Chapter 53
As they didn't arrive with a solid plan, it was more or less a free and easy schedule . Zero would run off whenever he saw something that caught his attention and Truen can only thank his luck that they've not met a wild beast yet . The boy wasn't exactly discreet and made a lot of noise when he was excited .
After the initial scare with the fake Sky Tangerine, Truen became a lot more vigilant . His knowledge about this new Earth was still lacking but his common sense prevailed . Steering Zero clear from all the possible death flags, the bodyguard praised himself for being able to keep the boy entertained and satisfied . Zero even asked Truen about his opinion about certain matters .
Initially, the bodyguard was enthralled . However, after being asked about his opinion about a new leaf for the twentieth time, he found it challenging to maintain the same level of enthusiasm .
"Truen! Truen! Look at this leaf! Isn't this shade of green beautiful? Although I think it's slightly greener than the vines in Gaia's hair . . . "
The elf smiled . "Why, of course . It's a lovely find, Zero . "
The young boy frowned . "Really? I'm still not too sure about it . It might be slightly greener but then I can't remember clearly . If only there was a way to know the exact shade so that I can pick the leaf that matches Gaia's hair . "
Now that puzzled the guardian . "Why are you looking for a leaf that has the exact shade of Gaia's hair?"
The child stopped smiling and looked at the ground . The cheerful boy from earlier was now nowhere to be seen .
"I just want something that will remind me about everyone because I might not see them for a while . "
That sentence touched the deepest parts in Truen's heart . Gently, he placed a hand on Zero's shoulder and kneeled down so he was at the boy's eye level .
"Zero, look at me . "
Slowly, the child looked up with teary eyes . The elf gave him a gentle but reassuring squeeze on his shoulder .
"I understand that you miss them and I'm sure they miss you too . How about we try to find something together?"
Hearing those words, Zero felt reassured . He accepted Truen's outstretched hand and the elf smiled . It was hard to understand Zero's thinking and actions sometimes but there was one thing Truen was very sure about after spending time with the boy . He was a very kind existence and nothing could change that .
With that, the search for mementoes began . Of course, Zero wanted something to remind him about Jen, Jeremy and Grem too but due to the lack of time, they'd comprised to look for them one at a time .
In the next two hours, Truen and Zero looked high and low for a leaf with the exact shade of Gaia's hair . Even Gaia who was watching them from the reflecting orb was touched . However, the forest in Endow Hill was extremely vast and the sun began to set before they knew it . Zero was covered in grime from head to toe although his tracksuit remained cleaned thanks to the enchantments .
"Let's get you cleaned up, we can continue the search tomorrow . "
With the sharp hearing of a wood elf, they found a nearby stream fairly easily . The water was cold but Zero didn't seem to mind . In fact, he was amazed at the many kinds of pebbles at the bottom of the stream and started to collect them while Truen was busy washing up .
As night was approaching quickly, Truen caught some fish from the river that the stream led and started a small campfire . He cautioned Zero about staying too close to the fire as he grilled the scaled fishes . It was slightly challenging to clean the fishes without a proper knife but Truen managed it somehow with the help of an arrow in his inventory . Despite being a pampered young master in his previous life, Truen learnt a lot about survival skills as a hungry ghost . His travels in search for a way to redeem himself taught him a lot .
Before they dug in, Truen taught Zero how to debone a fish . Zero picked it up quickly and they finished eating in record time . The young boy felt sleepy soon after but Truen had one more task for Zero before the boy could sleep .
"Zero, I know you're tired but this isn't a good place to sleep . Do you still remember how to use the lamp Zeus and Hades prepared for you?"
Rubbing his eyes sleepily, Zero nodded and pulled it out from his sling bag .
"Itty-bitty living space . . . " Zero mumbled and rubbed the lamp . It teleported them into a well-furnished room . Truen glanced at the connecting bathroom and swore silently . It would have been a lot easier to shower and clean here than in a stream . Then again, looking at the pebbles Zero collected from his bath time, the elf shrugged it off .
After helping Zero get into his pyjamas and tucking him in, Truen allowed himself to yawn . Before long, he'd fallen asleep too .