"It must be hard. Surviving, alone. I can't imagine."
Gally spoke as she stares at Tia with admiration. "You even have a sword now." She added with a smile on her face. When she mentioned that, Tia can't help but to be embarrassed. She doesn't really know if she's been using the sword right. As long as she moves it around and it got the target, she felt satisfied, since she never really thought that one day, she would touch a sword. "I'm not really good with that honestly, I've just been carrying it along..." Tia replied as her cheek flush red earning a laugh from Xian himself, he looks humored.
"That's the first time I heard him snort in a while, he's been so grumpy but now that you're here... Somehow this dude become annoying."
Kyran mentioned as he stares at Xian in disbelief. Tia was confused since she doesn't understand how that got anything to do with her.
"Did you guys become friends while spending the night together?"
Rebel was the one who ask that as he has an annoying smirk plastered on his face. Xian just told them to shut up as he told them nothing happened, but Tia was red from the embarrassment as she remembers that night. Where Xian almost saw her naked body.
"Something did happen I supposed."
Enzo says as he was staring at Tia with curious look. "I wonder what it is." He added, still staring at Tia with curious look. Tia just told them nothing really happened as Xian slightly gave her a smirk. Tia can't believe how much she misses everyone. She was relieved to be with them.
"Wait, where's RAVEN?"
Tia eyes wandered as she looks around searching for the black panther.
"Who?"
Chester, who has been silent finally spoke as he wipes his mouth with his hand. Cleaning the crumbs on his lips.
"The black panther."
Tia added as he stares at Chester wondering how his behavior are exactly the same as her little brother back home. She misses him as she looks at Chester. "No idea. It just disappears when it woke up last night..." Gally replied to Tia as she began telling Tia about "their" journey. It was fun. So lovely, so lively. Tia felt at ease with everyone around. Although, she did worried where RAVEN run off to. The day went by slowly as everyone was planning for their next move. They decided to continue they journey in the next two days, while they wait... They decided to stock some food before they left.
Tia was relieved to listen and take part of the conversation. She was indeed grateful to be here with everyone. Gally had been with her since the morning as they went to pick up some fruits.
"I've been wondering, why didn't you approach us before? Xian told us he saw you."
Gally spoke without looking at Tia as they continue to walk. Tia was silent for a moment; she doesn't know how to answer. She felt weird for some reason.
"I didn't realize it was you guys..."
Tia lied. Since she doesn't want Gally to know that she didn't approaches them because seeing them happy without her made her feel left out.
"Well, don't do that. Ever. Again. If you ever got into trouble, you could always count on us. Me. Although, I don't know if I could do much help... But I will try my best. I promised to help you, didn't I?"
Gally said finally looking at Tia. Tia somehow felt remorse. She can't believe what an angel Gally is.
"Thank you for saving me. I'm really glad I meet you."
Tia replied as both girls confessed their true feelings for each other, being friends with one another. It was a blessing indeed. Gally had a biggest smile on her face when Tia said that. They continue to chat while looking for food. Somehow, Tia can't help but felt sad. She suddenly remembered Serina.
"Where is she? Is she alive? How has she been? I hope you're okay."
Tia thought as she continued to wonder about Serina ware about. Gally and Tia got back to the others as the boys sat in circle. They'd seem to be talking with themselves looking so serious.
"Welcome back gals."
Kyran waves as he smiled at both Tia and Gally. It was nice to see everyone doing well. Tia was about to reply but stops when she suddenly heard a growling sound.
"Wait, did you guys hear that?"
Her eyes were big as she stares at each of their expression. Everyone doesn't seem shocked. Tia was confused because that sound made her shuddered in fear. What was that?
"It's coming, wait. Why are you guys so calm?!"
Tia panicked as everyone just sat and stares at her. What is wrong with everyone? She thought to herself. Scared of the sound that is approaching them.
"Hey, don't worry. It's just a wild animal." Rebel assured Tia that it's alright and she shouldn't get worked up.
"Ju--st a wild animal?"
Tia stares at him in disbelief. Why would he said that like it wasn't a big deal? A wild animal could still be dangerous.
"It won't come here; I assure you that." Rebel added as he notices Tia panicked face. She was turning blue. "How are you so sure?" Tia asked as she could feel her blood run cold.
What if it wasn't a wild animal? What if it was something else? What if-
"Hey, don't worry. You're okay. Look at me. You will be okay. It's just an animal passing by. No need to be scared."
Xian suddenly stand in front of Tia as he cupped Tia's cheek making her to look up at him. He has an unexplainable expression. Somehow, when he said that. Tia felt relieved. Calm. At the same time, she felt confused.
"What is he doing? Why are you so close to me?" Tia thought as she stared back at Xian.
"Something did happened, I'm sure."
