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<blockquote data-quote="Fladian" data-source="post: 107298" data-attributes="member: 5833"><p>Easier said than done, JetPack <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /></p><p></p><p>After this post, there's a little more. I am sure the next part has enough of 1 post.</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>Like I expected, nothing happened during the entire meal, and I was together with Laura the last one who finished dinner. Apparently, Laura had a problem eating one of the... whatever it was what was lying on her plate.</p><p>I decided to place my plate away and walk back at her, for once, I wanted to talk with her. I wanted to know what was going on, why she disliked me so much, but still congratiulated me when I was accepted in the Strike Force.</p><p>"What is it?" she suddenly spoke up, looking me strict in the eyes, ignoring everything around her, just looking at me. The tone of her voice wasn't exactly the nicest tone I've ever hear a girl using before. She was clearly not fond on my pressence, but this time, I will have to bear it and still ask it, regardless what happens.</p><p>"I was wondering if we could talk" I decided to say, hoping that I could get a decenta nswer. "We didn't have a chance to have a decent conversation just yet" I added to it, hoping to get a normal answer instead of a punch in my face - like last time when I woke up. That was a painful memory that I can't seem to forget.</p><p>"You want to talk, Lince?" she questionable asks me looking at me with a confused look, not knowing what is going on. I only nodded in answer to her question, even though she already knew what I was going to answer with.</p><p>She shoved her plate to the side of the table, crossed her arms, made a more friendly expression on her face and looked at me. "What do you want to talk about?" was how she replied to me, a question that caught me completel off guard.</p><p>"Well, about you?" I said, not knowing what else I should say in this situation. To hear a question like that is completely unexpected, not many people ask such things, but just shoot a question to you, something random, but useful. A full improvisation question was all I could throw in, hoping to get a decent answer.</p><p>"Me?" she asked in surprise, not knowing what I was intending - not that I knew it myself - "err... what do you want to know about me?" she added to it, looking confused at me, not exactly knowing what to say either.</p><p>"Well, it looks as if you are always trying to avoid me..." I said, a bit dissapointed of pulling that subject back from the ground because I knew nothing else.</p><p>"I am not really avoiding you... I..." she managed to say and stood up, quickly looking around to find a way out. "I'm not avoiding you!" she shouts at me.</p><p>"Did I make her mad?" crossed my mind as I saw her facial expression slowly changing more mad. "Calm down, if you say you aren't, then I'll gladly believe you from your word, Laura" I slowly started. "But if there is something wrong, you can try to talk to me, I'm quite reliable... or so I was told" luckily, like I tried to do, my last sentence made a little smile crossing her face. Finally, I saw a different expression in her face, instead of the always hostile facial expression I finally saw a kind face, that was finally offering friendship.</p><p></p><p>It took minutes of time before any sound was made. We just sat there, not doing anything. Perhaps we were thinking of a subject to talk about, or maybe we couldn't find an option to do something. But finally, Laura started to mention something.</p><p>"You've met Alex already, right?" she softly whispers to me. Just loud enough for me to understand it. Even though she knew I already met Alex, I guess she wanted it to make sure that I knew who she was talking about, so a confirming nod was all she needed for an answer. "Alex is my boyfriend" she slowly whispered, hearing that, clearly caught me off guard, not knowing if I should believe my ears.</p><p>"He is your boyfriend?" I asked, full with surprise, not even knowing it a little bit. "I thought had a relationship with Claes!" I mentioned a bit too loud for her liking. I saw her facial expression changing yet again, this time, a bit more angry, which was very understandable.</p><p>"I'm afraid... that he likes Claes better, or perhaps Cherry..." she softly whispers to me. For some kind of reason, it was as if she trusted me now a lot more than before, but it felt more like a poor love story. Not having the real love of her life, or something like that, I was never all that fond on romance and all that. Maybe it would come with the ages, but right now, I could care less, but if it would help Laura right now, then I would do what I could do... but, who was Cherry?</p><p>"Who is Cherry" was something I logically asked. I know Claes, but who in the world is Cherry? I haven't met anyone just yet and the name doesn't ring any bell for me either.</p><p>"Cherry is another girl from one of the houses here. She's a friend of Alex and me" Laura mentioned as she sighed right afterwards. She was not very fond on Cherry, her friend and Claes, her sister anymore after knowing that her boyfriend, Alex could be interested in them. It is very understandable, and I accepted it.</p><p>"Maybe I could find out, Laura. Perhaps Alex would tell me, as far as he knows, he doesn't know we had contact just yet" I mentioned as I pushed the hair out of my face again, that fell back right away again.</p><p>"I'll talk to him"</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>"Who are you?! Where am I?!" was shouted by a black haired man, still holding his cleaver in his right hand while desperatly looking around - but nothing could be seen. It was a dark room with no light anywhere. No sign of light, no sign of walls, it was a huge dark and most of all, empty room. "Anyone here?!" the man called out!</p><p>"Don't be impatient, Herasiel" could suddenly be heard as a door opened and light only fell from there. The hand of Herasiel quickly went up as the sudden light hurts his eyes.</p><p>"Who are you?!" Herasiel called out in the hope to learn who he was dealing with.</p><p>"Instead of asking who I am, I want you to listen to my offer, an offer that might prove to the point in facing Taos in combat again" the man laughingly explained to Herasiel, who was completely under his control right now.</p><p>"Not interested. When Wind and I attack the Empire itself, he'll show up as well" Herasiel explained, knowing that he still held all strings in his hands.</p><p>"And when will that be? Taos is a resident in the Central Palace, not some random stronghold around" the man pushed the facts to Herasiel.</p><p>"It'll take a while, I'll accept that, and in the mean time, I can train hard enough to become equals, or perhaps even stronger than Levens." Herasiel fought back in his words.</p><p>"What if I could offer you an attack to the Empire in a matter of months? It will definitely be sooner than Wind can offer you, with her small team" the man explained.</p><p>"Small team or not, it is more effective than the Empire" Herasiel laughed it off.</p><p>"Not the elite. But very well, I want you to take this into consideration" the man explained as he turned around.</p><p>"Without seeing your face, eh, bastard?" crossed Herasiel's thoughts as he looked at the man with a dirty look. "And if I accept it, what should I do?" Herasiel asked before the man left.</p><p>"Kill Wind. Tell her that a man named 'Blackdeath' has sent you" the man mentioned.</p><p>"Killing Wind is not an easy task. What kind of proof do I have that you'll offer me Taos?" Herasiel enquired.</p><p>"None. Kill Wind, and you shall meet me again" the man told him.</p><p>"And who is this Blackdeath?" Herasiel continued his spree of questions.</p><p>"I am" the man answered with. "Enough of your questions. Leave now!" the man named Blackdeath mentioned. Right after Blackdeath announced that Herasiel should leave, the door automaticly closed and another door opened.</p><p>"A gamble, hm?" Herasiel softly whispered to himself. "Interesting" Herasiel added to his previous sentence by softly whispering to himself.</p><p>While walking away, the thought of killing Wind was something very attractive to Herasiel, while licking his lips the thought came to him.</p><p>"Taos Levens, prepare yourself"</p><p></p><p>After hearing what Laura said to me, I just couldn't get it out of my head. I told her that I'd talk to Alex about it, but the problem is, I don't know this family, his family or any family out here well. I have no rights in hands, and I don't know what I can do, and what they can do. But, I did promise to help her, I did promise to talk with Alex about the subject. Coming to the point of being cheat on by her sister or friend can come as quite a shock, mentally. It would surely be painful, that is for sure.</p><p>I don't know those feelings. The only girl I had feelings for was Jade Dembi, my companinion in our travels, but I don't even know if she's alive. And even if she was, I don't think she would want to see me ever again. I did led us to a dangerous place, and I still don't know how I survived. But the most important is, I did survive, thanks to the family Bridge. "Could it be that Mason found me?" shot through my thoughts all of a sudden. "I remember traveling through a dangerous area, but how arrogant Jade and I were, we didn't pay any heed to the protective words of what people told us. We just went on, and found out that the creatures that roamed there were far stronger than we were. Was Mason traveling through that area?" my thoughts went on. There were too many thoughts about myself, thinking about Laura and Alex's problem was yet another bother on my mind - but I am not a man who easily breaks his promises. Laura was really desperate when it comes to this, and Alex just isn't loyal... "this looks more and more like a half assed love story" my mind started to continue it with.</p><p>"But still, Laura is one of the family members who saved me from death, I have to be grateful for that. It is only logical that I am in their debt, and that I should repay it, somehow" my mind explained to me. Something that I didn't even know what was possible.</p><p>"But what about my invitation from Mason Bridge to the strike force of the Empirical Waterfall Valley camp? Should I really visit them in the morning, or should I rather stay here and help if necessary?" my mind added to it. Without any further thought, my mind was interupted by a little knock on the door, that I quickly answered with, 'come in'.</p><p></p><p>Without any hesitation, the door was opened and Alex walked in. "You called, Lince?" Alex mentioned the moment he placed his first step in the room, looking at me with a questionable face. It was clear that he wasn't aware that I was talking with Laura about him. He took his time closing the door and walking towards me. In a moment, he stood before me, looking down on me since I was sitting on the bed, still with the bandage around my ribs.</p><p>It took me a while before I could say anything. I was afraid of getting in a fight with this bear of a man. Even though his personality is completely different from his body, his length and big muscles did made me feel uncomfortable. Alex was looking at me, with a bold head, no hair was growing on it. "You'd wonder if he used his own ways of removing it, or if it was naturally. Whichever it was, it gave him a very tough look. In opposite of my long hair that I have yet to cut (Fladian note: Hey, I just had my hair cut, just a few days ago)" my mind told me while I was resting my eyes on the muscular body of Alex. "Come to think of it, I don't even know Alex's last name, but then again, I didn't know the last name of this family since recently either" I chuckled a bit while thinking, making Alex look only less comfortable.</p><p>"A huge man like him, muscular like a real fighter, extremely tall and looking as tough as Jason Sharpe. You'd start to wonder if Alex isn't family of Sharpe, they looked quite similar to each other" again I chuckled at my own thoughts what made Alex slightly annoyed as he asked again why he had to come. Finally, I looked him in the eyes and stood up from the bed, noticing that our change in height changed as well when I had a sudden change of muscles. Even though I can remember that Alex was a full head taller than me, that "full head" isn't more than a few inches.