The air leaves an uplifting atmosphere upon his green surroundings as it carries down the scent of the coming autumn. It was good to be home. Human world was far different from theirs. Chase rest beneath the shade of an old, deep-rooted deciduous tree whose colorful leaves fell down upon his environment which was being carried by the soft breeze. The rays of the sun slipped through the shady branches of the tree above him, down to the verge of his lustrous eyes. He rest his arms over his bended knee, glancing upon his husky boot and through the covered part of it. He knew there was no swollen mark on his ankle but just the pain of having them. He sighed deeply, leaning through the coarse bark of the tree on behind him. Chase partially closed his eyes, letting the golden rays of the sun touched his lids. He felt the presence of someone yet he acted like he was not aware of her sudden existence.
A slender figure of a young woman appeared beside him, blowing softly on his sensitive ears. Strands of fine hair fluttered into his stunning face. She smiled modestly as he kept his stillness, allowing her to do whatever she likes. She was gladdened by the thought that she was the only one that could do such childish things to him.
“Looks like a valiant knight had left his guard down eh?” Iris whispered into his ears, stroking aside the strands of his flaxen hair that had partly covered his face. He suddenly opened his eyes that had almost melted her. She turned away from his captivating gaze.
Chase straightened out, glancing at the young woman by his side whose face was still reddened in shame. He laid silent and drawn a wry smile on his lips. Iris smiled. She missed the time they sat together in silence, gazing at the azure sky above them. Since she had lost all her memories of childhood and even her name. She had known this handsome fellow for quite a long time. Iris grew up under Wizard Claw’s guidance, taking apprenticeship of him when Chase, along with his younger sister Victoria appeared before the Wizard’s door requesting to be his apprentice as well. Claw gladly welcomed him and they grow up together since then.
“How was she?” Chase asked, referring to his sister Victoria.
“She doesn’t know of your return,” came the reply. “I’m sure she would be glad seeing your face again.” He faintly smiled but stayed in silence.
“I think, I — I missed your presence,” she said with a smile, stuttered by her own words.
He turned to her and smirked. “Think again.”
He never changed, she thought. But, she likes him in spite of such arrogance and stern look on his eyes. She likes him and she wonder if he felt the same, or had he just been kind to her all along? He was just the type that was hard to read. Iris draw a smile on her face. She was a beautiful, young maiden of his age with hair as black as the night sky. Eyes that glows like the starlight. And hey, she looks just like Sofia Lockheart! Only a little bit taller. Whenever he looked at her, he was being reminded by that brat and whenever he looked at that brat, he was reminded of Iris. The thought let out a confusing smile on him as he stares at the distant mountains.