Chapter 02 | Journey to Helion

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"Um, aren't we taking the train?" Helena asked, noticing that they were heading in the opposite direction.

"Nah, popsicle over here gets motion sickness if we're on any form of transport more than an hour and it's three hours back." Ryan explained avoiding Callum's hand that was heading in his direction.

Helena nodded in understanding but couldn't help asking, "This might sound stupid, but are we walking back?" she asked confused, might've sounded like a stupid question but she was just told they can't take any vehicles and they were walking in the forest.

"It's a valid question Helena, don't downplay yourself. There are magic teleporters located almost everywhere. The closest one is in this forest, the walk is around fifteen minutes." Irina explained, leading the way through the forest.

Helena nodded and quietly followed along.

Callum groaned before speaking, "Helena do you have any mana? The reason there's still regular transportation is because not everyone has enough mana to use the teleporters, some people even almost die from using it."

"Oh, yeah. I do."

Callum smirked and said nothing more, clearly thinking she was overestimating herself, even though he at times felt woozy after using it.

"Are you planning on joining the guild Helena?" Cere asked from on top Ryan's head. She nodded in response before speaking.

"Are you Ryan's pet? I noticed that you stick closer to him than the others."

Cere nodded and the walking continued in silence until Ryan broke it. "What typa magic you got Lena?" he asked, peering over his shoulder in her direction. "Ryan, you don't ask people that question, especially someone you just met." Irina huffed annoyed after hitting him across the back of his head.

"Um, Are you okay?" Helena asked concerned, Ryan seemed to be getting assaulted left and right. 

"Yeah we're usually like that, just rough pla-"

"Housing"

"Yeah, we just rough house a lot." Ryan replied with a bright grin. He, for the first time, ignored Callum's interjection and chose to continue the conversation. 

"Um, so-"

"We're here." Irina announced motioning to the large hollow tree. It did stick out from the others, which was probably for the best. 

The group stepped into the tree and Irina set the location; Helion, Magris. 

A hand covered Helena's face as a bright flashed, after the light passed she noticed the hand belonged to Ryan. "Forgot to tell ya you need to close your eyes before we teleport." He dropped his hand from her eyes and onto her shoulders.

"Were you saying something before we left?" Helena didn't think anyone had heard her. She nodded as they walked out of the tree, one similar to the one they had entered. "I was wondering if the guild was friendly-, uh-, that's a dumb question, nevermind."

"It's a valid question Helena, stop invalidating yourself, but we are members of the guild so we're inclined to believe so. Sorry if that was unhelpful." Irina apologized.

"That's not necessary, you don't have to apologize, sorry." Helena apologized, her face turning red as she was now feeling a bit embarrassed. 

"Just stop apologizing, we get it. Welcome to Helion, capital of Magris and home to the haven guild." Callum interrupted, obviously fed up with the back and forth.

Ryan smirked, "Oh wouldn't Levi love to know how you're treating the young lady." he mocked. Helena watched as Callum froze, then shivered, "Sorry."

Ryan laughed, pulling Helena along as his arm was still around her shoulder, Cere who was on his head couldn't help but laugh, "Callum is still afraid of Levi." he teased. 

"Do I wanna know who that is?" Helena laughed despite her nerves, she couldn't help it. Ryan just gave off this aura of happiness and smile. Helena looked behind to see Callum and Irina still trailing behind them. 

As they passed through the town, she took notice of the buildings, signs and roads, it was a force of habit. Something her mentor had taught her when she was younger. The town was beautiful and had this springtime feel to it despite it being summer, she could've sworn she even saw a few petals floating around. 

The entire time, Ryan kept his arm around her, preventing her from bumping too harshly into strangers, Helena found it endearing. 

Before she realized it, they stood in front of two huge wooden doors. Ryan finally removed his hand from her shoulder, flinging the double doors open as if they weren't twice the size of regular doors.

"We're home."