In the Black Forest neighboring Snow Streams. Within the deep darkness mysteriously draping over the entire forest, one that would not lighten up even in the morning to not say more of at night, there sat three mute individuals.
One green-haired, lemon-yellow eyed individual.
One tattered and dirty individual.
And one violet-purpled eyed individual.
Each sat around the fiercely burning fire, forming a triangle shape.
Arlo was restless as he fidgeted in his seat amidst this tense silence, so thick that a knife can't cut. He stole a glance at the man with a disheveled appearance before swiftly looking away.
This new addition to their originally two-men team was the one who had caused the previously cheerful and peaceful mood to turn 180 degrees south into awkward zone. The reason why it was more awkward than dangerous with the appearance of a dubious third party is because Arlo trusted in Abner.
So how does Arlo trusting in Abner have anything to do with this lemony atmosphere?
It's because Arlo was observing Abner and saw that Abner did raise his guard at first, however, upon seeing the face of the sudden stranger, his guard sunk down to barely any which sequentially lowered Arlo's guard. Somewhat like how if a dog's master is not hostile to a stranger, the dog will follow along and soften up. Plus the fact that Abner knew the other party by name.
What Arlo is really, extremely, curious about at this moment is what can cut through this thick tension that lacks any real sustenance of peril.
Meanwhile Arlo's soul was nearly squeezed out of his body by the boredom of the situation, Abner was quietly observing the newly arrived man. The newcomer appeared relaxed and unguarded, but in reality, Abner knows that he was on high vigilance. No matter how skillfully the other tries to hide his caution and killing intent, Abner can flawlessly detect everything. Not just because he is skilled in this area, but because Abner had known Ash for too long in his past life to be unable to see through the other's heart and state of mind.
Abner knows that right now with his current body, there's no way Ash would recognize him.
He is conflicted between telling his best friend from his previous life of his real identity in his current state. He wasn't sure how Ash would react, nonetheless, he knows that the impact would be big. After all, a person who should've been dead is actually alive.
Though in reality from an objective perspective, Ash should be delighted, after all, Ash nearly went mad after Abner's death. Especially when he found out that it was an assassination. Abner's other friends also reacted similarly, but they calmed down in the end at the thought that even though the main man is gone, they should at least fulfill the wish that's left.
If Abner was being true to himself, he really wanted to go back to his friends. His family in the Slums and Underworld. But the "Abner" from the past is already dead, and although the present him has the same soul, the body's different. He has already been gone from their lives for quite a while. If he suddenly shows up again, wouldn't he disturb their present lives?
Besides, they are more than capable of handling his absence and the matters left behind. Abner absolutely believes that his friends and subordinates have it in them to achieve the long-time goal set in place from long ago.
However, this was what Abner thought until he saw Ash again. Seeing him in his present state aroused doubts in Abner's mind, piercing through his darkened violet-purple eyes.
What dreadful thing could've happened after his death to cause the headstrong and vigorous Ash to turn into this haggard and weak in appearance man?
Abner's visibly turned worried. Did a strong opponent appear after his death that his friends and subordinates couldn't deal with? Because if Ash is like this now, there's no way nothing happened to the rest of his friends.
However, in order to find out more, he needs to obtain Ash's trust. Abner knows that no matter how much Ash resembles a weak and feeble newborn fawn right now, he would never let a syllable slip from his lips when it pertains to his friends' safety and wellbeing to a complete stranger.
It's just that Abner is not a complete stranger. Although his body is unknown to Ash, his soul was one that he is very familiar with. They went through tough waves and scorching fires together ever since they were in their teens in the Underworld.
That brings him back to his present conflict. Should he reveal his true identity to Ash?
Before he brought himself to a decision, Ash who has been quiet and acting as a mute the entire time spoke up, "Why did you help me?"
Arlo's head shot up lightning quick from it's originally downcast position, nearly spraining his neck in the process. He was internally rejoicing at the shattered silence. Arlo was about to answer, his mouth open and all, when Abner spoke up and cut in before Arlo could make a sound.
