Next morning Gold comes back.

Nico: You are back! But you don't look good?

Gold: Couldn't sleep.

Nico: What were you doing?

Gold: Nothing! Let's go now.

Gold and Nico leave for the village.

As Nico and Gold are making their way to the village.

Nico: So Gold how long have you been an Adventurer for?

Gold: 2 Years.

Nico: Just two years? But how did you get so strong in just two years.

Gold: I have been training since I was kid. I told you I used to fight monsters when I was your age.

Nico: Must have been strongest kid around you!

Gold: No i wasn't. There was someone always ahead of me.

Nico: Woah! Must be some incredible guy.

Gold: But I would beat him now easily.

Nico: How far is the village?

Gold: We will reach their tomorrow.

Nico: Tomorrow!? You mean we will have to spend the night in this forest?

Gold: You are an adventurer now! Get used to it.

Nico: But what if we get attacked by monsters?

Gold: Then we fight. But don't worry there are none around us right now. And I have got these squirrel friends to help us out.

Nico: Being able to talk to animals is amazing. Can I pet it?

Gold: It's saying you look like a crybaby.

Nico tries to catch the squirrel but it runs away. Nico starts to chase the squirrel.

Gold: Hey! Don't go away from me!

Gold grabs Nico with one hand and lifts him up.

Gold: Never do this again! you could get us in troub...le? Hide!

Gold takes Nico and hides in the trees.

Gold: There is something nearby.

Nico: What is it? A monster?

Gold: Let me cheak it out. You stay here.

Gold leaves

Nico:( I got us trouble ) It's all because of you squirrel!

Nico hears a loud voice. Then Gold's comes rushing towards him and picks him up and starts running.

Nico: What happened Gold?

Gold: Nothing! Just don't look behind us!

Nico: Are we being chased? I hear something running behind us!

Nico looks back and sees a huge ogre chasing after them.

Nico: Ahh! What is that!?

Gold: It's an ogre!

Nico: Can't you fight it or something?

Gold: I can but I would take alot of damage and i have to protect you too. So for now we have to run!

Nico: But it's so fast! Can you really run away from it?

Gold: We have almost made it!

As Gold is running away from the ogre a river comes in the way. Gold jumps across the river and stops.

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Gold: We are fine now. Ogre won't cross the river.

Nico: Why is that?

Gold: Devta of water Lord Varun hates ogres. If an ogre tries to cross the river it will perish instantly.

Nico: Is that so? You are so knowledgeable about all this!

Gold: Don't judge me by my appearance!

Nico: Hehe! Looking at you one would this you are just a meathead.

Gold: Want me to throw you across the river?

Nico: No! I am sorry!

Gold: Let's continue.

Gold and Nico continue to walk till night arrives. Then they set up a camp for the night.

Nico: I am hungry.

Gold: You have to deal with it Nico. Now go to sleep.

Nico: what about you? Aren't you going to sleep?

Gold: Ofcourse i will.

Nico: But then who will keep watch? You aren't going to trust these little guys for that are you?

Gold: I do trust them for that but i trust myself more. Don't worry even when asleep my senses are as sharp as now if not better.

Nico: But how?

Gold: I can sense Aatma.

Nico: Aatma?

Gold: It's like an aura that covers everything but Is invisible to naked eye.

Nico: I know that Gold. But how do you sense it?

Gold: I am a master at meditation. My consciousness can exist at multiple planes of existence.

Nico: So you can interact with Aatma which exists in a different plane?

Gold: Yes.

Nico: How did you even figure that out?

Gold: My master taught me this.

Right then Gold senses something.

Gold: Nico! Hide. We can't run this time!

Nico hides himself in the bushes.

Gold: What is it now?

A Man walks out of the woods and stands infront of Gold.

Gold: Who are you? What do you want from me?

The man: I am here to settle the score.

Gold: What score?

The man rushes towards Gold at a very fast speed. As soon as he comes close to Gold, finds himself lying on the ground.

Gold: Huh? How did i fall?

The man attacks Gold, Gold dodges by rolling on the ground then finds the mans feet right infront of his face.

