Nathaniel strengthens the grip of his sword as his frustration grows from the man's remarks. He hears another scream and reluctantly runs at the village. The man mockingly reassures Nathaniel that they'll be meeting each other really soon.
He arrives at the village and sees Noah fending off multiple criminals on his own. All of them casting a barrage of spells with earth, air, water and fire alike. He joins in the fray and a relieved look comes across Noah's face.
They both quickly take down the criminals one after the other and Noah tiresomely looks at the way of Nathaniel.
"Were you… (catching his breath) swimming here instead of running?"
Nathaniel responds to his friend's witty comment.
"Haha, very funny. Where are the others so that we can finish this."
Noah was still catching his breath from the long fight he endured.
"Last time I saw everyone… was back in the village square… Ariel and Daniel seem to be finishing off their fights right about now."
"Fine, you stay here and rest up and I'll go help them. I need your help with something afterwards."
Noah lies down relieved.
"Thanks Nathan, I owe you one."
"Don't mention it, don't forget my usual order once we're done"
Noah chuckles as Nathaniel runs off to help his friends from their fights.
He runs off to the direction of loud groans and rubble, he turns to the alleyway only to be greeted by smoke and embers. The smoke starts to disperse, and he begins to see fiery-red hair worn by a young woman. Nathan walks up to her,
"I'm impressed with how smart you are for using your flames around houses and buildings made of wood, Ariel."
Ariel turns around in a displeased mood from her fight.
"Sorry that I can't just nap on the other side of the fucking map while my companions are fighting off criminals who look like they belong cleaning up a king's royal urinal."
Nathan pounces back,
"You're just giving me more reasons to believe that redheads only know how to control their hair conditioner rather than their temper. (sarcastically) But it's surprising that a daughter of a noble has such a strong tongue"
Ariel gets more pissed and snaps back at him.
"Would having silver hair change your perspective or is it just a fetish on your part."
"Don't involve her in this."
Nathan trying to calm her down,
"Sorry about this but I wasn't that far away, plus Noah owed me from the last time we did a commission together."
Ariel walks up to him, looking him dead in the eyes.
"He owes YOU, not the rest of us."
She then walks away, angrily. Nathan turns to her and asks,
"Hey Ariel, where can I find Daniel?"
Ariel responds in an angry and petty tone,
"Try taking a nap and let your snores lead you to him."
Nathan quietly responds hoping she doesn't hear him to not anger her even more.
"(quietly) I don't snore…"
He then paces around asking the villagers if they've seen a guy with brown hair and black eyes around the area and they give him leads of where he was last spotted. After moments of searching and calling his name out loud, he sees a person who fits the description of Daniel lying unconsciously on the ground. Nathan runs to the corpse-looking Daniel hoping that the worst hasn't happened. Tries to wake him up while calling his name, the lack of response starts worrying Nathan and his heart begins to beat faster with every shove until finally Daniel groans and asks who it is. Nathan looks at his awoken friend in a relieved smile and says,
"What the fuck is wrong with you dude, I was actually worried about you."
Daniel starts opening his eyes to see the look of his now happy friend.
"(Drowsily) Hey Nathan, good to see you, what's up. I'm sure I saw you going the other direction from where we were going."
"Don't worry about that and let's get you healed up, OK."
Nathan helps his injured friend get up and walk.
They both go to where Noah was and see both Noah and Ariel getting healed. Nathan then leaves Daniel with the village healer, and he begins helping out the injured and unabled of the village. Officials of the nearby city arrive to help with the capturing of criminals in the village leaving Nathan to go check on his friends. He arrives with smiles from his friends except for Ariel.
Daniel notices her attitude and asks Noah how long it's been with her. Noah responds looking at Nathan,
"We have our own charmerboy to thank for that. You should've seen her, she looked like she was about to blow up the remains of the village just to let off some steam."
Ariel turns towards the boys and they all look the other direction but not Nathan who is still looking at her feeling bad about what he said. Nathan looks at Noah and asks him to go with him somewhere close by but Noah questions him on the urgency. Nathan responds,
"I'll tell you on the way, let's just go."
Noah thanks the village healer and they both begin to set off on their way. Daniel realizes the potential awkwardness he'll have with an angered Ariel on the way back home and asks if he can go. Nathan tells him to stay because the officials will need more information on what happened. Daniel then understands and Nathan alongside Noah head off to where he fought the mysterious man.
They arrive under the tree where he was bound with shadow magic. They arrive and are greeted with a cold breeze and no man. Nathan looks at the predicament and sighs in anger.
"Damn it..."
Noah looks at him and asks him a series of questions.
"I can sense your mana here but what was it that you wanted to show me so badly?"
"The reason why I was late and wet."
Noah looks at him in confusion and asks,
"What do you mean, you were wet because of a tree?"
"No, some guy with a dark cloak just appeared out of nowhere and fought me."
"What type of mage is he?"
"A water mage, and a strong one at that."
"Stronger than Captain Regina?"
"All I can say is that if they were to be put in a one-on-one fight, it would be close."
"But you managed to beat him."
"I didn't, the bastard was toying with me like a pet wanting to play."
They both stay still in silence looking at the shade of the tree. Nathan then breaks the silence and says,
"We can't tell anyone what happened here."