"Where did he go?" Rolan grumbled, marching forward. By the time they had harvested enough rat tails, he turned to look for the kid and found both him and his Beast missing. "I can't believe I have to tell him to wait and not wonder off! He should know better to not wonder off the beaten path that I haven't mapped yet!"
Tessa giggled. "I didn't think you would be so worked up about Arin disappearing on his own."
"You know it's dangerous in these mines! Who knows what things lurk down here?"
Tessa smiled. She knew Rolan had secretly liked Arin ever since he saw him. After all, Rolan continuously told stories to her about his childhood and the stories centered around the mythical Shadow Panther. She knew Rolan secretly wanted Arin around because he wanted to see the Shadow Panther up close.
With two lamps between them, Rolan and Tessa followed the unmapped area. Rolan quickly mapped it out while Tessa kept an eye on their surroundings. Her eyebrows furrowed as she stuck the lantern out further.
"Do you see that?" Tessa asked.
Rolan responded with even looking. "See what?" She elbowed him and he raised his head up. Purple energy floated in the air before fading into nothingness. "What's that?"
"I don't know… Mana residue, maybe?"
Bats flew by, forcing the two to duck. They watched in fear as the bats moved down the left path and disappeared.
"Were those… bats?" Rolan asked, straightening himself out. He turned to look right, clearly confused on what's happening.
"I sense mana that way." Tessa pointed, heading down the right path. Rolan followed after Tessa, roughly mapping the space out. Tessa picked up speed and started to move in a jog. She could sense someone's mana growing closer.
"Ah, dammit that was so close, Noct." Arin let out a sigh of relief. He leaned against the wall, and looked at the remains of the battle. "Those bats really did a number on the worms. Do you think they hunt those Terrors?"
"You're not hurt enough to ask such a question?" Nocturnis asked protectively standing watch near Arin.
Something lit in the distance was quickly moving towards them. It caught Nocturnis' attention followed by Arin's. The two listened as rushed footsteps moved towards them.
"Arin?" Tessa called out, loudly. She practically slid into the room, noticing the acidic smell and the leftovers of a close call. Her eyes landed on Arin, who was practically missing bits and pieces of clothes. "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
"Barely." Arin shook his head. "I almost died to some worms!"
Rolan examined the remains of the Terrors and sniffed. He immediately shrunk his face into itself and turned away. "Those are definitely Tunnel Terrors. How did you even come across them? They emit the nastiest, nostril-burning, smell ever." He waved the burning air away from his face.
"Ah, you're hurt, too. We'll need to do some treatment as soon as possible." Tessa clicked her tongue. "Can you stand?"
"Yeah." Arin slowly stood up, almost falling over. Tessa gasped, catching him and turning to Rolan for help. Rolan made his way over and lifted Arin up to his feet. "M-maybe not."
"Let's get out of here first." Rolan suggested.
They walked for a while, following Rolan's map back with Nocturnis leading the charge. Tessa glanced over to Arin and asked, "How did you even kill Terrors? They're Tier 3 monsters."
"I didn't." Arin answered. "Psychic Bats did."
Rolan smirked. "Of course you were saved by those conveniently moving bats."
'I probably shouldn't mention that ability. Who knows if Beastlords have such a thing?' Arin thought to himself.
"Lucky timing, hm?" Arin chuckled. "Certainly could say it was luck."
The group made their way back to the camp and Arin settled into one of the better made chairs. He let out a sigh of relief as he leaned into it. Tessa pulled her alchemist items out and started to pluck different plants, herbs and strange powders out of her satchel and dumped them into the crusher. She grinded them together, slowly making a liquid substance that was finished off with red dust.
"I'm going to gently put this on all your burns." Tessa explained to Arin. She dipped two of her fingers into the substance and started from Arin's face working down. From this close of a distance, Arin couldn't help but watch Tessa as she worked. She seemed so focused on taking care of Arin. It was as if in that moment, he watched the caring woman intensely focus on the task at hand.
'She's so intensely focused on the task in front of her, its like everything melted away.' Arin observed. 'It's almost like she's achieved Absolute Focus.'
"You noticed it?" Rolan stopped shuffling through his backpack. He eyed Arin and smiled. "The reason why Tessa doesn't hear anything else when she's working on something?"
"Absolute Focus." Arin nodded. He returned his gaze onto Tessa as she started on Arin's shoulders. "It's an intense focus when you're in your element. I always thought warriors were able to attain it. I didn't think that an Alchemist like Tessa could attain it."
