Chris and Elara walked though the village and towards the village square, the air blew a fresh breeze that ignited a sense of calm around the village. They passed a few shops here and there, and even got a few greetings from the locals.
"Today feels nice," Chris started the conversation, looking up the clouds "Perfect whether for a perfect day, isn't it?"
Elara followed his gaze and nodded "Yeah, though i can't help but feel a bit worried." She said with a lost expression.
"And why is that?" Chris asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Elara blinked as she turned to him with a confused expression "What, you don't know? Many Awakeners have lost their lives in that forest, doesn't that scare you one bit?"
"Oh! I get it," Chris said, understanding the gravity of the situation, but he didn't feel phased, having conquered the place "But, you have to remember that we're High-Tier Magic users now, so we're much stronger than regular people. Plus, if you feel threatened, i'm here to provide support."
He finished off with placing a hand on her shoulder. Elara looked at him and smiled, "Thanks, though i can't help but think of how mature you are, you're different from other kids." Elara said with a grin.
Chris laughed awkwardly, feeling that she on to him "Maybe it's because i'm En-Light-ened."
Elara chuckled a bit before rolling her eyes playfully, "Yeah, 'En-Light-ened', sure partner." She finished off with a laugh.
After a walking through the village for a while, they had finally reached the village square. All the other Awakened children were already forming groups, while others were engaged in conversation.
Immediately as soon as Chris and Elara arrived on the scene, everyone's eyes were on them. All the children began rushing to them and started bombarding them with requests to team up.
Elara laughed awkwardly, "Sorry guys, but i'm already paired with Chris." She said, raising her hands in a gesture of peace.
One of the kids crossed their arms and pouted "Hmph, no fair." The little girl said.
Another boy crossed their arms "It's always the strong, teaming up with the strong."
Chris walked up to them and began to pat each of their heads "Don't worry, you'll all be okay, i'm sure of it. Now, go finish finding your teamates, okay?" Chris said with a kind smile.
The kids looked at each other before smiling and nodding, they all left and returned to forming parties and discussing like usual. Elara shot a cheeky grin at Chris, but Chris just ignored her and decided to focus on something else.
Suddenly, Jack appeared and began walking up to Elara and Chris, with a irritated expression he began to speak:
"Well, well, what do we have here?" He said in an arrogant tone.
Chris narrowed his eyes in frustration, his fists were clenched as he was holding back all his rage, with a forced smile he replied "Hey Jack, what are you doing here?"
Elara noticed the tension between these two, especially the murderous aura coming off Chris. She looked back at Jack, who was also starting to fume off with anger
"Do you both know each other?" Elara asked.
Chris looked her, still holding his fake smile "Yeah! We're the best of buds." He said as he shot a menacing glare at Jack. His knuckles turning white with the force of his rage.
Jack scoffed, "As if, i'd never be friends with trash like you." Jack said as he stepped closer.
"Trash, me? The last time i remember, you were a Low-Tier Water magic user." Chris mocked with a evil smile.
Jack snapped as a vein popped on his forehead, his eyes fuming with rage as his teeth clenched "Why you-!" Jack growled as he threw his fist forward.
Chris smirked as he took a step back and prepared to counter attack, but before he could Elara jumped in between them and received the impact of the punch, square on her cheek as her head jerked back.
For a second, everything stopped. Jack froze in shock, Chris' reaction the same as his. They both didn't expect Elara to come between them, now Jack realized the weight of his mistake. Nervously he pulled back his hand from Elara's cheek.
"E-elara, i-" Jack tried to aplogize but no words came out of his mouth.
Elara, holding her cheek looked back at him with a strong glare "What the hell Jack!"
Chris walked beside her, cupping her bruised cheek as worry and guilt flashed in his eyes "Are you okay? I'm so sorry, you got hurt because of our diffirences"
Elara blushed as she held Chris' hand over her cheek, "It's ok-" Elara tried to reassure Chris, but Jack cut her off
"Yeah, It is your fault!" Jack spat, his arrogant tone returning as anger coarsed through him, he felt jealous of Elara and Chris' relationship, the fact that they were so close, hurt his pride.
Chris ignored Jack as he gently carressed Elara's cheek, "Stay still." He said as he began to heal her with his [Low Heal] Skill.
Elara blinked as she felt a comforting warmth wash away her pain, her bruised cheek becoming good as new in mere seconds. She gently felt her cheek, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Chris, your magic is amazing!" Elara said with a shocked expression, "You already have such good control and you know a Spell as well?" She asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Chris chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully he played it off "Well, i practiced alot last nignt. I'm not very good at it yet, but i'm grateful it was enough treat your injury." Chris finished off with a playful punch to her arm.
Jack grit his teeth as he saw that the bond between only getting stronger, he was about to take another step forward, but stopped as he heard the voice of his father, the village lord, call behind him.
"Jack," His voice sounded, stopping everyone as they all turned to him "That's enough."
Jack's face burned with anger and embarrasment, but he knew better to defy his father. Reluctantly, he complied and moved to stand next to him, shooting one last glare at Chris, who was calm and ready.
"Now then!" The village lord clasped his hands together, "Are you all ready to go the Dark Woods?" He asked scanning the crowd, and was met with ready expressions and nods.
"Alright then, let's go." He said as he turned around and began to walk in the direction of the forest, with the children following him.
"Thanks for defending me," Chris said to Elara, still a bit guilty about what happened.
Elara smiled as she grabbed his hand and began following the other kids, "Don't worry about it, you were great back there." She said.
Chris smiled and nodded, walking side by side with Elara as they followed the children. He felt a bit worried, what would happen if they discover that all the monsters in the forest were already killed?