</p><p>"Alex, I've talked with Laura..." I started, whispering. For some reason, I wished that he didn't hear me right, but my mind was also asking myself why that would be the case. I promised Laura that I would talk with Alex about his relationship with Cherry and Claes, and I would be fond to hear it as well. But knowing what I could expect from Alex, there was something in my mind that didn't want him to hear it. After a moment of thought after saying it, Alex slowly moved his lips.</p><p>"Oh, so you've finally talked with Laura. You told me that you had trouble trying to get a decent conversation with her, how did it go?" Alex asked me with pure delight in his eyes, looking at me with a kind look, clearly not knowing what my real intentions were. He knew that I had problems to get a conversation with Laura so, he probably thought that I finally was able to talk with her after all that time.</p><p>"No, Alex... I mean... I..." I started, knowing that I couldn't say it at all. I knew I couldn't live with the consequences. My body couldn't survive heavy stress just yet, and if it would go wrong, who knows what Alex might do. For all I know, he would try to do something to me, if that was the case, then my body would definitely collapse, and who knows what might happen then. "Laura told me that you are her boyfriend!" I finally blurted out, while I had my eyes closed, partly showing that I had trouble saying it.</p><p>"Yes, that's true. What's with it?" Alex asked me, still not knowing what I actually tried to say. You could easily read his face that he was confused and had no idea what I was trying to say. "Did you expect that I was just a friend of the family?" he added to it, with a grim smile on his face, not really trying to be funny, but more pushing on the facts than anything else. But after a moment of silence, he continued asking, "is there something wrong with that?" with a questionable look on his face, clearly showing that he wasn't aware of what was going on at all.</p><p>I finally took a deep breath and asked Alex if he knew a certain girl named 'Cherry', which he easily answered with a nod. I quickly asked after it who she exactly was.</p><p>"Cherry McLeo, little sister of Jerrell McLeo. She lives in the third house here. As you know, there are three houses here. In this house, the family Bridge, usually live Sean, Claes, Laura, Jessica, Mason, Dirk and Caitlin. In the McLeo's house, Cherry lives there together with her brother, Jerrell. As for the family Jenkins, I live there together with my two brothers Barry and Ike, both are Empirical soldiers here. Barry is part of the Strike Force and Ike of the defense. I also have one sister named 'Ashley', but doesn't come much out of her room... please, don't ask" Alex mentioned as he looked down to the ground, trying to avoid the subject.</p><p>I looked at Alex with an open mouth, clearly showing that he gave far more information than I was in need of. "Err... right, according to Laura, you seem to hang out a lot with Cherry and Claes, right?" I mentioned, without even being aware of what I was doing. I sounded more and more like an old fashioned detective. Alex mentioned that too that made a broad smile on both our faces.</p><p>"Uh... yeah, especially lately. Is there something wrong with that?" Alex asked me, completely unaware of what I was intending. His eyes looked honest to me, and didn't show any bit of confusement, he looked at me with honest eyes and patiently waiting for my answer.</p><p>"Uh... if possible, could you give me a proper introduction with Cherry and Claes?" I asked, trying to fill up the sudden hole. I expected that he would know what I was talking about at that very moment, but apparently I was wrong, and I had to ask it a bit more clear than before. Finally I decided to be introduced to both Claes and Cherry, so I could hear from them what they felt for Alex. If Alex was indeed feeling more for Cherry or Claes, then, well... I don't know what I'd do then, but I'll notice that eventually. First, I want to know what they think of Alex. But the moment I asked it, I could see the face of Alex changing completely. It was if he was waiting until I asked the question, like he wanted me to ask it. His face shined, it was clear to see that he was happy. His eyes became larger, his face somewhat longer and a smile started to appear on his now happy looking face. Within a minute, his face was the face of a man that just heard his child managed to get a good grade in school, or anything similar.</p><p>"Of course!" Alex suddenly mentioned, as he looked at me with a happy face. "Of course I will introduce you to Cherry and Claes if you want! They are my best friends!" Alex quickly corrected himself while he gave the expression that he was ready to hug me for my kindness while I was only trying to figure something out for Laura. "It is no problem to introduce you with Cherry!" Alex shouted in my face while having an incredible happy facial composure. It was more clear than water that he was happy hearing the words from me and he was more happy that he was able to introduce them to me. "But even though it is easy with Cherry, it might be a little problem with Claes" Alex softly mentioned at a certain moment while his smile slowly dissapeared from his face and a finger came up that pushed against his chin.</p><p>"Why's that?" I quickly reacted with as I looked at Alex with strict and worried eyes. I knew from the start that Claes was a tad different from everyone in this area - what includes me - "but she can't be too different when it comes to introductions, right?" I asked myself as I kept starring at Alex who remained happy but his happy expression completely changed to a thinking stature. Knowing that he was in thoughts, I decided not to ask him anything regarding the subject and just wait for a reaction of Alex himself.</p><p>"Well... Claes isn't the girl who likes to get in touch with anyone..." Alex softly mentions with a sad looking face, clearly showing that didn't like the fact that she was a complete loner. "Even though she and I are good friends, it took a long time before we got this far" Alex softly mentioned as he looked at me with a worried face. His smile completely dissapeared and a sad looking face took it's position while he kept looking at me.</p><p>"Why? Is there something wrong?" I asked as I looked at Alex, showing that I had no idea what was going on. Because of Claes, I forgot my intention of helping Laura as well while I kept starring at Alex.</p><p>"Sort of, yes. Do you want me to tell you?" Alex asks me as his facial expression stayed the same, still looking worried while being a bit uncomfortable. His face was extremely clear, and you could read exactly what he was thinking and how he was feeling. It was as if he knew nothing better and just tried to blurt something out, but his face was clearly showing that he was telling the truth. (Note of Fladian: I'm starting to use "clear" and "clearly" a bit too much to my liking) But even though it is the truth, why should it be a problem to talk with Claes? After a moment of silence, I finally nodded as in reply to his question.</p><p>"Well Lince, you better take a seat" Alex mentioned as he took a chair and sat on it, only having a bit of space between of us, clearly he was planning of telling me something that he wasn't fond of on telling.</p><p>I took his advice and took a more comfortable sitting stance on the bed while I kept looking in Alex's clear eyes. He was truly speaking the truth and in his eyes, I could see something... burning. As if something awful happened with Claes that I could not even start to understand without seeing it.</p><p>"You see, Claes isn't from this family" Alex started...</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>"Dale, wait!" the blonde man screamed as the hair was sticking to the sides of his face. In opposite to his other blonde companion, he was wet and his armor was shining bright. While Dale, the other blonde man, was walking with a slow pace throughout the halls in his normal daily clothes while his head was carefully bandaged because of previous injuries, the wet Terres Price was walking right next to him, trying to stop Dale from moving, what didn't seem to work right. Not only was Dale much stronger than Price, Price was also tired.</p><p>"Dry yourself, before entering the castle halls, Price" Tyler Dale softly mentioned as he reached a large gate that was placed in front of him. Several soldiers were looking at them, looking at their champions who fought bravely against the no.1 threat, Herasiel.</p><p>"Cut the act, Dale!" Price yelled out, showing everyone that he finally snapped and was mad at his companion who were known to be one of the strongest combinations of the world. "I'm not going to let you talk to lord Glodich!" Price yelled in the calm looking face of Dale, scaring most of the people around them. It is not that Price or Dale looked scary or anything similar, it was the fear that they may break apart. They already lost their hero, Edgardo in battle, they don't want to lose the combination of Collins, Dale and Price as well. Their reputation is great among the soldiers.</p><p>"Price!" a black haired man suddenly screamed to Price as he looked at him, strict in the eyes, even though being a full head taller than him. The man looked down at Price, with a strict look, clearly showing that he wanted the argument, whatever it was about, to stop.</p><p>"Ezra" Price softly mentioned as he stopped touching Dale and looked at the taller man named 'Ezra'.</p><p>"Look, that's Ezra Ramos!" one of the bystanders pointed out as all sudden looks went to the short haired Ezra who carried two swords on his back, clearly showing that both swords are heavily enchanted in their own way.</p><p>Ezra's eyes quickly looked around, seeing all soldiers looking at him. "Price, if Dale wants to talk with our Emperor, let him. He has all the rights to do it" Ezra softly spoke as he looked at Price with a more kinder look this time, while he placed his hand on the broad shoulder of Terres. "Just let him..." Ezra mentioned as his eyes lost their composure and a sad look on even the tall Ezra could be seen. Even though Ezra was taller than both Price as Dale and his face was just as strict as Dale's face, even he could get sad.</p><p>Finally Tyler Dale turned around, looking at the crew that formed them selves behind Ezra, Price and Dale. "Ezra, Price, everyone, fighting Herasiel showed me that the new generation is a lot more talented than us veterans. I am already over date, I shouldn't have been fighting anymore" Dale announces as he looks over the view, not specifically looking at one person, but just trying to speak to them all. "Herasiel will become the strongest threat to the Empire, and Price will become the strongest soldier" Dale added to it while looking at Price with a strict look on his face. "Price was the only man who dared to oppose Herasiel in a one man combat, something that I don't have the courage for", Dale mentioned as he looked back at the crowd who looked at Price and Dale with sad eyes. </p><p>"I've seen many people here in the Empire. I have seen multiple generations fighting, but I see that Terres Price has the most potential to become the best soldier of the Empire" Dale finally mentions as he turns around, once again, holding his back to the crowd while they start to become more chaotic.</p><p>"That isn't a reason to leave us, Dale! You are our commander!" Bernard Fire, one of the rookie soldiers suddenly shouts out above all others. "Tyler Dale is the commander!" Bernard added to it. "Dale, Price and Collins is world's best combination! I don't want to see it lose!" Bernard shouts out, while tears stream down his face. The blonde-red haired man runs forward, reaching Dale in a moment who turned around when Bernard yelled out what he did.