A frightening roar was approaching, but Vince was still lost in his thought. The weather was good since he woke up in this ancient world, there was probably a sudden downpour in another place. Vince was still mulling over when his wrist was grabbed by a trembling hand.
Prince Aiji tied Vince's wrist with the sturdy vine he was holding and then tied the other end to his wrist. Vince looked up and saw the familiar gentle face was paled. After tying their wrists, the prince quickly tied more vines to the raft's edges, securing the lying Gorgeous. Since their wrists were bound together, Vince has been pulled along, waking up his lost thought. He immediately helped Prince Aiji secured their stuff and the little animals.
Vince grabbed little Red. The raging flood was getting closer. He squatted down and held the little monkey in his left hand while his right hand tightly gripped on the vines that bound the raft.
"Prince Aiji, secure yourself now!" Vince yelled. Prince Aiji was still adding more vines to secure the pony.
The prince heeded and squatted beside Vince.
The sinking sun painted a majestic reddish sky. It was a beautiful sight in contrast to the frightening danger behind them. Vince blew out a few times. He turned to Prince Aiji. His innocent eyes were worried. His meek face was nervous. It was the first time he saw these emotions in him. Suddenly, he felt a strong desire to hug him. To comfort and assure him.
The raging water was getting closer...and...closer. It was too close that Vince could feel the pressure on his back.
"Dari, hold tight..."
A gentle voice whispered to Vince's ear. He turned to the side and saw a gentle and genuine smile. That smile comforted his anxious heart. He smiled back. Suddenly, a slender hand was hooked around his waist.
Vince froze. An unknown feeling crept into his senses. But before he could analyze the strange sensation, a violent wave hit their backs. The strong pressure made him almost lose his grip, but the prince hugged him tightly.
Amidst the raging wave, the prince's arm that was tightly bound around his waist composed Vince's mind. The raft drifted violently. The strong pressure and raging wave smashed their backs. They sank, floated, and spun countless times.
A healthy soldier, Vince's stamina was good. Prince Aiji's strength and endurance were also good. But the violent ride was too exhausting. It was rapidly draining their energy.
Vince felt weak and drowsy. The little monkey in his arm was shaking. Gorgeous was wailing behind them. He turned to the side and saw Prince Aiji's weary face, but the flash flood was still smashing them.
The sun that painted a majestic red hue on the horizon was gone. Fortunately, a bright, full moon took over. Around two hours had passed, but the raging water was still drifting a raft. The people and animals on board were too exhausted, barely holding on.
Vince felt weak. His hand that was gripping the vine was trembling. Prince Aiji's hand around his waist was trembling too. If it went on, they won't probably last for another hour.
"Could it be the end?" Vince turned to Prince Aiji. In the dim moonlight, he saw his gentle face was weary and distressed. It pricked Vince's heart. He was useless and helpless again. He's a good swimmer, but against raging water, even the best swimmer could hardly survive.
"Prince Aiji..."
Vince was shivering. The prince tightened his grip around his waist. Suddenly, their speed increased. With his drowsy eyes, Vince looked ahead and saw that the river flow at the distance was falling!
"A waterfall?! Prince Aiji, we are falling!"
What a terrible finish line! Prince Aiji's hand that hugged Vince has tightened again.
"Dari, hold on!"
Under the faint moonlight, a raft, with two people and two little animals on board, fell on a raging waterfall.