A New Path

The percussion instrument-like clear sound echoed in the high spring skies. 

Eugene finished swinging the axe 50 times, wiped away the sweat on his forehead and turned around. Near him was Jaden who sat on a root as if it was a bench. He was checking his own stats.

HP: 1300

Lev. 16

Stamina: Intact

Synchronization : 65%

Jaden put down the canteen with the Siral water and asked "How is your wound? Does it hurt anymore?" 

"Un, I managed to recover fully with a day's rest. But there's still a little scar." Eugene replied. "Also...I don't know if it's my imagination, but it seems that this Dragon Bone Axe became extremely light." 

"Doesn't seem like it. 42 of the 50 strikes hit the core." Jaden smiled.

On hearing that, Eugene immediately raised his eyebrows, and then smiled back. "Really? Then I'll win the bet today." 

"Not likely." Jaden replied, took the Dragon Bone Axe and used his right hand to swing it lightly. 

Two nights had passed since the horrific nightmare-like experience in the cave of the mountain range at the edge. 

Eugene managed to keep his life with the help of Renee's sacred art. The sun had already set as Jaden carried Eugene on his right side and the head of the goblin leader on my left as he returned to Rulid village. Everyone was gathered at the plaza, discussing about whether they were to start a search party, and when they first saw them, they all heaved a sigh of relief, before village chief Tore and Sister Linille immediately started bombing them with harsh scoldings. Maybe the adults were more freaked out that 3 young folks broke the «Village Rules», that was supposed to be impossible, had happened. 

However, once Jaden showed the head of the leader in his left hand right in front of the adults, everyone's reactions changed. Ugachi's yellowish-green eyes that were twice the size of humans, ragged sharp teeth and savage face stared straight at them, and after a moment of silence, the adults let out screams and consternations several times louder than before. 

After that, Eugene and Renee were the ones who mainly explained about the goblin gang camping in the north cave and how they may have been a scouting squad from the Realm 

of Darkness. The village chief and everyone else seemed as if they really wanted to treat this as some sort of childish and outlandish nonsense, but they couldn't laugh as they saw the head of the monster sitting on the stone steps. The discussion immediately changed to defending the village, and the three were safely released before dragging our tired feet back home.

Jaden let Renee treat the wound on his left shoulder in the church room, and then collapsed like a pile of mud onto the bed, starting to sleep. 

The next day, Eugene and Jaden were allowed off work and enjoyed the luxury and laziness to continue sleeping. Another night passed, and this morning arrived. The shoulder pain and the fatigue in Jaden's body had completely disappeared.

But at this moment, Jaden and Eugene returned back to work. Jaden held the axe in his arm. 

It doesn't feel heavy almost at all, he thought as he swung the Dragon Bone Axe. Maybe it's due to me leveling up...

Jaden then looked at Eugene. His stats values have increased, he noticed that his level was 16 as well.

"- There's something I wanna try.." Jaden muttered.

Eugene kept watching Jaden as he put the axe down, and grabbed the the Blue Rose sword.

"It's a lot lighter than before!" Jaden stuttered.

Is it because my synchronization has gone up?!, he wondered. 

"Eh, What are you going to do, Jaden?" Eugene asked although he knew the answer.

Jaden then held the sword, and used a Skill. Come on!, he thought. [Ground Swift]!!

The sword dashed horizontally, and slashed into the gigantic tree. Eugene was completely stunt. Jaden widened the 300 years old cut, so it chopped the whole circumference.

"A-amazing!.." he stuttered.

"......"

"Uhh, Jaden?" Eugene said as his friend stood in front of him in silence.

After it became obviously uncomfortably quiet, Jaden finally spoke. "Eugene. In that cave, when Renee used that sacred art on you, did you hear anyone else's voice?" he asked.

Eugene immediately answered this time. "Nope. I completely lost consciousness at that time. Did you hear something?" 

"No...just my imagination. Forget about it...then, let's get to work. My goal is to get in more than 45 times." Jaden smiled.

"Wait a minute!" Eugene said. "Did you get your memories back?!" 

