LANDALE AND SUSPICIONS PART 1 - YUMI POV

Leaving the camp to change her clothes and armor, Yumi returns to find her blanket hanging from one of the branches. Her eyes widen in surprise. As she turns to confront Landale about it, she notices Aki already up, changing his clothes and donning his armor. Instead of reprimanding Landale, she shoots him an angry look.

Landale spots her approaching and hurries his way toward her. "Hey," Landale mutters. "I'll pack up the camp. Can you tell Aki?"

"Why?" Yumi asks, puzzled.

"Just do it," Landale replies, glancing fearfully at Aki. "Please."

"Alright," Yumi responds slowly.

Approaching Aki, Yumi greets him with a smile. "Good morning, Aki."

"Good morning," Aki replies, returning her smile. "I'm going to meditate then we can pack up."

"I'll join you," Yumi says. "Oh, and no need to pack up, Landale said he'll take care of all of it."

Aki's gaze momentarily flickers toward Landale before he shrugs and heads toward a secluded area of the forest.

As Aki walks ahead of her, Yumi's mouth drops open in awe as she senses the energy emanating from him. His energies have fully restored, and he seems to be glowing with power. Even the pebbles beneath his feet rise telepathically, drawn to the gravity of his immense strength.

Yumi runs beside him, ready to compliment his regained energy, but her admiration turns to concern as she finally takes notice of his face. It displays a mix of sadness, disappointment, and anxiety.

Yumi feels the urge to speak to him or offer him a comforting hug, but an overwhelming sense of guilt prevents her from getting closer. After all she has said about starting over, she has done something terrible with Landale the previous night. All she can do now is quietly walk alongside Aki.

Eventually, Aki reaches a towering tree, where he sits down cross-legged, and unsheathes his sword, holding it front of him. He closes his eyes, entering a state of meditation.

While Aki meditates, Yumi racks her brain, searching for a way to make him feel better. She paces around him, deep in thought, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She wants to apologize to Aki, but she knows it will only alleviate her own guilt and further confuse him.

After a few moments, Yumi hears Aki's voice break the silence. "Are you okay, Yumi?"

"Yes!" Yumi responds quickly, her mind still preoccupied with finding a way to help him.

"Are you sure?" Aki presses.

"Yes, yes," Yumi replies, continuing to pace.

"You mentioned Landale volunteered to handle our belongings?" Aki inquires.

Maybe I should just apologize, Yumi thinks to herself. "Yes, he did but I'm not entirely certain why. Perhaps a good night's rest helped him realize the extent of his mistakes during the battle with the Goblin Boss."

Aki grunts in response, and Yumi steals a glance at him, noticing that his left eye is open, likely observing Landale.

Suddenly, Yumi is taken aback as Aki swiftly rises to his feet. It is far too abrupt, and she immediately realizes that Aki hasn't completed his usual routine. Her heart tugs at the sight, fully comprehending his mounting apprehension.

"Do you not trust him?" Yumi asks, her face contorting with sadness.

Taking a deep breath, Aki keeps his gaze fixed on Landale. "I don't," he replies firmly, his voice filled with conviction.

Yumi stares at his anxious expression, unable to bear seeing him this way. She reaches up, her hands gently cupping his face and turning it toward her. Their eyes lock, and Yumi sees genuine care and love reflected in his gaze. It takes every ounce of her strength to maintain eye contact, but she knows she has to try.

Finally, she begins, "Aki, I..."

Before she can continue, Landale unintentionally interrupts, approaching them and saying, "I believe it's time for us to leave. I've packed all of our things."

The interruption shatters Yumi's confidence. She closes her eyes, swallowing the apology she had been about to utter. With a small smile, she looks back at Aki. "Alright, Aki. Let's go."

As Yumi turns to walk away, she feels Aki grab her hand and pull her toward him. Before she can comprehend what is happening, Aki wraps his arms around her tightly. With her head resting against his chest, she can hear the rapid beating of his heart, which has calmed down considerably until now. She knows it is his feelings for her that cause his heart to race. Yumi hugs him back, cherishing the sensation of being held by the only person she will ever truly love - the person she sacrificed everything for.

Countless seconds pass as they cling to each other, and then Aki slowly releases her. Yumi gazes at him, noticing a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if he is about to burst into laughter. Following his gaze, she sees Landale with an amusingly awkward expression on his face, clearly uncomfortable witnessing the intimate moment between them.

