Destiny (Anime Style)

Chapter 17: Best Friend

Both Ravi and Leah widened their eyes in surprise. "How is it possible?" Ravi asked. "How did the Hive get a hold of something that important?"

"I have no idea" Wire bluntly replied. "But..."

"But... what?"

"If they manage to somehow use it against us... it's gonna be bad... VERY BAD"

The situation was a lot more dangerous than they all anticipated. The Hive had a shard of the Traveller and they were absorbing its power and corrupting it in order to use it as a weapon presumably against the guardians.

It was at that precise moment that Ravi finally understood the reason behind their trip. "I see..." the bluenette muttered with a serious expression

"Ravi?" Leah asked, a bit puzzled.

"There's no doubt now. THIS is what the unknown messenger wanted to show us"

Leah widened her eyes. "Are you... sure about that?"

"Yeah, there's no other explanation"

"In that case... What should we do?"

Ravi stood up and turned on his fire on his fists. He was very convinced about what to do next. "Isn't it obvious?" After that he immediately ran towards the Hive.

"Hey, wait! Oh jeez... That i***t" the huntress muttered while running into action as well, after which the many malicious thralls and hive knights immediately charged at them. However, unlike the last time, something was definitely different: Ravi and Leah's battle prowess was a lot higher and far better... Especially after the many close combat training sessions they've done together.

"JUST BUUURN!" the blue-haired boy yelled while shooting his fire all around. Leah too was slicing and cutting through every enemy with her daggers as Fire and lightning was spreading around with every attack.

Meanwhile... Wire and Cybel, who were watching the whole fight from far behind, noticed just how different their guardians were from the last time at the array. "They've surely become a lot stronger, don't you think?" Wire asked Cybel.

"Of course they have! After all the training they've been doing it's only natural!" this last one replied all proud.

At any rate, everything seemed to be going fine for the trainees. They were actually overwhelming the hive and defeating them easily. But then... One last knight that Ravi didn't notice sneaked right behind him, ready to s***h him in half with its sword.

"RAVI! WATCH OUT!" Leah yelled with desperation.

The bluenette didn't have time to move, the sword was about to reach him and possibly kill him. But just before that could happen, the whole group heard the sound of what seemed to be a powerful and precise gunshot, followed by the thud of the dead knight's body hitting the floor.

"What the...?" Ravi muttered without a clue of what just happened.

They all looked around trying to find where that gunshot came from, until they finally noticed a mysterious figure wearing a black hood and cloak at the distance, standing above a rock with a rifle in its hands.

There was no doubt... That was the unknown messenger. "Who... WHO ARE YOU?!" Ravi yelled, but the mysterious figure didn't answer.

"WHY DID YOU LURE AS HERE?!" Leah added.

The mysterious person finally dared to say something. "Consider that a gift" It claimed referring to how it saved Ravi from the knight. After that, it just turned around and left through a tunnel without saying anything else.

However, the guardian trainees couldn't allow themselves to let it escape... not after coming this far. "HEY! COME BACK HERE!" Ravi yelled while chasing after the stranger.

Leah tried to call for him. "Ravi, wait!"

"Stay right here and keep an eye for the shard! I'll go after that stranger!"

And so, Ravi left Leah and the ghosts behind, and then chased after the unknown person. Though it didn't take long for him to realize he wasn't gonna catch it. 'Damn it' the blue-haired boy thought while frowning and breathing heavily.

Then, he ended up reaching a dead end and giving up. Nonetheless, he happened to notice something at that moment... Something laying on the floor of that dark underground tunnel. It was some kind of device... with another message inside.

...

...

...

Some time later, Ravi finally returned and gathered with the others in order to discuss about what he had found. "Another message?" Leah asked while slightly surprised.

"That's right... I still haven't seen it" Ravi replied. "We should first focus on getting out of here"

"Yeah but, what should we do about the shard?"

"Well... I pretty sure we can't let the Hive keep it"

"Then, what do you propose?"

At that moment, both Wire and Cybel claimed with determination "Destroy it!"

Ravi and Leah found themselves in shock after hearing that. "You want us to destroy it?!"

