"So, it have been you all this while!" I shout angrily.
"Yes. And I'm sorry." She says calmly.
"Yeah." I scoff. "Sure." I turn around. "I'm going." I put my hand into my almost gone clothes pocket and bring out the chain and bracelet. "I got you this... Wanting to apologize. But, I guess there's no need, right?" I drop them to the ground and I'm about to move, when I feel a light pull on my left hand.
"Stop being so childish and foolish!" She shouts.
"I guess, I learnt from the best!" I shout and turn around to look at her. I immediately feel bad the moment I see her face and sigh. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... Over react. It's just..."
"It's okay. I understand." She says, cutting me short. "But at least let me heal your hand."
"You can?!" I ask in disbelief and relief.
"Yup."
"Please. Go on. I take all I said back."
She chuckles. "Nah. I deserve it." She says with a chuckle.
"Well... Kinda. I mean, I've never been so desperate in my whole life." I say and we both laugh.
"What an irony. I remember someone telling me I was desperate." She says and I frown.
"Well..." I pause.
"Go on." She says with a grin.
"Ok." I sigh in defeat. "Sorry, okay?"
"I'm sorry too. It's just... I have been busy doing undercover for sometime now." She sighs. "Water magic: Healing waters." She says, water covering her hands. She places her hand on my right hand and instantly the water covers my hand, causing a sharp sting that instantly changes to a calm gentle and nice feeling.
I watch in awe as my right hand begins changing back.
After some seconds, my hands are as good as new and she leaves me, the water seeping back into her hand.
"Thanks." I say with a grateful smile. "I'm so grateful."
"Welcome." She bends and picks up the chain and bracelet. "Thank you. They're beautiful." She sighs. "I guess, I should get going." She says and zooms off.
"Seriously?!"
I sigh and look up. For some reason, I feel like I'm changing. I'm starting to behave too dark when pushed to my limit, and it upsets me.
"I guess, I need to control myself." I laugh dryly. "Besides, I have new friends and families. And the town's people are good. So... I won't be feeling lonely for a long time. And I need to control myself for safety purposes."
I begin walking forward, arguing whether to look for my cave or go meet Ben and warn him about the dark magics. After some seconds, I choose the latter and begin finding my way through the forest.
After hours of walking, I stop and sigh.
"This isn't going quite well." I say and continue.
After more hours of walking, I come across a cave. I decide to check the inside, but stop the moment I hear someone's voice come from the inside.
I hide and peep inside, my eyes landing on Aqua and some water people?
"What is going on in there?!" I mumble to myself.
"Today was a very bad day, family." She says and sighs. "I came across some dark magics. Although I tried my best and fought hard, they were just too strong." She sighs. "And I saved my only friend, that is quite a nut-head, but strangely kindhearted." She says and I feel insulted but more flattered.
"Sheesh. What a soul." I mumble to myself.
The water family walks to her side.
Two are tall, two are short. And in each one, one looks like males while the other looks like females.
'I'm guessing that's her... Hmmm?' I shrug.
They all hug her and she sighs.
"But..." She groans in pain and they all free her. "I used my Healing waters five times today. The last on my only friend." She raises up her shirt above her belly level. And although I cannot see the front view, the back view is black, with the red veins all over.
"I wish I can use my Healing waters, which can heal anything. But unfortunately, I can only use it five times." She sighs.
"She did this for me?" I say as tears gathers in my eyes. "She actually, sacrificed her safety for mine. And I..." Tears begin running down my face. "I was so.... Rude." I say as more tears begins running down my face.
"I guess I'll have to try using it six times for the first time." She groans in pain and touches her belly. "Water magic: Healing waters." Instantly the affected areas is covered in water and she begins coughing.
The infection is gone in no time and the water vanishes.
She continues coughing and stands up.
"Goodbye, family." She says and sighs. She stretches her hand towards them, and instantly absorbed all of them.
'What the...?!'
She turns around, startling me and looking shocked. "Huh? What are you doing here?"
