The Tale of Ren - Book one: The Hunt Begins

15. Karmieneu, here we come!

Two days later, Michelle, Shun, Kyle and Ren are all gathered on the roof of Border's building. The doors open and Vitaly, Nikita and Nate step out of the elevator.

'Alright then guys. You'll be off. Michelle be careful got it?' Says Nate. the four of them nod and get in the jet. The motors start. Heath comes out of the back and it lifts off. The pilot pushes the steering forward and off goes the jet.

The flight to Karmieneu takes around 5 hours. In the meantime, Ren summarizes the mission ones more. 'Alright guys listen up. The mission this time is to investigate the area of where the mana source appeared for the first time. After that we are to go to the hidden village in the Dahrkse Wouden, also known as the Black Forest.' Ren says. Michelle gulps.

'The Dahrkse Wouden? That sounds really hideous.' She says. The boys nod. 'Actually, it surprises me that Border only now found a suspicious mana source close to the Dahrkse Wouden rather than that there isone.' Says Shun.

'Why is that?' Michelle asks.

'The area around and Dahrkse Wouden itself is actually surrounded with magical beings. That is why there are so many legends and folklores around that area.' He explains. Michelle looks surprised.

'Seriously?!' She almost shouts. Kyle nods. And so, while talking and joking, playing games and resting, the 5 hours flew by and they arrived at their destination.

After dropping Michelle, Shun, Kyle and Ren off, the pilot flew back to Border, leaving them behind at the farm where a former MUC-branch agent lives. They knock on the door and a woman in her thirties opens.

'Ren, how nice to see you again.' Says the woman. Michelle can hear the heavy Karmian accent as she speaks. The woman has short sandy blonde hair until her shoulders with bangs. She is dressed in a colourful t-shirt and wears a bloomer. 'Hey Adeline, it sure has been a while. Seems like you have grown the last time I saw you.' He greets her back. 'We came to get the horses, are they ready?' He asks her. Adeline nods.

'Sure, follow me to the back.' And they walk to her little farm at the back of her house. 'Three horses ready to leave.' She shows them. Ren walks to her while the others walk to the horses.

'Thanks Adeline.' He says and wants to give her a peck on her cheek, but she stops him with a finger. 'What's wrong?' He asks.

'You can't kiss another lady if you already have a girlfriend Ren.' She says. Ren looks confused.

'Girlfriend?' Adeline nods and points at Michelle.

'I noticed you brought someone who isn't from Border. She's very nice. Make sure you don't screw it with her.' She teases. Ren blushes.

'D-don't say such things!' He blurts out, and Adeline burst out in laughter. 'Hahaha, how nice. To be able to see the day that you would blush is really a treasure. She must be really special to you, eh?' She teases him even more. Ren turns around and walks away.

'Whatever. Thanks for the horses, we be on our way then.' He says. Adeline smiles.

No matter how old he is, I'm glad you have someone you treasure Ren. Even though I'm a bit jealous of her.She turns around and enters her house. Take good care of her Ren. One's something is lost, it will never return.She thinks as she touches her necklace where a man's name has been graphed on.

The horses race through the forest to reach the checkpoint where the four agreed to meet with the MUC's Border investigators.

'Are you okay Michelle?' Ren asks her. Michelle sits behind Shun on his horse. Her hands are groping his coat tightly.

'I'm fine.' She answers.

      Fifteen minutes later they arrive at an open space. Some tents and research equipment have been set up and two men are walking around carrying crates with stuff. A man sitting at a table writing a letter that looks important hears the horses approaching and look up. He sees the group arriving and walks towards them.

'Could it be that you are the SNG Unit?' He asks them. Ren nods and dismounts his horse, and so do the others. Shun helps Michelle getting of the high horse while Ren walks to the man. he sticks a hand out to shake his hand. 'Nice to meet you. I'm Ren and these are my friends. The orange haired one is Kyle, the one with brown hair is Shun and the girl is Michelle.' He introduces them. The man nods.

'Thanks for coming on such a short notice. I heard about miss Michelle and have already informed the others. I'm this research team's captain, Günter von Schie. We have already prepared your tents.' And he guides them to four one-person tents in the middle of the open field. 'It is already late, so I guessed you would want to rest for now.' All four of them nodded.

'Thank you captain von Schie.' Ren thanks the man. Von Schie nods back and walks to his table to continue what he was writing. Ren turns to the others. 'Well then guys. It's already late so I guess we all go to sleep. Tomorrow we move out at 07:00 a.m. Make sure you're awake and done by then. Got it Michelle?' He says. Everyone nods and head to their own tent.

      Michelle opens her bag she brought with her. She changes clothes and crawls under her blanket. ghaaa, I was so nervous and excited that I didn't sleep last night. Now that I'm lying down I feel how tired I really am. Michelle twist and turns. Tomorrow we really begin our mission. My first mission. With those thoughts Michelle finally fell asleep.