~Travis's POV~

Me and Alfyn were running fast through the way back without stopping off. We hurried in order to bring the antidote at Zeph, permitting him to cure Nina from her poisoning. It wasn't the time to drag around.

We finally came back to the village, when some people noticed us. They looked reassured of our return at Clearbrook, after learning that we went together into that cave infested of snakes, but they still really didn't know what we have been through.

We dashed in direction of Zeph's house, when we saw his head poking out from the window, while he seemed reassured to see us safe and safety.

After he moved in direction of his house's entrance, we calmly slowed down a front of the door, which opened right when we arrived.

Zeph showed up from behind the door, when he called us.

"Alfyn ! Travis !"

"Zeph !", I called him, pretty glad to see him.

He directly left the house, without closing the door behind him. He was really reassured to learn that everything went fine for us.

Alfyn made a sympathetic laugh, before he positively apologized to him.

"Did you miss us ? Sorry it took so long..."

He was quite happy as well to see his friend again, by feeling aware about how much he had worried his friend.

Zeph quickly approached us, facing Alfyn while putting his hand on his shoulders, and sighted with relief.

"Oh, Alfyn ! Thank the gods you're safe...", he told at his friend, before he looked down at me. "And you too are alright, Travis... But what's on earth took you to sneak out without warning me ?! Haven't I told you to stay with me ?! Do you realize how much I was worried for you ?!"

"Yeah...", I answered him calmly, feeling slightly upset.

That's right I remembered to have disobeyed Zeph, when I snuck out from his home for joining Alfyn. Even if I wanted a lot to help Alfyn and to find that poison, I understood that he was quite furious towards me.

However, Alfyn didn't seem worried at all about how reckless I was by venturing myself into that cavern,as he spoke nicely at his friend, while ruffling my dark brown hair.

"Oh, come on, Zeph ! Don't blame him ! He just wanted to be really helpful, this time. You know very well that us too at his age we were used to gang out into places that our parents had forbidden us. And also, the importance is that he is fine, no ?"

Alfyn made a point: why did Zeph have to continue to worry about us while me and Alfyn were both safe and safety ?

By the way, I really enjoyed when he said I wanted to help him. Although in the beginning he was pretty shocked and worried when he had discovered I've followed him up to the Cave, now, he considered me like someone useful for him ! I felt so proud that I could have helped someone today ! I was happy to be Alfyn's partner !

While Zeph seemed slightly less worried than before after listening to Alfyn, he was mostly reassured that we were both safe, even if we have still a few bruises on our body after fighting all those snakes...

Alfyn then took something from his snatchel.

"By the way... Look what we have brought to you.", he showed him the flask of poison he has taken from the giant snake's mouth.

Zeph was absolutely speechless, he was really surprised that we succeded to get that antidote.

He received the flask from Alfyn, observing its purple liquid with a lot of curiosity, when Alfyn nicely spoke to him, with still a friendly smile on his lips.

"There was only one Blotted Viper, so I just brought you one flask. I hope there will be enough."

"The venom... You really did it !", said Zeph at his friend, who was quite blessed to finally have the antidote.

Zeph was so grateful towards Alfyn and me, that we managed to go into that cavern at his place, and to collect that poison, just to cure his sick sister. We were really proud to have helped him, it was such a good pleasure to make people happy, even without asking something in exchange. All we have done in that cavern, it was just for Zeph, it was just for Nina, and we wanted to help them because they just needed our help.

While Alfyn was used to help people without expecting something, like money, in exchange, I noticed that I acted like he did. Effectly, I was so impressed by the fact about how nice he was with people that I wanted to be like him to. Me too, over time, I started to feel some compassion for a few people I've met in that game.

Zeph was as well surprised as he was happy. Now, we could finally cure his sister from her disease. Me and Alfyn were also happy for him, to think that they would finally be together again, like a family.

"Thank you so much, Alf !", said Zeph to his friend, while his eyes showed a lot of gratitude.

I was glad to see Zeph quite happy towards Alfyn, but me too I was feeling so proud to have helped them one more time.

"Errr... me too, I've helped ! hehe ! We even have fought many snakes, you know !", I told him happily, while showing a grin on my face and feeling really amazed by all those adventures.

Zeph was slightly surprised and worried after hearing me.

"S-snakes ?!", he asked by mumbling, a little concerned about what happened in that cave.

"Yeah ! There was a thousand of snakes who wanted to eat us ! And even a big one ! But we have beaten all of them, and Alfyn was so cool with his big axe !", I said happily.

Honestly, for the first time, I was really admired about all that dangerous but fun adventure I got with Alfyn, but I was mostly admired about how strong he was against those snakes, just like any boy of my age who liked cool things ! However, I've decided to not tell them about the strange man I saw inside, because I didn't want to worry them again.

For now, I just wanted to show them how happy I was after doing that fun adventure with Alfyn, even if I was a little tired now. Even if it was risky and dangerous, I just wanted to not make Zeph worried again, so I was just smiling a little. I also noticed Alfyn was also doing the same thing that me.

Zeph was really surprised after learning that we have fought together all those creatures despite their number. I didn't really know if he could have entered into that cave instead Alfyn and to get that antidote without being bitten. That place was really such an hell !

Alfyn looked proud of my compliment, when he happily  spoke to me while ruffling my hair one more time.

"Haha ! Brave little one !", he then turned at Zeph, before speaking to him. "It took me a while to find the snake who had bitten Nina... But I trust you can take it from here, eh ?"

"I'll get started at once !", said quickly Zeph, while stowing the small antidote inside his pocket, before he came back to his little sister.

"Hang in there, friend.", told him Alfyn, before he closed the door, as he smiled at him.

Zeph was now finally about to cure Nina thanks to that antidote we have brought to him. He must be now actually working hard to prepare something with eat, with all the medicinal herbs he had harvested, like Alfyn have done this morning.

"Now we have finally brought him the poison, did Nina will be finally be cured", I asked Alfyn curiously, looking over him.

"Well, that must be enough useful to get rid of the poison, but I'm pretty sure Zeph will need a while to prepare an antidote for her. All we have to do is to wait now.", answered me Alfyn.

"Alright...", I answered to him, feeling a bit upset that we have to wait again if things go well, when I asked him. "But why don't you go help him ?"

"I would like to, but I think he wouldn't let me doing the work at his place this time. After all we have been through today, Zeph must prefer that I take a rest. I think we should leave him alone for the moment."

By seeing Alfyn bruises on his clothes, Zeph must be right to think Alfyn needed to take a long break, which he truly deserved after all what he has managed to do just for him. This time, Zeph wanted to concoct the antidote by himself: it was his sister after all. After fighting a thousand of snakes, it was normal to be well exhausted, including all the work he have done since the morning, between the patients he had to cure, and the plants we have harvested into that forest.

He then made a small yawn, hiding politely his mouth with his hand, before he spoke.

"Man, I'm beat. Think I'll head home and catch a few winks. You wanna come ?"

"Yeah... Me too I feel a little tired...", I answered him, while being quite dreamy.

Alfyn then put his hands on his pocket, and started to walk slowly on the bridge leading to his house, while I followed him closely by walking with my tired legs, which were hurting me a bit after I've walked so much today, while scratching my tired arms.