</p><p>"Don't leave!" a man with a huge mustache and beard mentions. Cluttered in armor, he steps forward out of the crowd as well. Carrying a huge shield attached to his right arm and an axe carried on his back he walks forward to Dale as well.</p><p>"Kain Archor, Bernard Fire, isn't it?" Dale softly mentions as he sees the two men walk forward to him. "I've been at my peak, I am exhausted. I need to give the helm to the younger generation" Dale softly whispers to both soldiers who are only inches away from the tall Dale. "We lost a lot of soldiers in combat, we also lost Edgardo but I, as an old man survived" Dale mentions softly, while tears stream down his face. "It isn't fair. Edgardo could have go on for so much longer... if only I wouldn't have rested for such a long time" Dale cryingly mutters.</p><p>"It isn't your fault, Dale" Ezra finally mentions after being quiet for a long time. While placing an arm around the shoulder of Dale, while pushing Price out of the way he looks at his superior, Tyler Dale. "We all fight with odds. When Edgardo, Price and you were together, we thoughts we had the advantage. He didn't know" Ezra mutters as he whispered confidental words in the ear of Dale that was sadly memorizing Edgardo and his actions.</p><p>"I want a funeral for Edgardo above anything else!" Dale suddenly spoke up as he pushed away his tears and looked into the crowd with a stern look on his face.</p><p></p><p>Without any hesitation, the door to the hall opened and one man comes out of the hall. The man, cluttered in royal armor, claps his hands softly with a huge smile on his face.</p><p>"Did you hear that, Empirical soldiers?" the clapping man asks with a very comfortable smile on his face. A smile that melts all worries away without any delay. "This man, Tyler Fernando Dale, once winner of the loyalty title is the model you should try to follow" the clapping man mentioned as he looked into the crowd, not fearing his own life, but only praising Dale.</p><p>"Lord Glodich!" Price blurts out as he looks at the face of the smiling man. As if the man did not care if Dale would leave the Empire or not, Lord Glodich kept smiling. It was good to see a smile out of the sad expressions around, but maybe not the best idea of trying to forget something. Everyone knew that everyone was sad, and that they were remembering their lost hero, Edgardo.</p><p>"Price, Ezra" Lord Glodich nodded as he mentioned their names and slowly increased his pace and walked towards the crying Dale.</p><p>"I am not worthy of being called a "model", my lord" Dale finally spoke as Lord Glodich was slowly approaching Dale. "I did not dare to fight with Herasiel, even if it was at the cost of the lives of my companions" Dale spoke, with sadness in his voice, knowing that he is right and that he is not worthy of such an honor.</p><p>"Don't be like that, Dale. You've served the Empire better than most people, and we are honored to have had you fighting on our side. You deserve a great retirement" Lord Glodich mentioned as he looks at Dale with a friendly smiling face. Glodich was not planning on giving up his words he just said. It was true what he said and Dale was one of the soldiers who served the Empire for a long time without hesitation. Even when he could retire, he said 'no' with no hesitation in his voice. But now, after defeat by Herasiel, it could not be denied that Herasiel was of the new generation and just too strong for old veterans, even though they have more experience.</p><p>"Lord Glodich, the Empire is always in the debt of sir Dale, at the very least, I would like to do something in return" the large man, Ezra mentioned as he looked at Lord Glodich with a sad face. "I would like to request a squadron of brave soldiers to take revenge for Edgardo and in appreciation of Dale's service" Ezra spoke as he looked into the crowd, clearly showing that he wanted volunteers.</p><p>"I do not approve that, sir Ezra" Lord Glodich suddenly spoke up as he looked up at Ezra who quickly turned his head after hearing the Emperor's reaction.</p><p>"W-Why not?" Ezra stutterly asks as he looks at the Emperor.</p><p>"I do not approve it either" a tall man out of the crowd spoke up as he walked forward throughout the crowd. Coverred in heavy armor and a huge two-handed sword carried on his back, the man, who carries a large horned-helmet looks at Ezra.</p><p>"Lord Taos! Taos Levens!" Price shouted as his mouth fell open as he looked at the tall swordmaster. "You are lord Taos, aren't you?" Price quickly asks, hoping to get a confirmation of his answer. Taos only nodded to his answer as his view quickly went to Ezra, who is only inches taller than the tall Taos. Remarkable, since Taos is one of the taller soldiers of the Empire. Pure coincidence, "and it would be better if I was shorter" Taos mentioned on it.</p><p>"Ezra Ramos, isn't it?" Taos softly mentions as he stood next to Ezra, waiting for Lord Glodich to mention anything. Anything what would be necessary.</p><p>"Yes sir, I am Ezra. Is there anything you want?" the tall man softly asks Taos as he didn't move his view from Lord Glodich for even a moment.</p><p>"Ezra, I think Taos has something to say to you" the Emperor, lord Glodich softly spoke as he kindly looked at Ezra with the smiling never dissapearing from his face. Lord Glodich looked like a very happy man, but after the loss of his wife, he has been more sad than happy, but not in front of the people.</p><p>"Y-Yes, sir?!" Ezra asked as he quickly turned to Taos while keeping his back straight, trying to keep an as much as possible formal pose as possible.</p><p>"Hey, hey, don't be so formal to me, Ezra. We've been of the same squadron" Taos laughingly spoke, hoping to get a better mood. A little smile did appear on some people's faces, but the fact that Dale was retiring wasn't dissapearing. The large smile on the face of lord Glodich was still there as well, not mentioning anything, but smiling to his friendly champions.</p><p>"Well then, lord Taos, what is it?" Ezra quickly changed his way of words with a big smile on his face, clearly mocking Taos with a joke what in result gave a little chuckle to the few champions around him.</p><p>"I do not see why you want to hunt down Herasiel. For one, you don't know where he can be found-..." before Taos could even finish his sentence he was interupted by the loud voice of Collins.</p><p>"Dale, Price, Herasiel has been spotted near the Cresent Islands!" Collins shouted to them from several stores above them. "Sir Black is asking to come to him on the double!" Collins quickly spoke as he ran back to where he came from.</p><p>With the gesture of 'oh well', Price quickly ran through the crowds to go to Collins and Black. Even though the retirement of Dale was something important, the problem with Herasiel was something far more important.</p><p>"Taos, isn't it time to go with them again?" Lord Glodich smilinly asks Taos, while looking him in the eyes. No stern look or anything similar, just the friendly look that lord Glodich usually gives.</p><p>"No, sir" Dale softly mentions as he turns towards Taos and Lord Glodich while the crowd is disembeling for other missions. Though they are saddened by the loss of sir Edgardo and the retirement of sir Dale, missions are perhaps more important. "I will be going with them. Lord Black asks for my assistence, and I will apply" Dale mutters somewhat unclear, but nods with a lot of agreement.</p><p>"Wait! Herasiel's already had the best of you two not even a day ago! I'll go with you" Ezra shouts while pushing his fist upwards, showing that he is completely serious. "It has been a while since I've fought side on side with you guys" Ezra mentions while a large and broad smile crossed the face of the tall man.</p><p>"Ezra, go with them. I'll search for more people that are capable of fighting Herasiel to go with you as well. There won't be another loss of Herasiel" Taos shouts out, showing that he has no intention of fighting Herasiel himself.</p><p>"What are you going to do, Taos?" Dale spoke up, surprising most of the people around, excluding lord Glodich who took his leave again and left for his own room again without anyone really noticing that he left their pressence. Taos, Dale and Ezra were more discussing other things.</p><p>"Magnazar asked me if I could assist him to Hinja's Valleys, that is in the middle of the Wind mages section" Taos explained, while kindly pointing it out. "Magnazar wasn't confident if he could defeat them all, and he said that the third book could perhaps be found there" Taos went on. Not only did he say that he was leaving to the Hinja's valleys, he also mentioned that he would send some of his best soldiers with Dale and his companions to find Herasiel.</p><p>"Send them to the Entrace of the castle, we'll ask Muriel to teleport us" Dale mentioned as he unsheeted his blade and left the pressence of Ezra and Taos who both left shortly after.</p><p>"Don't lose, Dale" Taos whispered as he used his own pace of walking to his destination.</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>"Herasiel, what is going on?" a man that looked somewhat similar to Herasiel asked the black haired man who walked next to him.</p><p>"That man! Blackdeath! He said he had an offer for me!" Herasiel shouted out, inspiring his thieves to continue their pillaging. Herasiel managed to get a group of Fallen Angels with him to get food supplies for their base. Herasiel ordered his men, and his brother, to leave for the closest village and take as many supplies with them as possible. Herasiel and Aurora would offer protection, if necessary.</p><p>"I don't care if he made an offer to you or not, Herasiel. You're injured!" Aurora shouted out to his brother who has his left under arm bandaged. The thrown dagger of Dale did injure Herasiel but not enough to stop him.</p><p>"This is only a scratch. It's gone in a few days." Herasiel muttered as didn't even bother looking at the red color on his bandage.</p><p>"Herasiel, that wound is far too big to just go and do missions with. Just trust me, let me do the work, you just go and rest. The more you rest, the faster it hea-..." before Aurora could even finish his sentence, a loud and painful hit from Herasiel's right hand was carefully place on the face of Aurora, instantly knocking him out.</p><p>"Be quiet already..." Herasiel muttered as he grabbed his left arm with his hand. "Damn you, Dale. I'll promise you, I'll slay your entire Empire where you are so proud of..." Herasiel could only thief of. He knew that he couldn't break down the entire Empire on his own, but he knew it would be a possibility with the help of internal help - Blackdeath - and his brother - Aurora - combined with their skills.</p><p>"The Empire isn't that strong..." Herasiel muttered to himself as he looked at his soldiers that were pillaging the village. "Pathetic is it..." Herasiel muttered...</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>"Zane?" Price spoke as he saw a long black haired man approach Price outside. The long haired man gave a little nod to confirm the expectations of Price as they approached each other.</p><p></p><p>"Zane, Ezra, Price, Dale, Collins and Dain is a good enough team of champions, isn't it, lord Glodich?" Taos mentioned as he looked at the Emperor while looking from a tower far higher than where the 6 men could see.</p><p>"Yes, they should be strong enough. Did you count injuries?" the Emperor asks, this time, without a smile but with a serious look on his face.</p><p>"I did. No mistakes are permitted with Herasiel" Taos mentioned as his face looked even more strict than Lord Glodich's.</p><p>"I'm sorry I can't send you with them... I'm also sorry I had to make you lie, Taos" Glodich softly whispers as he looked at Taos with a worried look on his face, the complete opposite of what is used of lord Glodich.</p><p>"Don't worry about it, my lord. I'll protect Chelsea, no matter what happens" Taos mentioned as he turned his head to the black haired girl behind them.</p><p>"I'll protect you..."