Chapter 636: Shadows of Haven
The days passed one after the next, a cycle of sleep, study, and exploring Haven with Elise and R’lissea. My strength recovered slowly but surely, but exhaustion onset quickly, without any warning. More often than not, I woke up to find myself curled on the library’s couches, or lying atop Fable on the way back to the inn.
By the end of the first week, I’d grown acquainted with the major facilities of the realm, including the library, markets, citadel, and some of the shops. Aside from the main island, the rest were scattered across the realm. I also became aware that the realm was far bigger than I’d first understood, spanning at least several hundred miles in all directions. The remnants wouldn’t say much of what lay beyond the heart, nor could I convince any of them to take me to see them.
Only Jasrin, the remnant dressed as a ranger, let anything slip, but I quickly learned to take his words lightly. Like Dyson, of my old adventuring group, he was a master of teasing, from flirtation to tall tales. He spoke often of massive, planet-sized monsters he used to hunt through the dimensional wilderness between realms. When I’d asked Emlica about it, she’d confirmed that such a place existed but only named it the ’Astral Sea.’
On the morning of the ninth day, I woke alone in the room.
"Elise? R’lissea?" I called, sitting up.
My brow furrowed as no one answered. One of the two had always been there when I awoke, greeting me warmly with a smile. I wasn’t entirely sure if they even slept at this point, but given their level, it probably wasn’t often. They seemed to love brushing my hair and usually fought over it, something I was content to let them do.
I glanced back at the pillow. It was warm and fluffy, tugging at my very soul. Elise and R’lissea had probably just stepped out momentarily, maybe to speak with a remnant. I should just wait for them to come back. A few more hours of sleep wouldn’t hurt, right? They were always telling me to rest, after all.
I started with a jolt, clapping my cheeks and shaking my head. This was a good chance to prove I didn’t need them looking over my shoulder all the time. If I could get to the common room before they came to check in or even just dressed on my own, that would be enough. I didn’t need them to hold my hand.
It turned out that dressing was far easier than getting out of bed, and in only a few minutes, I sat in a red dress on the edge of the mattress, staring at the comb in my hand. Korra had given me it a long, long time ago, but I’d never had much chance to practice. She, or R’lissea, had always wanted to do it for me, and now the comb felt awkward in my hand, using it even more so.
I gave it a half-hearted attempt before tugging too hard on a snarl. Wincing, I let it fall into my lap with a frustrated sigh. I only cared because they did, but they weren’t here, so it wasn’t like I had to force myself.
I tapped the comb with my spatial ring and was about to store it when an unwelcome thought slipped through. I froze, fingers trembling, before my shoulders slumped, and I picked the comb back up. The next time it caught on a snarl, I gritted my teeth and fought through it.