chapter 8: UNCHARTED LANDS BEYOND THE CANOPY!1.4

The pale fingers of dawn slowly pried apart the night's suffocating grip. Birdsong tentatively replaced the silence, a fragile melody against the looming forest. Eziel, a silhouette against the rising light, stirred the dying embers of the fire. "Time to fish, kid," he announced, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Aether groaned, his body stiff from the unforgiving ground. He longed to erase the chilling conversation of the previous night from his mind. Eziel chuckled, a humorless sound that sent shivers down Aether's spine. "Seems you slept well," he remarked, his gaze sharp.

Fishing rod in hand, Eziel tossed bait to Aether. Together they ventured deeper, the crunch of leaves a stark counterpoint to the growing symphony of the forest. Twenty minutes into their trek, the sound of rushing water reached Aether's ears. He yearned to break into a run, but Eziel's hand on his shoulder held him back. "Not too close, lad," Eziel muttered, his eyes scanning the treeline with a practiced alertness.

"This river feeds more than just hunters, kid," Eziel rumbled, his voice low and serious. He crouched behind a thick oak, his gaze fixed on the rushing water. "We need to find a safe spot, far from the current's song."

Aether swallowed hard, the cheerful gurgle of the river now a menacing melody. It seemed to whisper secrets, each ripple a chilling reminder of the unseen predator lurking beneath the surface. A cold sweat prickled his skin as he mimicked Eziel's crouch, peering through the leaves with wide, nervous eyes.

Eziel, ever the pro, cast his mana-sense like a net, scanning for the perfect fishing spot. Once satisfied, he led the way, weaving through the frosted foliage with the practiced ease of a seasoned hunter. Finally, they reached a hidden nook, tucked away from any prying eyes (or monstrous appetites).

"Lighten up, kid!" Eziel chuckled, a playful smack landing on Aether's back. Aether yelped, startled from his tense focus. The earlier hushed caution had vanished, replaced by a more relaxed Eziel. "Safe and sound in our little blind spot," Eziel declared with a wink. "Now, about this fishing business…" he continued, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You wouldn't happen to know a thing or two, would you?"

Aether let out a nervous laugh, the earlier dread replaced by a flicker of amusement. "Not exactly," he admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

Eziel, ever the patient teacher, began his lesson. "See, kid," he said, "you gotta thread the bait onto the hook like this." He expertly demonstrated, the hook glinting in the sunlight. "Then, cast your line out as far as you're comfortable and secure it. Simple, right?"

Aether, wide-eyed and eager, mimicked Eziel's movements, though it took a few tries before he cast without tangling the line. As their lines stretched across the water, Eziel chuckled. "Seems the fish are biting today, kid." He proudly reeled in his ninth catch, a glistening trout.

Aether, meanwhile, was wrestling with frustration. No nibbles, not even a twitch. "Not even one," he mumbled under his breath.

Eziel, sensing his companion's dejection, offered a hearty laugh. "Patience, young fisherman! They'll come to you. Just be like the water... calm and still."

Aether repeated the mantra to himself, "Be the water, be the water." Time stretched on, and just as he was about to give up, a tug! The line went taut, pulling the rod nearly from his grasp.

"Eziel! I got something!" he shouted, adrenaline coursing through him.

"Reel it in, kiddo!" Eziel boomed, a grin splitting his face. Aether fought valiantly, the fish putting up a spirited struggle. Finally, with a triumphant heave, he landed a plump fish at his feet.

"Well, well, well," Eziel exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Look at you, quite the catch, Aether!"

Aether beamed, a genuine smile stretching across his face. This was the happiest he'd felt since arriving in this new world, a world far removed from the trials of his past.

"Alright, let's pack these up," Eziel declared, gathering their haul. Aether noticed the shift in his mentor's demeanor. The easygoing fisherman was gone, replaced by a focused predator. "Time to hunt, boy. See those tracks?" Eziel pointed towards the forest floor, his voice low and sharp.