</p><p></p><p>With my eyes focused on the face of Alex, I listened carefully as he finally moved his lips to tell me what was special with Claes, as he mentioned before. I already learned that Claes was different from the others and that she has an exceptional name, but that can't be that strange. If Alex looks at me with the facial expression like this, then there must be something going on, something important that I knew nothing about. </p><p>"You see, Lince. Claes isn't from this family" Alex finally mentioned after a moment of silence with a worried look on the face of Alex. Even though Alex looked at me only a moment ago with a happy face, he was now looking at me as if his best friend was at the edge of his life even though he was only telling me something. </p><p>"She isn't?" I asked, not really understanding what Alex meant. Claes didn't have much difference in her appearance with Caitlin or Laura. As a matter of fact, if you would change the style of hair and some minor details, than Laura and Claes would look similar to each other. Or was that the reason why Laura would be angry? Jealousy? </p><p>"She isn't... I should tell you the entire story, Lince" Alex spoke as he sighed while moving his lips. It was easy to see that Alex wasn't fond on telling what he was going to tell, no, it looked more as if he was trying to keep a secret but was at the brink of breaking his promise to keep the secret. But what kind of secret could say something like that, or at least, what is so special about Claes, except her name. </p><p>"3 Years ago, the man of the house, Mason Bridge, commander of the strike force, made a little exploration with a small group of soldiers. After doing this for days in the hope of finding tracks of the recent thieves from those times, they finally gave up after losing their motivation. Unfortunately for Mason, the moment he turned around, he saw smoke out of a village nearby. Without hesitation, according to Mason, he ordered his men to go there without delay." Alex explained to me without tolerating of being interrupted just once. I was surprised that he was telling more about Mason than Claes, I knew nothing about this after all. </p><p>"When Mason and his men arrived in the village, he found a village that was burned down to the ground with no survivers. Those who did survive the carnage, of whoever did this, was crushed by the buildings that caved in" Alex explained, clearly showing that he found it a horror of what happened there. It was impossible that people would destroy an entire village for no particular reason. I quickly asked if there was anyone of importance in the village the attacker would've attacked only to receive a shaking 'no' answer from Alex. "There was no one there. It was just a normal village! Nothing special!" Alex screamed at me while tears started to form in my eyes. "There was no one of importance to anyone there... but my parents were there" Alex softly mentioned as he looked to the ground, finally letting me understand why he was not keen on telling this. But still, it had nothing in common with Claes. Claes hasn't even been mentioned just yet. After Alex became a bit calmer, I softly asked him what this had to do with Claes. </p><p>"Claes was standing in the town center... alone" Alex hickingly mentioned as he looked at me with tears in his eyes. "She was the only surviver of the village. But she couldn't remember anything except basic things, like her name and other things like that" Alex mentioned as he looked back to the ground. Now I understand why Alex was so keen on his friendship with Claes. "Probably because of a mental shock, Claes doesn't talk much to people she doesn't know and tries to avoid everyone" Alex spoke with a less hicking voice, clearly showing that he was recovering from the shock. But I suddenly felt sorry for Claes, being one of the people who was part of the huge carnage of the village, but the sorry of mine could not be taken equal with the misery of Alex. Both people had a huge shock from it, and being involved with a carnage of such size, I can understand why Claes became such a loner type, a type that does not like to be around others. When something similar like that may happen again. </p><p>"Lince, can you remember when I slapped Claes?" (Fladian Note: Second part of the 'If, and only if', the introduction of Alex) Alex suddenly mentioned, looking at me with shocking eyes, more hostile than anything else. A face that was the complete opposite of how he looked at me before when I asked him to be introduced to Claes and Cherry. </p><p>"Yes, it was just a fight, wasn't it?" I asked, though not really with the same intention as how I asked it. I can remember it as if it was the same day, and Alex's face looked furious back then and Claes did nothing in return. She just placed her hand on her cheek and refused to look me in the eyes - not that it was surprising. But even if it was a fight or not, the faces of both Claes and Alex did not match at that certain moment. They truly looked as if they were having a fight, but I was missing an important factor of that moment; rage. None of them was seriously mad at one of them. Even though Alex looked angry at her, it was something different, it was being angry because he was worried, not angry because he was mad at her. Different, but in an other way, similar to each other. </p><p>"No, Lince, it wasn't "just" a fight." Alex mentioned as he looked back to the ground, ignoring the environment around him. He fell back in the darkness he just crawled out from moments ago by saying simple words as that. Alex was a strong man physical, but apparently weaker mentally. His reaction when I could see my body, the face he had when he slapped Claes, the moment he spoke of his brother, Ike and now this, though this part remains understandable. But it just remains remarkable that a large muscular man like this is weak mentally, though you see it more often, it just felt strange while just looking at him. </p><p>"If it isn't, then what was it?" I managed to say before Alex raised his hand, gesturing that I had to be quiet because he was planning of saying something. </p><p>"Lince, would you be worried if Claes would leave the house during the night time from time to time only to return in the morning?" Alex asked me as he moved his head closer to mine with a stern facial expression. The expression like he gave only moments ago as well, but more strict this time, more demanding for an answer. His eyes were tearing my apart, demanding words from me, demanding to hear my opinion about the subject. </p><p>"Of course I would!" I shouted at Alex, not even knowing that I raised my voice as much as I did. I was apparently far louder than I expected that I was. I thought I was just trying to let him know that I felt the same way, of course I would be worried as well, even though Alex knows Claes better than I do, it is still something of me to stay caring for the people who...'ve helped me. </p><p>"Then you know what I slapped her. At least once a month, she leaves the house to return only in the morning! Come on! It is really freaking me out!" Alex shouted at me, while tears started to form in his eye casses again. This desperate call was the confirmation for me that he had no love relationship with Claes, it was pure being worried about her instead of the love. Though I know nothing about Cherry, it is good to hear such about Claes. But it feels hard to believe that Claes is leaving in the night. It is not like you can go anywhere from this area. It is a small farm with 3 houses and that's about it. Walking to the strike force stronghold is not the best idea either during the night. I wonder what she has been doing. </p><p>I quickly placed my hand on the shoulder of Alex, and reassured him that everything is fine. Whatever she does during the night, it isn't dangerous. If it was, she wouldn't be here with us anymore. Though asking him if she told him where she is going was clearly a mistake of mine. Tears streamed down his face as he could only shake his head, gesturing that he didn't know where she is going all those times. </p><p>"She sometimes gets a letter that she hides from us, I can't find it either, after she reads that letter, she always acts a bit strange and leaves during the night when most of us are sleeping" Alex mentioned as he kept starring to the ground, not having the courage or strength to look up to me. It was painful to see Alex like this as I kept my hand on his shoulder, still trying to reassure him. </p><p>"Have you read the letters before you gave to her?" I softly asked as I did not change my composure. </p><p>"Yes, twice" Alex mentioned, clearly showing that he read the letter twice. "It's a foreign language, I can't read it. Mason can't read it either" Alex explained to me. It is only logical that it is a secret hand writing. But is following her not the best idea then? </p><p>"Did you followed her?" I asked, clearly hearing that I was getting more desperate as I now pushed his face up to look in the eyes that were soaked with eyes. </p><p>"Yes! I did! But she always find out that I'm following her! Nowadays, she is always leaving while I'm sleeping" Alex explained to me, still showing that he was very worried about Claes, very worried about her safety during the night. Everyone would be worried if a friend would disappear during the night while that friend would say nothing about it. </p><p>"Alex, I'll try and talk with Claes about it..." I softly mentioned. Even though I knew that Alex would protest against it, he could see the determination in my eyes that I was not planning on giving it up, and not even had the slightest idea of giving it up. I was planning of finding out what she was doing, and had no intention of letting anyone stop me from doing that. </p><p>Alex finally stood up and left the room while he was trying to hide the fact that his face was soaked with tears. He used 3 years of time to become friends with Claes, but even though they are the best of friends, she wouldn't tell her where she was going while leaving the house during the night. Something like that is clearly mentally painful - to everyone. </p><p></p><p>--- </p><p></p><p>"You must be Terres Price" a tall sized black haired man asked Terres as he approached him. The long sword what was stored on the man's back was pushed from the left to the right and back because of his strange style of walking. But even though his walking style was... different, the way he walked was also keeping all his weaknesses covered except for one. </p><p>"Zane Duran?" Price softly mentions as he saw the tall man walk towards the group of 4 people existing out of Collins, Dale, Ezra and himself. The man only nodded in reply after Price confirmed his expectations. </p><p>"Zane Duran?" Collins whispered to Dale, clearly showing that he didn't know who it was. A little smile appeared on Dale's face after hearing the unexpected question of Collins. </p><p>"Zane Duran, master of the sword. That's his nickname throughout the Empire" Dale whispered back at Collins. "Rumor has it that he was an equal of lord Taos in both their younger years. Because of a critical injury in Duran's knee, he could not continue his duals with Taos" Dale added to it. Clearly showing that Zane Duran was a man that is probably on the top of the 5 soldiers. Zane Duran was a man that was well known throughout the Empire since he was one of the favorite training partners of world talent, Taos Levens. But unfortunately, during a certain training, Duran got injured on his knee and had to look at what the Empire did because he could barely walk, not to mention making swift movements as a soldier from his style. Someone who fights with one weapon without a shield is known very well for his evading skills. But since Duran lost his way of avoiding attacks and could not re-adjust to fight with a shield, he became even less than the average soldier. But after careful investigation and rehabilitation, Duran's knee slowly recovered until only recently when the doctors declared it was completely OK and Zane Duran could slowly start going back to the battlefield. But even though Zane Duran hasn't been on the battlefield for a long time, his skills on the battlefield were as impressive as ever. While his legs were in horrible shape, Duran trained his upper body because he could not train anything else. After the long amount of time of his rehabilitation, Duran increased in physical strength of his upper body, able to give