"Jaden answered in a very calm voice "Who knows.." 

"Ehh?!" 

"Get to work, Eugene." Jaden went back on swinging the axe at the Ifrit Cedar.

Three hours later, Jaden and Eugene were already done knocking on the devil tree for 1,000 times. While they were taking their leaves. Jaden thought it was already the time. He stopped walking, and thought about it first.

This is it! Here it goes..

"Hmm," Eugene noticed Jaden stopping. "Is something wrong, Jaden? Please, don't make me worry."

"Eugene, my real name is Mado.." Jaden said.

"WHAT?! Does that mean you got your memories back?!" Eugene asked.

Jaden exchanged eye contact with Eugene in silence for few second, and then smirked. "You really loved Elaine, huh?" 

The surprised Eugene was totally off guard as he muttered "Oh, well... of course.." 

"You were the only one who talked about her openly with the others after all.." Jaden gazed at the sunset. "Is it gonna always be like that?" 

"What do you mean?" Eugene looked downward. "She was the only person who genuinely cared about me! I.... I can't just get over her.."

"Even if I told you that I'll take you with me?" Jaden replied. "Home.."

"Huh?! BUT THIS IS HOME!" Eugene yelled.

"Majd," Jaden Uttered. "None of this is real!" 

"What?!" Eugene muttered. "How could you say that?! This village is my home, and Elaine's home!" 

"But Elaine is long gone.." Jaden said as he walked closer towards Eugene, and put one hand on his shoulder.

"Are you-- are you trying to make me forget about Elaine as well, Jaden?" Eugene was about to shed a tear. 

Jaden then said "Well, I'm a traveller, Eugene. I was thinking that you will accompany me to search for the Seven Keys of Azerrak."

"Huh?" Eugene looked at Jaden. "Can they be used to bring her back? The Keys grant a wish, right?" 

"Man, you're not gonna give up, aren't you?" Jaden sighed and backed off.

He then pulled out the crimson pendent that was hung on his neck.

"This thing right here is gonna make things clear." Jaden explained. "If after that you still care about her as much as you do now, then I promise you we will look for her all the way to the Capital."

"I don't understand most of what you said, but okay!" Eugene accepted.

"Alright!" Jaden said as he activated the Skill [Oracle Drive].

Now, he thought. ACTIVATE!

~FLINN! 

Jaden's crimson emblem started glowing and hovering as a red magic circle appeared below the two boys feet. The light was engulfing both Jaden and Eugene. "See ya in a few, Majd!" Jaden smiled.

"Ehhhh!!!" Eugene screamed and closed his eyes.

When the blinding light vanished, Eugene opened his eyes. He found himself sitting on the floor of a room he couldn't recognizes.

It was a square room surrounded on three sides by a higher than the ground cotton filled furniture. He didn't know what to do, so he just stood up. A moment later, he felt someone was behind him. When Eugene looked, he saw an open door, and came in a cream colored skin boy with short light brown hair. He walked slowly as he stared back at Eugene who was walking towards him as well.

Once he got very close, Eugene realized that there was some kind of transparent barrier between him and the other boy. A second later, both him and the mysterious boy put their palms parallel to each other, and the barrier started to glow vividly. Eugene closed his eyes. "...What..the..?!" he muttered. 

I see-- everything, he thought.

Seconds later, the bright barrier light disappeared, and as he opened his eyes, he saw Jaden again. 

"Huh?!!" Eugene stepped back.

"......"

Jaden smiled as he said "Welcome back, Majd!" 

"Ahh, M-Mado..?" Eugene was shivering.

"Yep!" Jaden stretched his hands. And in a split second, Eugene grabbed Jaden's hand, and hugged him. "Oh. My. God!!" he said. "It's like I was sleeping for too long!"

"It's fine, I'm here now, buddy." Jaden replied.

The next day, Jaden and Eugene were standing near the Ifrit Cedar. After what had happened in the previous day, Eugene looked at everything as if he saw them for the first time. 

"It's normal, I've been there too." Jaden said.

"Oh, really?!" Eugene muttered.

