The early morning sun cast a pale glow upon the Blackthorn Forest, illuminating the crumpled train and the scattered passengers. Code lay on the ground, sleeping fitfully, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
The gentle breeze rustled his hair, and the warm sunbeams danced across his face. But suddenly, a voice pierced the tranquility.
"Code!" Hina exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. She knelt beside him, her eyes scanning his face. "Code?" she repeated, her voice softer this time.
Code's eyes flickered open, and he gazed up at the sky. The clouds, the blue expanse, and the sun's golden rays created a breathtaking vista. For a moment, he forgot his pain and troubles.
But as his gaze shifted to Hina, his expression transformed. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice cracked with emotion. "You're alive," he whispered, his words barely audible.
Hina's face softened, and she smiled. But before she could speak, Code's emotions overflowed. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he buried his face in her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you," he whispered, his voice shaking with sobs. "I'm so happy you're alive."
Hina's arms wrapped around him, holding him close. "Code," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "We're in this together... No matter what."
As they held each other, the world around them melted away, leaving only the warmth of their connection and the promise of hope.
The duo hugged each other for a long while, basking in the warmth of the sun's rays and the gentle breeze. Code's mind slowly calmed, and a sense of peace washed over him.
He realized that he wasn't alone anymore. He had friends who cared for him, who stood by him. The former Code Weber was a shadow of his past self, lonely and empty. But now, he was different, reborn.
As they stood there, Code felt a sense of strength he never knew he had. He understood Ken's words now: "True strength lies in weakness."
But as the hug lingered, Hina's voice broke the silence. "C-Code, you're hugging me too tight." Code quickly backed off, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Hina's lips twitched into a gentle smile. "So, are you gonna come or not?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Code nodded, standing up. As he did, he noticed that his wounds and injuries were gone. His eyes widened in surprise, and he looked up at Hina with a mix of confusion and gratitude.
"Thank Alpha," Hina said, walking ahead. Code followed, his eyes fixed on her.
"Alpha?" he repeated, curiosity getting the better of him. Hina led the way into the forest, Code following closely behind, his brow furrowed in confusion. He trusted Hina implicitly, so he kept his questions to himself, curious about their destination.
As they walked, the terrain shifted, and they approached a hill. "Almost there," Hina said, her voice encouraging, as they began the ascent.
The climb was steeper than Code anticipated, and he puffed out a breathless "Arrrgh" as they crested the hill. As he raised his head, he paused midway, his gaze locked onto the breathtaking view before him.
Hina's eyes darted between Code's face and the cityscape, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Hazen," she said softly.
Code's eyes widened in awe. The city sprawled in a large expanse, its buildings and towers rising like giants from the earth. The sun cast its golden light upon the rooftops, illuminating the intricate carvings and ornate details that adorned the structures.
The air was filled with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, the clanging of hammers on metal, and the chatter of people going about their daily lives. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of exotic spices and herbs.
Code's eyes widened as he took in the breathtaking view. He had lived in Hazen all his life, but he had never seen the city from this vantage point. The familiarity of the city's sounds and smells was comforting, yet the view was new and exhilarating.
"Welcome to Hazen," Hina said, her voice filled with pride. Code smiled, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him. He knew every alleyway, every market stall, and every hidden corner of the city.
As they stood atop the hill, Code's gaze drifted out to Hazen, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and awe. "Even after all these years, it still fells different seeing the city from this perspective."
Hina nodded, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. "The view is breathtaking, isn't it?" The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of distant chatter floated up from the city.
Their peaceful moment was disrupted by Nara's labored breathing as he crested the hill. "Arrrgh... I think I need to work on my cardio," he said, wincing.
Code's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in Nara's appearance. The bruises from last night seemed to be healing rapidly.
Nara caught Code's gaze and raised an eyebrow. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
Hina chuckled, and Code smiled. "No, just making sure you're okay."
Ken and Alpha joined the group, Ken stretching his arms overhead. "That climb was invigorating," he said, taking in the view.
Alpha's eyes widened as she gazed out at the city. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with a sense of wonder.
As Alpha turned towards Code, their eyes met briefly. Code quickly looked away, whistling innocently. Alpha snorted, a hint of amusement in her face.
Nara broke the silence, cracking his knuckles. "So, what's the plan? Are we just gonna stand here all day?"
Code's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Let's get moving. I've got a sorcerer's badge to earn, and I don't want to waste any more time."
The group erupted in agreement, their voices carrying down the hill as they descended into the city.
***
Map: Hazen is a city located in the Western Region of the Eldrid Continent, Wistal.
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