Desmond opened his eyes and immediately found himself moving through the woods at a slow pace.
Almost like he was walking.
He blinked once. Twice.
Then looked forward, his gaze falling on a green flowing hair.
He immediately realized he was being carried... by a someone.
A girl.
"You are..." He said weakly, causing Myla to stop, her brows shooting up as she look at him on her back.
She quickly glanced forward with a grin. "He's awake."
Desmond looked past Myla to see two figures stop and turn around.
He blinked again. "That's... Master Jean." He noticed the man almost instantly.
Then he looked at the unfamiliar white haired girl beside Jean.
He shook his head weakly, bringing one hand to his head. "What... happened to the demon?"
"I killed him." Miranda answered quickly—
Almost too quickly.
Desmond's lips parted in surprise.
For a moment, he didn't move—
Just stayed on Myla's back with his head in his hand.
A sharp exhale escaped him as he smiled. "I was saved... Again."
He lifted his head from his palm, looking at Miranda. "And worse, by another candidate."
His expression held a hint of disappointment as he looked into his palm. "I guess I'm still too weak."
Myla's attention snapped back to him. "No. It's not true."
Desmond's eyes widened—just enough to see through his half lidded eyes—turning to Myla.
"You're not weak at all. I know it. You saved me and fought that ori-tandemon on your own without any problem. That didn't look weak to me."
Desmond noticed this... admiration Myla held in her gaze.
He smirked slightly with a sharp huff, eyes fluttering shut.
"Thanks but... That's easy to say when you weren't the one fighting. I barely even survived against it." He said as he got down from Myla's back.
Myla turned around, grabbing him before he almost lost his balance. "You're not fully healed. You shouldn't be on your feet."
Desmond shook his head. "It's okay. You'll only get tired carrying me around."
"But we're almost there. Let me take you the rest of the way."
Desmond sighed, realizing just how much the girl wanted to help him. "Fine then. You can just... help me walk the rest of the way."
Myla smiled softly, nodding eagerly with a hum.
Desmond hung one arm around her neck as they continued moving forward.
Jean gave a warm smile nodded as he and Miranda turned around to lead the two.
"By the way..." Desmond began, turning away with a little red on his cheeks but his eyes still half lidded.
Myla turned to him, still wearing that smirk on.
"I'm... sorry for what I said to you earlier."
Myla's smirk dropped, remembering what Desmond said to her.
What the heck are you doing?
How do you think warriors survive?
Freezing up when evil's in front of you?
"Oh, that?" Myla smirked again, shaking her head.
"You didn't know, so it's okay."
Desmond turned to her, a bit of surprise flashing in his expression for a moment.
Then he smiled, looking ahead. "Well, I won't argue with that."
Myla giggled.
"We're here." Miranda called from the front, making Desmond and Myla turn forward, seeing a bright light at the end of the forest.
The blue haired boy—Desmond— lifted one hand to shield his eyes from the light as they neared before exiting.
They were immediately met with a huge crowd of the candidates and other people wearing white with green capes(healers) on the shore of the beach of the island.
Desmond stared at the busy sight—a few uninjured kids bringing others in while the healers rushed to treat them and the recovered ones—
Some chatting, others unconscious, the rest sitting in silence—probably traumatized from near death experiences.
As the four came closer, a certain yellow haired figure dashed from the crowd, heading straight towards the blue haired boy.
"DESMOOND."
"Huh?" Desmond noticed the figure—Rexford—a bit too late as the boy jumped at him.
He crashed into Desmond—swiping him from Myla's arms and into the ground.
Desmond gritted his teeth in pain, grabbing Rexford by the head. "That hurts man. Get off."
The yellow haired boy grinned, lifting his head to stare down at Desmond. "Damn. You're still alive."
The blue haired boy grinned back at him, trying to pull away.
"Ha. Like I'd die from fighting a few weak demons."
Emmanuel snickered from where he sat as a healer wrapped a bandage around his arm. "If you died, then it means you weren't fit enough to be my rival."
Augustus just clicked his tongue where he crouched beside a tree. "That brat is still alive."
Desmond scowled, eyes directing towards Augustus. "I heard you, bastard. Were you hoping for me to die?"
A chuckle escaped from his lungs. "Well, too bad. As you can see, I'm still frickin breathing."
Augustus' lips twitched upwards. "Like heck, I care." He shot back.
Emmanuel snapped, turning to Augustus. "Hey, don't you dare steal my rival from me."
Desmond and Augustus responded quickly in unison. "No way I'm taking that weakling for a rival."
The crowd laughed at the exchange while others just stared with smiles.
Especially Susanna who just giggled. "It's good the kids can be so lively after everything that happened."
Throughout the gathering, a few candidates seemed to be bonding.
Like Lawrence and Royal who just laughed at the scene—
While Augustine and Kocho fist bumped.
