Veiled Horizons

Chapter Twenty-Four: Edward

For the next few minutes, the group wasn't just training; they were trying to impress Ed, and he could feel it. Anderson and Zane finished an entire magazine without missing a single shot, then reloaded like pros. Ed's smirk only encouraged them to do more.

Then, Ed walked over to Bellamy, who, despite his wounded knuckles, was training, hitting a tree like it was a punching bag. Ed's eyes widened at the sight. Bellamy was the only one who didn't seem to be doing it to impress Ed but as a way to forget his regrets.

"Just calm the hell down, Bellamy!" Sia yelled at Bellamy. Ed turned to see her rushing toward Bellamy, a frown on her face.

"I told you, I'm fine," Bellamy groaned, drawing hard breaths.

"You're not fine. You're practically bleeding," Sia took his hands in hers. Ed smiled at Sia's caring side.

"I just stopped you from punching the tree. I swear, if you do it again..." Sia went on at Bellamy as Ed moved on from there.

He found Ron and Eva still sitting where they were when he announced the plan. He went to Ron's side and squatted beside him.

"Why aren't you training, Ron?" Ed tried to sound gentle.

"Train what exactly?" Ron sounded angry and sad at the same time. His stare sent a shiver down Ed's spine. Ed realized Ron wasn't lazy; he just didn't know what his ability was. Yet, Ed didn't force him to train, nor did he say anything more to Ron. He just got up and walked away.

He spotted Ash on his way. Ash was sitting beside a tree, his head down, his focus directed to something in his hands. It looked like a screen, a pad – a tiny foldable device. Ash just sat, looking at it for some time, folded it, and kept it back in his coat's pocket.

Ed wondered what it was for a moment, but knowing Ash wouldn't tell him anyway, he continued walking.

Scarlett and Adlyn were nowhere to be found. Ed wondered where they were as he slowly spun around in a circle, checking everywhere near the group. But he didn't see them. He looked at the forest that surrounded the open area near the waterfall. Suspecting they might have gone in there, he decided to take a look.

He saw a small path into the forest. It was beside the tree Ash was sitting beside. By the time Ed reached the tree, he noticed Ash was leaning against it, with closed eyes.

Ed took a step, entering the forest. His heart skipped a beat as he heard and felt something getting stuck at the tree, a few inches away beside him. The same tree Ash was leaning against. Ed stood frozen. Slightly shivering as he turned his head to his right, at the tree. His heart slowly calmed down as he realized it was a wooden stick. Tracing the shape, he recognized it as an arrow – a handmade arrow, not perfect, but the edge was sharpened wisely.

His eyes followed the path it came from, and two figures came into view.

"Looking for me?" Scarlett asked, lowering her elbow, making her bow aim at the ground, which was earlier aimed at the tree beside Ed.

"Both of you, actually," Ed said, glancing at Adlyn, who sat beside Scarlett, leaning back against a weird, ancient-looking tree. The tree had a gnarled trunk, twisted and turned in unnatural ways. It had huge branches that spread widely, shadowing a vast area.

Adlyn got up as he saw Ed.

"You decided on who should be in each team yet?" Adlyn asked, taking his right hand to his back and bringing it back after taking out something. Ed narrowed his eyes to see a sparkle when Adlyn turned it slightly in his hand; the reflection faded, revealing a sharp claw.

Ed realized Adlyn's intention. He sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Look, I understand your need to be in the first group, which will be going into their base. But –"