"You can leave now. Wisdom will be fine," Wisemoon fox said.
Amarok hesitated. What if, after they left the cave, Wisdom still didn't get up? What will he do? He would hate himself for his whole life. Despite all that, he had learned to trust the Wisemoon fox in the meantime.
"Thank you for your teachings," Kinty bowed earnestly. Amarok, slightly surprised, did the same. Valdo, although reluctant, wasn't ill-mannered and bowed too. He might not fully agree with the Wisemoon fox on certain aspects but would not be ungrateful either.
"Remember, a heart not controlled by anger is not a heart that doesn't feel anger," the Wisemoon fox echoed before their surroundings shifted once more.
With the fading voice, they found themselves at the entrance of the bamboo forest. None of them seemed surprised; the Wisemoon fox had already shown them unimaginable abilities.
Valdo sighed, "Forgive myself..." he murmured, repeating the words he had been transmitted by the Wisemoon fox. Am I worthy of forgiveness?
Valdo cast a last glance at them. "Find Rik; he will deliver you your reward," he said, taking with him all the bamboo they had brought. It was enormous. This was all thanks to the Wisemoon fox and Amarok's thick skin. He had shamelessly asked the Wisemoon fox to collect the bamboo for them.
Amarok carried Wisdom in his arms as they returned to their residence. On their way, they came across a figure.
His features were hidden underneath his hood. He held a long-sheathed sword, his aura imposing and memorable.
Amarok and Kinty halted their steps; they were too familiar with it.
"What a beautiful moon cheetah you have there," the figure's voice echoed.
"What are you doing here?" Amarok's voice trembled with anger. He brought Wisdom closer to his chest, casting his gaze at Agris, the ancient city lord of Alden, son.
"Collecting old stuff," Agris replied with a smile. Kinty held his sword. "You're quite daring to appear here," he said.
"Is there something I need to be afraid of?" Agris shrugged his shoulder. They both felt something strange coming from him. It looked like Agris had changed, but how exactly, no one knew.
"I am not here for you, unfortunately. If you ever change your mind, when you have grown a little, my proposition still holds. We will be glad to accept you among us," he said, turning to leave.
"Are we going to let him go just like that?" Kinty was frustrated. He remembered how they almost died because of a single word from him in Wandleaf.
"Of course not, but we can't just act rashly. Even here, the celestial guardian must have ears. believe in me. He will definitely pay," Amarok said. His voice detached. Contley Blood was still looking for a simple good reason to get rid of him. He wouldn't give her that pleasure, but that didn't mean he wouldn't do anything either.
...
The trio returned to their residence. After collecting their reward from Rik—a bag full of crystals, it was the first time Amarok saw so many in one place, all belonging to them. Amarok's eyes were bright, thinking they were rich, but Kinty was different and didn't seem the least bit moved.
They both agreed to give it all to Neo. Despite the danger they went through to get it, they believed Neo would be the best person to handle it.
"Where have you been?" Neo Stern's voice echoed, sitting on the chair facing the entrance, holding his fingers together in front of his head.
"We went to find work. With this, we wouldn't have any problems for the time being," Amarok said slightly hesitant, taking out the bag of rubies.
Mist was startled, observing from the side. So, this was where they had been all this time. She was curious about what could have taken them so much time and yet furious at the same time. They had completely ignored her and went. Didn't they trust her? Or simply didn't want a girl among them.
"Why didn't you listen? I said to focus on your training. The monastery opens tomorrow," Neo added his voice almost unclear as he fiddled with his fingers.
"I just wanted to help," Amarok said in a low voice. "Yes, Wisdom started to evolve, and we had to stay longer in the forest," Kinty tried to explain.
"Shut up. What didn't you understand about focusing on your training? Do you think I'm incompetent and even now can't take care of you?" Neo's voice soured through.
"I never said that!" Amarok screamed out, shaken by finding Neo's words incomprehensible.
"Master Neo, please calm down. We never meant that," Kinty insisted, not understanding his fierce reaction.
"Everything I do is never enough," Neo murmured, holding his face, then turned and left. They were all rooted on the spot, unsure of what to think.
"I don't think it's about you. It's surely something disturbing Master Neo. Uncle Griffin always had the same eyes," Mist said with a bitter smile.
Amarok's mind was clouded, taking Wisdom away. Why did Neo think that way? Did something happen in the meantime while they were in the bamboo forest?
He wanted to be alone. Kinty and Mist cast a look but eventually decided not to follow.
Laying on the building rooftop, Amarok's gaze darted through the sky. The night was cold but calm. The moon hung high and shone with its luster.
What he found really incomprehensible was that they had actually spent two weeks in the bamboo forest. Everything had been so normal; he didn't notice the difference. Time had flown through. His family had grown again; now Kinty was aware of his secret. He didn't feel scared; deep down, he was certain Kinty would never use it against him.
Tomorrow, the monastery opened. They would finally get the answers they came looking for. Who was Nowelt, and how would he help them find a cure? They would also learn about the legendary Suwu Monastery. It promised to be an interesting day.