Chapter 4

"Hurry up, slowpoke." Arscythe called as he stood by the front door.

"One sec!" Isabella replied curtly and rumbling sounds were soon heard.

"Hmm." Arscythe lightly hummed.

They were leaving the forest. They already finished eating breakfast and rested for a short while. Now that he's finally leaving the house he stayed at for his whole life, he was feeling even more sentimental. If not for the danger of being attacked by another creature like that metallic bear, he would stay at this house until he grows old. This is the house where he was born. It was his last connection with their missing parents as well as his late grandpa. There are so many happy memories created in this place, as well as the sad ones. Thus, the attachment.

At the same time, he can't help but be excited about what the outside world can offer. There might be dangers, yes, but there will also be other peoples. Maybe they will experience some hardships, problems, and setbacks, but they can't stop. He wants to explore the world.

According to the tales and legends he grew up in, life is all about the adventure. First of all, he will find their parents. After their family reunited, he'll explore the world with them. Save people, discover mysteries, and collect treasures. Arscythe's head was full of fantasies his grandpa told him every night.

"What are you thinking about, Ars?"

Isabella's voice brought him back from his contemplation. Arscythe looked at her. Isabella was smiling brightly. She was wearing a one-piece white dress, accentuating her pale skin and long black hair. She might be called an angel if not for the missing wings.

"Nothing. Come on, we still need to drop by grandpa's grave." Arscythe turned around and said.

Arscythe and Isabella eventually started walking.

Their grandpa's grave was just slightly farther from the garden, but not inside the forest. Their grandpa wanted to be buried near his beloved farmland. When he died, Arscythe exactly did as he wants and dug a grave for his grandpa. He then put a tombstone and carved his grandpa's name on it.

Kneeling beside the tombstone, Arscythe removed the dust and moss that accumulated on top of it. Isabella, on the other hand, picked up the fallen leaves and rocks near the grave. They cleaned it up quickly and stood beside the tombstone. Arscythe told his grandpa the current happenings and why they're leaving. He told him stories while Isabella listened on the side. After he's done, they both said their goodbyes to their grandpa and promised to come back.

Arscythe caressed the tombstone one last time before turning around.

They resumed walking.

Before entering the forest, Arscythe looked one last time at their house. He's not gonna see this for a while.

Steeling up his resolve, he marched forward to an unknown world.

"Let's go."

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The forest was without animals, just like that day. However, unlike that day, there are cricket and bird chirpings. It's at least better than an eerily quiet forest.

When they were planning where to go, they decided that it's best to just follow the river. The river can be a source of food and water if they ever ran out of it.

They followed the river also because they are sure that there might be a village situated near it. They were right; the longer they followed it, the wider the river gets, giving them a higher chance to encounter civilization. It was the basics of what to do when lost in a forest.

"Okay, we'll set up camp here."

Noticing that the sun was setting up, Arscythe decided to call it a day. He put down the big bag he's carrying and took out the tent. He did not bring many clothes. Instead, what he brought was the tent, cooking utensils, bowls, and preserved food ingredients.

Isabella put down her small backpack and helped him in setting the tent up. Next, they collected some twigs and leaves to start a fire. Arscythe took out the pot that he brought and the ingredients for a soup. He started the fire and fetched some water near the river. He left Isabella to do the cooking and went around the perimeter.

Arscythe tied up a rope around the perimeter and added a bell on it, which will make a noise if a wild animal trips in it. He also put up some basic traps near the tent, like spikes that will keep a wild animal away. He's already used to this, having done it countless times. His grandpa always told him to never let his guard down, even when sleeping. He was taught not to get careless, or that carelessness will cost him dearly.

After he's done, the sun was already gone and it's completely dark in the forest. He went back to the tent. Just at the right time, Isabella finished cooking the soup.

"Ars, let's eat."

Isabella took out a bowl and poured the soup until it's full, then, she gave it to Arscythe. She also poured some soup in her bowl and sat beside him. They quietly ate the soup, which has vegetables and pieces of meat in it. After they finished the soup, they set the bowls aside, to be washed on the river tomorrow.

They then entered the tent and prepared to sleep. After some time, he heard rhythmic breathing. He turned to Isabella, she was already asleep. She was still clutching his right arm tightly.

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Arscythe sluggishly opened his eyes, hearing some rustling sounds. He was sensitive to his surroundings. He was always on guard, sleeping like a cat.

