World Between: Chapter 2 part 2

“Well, stocking up was a good call.” Cain stated dropping the small pig he found. “Since our cook has been caught, but the food should last longer with half our party leaving.”
“You don’t think we were at enough of a disadvantage?” Aaron stated pulling the book he and Jen had used out of his backpack. “Cause from what it sounds like, the 4 of you cheated and still nearly lost.”

“Will we were expecting 6.” Anna stated. “But then Cindy was spotted, and… went a bit wild.” She admitted. “Which does mean we're out of bombs.”

“That doesn’t excuse discussing things with the enemy.” Cain stated.

“We didn’t even talk about anything! She taught me magic and-” Aaron began protesting
“Like Jill taught her sister magic?” Anna interrupted. “There’s a lot of utility to it, and I’m glad we have the options. But Cain is right, Sofia isn’t going to help us for no reason.”

“Well her reason didn’t seem like much.” Aaron stated. “She’s certainly not going a ‘bit wild’”

“Yet.” Cain replied.

“Alright.” Jared sighed. “We may be here a while, so… magic may be our only option.” There was some reluctance from Cain and Anna as well. No one intended on being here this long, and it was definitely affecting camping morale. Clearly however, some assistance was needed, so the magic lessons began. In the meantime the group kept low, and avoided the high population areas as best they could. For the moment a lot of the security had to be redirected to helping the general population, but it was hard to know how long that would last.

“You’re sure you can do this?” Jen asked, and Jill rolled her eyes and beat her wings slightly in response. Creating a massive gust of wind which blew past Jen. “You know what I mean.”

“...Yeah.” There was a rather long pause before Jill had responded, but there was confidence in her answer. “I do think it’s the right thing to do at least.”

“But are you all sure it’ll work?” Jen questioned. “I mean it sounds more like what brought me here to begin with.”

“From what I understand I think it’ll work.” Jill stated. “And if it doesn’t, then that’s something we should know.” Jen sighed, and Jill hugged her in response. “I’m sorry. If I could tell you more, I would.”

“I get it.” Jen stated. “If I were protecting this place, I wouldn’t- ow” Green lighting coursed through Jen who jolted a bit in response.

“Alright, we can at least get that sorted out, I think.” Jill replied. “I told you the healing was limited.”
“Yeah, but it was stronger.” Jen replied. “Which translated to being more helpful in my mind…”
“Before you couldn’t heal one Harpy?” Jill questioned and Jen nodded, somewhat meekly. “No side effects on your Water magic?”

“Not that I’ve felt.” Jen swirled her arm and formed a small stream of water from the air around her. From what Jill noted she was actually improving if anything.

“That’s… kind of weird, actually. Most people who have Light and Soul channeling out of them just focus in both. At least so far as I’ve seen.” Jill stated. “So there’s something you must really like about Water, and it’s probably connected to whatever your problem with Soul or Light is.”

“You really think it’s that simple?” Jen tilted her head as she questioned her younger sister.

“Picking elements is sort of like a personality test. While that can be somewhat difficult since they seem to like pairing up, calling the stuff that matches you is kind of naturally second nature. The challenge lies is all the ways they work together, and learning what works for you.”

“That’s interesting and all, but it doesn’t help me answer anything.” Jen stated.

“Well yeah, it’s your answer.” Jill replied. “Not like I can answer for… Actually… maybe I can show you.”

“You can not.” Lydria replied after hearing Jill’s idea. “That mission needs 3 members and, with all due respect, in this state you two and barely two.”

“Wind is barely even being affected anymore.” Jill stated. “I’m been flying around for days now.”
“So have the other Harpies.” Jen stated. “They’ve all visited, and all of them look pretty healthy.”
“A lot of things have gone back to normal.” Lydria admitted with a sigh. “In a rather quick amount of time as well, especially given the amount of magic that is supposedly in a gem. Actually a lot of wildlife hasn’t even noticed, or hasn’t acted like it. What has not changed however is the situation at hand, and the danger posed by-” Lydria paused, and Jill and Jen turned to see her looking at a human black mage looking Male.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” The boy timidly began. “I was simply gathering a slug hunting group, and water is rather helpful for the clean up. N-not that you wouldn’t be fighting if.. you..um.” Jill chuckled.

“No, Jen , you shouldn’t be offended.” Jill stated as Jen looked at her. “I was the first time too, but you would think those things could stick to the sky.”

“They are also mostly water-based.” The boy responded nodding. “It is a very helpful element to have on hand.” Handing the sheet to Lydria. “Normal or not quests weren’t posted up for a while, and some of the simpler ones have gotten out of hand.”

“Party of 8 to 10?” Lydria questioned before nodding as he motion if  he could have a second
“Miss demoness?!” The boy waved to the demoness chugging a glass at one of the bar stools. Sofia just stared at him for a while without drinking. She looked drained in a sense, and her eyes held a lack of glow almost as bored as she looked. “We required a hooved fey.”

“For?” Sofia asked, inching a bit off her stool.

“A number of out of control slugs roaming the mountains. S-” The boy began.

“Sold.” Sofia finished her mug after interrupting the boy, and got up to do what little prep she could.

“is it really that bad?” Jen questioned.

“I wish it wasn’t, believe me.” Lydria stated. “Realm-breakers have been all over the place. And did some quest hoping for info, but it was just too many dead ends. Between that and everyone wondering what was going to happen, even simple quests are only just cropping up again.” She handed the paper back after counting party members. “Nonetheless, so far as we know the group isn’t that dangerous, so they’re also fair game.” The three of them nodded, and prepared for the trip.