Nash and Mia just stared at Steve for a minute, eyes wide at the story he just told. They didn't know whether to believe him or not. It did seem a bit far fetched, but then again he did fall out of the sky, and it's not like strange things hadn't happened before. Nash was the first to speak.
"How are we supposed to know that you are telling the truth?"
"How did you come across me?" Steve repeated.
"I was coming back with supplies for the guild when you just, kind of, fell out of... the... sky." Nash's brow wrinkled as if he was starting to believe. "When I got to you, your clothes were all burned, and you had burns all over your body. Hey how'd you heal so fast?"
"Yeah," Mia stepped in. "From what Nash told me, you were in bad shape."
Steve chuckled. "To answer your first question, the Holy Spell of Destruction explains the fall, I guess, and burns, and shows that I'm telling the truth. As for the second question, it's my special ability. Self-healing. Each master of Azoric had a special ability or trait. He then enhances the ability and gives us all of the enhanced abilities of the previous masters."
"What other abilities do you have?" asked Mia.
"Strength, agility, but there is one ability that I think you two would really like. The sword's second wielder was a wizard by the name of Merlin. His ability was that he could master every type of magic, and now I too have that ability."
"Any magic?!" she exclaimed. "Even Ghaleon couldn't master every magic."
"I'm flattered to be compared to such a powerful mage," Steve started. "But offended at being compared to your enemy. In other words, I didn't feel a thing."
"Well Steve, this is all fine, but what does it mean?" inquired Nash.
Steve looked between the mages and sighed. "It means that I gotta try to find a way home. I thought I'd ask Damon."
"Well, I could take you there," Nash cut in. "I know Damon's spire like the back of my hand." Steve looked at him as if waiting for something more. "What?"
"This is where you look at the back of your hand and say, 'Hey, when did I get that?' Come on! I guess I'll have to teach you about comic timing, but first I gotta find something to eat. I haven't eaten since my world. You guys wanna come with?"
"Actually I have some work to finish," said Mia.
"I'll go," said Nash.
"Cool, come on. Mia, we'll catch up with you later." The two boys walked back to the guild.
That boy is kind of weird, Mia thought. A small smile crossed her face. But in a good way.
The two boys sat down in the guild cafeteria. Few people were around since it was rather late for dinner. Nash, having already eaten, got only a glass of water. The two boys sat in silence for a while as Steve ate ravenously.
"Sheesh," Nash said as Steve paused to take a drink. "I've never seen anyone eat the guild's food so fast. At least not this cafateria's."
"You'd be surprised what tastes good when you haven't eaten in days," Steve replied. "By the way Nash, have you told Mia how you feel about her yet?"
As Steve asked the question, Nash nearly fell out of his chair. Regaining his composure he said, "What do you mean, 'How I feel about her?'"
Steve took another bite. "Come on. From the way you two acted, there are three options. You two haven't told your feelings for each other, you have told them, but are still afraid of others seeing, or you two have broken up. Which is it?"
Nash looked on in shock. "What makes you think that I have feelings for Mia?"
"I'm not blind Nash. I've played the game, and it's pretty obvious," he replied.
"Yes, tell me more about this game... "
"Don't try to change the subject," Steve cut in. "Answer my question."
He was still stunned, but eventually complied. "Well, if you must know, no. No, I haven't told her."
"In that case, I'll be staying in Vane quite a bit longer." Nash looked puzzled. With a sigh Steve explained. "I don't like charity. In other words, I'll get some money for my own clothes, armor, weapons, <cough>magic classes<cough>, and you'll get your robe back."
"Hold on. Back up just a second here. Did you just say 'magic classes?' Are you asking me to pay for your magic classes?" Nash started laughing.
"Think of it as a business proposition. You loan me the money, I get paid for being a member, I pay you back, and buy the things that I need. And as interest, I can get you Mia."
At this Nash stopped laughing. His face turned serious, not to mention red.
"R-really? All right." Nash extended his hand, and Steve shook it.
Raising his glass Steve toasted, "To your new romance."
"To your way home," Nash returned, raising his own glass.