"Come on, Camellia!"

     I gazed back at the tired face behind me with glistening beads of sweat clinging at her light, crimson hair.

     "Can we just rest for a while, Leaf?" she asked between breaths.

     "Fine... Just because you're my sister," I said jokingly.

     Taking off my backpack carefully, I swept my foot across the floor, creating a clean space amongst the dust-like particles which had covered the concrete. Camellia sat with no hesitation.

     "I know you said we are going on an adventure, but where are we going?" she asked.

     "I only agreed to take you with me because you promised you won't ask, remember?" I said as I took a flask from my bag and sipped the water as though not to waste it.

     "And we're almost there too," I quickly added.

     "You said that we were almost there two hours ago! Where are we going that would take us this long? The end of the world?" she cried out.

     "Yeah, maybe," I laughed in reply.

     Although the road we were taking was narrow and dark due to the towering buildings surrounding us, this was the fastest - and most safest path; compared to many others - including mazes formed by the density of buildings and paths with the possibility of being attacked by savage beasts, using light as their bait to lure their victims.

     "Let's get going," I said to Camellia; who was busily munching on the rose-scented shortcakes I had bought the day before.

     "Already?"

     "Yes."