After a short walk, they reached the lake.

The water looked crystal clear, with gentle ripples caused by a small stream feeding into it from the far side.

Rheanne knelt at the edge and cupped her hands, scooping up water to wash the blood and sand from her face and arms.

Brandon knelt a short distance away and did the same. splashing cool water on his face, neck, and chest, washing away layers of sweat, blood, and sand.

The cold felt good against his skin, soothing the remaining aches.

*splash*

He glanced at Rheanne and was surprised to see her jumping directly into the lake.

The cool surface broke around her with a bright splash, sending ripples outward in perfect circles.

She surfaced a moment later as water streamed down her face and shoulders.

The torn white dress clung to her body and the fabric was translucent in places from the water.

She let out a soft, relieved sigh as she floated on her back for a moment, letting the cool water wash away the blood, sweat, and sand that had accumulated during their ordeal in the tower.

Brandon blinked, momentarily stunned by the sight.

Then a small sigh escaped his lips.

He kicked off his own ruined boots and jumped in after her.

The water was shockingly cold at first but it felt incredible against his battered skin.

He surfaced beside her, shaking water from his hair, and let out a long, satisfied breath.

They swam together in comfortable silence for a while, moving through the lake with slow, lazy strokes. The evening sun hung low on the horizon, painting the water in hues of amber and rose.

Rheanne swam a little ahead, then turned onto her back, floating effortlessly.

Brandon swam closer, keeping pace beside her.

"I used to come to places like this after clearing a tower," she muttered. "To wash away the blood and to remind myself that the world still has beauty in it. That not everything is monsters and rifts."

Brandon nodded and continued floating beside her.

Eventually, Rheanne swam toward a shallow, grassy bank and pulled herself out of the water.

She sat on the edge with her legs still dangling in the lake, wringing water from her long white hair.

Brandon swam over and pulled himself up beside her, sitting close enough that their shoulders nearly touched.

The cool evening air brushed against their wet skin, raising faint goosebumps.

Rheanne gently stood up, brushing a few stray droplets from her arms.

"I will go and change my clothes. As for you, I will go and get some clothes from a nearby village. I don’t have male clothes inside my storage after all."

Brandon gave her a small nod, "Alright."

Rheanne offered him one last gentle smile before turning and walking into the woods.

Once she was a short distance away, hidden behind a cluster of thick trees, she reached into her dimensional storage.

Space warped around her hand as she pulled out a fresh set of clothes.

Meanwhile, Brandon jumped back into the lake with a quiet splash.

After a while, he heard soft footsteps approaching the bank.

Rheanne emerged from the trees wearing her fresh clothes.

She carried a simple bundle of clothes in her arms, a loose linen shirt and trousers she had acquired from the nearby village.

She stopped at the edge of the lake and watched him swim for a moment.

"You look like you’re enjoying yourself," she called out gently.

Brandon turned toward her, "It feels good to bathe here."

Rheanne laughed softly and knelt at the water’s edge, holding out the bundle of clothes.

"Here. These should fit you well enough."

Brandon swam to the bank and pulled himself out, water streaming down his body.

"Thank you."

He stepped behind a nearby tree to change quickly.

The linen shirt and trousers were comfortable and surprisingly well-made for the era.

When he stepped back out, Rheanne was sitting on the grass again with her legs folded beneath her, watching the lake with a peaceful expression.

He sat down beside her once more.

Rheanne glanced at him sideways "Feeling better?"

"Much better,"

They sat in comfortable silence for a long while as the gentle lapping of the lake and the soft rustle of the forest filled the space between them.

Eventually, Rheanne spoke again "Also Kael, I realized something while you were sleeping on top of me on the grass."

Hm? Brandon turned his head toward her curiously.

"That you can absorb ether from me."

Brandon blinked in genuine surprise, though he quickly masked it "Oh... so that’s why I can feel some more ether in my body when I wake up."

