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"....!"
"Dan Heng—!" March 7th cries out as her fellow teammate is suddenly targeted by the beasts, unable to do anything as he hits the ground.
"Tsk." Dan Heng would respond, hissing at the feeling of the beast's attack. Although, despite being seriously injured, he still finds it in himself to stagger up and wield his weapon, pointing at an enemy. March would look at him in puzzled feelings as she shoots a worried glance over to Caelus.
Caelus shook his head once he noticed what the dark haired male was up to. "Dan Heng, maybe you should stay down. You're injured."
Dan Heng scoffed at that worried remark. "There's better things to worry about, watch yourselves instead." And immediately, he charges at the largest enemy, landing a strong enough attack to stun it. Caelus and March, in mixed shock and awe, observe Dan Heng's precise cut— especially with an injury.
Dan Heng's feet touch the ground, sighing to himself in relief. That was a close one. Had he not timed his abilities properly, it would've ended in something worse. He mused to himself as he lowered his spear.
As he begins to make his way over to his teammates, he notices their puzzled and terrified expressions. Huh? What was going on with these two?
"What? What are you two looking at?"
"Dan Heng—! Your injury!"
…..
………
Touching his robe, he feels something rather moist at his fingertips. As he looks over, his eyes slightly widen at the presence of blood soiling his clothing. Had he overexerted it to the point where it opened up by itself?
March and Caelus immediately exchange looks. "Let's head back, now." Caelus would suggest, although, before they could come and nod with each other at the idea— They hear thumping— strangely loud, at that.
As the trailblazers look back at the source of the sound, numerous monsters, ten times bigger than the trio, unveil themselves, roaring fiercely as they begin chasing them.
March is quick to screech out, already turning back to look at their point of escape— "Run!" She exclaims, and Caelus and Dan Heng obediently follow her, sprinting away from the monsters chasing them.
Unfortunately, as if Dan Heng's luck drained after his impressive attack, he trips on a conveniently hidden rock beneath the snow, causing him to hit the floor as his blood slowly seeps from his robes onto the pure white snow. The footsteps get nearer too, as he can hear March scream out his name.
That's the last thing he heard before blacking out due to exhaustion.
–
…
….. Wa…ke?
….. Ar…e …. Wa…ke?
The first thing Dan Heng hears as his consciousness fades into existence again is the sound of birds chirping, paired with the sound of water running eagerly along a plain. A warm light hits his face, effectively waking him up from his slumber as he sits up in frantic movements, completely expecting something terrible to have happened to his body as the events that had previously happened rushed through his head.
Much to his surprise, the sharp pain had lessened by a ton than last time. That was a good thing, although….
Where was he?
Contrast to the blankets of snow and icy blizzards of Jarilo-VI, this place was warm, evergreen— quite like those illustrations in March's fairytale story books she'd constantly read around the parlor car.
Dan Heng wasn't sure of the security of this place, though. Monsters could be lurking anywhere, eager to claw his strangely healed wound.
And he was right.
The rustling of the bushes in front of him quickly sent him up his feet, drawing his spear to charge at the monster that was eager to pounce at him already. He was already healed anyways, he could probably defeat it in a flash if he was careful enough.
The sound of the rustling bushes got louder, why was this monster taking its damn time? Dan Heng monologues, irritatedly, but patiently waiting for the monster to jump out, weapon already in stance as if he were hunting something big.
And all of a sudden—
A finely dressed, tall, blonde man emerges from the bushes.
…………….. What?
Dan Heng takes a few moments to register what was in front of him before shaking his head in silence, unable to believe it. If anything, a monster would've been better to deal with right now.
"Those herbs aren't much help.. But where would I find a substitute— Oh?" Mid-ramble, the man notices the emerald spear pointed at his direction, relaxed eyebrows now raised slightly at the view of Dan Heng.
".... Who are you?" Dan Heng is cautious, still not dropping his weapon. The intruder only gives a small smile, not afraid of coming closer to the cautious man. "Luo Cha." He'd stretch his arm out in warm welcome, expecting Dan Heng to shake his hand. Once denied, his smile falters slightly, though, he poses a rather calm facial expression instead. (which was ironic since Dan Heng had not lowered his weapon still)
"Where am I? Is this your doing?" Dan Heng follows up his question with two more, still not ceasing his serious expression. The man— who called himself Luo Cha, answered diligently despite the tough introduction.
