(Note: When [Cast] is used, it is only there to indicate the attack happening. it isn't being yelled out or anything like that.)
(Julian)
I watched as Rar started to meditate. He claimed that he was gathering mana. From what I knew, mana was all around us, though it was invisible. Casts would require a certain amount of mana, depending on their strength. Some potions can increase your mana, too.
"Hey, Julian. You alright?" Silva asked me. It seems that she noticed that I was lost in thought. To be honest, I was trying to distract my mind from the pain in my back. The arrows from last night really did hurt. I didn't tell anyone, as I didn't want anyone to worry.
"I'm alright. I'm just thinking about something."
"About what?" Silva pestered.
"Must I really tell you?"
"Yeah, you must."
"Well. I'm just thinking about my past," I lied.
"Liar."
How did she figure it out so quickly?! Was it that obvious? I swear that I didn't show a single sign of lying.
"What makes you think that?" I double-downed, hoping that she just guessed.
"Nevermind. I won't disturb you anymore. By the way, we'll be departing soon. Do as you'd like before we leave."
I nodded and Silva left. How irritating. Although, she isn't as bad as Lyrei. Maybe it's me. I think I am the one who is being irritating, hiding away from everyone.
I wheeled myself over to a pond to see the water. I wanted to view the animals that lived in the area. Swans existed even in this world, huh?
"Julian?!"
I heard a familiar voice call my name. No way, it couldn't have been her. The voice revealed itself, pouncing onto me. I fell onto the floor and she landed on top of me.
"Julian, it's you! You're alive! I was so... I was so worried!" she started crying on me, the tears falling onto my face.
"I've missed you too, Elyse."
I hugged her. How could I have forgotten? One of my first true friends was here, right in front of me. She opened her jaw, revealing her fangs, and a little bit of drool fell onto my face.
"I've been waiting to take your blood for way too long~!" she said, smiling with her mouth open. I used my hands to pry her mouth opening, pushing her away from me.
"Ah, get off me!" I rolled away from her.
"Haha! Sorry, sorry. I couldn't hold back."
A quick silence ensued. It felt much longer than it actually was.
"I've missed you, Elyse."
She turned her head to the side. What was she doing? Was there something interesting that was over there?
"Y-yeah, yeah. I've missed you too."
"Where's everyone else?"
"I came here alone. Come, get on my back!"
"Uh... that might be a little bit of a problem. I can't use my legs anymore."
Suddenly, my heart started to pound. My palms became sweaty and my eyes started to dilate. It was an intense amount of bloodlust that wasn't even directed toward me.
"Who... did this to you?" she asked, with her fist balled. Her breath became heavy and her jaw was clenched.
"An orc. H-He's dead now."
The bloodlust made me stutter and trip on my words. Once I finished speaking, her expression lightened and the bloodlust started to dissipate. She pulled me up, placing me on her back.
"Where are we going?" I asked. I trusted her enough to not have much worry in my voice.
"I'm gonna jump around this forest and we're gonna have fun!"
"Wait-"
Elyse jumped into the air and I covered my mouth, holding in my scream. We were moving extremely fast and we were high in the air. I think I lost my fear of heights on that day. Eventually, I started to have fun.
We landed, giggling and laughing.
"You were screaming like a baby!" she said, laughing.
"That was only for like... a few minutes! After that, I was having a lot of fun, you know?" I responded, with a faint smile.
"I'm glad I got to talk to you again, Julian. Though, I have to go again."
"Why?"
"I'm gonna explore the world, that's why!"
"Well, good luck with that," I said.
"..."
"What? You want me to-"
I felt something warm on my cheek. It was soft and just a bit wet. A kiss on the cheek? That was the only thing it could be! My cheeks started to get red and hot. My stomach was light and it was as if I was getting tickled from the inside. The closest thing I could compare it to would be riding a rollercoaster.
"Th-that was a parting gift since I won't see you again for a while! So don't take it in a weird way, alright!? And... I better not see you with any other girls!"
"R-right!" I stuttered, still flustered. She was grinning ear to ear and she dashed away.
My heart was still racing. I placed my hand on my heart. It was beating so fast. I moved my hand up to my cheek, trying to remember the kiss on the cheek.
"Ah, Julian, there you are. We're about to leave!" Saldair said, picking him up and placing him into his wheelchair.
. . . . .
. . . .
. . .
. .
.
Saldair rolled my wheelchair, leading everyone. "You guys should all be alert. We eliminated a few other barbarians, so it's likely that we're gonna be hunted. If this is true, I have a good backup plan."
As if we were jinxed, an arrow shot through the shadows. One arrow followed by the other, until it seemed like it was raining arrows. This wasn't the cause of a cast, either. There had to have been thousands of warriors in the shadows!
"Everyone, follow me!" Saldair said as he sprinted. Rar picked me up from his seat, tossing me onto his back. He grabbed Saldair as well.
[Cast: Shadow Glide]
Rar's speed increased as he slid on the land, with a trail of shadow behind him. I turned around to see what the others were doing.
[Cast: Iron Control]
Silva grabbed Lyrei, jumping onto a platform of rapid-moving iron.
[Cast: Flowing Feet]
Sodror moved swiftly and gracefully. Despite this, he was fast and he was able to catch up with Rar and Silva. If I was this strong...