Ch #17
"All a Misunderstanding"
"Look, birds!" Lumi exclaimed as he let her down. "This forest is so loud..."
"This forest isn't loud, Lumi. The one we've been inside all this time was just too quiet," Kai pondered why that was and why the mountain's true look was hidden away. Or was this a natural phenomenon? Looking from outside the mountains, everything appeared so barren. But here on the mountain itself, everything was so vibrant.
As Kai stood still, he studied the world around him, becoming acutely aware of the smaller sounds—the delicate crunch of leaves beneath his boots, the distant chatter of a creek meandering through the undergrowth, and the occasional scurrying of unseen creatures in the underbrush. The forest floor, carpeted with fallen leaves and twigs, seemed to cushion every step he took. It didn't appear like an illusion. *Too vivid to be an illusion.*
"Come on, Lumi," Kai urged the little girl as she followed him with clumsy steps. "I think I hear water..."
Kai took measured steps with Lumi in tow, traversing with care along the slope. The light from this forest was far brighter than the light of the other forest. Clearing the bushes and shrubs, Kai followed the sound of water.
The forest opened up to a babbling brook meandering gracefully down the mountainside. The small stream of water weaved its way through the densely packed foliage, its course adorned with smooth, moss-covered rocks and the occasional fallen log. The water sparkled in the sunlight as it danced over pebbles and rocks, creating a soothing melody that harmonized with the rustling leaves overhead.
Lumi's eyes shimmered with delight at the view, a wide smile making it to her face. "We're here!" With a gleeful hop, she made her way to it, almost tripping on an outstretched root.
"Careful now, don't rush," Kai admonished a little with a light smile. "It's not going anywhere, alright. We'll stay and rest here for a while."
Lumi extended her hands into the clear water, scooping a little water into her palms and taking a sip. "Big brother Kai! The water here is so cold!"
"It's very clear too." Taking a sip himself, "It tastes cool and crisp... probably from a hidden spring nestled high in the cradle of the mountain."
Lumi sat on one of the fallen logs waiting as Kai filled up the water flask he'd made on the fly.
*Rustle, rustle.*
A crisp crackling sound echoed. Kai moved, his neck snapping towards the sound. "Lumi, duck behind the log," he whispered.
Lumi hopped off the log, hiding away from sight. Confusion and anxiety were visible in her eyes.
A head stuck out of the bushel, slowly coming out of the tree line. His eyes showed a bright golden hue surrounding it.
/***
Rank-0 (Dormant)
Race: Bulwark Ursafang
Core: Gold
Attributes: {Battle Aura}; {Heightened Senses}
Abilities: {Great Roar}{Aegis}
A mobile bastion, its abilities give it formidable defense and power. Its senses cover miles of distance, able to perceive the faintest of smells. It is a beast born for battle capable of fighting beasts far stronger than itself.
***/
A bear of formidable stature, its fur a mix of earthy browns and russet hues. The light falling on it revealed a metal-like sheen. It was a beastly thing and formidable, according to what
"I'd thought Marshmallow had caught the smell of another stray beast. Never thought I'd meet another person here."
A girl. She observed him as he examined her, trying to assess the situation. Amber eyes, red hair, wearing a teal-green tight corset-like dress. Carrying a massive bow and a quiver full of arrows.
He'd thought of a lot of things but, he'd never imagined the first person he'd meet would come over with a beast in tow, and not one that powerful as well.
"Are you going to keep staring or introduce yourself?" She hummed, caressing the delicate fur of her companion, which by this point had simply slumped on the ground near the brook as if resting.
"People these days have no manners... Shouldn't you introduce yourself first before asking me?" Kai retorted. She might be in control of the power dynamics here but he sure wasn't going to roll over and yield.
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She smiled at his accusing tone. "My, you're right. Let me introduce myself first then." She hopped off the bear, landing on the ground with a thud. "I'm Aria, a trial taker of the tower. Currently, tower-bound. And you?"
"Kaiser, from Earth," he replied, not taking his eyes off the redhead. He didn't know what she was planning.
"That's it?" She asked with a questioning gaze. "What are you doing here then, Kaiser?"
"Oh, nothing much, just passing by..." Kai felt the mana around him churn. The bear was staring at him. "What's that beast? Why's it following you?"
The girl patted her companion, looking at Kai she let out an amused chuckle. "This is Marshmallow, my battle companion. It seems to have taken an interest in you..."
Kai snorted at that, "Well, I for one have no interest in your beastly buddy. Why don't you show me the way to the nearest resting place and I'll be happily on my way."
"I can do that for you." The forest hummed as she grabbed her bow, taking it off her shoulder. "Why don't you drop this charade already."
"What?" Kai looked at the girl confused. Taking a more closed-off stance, he prepared for any attack. The giant bear alone was enough to threaten him, and she'd called it *Marshmallow* like it was some common house cat. Now she was taking a hostile stance as well... *How'd he ticked her off?*
"Don't play dumb now." She readied her bow, knocking an arrow swiftly onto it, aiming at the log behind him. "You can stop hiding now. My bear can smell you from hundreds of feet away."