We were both very tired after all we have been through today, especially when we ventured inside that cavern. It was really tiring to find the right way into that cave and to find that poison, between the snakes who wanted to eat me alive, the giant snake that me and Alfyn have fought thanks to our weapon and our superpowers, and also of that strange man with the yellow helmet who didn't stop to track me down. Well, strangely, since I've left that cave after I saw him applauding me, he stopped to follow me everywhere. I was pretty reassured he was gone, but I was still wondering why he let me go.

Anyway, what a hard day ! It was pretty fun, but I wanted absolutely to sleep for a long time after all of this. So, I just followed Alfyn, and headed to his house, where it was the only place where I could live in that village.

We have relaxed during the whole afternoon: we have eaten a few things like the salad, or even a piece of bread, which was much more delicious and good than all the breads I ate after stealing them at the bakery, when I was still living in the streets. It was such a pretty good bread, and after he even told me there was a bakery in Clearbrook, where we bake the best bread on site with good wheat, a good flour, good eggs, a good milk, and there were even tasty ones where there were fruits like grapes. That was totally unbelievable, but I was really amazed by all that food.

However, we were too tired to go outside again, and we preferred to stay here to take a good rest. We have just talked a bit, and Alfyn also profited to check our injuries we got from the snake. There were a few bruises on our skin, my clothes were a little stripped out, but it was nothing compared to the several wounds I got from the eagles who harmed me a lot. Alfyn also checked about the cut on my back I got yesterday evening: the bandage were a little damaged by the vipers, but my wound was still safe. Plus, no one of us have been bitten.

Alfyn went get some upstairs on his bedroom, while me I joined again the bed where I've slept that night. After I removed my boots and put my snatchel on a chair,I dropped myself on the bed, wallowing my head against the comfy pillow.

"AAAAaaaaaaahhhhhh !!!...."

My bed was really relaxing, that's great while I was really tired to have done so much things today, like yesterday. I was too exhausted to place my sheet above my body, but it was still comfortable, and I wanted to sleep like that.

How good it feels to rest in our bed...

I enjoyed a lot to sleep in a real bed: after sleeping all my life in a broken piece of matress without cover inside my hut, I quickly started to be used to sleep in a warm bed. Effectly, a nice bed with a smooth pillow and a warm blanket made me so relaxed that I was already lulled to sleep. All that nice comfort of being lying down a warm bed where we could quietly sleep without having trouble sleep... Is that how children of my age must sleep ? Is that the nice warmth they must feel while sleeping in a true bed, in a true home ?

I was really surprised to have finally experienced this very nice way to sleep. I wished I could sleep in a bed like this every night, instead of spending each of my nights inside a small box , within the cold, the rain, while being disturbed by the noises made by the cars... I was tired of sleeping like a tramp, to have trouble sleeping, and to wake up very tired. I would like to spend each of my night in a bed like this, while waking up whenever I wanted, from now on.

So, I was lying on my left side, when I started a long sleep.

~Later that night~

It's been a few hours I was sleeping like a baby, my eyes fully closed, and my cheek pressed against the warm pillow. My small body was curled up, permitting me to sleep better, while I was completely asleep. It was so nice to sleep like that, I wanted to sleep again for a few hours, even until tomorrow... but to be honest, it's just like I couldn't sleep anymore.

I wasn't disturbed by any noise, I was sleeping comfortably, but it's just like something was bothering me since a moment. I wasn't sleeping anymore because I couldn't stop to think about it.

I opened my eyes wide, when I noticed it was the night. The room I was sleeping was dark, and a smooth and calm ambiance invaded the room. All seemed quite when I moved to sit down on the side of my bed.

I was making a small yawn, while observing the room in the dark for a long minute, and noticing every single detail, like a flower pot, or one of Alfyn's tool he used for making his potions. The room was as dark as it was last night, when I've made this nightmare, before Alfyn had waken me up, before we discussed a front of the window, which I observed at the right that it was actually closed.

It was quite annoying: it was already the night, but I couldn't sleep, while I deduced that Alfyn must be also sleeping in his bedroom. There was something that prevented me to sleep, something that had waken me up in my mind. I was still asking myself a lot of questions about all the mysterious things I saw today, and also the reason of my presence in this world. I wasn't only questionning myself what was my place in this world, but also why I've found myself in this world.

A lot of questions without any answers were bothering me since a good moment, and the more the time passed, the more questions I was asking myself. It was annoying to be unable to know what was going on in that video game, but Istayed calm and pensive, while sighting quietly.

I couldn't sleep for the moment, and I needed to think about it. Before I would get back to sleep, I wanted to take some fresh air and to remind all what happened to me since yesterday.

I decided to go outside, so I quietly left my bed, I put on my leather boots covering my feet, and I took the bag Alfyn gave me to collect those plants, which were know stowed in his herb's stock for he could prepare new potions for his patients.

I noticed it has the same weight than before, even without the flowers, which must be very light. However, there was still my fetish axe, which I now considered like my good luck charm, considering that it was my brother Therion who gave it to me, and it permitted me to stay alive. He also told me to use it to defend myself, and this is what I've done when this red snake tried to attack me. Even if Alfyn helped me to clean it before we sleep, it was still a little dirty after it served to slice some viper's heads.

I then made sure to make any noises, in order to not wake up Alfyn, and I slowly grabbed the doorknob, before slowly opening it wide, going outside, and closing it behind me.

Even if it was the night, I could still clearly see the whole place thanks to the light emitted by the moon, permitting me to see better through the darkness. It wasn't much darker than yesterday, the air was really fresh, making me breathing deeply in the middle of this natural village. The only thing I could hear were the song made by the criquets, but there was also a calm and relaxing noise of water, it must be the river who was still flowding itself...

Anyway, it was such a beautiful night, and the stars have already showed up in the night sky, which were so many that I couldn't even count how many they were. It was almost the same night that yesterday, as the moon was still at the horizon while the sun had already dissappeared from the sky. It was such a peaceful night in that peaceful village, and everyone were all sleeping. Everyone... except Zeph.

Yeah, I just noticed when I turned my head in direction of the bridge that a few lights could be seen from Zeph's house. I remembered he was actually preparing the antidote for curing his sister Nina, and he must be still occupied to make it, as Alfyn told me he needed to be busy for a moment. He was the only person with me to not be asleep, as he really cared for his little sister.

I also noticed that I had everything I needed to leave that village, but for the moment, I didn't want to leave Alfyn. Even if I wanted a lot to find Therion or Ophilia, something forced me to stay here.

So I just walked on the bridge, my bag hanging up around my shoulder, when I climbed on the left edge, and sat down to observe the river.

The river was magnificent, all that water passing through that peaceful village, all those shadows at the surface accompanied with the smooth moon light, I was so amazed that my eyes couldn't watch something else that this beautiful source of water. Honestly, I found the water was beautiful everywhere in that region, either inside the cave of Rhiyo, or in the path leading to that place. I wondered where all that water came from, I doubted it must be the rain's water because the river was too beautiful for being dirty water. Instead, I've heard that water could travel very far, in the woods, in the meadows, even in the moutains, until it reaches the ocean. When I was watching this quite river, I could imagine it must came from far far away...