"That's the best choice" Cybel added. "Neither Wire or me can digitize something that big, so we can't store it. Also, we have no way of carrying it out of here... at least not alone. But, we can't let the Hive use it as they want" She paused for a moment and then continued. "Destroying it is definitely the best call"

Both trainees looked a little reluctant at first, but then ended up agreeing with their ghosts' desperate suggestion. And so, they all backed up a bit from the altar, got in position, and finally prepared their greatest attack in order to crush the Traveller's shard in one go.

"Ready, Leah?" Ravi asked the huntress with determination.

"Of course" she replied and then, they shot their fire and lighting at the same time, shattering The shard and turning it into dust in an instant.

...

...

...

After that amazing display of power from both of them, the team kept on searching for an exit. It took some time, but in the end they managed to get back to the surface safe and sound.

Leah couldn't help but to sigh in relief while leaning on her knees. "Finally... Those tunnels really were grotesque"

"Yeah, but it's over now" Ravi replied while taking a seat over a rock. "Anyway... I think it's time to check on this new message"

"Are you sure about it?"

Ravi nodded. He was more than intrigued by that stranger and how it was able to just suddenly vanish from his sight. But what's more, he was also very curious and eager to see where else this unknown person was going to take them... and why.

Therefore, after opening the weird device. They all finally saw what kind of message it contained... And this time, it wasn't just a bunch of simple and direct coordinates.

...

So, you actually came all the way here. Since the moment I witnessed your victory against that fallen archon back on Earth, I expected great things of you. I'm glad to see you are just as special as I thought you to be.

You still don't know me, but if you want to meet me in person... be at the attached coordinates 5 days from now. I'll meet you at the Ishtar Academy, on Ishtar Sink.

XXXXXXXXXX

The Stranger

...

"Wait a sec! So, she was present the day we fought the fallen at the Skywatch?!" Ravi asked, surprised at the fact that they didn't notice anyone around at that time.

"Seems like it" Leah bluntly replied. "But still... Ishtar Academy? Ishtar Sink? What's that?"

Wire and Cybel knew what that was, but they weren't sure if it was a good idea to say it given that a certain blue-haired guardian would certainly find himself excited if they did. "Well... that is..." Wire muttered, a bit doubtful.

"What is it?" Ravi asked, after which Wire sighed in defeat and finally answered to his guardian's question.

"It's... a specific region..."

...

...

...

"...located in planet Venus"

Right after hearing their next destination. Ravi's explorer spirit instantly grew once again and probably even more than ever before. After all, he was clearly eager to visit yet a new and interesting location. However, Leah wasn't nearly as excited or pumped up as him.

"Are you insane?!" the young girl yelled angrily at the warlock after noticing his excitement. "You can't go to Venus! We already broke the rules by coming here! Do you want to get expelled?!"

"Oh come on, Leah!" Ravi replied with a grin. "Wouldn't you like to visit yet another new location?! A new planet?!"

"Of course I would like! But it's not the time yet!" Leah sighed and calmed down a bit. "We are first years, Ravi. We aren't even supposed to leave Earth.. Much less venture ourselves to other stars"

"Yeah... but look at us! We are on the freaking Moon! And we managed to survive without any problems!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"You were almost killed by a Hive knight a few minutes ago" Wire bluntly intervened.

"Wow... Thanks for being on my side" the human boy added, sarcastically. "Anyway..." He then turned to face Leah again. "We are a team, aren't we, Leah? We already started this quest together. So, come on! Let's finish it together as well!" he finally claimed with a big grin and extending his hand for Leah to take.

Nonetheless, the huntress was still not convinced... NOT AT ALL. "Ravi..."

She didn't know what to do anymore... She wasn't sure about keeping up with this ridiculous suicide mission. But she also understood the reason for Ravi to be so excited about it. After spending his entire childhood in the middle of nowhere, it was only natural that he'd want to learn and explore the world as much as he could. But still...

"I won't go" Leah bluntly stated with a troubled expression, to which Ravi startled and had his smile disappeared almost immediately. "I'm sorry, Ravi... But, I don't wanna keep going"

"Leah..."

