Chapter 161 - BACK THEN, WE WERE DEFINITELY…. (1/2)

EARTH PRIME

MOROCCO

INSIDE A LARGE FOREST

Fire crackled in the corner of the campsite, two long shadows are formed by the two people sitting on a log, drinking hot beverages.

The light casted by the flames dance across the dark tree creating terrifying shadows all over the area.

The night in the forest brought a silence that the crackle of the campfire was all that could be heard.

It was like the music of nature. The two people take a sip of their beverages and one of them say in a childish tone of voice

'It is not the same' the other nodded in agreement.

One is a boy.

The other is a woman.

The man was four feet tall, petite and has a cute childish face with baby fat on his cheek. He looked innocent and harmless.

On his lap is a small staff with runic design encircling the entire staff.

The staff head is wrapped with a golden cloth that seems to seal the staff dark powers as the woman sometimes could feel the nauseating power coming off the staff.

The woman on the other hand is six feet tall, her attire is tight wrapping her entire body, elastic and light.

It is a sleek and a stunning dress. Her clothes are purple in color and lined with runic symbols in her inside attire.

She has that femme fatale look, beautiful, innocent but also possesses that hint of sexiness. On her back strapped tightly is a single bow.

Even now, at night, the bow seems to glow like the sun.

This would be like putting a target on her back but it is the ancient power emitted by this bow that make people or monster think twice before engaging with this female.

Because that bow is capable of great destruction. Because that bow is the Houyi Bow and the woman is the Divine Archer Sofia.

'Sofia, are you still mad at him?' the boy said smirking at her.

Sofia looks at Loki and snorted. The question displeases her and that smirk….she always hated looking at it.

'No, I'm not' she said nonchalantly

'You're not? Doesn't seem like that to me' Loki said smirking. She takes another sip of her coffee before she puts down her cup.

She tries to ignore Loki mischievousness

She looks at the dark forest in front of her and sighs. She remembered when things were simpler.

And Azief face surface in her mind. And she remember those days

When it was easier.

When both of them were honest with each other and didn't keep secret.

She hates the feeling she feels right now. She didn't do anything wrong. And he didn't do anything wrong.

But something changed. And that distance they both feel….it was….complicated. For him…and for her.

'I like it better when we were journeying together' she said finally. Loki looks at Sofia and smiles weakly before saying.

'I like it too.' But things changed. He did not say this word out loud but he didn't have to. Sofia felt it and the entire group felt it.

The man that comes back from that portal was not the same person that left. And that created a distance between them.

Ironically, the one closest to Azief is the only person they never met face to face, Will the Dark Speedster.

'I don't think you are coming here for a social call?' Sofia asks as she threw a pebble towards a nearby bush and a snake like monsters exploded into mass of gore.

Loki was not shocked.

There would always be some stupide beast. Sofia was still sitting calmly on the log without caring about that snake-like creature in the least.

After all she had been hunting in this forest for a couple of weeks. Loki got wind of her location with the help of Warp.

Then with his connection he comes here to give her something.

'No, I'm not.' He replied as he brought out a pouch from his sleeve and handed it to Sofia. Sofia takes it and opens the pouch as she sees a lot of golden pills

'Sina left some pills for you.' Sofia smiles a bit and she muttered something about how Sina couldn't leave her alone.

'She's still in China?' Sofia asked. Loki did his non-committal gesture replying with an

'Un'. Sofia nodded.

'As long as she is safe that is good enough' she thought to herself.

'Wang Jian is diligent.' She suddenly said.

'He is loyal' Loki said as he takes his last sip and put down his glass. And Sofia face scrunched up in a complicated expression.

Wang Jian was like a teacher to her. He did teach her swordsmanship and archery and Sofia did not forget that.

Sofia had hoped Wang Jian would want to be independent. He has enough ability. But Azief once said to her

'Wang Jian is a soldier. He could follow order and he's good at it. But for him to be a ruler….that is hard. Wang Jian wanted a safety net. He could give orders in battle precisely because there is a safety net. HE could make the hard call because he didn't hesitate. Put him in the driver seat and he will choke. I've seen men like him. Good in a group setting but when given the ultimate responsibilities they caved'

'What ultimate responsibility?' at that time she asked Azief.

'To decide who lives and who die. To be completely sure while having no one to consult you on that matter.'

'But isn't that what Wang Jian has done all this time?' she counter back

'Did he? Every kill he made, he was ordered to. And he followed because he is a good soldier. Look what happen during Yue Xing betrayal? If not for you and Loki, he would have perished there. And look what happen after. He rises again. But how? Because he follow Loki order. He is a soldier at heart Soph.'

Sofia sighed.

'Wang Jian, Wang Jian' she muttered

'It really isn't the same like Azief coffee.' Loki suddenly said. Hearing Azief name Sofia face constricted into a complicated expression

'Still mad at him?' Loki asked again.

Sofia flashes a glare at him but Loki just smiles and Sofia didn't know what to do. Loki picks the appearance that Sofia couldn't get mad at.

It's like she is bullying kid if she started yelling at him.

Sometimes Sofia wondered if Loki has ever shows his true face to the group or if all the faces they've seen before are all his disguise?

'Fine. I'm mad at him. Satisfied?' Sofia replied her face getting flushed as she is getting slowly frustrated with Loki.