the hardest hit in the history of the Empire. In the hope to defeat Taos, Duran kept training his upper body until he was completely satisfied with his strength. </p><p>At this moment, it is clear that Zane Duran is interested in fighting the man who could be compared with Taos - Herasiel. One or two clean hits should be all he need to dispose of Herasiel, but Duran knows well enough that he can't get to Herasiel that easily. According to Dale's report, Herasiel is more skilled in evading attacks than Taos is. But now with Duran's fully recovered body, he is more than eager to try out how strong Herasiel exactly is. It is also clear that Zane Duran is as an individual, much more dangerous than the famous combination of Dale, Collins and Price who started the fight while 2 of the three were both injured and exhausted. </p><p></p><p>---</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fladian, post: 107298, member: 5833"] Easier said than done, JetPack :P After this post, there's a little more. I am sure the next part has enough of 1 post. --- Like I expected, nothing happened during the entire meal, and I was together with Laura the last one who finished dinner. Apparently, Laura had a problem eating one of the... whatever it was what was lying on her plate. I decided to place my plate away and walk back at her, for once, I wanted to talk with her. I wanted to know what was going on, why she disliked me so much, but still congratiulated me when I was accepted in the Strike Force. "What is it?" she suddenly spoke up, looking me strict in the eyes, ignoring everything around her, just looking at me. The tone of her voice wasn't exactly the nicest tone I've ever hear a girl using before. She was clearly not fond on my pressence, but this time, I will have to bear it and still ask it, regardless what happens. "I was wondering if we could talk" I decided to say, hoping that I could get a decenta nswer. "We didn't have a chance to have a decent conversation just yet" I added to it, hoping to get a normal answer instead of a punch in my face - like last time when I woke up. That was a painful memory that I can't seem to forget. "You want to talk, Lince?" she questionable asks me looking at me with a confused look, not knowing what is going on. I only nodded in answer to her question, even though she already knew what I was going to answer with. She shoved her plate to the side of the table, crossed her arms, made a more friendly expression on her face and looked at me. "What do you want to talk about?" was how she replied to me, a question that caught me completel off guard. "Well, about you?" I said, not knowing what else I should say in this situation. To hear a question like that is completely unexpected, not many people ask such things, but just shoot a question to you, something random, but useful. A full improvisation question was all I could throw in, hoping to get a decent answer. "Me?" she asked in surprise, not knowing what I was intending - not that I knew it myself - "err... what do you want to know about me?" she added to it, looking confused at me, not exactly knowing what to say either. "Well, it looks as if you are always trying to avoid me..." I said, a bit dissapointed of pulling that subject back from the ground because I knew nothing else. "I am not really avoiding you... I..." she managed to say and stood up, quickly looking around to find a way out. "I'm not avoiding you!" she shouts at me. "Did I make her mad?" crossed my mind as I saw her facial expression slowly changing more mad. "Calm down, if you say you aren't, then I'll gladly believe you from your word, Laura" I slowly started. "But if there is something wrong, you can try to talk to me, I'm quite reliable... or so I was told" luckily, like I tried to do, my last sentence made a little smile crossing her face. Finally, I saw a different expression in her face, instead of the always hostile facial expression I finally saw a kind face, that was finally offering friendship. It took minutes of time before any sound was made. We just sat there, not doing anything. Perhaps we were thinking of a subject to talk about, or maybe we couldn't find an option to do something. But finally, Laura started to mention something. "You've met Alex already, right?" she softly whispers to me. Just loud enough for me to understand it. Even though she knew I already met Alex, I guess she wanted it to make sure that I knew who she was talking about, so a confirming nod was all she needed for an answer. "Alex is my boyfriend" she slowly whispered, hearing that, clearly caught me off guard, not knowing if I should believe my ears. "He is your boyfriend?" I asked, full with surprise, not even knowing it a little bit. "I thought had a relationship with Claes!" I mentioned a bit too loud for her liking. I saw her facial expression changing yet again, this time, a bit more angry, which was very understandable. "I'm afraid... that he likes Claes better, or perhaps Cherry..." she softly whispers to me. For some kind of reason, it was as if she trusted me now a lot more than before, but it felt more like a poor love story. Not having the real love of her life, or something like that, I was never all that fond on romance and all that. Maybe it would come with the ages, but right now, I could care less, but if it would help Laura right now, then I would do what I could do... but, who was Cherry? "Who is Cherry" was something I logically asked. I know Claes, but who in the world is Cherry? I haven't met anyone just yet and the name doesn't ring any bell for me either. "Cherry is another girl from one of the houses here. She's a friend of Alex and me" Laura mentioned as she sighed right afterwards. She was not very fond on Cherry, her friend and Claes, her sister anymore after knowing that her boyfriend, Alex could be interested in them. It is very understandable, and I accepted it. "Maybe I could find out, Laura. Perhaps Alex would tell me, as far as he knows, he doesn't know we had contact just yet" I mentioned as I pushed the hair out of my face again, that fell back right away again. "I'll talk to him" --- "Who are you?! Where am I?!" was shouted by a black haired man, still holding his cleaver in his right hand while desperatly looking around - but nothing could be seen. It was a dark room with no light anywhere. No sign of light, no sign of walls, it was a huge dark and most of all, empty room. "Anyone here?!" the man called out! "Don't be impatient, Herasiel" could suddenly be heard as a door opened and light only fell from there. The hand of Herasiel quickly went up as the sudden light hurts his eyes. "Who are you?!" Herasiel called out in the hope to learn who he was dealing with. "Instead of asking who I am, I want you to listen to my offer, an offer that might prove to the point in facing Taos in combat again" the man laughingly explained to Herasiel, who was completely under his control right now. "Not interested. When Wind and I attack the Empire itself, he'll show up as well" Herasiel explained, knowing that he still held all strings in his hands. "And when will that be? Taos is a resident in the Central Palace, not some random stronghold around" the man pushed the facts to Herasiel. "It'll take a while, I'll accept that, and in the mean time, I can train hard enough to become equals, or perhaps even stronger than Levens." Herasiel fought back in his words. "What if I could offer you an attack to the Empire in a matter of months? It will definitely be sooner than Wind can offer you, with her small team" the man explained. "Small team or not, it is more effective than the Empire" Herasiel laughed it off. "Not the elite. But very well, I want you to take this into consideration" the man explained as he turned around. "Without seeing your face, eh, bastard?" crossed Herasiel's thoughts as he looked at the man with a dirty look. "And if I accept it, what should I do?" Herasiel asked before the man left. "Kill Wind. Tell her that a man named 'Blackdeath' has sent you" the man mentioned. "Killing Wind is not an easy task. What kind of proof do I have that you'll offer me Taos?" Herasiel enquired. "None. Kill Wind, and you shall meet me again" the man told him. "And who is this Blackdeath?" Herasiel continued his spree of questions. "I am" the man answered with. "Enough of your questions. Leave now!" the man named Blackdeath mentioned. Right after Blackdeath announced that Herasiel should leave, the door automaticly closed and another door opened. "A gamble, hm?" Herasiel softly whispered to himself. "Interesting" Herasiel added to his previous sentence by softly whispering to himself. While walking away, the thought of killing Wind was something very attractive to Herasiel, while licking his lips the thought came to him. "Taos Levens, prepare yourself" After hearing what Laura said to me, I just couldn't get it out of my head. I told her that I'd talk to Alex about it, but the problem is, I don't know this family, his family or any family out here well. I have no rights in hands, and I don't know what I can do, and what they can do. But, I did promise to help her, I did promise to talk with Alex about the subject. Coming to the point of being cheat on by her sister or friend can come as quite a shock, mentally. It would surely be painful, that is for sure. I don't know those feelings. The only girl I had feelings for was Jade Dembi, my companinion in our travels, but I don't even know if she's alive. And even if she was, I don't think she would want to see me ever again. I did led us to a dangerous place, and I still don't know how I survived. But the most important is, I did survive, thanks to the family Bridge. "Could it be that Mason found me?" shot through my thoughts all of a sudden. "I remember traveling through a dangerous area, but how arrogant Jade and I were, we didn't pay any heed to the protective words of what people told us. We just went on, and found out that the creatures that roamed there were far stronger than we were. Was Mason traveling through that area?" my thoughts went on. There were too many thoughts about myself, thinking about Laura and Alex's problem was yet another bother on my mind - but I am not a man who easily breaks his promises. Laura was really desperate when it comes to this, and Alex just isn't loyal... "this looks more and more like a half assed love story" my mind started to continue it with. "But still, Laura is one of the family members who saved me from death, I have to be grateful for that. It is only logical that I am in their debt, and that I should repay it, somehow" my mind explained to me. Something that I didn't even know what was possible. "But what about my invitation from Mason Bridge to the strike force of the Empirical Waterfall Valley camp? Should I really visit them in the morning, or should I rather stay here and help if necessary?" my mind added to it. Without any further thought, my mind was interupted by a little knock on the door, that I quickly answered with, 'come in'. Without any hesitation, the door was opened and Alex walked in. "You called, Lince?" Alex mentioned the moment he placed his first step in the room, looking at me with a questionable face. It was clear that he wasn't aware that I was talking with Laura about him. He took his time closing the door and walking towards me. In a moment, he stood before me, looking down on me since I was sitting on the bed, still with the bandage around my ribs. It took me a while before I could say anything. I was afraid of getting in a fight with this bear of a man. Even though his personality is completely different from his body, his length and big muscles did made me feel uncomfortable. Alex was looking at me, with a bold head, no hair was growing on it. "You'd wonder if he used his own ways of removing it, or if it was naturally. Whichever it was, it gave him a very tough look. In opposite of my long hair that I have yet to cut (Fladian note: Hey, I just had my hair cut, just a few days ago)" my mind told me while I was resting my eyes on the muscular body of Alex. "Come to think of it, I don't even know Alex's last name, but then again, I didn't know the last name of this family since recently either" I chuckled a bit while thinking, making