Chapter 24: Dangerous Encounter
1063 Words
A couple of days has passed. Rekka started to get more talkative and he got to know more about Daichi. Apparently, Daichi lived in the city of Pearlmere near the Pantarian Ocean. It was a beautiful city and lively like Tow.
A week passed. Rekka had no trouble hunting food, as he was used to killing monsters. They haven't ran into any trouble since the giant panda attacked. They travelled when it was day and camped during nights. Daichi even made a substitute cast for his arm. One day, they came across a forest with black trees and purple grass. Rekka pointed at it out of curiosity.
-That? – Said Daichi - That is a night forest! It's called that way since it has black trees. The trees are hard to burn and sturdy. If you go inside, it will seem its night, even during day! Sadly, it is not a safe place, or I could've taken you there!
Rekka didn't think of it much and they continued their path. Unexpectedly, the boy's chest started to hurt and he fell down on the ground.
-Interesting...
He heard an unknown voice in his head and the pain went away.
-Let's test your strength...
It suddenly got quiet. Daichi got worried.
-REKKA! – Screamed the old man – Are you all right?
-I'm, okay. – Said Rekka – I heard... A voice... something is coming. - He was grasping for air.
-What do you mean Rekka! What is coming! – Daichi got scared.
Something approached the old man at a high speed. Rekka noticed this, pushed away the old man and threw a fireball at it. The monster was blown away, but it quickly got up. Another two ran from the forest and joined it. Rekka and Daichi got terrified of the attackers.
They were on their fours, looked awfully like panthers. Their skin was black with a shade of light and had blue eyes. They had three long tails wiggling around with sharp ends like spears. One of them growled and Rekka saw its sharp teeth.
Daichi got petrified. He couldn't move out of fear. Rekka looked over and saw how scared the old man was. He mustered all the courage he had within him. He still had the fear of going berserk again, but at the time, Rekka was only thinking about having Daichi. He created fireballs and took a menacing stance. He was shaking.
-Why does this always happen to me! – He thought to himself and almost started crying, but he kept in the tears and screamed at the top of his lungs – Come at me!
-Oh? – Rekka heard the voice again.
Monsters were agitated and charged at the boy. One of them ambushed Rekka, but the boy jumped away and started blasting it with fire. Monster fell on the ground and hurt its leg, but the fire itself didn't do anything to it.
-Is it immune? – Thought Rekka, but didn't have the time to analyze things.
They all pounced at him, but Rekka dodged all of them while throwing fireballs. Daichi looked as Rekka was fighting. He got mad at himself of how useless he was and how an 8 year old boy was risking his life for him. Rekka was exhausted. He was starting to run out of stamina and MP and fell on his knees.
-It's over... *huff* I guess... I'll see you soon dad.
Monsters saw Rekka and took the chance to pierce him with their tails. As the monsters were about to attack, they suddenly were thrown away. Rekka and Daichi couldn't believe their eyes. A young woman approached the boy and took him in her arms, while others attacked the monsters,
-Are you okay? – Said the woman in a calm and soothing voice. – We heard the screams and rushed over! – She saw the boy's weird appearance and thought he was a weird demi human.
A well built man with a shield and a big sword rushed at the monsters, while others followed. Someone behind the man used wind magic, levitating one of them up while the muscular man jumped and cut it in half.
-Phew! That was a close one. Yua, is the boy okay? – Said the barbarian.
-He is fatigued, but perfectly fine. – Said Yua.
-What are those monsters doing outside the forest, bebels live in packs deep in. – Magician adjusted his glasses – What are you two doing here, this is a danger zone!
-I... - The old man stuttered – Our cart broke down and we were travelling on foot! T-thank you for saving us!
-That's not an excuse! You could've avoided this path and...
The barbarian put his hand on the magicians shoulder.
-Sorry for my friend here. – He smiled – He is too serious and worries too much. By the way, you demi human kid, your powers are crazy! I have never seen such amazing fire control from a young man!
Rekka was too tired and in shock of what has happened. He accepted death, but was saved.
-He's tired – Said Yua – Let's take them to our camp, they have no place to go and are lost.
-Absolutely n...
-Sure! – Said the big man – Oh I forgot my manners, let us introduce ourselves! My name is Touma, this guy's name is Hideo and she is Yua!
-Hey! Don't tell my name to str... – Hideo was interrupted.
-Introduce yourselves too. – Said Yua and kindly smiled.
-My name is Ueda Daichi. I'm a traveler. Thank you for saving us.
Yua looked at the man and saw his arm was hurt.
-Are you hurt sir? Want me to heal you?
-Uhm... Sure? – Said Daichi in a worried tone.
The young woman in a long, white dress took out her silver staff with a blue crystal inside and put it on the man's arm, nearly healing it completely.
-In a couple of days, it will be fully healed. – Said Yua.
-Let's get going now! I don't want to be late for dinner again.
Touma asked Rekka if he wanted to ride him back, and Rekka nodded his head and fell asleep on the man. Touma kindly smiled. They started heading to the camp. Hideo was annoyed and was secretly observing Rekka, thinking he was a menace.
- Writer
