Bell the white core mage

Eggs and books

Bell and Nazha exited from Orario's eastern gate and made their way to the Seolo forest. It rested at the base of the Alv mountains which then led into the Alf forest.

Bell carried his weapons with him while Nazha carried a bow on her back with a quiver on her left hip and a satchel on her right.

They were currently walking down the dirt road in silence with Bell glancing at her from time to time. The woman was just smiling, as if her excitement was being barely contained.

"Alright, we're far enough away from the city that you can tell me about this secret project of yours," Bell said.

But Nazha still smiled. "In due time, help me complete this task and I'll tell you all about it."

Bell merely rolled his eyes and adjusted Dawn's Ballad. Nazha had been parading around this secret like it was some sort of holy grail. He knew she was enjoying keeping this secret. It was a way at payback for him annoying her.

"You're enjoying keeping this secret too much."

"Yup. Now come on we're almost there."

The two continued their walk and Bell enjoyed a nice cool breeze. While Orario was a city of wonders and the center of the world. Bell still enjoyed the outside away from the walls.

It reminded him of home in a way.

After another few minutes, the two eventually arrived at the edge of the forest with Nazha raising her hand to stop him.

"Alright, now all I need you to do is kill the Bloodasaurs that are inside. But not all only a few so we can take their eggs." She said this with a glowing smile and her hands on her hips.

Bell meanwhile, blinked and looked at her with a deadpan. "Nazha, you know I could've just bought you all the Bloodasaur eggs you wanted right?"

Nazha merely waved him off. "I know, but this way is more simple and cost-effective." Her face then turned into a pout. "Or do you not want to spend time with me."

Bell simply rolled his eyes. "You just want to use me as bait."

Nazha feigned indignation. Her fingers brushing against her collarbone. "Why I would never. What would make you even think that?" She gasped.

Bell rolled his eyes again and marched into the forest. "Come on princess. Wouldn't want you to get your hands dirty."

Nazha gave him a small mocking curtsy. Not that Bell could see it with his back turned. After finishing that action she followed behind Bell and the two fell into a comfortable silence.

Now that Bell knew what they were doing he knew the real reason as to why Nazha had brought him out here. It was to deal with monsters and even though they were surface ones and albeit weaker. They were still monsters nonetheless and Nazha was scared of them.

The deeper they went into the forest the more the sun disappeared. The trees covering it, only leaving tiny rays of light to shine on the ground.

Part of Bell felt glad Nazha was relying on him for this. Because of her fear of monsters, she was relying on him to help. But another part of him felt weird.

A strange alien-like sensation filled his chest. It was warm and not discomforting. But at the same time made Bell feel weird. Like something wasn't right.

"I don't like this feeling." Bell thought to himself.

They walked deeper into the forest and a few seconds later Nazha got Bell's attention.

"Psst, over there." She whispered. Her finger pointing at claw marks on a tree. Bell turned his gaze to the tree and saw a claw mark about six inches wide going diagonally down the tree.