The next day, as the sun rose on the horizon, the morning light gradually pushed away the darkness of the night. The group woke up slowly, each reacting to the first rays of sun and the pleasant singing of birds around them. Ace, King, Draco, and the medic were the only ones near the fireplace, and they got up to start preparing breakfast.
Hikari and Hiro were still in the cart, waking up slowly from their sleep. Hiro felt Hikari's gentle presence by his side and smiled, appreciating her comforting warmth. He stretched carefully, feeling the effects of the previous night, but also feeling strengthened from within after the encounter with the vision of his father.
"Did you see anything special while I was unconscious?" Hiro asked Hikari, with a curious look.
Hikari smiled gently and replied, "I didn't see anything, but I felt your presence in my heart, and that was enough to bring me hope."
Hiro was touched by her words and embraced Hikari affectionately. "Thank you for being by my side. You're amazing," expressed Hiro, feeling grateful to have her as a companion.
Together, they stepped out of the cart, and King didn't miss the opportunity to tease them. With a mischievous grin, he said, "Look who woke up, the lovebirds had a good rest."
Hikari and Hiro blushed instantly, shyly averting their gaze. They didn't know what to say in response to King's teasing. It was evident to everyone that they had shared an emotional moment inside the cart, and King was taking advantage of the situation to tease them.
They gathered around the fireplace, where Ace, King, Draco, and the medic were already sharing breakfast. The aroma of the food and the warmth of the fire created a cozy atmosphere. While they ate, they discussed where they should head next and how they could decipher the language of the book.
The medic, now called Dr. Sakura, advised them to be cautious and seek more information about Signs Of Light and it´s followers before taking any hasty action. She emphasized the importance of taking care of Hiro's health and avoiding unnecessary confrontations while he recovered.
"Dr. Sakura is right, we need to be careful and seek guidance before getting involved in new troubles. Let's find someone who can decipher the content of this mysterious book," Draco said with concern.
Hikari, with a serious look, reassured, "Don't worry, I'll make sure Hiro doesn't get into trouble before we have more information."
Draco nodded understandingly as Dr. Sakura pulled Hikari aside to explain the dressing procedure to be done on Hiro to aid his recovery.
After the explanation of the dressing procedure, Draco and the medic began to bid farewell to the group. Draco looked at Hikari with a reassuring gaze and said, "If you need any help or have any questions, I'll be here. Stay vigilant, and please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you come across more information about the book or anything related."
The medic also approached Hikari and added, "If he needs rest or if there are any complications, don't hesitate to contact me again."
Hikari thanked them both with a smile, feeling grateful for their concern and support. Then, Draco and the medic bid their goodbyes. They walked toward the elevator to the city, ready to resume their duties.
Hiro, still recovering from his wounds, smiled confidently and said, "I know who can help us with this Book."
Hikari, surprised, asked, "You do?! Who?"
"Arthur... We can use that magic letter he gave us." "It will allow us to contact him in times of need, like this."
King, teasing Hiro, joked, "Well, it seems like that explosion wasn't so bad after all, haha!"
Hiro responded with a mischievous smile, "You're lucky I can barely move right now... But well, who here has good handwriting to write that letter to Arthur?"
King promptly replied, "Lucky for you, besides my excellent handwriting, I also draw perfectly."
Hiro looked at King with a disapproving look, but Hikari intervened, "You can trust him, Hiro, it's true. He's skilled."
Ace, agreeing, added, "She's not lying, master. I don't sense any malice in her words."
With the issue of handwriting and drawing resolved, the group gathered to write the letter detailing their discoveries and challenges with the mysterious book and the symbol of Signs of Light. After finishing, Hikari said, "Now we wait for Arthur's response."
As soon as Hikari finished speaking, Arthur promptly replied, "Hello! I thought you would never use it, ahaha. Anyway, don't worry about the language; I can help you. But I'll need some time to decipher the content of the book, it could take hours, days... it depends."
Hiro responded excitedly, "Great! While he works on that, we can head to the next destination." Hikari, with a serious look and a reproachful tone, said, "Yes, let's take advantage of the time to hit the road, but promise me that you'll rest until we get there, no training secretly or making efforts!"
Hiro agreed with a dejected look and replied, "Okay, I promise to rest until we get there. No training secretly or making efforts." Hikari smiled satisfied and hugged him affectionately.
