Days later.
Hazuki walked lazily along the dusty main road, finally out from the deeper forest trail. The open space made him squint against the sunlight. His boots kicked at small stones as he reached the side of the road and crouched down.
"Hey, Ridan."
"What?" the spirit responded, circling slowly in the air.
"You think we should wait for Girem?"
"Why ask me?" Ridan floated lower, staring blankly at him. "If you want to wait, then wait."
"Hmm… I don't know, man." Hazuki scratched his butt , then reached into his side pouch. He pulled out the last life fruit he had, the glowing pear-like fruit shimmering faintly in his hand.
Ridan floated silently, staring as Hazuki took a bite.
Crunch.
Juice ran down Hazuki's fingers.
Another bite.
Ridan said nothing.
Because he couldn't.
He didn't have permission to talk about it.
Not the fruit.
Not the tree.
Not that.
So he just floated there, hands folded behind his back like a silent, twitching balloon.
