"Water is down that way-, but the path seems to be overrun by thorns and bushes, can one of you three carve the way out for us?" Erin asked as before Buhara or Sophia could respond to his request, Rocky pulled out his dual swords and began hacking his way through.
He swung his sword effortlessly, chopping down the tall thorny vines and thick bushes that blocked their way as everyone who followed him couldn't help but be in awe of how skillfully he had managed to clear the path in front of them.
Remarkably, Rocky's sword seemed to cut through the air without making a sound, his movements demonstrating an efficient, minimal effort that belied the effectiveness of his strikes.
The only noises breaking the silence were the sounds of the plants thudding to the ground after being cut and the heavy, rhythmic thumping of Buhara's feet as he walked.
"Whoa... What happened to you in the last three months? Your swordsmanship looks way sharper than it used to. Did you secretly practise?" Sophia couldn't help but ask, seizing an opportunity to finally learn what Rocky had been up to. The transformation in his technique was undeniable, and she was eager to understand the story behind this refinement.
In the intimate setting of their isolated surroundings, Sophia knew that Rocky was sure to find it difficult to sidestep her question without coming across as dismissive and hence she hoped that the intimacy of the moment would encourage him to open up, providing her with the insights that she sought about his recent activities and improvements in his swordsmanship.
"Well you really wanna know? Alright since it's only you three guys here that I trust, I'll tell you what I've been up to" Rocky said, as he continued hacking down the bushes and kept his focus solely on the path ahead, but still narrated a story.
"I was sent by Principal Liam to a grand palace as a sweeper" Rocky started his story as he began cooking an elaborate lie.
"A sweeper?" Asked Sophia as she felt like this was a weird role to send a student in.
"Yes, even I had no idea why he sent me as a sweeper initially, however, there was more to the place than what met my eye" Rocky said as he drew in the curiosity of all his friends.
"I was sent to a Shaolin monk order as a sweeper.
-official
"How do you know that name, I thought it was a hidden community" Rocky said in surprise as Sophia raised her nose in pride.
"Well, I'm the Champion of Poseidon, my family knows stuff" Sophia said proudly, as she seemed to have completely gobbled up Rocky's fake story.
"Wow, Sir Rocky is so cool! I could have never completed such training... you must have gone through a lot-" Erin said as his eyes sparkled when he looked towards Rocky.
In his mind, he believed Rocky had endured significant hardships, yet what he envisioned barely scratched the surface of the true trials Rocky had faced.
Although Rocky had no desire to deceive Erin and Buhara, the presence of Sophia left him no choice but to do so.
He harboured deep mistrust towards Sophia, and the only strategy to mislead her into thinking he trusted her was by keeping her close and acting as if she were a dear friend.
*Trickle*
*Trickle*
"Do you guys hear that?" Rocky asked, as his ears caught on to the soft sound of water flowing from nearby as the pace of him hacking through the shrubs increased.
Soon, the others began to hear the sound as well as everyone became excited at reaching their desired destination.
"Sounds like water, Erin you're a genius" complimented Sophia.
"No it's not me, anyone could have found this" replied Erin as soon the river came into full view.