Chapter Text
The scuff of his combat boots could be heard in the hardwood floor, “Fuck where the hell is the goddamn exist?” Lee groaned, after seeing another dead end. He turned around and continued walking to the left side of the hallway, and in the distance a young man with bloodied long dark hair could be seen. Lee was flabbergasted at the sight, he pondered to himself—‘could it be really him..? no, no, no way! h-he’s dead! theres no way he’s still alive...’ or was he? Before he could even open his mouth, the boy had already disappeared, “Hey, wait!” Lee tried searching for him everywhere, but none could be seen—until out of nowhere, two pairs of hands were wrapped around his neck trying to suffocate him, whispering close to his ears in an eerie tone. “Lee, do you still remember our promise?” ‘shit- I can't breathe-!’ Lee thought to himself. Just as he was about to ran out of air—a loud, abrupt noise woke him up.
"Jesus Christ Lee wake the fuck up! We're gonna practice your mace skills remember?!" The lilac-headed woman screamed at his ear lobes. "Dude what the fuck!?" Lee instinctively covered both of his ears, irritated by the suden sound, "Couldn't you at least just be a little nicer? Jeez..." "Yeah well guess what dumbass that's what I've been trying for one and a half minute ago." He sat at the side of the bed, yawning as he stretch his arms upward. "Now ready up sleeping beauty, I already prepared your breakfast outside." She ordered him, then faced towards the bedroom door. "I... had another dream again, same as before." He spoke up, head lowered down while fidgeting with his fingers, as he try to recollect everything that had happened, "Is that so? Was it similar to that one or..?" "Not really, this time he came up to me trying to strangle me to death or something..." He continued, "Ugh just- forget about it. It's not that important." Lee stood up from the bed and brushed past them, "Damn.. Whatever you say I guess" Mimi responded with a hint of uneasiness in his tone, and proceeded to catch up with him.
As the sun went lower, the evening breeze felt a lot fresher than before—sun rays hitting on the lush green grass for the last time, before it completely disappears underground. Two young men could be seen settled down besides a beautiful large verdant tree, supposedly resting after another harsh training. "And that's why it's hard for you to do a consistent stun-slam technique, you always go higher than needed, get what I mean?" He ranted on and on, nitpicking every single mistake Lee did while training, "But don't worry you're getting the hang of it, just... try not going a bit too high next time, yeah?" They fixate their eyes on him. "Yup. Got it." With his answer, it somewhat feels like his mind could be possibly preoccupied with something else. "Hey man you good? You seem a little bit more distracted lately..." Mimi pointed it out, "I know we've just known each other for 9 months and probably more, but I already consider you as another friend of mine," As Lee was about to speak, she interrupted him, "Look dude if there's anything you gotta tell me or I could help with, feel free to come to me alright? I'm always here for you." He added. Lee just nodded in reply, after all he was never really good with feelings, and being vulnerable around other people that wasn't his best friend. And Mimi understood that. After all we really only have one true soulmate in a life time. "Welp, I'm going back now. I still have a lot of shit crap to do, you coming with me or nah?" He arose from the field. "I think I'll pass for now, thanks." After that Mimi returned to their dwelling, leaving Lee behind the willow tree.
The meadow gets hit with a wave of tranquility, all he could hear was the water flowing down the river, birds chirping on top of the tree branch, wolves howling at the full moon, and the lanterns illuminating a mellow radiance. He breathed a sigh of relief, eyelids threatening to shut down. Just as he was drifting off to sleep, he saw a familiar uncanny figure for a split second, "Shit-!" He shrieked, Lee clutched his chest, sensing it tighten out of anxiety, "Maybe I'm just tired... Yeah that's right I'm just tired and I just need some good rest and everything will go back to normal." He tried reassuring himself. Lee jumped to his feet and walked back to the abode. A high-pitched, metallic, creaking sound was heard from entering the house. "Hey you're finally back! I was beginning to think you dozed off there... I planned on carrying you back here if you ever did though." Mimi spoke with a placid timbre. "I did actually—I just woke up." Lee responded with a yawn. "You still gonna eat dinner?" "I think I'll go to bed early tonight, don't really feel like eating anything, sorry." "It's alright, sleep tight Lee." Lee mumbled to them with a 'good night.' and went ahead to his room.
Back now laying front on his bed, his gaze fixated on the ceiling, his mind somewhere else. ’God no matter what I do I just can't sleep.’ He rose up from the mattress and walked towards a corner where a curved steel plate was covered by a dusty blanket. Lee returned to his bed and sat down at the edge of it. He snatched the cover off—revealing a big, pointed iron shield with a deep blue face and a shiny eagle in the center, though the golden edges are starting to rust over. Lee carefully examined it—tracing his index finger around the rim, before gently setting it down besides the bed. He was laying down with eyes half-shut, his gaze unfocused, until they finally settle into the quiet darkness of sleep. The presence of the memento softly cradling him till he went into a deep—deep, slumber.
The horizon was a hazy blend of cerulean blue and white skies, where white-capped waves crashed against the wooden piling. Two young folks sitting still at the verge of the dock, both holding a fishing rod in their hand. The shore provided a sense of serenity and escape, with the sun glowing into a fading light, as the translucent water turn into a mix of orange and pink. The gentle tapping of the sea, and the seagulls screeching on top of a random outpost were close enough to be heard. The man adorned in a long black robe parted his lips and said, “Don’t you think this feels calming, Lee?” He switched his gaze upon the other man. “...It is.” Lee mumbled, his focus somewhere else. Digs noticed the subtle change at his demeanor, “What are you thinking about?” He questioned. “It’s nothing.” Lee sighed, seeming as if he doesn’t wanna let him inquire about the current subject further. Obviously, that wouldn’t work on Digs—so he resorted to pestering the answer out of the guy, till it resulted to unexpectedly getting snapped at by him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell-!" He panicked—the grip on his rod tightening, "My mind’s just- stressed out from the upcoming battle... that’s all.” Another sigh left his mouth. “Pfft- be for real, you almost beat me to death twice!” Digs chuckled at his friends anxious state, “Besides I know you’re gonna do well in the fight, just have some faith in yourself.” The young man felt comforted by his friend’s reassurance, “Thanks dude.” “Any time.”