As Aspirant and I continued our journey through the dense forest, the fireworks that had lit up the sky earlier had long since faded into the night, leaving only the moon's glow to penetrate the thick canopy above. Now that we were done talking, I noticed the forest seemed to breathe with us, a living entity, its shadows stretching and retreating like silent guardians. Ancient trees towered over us, their branches intertwined in a natural archway, creating a tunnel of rustling leaves.

The silence between us was uncomfortable but instead filled with a palpable tension; I was unsure where it was coming from. It might have been building because we may have to fight soon, or it might have been a nervous tension because we may have to kill each other soon. It might even have been something else… whatever it was, there was a growing unease as we continued, paired with an uncomfortable silence that seemed to stretch and deepen with every step we took. The forest's darkness seemed to absorb sound, making our footsteps seem muted, as if even the earth was holding its breath, aware of the undercurrents between us.

I tried to concentrate to distract myself, to feel any emotions emanating from the area ahead. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual nocturnal chorus subdued, as if the creatures, too, sensed something amiss. I reached out with my senses, probing the darkness for any sign of emotional presence, but there was only a void, a blank canvas waiting to be filled.

Turning my attention to Aspirant, I tried to sense their emotions. Despite their stoic demeanor, I could feel something from them - not a raging fire, but a smolder, a contained intensity that was difficult to decipher. It was like trying to read vague and elusive smoke signals from a great distance. This smoldering sensation from Aspirant was intriguing yet confusing, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Continuing our journey, I found myself lost in a moment of reflection. Aspirant's smoldering emotions left me lingering in intrigue and confusion. My thoughts drifted towards Earth, towards what was happening there during the invasion. The potential fate of my girlfriend and our child haunted my thoughts - if my dreams were any indication, then my subconscious didn't seem to believe she had survived. The realization was a crushing weight on my heart.

There was no way she, or the world, really was prepared for something like this. From where I come from, we tend to be inherently selfish most of the time, but in moments of actual danger, when we're nearly lost, we seem to come together or at least I hope we would finally come together. I wondered if that's what happened on Earth. If so, would I have anyone left there?

The likelihood seemed grim. Even if I could return, what would I find? A world ravaged and torn apart? My people were enslaved to a faction from a sector they’d never heard of. The thought was almost too much to bear.

Yet, there was another consideration, one I did not consider lightly, perhaps I would be better off growing in power here, in whatever ways I could. Then, maybe later, I could return to Earth with allies, with a means to help. Perhaps I could find a way to bring back some semblance of what was lost or at least aid in rebuilding what remained.

I noticed we were getting close, and as we neared our destination, my mind began to race with possibilities of what awaited us. I imagined a grand coliseum emerging from the darkness, its towering walls etched with glowing runes, a testament to the power and history of the Immortal Tournament, a fitting backdrop to a glorious finale. Or perhaps we would stumble upon a puzzle, with the winner having the sharpest intellect. Unlikely…

Another scenario played in my head - a trap, a cleverly disguised ambush by other gladiators, their weapons and spells poised for our arrival. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the need to be prepared for anything.

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As we continued our trek through the dense forest, I signaled to Aspirant that I thought we should stop. They gave me a questioning look.

"We need to talk about what's waiting for us in that illuminated area," I said, feeling the weight of our impending arrival.

Aspirant nodded in agreement. "Yes, we should."

"What do you expect we'll find there?" I asked, curious about their perspective.

They paused, thoughtful. "I have a few theories. The first is a trap, but the more I think about it, the less likely it seems. It wouldn't make for good viewing if we were to die instantly. They need something epic, suspenseful."

"That makes sense," I acknowledged. "What else?"

"Another possibility is encountering another group, maybe arriving just after us. It's plausible, but not the most likely."

I pressed further. "So, what's the most likely scenario, in your opinion?"

Aspirant's expression hardened slightly. "I think we might have to fight each other at the clearing. This whole journey could have been a ruse to build suspense."

"That sucks," I responded, feeling a pang of regret.

"Yeah, it does," they agreed.

I took a deep breath. "Well, it was a pleasure traveling with you, Aspirant. I appreciate everything you've done so far."

In a rare moment, Aspirant's guard dropped, and they smiled at me. It was a small, fleeting gesture, but it spoke volumes.

I ventured a thought. "Even if we have to fight, could we still help each other?"

Aspirant's eyebrows rose. "What do you mean?"

"If I win, is there a way I can help your people?" I asked earnestly.

"Maybe," they said thoughtfully. "There could be an opportunity in the future. But my people are wary of outsiders. They'd need proof of my blessing to trust you."

"What proof would they need? And could you help my people if you won?" I inquired.

"I'm not sure what help I could offer. But I promise to try. My people come first, but I could consider yours as potential allies. I do have a blessing I can give. Do you want it?"

"Sure, go ahead," I responded, intrigued.

Without hesitation, Aspirant stepped towards me, their movements fluid and assured. As they raised their hands, gently framing my face, a rush of surprise coursed through me. Instinctively, I began to pull away, but they shook their head subtly, their eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that rooted me to the spot.

In that prolonged gaze, there was an unspoken understanding, a connection that transcended our current predicament. Then, in a move that caught me entirely off guard, they leaned in, and their lips met mine.

The kiss was simple, a soft press of lips that spoke more eloquently than words ever could. It was a kiss that carried the weight of our shared experiences and the unspoken bond that had formed between us. There was a tenderness and sensitivity that belied Aspirant's usual stoicism.

The world around us seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of us in that small, timeless bubble. The forest, with its rustling leaves and shadowed paths, faded into insignificance. At that moment, there was only the soft touch of Aspirant's lips, the gentle pressure that was exploratory yet assertive, conveying both comfort and a deep, unspoken desire.

The kiss ended as quickly as it had begun, but the lingering sensation remained, a warm, tingling reminder of the connection we had just shared. Aspirant stepped back, their eyes holding mine for a moment before looking away. I was left momentarily stunned, my lips tingling from the unexpected kiss.

"Uh, I have a girlfriend," I stammered, unsure how to respond.

Aspirant's laughter broke through the tension, light and beautiful. "I'm not trying to court you, no matter how handsome you are," they said, amusement dancing in their eyes. "This is how the Vollan transmit blessings. It can cause problems... but we have always done it this way. Give it to a representative, and they will know it is from me."

The revelation caught me off guard, but I guess it strangely made sense. Cultural differences happen, and I needed to stay open-minded and adapt. I nodded in response, feeling a mix of something…

"That's... quite fascinating," I mumbled, still processing the encounter. "I guess every culture has its unique practices.”

Aspirant's smile faded into a more serious expression. "True. And now, you carry a piece of my people's hope with you. Should you win, you'll have a way to connect with the Vollan."

I looked at them, appreciating the gravity of what they'd shared. "I won't forget this, Aspirant. And I'll honor your blessing and your trust."

We stood there momentarily in silence, "shall we continue?" Aspirant finally said, gesturing towards our path.