• Nell was walking through a clearing on a cowpath, which bordered between cropfields and a few working villagers. Nell continued on to a bridge over a river that led to a forest, her identity still sheltered by the hood of her sleeveless tunic. She reached the end of the bridge when she stopped at the sense of a presence.

    "Nell..." said a familiar voice. She slowly turned around in response, her light gray eyes widened.

    "Drayke... What are you doing here?", she asked, pulling back her hood.

    "I should be asking you that, silly girl. I was sent to find you and bring you back to your village," he answered, and Nell tensed, "didn't know you would run away like this."

    "I won't let you," she answered in a surely tone, "I've made the decision to go on this journey. It's personal and it doesn't involve you or anyone else". She refused to be persuaded, even by her close friend.

    "Don't be stupid, Nell. You don't know how dangerous it is outside of civilization, and yet you want to go on this journey by yourself?", Drayke said, raising his voice.

    "My parents are alive somewhere; I just know it. I know they hold the answers to who I really am and I'm going to find out no matter what. Things have been happening that you wouldn't understand. I can take care of myself and I don't want risk anybody getting hurt by being involved with me in my affairs. This is my problem and my decision, and mines to handle alone."

    Drayke sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He was through with trying to negotiate. "You're so damn hardheaded... and I thought I was stubborn," he said, "But if you want me to do this the hard way, then I will."

    Nell shifted to fighting stance, a little reluctant about fighting with her friend on such terms.

    At that moment, Drayke ran toward her with shocking acceleration and agility. Startled, Nell raised her forearms in defense and before she knew it, Drayke shackled her wrists in the firm grip of his hands. Nell suddenly met Drayke's stern, gazing, hazel eyes at close range; she frozed for a second and struggled to free from his hold.

    "What a weak defense," Drayke smirked, toying with her, "if this is the best you can do, then you won't last a minute in a real battle, let alone one with weapons."

    The look in Nell's eyes changed from shocked to serious after hearing those words; she didn't like being underestimated. She jumped and raised her feet high off the ground, placed them on Drayke's chest, and jumped again to push him away, breaking his hold. Drayke's eyes widened at the sudden move as Nell then fell back and landed on her hands, pushed her weight and backflipped back on her feet, sliding to a crouching position. Drayke staggered but soon regained his balance.

    "Damn..." murmured Drayke, with a hand on his chest. But then a small grin crept on his face, he was impressed.

    "I don't wanna do this," Nell said while rising back to standing, keeping her eyes on Drayke.

    "Me neither," he replied, "That's why I would rather you be back home with Ms. Haizea and the others than to be out here by yourself."

    Nell's eyes softened, "Drayke, I know you're worried and just looking out for me, and I appreciate that. But I can take care of myself and I assure you that I'm not helpless," she smiled, "Besides, you can't treat me like a baby forever."

    Drayke turned his head, pouting with a small hint of blushjng, "Tch, don't be ridiculous. Who said I was worried?" he murmured.

    "Farewell, Drayke."

    Drayke turned his head back toward her, "Wha?"

    A smoke bomb suddenly exploded where Nell was. Drayke ran toward the haze, "Wait! Nell!" The smoke faded and she was gone without a trace. "Damn it..." Drayke growled, looking out at the forest with an irritated look, "Stupid girl..."