Chapter 9: A long lost friend

Hi guys, Agithos here. I wanted to post this chapter today because...HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...(and a very late Merry Christmas) So, without further ado. Enjoy

"Nice one Mickaël !" Ayumi said as I shot a target

"Thanks, but, if I want to surpass you one day. I'll have to train harder than that !" I replied as I went to the target and picked up the arrow.

Two weeks has passed since our escape. We were doing well. Ayumi was able to walk again and the wound on my shoulder had finished cicatrizing, it was a little sore sometimes but it was really better. Each day we would look for food or for materials like wood, Ayumi was taking care of our meal while Cupa and I were hunting. You are probably thinking that Ayumi would have been the best choice for hunting...Well...we tried once, Cupa nearly blew up the furnace and with that, our house.

As for Vanessa, the lost of her pendant really affected her. For the first week, she needed to sleep with Ayumi or else, she would have suffered from nightmare. Even now, she still need Ayumi to be with here until she sleep. Our frienship was building slowly but surely. We were constantly arguing about anything, but we were in that kind of friendship. After another day of hard work, I was peacefully lying in my bed and falling into sleep.

Unknow time, Notch's place, Mickaël POV

I opened my eyes to see that I was lying on a stone floor. I immediately recognized the place as well as the old guy looking at me.

"Hi Notch, long time no see !" I said

"Yes Mickaël, how are you doing ?"

"Fine, if you forgot the fact that I have nearly been killed more times than I can count since our last meeting."

"I see...You are really a troublemaker aren't you ?"

"Hey...It's not my fault if everybody out here wants to kill me...exept for one guy. By the way, why did you wait two weeks before coming into my sleep ? Didn't you said that you would be coming the next day ?" I asked

"I had...other things to take care of...but don't worry, I didn't left you. I was keeping an eye on you !" He responded

"Pff, so much for the ''we will try again tomorrow !'' And Notch, I know I asked you that before but It's been two weeks and I really need to know why all the mobs look like normal humans. I mean, look at Ayumi, isn't she supposed to be a skeleton ?" I asked, eager to know the answer.

"And you aleady know the answer : I can't tell you !" He simply said

"OH COME ON ! Seriously ? How am I supposed to accomplish my suposedly ''destiny' if you don't tell anything about what is going on ?"

"You already know why. This dicussion is over !"

"NO ! WAY ! After all I have been through, I deserve to know. We are not finish..."

I heard a footstep behind me. I just had the time to look behind me and duck before I saw a sword passing right above my head. A dummy was in front of me with a sword in each hand. It was still recovering from it missed. By reflex, I landed a uppercut in his jaw, then, I took his head and smached it against my right knee. It staggered a little before stumbling on the floor. Before he could get up, I kicked his face with my feet, sending bits of the dummy's face everywhere.

"I see you have enhanced your reflex !"

"I train with Ayumi nearly everyday !" I said without looking at him

"If you really want to know everything about your destiny, then I have a challenge for you...beat me !"

"What ? Beat you ? But you...you are a god and I am just a human. How can I beat you ?"

"Maybe I should explain...If you accept, we will fight : You just need to hit me once, you can go all-out if you want and you can use any technique you want. Me, on the other hand, will use only 25% of my power and I won't be allowed to use my right arm. If you win, you will know everything you want . However, if you loose, nothing will change and you will stop asking questions. What do you think ?"

"That seems fair enough !"

He sighed

"...Youth..."

Notch snapped his fingers and the place around us changed. When it was over, I found myself in some kind of arena. The floor was made of stone and there were some pillars here and there.

"You have until you wake up !"

"Fine with me !"

"Very well, shall we begin ?" He asked me.

"I am ready !"

We both went to each to the opposed wall of each other.

"3...2...1...Let's go !"

That being said, I began to rush toward him, hopping to land the first hit. While I runned, I noticed something odd, Notch wasn't moving and his eyes weren't even opened. He was standing still. As I jumped to knock him down, he pointed a finger in my direction. In a fraction of a second, I was hit by a magical beam, sending me flying across the arena. I landed on stone floor.