"I know we are a team, but..." Leah stared at him directly. "I don't wanna see how you end up hurting yourself"

The blue-haired boy widened his eyes in shock and remained silent for a long time. Then, he put down his hand which Leah never reached for only to say "I see... I'm sorry..." Leah sighed in relief since she genuinely thought she had finally managed to convince his dear friend. However, that was far from the truth. "In that case, I'll go alone" the bluenette claimed without hesitation, to which Leah had her happy expression vanished almost instantly.

"Wh-what?"

"You heard me. I wanna see this through to the end, so I'll go alone if I have to"

Leah couldn't believe it, and as Ravi stared at her with seriousness, she felt the anger inside of her growing exponentially. "You... YOU ARE SUCH AN i***t!" the young girl yelled with her eyes closed as Ravi, Wire and Cybel stared at her in shock. "CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO BECAUSE I WORRY ABOUT YOU?!"

Ravi remained in silence.

"IF YOU WANNA RISK YOUR LIFE, THEN DO IT! BUT DON'T COUNT ON ME! I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BARE SEEING YOU GET KILLED!"

Leah began crying and sobbing inconsolably and a few tears began falling down from her cheeks. However, Ravi still didn't say a thing. Not even as he witnessed the young huntress rushing to the ship while still crying her heart out.

After that, nothing more was said. The entire group went back to the ship in order to go home. Wire and Cybel could feel the tension between their guardians, but they didn't dare to break the silence because of the fear of turning the situation even worse.

And just like that, not a single word was spoken along the way.

...

...

...

Over the course of the next few days, the guardian duo didn't speak at all, not even during classes or training sessions... And to make it worse, they also avoided and didn't even look at each other. This definitely wasn't one of their usual stupid and silly fights. This time, their friendship was really in danger... In danger of crumbling forever... And all because one was just too childish and unwise, whereas the other one was simply too scared of breaking the rules.

In any case, the day finally arrived... The day in which Ravi would meet the stranger at last. That same day after classes, Leah went to the library... but Ravi didn't follow her at all since he was getting ready to leave towards Venus at that moment.

Paralelly, some of the duo's dear friends from the academy like Kadiah, Liz and one other male classmate easily noticed the sudden distance that took form between the 2 trainees. And because of that, they approached and took a seat at the same library table as Leah, who was busy reading a book. "Hi, Leah... Is everything okay?" Liz suddenly asked with a troubled face.

"Mmmh? What do you mean?" Leah replied without emotion. "Everything is perfect. What problem could there be?"

Just then, Kadiah intervened in a concerned tone. "We are talking about Ravi and you. You 2 haven't spoken at all today... and during lunchtime, you didn't even eat together like you always do"

"Oh, please... What's so wrong with trying something different once in a while?"

"Leah..."

Leah's face changed into a more troubled one. "Me and Ravi are... totally fine... We are fine..."

Liz noticed she was clearly lying. "B-but then..." she began with concern. "Why are you 2...?"

"That's not your problem" Leah bluntly replied while startling both of her female friends along the way. Nonetheless, she then noticed something else... Something that formed a very interesting question inside her mind. "Wait a sec. How do you know Ravi and I haven't spoken at all? "

Both Kadiah and Liz startled even more at that moment.

"Don't tell me... Were you... spying on us the whole day?!"

They were busted. "Eh... well.. hehehe..." Kadiah muttered while laughing nervously.

"We? Spy on you and him?" Liz added in the same manner. "Don't be ridiculous, Leah... hahahahaha..."

Something was definitely not right... and Leah clearly noticed, only to then confirm her suspicions when the male student who accompanied both of her female friends talked at last. "Not just today... These 2 spy on you whenever they feel like it" he bluntly stated with a pokerface.

"Sh-shut up, Nathan!" Both Liz and Kadiah yelled at him.

The name of the male trainee was Nathan. He was another human student from the same class as Leah and Ravi, and he had dark skin, very short and black hair, and black small eyes.

"Just tell the truth already" Nathan added with a bored expression, after which both Liz and Kadiah took a long sigh of defeat.

"Ok... it's true" Kadiah told Leah. "We were spying on you, though I wouldn't call it spy... hehehe..."

"And what would you call it?" Leah asked, a bit annoyed.

"I'd say we were more... pending... of you and Ravi?"

