Uncle Furs did a thorough job collecting canteens, lightweight cowls and coverings to protect their exposed arms for them—Geryon had his from living in Cesivana. They were in excellent shape, making Renuo wonder about Uncle Furs' means of acquiring them... but he didn't dwell on that thought for long. He was a good man with a big heart, even with him being a thief.

It took some gentle cajoling from Zelenia to make Pica let go of her uncle when they were ready to go; he held on to her just as much. He had to stay on guard in his scrapyard, or crooks would rob him in an instant. So, he waved in farewell as he watched them leave.

Pica led them through safer paths north out of Kefa, less talkative since being forced to leave her home. But once the smog-covered industrial city drifted further behind them and the sky cleared for the sunny day, her mood lifted and she easily fell back into her cheerful self, chatting freely with Zelenia.

Renuo immensely enjoyed Pica being with them. Just seeing her young, always smiling face brought up his spirits. Even gloomy Kalisa looked like she didn't mind Pica's peppy presence. It looked like Light disintegrated that dark cloud that had shadowed them since Heela died.

But the only ones that did seem to be unaffected were Aeris and Geryon. Still solemn and distant, her silver eyes were shielded in clouds like she internally debated something—it was sad the way Pica would glance back at her so longing like a hurt puppy; with still no reaction from her idol, would turn back to Zelenia and Helian. A lot more time would have to pass before she could get over Heela dying.

Geryon's attention never seemed to drift from her. He didn't watch her with concern writ on his face; he just watched her. Aeris was drop-dead gorgeous and just simply captivating to watch move, but Renuo didn't get the impression that Geryon would so easily fall under a woman's spell—the air sizzled in tension around him.

"So, Pica, what are the Koquas Uncle Furs warned us about?" Renuo asked.

"Koquas are desert dwellers; they're Rovaneim said to have adapted to living in the desert," Pica said.

"Are they really dangerous?"

She grimaced. "Yeah... at least from what the stories have always said. They live by a 'kill or be killed' standard; it's said that they think the entire Emeri belongs to them and so any trespasser should be beheaded. Those that go into the Emeri Desert usually don't return; I don't know if the Koquas got them, or the desert did."

"But you sound like you're not sure that they do exist..."

Pica shrugged as Tegen spoke. "Histories say they are a myth: a way of discouraging thrill seekers from finding an early death in the Emeri Desert."

She looked back at Renuo with a peppy smile. "What Tegen said."

They reached Ahkerrin by midday; the town was a rest stop for travelers since it was nestled in the crossroads of the road stretching behind them to Kefa, running straight to Kajaana, or branching east for the Nylanine Road to Haapavetsi. The Elementals decided to stop and rest for a little while before turning onto the Nylanine.

All of them headed for the tavern set in the middle of the town. As the only place to get refreshments, The Bronze Spigot was busy with travelers and locals. A huge awning of welded metal sheets—painted bronze—covered the entire place with multiple overhead fans to keep patrons cool; sitting was outside with many picnic tables. Female Rovaneim filed out swinging doors with trays of food or drink to deliver them to the customers. People either stood in one of the three lines to place their order at the window or sat and visited with their neighbors at one of the long tables.

With his order placed, Renuo sought for a place to sit. Pica chatted away in a clique consisting of her, Zelenia, Helian, and Tegen; Geryon stood in line, and Aeris was nowhere to be seen. He spotted Kalisa sitting by herself under a fan to get cool, her chin in a palm and watching the way they came.

The gypsy seemed cold and distant to everyone, but he had seen a different side of her at Lausane—she had genuinely cared for the survivors they found, and she had tried to hide her emotions when Heela died. She also comforted him after the battle too; she wasn't as cold-hearted as she seemed.

Renuo couldn't get her out of his head; he would never see another purple as rich and royal as her amethyst eyes. Here was his chance to approach her... but what could he say? He fought down his cold-feet and headed over to her.

She must've sensed him coming, for she looked up; after reading the question in his eyes that had dried on his tongue, her gaze turned back forward again. "You can sit if you want, Renuo."

He mumbled a thanks as he did, kicking himself for already freezing up. As Renuo tried to find words, Kalisa seemed fine with the silence between them. Well, it wasn't exactly quiet with the boisterous tavern behind them. But to him, it felt extremely awkward.

"So... do you—do you actually believe Pica's vision?" he asked.

"Yes. This wasn't a dream misinterpreted as a vision. Since her soul is alight with her absolute trust that the vision was real, I believe her." She looked at him. "Think of this: why would her Element show her where he is if he isn't there? Just to get a laugh?"

"Well..." He rethought his doubt with the way she stated the question.

"You must learn to have faith, Renuo," Kalisa said.

"Things have never gone right for me, ever since I was little. I learned not to believe in something from always having that hope crushed. That's why I doubt everything, because it's easier being surprised by something working than believing in something, only to be disappointed." He looked at her. "Do you understand?"

The dark-skinned gypsy nodded. "Yes, more than you think. I am a loner—that is just what I am. As a gypsy and the Spirit Elemental, I am expected to be disillusioned from everything. Once I become a true Elemental, I doubt that will change.

"But you are the Water Elemental; I do not believe you should be as depressive as me. Even though nothing can shock me, I see when faith is needed, and I give it. You are meant to be positive—not as strong as Helian or Pica—but still able to adapt when things don't go right, like a river changing its course to keep flowing when there is an obstacle."

"If that is what I'm supposed to be, why aren't I? How can I be the Water Elemental when I'm the opposite?" Renuo asked.

Kalisa just looked at him, her purple eyes seeing something in his soul she didn't share. "You will be, when you need to."

He began to ask her to explain when a powerful blow struck his chest, sending him back into darkness.