"You can't feel pain or tiredness here. Try again Mickaël !" He said.

I got on my feet and runned again in his direction. This time I was more careful, I was ready for anything. I stayed on the ground so, even if he use his beam, I would have a little chance to avoid it. I was constantly moving from left to right to be hard to aim. When I arrived in front of him, I tried to punch him with a right hook. Just before I could hit him, he teleported himself behind me and punched me behind my head, making me fall on the floor.

"come on, Mickaël. Again !"

I got up and tried to take him by surprise...Bad choice. I tried to be as fast as possible and because of that, I didn't see the rune on the floor. It exploded in an explosion of golden fire. I was sent straight into the air. Notch teleported himself above me and kicked me in the stomac, accelerating my fall until I crashed on floor.

"You have only one minute left Mickaël !" Notch began

"You didn't have to tell me that !" I said

"I just wanted to warn you !"

Notch landed next to me. We were a few meters of each other. I was staring at Notch and I am pretty sure he was staring at me too. Then, all of a sudden, he rushed toward me, throwing multiples punches. I managed to block them all but I couldn't lend him one if I didn't want to be hit in the face myself.

"You need to counter-attack Mickaël, he won't show any mercy toward you !"

"What ?"

I, involuntarily, lowered my guard. I took one of Notch's punches on my right cheek. After this hit, I staggered and turned to face Notch.

"Wait a second Notch, who is ''he''?

Notch placed his hand on his forehead and sighed

"...I already said too much !"

"Yep, you did, and now, you can't just leave me with that. You have to tell me the truth !"

He calmly looked around him before saying :

"Looks like your time here is over, see you next time..."

"Oh no, you are not gonna do that kind of shit again, you piece of...

Present time, The house, Mickaël POV

"...crap !" I said while woking up.

I opened my eyes to see that I was in my bed. Through the window, the sun was flying just a little above the horizon. I got up, put on my clothes and opened my door. I could hear Ayumi humming something in the kitchen. I went down to the kitchen.

"Oh, hi Mickaël, how are you ?" Ayumi asked

"Fine and you ?"

"I am fine !"

"Are the others awoken ?" I asked

"No, I don't think Cupa is up and I heard Vanessa snoring !" she responded

"So what are we gonna do today ? Mining, cutting a bunch of trees, hunting some more ? I think we have enough ressources to last at least a month !"

"I thought we could go mining, just you and me. It has been forever since the last time we mined together because it was before your little '' '' attempt in which you nearly ended up killed !" She chuckled

"Oh, come on ! I thought you got over that...But, yea, it could be interesting. However, aren't you afraid of Cupa blowing up the house during our absence ?"

"No don't worry !" she said with a smile "I'll teach Vanessa how to cook something before we leave !"

"Alright !" I responded

"Hi, everyone !" said a yawning Cupa as she walked toward us

"Hi !" Ayumi and I said at the same time

"So what are we going to do today ?" Cupa asked

"Well...I thought Mickaël and I could go mining together for today, if you don't mind !" replied Ayumi

"No problem. I will keep an eye on Vanessa !"

"Thanks !"

Ayumi turned to me

"Mickaël, can you wake up Vanessa while I prepare breakfirst, please ?

"Alright !" I said

I went upstairs where Vanessa's bedroom was. I carefuly opened the door. Vanessa was snoring loudly in her bed. I approached her and placed my hand on her shoulder.

"Vanessa, it's time to get up !"

She grumbled something beyond understanding, but I think she said "Leave me alone !" or something like that. Suddenly, a devilish grin formed on my face as I thought about a plan B.

"Is that so ?" I asked

Then I went to the back of her bed, took it by its legs and raised up the bed while shaking it violently. This caused Vanessa to wake up with a start. I put down the bed and looked at her. She was staring at me with her eyes full of anger and her hair was all messy. Call me a douchebag all you want, but I am sure you would have done the same, plus, it was pretty funny.

