I take a deep breath. The island of Hiraya is not friendly to people like me who prefer to research at the comforts of my home rather than going outside. The sun is blindingly bright, but at least, it's tolerable compared to where I came from—where I will also need to fight against the stifling humidity.

I am on top of a stone bridge that is perpendicular to another bridge—which is also shaped by nature. At the point where the two bridges meet, is a steep rock. There is a small shed built on it and is currently used as a vantage point by the sandigs of Hiraya. According to Laya, it's where I will find Aian coop up and looking at the sky while hoping he'd spot an Argentavis—a huge bird larger than man and is a common visitor to the island.

"You should be working at the Hunter's area," Aian says without glancing at me.

"You're one to talk. You should be with Laya to ask about the work on your designation, and yet here you are," I answer and sit beside him. "Aian, I--"

"Jade, I know why you came looking for me," he interrupts.

"So, you agree?"

"I wanted to try being Hiraya's sandigs. And so, I suggest, you leave."

I look at the same sky that Aian is looking at. It is the same sky I know in our world. Nothing much changed in that regard.

"Why?" I ask after a while.

"Well, if this place is really peaceful, then being a sandig is the most comfortable place to be in."

"And if it's not?"

"If that's the case, we will both have the same tasks."

I smile. "We are in a sort-of barbaric world. I think we need to know how to fight."

"You are correct, but you do understand that hunters need to know how to fight at the start of their designation? That's something none of us knows how to do."

"That's exactly why Migo and I need your help."

"Well, I think in this world, you will be the one stuck to Migo. You know, to handle all the fights he's gonna be in."

"Cruel!"

Aian laughs, "Seriously Jade, it's not a good idea for the three of us to be in the same workgroup. We need to be distributed so the investigation of this place will come easier."

"But Migo and I, if we face bakasi-type of monster regularly, we would end up as dinner instead. I should've befriended Laya more, so he'll get me and Migo to the Sandigs too. It seemed safer."

"Idiot. I am not Laya's friend. And besides, I can still help you, at least, with the strategizing."

"What if there's no time to plan?!"

"Then to each his own. I hope you survive," he says and laughs.

"You know brain's not enough! We were injured with a single bakasi! And I don't wanna talk about Migo's injuries."

"Well, at least, you made a great show when you defeated that huge eel."

"Bakasi," I correct. "And that fight with the bakasi was a fluke! If I didn't find that sword, we've been dead and rotting the instant that bakasi resurfaced from wherever its nest is."

"Whatever that creature is called," he shrugs. "The point is, we need to make reservations, else we won't survive here. We're lucky this island is hospitable to strangers, but until when?" He turns to face me, he's wearing his version of are-you-dumb expression on his face, the same one that I hated the first time Migo introduced him to me.

"I understand why we needed to be separated, but--"

"No buts, Jade. So instead of being here with me, you should go to your barracks and have your daily training with the other hunters."

"But--"

"If only we have both Cielo and Renz's help, this will be easier."

I frown.

Aian sighs after seeing my reaction. "Fine, you don't have to force yourself...yet. But soon, you need to make amends with Renz. Remember, we are out of our element here."

"But---"

"It's our only chance. We need to gain more knowledge about this place so we'll know how to return. You know that, right? You never planned to stay here forever, are you?"

"Of course not!" I exclaim.

"Have you ever thought about... what if it's not possible to return?" he asks instead.

"Don't say such dark things. Someone brought us here, so there must be a way to return."

"But if there's none?"

I pause for a while and whisper, "That is why we need you. We need to survive before we can think up of ways to escape this place."

"And how about Renz and Cielo? You seem to always leave them out and act like they don't exist."

I am taken aback. Really, I hate how Aian always has that uncanny ability to catch me off-guard with his questions. I never intend to ignore them. I tell them if there's a meeting, through Aian, and if they don't appear, then nothing is lost. Is that immature of me? I lean on the wall behind me. It's hard to look at Renz while he's with Cielo.

"I don't know. I'd like to minimize my involvement with them as much as possible."

Aian sneers. "So, you want to escape them as well?"

I glare at him. He knows Renz was mine. It's only a week since he broke up with me, so he can't expect me to get over it that quickly. Every time I see Renz and Cielo together, I get the feeling that I am too lacking, too oblivious, too inferior. No one had ever made me feel that way, only Renz.

"I--"

"You don't have to tell your excuses to me, Jade. You haven't talked with Renz. You never tried. You just glower at them from time to time but never try to ask his side. There are always two sides to a coin."

"There are no two sides to a relationship. It's either he stays loyal, or he betrays me." I say, fuming. "He obviously choose the latter."

"And you didn't?"

That caught me off-guard again. "I didn't. Why would you even ask that? I was always with you working on our graduation project."

Aian pats my head like I'm a little child. "Betrayal comes in many forms. That's exactly why you need to talk with him."

I swat his hand from the top of my head. "You know, I don't want to face him, at least, not yet."

"I know."

"Then--" I look at him and see that he's smiling. I feel my cheeks flush in embarrassment. "You rascal!"

"Come on, Jade, if you would curse them every time you see them, then just face them. They are involved in this too."

"Then you should be the one to talk to them!"

"I'm not the leader and I'm not the one 'betrayed', as you call it."