Ikuto stared at him with a bored expression while Raphael did the same, they both didn't know what they didn't like about each other.
Ikuto couldn't stand Raphael, maybe because of that always disinterested expression of his, and Raphael probably because he never really got close to Thamy's friends, when they all went out together he never noticed the others, and just diligently listened to Thamy's words, ignoring completely everything and everyone around him…
– It's decided then, Matheu will take care of the boat at night, you'd better rest now, we'll wake you up when it's time – Elaxi said, interrupting the looks that both boys exchanged with each other.
Matheu nodded, pulling Felipe towards the door that led to the interior cabins – Felipe will stay awake with me, I don't like to be alone.
Everyone looked at Felipe who was being pulled away, he smiled embarrassedly – Yes, I will stay with him.
'Drazhan asked Thamy to take care of Matheu, and now that this boy has joined this fugitive group this responsibility has become mine, how should I take care of it? Should I write in a journal and report things like that to Drazhan?' - Ikuto thought for a few seconds, shrugging he returned to take care of the helm.
Raphael leaned against the prow and watched the river, his amulet had glowed during the dawn while they were staying in the city of Zali, he turned to face the three young women who were arguing on the other side of the boat thinking about what he had heard in the morning - they're hiding something...
His amulet glowed subtly, a faint glow that soon went out, Raphael hadn't even noticed, but apparently something or someone was following them. A lone figure in a black robe watched the boat pull away, and then followed it with easy steps as if just walking along the river's edge.
Celine felt slight shivers, turning to the direction she felt observed she faced Raphael, frowning she thought - it looks like it's him fixing his gaze in that direction...
– Raphael – She waved at the young man, who stared at her for a few more seconds before approaching – If you want to ask about something, just ask.
Raphael nodded, looking away as if thinking of something and then finally asking – You guys had talked about this gem and the creature, and what it was doing all this for. You said you had a book about that thing, would you let me have a look? – He said the last sentence staring at Celine.
Looking at Leila and Harumi, who until then only watched the suspect Raphael, Celine sat on the floor of the boat, her manners seemed inviting, both girls followed her, and sighing Raphael sit down too. Celine took out of her space bag an apparently old book, opening it and quickly flipping a few pages, stopping at one and pointing, she showed the boy what he wanted to know.
Raphael looked with some surprise at the drawing, if he could put into a single word what he had thought about that creature, it would probably be "majestic". Raphael seemed delighted by the drawing – It's really amazing, has these creatures really walked on the mainland lands...?
Leila nodded – Yes. I also think there were types. This one in the drawing is one of them, in the drawing I saw in the book that I found in my dad's office, this thing didn't have four legs and a pair of wings, but wings instead of front legs, I only recognized this one because of the art style and because they are really similar, the shape, the representation of the scales, the horns, the claws…
– I think we all understand – Harumi touched Leila's shoulder, who just smiled calmly at her friend.
– There really should be these types, in the tapestry symbol in addition to the representation of what would literally be a lizard with wings, in the symbol there was a snake with wings, there were no legs, just the long body of a snake with a pair of wings adorning its back – Celine added as she lightly caressed the drawing under her hands.
– How long are you guys going to keep looking at this thing? – Aysel asked approaching, looking directly at the drawing feeling fascination and a little fear at the same time – I'm wondering If it was difficult to fight this creature...
– Probably – Leila pointed to the drawing – In addition to having an absurdly long life expectancy, their skin is practically impenetrable, it is impossible to pass through it with a common weapon.
Raphael frowned as he stared at Leila – And how did they deal with them?
Leila looked at Celine as soon as she heard Raphael's question, Celine pursed her lips and replied – The only information the book gave was that the only thing that can go through a dragon's hide is a dragon's claw.
Aysel looked at her confused – Eh? But wouldn't that mean that only a dragon could slay another dragon?
Celine stared at Aysel nodding with a calm expression – That's right... only a dragon can kill another dragon.
Aysel stared at Celine stunned by what she had heard coming from Celine.
Raphael looked at the drawing thoughtfully, thinking for a moment that it was a shame for such a great race to disappear like this, and considering the information he had just gotten, these creatures had ruined themselves.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The boat glided slowly along the river, the night was silent, not even the boat made any sound as it glided through the water. A very dark environment indeed, but for these two young people, it was just a great night, a peaceful night, perfect for thinking and reflecting on life.
And as they both guided the boat slowly down the river, inside the rooms located in the inner cabin of the small boat, a young woman with black hair opened her eyes scared, it wasn't the first time that Harumi had nightmares, well, it started when she first saw the image of that creature, and from then on, she dreamed every night of one of these creatures chasing her and swallowing her, throwing her into a suffocating and endless darkness.
