Suddenly just for a small moment, he heard an odd noise and just for a split second, he saw outlines on people, everyone, the adventurer, people watching.
It was not helpful to him against Cor and even distracted him but his eye caught one person in the crowd, he had a different color outline, something blue purplish colored but he was not able to take a closer look as he was trying to dodge the attack.
He tried using the same move he did on Ignis before, he instinctively slid his sword towards a side a little, tilting it. It worked as the attack of pure strength with no control momentum started shifting towards the side. The kid quickly takes a step outside, instantly pointing his sword towards Cor to mark his victory.
He instantly looked towards the crowd right behind Cor towards where he saw a purple outline but he found no one there who caught his eyes.
He looked back towards Cor and saw the sword that was pointing towards him was no sword but a broken wooden piece.
"I will let you win." as Cor retracts his sword and throws it away as it lands onto the barrel holding other swords. The kid should have been tired but no sweat was on him.
Cor seriously questioned the kid "But before that, tell me. Are you going out there to die?"
The kid thinks for a second and replies back 'Don't worry.' A vague response like that can have different meanings.
"I know you are grieving… but what awaits you can be your very death itself."
'Death? I have already seen it multiple times today alone.' as he smiled and asked 'But what about you? You still went easy on me, even slowed your sword when I was distracted. You really are soft for someone so big.'
"Ha, look at you. You are a bigger mess than I am. Get out of here kid before I change my mind."
As the kid was walking towards the fence gate of arean when Cor said "When you come back… You still have to thank the village people for protecting your freedom and the miss at tavern for the chain, those things aren't cheap you know."
'I will… I promise' as the kid looks back and walks out following the string but as he was walking out, he sensed a unique scent being carried by wind from somewhere. The same smell from the field, as he looked around him, there was nothing there. 'Did I imagine it?' as he brushes it off.
'I bet this will be interesting' thought the boy who looked around the a bit older then the kid and had bronze skin like from the one in the east, dark brown medium size messy shaggy hair that shined brown in light, strands of hair going all over his face, just some above his nose not covering his eyes. His eyes were wide yet sharp eyes like a hawk, amber colored and vivid as if he looked forward to something. He had a delicate and fragile physique with an innocent face.
The kid follows the string and soon reaches the exit of the village. It was pointing towards the direction his group went off to before the incident.
'What is there that you are trying to show me?
As he was about to take a step out of the gate, he saw her, a girl named Ella who is a bit older than him and had dark blue eyes, medium dark blue hair that covered some of her eyes within them as she was looking down nervously, standing, waiting by the gate there with a small jar of hot water for his bandages as she knew how he wouldn't take them off himself and how much he hates the stains. She was the only other kid who he had as a friend
Ella came the moment she heard the rumors around the village of duel and she said 'I had a feeling I would meet you here.'
The kid raises his hands in defeat as he says 'I guess you never fail to find me.'
Ever since moving to the village with mercenaries, Ella had been the only one of her age who was friends with him. She acted almost like his elder sister. While barely knowing each other much, she was able to find him at any place.
Every time he felt sad, lonely or even went for a walk alone and did not return in time. She would come to him smiling as if she knew of his location and show up out of nowhere even in the middle of nowhere even when he changed locations.
'You are not going anywhere with those bandages' said Ella as she smiled but her face was still looking downwards hiding her eyes in her hair.
She noticed his face was a bit swollen as if something hit him.
While taking off the bandages, she saw his wounds and it was already healed, as if bandages were just for show but they were stained in blood yet remained not a single scar or visible wound after a few hours. The village had no healer to heal him up yet he stood there, completely unharmed.
She noticed his smile he used to have was no longer there and questioned him about it.
'What's the point of a smile, if it can't protect those for whom it showed itself, what's the point of the smile which is full of lies and only a relieve to show others while the wearer is dying inside'
'Maybe it's to show others that you care for them, even when you are crumbling inside' as she smiled back.
'Ha' he let out a small laugh, 'I guess… that might be true as well.'
'But I prefer you like this, a man without a fake smile but true to himself, I am here for you, if you ever feel lost, you can think of me. I know where to find you as always', she smiled brightly, almost like radiating light on the gloomy day giving off a gentle warmth.
'If I get close to her, maybe she will sink in the curse of mine. I can't let it happen.' he thought to himself as he looked at his palms remembering the blood of those who he left behind and wondered if everyone close to him dying might be his fault for existing as whoever he got involved with died after a few years or few moments.
'I will remember that…' as he smiled.
The girl knew it was a fake smile. She felt as if she did not stop him here, right now. He might not ever be the same. She tried to grab his shirt but stopped midway as he went on outside his safe place.
She remembered the look in his eyes, as if he wasn't looking at the world the same way others do, his eyes were bright almost as if it had a dull glow in them, like those heroes from fairy tales every kid used to read claiming to be the chosen hero of this Hero Cycle. It was as if he could no longer be stopped by the world.
'You did it, Smiley… so don't die…' Ella said with a smile as she saw him walking away, tightening the grip on the wooden bucket.
She looked at the sky and thought to herself 'I guess I should get going too…' with a fake smile of her own and the wind blew against her face revealing vivid blue eyes like the ocean itself.
Meanwhile at the arean, Cor was sitting, leaning on the fence there, staring at the sky when suddenly someone hit him on the head.
"Hey old—" as he looked above, there stood Rhina staring at him furiously.
"Who are you calling old?" She looked at him furiously and then sighed "Just look at you trying to look cool after getting beaten by a kid whom you challenged to a duel."
"Haha.. calm down i didnt meant it like that."
"So why did you let him go?" asked the women
"I mean I was the one who made the rules and lost…"
And continued "His eyes looked determined to do anything. The eyes of someone who grows up from our selfish thoughts. What he needs is no baby sitting but a room for himself to explore and grow… His eyes were almost glowing like those of heroes from fairy tales. I wonder if he had not been given a handicap, could he had beaten me… It was like he was someone else"
"Guys really are weird. All you did was fight and now acting like you both know each other" Rhina sighs.
"After all, Fariz was the strongest among us all. So it is a mystery how he was defeated so easily yet the kid lived… There is only one explanation…" and thought to himself "Kid. just what is going on"
"Well I guess I will get going." as Cor stood up.
"Wait a second there mister. You still have to pay for the tabs from earlier." as she looks at him in passive aggression.
"Oh… haha…I forgot?"
"Just pay it later, you are probably going to him anyway.". Upon hearing that Cor put on a serious face.
"And if you try to run, you know me, I will chase you to the end of hell if it's for the tabs." as she gently smiles.
"You say some scary stuff with an unhinged smile, you know." as he walks off towards the center of the village.
Rhina goes back to her tavern entrance door, the people there are right now splitting their bets on the match before, Unexpectedly only two people betted on the kid. Rhina who just randomly decided to cheer him on and some other teenager outside from this village who they suspected had no clue who he was betting on.
"Idiots… Come back safely." as Rhina looks towards the grey cloudy sky.
Rhina walked into the tavern and sat on the table smiling at them as she asked them to pay up the bet and said "Looks like I won, I am not leaving a single bronze behind." almost as a threat "for betting against such a sweet innocent child and making it into a betting game"
At the village center, there was a fountain and near it were multiple people wrapped in white clothing which had stains of blood.
The Cor walked up the bench which was shaded by a tree and in front of him was a body warped in white clothing strained with blood on both of his legs and arms, on his nose and mouth. One on his chest where heart resides showing the struggle of battle he fought and his will of not giving up till the moment he died. Cor looked at the sky as he sighed.
"Hey, camlon… how are you doing now…"