"How did last night go? You made sure nobody felt any different?" Jaden asked.

"Don't worry, nobody noticed anything." Eugene replied. "But I couldn't even blink last night.."

"Sorry that I picked such a time, but-" he said.

"No, it's okay!" Eugene said. "I'm glad that I realized what's going on..." 

Jaden noticed that his friend was at that point even farther away from him than Eugene ever was. His mind seemed to be dwelling over something.

"Wanna know about the Keys of Azerrak?" Jaden suggested, but Eugene didn't even look towards him.

"Majd?! What's going on!" he yelled.

Eugene's shoulders shrugged as Jaden raised his voice. He then spoke out. "You know, when I finally dragged the Blue Rose Sword out of that cave, I was intending on learning how to wield it.." 

"Yeah," Jaden gazed at the Blue Rose Sword next to him. "This sword is really something else!"

"Can you teach me? I'm not a soldier, or even a guard of the village...so it may be against some sort of rule..." Eugene muttered.

"Does the Azerrak Almanac or the Realm...law have some clauses like those who aren't soldiers can't learn sword skills?" Jaden asked calmly.

Eugene bit his lip lightly, and after a while, whispered. "...There's no such clause...but it's forbidden to have «Many Duties». Normally, those who were tasked to the Duty of guards or soldiers could learn sword skills. So, if I start learning sword skills...I might be viewed as giving up on my own Sacred Duty..." 

"I see"

"But" Eugene interjected. His shoulders sank slowly. However, he gripped his fists hard as his tense muscles trembled slightly. 

"Even if this is a fake reality.." he fell to his knees and continued. "Even if everyone here is just mere data built within a computer, my feelings.... they're all true!" 

"Majd.." Jaden muttered.

"I still wanna see Elaine again.." Eugene's tears were dropping slowly on the ground. "Because of me, she's gone! Because I was reckless, Elaine's family had to suffer.." 

"So, you still care about her after all.." Jaden mumbled. 

Eugene could only suppress his urge to look for his childhood friend, Elaine, who was taken to the capital, he thought. He restrained his heart and continued to swing the axe, facing the giant tree he could definitely never take down in his lifetime. 

But right now, and even after he realized that she could pretty much be an AI, he wants to change his own fate through his own will. It was the greatest hope buried deep within his heart all this time. To save the captured Elaine that he wanted to gain the strength to fight. Wasn't this line revealing his own desire?

".....But, but, I...want, to be stronger. I won't allow, the same mistake, to happen again. I Need to take back...what I lost. Mado...teach me, the sword skills." he said through his trembling voice.

"We only get what we're brave enough to ask for.." said Jaden as he was really touched inside, deep inside his heart, but still continued to suppress these emotions as he smiled and nodded. 

"Alright then, I'll teach you the skills I know-but the training will be tough." Jaden changed his expression to a mischievous one as he reached his right hand out, and Eugene's lips finally relaxed somewhat as he held onto his hand tightly.

"Fine by me. This is something...I, I, just kept looking forward to." Eugene again lowered his head as two, three beads of water slid down his face. 

There was light shining from sun and through the gaps between the leaves. Eugene stepped forward before Jaden could even be shocked, and buried his face into his right shoulder, and supported himself to get up.

"Well," Jaden sighed. " 'Guess I'll be crashing here a little longer than I thought.."

The followings days and weeks, Jaden woke up everyday at 5.30, and headed with Eugene to near the devil tree. Beside hitting the Ifrit Cedar for a thousand time, Jaden gave his friend detailed lessons on swordmanship. Although he couldn't even stay balanced holding the Blue Rose at first, Eugene was making small progress. Regardless of how the circumstances, the two boys never gave up. Jaden made sure he wouldn't have moved to a new point without Eugene mastering the previous point.

"Huff," Eugene was panting. "This move is very fast!" 

"Duh! That's why it's called [Sonic Leap]" Jaden replied.

"It's...so...strange...!" Eugene was catching his breath. "What sort of style is this?!" 

