~Chapter 3- The Tribe~

After Borjo heard that Aero and the other kids protected Oopa, he insisted they join the tribe for a meal. They traveled across the bridge and down a path that led to Lupine Lake. Around the periphery of the lake were men with spears, trying to catch fish. Trees surrounded the tribe's settlement.

Oopa's lakeside tribe had several tents woven together with animal pelts. Their clothing was stitched together with animal pelts as well. A skinned squirrel was being roasted on a fire for the tribe to eat.

Seeing this many dead animals made Nout nauseous. Phantines were herbivores, and seeing cooked meat was... unappetizing to him. Aero and the others weren't bothered by it whatsoever.

At the center of the tribe was a tiny floating green orb. Aero thought it looked familiar. He saw a similar yellow orb in the caverns of Platt Mountain, the same one that Masked Kid disappeared with. He couldn't help but wonder where that kid took off too.

"What is that thing?" Corri asked.

Borjo stood next to the floating orb, "This provides our people with luck and good fortune," he declared.

The men of the tribe sat together and waited while the women prepared food for everyone. Oopa asked Corri, "Would you like to help us prepare the food?"

Corri raised an eyebrow when she was singled out to help. She pointedly answered, "I'd rather not."

Oopa looked surprised but didn't pay it much mind. When Oopa walked away, Corri whispered to Ruben, "I'm not sure I like her anymore."

One by one, the women served the men. When Ocaha brought Nout a platter of squirrel meat, Nout waved his hand, "I'm sorry, I don't eat meat."

Ocaha looked at Nout peculiarly but smiled and took the platter away. Moments later, she returned with an assortment of berries instead.

Some of the tribespeople eyed the boulder-child Ruben. As a Densius, it didn't need to eat, drink, or even sleep, so it simply sat while everyone else ate. Ruben didn't wear any clothes, there was no need. The tribe found it peculiar.

One member of the tribe approached Ruben with a question in mind, "We'd like to ask you something. Are you a male or female Densius?"

Ruben smiled, "Densius actually don't have gender."

The tribe's people didn't seem to comprehend the concept, "Yes, but your mother gave birth to you, didn't she?" They questioned.

"Actually, Densius are created during a Heartstone ritual. We don't really have parents like you Ralosians do."

The tribespeople gave Ruben blank stares. They must've thought the red-eyed Densius was messing with them.

After eating, Borjo showed Aero and Jirro his giant bow and his log-sized arrows. "My daughter says you're strong. Give my bow a try."

Aero took the bow in hand. His arms were barely long enough to grip it properly. He struggled at first, but Borjo was surprised to see Aero had the strength to pull back the drawstring and launch the oversized arrow at a tree acting as a target.

Jirro tried using the bow as well and quickly adjusted to it, much faster than his cousin. Aero told himself it was only because he got to watch him first.

Borjo placed a hand on Aero's shoulder, "You two are very strong! Would you like to join us in our hunt tomorrow?"

Before Aero could volunteer for them again, Jirro hastily said, "I'm sorry, we'll probably be leaving in the morning. We need to get to Titus Forest soon."

Aero frowned, "We're not in a huge rush."

Jirro said, "I want to start training there as soon as possible. That's why we started this trip in the first place."

Aero frowned, recognizing he had a point.

"Well, you helped my daughter, you're always welcome to come back," Borjo said with a pat on both of their backs.

At dusk, Aero and Oopa walked together around the periphery of Lupine Lake, lit orange by the setting sun. As the night neared, some of the wolves' howls echoed through the area.

"Your parents are really nice. Your dad seemed to like me," Aero told Oopa.

"I'm glad. What're your parents like?" Oopa asked.

"Oh, my dad is amazing!" Aero said excitedly, "I don't think there's anyone stronger than him."

"What about your mother?"

"Oh, I don't really know anything about that..."

"Why?"

"She's..." Aero paused, "Gone."

Oopa hesitantly asked, "What do you mean by that? Is she... dead?"

"No. Well, maybe. I don't know. I don't ever remember her being around, and my dad never told us anything about her," Aero laughed lightly, "My sister got really mad at him for being so tight-lipped about it one time."

"Don't you want to know about her?" Oopa questioned.

Aero thought for a moment. "I know it bothers Corri, but I don't think I really care much either way. The family I have is amazing, and that's enough."

Oopa smiled. She paused for a moment before saying, "I really like you."

Aero smiled right back, "I really like you too."

"Will you stay with us for long?" Oopa asked.

"...I wish I could. But everyone wants to get to Titus Forest soon," Aero said bitterly.

Oopa looked glumly, "That must be fun, traveling around like that."

Aero stopped by the lakeside, "Do you want to come with us?"

"I-I... I don't think my parents would be okay with that."

"Why? Your dad has seen how strong we are; we can handle whatever comes at us. Even Ekor and his bandits. You'd be safe."

Oopa gripped her arm and darted her eyes away. "Maybe... I'll have to ask him."

Aero and Oopa continued walking around the lake as the sun fell below the horizon.