I think I've found the best place to be quiet, it was much better than observing the place from the window. My ass were sitting down on the edge of the rocky bridge, while my legs were suspending above the water. The night was calmly dark, and this place was really peaceful, it must be the perfect place to sleep.

I could finally think quietly, and I would like to stay here for a few minutes. For the moment, I didn't want to sleep.

That's so beautiful...

I was pretty glad to have found that place, everything was good, people were kind, and the nature was really beautiful, either the night or the day. However, I was still wondering how I've landed in that place after I left Ophilia, and by the way, why I had landed into that place in particular.

Effectly, it was there where I've met Alfyn, who became my friend, but he was also a very special person. Even if he was just a simple and sympathetic villager, he had such a talent that nobody else had, with his will to help sick and injured people just to make them pleased, and without asking for money or something else. He was really a nice guy !

But it was the same thing with Therion and Ophilia.

After I tried that game by just pushing the button A to play, after I've been electrocuted by the thunder outside, I deduced that's must be how I've found myself in that vortex, which landed me on that desert. The most weird, is that after I've landed in that place, there was just the village of Bolderfall not far away from that canyon, and this is where I've finally met Therion in that tavern.

Since I saw him, I quickly noticed he was someone who wasn't like anyone else. Plus, me and him had so much things in common. We were both thieves, we lived in the streets, we loved apples, and we both didn't have any family name, but our names were both starting by the letter "T". It isn't a pure coincidence ?!

I was really happy however to have met him, he was really the first one who was nice with me, who cared for me, and he was the only family I ever had. Indeed he was a very skilled thief, who was very strong, very fast, and also quite smart, he was such a mysterious person that I was wondering how much things he was hiding from me.

Then, after I fell from that bridge, I was totally sure I will die... But miraculously, I found myself in a very cold place where there was a lot of snow. I was totally injured by the eagles, and I didn't know if I could survive this damn cold. However, thanksfully Ophilia had found me, thanksfully she was there when I was going to die in the snow. She just carried me in that cathedral, where I slept for the first time in a warm bed, and she healed my wounds by just disappearing them by magic. Yeah, magic. It isn't wonderful ?!

Indeed, she was really a nice person as well, who cared for her sister and her adoptive father, and she also someone particular. She was a cleric who prayed for the gods, for a flame which illuminated the world and protected us from the darkness, and she was also very nice to have helped that kid looking for his mom, and also when she wanted to make that ritual at her sister's place. Plus, she was really someone exceptionnal, between her amazing altruism and her magic powers with her magic stick. Wherever she was, there was always a bright light around her which warmed people's heart, including mine.

And right after I left that cave of origin, my superpowers suddenly activated, before I found myself again into that vortex, before I landed in that village, when I finally met Alfyn, and now I'm here.

Even if I was really happy to have meet all of them, why did I've met them ? Why did I've met such 3 nice and amazing persons in only one day ?

I tried to think about it, when I noticed that after I moved from a place to another, I've always landed in a place where I met each of them.

As a proof, after I landed into that game, I appeared in a desert when I've found Therion, then, I've met Ophilia after I fell from that bridge, and I finally met Alfyn after I moved from that cave to that village named Clearbrook. I just noticed that everytime I was teleported in another place, it was always a place where I met someone whom I cared and who cared from me, someone whom I wanted to be with them, and who had such an incredible will.

Yeah, since I've teleported myself into that game, my life became better in that foreign world, and I became immensely happier after I've met all those nice people. But why did I've met all those nice persons ?

I have to think hard... Maybe I will remember something that could help me...

I then reminded when I lauched the game, there was such a beautiful presentation of the game, not only with its title and its wonderful music, but also what I saw on that screen. I reminded of those cute pixellized video game characters who were walking through different landscapes, like a desert.

I also reminded to have seen 3 persons who had caught my eyes: among them, there was a character who looked like Therion, and this is when I've finally understood I was in a video game. I also remembered to have seen another person: he was a man with light brown hair, with a green jacket and... A green jacket ?!!

Did this character was Alfyn ?!! If yes, does that mean Alfyn was also a video game character ?!

I also reminded to see a girl, but it wasn't Ophilia, it was instead a girl dressed in red with a brown ponytail. I couldn't remember the rest of the characters, because I was too dazzled by the wonderful graphics.

Who was that girl ?

However, I finally understood that everytime I teleported, I just landed in a place where I've met a video game character. But if Alfyn and Therion were living in this world, does that means that the strange girl with the ponytail also existed ?

And also, did all the rest of the characters whom I couldn't remember who appeared on the screen also really existed ?!

What a mystery... But I could finally get the answer of some of my questions.

By the way, I was still wondering who was he, the man with the black leather jacket and the yellow helmet, and what did he wanted from me.

How did he had found me in that cave ? And why he ordered those snakes to attack me ? And also, how did he manage to control those vipers ?

It wasn't the first time that animals obeyed to him: he was also there when those eagles attacked me. I remembered to have seen him pointing his finger towards me, before those monsters appeared from behind the canyon and flew to harm me and Therion. Indeed, they just attacked me and Therion, but not the yellow helmet man. He must had controled them too...

I remembered he also touched his helmet before there was a strange high-pitched sound, in order to attract the snakes or something like that. Maybe it was his helmet which permitted him to control the beasts, but how its possible that so many snakes obeyed to him, just like he was an animal trainer ?

And also, I wondered how did he manage to catch me up at that cave, although the last time I saw him was in that canyon next to Bolderfall. Plus, I never saw him walking or running when I was inside the cave of Rhiyo, but he could have managed to catch me up, just like he knew in advance where I was going. I couldn't escape him, because he was everywhere, just like he could change locations anywhere and whenever he wanted to. Honestly, I don't think he could have caught me up because he was really fast, but because he must move in only a flash, just like he was teleporting himself.

Wait... if he can teleport anywhere... does that mean he also have superpowers like me ?! The ones which permit him to control the animal and to be everywhere ?!

That may be possible, but I still don't know how they worked, and it was the same thing with my own superpowers, which I had a hard time to use. Talking about them, I bet this man knew I have the power of electricity.

Effectly, after me and Alfyn beat that enormous viper, he just applauded me for this. Maybe he saw me at that moment, when I was unleashing my thunder superpowers around me, in order to electrocute all those snakes, and to help Alfyn.

I was pretty sure he was looking for me because of my superpowers, because he must have seen something very particular in me. I wanted to ask him why he didn't want to stop tracking me down, but he haven't answered me. Why ? Maybe he was mute, after all...

However, I still didn't get it about the reason which explained why he followed me everywhere, why he stopped after I left the snake's cave, and where he was actually. If he knew about my superpowers, why he haven't talked me about ?! Why he had instead tried to kill me twice ?!

I just wanted some answers from him, say that I was asking myself a thousand of questions since I've landed into that game. Honestly, I think this strange person must knew what was going on into that game...

But what's the deal with that man ?...

