However, the exhausted group wearily observed Warrior Jean's return to his spot. Shifting their attention back to the scattered cutlasses on the ground, they sluggishly reached down and retrieved one, bracing themselves for the impending onslaught of Vylkr vines, despite the sensation that their bodies were barely capable of movement.
…....…
"Haaa... That's enough. If I take another step, I fear my body will shatter," Ursa exclaimed, her words resonating with my own weary state. I nodded in deep agreement, my body aching with every attempt to wield my cutlass. The grinding sensation of my bones rubbing against each other intensified with each futile effort, escalating the agony to unbearable levels.
"Alright, you've all fought valiantly. It's time to rest," Warrior Jean finally declared, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and concern. After battling through the relentless onslaught of the Vylkr vines for what felt like an eternity, using nothing but our weapons and sheer instinct, our bodies screamed in exhaustion. Collapsing onto the ashen ground, Tala, Grim, and Gorg sprawled out, surrendering to the fatigue that had consumed them. Ursa, seeking solace and support, leaned against me, her laboured breaths filling the air.
As weariness washed over them, one by one, their eyes fluttered shut, willingly surrendering to the sweet embrace of slumber to ward off the relentless exhaustion. A gentle breeze caressed my neck, causing me to turn and find Ursa nestled comfortably, dozing off against my shoulder, her breaths steady and peaceful.
Despite the heaviness weighing upon my eyelids, the rhythmic clinking of metal against the ground resonated in the air, capturing my attention. My gaze couldn't resist being drawn to the sight of Warrior Jean meticulously gathering and organizing our worn cutlasses, ensuring their safe keeping. I found myself entranced, watching as he arranged the weapons with care and precision that spoke volumes about his dedication.
Lost in the fatigue that gripped my body, I hadn't even noticed the moment when sleep began to sneak up on me, stealthily encroaching upon my consciousness. My eyelids, laden with weariness, reluctantly succumbed to gravity, gradually descending until they finally met in a tired, sluggish embrace.
…....
"Hey, don't tell me you guys are still asleep?" A deep voice jolted me out of my slumber, and my eyes fluttered open. As I lay on the ground with Ursa sleeping in my embrace, I noticed that the sky had taken on a tinge of darkness, indicating that evening had arrived and the sun was ready to set. "Ah, damn it!" I cursed under my breath.
The main reason I had wanted to accompany Ursa home the previous day was to finally propose to her, so that today I could have the opportunity to meet Sura at the farm before heading back home, without risking Ursa's jealousy leading her to do something foolish. However, yesterday's plan had been thwarted by Gorg's apology, and today, my plans were shattered by Warrior Jean's gruelling training session.
"You're awake." I listened to Warrior Jean's familiar voice and couldn't help but sit upright, directing my attention towards him. He looked down at me with a smile and asked, "So, how are you feeling?" Momentarily forgetting the intense strain my body had endured, I found myself surprisingly more energetic, and the Vylkr energy within me seemed to have settled, no longer raging out of control. Almost as if he could read my thoughts, Warrior Jean added, "Just a few more weeks to go, and I assure you that your body will undergo a remarkable transformation from when you first started." He continued, "Now, wake up the rest of your group. We need to leave this forest before the sun sets."
Nodding my head in understanding, I gently shook Ursa until she awoke, her yawning mouth stretching wide open. Then, I stood up and made my way to rouse Tala and the rest of the group from their sleep. Following Warrior Jean's instructions, we were told to gather as much Vylkr vine as we could carry, with the condition that we had to consume it all before reaching the forest's exit. We all nodded in understanding, well aware of the reasons behind this task. Making our way to the scattered, lifeless Vylkr vines, each of us grabbed handfuls of the plant, including myself.
As we made our way out of the forest, I took the opportunity to inform Ursa that I would be accompanying her home today. Her face lit up with delight, and she readily agreed, expressing her joy at the prospect. Taking my time to finish consuming the Vylkr vine in my hand, I was about to hastily devour the last piece due to its unpleasant taste when Gorg approached me. He inquired about my conversation with my mother regarding the events surrounding my memory loss. Letting out a sigh of resignation, I proceeded to share with him the details as per my mother's instructions.
"So, it's that serious, huh!" Gorg muttered with a sombre expression, his face betraying a sense of disappointment. "The fact that your mother didn't say anything about it suggests that things might turn out much worse than my mother had anticipated." A mixture of fear and anxiety etched across his face, and he released a weary, defeated sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his concerns.
Observing Gorg's troubled countenance, I couldn't resist saying "Perhaps it's better that my mother remains silent for now," I suggested. "Give it a few days or weeks to see how she reacts. Unless you want her to hastily respond by doing something impulsive." While I understood the sincerity behind my mother's words from yesterday, I also recognized her tendency to be overly sensitive and prone to overreactions. It was likely that her perspective could shift in the coming days or weeks.
Furthermore, since I held no personal grudges against Gorg and witnessed his genuine efforts to learn and make amends, I saw no reason for him to carry the burden of that thought. If anyone should bear that weight, it should be his elder sister.
As his face brightened up and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes, Gorg responded, "You're right. It's best to wait and see how she handles the situation instead of rushing into any rash decisions." I nodded in agreement, a smile playing on my lips, as he returned to his previous position ahead of me. With a sense of relief settling within me, I focused on finishing up the remaining Vylkr vine in my hands before we made our way out of the forest.
"Alright, for now, I'll take charge of safeguarding your weapons. You can head home and we'll meet up again for training tomorrow," Warrior Jean said before disappearing into the depths of the forest, leaving us to find our own path back to our huts.
Without wasting a moment, I grabbed Ursa's hand and signalled for her to activate her gift. In an instant, the surrounding air surged, lifting us off the ground as we soared through the sky with exhilaration. But our flight was abruptly interrupted as a colossal shadow loomed over us, obscuring the moonlight. Without needing confirmation on who it was, we watched as Grim's majestic golden-horned eagle form swooped past us, gracefully twirling in the air.
After a short flight, we landed near a compound consisting of three huts, which I presumed to be Ursa's residence. Catching her breath, Ursa grinned at me and asked, "So, how was it? I'm still working on controlling both directions simultaneously, but it wasn't too noticeable, right?"Ursa beamed with a smile, her eyes conveying a message that didn't require a second glance.
Agreeing with a nod, I praised her, "You're getting the hang of it. Who knows, perhaps in the future, we might be able to fly high above the clouds and look down at the village." Her expression turned pensive, hinting at the seeds of an idea or a newfound aspiration. Just as she began to respond, saying, "Seeing the village from above the clouds might not be a bad idea." I coughed loudly, swiftly interjecting to prevent the conversation from taking an unexpected turn. "Ursa," I called out, redirecting her attention.
The moment I called out to her in such a manner, Ursa abruptly halted her actions and stared at me. I could see a mixture of intense emotions flickering in her eyes. Deciding to take things a notch further, I dropped to one knee, surprising her even more as she instinctively took a step back. Yet, I swiftly reached out, firmly gripping her right arm, preventing her from retreating further. "What... What are you trying to do?" Ursa's voice trembled with nervousness as she gazed at me, a hint of fear lingering in her eyes.
Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, she regained some composure and spoke with newfound confidence, "Why are you kneeling? Did I do something wrong?" However, traces of fear still lingered in her eyes. With a chuckle to ease the tension in the air, I looked at her, locking my gaze with hers, and uttered, "Ursa, will you be my partner?" In an instant, the fear vanished from her eyes, replaced by a torrent of emotions that played out on her face: shock, confusion, understanding, and finally, a sudden realization.
