Chapter Nine: Road to Gallopolis - I
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Traversing through Hotto's mountainous region at dusk proved to be the right idea. For at the moment it seemed the night terrors didn't roam. Perhaps mainly because the light in the sky was still evident although with time it would surely wane and those creatures would undoubtedly return. Thankfully their encounter with enemies proved to be a minimal count.
Most of the enemies that normally wandered throughout the morning had scattered and the ones that were left behind were dispatched by Veronica's overpowering blast of sizzle. Their remains scattered in the air, dissolving in a flaming crisp of light.
If there was really anything to complain about, it would be the fact that Serena had to keep herself distanced from the rest of her teammates. A choice which was ultimately made by her own given certain circumstances that occurred back at Hotto. Yet even so she couldn't help but feel a little distraught and left out whenever she heard their laughter echoing behind her.
In truth it was all his fault. Serena insisted.
Especially when that certain thief decided to slip into a different set of clothes for this excursion. He spouted nonsense about his previous attire not suitable for traversing the desert. Serena felt like it was an excuse, a personal attack on her and if anything, inconsiderate given her feelings towards him.
Trunks and Veronica were little to no help. They didn't seem to mind Erik's newly fashioned Swindler set so Serena could only suck it up and keep moving forward. Forward and far away that is. She would later insist on leading the way just so the others couldn't see the redden hue that dashed across her cheeks whenever she spared a glance at the blue haired thief.
"Are you sure you know which way you're going?" Erik hollered from behind. Serena nearly jumped at hearing his voice but she resisted the urge to turn around and converse.
After all, Serena was well aware of just where she was. Especially after not just venturing out once but three times in this region. At this point Serena was positively aware that Erik was simply trying to rile her up. He had been constantly trying to get under her skin and unfortunately for him Serena was never one to be outspokenly irritated about anything.
"The campsite is just up ahead." Trunks's voice appeared, "Serena seems to know where she is going. We should trust her better judgement."
Serena beamed.
Traveling with the Luminary was starting to become a most enlightening experience.
In fact Serena hadn't expected to be constantly showered with compliments but whenever Trunks was around, she was. He was truly a gentleman and exactly the kind of man the stories depicted that he would be.
Serena wished dearly how she could turn around and properly thank Trunks, but then she would have to face Erik's devilish good looking smug too. Groaning inwardly with sunken shoulders, Serena moved on.
"Oh?" Erik's voice appeared again causing her to perk up her ears. "It was hard to tell when she keeps tripping up on her own two feet."
Serena's mood immediately soured at the reminder. Her eye's would glance down at her shoes. Thanks to her best efforts earlier to impress the thief, now she had come to the realization it merely hurt her chances. For now she was faced with her own personal to keep herself upright and balanced. A dire task that proved most tiresome as her broken heels seemed to get caught on little cracks here and there.
It was a shameful sight the first time she fell. Flat on her face to which Trunks was quick to run up and offer a helping hand. She didn't understand the reasoning behind it, which continued to be the case after the second time. Ignorance at its highest peak. It was only when her sister demanded her to stop this foolishness that Erik decided to mention it was probably because of her shoes.
Veronica would snicker once hearing why they were so unbalanced. Trunks on the other hand would offer her a chance to go back and buy a new pair but by then Serena's ego was already bruised. She simply would hear none of it, and insisted she was fine, and continued moving far far forward until she knew they couldn't see her wince whenever her heel became slightly tilted at the slightest crack.
In truth she was not okay.
A bruise was surely forming and thankfully once they reached the intersection. Trunks asked to stop so that he may forge a new broadsword at the nearby campsite. Veronica was quick to light a fire with her magic and settle down, with a broad smile. Serena couldn't help but smile too despite the aching pain in her legs. Her sister is always such a bundle of joy. Never sucking the fun out of anything unlike her.
Another tired groan escaped her lips.
"You alright?"
Serena's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She would have expected him to ignore her, and go do his own thing. But no, Erik insisted on standing behind her for whatever reasoning. "Need some help?"
With a hard swallow, Serena glanced back over her shoulder and took in the thief's handsome features. Those brilliant baby blue eyes made her heart thunder. Her face warmed upon the way his eyes glinted mischievously.
"I-I'm fine!" Serena quickly responded as she had to completely swing back around. The heat lighting up to her ears as her mind danced at seeing the sight of his muscles that poked out from his conveniently smaller breast plate.
She didn't expect him to reach out and grab her by her left arm. She nearly stumbled, wincing but thankful to his efforts that she wouldn't hit the ground. His own left hand once again snaked around her stomach and she stilled instantly.
"You don't look okay. Come on, let's get you fixed up."
Serena became baffled. She would allow him to help her sit down on a nearby log that faced towards the warm fireplace that Veronica had started. Surprisingly her voice would not find a way to lips as he helped her out of her shoes.
The purplish blue hue did not surprise her either. "Can you heal it?" He asked, sounding hopeful. Serena could only laugh, shaking her head.
"It is like you said, magic cannot cure everything." Erik grimaced. "B-but it will surely heal with time." The thief rose from his knelt position and glanced away with a slanted look.
"...Even so...Sorry."
It was then that Serena tilted her head in confusion.
"I don't understand...Why are you sorry? It was my own fault for doing something so…" She blushed. "So silly...I shouldn't have broken my heels. You even tried to warn me. How foolish of me."
