chapter 7 trust on your friends

The group had set up camp in the desolate wilderness. The air was cool, and a faint breeze carried the scent of freshly churned earth from the recent battles.

Jasper lay on a makeshift bed inside Leon's tent, his body battered and aching. Every slight movement sent jolts of pain through his broken right arm and left leg. Despite the discomfort, he tried to sit up, his stubborn resolve pushing him forward.

"Let's move," Jasper said through gritted teeth. His voice was firm, but his body betrayed him, trembling under the strain.

Leon, kneeling beside him, placed a firm hand on Jasper's shoulder, gently pushing him back down. "You're in no condition to move right now," he said, his tone calm but resolute. "If you push yourself like this, you'll cause internal bleeding or worse—permanent damage to your blood vessels and bones."

Jasper hesitated, the weight of Leon's words settling over him. Reluctantly, he lay back down, frustration flickering in his eyes.

"We'll take a quick break before continuing to Phoenix Town," Leon added.

Leon extended his right arm, and a soft golden glow emanated from his palm. "**Golden Flames of Recovery,**" he whispered. A dome of translucent golden light surrounded Jasper, flickering gently as the flames worked to mend his broken bones and torn muscles.

Jasper winced as his body began to regenerate slowly. "How long will this take?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Not long," Leon replied. "But you need to stay still and let the flames do their work."

Leon reached into his bag and retrieved a bundle of herbs. He began squishing them between his fingers, extracting a thick green liquid. Channeling his **Ivorn Energy**, he infused the liquid, causing it to glow faintly.

"Drink this," Leon said, handing Jasper the glowing concoction.

Jasper took the liquid, his nose wrinkling at the foul smell. "This smells worse than the beasts we fought," he muttered before downing it in one gulp. He coughed, his face twisting in disgust. "And it tastes even worse."

Despite the bitterness, he could feel a surge of energy spreading through his body, revitalizing his depleted strength.

Jasper lay quietly for a moment before breaking the silence. "Leon," he began, his voice softer now. "I… I'm sorry. For being this weak."

Leon paused, looking at Jasper with a warm yet concerned expression. "You don't have to apologize for that," he said, his tone comforting. "We're friends, right? We've got your back."

Jasper glanced at him, his eyes searching for sincerity.

Leon smiled gently. "You always try to do everything on your own, don't you? Carrying all the burdens by yourself. But that's not how it works, Jasper. If you want to become strong, you have to trust your friends. Lean on us when you need to. Strength isn't just about fighting alone—it's about standing together."

Jasper remained silent, Leon's words sinking deep into his heart.

"There's no shame in being weak," Leon continued. "Acknowledging it is the first step to becoming stronger. And I know you have what it takes, Jasper. You've got more potential than you realize."

Leon chuckled, breaking the serious tone. "Enough of my lecture. You know, Natasha was really worried about you. When you were unconscious, I saw the relief on her face when you woke up. It was like she had regained the most precious thing in her life."

Jasper closed his eyes, Natasha's face flashing in his mind. He remembered her expression—the mix of determination and fear when she saved him from the gorilla. Opening his eyes again, he looked at Leon.

"Leon," Jasper said hesitantly. "I… feel like there's something about Natasha. Something wrong. She's always smiling, always looking happy, but I can sense a hollowness inside her."

Leon's expression darkened slightly, a shadow of sadness crossing his face. "It's her past," he said quietly.

Jasper looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

Before Leon could answer, Jasper asked another question, his curiosity getting the better of him. "How are you so good at this, Leon? I mean… healing and everything."

Leon smiled, his gaze softening. "Before coming to this planet, I was a medical student. I wanted to be a doctor."

Jasper's eyes widened in surprise.

"But after being stranded here, I had to fight to survive," Leon continued. "I killed countless beasts, and through that, I gained healing abilities. It's ironic, isn't it? The same power I use to destroy is what helps me heal."

Jasper stared at Leon, a newfound admiration growing in his heart. "You're… incredible, Leon," he said. "You're not just a great fighter—you're a healer, a leader. You're everything I aspire to be."

Leon laughed softly. "I'm just doing what I can to keep us all alive. But thanks, Jasper. That means a lot."

Leon's expression turned serious again as he prepared to share Natasha's story. "You asked about Natasha, right?"

Jasper nodded, his curiosity piqued.

Leon sighed, his gaze distant. "When I first met Natasha, she was… different. She was broken, Jasper. She had lost everything. I don't know the full details, but she carries a pain so deep it's like a part of her soul was torn away."

He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Convincing her to join us—to fight for something again—wasn't easy. But I saw something in her. A spark. A strength buried beneath all that pain."

Jasper listened intently, his respect for Natasha growing with every word.

Leon continued, "She's not just fighting for herself, Jasper. She's fighting to protect what she couldn't save in the past. That's why she pushes herself so hard. And why she was so desperate to save you. You remind her of… someone."

"Someone?" Jasper echoed.

Leon nodded but didn't elaborate. "That's all I can say for now. It's not my story to tell in full."

Jasper leaned back, his mind swirling with thoughts. He didn't fully understand Natasha's pain, but he felt a deep resolve forming within him. He would prove to her—and to himself—that he wasn't a burden.

As the golden flames continued to heal his body, Jasper closed his eyes. His heart was heavy with determination.

"I'll get stronger," he thought. "Not just for me, but for all of them. For Natasha. For Leon. For everyone who believes in me."

---

And cut

Chapter this soon. Well well just enjoy the buffet. Well it was quite a break chapter. A come down for how the things have been happening. Tell me in the reviews how you like it. Did your curiosity increase about natasha's passed. Don't worry have some patience I will reveal it soon enough. That's all I want to say take care.

Mr John said"or whatever"