I sighted again, feeling upset by dint of racking my brain, and there was so much questions that it started to gave me headaches. It's such an hard thing to know the real truth, between my teleportations, that yellow helmet man, and my superpowers....

Then, I heard a door slowly opening from the left. I turned my head to see Alfyn, still wearing his green jacket, when he noticed me while he closed the door.

He was still calm, and he didn't seem to be very tired, despite all the adventures we had today. Maybe he must have finished to sleep, despite it was still the night.

He then walked towards the bridge, when he spoke to me in a calm way.

"You too have problems sleeping, little guy ?"

I took my time before answering him.

"Y-yeah..."

"I understand with all we've been through today..."

He stretched his arms while he walked on the bridge, when he approached me by my left, and sat down on the edge, just next to me.

We both observed the water's river calmly flowding underneath the bridge for a few seconds, watching details by details the small waves which weren't splashing the surface at all. It was such a relaxing thing to observe that wonderful water supply...

I listened attentively to Alfyn, his eyes still attracted by the beauty of the waves, who was peacefully speaking to me with a smile on his face.

"It's beautiful, it isn't ? I'm used to meditate here when I want to be alone. We even say that sometimes, during a full moon light, that the river is so beautiful that it could shine like a diamond. There also a lot of rivers in the whole Riverlands, all equally unique as they are magnificent. Some stories even tells that this region was first a part of the Sunlands region, but one day, while people started to suffer of starvation and disease, it started to rain all the time for a few years, until all those fresh grass, all the trees, and also the totality of the rivers were born, turning a part of the immense desert into a wonderful paradise..."

I was imaginating this amazing story in my mind, when he sighted positively.

"Man... I'm so proud to be born in that region."

I could see in his face how happy he was to live in this village, and that's right it was really a nice place to live. Me too I would like to live in such a wonderful place like this.

"Well, you're so lucky to live here, Alf.", I answered to him, watching him with a small smile.

"Thank you, little guy.", he nicely ruffled my hair, while he appreciated my own company.

He was really good with me, always there to cheer me up while I'm upset. I even think me and him have such a good complicity.

However, I was still feeling guilty to have done something wrong today. Alfyn noticed I was upset, he knew I had my own problems, but he still stayed positive when he asked me.

"You still feel bad for not having listened to me when I told you to stay with Zeph, right ?"

He guessed what I was actually thinking, after seeing me a little upset, when I nodded to him by slowly shaking my head to answer him "yes".

I stunned my head to look at him.

"I-I'm sorry for that, Alf... I just wanted to help you so..."

He nicely interrupted me.

"Nah. It's fine. For me, the important thing is that you're well safe and sound."

He was quite nice with me, even if I've made something wrong. And he was purely right: I was safe, he was safe, Nina will be cured... we can really say that all is well that ends well !

He then spoke again to me.

"I think I should have noticed much earlier how much you wanted to help me. I just didn't want to involve anyone else in this, and I should have understood how much you cared for me. But one more time, I just took of so blindly.", he was feeling quite responsible about me, when he stunned at me with a small smile."And after all, you are already old enough to make discoveries. At your age, me and my friends were used to wander at unknown places without telling our parents !"

Alfyn also enjoyed to discover things when he was a kid like me, but it was much easier for him due to how lucky he was to live in such a paradise. Plus, some people like his friend Zeph also encouraged him to fulfill his dream of discovering things, but that wasn't the same thing for me.

Me, I lived in such a hell when I was living in the streets, and I had not enough money which could permit me to discover the world. The worst is that nobody was there to support me, I was totally alone and unhappy. Loneliness forced me to cause a few troubles, like stealing some foods for survive, while I was only thinking at myself.

But even if I wasn't alone anymore, I continued to make some mistakes by acting by myself, especially while making false promises with the people I liked, by also putting myself in danger. When Therion told me to flee if something bad happened to him, I haven't listened to him when he was fighting against that old butler. When Ophilia has told me to stay hidden when she was dealing with the giant statue, I disobeyed to her although I was too afraid that something bad might happen to her. And one more time, I haven't listened to Alfyn and Zeph's advices. Each time I disobeyed to all three of them, even if I wanted to help them, I always had the feeling to be guilty for having doing something wrong, to have ruined everything, just like when Therion get this bracelet stuck around his wrist.

However, I don't think Alfyn was taking it badly. Effectly, I noticed he was justifying my mistakes by referring the troubles he has made when he was a curious child. After all, every adults also made troubles when they were kids.

"Really ? Well, I would like to discover the world since a very long time. Just the fact of discovering something new always lead me to discover much more new things.", I answered him, being aware of my big curiosity.

And I bet Alfyn was as curious as me, even if he was now an adult.

"I enjoy your big curiosity, little one. And I think you're such a very helpful and selfless boy, despite your young age."

"You think so ?"

"Yeah, I swear. Just to hear you wanting to help everyone in the need, you remind me of myself... And also of that man..."

I was quite concerned when he spoke about that "man".

"You mean the man who cured you when you were a kid ?"

He nodded "yes" to me, when he answered me.

"I think you just helped out someone in a bind by pure reflexe. It's normal to help people, you know."

When I continued to listen to him, I started of being aware that I've always helped people when I saw someone needed some help, like I did when I helped Alfyn to get that poison in order to save. Effectly, I first wanted to help Therion, then I wanted to help Ophilia, who wanted to help Lianna, and after I wanted to help Alfyn, who wanted to help Zeph, who also wanted to help his sister Nina. If I've helped someone who wanted to help someone who also wanted to help someone, I must have helped indirectly a lot of persons, since I've been sucked into that video game.

Seriously, was I someone who wanted absolutely to help people who had problems ? Was I really a very generous person like Alfyn and the man who had cured him were ?

I don't know... I just wanted to help them because I couldn't let them alone like this, and to see them upset. It was really stronger than me to help people, even if they were like strangers through my eyes. However, I mostly wanted to help them because it's just like I trusted all the persons who needed some help, no matter who they are, and what they wanted to.

"And, to be honest, you were very useful when we were inside this cave.", he told me nicely, his eyes watching me just like I was more than a burden for him.

"Really ?!", I asked him, feeling quite happy that he has enjoyed my help.

"Yeah ! You fought pretty well against snakes, but it mostly thanks to that amazing electricity you have unleased around you ! It such an outrageous power that you have !", he exclamed happily to me, making me a bit blushing after being complimented.

"Yeah ! And you, you were so awesome with your ice superpowers !", I exclamed happily towards him, not too loud for not waking up the sleeping village.

"Thank you, little guy ! But you know, it's mostly thanks to your magic that we were still alive ! Your power was pretty useful to help us getting out of this mess ! Am I right ?! "

"Yes... My m-magic ?", I asked him curiously, looking at him with innocent eyes.

"Of course ! And I would like to know who has taught you to us them, just by simple curiosity...", nicely asked me Alfyn.

I was feeling quite happy when he said my superpowers were so awesome, and, to be honest, I was really proud to get them. Effectly, they were very useful to help us getting that antidote and beating those dangerous snakes, just to save our lives. It was such an amazing dream for anyone to have amazing superpowers, like picking up heavy things, or breathing fire.

