Smoke and fire filled the air as the snow that used to blanket the surroundings melted rapidly into puddles of water. Revealing a deformed ashy-brown patch of land littered with an uncountable number of metal protrusions and shattered rocks. The terrifying destruction had seemingly obliterated any form of life which had existed beneath and above the now non-existent layer of snow. Almost destroying any sliver of evidence which could inform travelers what had occurred in this location.
Fortunately, due to luck, an obvious chunk of charred leather sat right in the middle of the zone, emitting an unbearable stench that mixed with the already unpleasant smell of smoke. However, the leather, despite being burnt black entirely, still had hints of brown on various areas, but it was still considered as a useless piece of scrap that many wouldn't pick up even if it was thrown in the middle of the street. However, if Durivan and his family saw it, they would shockingly find it to be the leather tunic that Sullivan used for training!
Within a certain distance away from the site, a pale yet incredibly handsome boy laid on a red blanket with his eyes closed, seemingly unconscious. His long and unkept white hair sprawled all over his uninjured body whilst his bare chest was exposed to the chilly air. His breathes were erratic, as if he was having a nightmare and his skin was as pale as the snow around them. Clearly, this was the unfortunate lad who had caused and survived this mess, Sullivan.
However, he was not alone. Crouched next to him, a petite figure with a red frilly dress and short pink hair can be seen staring at the shaky boy with an intensity that would make predators flee for their lives. Her looks were complimented with her adorable baby-face and alluring purple eyes that greedily looked all over the vulnerable and defenseless boy, staring at his toned muscles and charming face with a sweet smile that many would stop to admire.
It was the 'beast' from the chase half a year ago!
Evidently, she had somehow saved Sullivan from the clutches of death, impressively avoiding any injuries on the both them. However, despite her valiant efforts, the boy's leather tunic was still suspiciously destroyed even when the rest of his body and clothes were untouched.
If anyone powerful or with special eyes had seen the scene prior to the rescue, they would find that the girl had stripped the boy of his leather tunic and left it on the spot without wasting any time. Her precise control was impressive and her calm demeanor to pull it all off within a short time span even more so. However, her intentions on the boy did not do justice to the skill that she had portrayed...
Though, fortunately for the girl, Sullivan had already fainted before he witnessed anything shady. Meaning he had absolutely no idea who saved him, but If he did, he would be grateful to her without question. After all, she saved his life, how could he possibly question her motives in doing so?
Watching the boy's sleeping face, the mysterious girl was seemingly lost in thought. Her eyes shined with hesitation but her body shivered with pure joy. 'He is right there! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Should I? No, I shouldn't, he is unconscious... But he will never know right? Right?' her mind was in turmoil, torn between her morals and her desires.
However, every voice of reason within her mind had simultaneously been drowned out the moment she laid her eyes on his cute, irritated face and shivering body. He was just like a sleeping kitten shivering in the snow, it was just too cute.
She just couldn't resist.
Immediately, she tried sensing for any life in their surroundings, releasing a chilly aura which would make curious beasts dash away like their lives depended on it, because it did. After finding nothing else for a while, she then took off her red shoes and stepped onto the blanket, laying down right next to the boy. Quickly, she wrapped her arms and legs around his body, using her feet to warm his feet and using her arms to warm his body.
Sullivan, still unconscious, was experiencing a terrible dream. An endless flurry of ticks and clicks haunted his mind, mercilessly drilling into him without stop. He wanted it to go away, he wanted to run, but no matter where he went in the endless abyss, it was always there. Mocking him.
It was hopeless.
He was in despair when, suddenly, within his dark world, he sensed something deep in the darkness. Something calling to him, beckoning him. Immediately, like a light at the end of the tunnel, he dashed toward it without a care, disregarding the increasingly irritating noises. Hoping the nightmare will just end.
Every step he took felt heavier and heavier as the sounds echoing around him started to get louder and louder. It was starting to get almost unbearable even after desperately clutching his ears in pain. Comparatively, If the ticks before sounded like numerous flies buzzing next to his ear, then now it felt like thousands of screeching horns blasting simultaneously onto him. As if it wanted to completely shatter his mind into a million pieces.