"Yeah. It was pretty stupid." He commented shaking his head, and then scratching the back of his head at the reminder. "But you had good intentions." He would also recall with a light tint of red. "...You wanted to be sneaky right?"
"Sneaky?" Veronica echoed with a laugh. Startling the two. She snickered, rubbing her nose proudly. "There are easier ways to be sneaky. One just has to look for a good opportunity."
"Veronica! That's not very nice! Erik nearly fell back into the fireplace."
"Wha?!" Erik exclaimed glancing back at Serena looking betrayed. "I did not! I was just surprised!" He huffed. "I for one happen to have great balance unlike some people."
"Real smooth." Veronica commented as Serena bit her lip and glanced down at her bruised legs with tears threatening to fall.
Erik paled immediately. A form of sweat rolling down his face as he realized someone with horrendous balance was sitting right across from him. He quickly tried to wave down her tears.
"I mean...I wasn't talking about...Ugh!" He groaned and cursed inwardly. "...Let's just get a bandage on these shall we."
Serena rubbed her right eye with a hesitant nod as Erik signaled to Trunks. Trunks proceeded to reach inside his bag and pulled out some bandages. He moved over to the two and handed some to Erik. He then cast a glance at Serena.
"You sure you're going to be alright? It will be a hard path from here on out. Once we cross over the bridge we will be heading into sand."
Serena nodded whilst looking towards her now fidgeting two index fingers that were pressed together.
"It can't be much worse than snow right? Veronica and I would often play tag in the snow, bare feet and all. It was cold sure but the numbness certainly helped counteract it. If it's anything like that I should be alright."
"Honestly Serena!" Veronica commented shamefully, "If your feet were feeling numb then we shouldn't have kept playing! That's really dangerous!"
"Well," Serena paused, leaning back ever so slightly whilst putting her right index finger against her chin. "I'm still walking today aren't I?"
"Ugh your impossible!"
Serena laughed giddy whilst Erik continued his work. He had finally finished applying ointment to her left leg and was putting the finishing touches by knotting the bandage. He cut the bandage and glanced at her right leg.
"I suppose someone has to be. Would you agree, Erik?" Erik shook his head, no, earning another bundle of giggles from the priestess. In truth Serena couldn't help but to tease. The look of disbelief on his face as he absorbed the conversation around him was simply priceless.
Trunks on the other hand coughed as if to interrupt them but not in a overtly rude way. She looked back at him with a small smile played on her lips.
"In any case, maybe it's better if one of us carries you."
There was an eerie silence that followed. Maybe it was the fact that her eyes nearly bulged from her head or the fact that she immediately felt Erik pull away from her. Serena swallowed heavily at the notion. She knew Trunks had good intentions but, she didn't need to be babied.
"Not it." Veronica chimed in. Serena had expected it because Veronica was always once to try to at least break away awkward situations and this certainly was no exception. "She's much too heavy."
"Of course she's heavy!" Erik snapped. "She's practically twice your size."
"Oh well if that's the case then it shouldn't be a problem for you now should it!"
Veronica's sudden rebuke silenced the thief instantly and Serena's mind soared at the imagery that shot into her head. Of her suddenly being carried around in Erik's arms bridal-like, her head would be pressed against his chest that was now exposed to wandering hands.
"N-No way! There's no need." She flushed as she tried to leap up, but her legs were pinned down to the ground by a certain thief. Her eyes shot to him with astonishment. His gaze was down at her right foot however, and he was quickly back to trying to fix it up. Though he was shaking and messing up the knot. His own brain clearly was not functioning properly.
"Quit squirming around!" He demanded, looking back at her determinedly, "Or do you want me to carry you too?" She quickly shook her head no. He nodded approvingly, took a deep breath, and finally seemed to be able to tie the knot without any issue afterwards.
"I'll do it." Trunk's offered.
Serena and Erik both raised a brow.
The young luminary bent down and extended a hand out to her. "It would be my pleasure to escort you fair lady."
Serena sputtered instantly but soon found herself becoming mesmerized by the offer. She figured maybe it was because of her ties to Serencia. Reincarnation but also known lover to Edwin the world's previous hero. Needless to say she took his offer and allowed him to pull her back to her feet. To which she would surely stumble into his chest.
There wasn't any swooning sensation though. Simply put that Trunks picked her up and that was it. She glanced towards the thief but his eyes were elsewhere. He had already gone to pick up the bag that was left behind and Veronica jumped back to her feet, patting the dirt from her legs. It was more disappointing than anything.
Strange…
And yet…
Somehow this disappointing bubbling sensation would not last. In fact when the team finally crossed over the patrol point - they were forced to take an immediate paradigm shift. Especially when they came across some of the new inhabitants that wandered the deserted plains.
Veronica's magic proved to be ineffective and Erik's quick slashes hardly made a dent in these small yet elusive metal slimes. It was ultimately Trunk's broadsword which felled the creatures which meant she was quite literally was handed off to the next best person in mind while the Luminary fought.
Erik.
Her heart needless to say drummed madly against her chest to be back in his care. Although she wouldn't have expected to end up like this.
Propped up against him in a piggyback-like fashion.
Humiliating!
Simply humiliating!
And yet... she loved every second of it.
Serena hummed and placed her head against the notch between his neck and right shoulder blade.
If this is what love felt like.
Than Serena was truly at peace.
