As Ravihiro and Samael walked through the dense forest, the aftermath of their battle with the Aranchnis Venomfang still fresh in their minds, Samael couldn't resist filling the silence with his relentless banter.
"Hey, stoic swordsman," Samael started, breaking a twig underfoot. "Do you even smile? Or is your face permanently stuck in 'brooding warrior mode'? You could make a fortune as a stone statue."
Ravihiro didn't respond, his Ryugan scanning the area for potential threats.
"Seriously, Ravihiro," Samael continued, grinning, "you could terrify an army just by standing there. 'Oh no, it's the legendary Silent Death, run for your lives!'" Samael mimicked a panicked crowd, flailing his arms dramatically.
Ravihiro gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing.
"Ah, the legendary glare," Samael teased. "I can feel my soul leaving my body. Wait, no, it's just boredom creeping in because you never TALK!"
Ravihiro stopped abruptly. Samael nearly bumped into him, stumbling backward.
"Finally, you're going to say something!" Samael said, clapping his hands. "Let me guess—it's either a profound insight about the universe or an insult aimed at me. Go on, I'm ready!"
"Quiet," Ravihiro said flatly. "I'm listening for danger."
Samael mockingly covered his mouth. "Oh no, I've been silenced by the great Ravihiro! My words are too dangerous for the world!"
As they resumed walking, Samael kept poking fun.
"So, are you secretly training to be a comedian? Because your blank expression is hilarious. I mean, it's like—" Samael squinted and furrowed his brows, imitating Ravihiro's serious face. "—'I am Ravihiro, and I have no time for nonsense.' Spot on, right?"
Ravihiro let out a faint sigh, which Samael immediately latched onto.
"Was that... a sigh? Did you just express emotion? Someone call the heavens! The great Ravihiro is human after all!"
At one point, Samael darted ahead, balancing precariously on a fallen log. "Look, Ravihiro, I'm walking the path of heaven!" he said dramatically, pretending to wield an invisible sword. "Do you think I'll gain enlightenment if I fall off?"
"Only if you hit your head hard enough," Ravihiro said, his voice tinged with dry humor.
Samael gasped, clutching his chest. "Did you just... make a joke? I'm honored to witness this rare event. Someone, write it down!"
The pair continued, eventually stopping by a stream. Ravihiro knelt to refill his water pouch while Samael leaned over his shoulder.
"Don't you think it's unfair how perfect your hair looks, even after fighting a ten-lakh-year-old spider? What's your secret? Is it the blood of your enemies?"
Ravihiro ignored him, which only encouraged Samael.
"Let me guess," Samael said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "You use some ancient cultivation shampoo, right? 'For swordsmen who can't be bothered to smile but still need great hair.'"
Ravihiro finished filling his pouch and stood up. Samael, undeterred, skipped ahead and turned to walk backward, facing Ravihiro.
"Do you even have friends? Or am I your first? Wait, don't tell me—you adopted me because you felt sorry for me!" Samael dramatically placed a hand over his heart.
"You adopted yourself," Ravihiro replied, his tone flat but his lips twitching slightly.
"Adopted myself? That's so tragic!" Samael fake-wept. "I'm an orphan of friendship! But fear not, for I have found my brooding father figure in you!"
Before Ravihiro could retort, Samael gasped and pointed at him. "Wait! You almost smiled! I saw it! Admit it, you're starting to enjoy my company."
Ravihiro shook his head, continuing down the path.
"I'm growing on you, aren't I?" Samael called out, skipping after him. "Like a fungus. A charming, hilarious fungus!"
By the time they reached the next clearing, Ravihiro had resigned himself to the fact that Samael was as persistent as he was annoying. But deep down, he found the man's antics strangely... tolerable.
For now, he let Samael's teasing continue, knowing the journey ahead would be long—and filled with endless chatter.