Yumi can't help but join Aki in laughter. Their laughter fills the forests as Landale could only smile at them in confusion, wondering what was so funny.

A few moments later, Yumi grabs her satchel from Landale and walks ahead with a new perk in her step.

Yumi breaths deeply and strikes her signature pose - one hand on her waist, another pointing onward.

"Are we heading back? That's east," Aki remarks.

"It doesn't matter!" Yumi grins. Aki smiles at back her.

Nevertheless, Yumi turns and walks towards the right path.

Yumi had been optimistic, believing that everything would be fine. However, Landale's suspicious behavior is beginning to worry her. She realizes she had underestimated the extent of Landale's fear towards Aki. His usual confidence is nowhere to be seen; instead, he follows Aki's every word and looks at him as if he were a prisoner of war.

Frustration mounts within Yumi as she knows Aki had noticed this change. She can only hope that Landale won't reveal the truth and that Aki will attribute this shift to Landale's failures.

To make matters worse, the Goblin Boss has clearly survived and continues to send goblins to slow them down. Yumi has lost count of how many times they have had to defend themselves from hit-and-run ambushes by the goblin archers.

It's past midday when she overhears Aki starting a conversation with Landale.

"So, Landale," Aki begins, "Are you accompanying us to the capital?"

Clearing his throat, Landale replies in a near-whisper, "Y-yes. If you'll have me, of course," his voice faltering somewhat.

Aki continues, "This path will take us at least a week to traverse. While we shouldn't underestimate the Goblin Boss, we will likely face stronger opponents."

"Yes," Landale mutters, "I will do my best to assist."

"Very well," acknowledges Aki. "Tell me, what can you do then?"

Regaining some semblance of dignity, Landale replies, "Similar to you, I am a combination of a wizard and a swordsman."

Aki seeks clarification, "I meant, what is your specialty in terms of magic?"

While Landale ponders, Aki observes him closely, noting that his actions do not seem like those of someone concealing information, but rather someone genuinely contemplating his strengths.

After a few moments, Landale finally responds, "Perhaps you're already tired of hearing this, Aki, but similar to you—Scorching Ray, Sickening Ray, Magic Missile, Symbol of Deto-"

Interrupting, Aki interjects, "What about Detect Thoughts?"

"Ah, yes, of course," Landale replies. "As I mentioned, similar to you."

Aki nods, ending the conversation.

Yumi is about to sigh with relief when she suddenly hears Landale sigh with relief. Her eyes widen, and her gaze shifts to Aki. To her horror, Aki gives Landale a quick glance before shifting his gaze back at her. She returns him a knowing smile.

Well, Aki now knows that Landale isn't just depressed about his failures last night. That idiot! Why did he show how much he hated being interrogated by Aki? Yumi thinks exasperatedly.

Yumi suddenly hears bows being pulled behind them. Having heard it multiple times during the day, her senses are now attuned to the sound. She quickly turns and raises her shield. Aki erects a barrier while Landale scampers behind her as arrows fall harmlessly around them.

Aki raises his hand, but the goblin archers have already fled.

"Enough of this," Aki declares. "I'm going to scout ahead and identify potential ambush points. I'll set up some traps."

After briefly exchanging a knowing look with Yumi, Aki sprints ahead.

Yumi's gaze remains fixed on Aki as he gradually distances himself, ensuring a safe distance between them. With a firm resolve, she redirects her stern glare towards Landale, who visibly exhales with relief as Aki departs.

In a matter of seconds, Yumi feels Aki's presence reaching out to her through their Telepathic Bond. Maintaining her unwavering focus on Landale, she promptly acknowledges the connection.

"Yumi, don't say anything," Aki instructs through their telepathic link. "See if you can subtly gather information about Landale's intentions. I have a feeling he may be more dangerous than he seems. I am quite certain he attempted to probe my mind last night."

The telepathic connection abruptly dissolves.

Yumi's grip tightens around her shield, and she raises her mace, her expression turning grim. Landale slowly turns to meet her gaze, his eyes widening in horror.

"Did you employ a mental attack against Aki?" Yumi inquires, her smile remaining but her eyes darken, foreshadowing the impending consequences for Landale.