Chapter 3: Chapter 2 - Unspoken Recognition

The group of warriors found themselves in a state of bewilderment, unsure of how to proceed in this strange and unfamiliar world.

Ava broke the silence, her voice trembling with a mix of admiration and helplessness.

"You guys are super strong, like heroes of destiny. Maybe you should follow the message. I would if I had strength like that."

Her words, intended as a compliment, triggered an unexpected reaction from Magnus.

His temper flared, and he bellowed, "Shut up!!"

The force of his outburst reverberated through the group, and all eyes turned toward him, taken aback by the sudden eruption of anger.

"I'm no hero" he declared with a voice heavy with harsh realities.

"And neither are any of ya weaklings" He then attacks Ava, "Ya Silly little girl, talking about saving folks... Save yourself first, brat..."

He turns his face towards Skin, "Ya Ignis retard, what ya gonna save with those legs of ya"

Ignis makes a serious face, biting his lip, visibly upset, but still maintaining his composure.

He then moves his gaze towards Mia, Mia stares back at him, with killer eyes, "Is there something on my face!?"

She quite literally, implies with her silly expressions, "Say something and you are dead!"

A shiver runs through Magnus's soul, he awkwardly moves his gaze towards Agha, Agha is staring into the sky, plucking his nose.

Magnus confronts him "And finally ya... Ya weak mindless, retard of a noble, Don't even get me started on ya sorry ass...."

Agha is taken aback, he wakes up from his daydreams, and hursts into anger "Huh? What? What did you say?? Who are you calling weak?"

Magnus draws his Daggers, "Ya sorry excuse of a man! Ya wanna die??" Agha draws his sword, his eyes blazing with anger, "Bring it on!!"

They start Fighting like maniacs, clashing blow after blow, as they are fighting, two fists suddenly appear on their heads.

Mia strikes both of their heads "Knock it off, you childish crooks!"

Both of them, sit on their knees, with bumps on their heads, saying "Sorry...". Magnus holding his head, continues,

"Uhum... As I was saying... The hell with this revelation, The hell with saving anyone, and the hell with working together, It's time to shut up, spread out, and gather information about this place"

As Magnus concluded his impassioned speech, a solemn silence fell upon the group.

He had laid bare the stark honesty and his intent to save none.

His gaze, in particular, was fixed upon Ava, alluding to a killing intent strong enough to slaughter her through his gaze.

Ava is hiding behind Mia, shivering in fear, with Mia glaring at Magnus with killing intent, Magnus feeling awkward, speaks, "Uhum.. Anyhow... Good luck to ya all! I'll be leaving!"

Magnus abruptly leaves, like a breeze, like a father leaves to get some milk, his footsteps fading into the distance, leaving the rest of the group behind.

Agha voiced a simple agreement, "I hate to admit it but he's right, the smartest course of action right now is to spread out and do our research"

Before turning and departing as well, "Well then, see you later ladies!"

Mia extends an invitation to Skin and Ava, "You guys should come with me", to which Skin replies with a gentle smile, "Sure Mia! That would be great!"

Ava has a serious look, she's silent, Mia notices and asks, "What's wrong? Princess Ava Evangeline Aurelia, is something wrong?"

Ava then starts crying, loudly "Damnit!! Why am I so weak!! I don't need anyone's help!! I'll show you all!! I am strong as well!!", As she runs off throwing a tantrum.

Mia and Skin are dumbfounded, Mia with a worrisome expression says, "Poor little girl, I hope she doesn't get into any trouble..."

As the group began to disband, there was a collective acknowledgment of the weight carried in Magnus's words. One by one, they dispersed.

Ava, her emotions a simmering storm within, rejected the consensus. Her anger, like molten fire, propelled her on a solitary path, opposite to the others.

She sought refuge in the embrace of a forest-like sanctuary, a place where the quiet of nature could temper the intensity of her emotions.

It was here, amidst the soothing rustle of leaves and the gentle hush of the forest, that Ava sought to find clarity amid the storm of her emotions.

As they scattered Agha ventured towards the south, and he unexpectedly stumbled upon a deserted village.

An eerie silence draped the area, and with each step, he felt a growing unease.

It was as though the entire village had been abandoned, leaving an unsettling emptiness in its wake.

As he examined one of the houses, Agha encountered a sight that sent a shiver down his spine.

There, sprawled nearby, was a grotesque creature with a human face, a rat's body, and a snake's tail.

It was the size of a cow and voraciously feasting on bones. "Disgusting beast!" Without hesitation, Agha sprang into action.

Dispatching the bizarre creature with a swift efficiency that even surprised him. "Damn! I'm so strong!!!"

However, as the creature's grotesque form crumbled into oblivion, an unexpected revelation dawned upon Agha.

Someone had been observing his actions from the shadows. In a flash, a familiar face emerged from the darkness – Magnus.

Reflexes as sharp as blades, they met in a clash of strength and skill.

Agha expressing his anger, shouts "You cowardly midget! What are you doing following me!?"

To which Magnus replies "Ya scrawny noble! I'd rather die than stalk your privileged ass!"

They exchange blow after blow, strike after strike, eradicating the entire town in the process.

It soon became apparent that they were evenly matched, both possessing formidable abilities.

They recognized that engaging in a full-blown battle would leave neither unscathed.

Sensibly, they sheathed their weapons and stared each other down, with gut-wrenching killing intent.

Magnus, breaking the silence with a wry smile, acknowledged Agha's astounding strength, remarking, "Ya did well before as well, ya are good for a rich brat"

Leaving Agha taken aback, as he blushes and replies with a smile "Uhum... Yes, Yes indeed, it's about time you admitted that, You aren't half bad yourself..."

An unspoken recognition of their unique connection began to take root, setting the stage for a complex chemistry between them.