But to be serious, I still didn't know where they came from. Since Ophilia told me I had such an amazing potential inside me, I was wondering myself for a moment how did I received those magic powers. Yeah, Alfyn mentionned the word "magic", making me reminding that Ophilia told me that people with magic powers existed in this world. Did my superpowers were in reality magic ? If yes, was I a wizard like Terry, Phili and Alf ? And by the way, what was the difference between magic and superpowers ?

I don't know, but I wanted so much to discover the truth about them.

"Well, I don't know how I've got them. It's just like they have appeared suddenly... as if by magic.", I answered to Alfyn, while watching at my hands.

Alfyn made a small breath before he decided to talk.

"You seem to be lost, aren't you ? I think you should ask an expert in magic, maybe he will help you to control them by studying them."

"An expert ?"

"Yeah, like a scholar, for exemple. You know, those who study the magic from those lands by using them for helping them in their researches. They can create many forms of magic, like the fire or the thunder..."

"The thunder ?!", I asked him curiously, surprised to learn that I wasn't the only one to have lighting superpowers.

"Of course. But there is also a large number of possibilites we could create with magic, you know ! Sadly, I couldn't help you to know more about your magic."

"Uh ? Why ? You're a wizard too, no ?"

"Not really, I just practice ice magic a little for doing my job, and it was a miracle that I saved us thanks to them. I couldn't totally control them, and neither the man who taught me this could help you, as he wasn't a real expert too...", he explained to me.

"So... Where can I have find one ?", I asked him again, very concerned to know the origins of my magic powers.

He sighted calmly, before he answered me.

"I don't have any idea at all... We never had the time to study more about magic, me and Zeph. We mostly preferred to focus on our apothecary's formation."

I just finally have an idea about how I will know more about my superpowers, and where they came from. According to Alfyn, I have to find someone who practice magic very well so he might helping me to control them. I was just a bit disappointed that Alfyn has no idea who I could inquire.

After all, Alfyn just wanted to become an apothecary, not a wizard. I won't force him to help me to find out, and he can only just create ice, not electricity.By the way I think this must be a very special magic, as Ophilia has told me that I have such an incredible power.

But I also think that Alfyn has a great power. Not only because he has such an amazing ice magic, but he was also incredibly kind with the other people, and he never hesitated to help them, whatsoever healing someone sick, or helping a friend in the need. No matter what was the request, he has always insisted to help other people who needed his services. After all, with great power comes with great... will to help the others, right ?

But even if he enjoyed his job, I could still see how much he has to work. Between healing the patients, and harvesting the medicinal herbs necessary to create potions, that must be a lot of work. I've heard that a formation which permitted us to get a job would last long enough, like a few years. Out of curiosity, I wondered what kind of formation he and Zeph have practiced.

"It wasn't too hard, your formation, for you and Zeph ?", I asked him nicely, wanting to know more about his work.

"Well... It was difficult in the beginning, but we both enjoyed the pleasure of discovery and medicinal herbs. Indeed, we have both amazing qualities: curiosity, love for nature, but also generosity, which is such an adviced quality for being an apothecary. And, after I've noticed you had the 3 of them, I think you may even become an apothecary as good as me !"

"Ah ?! Maybe... hehe", I scratched the back of my head, feeling a bit embarassed that he found I could be a doctor like him.

In the first place, I didn't want to be a doctor, helping people was just enough for me !

He then continued to speak.

"After long years of studies, we finally managed to became good apothecaries, and we're both happy. Today, we can now heal the entire village, and we are both very proud to help the inhabitants by just seeing their happiness, along with that of their closest ones. I'm so happy to get to this point, it's such a pleasure for me to help all of these people. I've given it all to be the best apothecary I can be. To be more like we-know-who... But sometimes, I feel like I'm still so far away..."

I was really concerned when he finished his sentence, while he watched the stars on the beautiful night sky above him. He looked so pensive, something must be bothering him since a moment. I never heard him saying that he wasn't useful enough, that he wanted to do more again.

I wanted to learn more about his problems.

"What do you mean, Alf ?", I asked him, waiting curiously but attentively at his answer.

He just made a small breath, while he looked a little upset, when he watched at the river, before he decided to speak to me calmly.

"It's been a year that I started to help the sick and the wounded, to prepare any kinds of antidotes and selves with only the strength of my hands and of my will. Sadly, it happened a few times that I couldn't have saved a few lives, like my mother. And despite I'm now ready to cure any diseases in that hamlet, I couldn't stop thinking that a thousand of persons who must have to suffer from diseases and plagues, while they desperately needed my help. When I observed to what extent Nina was sick and I've confronted the true danger by getting my hands on that poison, I started to think about all of those who must be in the same case than her, although they are too much far away from my reach for I could save them... In others terms... I'm just wondering... if I could be more useful somewhere else than here..."

He finished his sentence in a low tone, as I could see that he seemed a little lost in his minds.

I was feeling a still bad to hear him complaining that he wasn't able to cure everyone in the land. I never expected that despite he looked so helpful, so hard-working and so nice, he was still feeling guilty for not doing much enough to help sick people. I understood he was a little frustrated in his mind, and that he was aware that there was still a lot of sick people in this world who were terribly sick.

That's right what we've been through today must be one of his hardest work to have collected this antidote. Even if Alfyn was still an apprentice, he was already a good doctor and he had such a strong will to save people from sickness. But I knew that he absolutely wanted to help them, I knew he couldn't support to know that there were still people who needed his help, not because he was afraid to have to much work, but because he was too worried for them. I understood his need to help the poor sick people, but does that means... that he wanted to leave the village and to travel through the world ?!

That must be the "secret" he was thinking about, the one that Zeph told us when we were heading back to the village, and it was more surprising than I expected.

I knew he wouldn't enjoy that I guessed his secret, but it was bothering him for a moment, so I asked him curiously, feeling concerned by what he intended to.

"So... you want to leave the village ?"

He didn't answered me directly, but he hasn't denied to my answer, and just stayed calm, so it must be the truth. I was also really surprised to learn that he wanted to leave his homeplace, and to travel through the country. I understood he wanted to help more persons, but I never expected that he wanted to take such a decision...

I waited a little before Alfyn calmly answered me.

"To be honest... yes."

I was surprised to hear his answer, and he wasn't joking. He really wanted to cure the sick and the wounded by travelling through the world, a bit like me.

Effectly, I think a little that it was good that me and him shared the same dream of discovering the world, but I noticed that he seemed unsure, lost, just like something was still bothering him.

He then continued to speak, while observing the beautiful river illuminated by the moon.

"The problem, is that there are still a lot of things which keep me here. Look at this town.", he showed me the entire village, as we stunned our heads at the right and at the left.

It was such a peaceful and beautiful village, in the middle of the campaign, but I just noticed that almost all the houses looked the same, and they were all a little fragile.

Alfyn then explained to me, while he still seemed dreamy.

"Although it's such a magnificent place, it's very well exposed at any kinds of diseases, and almost everyday someone fall sick. All it'd take is a stiff breeze to blow this backwater village right off the map... And yet, this is where I was born and raised, where I learned my craft, where I discovered more than an hundred of medicinal plants, and where I grown up with the inhabitants for a few years, who are still counting on my talents. It's got grouchy Gertas, who I ain't ever seen smiling. Meryl's got her act together, but she still needs a shoulder to cry on now and then... Gotta keep an eye on old Alek's cough, too..."

