Chapter 150 Return



"I hope you come back soon. Without you, I would have lost my friend." Harald said gratefully, keeping his arms crossed over his chest.

Zayne nodded with a slight smile, "Sure. I'll never forget this place. After all, this is where it all started, isn't it?" Zayne turned around, taking a deep breath and enjoying the fresh air.

"Well, in that case, all I can wish you is good luck. Agh, that's right, Amelia said you were looking for me." Harald reached into his belt and pulled out a green potion, "Here, it might make you recover faster."

Zayne took the potion, opened it, and drank it immediately. Pleasant energy spread through his body as all his wounds flared up, beginning to heal faster.

"Thanks, that's just what I needed." Zayne sighed, turned, and waved one last time before leaving Landow Village.

Harald watched Zayne's retreating back for a while, he had a strange feeling, like a father watching his grown-up son, though obviously they were not related.

"Agh... Even though it's only been a week, I can actually feel that Zayne has changed, he's more serious and confident." Harald smiled broadly, "I wonder what he'll be like in the future? This is just the beginning of his journey, right?"

...

Crackle.

The wooden door opened as Harald stepped inside. Aron, who a few minutes ago had been at death's door, then gone through the pain of hell, now sat on the edge with a thoughtful expression.

"How do you feel?" Harald smirked, leaning against the doorway, "This time, Zayne took full responsibility. He's really grown up."

"Agh... Yeah, I guess you're right, but what am I supposed to do about it now?" Aron muttered, untying the bandages and showing Harald his eye, shining brightly in the dim room.

Harald stepped forward confidently, holding out his hand to Aron, "Here, I have already prepared everything. I'll make you a special one later, but this one will do for now."

Aron glanced at the leather eye patch that was meant for wounded Knights. Aron knew it well since he used to be a Commander.

Aron put the patch on and instantly felt better, as if by hiding his eye he got rid of all the anxiety that was slowly consuming him.

"Well, I think you need to rest. You're the first person I know with Chaos energy, but it looks like you'll be fine." Harald touched Aron's shoulder and headed for the exit.

Step. Step. Step.

Harald paced, with a creaking sound coming from the old boards, slowly disappearing into the darkness. That sound echoed in Aron's head, like a countdown before he lost his opportunity.

"Wait..." Aron said in a muffled voice, putting on his blindfold.

"Hmm? Is something wrong?" Harald turned around, standing deep in the hallway, only his blue eyes visible.

"No, there's nothing wrong, even more than that." Aron shook his head, "I just thought we could go back to the old days."

Harald tilted his head in confusion.

"Even though I wasn't ready for this, I actually got younger and gained new strength, so... Maybe this is a sign that we don't need to stay in this village anymore?" Aron waved his hand.

"Are you suggesting I go back to traveling again? Come on, we've both decided we're too old for this, so we'd better go about our business in peace and quiet in a beautiful place like this." Harald shrugged, accepting his way as it is.

Aron sighed, "Looks like I'll have to be selfish this time."

"Hmm?"

Crackle.

The floor beneath Aron cracked as he, in a heartbeat, found himself in front of Harald, preparing to strike. Harald crouched sharply, at the last moment managing to hold on to his hat, the blow passed over him.

"Hey... Do you really think attacking me will make me change my mind? By the way, you seem to be getting faster." Harald said calmly, not taking Aron's actions seriously.

Aron smirked, "Well, one punch is definitely not enough."

Whoooooooooooooosh.

Aron's leg came down on Harald with great speed. Harald managed to put up a block with his hands, the impact tossed him aside, and Aron caught his fallen hat.

"Look, I know it's your dream to spend the rest of your life in a quiet place and help people, but aren't you starting too early? I mean, I know it's because of me, but as you can see, thanks to Zayne I got younger." Aron said, looking at Harald's hat.

Harald didn't say anything, he just stared at Aron intently, as if he was ready to make an important decision.

"Harald, my old friend, today I realized that it's too soon for us to stop. We are at the height of our powers, especially you, aren't we?" Aron glanced at Harald, "Go ahead, we will fight again and like true adventurers explore this wonderful world."

Harald took a deep breath and headed forward with a confident stride. He lifted his head and with an excited smile said, "Bastard, did you really have to do it in such a pathos, you know I can't refuse something like that!"

Aron grinned contentedly as he held out his hand, wanting to hand Harald his hat.

"I accepted my old age too soon, but I've been given a second chance, haven't I?" Aron smiled bitterly.

"Yeah..." Harald muttered, then particles of red energy appeared beside him.

Crackle. 

Harald's fist crashed into Aron's face, crushing it and knocking his friend to the ground. Harald caught the hat, put it on, and headed forward toward Aron, trying to get up.

"Oh... That was intense." Aron muttered, touching his jaw.

"Hehehe, since we're already going back, it's worth checking out what we can do, isn't it?" Harald smirked, "I don't know if you planned this or not, but you managed to light a fire in me, and you'll have to put it out!"

Harald's hands were covered in energy as he pounced on Aron. Aron's eyes went wide, dodging the hail of blows that rained down on him.

'Damn... I didn't expect it to come to this, but... this is good, right?' Aron muttered inwardly as a satisfied smile appeared on his face. It reminded him of old times and what it meant to be alive.

'Hey, are you really just going to keep dodging? I'm sure you got stronger after Zayne used Chaos Coin, so show me what you can do, partner!" Harald exclaimed, bringing two fists down on Aron's chest like a hammer.

Aron quickly blocked the blow, but the shockwave went through his body, making him feel the strain.

Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.

The old planks rattled, and the next moment they collapsed to the floor below, the decrepit wooden floor just couldn't withstand such powerful pressure.

No one knows how long their battle lasted, but not for a moment did the smiles leave their faces. Even at the end, lying across from each other, they smirked broadly.

"Agh, agh, agh, that was refreshing." Aron said, breathing heavily, while streams of sweat ran down his body.

"Yeah... I agree..." Harald nodded.

"We'll make a great team, two excellent fighters and a doctor to whom you've passed your knowledge." Aron grinned.

"Oh, you're talking about Amelia, right?" Harald glanced at Aron, "Well, it's time she showed herself to the world."