He smiled dryly in his heart ’Well that’s the reason I slept on top of her and was expecting her to find it. Guess my plan worked.’

Rheanne nodded slowly with a serious expression "I think your power is that you can absorb ether from others who also have ether in their bodies. It flows naturally when we’re in close physical contact. I felt it clearly when you were resting against me earlier."

Brandon acted clueless, tilting his head slightly as if processing the information for the first time.

"Oh... that makes sense. That would mean I have to be in physical contact with you to get ether."

Rheanne gave a faint nod, "Yeah... we can hold hands if you want. That way you can get ether from me."

She extended her hand toward him and Brandon looked at her offered hand, then at her face.

There was no hesitation or discomfort in her expression, just quiet willingness and a hint of curiosity about her own discovery.

He reached out and gently took her hand, their fingers intertwining naturally.

The moment their skin touched, a warm, gentle current of ether flowed from her into him.

Rheanne’s eyes grew gentle as she felt the connection "It’s working. I can feel my ether moving toward you. It’s strange, but not unpleasant."

Brandon gave her hand a light squeeze and smiled.

They sat like that for a while as she shared her ether with him.

After several minutes, she slowly stood up, still holding his hand, and gently pulled him to his feet along with her.

"Let’s go to the Eurasania Empire."

"I came to this region because the Emperor requested me to clear a tower that spawned in his nation. We can rest there properly and find our way forward."

Brandon blinked, processing the name "...Eurasania, yeah."

He gave a small nod, keeping his expression neutral even as his mind raced.

He had no real memory of that empire from history books, it must have been one of the many kingdoms that existed in 1502 before the modern world map took shape.

Still, he trusted her judgment completely.

In the next moment, she rose smoothly into the air and Brandon felt the same invisible force wrap around him as her power gently lifted him off the ground so he floated beside her.

The wind rushed past them and the trees blurred into a dark green sea as they accelerated.

As they soared, the terrain changed. Dense forest gave way to rolling hills, then to wide open plains dotted with small villages and flickering torchlights.

In the far distance, Brandon could see the faint glow of a large settlement, likely the capital of Eurasania with taller structures and what looked like castle walls silhouetted against the horizon.

Brandon could feel his ether reserves steadily filling.

After some time, Rheanne began to descend.

They glided down toward a quiet clearing on the outskirts of what appeared to be a large, walled city.

Torchlight and lantern glow spilled from within the walls, and the distant sound of night guards and horses could be faintly heard.

She landed gracefully on the soft grass, still holding his hand until they were both safely on the ground.

"This is close enough. The Emperor’s palace is inside the city, but we don’t need to announce ourselves tonight."

Brandon looked at the distant city lights, then back at her "Hmm. Lead the way."

Rheanne finally released his hand and they began walking side by side toward the city gates.

---

Rheanne and Brandon pulled their hoods low over their faces before approaching.

Rheanne’s white hair was tucked carefully beneath the simple dark cloak she took from her spatial storage.

They looked like ordinary weary travelers, nothing more.

The guards barely glanced at them as they passed through the gate with a nod.

No one asked questions.

In this era, people came and went freely unless they caused trouble.

Once inside the city walls, the streets opened up into a maze of narrow cobblestone alleys and wider main roads lined with wooden and stone buildings.

Lanterns hung from iron hooks, casting warm pools of light.

A few late-night drinkers laughed loudly outside a tavern, while a night watchman patrolled with a lantern swinging at his side.

As they turned a corner into a slightly wider street lined with closed merchant stalls, something caught the corner of Brandon’s eye.

A woman.

She was standing near the entrance of a modest two-story inn, speaking quietly with an older woman who appeared to be the innkeeper.

Her back was mostly to them, but when she turned her head slightly to laugh at something the old woman said, the lantern light caught her face clearly.

Blonde hair, tied back in a simple braid that fell over one shoulder.

The same warm hazel eyes and the same gentle curve of her lips when she smiled.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

"F-Florence...?"