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"She is cruel, our savior."

I looked up. The savior, cruel? I knew Alabast drank more than she should, but this kind of pettiness was beyond her even at her most drunk. "The savior is the kindest person of this world, Ala. She has brought only prosperity for us - how could you call her cruel?"

Alabast rolled her head to face me. Her throat was stretched far enough to easily see her swallow. "Her actions are fair and just, Suin, but that does not make her kind."

I frowned. "That doesn't make any sense! Aren't we suppose to judge people based on their actions? Never mind that, who are we to judge the savior?!"

"We are the commonfolk who she has saved and worked with, that's who we are!" Alabast slammed her bottle down. "And I say the savior is cruel!"

"Alabast, please, see reason." My entire body was tense, ready to stand and fight my dear friend if need be. "What would make the savior out to be cruel?"

Her eyes, so dark and steady, bored into me. Her voice was quiet as she asked, "Suin, what is her name?"

The question brought me up short. Her name? "What?"

"I said," she leaned closer, "what is the savior's name."

My mouth opened. Paused. And then slowly closed. The savior's name? She - she had a name. Everyone had a name, but I could not recall hers. I glanced down to the table, trying to bring it to light. The savior had helped me countless of times, I was so lucky to know her when she first appeared—but what was her name?

As the seconds ticked by, Alabast's eyes grew sadder. I panicked, my mind going frantic, but still no name came to mind. All I could see was the savior in her armor, hair cut short from a blade that nearly took off her head, her sword forever in hand. I closed my eyes and pictured her face and voice - and my eyes snapped right back open.

Alabast must have seen the despair in me for her next words were gentle.

"You don't even know what she looks like, do you?"

"Al-Alabast, what—why can't I remember?" My voice shook. I didn't bother trying to hide it.

"Because she never wanted to be the savior, Suin. She hid her face from us all so we would never approach her normally. She spoke little so no stray laugh could identify her. And she gave no name—how hurt she must have been to realize that we all let her go nameless all on our own."

It was my turn to swallow. "But... but all that we have done. I don't - I don't understand."

Alabast shrugged and sipped her drink. "The savior is cruel, Suin, for she is no savior at all. Merely another woman with a title she didn't want and a name she refuses to give." Her voice cut low and rumbling. "What a cruel savior she is, for not wanting to be a savior at all."