My eyes widen in both shock and horror.
Blood is streaming down the corner of her mouth and she looks very weak.
"Aqua!" I shout. "Are you okay?!"
She smiles warmly and falls to the ground.
I rush to her and kneel by her side. "Aqua?! Aqua?! Aqua?! Are you okay?!" I shout, but receive silence.
"I guess I'll have to take her home?! I don't even know her home! I mean, she's literally here acting family with water! Or maybe her friends?! Yes! But where are they now?! Rrgh! That isn't important for now! I need to take her to a hospital! Only then, shall I find her friends or family!"
I quickly raise her and place her on my shoulder.
'She's light. Just as I expected.'
I begin running around very fast, being careful not to bump into anything and holding Aqua tight.
I continue running, but my hopes are starting to reduce.
"Aqua! Please don't die." I say as tears begin running down my face.
After some hours of running, it begins to get dark and my hopes are almost dead.
I finally pause, gasping for air and I begin crying. "I'm so sorry Aqua. You're the only close friend I have and I can't even save you." More tears continue streaming down my face.
A little cough from her startles me.
"Stop crying. You cry baby." She says and chuckles weakly.
I laugh in relief. "Aqua. Thank goodness." I laugh more. "Brace yourself. Cos I'm going all out. I won't stop, till I save you."
"Okay." She manages to say and groans in pain.
I ready myself and in an instant I'm zooming through the bushes, dodging all in my way.
My body begins to hurt and my throat begins to thirst for water. But, I continue, not wanting to lose Aqua. She is all I have for now as a close friend, and the thought of losing her is crushing.
I finally reach the forest exit and stop few meters away from the town's entrance.
I laugh aloud, coughing and groaning in pain. "We've arrived Aqua!" I shout in relief and laugh again, receiving more pain and groaning more.
I receive silence and my heart begins pounding.
"Aqua?!" I shout. "Aqua?! Aqua?! Aqua?!....." I continue shouting but receive nothing but silence.
I look up to the sky and groan in frustration as it's already getting dark.
"I need to get her to a hospital!" I shout and zoom into the town, not minding the attention I am drawing. It's not like they can see me or know me anyway.
I finally reach a big hospital, and before I could hold myself, I am already in the doctor's office, looking at the man like he is a god and gasping for air.
The doctor looks like he has seen a creature worst than death.
"Wha...! How...! What the...?!"
"Doctor! Please! How much do you need? I'll pay you any amount! Just help with my friend! Please!" I say quickly.
"Sure." He stands up and walks to the door, his facial expression very calm. "Follow me." He begins walking away and I follow him.
"Thanks, doc." I say, feeling grateful.
We finally arrive at a room and he enters, me following him behind.
"Lie her on the bed." He says and I quickly lie her on the bed.
He begins checking her. After some minutes he turns around and faces me with a warm smile.
"She's fine."
"How sure are you doctor?! You just checked her now and... Without even using machines!" I say, my tone a little harsh.
He laughs, making me angrier. "You see, I have a magic that allows me to see through people better than any machine." He says and he's pupils glows green and have the shape of a leaf I've seen somewhere. "It's a divine eye. So, you can be rest assured." He walks to me and places his hand on my shoulder. "Trust me, she is okay. And don't worry about paying." He says and I quickly hug him, startling him and causing him to tense.
"Thanks a lot, doc! I really do appreciate!" I say as tears begins streaming down my face. "And I'm sorry for my reaction."
He frees his body and hugs me back. "Don't worry about your reaction. I would have been worse. It's okay and you're welcome." He taps me multiple times on the back. "And besides, you care about her so much. So, it's natural to behave the way you did."
"Thanks." I free him.
"What happened?!" He asks, a hint of concern in his tone.
"We were attacked by beasts." I lie.
"Oh, okay. You guys should be very careful. I can tell that you too, had some struggles, but you're surprisingly okay. Which is a relief." He says and smiles.
"Yes, sir."
