As Dylan and I walked around the busy town of Majiked, he told various stories about his journeys, accompanied by some cheesy pick-up lines. He also told stories of how he became the greatest warrior of the land of Majiked. I didn't believe anything he had said, but I chose to go along with it, nodding and looking like I agreed towards most subjects he would point out. As Dylan and I continued along our day, there was only one thing that was running in my mind..."I just want this day to end quickly..."
Throughout the day, Dylan and I went around shops as we continued talking. I mostly didn't pay attention this time though as I noticed some of Dylan's fan girls leering at me. I was quite nervous as I didn't know if any of these girls would jump me at any time...
Dylan seemed to have noticed this and decided to take advantage of it. He grew a smirk then stopped in front of me, grabbing my hands and kept it close to him. Disgusted and shocked of what he did, I instantly looked at him. I was about to ask him what the deal was, but he interrupted me by talking.
"Hey, why don't we head somewhere where we could be alone?" He spoke out confidently as I just looked at him. I nodded in acceptance as I thought...What would be the harm in going alone? At least I can be free of the malicious aura that was stalking me this whole time.
He let go of my hand as he flicked his hair backwards before gesturing that I should follow him. I let out a deep sigh and followed behind.
Some time later, we reached a forest that was nearby the town. As I looked into the forest, I could see the natural beauty of it, which left me in a nostalgic and gleeful feeling. The morning rays pierced through the rustling leaves of the trees, the grass glistened under such rays because of the morning dew, and the flowers had their colors shine across the whole forest. This scenery reminded me of home, the village before Rhythian...
As I let out a quiet 'wow' towards the scenery, I forgot about Dylan and rushed towards the forest, looking around as I admired the sweet fragrance of the forest and the calming ambient songs of birds singing and the wind travelling between the huge trees of the forest.
I spun around once to envelop myself into the environment once more and eventually stopping, facing Dylan Wylde. I let out a small giggle as I found him frozen with his face completely red. I walked forward and hit Dylan with a slight chop into his forehead, causing him to comeback into reality.
I grew a smile as I leaned forward. "You might look like a douche, but you've got good taste. Thanks!"
As I gave him that compliment, he looked to the side and scratched his head as he tried to make out a reply. "Y-y-you're welc-c-come..." He finally let out the reply as I giggled a small bit. I turned around and gestured Dylan to come. He did lead me here after all.
We walked deeper into the forest. I was still astounded by the sight of this forest, but there was one thing I noticed...Dylan became quiet. I turned to look at him and he looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't. This was weird because the whole time we were in town, he sounded so confident yet boastful while he told those stories.
I turned around to face Dylan and decided to ask him directly.
"Hey Wylde, why'd you turn quiet suddenly?" I asked up front. He seemed disturbed by something as he looked like he was uneasy about us being here.
"I-I don't k-know...I-I guess I'm just tired" He replied as he turned around and posed.
I let out a sigh as I now see the Dylan from before. I decided to not push into the subject and move on. As I did, the sound of rustling bushes were heard around us. The sound seemed close. In a state of instinct, I used the technique Rhythian taught me in training and implemented it into magic.
"Magic Perception..." I muttered as a ripple of mana was expelled from my arm and expanded away from me. As the ring went out of sight, it caught a few figures who looked like they were carrying something.
The figures walked closer as the magic aura faded. Soon after, laughter was heard and a few bandits came out of the bushes around us and climbed down the trees. They spared no time in surrounding us and unsheathing their weapons. One of the bandits came out looking confident. He looked like the ring leader of all of this.
"The Diamond Wolf bandits?" Dylan spoke out. Diamond Wolf? They seem famous if Dylan knows who they are...
"Hehe...Glad t'a know the great warrior knows our name...Now, if you don't mind, I'll be takin 'er then..." The leader spoke out as he laughed with his men.
They seemed like trouble. In instinct, I was about to summon a long sword I picked up in training, but was soon interrupted by Dylan going in front of me. He soon unsheathed his sword and took up a stance.
"I won't let you hurt this maiden!" Dylan spoke out. My expectations of Dylan suddenly grew.
The leader of the bandits soon laughed and looked at Dylan. "Al'ight, let's see if the warrior is as good as he says he is..." The leader raised his dagger and took up a stance. As I was about to watch the two fight, I looked around to see for an opening. As I did, four bandits caught me and forced me to sit still.
"After I kill ye, we'll have fun with her right there..." The leader taunted Dylan, clearly trying to provoke him. Somehow...the taunt worked and Dylan rushed in without any plan of attack. The leader dodged Dylan's blind attacks and soon countered by parrying his blade and kicking Dylan to a tree. Dylan hit the tree hard, causing it to rumble a little bit. Dylan struggled to stand up, but eventually, he went back to his stance.
"That was pitiful...I thought you were some kind of a legendary hero?" The leader taunts yet again as he rushed to punch Dylan's shoulder, causing him to lose balance. The leader soon then connected it with a knee kick to Dylan's face which caused him to lose consciousness and bleed a little. My expectations of Dylan fell after that. I let out a sigh as I was quite disappointed with his skill.
The leader soon turned towards me and walked closer. He then knelt down in front of me and held me chin. "Quite submissive isn't she? She isn't even strugglin'" The leader comments as I sat there while his men laughed. I clearly didn't do anything as I can knock them all down in a few minutes...
I let out a long sigh before pulling back my head and hitting the leader of the bandits with a heavy headbutt. This knocked him out, allowing me to get my bearings.
I then jumped up and kicked the four men behind me right in the jaw. As I landed, I stood up slowly and took up a stance. The bandits were clearly not prepared for that as they seemed unorganized now.
"Now...Who wants to dance with this lady next?" I taunt, causing them to scoff and dash for the attack. I let out a small laugh as I quickly countered them all by swiftly dodging, attacking, and parrying. It didn't take long for the men to be completely be knocked out.
I was slightly disappointed as I was expecting that I would enjoy something other than the forest today, they didn't even land a hit on me... I rested my arms on my waist as I looked around the knocked out bandits littered around the ground. I then heard a groan from behind me. I turned to see who it was and saw that it was the bandit leader, standing up from my headbutt. Surprisingly, I was expecting him to be unconscious from that...
"You cheeky, little..." The leader mutters as he pulls out his dagger and took up a stance. I let out a deep sigh before looking at him while standing still. He grew a confident smirk as he ran forward. This caused me to see and opening, allowing me to dash forward and give the leader a knee kick in his guts, which connected to a kick into his chin. This caused the leader to be knocked out for good...
I let out another sigh before seeing Dylan waking up. I walked towards him and knelt down. He looked around in confusion as to why the men were already resting on the dirt. I knelt down in front of him and let out a quiet scoff.
"Why don't we call it a day?" I asked
"Y-yeah...I think that would be better..." Dylan replied, still in disbelief of the current situation that just unfolded...