The dirt path was reasonably straight. I was to the left, Kibbles was walking in the middle and Sora was on the right. The grasses on the side of the road gave way to open fields as far as the eye could see and the air was crisp. Unfortunately, it did nothing to improve my mood as there was a little bird that flitted next to me and chirped non stop.
" Yuta where are you from? "
" Do you like Chizo Bread? "
" How long have you been adventuring for? "
Sora's questions came non-stop like rapid machine gun fire as we made our way towards our first destination.
To get to the Vance/ Tama border we had to pass from Tult town where I just left and head down the road. We should reach Nova, or next destination, in approximately one day or so and get supplies. Once we stock up we head further north to Border Town which is a closed checkpoint and entry to Vance. Nova is just northeast of where the Akiyo family estate is and west of Tama Forest.
As I wrapped my head around the map in my hands Kibbles whispered in my ear." Sora sure does talk a lot "
" Hey, Yuta? You listening?" Sora said out loud shaking me from my thoughts.
" Sorry, I was checking the map," I said to avoid seeming rude.
" We are almost in bandit territory, so you may want to keep an eye out," Sora said with a wide grin and as he winked at me.
" Do you know this place well?" I replied looking at Sora through my hood.
" Mm as you know, us poor folks have to do what we can to make money, so I have met quite a few bandits on my travels. Most bandits know these parts as " Off Limits" that is why I wanted to travel with someone " Sora said in thought.
" I see, do you know any magic? I can fight but maybe no against a whole pack of bandits." I said honestly.
" Well, you are pretty small for an adventurer" Sora replied.
" So can you use magic?" I replied irritated.
" Yeah but I am better with a sword, my sister taught me before she headed off to the border to make a name for her self," Sora said as he sighed.
" She just wanted to be like Reo Akiyo, protect the town, save the damsel in distress and be a hero, it's stupid, right? I haven't seen her in years. I am not even sure I will be able to recognise her even if we do meet" Sora shrugged as we continued to walk.
" So why leave Tult in the first place then?" I replied as I stopped to put away the maps.
" It's too hard to find food in for someone like me. No one wants a scrawny kid for manual labour or as a warrior and I don't want to steal if I don't have to." Sora said looking dejected.
" So is that why you followed me?" I replied as a question to Sora.
" Hah yeah, I guess so. Whats the worse that can happen I die at the border? Better than starving to death I suppose." Sora replied and smiled.
[ What a carefree attitude! ]
" That is pretty morbid for a kid, " I said laughing.
" Shut up! I am taller then you, you know!" Sora said as he pointed to himself and stuck his nose up in the air.
" I am probably a lot older than you too!" he snorted after a moment.
[ Psh as if ]
" Oh yeah? Just how old is that?" I said as I egged him on *.
" I am 13! " Sora said as he looked at me smiling.
" Yep, you win" I replied pretending to act defeated.
[ It is too easy to pick on this guy ]
I tried to hold in a laugh.
" Yuki lets take a break!" Kibbles said.
We had been walking for about four hours by this time and my feet had begun to swell slightly. We picked a nice place just inside the bushes on the side of the road and lit a campfire. I took off my shoes to let them warm next to the fire and Sora's stomach growled.
" Kibbles looks like we need to hunt something," I said out loud.
" Is that the name of your spirit beast? " Sora said as he looked over holding his stomach.
" Mm he is a rank two Kithun and my best friend," I said as I looked over at Kibbles who was standing on a rock sniffing around for a meal.
" Must be nice to have a friend," Sora said under his breath.
I took off my cloak before taking off my bag. I took my hair out of the tie that I had been using and my hair freely flow down my back.
" Ahh, that feels better!" I said as I stretched.
"You're more handsome then I thought!" Sora said as he looked at me wide-eyed.
A bright red mark streaked across my face like a comet as I heard his words.
" I'm uhh what? " I stuttered.
" hahah now your face matches your hair!" Sora scoffed as he pointed and giggled falling of the stump he was sitting on.
[ You little monkey! ]
I rushed over to him and grabbed his arms. We started to play wrestle as I tried to gain a little bit of dignity back. He didn't stop laughing as he fought back making me feel even more embarrassed.
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The system echoed inside my head momentarily distracting me.
" hahah your so pretty! Like a flower girl in the red light district! **" Sora mocked bringing me back into reality.
" I'll make your face match your hair in a minute!" I replied as I stuffed a hand full of lush green grass on Sora's face.
After a few minutes, we both ended up on our backs panting a broad smile over each of our faces. I felt like a normal person with Sora around. It was almost like we had met before. He reminded me a lot of my friend Anzai so I felt a little closer to him.
Forever the optimist and very kind.
My stomach growled.
" Yeah.. definitely need some food," I said breaking the silence.
" Need some help hunting?" Sora said as he turned over and looked at me.
The grass was still on his head, it matched his thick green hair like a charm. I laughed as I looked at how serious his face was.
" haha yeah, that would be great thank you" I replied between giggles.
" What is there something on my face?" Sora replied as he used his mouth to blow some air upwards into his fringe.
I shook my head as I stood up and walked over to my bag. I pulled the trusty weapon that Ren had given me out of my bag and put it gently on the ground. My swords sheath was matte black in appearance so it almost disappeared in the leaf litter.
" Cool sword! Did you steal it? " Sora said as he eyed off my weapon.
" I did nothing of the sort! It was given to me by someone." I said as I put my bag in a nearby tree.
" Must have been a pretty rich someone!" Sora said as he whistled.
I looked at the sword and then at Sora before I picked it up and handed it to him.
" You can use it while we hunt. I need to focus on my magic. Just don't lose it." I said as I looked at Sora.
His eyes seemed to sparkle just looking at the sheath. He stood up and drew my weapon giving it a few practice swings before putting in back inside the holster and shouldering it.
[ You found the direction of lunch yet? ]
" Mm there is a boar up ahead or some bunnies to the west" Kibbles replied.
[ You're incredible as always Kibbles ]
" We should head this way," I said as I pointed to where Kibbles had said the boar was.
We left the fire lit and headed out into the wilderness. Sora was surprisingly good on his toes and was able to keep up with Kibbles and I. What had amazed me, even more, was his ability to use a weapon when we had encountered the boar.
The boar was rather large. Its thick tusks and skin were a huge nuisance and were hard to penetrate. With Kibbles, Sora and I working in unison, however, the whole process didn't take long.
Our team work was a little clunky at first but it didn't take long to hunt it down. We took it back to our camp. Chatted about everything and not much *** and ate our boar meat. Sora was polite enough not to ask too many personal questions and our camp was very peaceful before we packed up and started heading to Nova once again.