Kyran spoke in a mocking and joking way as he smirks looking at Xian behavior. Realizing that, Xian let go of his hand and scratch the back of his head. Looking at Tia with confusion, he must have wonder what he was thinking too. The others just stare at them as Tia eyes followed the growling sound. Not minding to reply to Kyran teasing remark. It's coming closer.
"Wait guys, it's coming closer."
Chester whispered as he too noticed that the sound is getting nearer to them. Gally eyes went bigger as she stands there scared.
"Be ready to fight."
Rebel growls as his eyes focused on a spot, probably where the animal might pop out. The boys were ready to fight, as Gally and Chester hide behind their friends. Tia too, was pulled behind since she doesn't have any powers. The soon awaited animal finally showed itself. It was a wolf. So big that even a truck is smaller compared to it. Tia was stunned shocked to see something like that even exist. The wolf was humongous as it saliva started coming out from its mouth, staring at them with hunger in its eyes. The predator eyes, scared Tia to the bone.
"Wow, it's big."
Kyran mentioned as the others shush him to shut his mouth. "At least it's just one." He added but soon regret it when more wolves appear on a different direction. One by one, now there's five. Wolves, a pack of them. So big, hungry. So dangerous. Tia can't believe how everything seem to pass by smoothly, Xian and the others used their special ability to scare the wolves. By making the ground shake and creating a spiral of wind. The wolves were shaking to its feet. It was a sight to see. Xian throw fire balls towards the wolves as it winced and started howling before going off to somewhere. That was fast.
"Heh, no worry. Easy peasy. Enzo don't even need to summon his beast."
Kyran winked as he gave them a thumps up. Tia sighs in relief. "That was... Convenient." She said after finding the right word to say. "Why, you're welcome. Told you it's nothing to get scared about." Rebel smirks as he studied Tia expression. She was turning red. "Sure...." Tia trailed off as she adjusted her heart to the situation. That was extraordinary.
Seeing them, who has abilities made Tia feel safe. She doesn't know what she should do if she ever encountered such situation whilst being alone on a journey.
Tia don't what to admit it, but she was tired. She needed a sleep. She hasn't have any sleep since last night, her eyes felt heavy although it's not even dark yet.
"Why don't you get some rest? You look tired."
Chester whispered as he stared at Tia with worried eyes.
"I don't feel like sleeping..."
Tia replied obviously lying. She just doesn't want to fall asleep despite how tired her eyes.
"Were those nightmares keeping you awake?"
Hearing that made Tia wonder. Perhaps it is. She was terrified that once she falls asleep, she might never wake up again. Or worse, something bad might happened to them while she was out. She was scared of not being able to do anything.
"Don't worry, I'll be here whenever you need me."
Chester smile as he gestures Tia to sleep on his lap. He was so kind to her, she wanted to cry.
"Thank you."
Although, it did felt awkward to put her head on his lap, she just wanted to get away from this even for a moment. Hoping that, nothing bad will happen to them throughout the night. Tia manages to get a three hours sleep. As much as she wanted to sleep more, those nightmares woke her up. She can't fall asleep after that. Remembering those predator eyes, the guilt she felt being separated from Serina. She can't sleep well knowing that she's still out there, waiting for Tia to come looking for her.
"Nightmare?"
A voice approach Tia as she turned around to see Xian leaning his back against a tree with his eyes slightly close.
"Yeah. It's suffocating."
Tia replied gazing at the sky. It was blank, there's no moon or stars to be seen. A boring horizon.
"I'll stay with you while you're up."
Tia turns her gaze towards Xian. Wondering, how his behavior changed so much from before. She just sat there staring at him in confusion.
"Say, who's Edgar?"
Xian broke the silence as he now staring at Tia. Waiting for an answer. When she heard that name, she was starstruck. "He's... A friend. I was surprised to see you first because you look just like him. The exact copy, it's reassuring but also... scary." Tia responded as Xian wondered what she meant by that. "Why is it scary?" "I don't know." Tia sighs as she started to wonder.
"What would you do if you're in my situation? Having no idea what happened to you... Just... What am I supposed to do?"
Tia spoke in a low voice wishing that Xian doesn't hears her, but he did. He wanted to say something but can't find the right word to say. They just sat in silence, again.
"You're going to be okay; I'll protect you."
Those words Xian said somehow never reached Tia's ears. He stares at Tia face, wondering. Searching for an answer. Anything. Those eyes, filled with dismay. Xian remembered them every seconds of every day. Those memories he's trying to forget, slowing coming back to him again. He can't help but feel angry with himself. He once has a person he cares the most in the world, they were his everything. It hurts him every time those memories came back to haunt him.
Those sad eyes, calling for help. Begging to be saved. He just hopes that this time, he would be able to save this person.
Since those eyes, the same eyes remind him so much of someone who used to be the greatest gift in his life.