Travel The Forest!

[Arius POV]

After waving goodbye to Big Sister Lisa, we start going down a dirt path leading to the town. Around us were luscious fields filled with beautiful flower patches and various animals grazing for food. Suddenly, I see two flashes of light quickly running across the field, chasing after one another. They quickly run across the dirt path in front of us before scrambling up a tree on the other side. We were all captivated and stunned at what we saw. Moments later, Lorraine bursted out:

"Woah! Did you see that, Arius? It was so fast and shiny!! What was that?"

"Yeah, I saw it, Lorraine. They were going so fast and bright like two balls of light. I think they are Lightning Squirrels."

"Yep. Two young Lightning Squirrels. Wild lil' fellas, but are harmless and cute. I'm surprised Arius, looks like somebody has been raiding Sister Arielle's books behind her back!"

Big Brother Jaque looks back at me with an amused look on his face. Being caught red-handed, I blush a little before retorting back.

"Uh. no...no I didn't. I asked Big Sister Arielle to borrow the book to read."

" And did she let you read it?"

"uh... maybe?"

"Ha ha ha!"

I blushed even more hearing Brother Jaques laughing. It's not my fault for being curious. Big Sister Arielle didn't let me because according to her, 'it's too difficult to read and scary for a 4-year-old.' It wasn't that scary, it was more interesting and fun! The different animals and beast has very cool photos and names.

After a few moments, Big brother Jaque stopped laughing and with his usual toothy smile, brings the wagon to the side of the path and starts searching through his bag. He pulls out a blue and yellow fruit and splits it in two.

"Since we've encountered them, why don't we go and feed them some of this tempest fruit? I heard it's one of their favourites."

'"Really we can! Let's go then!"'

Holding one-half of the tempest fruit each, Lorraine and I walk as quickly and quietly as possible toward the tree, where we last saw the pair of Lightning Squirrels. Once we were in front of the tree, we started waving the fruit around to get their attention. And soon enough, with a flash of light above us, we see the two squirrels looking at us from a tree branch.

With surprise plastered over our faces, Big Brother Jaque quickly signals to us to stop waving the fruits and act slowly. I slowly bring the fruit to the ground and Lorraine quickly follows my action.

After a few more moments of us and the Lighting Squirrels staring at each other, a flash appears and the two squirrels were on the ground next to the two halves of fruit. They started sniffing the fruit and picked them up with their cute little hands. As they were inspecting the fruits, Lorraine and I slowly made our way closer to the squirrels to give them a touch.

As we got closer, the squirrels who definitely know what we were doing decided to not react. Seeing this opportunity, Lorraine built up her courage and started petting one of the squirrels.

"Woow, it's so cuteee and fluffy. Ha ha ha!"

Not wanting to miss out, I quickly go and touch the squirrel in front of me.

"Woah!"

Its fur felt so smooth and fluffy. It was almost magical. the fur was very warm and each strand of hair was tidy and defined. Some of the hairs had a more metallic feel while others were similar to wool.

SpZ!

Suddenly, as if the squirrels have decided to end their cuddle session, with the sound of a spark and a bright flash of light, the squirrels were gone with their newfound meal.

"NO! Come back, I want to fluff you some more!"

Disappointed that they left, Lorraine's cheeks began to puff and pout. Even my smile was gone with my new sense of loss. With disappointment thick in the air, Big Brother Jaque just shook his head before giving us another grin.

"Come on fellas, it's not the end of the world. There are plenty more animals 'round here. Plus don't you want to quickly get to town?"

"Oh yah! We still need to get to town."

"To Town!"

Rejuvenated with enthusiasm, we quickly start running across the field to get back to the wagon to continue our journey to town. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see a dim green light. Thinking that it's another Lightning Squirrel, I walk over to take a look. Walking up to the dim light I see that a dark grey rock was the thing that was glowing. I squat down to take a better look at it.

"Arius! What's taking you so long, you slowpoke!"

"I'll be there in a second!"

With Lorraine calling me to hurry up, I grab the grey rock and put it in my pocket before sprinting towards the wagon with Lorraine cheering me on.

[3rd Person POV]

Arius quickly got on the wagon and started to talk with Lorraine and Jaque about all he wanted to do in town. What he and the group didn't notice was, beneath Arius' shirt, his pendant started glowing a dim green light exactly like the grey stone Arius just picked up.

After two more hours of looking and being amazed by the vastness of the sweeping fields and valleys, the group comes face to face with a large forest. A forest of densely packed pine trees with the dirt path disappearing deep within the trees. Turning his head towards the two kids, with a face full of seriousness, reminders them.

"Remember. Deep in forests, there often lies dangerous beasts and monsters. But since its near noon, we shouldn't encounter anything..."

With their eyes and minds fully concentrated on what their Brother Jaque was saying, Arius and Lorraine inwardly breath a sigh of relieve hearing that they won't...

"BUT! We must always be prepared! Lorraine take this shield and Arius take this dagger."

Jaque opens a chest buried under the hay of the wagon and pulls out a small shield with a blue jewel in the middle of it and a small dagger, only a few inches long, in a sheath.

"This shield and dagger is something my master gave me after becoming a copper craftsman. This shield contains a jewel that greatly increases its defence to all projectiles and this dagger has an enchantment on it that allows it to hit farther than expected."

Removing the dagger from the sheath, Arius was entranced by the beautiful symbol imprinted on the side of the blade.

"Arius! Pay attention. Remember what I'm saying! Don't leave the wagon without my permission."

Having finished his speech, Jaque's grin reappears on his face and he rummages through his chest once more. He pulls out a long sword and puts it on his waist with a holder. Then, Jaque gets back on his horse.

"Alright. Let's go!"

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Item

Name: N/A

Type: Shield

Quality: Copper Rank; 51% efficiency

Special: Projectile resistance 

Item

Name: N/A

Type: Dagger

Quality: Steel Rank; 54% Efficiency

Special: Phamtom Reach

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