TICK TICK TICK
However, he never gave in. no matter how small his steps were, he was going to reach his goal. No matter how difficult and high the hurdle was was, he can absolutely overcome it without question. He has a home to come back to, people to care about. He had to move no matter what!
With those thoughts, Sullivan suddenly realized the hidden teachings behind his training. All this time he was ignorant over Durivan's true objective, the true lesson hidden under all the pain and frustration. He wanted the boy to understand perseverance like a friend, have an endurance akin to a mountain and accept difficulty with a smile. He wanted him to be smarter and sturdier, agile and faster. After all, working on his body was just not enough if masters could simply blow him away with a flick of their wrists...
He just wanted his son to have a better chance to survive in this terrifying world.
Thinking about his father, Sullivan finally smiled the first time ever since he got into this strange dream. He felt neither fear nor anxiety, just simple and pure happiness. Without any warning, he stopped in place amidst all the screeching and removed his clutching hands from his head.
CLICK
Immediately, a click echoed in the surroundings the moment he had removed his hands from his ears, the very same one that he heard before passing out. However, Sullivan was unperturbed and fearless. He looked on without batting an eye lid, defying the unknown hidden beneath the deep abyss. The click was persistent, still resounding in the area and trying to instill fear into the boy... But nothing happened.
Then, like smoke and mirrors, all sound ceased to exist. Silence then dominated the space as if it reflected the boy's inner state - calm and peaceful, without any negative emotion to bar his way. Then, suddenly, a light appeared from seemingly no where. Devouring the darkness and filling it with a familiar yet abstract aura that he could not seem to fathom or pinpoint at all.
It was so incredibly comforting and warm, like a gentle touch to heal his traumatized heart. A touch he so desperately desired. His eyes glazed over as he absentmindedly walked deeper into the light that had the scent of roses and hints of pink, curious to where it may lead.
In reality, however, Sullivan lunged further onto the embrace of the beautiful girl without a care in the world, directly breathing the air she was letting out. She was dumbfounded to find the passed out boy clinging onto her like a baby, making her scared for a brief moment. She examined his state and found that he was still unconscious, so she gave in to the temptation and lovingly embraced him back. Of course, with her aura on full capacity to make sure no one catches her on the act. It would certainly look bad to be caught taking advantage of a person who fainted, wouldn't it?
After rechecking her surroundings once again, she finally turned her attention to the delicacy in front of her. Her mood was over the moon as she slowly stroked his hair like a mother tenderly patting her child. Combing his silky hair straight with her fair fingers whilst holding his head onto her chest. For some odd reason, this girl cared greatly for Sullivan despite not knowing each other at a personal level. In fact, with the way she was showing love, many would think that she knew him quite well. However, if Sullivan's immaculate memory could be peered into, it would be found that he strangely knew absolutely nothing about this girl. Which would then make this entire situation even stranger.
However, this did not affect the endlessly warm atmosphere that held off the frigid winds trying to snake its way into this scene. All the boy cared was exploring this hidden world whilst all the girl cared for was the boy.
This went on for a while until the warm atmosphere started to get a little bit heated when Sullivan subconsciously pressed too hard onto her developing chest with his head. The whole situation was already stimulating enough for the mysterious girl, but with her chest being played and used as a pillow, her last bit of hesitation was seemingly shattered relentlessly. Slightly flustered, she smiled with a creepy grin as her eyes sparkled in a strange light. All of a sudden, the cold air came back with a ferocity that defied reason as the boy started to feel danger, a sense that he honed over his grueling months of training. Thus beginning the cycle of nightmares once again, but this time, with a twist. The white loving light that originally filled his dream was eaten by bright pink rays and an uncomfortable heat.
The girl turned her gaze from his face to his body, licking her lips as she slowly started stroking his well-defined chest and abs with a chilling hunger in her eyes. The 'beast' was back in action! After stroking to her satisfaction, she realized that she desired more. Then, without further ado, she greedily turned her gaze to the only cloth left on his body, his pants.
After all, how could she be satisfied with the appetizer when the meal was right in front of her?
