The next morning sun slowly began rise above the mountain slowly spreading sunlight over the forest.
The cave lit by the glowing insects and the fading embers of the small campfire. Wind was moving the tip of trees and small plant outside the cave.
Scattering leaves everywhere.
A quiet and peaceful morning...
Limbo awake up from sleep and sat quietly. He rubbed his eyes to remove sleep from eyes, he wake up from nightmare. The echo he still remember clearly.
Rin tossed a small pebble at him and hit he's head.
"Hey stop spacing out, you nearly died, you know?"
Limbo blinked, raising an eyebrow.
"Since when did someone dies from a nap?"
"But from exhaustion!" Rin through back.
Meanwhile Gaja was practicing with his twin daggers. His movements was improving, a strange energy surround him whenever he moves.
Rin stretch her arms aboves her head, the vines hanging throughout the cave moves as she moved. She had covered all tiny spots of cave, leaving not a small space to even insect
This cave was really perfect for the rest... No corrupted mana.. nor any trouble.
Limbo gave a look. That even better after the battle we didn't incounter any trouble and peacefully focus on recovery, which we needed most.
"Yeah, that's true and we should appreciate and enjoy this moment, we can't let our guard down until we get outside of the forest..." Rin said.
An hour passes, everyone freshen up.
Limbo finally get a chance to opened the system quitetly. He didn't checked since he was faint... Actually, since the battlefield tobe accurate.
Few things have pop-up as he opened screen.
Mana circuits synchronized.
Metal strain reduces.
Reflex capacity: +17%
Sensory range: +24%
Inventory: unlocked.
Fragment count 4/7.
New skills: Lightning cannon, lightning bullet added.
Limbo nodded as he was already guessed this.
Limbo flexes his finger.
The mana flow felt smoother than before, no friction. No internal struggle.
Just clean and pure energy filling inside.
From behind Rin peeked over his shoulder.
"So? How's your body?"
"Better... as new," Limbo replied.
Stable.
My mana feels recharged, like a battery after a rest.
Good...
But, seriously...
If you didn't force it like that, you wouldn't have suffer such backlash.
It's also true that we survived due to that.
Limbo didn't say anything, instead listen to their thoughts quietly.
With a deep breath he finally spoke, "I haven't done anything extraordinary, if you were on my place you also did what I have done."
Grr grrr..... Hungry stomach started make noise, breaking the flow.
Both of them look at Gaja... He's stomach was shouting after a practice.
They both burst into laughter.
Gaja with smile put his hand behind head. Hehe hehe— i guess it's food time.
With smile Rin said, wait I'll make it.
Limbo's faces suddenly dropped, he looked at rising sun. Mother... I miss you.
I carved for food made by you. Specially kheer...
Rin noticed, "what happened?"
Nothing. LIMBO avoided.
Tell me what can I do to help, gaja also joined.
After eating the stew, which Rin prepared, which was good, despite the ingredients wasn't like the village.
The forest was quite.
The heavy Corrupted mist from before
Has faded. Light mana was returning little by little. Limbo try using his improve senses.
...the air feels different. He said.
Rin heard from beside him, she has crossed her arms.
Yeah. I checked earlier. Somthing shifting. Maybe the wolves death changes the balanced to before.
Or its the calm before something big wakes up. Gaja said from behind.
They both turned and looked at him. In sync.
"What? Don't glared at me. I'm just saying."
It's not like something will happen by may saying...
Limbo cuts mid-talk.
But it's not good...
Remember there's a saying.
"One should always careful what he says, words travels throughout universe."
"And sometimes goddess of wisdom grant one wish in a day." So we should be careful what we say... Specially at morning...
Fine... I won't say something recklessly again.
Rin was still in place.
"Sometimes you talked like adult — as if you have gone through many hardship in a life before."
What? Limbo laughed... Then you should never yelled at me.
Ha ha... Whatever grampa...
The few time passed after the breakfast.
Limbo again scan the dark trees.
No threat.
No Movement. Only the rustling leaves sound full the surrounding with wind blow.
But still...
Something comes in his mind.
The dream...
Who's voice was that?
And why did it mention Alpha?
Back inside Rinwas braiding vines together to make a sleeping mat.
"These should keep insects away. Also , it will prevent mana absorption from the ground directly."
Limbo tilted his head.
"You're really good at this, how many talents are you hiding?"
I'm not a good as you, in crafting.
She flicked her vines at him. Don't butter me.
Gaja was sharpning his blades.
Rin raised her eyebrow and asked gaja.
"How long are you going to do that, I need you."
Why? Gaja asked.
I was wondering if you can scout the area as well as grab some food. That we can eat.
"...Maybe... I should come with you." Rin said, what if you pick something you shouldn't.
Limbo laughed under his breath.
Rin also smile while teasing Gaja.
The simplicity of this moment comforted him more than he expected.
After some time,Limbo sat near Gaja.
"Does that link still hurt?"
Gaja stretch his arms, testing his body.
It's quiter than before.
Whatever you did back then. It helped me more than you realized.
That was only temporary precautions. Until I complete the My Preparation... I can't fully break it. Limbo didn't mention Alpha fragment to him.
"Hey."
Gaja tapped on his chest.
I'm not going anywhere nor you.
Buddy even if it hurts, I'll try to endure it.
"So don't push yourself recklessly, for my sake, Li..."
Limbo lowered his eyes.
He wasn't sure, should he feel proud or guilty. That he wasn't able to help Gaja fully. Or he was thought of collecting fragment most of the time.
Rin overhead as she was passing and spoke.
"We'll fix it ... Together."
Her voice held certainty that made even Limbo paused. And strengthen his resolve.
"Yeah..." He whispered. "Together."
As the night night deepened, the fire starts becoming dim.
Rin fell in sleep first.
Limbo was awake alone.
He was looking at the cave ceiling.
While thinking about the dream.
The lines still echoes inside his head..
*Most dark shadows... Live under the lamp."
"Was that a hint... Or warning."
Limbo shivered while thinking.
The pendant around his neck, that protected him. It felt cold as it's almost become numb.
While holding it gently.
"...what are you?"
He asked in lower voice.
It didn't glow nor it react and reply.
As ifit has been it dormant state.
Watching And waiting....