Morning cracked again as the light of Arionis shone brightly which woke our heroes up from their long deserved rest.
"Yawn! Boy that was some good rest!", Stephen exclaimed as he woke up streching his arms. The others started rising one by one as they woke each other up with hugs and kisses.
"So, off to the peak of this hill?", asked Violet yawning.
"Heck yeah! Let's hit it!", Ann yelled as she begun treking up the hill. The rest followed as the slope inclined higher and the peak begun to get closer. The hill was a simple one, a dusty path with a few mosses on its side, a few scattered stones and occasional lumps of muddy water. The sight may not be the prettiest but somehow the air was ever fresh, for these lands lay barren for years and the air was filled with open freshness. The eight kept climbing as they exchanged incidents about their lives and begun to know each other. Emma shared the incident where Stephen accidentally summoned a snake, Violet countered by explaining the hilarious time when Ruby turned Natasha into a rabbit! They giggled and laughed as they kept walking and climbing, unmindful of the time that was passing. They had grown so strongly fond of each other's company that the passing time and the strain on their legs wasn't evident.
"That's a mighty funny story! You three sure have had your fair share of fun in Veridia!", said Trent nudging Anneliese's arm.
"We sure have! Sounds like you five had your own mischiefs around the grounds of Sylvanora!", Natasha responded chuckling.
"That, we did! Wait till I tell you about the time Ann accidentally threw up in a Goblin's mouth!", Stephen yelled as he burst out in laughter.
"She did what?!", Violet asked chuckling.
"I was high, ok?! I'd like to see you hold 12 beers and not throw up!", Ann said punching Stephen's shoulder as her face reddened.
"Boy, did we get kicked out quickly for that!", Emma continued joking.
They all laughed together as a strong silence overcame then. They gazed at each other and felt both overjoyed and depressed at the same time. They were enjoying their times together, but they felt horrible for the way they treat each other earlier. They looked at each other as a communal glance ran across their eyes, signalling forgiveness for each other, and for themselves.
"You guys are really fun!", Stephen burst out as he tried breaking the silence.
"So are you!", Natasha replied.
"We're really sorry for earlier.", Trent said gripping Violet's arm.
"We're sorry too.", Violet replied as she gripped his arm strongly. Trent's face turned so red he couldn't tell which way was up.
"Okay something is definitely going on over there.", Stephen whispered to Natasha in slight disgust.
"I see it.", Natasha replied as she again rolled her eyes, she didn't handle teenage love well.
The eight exchanged apologies and once again continued their journey towards the top afoot. The journey was going smooth and bright as they enjoyed each other's company and the whiff of open air. The slope begun inclining stronger and stronger as a pale peak was to be seen from the bottom.
"Amazing! That's the peak of the first hill!", cried Emma from down below as she gazed at the peak of the mountain.
"Truly beautiful!", Violet added as she gazed back.
"Last one to reach the peak is a rotten Goblin egg!", Ann cried as she ran strongly afoot and made her way to the peak.
"Not so fast, missy!", Stephen yelled as he too ran behind her.
They all began running making strong haste towards the hill as they grew closer and closer, except Trent. He just stood there at the bottom smirking and grinning.
"Hey, bookworm, do you wish to be a Goblin egg?!", cried Violet panting at him from above.
"Nope.", he said as he withdrew a small coin like construction from his pocket. "You all do.", he ended as he tossed the construction far up above. The coin unraveled as a large net came raining down at the seven. The net slammed into them and anchored itself into the ground with some crazy mechanism.
"Who's the bookworm now, eggheads?!", cried Trent chuckling as he quickly ran past the trapped seven and nearly set foot on the peak of the hill. Violet wasn't one to let go of competition though, she quickly whipped out her blade as she made a clean slice on the net and dashed through it at great speeds. She ran towards the top of the hill with great haste chasing Trent strongly as her elf legs quickly caught up to his human feet.
"Uh-oh!", he exclaimed as Violet grew closer. The peak was very close and almost upon them, Trent's feel were only a few inches away from the peak. Just then however, Violet dashed strongly with her elf legs as her body crashed into Trent's and they both slammed into the ground of the peak. Violet's body was pressed strongly against Trent's as his back rested on the floor of the peak. They had both reached the top of the mountain as they lay on top of each other. The light shone ever brightly on the peak as it glimmered on the faces of the two ever so strongly. Their two bodies remain firmly pressed against each other as they rested on the peak of the mountain. Violet drew her head back as she gazed into his eyes, they were brown and glowed in the light of Arionis. Trent gazed back into her purple elf eyes as her soul overcame his mind, so deeply he was lost in those pearls he couldn't believe the sight that lay infront of him.