Leah found herself confused. "Pending? And why would you be pending of us?" the girl asked while raising an eyebrow, after which she inevitably got all flustered at what her friends replied her with.

"Because you are the entire class's favorite couple!" Liz finally replied with a big smile.

At that moment, Leah startled in embarrassment and instantly dropped her book while blushing like crazy. "Wh-wh-what?! What are you t-talking about?!"

"Oh come on, Leah! It's pretty obvious... hehehe..."

"That's right!" Kadiah added with a grin. "You say you are not together, but you definitely like him! And don't worry, we are all rooting for you... hihi..."

Leah's blush grew even bigger than before. After all, she had no idea that her friends were expecting something more from her friendship with Ravi. "I... I don't know what you are t-t-talking about. I d-don't like him at all" she then added while looking at one side. "B-besides, we are not in the best of terms right now, so..."

Everyone got surprised after hearing that. "What happened?"

"It's... nothing... I don't wanna talk about it"

The others immediately insisted to know, but it all ended up useless given that Leah wouldn't talk at all. And as such, they all finally gave up and began leaving, except for Kadiah. She had one last thing to say to Leah before finally heading outside for good.

"Hey... Wanna know something interesting?" the awoken girl muttered with a soft grin.

"Wh-what?" Leah replied while still all troubled.

"You may already know this, but friendship is something very precious. And it really sucks when it's ruined just because of something ridiculous or stupid. Just like you, I also have someone who I like spending my time with"

"Is it... Is it the one you said you were in love with?"

"That's right! You remembered! Hehehe... Anyway, what I'm saying is that true friends always stick together despite how many times they may fight. And I know that very deep inside you... you worry about him... A LOT"

"Kadiah..."

After that, Kadiah left... and Leah was alone once again. Nevertheless, that talk sure left her something more to meditate on. And as the young human girl kept on thinking deeply about everything she was just told, she finally realized something important...

'He's... such an idiot... and so stubborn' Leah thought as she felt a few tears taking form in her eyes. 'But... I'm also an i***t. I'm afraid of him dying, but instead of being by his side... I'm here just acting as if it doesn't bother me'

Leah couldn't take it anymore. She tried to hide her concern as best as she could, but it was pointless. She was crazy worried for the blue-haired i***t, and she didn't care anymore if she ended up breaking the rules. Her best friend was more important than some stupid protocol after all.

She got up with determination at that moment, then she called Cybel and told her to meet at the Tower's hangar as soon as possible. And following that, she headed straight there with conviction of what to do next... She was going join Ravi on his stupid 'quest' and get it over with together with him.

However, not everything turned out as she had planned. Because once she met Cybel at the hangar, it was already too late. Ravi and Wire had just left with their ship towards Venus. "What now?" Cybel asked immediately.

"Let's go!" Leah bluntly replied. "We gotta prepare my ship and leave as soon as possible!"

"Are you sure about this, Leah?"

"Yes! I'm sure!"

On the way to Leah's ship, Cybel noticed how worried her guardian was. "If you are that concerned, why don't you just report this to the Vanguard? They will surely bring Ravi back safe"

"I won't do that!" Leah firmly replied.

"But..."

"I WON'T DO IT, CYBEL! If I do that... either him, me, or both of us would get expelled..."

"So, you don't wanna lose your job. Is that it?"

"No, that's not it!" the human girl replied once more as she left Cybel confused. "I just... don't want OUR team to end up breaking up"

"L-Leah..."

Those were Leah's true feelings. She wasn't going to report this to the Vanguard because she was afraid of Ravi and her being expelled. She didn't really care about that anymore. The true reason... was her terrible fear of not being able to go on more fun adventures with her dear friend if that happened.

"Everything will be fine" Leah muttered while trying to convince herself. "We will... finish his stupid mission... and then come back safe"

Cybel found herself shocked at first, but then she chuckled a bit.

"Ah? Wh-why are you laughing?"

"Hahaha... Oh, for nothing" Cybel replied. "It's just that... you seem to have gotten infected with some of Ravi's stubbornness... hahaha..."

Leah blushed a bit from that comment. "Wh-whatever you say. Let's just hurry"

"Sure"

And with that, Leah and her ghost got ready to head towards Venus as well, in search of Wire and his childish idiotic guardian.