On hearing that, Jaden's memories took him back to when Ovan used to teach him how to fight with a sword. Ovan taught him to always be proud of where he belongs, House Inferno. 

-But not anymore..

Majd maybe chose to remain Eugene and I totally respect this, he thought. But my decision to leave Jaden Inferno is still ongoing. Someone has to keep an eye on the reality. That someone has to be me...

Jaden exhaled, "The Inferno style!"

"Eh, okay.." Eugene seemed lost. "But I've never heard about it.." 

"What?! You think I made that up?!" Jaden yelled.

"Haha, maybe.." Eugene laughed.

"Alright, butt's back to practice!" Jaden shouted.

And just like that, Eugene's training to master sword skills continued for more than a month. Jaden and Eugene had to gone to that landscape everyday, no matter what the weather was. They honed their skills; even Jaden had leveled up. He was raised to Level 19. Eugene on the other hand stayed sometime at Level 17 before reaching 18 in the end. After approximately a month and 16 days, Eugene had arrived to his ultimate test.

The Devilish Cedar Tree, the tyrant of the forest, the steel-like Ifrit Cedar was finally-or easily chopped down. Using the Blue Rose to practice the «Inferno-styled Sword Skills». 

The reason was simple. That giant tree was a perfect training platform. As the cut on the trunk continued to deepen. Once the cut occupied about 80% of the diameter, it happened. 

"-SEIAA!!" Eugene swung the sword horizontally using [Ground Swift]. 

~FINN!

The giant tree took the slash from Eugene's refined motion with the Blue Rose, and let out an ominous creaking sound that had never happened before. 

Both boys stared at each other in a dumbstruck manner, and then at the trunk of the Ifrit Cedar that extended all the way into sky, and they just froze in shock as they saw the giant tree fell slowly towards them. 

However, at this moment, it didn't look like a large tree was falling towards them, but the land they were standing on was falling forward. The tree with diameter of more than 4m succumbed to gravity as it lowered its head towards the two young men, and the scene was so surreal. 

Eugene and Jaden cried out at the same time as they split up left and right respectively. The pitch black Ifrit Cedar sliced apart the sky that was gradually becoming orange and 

slowly, slowly fell down. Its large body finally collapsed and laid down on the ground. 

~KABAAM! 

The two boys took the impact that was ridiculously ever so large and were sent flying into the air. Once they fell back and landed on their butts, their lives dropped by about 50 points. 

The giant tree's final cry was a lot more intense than even 10 bolts of thunder from heaven as it was said that the sound of destruction even went by the central plaza of the village, all the way to the northernmost guard sentry post.

~BLOW!

After the foggy dust cleared up, both Jaden and Eugene lifted their heads to realize that the sunbeams can now reach their bodies. Jaden listened to his relieved friend. "We- we did it..!" he muttered.

"WE MADE IT!!!" the two boys jumped in mid-air. 

"I can't," Eugene looked multiple times at the gigantic trunk that was laying on the ground. "I still can't believe it.. I've lost my only true friend, I lost my happiness, and I almost lost faith.." 

"..Majd.." Jaden mumbled.

Eugene turned towards Jaden and told him "Now...I know. I've been waiting for you, Mado. For all these years, in this forest, I've been waiting for you to arrive..."

"Ahh," Jaden put his hand on Eugene's shoulder. "...I must have been led here to this planetoid to find you too, Majd."

The following night, there were a few bundles of bonfires at the central plaza of Rulid village, lighting up the faces of the villagers gathered there. The band beside the fountain was playing with instruments that looked like bagpipes and very long flutes. Also, there were performers in animal skin dancing with the music in a waltz. The villagers were all clapping and tapping their feet in rhythm as they danced under the night. 

Jaden sat beside a table slightly further away, and his feet tapped along with the rhythm. Suddenly, he really felt an urge to jump and dance with the villagers in the circle, which was really unbelievable. 

Once they knew that the Ifrit Cider was cut down, the village chief had organized a village council meeting with the more well known villagers. During that time, it seemed that they had a heated debate over what to do with the Giant tree Cutter, Eugene. 