"Is your home far from here?" He asks in a concern tone.
"No, sir!" I lie, wanting to leave the hospital as quickly as I can. I don't know if I'm still followed.
"Ok. That's good." He smiles warmly. "Go home, now." He says calmly and I smile.
"Thanks, again doc." I say, feeling very grateful.
"Sure. It's nothing."
I walk to Aqua, pull out my wallet, pull out two thousand magians, place my wallet back into my pocket, place aqua on my shoulder and walk to the doctor.
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Have this." I say, stretching my hand with the two thousand bill in my hand to him.
"No." He laughs. "Like I said; it's free. You deserve it."
"Ok. Help me hold it. I need to position her well." I say, pretending to be uncomfortable.
"Ok." He says and takes the bill.
I quickly zoom off and in an instant, I'm outside the hospital.
I look around, but it's already almost dark.
"Time?! You aren't helping!" I groan in frustration and begin zooming around, looking for a nice place for us to spend our night.
I finally stop at a big luxurious hotel. Not wanting to spend anymore second outside due to how dark almost everywhere has become, I quickly enter, admiring the unbelievably luxurious looking inside and walking straight to the first person my eyes lands on.
I walk towards the young man behind the counter. "Hi, can I get two rooms?" I ask hurriedly.
"Good evening sir. I'm sorry, but we can't allow you to carry someone in such conditions into our hotel rooms." He says calmly.
"Please! She's fine! We just got attacked and we need somewhere to stay! Can't you also see my condition?!"
The man looks at me with pity. "Fine. But you two will have to stay in one room."
"What?! Why?!" I ask in shock.
"Well, you'll need to keep an eye on her and keep her company."
I sigh. "Okay. That's okay. How much?"
"You can have it for free." He says with a smile and I and the woman by his side stare at him in disbelief.
"Yuji! You know the boss is gonna kill us if he finds out!" The woman by his side whisper yells. "Besides, a room here is two thousand magians per day and night, but since it's night, he can pay one thousand magians." She says calmly.
He turns around and gives her a judging look. "How can you be so cruel? Can't you see their condition?" He says, a hint of irritation in his tone.
I laugh. "It's okay. I'll pay." I quickly bring out my wallet and quickly pull out four thousand magians, placing the wallet back into my pocket.
They are both looking at me in shock and I smile warmly, placing the money on the counter.
"Please, take it. I don't mind. Just make all we'll need available. All, okay?"
They both nod and instantly the boy grabs the money and comes out from behind the counter.
"Please, follow me." He says and begins walking, me following him behind.
We climb some stairs and we finally reach a room.
"This is your room, sir. Do you need a special treatment, like a massage and some..." He winks at me and I cringe. "You know what I'm saying."
"No." I say flatly, a hint of irritation in my tone.
"Ok, sir." He bows. "Thanks for the money. I really do appreciate." He hands me a key.
"Sure. I guess massage isn't bad, come call me when the massage is ready. And please, bring some nice food for only her."
"Yes, sir. But, you'll have to come downstairs for the massage." He says.
"Ok." I say and he bows and walks away.
I open the door, entering the room, locking it from inside, walking to the bed and placing Aqua on top the big luxurious bed.
I quickly shower and change into a nice pyjama I find in the room's big clothes closet.
I leave the room, quickly walk down the stairs, to the man.
He smiles at me and takes me to a separate room, entering with me following him behind.
The room's wall is white and it is well illuminated with lots of white lights. There is a high but medium sized bed in the room.
"Please, wait here sir. Just lie on the bed and make yourself comfortable." He leaves the room.
I lie on the bed. After some minutes, a good looking young woman enters the room and comes to my side.
I look up at her. Her hair is yellow and her eyes are blue.
"Hi." I say shyly, blushing.
'How can they bring such a woman?!'
"Hi, sir. Let's get to work." She says calmly.
"Ok."
She gets to work, oiling me up and massaging me.
I close my eyes, enjoying it and not wanting to stop.
