The Third Party - Chapter 44

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs. and 8 months old)

Five minutes later Ken woke up, oh so unsuspecting of his surroundings, he stretched his hands and yawned, rubbed his right eye and scratched his messy bed hair. He then comes to recognize his surroundings.

“Oh, I fell asleep? And the group’s here, they even made beds around, aww that’s so sweet, and they’re in their beast form, except for Wilbert and Celine of course.” He said to himself. He stood up, dusted himself and held his hips. “Alright, I shall hunt for food.”

“Wait, where’s my scythe?” just as he had asked, his scythe slowly revealed itself in front of him, breaking its concealment, floating. “Oh it’s here.” Ken took the scythe and strapped it on his back.

He walked slowly forward, activated his magic to scan the area of a hundred meters, but found nothing he could hunt, for the surroundings was destroyed, and the animals ran off due to the discord of magic, but this he did not know of since the scenery looked normal.

“Wind Magic: Surveillance Sweep.” He casted, and a quick burst of wind traveled from him outwards in a dome, covering about five hundred meters, he found some animals to hunt and plants that are edible, more importantly, he noticed something.

“Syla?” just outside the one hundred meter radius, there he saw Syla, running towards him.

“Syla!” he met her halfway. “Glad you’re here.”

“Glad to know you’re okay, where are the others?” Syla asked.

“They’re over there, asleep.” said Ken, pointing at his back, Syla took a look.

“Why are they asleep?” she asked.

“I don’t know, anyway, gotta hunt for food before everyone wakes up.” Ken waved at her, leaving her not knowing what to say. She walked towards the sleeping forms of the group and rested just outside the circle they made.

All the while wondering what had transpired, since she could not enter this area due to some barrier.

Ken flew off into the direction of east where he located an abundance of meat, he didn’t quite get to know what really lived there since his ‘surveillance sweep’ spell only showed him organisms near him, not entirely what they looked like.

Upon arriving 200 meters later, he comes across a pack of wolves 50 meters away from him, just normal looking wolves taking leisure near a river.

“Huh? They are relaxing, awww, there are pups too!” He noticed something at the other end of the river, a herd of deers revealed themselves from the thick of trees and took a drink by the river.

A big wolf, rose from its lying state and walked towards the edge of the river, Ken also noticed that the first to walk from the other side of the river and drink was also a big deer.

The two looked to be in a conversation, as Ken noticed the two nodding at each other, or so he thought.

“Wow, the animal kingdom on this valley must be quite intelligent, it looks like the pack’s alpha is conversing with the herd’s leader, I wonder why I haven’t explored much in the past.” He held his chin. “Oh right, I was too caught up with training.”

*SQUEAL!*

Ken turned around to see a huge boar. Its red eyes trailed Ken.

“How in the-“ He did not finish what he said as he jumped upwards and landed behind the huge boar that went on and tackled him. But the boar did not stop and went to rampage on the pack of wolves.

The wolves noticed and went on high alert, but Ken noticed how some of the fairly large wolves quivered at the rampaging boar. Even if it was the slightest information, Ken thought that something was amiss.

The alpha of the pack jumped in front of his warriors immediately to take the charge, but they weren’t able to do much when a human appeared behind the huge boar, brandished his weapon, striked the back of the boar and hauled him to the back.

*SQUAWK!*

“Sword Style: Precision Strike!” Ken performed ten strikes on the vitals of the huge boar, immediately snuffing the life out of the boar without a second thought, but blood sprayed out to Ken.

He whisked the excess blood away from his hands, wiped some on his disgusted face.

“Why does this always have to happen to me. Water and Wind Magic: Cleanse” an improved version of his ‘light cleansing sweep’ spell, whereas the latter cleanses Ken and any target he desires to be affected by the spell to be removed of light filth, sweat would be an example.

While the former, cleanses Ken and any target, to be utterly cleaned from head to toe. The blood on his body disappeared slowly into thin air along with the rancid smell. He then proceeded to skin the boar alive and take out its organs the way he was taught by uncle Vin.

As on an occasion he and his two childhood friends were taught. Through the skills taught to him, Ken had taken upon himself -without reluctance and more like a developing habit- to prepare the animals him and his group hunted on missions.

‘Why do I always encounter huge boars or beasts whenever I want to hunt?’ he thought to himself.

‘Maybe it’s your luck?’ replied White.

‘Yeah, agreed, but I must say, I’m really lucky to find one this early.’ Ken snickered to himself.

‘Don’t push your luck, or it might just run out.’ said White.

‘Yes.x’ replied Ken.

Of course everyone would alternate between one another who would take responsibility for the food, but his group were knocked out so, yeah, he’s the one doing it. Ken conjured a huge table made out of clay -but slick clean- and an ice knife to do the job all the while humming.

He was in a trance.

While all this was going on, the pack of wolves stared dumbfounded at the uninvited guest who took out their supposed to be intruder, and quite possibly predator, for they have recently fought the dead boar and were no match for it.

They went to this specific river to ask for help from their friends the deers, and seeing as this creature single-handedly take out their threat, they were stunned and gratified of the turn of events.

