While kneeling on the ground Mark checked his aether reserves, it was pitifully low which shocked him as he didn't go all out, the aether in his reserves were just enough to heal him as his reserves were being replinished quickly, so while kneeling he urged the little amount of aether left in his reserves to heal his body, as his bruises started fading away quickly and his face started regaining it's lively look.
"That kid was pretty tough" he muttered under his grunt as he mustered what little energy was left in him as his body felt like it was filled with lead, as he picked himself off the floor.
His mind recalling the earlier battle and the final attack that was used by the kid.
As a third rank aether user it is unbelievable that he could be beaten up this badly by a child even though he held back it was still nerve wracking, and that said child seems to only be in the first realm based on it's utilization of aether.
The child's unique points were it's brute strength unlike most and its unique type of aether that had unknown properties, but it could be inferred that his aether has destructive properties, as Mark thought so his gaze was then focused on the child who was still standing, the scars on his body had already healed and his gaze held within it that same dullness as before.
He was panting heavily a sign that the move he pulled out there also drained him.
Mark approached the kid with heavy steps which seemed to get lighter as his injuries could be seen almost being completely healed except for some deep ones, standing in front of the kid, Mark noticed the fatigue evident in his gaze, as he raises his hand before patting the kid's shoulder.
As he pats the kid shoulder he now discovered that the kid hasn't even taken his first steps to becoming an aether user which shocked him, as his thoughts were on the movements the kid displayed during their battle.
"When I was his age, am sure I hadn't even learned the intricacies of battle to this level", Mark's gaze was focused oh the kid as his thoughts dwelled on the kid's immense combat talent.
"You did a good job" he said to which the kid gave him a puzzled look.
"Oh" it then hits him.
"Do you have parents or relatives so I could take you home they should be worried" the kid still gazed at Mark with utter confusion while thinking what's this 'thing' in my front saying.
Before Mark remembered the fact that he met this kid in a zone which is already unusual so could the kid have parents or was he abandoned by them, but abandoning your kid in a zone that's a little too much, as he was thinking Mark took his time to observe the kid, untrimmed silver hair, his heterochromatic eyes and muscular physique unlike that of any child he has ever seen, his gaze tinged with pity as he observed the kid.
As Mark walked around the kid who still kept his gaze on him, he saw something that caught his attention.
"Was this there before" he said as his gaze settled on a unique tattoo on the kids back that seemed to be part of his skin which depicted a huge tree with it's branches and leaves located on his shoulder blades, the trunk only took a small amount of space below his shoulder blades right on his spinal cord and its roots started spreading from his tail bone. A huge serpent could be seen wrapped around it's trunk as if protecting it.
As Mark gazed at the tattoo he was surprised to see the kid turn around and meet his gaze, the kid displayed a level of intelligence above his age but it seemed that he had not learnt anything before so although he possesed thoughts they were very simple and easy to understand, the kid just relied on his instincts to survive and thrive.
They both held their gazes with no one willing to withdraw, Mark then realized that this kid could be a [zone] habitant, and was then disappointed before he withdrew his gaze while proceeding to walk away from the kid as his injuries were mostly healed, after he walked a certain distance he stopped, as he saw the kid right front of him blocking his path.
He turned around to follow another direction but was blocked again by the kid, he tried again but was still intercepted, before he gazed into the kid's eyes and saw something he never expected to see "loneliness".
the kid stood in his way with a determined gaze, Mark then asked the kid "do you want to leave with me" to which the kid replied with the same dull look, Mark then raised his palms and smacked his head in frustration as he realized that the kid couldn't understand him.
He then stood up and tried to use sign language to communicate with the child which also ended in failure, since speech couldn't work he was sure writing wouldn't work but he still tried, which also ended in failure, he then remembered that aether could be used to communicate by conveying his will through the aether which could be understood universally and was also a skill that every explorer had.
It was that important that if you wanted to be upgraded from the bronze rank to silver rank you'll have to be at least proficient with conveying your thoughts through aether..
He spread his will throughout and merged it with his aether before displaying the skill, as his thoughts conveyed his words to the aether tht aether will now act as a data carrier, so your meaning will be stored in the aether and anyone who absorbs the aether will basically understand it as long as he/she are locals of laxarria.
Mark didn't have time to wrap his thoughts around his head as he used the aether in a way to try to convey a basic question to the kid " do you want to come with me", which made the aether around him to pulse in a unique frequency.
To which the kid later nodded, as Mark observed the child he thought to himself why doesn't he adopt the child as the loneliness he saw in the child's eyes seemed to make him recall some memories, also there's no guarantee that he has parents or any relatives and even if he does how could he be sure they'll accept him. There's also the possibility that the kid is an aether beast which gained a humanoid form.
"Well there's no much time left to spend here all my doubts would be cleared as long as we reach the [zone] border, as aether beasts that belong to a zone aren't capable of leaving the [zone] except those at the fifth-rank" he sighed while massaging his temples.
" I think I'll need to give this child a name as calling him kid or child is inappropriate" he started brainstorming for name's suitable for the kid before his gaze landed on the amethyst mystifirs he then recalled the tattoo on the kid's backand his insane regeneration speed.
"Athan, I'll call you Athan" Mark said as he gazed at the child with mixed emotions.
"So first I'll try to introduce you to the basic knowledge of the world and also teach you how to speak so that we can get over this language barrier sooner but first let's head over to a better spot" said Mark as he gazed at the kid to which the kid met his gaze.
Mark turned to observe his surroundings before he noticed the aftermath caused by the clash of their attacks, fallen trees and craters adorned his line of sight.
He noticed a huge scar formed on one side of the battlefield because of his sword strike and the other side there was nothing, the trees were all wiped out leaving behind only barren land that seemed to stretch indefinitely.
As Mark observed the aftermath, a trace of regret could be seen on his face.
His thoughts were now focused on his departure but a pained look was glued on his face as he thought about how'll he would be reprimanded by the guild, athan observed as mark had an ugly look on his face while dusting his body and sword, Mark's aether reserves had already recovered to it's peak and his injuries were all healed.
He picked up his sword before gazing at the little kid now called Athan who was standing buck naked in his front.
"I'll need to get you some clothes" his eyes focused on Athan's gentilals as he noticed the kid has none.
So him having a family should be crossed out the list Mark thought as he gazed west.
His destination the [zone] border, the pair started moving with Athan trailing behind Mark as they left the prior site of conflict and journeyed deeper into the [zone].
Moments after the unusual duo left, a humanoid figure appeared at the place where they had their battle, it gazed at the aftermath caused by their battle, the figure couldn't be seen clearly as it was cloaked by [dark aether], all of it's features seemed hazy except for a pair of pitch black horns, the creature gazed in the direction of the unusual duo before going back to where it came from.
"Have fun child" it uttered in a hoarse voice that couldn't be made out clearly, it's figure disappearing after leaving behind those words.