Xian was watching from afar, silently keeping watch. He sighs in relief knowing that Tia survived. He doesn't actually understand himself why he cares about her to the point of running off towards Takka to save her. Thinking about it again, he must have lost his mind. When Xian and his friends arrived at the new town, they noticed that those people are "inhumane". He was glad that they have a cloak to hide their face.
"We shouldn't stay long; it seems dangerous here"
Rebel says as they look around searching for food. Everyone was tired but still continued their journey to attain NīRVANA. Although, without Tia. They still decided to go since it's the only thing that they could do for now. Xian stared at the scenery in front of him bored. He sighs as he watches his friends walking around. He was about to complain and tell them to hurry up and leave the town, but something caught his eyes. A person. Tia. Xian eyes widen in surprised when he noticed Tia approaching them but felt weird when she suddenly stops. He was confused.
"Why?"
His gaze follows her and was surprised to see her doing well. Although, he doesn't quite see her face. He knows, it's Tia.
"I saw Tia."
Xian mentioned as his friends stared at him shocked. "What do you mean? Where?" Gally says as she tried to look around but saw nothing.
"She left."
Xian replied and told everyone where Tia's went. They decided to follow her. When they finally caught up to Tia, they were surprised to see her in a fight face to face with Takka itself.
"What the hell?! We should help her!" Rebel said as he stared at Tia in disbelief. "Are you kidding?! That's TAKKA!" Kyran replied looking horrified.
When his friends keep arguing Xian decided to meddle Into the fight. Slashing the TAKKA arm, he was surprised he could do that. Before anything worse happened, he pulled Tia as they run away from that place. He doesn't know why he did that, running away leaving his friends behind. He cursed himself for being stupid but with a quick glance, he was relieved to see his friends running towards a different direction.
Xian was deep in his thoughts when he suddenly heard a scream from Tia direction. He was worried as he leaps towards her in a rush.
"What happened?"
He peeks his head as he looks around ready to fight. When Tia notice Xian is behind her, she screams in surprised covering her petite body. Embarrassed.
"I heard screaming, what's wrong?"
Xian still doesn't understand what's been bothering Tia as he continues to stare at her. For a moment, he was starstruck. She was indeed beautiful. "Don't look here you pervert!" Tia splashes some water at Xian direction as he turned his head away, fast. "I didn't do it on purpose, I heard screaming. I thought something bad happened to you." Xian explained. Tia was silent for a moment, wondering. Weird. since Xian had been acting weirdly nice to her.
"There's something on my back.... Help me."
Tia response made Xian gaze back to Tia. A tiny cloth is covering her body as he stares at her for a moment. Lost in track.
"Let me see, turn around." He said as Tia did what he told her too, still feel a little uncomfortable since her body is slightly exposed to Xian. A guy. When Xian hand touched her bare back, she felt tingle all over her body. Goosebumps. Shivers down her spine. His rough hand felt uncomfortable.
"What is it?"
Tia said despite being embarrassed. "Not sure...it's gooey...." He trailed off as his hands travel down to her torso making Tia flinched in surprised. "Get it off me!!" Tia clutches the cloth covering her body as she closed her eyes hoping Xian took the thing away from her, fast. Since she felt weird that they are in that kind of situation.
"Okay, it's done. You can open your eyes now."
Xian said as Tia turn around to face him making him surprised. Both stayed silent, not breaking eye contact.
"Thank you."
Tia mentioned as she finally realized what a weird situation, they're in. Xian nodded as he looks away from her telling her to get out from the water since that thing might come back. Although Tia doesn't want to admit, she is scared of being surrounded by that thing. Whatever it is. It's only been a few hours and Tia started to feel even more awkward being with Xian, alone. Especially what happened earlier, made her even more embarrassed. She mentally cursed and wish for the dawn to come faster. "You don't have to feel shy; I won't eat you." Xian said with a smirk on his face. Tia just rolled her eyes at him, can't believe that guy actually have a sense of humor. "Aren't you cold? Want to come closer?" Xian spoke again as he gestures his open arms towards Tia telling her to come closer. She just stares at him in disbelief.
Wondering if he's making a joke or actually meant what he said. "Um, okay?" Tia replied as she walks toward Xian, and he chuckled slightly making Tia confused. "You're really annoying, you know that?" Tia stomps her feet as she was about to walk away but Xian pulled her hand causing her to lose balance. "Eh, I don't get that a lot but okay... since you said it." He smiled. A genuine one.
Tia pushes his hand away from her as she straightens herself to sit. "Weirdo." She mumbled as Xian just shrugged in reply. They sat in silence and lost in their own thoughts. Tia was indeed tired from all the running, but she just couldn't fall asleep.
"I wish, I could just pass out right about now..." Tia turn her head towards Xian and wondered the same thing. It was hard to fall asleep after the encounter with something like that. Tia still can't forget the feeling she had when she stared into TAKKA face. It was traumatic.
"Yeah... although it seems impossible."
Tia sighs as Xian glance towards her. "I know, I never really expect to meet the king of Tartarus itself." Xian mentioned as he slightly chuckled. As they both sat in silence not knowing what to say to each other, the night began to go slowly. Tia stares at her hand, looking at her hideous palm that full of scars.
"It's okay to cry."
Xian voice approach her as he gazes toward the sky.
