Good - bad - catastrophic

Ten minutes later the not quite so energetic duo was already a few hundred meters further down the road. John only now found another helpfull feature of this way of travelling. Since he created the barrier as a forest, once he reached the city it stayed a forrest. Meaning he could just walk the straight line to his home and did not have to watch for any routes or turns.

However, he was abruptly disturbed as he once again took a mana recovery break.

"What the hell are you doing, you crazy ning nong?!" John spun around in panic, uncertain of both whose voice that was and where it came from. Moments later he finally saw her standing on one of the trees he created inside the barrier. Henrietta. How did she come here?

And even more, what the hell was a ning nong? John was uncertain if he was supposed to feel insulted, or if maybe that was an apprentice title in the abyss. But both for an insult or a title, that sounded like it was unfitting.

"I was just on my way home. Have I missed our date? According to my watch, I still have some time left, have I not?" She raised an eyebrow at this.

"The heck are you talking about? I didn't know it was you inside this monstrosity, but thinking about it, I could have figured. This is what happens if you tell an idiot too much, I guess. Okay, listen, I will make this easy for you.

You know that there are people in the abyss, like monster, or humans like me and you. I told you that yesterday. You know from yourself, that all of those beings can feel power changes and notice illusion barriers, right?" John slowly nodded.

"Good, then let me ask you a question: What do you think, how would someone react if he noticed an illusion barrier spreading straight into the city. An illusion barrier that is not fine tuned to keep monsters out, but to let everyone have access. If he wouldn't know what the goal is of whoever created that barrier, what do you think he would assume?" Now John understood. This was looking as if he was planning an attack on the city, given how big of a trail he was leaving behind.

Yet before he cound answer anything, she cut him off sharply. "Now to go further, why don't we assume that this barrier is really weak and you can feel that both from the inside or outside it could be broken by any monster that has even only a bit of power. If that barrier gave indirectly access for all strong monsters to feast upon the humans living here." John mumbled something, but before he could defend himself with facts about how he would strengthen the barrier if something like that were to happen, Henrietta became even more angry and louder.

"AND WHAT, If the moment that person would touch the barrier, he would not only feel the dangers he could sense from afar, but directly notice that it is an instable one that could literally explode and kill everyone within and around it every second! What the heck are you doing John? Do you have a **** wish or something?"

Now finally she gave him the chance to answer. He breathed in deeply, put order in his thoughts as he was about to explain himself.

"I see what your point was in the aggresiveness of your race." Ashthyn spoke to him from behind just as he opened his mouth. "Please, enraged female warrior of the human race, fear not, for we come in peace. My name is Ashthyn Katur, of the elven forrest. I have sworn my allegience to the human John, for as long as I remain in this realm. Worry not, for I am not being sent in attempts of war, but in search of companionship of the most trusted kind." While holding this monologue, he stepped between John and Henrietta, who had jumped down the tree during her rant.

"I come unarmed to you, stand before you with empty hands, hoping to forge a bond more meaningfull than a friendship." And only after a pause he added. "Comradery." To make it even worse, the elven boy decided to proof himself to be unarmed. Of course, everyone already saw him to be just that, given his lack of hiding options. Sadly, he must have been really eager to gain her trust, because he fell down on one knee before her and grabbed the miniskirt with both hands at the side, lifting it up and revealing his non existant underwear to her.