While Arthur worked on deciphering the book, the group decided to set out for the next destination. But before they left, Hikari handed something wrapped in rags to Hiro, and he looked curiously at it. "Here, Hiro," said Hikari with a mysterious smile. "This is for you."
Intrigued, Hiro took the object in his hands and asked, "What is this?" Carefully, he started to remove the rags, revealing his sword underneath.
Hiro was surprised to see his perfectly preserved sword under the rags and looked at Hikari with gratitude in his eyes. "How did you manage to save it?" he asked, admiring the blade.
Hikari smiled and replied, "I remembered that explosion and thought the sword might have been damaged too. So after taking care of you, I went back to where you were and found the sword almost buried in the debris. To my surprise, it was intact."
Hiro thanked her emotionally and hugged Hikari. "Thank you, this means a lot to me," he said with a smile.
Hikari responded, "I know, that's why I had to look for it... but there's something about this sword that you have to be careful about, Hiro... I don't know what, but it's not normal for it to happen like it did and for it to be intact..."
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Hiro replied confidently, "Don't worry, it won't happen again."
Hikari nodded somewhat suspiciously, opening the map to choose the next destination. As she traced the route with her finger, she said, "Well, if we follow this path, we'll reach 'Hi' in less than two days."
And so, they packed all their belongings in the carriage, ensuring that everything was safe and well-organized. Hikari and King stood in the front to lead the way, while Hiro and Ace settled in the back to rest during the journey.
The new journey began with a sense of determination and hope in the hearts of the four companions. The surrounding landscape was magnificent, with green fields and gentle hills, accompanied by the singing of birds flying through the sky. Despite the adversities they had faced, they knew that the journey was far from over, and many challenges still awaited them.
As they followed the route marked by Hikari on the map, their friendship and camaraderie grew stronger. Hiro and Ace exchanged funny stories about their previous adventures, while Hikari and King shared amusing moments from their family lives. Laughter and playful banter made the journey lighter, despite the uncertainties the future might hold.
As the sun began to set, Hikari decided it was time to stop for the night's rest. They found a perfect spot near a serene lake, it´s crystal-clear waters reflecting the light of the first stars that started to dot the night sky.
The lake was vast and tranquil, surrounded by lush vegetation. Colorful flowers and majestic trees formed an idyllic landscape around them, while the gentle aroma of the plants filled the air. The stars reflections on the lake's surface created a magical atmosphere, as if they were surrounded by a mantle of bright stars.
With the perfect setting before them, Hikari guided the carriage to a spot near the lake's shore. While King took care of the animals and Ace explored the area with curiosity, Hiro helped Hikari set up a cozy camp. They prepared their makeshift beds, huddling around the campfire to warm themselves on the chilly nights.
Sitting around the fire, they shared a light and nutritious meal, telling stories about the stars above and the legends they heard about the skies. The flames danced to the rhythm of their stories, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding vegetation.
When the night was fully established, they lay beneath the starry sky, each star delicately reflected in the lake's calm waters. The serenity of nature embraced them, and a sense of peace filled their hearts. It was as if the magic of the universe revealed itself before them, and they all felt a special connection with the cosmos.
Hikari looked at the twinkling stars and whispered to the night wind, "Who would have thought that a journey could lead us to such beautiful and mysterious places..."
While enjoying the tranquility of the night, gazing at the sky, Hiro and Hikari heard a sound. To their surprise, it was King and Ace, snoring as if they were immersed in a deep and peaceful sleep. The snores were so intense that, for a moment, they exchanged complicit smiles.
Hikari whispered with a hint of humor in her voice, "Seems like King and Ace also had a full day and are now enjoying a rather serene sleep."
Hiro smiled, comforted by the presence of his companions even in the most unexpected moments. He replied in a low voice, "Yes, it seems like the journey and the day's emotions got to them ahah."
Hikari saw the opportunity to have a moment alone with Hiro, who was awake, and decided to strike up a conversation. With a gentle and curious look, she asked, "Hiro, what was your life like before all of this?"
Hiro looked at the lake and began to describe his life with his father. He shared how his father was an inspiring figure, a skilled and wise warrior who taught him many important values from his childhood.
"My father has always been a man of strong principles," said Hiro. "He taught me about the importance of honor, loyalty, and courage. From an early age, he showed me that strength doesn't just come from the sword, but also from the heart."
