A gorgeous view, beautiful lake, light spreading moon and group of valiant and cheerful teenagers.
Atmosphere best for enjoyment and filled with life.
After dinner everyone was tired but still stayed around the bonfire to sing and share their own stories of horror, valiancy, romance, and adventure.
All this doesn't bring any interest for Xan, as the world he has seen is more vivid but full of bloodshed. Story and song of his world are filled with blood, tears, and corpses. If he told anyone of his adventures, they will think his imagination is wild and suitable for writing fantasy novels.
Having no interest in listening in their childish stories, he looked toward the reflection of the moon in the lake remembering the time, when he and his lover were living peacefully. Even though that peace lasted for a short period of time. And with the end of peaceful days, died his heart and the restraint which has stopped him from the path of bloodshed.
"Xan, live your life. Don't die, you have to visit every place we have dreamt of going."
The last words of his wife and the promise he made, worked as the driving force for him to live and also, as the restraint which has stopped him from killing mindlessly.
"Xander, why are you crying?", questioned Taylor with a sweet smile while hiding the pain which her heart is suffering, looking at him crying. She somehow knew, he is crying because of a woman but she knew he doesn't have a woman in his life which can make him cry.
'Who is he crying for?'
"Nothing just remembered a distant memory.", replied Xan.
"Okay.", replied Taylor not knowing how to console him.
Luke has also watched Xan cry and somehow felt that the person crying is not Xander but someone else.
'What am I thinking? He is my brother; how can it be someone else?'
"I may not have recovered completely. It will be better if I take some rest.", said Xan.
"You all enjoy, I'll go take some rest."
Thompson said," If you require some medicines, tell me. Mom has sent all type of medicines for the trip."
"No, I'll be fine with some sleep.", assured Xan while moving toward tent area.
"Good Night", said others.
Luke and Taylor showing concerned face while having different thoughts in their hearts.
'I need to talk to him. If he has any other girl in his life, I need to find out about it.', thought Taylor.
Luke thought, 'Whatever is wrong with Xander, I must find out.'
Ronnie and group saw Xan walk alone towards the tent area.
"Ronnie, he is going alone. Should we?", asked one of the boys without showing any sign to complete his words.
"Okay, let's go. We just have to warn him, so that, he must never tell anyone what happened.", said Ronnie menacingly.
Discretely they walked toward the tent area.
Udolf has noticed the movement of Xan, Ronnie, and group. To make sure nothing serious happens, he also moved toward the tents.
Xan feeling melancholic, got disturbed by seeing a group blocking his path thought, 'You all picked a wrong time to come in front of me.'.
"Xan, follow me.", commanded Ronnie without thinking he is doing something new.
"Say, whatever bulls*it you have to say.", not expecting these words to come from Xan, Ronnie and group were stunned for a while.
"If you don't have anything, get out of my way."
Ronnie got angry and rebuked," Do you not remember what happened in the morning or want us to remind you."
"You are just a coward who doesn't know how to stand properly. How dare you reject?", Jude followed the lead of Ronnie in rebuking Xan.
Xan got irritated by all the nonsense, "I don't come looking for you all doesn't mean I forgot what happened. You all would have been safe for a few days while we are in the camp but idiots are just idiots."
"Who are you calling idiots?"
"Know your place."
"If not for our mercy you would have died back then."
The lackeys of Ronnie got angry by his words. If someone would have heard them, would think they are some honor citizens who like to help others and Xan is some ungrateful man.
"You sure know how to twist words.", Not waiting for them to say any more nonsense Xan kicks-off toward the group.
His right hand broke the nose of Jude who stood on the center beside Ronnie and punched in the stomach with his left hand, almost bringing the guts out of Ronnie.
Other two of the group, Peter and Max were left stunned, not knowing what happened.
Not waiting for them to gain some sense, Xan launched a high kick towards Max's chest and make him fly for a few meters.
Peter was provided with an inward crescent kick, [1] connecting the right shoulder of Peter and the inner edge of Xan's left foot, making him taste the fresh and cold dirt of the forest soil.
Udolf hiding behind a tree was left speechless. He never thought the frail-looking Xan will be so agile and strong, able to take down four of them altogether.
Even though he is also capable of taking them down but not as smoothly as Xan. Udolf has never seen an 18-year-old kid which such remarkable capabilities.
All four of them were given only one hit from Xan but that all is required to make them unconscious. They have come to teach Xan some manners and warn him to never say a word about the morning incident to anyone. The result was not what they have expected.
"There is never a lack of trashes."
Not giving one more glance, Xan walked towards his tent, he knew now is not the time as well as Udolf has been watching the whole incident, so, he can't do any serious damage to them.
'Being a weak mortal is such a pain.', exhaustion took over Xan's body.
Udolf walked towards the unconscious Ronnie and group, not finding any serious injury on them looked towards the direction of Xan.
'His mastery and control of martial arts techniques are superb. I can ask him to participate in the competition.', thought Udolf while making some plans.