The sounds of twigs breaking underneath my feet, and the rustling of leaves as I passed by them echoed throughout the forest.

I stopped running, hunching over and catching my breath. Despite the somewhat chilly weather, my body was on fire and I was sweating through my clothes.

“Come on.” Juliette’s voice entered my ears. “We can just walk.”

“No.. I can keep up.. just give me a min-“

Juliette cut me off. “We’re walking.”

Juliette grabbed my arm while slowly pulling me along.

Greg, Juliette and I were currently in the middle of the forest. Greg wanted to familiarize me with the forest. So I thought ‘Why not?’

Damn I was so wrong…

Greg has been running non stop since we entered the forest. Despite how much training I’ve had, I haven’t been able to keep up with him at all. Juliette has been sticking with me the whole time, which makes me feel a little better. But, I still feel kind of bad that I’m holding her back.

“Yeaaaaaa!!!!” Greg’s scream, causing me to look up in his direction.

“What the fuck?!” Those words left my mouth unimpeded.

Greg was glowing a bright blood red, and he was rushing towards a three headed bear.

“ARE YOU SEEING THIS SHIT?!” I screamed as I pointed to where Greg and the bear were.

Juliette looked unfazed as she rested her hand on her sword hilt. “Yeah.”

Is this.. is this a normal occurrence?

“Should…we…do something?” I asked.

“No. He’s got it.” Juliette replied flatly.

Juliette sounded so confident, that I couldn’t think of anything else to say. I didn’t know what else to do, so I just stood in silent awe.

Greg was almost face to face with the bear. The bear roared, causing the forest to tremble. I covered my ears in response. I developed a splitting headache, and I felt nauseous and dizzy.

I felt myself wobbling, but luckily before I fell Juliette had caught me.

What the fuck just happened?!

Juliette didn’t seem fazed at all. She just watched silently.

The Bear swiped its paw at Greg, but Greg moved out of the way so fast that it left a red blur. The next second, the bear exploded into a red mist.

“I…” I was left speechless. The battle was over in an instant.

*Splat*

“Uh..I…wha..” Something soft, wet, furry and warm landed on my face. I couldn’t tell what it was because my vision was clouded. But, I had a very good guess.

I grabbed the wet and furry thing on my head, and removed it from my face. “Ha..ha…”

I was holding what appeared to be a piece of the bear’s flesh.

I looked over to see Juliette swiping little chunks of meat off her clothes with an annoyed expression.

Juliette noticed me staring at her, and her brow furrowed. “Are you okay?”

No.. I’m not… “Arrghghggggg!!!!”

“Alright! Here we are!” Greg‘s beaming voice entered my ears.

“Ugh.. I feel like shit.” I opened my eyes, finding out that I was still in the forest.

I was being carried on Juliette’s back. Which didn’t seem to slow her down in the least.

The images of Greg punching a three headed bear floated to the surface of my mind. It took everything in me to hold back my vomit, and to retain the little bit of sanity that I still had left.

“Are you okay now?” Juliette asked, pulling me out of my memories.

“Not at all…” I answered, almost puking.

“Oh, sorry.” Juliette said.

“No.. it’s fine.. I just need to toughen up it seems.” I stated.

Juliette was completely fine after seeing that. So it's just normal for them.. right?

“You.. you can put me down now. I’m good.” Truth be told, I was feeling extremely self conscious of the fact that Juliette was carrying me piggyback. I still feel terrible.

“Are you sure?” Juliette asked with a worried look in her eyes.

“I’m sure…” I averted my eyes. For some reason I felt extremely embarrassed.

Juliette let me down carefully, catching me when I stumbled.

“I don’t think you’re okay.” Juliette said.

“No. I’m fine. Really.” I’m honestly not. It’s just too embarrassing being carried by her.

“Do you want some water?” Juliette asked.

“Actually.. yeah I would.” I replied.

Juliette handed me a flask off of her waistband. I grabbed and took a big gulp from it. Savoring the water's tasteless goodness.

“Thank you so much.” I said, as I handed back the flask back to Juliette.

“You’re welcome.” Juliette replied as she tucked the flask back into her waist band.

“What’s taking you two so long?!” Greg screamed.

Greg was standing in front of a streaming river. He was halfway undressed and was going for his lower half.

“What the hell are you doing?!” I screamed.

