The worry on Emerald's face slowly faded as the time continued to dim around them. "Now, come on, buddy, get in the veil," Genna coaxed, gesturing towards the shimmering barrier. Emerald tentatively pressed his hand against it. A bubble-like structure slowly pulled him in, an experience akin to drowning in a Newtonian fluid. He emerged on the other side. Looking back, to his surprise, the forest appeared perfectly normal, dense and undisturbed. He took a step, then suddenly collapsed. An unseen force seemed to push against him, rejecting his very existence. Emerald fell to his knees, coughing, his breathing growing strained and shallow. Genna grabbed his head, trying to lift him, but, swept up in the moment and oblivious to the potential consequences, she took her chance.
Genna buried a heartfelt kiss onto the suffocating human she'd brought along. She lingered, biting gently, until Emerald finally fell unconscious. Blood trickled from both Emerald's and Genna's cheeks. She held him close, a flicker of sadness crossing her face, though it remained hidden from view.
Emerald woke up a while later. He took a bewildered look around, then scrambled to his feet upon realizing he was lying in Genna's lap. She let out a soft chuckle. Emerald felt utterly baptized, keeping his gaze low, trying to avoid eye contact with Genna.
"So, we're still not there?" Emerald asked, without lifting his head.
"Oh, come on, we've got miles to cover before it!" Genna replied, completely unconcerned by her previous act.
"Seriously, we have to walk again?" Emerald expressed his exhaustion.
"Aren't you the guy who used to blab that great things take time?" she teased, playfully mocking him.
"Well, that's different when it comes to this kind of problem," he tried his best to act it out, but failed.
"Say whatever you want, I'm not going to slow down."
"Can't you get the Porsche in here?"
"Nah, it's impossible. That's the sole reason I'm walking, and don't forget, we are infiltrating."
Emerald just nodded, acknowledging her point.
Looking closely, he noticed blood on his face and asked, "Why is there blood on my face?"
"Aren't you the guy who got all excited and bit off my tongue? Well, I'm partly at fault for doing that to you. I apologize for that, kid; don't let it stutter your mind." She kept moving.
Before taking another step, Emerald questioned, "What's with all those things that just happened?"
"Witch sorcery, kid. Don't you worry, Mommy's got it." Genna maintained her pace. Emerald's face was bright red, and he started to move, tagging along behind her.
Emerald matched Genna's pace. Their journey covered a couple of miles. As they walked, Genna raised her hand and stopped Emerald. She sharpened her senses, and after a few seconds of silence, she turned back and said to Emerald, "We're close to 'Witch Hut'." Emerald just looked at her, clueless.
"'Witch Hut'? What's that, anyway?" Emerald asked.
"It's a city in this kingdom. It could also mean we're around 100 km away from my home." She exuded confidence, ready to conquer the world as they approached her hometown.
"Your home, huh? Guess it's another castle."
"I like the musing, kiddo. Unlike how far we've come, it won't be easy from here on." The forest ended, and a township began to grow. They started to mingle with the crowd. Genna went on to get some errands done, with Emerald accompanying her. Emerald seemed quite nervous among the townsfolk. Genna wore a hat so nobody would recognize them.
As they walked around town, Genna caught Emerald staring at a pastry shop. Genna tapped his shoulder and walked further, leading them into an alleyway. As they made their way, Genna told Emerald to hold on for a few seconds. She left and quickly returned, but with a cake in her hand. "You thought I'd forget about your big day?" Genna said.
Emerald looked surprised, as he hadn't told anyone about his birthday. "Well, don't make me eat it; go on and take a bite, big boy," Genna urged.
"Thanks," Emerald murmured, heartfelt happiness in his words.
Emerald took a bite and nodded, indicating it was good. Without wasting a second, Genna devoured the entire cake by herself. To add some flair, she even licked the cream off her fingers. Emerald looked at her with a suspicious expression. Genna then looked at Emerald's hand and asked, "Need any help with that?"
"Nah, I'm good," Emerald replied with a hint of frustration.
"Didn't you get any wishes from your friends?" Genna asked.
"Who knows? I left my phone at your home," Emerald replied.
"Hmm, whatever."
Genna started walking, looking for a cab, with Emerald following. As they took a few steps, some people began to tail them. Their numbers increased, and finally, they blocked their path.
A man walked to the front. "That's some huge guts you've got, coming back here." This was Chief Johan.
"Johan, isn't it? Unlike you, I don't carry something for show-off," Genna replied, her voice steady.
"Sir, she means your balls," a subordinate whispered in the Chief's ear.
"I know that, asshole!" Chief Johan erupted in fury.
"Anyway, you two are needed in the capital. I've got orders from your old man," Johan said, trying to keep the event low-profile.
"Whatever, come on, big boy." Genna got into the car they had brought, with Emerald accompanying her. Emerald was completely out of breath after seeing all those people cramming onto their path. He kept his mouth shut, knowing it was best when he didn't know what to do. They headed for the capital. But Emerald was preoccupied with a thought: what was the big deal with her 'old man'? Was he some kind of politician or an elder? His head began to spin.
As they rode together to the capital, a mark began to materialize on the forearms of both Genna and Emerald. A dragon's tail slowly started to form on Emerald's arm, stopping halfway. The remaining part then appeared on Genna's arm, completing the mark.
(To be continued)