The Small Rest

The villagers erupted in disbelieving screams: 

"WHAT???!!"

"A WISH?"

"I can finally heal my daughter's disease!"

"I WANT TO GET RICH!"

Someone yelled, "I want to conquer the Four kingdoms!" 

The crowd turned as one, stares sharpening like knives. 

"...Just kidding! Haha!"

'A wish...' Leo's body trembled. 

'Finally... a way to find Lin.'

"I will participate..." He turned to Alice, eyes blazing.

"I'll participate too!!" Alice leaped, braids flying. 

 "No, You're a child.. you'll get hurt." Leo rubbed his forehead. 

"NO WAYYY!!"

"Anyways, we need rest." Leo grabbed her hand. 

"Let's find somewhere quiet."

"Agreed!" Alice playfully covered her ears. "These crowds make my ears ache!"

After a light walk, Leo and Alice found an isolated spot near the village , a lush green space by the river, surrounded by trees. No one seemed to have been there for years. 

 "Is this... private property?" Alice teased. "You'll get us in trouble, Leo!"

"What..? " Leo blinked, uncomprehending.

When they arrived, Leo stripped to his waist and began training. Alice watched from the grass, belly-down with cheeks propped in her hands, legs playfully kicking the air. 

"Wow! Leo, you're so powerful!"

Her eyes suddenly caught something glinting near Leo's discarded clothes. 

"A bracelet, huh...?" She snatched it, swinging the trinket on her finger. 

"Stop!" Leo's voice cracked like a whip. 

"...That's not a toy."

"Ummm... okay!" Alice hurled the bracelet aside and bolted toward the river. 

"Alice, don't run! Come back!"

"Eee! Don't worry—I'll return!!"

Minutes later, she reappeared, hands overflowing with wild blueberries. 

"Where did you get those?" Leo eyed her sharply. 

"Ah... the forest nearby? Haha..?"

"There are no forests here, Alice." He sighed.

"Haha..." A Nervous sweat beaded on her forehead. 

"Ah, never mind. I hope you didn't steal the villagers. Next time, don't run off without my permission." 

"OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir!" Alice saluted, fist pressed to her chest.

"Anyways, it's too late. Let's sleep." 

"WHAT?! The sun's still up!! It hasn't slept yet!"

"Alice." Leo's expression hardened.

"Okay, okay! Fine!" She smiled innocently as sunset light set her hair ablaze in orange.

Alice flopped onto the grass, fake-snoring within seconds

She really reminds me of Lin...

I hope she doesn't become a burden in the future.

"Ehh..." In the night's middle, Alice rubbed her eyes in the moonlit dark

Leo trained relentlessly , swinging his massive sword, moonlight glinting off sweat... and tears

"Leo..." 

She watched him, eyes wide with worry,

On the coliseum's far side, a glimmer shone from one of the chambers. 

Inside, A blue-haired girl, small and helpless, was locked in a cage a spark of light pulsing from within her.