The three of them, including the mystery guy, have finally stepped into a safe zone.
The sky was slowly moving as usual, covering everything in a crimson sheet. Soon, the sun's resting time had approached, and it began to hide slowly behind the mountains.
Birds were returning to their nests, not far different beasts and animals started to growl softly, the wind here was different, filled with pure mana, which continuously flourished the environment.
Three of them have walked from the valley to a safe zone in silence.
None spoke about anything since the battle ended. They just walked silently only their footsteps were heard.
Everyone had their own set of questions prepared, but not ready to ask. Why...Who knows? Each passing minute felt heavy.
Who will break the ice first?
When they reached a small, clear area surrounded by huge stones and glowing herbs. Rin took command. "Let's Camp here," she said.
They set up a small tent and divided all the work between them. Rin was the boss who assigned tasks to everyone. Limbo was assigned to draw a protection circle around them with powder he brought. Rin takes charge of cooking while collecting firewood and dry leaves left for the newcomer.
Soon, Rin prepared food for everyone Sweet aroma of soup mixed with herbs filled in air. The warm smell of roots, veggies. For the first time in days, they have relaxed.
Some small animals came by, attracted to the sweet aroma, eyes full of curiosity, but none of them closed the distance to the glowing protecting circle. Which Limbo had drawn.
Ask..? The newcomer suddenly said while sipping a soup, breaking the silence.
Rin and Limbo look at each other, as if asking who will start first.
Finally, Rin spoke while taking the initiative. "Who are you, exactly?" & "What's your name?"
The boy smirked while cleaning dirt off his shoulder. "Who me..? Haha ha.. he started laughing to build up. I'm the son of swords, brother of hard work, killer of evils..." nightmare of beast..
"The leader of muscle heads," Limbo interrupted while rolling his eyes annoying face.
"Yeah, a muscle head... Hey, wait...wait, no," this rascal, the boy frowned. "That's not, I was trying to say."
Limbo taunt again, "Sure, still looks like a muscle head has things to say."
"You are jealous of me..huh?" The boy teased back, while leaning forward with a grin. "You've always been like this."
"Wait...always...?"
You two have known each other since when? Rin asked, while shocked.
The boy laughed. He was looking proud. "Actually...I'm his brother...Gaja." Why didn't I heard about you? I'm his cousin, and I live in another village.
"Guess this bookworm never talked about me."
"Huh.. bookworm?" Limbo resisted, glaring in anger. "I'm not..."
"Quite... Bookworm," Gaja started to tease again, tell me..."Don't you still read more books than you train?"
I don't... Limbo replied.
Their quarrel put a smile on Rin's face, which had looked pale and fearful this whole time. Though she quickly shook her head, like she was telling herself to keep focus.
Limbo was looking offended by Gaja. "I'm not a child..."
"Then act like one," Rin replied.
Rin was shocked and confused at once. The Cool-looking saviour and the genius, brave companion with whom she was travelling. We're fighting like a child's..
After a while situation was calm, and both of them had cooled down. Rin started her questions, "So, Gaja. What were you doing in the valley? You appear at the right moment when we need. How?"
Gaja scratched his neck while avoiding eye contact. Should I not have come? Rin glared, in last he admitted "Ah, the thing is... I was following you."
"Following us...why?" Rin was suspicious, asked another, "Since when?"
"From...the village," Gaja admitted. "Your mother told me you were going on an errand and heading to the forest. Alone." She was worried because of this idiot, he said while pointing a finger at Limbo. Why...what have I done?
Your recent activities are the root of Aunty's worry. So she told me to keep an eye on him.
Besides, I have my own secrets and reasons to come.
Rin blinked her eyes. Aunty told you to spy on us? I would call it a protection, not spying. Gaja clarify.
Limbo sighed, "You should have told me this earlier instead of pretending to be a hero or warrior."
But I am... and there's no fun in that.
If you were following us, why didn't you show up early? Why wait till now? Rin asked while narrowing her eyes.
"Well..." Gaja drops his voice. In shame..
"Well...I got lost." Rin Limbo exchanged a look, then burst into laughter.
"You've lived near all your life near these forests, and still get lost..." Limbo gets a chance to tease Gaja and take full advantage of it. Hahaha...
Gaja defends himself, "Hey, it's different when a giant beast is chasing you, okay... That was not my fault?"
They laughed more as the tension had finally melted. When things cool down, Rin asked. "So Gaja... Which affinity do you possess?"
While the soup was holding food in his mouth, he said,
"I'm a warrior type," he said proudly. "Weapon affinity. Do you have weapon affinity?" Rin asked, "Yeah. I can adapt and Master most weapons as long as I can understand them, as well as I manage to pour mana through them."
But my speciality is long-short sword.
Limbo widened his eyes, "That's rare. No wonder you charged at the beast head-on."
Gaja smirked. I know. "By the way. I saved your life, you know." Yeah...thanks.
You're welcome.
But you just distracted it, while we finished it, Limbo xoreected. Also, it was already greatly wounded by our attack?
Whatever... Gaja waved his hand while speaking. Anyway, you two fought well. That was reckless, but be proud. You fought bravely.
Limbo and Rin were happy. They thought he would lecture, but it was unexpected...
Hey Lee, it's your turn. What's your affinity? Still unknown, have you found it?
Limbo said with hesitation, "It's...complicated, you know."
Rin also joined the talk. How complicated? If you don't tell how will we know?
Limbo finally speaks. I'm not sure myself, but it's not like a normal affinity. Since Awakening, strange things have started to happen around me.
"It's like... My power is to keep adapting on its own." He didn't say he can create or debug them.
Gaja frozen, "Adapting?" Brother, are you serious?
Meanwhile,
Rin nodded quietly, "It's true. His abilities aren't like ours. He doesn't cast spells. He learn them, breaks them, and sometimes recreates them." I saw his light magic molding into a lightning spear.
Which many can do.
That's weird, Gaja filled with excitement. Honestly, this is kind of amazing. "That's my bookworm. " He was proud of Limbo.
Limbo smiled faintly, "Yeah. weirdly amazing."
For the first time in chaotic past days, someone was there besides them. Where sat together with full stomachs, laughing, chatting, while teasing, without fear of what might lurk in the dark.
Rin said we went through a lot these days, but today was the most headache.
Let's rest now. Tomorrow, we have to head back home.
"Yeah...home." Limbo nodded while staring at the fire.
Gaja stretched and decided to sleep near the fire. "Don't worry, I'll guard... though there's no reason. You two should rest properly." Especially you, "Little lim."
Just don't fight with trees, you know?
Limbo said, and he crawled into the tent beside Rin, where he lay on his bed.
Hey, Limbo, do you trust him, Rin said slowly.
Limbo hesitated. He's my cousin. He's a loudmouth, while annoying, but yeah, I trust him.
Rin nodded. That's great, I have a hunch he may become part of something special. That'll be coming next.
Limbo didn't say anything, but deep down, he also agreed.
The night sky above them flickers faintly with mana as if the World itself was preparing for something greater...
Deep in the forest, somewhere in an unknown place, something had awakened... And preparing for what?
Who knows?