The memories of the baths he made me take with him still haunted my mind to this day!

“What?!” He shouted back. “Are you going to walk around covered in blood?!”

I looked myself over and realized that he was right. I was sticky and red, and my hair was clinging to my face. “Oh..”

I looked to Juliette to see that she was gulping down her flask. She popped the flask out of her mouth, swishing around the remaining water in her mouth before swallowing it with a satisfied expression.

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“You were really thirsty, huh?” I asked.

“Y-yeah!” Juliette responded as she quickly placed the flask back into her waistband.

Greg had undressed down to his boxers. He gave a wolf-like howl before jumping into the river.

Juliette had begun walking towards the river, and I was left awkwardly standing alone.

…I guess we’re doing this?

I chased after Juliette and caught up to her.

Juliette got to the river and began to undress.

I quickly turned around, disappointed in myself but proud at the same time. A very uncomfortable feeling.

If it was the old me, I would have stared at her silently!

“What are you doing?” Juliette asked from behind me.

I turned around to find Juliette stripped down to her training outfit. She was scrubbing her clothes in the river.

Oh, that makes sense. I guess I was overreacting.

I silently undressed myself down to my underwear. I was feeling self conscious and took a little distance away from Juliette. I started washing my clothes.

After some time scrubbing my clothes in the river, Juliette somehow or another wound up next to me.

“Let me help.” Juliette suddenly said.

Before I had the chance to say anything, Juliette snatched the clothes out of my hand. She began kneading them in a circular fashion and dipping the clothes in and out the water. Far different from my clumsy method.

Hmm, I guess I was doing it wrong.

Juliette finished cleaning my clothes for me while I silently watched. I tried to help, but it seemed like she didn’t want, nor needed my help.

Juliette wrung our clothes out and laid them out on a rock to dry. “Alright, are you ready to swim?”

“Uhhh… No, I'm good. I’ll just wait til my clothes dry.” I said haphazardly.

“What?!” Greg’s voice entered my ears.

No.. please no..

“Come! Let’s swim!” Greg yelled as he placed his hands on my shoulder.

I felt my body being lifted up, andI started struggling to break free.

“Wait! No! I can’t-“ My words were cut off when Greg threw me in the water with a *Splash*.

“Arghhhhh!!!” I screamed as I managed to jump out of the water “Help! I can’t-” I sunk to the bottom again. “I can’t swim! Please?!”

I screamed out every entity I could think of, convinced that I was going to die. Luckily, Juliette jumped in and saved me.

I laid on my back, coughing up water and trying not to vomit. I looked up at Juliette, her hair was slick and shiny. Her face was flushed and her breathing was rough and erratic. Her chest heaved up and down, showing off her bountiful chest and half erect nipples.

I felt a little guilty, and quickly averted my eyes.

“How did you forget how to swim?!” Greg screamed as he ran over to us.

“Fuck you!” I screamed as I sat up. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

“I thought you were joking!” Greg shouted with a confused look on his face.

“No! I wasn’t!” I snapped back.

Memories of Marcus and Derrick throwing me in the pool and watching me flail around while laughing bubbles to the surface of my mind.

“I hate you!” Hot tears streamed down my face, my fist hurting from balling them up so tight.

“Say you’re sorry!” Juliette screamed.

“What?! I’m not-“ Greg looked like he was about to say something, but his eyes traveled to me and then to Juliette. “S-sorry..”

He apologized?! No fucking way! Let’s go!!! It's nice to finally get some respect around here! You got him Juliette!

Juliette hugged me, and started rubbing my back. I buried my face in her chest, listening to her calming heartbeat.

“I’ll teach you how to swim, okay?” Juliette said as she stroked my head

“O-okay..” I weakly said.

After the situation had settled, I agreed to swim with Juliette. I was unbelievably scared, but I had the feeling that it was time to finally learn.

“Don't Let go! Don’t let go!” I screamed as I clung to Juliette’s arms.

“Haha.. it’s okay I won’t let you go. Just relax. All you have to do is float. Just push your pelvis up.” Juliette smoothly instructed. Keeping her grip on me tight.

I closed my eyes and followed Juliette’s advice. And to my surprise, I felt like I was floating. “I'm floating?!”

“Let’s-“ I announced before I forgot to keep my pelvis up and sunk again.

