I stood up, drew my old sword from its sheath, and replaced it with the new one, which fit perfectly. I pulled out my shiny new sword and raised it, executing a graceful spin to show off in front of my companions.
"Hey guys, how do I look? Ready for action, right?"
Elise smiled playfully, and I noticed Grey's lips twitch into a small smile, which quickly disappeared.
"Only you, Hero."
While we were having fun, Grey pulled out a small dagger with a black handle, no details, and a blade that perfectly reflected my face. It caught both my and Elise's attention.
"So, I have a really good reason for picking up a weapon too..."
Elise covered her face with her hand as Grey approached her, extending his hand, offering her a small knife, similar to his dagger.
"You really want to give me this?"
"No, I'll rent it to you for just 60 gold coins... per day."
"Are you out of your mind? I'd rather stick with my humble bow."
"Just take it, only use it in emergencies."
"Thanks, dear Grey..."
"Please, never call me that again."
I watched this awkward situation unfold and quickly realized Elise was flirting with Grey.
"Save the romance for when I'm not around."
Grey gave me a killer glare, while Elise took his hand and leaned her face close to his. But she quickly turned and "whispered" into his ear.
"Dear..."
Grey's face turned as red as a tomato. I yawned, feeling bored.
"Grey, careful not to stab yourself in the foot!"
Grey performed some swift moves with the dagger.
"Don't worry. I've got full control over this beauty."
With weapons in hand, Grey and I began a training session, though Elise refused to participate, proud of her own skills.
"You sure you don't want to join, Elise?"
"Nah, I'm good."
"Check this out, Hero."
I looked towards Grey, and his body began to glow as lightning bolts shot out from him. Once again, a streak of his hair turned purple.
In an instant, Grey slashed the air, leaving only a trail of lightning where his body had been. Then, the sound of multiple slashes filled the air. Grey magically appeared in front of me.
"Damn, that's one overpowered ability. I pity anyone who becomes your enemy in the future."
"Grey, think fast!"
Elise shot several arrows at Grey, but he incredibly dodged them all, a sudden attack from Elise herself—no easy feat to evade.
"If that had hit him..."
"Oh, you idiot. He can heal whenever he wants."
I scratched my head, giving a sheepish grin.
"I forgot about that detail."
Grey and Elise laughed, and Elise decided to join our training.
Elise demonstrated her prowess with the bow and arrow, her shots hitting targets with millimeter precision. Grey refined his close-combat skills, using the dagger with speed and fluidity. As for me, I tested the limits of my sword, seeking powerful and efficient strikes, feeling the blade vibrate as it cut through the air.
"Elise, shoot arrows at me too."
"Okay, try dodging."
Elise's arrows were incredibly precise, and I knew she was aiming for my hand. I quickly positioned my sword to block her arrows.
Grey chuckled before sheathing his dagger.
"Imagine if your sword breaks..."
"I'd be sad and cry in the shower. This sword seems really good though, not to mention beautiful."
Elise gave me an evil glare, her aura growing heavy.
"Nice defense, but be careful relying on your sword for blocking. It won't always work."
"What the hell are you thinking? Are you trying to kill me?"
"No, no, not at all. I'd never do that to you, dear companion."
"You asked for it..."
I lunged at Elise, brandishing my sword and bringing it to her neck.
"Try to take me down now, ha!"
"Remember, you asked for this."
Elise kicked me in the groin, making me fall to the ground, staying down for a while.
"Damn! That was a cheap shot."
I glanced at Grey, who averted his gaze, looking to the side with a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Really..."
As we trained, the bond between us grew stronger. We learned to trust one another more, understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses. Our teamwork became increasingly harmonious, and our synchronized efforts yielded noticeable results. The sound of clashing blades and the whizzing of arrows filled the air as we honed our skills.
Sitting on the edge of a large cliff, we admired the sunset painting the sky in shades of orange.
Grey's facial expression changed, from a smile to a more serious look.
"I know you're all excited, but remember, never underestimate your opponent."
Elise also noticed the sudden shift in Grey's mood.
"Grey? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. I was just lost in thought..."
Grey suddenly stood up, frowning. His eyes locked onto something beyond the horizon, and with a subtle gesture, he called our attention to the left. His expression was a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"Look, a group is approaching."
Elise and I followed Grey's gaze, our eyebrows raising in bewilderment. A group of elders was walking toward us. Their simple, yet meticulously cared-for clothing gave off an air of respect.
Curious, we remained silent, watching as the group came closer. It was difficult to make out their faces from afar, but there was something intriguing about them, something that stirred our curiosity.
"What do you think they want here?" Elise asked, without taking her eyes off the group.
"I have no idea..."
Grey remained uncertain, clearly sensing something was off, as this place was reasonably far from any village or town.
"Do you think we committed a crime?" I asked. "Maybe they found out we entered that ruin and took some valuable weapons?"
"I don't think it's that. We didn't commit any crimes. They must be here for some other reason," Grey replied, still watching the group approach.
As the elders drew nearer, my mind was flooded with questions. Who were they? What brought them to us? Were they allies or enemies? A sense of anxiety mixed with nervousness began to well up inside me.
Intrigued and determined to uncover the truth behind this unexpected arrival, Grey stepped forward, ready to greet the elders. But before he could utter a single word, the elders stopped abruptly, their tired eyes fixed directly on mine.
A tense pause filled the air, and then, a mysterious smile formed on the lips of one of the elders. It was an enigmatic smile—could they be enemies? I was left with more questions than answers.