Bab 47: The morning after.

Despite the singing which was atrocious, Raian laughed heartily alongside Liala.

Eating fresh and dry meat, pairing it with clear water. Three figures surrounded the small flame, replenishing nourishment and talking, pertaining some of their life in the real world, Awakened academy and their first nightmare.

Crystal clear water albeit refreshing had no taste, which Liala liked. Meat felt tough and dry but it couldn't dampen the atmosphere in the least.

Enjoying their moment of peace, Raian recounted tales of suburban slums, earning mixed reactions.

Liala awkwardly smiled through the story whilst Bumaru tuned it out midway and focused on his recovery.

As the flame neared its end. Decisions had to be made.

Still guilty about his unforsaken actions, Raian raised his right arm and confidently stated he would take the night watch.

Settling down in no time. Bumaru straight out passed out while Liala took her time, fanning the flame to its end.

Comrades behind him, Raian calmly looked at the cave's entrance. Thinking nothing.

Occasionally ambiguous imaginations entered his mind but it was quickly snuffed out. For he had as Liala said 'bigger fish to fry' or was it caught. Shaking his head sideways Raian sighed and focused forward.

Flicking the switch on and feeling the golden aura flow throughout his body a blissful expression soon engulfed Raian's face. The feeling of might was exhilarating, clenching his fist, the force behind the grip felt as if it would crush the hand into itself.

Taking some time and after exhaling a few times, Raian calmed down. Dropping to a lotus he connected two palms between the legs and inhaled deeply.

Between the strenuous exchange of air, the dim golden light covering him started to shimmer. Slowly from its unmoving static state, the light started to move a bit, but as soon as it moved, Raian's control over the aura weakened significantly. The aura felt sticky, almost like it was pre-assigned where it should be, and fighting against that and controlling the aura felt complex.

Exhaling and Inhaling he doubled his effort and focus.

Following the rhythm of Raian's deep breaths the aura moved like the sea, small yet continuous waves formed on the surface of the golden light. Like a drifting sea following a strong breeze the aura of strength bended to his will. Directing the aura towards his chest with a great amount of effort, Raian felt his heartbeat nearly double.

Realizing what he did. Raian turned the mental switch off, vanquishing the golden light's source, watching the light get dimmer.

Standing up from his position and wiping his forehead with a merry expression, Raian looked forward. Between the vast darkness outside there was nothing his eyes could differentiate a rock from a beast.

Raising his hand a little and looking at his sweaty palm, Raian rubbed it onto his leather pants and readied himself. One foot forward and one back he guarded his chest and stomach like a boxer.

He couldn't see it but that didn't mean something didn't exist in the darkness.

Looking at the darkness, Raian tried his best but still couldn't catch a glimpse of the creature. Feeling of a prey was quite similar to Raian, often he was hunted but like riding a bike he could never forget the feelings of a prey.

Suddenly realizing something, Raian laughed to himself. Dropping the defensive stance he slowly walked towards the darkness. Furious at himself, cursing himself for going on the defensive he muttered. "You better be a fallen, or have a few buddies with you."

—--

After a little nighttime hunt Raian came back to the entrance and meditated again. The interval of meditation and watchful gaze continued on until the morning light of the white sun descended in the forgotten land.

Raian got up from his cross legged position and went to wake Liala.

Not thinking much he poked the sleeping redhead on her shoulder. Baffled by how heavy of a sleeper Liala was, his poking made its way towards her cheek. Between mouth and the ear Raian slowly poked until Liala swatted his finger with a groan.

Not stopping Raian started to pat her shoulders. "Hey, hey, hey.... You told me to wake you early, since we are moving."

Grabbing his hand to seize the motion she slowly opened her eyes. Standing up as Raian got up Liala spit out some hair stuck in her mouth and stuck to her cheek, waving it back she summoned a leather pouch.

Chugging the water and gulping a few times Liala lifted the pouch over her head and let the cold water seep through her scalp. Feeling a little tingle she winced a little bit.

Finishing her so-called primitive shower Liala saw the hopeful expression on Raian. Scowling lightly she threw the pouch towards him.

Activating the aspect. Her hair became unbounded. No longer weighed by its wetness and gravity, it flowed in air like a river slowly running upwards. Exhaling, she imagined the hairstyle for today.

Following her command, many strands of hair slowly formed into a neat little bun. Lightly patting her new hair. She pulled out three threads of dry skin from a fallen beast. Following her thought, three threads of skin entangled with themselves forming a braided rope.

As she focused more, two ends of the small rope got crushed by an invisible force, making the two ends smaller, binding the skin to this form.

Satisfied with her self made hair tie, she placed it right beside the bun, no second hand required the tie gently roped the bun like a snake on its own.

Done with her daily morning task Liala exhaled and tripped forward. Almost faceplanting.

Shocked, Raian quickly reached forward and grabbed her by the waist, stopping her from falling. Face to face, Raian saw beads of sweat forming on Liala's forehead. Little confused, Raian reacted with his eyebrow as he raised one of them.

One hand pressing her head and other kneading the temples Liala roared in pain. " GODDAMMIT, I use it for 10 seconds longer and this is what I get." pointing at the veins throbbing at her, Liala yelled in anger.

Reeling with the pain Liala breathed to calm down.

Looking at her pathetic state, Raian sneered with mockery. '' 10 seconds of extra use and you're like this." he mocked internally, forgetting how delicate of a control he needed to use his aspect.

Behind them both Bumaru struggled to stand up using half of his limbs.