Limbo was sitting outside the house, half awake, half asleep. He was thinking about what Gaja told him, but he didn't understand.
Gaja's last words were still ringing in his ears. Before he could ask anything, Gaja sat up and walked away inside.
Silence... Was remained.
Limbo was already disturbed due to a strange dream he had , Limbo thought many times, was that of some kind of revelation, or somekind of glimpse, incoming danger in the future?
Limbo in casual but frustrated tone said, "Forget it, maybe I'm just overthinking, may be that was just a dream."
It was already late night, so Limbo decided to go back inside. While cleaning duat on backside he got up, but then the system popped up.
[ Emotional fluctuation detected: Subject Gaja ]
[ Truth Index: Incomplete data ]
[ Hint: Find Truth... ]
The words flickered across Limbo's eyes. He sighed, What are you hiding, brother?
The morning arrived, and birds started to fly early morning, while the smoke began to fade as the sun rose.
Limbo woke early and started to stretch. "Hey, bro, wake up?" He said, in half sleep.
As he looked towards the bed, there was no sign of Gaja. He had already gone.
He calls Gaja many times, but no answer in reply.
"Where's Gaja?" He asked his mom. "Gaja... He leaves early morning."
"Did he tell anything about where he's heading?"
"No. Why did you two fight again?" Ela asked.
"No," Limbo said.
"It's just he was absent for training yesterday." And, "when asked he didn't say clearly, I'm heading to ground." It's already late, bye.
He went towards the training ground. Moments later, Rin came running down the path. "Limbo, is Gaja with you?"
He's shook his head, "No."
They asked the guard, but they said no one had gone since morning.
"That means he's gone before dawn?"
"Hey System, can you detect Gaja's whereabouts?"
System flickered: .....
[ Trace log Available: Last mana signal - towards south. ]
South. "The same direction Gaja was mentioned last night, did he really go there?" Limbo murmured.
By noon. Limbo caught sight of him near the outskirts, not far from the southern ridge. He was tense while looking at the forest.
"Gaja!" Limbo shouted.
"Did you follow me?" Gaja asked.
"Of course not. But where were you since morning?" Limbo quickly responded.
"I was training," Gaja replied.
"In the forest, and alone?" Gaja said while looking away, saying I needed space.
"You're lying." Limbo said in a harsh tone.
A branch-cracking voice came from behind, and they both went towards the source of the sound. She was covered in dust, while her hair was tangled and Messy.
She was listening to them while hiding.
Hehe..
"So did you sneak again?" Rin said while crossing her arms.
Rin, since when were you hiding
There? Limbo asked. "Since you started shouting," Rin replied. "So you think I wouldn't notice both of gone."
Gaja sighed, You say like this is a crime.
That would be best, rather than you two hiding something, Rin shot back.
You're imagining things, Gaja tossed while smiling. With fearce looked, Rin took a step forward, "If you are planning to go anywhere, I'm also coming."
She shifted her gaze to Limbo.
"Ask him, not me, I'm also don't know anything." Limbo counter.
I'm serious. Don't you planing to head alone, Gaja... Rin said.
But this is my problem, and it's dangerous, Gaja admitted.
Limbo was furious, "What do you think we are?" We are also coming if you are planning to go, Limbo pressure.
Gaja's eyes filled with gratitude or maybe guilt.
Then it's decided, we're going together.
System flickered faintly,
[ Party Formation — Pending Approval ]
[ Detected Intent: Southward Expedition ]
They returned to town of village as dusk began to fall. "So...how do we tell them?" Rin asked.
"Tell who?" Limbo asked.
"Our parents, also we can't forget about the elders." She sighed, "We can't just vanished, you know."
Gaja looked at them, "You two make excuses, I'm going anyway." Limbo frowned, "You make them worried most."
Rin nodded, "I'll tell my mother in going to collect herbs that elder Chaya said. She will never say anything.
Limbo said while scratching his head, whatever I said, she still would be worried, but atleast she won't stop me.
"And you," Gaja Rin said. He streched his hand while lifting shoulders. "I won't say anything to aunty , she will definitely stop me, and I'm not going to stay quietly."
No one argues.
They executed as they planned.
As night spread across the sky, each of them packed supplies.
Rin gathered small medicine pouches, herbs, and bandages. Limbo collected his compass, bags, and powder for the protection of the tent. Bed... Gaja gathers his weapons, a bed, and other stuff. He also sharpened his old short blade until it started to shine faintly.
Though no one said anything they was silent, the air was getting heavy, just like a calm before a storm of disaster, but is that true? Will they really encounter any disaster?
Outside the window the atmosphere was strange today, the sky was burned with dark crimson clouds, it's giving different vibe.
Limbo sighed. Hey system,
Show status,
Blue text lights up before his eyes.
[ System Window — User: Limbo ]
Level: 7
Mana Core: Developing (Stage I)
Health: 98%.
Stamina: 90%.
Mana Capacity: 70.%
Affinity Type: Adaptive / Variable
Secondary Affinity: ??? (Unregistered Light Signature Detected)
Title: "Unbound One" (Hidden)
Traits:
- Adaptive Resonance (Primary)
- Memory Reconstruction (Passive)
- Anomaly Sensitivity (New)
Known Skills:
- Analyze (Lv. 2)
> Subfunction: [Micro Reconstruction]
- Debug (Lv. 1)
- Mana Shift (Lv. 1)
- Light Spear (Derived Skill - Incomplete)
- Observation Protocol (Auto)
- Data Log (Auto)
Passive Buffs:
- Adaptive Growth. ( User can adapt to anyskill. )
- Resonant Stability.
Hidden Skills (Locked):
- ??? ["Error: Access restricted by core seal."]
- ??? ["Link with anomaly incomplete."]
Limbo stared at the window,
"Huh, I haven't seen since that day."
"So much has changed... And still I don't know what's will be waiting in the south,"
He whispered to himself.
The system screen slowly faded as he closed the system.
The night went and the dawn rises.
By dawn whole village was asleep, only a few were awake. The three met at the edge of the path that led into the forest.
Rin tightened her gloves. "We don't even know what's waiting there."
Limbo adjusted his bag which he was carrying around neck to stomach. "That's the point, is that right, huh..?"
The wind rise from behind them, spreading leaves into the morning light.
The journey towards the south begins.