Astra sat up with a yawn, her eyes drifting upwards toward the tree above. The leaves were falling gently, carried by the morning breeze. Her gaze shifted to Kriya, who stood leaning against the trunk, arms crossed, watching quietly.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, the silence between them deepened by the wind that scattered more leaves around.
"You're up already?" Kriya asked, breaking the silence. Astra nodded, still a little groggy. He walked over and sat beside her.
"I found a way for us to get back home… while you were still asleep."
Astra's eyes widened, her voice lighting up with excitement "Really?! Oh heavens… Kriya, you really did something amazing. I thought you were just a kid, but maybe you're not."
Kriya let out a small chuckle at her comment, then leaned in closer, extending his hand. Astra instinctively leaned back a little, but when he pointed toward her neck, she understood. Without a word, he gently unwrapped the cloth around her neck. His expression shifted the moment he saw it….the purplish mark had spread further.
Noticing the change in his face, Astra asked quietly, "Is something wrong?" Kriya shook his head silently, then raised two fingers and pointed them toward the dark mark on her neck. Astra immediately pulled back slightly, stopping him.
"Stop! Don't use your spiritual power to treat me anymore, It doesn't hurt that much now see, it's already fading. Besides, you should save your strength in case we're attacked by a demon on the way back. Don't waste your power on me."
Kriya paused, his gaze fixed on her. For a long second, he didn't move. Then, with a soft exhale and the faintest curve of a smile, he replied, "I'm not wasting it… just sharing a little."
Before she could argue, he leaned in, his fingers glowing faintly as they hovered over her skin. A soft warmth spread across her neck, the purplish bruise gradually shrinking under his touch. The wind rustled the leaves above them, and for a moment, it felt like time had slowed down.
Astra glanced at him from the corner of her eye letting out a sigh, watching his focused expression. "Maybe you are still a kid."
After a while, Kriya backed away, the glow around his fingers fading. Astra touched her neck gently, the pain almost gone and her fatigue lifting like a morning mist. She smiled, warmth returning to her face.
"Kriya in return for this, I'll treat you to a meal once we get back. The inn we're staying at serves the best food." Kriya blinked at her, then gave a small nod. "If that's true, then I'd definitely like to taste it." He paused, as if remembering something, "Ah…..and I almost forgot. The way back is…the east."He pointed the rising sun, his finger cutting through the golden morning light.
"The east, huh? Then what are we waiting for?" Astra said, standing up with determination. "Let's leave in that direction. No matter what, we're getting out of here today." She searched around for her long stick, and once she picked it up, the two of them started walking without wasting another minute.
Hours passed.
Their steps grew heavier, and exhaustion slowly crept in. Astra's throat felt parched and dry as if even her breath was cracking. She stopped, panting hard, beads of sweat on her forehead.
"We've been walking forever… are you sure this is the right path? We haven't gotten off track, right?"
"I feel the same," Kriya said, his voice low. "But let's keep moving. We don't have much choice now." Reluctantly, they pushed forward. But Astra's body couldn't hold up anymore. She leaned against a large rock, breathing heavily. "Kriya… I can't keep going like this. I need water… badly…"
Just then, as if heavens finally showed mercy, a faint sound reached her ears.
Astra's eyes widened. "Did you hear that?" she asked, looking at Kriya for confirming. Without another word, they rushed toward the sound, pushing past thick underbrush. The sound grew louder and clearer....water crashing down.
And then they saw it. A waterfall, hidden deep within the forest, pouring down in a silver stream, its mist catching the sunlight. A small, clear pool formed beneath it, surrounded by mossy stones and tall grass.
Astra's eyes lit up, her thirst forgotten for a moment.Astra rushed straight into the stream, diving into the crystal-clear water beneath the waterfall. Kriya followed right behind her, splashing into the water.
After quenching her thirst, Astra looked up at the towering waterfall. Her eyes sparkled in awe. She turned to Kriya, excitement bubbling on her face, and pointed toward the waterfall.
"Kriya! I want to see it up close!" Kriya gave a soft smile and nodded.
She waded through the water, stepping carefully onto the slick rocks, each one more slippery than the last. The closer she got, the stronger the force of the falling water became, but she pressed on stumbling, and giggling as droplets sprayed around her.
Kriya stood nearby, watching her with a soft expression until he suddenly heard rustling from the nearby bushes. His eyes sharpened, sensing something. He turned slightly, scanning the area around them. Something was off. His instincts screamed danger. But the moment he turned back—
The laughter had stopped, His eyes widened...She was gone.
There was no one beside the waterfall anymore. She had disappeared.
"Astra!"
He called out, eyes darting across the area, but his voice was drowned beneath the roar of the waterfall. The sound was so loud, even his own words barely reached his ears. Panic started to creep in. He ran a hand through his soaked hair, water dripping from his chin as he scanned the surroundings.
As he moved closer, a sudden force tugged at him His foot slipped for a second on the wet stone, and in that instant, he felt it.
"This aura…"
He froze, staring straight at the waterfall.
"It's coming… from behind the waterfall."
Without wasting a moment, he formed a hand sign and pointed at the falling water. In an instant, the rushing stream began to freeze.
CRASH!
Then, with a swift motion of his hand, the ice shattered, breaking apart like fragile glass. Behind it ….. A hidden cave completely concealed behind the waterfall.
"So this is…" he muttered under his breath, stepping inside without hesitation,
"…..the cave of the Seven-Tailed Beast…..."