"Alright, that's enough. You had your fun." However, before she could defile the vulnerable boys dignity and chastity, a deep and imposing voice suddenly drilled into her ears, startling her immensely. She immediately stood up in a flash as her stunning face quickly turned bright pink in a fluster. She knew she had been caught red handed. Without hesitation, she turned around and saluted the large imposing figure standing before her, balling up her fist to her heart.
"S-Sir! This is m-merely a misunderstanding! I was just... uh... checking if he had wounds! Yes! Wounds!" Her cute voice echoed in the surroundings like small bells as she stared at the male figure. He had short curly hair with frosted tips at the end and cool emerald eyes that seemingly stared at the soul of the frightened girl. His back was straight and commanding, demanding respect. His aura was suppressed yet majestic, giving the mysterious girl the idea that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. This was obviously Durivan, Sullivan's father and a figure the girl deeply respected.
Durivan looked at her deeply, making the strange feel uncomfortable, and replied to her obviously disingenuous remark with his usual monotone voice, "I do not mind that you're pursuing my son. In fact, I had half the mind to interrupt you and was just contemplating in leaving you two alone."
"However, you and I both know how Shiva would react if she found out her son was... defiled... by one of the 'Roses'. And we both know that you will get into deep trouble and punished severely due to it."
He began stating that facts that frightened the pink-haired girl as her face rapidly transitioned into fear and her eyes glazed in thought, thinking about the 'punishment' that other [Roses] like her talked about in despair. Durivan first watched the girl's blank expression before turning his gaze towards the destroyed leather tunic in the death zone. The fire was gone and the sundered land was already mostly buried, hiding the history of this place forever. However, he obviously noticed the destruction that happened here was due to traps and immediately knew what happened. He returned his gaze back onto the dazed girl and shared what was on his mind out loud, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Well isn't that strange? I don't think I placed that many traps there... At least not to the point where it will destroy everything... I wonder if someone tampered with it?"
Durivan spared no mercy as he drilled every word onto the girl without fail. He watched her blank face suddenly panic whilst the color of her skin paled at a visible rate. The pink-haired girl had originally picked up random traps strewn across the snowy field and placed all of them in one single point that corresponded to Sullivan's training path. Her plan was to save him and then leave a deep impression on the boy in order to sow the seeds of a future where they would be together forever.
However, she greatly underestimated the fire power of these traps.
If she hadn't detected the strange power of the first trap and reacted fast enough, she believed Sullivan would've definitely been an unrecognizable piece of flesh instead of a delectable meal. What's more, due to his fear, he fainted and couldn't actually see her rescuing him, which bothered her greatly. Everything she planned for, albeit sloppily, was for naught. 'My future with Sulli!' she internally despaired at the mention of the pet name she had come up. She knew a chance like this was one in a million yet she blew it...
She couldn't let her thoughts be seen by Durivan, so she tried her best to not show anything. Whistling with guilt as her arms were crossed behind her back, "I-I wonder... Hahahaha..."
She was a terrible liar.
"Don't do it again, understand?" Durivan said with a stern tone, a complete 180 of how he usually sounds. He was very serious this time.
Feeling a hint of danger, the pink-haired woman quickly escaped from the scene, dashing in a random direction after giving the boy one last look, reluctant to part. Durivan watched her frantically escape for a short moment, only looking away once she disappeared into the snowy forest. He then turned his gaze to the boy and leisurely strolled in front of him. Using a bit of his aura to hold back the cold from encroaching on him. Durivan stared at him for a moment before opening his mouth and voicing out words chillier than the frozen winds of Fjord, "It seems like you have a death wish."
Throughout the entire exchange between his father and the mysterious girl, Sullivan had experienced a strange situation within his dream world. Originally, after the world had turned bright pink, he felt some form of heat encapsulating his entire body. It felt unfamiliar and suffocating, as if he was bottled up and was prone to explode. However, that feeling vanished in a blink of an eye when a purple and majestic aura appeared suddenly and instantly covered half of the world. Swallowing the pink aura with an unstoppable presence.
