Nork was silent for a moment and asked.. what do you mean dead group members?...
Lucas looked at the sky which was filled with stars and a beautiful glazing moon... it's a long... story...
Nork sat down on a rock near the lake, Lucas stood still for a moment and then slowly spoke...
We were five... a team... not just teammates, we were like brothers and sisters... we took quests together, fought together, ate together... laughed like idiots most of the time...
Lucas gave a small smile but his eyes showed something heavy...
There was me, the shield... always standing in front... there was Rykel, our swordsman, fast and sharp... Mira, our mage, she was annoying but strong... and Dren, the healer... quiet but dependable... and our leader Kaizen...
Nork was listening silently...
Lucas clenched his fist slightly...
We got a quest... it was supposed to be simple... a B rank dungeon clearing... we thought it was easy... we were confident... too confident...
His voice became heavier...
When we entered... it wasn't a B rank dungeon... it was already evolving... something inside it was changing... growing...
Nork frowned... evolving dungeon...?
Lucas nodded...
Yes... and inside... we encountered something we shouldn't have... a demon... not just any demon... a high demon...
Lucas continued...
We tried to retreat... but it was too late... the path was already blocked... Kaizen told us to stay together... we fought... we tried everything...
Lucas looked at his hands...
Rykel went first... he tried to buy time... he got cut down... Mira lost control of her magic trying to protect us... Dren kept healing until he collapsed...
Silence filled the area...
Lucas's voice dropped...
Kaizen... he stayed behind... he told me to run... said someone has to survive...
Nork clenched his fists...
Lucas smiled bitterly...
I didn't want to... but he forced me... pushed me out with his last strength... and the last thing I heard was him shouting... run you idiot...
The wind moved slightly...
Lucas sat down slowly...
When I came back with reinforcements... everything was gone... the dungeon collapsed... no bodies... nothing...
Lucas continued...
From that day... I decided... I will protect anyone I can... even if it costs everything... I won't let anyone die in front of me again...
Nork looked at Lucas seriously...
That's why you jumped in front of that attack...
Lucas gave a small smile...
Ya... habit now I guess...
Nork stood up...
Then get stronger... strong enough so next time... no one dies...
Lucas looked at Nork for a moment and then smiled...
Heh... you sound like a leader...
Nork with a cheerful smile I guess... haha
Well it's more than 10 minutes we should head back...
Nork nodded in response
Both of them reached the camp... Vanessa now taken bath was warming her hands near the fire... she turns around and looks at Lucas and Nork arrival... what happened both of you took so long to return... Lucas with a smirk... got scared to stay alone for too long? Vanessa with a little angry face you think so? Nork calmly took out his clothes except his pants and jumped to the lake... it's time for a bath!
Vanessa stood up and headed to the carriage... you guys take bath I'll go and sleep... Lucas nodded and also undressed and jumped to the lake...
The next morning Vanessa woke up first yawning and slowly coming out from the carriage and saw Nork cooking breakfast and on the side Lucas sleeping on the ground with some clothes laid in which he was sleeping... Nork saw Vanessa coming out... good morning Vanessa... good morning Nork... she sat opposite of Nork... he is still asleep... ya... let him sleep more he saved us and used all his Astral energy yesterday... Vanessa staring at the fire and eyes shifted to Nork... hey... he should join us... Nork nodded not a bad idea... you know he doesn't know you... last night... Nork explained everything to Vanessa about Lucas... I see he must be having a lot of guilt... ya... and well he is from the Larvan Empire and he is 22 years old... he came as his 2 comrades were from Kaian Empire so he came here to visit their graves.
It's not a bad idea to ask him to join us... while they were talking... suddenly Lucas got up yawning good morning young fellows... both wished Lucas too... Lucas still half asleep what were you two talking about? Vanessa with a smirk we were talking to let you join us as a team... No... Lucas with a serious face... Vanessa with a shock expression... what? Why?
Well you two are still young and weak I can't always save both of you... Nork and Vanessa were clearly irritated by his words... Vanessa stood up you think I'm weak?... yes you are...
Vanessa blood boiled and Nork stood up holding Vanessa... you say I'm weak? wanna check how much a fist tastes? Lucas calmly looks at Vanessa and says... you spoiled noble brat... did you get pissed because I said no? Or called you weak? Nork quickly tells Lucas to be calm and don't say harsh words to Vanessa... but Lucas continued ignoring Nork words... you think you can buy anyone? You think you are talented? It's just that your parents took care of you like a hen taking care of an egg and now when you finally came out from your comfort zone you think you can boss around and order anyone? What a mannerless brat you are... let me meet your parents I'll scold them to teach you some manners... Nork pulled Lucas leaving Vanessa behind who stood there in deep thoughts from Lucas words... Nork taking Lucas a little far from Vanessa... do you know who is her mother? No... Lucas answered straight away... Her mother is one of the six legendary heroes, Silvana Hugend the strongest human alive Empress of Kaian Empire... Lucas expression became pale and sweat running down from his head... you are telling the truth? Yes! Doesn't the surname suit too? Silvana Hugend, Vanessa Hugend...
