As I sat in the middle of the forest.
Alone.
Sensing the trees, the animals, and life itself surrounding me...
The gentle breeze brushed against my skin, while the humming of birds from the trees kept me relaxed.
"I should feel this 'Ken' within me like Gabriel said..."
Minutes passed, and time slowly blurred together.
I sat there in silence, trying to understand what he meant.
But the more I tried, the more frustrated I became.
"How am I supposed to do it?!"
"That guy just left and gave me vague clues about sensing deeper!"
I was about to let out another complaint, but I stopped myself.
Instead, I sighed once more and closed my eyes, trying to concentrate again.
I focused on everything around me...
The trees.
The animals.
The wind.
The life flowing through the forest.
Then...
A mysterious guy appeared from the bushes and spoke.
"So you're Jean."
A voice broke my focus, I opened my eyes and quickly glanced where the source of the voice.
"Who are you?" I nervously asked.
I grabbed the nearby stick and tightened my grip.
"How did you know my name?"
I stared at him carefully, noticing the bruises covering his body, the dual blades resting on his hips and the snake tattoo on his forearm.
The mysterious guy laughed.
"It doesn't matter. I was sent here to capture you alive."
I tensed.
"Capture me alive?"
"Who sent you?"
I raised the stick with a trembling hand...
Then it hits me.
"Is...it Geye?"
The mysterious guy froze.
For a moment, his expression changed.
Then he sighed.
"Enough talking."
I watched as the assassin drew one of his blades.
Before I could react...
He lunged forward.
Without anything beside the stick in my hand, I braced myself.
I swung it hard as I could.
The stick connected with his neck.
The assassin took a step back.
His hand immediately covered the slight bruise on his skin then glares at me.
"You brat..."
My body froze.
My body froze on the spot.
I didn't know how I managed to hit him.
I didn't know if I could do it again.
Fear took over.
And before I realized it...
I ran.