"Hi Vanessa, ho..." was all I was able to say before I took a pillow in the face

"GET OUT OF MY ROOM ! NOW !" She shouted

"Alright, alright...see you for breakfirst !" I said while exiting her room

I rejoined Cupa and Ayumi downstairs.

"Where is Vanessa ?" Ayumi asked

"Oh, don't worry, she is coming. Just don't expect her to be in a good mood !"

"What did you do again ?" Ayumi said, sighing

"Well, I...oh, hi again Vanessa !" I said as I saw her coming downstairs

Vanessa mumbled something and sit on a chair.

"Are you alright Vanessa ?" Cupa asked

"No !" Vanessa responded

"Why ?"

"Because, this DUMMY, here, shook my bed to wake me up !" Vanessa said while pointing at me

Ayumi turned to me and sighed again

"Mickaël..."

"What ? She didn't want to get up. I had to improvise !"

"Whatever..." Vanessa said

Cupa tried to lighten the mood

"Hum...What are waiting for ? Lets eat !"

We ate in silence. Well, mostly Vanessa and I. As for Ayumi and Cupa, they talked about everything and nothing. After we finished, we helped Ayumi clean the bowls and, at the same time, teached Vanessa how to cook something as simple as a porkchop. I took a few tries but Vanessa managed to do it without blowing up the furnace or setting the house on fire.

Then, Ayumi took a map joined me to decide where we would mine.

"So Mickaël, do you have an idea where we could go ?" she asked

"Yes, I have spotted this cave a few days ago but Cupa doesn't want to go there. ''It's too far'' she say !" I answered while pointing the map "So, what do you say ?"

Ayumi didn't respond to my question and stared at the part of the map I was talking about.

"Ayumi ? Are you ok ?" I asked

My question seemed to stratle her

"What ?"

"I asked you if you were ok ?"

"Yes, yes...I am !"

For some reason, I knew she was hiding something but I decided to not pay attention. I mean, Ayumi was a strong woman, she could take care of herself.

"So, are you alright if we go there ?"

"Yes...Why not ?" She responded

"Alright then !"

We packed our things. We took two iron pickaxes, a bunch a torches, something to eat and finally, blocks. One hour later, we were ready to leave. We said goodbye to Cupa and Vanessa and we began our adventure. The journey was four hours long, we needed to stop a few time but we eventually arrived in front of the entrance of the cave. I looked at Ayumi and she was...I don't know, she was looking everywhere around her.

"Ayumi ?" I asked

"Y...yes ?"

"What are you doing ?"

"I saw a wolf !"

"Oh ok. Are you ready to go in there ?"

"Yes !"

We entered the cave. It was like a normal cave, just a big tunnel in the stone with some lianas. Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at Ayumi. She was still looking around her and her hands were slightly shaking. I said to her

"You know, if you are sick, we can return home. We can go back here later !"

"No...I am fine !"

"Well...If you say so !"

We continued to walk in the cave until we found something unusual.

"What is that ?" I asked while picking up the object

"What did you found ?" Ayumi asked in return

"It's seems like the rest of a torch. I think somebody lived here..."

At first, I thought it was just a normal cave, but the further we went into the cave, the creepier it got. We found some torches that were out, some rusted weapons on the ground. We also found dried bloodstains on the wall and the floor. But the worst part was when we found skeletons, real ones. A few of them had weapons stuck between two bones and the other had fractures everywhere

"Wow, there has been a battle here, Ayumi. I think we should go back. It's probably not safe to mine here...Ayumi ? Ayumi ?"

Ayumi didn't respond and, instead, was staring at something in the darkness of the cave. She began to sprint in the direction she was looking at.

"Hey, Ayumi ! Where are you going ? Wait for me !" I called while running after her.

I followed through the cave for five minutes until she turned at a junction, and when I turned myself, she wasn't here anymore. I was alone. I could only see the darkness of the cave and hear my own footsteps resonating in the cave.

"Shit, I lost her track. Where she could have gone ? And first of all, why did she run in the first place ?"I thought

I was in my thoughts when I noticed something that aroused my curiosity. Something, covered in dust was engraved on a wall.

