Headed by a Snake

"Sir Ty..." Athena waved her hand, deflecting a pinecone with her ⌈Frost Shield⌋, "I have a question?"

"Ask away, young lady," Tycondrius tossed up another pinecone in a gentle arc, which the young lady also blocked easily. He was slowly increasing the speed of his projectiles, training Athena's ability to react while still holding her concentration on her spheres and levitation... "Also, don't call me that."

"Um, alright." Athena pursed her lips, "Sir Tycon, you're friends with Mister Z, right?"

"We are friends, yes," Tycon tossed a pinecone in a high arc. Athena would have to be mindful of its trajectory as she responded.

"D'oh," Even though she was watching for it, the pinecone bounced off the top of her head. The young lady idly rubbed where it struck, "Doesn't he seem... kinda sad, lately?"

"Is that so?" Tycon pitched another... aimed at her abdomen instead of her head.

"Y-yeah," Athena caught the pinecone. With a surge of her mana, she coated its surface with frost. Using her magic to keep it levitating, she directed it back towards him.

Tycon gently caught the frozen pinecone, following its momentum, preventing it from shattering. He held it up to shine against the cracks of light spilling from the mists above. It was an admirable display of talent to be able to freeze the small object in its entirety, "What would you advise?"

"Oh! Wh-whoa!!" Athena's concentration lapsed briefly, and she struggled to regain control and not fall into the icy waters. "A-advise? I dunno! I don't want to be rude."

Tycon shrugged, "This is a relaxed training environment-- just the two of us. You may speak freely."

Athena grimaced, but nodded, "I think you should talk to him. I'm worried."

Tycon pitched a fast pinecone, aimed just shy of her right ear.

The young lady shrieked. Slowly struggling to keep hold of her spell, her body slowly descended towards the water. When the cold touched her rear, her spell failed completely, and she splashed into the waist-deep water, "S-sir Tycon!!! That wasn't fair!!"

"I'll talk to him," Tycon chuckled. "Warm yourself by the fire and we'll walk back together."

...

"⌈Wind Barrier⌋..." Centurion Zenon activated a defensive spell as Tycon dropped down from the trees, a short distance behind.

"It's me," Tycon raised his voice to ensure he'd be heard.

Zenon sighed aloud, shaking his head of dark brown regulation-cut hair. He dispelled his magical shield and offered a slight smile, "Sorry, Optio. You surprised me."

"No apologies necessary," Tycon chuckled lightly. "I'm quite glad you remain vigilant. As close to the camp as we are, it's quite dangerous to wander in hostile territory."

Tycon had found Zenon along the outskirts of the Brazen Guard camp, listlessly moping about on his own.

"I'm sorry I haven't been participating in the training..." Zenon sighed again, his eyes focused on something far off into the distance.

Tycon followed Zenon's gaze. He wasn't looking at anything in particular.

...Strange.

"It's fine," Tycon pursed his lips. "Is there... an issue?"

"No... I... " The Centurion shrugged, "I just have a lot to think about."

Tycon brushed the frost and snow off of a smooth rock and seated himself comfortably. He was prepared for training in the mountains and had swaddled himself in a thick fur blanket over his armor and cloak.

He wore a polite smile and stared at his friend. Zenon had more to say. Silence was the best way to convey that he was willing to listen.

The Centurion crossed his arms, shivering briefly, "Her name was Diantha. She was an Acolyte from Rhizenia."

Tycon shut his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath through his nostrils. He was afraid he knew where Zenon's thoughts had gone. Acolyte Diantha was imperative in reactivating the third seal as the Brazen Guard fought the Throne Giant. That Zenon spoke of her in past tense...

"She was one of the casualties in the Snowy Village adventuring company..." Zenon grimaced, crinkling his mustache and staring at his feet, "I just... It wasn't fair that she..."

Tycon remained quiet, gesturing for Zenon to continue.

"I... I feel guilty about it. Like... I could have done something..." Pain was evident both in Zenon's expression and his voice, "We could have taken her with us..."

Tycon scoffed internally at the notion. He never would have agreed to such a suggestion. The mana-fatigued girl would have only been a burden.

Zenon was struggling to think of what he could have done differently and was distraught at not having an answer. His internal crisis was very human... resulting from reliance on logic. The human mind seeks causality. Every effect should have a cause.

While somewhat true, there are a myriad of catalysts that are impossible to influence. According to Chaos Theory, the slightest changes in conditions can completely upturn an eventual outcome.

Induction is impossible. Gathering enough information to explain an event can only provide a theory. Further, not everything that led to Diantha's death could be observed, the tactics of the enemy, the actions of her guild members, the thoughts going through the young woman's mind.

Sometimes... bad things happen to good people.

Such unfortunate events take place, catching all parties involved relatively unaware. Of course, hindsight analysis proves useful in preventing repeat incidents. The future can be changed. The past can not... not in this world, anyroad.

"Decisions were made, Brother-Zenon," Tycon forced a smile. "We acted on as much information as we had, did we not?"

"Yeah, but... I could have..."

Tycon gestured with an open palm... "Realistically, you could have what?"

"I could've... prioritized her safety or..." Zenon's voice trailed off.

"The mission came first," Tycon shook his head, "We were not wrong in acting as such."

"...We... we should have known," Zenon's voice grew quiet.

"We did not know she was at such risk," Tycon stood up and placed a reassuring hand on Zenon's arm, "We did what we set out to do... complete the mission...

"At the time, we made our decisions, as best we could. In our profession, such decisions will haunt us until the end of our suns... Mourn the dead, but do not let your grief consume you."

Zenon dropped his arms, taking a heavy breath in thought, "Alright... I'll try my best."

Tycon chuckled to himself, "The best is all we ask of you, Brother."