As his vision slowly cleared, he saw Isabella leaving the tent. The sun rays penetrated the inside of the tent; it's morning.

Getting up, he also made his way out of the tent.

They then ate their breakfast together. It was just a light soup to warm up and fill their stomach so they will have the energy to continue traveling later. 'Breakfast is the most important meal of the day', their grandpa said. Without it, you won't have the energy to start the day.

They would sit around the table every morning when he was still alive. He would cook them congees or soups, depending on who gets to pick their breakfast. Arscythe personally liked congees, but Isabella was more into soups. As such, they always play rock-paper-scissors before they eat. Arscythe smiled remembering these happy scenes.

Isabella, by his side, also smiled even though she doesn't know what he's thinking.

The twins that were grinning while eating their soups looked like idiots. If someone was here and saw this scene, they will surely have goosebumps all over their skin. They will slowly back away, not wanting to associate with these two who got some screw loose.

They both finished their soup and packed up their things. Then, they continued traveling.

A week had already passed since they started following the river. The river only got wider and wider, but there was still no civilization to be seen. Nonetheless, Arscythe was sure that they will encounter one soon. It was only a matter of time.

"What are you doing!?" (??)

Just like Arscythe thought, it was only a matter of time. When they're walking normally while chatting, they suddenly heard a shout not far away from them. They continued forward and finally saw the source of the sound.

A guy was lying with his face down on the ground. He was being restrained by a fat man, while a skinny one was walking towards a carcass of a boar. The moment Arscythe saw this scene, he instantly realized what was happening.

"Hehe, shut up, old man. We'll take today's hunt too." The skinny man said as he dragged the boar.

"Kuk..! You bastards! The village needs that food!" The guy being restrained bellowed.

"Why don't you hunt another one, then? Of course, we'll take that one too. Kiahahaha!" He laughed loudly like a madman. The fat man restraining the guy laughed loudly too.

"You heartless bastards..." The guy being restrained cursed out as he remained helpless.

The village really needs that food. These thugs have been stealing from them for some time now, and they can't do anything about it. The hunters in the village wanted to hunt together if possible, but that way, they can't hunt as much as when they spread out their area of coverage. As such, they remain bothered by this problem for some time now. And his luck was just as bad too. Although he caught a boar, it only ended up in their hands.

Just when the skinny man was about to take a step forward,

Ssuk!

An arrow landed at the place he was about to step to. He was startled, thinking that the other hunters in the village came. He looked towards the source of the arrow, seeing a boy in his teen. The skinny man felt furious for being humiliated.

"You brat--"

He was about to say something when another arrow passed by his cheeks. His eyes widened in surprise.

'This brat can shoot!' He looked again at the kid clearly not older than 20. The kids his age should still be sucking on their momma's milk. He obviously did not expect that this kid can shoot an arrow towards other people without batting an eyelid.

"The next one won't miss."

Arscythe said as his gaze sharpened. The skinny man flinched as he finally realized that the kid is not joking.

"What do you want?" He asked with a hoarse voice. He did not even think that a day would come where he will be threatened by a kid that might be half his age.

"Release the man." Arscythe demanded.

The skinny man looked to his companion and nodded. The fat man then got up, releasing the guy lying on the ground. The guy then took distance and took out his bow too. He aimed at the two thugs as he said, "That boar, leave it."

The skinny man gritted his teeth as he reluctantly dropped the boar's carcass. He was helpless as they were being threatened by two bows, while all they have was a knife. The only reason they managed to restrain that hunter was that they ambushed him when he was basking in joy for having caught a boar. Against two experienced archers, their knife would not even reach the archer's toes with their speed. The moment they charged forward or took out their knife, an arrow will land on their head. As such, he had no choice but to do as they say.

The skinny man then glared at Arscythe. "Remember this."

With words that most third-rate villains would say, he turned around with the fat man in tow. Not long after, their figures cannot be seen anymore. After making sure they're gone, the man finally let go of his bow and put it down. Arscythe did the same. Then, the man walked towards Arscythe.

"Friend, thanks a lot for saving me. My name's Terry." He looks like a man in his 50s with his strands of white hair and a slightly wrinkled face. He offered his hand as he introduced himself.

Arscythe took it as he told Terry his name. "Arscythe, nice to meet you."