TBATE - To fulfill a promise

6. New Moon

A/N: MY DUMBASS FORGOT TO GIVE THIS CHAPTER A NAME....

Tessia Eralith's POV:

"I come in peace," a girl said, holding up her plate of flame-grilled meat and vegetables still steaming.

"..."

"I know there are all those horror stories of backstabbing in the convergence zone but I just wanted to express my gratitude," she continued, shooting me a shy smile. "If it wasn't for your support, I'm not sure if my team and I would've made it through

"That's an exaggeration!" I said. During the whole fight, I struggled more than I want to admit. The only thing I was somewhat glad about was that I didn't need anyone to help me.

"Still..." the girl offered me a plate. "I insist."

"Thank you," I told. The smell of the food made my mouth drool. I haven't eaten anything normal since arriving here.

"And my name is Daria Lendhert, by the way. If you're looking for a team, we have an extra simulet and strong strikers are always welcome." She introduced herself before walking away after I rejected her offer.

I stared at the food, my royal teaching about 'carefully inspecting the food to see if it was poisoned' was forgotten as I sent a fork in my mouth. After a long exhausting day, this food was perfect. The taste of the meat blended well with the vegetables and before I knew it. All the greens and half of the meat were gone.

"So how many teammates did you lose?" someone said behind me, interrupting my peaceful break.

I took a time to think but decided to remain.

"Oh, sorry, was insensitive of me." he noticed my fake frown. "My name is Trider, by the way," the man said, leaning toward me and extending a hand. "And I guess I'm a quasi-solo ascender now too since my teammate died."

"..."

"I guess ascending solo makes you a bit cautious but that's okay. Anyway, I came here to see if you'd like a partner for the rest of this ascent. I'm not sure how far you're trying to go but I plan on getting out at the next crossroad so if you want to—"

"I apologize, but I decline."

"What? Oh, are you worried about splitting accolades? If that's the case, I think it'd be fair to separate and individually keep accolades from beasts we kill ourselves and split even fifty-fifty for beasts we have to kill together."

"Still, I decline."

"That's an honorable arrangement," Trider said with a tinge of frustration in his voice but gave up after more silence. The offer still stands, unless you've already accepted the offer from the Lehndert blood prodigy," he said with a hint of disappointment. "I wouldn't blame you if you did either, she's a gifted caster."

After Trider walked back to his small camp I continued to rest. The camps began packing up their belongings, each of them getting ready to go as if there was an agreement established beforehand.

Daria gave me a knowing stare, expecting me to follow her and she smiled as I did so. The girl that I saved and their two bodyguards from what I assumed was with Daria's group.

Before we left, the girl came up to me and made a slight bow. "Thank you for holding off the carallian after I tripped. My name is Caera Denoir," she said, clearly forced and uninterested to do more. I nodded before we left. Our pace was at constant pace toward where the red moon was. A long awkward silence was between the four of us and felt constantly nervous as a being so close to alacryans.