Oden: “Did you get it?”
Sorn and Oden had been chasing a particularly rapid goat up a small hill for a few minutes now. Its reaction speeds were beyond anything Sorn could’ve expected. It was as though it instinctively knew the perfect moment to evade an attack. Sorn managed to grab it, giving it a kick to knock it unconscious. Oden had made it to the peak shortly after, letting out deep breaths as he stumbled onto the snowy surface, rolling towards Sorn.
Oden: “Looks like you did.”
Sorn backed away a bit white Oden brought up a large ax of ice. Raising it above his head, he brought it down suddenly, beheading the goat in one fell stroke.
Sorn: “Looks like that’s our goat done.”
Oden: “The twins are responsible for the other one. Knowing Aria, she probably has already brought it back to the camp.”
Sorn glanced at Oden. The Marauder hadn’t been himself since the beginning of the Tournament, but ever since meeting his sister, the mask he used to wear might as well have been invisible. Every word he uttered was underplayed by a distant and pained expression. Sorn wanted to offer some words of comfort or perhaps something akin. However, not one phrase came to his mind. He couldn’t begin to imagine what Oden was feeling at this moment.
Frankly, he was surprised they all decided to stick together on this journey. He knew Oden wanted to get stronger before returning and killing the Emperor and Varian. When he asked Oden why the others were accompanying them, Oden looked almost disappointed.
Oden: “Even after our discussion at the cave, you still didn’t pick up everything.”
Sorn must’ve looked more clueless than he was letting on, because Oden sat on a rock, beckoning Sorn to do the same. The headless goat beside them was like an ill premonition.
Stolen novel; please report.
Oden: “The first and the most interesting point comes from Kaen’s story. The person known as ‘Eight’. Truthfully, I would doubt his existence, but Crystal having the same man give her that book when she was a child confirms a suspicion I’ve had for a while. Someone has been manipulating the events of the Fortress subtly.”
Sorn had deduced most of this already.
Sorn: “And then he also told Kaen, ‘whatever the eight of you desire, whatever knowledge you might require, everything will be found south.’ He made it pretty clear that us eight being the ones to escape was in line with his plan.”
Oden nodded in agreement.
Oden: “Even knowing that, we still can’t trust his intentions. We don’t know what they are, and above that, he’s left us with no other choice. We must continue going southwards or remain stagnant to avoid the Fortress.”
The group had come to the conclusion that they weren’t being pursued. Assuming the Fortress was in disarray, Varian couldn’t afford sending the highest ranked militants on a wild goose chase in the midst of unexplored land. Unfortunately, this conclusion remained a theory. They had no choice but to keep traveling away from the Fortress.
Oden: “As for why the others are accompanying us; Crystal is curious about the secrets that supposedly lay South, as is Kaen. Keilan wants to stick with Crystal. He’s also smart enough to know he doesn’t stand a chance against the First Division as he is. Aria and Aira also seem to want to follow Crystal. As for Toren, I’m less certain about him. I’m sure he wants to go back, but since his mom sent him here, he’s rather conflicted about it.”
Sorn: “Are you sure we can trust him?”
Oden: “I don’t personally believe he’s the one we should be worrying about.”
Sorn: “Then who?“
Oden: “Don’t you think it’s strange that Kaen was able to both escape from the Fortress on his own. That he was the only one to talk with the mysterious man? That he could fight with the Academy’s best without a single technique?”
While Sorn agreed this was suspicious, he wasn’t convinced.
Sorn: “From what I saw in the last stage of the tournament, he seemed focused on killing the Spears. And since everything he’s said and done seems genuine to me. I can’t see us being any less clueless than he is.”
Oden: “It’s only been two days since, we’d likely have to wait a lot longer to actually get a more accurate analysis. I think from what we know right now, both our perspectives are equally plausible. He’s definitely hiding his power though. I find it difficult to believe there’s anyone who could match his level through sheer physical ability.”
Sorn: “Would you have believed a random boy of black hair would fall from the sky in a comet?”
Oden: “I guess I wouldn’t.”
Sorn could tell from Oden’s expression that he was still extremely suspicious, but Sorn thought it was best to remain trusting of companions. He just couldn’t see Kaen betraying them.
???: “You guys! Hey!”
Both Sorn and Oden turned around to see Aria and Aria holding a goat of their own together. They were at the bottom of the mountain, with Aria holding its front legs and Aira taking care of the back ones. The goat’s hide was littered with wounds that Sorn guessed had been inflicted by multiple knives.
Aria: “What are you dallying around for losers? Sun’s setting, get your asses moving and bring that goat back before Crystal dies of boredom.”
Oden grabbed his goat by the legs. By now, it had mostly bled out. Oden threw it up over his shoulder, clearly requiring no assistance from Sorn.
Oden: “Alright, let’s head back.”
End.