Tales Of Darkness And Light
Chapter 7's

Rue opened his eyes, the dazzling sunlight making him close his eyes back and yawn. Drowsiness that is still felt makes him still want to continue sleeping.

"You awake, you idiot?" ask Apple.

Hearing Apple's question, Rue opened her eyes again. He found himself on the back of the black-haired young man. A smile adorned her beautiful face. Being clad in an Apple like this while he was exhausted or sleepy was one of the things he liked the most, therefore, he ignored the 'stupid' call that had been used.

"Good morning, Apple." Laughter Rue and tightened her arms embrace that was on the neck of Apple.

Apple did not return Rue's greeting, and Rue himself did not mind it. The nonchalant and reserved attitude of the black-haired young man, he was already used to it.

"Good morning, Rue." Greetings Fedrick.

Rue looked back at Fedrick and Lara, a sweet smile filling her pretty face. "Good morning, Fedrick, Lara."

Fedrick smiled at Rue's smile, send it to Lara, the black-haired girl just nodded slowly and quietly silently as usual.

"Apel, why are you holding me behind you?" ask Rue. Just sober, he was quite confused as to why he could fall asleep on the back of the Apple. However, a second later he immediately recalled what had happened; the giant spider.

"Apple! Where is that giant spider?" rue asked in panic. His green eyes moved quickly staring at his surroundings.

"Calm down, fool! The spider's dead and we're almost out of this forest, too." Apel replied to calm Rue down even though her flat tone did not change in the slightest.

"Eh! Did ya? What's going on?" ask Rue again. The panic disappeared from his face replaced by confusion.

"The apple beats the spider, Rue." Fedrick answered in the back.

Rue's green eyes widened in disbelief at Fedrick's reply. Looking back, he asked the blonde-haired young man. "really?"

Fedrick nodded his head. Both Fedrick and Lara recalled the events of last night, when Apple fought the giant spider. The magic and attitude of the Apples back then made the two of them completely unable to move due to shock and fear as well.

Magic is divided into several types, namely; fire magic, earth magic, wind magic, water magic, and lightning magic. Indeed there are still some other magic outside the five types of magic. However, the magic was only possessed by a few members of the kingdom. Mastering magic is not easy, usually one can only master one type or two types of magic. People who are able to master more than two types of magic are not many and usually who are able to master more than two types of magic are very powerful magicians.

Fedrick and Lara had only mastered two types of magic: wind magic and water magic. Both of these magic are very helpful to them, because this magic can heal and simultaneously attack. Both of these magic can also be combined. Ice needle magic is the result of a combination of both types of magic.

Magic is an extraordinary power, only, magic also has shortcomings that are none other than magic requires magic circles and spells. It takes time to create a magic circle and recite the spell, therefore, the faster a magician can do that, the stronger and higher the status of the magician.

Fedrick and Lara have seen Apples use fire magic, earth magic, wind magic, and magic that she is completely unfamiliar with. They inevitably thought, how many types of magic did the young man master, moreover, he could perform magic without circles and magic spells—something impossible.

Rue was also the same as Apple. Fedrick and Lara are convinced that the light and visible walls that stop the giant spider's magic are magic. The golden-haired girl could also perform unrecognizable magic without magic circles and spells.

Being able to perform magic without spells and magic circles is already a mystery to Fedrick and Lara. The two of them could only wonder inwardly, who were Apple and Rue really?

"Eh! Apple, aren't you hurt?" Looking back to the front staring at Apple, Rue asked worriedly.

"You think I'd get hurt against an insect like that?." Answer the apple with a question. The young man still looked indifferent, but a thin smile that no one could see filled his face. Indeed, he was happy, Rue worried about him, even though he did not show it.

"Thank God," Rue smiled as soon as she heard Apple's question. Living together for so long, he clearly knew the meaning of the young man's question. "And, Apple, you can put me down. I can walk on my own."

Apple immediately stopped walking and lowered Rue at the girl's request, although in fact, she did not mind holding him any further. Last night's incident made her very scared—she didn't know what would happen if Rue was really hurt.

Apple knows, he made a big mistake last night. The rage that had taken hold of him when he saw Rue was almost injured made him dark in the eyes, so in front of Fedrick and Lara, he used magic without circles and magic spells, as well as the damn magic—.

Neither Fedrick nor Lara had said a word since the incident, but, Apple knew, what they saw was not something that could be forgotten just as quickly or slowly, the two of them will definitely check on her and Rue. So, as soon as possible, they had to separate.

They continued on their way, and before long, they had made it out of the forbidden forest.

"From here we walk west. We'll reach Radiata before nightfall." Clear Apple flat.

Fedrick and Lara did not doubt Apple's words, the black-haired young man looked very familiar with the surrounding area. Not wasting any time, they all walked back towards the west as Apple had said. Fedrick and Lara walk in front followed by Apple and Rue from behind.

