Our Soul Nexus

Chapter Fourteen

Ayben sighed as he sat down on a patch of cool green moss, the refreshing shade giving some reprise from the intense sun above.

Claretta had sent out a Lo-Link to Professor Rist but still hadn't received anything in return. It gave Ayben an uneasy feeling in his gut. This trip wasn't going the way it should at all.

A student was dead, three others severely injured. Were the other groups faring just as poorly? Were they even still alive?

Placing his head in his hands, Ayben rubbed his black hair, feeling the beginnings of mud and dirt building up. Finding running water would be a blessing from the Celestials right now, but even if there was a source nearby, the chances of there being more aggressive beasts in the area was too high to make a move.

Rei finished off his canteen of water and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He stared at Ayben for a moment before walking over to join him in the shade.

"Rist said as soon as we get our item, we get out, right?" Rei asked after sitting down, resting his arms around his legs.

"What's your point?" Ayben asked and cringed after he realised how blunt it sounded.

Rei didn't seem to mind, or if he did, he wasn't showing it. "Well, if she isn't responding to our Lo-Link, do we even have a chance of leaving at all? It's fine if we find the item and use the teleport spell with it, but who's to say we can even find the item at all?"

"I think we just need to focus on surviving for as long as possible. Water is our biggest priority." Ayben said, not wanting to think about what Rei had mentioned.

It scared him to even consider it.

Claretta looked a little worn after using so much mana to heal the other group. "I can trace the closest water source, but what worries me is if those creatures will sense it."

"I have a way." Maena chimed in, her voice a little hesitant. "Water can be traced by the appearance of vegetation; you don't need to use a spell at all."

Claretta's eyes lit up. "Oh?"

Maena nodded. "Yeah, you see how the green gets a little brighter in certain parts of the woods? It means it has a higher moisture concentration. We can follow those clues and remain undetected if that's a concern."

Claretta nodded. "That's a good idea. However, I don't think we can all travel at once. James is in no condition to be moved unless it's to an infirmary and you two still have healing wounds."

Kol grunted from his spot in the shade. The blood on his face and hands still hadn't been washed away, and it was clear he was irritated by it. "It would be nice if you would ask before writing us off like that."

Claretta's eyes flashed for a second before recomposing. "I only meant it as a precaution for your safety, not that I consider you incompetent."

Despite her cool façade, Rei could see how pissed off she was getting and stepped in. "If you don't like it, do you have a better plan?"

Kol rolled his eyes. "I don't care, just take me with you if you plan on searching for water."

Ayben objected. "Your friends need you."

Kol stood up and looked at Ayben with furious eyes. "Friends? Who? James? He was the one who almost got us all killed!"

Maena stood up too. "It's fine! I can stay with James, I'm not as injured and can look after him while he rests."

There was a silence that hung in the air, and the breeze that rustled the foliage of the thick forest wasn't comforting in the slightest. Ayben felt frustration kick in his stomach.