It's been two days now, I don't know what's happening in there, but I can only imagine.
'Please they shouldn't die, not that I care!, but cause if they do, going back will be annoyingly hard, and I'm certain that I will be thoroughly interrogated, for being the only survivor, among experienced Explorers.'
'Tch'
My training as being showing little proof, as my speed had increased a little, instead of running around the colosseum in two minutes and ten seconds, I could now run around it in one minute and fifty nine seconds or one minute and fifty eight seconds.
I had resumed my body training the previous day, making my schedule, run a lap, body training, and shadow energy absorption, and eating of course.
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I had ran my 13th lap around the colosseum when I saw someone coming out, it was Shadeva, but she was a mess,her fair skin stained in black dried blood, cut marks all over her body, indicated a dreadful battle, but what was most concerning, was the massive wound to her left rib.
Dark blood slowly dripped from it, as Shadeva continued limping out, her right palm completely darkened by her own blood, as she clenched the wound with it .
She looked like she could pass out any minute now, I quickly rushed to her, to support her, I could see the surprise on her face.
".....!"
She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
I took her to my tent, and laid her on my sleeping bag, at this point she had completely passed out, but was still able to do something I found shocking.
"Ho...how is she doing shadow energy absorption even though she had completely passed out..."
"Tch"
"I see, this is one of the highest form of shadow energy absorption....I must reach this stage one day"
I left the tent to continue my training as I was feeling a bit motivated now.
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After hours of training, I walked back into the tent to eat and also to check on Shadeva.
Upon entry, I saw her in an upright position, her palms pitch black with shadow energy, as she directed it to the wound on her left rib.
"Heyy"
I greeted.
She turns to face me, then forced a smile on her face despite the pain.
"H...hey... Glad... to see you are still alive"
Her reply was filled with pain and tiredness.
"I got lucky"
I kept my tone and reply simple
"I...see"
"You look very hurt, you should focus on healing first"
"Th... thanks"
I ended my conversation with Shadeva so she could focus on healing, I went to pack my food and left.
I went to sit near the colosseum's wall, I sat in a lotus position, absorbing shadow energy.
'More!'
'More!'
'I need to make progress!'
"Arghhh"
A sudden pain shot from my heart, it was because I was trying to over full my shadow heart.
"Tch"
"I guess it's true what I read, that trying to absorb shadow energy more than the stage your shadow heart is in, can cause it to bust"
'Sigh'
"What a drag"
"I should get some sleep"
I rested my back against the wall, crossed my hands, and slept lightly.
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Step!
Step!
Step!
'....!'
My eyes shot open, and saw Shadeva's out stretched hand trying to reach me. She seemed startled by my sudden wake, and from the looks of it, it was already bright, and also Shadeva seemed better than she did the previous day.
"Ah, I was just about to wake you up"
Shadeva spoke, her voice was apologetic, yet, had gratitude in it.
I looked at her, a bit confused, before ignoring it.
"I see, thanks"
My tone was calm and simple.
"Come with me scho....I mean Jin, I prepared breakfast"
Shadeva said flashing a genuine smile.
'....'
We walked back to my tent and sat. Shadeva reached for a her bag and brought out a large pouch, she poured it's contents into an bowl and it looked like....
'chips!!?'
"How do you do you have this!?'
My voice was seriousness and a little loud, which took Shadeva by surprise.
"Uh, uh, I got it as a gift, why do you ask?"
Her reply didn't satisfy my curiosity, but I couldn't ask more questions, as it will be too intrusive.
"I've been looking for something like this for some time"
I replied, my voice now undisturbed, unlike before.
"I see, my partner bought them for me, he said they were extremely expensive and rare"
"They would be"
'i get that some people had the same idea as their human self, but this shouldn't be possible as the shadow realm should lack resources and technological advancements, to make this.'
We started eating, but I only took a few bites after noticing it was a potato chip.
"So what's all this?"
I asked, my tone was calm yet serious.
Shadeva looked at me, then smiled before replying.
"It's my gratitude, you saved me yesterday"
"Gratitude?, I only did what I was supposed to do for a teammate, that's all, and, saved?, you are healer!, so how did I save you?"
Shadeva looked at me a bit dazed before replying.
"Kindness is an extremely rare attribute in this realm, and most shadows will refuse to take responsibility to help anyone except there's something to gain. I've only met two people in my life that are kind, Cassius and maybe you. Also, yes you indeed did save my life, in the arena I was injured fighting a sword spider, and it's of course common knowledge that injuries from sword spiders, kills if not treated immediately, if you hadn't help.... I'm not sure if I would've been able to treat myself"
Shadeva elaborated.
"Cassius?, who's that?"
I asked, as most questions from shadeva's elaboration were answered by Jin memories, except for the identity of Cassius.
Shadeva looked down for a second before replying.
"Cassius... He was our previous scholar who became a lost"
She paused as if wanting those to settle in, then continued.
"He was loved by all of us, most especially Nyxara, he was a best friend to kaldareth, a close friend to me, a talk partner to Morvain, a friend to Obsidra, and a lover to Nyxara"
"Lover?, Ahh, no wonder she's been glaring at me since my arrival"
I replied a bit surprised.
"Ah.... she has always been like that, she was known to be aggressive before Cassius joined, after he joined and they started seeing each other, she.... She became sweeter, a better person."
Shadeva replied with a small smirk on her lips, and seemed to be remembering those good memories.
"She mostly likely hates me, she probably thinks I'm trying to replace Cassius"
I replied, my voice sounded unbothered even though I wanted to feel concern, but Jin and Jin-hun were never people to care much about others, only their loved ones.
Shadeva looked at me, and spoke
"Please i need your help..... No we need your help!, Cassius death left a hole in this party, and if it's isn't fixed soon this party going to fall."
Shadeva words sounded resolute.
"....Hmm alright, I will help, it will benefit me afterall"
Hearing my words Shadeva gave a smile that would melt the hearts of many men, but of course I was made from two ice cold men, this wasn't enough to affect me.
{A/N: hey guys join the discord server to be able see the character art of the party members and more
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