Alex look only less comfortable. "A huge man like him, muscular like a real fighter, extremely tall and looking as tough as Jason Sharpe. You'd start to wonder if Alex isn't family of Sharpe, they looked quite similar to each other" again I chuckled at my own thoughts what made Alex slightly annoyed as he asked again why he had to come. Finally, I looked him in the eyes and stood up from the bed, noticing that our change in height changed as well when I had a sudden change of muscles. Even though I can remember that Alex was a full head taller than me, that "full head" isn't more than a few inches. "Alex, I've talked with Laura..." I started, whispering. For some reason, I wished that he didn't hear me right, but my mind was also asking myself why that would be the case. I promised Laura that I would talk with Alex about his relationship with Cherry and Claes, and I would be fond to hear it as well. But knowing what I could expect from Alex, there was something in my mind that didn't want him to hear it. After a moment of thought after saying it, Alex slowly moved his lips. "Oh, so you've finally talked with Laura. You told me that you had trouble trying to get a decent conversation with her, how did it go?" Alex asked me with pure delight in his eyes, looking at me with a kind look, clearly not knowing what my real intentions were. He knew that I had problems to get a conversation with Laura so, he probably thought that I finally was able to talk with her after all that time. "No, Alex... I mean... I..." I started, knowing that I couldn't say it at all. I knew I couldn't live with the consequences. My body couldn't survive heavy stress just yet, and if it would go wrong, who knows what Alex might do. For all I know, he would try to do something to me, if that was the case, then my body would definitely collapse, and who knows what might happen then. "Laura told me that you are her boyfriend!" I finally blurted out, while I had my eyes closed, partly showing that I had trouble saying it. "Yes, that's true. What's with it?" Alex asked me, still not knowing what I actually tried to say. You could easily read his face that he was confused and had no idea what I was trying to say. "Did you expect that I was just a friend of the family?" he added to it, with a grim smile on his face, not really trying to be funny, but more pushing on the facts than anything else. But after a moment of silence, he continued asking, "is there something wrong with that?" with a questionable look on his face, clearly showing that he wasn't aware of what was going on at all. I finally took a deep breath and asked Alex if he knew a certain girl named 'Cherry', which he easily answered with a nod. I quickly asked after it who she exactly was. "Cherry McLeo, little sister of Jerrell McLeo. She lives in the third house here. As you know, there are three houses here. In this house, the family Bridge, usually live Sean, Claes, Laura, Jessica, Mason, Dirk and Caitlin. In the McLeo's house, Cherry lives there together with her brother, Jerrell. As for the family Jenkins, I live there together with my two brothers Barry and Ike, both are Empirical soldiers here. Barry is part of the Strike Force and Ike of the defense. I also have one sister named 'Ashley', but doesn't come much out of her room... please, don't ask" Alex mentioned as he looked down to the ground, trying to avoid the subject. I looked at Alex with an open mouth, clearly showing that he gave far more information than I was in need of. "Err... right, according to Laura, you seem to hang out a lot with Cherry and Claes, right?" I mentioned, without even being aware of what I was doing. I sounded more and more like an old fashioned detective. Alex mentioned that too that made a broad smile on both our faces. "Uh... yeah, especially lately. Is there something wrong with that?" Alex asked me, completely unaware of what I was intending. His eyes looked honest to me, and didn't show any bit of confusement, he looked at me with honest eyes and patiently waiting for my answer. "Uh... if possible, could you give me a proper introduction with Cherry and Claes?" I asked, trying to fill up the sudden hole. I expected that he would know what I was talking about at that very moment, but apparently I was wrong, and I had to ask it a bit more clear than before. Finally I decided to be introduced to both Claes and Cherry, so I could hear from them what they felt for Alex. If Alex was indeed feeling more for Cherry or Claes, then, well... I don't know what I'd do then, but I'll notice that eventually. First, I want to know what they think of Alex. But the moment I asked it, I could see the face of Alex changing completely. It was if he was waiting until I asked the question, like he wanted me to ask it. His face shined, it was clear to see that he was happy. His eyes became larger, his face somewhat longer and a smile started to appear on his now happy looking face. Within a minute, his face was the face of a man that just heard his child managed to get a good grade in school, or anything similar. "Of course!" Alex suddenly mentioned, as he looked at me with a happy face. "Of course I will introduce you to Cherry and Claes if you want! They are my best friends!" Alex quickly corrected himself while he gave the expression that he was ready to hug me for my kindness while I was only trying to figure something out for Laura. "It is no problem to introduce you with Cherry!" Alex shouted in my face while having an incredible happy facial composure. It was more clear than water that he was happy hearing the words from me and he was more happy that he was able to introduce them to me. "But even though it is easy with Cherry, it might be a little problem with Claes" Alex softly mentioned at a certain moment while his smile slowly dissapeared from his face and a finger came up that pushed against his chin. "Why's that?" I quickly reacted with as I looked at Alex with strict and worried eyes. I knew from the start that Claes was a tad different from everyone in this area - what includes me - "but she can't be too different when it comes to introductions, right?" I asked myself as I kept starring at Alex who remained happy but his happy expression completely changed to a thinking stature. Knowing that he was in thoughts, I decided not to ask him anything regarding the subject and just wait for a reaction of Alex himself. "Well... Claes isn't the girl who likes to get in touch with anyone..." Alex softly mentions with a sad looking face, clearly showing that didn't like the fact that she was a complete loner. "Even though she and I are good friends, it took a long time before we got this far" Alex softly mentioned as he looked at me with a worried face. His smile completely dissapeared and a sad looking face took it's position while he kept looking at me. "Why? Is there something wrong?" I asked as I looked at Alex, showing that I had no idea what was going on. Because of Claes, I forgot my intention of helping Laura as well while I kept starring at Alex. "Sort of, yes. Do you want me to tell you?" Alex asks me as his facial expression stayed the same, still looking worried while being a bit uncomfortable. His face was extremely clear, and you could read exactly what he was thinking and how he was feeling. It was as if he knew nothing better and just tried to blurt something out, but his face was clearly showing that he was telling the truth. (Note of Fladian: I'm starting to use "clear" and "clearly" a bit too much to my liking) But even though it is the truth, why should it be a problem to talk with Claes? After a moment of silence, I finally nodded as in reply to his question. "Well Lince, you better take a seat" Alex mentioned as he took a chair and sat on it, only having a bit of space between of us, clearly he was planning of telling me something that he wasn't fond of on telling. I took his advice and took a more comfortable sitting stance on the bed while I kept looking in Alex's clear eyes. He was truly speaking the truth and in his eyes, I could see something... burning. As if something awful happened with Claes that I could not even start to understand without seeing it. "You see, Claes isn't from this family" Alex started... --- "Dale, wait!" the blonde man screamed as the hair was sticking to the sides of his face. In opposite to his other blonde companion, he was wet and his armor was shining bright. While Dale, the other blonde man, was walking with a slow pace throughout the halls in his normal daily clothes while his head was carefully bandaged because of previous injuries, the wet Terres Price was walking right next to him, trying to stop Dale from moving, what didn't seem to work right. Not only was Dale much stronger than Price, Price was also tired. "Dry yourself, before entering the castle halls, Price" Tyler Dale softly mentioned as he reached a large gate that was placed in front of him. Several soldiers were looking at them, looking at their champions who fought bravely against the no.1 threat, Herasiel. "Cut the act, Dale!" Price yelled out, showing everyone that he finally snapped and was mad at his companion who were known to be one of the strongest combinations of the world. "I'm not going to let you talk to lord Glodich!" Price yelled in the calm looking face of Dale, scaring most of the people around them. It is not that Price or Dale looked scary or anything similar, it was the fear that they may break apart. They already lost their hero, Edgardo in battle, they don't want to lose the combination of Collins, Dale and Price as well. Their reputation is great among the soldiers. "Price!" a black haired man suddenly screamed to Price as he looked at him, strict in the eyes, even though being a full head taller than him. The man looked down at Price, with a strict look, clearly showing that he wanted the argument, whatever it was about, to stop. "Ezra" Price softly mentioned as he stopped touching Dale and looked at the taller man named 'Ezra'. "Look, that's Ezra Ramos!" one of the bystanders pointed out as all sudden looks went to the short haired Ezra who carried two swords on his back, clearly showing that both swords are heavily enchanted in their own way. Ezra's eyes quickly looked around, seeing all soldiers looking at him. "Price, if Dale wants to talk with our Emperor, let him. He has all the rights to do it" Ezra softly spoke as he looked at Price with a more kinder look this time, while he placed his hand on the broad shoulder of Terres. "Just let him..." Ezra mentioned as his eyes lost their composure and a sad look on even the tall Ezra could be seen. Even though Ezra was taller than both Price as Dale and his face was just as strict as Dale's face, even he could get sad. Finally Tyler Dale turned around, looking at the crew that formed them selves behind Ezra, Price and Dale. "Ezra, Price, everyone, fighting Herasiel showed me that the new generation is a lot more talented than us veterans. I am already over date, I shouldn't have been fighting anymore" Dale announces as he looks over the view, not specifically looking at one person, but just trying to speak to them all. "Herasiel will become the strongest threat to the Empire, and Price will become the strongest soldier" Dale added to it while looking at Price with a strict look on his face. "Price was the only man who dared to oppose Herasiel in a one man combat, something that I don't have the courage for", Dale mentioned as he looked back at the crowd who looked at Price and Dale with sad eyes. "I've seen many people here in the Empire. I have seen multiple generations fighting, but I see that Terres Price has the most potential to become the best soldier of the Empire" Dale finally mentions as he turns around, once again, holding his back to the crowd while they start to become more chaotic. "That isn't a reason to leave us, Dale! You are our commander!" Bernard Fire, one of the rookie soldiers suddenly shouts out above all others. "Tyler Dale is the commander!" Bernard added to it. "Dale, Price and Collins is world's best combination! I don't want to see it lose!" Bernard shouts out, while tears stream down his face. The blonde-red haired man runs forward, reaching Dale in a moment who