As the first blush of sunrise rose from the east covering the world with its warmth while the shadows danced and the birds chirped, a young man with scarlet red hair and deep, dark red eyes woke, preparing to get ready for the day ahead.
As he left the hotel a familiar voice rang in his ears.
"Apricus, have a good night's rest I presume?"
Turning around, Apricus noticed the familiar silver white hair in a pony tail and fierce blue eyes, of course belonging to Genso.
"Yes it was quite a nice night."
Chuckling Genso nodding said in a grainy voice.
"Indeed, however I didn't know you were such an excellent teacher, you know how to get through kids it seems."
Nodding Apricus let Genso continue.
"Well then I do have some information to share, but how about you tell me about the teaching yesterday first as we walk around. Maybe I'll even put in a good word to Tyche"
Slightly shocked as Apricus took a sigh without saying anything he nodded, following Genso through the city as Apricus talked about tutoring Balwork they eventually stopped by the usual restaurant once again.
Entering and taking a seat near the middle of the restaurant Genso signalled for Tyche, That was when Apricus spoke up.
"Say, wouldn't you have a better chance of charming her?"
Shaking his head Genso shut it down.
"No no, you see I already have a wife, I am quite satisfied."
Before Apricus could say anything more a familiar cute face approached Apricus and Genso, while keeping a straight face he turned around as he swore he saw her large breasts jiggle immensely for a second before turning his head back around immediately.
While Apricus was Slightly flustered Tyche spoke up, a hint of accent making its noticeable entrance into her words.
"Oh hello sir, seems like you really appreciate the food here."
Nodding Apricus was about to put in an order but Genso kicked him under the table, looking over he winked. So with a sigh Apricus took his chance, looking over at Tyche as a few strands of her ginger red hair fell on her face he spoke in a confident but slightly shy voice.
"Although I do indeed appreciate the food, I especially appreciate your presence in this restaurant much more, and due to that I was hoping I could take you out some time."
As Tyche turned red she stuttered, stumbling to get out words until she finally simply nodded a couple of times, staying frozen in her spot as words of agreement left her mouth.
"Yea, sure, ok."
Apricus thought to himself as he responded.
'A shy one with a cute face and an accent, she couldn't get better than that.'
"I'll meet you here tomorrow at around evening then."
Nodding Tyche walked away as her face was still red.
While Genso nodded in approval, a large smile made its way up his face. While Apricus had a different train of thought.
'She forgot to take our order..'
That was when Genso spoke up.
"Good man, it seems like you know you're away around the ladies."
Nodding Apricus simply responded wishing to move on.
"Yea but what information did you want to share?"
Genso's face turned slightly grim as he spoke in a quiet voice, switching the subject almost immediately, like what had just happen never happened.
"You see, the creature that seemed to have killed Chloe and Atlas, is apparently corrupted. I only share this information because you didn't seem to react when I mentioned the two Unholy Creatures that were fighting over you in the crimson forest were also corrupted. Although it was probably not a crimson coloured forest in your case because of the reindeer but still."
Apricus could understand why Genso's face was grim after all corrupted Unholy Creatures were a pain to handle. This was mainly due to the fact that corrupted unholy creatures were much more blood thirsty and even slightly crazy although they did have higher intelligence, allowing them to get much stronger faster.
"I see, well as long as it stays in the Wailing Forest it should be fine for now. Although I do have a question since we're on the topic of corruption, what happened with purple eyes, since you killed the Unholy Creature inside the reindeer so it doesn't matter anymore."
Nodding Genso replied back, although Apricus could swear he saw him turn pale for a split second.
"After you passed out from all the memories of the deaths returning to you I simply picked you up and run, purple eyes was already quite powerful, but it seemed very agitated probably due to the fact that it could devour you due to the resets caused by the reindeer, and since it was incapable of killing the reindeer it most likely took out its frustrations out on you in various ways, I can only assume."
Apricus nodded, confirming Genso's guess, so he continued.
"Although why bring up purple eyes now? And what were you doing near the crimson forest anyways."
Apricus gave a simple response as he sighed.
"It was simple curiosity, and I was hunting for the glass creature for quick cash although that went south quickly."
Genso chuckled as they sat in silence for a while.
After a bit though Apricus got up, getting ready to leave.
"I need to go, got to meet up with Balwork."
Genso nodded.
"Ah I see, well then I'll see you next time, I plan on staying for a while."
Apricus nodded as he left the restaurant, wishing he got to see Tyche once more however he did not see her again in the restaurant, so slightly depressed he made his way to the field in between the Dread Mountains and Aria Village, but before he could even pass by more than three buildings he was stopped from behind as he felt a tug on his black tee. Turning around a smile crept its way to his face as he joyfully greeted Tyche.
"Oh hey, I thought you'd never come back."
Tyche, slightly flustered, immediately shook her head while waving her hands as she spoke in her usual cute accent.
"Oh no no, it's just it was sudden and random so it caught me off guard, I just needed sometime. But I'd be happy to go out with you tomorrow."
Now it was Apricus's turn to blush as he cheerfully responded back.
"Yea no problem I'll see you tomorrow then, have a blessed day then."
Tyche nodded with a smile as she spoke.
"Yea you as well, although I'd formally like to introduce myself as Tyche, the waitress at fancy eats restaurant, although the owner of the restaurant loves to change the name a lot, it's nice to meet you."
Apricus's smile brightened and even grew slightly wider as he greeted back.
"Uh yea, my name Is Apricus the vagabond I guess, it's nice to meet you Tyche."
As they shook hands and bid farewell once again, Apricus made his way to his original destination, where he saw Violet and Balwork waiting on the open field.
As he approached Balwork ran up to Apricus shouting energetically.
"Apricus you're here! Can we start now please?"
With a sigh Apricus nodded, as Balwork took a dozen steps back, sitting cross legged beside Violet as she stood. When Apricus was a couple steps away from the pair he finally spoke.
"Today you're going to train your soul, hopefully within a month at most and I'll teach you how to do that. Although you need to first clear your mind of any unnecessary thoughts, simply think of nothing but blankness."
Balwork nodded as he closed his eyes in silence. And although Apricus had instructed Balwork with a neutral and calm expression and tone, his excitement about tomorrow's date with Tyche kept creeping back into his mind constantly, which led him to think of a certain quote.
'So I chase you because fate conspired to bring us together.'