"Wake up sleepy head. It's time for your special training."
Rebel face towered down at Tia as he grinned with pleasure. Tia groaned in response as she rubs her eyes in discomfort. That was a short rest.
"What do you mean? Where are the others?"
Tia yawned as Rebel stare at her in disbelief, shaking his head while crossing his arm. "Well somewhere I think... Come one, get ready." Rebel replied as he urged Tia to get ready. She was confused what he meant by training and where the others, but she decided to follow him for now. Might as well see it with her own eyes.
"Where are we going?"
Tia asked as she noticed they are walking towards the forest; she eyes Rebel curiously. "Just hurry up will ya?" Rebel response not minding to look back to Tia. Although, it seems a little bit worrying that Rebel ask her to follow him out of nowhere, Tia calms her nervousness as she walks in silence not wanting to say anything that could annoy the boy.
Soon, they arrive in a secluded area, it was filled with spontaneous wood laying around covering the place in a circle. Tia wondered what is that place.
"Come on, grab one of those... Wood."
Rebel eyes was staring at the stack of woods that's been laying around. Tia was confused to why he told her to do so but she just followed. "Okay, now wh-" Tia was stunned in her feet when Rebel suddenly stood in front of her with a wood that look just like a sword in his hand, swinging it aiming for her. What even worse was, the wood that Tia's been holding broke into two pieces as Rebel smirks with amusement. She doesn't realize how fast he moved; she can't believe how could he even do that. She was surprised indeed. Tia's hand trembles in fear as she lost her balance and fall to the ground. Still surprised. She was about to say something when she felt a stinging pain on her wrist. It hurts.
."Oh sorry, I didn't mean to aim that close to your hand. Are you okay? Does it hurt so bad?"
Rebel approached as he crouched down to Tia as he touches her wrist, fiddling with it. Tia finally regains her focus as she realized what happened. "You are so fast." Tia breathed still, her eyes stare at Rebel with admiration not minding the pain on her wrist. It's tolerable. Rebel was surprised with her remark since he didn't expect her to say that, at all. "Well of course, that's why you should learn from me." He smirked as he brushes off the dirt on his pants and told Tia to do the same thing.
"Sorry about that, you sure you're, okay?"
"Yeah, it's tolerable."
Tia replied as she waits for Rebel to continue talking. When he mentioned about helping Tia at least "learn" how to properly handle a weapon or a sword, Tia was surprised. She can't even believe that he's kind enough to help her with that. Somehow relieved.
"So, let's get started from the basic again. You should focus with your surroundings. First, make sure where your opponent is."
Rebel spoke as he gestures Tia to follow his demand. Tia followed every step that she's been told. Although, for Tia it was very hard to even learn something so "basic" to Rebel and the others. It was so tiring her arm about to fall off.
"Wait, time out. Stop."
Tia calls out as she throws her hands up in the air as if she's surrendered. Rebel just laughed as he told Tia to sit and began rambling about how he and his friends have been training since they're kids and they don't even feel "tired". Tia can't believe how this guy have so much confident in himself.
"What the heck are you guys doing?"
A voice approach Tia and Rebel as they were talking. To her surprised, it was Xian and Kyran. They were both walking towards them with curious looks as they stare at their friend.
"OH, here they are."
Rebel clapped his hands as Xian and Kyran showed up. Tia looks up to them as she was sitting in the ground, still trying hard to catch a breath.
"What the-"
"What have you done to her?"
Kyran added as he tried hard to hid his laughter seeing Tia like that. He was amused indeed. Tia felt even more embarrassed now that the boys is staring at her looking so curious.
"We were... Training."
Rebel trailed off as he seems confused trying to find the right word to say.
"Huh? Why didn't you call me?"
Xian raised an eyebrow as his gaze turn to Tia who's now starting to calm down. Rebel snickers as he and Kyran made an eye contact.
"Because I want to be the one to teach her."
Rebel suggested as Xian just stare at him. No expression. Tia was confused, why are they even arguing about this?
"You sure are confident."
Xian replied as his eyes glows in amusement. Rebel just rolled his eyes as he mentioned how Xian is actually better than him with sword, Tia was surprised to hear that, but she did expect that he's good with it since he even slash some beast arm. Seeing Rebel so close to Tia, even whispering to her made Xian feel weird.
"Since when did they got so close?"
He wondered as he keeps staring at them. They were laughing with each other. "Well, I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat before we get back to ya special training. What do ya say?" Rebel nudge Tia as he smirks. Tia decided to follow him since she too, had been so thirsty. "I'll help too. You know, I could teach you to shoot some arrow. What do you say?" Kyran spoke as he jogged next to Tia, smiling. Of course, it was confusing, but Tia still felt grateful that they wanted to teach her. "Okay." Tia response made both Rebel and Kyran cheers as they made their way to their hideout. It was nice.