"It's okay." I say as I get up.
She looks at her watch. "Wow! A new record sir."
"Huh?"
"You spent three hours. You must have really enjoyed it." She says and chuckles at the obvious look of horror on my face
'Th.. Th.. Three...?' Hours?! For real?!'
"I guess you are just that good." I say shyly, laughing awkwardly and cringing at the same time.
"Ok. Bye." She leaves.
After some minutes, I also leave the room.
"Hey, come for a drink. Unless you're a woman." A drunk man says and they all laugh.
"Me?" I ask.
"Yeah! You!" Another man says drunkly.
"No, thanks." I turn around and begin walking away.
"Nah. I think he is those men who can't handle a bottle." He says and they all laugh.
I ignore and continue walking, trying my best though.
"He's obviously a woman in a man's clothing." They all laugh aloud this time, some out doing themselves.
I stop. "Oh yeah?!" I shout and walk to them. I know it's stupid, but my pride and ego are on the line here.
I sit on an empty chair, and someone shoves a bottle to me.
"Let's go. There is a drinking contest. And the winner will have a golden prize." A man says drunkly.
"It's the new comer's turn." Someone shouts and they all turn to look at me.
I look at the bottle, feeling regret.
'I should have just ignored!'
I sigh and begin drinking, emptying the bottle within seconds. I drop the bottle and belch.
"That's nice. Now try to surpass, I, the current winner, by drinking more than ten bottles." A man says drunkly. "And the last pays for all the drinks."
I gulp in horror. "What?! No one said such!"
"Sorry boy. Rules." The man says and they all laugh.
'I think I'll forfeit!'
"Hurry up, sissy!" One of the man says and they all laugh.
'Ok! That's it!'
I begin drinking and drinking and drinking.
'Damn! I'm just a kid! But I've down five bottles!' I belch. 'I have strong resistance! Cool!'
I keep on drinking, till I reach my tenth bottle, gulping it down in seconds.
All the men begin gasping and murmuring.
"How?!" One says.
"He is gonna pass the winner!" Another says.
"Do you think he's gonna surpass him?!"
"He obviously will! Damn!"
"Shit! The prize!"
The talking continues, making me feel good.
I laugh aloud. "Who is the sissy, now?!"
I decide to leave them traumatized and finally down five more bottles.
I begin feeling strange. 'Ok. I think I'm gonna be sick.' I belch. 'I've reached my limit.' I belch again.
"Impossible!"
"I've been surpassed!"
"How?!"
"Are you sure he's a kid?!"
"I don't know! He looks like one!"
I stand up, enjoying the admiration and beginning to feel more sick. I turn around, walking away and feeling funny.
I laugh. 'Ok. Aqua is gonna be mad for sure.' I laugh more.
"Wait! Your reward!" One of the men shouts and I turn around to see the gift. "You'll get a free massage from Ella." He says and a young woman with surprisingly large melons walks to his side, smiling.
"Lucky bastard!" Some of the men starts chanting the word.
"No, thanks. I'll pass." I say, shocking everyone, receiving gasps and walking away, enjoying the praises and insults from the men.
I reach my room and enter, locking it from inside. I try untying the pajamas rope, but they become worse.
"What happened?! Where am I?! And what did you do to yourself?!" An obviously irritated Aqua asks.
"Well, you collapsed, you're in a hotel and I had a massage and some drinking challenge. And now I'm drunk." I stagger towards her and almost fall, but she catches me. "Can I ask for a favor?!" I laugh in a funny manner, feeling funny.
"Sheesh! Your breath stinks."
"Well, thank you." I say and chuckle.
She sighs. "What favor?"
"Well, this is my first time drinking. And I'm kinda drunk and having some issues with my pants ropes." I chuckle and she sighs. "So... I would appreciate if you can help me untie my pants ropes and help me relief myself." I try to stand, but fall back on her. "You know guys needs to relief themselves a lot." I say drunkly and chuckle.