It seemed like the tension from earlier had completely melted away, replaced by a warm feeling that washed throughout the place.
Miranda sighed, shaking her head.
It seemed the feeling had reached her just barely even though she didn't let it show.
Jean walked from behind to stand. "It evolved, didn't it?" He asked and Miranda nodded.
Jean exhaled sharply. "I thought so. On my way, I could see its energy flame weakening. Which could only mean it was on the verge of death. So I was surprised when I suddenly saw the flame shift in intensity. "
His gaze directed toward Desmond who was still trying to push Rexford off him.
"Or did they just want to end the boy's life?"
Miranda brought one hand to her chin. "I had the same thought. Although I didn't know why."
Jean looked back at Miranda—a sense of intrigue lacing his gaze.
'She's not only strong but smart.' He smirked. 'I guess I expect no less from Elena's younger sister.'
— —
"Just get off me already." Desmond growled with irritation, trying to tear Rexford off him.
"But— but..."
Myla hurried to their side, going down with a look of worry.
"Um. Excuse me."
Rexford and Desmond paused, directing their attention to her. "P-please get off him. He's not fully recovered yet."
Rexford blinked, staring at the girl for a moment before giving her a bright smile and quickly jumped off Desmond.
"Whatever this beautiful lady says."
Myla stared at Rexford for a moment as if trying to register what he just said.
Then—
"W-what?" She exclaimed, her hands flying up to cover her reddening face.
Beautiful? Lady?
She was clearly not used to taking compliments like that from guys.
"I... I um—"
"Myla." Desmond called, sitting up.
Myla snapped out of her trance, glancing at Desmond.
Desmond lifted one hand to her.
She nodded, the redness on her face almost completely gone as she grabbed Desmond's hand and helped him to his feet.
Emmanuel's eyes narrowed from where he sat, grinding his teeth. "Hey Des. Since when did you get a personal attendant?"
"She's not my attendant, you idiot." Desmond said as Myla walked him forward. "She's a healer candidate who happened to be around and prevented me from dying."
Emmanuel sighed, lowering his head. "It's not fair that you get to have an attendant before me."
Desmond scowled—almost snapping from irritation. "Were you even listening to anything I said?"
"By the way..." Emmanuel's expression lit up again as he raised his head. "I think I might have taken a step ahead of you, my rival."
Desmond arched a brow, setting his gaze on Emmanuel. "And how exactly did that become possible?"
Emmanuel chuckled mischievously, bringing one hand to chin. There was this... proudness emanating from him. Like he had done something to be crowned as a legend.
Desmond only got more confused as Myla took him to a blanket and helped him sit. "Just spit it out already."
"Impatient, are we?" Emmanuel asked.
Desmond clicked his tongue—probably irritated at the smugness in Emmanuel's tone.
"Okay, okay. I'll tell you." Emmanuel's lips twitched, rising into an impossibly huge grin and he brought a fist to his chest.
He opened his mouth to speak but then—
"Let me guess." Desmond spoke first, cutting him off. "You fought an ori-tandemon?"
A few candidates around who heard it froze, their jaws dropping till it touched the ground—if that was even possible.
Emmanuel laughed, raising a thumbs up. "Exactly right. And even though I didn't win I certainly gained some experience. And with that experience, I can focus on getting stronger."
"I see." Desmond simply said as he rested his chin in one hand, placing the elbow on crossed legs.
Emmanuel jerked forward, his brows furrowing in irritation. "Hey, why aren't you even surprised?"
"Huh?" Desmond looked back at Emmanuel. "Because you couldn't kill it."
Myla smiled, turning to Emmanuel. "Maybe it's because he actually fought one. Although he wasn't the one who killed it."
Emmanuel blinked. "O-oh." He bowed his head. "I see."
"Why do you look so disappointed?" Desmond asked, his voice lacking any hint of concern.
Rexford raised his hand from where he sat. "I also fought one, you guys. But I didn't kill it though."
"No one asked you." Desmond and Emmanuel said in unison.
Rexford grabbed his chest as if he had been emotionally wounded. "You guys... are so mean." He whispered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Desmond asked almost immediately.
"No. Nothing at all." Rexford put on a bright face immediately.
——
To the far right, Miranda walked off, heading to the bridge that led to the military ship.
Jean noticed her going and asked. "Miranda. Are you okay without any treatment from the healers?"
Miranda didn't stop walking. Just waved a hand and continued walking away.
Jean scratched his head. "I guess Elena was right about her sister."
His attention turned to the crowd, his eyes glowing green.
[Divine Vision: Appraisal]
As he stared on, he nodded. "It seems they're all here." His gaze lifted up to sky, a ray of hope filling his eyes.
"Master Taro. It seems the prophesized generation is finally here."