“Ok, so you loop it around one more time and tighten it. There you go. Now you have a fishhook of glow rock. Give it a try.”

The young man paused for a minute and stared at the string, slowly mimicking the motions. As he was finishing the final loop, his finger slid against the hook, effortlessly cutting his finger.

Pulling back in shock, he dropped the stone to the ground. Gentle impacts rustled against the deadened leaves, leaving red splotches behind.

“Young man, let me see it.”

“No. Um. I'm okay.”

“There are some who say a pain suffered is a lesson learned.”

A calloused hand gently took the young man’s. Reaching into a small pouch, the wanderer rubbed two herbs together and applied them to the wound.

A wave of gentle light quickly spread up his hand, sealing the wound instantly.

“To that I say, a kindness felt is a kindness remembered.”

Witnessing the rare talent of healing magic briefly interrupted the lad’s thoughts, but his mind soon returned to his hopeless situation.

“But if I don't learn to be tougher, then I won't win.”

“Win what? A certain lass’ heart, perhaps? Or maybe you need to defeat a mighty villain to save the damsel in distress? ”

The embarrassed look on the young man's face sent the bearded stranger into a hearty fit of laughter. A jovial undertone tinged the man's next words.

“I see. That is why you wandered into these woods. Then the answer is simple. You must simply become strong enough to win. Because the world is not so sweet as to reward kindness. But that’s enough of my preaching. If I don't let the two of you head back soon, your mothers are going to be worried about you.”

A bolt of energy shot into the brush followed by the yelp of a young woman rubbing her rear coming into the open. Her drenched long skirt spoke volumes of the difficulties she faced in finding him, a fact that was not lost on the flustered lad.

A sudden force from behind sent the two of them into each other’s arms. By the time they recovered from their shock, his figure had already vanished into the wilderness without so much as a wave.

“Delanor, who was that strange man?”

“I’m not sure. He wouldn't say.”

“Wait. That isn't what’s important. What were you thinking, going out here on your own? What if something was to happen…”

Her barrage of words was halted by the sudden assault of a pair of chapped lips against hers. The moment lingered with nothing but the beating of their racing hearts to attest to the passage of time. Delanor reluctantly separated, staring into the girl's eyes.

“Lena. I’ll become strong enough to save you.”

“And I’ll become strong enough that you don’t need to.”

One could just barely see their interlocked fingers through the underbrush as they began their journey home.

Ah, how sickeningly sweet. At least this worthless hobo is still good for something. But to think that resolve was for a sweetheart that would brave death for his safety. It's like the start of a fairytale. He’ll probably turn out to be some hero king or the like.

I should move on to a new area, just in case. Maybe I”ll head towards the eastern tribes this time.

**

The sun and moon danced until the forest valley gave way to winding paths of ever increasing height. An early morning light glistened off dew-covered stones and a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of mountain flowers.

An unusual calm beset his heart. For an instant, all pain and sorrow melted away before such relentless beauty. If the afterlife was this, then death may take him.

“Look who decided to show up. I thought, ‘what a beautiful starting point with a wonderful sunset’ until I was stuck here for 8 freaking hours! No food. No water. No shelter. If you provide proper compensation, I might just forget to tell my father about this.”

Death would have been preferable, dear fate.

“You must be mistaking me for someone else. I am but a simple traveler.”

“Mysterious traveler? Really? I'd find a new persona if I was you. You don't seem nearly charismatic enough to pull that one off.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

How did she tell? She must be more competent than she let on.

Now that he took a closer look at her, it should have been obvious. Foreign hairstyle, fit figure, flawless skin. All signs point to her being an important individual.

“Forgive me. I did not expect to meet such an interesting personage. I fear I will be of little use. I recommend continuing west to the capital. Fare thee well.”

I need to get away from here before I get tangled up in…

A beautiful mockery erupted behind him.

“I see. You were probably hoping for a cute, little 18 year old that you could ‘show the ropes,’ like some kind of virgin. Are you that bad with women?”

How did she figure out my biggest insecurity so easily? Just where in the world did this woman train?

“I hope your sword is as sharp as your tongue, for man and beast care little for status in this great wilderness.”

**

None of nature’s tranquility remained within his heart, for the recent events clouded it over. Each passing step wrought a growing unease, yet that ought not to have been the case.

He had not been at fault. He had done no harm.

Or had he?

Is inaction in the face of someone in need wrong? Who gets to decide if it is?

Of course, he already knew the answer from the first departing step. He had simply wanted to wallow in a foolish grievance. It matters not what the world believes when his heart has long decided.

