229 LEAP OF FAITH A HUG OF TRUS (1/2)

Left with no choice, the group decided to surrender on their fate.

They closed their eyes tightly as if not seeing the thorny cactus plant would somehow save them from the pain of being pricked by its thorns once they hug it.

They spread their arms wide open ready to embrace Cactniss Evergreen. But as soon as they lifted their feet to take one step forward, they all halted their steps.

This left their legs hanging in mid-air as they opened their eyes once more.

”No! No! No! This won't do. I really I can't. I hate injections since childhood. Much more being pricked by a thousand needles all over my body. I really can't do it.”

Mu Lingxi said as she hugged herself.

”MEOW”

[So do I. I don't want to be a porcupine or a pincushion!]

”MEOW”

[Little lass, I suddenly missed Guinevere. That baby dragon must be feeling lonely being left alone inside the storage ring right now. Let me accompany her instead.]

”Nope. You stay here. Let's be a porcupine or a pincushion together.”

Knowing that her cat was trying to ditch her on crucial time like this, Mu Lingxi did not allow Janus t get back inside the storage ring.

Let's brave the hardship together.. BWAHAHAHAH

”What are you waiting for??? I thought you guys want to leave this place, like 'The sooner the better'??? Come on, now. Hug me tight!!!! Give me all you've got...”

Cactniss Evergreen said as she shakes her cactus body. A flash of cold light reflects as she moves and it is all coming from the sharp tiny thorns that stick all over her body.

”There must be some other way right??? I can't hug a cactus...”

Chan Gu said in doubt as he looked around him. Seeking confirmation from his friends. Well, at least he was not the only one in the group that was feeling that way.

Everyone was reluctant to hug the guardian plant. In fact, no one in the group believes that it was a good plan at all.

Blood seemed to be drained out from their faces as they all look pale as a sheet of paper. Meanwhile, seeing as how the group of warlocks before her were being timid like a rat before a cat. Catniss Evergreen console them.

”Don't worry, my thorns are poison-free. It does not hurt at all.  Trust me. The pain will be over before you even knew it.”

But her words of consolation only make the group feel more nervous than ever.

The more Catniss Evergreen tried to console them, the more scared they feel. Because it felt more like a dentist consoling a child before a tooth extraction session.

”Guys, just think of it as a small price that we have to pay to achieve our goal.”

Long Fuzi mustered up his courage as he exhaled a large mouthful of turbid air.

Phew

He knew that they won't achieve anything if they will just continue to shrink out of cowardice just because of a little pain.

If they really want to achieve their goal. Then they must be ready to brave even the blazing inferno if needed.

So what more for a mere hug with a cactus? It was just a matter of being pricked. It will just feel like being bitten by ants at most.

So Long Fuzi took another step forward as he imagined the girl of her dreams. Standing before him, waiting for his embrace.

Those big hazel brown eyes of a doll. Long and thick lashes down to her pointed small nose.

A sweet smile made beautiful by her perfect set of pearly white teeth and soft cherry red lips. Her wavy brown hair that falls down to her waist and perfectly framed her small face and pointed chin.

Soft and supple skin that is white as a jasmine flower. This image of the same girl that haunts him every night when he's asleep.

The girl who ran away from him and stole his heart and left him without a trace. Mu Lingxi.

Well, the situation was the best metaphor for him though. He was willing to hug the cactus though he knew that it will hurt him in the end.