What was scary was that some people even thought that it was a lot earlier than expected. Basically, it was earlier by about 900 years, and finishing the mission was a mistake, and the two boys had to be punished. However, the village chief, Tore finalized things, and decided that no matter what, the entire village had to organize a party to celebrate and deal with Eugene according to the law. 

The music got more intense and faster before stopping suddenly. Jaden looked over at the band, and found that a burly man with a nice beard stepped on the podium with all sorts of instruments around it. He was

the village chief of Bellyn village, Renee's father, Tore. 

The village chief clapped twice and called out in a baritone. 

"Everyone, the celebration has arrived at its climax, but listen to what I have to say for a while." 

The villagers raised their mugs of ale and cider that were meant to cool off their heated bodies after dancing and cheered to toast back at the village chief. Everyone then went quiet, and the village chief looked around before saying again, "The great wish of our forefathers in Bellyn village is finally fulfilled! The devilish tree that took both Life Force and Solus from the lush southern land has been cut down! We will have a new place to grow wheat, beans and rear livestock!" Tore's brilliant voice was again covered. The village chief raised his hands to wait for everyone to quieten down before he continued, "The young man who accomplished this feat-Osler's son, Eugene, come here!" 

The village chief waved to a corner of the plaza, and over there, Eugene looked tense as he stood up. The slight short and shout man beside him should be his father, Ulric. 

He did not resemble Eugene at all other than the hair color, and there was no pride on his face so he looked somewhat flustered. 

Eugene wasn't prompted by his father, but by the surrounding villagers. He walked up to the podium and stood beside the village chief, and as he faced the plaza, everyone let out the 3rd and loudest cheer. Jaden clapped loudly with an enthusiasm not losing to them as well. 

"As according to the rules-" 

The village chief's voice rang again, and the villagers all kept quiet and pricked their ears. 

"Eugene, who had completed his Duty fully, shall have the right to choose his next path. He can continue to cut wood in the forest, follow his father to farm, herd the cattle, brew wine or be a merchant, he can choose whatever path he wants!" 

-What!?, Jaden felt his urge to dance quickly cooling off. 

"Eugene...intends to leave the village, I guess..." It was Renee, who had stood beside Jaden without him knowing. Her mouth curled into a smile showing a mix of loneliness and delight. 

"Is, is that so?" 

"Un, that's right. What else is there to hesitate about?" 

Eugene seemed to have heard her voice as he used his left hand to grab tightly onto the Sword of Blue Rose at his waist. He lifted his head to look first at the village chief, and then around at the villagers before saying in a loud and clear voice.

"I want-to become a traveller. I want to join Jaden and go to outside Levels, and refine my sword skills. So, one day, I'll head to the capital."

After a moment of silence, there was a commotion amongst the villagers, but this time it didn't look friendly. The adults were all frowning, gathered together and were seemingly talking about something. His father and the two young men beside him-most likely Eugene's elder brothers-didn't look too happy either. 

This time, village chief Tore was the one who controlled the crowd, raising a hand to make the villagers quieten down and giving the same stern looking as he spoke."Eugene, are you-" 

On saying till this point, he stroked his beard, and continued. 

"...No, I won't ask you for the reason. The Church has decreed that you have the right to choose your path in life. Alright, as an elder of Corwinter, I recognize Ulric's son, Eugene Osler as fully accomplished his Duty. If you're willing, you can leave the village 

and practice your sword skills." 

"Hoo...hh." Jaden sighed for a long while.

The villagers seemed to have accepted the chief's decision as, though they hesitated somewhat at first, they started clapping. 

Soon after, cheers were rising, and the crowd became louder than the introverted Jaden can handle. So he left Eugene in their care, and went sitting in a quieter area on the stairs. 

As he was enjoying his heavenly moments of peace, a person approached him. It was Renee. She held a cold cup of water.

Jaden immediately gulped down the icy cold well water Renee handed over, and his mind was finally clear as he breathed out for a long moment. He then looked up at the girl who was standing beside him, looking worried. 

"...Is, is there something?" Jaden asked.

"Hmm!" she frowned.

