The eyes opened in a tent creeped with shade. As soon as the reinforcement came, an emergency medical camp was set for the injured ones. Raizon wasn't able to move completely fine but with the sore muscle he somehow handled himself. Looking at a completely wounded man beside him he understood the casualties from the attack. Stepping outside his eyes were pinched from the sun rays, following the crowd chattering among themselves he was lead to the graves of the deceased. A small sanctuary was built right between the village as a memento of respect for the ones who lost their lives. That's when he noticed Salina's grave just beside her dad. "It was surely not a coincidence and must be planned by Patt" Raizon thought to himself. That's when his legs stumbled and right before he fell down, Goan came for the rescue.
"So, you are awake mystery boy," he said.
"It feels like it," Raizon smiled.
They took their little time looking at the carved stones with the names of the people they just met. Feeling the warmth of the air that was fondled with the flowers kept near the grave. Shalon came in as well, standing proud of his new friends.
"Let's go, the officer is calling us," he explained.
The officer was waiting for the trio in the tent for some questions and news to tell. It seemed Patt was called as well as he was sitting on a nearby bench. He smiled looking at Raizon as he went to hug him
"I'm glad you are okay kid" he tighten the hug
"All thanks to you all," Raizon replied.
The officer was a young boy in his mid-twenties tapping the pen in nervousness, looking at the surveillance reports of the attack.
"So these are our heroes" he claimed when he saw the trio coming along with Patt.
"These are the ones," Patt answered.
"First of all I want to ask you…" and so some of the questions for the investigation went on and lastly he said "I will talk to the headquarters to provide you with some points that will surely help you in your journey".
"Well that will be a great help" Shalon replied.
Actually, the spectral users need to collect spectral points to enter the first stage of the tournament. The first step of the spectral user is to form a team of three that would integrate the points they have collected (you can form a team before gaining any points as well). Once the points exceed one-thousand, the team is eligible for the tournament. And that's why these extra points were surely going to be beneficial. As for the brutal part of the story, Patt had already solved the matter by suggesting he was the one to land the finishing blow that killed the invaders. As Patt was a pro spectral user he had the rights to get involved in such matters.
"You can go boys" the police officer said with joy "let your journey begin".
As the boys left the tent, they waited for Patt to join them. He came out soon enough after the remaining part of the accident was covered. It seems that no one else from the academy was severely injured and everyone was fine. Even though the academy was closed for a few days to let the students recover.
"There is something we need to talk" Shalon said "just this morning Goan and I made the contract"
"Oh, that's nice. So what have you decided to do further?" Raizon asked with complete interest.
"So, aren't you sad or angry about it?" Goan asked
"Why would I be, you both are the strongest so it's the best. As for me I know I ain't strong on my own. But that's for now and I will for sure come back stronger and tame my beast someday" Raizon was filled with hope.
Goan, the most sensitive of the three, started crying and hugged Raizon.
"So the matter is resolved?" Patt asked.
"It was never even a matter," Raizon claimed.
"Ok, but it's better if you leave for your journeys. Remember you have seven months to collect one-thousand points" Patt explained "me and my students will be waiting for you three".
"Well, the wait won't be long," Goan said, wiping his tears.
The three went to pack their stuff that was left at the training grounds. Packing everything necessary Goan and Shalon were raring to go. But that's when there was hesitance within Raizon. He was a little hurt by the outcomes as he had to go all alone again, he was also sad about how pathetic he was without Dolsa. All these thoughts came together but they couldn't break him. Another smile that was reflected on his face hid what was inside. The three were ready to be sent off by Patt and his students. Sometimes some bonds are formed instantly deep enough to nurture each other. That's what happened in this scenario, even though for a few hours, but the time they were together was crucial.
Sending off was over and the students went back their separate ways with Patt going back to the grounds.
"So it's goodbye then," Raizon claimed.
"Of course we will always remember them" Goan replied
"We can come back anytime" Shalon was practical.
"No I was talking about us" Raizon brought in the actual crux.
"What about us?" Goan asked, completely confused.
"This is where my journey with you ends right?"
"You are stupid Raizon" Shalon came in "if I have teamed up with Goan that doesn't mean we are abandoning you here. We are going together, and I hope it will be forever till the end. So show us what you have got dumb master".
"Wait so we are going together?" Raizon wanted to confirm once.
Goan punched hard in his belly and fondled him down on the ground "Yes, stupid bastard"
Getting back up on his knees, Raizon wiped his tears that fell with him. Hugging the two he showed his gratitude and satisfaction. It was amongst the rice fields bowing down against the devotion. The green grass around the grey road was flustered with love and the bond, while the birds showed their divine pattern for victory.
"Also my dear friends" Raizon said "the bus will be coming in a few minutes and losing it means we are stuck here for another day".
"So let's run," Goan said as the trio ran towards the bus stop through the valley. The start wasn't perfect but at last was the start for our hero. Not everything has to be traumatizing and not everything has to be joyful in life. Ups and downs crumble you and teach you something more important, and that's the power to get back up. The journey ahead sure wasn't easy but they were ready to face whatever comes their way.
"Just like the warrior needs the sword and the sword a shield, those three needed each other".