Alphard sat on the edge of her bed in the small inn that had housed the whole team after Yari’s death. This home again housed Alphard in a great time of grief, though this time her sadness was much greater. Yari had been a great friend, but Kenshin was her [i]husband[/i]. She had devoted her life to his happiness and to the happiness he could give her. She was so lost without him. Alphard’s scythe was gripped loosely in her right hand and the two iron rings in her left, as if weighing them against each other. She gazed down at the two set of items, tears streaming down her face, and let loose a soul-rending sob. “Oh god Kenshin, what am I supposed to do?”
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“I was so lost when I got here, everything was a threat. The only way I could survive was to go back to my old ways, to embrace my old rage. Then, you came along and made it all go away. I still had to fight, but so does everyone in this world. I could let go of my issues and just be happy. And then we got married and I was happier than I ever have been in my life. It was…bliss. But now, you’re gone and I – I don’t know what to do. I just want to shut down and leave it all behind, like Fitch has. But I know that’s not what you’d do. You would continue to fight, to get out, to be free at any cost. You would make sure that the losses we’ve suffered weren’t in vain.”

Alphard swiped the back of her hand across her eyes and stood back up, sheathing her scythe on her back as she did so. She placed both iron rings on her left hand and made a fist. “The problem now is that I don’t know what to do with Jason. He’s kind following me around- I think he blames himself for your death. I, myself, still don’t know whether or not I blame him. I mean, it was him switching out while at full health that got you killed. But... at the same time, he really seems to want to make amends. I guess I’ll just have to [i]test[/i] him in order to see if I can afford to have him at my side in combat.”

Jason stood outside the room with legs at shoulder width apart, his hammer resting headfirst on the ground and both hands folded on its pommel. He knew that Alphard was inside, doubtless consumed with terrible grief at the loss of her husband. A loss that was likely his fault. Well, he knew his duty as a knight: his life now belonged to Alphard. He was sworn to protect her in all her endeavors, to fulfill her every need. This would be no problem, as he was most likely a high enough level to deal with the vast majority of monsters on the surrounding floors Alphard would visit. 

Just then, the door to Alphard’s room burst open and the grieving warrior herself strode out. Turning to Jason, she commanded in a strong voice, “Jason, if you are intent on following me, then get your gear on. We’re going hunting so that I can assess your true skills.”

Jason nodded and put on his armor. “As you wish milady, I am yours to command.”