"Who?"
The young man seemed confused for a moment.
"Ah, sorry. There's this guy I'm supposed to meet, he smells like you. That's why I confused you." Uriel laughed.
He extended a hand. "Hey, I'm Uriel. What's your name?"
The young man looked at Uriel's outstretched hand, then back at him, at the sincere smile, contrasted sharply by his unsettling, almost corpse-like face.
Then he burst out laughing.
Among the quiet chatter of the carriage, it didn't stand out much, but a few glances still landed on them, embarrassing Uriel more than he already was.
He grimaced. "Great introduction. Truly." He muttered under his breath, pulling his hand back.
"You really are a little field of sunshine, hm?" Enoch's laughter died down as he patted Uriel's shoulder.
"Sorry. I couldn't help myself."
He extended a hand, mirroring Uriel's earlier gesture, and smiled. "I am, indeed, Enoch."
Uriel sighed, but didn't leave him hanging, shaking his hand.
"We met much faster than I was expecting. When Sir Tholyr mentioned that there were other settlements, I got scared I'd have to go looking for you."
He pointed at his bony, muscle-free arms. "I'm not sure I'd have been properly equipped to do so."
He chuckled.
Enoch didn't.
Looking at Uriel's arm, and the general state of his body, he inhaled deeply, the last traces of humor draining from his expression.
He softly grabbed Uriel's shoulder. "I can't imagine how…lonely it must have been."
The sudden shift caught Uriel off guard.
"But it'll get better," Enoch continued quietly. "Together, we're going to do great things, alright? I'll make sure you get better. I promise."
Unsure how to respond to such raw sincerity, Uriel awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
"I…thank you. I'll also try my best. I really hope I get better too. I feel like a geriatric man." He added the last part lightly, patting Enoch's arm in an attempt at humor.
Seeing that his words hadn't softened the intensity in Enoch's gaze, Uriel pressed on.
He leaned in, lowering his voice. "So… not to say I don't believe you, since, you know, the world clearly ended, but…"
"Is the whole 'future' thing true? Or—"
Before he could finish, Enoch shook his head, covering Uriel's mouth before he could say more than he should.
"We can't talk about it in public," he said quietly. "But I didn't lie."
He withdrew his hand and leaned back into his seat, posture loosening slightly.
"I didn't lie," he repeated.
Uriel, as usual, didn't push further. He simply nodded.
"So… what do we do?" he asked. "Is there anything we need to prepare for? Or get ready? Or… maybe others we should be looking for?"
Enoch stayed silent for a moment, staring ahead toward the settlement they were slowly approaching.
"There are a lot of things we both need to do."
His gaze briefly slid past Tholyr, then toward a few figures seated farther ahead.
Something deep and ancient stirred within him, draining the air around them for the briefest instant before retreating back into stillness.
"But for now," he said, voice steady again, "I'll take care of everything. Just put your trust in me, as hard as that may be. I know I'm a stranger, but—"
Uriel raised a thumb. "Okay."
"You got it."
Enoch blinked, then smiled.
"I do."
…
"The settlement is divided into four areas: the Nihil Spawn Shop, the Training Crater, the Quest Hall, and finally, the Gate Emporium."
They passed through the settlement gates, greeted by a crowd of Tholyr's brethren.
From the coach, Tholyr gestured toward a shop not far from the entrance.
It was strange, constructed from an odd blend of amethyst metal and dark silver smoke, half real and half illusion, yet seamlessly woven into the city's architecture.
At its counter stood a man, with a shop sprawling behind him, so vast that its interior dimensions made little sense once noticed.
Within its depths, the variety seemed endless: hanging weapons, stacked books, vials of strange liquids, pills, and countless other items.
"This is a Nihil Shop," Tholyr explained. "There are many across the settlement, and as the name suggests, they are shops, filled with items you may have once had in your world."
"But also weapons to defend yourselves, mounts for long-distance travel, and resources to develop your abilities."
"There's much more, I'm sure you'll enjoy discovering later today."
They moved deeper into the settlement, passing ancient wooden and stone buildings inhabited by dozens of people, many of whom waved as they passed.
"These shops and homes belong to my colleagues," Tholyr continued. "They sell their own goods and may even help you in your endeavors, if you're polite, of course."
Soon, they reached the grand fountain at the center of the settlement: a sculpted siren holding a vase, radiant emerald water spilling from it.
"That is the settlement center. When I call for an assembly, you will gather here."
"Drinking from these waters may also help heal minor wounds."
He pointed west, toward a cluster of strange cubelike buildings that clashed sharply with the surrounding architecture.
"That is the Quest Hall, where you may receive quests and rewards, just like our little hero did earlier."
The reminder drew furtive glances toward Uriel, then toward Enoch.
Uriel internally groaned. 'Of course.'
Tholyr then pointed east, where the ground sank inward, revealing entrances to underground chambers.
"That is the Training Crater, where you will train and receive guidance related to your abilities and their truths."
He stepped down from the coach and turned back toward the passengers, his smile stretching unnaturally wide, eyes curving into crescent moons.
'He really looks like a demon,' Uriel thought, a faint grimace crossing his face.
'But who am I to judge? I look like a lich.'
Tholyr snapped his fingers.
"Now, you may be wondering; where will your housing be? Where is the Gate Emporium?"
[A QuickTime Quest has been triggered!]
"Well," he said cheerfully, "I have a little surprise for you all."