"What is that ?"

I blew the dust of the engraving to see three letters inside an heart shaped figure. There was two ''A'' next to a ''V''.

"Aav ? What does that mean ?" I thought out loud

I looked in the direction I saw Ayumi go. Then I turned back to the figure.

"AAV...AAV..No...It can't be..."

Everything made sense now. Ayumi's behavior when we entered the cave, the torchs, the weapons, the bloodstains and the corpses. It was also explaining why Ayumi runned.

"I am in her former cave, the one where her parents were slaughtered. The ''A'' stands for Ayumi and Ari and ''V'' stands for Vanessa. Shit, shit, shit I have to find her !"

I runned where Ayumi went before I was exposed to another problem, this cave was a maze, each corridor was the same as the one before and the one after. Eventually, I got lost .

"Damn, where did she went ?" I said

Between the feeling of being lost and alone in the cave and the one of being in a place that could potentially kill me. Something wasn't right, it was too quiet. There is nothing like the feeling of being watched and not knowing from where and from who. That's what I was feeling right now.

I heard something moving behind me, I turned to the source of the sound but continued to walk forward...Big mistake. I failed to notice some stairs, I fell down on a platform, dropping my torch. I got up to see I was on a sort of bridge just above a pool of lava.

"Woohoho, that was a close one !"

"Indeed human. I hoped you would have fell down below !" I heard a woman voice say

I tried to find the source of the voice, in vain. I looked around me but I couldn't see anything, sure, the pool of lava was lightening up the bridge a little, but that was all.

Suddenly, I heard something coming from above me, I just had to jump aside before a shadowy figure jumped on the bridge. The ''shadow'' was nearly tall as me.

"Who are you ? Show your face ?" I asked to the figure

"Why should I ?" a girl voice replied

"So I can put a name on your face !"

"If you really want to !"

The figure went into the light revealing her face. It was a girl around 18 years old with red eyes and purple hair with four red orbs. She was wearing a grey sweater with black strips.

"Red eyes, purple hair ? The only ones I know who share thoses features are Vanessa and..."

"Ari ? Is that you ?" I asked

"How do you know my name ? TELL ME !"

"I am so happy I found you !"

"I won't ask again. How. Do you. Know. That name ?" She said with anger in her word

"I know who you are from Ayumi. I am friend with her !"

"YOU ARE LYING !" She yelled as she jumped toward me

Because of the small space of the bridge, I couldn't do anything but take the blow. She landed on me and we both fell on the floor with her on top of me. My left arm was under her jaw, preventing her from biting my face with her fangs. I put my feet on her stomac and I pushed her of me.

"Listen, I don't want to fight you !"

"Maybe, but you came here to steal everything that left, am I wrong ?"

"No, not really. But, first of all, I didn't know it was your cave, and second, I came with Ayumi !"

"So, she is your slave. Then I WILL FREE HER !"

She rushed toward me, hoping to puch me before I can do anything...Wrong. I caught her hand.

"Geez, you and your sister really share the same personality !"

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK ABOUT MY SISTER !"

She tried to punch me with her other hand, but I caught it too.

"If I let go your hands, will you promise me to calm down and let me explain ?" I asked

"Alright..."She sighed.

I let go her hand but at the second I released her grip. She jumped on the wall and began to climb it. Then, she jumped on me. I managed to avoid it by jumping on the bridge. The thing is we landed on the bridge at the same time.

The bridge, already weakened by the years, began to crack under our weigh. As the bridge began to collapse, I got up and made a run for the other side. Ari runned after me. I barely managed to reach the other side when the bridge broke apart completely. Ari wasn't so lucky, as the platform cracked under her. She just had the time to jump to reach the other side, but it wasn't enough as she wasn't able to grab a block. Fortunatly for her, since she was a spider, her hands and feet can stick to any surfaces. Her hand touched the side of the block, one wrong move and it would be straight in the lava.

"Ari, give me your hand !" I said, wanting to help.

"I don't need your help !" She replied, struggling to put her hand on the block.

Suddenly, the block began to crack.

