Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 44: Well-deserved rest

Haruki took a moment to recall where he had heard the phrase the "Dimensional Valley" before.

"Isn't this place between LeFolia and the Tree of Life? What am I doing here?" Haruki asked.

"The path connecting the two worlds, to be exact." The woman corrected. "But usually you walk through a series of steps down and you pop out at the Tree of Life to get your own Torch. Not that you experienced that, Haruki Yamata."

Haruki looked at the person and waited for her to continue talking.

"The reason you're here is because I hauled your sorry ass from the fight. You were just this close to dying, ya know?" The woman put her thumb and index finger very close to each other to emphasise her point.

"Thanks a lot for that," Haruki replied,  thinking back to the fight he had with Red and how he got his life pounded out of her after she transformed.  "Where are my friends, though? Are they alright too?"

The woman shrugged. "Out training. You were the one injured the most badly. Too bad I don't really have any shelter of some sort for you. But hey, the Dimensional Valley is pretty safe, so don't worry."

Haruki stood up and stretched. He did not exactly feel too good, but he was surprised at how little pain he felt. It mostly felt like sore muscles in his body.

"How do I address you?"

"Me? I go by many names, but I'd prefer if you call me Nimira."

"Nimira, huh. Okay, so---"

Before Haruki could finish his sentence, he heard the thumping of heavy footsteps closing onto him rapidly.

He turned and looked, and saw an enormous elephant charging his way. Or should he say, an animal that resembled an elephant. It had two huge tusks and a long nose, with a huge body to boot, but its skin was covered in this slick black substance that seem to cling onto the body as the animal ran, blaring loudly.

Haruki's eyes widened as he quickly jumped out of the way, the dust from the rampage causing him to choke and cough.

"What did you say about this place being safe again?" Haruki argued as he wheezed and coughed, trying to get the dust and grass out of his face.

"Sorry about that! You okay?" A nostalgic voice Haruki thought he would never hear called out.

He could not quite believe his eyes as he turned, to see a tanned man chasing after the huge beast.

"You...you're Hak! How are you still alive?" Haruki exclaimed.

"Long story, man! Glad to see you awake, though!" Hak replied as he ran past, flashing his grin before continuing on his chase on the beast.

"Sheesh! Can you stop running already!" Hak complained, and made a gesture in the air before mumbling something.

Immediately the ground in front of the elephant creature started to form a wall, blocking the rampaging beast.

Hak took a huge jump, materialisng his spear before using the blunt side to knock the beast unconscious.

"You were slacking off during your duty again!" The woman named Nimira yelled.

"Sorry, master! I was too excited after talking to my old friend!" Hak apologised unapologetically, as he carried the huge beast in a floating bubble back from where he came from.

He turned to Haruki. "I'll be back after I lock it up!"

And just like that, he disappeared between some tall rocks Haruki had not noticed previously.