Harumi sat down, she was sleeping on the floor, so she wouldn't disturb the girls if she needed to go out, Aysel was the one who lay next to her, she definitely could sleep in any situation. Harumi stared at her colleague before sighing a little wearily, what if she got dark circles? Would Ikuto still look at her? She pursed her lips, rubbing hard at her eyes.
Standing up she moved slowly towards the door, leaving the room she headed towards the boys' quarters.
With Matheu and Felipe up there, only Ikuto, Raphael and Nevra were left in the room.
Harumi pushed open the door, looking around she quickly found who she was looking for, she walked to the left bunk of the small room, and slowly lifted the sheet trying not to wake Ikuto.
– Harumi? – Ikuto looked at her with half-closed eyes, thinking that maybe something had happened, he quickly woke up, looking worriedly at the beautiful young woman in front of her – What happened? Are you okay?
Harumi was a little embarrassed but still sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Ikuto calmly – Nothing happened, I just had a nightmare and I can't sleep properly.
Harumi used this excuse that was not in a way just an excuse because if she said that what really bothered her was that if she looked ugly because she didn't sleep well, Ikuto might not like her anymore, he would probably tell her that he would never abandon her and that even if she became a hideous monster he would never stop loving her.
When very in love, couples usually said things like that, and when Harumi heard that, she always smiled and said the same, but in her heart, there was always the doubt, if that really happened, would he really continue to love me?
– A nightmare? Do you want to talk about that? – Ikuto held Harumi's hands and caressed her lightly while she sighed in relief, just a nightmare, he could talk about and comfort her, but Harumi seemed distressed to remember the dream again.
Shaking her head she squeezed Ikuto's hands that held her lightly – I don't want to talk about it, it was a little scary, I'd rather try to forget about it as soon as possible.
They basically whispered to each other. Harumi was embarrassed again – I thought if you were by my side I wouldn't have this nightmare anymore.
Ikuto smiled, lifting the blanket he lightly tapped his hand on the mattress, the only light was the moonlight, it was still a little dark but Harumi could still see Ikuto lying with his body slightly raised while talking to her, and now the "inviting" like this she got really shy, but still accepted.
As soon as she lay down, Ikuto covered them both and walked over to hug Harumi, who was cold compared to the heat emanating from Ikuto.
Harumi, feeling the heat that enveloped her, fell asleep very quickly, and noticing the steady breathing of the girl in his arms, Ikuto smiled, falling asleep right away.
At dawn, the youths in the next bunk stared at the lovers with complicated expressions.
Ikuto, afraid of waking up Harumi got up carefully, bringing his index finger to his lips as a gesture of silence for the other two.
Raphael and Nevra dressed appropriately and left the room, with Ikuto following close behind. At the same time, the door at the end of the small hallway also opened. Elaxi stared at the three – Harumi is not here.
Both younger ones looked at Ikuto, he just pointed with his eyes to the door next to him – She's still sleeping, I'm going to prepare breakfast – Ikuto stretched and went to the small wing where they had their meals, opening the small cupboards looking for something to satisfy the hunger.
Elaxi frowned – Did they… do something?
Raphael kept looking at Ikuto who was acting as usual. Nevra replied to Elaxi – Nothing happened.
Elaxi nodded, heading back into the bedroom and closing the door behind her.
Nevra and Raphael then decided to go up, passing by Ikuto as if he didn't even exist they climbed the small ladder.
As soon as they looked towards the rudder, they found Felipe sleeping on the ground leaning against the edge, and Matheu looking at the horizon ahead with half-closed eyes, his expression quite tired.
– I'll take over for a while, sit there – Raphael took the helm while pointing in the direction of Felipe for Matheu to rest.
Nevra walked to the front of the boat and watched the river, his eyes wandering, caught in thought he let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
The girls soon left the small room, finding Ikuto rummaging in the small kitchen. He waved at them – Good morning.
Aysel replied quite excitedly – Good morning my fella.
Elaxi stared at Ikuto's smile with an irritated expression – ...good morning.
Just as Celine was about to answer she was pulled by Leila who completely ignored her disciple brother's greeting and quickly went to the other room to wake up Harumi.
Asterin just returned the wave and followed Elaxi out of the inner cabin while Aysel stayed to help Ikuto with the food.
Celine looked around the room where the boys slept, some bags in the corner and the beds slightly messy, paying attention, she could see fine lines of aura emanating from where the boys slept, the least emanating was probably Matheu's aura, who was a shapeshifter, she might think that the one who had slept in that bed was Raphael, but she only knew two people who could emanate a blue-black aura, and those people were Thamy, who was a Night Mage, and Raphael because of the amulet.
The colors suddenly seemed more vivid, she looked at Leila and Harumi, both surrounded by light blue and orange auras, which were the easiest auras to recognize, fire and water.