Supreme Relations
The sun sat high, witnessing all that happened in places lit. Dark gray clouds scattered around the sky, as if it were going to rain, but couldn't because the pieces weren't connected.
Two individuals stood opposite each other, a bold question asked and no immediate response.
Avora didn't seem surprised to hear this question whether she had heard it many times before or just expected it.
"Why should I? You offer nothing to me."
Not quite knowing what to say Soren stayed quiet.
'I need information from her, but I don't know how to get on her team. What can I do?'
An idea sprouted in his mind.
"I can carry your excess Stat crystals. Surely someone like you has already maxed out your stats."
He felt this to be reasonable and that Avora would agree to it. It wasn't bad for her and it was free.
Looking away she said, "I don't need a follower for that. I have... my ways."
'She has her ways? What does that even mean?'
The scene of the massive ball of fire popped into his mind, its raging flames incinerating the air around it.
'Surely not. That mass of destruction can't be hers, right? That doesn't seem very heavenly. It must be one of the demons.'
He didn't fully trust his thoughts, aware that it could have been her and not someone else, but so what? It's not like he could ask.
'Probably taboo.'
"What if I just follow instead? That way I wouldn't be next to you or bother you."
Seemingly in thought, she responded the next moment. "Sure, but I won't be accommodating you in any way."
"Thanks."
With that, she started down the mountain again. Her pace a slow walk.
Soren quickly caught up, once again feeling his body's strength decrease.
They walked down the mountain, 10 feet in between them, in silence. No words were said. Whether they wanted to speak or not.
Soren felt much better walking down the mountain. He still had his sword, his life, and his stats were much higher than they were on the way up.
The breeze occasionally brushed past him. Forming a sense of peace in the mountain now.
The walk down was slow and unhurried, time passing ever so leisurely.
Soren was left to work on his mind. To keep himself unbothered from future adversities that were bound to happen, perhaps even worse.
'I can't let each setback bring me down. I won't get anywhere, I just need to do my best to solve it and grow stronger. Like this last time, I ended up better off than I started.'
Would this resolve his amateurish mentality? Only more trials of adversity would determine that.
They finally approached the bottom of the mountain. The forest was in the distance, with trees leading the way to it.
"Keep up if you can," Avora said.
Not understanding what she meant Soren was about to ask, but then she disappeared from his eyes. Looking further away she was already 10 feet ahead and rapidly leaving the area. She was heading in the direction of the town.
Soren didn't know what to think of this situation.
'So fast...'
Having thought that he immediately used his item Shocking Speed, to boost his speed 2x.
His speed before had increased to 8.14 instead of the initial 7.
He ran as fast as he could muster. His breathing was not affecting him anymore. Therefore Soren was capable of entirely harnessing his new speed.
He was still slower though. Avora kept moving forward, over time getting more out of sight than the last second.
However, unbeknownst to Soren, she had a surprised look on her face.
This random person she had beaten up before and who had barely survived a group of ants was surprisingly fast.
Mumbling to herself she said, "I suppose I can slow down a little, for his effort to keep up with me. It seems I'm accommodating him after all."
Soren noticed her slowing down, at least now he wouldn't be left behind completely. That was a relief because he would have no idea how to return to the city, besides following the general direction. There were no more high points except for the trees all around.
However, they were tall and had no branches that would allow him to climb up there.
Soren didn't think this lady was nice enough to slow down intentionally for him and figured she was just saving her strength.
He was still running at full speed and couldn't slow down in the least lest he get left behind.
Time ticked on.
The two were making great progress and hadn't run into anything or anyone yet.
The only thing they saw was spotted areas of sunlight. The trees passed by in a blur and the wind pressed against their bodies. Interrupted by the human's rapid steps.
Soren was surprised, he thought they were heading to the town, but it didn't seem that was the case anymore. By all means, they should have arrived already.
'Where are we going? Maybe I should break off and try to find the way myself.'
Deciding against it, he continued his run. His peak endurance stat was truly a blessing.
They ran for another hour and a half, seeing nothing. The scenery never changed except for the dark clouds seemingly closer together compared to when the run had started.
'Will it rain? I almost hope it does, I haven't seen it in so long.'
Avora suddenly stopped running, coming to a complete stop. She raised her hand at the same time signaling Soren to stop as well and to be quiet.
Soren did as signaled, ending up only a foot behind her. Confusion was written on his face but remained silent.
He didn't even breathe, worried it would anger Avora.
'Is something there? What could she be so careful against with her amount of strength.'
He strained his eyes looking all around, but mostly in front of them.
It was the same forestry and the same dark clouds once again closer to each other. Soon to bring a mass darkness to the world. Otherwise, nothing out of the ordinary.
He heard nothing except the wind flowing by. It didn't feel like anything was near as the forest was still in its peaceful undisturbed state.
They stayed quiet, not moving a muscle for almost a full two minutes, and finally, Avora sighed and started speaking.
Not to Soren, but to an inconspicuous tree 10 meters away.
"So we were caught. That doesn't explain why you're all the way out here. Isn't that right, first ranked of the demons?"