Kai's eyes widened. "Stop! Maybe there's a misunderstanding?" He didn't know what this was about, but he'd need to placate the girl first. "Why don't you explain? I'm not the one you think I am..."
Aria rolled her eyes at that. "The day I enter the trial, someone appears in the most *dangerous* part of the Misty Forest, waiting near my route. Coincidence? I think not."
She shook her head in derision as she spoke, "And here I'd thought I'd hidden my tracks well. The masters do know how to pick a fight."
The bear got up. The mana around them hummed as the bear rushed towards Kai, Aria leaping onto the bear's back mid-sprint. "Well, if it's a fight they want, it's a fight they'll get!"
**Break**
Lumi sat quietly, hidden behind the large fallen log hidden away from sight. The monster hadn't seen her. Big Brother would surely take care of it.
"Are you going to keep staring or introduce yourself?"
A voice! There was someone here! Should she get out? *No, Brother Kai had forbidden her from making noise when she had to hide. He'd told her to only come out when she heard his voice...
"People these days have no manners..."
"I'm Aria, a trial taker of the tower. Currently, tower-bound. And you?"
Lumi listened to them from behind the log. They seemed to be talking. Was it safe now? What happened to the monster?
"This is Marshmallow, my battle companion. It seems to have taken an interest in you..."
Lumi's eyes lit up. A pet? She'd always wanted a pet! Papa had never bought her any... The thought of her papa saddened her. But she was strong! She'd make sure to survive and find her people! But for now, Big Brother Kai was helping her. Maybe he could talk to the lady and get her a pet as well? She got excited at the thought.
"Why don't you drop this charade already."
Oh, no... The lady seemed upset. Did Big Brother say something? Lumi was unsure of what was happening. She'd lost track of what they were saying.
"You can stop hiding now. My bear can smell you from hundreds of feet away."
Lumi gasped, quickly covering her mouth with her hand. Was she caught? Should she come out now?
"Stop! Maybe there's a misunderstanding?"
She heard Big Brother shout. Maybe she shouldn't get out yet... The shouting intensified, the lady saying something about dangers and fights. She'd seen Big Brother fight; they were indeed dangerous...
"Lumi, move!"
She heard a loud rumble, and Big Brother shouting over the noise. She hurriedly rolled away, getting on her feet and rushing towards the trees.
Kai shouted for the girl to move. Pulling mana from the necklace, he threw a compressed wind blade at the bear's feet. The blade hit an ethereal wall of compressed mana, blasting it to pieces before dissolving.
Not looking at the aftermath, Kai turned rushing towards Lumi, who was already out of hiding and was running towards the tree line.
A whooshing sound. Without mistake, Kai formed a barrier, blocking off the arrows aimed at his back.
Kai dashed forward, picking up Lumi by the waist. He kept the barrier active, but strangely no other arrow flew.
A roar. The barrier vibrated like the tip of a leaf when blown on. Kai's body froze mid-sprint, his body locking up. He tumbled cradling Lumi securely against his chest.
Kai felt his entire body hurt, almost paralyzed. He cursed under his breath. "Damn it."
"Bringing a little girl to an assassination attack? How despicable can you be?" Aria stowed away her bow, standing beside where Kai had fallen. The bear stood by her side towering over Kai.
"We're no assassins, you fucking maniac! It took us over a week to get here from the bloody grasslands, the fucking records dropped me in!"
Kai's sudden outburst took Aria back. "You're here from outside the barrier? The masters didn't send you?"
Lumi wiggled out, standing in front of Aria. Kai hoped the madwoman wouldn't hurt her. He struggled to move his body.
"Don't hurt Big Brother! He didn't do anything..."
Aria raised an eye. " Big Brother? Little girl, you're not really his sister, are you?" She examined the two. "You two look nothing alike," she said gently.
"Umm... ah. Big Brother Kai kept me safe and uh... is taking me to the city. Bad people kidnapped me and left me in the jungle." Lumi explained with much trouble.
Kai, with much trouble, sat up. This girl, Aria... Her entire demeanor had changed, talking to Lumi. Her previous cold composed persona was replaced by that of a warm and gentle friend. "We were looking for a city. A tree told me it's supposed to be situated somewhere along the slopes of the Ashen Mountain."
"I'm sorry, I mistook you and this little angel for assassins." Aria held her hand out towards Kai. Grumbling inwardly, Kai took her hand, getting up from the ground.
Lumi was busy caressing the fur of the massive bear; Aria had put her up on the bear's back at some point. "You gave such a short introduction I'd thought you were hiding your identity."
"Yeah, yeah... Attack first, talk later, I get it." Kai did not care about her excuses.
Aria didn't seem to mind his cold behavior. It was after all due to her. A serious expression made its way onto her face. "Anyway, as an apology, I'll guide you two to the city; these parts are far more dangerous than anything you've faced outside the barrier."
Kai pondered on the offer. They were in a precarious situation, and getting lost in the forest was also likely. On top of that, getting some information would be of great help... "Alright, I'll accept your apology."
They headed towards the city in the mist.