasis from a distance. Shaking his head in rejection, he then gazed down at the various plants and bushes—some with a similar size and shape to banana leaves—before an idea began to take form. On his guard, he carefully walked over and plucked off a large section of a plant, analyzing the smooth and waxy texture. "Will this work?" he questioned, turning to the young woman again.

"Oh, y-yes! I thought about weaving the smaller blades, but if they're that large, I can fold and shape them," she stuttered slightly, a light blush staining her cheeks an attractive pink under his contemplative gaze. Breaking eye contact, she speedily shuffled over to the plants to start her assembly. Law took in her series of actions, chuckling amusedly.

"Wait. Let's quench our thirst and relax for a bit first. Then you can make one of your containers as an example to teach us," she instructed logically. There was nothing wrong with her thought process, but...

[Hopeless.] Ace shook his head in disappointment. As he left her behind to find a comfortable spot by the water, he muttered about how whoever fell for her would have a long journey ahead. Kyrha was left to stare at his little back, wondering what she had missed. Having reached no conclusion, she dismissed her inner query before moving on.

"All right, break time. Remember to exercise caution and stay vigilant. If you can, try to stay close to someone...not just your Guide." She eyed the Guides, silently admitting they were useless in cases of emergency. After all, they hadn't provided any support during the initial attack of the roots earlier. And since they weren't targeted, they couldn't be used as meat-shields either. The world probably didn't recognize them as living beings, having originated from the Nexus.

~ 𝟙𝟘 ~ 𝕁 ~ ℚ ~ 𝕂 ~ 𝔸 ~ 𝟙𝟘 ~ 𝕁 ~ ℚ ~ 𝕂 ~ 𝔸 ~

Thirst now sated, Kyrha leaned her head comfortably against Ace's lap. Well, the six-year-old body could only provide so much comfort, but it was better than lying directly on the short green meadow. Taking a page from the same book, a very small distance away, Sunny also lounged on her Guide, waving every now and again to Kaid, who'd voluntarily kept guard over the area.

The younger gHosts sat at the edge of the crystal blue waters, freely splashing each other and pumping their legs up and down against the cool liquid. Some of the others, too tired to move, were already knocked out and oblivious to the world. Most had already tossed Kyrha's previous warning to the back of their head. The group was too relaxed for her liking, but she made no move to rectify that. Should anything happen, she assumed those too negligent would be picked off again. The only person she kept a close watch over was the one who had mentioned making water containers. Seeing Law occasionally gaze in the woman's direction, he seemed to be of a similar mind.

Within the clear mist over the lake, a woman openly watched the group, unbeknownst to any. She stood over the rippling water like she would a hard surface. Her loose arctic blue hair bled into the water, one indistinguishable from the other. The white-gold draping hair combs hanging from her head gave an elegant and regal touch to her nymph-like features. Her eyes, the same color as her hair, were deeper than the lake itself, hiding many secrets. She truly was a beautiful sight to behold had she been visible for the gHosts to see behind the misty veil.

Having assessed the group long enough, a wicked smile emerged, plunging the unsuspecting group into a deep slumber as the invisible mist spread. Tendrils of water slipped onto the dry surface, winding towards those who had passed her assessment. Seven bodies quickly descended into the bottomless pool. A lyrical laugh echoed as she watched a torrent of bubbles erupt from the instinctive struggles of her chosen.

Suddenly, a stronger hint of interest emerged within the depths of her eyes. One of the bodies was not only awake, but had stopped struggling and calmly waited to sink deeper. "What an intriguing child. I have high expectations, so do try not to let me down." The silky gentleness of her voice didn't match the ruthlessness she revealed.