"Because you looked like you needed help, and I couldn't leave such a miserable-looking forlorn person alone," Abner said innocently as he secretly continued observing Ash's expression and mood.
Arlo, "..." Dude. I get that we're friends and all, but that doesn't mean you can cut in when I was about to speak! Moreover, what do you mean you helped him only because your heart softened after seeing his pitiful appearance?! I know for a fact---and through experience---that you're not that kind!!
While poor Arlo was leaking imaginary tears nonstop, Abner on the other hand was shamelessly pretending to be a big and kind hearted saint to Ash, trying to gain his trust this way even when he knows it is futile. He understands all his friends well enough that no matter how kindly others treat them, no matter how generously they act, his friends will never fully trust the other because that's just part of their nature.
Without going to through wind and rain together, how can they possibly truly see through other's hearts? Especially when even those they had gone through hardships with ended up betraying them as well. In other words, there's no way Ash can easily trust the two people in front of him when he had recently been punched harshly by Lyle's betrayal. Even with the fact that they did help him in his time of need, he would never foolishly give out his trust.
Ash had fainted right after coming out of the bushes, planting face first onto the dirt floor. He had then been taken close to the fire to keep warm. Abner and Arlo had waited 'til he woke up, and once he did, an uncomfortable atmosphere settled down on this area of the creepy Black Forest.
Now Ash sat soundless on the ground thinking through all that had happened to him. Even though it has been some time---though he doesn't know how much, only that it has been a long time---Ash hadn't had any proper time to sort through all the thoughts in his head about what happened to him and his friends. Just thinking about it makes him feel suffocated and his heart heavy.
If only Abner was still alive, Ash sighed dispiritedly inwardly without a single emotion coming out onto his face. His emotionless mask working wonderfully to hide his inner thoughts and laments.
As well as the deeply burning anger that threatens to spill out like an overflowing cup that got knocked down.
Ash clenched his hands into fists, unable to contain his fury any longer. His mind brimming with the thoughts of vengeance and blood.
Lyle will get his retributions...!
Releasing his held breath, Ash focused back to the present situation. Hearing that the reason why the violet-purple eyes individual rescued him made him feel baffled and suspicious concurrently.
It was then that a glimmer of black and purple caught his eye!!
His eyes subconsciously widened into big circles, his pupils contracting, showing his great shock. That glimmer of light that was captured by his weary eyes that had instantly regained their sharpness and zeal, was very familiar to Ash. He had seen it numerous times in the past, so much so that he doesn't remember when he had not seen it.
'That's Abner's pairless earring!!' Ash thought to himself in confusion and surprise. Abruptly and uncontrollably, he was filled with doubts about the two in front of him. 'Why does he have that!? It should have been the only earring in existence, it doesn't have a pair!'
Noticing the intense stare that nearly burned through his earlobe, Abner had quickly figured out what Ash was staring at. He had forgotten that he was wearing the identical earring he had worn in his last life!
"Where did you get this earring from?" Ash inquired cautiously with prudence as he treaded lightly on the thin line he was unknowingly crossing.
However, instead of Abner replying, the answer came from another place.
"That?" Arlo raised one eyebrow as he pointed to the preciously shining earring on Abner's left earlobe.
He then pointed back to himself using the same finger as he puffed up his chest and proudly proclaimed, "I gave it to him. As a sign of our friendship!"
Ash turned to Arlo upon hearing what the other had admitted. His heated eyes practically plastered with the words "Tell me where you got it from!" as they relentlessly glared at Arlo in a threatening way, though there was no killing intent within them.
Though the last part didn't lessen the goosebumps all over his body and the chills Arlo gained from that predatory gaze. Now that Arlo thinks about it, he somehow doesn't remember where he took this earring from.
He took a strand of his hair and played with it as he tried to recall where he had stolen the earring from, but all he had drawn during this time was a page of blank.