"I'm not crying... Just because of this." Tia replied as she sighs, again. "Well, quit sighing then. Nothing will change with you sighing every seconds." He was annoying and rude. Tia just ignores him as she continues to mind her own business.
Thinking back about her journey. She still can't believe how she survived. Although, it felt too good to be true. More like a dream, but she was indeed thankful. She's closer to her goal now. Both Tia and Xian didn't get a wink of sleep as they are aware that they might be attacked if they let their guard down.
When dawn approaches, Tia can't wait to meet her friends. Gally. She was her best friend, in this place at least. She can't wait to meet her again.
"We should get going now."
Tia just nodded in response as they continued their journey. It was peaceful and shockingly they didn't encounter any "monsters". It was at sunrise when they finally arrived at their friends hideout.
"Well, that was short."
Xian broke the silence as they both walk side by side. "What do you mean?" Tia stares at him in confusion. Xian stops in his track as if he said something he wasn't supposed too. "Huh?" He responded and walked faster leaving Tia in confusion. "What a weird guy." Tia mind wondered as she stares at his back. Broad shoulders, just like Edgar.
"Well, we're here. I think..."
Xian announced looking around for his friends but there's no one there. Tia was worried about them. What if something bad happened to them? What if- "It's been a while." Tia was attacked with a hug from behind. She was surprised to see Gally sobbing as she hugged Tia. Relieved, she smiled at her knowing that she really did miss Gally.
"I was so worried!"
Gally added as she let go of Tia. Tia noticed that Xian walks away to somewhere when they arrived not minding to care about his friends, that was weird. "I miss you too." Tia replied as she grins looking at her friend. Alive and healthy. The others joined them as everyone welcomed Tia.
"Where's Chester?"
Tia asks as she noticed he's not there. Rebel just laughs as point towards a direction.
"He's sulking."
Enzo added as his eyes smiles as he greeted Tia with a hug.
"Why?"
Of course, it was confusing. Why would he sulk?
"Well... He thought you've died back then... He blamed himself a lot when you got caught and he got away."
Kyran, the one who responded to Tia. He was staring at her with unusual expression that make Tia felt a little uncomfortable. Tia felt sorry for him. It wasn't his fault at all, yet he blamed himself for that. Tia can't help but feel happy that he cares about her that much. Gally was asking her a lot of questions and seem excitedly happy to see Tia, but Tia decided to wait until she meets up with Chester. She wanted to speak to him first.
"Okay, hurry up and come back. There's a lot we need to catch up."
Gally smiled as she walks off to a different direction. Tia smiles at her as the others walk off with Gally, urging her to console Chester. "Hey" Tia spoke as she sat next to Chester. He was indeed sulking. He was staring into a blank space with no expression on his face. Somehow this reminds her of her little brother, Ian.
"I'm sorry I made you worry, I'm okay now. I'm alive. Everything is okay."
Tia added but still no response. Chester didn't even budge. Tia felt nervous as she didn't know what else to say.
"I came back. I promised I would. But you're gone."
"Can you imagine how hard it is for-"
"I thought I lost you."
Finally, Chester was staring at Tia with his eyes slightly covered in tears. Tia felt shocked to see that he really did cared so much about her despite just meeting each other. She was overwhelmed, she doesn't know what to feel.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you back then... And for being stupid despite there's nothing that I can do. I'm thankful that you cared about me. I'm really happy. Chester, thank you."
Tia spoke as she grabbed Chester hand and squeeze it making the boy slightly blush. "Well- o-OK! Thank you too for being alive." Chester replied as he squeezes back and turn red. He was blushing really hard. It was cute. Tia just smiles at his gestures. "What the heck are you guys doing?" Xian spoke as he munches on an apple as he stared at Tia and Chester. He was standing there, leaning against the tree staring at their hands. He raised an eyebrow as Chester blushes even more.
"We reconcile." Tia response as they finally let go. "Yeah..." Chester added as he brushes off the dirt on his pants as he offers his hand toward Tia. "Let's get something to eat, you must be hungry." He said smiling. He looks so innocent. "You remind me of my little brother." Tia mentioned as Chester blushes even more. She took his hand and stood up brushing off the dirt on her pants too. Chester run off towards where he said they have stock some fruits as Tia watch him in admiration.
"How adorable." Xian spoke as he glances down at Tia and left to follow Chester. Tia doesn't understand what he is referring to as his expression is unrecognizable. "What a weird guy." Tia thought as she walks to them with her stomach growls in hunger. She can't believe how hungry she's been until Chester mentioned about food.
Everyone was together again, although for Tia it's still a little uncomfortable since she's been wandering alone most of her journey. She even "almost" gave up looking for the others. Getting together with everyone again seems like a blessing.
"So, Tia, tell us about what happened." Enzo spoke as Tia sat with them in a circle. Everyone was eating fruits that scattered in front of them. Tia can't believe how they could find so many fruits despite being in the wild. Although, it does make sense.
"Well... I don't know where to start."
Tia response truthfully but decided to share her story with everyone. How she was saved by Aiden group in The Norm, how she went off with Serina and they soon got separated. How she meets Raven. "You're one lucky nut." Kyran who have been silent and had a scowl in his face a while ago was now smiling as he stares at Tia with amused look. She doesn't understand if he's complementing her or the opposite, since he's calling her a nut. "I think so..." Tia trailed off as she stares down at her palm.