The weekend arrived, and with it, a rare day free from schoolwork. Wads, Klyden, and Liora met near the edge of town, where the forest began to thicken. The trio had decided on a small adventure—a scavenger hunt of sorts, though Klyden insisted on calling it a "legendary quest."
"Are you sure you're ready, Wads?" Klyden asked, brandishing a stick like a sword.
Wads adjusted the strap of his bag and looked around, his dark eyes scanning the treeline. "I am prepared for what is likely to happen. You, however, are likely to fall into trouble immediately."
"Ha! I'm always ready!" Klyden laughed, leaping over a small log.
Liora, following a few steps behind, raised an eyebrow. "Always ready to get yourself hurt, maybe." Her tone was teasing, but her heterochromatic eyes—one red, one green—showed the faintest glimmer of amusement.
The three ventured deeper into the woods, stepping carefully over roots and puddles left from the morning rain. Birds chirped overhead, and sunlight streamed through the leaves, painting dappled patterns on the forest floor.
"Do you think we'll find treasure?" Klyden whispered excitedly.
Wads hummed thoughtfully. "Depends on how you define treasure. Curiosity and knowledge can be more valuable than gold."
"Ugh, you're so boring sometimes," Klyden groaned, though he smiled.
Hours passed as they explored. Liora led the way with confidence, occasionally teasing Wads when he overthought simple paths. Klyden ran ahead, discovering a hollowed-out tree and squealing as he found a bird's nest inside.
Suddenly, a soft rustle caught their attention. From the underbrush, a small black cat darted past, moving swiftly and silently. Klyden gasped. "It's a wild cat! We have to catch it!"
Wads sighed. "Or we could observe it and learn its habits."
"No, Wads! Come on!" Klyden shouted, already chasing after the cat. Liora rolled her eyes but followed, footsteps light and confident.
The chase led them to a hidden glade, where sunlight was warmer, and wildflowers grew abundantly. The cat stopped suddenly, arching its back and hissing at something unseen. Wads froze, senses alert. Liora's eyes narrowed as she stepped in front of him, protective.
Out of the shadows, a faint glimmer of something metallic caught Wads' attention. Kneeling, he reached down and picked up a small, intricately designed locket—the one he hadn't yet fully understood. Its weight in his hand was heavier than it seemed, and a strange warmth radiated from it.
Liora glanced at him, curiosity piqued. "What's that?" she asked, tone carrying only interest, no fear.
Wads studied it carefully. "I don't know yet… but it feels important."
Klyden, finally catching up, huffed and wiped dirt from his hands. "Found the cat! And… oh. What's that?"
The black cat sat calmly, watching them as if it had led them here intentionally. Liora shook her head, smiling faintly. "You two are hopeless. Always finding trouble."
Wads didn't respond, dark eyes fixed on the locket. For a moment, the forest felt still, as though time itself paused around them. Something stirred inside him—a faint echo of memories he didn't fully understand, of a past life and a purpose long forgotten.
Klyden clapped him on the shoulder. "Wads, are you okay? You're scaring me with that serious face."
Wads blinked, holding the locket close to his chest. "I'm fine. But… we should be careful. This… might matter later."
Liora smiled knowingly, a teasing edge in her voice. "See? Even the serious one can find something interesting." She stepped closer, presence dominant yet gentle, nudging him with her shoulder. "Just don't get yourself into trouble."
The cat leapt onto a low branch and disappeared into the forest, leaving them in silence. Klyden groaned. "I wanted a pet!"
Wads pocketed the locket, thoughts swirling quietly in his mind. Liora watched him, her dominant demeanor softened by curiosity. Though the three were just children, a subtle bond had strengthened—a balance of logic, energy, and leadership, as well as something quietly unspoken, waiting to grow between Wads and Liora.
The forest seemed endless, full of mysteries yet to uncover, and the day ended with laughter, light banter, and the faintest hint that this adventure had only scratched the surface of what was to come.