~Chapter 4- The Masked One Returns~

Aero and the others set up their tents around Lupine Lake for the night. Nout couldn't stand to sleep near something made from animal pelts, so he insisted they set up camp a good distance from the others.

Aero lay awake that night. He didn't want to leave in the morning. He didn't want to leave Oopa. He noticed the faint green glow being emitted by the orb at the center of the settlement. At the corner of his eye, he could see the light brighten and dim in a rhythmic sequence.

But suddenly the light vanished. Aero left his tent and looked towards the center of the camp. The orb was gone.

Aero saw that green light drifting through the air, held by the silhouette of a person. It was a hooded boy, about the same age as Aero, wearing a featureless white mask that covered his entire face. They were levitating through the air towards the nearby woods.

It was the same Masked One Aero encountered at Platt Mountain. That time he took a yellow orb. He furrowed his brow and chased after him.

The Masked One levitated to the ground near a tree. He removed the yellow orb he found in the mountains and placed it beside the green one he just found. They began to gravitate towards each other, as if there was a magnetic pull between them, and they melded together.

"That doesn't belong to you!" Aero's voice came from behind the Masked One, "Give it back!"

The Masked One slipped the orbs into his pocket. "I need this more than they do, Aero."

Aero looked at him curiously, "How do you know me?"

The Masked One sighed aloud, "I'm more disappointed you have no idea who I am. I guess your dad didn't tell you anything about me."

"Why would he?"

"Ask him when you see him," the Masked One spat, "Well, I ought to get going."

"That orb isn't yours!"

The Masked One began to levitate upward through the air, past the many trees dotting the area. Aero wasn't about to let him get away. He jumped from tree branch to tree branch after him. Once he caught up, he landed a stern kick on the boy, causing him to fall. The Masked One stopped himself just before colliding with the ground.

"Give it back!" Aero shouted as he landed on the ground near him.

The Masked One aggressively pointed his finger at Aero. A purple beam of light burst from his finger. A Focus Beam.

The Focus Beam narrowly missed and struck a tree, cracking its bark. The Masked Boy fired several more beams of light. Aero bobbed and weaved to avoid them all.

The last time they fought, Aero was caught off guard by these Focus Beams, but he was ready this time. He punched the air, and a red burst of light erupted from his fist towards the Masked One. A Focus Burst.

At a distance, one could see red and purple light emanating from the woods. Aero's breathing was strained after using Focus, but the Masked One seemed perfectly fine even after using several Focus Beams.

The Masked One flew towards Aero, grabbed him by the shirt, and ascended into the air. He kept a good grip on him until he flew to the top of the trees, then he dropped him.

Aero plummeted past the trees, towards the ground. He kicked down, and a red light burst from beneath him. His velocity was slowed, and he hit the ground at a reduced speed. It hurt, but not as badly. When Aero looked back up at the sky, the Masked One was gone.

-------------------------------------------

When the tribe awoke, they were appalled that their orb was missing. How could someone have absconded with it so easily?

Aero did his best to explain to Borjo and the rest of the tribe. "A boy around my age wearing a white mask came around and stole it, I tried to stop him, but he flew away!"

Oopa's mother, Ocaha, furrowed her brow at this explanation."A flying boy in a mask stole it?"

"Yeah," Aero nodded emphatically.

Borjo grimaced, "Did anyone besides Aero see this Masked Boy?"

There was silence from everyone. He started to realize how far-fetched his story sounded.

Borjo frowned, "We need to take a look through you and your friend's belongings."

Jirro scowled, "We didn't steal it!"

Borjo calmly responded, "Let us check anyways, just to be sure."

Aero, Jirro, and the others turned over the bags they carried with them for the tribe to look through. Spare clothes, tournament money, and a few pieces of food they bought from Dialtown. Nothing of importance.

"Sorry about that, kids, I just had to make sure," Borjo apologized, his demeanor very dour.

"If I find that Masked Kid, I'll get your orb back!" Aero asserted.

Borjo gave a light nod, "We'll make do without it."

Jirro, Corri, Nout, and Ruben prepared to leave Lupine Lake for Titus Forest. While they did, Aero found Oopa and took her aside, a hopeful expression on his face.

"Did you ask your dad?" Aero asked once they were alone.

Oopa frowned, "No."

"Why not?"

"I can't go with you."

"Wh-Why?" Aero asked, "You don't think we stole your orb, do you?"

"No, of course not! I know none of you would do that," Oopa replied, "As much fun as it would be, I know my parents need me here. Especially now that our orb is gone."

"...Oh," Aero paused, his normally positive demeanor becoming more gray, "I-I understand."

Oopa looked at him for a moment before jabbing him in the shoulder, "Don't make that face! Just promise me you'll be back soon!"

"Yeah, of course! I'll be back as soon as I can!"

Oopa smiled sweetly, looked at her surroundings to make sure no one else was around, and gave Aero a peck on the cheek. The boy's face turned bright red.

Aero and the others said their goodbyes to the tribe of Lupine Lake before heading out on their way. Aero had a determined gait to his step; the sooner they reached Titus Forest, the sooner he'd be able to see Oopa again.