"You sure you're fine?" Elian asked as they continued to walk.
Kite looked up and nodded.
Cassia sighed and grabbed him by the wrist, stopping him in his tracks. "Spit it out, why are you acting weirder than usual?"
He looked down. "I... I'm not sure what just happened, but a mist rolled by and I ended up in another part of the forest. There, I saw a boy and a girl who appeared to be siblings. Well, they looked related at least."
"But you were here this entire time," Elian said.
Ludo raised his glasses as hummed.
Kite glanced at him. "Do you know something?"
He crossed his arms over his chest. "I read about strange occurrences in this forest before."
Liliana nodded. "Yeah, my grandpa mentioned it when we found you, remember?"
Kite recalled what Elder Mirrin had told him, about how the forest was where those lost would end up. Wait, did he mean it literally or figuratively? If figuratively, then could those two have been ghosts?
"There are stories of strange fog appearing and people appearing and disappearing, only to reappear in another place," Ludo added.
Elain swung his hands over his head. "I thought that was just because people sucked at figuring where they're going in a forest this dense. At least that's what Dad always told me."
"But like Elian said, Kite never left," Cassia said, tilting her head as she let go of Kite.
Kite rubbed his head. Maybe he had another weird episode like at the ruins? No, in that case, everyone reacted to him having fallen unconscious for a short while. This was different.
Kite's mind buzzed with confusion and curiosity. He had felt the cold steel of the boy's claymore, the heat of his own fire magic clashing against ice. It had been too real to be a mere illusion or hallucination. And yet, his friends insisted he had never left their side.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know how to explain it, but it felt real. The boy and girl mentioned something about a prophecy and me being a threat to the universal order."
Sylvana looked concerned. "A prophecy? And they attacked you?"
Kite nodded. "They said my presence disrupts the balance, and that I might bring ruin to this world—Uto, they called it."
Ludo's eyes widened. "Uto? That's a term I've come across in some of the older texts, but it's rarely mentioned. It's said to be the name of our universe."
Kite frowned. "Why would they think I'm a threat to the entire universe? And why did they say my scent was like that of the people in their dream who bring Uto to ruin?"
Liliana looked thoughtful. "Maybe there's more to your presence here than we realize. Remember, Elder Mirrin mentioned the forest brings those who are lost. Maybe it has some connection to your past life and why you're here."
Cassia sighed, folding her arms. "Well, whatever it is, we need to figure it out. And fast. If these two kids are willing to attack you, there might be more danger lurking around."
Elian nodded vigorously. "Yeah! We can't let anything happen to you, Kite. We're in this together."
The group continued their journey through the forest, their playful spirits replaced with a sense of urgency and purpose. Kite couldn't shake off the feeling that the encounter with the white-haired duo was just the beginning of something much bigger.
As they walked, Kite kept an eye out for any signs of the mysterious fog or other unusual occurrences. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees whispering secrets in a language only they could understand.
After a while, they reached a small clearing. The sunlight filtering through the canopy created a serene atmosphere, but Kite couldn't escape the feeling of being watched. He glanced around, his instincts on high alert.
"Let's rest here for a bit," Cassia suggested, noticing Kite's tense expression. "We can regroup and plan our next move."
They sat down, forming a small circle. Ludo pulled out a worn map, spreading it on the ground. "The forest is vast, and there are many places we haven't explored yet. If strange occurrences are happening, there might be clues hidden somewhere."
Sylvana leaned over the map. "We should focus on areas known for unusual activity. Maybe we can find something that will help us understand what's happening to Kite."
Kite nodded, his resolve strengthening. "We need to find answers. Not just for me, but for all of us. If there's a threat to this world, we have to be ready to face it."
As they discussed their plan, a soft rustling sound caught Kite's attention. He turned his head, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the trees. The feeling of being watched grew stronger, sending a shiver down his spine.
From the shadows, the white-haired boy and girl emerged once more, their expressions unreadable. Kite's heart skipped a beat, and he stood up, ready to defend himself. Making sure the others weren't watching, he approached the duo.
The boy raised a hand, signaling for peace. "We come not to fight, but to talk," he said, his voice calm.
The girl stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Kite. "Like I said here earlier, we have decided to give you a chance. Prove to us that you are not the threat we fear."
Kite took a deep breath, lowering his guard slightly. "What do you want from me?"
The boy glanced at the group of friends who looked paused, then back at Kite. "When you're older, go to the Continent of Light. You will find your answers there."
Kite frowned. "And you can't give them to me now?"
The girl sighed. "The prophecy we spoke of is inscribed in the ruins you and your friends have explored. According to them, people from another branch in the Grand Cosmic Tree will bring about stuff like war and violence which hasn't been seen in Eldoria in years, much less in the rest of Uto."
The boy glanced at his golden sword. "If not for that sword, we would be less willing to accept your proposal to prove yourself."
Kite smiled weakly. "Are you two part of the clan too?"
The girl gasped. "Wait, you're a Taeyang too?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Well, kind of. I'm from the Taiyo and Taiyang branchs. This sword is a family heirloom."
The girl smiled, her demeanor softening. "Then we're distant relatives. My name is Hana Taeyang, and this is my retainer, Tae Taeyang."
"I'm Kaito Taiyang. Although everyone calls me Kite for short."
Tae stared at me. "A Taiyo, too?"
He nodded. "My dad is one. Mom comes from the main branch. Although, I think I might have some Taeyang in me too."
"Someone with heritage from all three branches, that's unheard of," Hana said.
Tae narrowed his eyes at me. "That only makes him more suspicious if you ask me."
Kite felt a pang of unease at Tae's words, but he stood his ground. He knew he had to convince them of his intentions, or risk further conflict and danger.
Hana placed a calming hand on Tae's shoulder. "Let's not jump to conclusions. If Kaito is truly one of us, he deserves the chance to prove his loyalty and innocence."
Kite nodded, his resolve steady. "I understand your skepticism, Tae. But I promise, I mean no harm to Uto. I want to protect it just as much as you do."
Tae's eyes softened slightly, but there was still caution in his gaze. "We will see. Actions speak louder than words."
Hana turned back to Kite. "For now, focus on your journey with your friends. When the time comes, we will guide you to the Continent of Light. There, you will find the answers you seek and perhaps uncover the true nature of the prophecy."
Kite took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and determination. "Thank you, Hana. I'll do my best to prove myself."
Hana nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "We will be watching. Stay vigilant, Kaito."
With that, Hana and Tae melted back into the shadows of the forest, their presence fading as quickly as it had appeared. Kite returned to his friends, his mind buzzing with the revelations and the promise of a distant journey.
As he rejoined the group, Cassia looked at him with concern. "You okay, Kite? You spaced out for a moment there."
Kite forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about our next steps."
Ludo folded up the map, his expression thoughtful. "We should continue exploring the forest. If there are clues hidden here, we need to find them."
Sylvana nodded in agreement. "And we need to be ready for anything. If Kite is connected to this prophecy, we have to be prepared for whatever comes our way."
Elian, ever the optimist, grinned. "We'll figure it out together. No matter what happens, we've got each other's backs."
Kite felt a surge of gratitude for his friends. Despite the uncertainty and danger, he knew he could rely on them. "Thanks, everyone. Let's keep moving and see what we can find."
Liliana nodded, hugging him. "Yeah! Let's go!"