Chapter 82 - Friction

So, an urgent question forms for the tutor, who is convinced there is an invisible link between these individuals and the children.

_ Gwen: " What’s your connection to these children? "

_ Ay: " Forget it, it is not the priority at the moment. "

Suddenly, the doctor dismounted her horse and approached with small steps, her brows furrowed.

_ Ay: " How could you leave those little ones at the entrance of the North Zone?? Rumor has it that wild animals are prowling around. "

_ Blaike: " And it’s true. " he asserts, with olympian calm.

The latter's imperturbable calm irritates the doctor, who perceives it as a provocation.

_ Ay: " And you're leaving them behind them on purpose?! Are you crazy?? "

Outraged by the insolent tone and the lack of respect toward his leader, Rider steps forward, standing tall like a shield.

_ Rider : " Lower your voice. "

_ Ay : " Who the hell are you? "

_ Rider : " Watch your mouth when you talk to the boss. "

_ Ay : " And if I don't feel like it? "

The ineffective intimidation triggers a wave of fury within him.

_ Rider: " You little… "

While one draws a stealthy blade, the other shapes an arrow of water from their Source, ready for the fray. Subsequently, two voices rise in unison.

_ Blaike & Gwen: " Stop it! "

A sudden silence falls, and every gesture freezes, dissipating their dark thoughts.

_ Blaike: “ I appreciate your loyalty, but I’ve already told you to restrain yourself in these kinds of situations. ” he said, placing a hand on his associate’s shoulder.

_ Rider: “ But Boss… ”

_ Blaike: “ Don’t worry, I understand why she’s angry. ”

Then, look at her.

_ Blaike: “ For your information, these animals only roam at sunset. Our paths diverged about an hour ago, so they should be crossing in complete tranquility. “

A chilly stare then ensues.

_ Ay: " And if anything happens to them, are you going to take responsibility? "

_ Gwen: " Ay! "

_ Blaike: " I don't have any formal affiliation with them, so no. "

She approaches with a single step, ignoring her partner.

_ Ay: “ I lost a loved one not long ago; there is no way I'll let another tragedy happen. So, you have my word: if they are dead, I will come back and kill you personally. “

Gwen, in turn, dismounted, her gaze fixed on her partner. She hurried toward her, and her hand, with a hushed delicacy, came to rest on her arm, attempting to weave a thread of calm into the fury. With a slow but deliberate motion, Ay pulled his arm from the grasp, his eyes still fixed on Blaike.

_ Ay: " Come on Gwen, let’s get a move on. "

The woman in question remounted her steed, while Gwen bowed in a gesture of silent apology for her partner’s behavior. Once Gwen had mounted as well, a voice rang out.

_ Blaike: “ Their destination is Moon Village; you’ll be able to catch up with them there. ”

_ Gwen: “ Moon Village? Got it. Thanks again! ”

In great haste, the steed gallops at full speed, guided by a precise trail, rekindling the riders' hope. When their silhouettes finally blend into the greenery, a discussion breaks out.

_ Member 2: " Wow, that girl is creepy! "

_ Member 1: " Right?! She’s nothing like her partner! "

_ Rider: " No matter how their lives turn out, I’ll protect you if she tries anything. "

Though hearing the flow of his companions' speech, the Recluse is absorbed in deep thought, head bowed.

_ Blaike: " That girl… She had the same look in her eyes as I did when I found out my brother-in-arms had been captured. "

Then, lift your head.

_ Blaike: “ Those kids are in good hands; they have people they can count on. Anyway, let’s keep going. ”

Meanwhile, in a frantic race, the steed cleaves the air. The riders surrender themselves to the speed, each beat of the hooves bringing them closer to their goal.

_ Gwen: " So, feeling calmer now? "

_ Ay: " Yeah... Sorry, I lost my cool. "

_ Gwen: " No worries, I get why you were so mad. "

A question begins to take root.

_ Ay: " Honestly, doesn't it stress you out that they're facing such dangers? "

_ Gwen: " No, and besides, I trust them. "

Silent, Ay absorbed her partner’s emotionless words. The time spent by her side had woven such a web of understanding that no surprise could ever again touch her soul.

_ Ay: " I can't believe they’re changing Zones again. They’ve really been all over the place. "

_ Gwen: " True, but at least now we know their final destination. Plus, it’s a less risky Zone. "

An eyebrow raises.

_ Ay: “ Have you ever been to the North Zone? ”

_ Gwen: “ Yes, when I was little, with my little brother. ”

_ Ay: “ So she’s traveled to every Zone then… ”

Suddently, a realization emerges.

_ Ay: " By the way, the kids might have managed to escape the animals, but we won't be so lucky given how late it is. "

_ Gwen: " No problem. "

_ Ay: " What do you mean? If you’re planning on fighting, I wouldn't recommend it; we’ll only lose time. "

_ Gwen: " No need, we’ll use my Source. "

_ Ay: " Oh? I thought the Hypnosis Class only worked on humans. "

_ Gwen: " No. To be precise, it works on any living being with a brain. "

_ Ay: " Oh, really? "

_ Gwen: " Yes. The difficulty with animals is due to their brain structure, which is different. Therefore, it's much harder to establish contact with them. "

_ Ay: " Right, I didn't know that. "

_ Gwen: " I have the required level to activate my Source despite these conditions, but it is not within everyone's reach. "

_ Ay: " But imagine the animals in question don't have brains, what would the strategy be then? "

_ Gwen: " That's impossible. They're hyenas, and they definitely have brains. "

Pupils dilate.

_ Ay: " Wait, do you even know that they live in this area?? "

_ Gwen: " Yes. "

She takes a deep breath and tries her luck again.

_ Ay: " Alright, now that we have a solid lead and a few minutes ahead of us, you're going to tell me about your past. "

_ Gwen: " Okay. "

The doctor's arguments, ready to be brandished in the face of an expected refusal, evaporated before the promptness of the consent. She found herself then, heart pounding, ready to confide.