Kaizen took a step back and looked toward the horizon, where the dense forest stretched out like a green carpet. He knew there was much to be done, and time was not on his side. He turned back to Gieneno, now with a more determined expression on his face.
"We must go to where Zukas and Cephal fought," Kaizen said, his voice filled with urgency. "They have destroyed much of the forest, and we cannot leave them without guidance. Besides, we need to make sure they're on our side in this battle."
Gieneno nodded, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins after the intense conversation with Kaizen. There was a new determination in his heart, but he knew the road ahead would be arduous.
Chapter Experience:
With a subtle nod, Kaizen motioned for Gieneno to follow. In one fluid motion, Kaizen rose from the ground, propelled by an unseen force that made him float slightly before shooting skyward. Gieneno mimicked him, still a little hesitant, but soon adjusting to the flight as they both crossed the stormy sky with impressive speed.
They both sliced through the air, leaving the sound of the wind in their ears. The landscape below passed in a blur of greens and browns until the first signs of devastation began to appear in the distance.
Fallen trees, overturned earth, and a strange residual energy permeating the environment indicated that the battle between Zukas and Cephal had been fierce.
Kaizen and Gieneno landed softly in this huge clearing created by the battle, where the ground was black and charred, evidence that destructive forces had been used. The forest, once vibrant and full of life, now looked like an abandoned battlefield. The air was heavy with the smell of burning, and a strange silence hung in the air.
Before them stood Zukas and Cephal, panting, their weapons still emitting a faint glow, remnants of the energy they had released.
Zukas' face was smeared with soot and he had a shallow cut on his cheek, but his gaze was fierce, determined.
As he saw Kaizen and Gieneno approach, Zukas relaxed a bit, though the tension was still evident in his shoulders. He had felt the presence of the two approaching, but he was more interested in the reason that had brought them there.
Alaric merely bowed his head in greeting before turning to Zukas and Gieneno. Without saying a word, he held out his hands, and suddenly golden bracelets materialized on both of their wrists. The bracelets glowed with a light of their own, an energy that seemed to pulse gently, like a beating heart.
"What's that?" asked Zukas, intrigued, as he turned his wrist to examine the bracelet.
"My ability. These bracelets ensure that I know where you are at all times and allow me to communicate with you mentally, no matter how far away you are," Alaric said.
Gienno looked at the bracelet on his wrist with a mixture of fascination and caution. The idea of being constantly connected to Alaric was both comforting and a little intimidating.
Kaizen frowned and asked, "And why haven't you ever done this with me?"
Alaric turned his gaze to Kaizen, his eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "Yes, I have," he replied, pointing to Kaizen's right ankle.
Kaizen raised an eyebrow and instinctively looked down at his ankle. There, almost imperceptibly, was a small golden ring around his ankle, emitting a faint but constant glow.
"Since when?" Kaizen asked, somewhat surprised.
"Since you chose this path," Alaric replied with a slight smile. "I knew you needed extra protection, but you never realized it until now."
Kaizen laughed briefly and shook his head. "You were always one step ahead, Alaric."
Alaric shrugged, still with that half smile. "I just do what's necessary."