[Lorraine POV]
Big Brother Jaque is so scary when he's serious, his eyes widen and his large pupils stare directly at us. Almost like a predator! Trying to follow his orders, I quickly try to pick up the shield. It's SO heavy! Even though it was so small, the shield was heavier than I expected but I still slowly managed to lean it next to me in the wagon.
After entering the forest for a few minutes, I listen to the sounds of birds and wind echoing throughout the forest. It felt so nice!
" Ahhh, this is so relaxing. I think we're going to have a nice, peaceful journey to the town. Don't cha think Arius?"
...
"Arius? Arrrrriuss? Hello? Stop ignoring me!"
"Huh, oh ya, I think we're going to have a nice time too!"
[Arius POV]
Once we set off again into the forest, I started going back into my own thoughts. When I pull off the sheath of the dagger and looked at the magical symbols on it, I felt as if everything else was drowned out. I saw a magical blue glow coming off the symbol. I felt attached to it and when I went to touch it, I felt a shock before a cool sensation flowed through my thumb.
"...arius...."
I felt like I saw the symbol brighten and when I...
"Stop ignoring me!!"
Startled, I reluctantly removed my gaze from the dagger and put it back in the sheath before standing up to ruffle, tickle and hug my sister to make her forgive me.
"Heyyyy, don't touch my ears, that tickles! hahahaha! I'm... ha...going... to fight back!"
...
"No Lorraine, please... your... you're going to make me ... haha... drop the dagger"
As we were busy tickling each other, we suddenly heard a sound.
GRRrrr
Lorraine suddenly goes beet red and Brother Jaque bursts out laughing.
"Looks like someone didn't eat breakfast!"
"NO! I ate ... a carrot..."
"HA Ha! Let's take a break and eat some food."
Bringing the horse to a stop in a small open area of the forest. Brother Jaque hopes down and once again opens his bag and a sac filled with bread and fruit. Jumping onto the wagon with the food, we started chowing down on the food. While we were eating, Brother Jaque started asking what we wanted to do once we had our coming-to-age ceremony.
"I want to be a great fighter, capable of using all weapons!"
While saying this, Lorraine had stars shining in her eyes, breadcrumbs all over her face and the wind blowing through her hair. Looking at this cute and adorable sight, Brother Jaque and I couldn't help but smile and laugh. I replied while taking bites of the fruit Brother Jaque prepared, it was sweet and sour and had a crumbly texture to it.
"I, hmm *Nom*, I don't know what I want to do. *Nom* Maybe just explore the world. How about you Brother Jaque? What did you want to do after you came to age?"
"Me? Well, umm, I didn't know what to do as well. So after my coming-of-age ceremony, I went on a trip to town. There, I made some good friends. A demon named Arcus and a centaur named Tartian. We joined the adventurer guild and had all sorts of adventures. We even became 4-star Copper Adventurers. *sigh* Sadly, I couldn't keep up with them. We had our goodbye and they left to find more adventure in places far from here."
"Well, do you still talk to them?"
Hearing my question, Brother Jaque seems to flinch and turned his face in the other direction. He then replied really quietly, seemingly trying to muster up some energy.
"...of course. We still are in contact with each other. Every other week, I write letters to them asking what they're doing."
TWUUUU! PSH!
NEIGHHHH!
Hearing the sound of something flying through the air and the neigh of our house, we all stand up and turned to look at our horse, who was already lying on the ground. It was in the middle of a pool of its own blood with an arrow sticking out of its chest.
"Lorraine! Arius! Quickly pick up your shield and dagger. There's a group of goblins!!"
Ke ke ke ke ke
Looking towards the creepy sound while holding the dagger close to my chest, I see a group of around 10 short green monsters with small swords and bows. I suddenly hear a scream beside me and see Lorraine crying and hiding behind the shield after getting a cut on her arm from an arrow.
"Quickly, You TWo!! Get back behind the wagon!!"
Brother Jaque quickly pulls his sword out of the sheath and blocks a few arrows aimed at him.
Grek ke ke GREE
The goblin in the front, as if leading the charge, cries out and leads 5 other goblins to come rushing at Brother Jaque. They surround him but he manages to kill two of the goblins by slashing their neck and chest using the longer range of his sword.
"Arius, Lorraine! You have two coming for you!"
Looking back in front of me, I see two of the goblins running toward us. I stand up and unsheathe the dagger getting ready for battle. With my heart pumping and my blood full of adrenaline, I see the first goblin rushing at me with his sword trying to stab me!
GRah!!!
I managed to step to the side in time and kick the goblin in the back making it fall into a bush behind me. Before I could catch a breath, I hear Lorraine scream and I turn to see a sword quickly approaching my face. I feel my body freezing up and I close my eyes for the slash.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Suddenly, I open my eyes and see Lorraine who had pressed the goblin down with her shield. Without hesitation, I run up to the goblin that was trying to get away and closed my eyes before stabbing its neck with the dagger.
KeReee.....
With the drying scream of the goblin, I open my eyes and hug Lorraine as we both breathed a sigh of relief. I took a look at how Jaque was doing and he seemed to be fine with just a few light injuries.
SCREREEE!
I suddenly feel a sudden pain in my back as everything goes red before black.
"NO!! ARIUS!!"
KE KE KE KE
"ARRRRRGGG!!!!"
With my last bit of consciousness, I hear screams of my sister and big brother before everything went black with only the quiet sounds of gears turning ringing in my ears.
Click Click Crack Crank tic... tic.... t...i...c