"We don't have time for this, just give me your hand. It's either that or dying in that pool down below, you choose !"

In a desperate effort, she caught my hand just before the block broke apart. Now, my hand was the only thing that separated her from death.

"Get me up, get me up !" She said

I managed to put her on the ground. We panted for a few second before she asked me :

"Why did you help me ?"

"Oh, no...not this again...I already went through that with Ayumi..." I thought before saying "Well...Lets just say I am friend with Ayumi and your sister, they missed you, you know !"

"How do I know you say the truth ?" she asked

"Well, you can't for now. I was with Ayumi but we got separated as soon as we found some corpses. Do you know where she could have gone ?"

"Ayumi and I were like sisters, if what you say is really true. I think I know where to find her. But..." she said as she looked at the bridge "We would have needed to cross that bridge !"

"I know how to fix that problem !"

I searched a little in my bag and I picked up the pickaxe. I began to mine the stone to form a tunnel.

"So, what did you do during those five years ?" I asked

"Why do you want to know ?"

"I don't know, maybe because you have probably been alone with no one to talk to...or maybe just to form at least a sort of dialogue. So that I won't have the feeling to talk to a wall !"

"You want to know ? Fine..."

2 years ago, A noble's house, Ari POV

When those adventurers captured me, they sold me as a slave. For two years, I served a noble who bought me . He was violent, greedy and lazy. Since he was coming from a very rich family, he thought everything would be given to him on a silver plate. He bought a number uncountable of slaves just to satisfy his desire which could be violent sometimes. I think at least ten slaves died under his power. As for me along with two other slaves, we were stuck to the housework.

"Slave, bring me some tea !" he called one from his bedroom.

"Yes master, as you wish !"

I was mopping the floor of his bedroom. When the slave arrived ,the noble hit him in the leg, making the slave fall with the tea, just to give him a reason to be violent with his slave. He kicked him reapetedly in the stomac.

"Next time, be more careful, slave !"

I approched the slave

"Are you alright ?" I asked him

The slave nodded

"What's your name ?"

"N...Nadis and you ?"

"Ari !"

It was the beginning of a strong friendship between us. Nadis was a spider like me. He was kind and funny. This went for another year until one day, when I was with Nadis, my master came to speak to me.

"You, slave, I choose you to be my future wife. My last one wasn't good enough anymore !" He said

"What...But..."

"Oh, you must be surprise, it's normal. You will be married to me after all !"

Nadis couldn't take it anymore. He interrupted our master.

"Hey, you don't have the right to do that !"

"Who are you slave to tell me what I have the right to do ?"

"Someone who have enough of your shit !" Nadis said as he punched the noble

"I'll have you killed for this !"

"Ari, you need to run, now !"

"But Nadis..."

"I SAID NOW !"

Suddenly, a sword went through his heart. Nadis coughed some blood and he fell on the floor. I did what I was told. I began to run through the manor. Other slaves joined me in my flight. There was a revolt in the manor. I took adventage of this and I fled by passing through a window. For months, I traveled through the continent to finally reach our home. I was hopping to see Ayumi and Vanessa, but there was no one. I was alone...all alone for two years.

Présent time, Ari's cave, Mickaël POV

"Now you know !" Ari finished

"Wow, you have been through a lot. I am sorry about your loss by the way !" I said

"Whatever human..."

"My name is Mickaël !" I replied

"Fine...Mickaël !" She said annoyed

By the time she finished to talk about her past, I finished digging up the tunnel.

"Follow me. I think I know where she is !"

I followed her through her cave for five good minutes. Suddenly, I heard some sniffing.

"Wait here !" I told to Ari

I turned at a junction to see Ayumi in front of four graves with ''Mom'', ''Dad'', ''Skello'' and ''Ari'' on some signs. I made a sign of my hand to make Ari come. When she arrived next to me, she stared at Ayumi, tears were forming in her eyes.

"I think you two have a lot to talk about !" she said, inviting Ari to talk to Ayumi.

Ari carefully approached Ayumi and put her hand on Ayumi's shoulder. Ayumi looked at the person next to her.