"Well...sorry. Aren't you going to talk to Eugene more?" Jaden said.

Still in her best clothes, Renee's face immediately blushed a pink sakura-color. 

"What are you saying all of a sudden?" she muttered.

"Because, tomorrow morning, you'll...no, I'll have to apologize first. Sorry that things developed such that it looks like I'm taking Eugene out of the village. If that guy continued to cut wood in this village, maybe he might, well...form a family with you or something, Renee..." 

Renee sighed hard and sat down beside Jaden. "Really, you, what are you saying..." 

She looked extremely surprised as she shook her head several times, and continued, "...Well, never mind-anyway, once Eugene leaves the village, I'll definitely feel lonely...but, I'm happy too. Ever since Elaine had gone, he lived his days as if he had given up on everything, and now he can smile so happily and decide to look for her. I think father must be rather happy to see him like this, because Eugene 

never forgot about my sister." 

"...Is that so..." Jaden whispered.

Renee nodded, lifted her head to look at the full moon, and continued. "For me...actually, I didn't go over to the cave just to copy my sister, and I knew I couldn't do that. Even though I knew...I still felt, even if it was just a little, I wanted to get closer to her. I wanted to get the nearest to her as I could...until I reached a place I couldn't advance forwards, and then from there on, I'll realize clearly...that I can't replace Elaine..." 

Mado pondered about the meaning of Renee's words, and shook his head slightly. "No, you're amazing. Ordinary girls would have immediately went back once they reached the bridge outside the village or the path in the forest or the entrance of the cave. But you kept walking deep into the dark cave and found the goblin scouts. You did something only you could do." 

"Only I...could do...?".Renee widened her eyes and tilted her head. 

Jaden nodded at her. "You're not a substitute for Elaine, Renee. You definitely have something only you have. You just need to nurture this talent." 

In fact, I believe that from now on, Renee's sacred arts would improve greatly. That's because she sent the goblin squad retreating together with Eugene and me, so her System 

Synchronization should have increased, he theorized. 

It's about time for me to try and find the answer to a question that was delayed by a certain will. 

My consciousness- this me who is called Jaden Inferno or Mado Luqman, what exactly am I? Am I a consciousness residing inside a living brain, a ?real me?? Or am I a clone taken from the real me by some simulation software and preserved in some medium? There's only one way to check.

Jaden turned around and stared at Renee's face as she sat right beside him. 

"...What is it?" she asked.

Mado reached his hand out at Renee's puzzled looking face. He then said sorry to Renee herself, brought his face closer and placed his lips on the pure white forehead under her headband. 

Renee's body jerked suddenly, and she didn't move. After 2 seconds, Jaden face left Renee, and her cheeks were flushed so red it reached her ears as she stared directly at him. "Wha...what, did you just do...?!"

"I guess...it's most likely something like the ?Oath of a Hunter?." Jaden tried to find a decent excuse as he grit his teeth once he realized something inside his heart.

Shit, that was so Korean drama of me, he thought. As I did something that the real me definitely wouldn't do, I'm the real me. If I were a simulated clone, I would have stopped automatically several millimeters away from Renee's forehead. 

As he was thinking about this, Renee continued to look at his face and used her right hand to touch her forehead before sighing, "An oath... that might be your planetoid's tradition, but, if it wasn't the forehead but the... there might be Eternal Knights flying over now. That's something against the Azerrak Almanac."

There was a part in the middle Jaden didn't hear, but he didn't bother to ask.

"Good to know!" he laughed awkwardly.

? 17th day of the Eighth Month, year 666 - Realm of Light: Bellyn Village, Corwinter.

The weather was enchanting at 5.30 in the morning, and the breeze was slightly cold. Renee was pulling water at well. Sweat was beading over her glowing snow-white forehead. When she turned the opposite direction, her eyes caught a boy with golden-brown hair, and green eyes. He was standing about 1.5 meter away as he was facing her.

"..Oh-" she muttered.

"Ehh, hey-Renee.." the boy said.

