We took our seats on the either side of the table. We were hungry and waiting for the food we ordered at the counter. I was glad we could find a restaurant at such a small village.
I looked around, noticing how people were crowded in this small place.
"Hey Quinn," Oswin called out to me, snapping his fingers. "Why are you going to Oldwest town again? Are you going on a search of a trainer?"
"Oh, yes." I replied. "A trainer in Oldwest."
"Why don't you join me? We can both train together." He grinned at his offer. "What do you say?"
That would be a great idea if it wasn't for my father already having been set a location.
"I have a trainer already set. I just have to meet him." I couldn't meet his eyes even if I wanted to. Turning down an offer he made which he was excited about was truly painful.
"Oh, I see. That's great then, if time permits, we can definitely show off our improvements."
"That reminds me," I leaned on the table, resting my head on my palms. "How did you do that earlier?"
"What, killing the soul?"
"Yes, that. How did you do it?" I was genuinely curious, and I had thought about it before, if I was facing Auris nobles then I couldn't go empty handed without a slightest bit of knowledge.
"You only have to concentrate on the aura your own soul holds over your body and get your opponent's to break." He clicked his tongue. "Though, I haven't been able to thoroughly practice it, or understand the true nature, I think it's when you are able to invade your opponent's aura that you can completely destroy them."
Ah, no I didn't get it one bit. None of it. I did see him perform it, but the theory just goes right above my head. How did he do that? I should probably try doing it to understand it?
Or not.
Maybe I should just give up and go back home.
I closed my eyes and shook my head in disappointment. "Worthless, Quinn, you are worthless."
Except I forgot he was watching me and I snapped back to reality.
"You good?"
"Yep." I pursed my lips.
For the next half an hour or so we ate our food that arrived, and I just watched him finish his plate.
There were two travelers in sight, just like us, who had taken their seat right behind our table. It was nice knowing people do travel at times.
But it was strange, they didn't talk or utter a single word.
Probably too tired?
Which I am too.
"Hey, Oswin," I yawned, eyes drooping. "Watch out for.. Auris nobles." My head fell flat on the table, and I could tell I was drifting away from consciousness.
This had never happened before.
All I could see was darkness. I know that's how passing out was supposed to work but I actually understand the darkness I see here. Was it a dream? Was I dreaming?
This was too real to be a dream.
Where was I?
The darkness increased by depth, and I couldn't figure out how a dark place could get even darker. It just happened, and I was submerged under it.
"Quinn!"
I gasped, head flying up to face the ceiling of the restaurant. My chest heaved up and down furiously. "Water-- water please."
"Here you go." Oswin handed me my glass of water, as beads of sweat started rolling down my temples. "Are you okay? What the heck happened?"
I gulped down water, before placing the glass down. "I don't know." I pushed my hair off my forehead, trying to distract myself. "That was scary."
"What happened to you?"
Wish I knew what happened.
"I think I'm just tired. I'll rest for a while."
Oswin nodded in approval. There was something wrong with the atmosphere, was it because Oswin was too loud in waking me up? I could feel their gaze burning holes into my face.
"Since we've paid already, I'll ask at the counter whether there's a place around to rest." Oswin informed. It didn't feel right, I didn't want to stay in this village anymore.
"Wait, Oswin." I licked my lips. "Don't. Just give me few minutes. I'll be alright. We'll stay for the evening in the next town."
Oswin looked like he didn't quite understand, yet he agreed anyway. He speechlessly leaned back on his chair and shifted his attention outside the window.
I was clearly in a daze. That feeling of being submerged in the darkness felt suffocating. It lit a spark of fear inside me.
We shouldn't be here, something is definitely off about this place. Or was it just me?