It was Lil again. I wondered what he was doing there. Was he also a participant? Then I remembered that he was an enemy. I have to kill him. But how could I do that when he saved me from those bats?
We had eye contact. Time seemed to slow down as he held my waist. I finally regained my composure. "T—thanks for saving me," I stuttered. I tried to hide my embarrassment. My face turned red.
"You're always welcome." He let go of me. "So, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"The same question," I replied.
"And the same answer?"
I wondered why the universe always converges our paths. This isn't right anymore. I shouldn't get close to an enemy, or it'll be difficult to do my mission.
"Shall we do this together?" he asked.
"I don't think that's a good idea," I replied.
"Why do you think so?" he asked.
"We're destined to kill each other," I said.
"Do you not trust me?" he asked.
"I don't know. You've saved me a lot of times, but that doesn't prove your trustworthiness. That might be an act. You might be trying to get my trust and then stab me in the back," I said.
"That's something I'd never do," he replied.
"Even if you know that we're enemies?" I asked.
"I don't consider you my enemy," he said.
"Why? We're destined to fight and kill each other. You should stay away from me, or I'll kill you," I said.
"It's better to die in your hands, Kaila."
I was speechless. I didn't know what to say anymore. Lil didn't just have looks. His every word is certain. I knew he was serious. But this is getting more complicated. If he becomes this close to me, I might be the one who will betray him, and I don't like it.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "So, what's your take?"
I took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay, fine. Let's do it together, mister."
"What's with that look?"
"What now?" I asked, frustration creeping into my veins.
"You don't look like you wanted to do it with me."
"Just say whatever you want. We should rather kill those bats before they kill us instead of talking about things we can't change," I said.
"R—right." He deactivated the barrier and used fire magic to burn the bats into ashes.
I watched him closely. He was so cool. I couldn't get enough of him. I want to be near him. Every breath he takes, every move he makes, I want to watch him. I know this isn't right anymore. They said fools only rush in, but I couldn't help falling in love with him.
"Look out!" He shouted as a hungry wolf leaped toward me. He saved me again, sacrificing his back to protect me.
"A—are you okay?" I asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, it's just a scratch," he said, though he couldn't stop whimpering from the pain.
"Leave this wolf to me." I helped him stand up and faced the growling wolf. It leaped toward me again, but I kicked it. I wanted to be useful; I wanted to avenge Lil's pain. He had been protecting me. It's my time to protect him. The wolf hit the walls and fell down, leaving blood on them.
"Whoa! So strong!" Lil exclaimed behind me. "How did you do that?"
I walked toward him and said, "I've been through a hellish training to become this strong."
"You were so cool!" he praised.
I blushed and tried to hide it from him. He's always making me feel uncomfortable around him. "H—how about you? Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied.
"Let me see your back."
"Uh." He turned around, and I saw the scratches of the wolf. His shirt was torn, and the wound was bleeding.
"This isn't just a scratch. Let me help you. Can you take off your shirt first?"
He slowly took off his shirt and gave it to me. I cut his shirt and used it to wrap his wound. "Ahhhh... Please be gentle," he whimpered.
I never got worried this way before, especially about a man. But Lil was different. I wouldn't have been here if not for him. He had saved me a lot of times. I want to repay his kindness. It doesn't matter if he was my enemy.
"It's done," I said.
He stood up and faced me. "Thank you, Kaila." He smiled, that kind of smile that could melt my heart.
"Don't think about it. It's nothing compared to what you've done to me," I replied, and he suddenly hugged me.
"Thank you for everything."
"You're too clingy."
"Why? Don't you want me?" he asked.
"That's not it, I mean, I want you to be my friend," I tried my best to correct myself, but my words jumbled like cards, trying to hide the hearts with diamonds.
"What? I don't understand you," he said.
"You don't have to. Seems like you're fine now. Let's go to the next room," I replied.
"Um!" He followed me as I entered the next room.
I don't know what kind of beasts or monsters were waiting for us, but with Lil, I felt like I was safe. I felt like I was home. He was always there to protect me, and I hate it. I don't want him to get hurt because of me.
The second room was filled with different insects, such as locusts, mosquitoes, termites, beetles, grubs, spiders, mongooses, etc. They weren't ordinary insects and could kill a human like those bats. They were crawling and flying. It took a while for us to terminate them all.
Thanks to Lil's elemental magic, they were exterminated quickly. I didn't really help him. I was like a supporting character in the story, but I don't care; I loved watching him do the work. He was the man, after all.
"We're done here. Let's proceed to the next room," Lil said.
I followed Lil to the next room. I hid behind him as I knew those monsters, or whatever, would suddenly attack us. I didn't want to leave it all to him and become a burden, but he told me to stay behind him, so I did.