He felt the protective and caring intentions of the purple presence and the fear and respect within the pink aura. He could curiously tell which one of them were more powerful and which one desired what's best for him. So, like a bystander, he intently watched their exchange happen. Picking up a myriad of emotions and feelings which would somehow affect him a little bit. However, in the end, he knew both of them had no intention to harm him, so he just waited whilst studying them both.
After a while, Sullivan could no longer detect the pink light as it suddenly dissipated from the space, leaving the purple aura to dominate the space without a word. He felt it. He felt that it was watching him in silence. He felt it's inner fears and deep worry... Such a powerful presence was scared of something... What was it so afraid of?
Before he could peer further into it, a familiar and monotone voice suddenly pounded onto his mind and shattered the invisible ground beneath him. Causing him to fall into a blinding light and inevitably close his eyes.
Then, in the next moment, Sullivan once again snapped open his eyes only to be greeted by the grey clouds me falling snow in the sky. He was utterly confused and flustered since he could've sworn that he used to be somewhere different, somewhere colorful and meaningful. Yet, for some reason, he couldn't remember anything, as if everything was just a lie. After pondering for a short moment, he decided not to think too much about it.
He examined his surroundings and found himself half-naked in the freezing cold, sitting on a warm red blanket. This served to only increase his confusion even more for the last thing he remembered was a bunch of ticks and clicks screaming in his ear when he triggered those traps, waiting for death to take him away. 'Am I dead?' he immediately assumed the worst. However, noticing the shadow standing over him, he turned to find his father staring at him with his usual stoic face. Watching him with expectation.
"I said... Do. You. Have. A. Death. Wish?" Durivan said word-for-word, back in his usual monotone voice.
Immediately, Sullivan knew that his father had rescued him from the jaws of death, mad at the boy for being careless in the middle of training. So, without Durivan repeating his words a third time, Sullivan stood up and bowed in apology. Clearly misunderstanding the entire situation. His father, however, already noticed what the boy was trying to pull and was slightly amused. Feeling sorry for the pink haired girl in the process.
"Haaaaa, those perfectly good logs were destroyed so mercilessly. Could've made something good with those after your training was done... What a shame, what a shame." Durivan sighed, lamenting on the uses of those logs. "Well, no use crying over spilt milk, next month we're all going to go on a trip into the middle of Fjord. Something special is about to happen and so training will be even more difficult from now on."
Disregarding everything else, Sullivan looked up to his father in shock. 'Going outside the village?! Travelling to the middle of Fjord?! What?!?!'. To his knowledge, him and his family had never been outside of the village, his whole world was basically the forest and the dull wooden cottages that he woke up to on a daily basis. Living a sheltered life for as long as he remembered. Hence the shock he was going through was understandable.
He couldn't believe it, a new place! Imagine! New people to meet and different cultures to enjoy, it was just exciting!
He looked at his father impatiently, completely uncaring for anything else. Durivan looked at the eager boy with a small smile, deciding to tease the boy a bit, "We're going to the Ruined Throne located on the largest mountain in the Anvil. As for the reason why... Well, you will find out when we get there. Understand?"
Sullivan's excitement was relentlessly dumped into cold water by his father, messing with the boy's feelings without an ounce of remorse. His father quickly disappeared before his very eyes as his voice resounded throughout the surroundings.
"As punishment for being careless during your training... and destroying those logs... you will get back home like that. Though I would not linger if I were you. The winds are getting colder and the clouds are getting bigger, I have reasons to believe a blizzard is about to hit and I definitely do not want to be outside half-naked."
Hearing those words, Sullivan suddenly realized the extremely dangerous situation he was in. His eyes widened in terror as he quickly took the curiously warm blanket under his feet and wrapped it around his naked chest. It had a soothing and addicting smell, like fresh roses that his mother tended to place around the house. Though where she got them was a mystery. Then, without any hesitation, he quickly grabbed his battered shoes and hurriedly put them on. Not realizing that he mixed them together in the process.
He ran with all the speed he could muster, navigating through the snowy forest rapidly to get to his destination without fail. He knew a blizzard in this frozen wasteland spelt certain doom to any who dared to stay outside of warmth, especially so for people who were half-naked.
After all, who was dumb enough to stay outside in the frigid winter of Fjord half-naked?