Rue who was walking beside Apple suddenly stopped. Turning his face back, his two green eyes stared at the forbidden forest.

"What's up, you idiot?" ask Apple to see it.

"I don't know why. But, I don't think we're ever going back to the woods, Apple." Said Rue slowly. There was a strange feeling that filled his heart. He felt that neither he nor Apple would be able to return to the forest where they had lived all this time.

Apple sighed and stared at the forbidden forest. Rue's words were probably right, they would not return to the forest anymore because the place was filthy for them now. But, if only he could, he also wanted to return, because the forest was a place where he knew what happiness was.

"You want to go back to the woods?" ask Apple later.

Our home.

The apple could not stop the smile on its face from hearing those two words. Just like her, the forest was also a precious place for Rue—home.

"Then, we'll come back again," Apple clasped Rue's hand tightly. Yes, when the situation is safe and controlled, he and Rue will return to the forest of their home. "Because the forest is our home."

"really? You sure?" rue asked happily upon hearing Apple's words.

Apple smiled increasingly wider at Rue, a smile that she rarely showed. "When did I say I was wrong, stupid?"

"Never," laughs Rue. Both her green eyes sparkled beautifully because of the excitement. "And don't call me, 'Stupid', Apple."

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Rue's green eyes twinkled as he looked at the passerby in front of him. During his life, he had never seen this many people at all. According to the words of Apple, they managed to reach Radiata city before nightfall. The city of Radiata itself was a prosperous and wealthy city. It can be seen from the beautiful city buildings, the great walls that surround the city and the residents of the city who live in comfort and peace.

"We're separated here." The Apples suddenly said as they had passed through the entrance gate to Radiata city.

Rue, Fedrick and Lara immediately turned their faces toward Apple upon hearing the young man's words.

"You have a purpose in this city, right? We'd better split up here." Add the Apples with their flat voice as usual.

Rue looked back at Fedrick and Lara. Instantly, her green eyes were glazed over, she did not want to part at all. Even in just a short time, he had liked both of them very much.

"You don't have a place to live, do you? How about you stay with us at—" Fedrick Tawar. However, before he finished his words, Apple had interrupted.

"No. Thank you, we'll stay at the inn."

Fedrick wants to stop Apple. However, his mouth felt dry. He simply could not bring out a word to stop that intention. He knew, whatever he said, Apples would definitely not change his decision.

"Come, Rue." Apple Say.

Rue looked at Fedrick and Lara. Tears were being held down. He really did not want to part with the two of them so quickly. After all, the two of them were his first friends.

Seeing Rue's tears, Lara hugged the golden-haired girl tightly. He is not someone who is easily close to others, but does not know why, Rue always makes him feel comfortable. "Don't cry, stupid. You look so ugly when you cry. Smile, your face is more suitable to smile. We'll definitely meet again."

Rue nodded in agreement to what Lara said, while her tearful eyes looked at the smiling Fedrick.

Lara then let go of her embrace. Rue immediately wiped away the tears and forced a smile on his face.

"See you soon, Rue." Fedrick Smile.

"See you later, stupid." Lara smiled. A smile that he rarely showed.

Fedrick then turned to look at Apple and smiled clumsyly. "See you later, Apple."

Fedrick has just felt a little close to Apple after going through a lot. However, the cold demeanor of the young man who did not even reply to her now, inevitably made her feel that their relationship was back away and back to what it used to be.

The apple doesn't say anything or rather doesn't know what to say. Fedrick was the first to call him a friend. Personally, he did not hate the young man at all. However, he also did not want to come into contact with them anymore. Because, he knew, if he continued with the two of them, then he would definitely face again with people who knew him. Apples are not afraid to face them. But, Rue was different, he did not dare to take any risks that could harm the girl.

The apple gripped Rue's hand. "Come, we're going."

"See you soon, Fedrick, Lara.." Said Rue weakly while waving his right hand. Her pretty face still forced a smile.

Standing motionless, Fedrick and Lara look at the figure of Apple and Rue walking away from them until they disappear behind a crowd of passersby.

Fedrick sighed, in fact, he felt it was very hard to part with Apple and Rue. He realized he was very interested in both of them. But he also knows. What Apple said just now was true, he had a purpose in this city, and also, he felt Apples did indeed want to part with them. The black haired young man seemed to be hiding something.

"I think the blind man wants to part with us. It looks like he's hiding something and I think it's related to the enemy we're facing." Lara said suddenly.

Fedrick immediately turned his head to look at Lara in surprise, he did not expect the girl to voice what was on his mind. "You think so too?"

"Only a fool like Rue would not notice it" Lara replied. But, a moment later he sighed, because they could do absolutely nothing. "That's it. Let's go, the shadow prince must have been waiting for us."

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