turned around when Bernard yelled out what he did. "Don't leave!" a man with a huge mustache and beard mentions. Cluttered in armor, he steps forward out of the crowd as well. Carrying a huge shield attached to his right arm and an axe carried on his back he walks forward to Dale as well. "Kain Archor, Bernard Fire, isn't it?" Dale softly mentions as he sees the two men walk forward to him. "I've been at my peak, I am exhausted. I need to give the helm to the younger generation" Dale softly whispers to both soldiers who are only inches away from the tall Dale. "We lost a lot of soldiers in combat, we also lost Edgardo but I, as an old man survived" Dale mentions softly, while tears stream down his face. "It isn't fair. Edgardo could have go on for so much longer... if only I wouldn't have rested for such a long time" Dale cryingly mutters. "It isn't your fault, Dale" Ezra finally mentions after being quiet for a long time. While placing an arm around the shoulder of Dale, while pushing Price out of the way he looks at his superior, Tyler Dale. "We all fight with odds. When Edgardo, Price and you were together, we thoughts we had the advantage. He didn't know" Ezra mutters as he whispered confidental words in the ear of Dale that was sadly memorizing Edgardo and his actions. "I want a funeral for Edgardo above anything else!" Dale suddenly spoke up as he pushed away his tears and looked into the crowd with a stern look on his face. Without any hesitation, the door to the hall opened and one man comes out of the hall. The man, cluttered in royal armor, claps his hands softly with a huge smile on his face. "Did you hear that, Empirical soldiers?" the clapping man asks with a very comfortable smile on his face. A smile that melts all worries away without any delay. "This man, Tyler Fernando Dale, once winner of the loyalty title is the model you should try to follow" the clapping man mentioned as he looked into the crowd, not fearing his own life, but only praising Dale. "Lord Glodich!" Price blurts out as he looks at the face of the smiling man. As if the man did not care if Dale would leave the Empire or not, Lord Glodich kept smiling. It was good to see a smile out of the sad expressions around, but maybe not the best idea of trying to forget something. Everyone knew that everyone was sad, and that they were remembering their lost hero, Edgardo. "Price, Ezra" Lord Glodich nodded as he mentioned their names and slowly increased his pace and walked towards the crying Dale. "I am not worthy of being called a "model", my lord" Dale finally spoke as Lord Glodich was slowly approaching Dale. "I did not dare to fight with Herasiel, even if it was at the cost of the lives of my companions" Dale spoke, with sadness in his voice, knowing that he is right and that he is not worthy of such an honor. "Don't be like that, Dale. You've served the Empire better than most people, and we are honored to have had you fighting on our side. You deserve a great retirement" Lord Glodich mentioned as he looks at Dale with a friendly smiling face. Glodich was not planning on giving up his words he just said. It was true what he said and Dale was one of the soldiers who served the Empire for a long time without hesitation. Even when he could retire, he said 'no' with no hesitation in his voice. But now, after defeat by Herasiel, it could not be denied that Herasiel was of the new generation and just too strong for old veterans, even though they have more experience. "Lord Glodich, the Empire is always in the debt of sir Dale, at the very least, I would like to do something in return" the large man, Ezra mentioned as he looked at Lord Glodich with a sad face. "I would like to request a squadron of brave soldiers to take revenge for Edgardo and in appreciation of Dale's service" Ezra spoke as he looked into the crowd, clearly showing that he wanted volunteers. "I do not approve that, sir Ezra" Lord Glodich suddenly spoke up as he looked up at Ezra who quickly turned his head after hearing the Emperor's reaction. "W-Why not?" Ezra stutterly asks as he looks at the Emperor. "I do not approve it either" a tall man out of the crowd spoke up as he walked forward throughout the crowd. Coverred in heavy armor and a huge two-handed sword carried on his back, the man, who carries a large horned-helmet looks at Ezra. "Lord Taos! Taos Levens!" Price shouted as his mouth fell open as he looked at the tall swordmaster. "You are lord Taos, aren't you?" Price quickly asks, hoping to get a confirmation of his answer. Taos only nodded to his answer as his view quickly went to Ezra, who is only inches taller than the tall Taos. Remarkable, since Taos is one of the taller soldiers of the Empire. Pure coincidence, "and it would be better if I was shorter" Taos mentioned on it. "Ezra Ramos, isn't it?" Taos softly mentions as he stood next to Ezra, waiting for Lord Glodich to mention anything. Anything what would be necessary. "Yes sir, I am Ezra. Is there anything you want?" the tall man softly asks Taos as he didn't move his view from Lord Glodich for even a moment. "Ezra, I think Taos has something to say to you" the Emperor, lord Glodich softly spoke as he kindly looked at Ezra with the smiling never dissapearing from his face. Lord Glodich looked like a very happy man, but after the loss of his wife, he has been more sad than happy, but not in front of the people. "Y-Yes, sir?!" Ezra asked as he quickly turned to Taos while keeping his back straight, trying to keep an as much as possible formal pose as possible. "Hey, hey, don't be so formal to me, Ezra. We've been of the same squadron" Taos laughingly spoke, hoping to get a better mood. A little smile did appear on some people's faces, but the fact that Dale was retiring wasn't dissapearing. The large smile on the face of lord Glodich was still there as well, not mentioning anything, but smiling to his friendly champions. "Well then, lord Taos, what is it?" Ezra quickly changed his way of words with a big smile on his face, clearly mocking Taos with a joke what in result gave a little chuckle to the few champions around him. "I do not see why you want to hunt down Herasiel. For one, you don't know where he can be found-..." before Taos could even finish his sentence he was interupted by the loud voice of Collins. "Dale, Price, Herasiel has been spotted near the Cresent Islands!" Collins shouted to them from several stores above them. "Sir Black is asking to come to him on the double!" Collins quickly spoke as he ran back to where he came from. With the gesture of 'oh well', Price quickly ran through the crowds to go to Collins and Black. Even though the retirement of Dale was something important, the problem with Herasiel was something far more important. "Taos, isn't it time to go with them again?" Lord Glodich smilinly asks Taos, while looking him in the eyes. No stern look or anything similar, just the friendly look that lord Glodich usually gives. "No, sir" Dale softly mentions as he turns towards Taos and Lord Glodich while the crowd is disembeling for other missions. Though they are saddened by the loss of sir Edgardo and the retirement of sir Dale, missions are perhaps more important. "I will be going with them. Lord Black asks for my assistence, and I will apply" Dale mutters somewhat unclear, but nods with a lot of agreement. "Wait! Herasiel's already had the best of you two not even a day ago! I'll go with you" Ezra shouts while pushing his fist upwards, showing that he is completely serious. "It has been a while since I've fought side on side with you guys" Ezra mentions while a large and broad smile crossed the face of the tall man. "Ezra, go with them. I'll search for more people that are capable of fighting Herasiel to go with you as well. There won't be another loss of Herasiel" Taos shouts out, showing that he has no intention of fighting Herasiel himself. "What are you going to do, Taos?" Dale spoke up, surprising most of the people around, excluding lord Glodich who took his leave again and left for his own room again without anyone really noticing that he left their pressence. Taos, Dale and Ezra were more discussing other things. "Magnazar asked me if I could assist him to Hinja's Valleys, that is in the middle of the Wind mages section" Taos explained, while kindly pointing it out. "Magnazar wasn't confident if he could defeat them all, and he said that the third book could perhaps be found there" Taos went on. Not only did he say that he was leaving to the Hinja's valleys, he also mentioned that he would send some of his best soldiers with Dale and his companions to find Herasiel. "Send them to the Entrace of the castle, we'll ask Muriel to teleport us" Dale mentioned as he unsheeted his blade and left the pressence of Ezra and Taos who both left shortly after. "Don't lose, Dale" Taos whispered as he used his own pace of walking to his destination. --- "Herasiel, what is going on?" a man that looked somewhat similar to Herasiel asked the black haired man who walked next to him. "That man! Blackdeath! He said he had an offer for me!" Herasiel shouted out, inspiring his thieves to continue their pillaging. Herasiel managed to get a group of Fallen Angels with him to get food supplies for their base. Herasiel ordered his men, and his brother, to leave for the closest village and take as many supplies with them as possible. Herasiel and Aurora would offer protection, if necessary. "I don't care if he made an offer to you or not, Herasiel. You're injured!" Aurora shouted out to his brother who has his left under arm bandaged. The thrown dagger of Dale did injure Herasiel but not enough to stop him. "This is only a scratch. It's gone in a few days." Herasiel muttered as didn't even bother looking at the red color on his bandage. "Herasiel, that wound is far too big to just go and do missions with. Just trust me, let me do the work, you just go and rest. The more you rest, the faster it hea-..." before Aurora could even finish his sentence, a loud and painful hit from Herasiel's right hand was carefully place on the face of Aurora, instantly knocking him out. "Be quiet already..." Herasiel muttered as he grabbed his left arm with his hand. "Damn you, Dale. I'll promise you, I'll slay your entire Empire where you are so proud of..." Herasiel could only thief of. He knew that he couldn't break down the entire Empire on his own, but he knew it would be a possibility with the help of internal help - Blackdeath - and his brother - Aurora - combined with their skills. "The Empire isn't that strong..." Herasiel muttered to himself as he looked at his soldiers that were pillaging the village. "Pathetic is it..." Herasiel muttered... --- "Zane?" Price spoke as he saw a long black haired man approach Price outside. The long haired man gave a little nod to confirm the expectations of Price as they approached each other. "Zane, Ezra, Price, Dale, Collins and Dain is a good enough team of champions, isn't it, lord Glodich?" Taos mentioned as he looked at the Emperor while looking from a tower far higher than where the 6 men could see. "Yes, they should be strong enough. Did you count injuries?" the Emperor asks, this time, without a smile but with a serious look on his face. "I did. No mistakes are permitted with Herasiel" Taos mentioned as his face looked even more strict than Lord Glodich's. "I'm sorry I can't send you with them... I'm also sorry I had to make you lie, Taos" Glodich softly whispers as he looked at Taos with a worried look on his face, the complete opposite of what is used of lord Glodich. "Don't worry about it, my lord. I'll protect Chelsea, no matter what happens" Taos mentioned as he turned his head to the black haired girl behind them. "I'll protect you..." With my eyes focused on the face of Alex, I listened carefully as he finally moved his lips to tell me what was special with Claes, as he mentioned before. I already learned that Claes was different from the others and that she has an exceptional name, but that can't be that strange. If Alex looks at me with the facial expression like this, then there must be something going on, something important that I knew nothing about. "You see, Lince. Claes isn't from this family" Alex finally mentioned after a moment of