I'm finally back with another chapter! Sorry, I was updating my other story... Well, this one is still short and has nothing good in it but meh. Yeah, it's kinda rushed and kinda bleh. Like I said, there's a time skip. I don't own Elsword.

Isolation, Connection
Chapter 4: English is Complicated

Months later...

I sighed in exhaustion as I lugged myself and the results of my morning hunt back to my home. Once in the safety of the snow cave, I checked the watch Chung gave me.

11:43 AM.

Almost time.

Pulling out a lantern, another human invention, I struck a match and lit the object. Crawling over to the stack of sticks, I lit it as well, then blew out the flame on the match. Human creations still amaze me although I have used them for a few months now.

I moved to skin the animals, storing the things in containers. One by one, I warmed up canteens of water and pieces of meat. I stuck some food in my mouth, finding how boring it was to past time now that things were a bit more easier to do.

"Hello," questioned a voice on the opposite side of the entrance to the cave.

I jumped, almost spilling a canteen of water over the fire. Shutting the thing, I went to welcome the only other person who could know of this place. Sliding the block of ice away, I could see his blond hair as his head went through the gap, followed by the rest of his body.

"Hi Chung," I flashed a grin. The greeting had become familiar to my tongue.

Chung would teach me of his world, giving me some English lessons while I agreed to become his hunting partner.

Chung returned the greeting, taking one of the canteens and chugging down the water. I set down a small plate, having filled it with rabbit meat, fish, and some berries. We both ate in silence, our legs criss-crossed. Only after finishing the meal did he speak.

"How's your leg," he asked, pointing at the area of my wound.

I slipped off my boot and rolled down the sock before unraveling the... gauze, I think it was called. With Chung's help, it had healed greatly. It'd be fine as long as I don't rely on it too much.

"Fine," I answered, glad to be able to understand a bit of the human language.

He stared at the injury before nodding his head. I rewrapped the wound then slipped on my sock and boot.

"Ready to begin?" Chung chose a book out of the few he brought to add to my collection.

"Yes," I answered.

"...tears of sorrow dripped from his eyes. His outstretched hand grasped nothing. Fate had fiddled with it's strings." I stared at my mentor the way I always did after reading a passage.

"Hmm... You pronounced eyes wrong again," Chung pointed at the word on the page, "It's pronounced 'ahys', not 'eayis'."

I frowned at the word. Despite being short, that word was difficult to say.

"Eyes," I repeated as Chung nodded in approval. I smiled a bit internally.

While I reread the passage, I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Chung, what is 'fate'," I asked.

"It's...complicated..."

"Fate means complicated?" I was still confused.

The blonde shook his head, "No, I mean, the word 'fate' is hard to explain."

"Why?" Doesn't every word have a definite meaning?

"Technically, it's the course of events that happen...naturally throughout your life."

That helps, but...

"How fate play with strings? Is it human?"

"Well, in writing, there are many things you can do with words. Sometimes, people use 'fate' as if it's a person with powers."

"Like a king?"

Chung shook his head, "More like a god. Just think of a very powerful mage."

God? Who knew short words had difficult meanings.

"Why fate plays with strings if it has magic?"

"It's a saying. It pretty much means fate has changed itself. In other words, the course of events have been changed."

How am I to remember all this?

I nodded anyways, know I will at least forget some of this.

"Ready to move on," the male asked.

"Yes," I replied with a nod.

We both shuffled through a pile of writing for something fit for me to read.

I grabbed one of the many books. This one had a colorful pattern on it's hard cover but it was worn from the passing of time.

I flipped it open to the first page and stared at it, confused. The page had no words. The page wasn't even made of paper. Instead of words, there were pictures, two on each page. Many, if not all, the pictures had the same three people. Family, I guessed.

I slid out one of the pictures.

This one had a man with blond hair darker than Chung's. He had a warm smile, the happiness shining in his blue eyes. The male's arm wrapped around a young woman at least half a head shorter than him. She had white hair that held the faintest hint of indigo. Her eyes were a beautiful pale purple, almost grey. She too, was smiling. Her gaze was directed towards a child clutched in her hands.

The kid bore a striking resemblance to Chung, from his brown tipped hair to the paw printed cerulean eyes.

He looks...cute? I think that was the word.

"Chung," I called as I turned in his direction.

"Hm," he faced me.

"Pictures," I said, handing him the book and picture that I took out.

He looked at me, puzzled, before shifting his attention towards the book. He then widened his eyes a bit. Surprised, I think? Shortly after, he smiled but it didn't seem happy. His eyes looked...sad.

"Thank you Ara. I was wondering where this went," Chung spoke as he closed the book.

Is the book that important to thank me?

Nonetheless, I smiled, "Your welcome."

"Anyways, I thought we'd read another fairy tale. You read Cinderella yesterday so why not this one?"

Chung handed me a book as I read the title, "Rapunzel?"

I sat up and stretched myself in the cramped area. The story was lovely but like other fairy tales, I have learned that logic doesn't apply much.

The man should have brought his wife more of the food she wanted the first time so as to not get caught the second. Why would anyone grow hair that long? It would definitely be bothersome. Even if locked in a tower there must be something sharp. How did Gothel get Rapunzel up the tower anyways? She is a witch...so why does she need to climb Rapunzel's hair? Why not fly? How loud was Rapunzel singing if the prince, of all people, could hear her? Tears don't let someone see again. Why didn't the king search for the prince?

"Hey, you wanna go hunt now?"

I nodded and we both crawled to get out supplies and weapons.

Already equipped with his twin pistols, Chung packed the food. I scurried over to a part of the cave and grabbed my usual weapons. I slipped a knife into my boot before grabbing a harpoon spear, a bow, and a quiver of arrows.

Before joining Chung outside, I took off my hood. With nimble hands, I rewound my hair into a tight bun, sticking an long, thin bone into it to hold the strands in place. Two long locks of ebony fell from the bun.

Should cut my hair, I thought for a second before heading outside, weapons in hand.

As I met Chung outside, he handed me a satchel with food and first aid.

We walked along the frozen earth of the tundra. The time of cold was returning. Winter, I believe.

We reached the point I often passed as I returned from hunting alone. From here, you could see the whole village. Chung told me his tribe was known as the White Wolf Clan for they respected the white wolf as a... guardian, was it?

We stayed at the incline for a short break.

As I stared out at the homes, I spotted a group of people talking loud enough for me to hear. I liked hearing them speak and realizing how much I have learned. There were some words I did not know. I asked Chung the meaning of one that was said very loudly.

"Chung, what does 'bitch' mean?"

Now for reviews:

Hikari-No-Aria- Thanks for your support! Here's the excuse of an update. I think it's a bit more fantasy than real life-ish... I mean, it's too lucky? As in, what are the chances of these miracles happening XD

Syamsul528- Well, I hope I don't disappoint ^-^ Thanks for reading~

xXTheLegendXx- Yeah...as I said, that chapter was rushed ^-^" Thanks, and yeah, I'm gonna need that luck.

MidoriKazehaya18- Soon...yeah...that didn't happen... School's only part of the reason though. Thanks for reviewing!

NemesisDrive- Lucky...

ScorchedEarth82800- I'll try!

I tried to dumb it down so that it would seem more like what words Ara would know but I wouldn't know how much she could learn in some months. Also, I didn't want to be using the same word over and over again and it would cause some problems with describing some parts so...yeah. Again, another semi rushed chapter. I'm not exactly that motivated right now... Anyways, late happy New Years and thanks for reading~!