"You are in a nearby forest, out of the sheer cold. Don't worry, you're still in Jarilo-VI, even then." Luo Cha smiled mindlessly. "As for your second question.. I had found you fainted in the snow with an open wound, so I took you over here to treat you. I am a wandering doctor— er.. Merchant… Whatever you wish to call me, I am both of those."
"...." Dan Heng lowered his spear as both of his questions were provided with an acceptable answer. He stares at the floor in thought for a moment before meeting Luo Cha's eyes.
"You did not have to do that." He finally answers, slightly embarrassed by the fact that he was taken care of. (although, that was only by a tiny spec) "But thank you, I suppose." Clearly, it was not in his vocabulary to "thank" someone outright, it was usually March's duty most of the time while he acted cool and mysterious. It sounded weird when it came out of his mouth.
Luo Cha, despite the awkward thank you, chuckles a little, crossing his arms in interest. "I am a doctor after all, it's my duty to treat others. Even wanderers like you." Dan Heng most definitely analyzed what he had just said, although, when he failed to find anything to analyze from the blonde, he sighed in defeat, dropping any means to bring up anything.
"... I'd best be going, I need to find my way back." Dan Heng finally concludes, turning his back at the mysterious doctor before any awkward talks start again. He had to find Caelus and March by now, and there was no time to fool around anymore. "So, farewell."
"Are you perhaps headed to Belobog? What a coincidence, that's where I am headed as well." Well. That's a shame. Dan Heng definitely wished to have left by now. Had he ran off when the bushes were rustling, perhaps, he'd have been on the road to Belobog once more? Also, how did this man even know he was going back to Belobog? Well, in any case, Belobog is the nearest city…
".... I wish you good luck on your trip to Belobog."
"Not going to join me in leaving this forest?" Luo Cha sounded a bit disappointed, but maybe that's how he talked. "Directions around here are confusing, I had to mark numerous places on my map just to form the path to get out of here. Maybe I should help you out?"
"There's really no need." Dan Heng rejects the offer, he can do things on his own anyways. "I'll be fine on my own."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Truly?"
"...... Why does it matter so much?"
—
The two men exit the forest entrance, greeted by the gust of wind and the many blankets of pure, white, snow. Dan Heng sighed from defeat as he walked together, side-by-side with Luo Cha, who had a slightly teasing smile on his face.
"I told you, you were prone to getting lost here." Luo Cha snickered, earning a cold shoulder from his companion. ".. I was just saying."
"Quiet, we won't be able to follow a proper trail from here."
"Haha, I apologize, truly." Sure, you really were. Dan Heng mused as he rolled his eyes at the attempt at an apology. Luo Cha pouts at this, catching up to him. "I truly am, I'm sorry."
"... Whatever." Dan Heng would respond blankly, refusing to look at Luo Cha at all.
…
….
…..
……
……..
"Um," Luo Cha breaks the minute-long silence with a question. "I forgot to bring this up to you, but I never quite caught your name."
"Why does it matter?"
"You know mine, it's quite unfair that I cannot bring up yours." The doctor's reason is probably a valid one, but Dan Heng shakes his head.
"We will part by the time we reach the city anyways, why does it matter?"
"..." Luo Cha stayed silent, unable to respond anymore. Or perhaps, he didn't want to, anymore.
Dan Heng enjoyed the sudden silence from the other party. …… Though he didn't mind the questions at all..
—
"And here we are, Belobog. Is this your stop?" Luo Cha fully expected Dan Heng to ignore him and walk past, just like how he'd rejected the handshake from their first meeting. "I suppose this is farewell, nameless traveler?"
"..... Heng."
"Pardon, what was that?"
"Dan Heng." Dan Heng turns to look at the doctor, a hint of gratitude written on his face. Though, he immediately turns away, walking off from the stunned blonde as he enters Belobog. Before completely setting off, he turns around momentarily, as if to show his thanks for the last time before leaving his companion in the snowy entrance of the city.
As Dan Heng leaves him, Luo Cha stands in complete astonishment at the lack of rejection.
Dan Heng, huh? Mentally noting, the blonde gazes over at the fading silhouette.
He couldn't help but crack an amused smile.