Loki chuckles

'See, isn't it easier to just admit the truth. Why would you lie in front of me?' Sofia look at Loki like she is about to start a fight.

'Aw, come on. Don't show such a scary face. It doesn't suit you' Loki said all the while chuckling in satisfaction.

Sofia just sighed.

The firewood crackles and the fire becomes bigger as the wind keeps blowing it. It is cold but the campfire really brings the atmosphere up.

Sofia tosses a few more wood into the fire.

Loki finally satisfied teasing Sofia got up and takes one of the meat prepared by Sofia on a container on the side of the log and began skewering it.

He then sprinkles some herbs and spice over the large meat and then roasts it on the fire, spinning it slowly.

The aroma was appetizing and with the addition of the spice, it created a very thick smell of meat, just the way Loki like it.

It was the meat of a large bear.

Unlike the normal bear, the mutated bear meat tasted heavenly. It was like fried chicken only a hundred times better.

Sofia also did the same thing. But she also made a pot of soup on the side. Using a vegetable stock she put down neatly sliced meat into the pot and closes it.

Sprinkling a little salt and curry spices she waited. On her other side is a small fire which is used to cook rice.

Then getting up she went to a square shaped boulder she brought from a nearby lake and began chopping some potatoes.

After slicing them she tosses it into the curry pot.

'Looks delicious' Loki exclaimed as he realizes Sofia was making curry.

'I'm eating it with rice'

'So?' Loki said his shoulder went up

'I thought you didn't like rice?' Sofia asked puzzled. She still remembers the first few weeks they travelled together.

Loki always complained about Asian always eating rice and takes a weird stance of protest by eating bread.

Loki smiles sheepishly.

'What can I say? It grows on me' he said and Sofia chuckles.

'Fine, I will leave some for you' On the other hand Loki wanted to explain himself.

How could he not like rice? After eating it every day, of course he too would be accustomed to it.

When the pot boils and the meat has become tender, Sofia quickly served her dish. They shared their food, just like old times.

They both eat in silence. Then washing their hands Loki brought out his wine and poured it into his exquisite wine glass collection.

Not too far a distance a wolf howled.

Sofia shakes her head; clearly she did not like the sound.

She swung her bow on her back to her hand and then aiming it she releases a fiery arrow made of energy and the sound of pained howl could be heard almost a second later.

With her body getting stronger and her body is now reaching Celestial Presence, her foundation has stabilized and her eyes could see thing kilometers away without any problem.

'When will you break through?' Loki asks as Sofia sits back down. Loki gives her a glass of golden wine.

'At Red Palace Forming' she answers.

'That would take at most half a year. We don't have Universe Orb like Azief. Even he uses years to reach Perfection.'

'You yourself said that the foundation is important.

'It is important but I also remind you that some people break through at Nine Opening. I just fear that you would be left out.'

'Raymond decided to break through when he reaches Red Palace Forming'

Loki smiles dangerously

'Raymond, huh?'

Then suddenly Loki ask as his hand is twirling the wine inside his wine glass looking completely intoxicated

'Do you love him?' and Sofia nearly splutter out her wine.

'Azief I mean' she looks at Loki incredulous at his question before answering seriously.

'I don't know. I like him. I'm certain of this. But love? I don't know.' Then she takes a sip of the wine.

Loki smiles

'Well, love is not easy after all.' He said finally taking a sip. But looking at the troubled face on Sofia face Loki couldn't help but remarked.

'That is love alright'

'What do you think?' Sofia suddenly asked.

'Of what?'

'Of him'

'What about him?'

'He…. Did he ever say that he loves me?' Sofia asked, her voice trembling

'I don't know' Loki said looking completely unconcerned.

'Hmph. Why did I even think of asking this kind of question at you of all people' Sofia harrumphed.

She looked at Loki and sighed pitifully. How could this kind of person understand love and that kind of feeling? After all he is a dense guy.

'Sina….think again would you?' Sofia prays for Sina. With a guy this dense how could he ever realize what is in front of his eyes all this time.

'Idiot' she muttered under her breath. Loki didn't realize this at all. The he said, intending to tease Sofia again.

'But I know he got jealous of you.'

'He did?.. I mean….what for?' Sofia asked stumbling over her words, not expecting Loki words.

'And I also know that you got jealous of him after he returned. You knew he has somebody in those long years he is in the Multiverse and you don't ask him about it and he didn't want to tell you. So, you got jealous and try to make things hard for him'

This time Sofia cheeks blushed red in embarrassment.

'How did you know? '

'Sina' Loki said simply

'That girl has a big mouth.' Sofia looks at the burning fire and she thought to herself maybe both of you are perfect for each other.

'You both really like to make fun of me' she bitterly sighed.

'We like your drama.' Loki said smiling widely.

'Well, it is good that my life has become a form of entertainment to you guys' she almost bellowed, her appetite is all gone but then she remember something and then she ask

'When did he get jealous at me?'

Loki chuckles

'That's what you wanted to know about?'

'Tell me' Sofia said

'You didn't realize?'

'Realize what?'

'Oh my gods, you didn't realize it.'

'When did he become jealous?'

'Every time anyone mentioned Raymond name, he tensed a bit. You know that scowling face he makes?'