Turning about, he launched himself with power strides. His muscles strained beyond their limits, causing them to tear over and over, only for a glow to heal them once more. Such minor damage had long since stopped being a concern of his. When had he started to change? Was it the first time he manifested his powers? Or perhaps with each time he had failed.

The screams of beasts to the north dropped a stone into his gut. His strides turned into scrambling until he finally approached the origin of the sound. It is a shame he isn’t a bard, for the sight alone could have woven an incredible tale.

Half a dozen fetid scratchers lay in various forms of demise. The first few lay with precise slashes, the wielders' discipline clearly on display. Another lay with a sword desperately plunged within, likely the result of an ambush. The last lay with an arm plunged down its throat. Looking a bit higher brought him to the spiteful stare of the recently met woman. Fresh tear stains still wetted her cheeks.

“Come here to gloat? Maybe an ‘I told you so’ or two?”

“Must you be insufferable even in death?”

His teasing rebuttal brought a radiant smirk to her face.

“What can I say, it's part of my charm.”

A convulsion sent a hiss of pain through her bloodied lips. Black streaks had already crawled up her carcass-covered arm. She did not have much time left.

“To think I would be brought down by freaking badgers.”

“What you accomplished is no small feat. Even experienced adventurers fear fetid scratchers due to their potent venom. Your father must be honored to have such a brave daughter.”

His words elicited a scoff from the dying woman.

“I doubt he would even raise an eyebrow. My training, my studying, my passion for the sake of taking part in Fate. All of it was just a stupid fancy to him. Maybe I should have gone into the family business after all. They already thought of me as a family disappointment. Dying on my first day adventuring just finally proves it.”

Tears threatened to escape down her cheeks once more.

“Then they are fools. You followed your heart in the name of your dream. It is easy to take the path of least tribulation, but instead you fought against the wishes of those closest to you. That is already more than anyone else would have done in your shoes. That alone already makes you worthy of praise. Though, that is only the opinion of Adriel, a penniless failure himself.”

“Lame…but sweet.”

Resolve returned to her eyes as she took a deep breath. Gritting her teeth, she yanked her arm out of the creature’s body, leaving gashes in her flesh. At the same time, he called forth a healing light, easing the pain.

“Thank you. Dying is more painful than I thought it would be. Could you hold me for a bit? The ground is far too cold.”

The ground was actually quite warm already and the coldness was likely the poison reaching her core. But even he had enough tact to not point that out.

His arms gently placed her on his lap. Grabbing the hem of his cloak, he wrapped it around them and gently embraced her. He leaned back against a boulder to let her rest her head on his shoulder. There was no awkwardness in their movements, imminent death having washed away all pretenses. Several beats of her quivering heart passed, each one weaker and farther apart.

“Hey Adriel, I haven’t told you my name yet. It’s…”

Her lips moved but he could not hear the end. Leaning in closer, he still couldn’t make it out. Suddenly, he felt a soft pair of lips on his cheek. His shock drew out a gurgling laugh from the woman.

“I guess you’ll just have to find me in my next life to learn mine.”

The last word was choked out amidst worsening seizures and her consciousness quickly faded. The beating of her heart soon followed.

“Cheeky until the very end,” he uttered to no one in particular.

Suddenly, a horrid scream echoed off the mountainside. If one were to see the source, they would see a figure wreathed in white flames kneeling before a bloodied body.

What purpose is having these abilities if I’m still powerless before death.

Well, I refuse to accept this. Fate can damn me for all I care.

Focusing on the brief encounter they shared, he searched for a connection.

Feel, don’t think. You made a promise last time. Is this all your resolve amounts to?

His voice whispered sweet tauntings in his ear, though they were not his own. Fury ignited his mind as the world before him faded. In its place was a sea of swirling gray and black. A faint thread extended from him, fading into the distance. He knew without a doubt what it was.

Adriel concentrated all of his effort on trying to draw it to himself, but nothing happened.

Feel, don’t think.

Feelings of annoyance. Of pain. Of humor. Of affection?; they all began pulsing through the cord, thickening it. Like an anchor, he slowly began to draw the cord into himself. It did not take long for the strain to take its toll. At this rate, a part of his soul would be ripped free along with the cord.

Then he saw it. A swimming light caught like a fish on a hook. Confusion traveled down their connection. Neither of them would survive at this rate. He could give up and save himself, but call it stubbornness or resolve, he decided to toss caution to the wind. Bringing forth the full force of his will, he gave a massive pull. His very being screamed out in pain until all of a sudden, all resistance disappeared as if it was a dream.

As the last of his strength faded, a sweet voice tickled his ears.

“Did you really miss me that much?”