Mission

While reading the book, I remember a part that stuck in my mind.

[Everything in the world is magic; what changes is how you use it].

Now that makes total sense, the moment I laid eyes on that part. I didn't expect it to be so literal. It's ironic, saying this, given that my affinity is time, so it was expected to have someone with a skill completely out of the ordinary.

"This was just a warning. I can kill you whenever I want. Anyway, follow me."

He opens his hand, and the great pressure that was holding me down disappears. Who is this guy?

***

Several minutes passed as they reached the forest. During these minutes, we exchanged no words, just silence. Complete silence.

It makes me wonder if magic is found in everything. Could there be an affinity for simple silence?

"We're here, kid."

When he says this, I look around and notice how beautiful this forest is, which happens to be on the other side of the city. It seems like a beautiful forest; I feel the pure air, the plants are so beautiful. It's as if they were crafted by the gardener of paradise.

As we approach a tree, I see a boy with blond hair, brown eyes, and white skin. But what stood out was his armor, which was a combination of white and blue colors.

"You're here already, Éder?"

Upon hearing this, the boy who was enjoying the magnificent view quickly looks over, and his eyes meet mine.

"I thought it would just be me today, Hugo."

He says, giving me a questioning look.

"I brought a friend with me, isn't it more fun to do things together?"

He shrugs.

"Whatever, if you think it's better, I won't object."

"Well, kid, this is Éder Lamer. I think you're about the same age; he's seventeen."

At that moment, he realizes that he doesn't care about my name at all, especially how I'm going to explain the blood on my clothes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lucas, I'm also seventeen."

I go to shake his hand, but he refuses.

"No need for that. By the way, you might want to change your clothes. Animals can smell blood."

After saying this, Éder smiles.

For some reason, he didn't seem surprised by the blood on my clothes. Maybe it's related to being with Hugo. It brings a certain confidence, perhaps.

"Well, sit next to him, kid. I'll explain what you're going to do."

After saying that, I go over to where Éder was and sit next to him.

"I want you two to kill the East Cobra. It's been tormenting the people of the city and disrupting my crops. Here's a detailed map of the forest."

He hands Éder a highly detailed map of the forest we were admiring moments before.

"Be careful; if you smell meat, it means she's nearby. She uses that smell to attract other creatures and feed."

"Alright. Any other warnings?"

As he responds, I stand up, preparing to enter the dense forest.

"After you defeat her, I'll be here waiting. Good luck."

As he says this, he disappears from my sight. This guy is definitely very strong, but why doesn't he face her? So many questions.

"Well, are you going to stand there? Let's get going; I want to finish this today."

When I look back, Éder is already on the verge of entering the dense forest.

"Hold on!!! I'm coming."

How did he get there so fast? As I run over, I notice him laughing.

"Let's go!"

Upon reaching the spot, we immediately start entering the forest. Each step deeper into the forest reveals its beauty even more. If heaven truly exists, this is how I imagine it.

"According to the map, the cave where she stays is near a rainbow flower, Lucas."

I barely notice what he's saying, lost in the scenery. The birds singing, I'm mesmerized.

"Hey, Lucas. Focus here. We can't afford to lose concentration."

He comes up next to me and nudges me, bringing me back to reality.

"Sorry, this place is truly enchanting."

As I say this, Éder looks at me and smiles.

"I agree with you, but I believe that's why no one's been able to find her. Many get paralyzed by the beauty and simply stand here."

As he says that, I spot a bright flower of various colors in the distance.

"Éder!! There's the flower. I see it."

Éder quickly looks back and manages to catch the same sight as me, he's captivated.

"Let's go, Lucas. We can't waste any time!"

As we run towards the flower, I remember when I was a child, spending part of my day playing tag with Liz. The moonlight falling on us, staying up late at night playing. These are the few memories I'm happy to remember.

"Got you, Lucas! It's so beautiful... It's magnificent."

As we approach it, we can see how stunning it is. It's alone in the middle of the forest, as if its family had left it there.

"Éder, can I touch it?"

I can sense some reluctance from him, but he hands it over to me. As I bring it close to my nose, I smell a sweet aroma, the sweetest in the world. I want it all to myself; it's mine.

"Lucas, let me have it. You've had it long enough."

I simply ignore what he said and hold onto it in my hands. I won't give it up.

"Give it back to me, I got it first. It's mine!"

Éder pushes me away and takes the flower for himself, I feel anger rising. Who does he think he is? It's mine, I found it first.

Up until this moment, I had been carrying the book in my left hand, and the flower was in my right. In a fit of anger, I drop the book and go straight to punch him.

"GIVE IT BACK TO ME."

Without much thought, I take advantage of Éder being fixated on the beautiful flower and hit him with a punch from my left hand, knocking him far away.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? IT DOESN'T DESERVE YOU."

As he falls, the flower lands on the ground, I quickly kneel down to it, admiring it.

Without realizing anything, I'm met with a right punch from him, and he takes the flower for himself

"GIVE IT BACK TO ME, YOU SHIT."

Without wasting time, I get up, preparing to hit him.

At that moment, he looks at me and smiles.

"Rest for a bit. I'm going to enjoy her beauty."

Éder holds it with his left hand, and as I approach, I get a direct hit in my face.

For some reason, time slowed down a moment before, but I couldn't dodge. I could see a blue aura from his fist.

When I tried to think again, I was on the ground, blood coming out of my forehead.

"If you're lucky, you'll get out of here alive today. Until next time, Lucas."

Damn, I hadn't recovered from my previous fight yet, and this blow from him. It's making me dizzy, very dizzy.

Things are swaying for me, it's all getting dark. Will this be the time I die?

I can see my blood spreading on the grass, which moments ago was green, and now it's turning red. My blood.