Even the herd of deers were not spared of the pleasantries, if you could call it that.

But they’re staring dumbfoundedly at Ken who began skinning the boar, and watched as he stomped for all the filth that splashed unto him, and the shift of mood once he had cleaned himself and began taking out the innards.

Once Ken had separated the bones, meat and organs, and had cleaned the excess filth with magic, which so just happened within seconds, for he was efficient, he remembered the pack of wolves, he took a glance behind his back.

“Eh?” Ken stared at the pack as they too curiously stared at him, he offered a smile making the pups around the legs of the adults stuck their tongue out and strut towards him, with the intention of taking food, for they smelled some.

The big wolves which can qualify as warriors of the pack who noticed their pups go towards the creature were even more in high alert as they each took their pups by the pelt back towards their group, they were a small pack, a total of 34, with ten of them being pups.

Actually they were a big pack than this, he had only sent out his pack in groups of 13 consisting of 40 wolves to scout the area for the demon gate as they were also tasked by King Raze himself, it was unfortunate that the alpha’s group had less warriors and more female wolves and pups.

Ken having noticed this, did not do anything and just smiled as the interaction between the adults and the pups looking as if they’re scolding their pups to take hold, he chuckled at the whines of the small, cute, fluffy, pups.

The alpha after taking care of their disobedient pups approached Ken calmly, as to not startle him.

“Who are you creature?” Ken’s ears perked up. He stared at the alpha wide-eyed. The height of the alpha had reached the same height as him and the build looked really buff.

‘Does everyone in this planet know how to talk?’ he thought, even thought he did not see the alpha wolf’s mouth move, he clearly heard him.

‘Are they communicating through the mind?’ he thought to himself curiously.

‘Yes, it seems so.’ replied White. ‘And in my information I’ve gathered years ago, this group of intellectual animals belong to the Lion King’s kingdom, they may not have that much numbers, but they are powerful as they have the power of the mind.’

‘They have such powers?’ asked Ken.

‘I’m afraid so.’ said White.

‘Why do you say it like it’s a bad thing?’ said Ken.

‘Nothing, it’s just the way they are percieved.’ replied White.

‘Oh, okay.’ while the conversation was going on a more deeper discussion, the alpha felt awkward as the one he was addressing did not respond.

“*Ahem* If you would so kindly answer my question creature, I’m afraid I’ll have to consider you as a threat.” Ken snapped out of his stupor.

“Oh, uh, y-yes, um, I-I’m… uh…” the wolf stared at him confusedly, torn between what to feel, amusement or pity for the creature. Ken took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“Hi, my name is Ken, and I am not a creature, I am a human.” He said, smiling towards the alpha and held out his hand. There was an awkward silence as the alpha stared at him condescendingly and he felt sheepish under that stare, or so he thought.

“You don’t do hand-shakes? Okay.” Ken retracted his hand.

“What is your purpose here, ‘human’?” asked directly the alpha. So the human’s are here, just as the King said, the alpha thought.

“Oh, uh, I am hunting for food?” he replied. Intriguing, the alpha thought, he didn’t thought it would be quite that.

“Why are you hunting for food human?” asked the alpha.

“So that I could bring it back to my friends for us to eat.” If this wolf was a person, Ken could swear that they would have their eyebrow perked up by now, for it was the feeling that he felt.

“And you’re eating that?” pointed the alpha with his muzzle. Ken looked at the boar’s parts -meat- and back at the alpha.

“Yes, I’ll be cooking it for us to eat.” he said. Having unrecognized the word ‘cooking’ the alpha paid it no mind and continued to ponder.

Another long silence befell the two.

“Uh, is there anything the matter sir? Wolf?” The alpha’s stare hardened, making Ken shy out.

“Do not call me wolf human, I am an Alpha.” ‘This human has interesting sides to him.’ The alpha thought.

“Ye-yes alpha.” said Ken bowing to the Alpha. “Would you be so kind to let me go?” he asked.

“Hmmm, go ahead, as long as you don’t bother me and my pack.” replied the alpha and turned around to head back to his pack. Ken smiled and bowed again, about to go and find more food when he abruptly remembered that he knows nothing about food in these parts.

Sure he knows some herbs and plants that are edible, but wouldn’t it be much easier for him if he was taught of the consumables here? Plus, he really wants some vegetables, he doesn’t know why but he just wants some.

“Excuse me.” said Ken, the alpha turned to look at him. “Umm, can I ask for help in foraging for herbs and other edible plants?” the alpha stared at him confused.

“What do you mean foraging and edible?” he asked.

“Oh, uh, I meant collecting and can be consumed plants.” Ken replied. The alpha nodded at him.

“I suppose I can help you with that.” Ken smiled, and so, he was helped by the pack of wolves to collect some herbs and plants that are edible along with the help of the deers from the other side of the river.

Surprisingly the two were considered friends and allies, Ken didn’t expect this since in his past life wolves hunt deers for food, maybe not on this one. At first he was shy and flustered as he was fawned over by both groups as he was showered by praises and thanks due to earlier.

