Nea rubbed her glasses against her suit to clean and yawned as everyone worried for the worst case that could've happened: they're actually surrounded.
The numbers are clear, around 9 SSS's white suited individuals surrounded them with a variety of weapons and magic utilities drawed.
Nea Vitones raised her right hand and made a fist, everyone then got out of sight, seemingly leaving and cleared the road ahead for the carriage.
"Was that supposed to be a… cool introduction?" Rina cautiously frowned, her hands still on the horse's reins.
"Didn't think this through, never thought I'll make it this far without stepping on any of you. I just wanted to show off my power; in which case, it's kind of intimidating right?" Nea smiled brightly.
...
crack, thump!
Before anyone could form a comment or make sense of the situation, a loud crack and breaking sound resounded from above. Nea tried to sit down but somehow fell through the roof, slamming herself butt-first into the carriage.
She fell right in the middle where Pearl and Marc were sitting; Marc instinctively leaned in and tried to catch but was too late, while Pearl just withdrew his legs to dodge.
"Déjà vu, anyone?" Rina grinned and puffed up her cheeks to hold in laughter.
Nea emotionlessly sat back up, she bit her lips and exhaled really rush breaths. She ran their hands through from the forehead to her neck; facepalming herself as her throat seized up and choked on making sounds.
"Are you… okay?" Pearl slowly tapped on Nea's shaky shoulders.
Marc slowly tilted his head sideways to express curiosity; he put Esmeralda down from his nape and took out an apple from the backpack to hand it to Nea.
"You want one?" Marc smiled kindly, which might be forced out but there wasn't any sign of that being true.
"Marc, that's not how you treat a girl- Well it is but not now." Mei whispered.
Nea robotically turned towards Marc and grabbed the apple while her face was pale red: "Thanks."
"Eik, krak" said Esmeralda, which translated to "Mom, you never gave me an apple-"
...
Quiet ensued and silent aching breezes blew. As the south-west atmosphere covered heaven's gifts, personal and flowery day thoughts ran through every conscious mind of people.
The sky darkened, signaling a bad change of weather, Rina looked up before holding on the reins tight; she sped up the carriage, planning to get past the Sulkos's border before it rains, or at least get to a big city with somewhere to rest.
The curious little Esmeralda stared up into the sky, she widened her eyes as if focusing on something— before her body slowly growed up and she turned into her human form. Marc struck up a conversation by laying down on the moving carriage and looked up with her.
"What are you thinking about?"
Esmeralda wiggled her ears, she sniffed in the fresh air and turned towards Marc, her heart broke when she noticed something.
"I'm a dragon…" Esmeralda slowly whispered.
"Yes...?"
A sudden rush of chills ran through Marc's spine, as he feared for the worst that might happen. The team's eyes and ears are on this conversation.
"So my biological mother must be a dragon…" Esmeralda's voice became quieter.
"Vel…" Marc was left speechless, he opened his mouth but didn't say anything.
"Mom... Is there something you're hiding from me, everyone?"
Pearl closed his book and frowned; he put his glasses down on the carriage floor:
"Marc… She deserves to know about Ciellia."
Esmeralda felt a weird urge to hiccup. She backed up from Marc and didn't notice when she hit Mei, who was sitting.
"Pearl, we promised to not mention this." Marc gripped tight on his shirt.
"To hell with your promises and oaths that only make things worse! You can't blame yourself and take responsibility for everything!"
The carriage seemed to move slower.
"And I thought you're an honorable person that keeps his mouth shut… I'm the leader! If you have a problem-"
Before Marc could finish his sentence, Pearl lunched forwards and punched him in the face.
"You dense motherfucker! Would you look around for once!" Pearl grabbed Marc's shirt collar and yelled at him. "I've had enough! Of course you're our damn leader, which is why we don't want you dead! Do us three seems like someone you need to fucking risk your life and protect every day?"
Marc head bashed Pearl, sending him backwards. He then grabbed Pearl by his shirt collar, the screaming match started, and it was terrifying for observers, Marc placed his forehead against Pearl and glared, his voice starting to shake.
"So this is about you now? What happened to Ciella is my fault! She had one wish, one… gosh, damn last wish Pearl! And yesterday we broke it! I don't want anymore of my friends or family gone!"
"Does it look like we want you gone? You goddamn rubber head!"
Marc's fist formed a punch, Pearl's limbs created ice.
The carriage suddenly stopped, as Mei pulled Marc away and Rina held Pearl still one nanosecond before they hit each other.
Meanwhile, Nea was sitting next to them, munching on her apple and widened her eyes to enjoy the scene.
Marc and Pearl heavily exhaled, they glared at each other for a solid minute— Mei and Rina slowly let loose and released them.
"hiccup"
They looked over to the corner, to see Esmeralda— still confused and frightened by the sight. Marc slowly approached and reached his hands out, Esmeralda replied by simply cowering and stared at him.
The carriage began moving again.
…
They safely got past the border, Nea stood at the gates and waved goodbye at them, no one was in the mood or relationship to wave back at her.
Leaving Sulkos, they are greeted by Alcray, a country on the East of Sulkos. It is definitely not their destination but a fine stop, they rented a room at the inn when soon, another problem erupted.