Tales of An Escapade

Tenth Chapter

  Her hair was more silver and brighter, and her expression firmer and mightier. Confidence dripped down her body like gas and she was shrouded in beauty. Ane, who had been blessed with the black rain of a new era, was entirely embedded into her new aura. Still a fiery orange, but the hint of extra gorgeousness was a little frame of gold.
  Elliot, who had complimented Ane several times throughout the week of changes, had quite a bit of change on himself. While his jaw was sharper and his eyes were bluer, his hair was messier and his expression was fiercer. His ears were longer as well, almost as if they were pointy. That was a strange part. Was he perhaps an elf? He didn't know what it meant either. His aura was a fierce blue, wavering and glowing, and gently mixing with a haze of gold.

  Bethil had probably changed the most, if not just grown up. His hair had reached past his shoulders, and he had messily tied the top half up. He had a prince-like feel, and Jarco said he reminded him of his younger self. He got broader and it seemed as if he trained a lot. The tiger he'd once been was now definitely a leopard with a deep, purple aura with wisps of gold. The one who had teased Bethil about his more mature look the most was Daphnelle.
  Daphne's short, dark hair turned into wild, black manes covering her shoulders. She matured and glowed up even more than she already did. Her aura had once been grey, but bits of gold slowly made their way into her aura. Great quality came with her, and Ane was sure that it was because of them. It was as if they all seemed to complete each other.

  "Sharran's Valley seems to be alright," said Jarco to Livi. Both of them seemed like an incredible power couple. Jarco, with his new, shorter haircut, accentuating his beard and sharp jaw, broader and more confident, and Livi, with hair that had taken a more burgundy touch rather than ginger, curling over her shoulders.
  "It seems restored. Everyone has been blessed with the black rains," said Livi. "What a time to be alive."
  "I do not remember people undergoing such a transformation last black rains," mumbled Jarco.
  "Because the previous four heroes didn't end the era like these ones did. They officially made a brutal ending, whereas the previous two generations just flowed into each other. Merely worth black rains," answered Livi. "I'm liking this, though."

  "You seem a lot more feminine," said Jarco.
  "Not sure whether that's a compliment or not."

  Jarco smiled and he looked at Livi's face carrying a little grin.
  "Good morning."

  Jarco and Livi looked up, and glared into Willis' eyes. He had faint hieroglyphs like Mint's on his face, but they were blue. Result of the black rains, supposedly, but wasn't Willis human?

  "How did you get that?" asked Jarco, referring to the new facial features.
  "We are all blessed with magic, my lord," Willis smiled. "I wanted to ask a favour, though."

  "Of course," replied Livi.
  "The past weeks, lots of things have happened to the Western Bay. Humans returned here, it's like the old times. Yet the world's still cursed. Since I know that you lot will be going to the Eastern Bay next to continue your journey, please take this with you –" Willis took a flask out of his pocket in his suede jacket and handed it to Jarco "– and hand this to Lewir so he can pass it on to Ninéya, if you will."

  "Ninéya?" scowled Jarco. "What is your business with Ninéya?"
  Willis took Jarco apart and he began to whisper. "I know that your business with Ninéya was just as messed up as my business with the witch. Pass on the flask, it'll give you lots of redemption." Willis finished off with a set of two words that left Jarco with a dropped jaw. The two shared a glare of many confused emotions and Willes lay his hand on Jarco's shoulder, nodded and walked away.
  "What was that?" asked Livi. "Are you okay?"

  "I... I am fine," stuttered Jarco. He unconsciously grabbed Livi's hand, which was either a sign of being in need of support or simply needing some affection. She let him grab her hand, but was flustered nonetheless.