Chapter thirty six

Chapter 36: The Reunion with Rose

The world outside seemed to be in a perpetual state of motion as Crow stepped through the dense forest, the towering trees swaying gently in the breeze. But his thoughts weren't on the environment around him; they were focused on the journey ahead, the battles he had fought, and the beasts that now followed him. His mind, however, was pulled away from the path as a memory resurfaced—one that had been buried beneath the weight of his growth and the challenges he had faced.

Rose...

The name echoed in his mind, stirring a mix of emotions. Rose had been his childhood friend, someone who had always been there for him, someone who had witnessed his weakest moments. But that was before everything changed, before the betrayal, before the world had shifted and turned upside down. Crow's expression hardened, but beneath it, there was a glimmer of hope—a hope that things might be different now.

As he walked deeper into the forest, the air grew heavier, charged with an odd sense of familiarity. It was as though the very trees were whispering her name. And then, as if fate itself had intervened, he heard a voice—a voice that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Crow."

His heart skipped a beat.

He turned, his eyes narrowing as they scanned the surroundings. There, standing at the edge of a small clearing, was a figure—a figure he hadn't seen in years. She was tall, with long, flowing brown hair that shimmered in the sunlight, her eyes the same vibrant green that he remembered. The same green that had once been a source of comfort and warmth. Rose.

"Is that really you?" Crow's voice was low, filled with disbelief.

Rose, clad in an adventurer's outfit with a sword hanging by her side, stepped into the clearing. There was a quiet confidence about her, but also something else—a hint of hesitation, as if she wasn't entirely sure how to approach him.

"It's really me," she said, her voice softer than he remembered. There was a touch of vulnerability in her tone, but it was quickly masked by the steely resolve in her gaze.

Crow felt a weight in his chest, a mixture of emotions that he couldn't quite place. Rose had always been a part of his life, but now, after everything that had transpired, there was an almost painful distance between them. They had both changed, grown in ways that neither could have anticipated. But the fact that she was here—standing before him now—was a miracle in itself.

"Why are you here, Rose?" Crow asked, his voice edged with a sense of caution. He wasn't sure if he was ready to fully trust her again, not after everything that had happened.

Rose paused, her gaze softening as she looked at him. "I don't know, Crow. I've been searching for you for a long time. I couldn't just let you disappear without understanding why you left." She stepped closer, her eyes searching his face for answers. "I know I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most, but I want to make up for it. If you'll let me."

Crow remained silent, his eyes locking with hers. The memories of their time together—their shared laughter, the promises they'd made to each other as children—flooded his mind. But there was also the darker part of their past, the betrayal, the secrets that had torn them apart. He had been forced to grow up quickly, to become something he had never intended. He had to leave his past behind in order to survive, but now, seeing Rose again, he wasn't sure what to feel.

"Why now, Rose? After everything?" Crow's voice trembled ever so slightly, betraying the emotions he had been holding back. "Why come back when you could have just moved on?"

Rose's eyes flickered with pain, and for the first time since they had met again, she seemed vulnerable. "Because I never stopped thinking about you, Crow. I know I made mistakes, but I can't undo the past. What I can do now is be here for you. I want to help you, help us both."

Crow let out a long, slow breath, his eyes shifting to the ground as he processed her words. He had spent so long convincing himself that he didn't need anyone, that he was better off alone. But now, with Rose standing before him, that sense of independence felt hollow.

He wasn't sure if he could trust her again. He didn't know if he was ready to let her back into his life after everything that had happened. But he also couldn't deny the part of him that had missed her—the part that wanted to believe that some things could still be repaired.

"I don't know if I can forgive you yet, Rose," Crow said quietly, his eyes meeting hers once more. "But I'm willing to see where this goes. Just don't expect me to forget what happened. You've changed, and so have I. But maybe... maybe we can figure it out."

Rose nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "That's all I ask for, Crow. I just want the chance to prove that I'm different. That I'm here for you now, no matter what."

Crow stared at her for a long moment, the weight of their shared history hanging in the air between them. And then, without a word, he turned and began walking deeper into the forest, the path ahead uncertain, but at least, for the first time in a long while, not entirely alone.

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Crow's Stats Update:

New Companion: Rose, Childhood Friend

Class: Warrior

Level: 10

Health: 15,000

Mana: 5,000

Attack: 10,000

Defense: 8,000

Speed: 12,000

Skills:

Sword Mastery: Grants the ability to deal additional damage with swords and similar weapons.

Protective Aura: Provides a protective shield around allies, reducing damage taken by 10%.

Battle Cry: Increases the attack power of nearby allies for 30 seconds.

Crow couldn't help but glance back once more, his thoughts drifting toward what Rose might bring to this new chapter of his journey. For now, however, there was no time for hesitation. They had battles to face, beasts to tame, and a future to carve out together.

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To Be Continued...