Lucas sweating ya...
And you said you will scold her parents? No way... instead your bones are gonna break I'll be attending your funeral... those words were going in Lucas ears as he was regretting everything he just said... he runs towards Vanessa and bows... your highness I'm truly sorry for what I have said please forgive this foolish man... Vanessa with confusion stares at Lucas who's begging for forgiveness, she quickly turns her gaze to Nork... did you really have to tell him? Nork looking somewhere else... well....
Vanessa sighs... don't worry I won't tell my mother... and I have a challenge for you... Lucas looks up asking what challenge?
Fight me in a combat battle... if I win you will join my team and if I lose I'll give you anything you want...
Lucas with a smirk are you sure?
Vanessa stares at Lucas seriously.. yes I am... I need to improve too and check how much I have gained battling Golkar... and I wanna prove I'm worthy enough to be Silvana Hugend's blood.... Lucas smiles... that's the spirit...
Then Vanessa and Lucas stood opposite of each other and Nork being the referee... both of you no weapons are allowed and no Astral energy to be used only raw physical strength is allowed, and whoever gets knocked out loses...
Lucas with a smile you ready, highness?
Vanessa stares at Lucas... don't call me that...
Lucas grinned ok brat...
Vanessa launched forward with fist prepared to strike Lucas... while Lucas was standing still and dodged her attack at the right moment and grabbed her hand and threw her a few feet away... come on brat didn't you say you wanna prove something?
Vanessa again launched at Lucas... who quickly moved his body aside but Vanessa quickly changed her direction mid strike...
This time Lucas couldn't escape her attack... landing right at his face... the impact was very strong... it didn't move Lucas at all but the impact was strong... she is really strong... Lucas thought... whereas Vanessa thought her attack was very weak... she gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with fire... Lucas stared at her... come on I'm still standing... and Lucas with force landed a punch right at Vanessa's abdomen lifting her up and throwing her away hitting a tree... the tree fell down from the impact... Vanessa barely standing...
Lucas looked at Vanessa desperately trying to stand again... Vanessa do you still wanna continue? Nork asked
I'm still standing Nork... Vanessa responded with determination to defeat Lucas... Lucas smiled... I'll have to go all out I guess and knock you out and let you learn there's a difference between us... Lucas charged at Vanessa... Vanessa standing still quickly kneeled down and one leg kicked Lucas's legs which made him unbalanced and falling straight at Vanessa who was ready with her fist and punched at Lucas's face... this time she used everything she had in that punch... knocking Lucas up and throwing him far away... Nork... with a shocked expression... what a punch...
Lucas landed on the ground 30 feet away... Vanessa barely standing after giving her all in that punch... she was getting dizzy from the previous punch from Lucas... she looked at Lucas who was slowly getting up... her vision slowly blurry... she fell down on the ground... knocked out cold...
Later she woke up in the carriage... Nork beside her eating some bread... oh you woke up... wanna have some bread? Vanessa quickly got up... where's Lucas? Calm down... who do you think is taking care of the carriage? she turned around to the front... Lucas was also turning around while holding the horse... don't worry Vanessa even though you lost I'll join your team... you showed me your undying determination to go forward... he turned again looking at the road and letting the horse turn left... Vanessa stared at Lucas for a moment and smiled... Nork looked at Vanessa and said... you know what Lucas healed you... Vanessa clearly shocked... healed?... Nork nodded yes... he knows a healing spell but it heals some wounds... Vanessa paused for a moment... our trio is good... Nork confused... what do you mean?... You know some magic spells and Lucas knows some healing magic... isn't that great? and me I am durable and strong... Vanessa hands on her chest proudly calm... and I'm the leader so the team became more great... Nork started laughing ya...
Lucas also laughed... hahaha yes indeed your highness hahaha... Vanessa clearly annoyed... why are you two laughing..!!
Laughter filled their road to Laldor City...
Somewhere in a dark forest stood a strange abandoned mansion... a strange figure was heading inside... his face revealed... it was the demon from the previous battle who escaped Nork and Vanessa... the messenger... he stopped walking and bowed to a figure standing which was looking at a painting...
Your sincere apologies oh great pillar Miss Alishia Vaval... I'm disturbing your peace because of a message from Lord Vond... Alishia slowly turned around her face was covered by the darkness not revealing her appearance... her voice was cold... what message?.. the messenger still bowing... to find the reincarnation of Kaiel and bring him to Lord Vond... either alive or dead... she paused for a moment... Arves... the messenger got nervous as it was his name... she saw Arves's wounds... what happened to you Arves?... Arves scared still looking down I.. I.. got in a battle with humans and barely escaped death... Alishia was silent... too silent... Arves waiting for Alishia response... let her tell me to go please... Arves begging it in his thoughts... sweating he asked Alishia permission... oh great pillar... please grant me permission to go and let you be in peace with your world... suddenly chains from all ways came and grabbed Arves... Alishia laughing... yes I grant you permission to go... in hell... her chains tore Arves into shreds... her laughter echoed through the mansion...