"An Alchemist like Tessa…" Arin whispered. He looked to Rolan, speaking louder. "Do you think I could attain it in like she did?"
"If you work hard. Focus on trying not to get into too much trouble first before you do anything. I don't know how you survived Terrors like that, but you have an affinity for drawing bad things to you, don't you?"
"Maybe." Arin shrugged. He winced as Tessa's concoction had started to take effect.
'Was I always someone with bad luck?' Arin wondered. He couldn't help but feel sad about those words. He couldn't help but get lost in his own head. 'Was I always like this?'
Strange puzzle pieces began to grow closer into view as he thought about it. He couldn't help but think about that night and in an instant, it had come to him like it had always been there.
"My dear little Arin," Mother's voice softly spoke. She knelt beside the bed and brushed the young Arin's hair. "When the time comes, you'll get to adventure out and see the world for your own."
"Will I get to see the Leviathan?" Little Arin asked. "Will I get to see it swim and command the seas of skies?!? Oh, how about the Frost Dragon?!? I want to see all of these Beasts and be friends with them! They must be so lonely being strong all alone! They need someone like… like you, Mom!"
Little Arin jumped into his mother's arms and giggled. Mother brushed his head and rubbed her cheek with his. They pulled away as Little Arin gave the biggest smile ever.
"If anyone can do it, I think you could do it, Arin." Mother tapped his nose. "It's time for bed, alright? You need to sleep so—" A bell rang in the distance and Mother's eyes wandered to the window.
"Is something bad happening, again, Momma?" Little Arin asked.
Mother turned and braved on a smile. She brushed her kids face and gestured him to sleep. "Sleep, my dear. Momma will be back before you know it, okay?"
"Are you going to talk to the Beasts, again?"
"Yeah." Mother smiled. She tucked the little Arin into bed and stood up. "Don't worry about me, okay? You know Momma's strong with her friends."
Little Arin nodded and settled into bed.
Arin snapped out of the memory. He twitched, rising from his slumber. The sound of fire going with only Nocturnis in sight. Nocturnis peeled an eye open, acknowledging his Master had woken and then closed it.
Arin rubbed his eyes and took in a whiff of burnt air. He watched as smoke rose from the flames and quickly stood up and pulled the pan off the fire.
"Where did Rolan and Tessa go?" Arin asked.
"Outside." Nocturnis answered. "Although, they've been talking about something for a while now in hushed tones. If only my senses were higher, I could tell you what they're talking about."
"A-alright. I'll just see what they're up to." Arin nodded. He stepped away from the darkness and made his way to the exit. He could feel a gentle breeze of Summer greet him and the night burning full force.
"What're you thinking about doing?" Tessa asked. "You saw how he acted. He was completely out. If something like that happens, I don't know if you should be around him."
"It's like you said, Tess." Rolan sighed. "You didn't know entirely the after-effects that were happening to the kid."
Arin stopped in place. 'Should I go or…?'
"Rolan!"
"Tess, I'm fine!" Rolan shouted. Tessa flinched. He let out a frustrated sigh and turned. "You didn't know the full effects of what he was under. Maybe it was something I said that didn't stick right to him, but what he did wasn't like him."
"We've only known him for not even two days! Why are you defending him like that?"
'Yup,' Arin turned and looked at Nocturnis. 'They're talking about me alright.' Nocturnis lifted his head up and turned. He noticed Arin was staring at him, who motioned for him to come.
Nocturnis stood up and trotted over. "Where are we going?"
"Where else?" Arin whispered. "To figure what's happening to me." The two exited, interrupting the hushed conversations. Rolan's poker face was almost hard to comprehend if it weren't for the fact Arin heard the last end of the conversation. Total opposite was Tessa's surprised face. She was bright with embarrassment.
"Did you…" Tessa began to say.
Arin braved a fake smile. "I thought about it and I don't think I can take your offer. I would love to learn more from you guys but I'm just a young Hunter who ran away from Thornwood. I should return home and not ignore an angry Father waiting for me."
In dim light, Arin could see it perfectly. A fresh scar down Rolan's cheek and chest. He didn't allow himself to be swayed by his emotions. He didn't allow himself to feel anything. He masked it like he always did with a smile.
"You should stay for dinner at least." Rolan offered, taking a step forward.
"No, it's fine." Arin took a step back. He motioned to the cave. "Some of that meat was burning so I pulled it off. I should really go though. Noct has a place not too far from here so don't worry about me! I'll be alright! It was nice to learn as much as I could from you guys! Bye!"