"You have such pretty eyes.", he said breathlessly as he brushed her hair back behind her ears to get a clean view.
"So do you.", Violet replied as words escaped her mouth without her permission.
A strong pause was felt between them as their lips grew closer, almost as if they were magnetized. No thoughts and no words were heard, just a strong pull was felt as an electric spark attracted their lips together.
"Ahem Ahem!", came Natasha's voice as she marched at the top of the hill.
"Oh! Uhh, hey Nats! Sorry for trapping you guys. Not cool, eh?", Trent said as he got up from underneath Violet, his legs were still wobbling.
"Nats? Mmhm.", Natasha replied as she smirked at Trent and rolled her eyes at Violet. Trent and Violet got back on their feet, still dazed by the events that preceded. The others finally came on top of the hill as the eight collected. They all sat down and panted as they felt the floor of the peak with their hands. Violet and Trent gazed into each others eyes as they smiled a beautiful smile, they were still shook from what had happened before, a magnetic pull that drew them together, electric it was truly.
"Hey, guys! Look at that!", Stephen cried as he gazed from the peak onto the amazing views that it held.
"Holy shit!", said Anneliese as she too gazed deeply inside.
"Gavin loves it!", Gavin said as his Troll eyes showed him something magnificent. The others too were caught by the calls of the three as they strongly turned and gazed into the views. They were lucky they did, for the views were absolutely magnificent. What they saw was an outline of the entire Arc that looked liked arms hugging the base of the very hills they stood on. From the peak they could see the a little of The Aquamara Bridge, a little of Wispwood and a magnificent highlight of The Narrow Arc! The sight was a perfect reminder of their journeys so far. They all turned around as their eyes feasted on the tremendous views that lay infront. They all turned around as they saw a little shadow that highlighted the peak of the third hill.
"That's our next destination!", cried Trent as he looked upon it, he loved planning ahead.
The sight of the third peak motivated them ever strong, for an urge to conquer the third ran strongly through them.
"I say we make downhill right now!", Stephen cried loudly. This astonished everyone as the imp who once complained walking a mile was rushing down the hills with strong legs, such were the powers a good view held. The others too ran down for the path downhill could be covered much quicker. They all walked down together, hand-in-hand, as they tried making quick work of the path. They were marching down gripping each other's arms not just for compassion, but also as a safety measure. If any piece of rock were to tear off, they could support each other with their strong chain arrangement, this was obviously Trent's idea. As the inevitable will have it, this happened multiple times, the rocks under one of them would slip down as the others would pull them strongly (Though truth be told, Gavin was the main reason they could). Through a lot of topples and though a lot of luck, they had finally made it to the bottom of the second hill and to the start of the third.
"Another valley, eh? Let's set a camp?", asked Stephen as he nearly tripped over a rock.
"It'll be dark out soon, so yes!", said Anneliese as she caught him before he fell.
"Do we do the whole same-tent-nonsense again, or do we get individual tents for once?", asked Stephen rolling his eyes.
"I guess we could keep our own tents for today.", Emma replied chuckling.
"Fine by me.", Ann added.
Trent and Violet didn't say anything, they just stared at each other for the entire downhill journey they were gripping each other's arm. Tents were set and lanterns lit as every member was set into their bases. The light grew dimmer and dimmer as it eventually died out, leading to a pitch black silence in the valley that joined the two hills. There were no animals, no mythics, no people, just our eight brave heroes in the pitch black silence of a barren valley. The lanterns gave out and every member snored a deep sleep for the journey was a tedious one. Everyone napped a pretty sleep, except Trent. His tent gave a bright glow in the canvas of the black night as he went over the maps for their next mission in Pyrothos. Violet woke up from her tent as she saw the light radiating from Trent's. She approached it as a moth attracted to a blazing fire.
"Anybody home?", she said as she peeked her head into his tent.
"Oh, hey!", Trent replied, taken aback.
"Couldn't sleep?", asked Violet letting herself in.
"Yup. Just thinking about the fact that we'll be on Pyrothos in a day or two. Lands there are not at all forgiving.", Trent said as he cocked his pistol.
"That's true. Don't you worry, we've got two elementals on our side, both of them can cast spells on us.", Violet replied smiling at him.
"I know. It's just that so far everywhere we've been they're been people around us, but not anymore.", he replied.
"We've got each other, isn't that enough?", asked Violet blushing.
"It is.", he replied gripping her arm.
They both blushed strongly as he withdrew his arm and turned around in embarassment.
"It's okay, don't be shy!", Violet said as she mocked and nudged him.
"You're really pretty, you know that?", Trent said turning around to her.
