Chapter 4: A Connection With One Another

After finishing sparring with each other, the two sat down on the grass and decided to have a little talk. Axel asks the woman with a curious face,

"So I haven't asked this question since I meet you; what is your name?" asked Axel.

"My name is Linda RoseFire; you can call me Linda," said the woman looking at Axel.

After that, Axel also introduces himself to Linda,

"Linda, huh? That's a beautiful name. Nice to meet you. My name is Axel Thundermaw; you can call me Axel," said Axel

"Oh, thank you, nice to meet you too, Axel," said Linda smiling at him.

Suddenly they heard something from the bushes behind them; quickly, Axel pulls out his sword and is on the defensive. Axel turns to Linda and tells her,

"Stay behind me!" said Axel.

"O-ok," sputtered Linda, scared.

Quickly she stands behind him, and Axel pulls out his sword, prepares to attack whoever is in the bushes. The bushes shake and shake; then, a little white rabbit pops out from the bushes. When Axel sees that it was just a rabbit, he said a bit disappointed but also relieved,

"Oh, I thought there was an enemy or another wild animal ready to attack. But it's just a cute little rabbit," said Axel sheeting his sword away.

When Linda sees the little white rabbit, she squealed with joy and excitement; she catches the rabbit and excitedly asked Axel,

"Can we keep him!" asked Linda with joy.

"Sure, as long it makes you happy," said Axel smiling at her.

She cheers excitedly and jumps in the air while holding the little white rabbit. They decided to name the little white rabbit "Snowball" because of its white fur, which makes it look like a fluffy ball of snow.

While they were playing with Snowball; They decided to head back to the camp and started to make food and build a little house for their; little new friend, Snowball. Linda stays behind continues building the tiny house while Axel goes out hunting. After a while, Linda finally finished constructing the house for Snowball, and she decided to take a break. Then from behind her, she heard a branch snap. She jumped in surprise when she hears the sound; she takes out her spear and shouts,

"Who's there!" shouted Linda.

Silents are only the reply; then she suddenly hears a deep voice behind her saying,

"I can see you..."

She is trembling with fear, then from bushes behind her; Axel jumps out from the bushes and scares her, which causes Linda to scream and fall onto the ground, both scared and frightened. Axel started chuckles when he sees Linda's reaction as he scared her, then, Linda begins to cry, she runs up to him giving him a tight hug, she berates him while in tears,

"You idiot! Why do you have to do that; I was scared something might've happened to you!" said Linda crying while hugging Axel tightly.

Axel stops chuckling, and he pats her on the head and apologizes for scaring her,

"Ok, I maybe have done that a little too much. I should've thought first before I do that; I'm sorry, Linda," said Axel continuing to pat Linda on the head.

She accepts his apology, and Axel helped her to calm down. After the two finished their little argument, they both sat down on the grass and watched the beautiful sky together. Axel said to Linda while viewing the bright sky,

"*sigh* it's relaxing; to just watch the clouds, huh?" said Axel.

"Yeah, it's beautiful, oh hey, look, that cloud; is shaped like a flower," said Linda pointing at the flower-shaped cloud.

"Hey, you're right, oh wait, I see another one. That kinda looks like a butterfly," said Axel pointing at the butterfly-shaped cloud.

The two continue to have fun pointing at weirdly-shaped clouds. After a while later, Axel said to Linda,

"Stay here for a moment; I'll be back," said Axel.

He stands up and heads back into his tent; Linda just looked on in confusion as he returns with a flask in his hand. He walks back over and sits back down on the grass next to her. Axel opens the cap to the flask and starts to drink; Linda continues to look at this weird flask Axel is holding, and after he finished drinking, Linda asks,

"What are you drinking?" asked Linda.

"Hm? Oh, it's just water. What, you thought I drink alcohol or something?" asked Axel.

"W-What? N-No, it's just, I'm just asking you know, hmph!" said Linda, pouting.

Axel rolled his eyes and closed his flask; he puts the flask beside him and lays it down on the grass. While looking at the sky, Axel bluntly asks Linda,

"So, do you have a master or teacher you missed?" asked Axel.

She looks at him and begins to tear up as she remembers the sad memories of her parting ways with her teacher long ago. With teary eyes, she just muttered,

"Yes, I do..." said Linda looking at him with a sad expression on her face.

"What's wrong, Linda? are you ok?" asked Axel, a bit concerned.

She's just silent and continues to look down towards the ground, whimpering; Axel begins to feel worried about her. He sits up and scooches over to Linda, and he comforted while calmly tells her,

"I know why you're sad; you also parted ways with your teacher, too; I presume? I know that feeling, believe me," said Axel while rubbing her head softly.

"Yes, I missed my teacher, this is the last time I saw her, and I've never seen her again since then," said Linda, now crying in Axel's arms.

Axel continues comforting her, and then he tells her,

"Linda, I'm sure where ever your teacher is, she will keep on watching you and see you grow and become a stronger warrior. And I'm sure she will be proud of you," said Axel giving her a thumbs up.

She looks at him and smiles, then said,

"Thank you, Axel. You understand me," said Linda wiping her tears.

Axel sees a good 'opportunity' for him; he nervously asks Linda,

"Linda, h-how about we go on a walk, y-you know, just to relax?" asked Axel nervously.

"Sure, I'm glad to," said Linda.

"R-Really? Great, let's go!" said Axel, both excited and relieved.

So the two heads out to enjoy their walk through the grassy fields. To relax their minds; from their painful memories of the past. And as the two walked together; Axel said to himself,

"Whew, glad that works," said Axel, relieved. "I was worried for a moment that she wouldn't accept; that sure would make me kinda sad, to be honest. But at least good work for me!" said Axel, patting himself on the back.