Chapter 5: An Unnecessary Panic

"Describe it carefully" - I said seriously

"I-I feel a lack of energy physically and I feel a pain within my legs that does not cease" - She said quickly

"..."

I sat down slumped and put my face in my hands and sighed in despair. And here I was, feeling worried about her. In reality I should be scared FOR her.

"Is it a terrible disease?" - Serena asked fearful now upon seeing my reaction

"...Serena?"

"Y-Yes?" - she said bracing herself for terrible news

"Are you perhaps describing what it feels like to be tired?"

"...You mean to say that the pain from exercise continues after you stop?" - she asked hesitantly as if such a thing was impossible.

"Mostly but it depends" - I sighed.

Serena fell silent. We watched the landscape and I allowed myself to relax slightly. My wound should heal and close by itself barring any infection and according to Serena the road was visible on the horizon.. As long as we keep alert we should be able to get there relatively easily. But just in case I should teach Serena how to run properly or she'll get 'cursed' again.

Before I could though, Serena spoke up.

"So you are also suffering from tiredness" - She asked

"No, I mean I am a little, but for you it's a lot because you haven't ran before" - I replied

"That...is true. However I created this body to have excellent capabilities, it should be fine" - She said confused

"It doesn't really matter if you run like an amatuer" - I said remembering. She had been taking turns between sprinting and jogging continuously. I couldn't help but think of a yo-yo.

Serena suddenly turned to face me directly. Her sky silver eyes staring through me. And with her whole being asked.

"Please teach me, not only to run but...everything humans have to offer"

"-!"

I'd thought that she might give up after having time to confront her fall from power. Going to what looked like omnipotence to having a one-time use of that ability basically being a human...Depressing. I couldn't imagine it. Yet here she was, the desire to improve reflected back onto me. It's funny. I was going to try and teach her even if she hadn't asked but she'd already beaten me to it… Not only that but Serena was already looking towards the future...

"Yes, I'll teach you. We're going to be partners in rehabilitation after all, right?" I said

"Yes...and thank you" and for the first time since we've met. She gave a sincere smile

"Hehe, I won't lose to you, you know?" I said defiantly

"What do you mean" - she tilted her head confused

"Err nevermind anyways about pacing-"

I then spent a few minutes teaching her the basics. At the end I was confident we wouldn't ever be forced to fight like before. She absorbed everything astonishingly quickly. She definitely wasn't exaggerating about her body's capabilities but her mind's ability to discard old information and accept new information was equally impressive.

"We should start heading out of here as soon as you're ready" - I said to Serena after we'd finished

"Why?" - said Serena. "There are no Goblins nearby"

I told her about my speculation about packs of goblins living under some of the hills around us, coming out at night to invite us to personally experience Goblin cuisine.

"Should we check?" - Serena asked

"No Serena, we should not throw ourselves down dangerous holes to 'check;' if there really is a horde of goblins underneath us. It's a somewhat personal principle of mine"

She paused but finally nodded when she heard that it would be against my 'principles'

I lamented her thought process but noticed that she asked this time instead of running off to find a hole to dive head first into. Our relationship had changed from people with a common interest to partners, it was a nice feeling.

"I understand then let us leave" - Serena said before walking in the wrong direction.

Well progress is still progress

* * *

After telling Serena that I actually wanted to go to the road in the distance. We finally set off. Serena was in charge of detecting Goblins since apparently her eyes were still those of a 'Reaper'. So seeing into the distance and detecting a Goblin should be overkill and yet she has made some questionable decisions lately. Very questionable. Thus I had taken it upon myself the solemn duty to watch Serena while she watches out for Goblins.

And it worked, thanks to Serena we avoided two more patrols. Making very wide circles around them. Serena asked why the caution and I hesitated before telling her about the wolves I'd seen earlier that were seemingly hunting the Goblins. I then spent a longer time than I care to admit convincing her that the phrase "the enemy of your enemy is your friend" is sometimes a very fast way to get killed.

After evading those goblin patrols we didn't run into anything out of the ordinary. If I suddenly forgot that I nearly died today...wait no I already did die today didn't I? Anyways if I did forget everything that happened today, I'd say I was out for a nice relaxing walk in nice safe lands on a nice sunny day with Serena. On that particular front however...

"...I am unable to tell you"

"Why? I thought we became best buddies back there"

"I am aware but...it's complicated" - She said, choosing her words carefully.

"I don't know, but if you can tell me what I'm being rehabilitated for. We'll have a goal to work towards. Then once I'm 'rehabilitated' or whatever you can get all your Reaper abilities back, right?" I said

I saw her eyes flash briefly before saying

"You are not wrong but it is not that simple...I'm sorry"

"I see...well if you can't then there's nothing that can be done" I said trying not to sound disappointed

It was a shame but I suppose it couldn't have been that easy. For the foreseeable future we would have to survive in this world without any strength to begin with. It was going to be incredibly tough. There's a serious chance that my knowledge from Earth will not matter at all here, even if it did I wouldn't be able to protect myself or the inventions I might introduce here. I looked down on my spoils of war, a measly Goblin spear. I had a feeling, just a feeling mind you that I wouldn't be lauded as a champion anytime soon.

While I was thinking about the uncertain future. At some point the land around us became flat and the road was close enough now to make out its details. Of which were not many. It was a dirt road that extended off into the far distance in both directions. Not much at all. However it represented proof. Proof that civilization was nearby which by itself represents safety and food. So really the road represented hope. Hope that wouldn't be in jeopardy unless-

"There is something on the road" - Serena said

Overcoming my sense of deja vu. I followed along her finger for the second time today. On the road there was a faint silhouette moving towards us. Its figure was fuzzy but it was obvious to see even at a distance. It wasn't a monster. Which means that very soon we were about to meet the first inhabitant of this world.