They won the first battle, but can they win the whole mission?

  We've been trudging for about six hours now. The sun has bid us good night and the moon has welcomed us. I don't think there's any chance of cold nights in Taiyo. Which I was glad of. I wouldn't have the clothes or equipment to camp in the winter.

  "Shall we take a break?" I asked out of the blue.

  "Yeah, I agree. We've been coming around here long enough and not finding anything." Kenji agreed.

  He walked over to the giant tree. It would take about ten people to hug its trunk. He must have stood there forever. I looked at it fascinated, from the few protruding roots to the huge crown that hid in the endless night.

  "Put your hand to it." Shika urged.

  I just gave her a puzzled look. She jerked her head towards the tree and smiled. I moved closer to its trunk and gingerly touched the hard bark. Suddenly the tree itself showed me its memories. Its thoughts and feelings. Memories of generations of children who wandered here looking for those crystals. He had always enjoyed listening to them as they racked their brains or just talked and made acquaintances. It was incredible to see through his eyes. He had experienced lots and lots of things here. Big fire. A thick and unrelenting flood. War and reconciliation. Children. Different creatures. Everything.

  "Wonderful! You have a beautiful life." I said to him in my inner voice.

  "I'm glad I could get to know yours, Iruka. I can see you have a long and troubled road ahead of you, but you have your friends and they will help you." The tree replied.

  I just smiled and returned to my consciousness.

  "Amazing, isn't it? That's what they call blending in with nature. It's a beautiful spell." Shika explained and stroked the tree gently.

  "This magic comes from your people?"

  "This spell comes from the elves, yes. Not from my people. My people specialize in healing magic, but of course this magic is also used a lot by us."

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "You have beautiful spells."

  Shika just smiled and walked to her pack. I slid my back down the trunk and sat down. I tilted my head and watched the stars. Elves must be amazing creatures. Haru would get along with them a lot, though with his familiarity I bet he already knew elves. I wonder what the boys are doing now? I'm done imagining what those four assholes are doing now.

  ………….

  My restless sleep was interrupted by a kind of roar.

  "What is that?!" I exclaimed.

  "Shhh." Kenji hissed, motioning with his hand for me to go to him.

  I quietly crawled over to them. They were crouched in the bushes, watching something. Kenji just gestured with his hand and I discreetly peeked out from my hiding place.

  There was a giant lizard. And it wasn't just one. There were three in all. I crouched a little in fear. They were scared, and pretty scared. Suddenly, I hear someone starting a fire. The lizards were encountered by a team. I think it was team 7, I'm not sure. They fought valiantly. A boy was casting fire spells and two girls were fighting with wind magic. I had the urge to help them, but my legs were numb. We're mainly here to get the crystal. They're our enemies, and if we went near them, a barrier would be triggered and we'd still have to fight them. This mission is very fierce. You have to watch every corner. You never know what's lurking around, but on the other hand, it will prepare us for the outside world. Out there, it's the same and worse.

  "Come on. We have to get out of here. I don't want them to swallow us or anything." Kenji sputtered.

  I smiled a little and quietly crept back to my stuff. We quickly packed up and left. I don't think the guards would let them eat us, but one never knows.

  The sleepless and dark night gave room to think. We don't have much time left and we have no idea where the crystal is. If there is one left. Oh, where the hell did you...?

  All three of us were silent, aimlessly searching for clues. At least a small sign. Anything.

  "I've got it!" Kenji exclaimed happily after about half an hour.

  "What did you come up with?" Shika asked eagerly.

  We both fixed our peepers on him, waiting for his plan.

  "It's not like anyone said we couldn't ask someone."

  "Huh? When there's no one here." I objected.

  "But there is."

  Kenji smiled mischievously and walked over to the maple tree next to him.

  "Merging with nature." He mumbled, his eyes closed as he immersed himself in conversation with the forest.

  "That's a wonderful idea!" Shika exulted, joining in with another tree as well.

  "Kenji you are indeed clever." I muttered, turning slightly pink from the flattery towards him.

  I don't know how to compliment someone. Especially ones that are truly out of place. I waited with a rueful smile to see what the two of them would find out.

  At the same moment, they both moved away from the tree. And there it is. I looked at the two of them with a questioning and hopeful look on my face.

  "We got it!" Kenji said simply, yet with a smile.