"So are you, book-y!", she replied chuckling.
"That's some strong lies right there.", he countered. Soon after he'd said this a strong silence overcame Violet as her smile was turned upside down.
"Why do you do that?", she asked him.
"Do what?", Trent asked puzzled.
"You always find a way to turn a compliment into an insult.", she said boldly.
"Oh, it's nothing! Just the way I am.", he said cocking his pistol.
"You realise it might effect those who appreciate you, right?", asked Violet again, taking a serious tone.
"There aren't that many left, you know?", he replied glumly.
"What do you mean?", she asked puzzled.
A strong silence overcame the room as Trent sighed and sniffled.
"What's the matter?", Violet asked gripping his arm. Trent was shook internally as he closed his eyes and tears let go of them.
"My mother and father died when I was 13.", he said looking into her eyes, "I have no fond memory of them. All the friends I made after that left me, all of them were gone forever.", he ended sorrowfully.
"What about those you have now?", asked Violet pressing her hand against his cheek.
"They'll leave too. It's bound to happen to people like me.", he said as his voice deepened.
"People like you?! What must you mean by that?!", Violet countered.
"I'm not a good person, Violet. I'm a con artist with no regard for emotions. I put work and books above my friends. I can't blame any of them for leaving my side.", he replied.
"Not a good person? Are you drunk?", she asked nudging him.
"Why do you say that?", he asked confused.
"The way I see it; you risked your life to help Stephen see his true abilities, you faught alongside Ann till your body gave out, you helped us all best the Polylithus with ease, and you helped your team best two mythics. If they leave you, jokes on them, bozo!", she ended as she elbowed him again.
"Anyone would do that for friends such great as mine.", he said brushing Violet off.
"You may not see it, Trent, but I do. I know you won't believe me, but I believe actions speak louder than words. I won't try and convince you tonight, rather I'll let time do it's magic, I have no doubt you'll realise the magic that flows inside you by the end of this trip.", she said as she hugged him strongly.
"Thank you.", is all Trent could say as tears left control of his eyes. The two hugged each other as miniutes passed by. They didn't move and kept their ground strong as they stayed locked in each other's embrace. Violet let go of her the hug as she gazed into Trent's eyes that shone like stars above her own.
"You have a beautiful mind.", she whispered in tenderness.
"So do you, Violet, so do you.", Trent said in response, completely breathless.
"I'm really grateful we ran into each other.", Trent added as he cupped her cheeks strongly into his hands.
"I am, too.", she replied brushing her cheeks against his palms.
The silence was felt again, the same magic they felt when they lay over one another on the peak of the hill. Again the electricity was felt through their veins as their lips grew themselves closer to each other, losing control of their will. Their lips were about to touch as their breaths exchanged and crossed paths. Trent widened his eyes as he came back to his senses and drew backwards.
"I'm so sorry! Didn't mean to do that!", he said as he walked aback.
"No, it's ok! I'm sorry, too. Don't be upset, it's quite alright.", Violet replied as she approached him.
"No, no, no! You must go back to your tent.", Trent said as he kept walking backwards.
"Why? Is everything okay with you?", asked Violet drawing back as well.
"Violet, we can't afford to be distracted from our true purpose. If we invest in each other right now we will never be able to fulfill what we came for. Our cause far outweighs our personal gain. We can talk about this after the foothills, but for now, we mustn't astray.", he replied boldly as his eyes broke contact.
Violet didn't take this well, the one person she found so mysterious and interesting had brushed her off.
"I guess I can understand that. Thank you for explaining it.", Violet said looking into the ground.
"Trust me, I too really want this. You're the prettiest thing I've ever laid eyes own, I really want to spend more of my time with you, I just can't do that right now. We have no idea what the next threat we face will be, we must stay on our senses at all times.", Trent said gripping her arm again.
"No, it's ok. You're right, we must stay alert. Thank you, again. And I'm sorry.", Violet said as she withdrew her arms from his grip and walked out the door of the tent. A strong silence overcame her as her feet left the opening of the tent, but before she left she felt a sudden warmth grow through her chest which hadn't ever been ignited before. "I love you, Trent.", she said under her breath without will as she left the tent and walked back to her own.
Trent just stood there as he regretted what he'd done. For if he had not stopped, they could've had each other, atleast for the night. Trent, however, felt what he did was in best thought for the team. A shattering pain broke him as he thought of letting go of Violet, yet he had to. He laid down and extinguished the lantern and fell to a bitter sleep.
The cold grew shriller as the distance between Trent and Violet had grown stronger. A chance to become one was severed into two and their hearts were left in a pain no words could describe. The lights gave out as both went to sleep, yet none of their minds rested that night.
