Chapter 12: Under the Stars

Pierce and Willow were still walking as the sun began to slowly fade away. The walk to Tidalia seemed to be longer than expected.

"Why didn't you say that you couldn't navigate properly!" Willow said angrily when she found out that Pierce had led them in the wrong direction for a while.

"I apologize. I thought that I was familiar enough with this environment. Next time I'll let you guide us," Pierce replied.

"Well, we would have reached Tidalia if you had realized it sooner. I guess we just have to sleep in the forest tonight," Willow said with an annoyed voice.

"That tree next to that pond looks perfect to stay at. Let's cook something before you become even more hangry!," Pierce said with a smug face.

"I'm certainly not angry because of the lack of food! I'm a survivor and I don't get hangry!" Willow tried to explain herself as she was blushing.

"I can see you're getting a little angry right now~," Pierce teased Willow.

"No, I'm not. Stop teasing me!" Willow replied.

Pierce prepared the rice his parents gave him, and Willow boiled the mushrooms her father gave to her. The sky was dark and clear. The stars gave some light to the pitch-black forest. The only light source Pierce and Willow had was a lantern and a few fireflies flying around their camp. The duo was currently eating a mix of rice and mushrooms.

"I never thought that these two would go so well together!" Willow said as she was eating the food.

"Same here. Seems like you feel better now," Pierce said.

"Yeah, I do. Can I eat the rest?" Willow asked.

"Sure. Go ahead," Pierce replied. 

Willow ate all of the remains that were left in the kettle. Pierce noticed that she was quite skinny, and it was the reason he wanted her to eat the rest. She probably didn't get enough food when she was in the Zombie Village. She and the other villages had no choice but to hunt for food.

"Can I ask you something? Why didn't you and the other villagers come ask for help after you were banished?" Pierce asked.

Willow finished the food and answered: "We actually tried but we failed. We weren't accepted and some people even had weapons which they used to keep us away"

"Oh....I didn't expect people to behave that way these days," Pierce said with a surprised tone.

"I'm very glad that you, your sister and the King see me for who I am. I'm not just an ugly zombie, I'm a living being," Willow said passionately.

"You're not ugly, Willow. I think you're a beautiful looking young lady. And don't get me wrong.....," Pierce said.

"You really think I'm pretty?" Willow questioned.

"Of course! You're the coolest girl I know! Pierce said with excitement.

"Really!? Thank you! You made me realize that I can feel confident about my looks and style because at least one person in the world thinks I'm cool," Willow said as she blushed. 

"You're great the way you are now. Anyway, should we start sleeping soon?" Pierce asked.

"Yeah, we should. I'm feeling a little tired since we walked so much today," Willow said.

Pierce and Willow both had sleeping bags which was a new invention founded on the west side of the Kingdom of Octina. Pierce decided to sleep on the ground whereas Willow wanted to sleep in the tree near them. Before they went to sleep, they talked a little as they watched the stars.

"Why do you want to become a mage?" Willow asked

"Magic has always been a fascinating thing to me personally. My grandfather was a magician and entertained people by doing different kinds of tricks. I always looked up to him. My and his desire to use magic is similar, but different at the same time. We both want to use magic to make people better, but I want to use it to protect people. I also want make discoveries about magic that haven't been made before. Let's hope that we can find at least a few different primordial crystals during this trip," Pierce said.

"What's your dream? Willow?" Pierce asked.

Willow had already fallen asleep and drooling when Pierce asked the question. Pierce smiled, said goodnight to Willow and said to himself: "I guess I talk like a minister"