Soon, the next morning arrived.
First, golden light spilled on the trees slowly, then started to cover the whole forest. Faint smoke was rising from last night's campfire. Birds were singing a gentle melody.
Limbo was first to wake early, slowly blinking while rubbing his eye, and he came out of the tent. Rin was still sleeping, with her arms tucked beneath her head. On the other hand. Gaja was snoring loudly with one arm holding his sword, like a beloved pet.
Limbo was happy while maintaining a faint smile on his face. The mission was completed, and soon they will be in their village. In his mind, he didn't feel like he had to keep guard or summon his spear.
Ahh..while yawning, he said, Man, what a nice day. "I wish my mother were also here I she would definitely prepare something delicious for me," he was craving for food made by his mother.
Hey, system run status check,
[ Viral signs Stable.
Mana flow restored.
Recovery is 89% complete. ]
He exhaled... "That's Great. I guess my condition is back to normal." While talking to himself,
"Now I don't have to pretend, or else mother will never allow me to leave."
After a while, Rin also woke up, rubbing her eyes and stretching. "Why sun rise so soon? I wanted to sleep a little."
Yeah, Limbo said. "It's not early, you're late today." Umm Rin, "Should we eat leftovers and start heading home before noon?"
Gaja grunted in sleep. "Five more minutes... Old man, I will be up soon."
Rin laughed lightly. "Wake this idiot, or I will use my vines to hang him mid-air." Limbo laughed. You should do that.
"Guess if I have a camera to record."
Camera, what's that?
Um... nothing, he said while rubbing his head. "You and your weird talks."
By the voice, Gaja wakes.
After freshening up, they finished their breakfast. After that, they pack all things, including the camp, neatly. Limbo double-checks all the tools they brought, as well as those they have collected in the forest.
After that, Limbo double-checks the protection circle to make sure it was properly closed. The mana line slowly started to fade as he started to wipe.
The sealing place is back to normal.
Ready, he asked.
Always, Rin replied.
"Hey, wait, I dropped my swords, oh, there it is!" In a hurry, Gaja almost tripped over wet grass. Rin sighed, "You're hopeless."
He smiled in return. That was not my fault, though he replied.
Then they hit the road, and hours passed as they crossed through dense woods. Suddenly,
Birds scattered, the air starting to become thick, with unknown pressure. Occasionally, they spot a strange footprint, too large to be a common beast.
This wasn't before here, Rin noticed.
Gaja bends down, while pressing her hand over that mark, "Yeah, it looks... fresh."
Limbo, narrowing his eyes, said, "Don't tell me that beast woke up again?"
"Maybe, or it might be a different one," Rin said quietly.
They exchanged glances with each other. Instead of wasting time on talking, they picked up the pace, not wanting to test luck twice.
By noon surroundings before to thinning. Revealing a winding path of stone and dirt that led them out of the forest.
Finally, they saw a glimpse of the village.
"Rin gasp softly, we made it back..."
They saw the sun setting slowly from the cliff, from their familiar sight of small houses with smoke rising from chimneys, children running across the village, and farmers working late in the fields. The village was as it was when they left, peaceful and lively.
But something felt... different.
Limbo said, "It looks the same... But at the same time doesn't feel same."
Gaja replied. "Because you're not the same when you leave, this errand has changed you." You're right, Rin said.
Deep down, Limbo also agreed, but he chose to remain silent.
They climbed down, and soon they reached in village. People turned their faces while stopping mid-work, and some continued.
"Is that... Rin and Limbo?" Someone whispered. Yeah,
"They were gone for days..." another murmured.
Children ran ahead, while shouting their names. One of them went running, maybe to inform the elders. And after that
Rin forced a small smile and waved her hand at them. "We're fine, but she was exhausted."
Limbo's mother appeared in a hurry, she didn't even remove her cooking apron and came rushing. She was worried, which was clearly written all over her face.
"Limbo!... How long have you been? Do you have any idea?"
Before he said anything, she pulled him into her arms. "You had worried your father." Limbo somehow managed to reply, "I'm fine.. Mother," while continuing, "We just had a rough journey."
From behind, Gaja supported, "Aunty, don't worry i was with him. He wasn't alone." Limbo interrupted, "How by getting lost in the forest?" Everyone started to laugh.
Emotional reunion converted into laughter.
Rin also meddles, yeah, he got lost.
"That's not helping, Rin." He said loudly
That's alright...I believe in you. Ela takes his side, laughing, she said, but how can you get lost? She teased him.
"Not also you. Aunty..." Haha... alright, let's head home.
Later evening, after freshening up and changing clothes, three of them sit beside the rocks. The night was shining while covering itself with a bedsheet of stars.
The deep silence remained between them for a while, then Rin broke the silence.
"So you really think it's over?" Limbo, looking at his hands, said, "I don't think so..." Gaja leaned back, I agree.
"That beast is not dead yet!" Limbo's gaze hardened, "it's like... I could sense it. The energy... It didn't fade completely remembered."
Rin bit her lips, "What's next then?"
Limbo said while signing, We rest. Train. Next time, when we encounter each other, we'll be ready then."
They sit quietly for moments, doing nothing.
But the world started to change.
System Pop-up shows up,
[ Notice: Unknown Signal Detected - South of village. Classification: unreadable ]
Limbo's eyes snapped, "I guess eat will not last long..." What? Rin and Gaja were confused.
Gaja stood up while stretching his hands. "Peace will not last long, huh?"
Then we should be prepared. Right lee?
He said while encouraging.
Yeah, Rin smiled faintly. "Maybe that's what it means then..."
But will we be by there to help each other? Soon, the announcement will be held.
I got news from my friend who's in "Takshashila..."