"How in the hell did you manage to keep up?" Lucia commented
"Do... I look like I've kept up?" Alfie said in between huffs
"Considering how you're holed up in your room all day, yes," Lucia answered.
A wave of acknowledgment washed over Alfie as he flashed a smile.
"I've been doing some things here and there."
Lucia smiled before turning her attention to where they were.
They stood near the edge of the village facing the timeless forest that they had arrived from many years ago.
"So, what's next on the chopping block?" Alfie asked having regained most of his stamina
Lucia responded by throwing a wooden dagger and a small pouch containing water.
"Rest for a little bit more. We'll be doing some sparring." Lucia said before sitting down on a nearby rock
Catching the water pouch and dagger Alfie took a swig of H.C. before taking a seat on the dirt ground.
Alfie twirled and fidgeted with his surroundings before Lucia spoke up.
"You know, don't you?" Lucia asked
"You're gonna ask me again right?" Alfie asked back
Lucia sat up from the rock she was sitting on to sit next to Alfie.
"Why won't you tell me?"
There were a lot of things that Alfie was hiding, ranging from the book of prophecy to his past life, the system, his worries about the village and so much more.
Her question was so vague that Alfie would probably spill everything once he got started.
"I just can't you know." Alfie lied
Expecting his response Lucia sighed. Before speaking up again she fidgeted with the necklace underneath her shirt, a habit she'd gained.
"Remember when I asked you the same question back when we first met?" Lucia asked while looking listless toward the forest
"If you mean the time I got smitten, yes. Not exactly a forgetful memory." Alfie mused
"I asked you the same question back then and that time you responded so easily. I was just a stranger to you back then." She asked
Alfie hesitated for a moment, words formed on his tongue but they seemed to get stuck before he could truly finish.
He fidgeted with his hands before looking at the ground and answering.
"I didn't think you'd believe me.."
Lucia was stunned for a moment before showing a troubled face.
"But why? I mean, I.. I've always listened and vouched for you. Like even on some of your far-fetched ideas."
Lucia looked hurt, her voice cracking at times as she spoke.
While still looking at the ground Alfie replied, "You've been there from the start, and I'm really really thankful. You vouched for me when no one else had and I haven't forgotten it, I really haven't."
"Then what about this, is so impossible that it makes you think I won't believe you," Lucia demanded
Alfie glanced quickly at Lucia before looking away again.
"Because it sounds absolutely ridiculous. I don't have any evidence to support it, there isn't anything I can do to prove what I'm saying. All those far-fetched ideas I had, I mean those could be proven you know, I was actually able to show evidence I wasn't crazy. With this though I've got nothing."
Lucia paused for a moment, looking towards Alfie who was instead facing the ground.
She laid her head on his shoulders. They sat in silence for a moment before she spoke up.
"You don't have to prove anything to me. No matter how ridiculous you think it is, I'll listen. Okay. I know you wouldn't lie about something like this."
She closed her eyes before starting again.
"I know it's been bothering you for a while now. Just tell me... Please."
Alfie stayed silent, he watched internally as his walls began forming cracks all around him.
It took him a while to formulate what he wanted to say. What should he start with? What was he even supposed to say? He didn't know. So, he simply followed his heart.
"I'm.. not from here"