Zero

Durneal

As twilight draped the land in hues of indigo and gold, two boys traversed the ancient path leading back to the bustling town of Durneal. Jaylen, with his tousled blonde hair catching the last rays of sunlight, glided effortlessly on his halo pad—a radiant disc shimmering beneath his feet. His fingers danced across the ethereal keyboard, a flurry of fervent keystrokes echoing in the stillness as he scoured for his next grand adventure. Beside him walked Astral, a figure cloaked in shadow, his dark attire contrasting sharply with Jaylen's vibrant energy. He preferred silence, a solitary traveler in a world brimming with noise, stealing glances at Jaylen's screen with a mixture of curiosity and restraint.

"Hey, wanna join me on my next mission?" Jaylen's voice cut through the quiet, hopeful and persuasive. Astral's response was immediate, his gaze unwavering.

"No," he declared firmly, the finality in his tone as unyielding as the mountains that flanked their path. "I said I was only doing one. I'm not doing another."

Jaylen's enthusiasm dimmed slightly, desperation creeping into his tone."Come onnnn, I need help this time—"

"No, do it yourself," Astral snapped, his patience fraying as he took strides away from his friend, the tension palpable in the air.

"But I have to fight a dragon..." Jaylen's admission hung heavy between them, a plea wrapped in the fabric of impending doom.

Astral halted, his body taut, an instinctual fear igniting within him. "NO!" he bellowed, fists clenched, as if the very thought of facing the beast ignited a flame of ancient terror deep within.

Taken aback, Jaylen looked down, the weight of his Teammates distress settling in his chest. "...Okay...fine. I can do it alone. I don't need you." With a heavy heart, he turned away, determination mingling with a hint of sorrow as he set his sights toward Durneal, a city scarred by dragonfire and chaos, where his destiny awaited him amidst the shadows of uncertainty.

Astral stood rooted to the spot, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him as he watched Jaylen walk away. The words he longed to utter hung heavy in the air, but fear clamped down on his voice, leaving him silent and vulnerable. "..." he hissed softly, his heart aching with the weight of unspoken thoughts. How could he let him go like this?

Meanwhile, Jaylen strode confidently through the dense embrace of the forest, the dust swirling around his feet with each determined step. The path before him lay strewn with grainy earth, yet his mind was clouded, not with fear of the dragon that awaited him, but with the sting of betrayal from someone he'd thought he knew. The thought of Astral's sudden departure gnawed at him, a dull ache beneath his bravado. He could slay a dragon; but could he mend the rift that had formed so abruptly between them?

The forest enveloped him with its enchanting beauty, a tapestry of life both chaotic and harmonious. Towering cypress, crab apple, and cottonwood loomed overhead, their leafy crowns filtering the sunlight into a gentle glow. Below, a vibrant underbrush flourished, with disorderly saplings thriving in the rich, fertile soil. Swooping vines draped elegantly from the trees, their tendrils weaving a delicate latticework of green. Here, a cacophony of colors clashed as wildflowers erupted from the earth, their petals catching the dwindling light, creating a stark contrast against the muted tones of the forest floor. The air was alive with sound; the rustle of leaves, the distant roar of a waterfall, and the echoing calls of larger animals formed a chaotic yet beautiful symphony. Each noise melded into the next, creating an orchestra of the wild that both invigorated and distracted Jaylen as he pressed deeper into the heart of the forest. Yet, even amidst this natural wonder, the disquiet in his heart lingered.

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the tangled forest path as Jaylen trudged onward, uncertainty gnawing at his heart. With every step, the weight of the journey pressed heavier upon him; perhaps he should have seized a horse before venturing into the unknown. Just as doubt threatened to overwhelm him, a thunderous sound broke through the tranquility—the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the earth.

Startled, Jaylen spun around, his breath hitching in his throat as a magnificent brown horse materialized before him, its powerful frame towering with grace. Atop it sat Astral, a figure of imposing confidence, his black hair catching the last rays of sunlight. Behind him, a striking white horse sauntered with an elegance that took Jaylen's breath away.

"Astral!" Jaylen exclaimed, his anxiety melting into relief and surprise. "You're here—why?"

"Because, if I let you go alone, you would certainly die," Astral replied bluntly, a frown etched across his face.

"Oh—right." Jaylen's gaze flickered to the white horse, trotting gracefully toward him. "Is...she mine?"

"Yes...consider it a gift," Astral replied, his tone softening just a fraction.

"Wow, thank you!" Jaylen said, his heart swelling with gratitude. Mounting the horse, he grasped the bridle, feeling a spark of connection with the creature beneath him.

"Let's go; it's quite far from here," Astral urged, guiding his horse along the winding trail, saddlebags filled with supplies clinking gently with every step. As they rode side by side, Jaylen stared down at the forest floor, his mind swirling with a tempest of questions—about their quest, the dangers that lay ahead, and the mysterious bond he felt with the white horse. Each hoofbeat echoed his heartbeat, whispering promises of adventure, friendship, and a destiny yet to be revealed. The world around them blurred into a tapestry of shadows and light, and with Astral by his side, Jaylen felt the stirrings of hope amidst the uncertainty.