He pronounced a few names from people who were unfamiliar to me, but I could understand why he didn't really want to leave that village: it's been years he lived in Clearbrook, where he has grown up with a lot of friends. But he also believed that he will be useful if he stayed here in the village.

It's must be so hard for him to hesitate... What could he chose between staying here in his hometown for curing people he liked ? Or traveling through the world by looking for new patients to cure ?

I think that must be so hard to leave our friends for fulfilling our dream, it was such an hard choice.

I then heard Alfyn talking calmly, while he made a small smile while remembering all the nice moments he has known in that village.

"But Zeph is especially the person who counts the most on me. I've been giving him a hard time since the gods know when. He invited me to study together with him under his father, took care of the books after we went into business together. But most important, he was always there for me, he supported me during all these years as my best friend and as my working partner. He was always there when I had problems, and vice versa, and he is such a loyal companion to me. But if ever I leave this place, I couldn't stop to worry for him if he would manage to do everything at my place."

He and Zeph were really close friends: they both practiced their job while caring for each other. He thought that it would be quite selfish if he left Zeph alone taking care of the village, but he didn't want to bother him to do all the work in the village, although they worked together for years.

Something told me that Alfyn had more reasons to become a doctor than Zeph. They've both worked hard to have amazing abilities of curing people, but Alfyn wanted to go further again. He wanted to fight against the plagues and to heal everyone on earth, just to be sure that everyone is ok, but I just understood he would like to cure everyone by pleasure, like he has always done with the inhabitants of Clearbrook. He wanted to surpass his limits by turning into the best doctor in the world.

I never knew he was keeping that secret deep in his heart. It's makes me feel bad to think that if ever he choose something, he will abandon the other.

"Do you really think he will be sad if ever you leave the village ?", I asked him curiously, trying to understand why he looked so upset.

"I don't know. But no matter what he will think about it, I'm pretty sure I will give up on my native village if I leave, although I have regular patients who must be counting on me."

I find it was such a nice thing to help everyone in the world, but Alfyn was so hesitating to his choice. If ever he left the village, he will have to regret Zeph and the other villagers of this place.

I was pretty sure that he preferred to leave the village and to travel through the world to help the sick instead of saying at Clearbrook, because it was his dream to become the best doctor in the world. But he was still worrying for those whom he will let alone, because they were still people in this village who are ill, or there will be other who will become ill at their turn.

However, I was pretty sure that he shouldn't worry too much, that everything will be fine if ever he left.

So, I wanted to remind him of something.

"But... Zeph is your friend, right ?"

"Mmmmhh ?...", he stunned at me.

"You know each other since you were little, and you two are always ready help each other if someone have a problem. I think that if ever Zeph know that you have a problem, I'm sure he will help you by doing everything he can, 'cause friends always help each other."

I smiled at him, watching him peacefully as I wanted to make him smile.

He was listening to me, when I continued to talk.

"You have helped him many times  for his work, or when he had a problem, but he must also worry that you work too much. However, if it's your best friend, he must know you by heart: he knows how much you love your work, he knows that it's such a pleasure for you to cure the sick. So I'm sure that he will understand what you really want to accomplish, and in my opinion, if you leave the village, I'm sure you could count on him to take care of the village while you're absent."

He smiled at me, as he looked so peaceful in the middle of this beautiful night.

He was touched by my words, and he too he knew that Zeph will help him at his turn whenever he needed his help. Alfyn couldn't heal everyone by himself, but he can count on persons whom he trusted, like I was totally believing in him, like I did with Therion and Ophilia.

He then finally answered me.

"I think you're right. Pretty sure Zeph has already guessed my ambitions since a moment. It's just... even if I totally believe in him, I can not stop to prevent myself for being worried about all of them."

"You know, Alf, I see nothing bad that you've decided to leave the village. Honestly, I find that's awesome that you would like to cure the entire world ! And I'm very sure that even Zeph will be happy that you fulfill your dream by travelling through the world !", I grinned at him, feeling quite proud for him, when I slowly felt upset while looking at my reflet on the river. "For my part... I never got the pleasure of discovering things as they were... While you you were surrounded by all the inhabitants of your village, like Zeph, who have always supported you for discovering the world... no one was there to support me. I never had the chance to be supported by others people, because I was alone..."

I was remembering my old and difficult past, when Alfyn nicely put his hand on my shoulder.

"Nah. You're not alone, now. And if you want to fulfill your dream, you have to follow through. Just... no matter how hard it is, never give up too fast. Do the best that you can, by keeping smiling !", told me Alfyn with a bright smile.

"Doing the best that I can..." They were the same words Therion have told me before we got separated. I was finally supported by someone in the achievement of my dream, by a friend that I wqs very happy to have met. Even if I never had the chance to have a family and a home, I don't have to give up to much, because everything was possible if I use all my effort.

Fulfilling my dream with a smile, this is what exactly I wanted to, but it was mostly Alfyn which gave me the will to manage it. Since a good moment, I was admired by Alfyn's will to help people, but I was mostly amazed that he wanted to travel the world in search of persons to heal. In reality, I wanted to go with him: I wanted to travel through the world with him, to follow him wherever he go, and to continue to discover new places, new beasts and new plants to harvest with him. It must be so fun to travel with a friend, and I was really happy to have my first friends after entering into that game, which the vast world must be really amazing to explore. I was also ready at anything to help him if ever he had a problem, because friends always help each other.

And I liked Alfyn a lot: he waq such a very nice person who was amazing and always ready to help anyone who are in the need. I wanted to be like him, not to be a doctor, but I wanted to help everyone, just like him. Thanks to him, I've learned that we could help many people at once, and so, that means I could also help Therion to steal those magic balls, and Ophilia to gather the blue flames with her. I wanted to help each of them, even if I had no idea where they might be.

I also wanted to support Alfyn the longest possible, to help him fulfilling his dream to be the best apothecary in the world, and to make people smile. This is exactly what I wanted to do, making people smile, so I will be happy for them, just like Alfyn, whom I considered a lot like my model.

~Alfyn's POV~

Travis was such a remarkable boy: I never knew a child so nice and full of compassion like him, especially at his young age. Although yes, as he really reminded me of me and Zeph when we were children. He was really generous and he had such a golden heart, but he is already smart enough to know how to speak with others who feel upset. I didn't know where he came from, I have no idea about his origins, so I was wondering what he had been through, and how did he had managed to be in that place. However, I was really happy to have met this nice boy, who shared with me my will to travel through the world.

It's been a moment that I desired to leave this place for a moment. I knew by heart every common diseases the villages could catch and how to treat them, but I wanted to change for once, I wanted to discover a new experience in my job by visiting cities and villages where people needed my services. I would like to know more about the unknown diseases from the vast land of Orsterra, and I was aware it will be much more different than treating the patients living in my hometown. But I still didn't have any ideas where I have to go first. Orewell ? Wispermill ? Goldshore ? Whatever, I just know there was a lot of people who need to be saved...

