The duo and Brandy froze when Stella stated her rank. Aurora became skeptical of her request to join them but said nothing. Why would someone of her level join us? She's the third highest rank you can get, so why choose us? She could easily join a higher ranked party.
Brandy shook her head to clear her confusion. "So what will you call your party?"
"Astral Edge. That's what we'll be called." Aurora stated, confident in the name.
"Alright. Astral Edge it is." Brandy jotted down the name, finishing the paperwork. "Everything is in order then. Good luck on your quest!" The trio waved goodbye and headed out to their destination on the southern edge of town.
They walked for a few hours before taking a break, sitting down on the side of the road. They each grabbed a snack and ate slowly.
"So, Stella. What made you choose to join our party? We aren't exactly high ranked adventurers nor are we that strong." Aurora questioned her to which Stella grinned.
"I knew you'd ask sooner or later." She stood, swiftly drawing her dagger, holding it to Camilla's throat. Her eyes narrowed at them. "Tell me this first, which goddess do you serve?"
Aurora and Camilla remained calm despite the situation they were in. "What makes you think we serve any goddess?"
"You think you can trick me? Your friend's aura is way too strong not to be." She stomped her foot against the ground. "Don't try to lie to me again, or I'll slit her throat."
Camilla looked at Aurora as she hesitated. Do I reveal what happened? Can I even keep this a secret?
"You fool. I didn't go through the trouble of awakening your blood for this. Put that woman in her place." Tart's annoyance was clear, giving Camilla a clear conscience. The air started to throb and grow heavy, the pressure weighing down on them.
The other two stared in shock as Camilla began to change, her features turning partially draconic. She chose to forego the wings and tail since they would get in her way. She grabbed Stella's wrist and yanked the dagger from her grip.
"Stop this foolishness, Stella. We are here to work as a team. Not to be aggressive towards each other!" She pushed Stella back, who looked shocked at Camilla's strength before smirking.
"Well, this got interesting. I apologize for the scare, but seems I was slightly mistaken about you. No matter, allow me to fully introduce myself. I am Stella, Ghost of the Wastes. I serve my Lady Lune'itas, the Goddess of Desolation, as her Apostle. She is the one who sent me to join you." She gave them a mock bow.
Aurora flinched upon hearing the god's name. "You serve that lunat-, I mean your Lady?"
Stella ignored Aurora's rather rude comment, choosing to focus on Camilla. "And you? Which goddess are you the apostle for? I can't imagine any lower follower of one possessing your ability of transformation."
Tart let out a loud roar within Camilla's mind at Stella's audacity. "Feel free to reveal my terrifying name to this lowly being! She dares attempt to compare ME to a lowly goddess!" Camilla sighed before dismissing her transformation, returning to her human form.
"To answer your question, Stella. I don't serve any goddess. I was forcefully made the Apostle of someone greater than them."
"BLASPHEMY! No one could surpass the goddesses!"
"Tart." When the word left her lips, Stella's eyes glazed over as she stood motionless. Several moments later, she began sweating before snapping out of the trance she had been in.
"It seems you speak the truth. My Lady even confirmed it… to think the guardian has returned." She shivered at the thought of someone far more powerful than her goddess. Aurora let out a fake cough to get their attention.
"If we are done messing around, we still have a quest to finish." She turned to Camilla with a wide smile and her eyes closed, making her flinch. "Camilla~. We'll be sure to have a nice looong chat about this tonight."
Camilla could only crack a half smile. "Yes ma'am..."
"Good, now let's go! We rested long enough." They collected their gear and resumed the march to the wolves' cave. After two more hours, they reached the cave and hid to observe.
"Okay, we have two of them sitting at the entrance. The quest said there were around fifteen of them. If five of them are out hunting, that leaves eight inside. We'll seal off the cave, letting the wolves still inside suffocate, then let the lookouts call for help. That will lure the hunters back where we can finish it swiftly."
Stella nodded. "A stunning plan, are you sure you are both sand ranks?"
Aurora shrugged, "Well, we did join yesterday. Alright lets go!"
~~~~~~~
The trio walked back into town, hauling as much as they could carry. They decided to stop by the butcher and the blacksmith to sell their spoils, splitting the profits fifty-fifty. It came out to be 5 silver coins for each of them.
"Ah, that was quite the haul today." Aurora stretched out her back, finally free from its extra weight. "Shall we turn in our quest now?"
Stella shrugged, "Why ask me? You are our leader after all, Aurora."
"Huh? When did I become the leader?" Aurora frowned at her insinuation.
"From the moment you made plans and gave orders, I suppose," Her signature smirk still plastered across her face.
"Hmph! Fine then! I'll become the best party leader you could ever have!" Camilla chuckled as she watched Aurora throw a "tantrum".
"Alright you two. Knock it off." Camilla tapped them each on their heads. "Let's head to the guild."
The trio headed off, giggling amongst themselves. Brandy was waiting behind the desk as always when they walked in. "I'd say you three were quite fast but I'm not surprised with a quartz rank helping."
"We could've managed it ourselves, just would've taken more effort." Aurora rebuked.
Brandy only smiled as she counted the wolf paws and confirmed it was completed. "I'll need both of your rank IDs so I can upgrade them."
"Oh, that was rather fast…" Aurora and Camilla took them off and placed them on the counter.
"I'll be right back." Brandy vanished into the backroom.
"You ranked up again, huh? If you keep this up it might break my record." Stella teased.
"Oh yeah? What was your record?" Aurora stuck out her tongue as she pulled down beneath one eye with her finger.
"It took five days for me to reach Quartz." The smirk on her face irritated Aurora.
"Then I swear to do it in four!"
"Good luck with that." Stella was about to leave when Brandy called out to her.
"Wait, Stella. You've also ranked up!" She pulled out the twenty silver that was the reward, along with 3 ID's. "Congrats to you both for making it to Rock."
"Wait, I think we must have misheard you. You said dirt, right?"
Brandy looked down at her note from the guild master. "No, it says promotion to Rock in our records. As for you, miss Stella, congrats on making it to Ruby." Once she handed out the badges, she excused herself as the trio left the building.
~~~~~~~~~~
Brandy made her way up the stairs to the third floor, knocking on a set of double doors. Once the man inside granted her permission to enter, she opened the door, closing it behind her.
"Have they left?" The young-looking man asked, his back turned to her.
"Yes, but I have to say, are you sure it was right to let them skip ranks?" Brandy couldn't understand his thinking.
"Are you questioning my will, Acolyte Brandy?" His tone took on a dangerous edge as he turned, face concealed by a mask. The murderous glint in his eyes caused Brandy to flinch and bow her head.
"Absolutely not, High Priest. I would never go against your orders."
"Good. The time is surely coming soon. Our glorious undertaking shall finally bear fruit." He placed a finger against the globe on his desk, giving it a spin. "The clues Mel brought us were most helpful."
"Shall we move to phase three?" Brandy asked.
"No. Stella's appearance and cooperation with them is a major setback." He considered options for a moment. "For now we will just observe."
"Understood." Brandy turned and left the room, returning to her post.