"Long time no see, sister !" Ari said with tears coming down her cheeks

Ayumi didn't think twice and immediately hugged Ari with all her might who hugged back. Ayumi looked at me. I was against a wall with my arms crossed.

"I think you two need to make up for the lost time. If you want to, I can wait out...hey !"

I didn't expect Ayumi to let go Ari and hug me.

"Thank you Mickaël, thank you !"

"Hum...no problem !"

For 30 minutes, we stayed in the cave, talking with Ari and eating the food we brought with us. We talk about everything that happened during those five years.

"So, you have nearly been raped, and Vanessa sold as a slave ? But then Mickaël betrayed his team and saved the day ? Come on, you have to be kidding me. This looks like something coming straight from a crappy novel !" Ari said

"But it's still the truth Ari !" I replied

"Sorry again Ari, if only I knew. I would have come to save you !" Ayumi said with a sad voice

"Don't worry, you took care of Vanessa like you promised me. Only Nadis will be missed !" Ari responded

"Vanessa will be so happy when she will see you !" Ayumi said

"If she is not reading that book again !" I said, chuckling

"haha, yes !" Ayumi agreed

"I hope I will see you from time to time !" Ari said

"I have a better idea. Why don't you come live with us ?" I offered her

"But...this cave is my home. I can't leave it to be plundered by some adventurers"

"You need to stop living in the past Ari, your sister is waiting for you. You don't know how many times she told me she wanted us to be together again, like a family, just like old times. This place is what keeping you from making a fresh start." said Ayumi

Ari thought about our offer for a minute before saying :

"Alright, lead the way !"

"We have four hours of travel ahead of us. So if you need a break, we will understand !" I said

We exited the cave, the sun was still high in the sky. After four hours of walking and three pauses. We finally arrived at our house.

"So this is where you live ?" asked Ari

"Yes, and look Ayumi, the house is not on fire and there is no hole in it. Cupa and Vanessa passed the test !" My observation made Ayumi laugh

"hahaha...yes I see that !"

"Who is Cupa ?" asked Ari

"Oh she is a Creeper. She is also a very...joyful person !" answered Ayumi

"I see !"

I opened the door to see Cupa on a chair, eating a cookie. As soon as she saw me, she went to us.

"Hi Mickaël, how was you..."

I quickly put my index over her mouth to shut her up.

"Can you go get Vanessa, please ? But don't tell her anything about what is going on !"

Cupa nodded and a minute later, she came back along with Vanessa.

"Hi Mickaël, what do you want ?" she asked me

"Listen Vanessa, there is someone who really want to meet you right now !" I said

"Humm, ok...and, what am I supposed to do ?"

"You ? Nothing !" Ayumi replied

I made a sign to Ayumi, indicating her to open the door for Ari to enter. When Ari entered the room, there was a moment of silence. No one dared to speak. For ten seconds, there was, what looked like, a straring contest with one one side Vanessa, who was shocked to see her big sister alive and, on the other side, Ari, who didn't know what to say. Finally, it was Vanessa who broke the silence.

"A...Ari ? Is...that really...you ? She said as she began to sob.

"Yes little sister. It has been so long !" continued Ari

"I missed you so much !"

"Me too !"

The two sisters runned toward the other one and hugged each other. They cried silently on each other's shoulders. From my point of view, it was a very touching moment. The reunion of a ''family'' separated for years. Simply beautiful.

"Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't...crap !" I thought as a tear runned down my cheek.

"Are you crying Mickaël ?" Cupa asked me

"I am not crying, my eyes are doing it fine on their own !" I said while wipping it away

This moment was strengthened by Ayumi joining the hug. I felt the urge to join it too and I couldn't resist. I took Cupa by the hand and we joined the embrace.

I am sure the future will be bright for those two now that they are together again.

TO BE CONTINUED. That's it guys, end of the first ''season'' of Changing Destiny ''First friend". Who even need a picture when you have the person in front of you... So as always PM or review to tell me what you think of the story : good or bad. See you next time ;-)