I was feeling fairly confident. After all, without hardly any experience and through pure chance, I somehow managed to defeat two wild animals that would of surely spelled my doom quite easily. How can she handle me, when she literally ran away?
That's what I assumed.
But boy was I wrong.
She somehow anticipated my attack and vanished into thin air, my spear striking the empty air before me. I was stunned into place, looking around in shock.
"Where are you, coward?!"
'Where did she go? Some sort of invisibility? A spatial teleportation ability? Since when was she able to use her blessing abilities?'
As these questions rose in my mind, I suddenly felt uneasy. How many secrets did she keep from me? I already knew that she was hiding alot from me, but this was beyond my expectations. Has she been decieving me from the start? Playing a helpless act, when in reality, she was a wolf in sheep's clothing?
If this is truly the case, I might genuinely be in trouble. I don't have much experience fighting. Fighting isn't something one can magically learn. Ones battle art is forged through experience, training and talent. Right now, I don't have the luxury to do so. Im exhausted after fighting two powerful foes earlier and now, i have to fight a third.
I jump back slightly, holding onto my spear tightly. My eyes darted around my surroundings warily, searching for any signs of her presence. Eventually, she decided to show herself.
Up on the branch of one of the trees, she manifested out of thin air, her graceful figure sitting on the large branch and looking down at me. From this distance, I could barely make out the amused smile playing on her lips.
"You! Come down, coward!!"
I shouted, but she didn't move.
"Calm yourself, Morgan. Listen.....we both need each other, don't we? I can admit that im not strong enough to survive on this hellish jungle by myself and clearly, you aren't either, considering you barely survived that fight from earlier."
Her tone was even, but her voice was loud. She had to raise it for me to hear what she was saying clearly.
I was a bit taken aback. This wasn't the Isabella i knew. Is this her true self? Her words sounded so dignified, nothing like the feral animal I was used to. Or is this just another act to get into my mind? Ah, to hell with this! Why do I get so paranoid? Even as much as I hate to admit it, she was right.
I can't survive without her, she can't survive without me. This jungle was filled with dangers. Even if we will fight each other in the end to win The Mulligan, we can create a temporary alliance. That would be beneficial. Highly beneficial for me. Maybe I'll even get to gleem secrets about The Mulligan from her, or perhaps her orgins, how she died and what government she has ties to that has so much information on this battle royal.
But at the same time, a childish part of me stubbornly refused. I may have been homeless before, but I still maintained my pride and dignity. It just felt.....so wrong. So unbecoming of me to ally with her after she abandoned me. Who's to say that she won't do the same thing again? Isabella didn't even hesitate the last time. Well, to be fair, I would do the same. But still!
As if noticing my internal conflict. Isabella sighed and vanished into thin air once again. This time appearing directly infront of me, when she spoke, her voice was even— a bit of her usual irritation and sassiness seeping in.
"I'm sorry for abandoning you like that, okay? I won't do it again. It was my first time seeing a bear in real life— well, after life. But you get the point! I was scared shitless."
I stared at her in silence for a moment. Before suddenly swiping at her using the sharp point of my spear. Once again, Isabella dodged quite easily. I scowled.
"How are you doing this? It's like you know what I'll do before I even act. Is that one of your blessing abilities?"
Isabella seemed stunned by the sudden attack and very displeased, but after hearing those words escape from my lips, she chuckled.
"No, it's not. You're just very predictable. I can tell you haven't fought anybody throughout your entire life."
I was irked by her tone, but I held back a retort. She was right. I lacked experience and that obviously made me more of an open-book to other more experienced fighters.
"Then your ability to teleport is?"
Isabella nodded.
"Yes. It's not really teleportation since I'm still travelling. My blessing grants me a great affinity with the wind. One of those abilities is become one with it, albeit for a short while. Anywhere with even the slightest bit of wind, I can travel long distances pretty easily, similar to teleporting."
I was intrigued by this ability and even more questions arose in my mind as she kept answering. But before I could open my mouth, she continued.
"Can we not? I'm tired of your entertaining you're ignorance and curiosity, you know. I want to eat first."
She spared a brief look at the discarded uncooked bear meat on the floor, then glanced back at me.
"Then we can have the long-awaited conversation. What do you say?"
I pondered it for a moment and then nodded. Reluctant, but resigned.
"....Fine. im starving too."
Isabella smiled.
"Good! Carry the meat. I'll lead the way to our earlier camp."
I didn't say anything else and simply, with great difficulty, grabbed hold of the chunk of meat and swung it over my shoulder, following behind my guide.
________________________________________
The walk back was surprisingly long. I didn't even realize how far we were until I actually paid attention. Atleast we had the lake to use as reference to where we came from and Isabella had an ability well-suited for scouting, as well. That was good. We didn't speak much during the walk, since I did agree to the Q/A will come after satisfying our stomachs. We haven't eaten in two days, after all. Well, not for me. I haven't eaten in a week!
By the time we reached our humble camp, it was already dark and the fire was extinguished. I had to start one myself, once again, but this time I didn't find it too difficult. Perhaps due to my physical attributes level being much higher than when I first started. Not by much, but changes come little by little, after all. Soon, we were seated together by the burning campfire.
"So....there is alot I want to ask you."
I asked, chewing on my share of the cooked bear meat. It was the tastiest thing I have had in awhile, I had to stop tears from streaming down my eyes.
Isabella turned around and faced me, stuffing her mouth with her own share. After swallowing, she responded.
"Same here. You were like a feral beast when facing those two animals. Are you secretly a madman?"
I rolled my eyes, but then realized something.
"You were watching the whole time?"
Isabella giggled.
"Of course I was! Did I play the part of being shocked that your alive really well? But I must admit, you were terrifying. Is it one of your Blessing abilities?"
I felt like fool once again. This women truly is wicked. I feel like I can't trust a single thing that comes out of that mouth. After some silence, I answer.
"Yes....it is. But before you ask, there is one thing I want to ask you."
Isabella titled her head to the side and nodded, prompting me to exhale and ask.
"That....government you have connections to. Who are they, really? Why do they no so much about The Mulligan? And why are they keeping it hidden from the world?"
Isabella didn't seem surprised by me asking it so directly, but her expression did turn uncharacteristically serious. She was silent for awhile, but then responded. Her tone even and impassive.
"Let's first finish our food first before having this conversation. It's gonna be a long one...."