I then a door opening, making me stunning my head at the right, when I noticed Zeph was quickly leaving his house.

"Alf !", he called us.

"Zeph !", me and Travis both called him.

Zeph looked quite happy, so we went down the edge's bridge, and we moved at Zeph's direction, who ran in our direction, when he stopped in his tracks a front of us.

"So ?...", I asked him about Nina, if the antidote was useful.

He breathed fast, when he told us happily.

"The Flame take me, it worked ! Nina's feeling better by the hour !"

"Really ?! Great !", exclamed Travis, who jumped happily after hearing the new.

I was also happy as him after learning that Nina was healed ! All my efforts for having my hands on that poison weren't finally useless ! She could finally be with her brother thanks to me, and also thanks to Travis !

Behind Zeph, I noticed through the window Nina, standing up in her white dress, who was still tired after the treatment, but she was finally right !

She looked at us through the window, when she calmly and shyly waved at us, with a small smile adorning her sweet face. Travis also noticed her and waved back at her happily.

Anyway, I was very happy for Zeph, when I laughed calmly and positively.

"I knew it. With you on the job, was there ever any doubt ?"

"...Thank you, Alfyn. For everything. You... you saved my sister's life. How can I ever repay you ?", told me Zeph, who looked very blessed and so grateful towards me.

I was really proud to have been so heroic for Nina, but this was exactly what I wanted: to help them for they could remain happy together, between brother and sister.

It was just natural for me to provide them assistance.

"Don't even mention it. You can also thanks Travis, he did half of the work.", I answered to him while friendly tapping the boy's head.

"Hehe ! It was nothing, I just wanted to help too !", said Travis, who looked so proud to have been so useful for Zeph.

"We helped out someone in a bind. Simple as that.", I said to Zeph, feeling also proud to have saved his little sister's life.

Zeph, who was still blessed that his sister was safe and safety, looked concerned at my answer.

"...Those words...", he said calmly, as he looked so pensive in his mind.

He quickly understood who I was referring, when Travis looked quite curious.

"What are you talking about ?", he asked.

We all slowly walked towards the bridge, illuminated by the shiny moon, when Zeph started to explain.

"I remember... when we were still small, and the Great Pestilence came... Father could cure every disease known to man, but for the first time, he was at a loss. Then one day, a traveler came to town bearing an elixir the likes of which we'de never seen..."

We stopped in the middle of the bridge, spotting the beautiful river, while Zeph continued to tell his story. Travis sat down on the edge and listened passionately to him, while Zeph explained all the details about that day, just like it was yesterday, where he was also a witness of the scene. He told him how the brave man cured me with his talented healing skills, how much me and my mom were grateful towards him, and how generous he was, so nice and generous that he became my biggest model.

Travis was really amazed by this story, while I was really happy to remind of that day... My mind was filled with a lot of nostalgy when I was listening to Zeph's tale. It was so good for me to remember that day, when I've decided to be like him, to help everyone without asking something in exchange.

Zeph then finished his story.

"Ever since that day, you've worked your damnedest to become just like your hero, to help people out, just like he did."

"Waaahhh... This man must be someone very nice !", said Travis, who enjoyed a lot the kindness of this man.

When I was lost in my minds by watching the river, Travis looked up at me and asked me.

"Isn't that right, Alf ?!"

"Oh, um... is that how it went ?", I answered to Zeph, coming back in the real world.

Zeph, who was aware how much this man inspired me, just sighted positively, before he spoke calmly to me, while he watched me by behind.

"...Alfyn."

I stunned at him, knowing that he wanted to talk me something quite important, when I listened to what he has to say.

"We've been together forever now. So I can tell... You want to leave this place, don't you ? You want to travel the world and help as many people as you can... Just like him."

I was slightly surprised, he guessed again what I was hiding from him. However, I was sure that he will finish to talk to me about that. I didn't answered him immediatly, feeling a little bothered that he has already learnt it, but Travis said right that he guessed it, when I noticed he was waching curiously at me with his blue eyes as blue as was the river.

It was useless to deny, as everyone know the proverb "friends don't lie". So I affirmed him by answering him honestly.

"Aha... heh... You knew."

"I'm not daft, you know.", he answered me calmly, while he looked still positive.

"Me too, I knew that he wanted to leave the village, Zeph !", affirmed calmly Travis.

"Ah, you too ?", asked Zeph at the small brown haired boy.

"Of course ! But I don't see anything bad that he would like to travel through the land.", he answered to him, with a small grin on his face.

The young boy was right to tell that it wasn't a crime to leave home in order to help sick people through the land. I smiled at the idea, but I still feel worried about my hometown.

"Yeah...But still, this is my home.", I told them, while watching around me the whole village where I've passed my entire life.

The little houses, the river, the forest, and all of the villagers I knew since I was a kid, all of these will really miss me.

I have to explain at Zeph how worried I was, but with a smile adorning my face.

"I know you're a skilled apothecary, Zeph. At least as god as... no, probably even a little better than me. But I can't leave you to look after the whole village on your own. Besides, who else'd cut your ego down to size ? Who'll listen to Gertas's grumblings ? And Meryl's tales of unrequited love ? And cockamamie stories of the old Alek..."

He suddenly interrupted me, his hand pressed against his chest.

"I will ! I'll do it all !"

"... !", I was really surprised to hear his answer.

He was really determined to do everything at my place when I'll be absent, and, to be honest, nothing of that was bothering him at all. Instead, he looked so amazed by what I wanted to do, and he wanted to return the favor, after all the help I gave him without asking something in exchange. And as Travis has expected, he knew how worried I was for the townfolks.

So, he reassured me, putting his hand on my shoulder, when I noticed a lot of determination through his eyes.

"Don't you worry about anything. I'll see that the villagers are happy and healthy. I swear it on my life. So go out and see the realm, Alf. Do it with your heart at ease and your head held high."

That's it. Zeph too has seen nothing wrong in my will to leave that place, he instead encouraged me and told me to fulfill my dream, that I was destined to accomplish since I've been saved by who-we-know.

But now, even if I was quite happy to be about to start a new beginning, I couldn't go back now. I've already made my decision, I will leave Clearbrook tomorrow at the morning, even if I never expected I will leave so soon.

"...Shucks.", I said to myself, as Zeph and Travis were attentively watching at me.

Honestly, I was quite glad to leave tomorrow. I didn't have the courage to announce that at Zeph, but thanks to him, and also to Travis, I finally have the courage to maintain my decision.

I watched at Travis, who seemed to be glad that I've finally choseen my path. Talking about him, there was something incredible with this young boy, and I wanted to show it at Zeph for lightening the mood.

I first asked Travis, in a friendly way.

"Hey, Trav ! Why don't you show your powers at Zeph ?"

He watched at me curiously at me.

"My powers ?... Oh yeah ! I've almost forgotten to tell you about these !", he said happily, reminding about the lighting magic he used in that caverns.

Zeph, who looked slightly confused, asked me calmly and curiously.

"What you're two talking about ?"

"You know about my magic power to create ice, right ?!"

"Huhu !", he answered me, trying to understand the situation.