Slowly, Arlo shook his head. And thinking that that wasn't enough, he also shrugged.
"Honestly I don't recall," Arlo replied nonchalantly to Ash, forgetting at once that he had once been frightened by his fierce eyes.
Ash curled his lips inward and bit on them in frustration and anger, unable to control his anger at this time. He had always been a hot-tempered person in the first place. Him being able to prevent himself from bursting at this point and endure is already a rare occurrence. An occurrence so weird and unusual that Ash should be questioning and doubting himself right now. But he didn't realize...
On the other hand, Abner was also stunned by the fact that Arlo couldn't remember where he had gotten the earring he is wearing from. Although it's true that Arlo has mountains of treasures and jewelries he had stolen from uncountable people, it's impossible that he doesn't have the slightly impression of this accessory and how he came to possess it.
Abner's eyes flashed with a dark light brimming with danger and aggression. 'This is very suspicious...'
"OH! I just remembered!" Arlo shouted as he jumped up to his feet in realization of something. Ash hurriedly looked up in expectation and anticipation thinking that he had remembered something. Abner also looked toward Arlo.
However, these two were bound to be sorely disappointed. For Arlo had not recalled a thing about the earring.
Rather,.....
"I remembered that none of us have introduced ourselves yet!" Arlo excitedly exclaimed in a loud voice, startling a creature in this Black Forest who had been previously having a delightful dream, inciting its wrath, causing an acorn to be thrown at his head which he couldn't dodge because he didn't anticipate it.
"Ouch!" Arlo made a pained expression, rubbing roughly at the spot the acorn had accurately hit.
Yet in a split second, ignoring the still throbbing ache on his scalp, Arlo made a self-introduction.
"Nice to meet you...Ah. Never mind~ I can't say that it was very 'nice' or 'pleasant' to have met you. Well, anyway, hello, my chosen name is Arlo, it means 'fortified hill', quite a strong and manly sounding name. What about you?" Arlo directed the question to Ash who was looking portentous yet slumped, totally unlike the normal him, the poor guy must be heart-shaken for having false hopes.
Hesitating, it took a while for Ash to decide whether to tell them his name or not. Let it be known that when Abner had called out Ash's name, Ash's consciousness had already faded away until only a strand of it was left, that had soon completed vanished when he accidentally encountered Abner and Arlo.
"Ash." Came the one-worded introduction from Ash which was heavily met with Arlo's criticism.
The corner of Arlo's lip twitched. "Seriously?! Can't you exaggerate your intro a bit more? Don't be so serious and solemn, alright? I can see through you! I can totally tell that you're not normally like this!! You have no way to escape my sharp eyes!!" Arlo denounced as his words came out in rapid-fire delivery.
Ash remained unresponsive on the outside, on the contrary, on the inside, Ash was so flaming with anger that wants to be let out like a flood at Arlo that he was cursing this guy using so many colorful words and innovative ways that even the prettiest rainbows pale in comparison. Yet he didn't let a single one of those beauty out.
Although it's true that Ash has the most fiery and hot temper out of all of Abner's friends, he is also very intelligent. He would never let the enemy take advantage of him, that's why he always forges calm when facing the enemy, holding in all his irrational behavior and rashness.
Seeing Ash being so uncooperative and boring, Arlo soon tired out of chiding him out in favor of introducing Abner.
Grinning, Arlo hopped to Abner, alternating between both legs until he reached Abner. Placing a hand on Abner's shoulder, Arlo turned to face Ash.
But he didn't say a word. He obviously wanted Abner to say his own name himself.
Deliberating this for a moment, the pair of violet-purple eyes that had closed themselves opened, revealing irises that shined as brightly as when sunlight hit directly onto the tiny stardust gems and diamonds on the black-purple cross pairless earring.
The owner of this pair of dauntless and unwavering eyes opened his mouth slowly and leisurely, like he had all the time in the world to say what he said next.
"...Abner."