He was even more surprised as the herd of deers traversed the river above the water, and later found out that they were able to do it due to their mental capacity. Both groups were on the side were the pack of wolves were.

‘They’re like psychics!’ Ken exclaimed in his mind as he stared in awe as the wolves were able to do it too, except for the pups.

‘It seems they’ve evolved.’ said White. Ken nodded slowly, still mesmerized.

After an hour, Ken was able to collect enough food for his group and bid farewell to the pack and herd, but not before defeating five more huge boars and offered two to the pack, as well as he had foraged a lot of edible plants for the herd.

He said that it was thanks for helping him out. He used the accessory storage space for the amount of food he had collected, when he remembered that he had one. He bid the group farewell some more and proceed back to where his group was.

Upon arriving his friends were still sleeping with Syla looking over them. He then proceeded to make a mini kitchen made out of clay, and the knives were made out of ice magic and enchanted so that they won’t melt away.

Ken looked for branches and had chopped down one dried tree, but replaced it with a new one as he planted a seed beside it, for firewood. And there he made barbeque skewers, along with vegetables to the side, and salads.

Good thing that some of the vegetables here are similar to the ones back on earth, only a little mutilated and harsh to harvest or collect as some of it fought him first before he got to harvest.

But nonetheless he was happy he could take care of his companions, it was nearing night time and his food menu was perfect for the occasion, he even found some spices along with sauce, the sauce was found accidentally as he had crushed a black berry with his hands and splashed its content all over his face, again.

Slowly his friends and the adults of the group were stirring awake, Ken had already prepared a table made out of the lumber he chopped and used nature magic with manual input to look like a lavishing wooden table in the middle of the flower field and plates made out of clay.

And they were shiny, with makeshift spoon and fork. Syla was not spared by the delicious aroma as she went and took a look at the rows of barbeque Ken made, about a hundred or so, he knows the appetite of his friends so this should suffice.

Syla’s mouth watered at the meat before her, and Ken chuckled at her display of hunger, which made her embarrassed. Ken invited her to sit near the table for he would be serving the food in a minute.

Syla gratefully obliged.

Ken’s group one by one awoke from the aroma and slowly walked to the table in a trance, Trunk and Coralia along with Granarados whom were still slowly coming to their senses did not know what to do and just dived head first for the vegetables on the plates, still in their beast form.

The group stared at them wide eyed and when they realized what they were doing, they immediately stopped and retreated to the corner of the table, embarrassed of their actions.

The group just laughed it off and gradually the embarrassment faded off and the group was able to have a hearty meal, chatters and laughter could be heard as night soon fell upon the sky, as if completely forgetting what transpired earlier.

The group packed up and decided to head to the place where the herd of nature deers resided, to both reassure them that the group is well and had completed their mission for the day. On the way, Ken was happily leading the group.

Flin was talking beside Allen, and when he took a glance at ken, everything from earlier came crashing down on him, he abruptly stopped, so too did Allen. He felt Flin’s fear despite the initial happiness from earlier. He approached Flin.

“What’s wrong, are you okay?” Flin looked at him, cold sweat started to form on his forehead.

“I-I thought I had died.” Allen understood what he meant.

“I thought so too.” Flin looked at him, then back at Ken, then he recalled the memory of witnessing how Allen was stabbed in the stomach, he recalled the blood trickling down the wound before everything went black.

“A-are you not afraid?” Flin asked. Allen nodded.

“I am, Ken is the most powerful person I know, and we’ve witnessed first-hand how he could cause such destruction in his wake, and that was the first time for me too to be able to feel the looming of death.” Allen looked at Ken’s back condescendingly.

“Th-then why are you not…” Flin’s eyes darted back and forth from Ken and Allen.

“Doing anything? That’s because I trust Ken, and I know he has an explanation as to why that kind of thing happened.” said Allen, in between solemn and doubt.

“Why don’t you doubt him?” Flin asked this time calmly as his chaotic thoughts were sorted out. Allen looked at Ken who was laughing along with his other friends, they did not notice that they had caught up to the group.

“I don’t know, and I know that what I’m about to say would be considered biased but, years of talking and experiencing so many things with Ken made me -in his terms- solidify my belief in the guy.” Flin stared at him wide-eyed.

“Just like he said, no one hurts people for any reason, only through spite, jealousy, rage and anger, but if a person decided to hurt someone dear to them for the purpose of growth, then wouldn’t it be more acceptable to give them a chance to redeem themselves?” Allen added.

Flin did not know, or understand Allen’s words, but somehow, someway, he knew deep inside him that he understood what Allen meant. He stared at Ken, and wondered how much had this person must be to them to have so much trust that they could offer.

“To tell you honestly I had also doubted what transpired earlier, but after preparing us food and taking care of us like we’re someone precious to him, made the doubt go away.” said Allen.

“It’s okay to doubt a person, you just need to ask or clarify something’s out to answer the questions in your mind.” he added. This time Flin didn’t need to voice out his thoughts for he too understood if not a lot, about what Allen meant by those words.

For he too had doubts of himself.

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