For the next 3 days, Ana and Arthur were able to travel freely without any obstacles or complications, until they weren't
"So was there always a giant river cliff here."
"It's not on the map. And if we try to go around, based on the layout of this map, it'll be an extra 5 days."
"5?!"
"I mean there is a way, but you have to trust me."
"I always trust you."
"Good."
Arthur suddenly picked up Ana into his arms.
"A princess carry? Didn't know you were so intimate Arthur."
"I'll drop you where we stand."
"So what's your game plan."
"I'm gonna jump of course."
"Huh…"
…
"LEMMME DOWN!!!"
Ana struggled to leave Arthur's arms
"I thought you said you like being princess carried."
"I did, until you said you were JUMPING!"
"Hold on tight."
"WHAT!"
Arthur grabbed all their belongings and with Ana in his arms, jumped across the river cliff. Ana held on tight as she ducked her head into his arms.
…
"See, we made it across."
Ana got down and kicked Arthur
"DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!"
"What's this? The cool and leveled headed fearless Ana is afraid of heights."
"And what if I am."
"Anyway let's get going."
"DON'T JUST IGNORE MY OPENING UP TO YOU!"
As they were walking, they ran into a group of goblins and an upper rank ogre.
"We should probably avoid them." Arthur whispers
"Why? I feel like we can easily cut them down."
"We can…but I just down feel like it"
Really…
"Fine. You stay here, I'll deal with them."
"GOOOOO ANA!"
Upon Ana's approach toward the goblins, they become alerted by her presence, and their demeanor shifted to hostility. They picked up weapons and were ready to attack.
"Y'all are a lively bunch huh."
Ana looks back to see if Arthur is paying attention, hoping to impress him with her talent, only to find that he's fallen asleep.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!"
The goblins charged at Ana
"Now I'm pissed."
Ana deflected their attacks using the small knife she'd been carrying with her before beheading 5 of them in seconds
I may not be as fast or strong as Arthur, but I can easily handle small fry like these. I'll show that I'm not just some support healer.
The ogre who had been sitting finally stood up. It was clear that he was the boss of this goblin horde. He held a giant sword in hand, it was easily twice the size of Ana and the ogre was close to 3x the size of her.
"You might cause me a bit of trouble"
The ogre swung and to Ana's surprise he was fast. She was barely able to dodge its attack.
That was close. What hell is up with this thing. How can it be so big and hold such a heavy weapon yet be so fast
"Want some help!"
"Oh so now you decide to pay attention when I start losing! You stay right there I got this!"
"Suit yourself!"
Unlike Arthur, I don't have to luxury of mindless charging at it. I need a plan.
As Ana was lost in thought, a goblin snuck up behind her and caught her off guard. Her balance and focus were broken. The ogre went in for another swing. She threw her knife hitting the ogre in the eye and preventing it from attacking momentarily. She then took down the goblin the snuck up on her.
"You sure you don't need my help!"
"Shut up Arthur!"
Shit. Now I don't have a weapon.
Ana thinks before looking around and seeing swords on the ground from the goblins she killed early.
That's it!
Ana finally had a plan of attack
"This is over you big ugly fuckfest…it's time to meet your end."
*Shk * *shk* *shk*
Ana threw three of the swords all hitting the ogre.
"RRRAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!"
It screamed out in pain and began attacking out of anger
"Woah calm down big guy, it's just a few stab wounds you'll be fine."
As the ogre was attacking, Ana saw an opening. It was now swinging without any care for its balance.
On the next swing, I'll attack
The ogre went in for a swing
*Slice*
Ana was able to dodge the attack. She leaped in and beheaded the ogre with one swing. The rest of the goblins ran in fear.
*clapping*
"That was amazing Ana!"
Ana turned around blushing and ecstatic at Arthur's praise
"You really think so!"
"I would've done it faster though."
Ana's face expression dropped
"For sure you would've, just cause of that comment, I'm not healing you next battle and you're battling it by yourself."
"Fine then."
Arthur crossed his arms looking away from Ana
"I don't need your healing anyway."
As they were arguing, a giant earth snake leaped out the ground. Arthur smiled.
"Perfect timing. I'll show you right now."
"Cool. You do that and I'll be here relaxing."
*Slice*
Arthur cut the giant snake in half with one swing. A shocked expression formed over Ana's face.
"Well that was easier than expected. I thought it would take about three swings to kill it."
Ana was aware of the skill difference between her and Arthur, but to such an extent, it left Ana speechless.
Arthur looked over at Ana
"Happy now."
*pouting* "Fine."
"Don't trouble yourself about it"
Arthur puts his hand on Ana's head
"You did good"
Lost in the moment, Ana began to blush, savoring ever second of praise before coming back to her senses.
"A-Any way let's get going." Said in a stammered speech
"I saw you bluuusshhinngg."
"I was not! Let's get going! We've wasted enough time."
They began walking. Night time came around and they set up camp.
"I'll get the food ready."
"Ok. I'll wait here"
I never knew Ana could fight like that. She must be training in secret. I hope she doesn't push herself too hard.
"It's ready!"
"Kaayy."
They ate and got ready for bed.
"So Arthur…"
"Hm?"
There was a strange tension forming
"Do…Do you want to sleep together tonight." Ana said in a shy and embarrassed tone
*Blushing* "Huh?!"
*Blushing beat red* "Don't make me repeat it!"
"N-No I heard you but…it's…I-"
"I'm sorry! I'm probably moving too fast!"
"No. It just caught me off guard…but if your ok with it…then I wouldn't mind."
Arthur and Ana now found themselves sleeping together in the same tent. They were however facing away from each other as the situation was a bit awkward for the both of them.
"Hey Arthur"
"Hm."
"I told you why I love you, but I don't understand what you see in me. I'm weak. You would probably even be better if I wasn't tagging along."
Arthur held silence for moment before speaking out
"Back in our old world, I went through life while constantly wearing a mask. Never showing my true self to anyone. I didn't care about what others thought. I didn't care about life. I wasn't necessarily suicidal, but if one day I were to suddenly die, I wouldn't mind at all. Everyone around me always put on their own mask. My life was filled with lies, then you came around. That smile you put on, I could tell that it was your true self. When you said you loved me…I could tell you were telling the truth."
"So…you love me…simply because of my smile."
"Sorry if you're not content with my answer."
*Sniff*
"Ana could you turn toward me."
Ana turned toward Arthur. She was crying. Arthur rubbed away her tears before pulling her close to him and comforting her with a warm hug. Ana and Arthur fell asleep, this time, with Arthur holding Ana in his arms.
The next morning
"Ready?"
"Ready."
They set out ready to finish their journey to Tetrine. Along the way, they encountered many monsters, but they took them out swiftly and efficiently. Ana and Arthur's bond had strengthened. They were in full sync. Before long, they finally reached it…the front gate of Tetrine.