Gold: How did he move so fast? It's like he is not even moving!

Nico: What happening? How does Gold keep falling on his own? That man is bad news!

The man takes out a dagger and throws it towards Gold who is lying on the ground. The dagger hits Gold in the chest and sticks on it.

Gold: Ahh!

The man: You disappoint me. I thought you would show me more.

Gold gets irritated by these words.

Gold:( I have heard those words before and they still hurt just as much)

Gold gets up and takes the dagger out of his chest.

Gold: (This dagger!)

The man: So you recognise now! You do remember me!

Gold: It's you from the tornament.

Nico: The tornament? Wait! Is that Alaric!

Alaric: Yes it's me! Don't worry I am not here to kill you. The rules of the tornament still apply. I am just here to finish the finals.

Gold: Like you can!

Gold takes out his sword and attacks Alaric.

Alaric: It's useless.

As soon as Gold's sword reaches Alaric, Gold finds Alaric standing behind him.

Alaric: Your sword will never reach me!

But then Alaric sees Gold turning around and his sword about to reach his neck. Alaric barely dodges it.

Gold: It already reached, you bastard!

Alaric: How!?

Gold: I am not sure what you do but after watching you in the tornament and experiencing it myself. I guess that you can stop time for a bit.

Alaric: Okay! you win!

Gold: What?

Nico: What?

Gold: Do you ever complete your fights or just give up everytime you meet someone who could take you on?

Alaric: I only fight battles that matter. I don't like to struggle for no reason.

Gold: Well I share the same views to be honest! All right then this settles here! Now go back and leave us alone.

Alaric: No i cannot.

Gold: Why?

Alaric: Because I have a quest to complete. I have to go this village that is being bothered by a monster.

Gold: But that's our quest!

Nico comes out of hiding.

Nico: Yes! Our quest!

Alaric: Exactly! Our quest! I am a member of your party.

Nico: Huh! When did you become partners with him Gold?

Gold: What are you talking about? When did I form a party with you?

Alaric: You didn't. I asked the receptionist at the Guild to let me join your party.

Gold: How could she let you join my party without my permission?

Alaric: I told her we are best friends. She said she will do anything for your bestfriend. She seemed to be in a good mood. Did something happen Between you and her?

Gold: Bring out your weapon! Today we fight to death!

Alaric: Easy easy let's start over again. I am Alaric Leyen son of Duke Leyen. I would like to become a member of your party.

Nico: Why would a son of Duke Leyen want to join our party?

Alaric: Because I want to be an adventurer. To find the Divine rose!

Nico: The Divine rose!

Gold: What is that?

Nico: It's a treasure that romantics around the world look for!

Gold: I am already getting a bad feeling.

Nico: As the story goes whoever finds the Divine rose will get their perfect romantic partner granted by it.

Alaric: Yes! And once I find my love I will forever be happy.

Gold: So you just want a girl?

Alaric: Not just any girl but a one perfect for me!

Gold: I am sorry you can't join us.

Alaric: But why? I can help you out I am strong.

Gold: But you are weird man! What kind of motivation is that? You think I can trust you?

Alaric bends on one of his knees and grabs Gold's right hand.

Gold: What is this now? You are making me uncomfortable.

Alaric: I didn't join you just because you seemed strong. I noticed this on your hand.

Nico: Wait! Is that! How did it not notice it?

Gold: You mean this ring? It's useless.

Nico: No it's no not you fool! It's the ring of rajasva! Where did you even find it?

Gold: You know something about this ring?

Nico: This is a legendary artifact! It's a ring worn by the first kings of the Great Nations.

Alaric: I don't know where you found it but it must be fate. My family has served this kindom since it's establishment by the first king Wolfgang. Loyalty and service is in our blood! If you will let me join your party I will swear my service to you.

Gold: Why would you serve someone like me? Don't you feel shame speaking those words?

Alaric: I have no shame in serving someone chosen by the ring and someone who figured out my abilities.

Nico: He is very serious about this.

Gold: Fine! You can join us but stop this service bullshit just behave like you did while fighting me.

Alaric: Fine! Thank you for letting me join your party.

Nico: Welcome Alaric!