"Well, Travis also practice magic ! And they also permitted us to save our lives when we were into that cavern ! Am I right, Travis ?", I watched down at the boy, who looked amazed.

"Of course yes ! They're so incredible, and I'm very fast and strong when I use them !", he told us happily, while clenching his fists as he was amused.

"Does he really control magic ?", asked calmly Zeph, who looked concerned while watching down at the boy.

"I'm telling you !", I said happily to my friend.

However, he didn't seem to trust us a lot about that, but it was normal. Indeed, it was hard to believe that such a young boy like Travis had already magic. But, I sweared that I've witnessed him unleashing electricity by magic !

And Travis wanted to prove it as well, when he told to us.

"Wait, wait ! I'm gonna show you, guys ! And 1 ! And 2 ! And 3 !"

He concentrated himself, taking a quick breath, as he was ready to unleash his lighting magic a front of us.

"Gnnnnnn..... Gnnnnn !!!! Gnnnnn !!!!"

Nothing happened. Travis continued desperately to try to make them appear, but not a single spark was produced by his body.

"Why isn't it working ?!", he exclamed himself, doing the best as he coul to make them appear.

Me too I didn't understand what was going on. Why did his powers don't show up ?! Maybe it was difficult for a child like him to control them...

Zeph looked quite confused and embarassed, and must be thinking that it was a joke.

However, Travis didn't giver up to make them appear.

"My powers ! Mmmmmhhhh... appear ! Abracadabra... Shazam !", he tried desperately to make them appear, while reciting some weird magic formulas, but nothing happened.

Me and Travis where both confused about what was going on with his magic powers, while Zeph looked slightly annoyed.

"Uhhh... I think I'm gonna check on Nina's state ! Hehe !", he nicely told us, while he moved back to his house, leaving us alone, as he wasn't believing us.

Travis then stopped his effort, as he breathed a little, feeling a bit tired and upset that he wasn't able to make appear his electricity anymore.

"Ooohhhhh... What happened to me ? Why I can't do this anymore ?", he told me, feeling slightly upset.

He really wanted to show them at Zeph, but it was a shame that he couldn't clearly control them.

While he was a little upset, I decided to reassure him.

"Sorry, Trav. It's not easy, you know, to control an enormous power like this one."

But even after he listened to me, he continued again to try.

"Gnnnnnnnnnnnn..."

GZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!

Suddenly, a few blue sparks appeared his body. Electricity was covering his body, while emitting a blue light on the bridge. There was much less electricity than before, but he finally managed to make them appear again !

He was quite happy to have succeeded to make them appear.

"That's it ! That's it !", he said happily, while more electricity covered his entire body.

"Great !", I exclamed, feeling glad for him.

I then ran at the other side of the bridge, when I called at Zeph.

"Zeph ! Come back !"

When he was about to reach the door, he quickly turned at us.

"What's wrong ?!"

"Come back to see ! He is just unleashing them !", I answered to him, while still hearing a few lighting sounds, which were like the ones we've heard yesterday.

He then moved back to the bridge, when I followed him, without watching at Travis, and showed him Travis with his power.

"Look !", I told him, feeling slightly proud that I wasn't joking to him.

"That's incredible...", he answered to me, as he looked slightly surprised, before he asked me again."Does he have the power of being invisible ?!"

I was finding his question slightly weird.

"What are you talking about ?! He doesn't have the power of being invisib..."

I suddenly stopped to talk, when I watched at the bridge where Travis normally was, but he wasn't there anymore.

I didn't understand what was going on: Travis had disappeared in an instant, while I started to be quite worried for him.

"Wait... Where did he..."

I looked everywhere: at the right, at the left, under the bridge, on the river, but he was missing.

Me, alongside with Zeph, started to be quite scared for him, when I called at him.

"Travis ! Where are you ! Travis !"

There was no answer, Travis just disappeared when I wasn't watching at him. But how ?! That was impossible that he could have dissappeared like this !

~Travis's POV~

"NOOOOOOOOOOT AAAAAAAAAGAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN !!"

I yelled, feeling disappointed while I was again into that blue vortex, my entire body being aspired through a weird tornado.

After I unleashed my superpowers, I have suddenly disappeared after being electrocuted, as the village, the bridge, the river, Alfyn and Zeph, were all missing. And now I was here, one more time in that weird vortex, my body spining in the void, while the gravity was attracting me.

I was floating in the middle of a blue tornado with quick winds, when I suddenly heard a voice in my head.

You know nothing... Little boy.

I recognized this voice: it was the same voice I've heard right after I was separated from Ophilia. But what he was talking about to me ? What did he means when "I know nothing" ?

I was then attracted in a white vortex, which was the same one I saw before I landed on Alfyn.

While I was gesticulating my arms and my legs in fear, I then entered through the portail, when I saw a bright white light, making me hiding my eyes.

I then felt myself falling from an high height.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

I passed through leaves and it something hard, hurting my back, when I noticed it was like the branch of a tree.

I then fell on another branch, which hurt my ass, and the I continued to fall branch by branch, my face being sometimes hit by the leaves, and some branches broke due to my weight.

I finally landed heavily on the ground, sitting down with my back pressed against the foot of a tree.

"Ouch !"

My fall was finally over, when I noticed some crows were flying towards the sky, as they were scared of me, while they screeched when they were flapping their wings.

After recovering for a few seconds, watching at myself, and with still the bag Alfyn gave me for stowing my stuff, I then noticed at my surroundings that it was still the night. But I wasn't in the village anymore: instead, I watched up to see I was now in a vast forest, with very tall trees, much taller than the trees which were in the forest of this morning. Effectly, it wasn't the same place at all: it was much darker, and the trees looked so tall that I was like oppressed by their height.

It was very dark at the night, I couldn't clearly see what was arround me, except trees and leaves, and also a few leaves and barks at my feet. The air was cold and the ambiance was really frightening me: everything was dark, and I was totally alone.

I quickly stood up on my feet, when I watched around me, feeling really scared as my body was shaking alone in fear.

"Alfyn ?! Zeph ?! Where are you ?!", I called them, hoping to hear them.

However, no one called me back. The only thing I heard was the noise made by an owl.

I didn't know what happened: I was just with Alfyn and Zeph, but now, I was lost in the middle of an huge forest ! All I know, is that there was this vortex and...

Wait ! Was I teleported again ?! Did it was my superpowers which had forcefully moved me from a place to another one ?! But... Where was I, by the way ?!

I just watched around me: there was just trees everywhere, very tall trees, and I was in the middle of a strange and scary forests.

As a conclusion, I was lost in the woods.

Wait... It isn't the woodlands region ?!

~

  A/N:

How are you guys ! Did you have enjoyed this calm but fun chapter ?!

' hope you enjoyed all those cool chapters with Alfyn !

Alfyn is such a good friend for Travis ! Everyone deserves a sympathetic friend like him !

Are you wondering yourself who will be the next traveler Travis will met ?

Now, this boy will have to start to inquire the truth of this game !

Is someone have enjoyed this fun chapter ?! Are you impatient for the next one ?!

Then, I hope yes, and I tell you see you next time for the next chapter !