"Eugene!" she managed to say. "Why you-"

"I came here to tell you.." Eugene was speaking fast. "I-I'm sorry that I was out of reach most of the time. I should've made time to check up on you.." 

"It's fine, really.." Renee repiled.

"But now, I have something more important to tell you." Eugene uttered. "Renee, I-"

Renee's eyes lowered down to the ground. "You're-"

"I'm leaving Rulid today.." Eugene said. "I'll go with Jaden. We're gonna travel the realm!"

"I see..." Renee muttered.

"And we'll find Elaine!" he said. 

Renee's eyes widened. "But Euge-" 

"I can't explain it, but Elaine's is alive!" he said. "I can feel it deep down in my bones.." 

Renee's arms were tensed as she listened to Eugene's voice.

"For all this time, her face remained in my mind when everybody else just pretended that she never existed!" Eugene said. "I know it must've been a hell to you and your family, but this time-"

"Please, I don't wanna lose hope again.." Renee's eyes were full of tears.

"No-you won't this time!" Eugene replied. "We'll bring her back, me and Jaden! And the three of us will be together again. So, Renee please, give us your blessings.."

"Is it something only you can do?" she wiped her tears.

"Yeah," Eugene replied. "When Jaden and I are together, nothing is impossible!" 

"A--alright then," Renee smiled happily. "May you get back soon."

-- Well done, Majd. 

Jaden told himself as he was eavesdropping from behind a small tree.

Later that day, when the sun was already risen. Jaden waited for Eugene near where the Ifrit Cedar used to stand. After he had finally arrived, Eugene brought boxes of fruits, and water. He was wobbling until Jaden hurried to help him out.

The two boys had a small chat as they were on their way to Jaden's ship.

"So, you took so long just to get food?" Jaden asked.

"Well, I needed to say goodbye to some people." Eugene replied. "You know that I spent the exact amount of time that I spent in my real life in this village!" 

"Yeah, you may have a point.." Jaden turned around and gazed at Rulid Village one last time. 

"C'mon, I'll show ya my awesome ship!" Jaden ran off towards the forest.

"Hey, don't get crazy just yet!" Eugene ran after him as both boys held the boxes.

Once they reached the ship, it scanned them and the surrounding area as well.

"..SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION ACTIVATED... IDENTIFYING PERSONEEL..." 

"Whow, that's amazing!" Eugene muttered.

"Wait for it.." Jaden said.

"... IDENTIFICATION COMPLETE.. WELCOME JADEN.. READY FOR TAKING OFF.." the ship's door lowerd down and opened. Jaden and Eugene immediately went inside. Once he was already inside the space ship, Eugene said "Wow, that's a very wide space for just you alone, Mado!"

"Wouldn't you be surprised if I told you that I said the same thing before?!" Jaden smiled playfully.

"SYSTEM ALL-GREEN.. PLEASE, SIT IN POSITION.." 

Jaden sat in the main pilot seat while Eugene sat on the seat right on his right side. 

"Any idea how the other planetoids would look like?" Eugene asked.

"Beats me," Jaden answered. "But it's sure gonna be bigger than Bellyn."

"I wonder..." Eugene mumbled.

The ship was starting to hover, and went higher up every second.

Jaden noticed that Eugene was gazing down at the Village from the window. "Everything is okay, Majd?" he asked.

"The breeze is a bit moist now. We better go before it's too late." Eugene replied

"......That's right. Let's hurry." Jaden smiled at his all time friend as he stretched out his hand. He was hoping that Majd still recalls their signiture handshake.

Eugene stared at Jaden for a second, and then took his and slid his fingers to interlaces with Jaden's, and finally hit Jaden's fist with his own. "Let's go, Mado!" 

"..Yeah, let's go.." Jaden replied. 

The ship started gaining momentum, and dashed up high, and escaped into the starry space.

 A pair, two swords, a duo travelers! Is that a hint, a sign of something in the future?, Mado wondered. 

But no matter what...

"Destination: 5th Level!" Jaden pushed the boost higher, and the ship flew faster through space.

~ZHOOOOM!

We'll keep going...until we uncover the truth, and find our way home..