I finally had enough of drowning, and called it quits. Since our clothes weren’t fully dry, Juliette decided to teach me some hand to hand combat.

Thank god that she only means wrestling. I don’t think my masculinity could handle being physically beat up by Juliette.

“Arghh!” This was the third time that Juliette slammed me on my back. The air left my lungs and back screamed in agony. “I’m done.. I’m done..”

I now realize that Juliette is unable to hold back. I don’t think it’s because she doesn’t care, just that she can’t. Thanks to the overachieving nut jobs in my past life, I’m used to it.

“Are you okay?” Juliette asked while standing over me.

“No..no I’m not.” I replied weakly.

“Here.” Juliette gave me some water from her flask as I rested my head on her lap.

I nestled my head into Juliette’s lap, a smile spreading across my face.

Getting my ass kicked by her isn’t so bad.

“Stop that.” Greg’s annoying voice suddenly intruded. “He’s alright.”

You cockblocking bastard!

“H-“

Juliette suddenly cut me off. “He can take as long as he wants!”

Oh…well thanks Juliette!

“Tch!” Greg announced as he sat on a rock nearby.

Man.. this would be a great day if not for Greg.

“Hey. What was that red thing you did earlier?” I asked Greg.

“The red thing??” Greg looked at me with a questioning gaze. “Oh! You’re talking about my Aura!”

“Aura??” What the fuck is that? I’ve heard about that?

“What?! You thought that magic was the only thing that existed?” Greg asked while laughing.

“What is it?” I asked. “Wait! Why am I just being told about this?!”

“Actually, I couldn’t test you until..” Greg grabbed his chin in deep thought. “Now.. Your birthday is around the corner so it would be fine.”

“Then.. I want to do it!” I exclaimed.

I might not be able to use magic, but I might be able to learn Aura? Fingers crossed.

“No!” Juliette’s voice suddenly cut into the conversation. “You’re not doing that.” Juliette looked at me with a scowl.

“What?!” I screamed as I sat up. “Why not?! I want to-.”

Juliette grabbed my head and pushed it back onto her lap. “It’s dangerous.”

“Haha! She’s right about that!” Greg said with a hearty laugh.

“I don’t care!” I tried to sit back up, but Juliette kept my head in place. “I want to get stronger! You owe me after nearly letting me drown!”

“No.” Juliette said, her voice harsh and stern.

“I-“ I was about to reply, but when I looked up to meet Juliette’s gaze, her expression threw me off.

Her eyes.. they’re…

“Let’s do it.” Greg spoke up. “Come on Julie. He’s old enough. It shouldn't be so bad.”

“Please?!” I weakly muttered. A tinge of fear present in my voice.

I don’t know why I’m kind of afraid of Juliette.. But… something about her eyes...

Juliette was quiet for a while, before she finally spoke. “A little.”

“R-really?!” I asked, my heart jumping for joy.

Juliette nodded her head slowly.

“Don’t worry Julie, I promise to not get him so bad!” Greg announced.

I’m not sure about that last statement, but whatever!

“Come on Adela!” Greg screamed like an excited child.

Juliette released and I jumped to my feet before running to where Greg was standing.

“So..so what do I do?!” I asked, my excitement and nervousness leaking out.

“Just stand there!” Greg said with his chest puffed out.

“Really?” I asked.

“Yup!” Greg said with a wide smile.

“Are you sure, Adela?”Juliette suddenly spoke up.

I turned to see a worried look on her face.

It’s nice having her worry so much about me, I actually feel a bit guilty. But..

I gave Juliette a thumbs up before turning back to Greg.

Greg nodded before the red light enveloped his entire body. His aura looked like bubbling water up close, and the temperature suddenly increased.

“Woah…” Sweat trickled down my face, and I unconsciously took a step back. “So what am I-“

Greg, without warning, threw a punch to my gut.

The pain hit me like waves, and my vision split into four. I felt as if I would fall over any second, but for some reason I couldn’t. My sensations altered between numb, pain, nauseous, and indescribable.

“Hmm.. I guess-“ Greg’s voice suddenly cut off.

My vision turned hazy gold. It felt like a fire was welling up inside of my chest then spreading throughout my body. A sudden burst of energy welled up inside of me.

“GOLD?!” Greg screamed as his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Is that a-

*BOOM*

My body was sent flying like a kite with its strings cut. I landed in the river just before I blacked out.