Hiro recalled the intense sword training his father subjected him to, which, although challenging, was crucial in shaping the warrior he had become. "My father was always tough on me during training, but it was through that discipline that I learned to persevere and never give up."
He smiled as he remembered the life lessons his father shared throughout their training. "He used to say that a true warrior fights not only to win battles but to protect those he loves and uphold justice. These teachings shaped not only my fighting style but also my approach to life."
Hiro made a brief pause, gazing at the sky with a look of gratitude. "My father disappeared a long time ago, but his teachings still live within me. He will always be an important part of who I am."
Hikari listened attentively to every word Hiro spoke, realizing the depth of the bonds he had with his father and how those experiences shaped his personality. The connection between them seemed even stronger as they shared similar values forged by the wisdom of their mentors.
After Hiro finished speaking, he looked at Hikari and curiously asked, "And your life? How was it?"
Hikari smiled, as if she were traveling to a distant place in her memories. "Well, my life was quite different from yours," she began. "I was born and raised in the Elven Kingdom, a magical place hidden from all races in the midst of an enchanted forest."
She continued describing the kingdom with a soft and radiant voice, as if she were sharing a special secret. "The Elven Kingdom was a place of incomparable beauty, with ancient trees reaching up to the skies and crystalline rivers singing ancient songs."
Hikari spoke about how magic flowed naturally in the kingdom, enveloping everything and everyone with an aura of enchantment. "We elves lived in harmony with nature and respected every creature that inhabited those lands. The wisdom of our ancestors was passed down from generation to generation, and each of us had a special connection with the elements and magic."
She then revealed the intimate relationship she had with the forest, as if it were an extension of herself. "I used to venture into the forest, listening to the whisper of the leaves and the secrets that nature held. Each tree, each creature, had a story to tell."
Hikari smiled again, but this time there was a hint of melancholy in her gaze. "However, despite all the magic and beauty, there were also responsibilities and expectations. As an elven princess, I had obligations to the kingdom and my family. Sometimes, the pressure of being the next leader was overwhelming."
She looked at Hiro tenderly. "Meeting you and embarking on this journey has changed my life. I learned that there is so much more to discover beyond the boundaries of the kingdom, and the friendship we share is one of the most precious things I've gained."
Hiro listened attentively, capturing every detail of Hikari's story. He realized that despite their lives being so different, there was a special connection between them, and that made the journey even more meaningful.
Hiro noticed that despite Hikari having shared joyful moments from her life before their journey, her eyes were now brimming with tears. With a concerned expression, he turned to her and asked gently, "What's wrong, Hikari?"
Still with tears in her eyes, Hikari looked fixedly at Hiro and urgently said, "Hiro, I need help... We have to save the kingdom of the elves!" Her words were filled with determination, despite the emotion.
Hiro was taken aback by the sudden request, but his courageous spirit and commitment to his friend drove him to respond promptly, "Of course, Hikari! We're in this together. Tell me what happened."
Hikari explained with a trembling voice, "The kingdom of the elves is under the control of Afrodite from the Signs of Light..."
Upon hearing Hikari's concern, Hiro firmly held her hand and said, "Then let's go! If the kingdom of the elves is in danger, we can't stand idly by. We have to face this darkness together and bring peace back to the forest."
Hikari felt a deep sense of relief knowing she could count on Hiro and the rest of the group. "Thank you, Hiro. I knew I could trust all of you. But unfortunately, we can't go yet. We have to wait for Arthur to say something..."
Hiro smiled at Hikari, conveying confidence and determination. "Alright... Now stop crying. We'll overcome this challenge together, Hikari. Besides, you've always been by my side, even in the toughest times. Now it's my turn to be by yours."
Emotional from Hiro's words, Hikari blushed and thanked him with a trembling voice, "Thank you again, and I'm sorry for involving you in this..."
Hiro gently wiped away her tears and responded with determination, "If you need help, I was already involved before you even asked! And besides, if the Signs of Light are involved, then so am I! We'll face any challenge together, Hikari. We're a team, and we'll be there for each other, no matter what happens."
Hiro's words brought a grateful smile to Hikari's face. She felt strengthened by the friendship and courage of the group, knowing she wasn't alone in this journey to save the kingdom of the elves and protect the harmony of the magical forest.
What secrets does the book hide?