The weight of my boots pressing into the uneven forest ground served as a constant reminder that I was far from home, whatever 'home' meant these days. The eerie stillness of the forest around us didn't help. I looked around at the place called as the Forest of Crows.
It was too quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the cawing of crows overhead. Even with Nel walking a few paces ahead, the oppressive atmosphere clung to me, as though the Forest of Crows itself were watching.
"Don't expect me to help you, let alone carry you like I did when we first met," Nel said abruptly, his voice breaking the silence.
"What!?" I stopped in my tracks, glaring at his back. "W-Who asked to be protected or carried by you, huh!?" I snapped, catching up to him. "Is that what you meant as the condition? You think I'm a weakling!?"
He didn't even bother to turn around.