Tia notices how Xian had been odd during their walk back, she took a quick glance at him and noticed he's already staring at her. When they meet each other's eyes, Xian turned away fast leaving a confused Tia wondering. Tia regrets the time she said okay to Kyran as handling a bow is even harder. Her fingers are shaking as her grip started to loosened. Her body feel heavy as she sighs in discomfort.
"You, okay?"
Kyran smiled at her. This people don't know when to stop, Tia mentally cursed in her head as she sat down on the ground. Feeling her feet going numb. Chester had been cheering for her since he know those guys "training" is unbelievably hard to keep up with.
"That was intense."
Rebel laughs as he stares at Tia. She sighs in annoyance as both guys laughs. What a torture. "Yeah." Xian replied as he pat Tia on her head. That gestures made Tia feel comfort. Making her suddenly emotional, she wanted to cry.
"What's wrong? Did you get hurt?"
Xian eyes began to worry as Tia stares at him in confusion. Just why are you so nice to me? She wants to ask him that but decided not to say it.
I'm okay... Just tired."
.
Tia responded as she stood up telling the others that she's going to get some air. They just tell her to be careful as she nodded in response. How long is this going to last? Tia mind began to wonder as she started making her way back to their hideout.
"What's wrong?"
Gally ask as she took a seat next to Tia. They sat on the end of the tree foot as both girls stare at the scenery in front of them.
"I'm scared."
Tia blurted out and realized she wasn't supposed to say that. "It's okay, I am too. But we'll be fine. I hope. We're going to get you home." Gally spoke as she weakly smile. Tia was grateful to meet her indeed. Such a nice person. They were talking and laughing when they realized that the day is ending, both girls doesn't seem to notice that since they enjoy each other company. It was around sunset that they meet up with everyone again.
Tia was glad that no wild animals got close to their hideout that day. She could finally rest without worrying for once. Hoping that, nothing bad happened to them this night. Again. When Tia was about to go to sleep, she was surprised by the sound of the bushes. She was nervous. What might it be?
"Why don't you go and check it out?"
Enzo spoke, bored as he stares at the spot. Telling Kyran to check it. "Huh? No, I don't want to be eaten by some beast." Kyran replied as he shudders covering his body acting like he's scared. No one seem to be willing to go and check what it was. Before anyone could react, Tia saw a glimpse of a person.
"It's a person!" Tia mentioned as she points toward the direction. Tia eyes went wide as she saw who "the person" is. She was shocked to see them.
"Oh, it's you guys."
Rebel sighs when he noticed who those people are. Tia can't help but to stare at each of them, they look tired. Restless. Before she could say anything, she was attacked by a person. Or to be specific, Tammy. Her hand hit Tia's right cheek hard as Tia stumbled. Confused and shocked. Tammy eyes was murderous. She was staring at Tia with a death glare. It was terrifying.
"Where is she?!"
Tammy barks as her spit coming out. She was blinded by hatred. Tia, on the ground. Still shock with what happened didn't realize how hurt the slap she got from Tammy. It was the first time; she ever feels so wronged and hurt. Gally pushed Tammy and told her to back off as the others realize what was happening.
"What the heck?!"
Kyran mouth was wide open as he witnesses Tia being slapped by Tammy. He was stunned to see that. Everyone wondered why would Tammy slap Tia despite just meeting her.
"Serina, where is she?!"
Tammy spoke as her eyes still on Tia. Hearing that name made Tia feel even more guilty. Scared. Terrified. She was the reason they got separated in the first place, what if something bad happened to her? What am I supposed to say? Wh- Tammy once again, leap towards Tia with a blade on her hand aiming for Tia throat. It was so fast Tia couldn't even react.
"Where is she?!!"
She screams as tears started to fall to her cheeks. She was crying as she stared at Tia with murderous intent. Seeing her like that, made Tia heart wrenched in pain.
"I'm sorry."
Tia voice cracked as she spoke and that made Tammy to scream even louder. Realizing that she might actually think of slashing Tia throat made the others to panicked as they rushed toward to help Tia and stop Tammy. Aiden and his friends pulled Tammy off from Tia as she keeps screaming and crying as if she had lost someone. It was painful to watch. Tia bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying since she was the reason Serina is no longer with them. She didn't realize she was squeezing to someone hand; she can't help but feel remorse.
"It was my fault."