silence with a worried look on the face of Alex. Even though Alex looked at me only a moment ago with a happy face, he was now looking at me as if his best friend was at the edge of his life even though he was only telling me something. "She isn't?" I asked, not really understanding what Alex meant. Claes didn't have much difference in her appearance with Caitlin or Laura. As a matter of fact, if you would change the style of hair and some minor details, than Laura and Claes would look similar to each other. Or was that the reason why Laura would be angry? Jealousy? "She isn't... I should tell you the entire story, Lince" Alex spoke as he sighed while moving his lips. It was easy to see that Alex wasn't fond on telling what he was going to tell, no, it looked more as if he was trying to keep a secret but was at the brink of breaking his promise to keep the secret. But what kind of secret could say something like that, or at least, what is so special about Claes, except her name. "3 Years ago, the man of the house, Mason Bridge, commander of the strike force, made a little exploration with a small group of soldiers. After doing this for days in the hope of finding tracks of the recent thieves from those times, they finally gave up after losing their motivation. Unfortunately for Mason, the moment he turned around, he saw smoke out of a village nearby. Without hesitation, according to Mason, he ordered his men to go there without delay." Alex explained to me without tolerating of being interrupted just once. I was surprised that he was telling more about Mason than Claes, I knew nothing about this after all. "When Mason and his men arrived in the village, he found a village that was burned down to the ground with no survivers. Those who did survive the carnage, of whoever did this, was crushed by the buildings that caved in" Alex explained, clearly showing that he found it a horror of what happened there. It was impossible that people would destroy an entire village for no particular reason. I quickly asked if there was anyone of importance in the village the attacker would've attacked only to receive a shaking 'no' answer from Alex. "There was no one there. It was just a normal village! Nothing special!" Alex screamed at me while tears started to form in my eyes. "There was no one of importance to anyone there... but my parents were there" Alex softly mentioned as he looked to the ground, finally letting me understand why he was not keen on telling this. But still, it had nothing in common with Claes. Claes hasn't even been mentioned just yet. After Alex became a bit calmer, I softly asked him what this had to do with Claes. "Claes was standing in the town center... alone" Alex hickingly mentioned as he looked at me with tears in his eyes. "She was the only surviver of the village. But she couldn't remember anything except basic things, like her name and other things like that" Alex mentioned as he looked back to the ground. Now I understand why Alex was so keen on his friendship with Claes. "Probably because of a mental shock, Claes doesn't talk much to people she doesn't know and tries to avoid everyone" Alex spoke with a less hicking voice, clearly showing that he was recovering from the shock. But I suddenly felt sorry for Claes, being one of the people who was part of the huge carnage of the village, but the sorry of mine could not be taken equal with the misery of Alex. Both people had a huge shock from it, and being involved with a carnage of such size, I can understand why Claes became such a loner type, a type that does not like to be around others. When something similar like that may happen again. "Lince, can you remember when I slapped Claes?" (Fladian Note: Second part of the 'If, and only if', the introduction of Alex) Alex suddenly mentioned, looking at me with shocking eyes, more hostile than anything else. A face that was the complete opposite of how he looked at me before when I asked him to be introduced to Claes and Cherry. "Yes, it was just a fight, wasn't it?" I asked, though not really with the same intention as how I asked it. I can remember it as if it was the same day, and Alex's face looked furious back then and Claes did nothing in return. She just placed her hand on her cheek and refused to look me in the eyes - not that it was surprising. But even if it was a fight or not, the faces of both Claes and Alex did not match at that certain moment. They truly looked as if they were having a fight, but I was missing an important factor of that moment; rage. None of them was seriously mad at one of them. Even though Alex looked angry at her, it was something different, it was being angry because he was worried, not angry because he was mad at her. Different, but in an other way, similar to each other. "No, Lince, it wasn't "just" a fight." Alex mentioned as he looked back to the ground, ignoring the environment around him. He fell back in the darkness he just crawled out from moments ago by saying simple words as that. Alex was a strong man physical, but apparently weaker mentally. His reaction when I could see my body, the face he had when he slapped Claes, the moment he spoke of his brother, Ike and now this, though this part remains understandable. But it just remains remarkable that a large muscular man like this is weak mentally, though you see it more often, it just felt strange while just looking at him. "If it isn't, then what was it?" I managed to say before Alex raised his hand, gesturing that I had to be quiet because he was planning of saying something. "Lince, would you be worried if Claes would leave the house during the night time from time to time only to return in the morning?" Alex asked me as he moved his head closer to mine with a stern facial expression. The expression like he gave only moments ago as well, but more strict this time, more demanding for an answer. His eyes were tearing my apart, demanding words from me, demanding to hear my opinion about the subject. "Of course I would!" I shouted at Alex, not even knowing that I raised my voice as much as I did. I was apparently far louder than I expected that I was. I thought I was just trying to let him know that I felt the same way, of course I would be worried as well, even though Alex knows Claes better than I do, it is still something of me to stay caring for the people who...'ve helped me. "Then you know what I slapped her. At least once a month, she leaves the house to return only in the morning! Come on! It is really freaking me out!" Alex shouted at me, while tears started to form in his eye casses again. This desperate call was the confirmation for me that he had no love relationship with Claes, it was pure being worried about her instead of the love. Though I know nothing about Cherry, it is good to hear such about Claes. But it feels hard to believe that Claes is leaving in the night. It is not like you can go anywhere from this area. It is a small farm with 3 houses and that's about it. Walking to the strike force stronghold is not the best idea either during the night. I wonder what she has been doing. I quickly placed my hand on the shoulder of Alex, and reassured him that everything is fine. Whatever she does during the night, it isn't dangerous. If it was, she wouldn't be here with us anymore. Though asking him if she told him where she is going was clearly a mistake of mine. Tears streamed down his face as he could only shake his head, gesturing that he didn't know where she is going all those times. "She sometimes gets a letter that she hides from us, I can't find it either, after she reads that letter, she always acts a bit strange and leaves during the night when most of us are sleeping" Alex mentioned as he kept starring to the ground, not having the courage or strength to look up to me. It was painful to see Alex like this as I kept my hand on his shoulder, still trying to reassure him. "Have you read the letters before you gave to her?" I softly asked as I did not change my composure. "Yes, twice" Alex mentioned, clearly showing that he read the letter twice. "It's a foreign language, I can't read it. Mason can't read it either" Alex explained to me. It is only logical that it is a secret hand writing. But is following her not the best idea then? "Did you followed her?" I asked, clearly hearing that I was getting more desperate as I now pushed his face up to look in the eyes that were soaked with eyes. "Yes! I did! But she always find out that I'm following her! Nowadays, she is always leaving while I'm sleeping" Alex explained to me, still showing that he was very worried about Claes, very worried about her safety during the night. Everyone would be worried if a friend would disappear during the night while that friend would say nothing about it. "Alex, I'll try and talk with Claes about it..." I softly mentioned. Even though I knew that Alex would protest against it, he could see the determination in my eyes that I was not planning on giving it up, and not even had the slightest idea of giving it up. I was planning of finding out what she was doing, and had no intention of letting anyone stop me from doing that. Alex finally stood up and left the room while he was trying to hide the fact that his face was soaked with tears. He used 3 years of time to become friends with Claes, but even though they are the best of friends, she wouldn't tell her where she was going while leaving the house during the night. Something like that is clearly mentally painful - to everyone. --- "You must be Terres Price" a tall sized black haired man asked Terres as he approached him. The long sword what was stored on the man's back was pushed from the left to the right and back because of his strange style of walking. But even though his walking style was... different, the way he walked was also keeping all his weaknesses covered except for one. "Zane Duran?" Price softly mentions as he saw the tall man walk towards the group of 4 people existing out of Collins, Dale, Ezra and himself. The man only nodded in reply after Price confirmed his expectations. "Zane Duran?" Collins whispered to Dale, clearly showing that he didn't know who it was. A little smile appeared on Dale's face after hearing the unexpected question of Collins. "Zane Duran, master of the sword. That's his nickname throughout the Empire" Dale whispered back at Collins. "Rumor has it that he was an equal of lord Taos in both their younger years. Because of a critical injury in Duran's knee, he could not continue his duals with Taos" Dale added to it. Clearly showing that Zane Duran was a man that is probably on the top of the 5 soldiers. Zane Duran was a man that was well known throughout the Empire since he was one of the favorite training partners of world talent, Taos Levens. But unfortunately, during a certain training, Duran got injured on his knee and had to look at what the Empire did because he could barely walk, not to mention making swift movements as a soldier from his style. Someone who fights with one weapon without a shield is known very well for his evading skills. But since Duran lost his way of avoiding attacks and could not re-adjust to fight with a shield, he became even less than the average soldier. But after careful investigation and rehabilitation, Duran's knee slowly recovered until only recently when the doctors declared it was completely OK and Zane Duran could slowly start going back to the battlefield. But even though Zane Duran hasn't been on the battlefield for a long time, his skills on the battlefield were as impressive as ever. While his legs were in horrible shape, Duran trained his upper body because he could not train anything else. After the long amount of time of his rehabilitation, Duran increased in physical strength of his upper body, able to give the hardest hit in the history of the Empire. In the hope to defeat Taos, Duran kept training his upper body until he was completely satisfied with his strength. At this moment, it is clear that Zane Duran is interested in fighting the man who could be compared with Taos - Herasiel. One or two clean hits should be all he need to dispose of Herasiel, but Duran knows well enough that he can't get to Herasiel that easily. According to Dale's report, Herasiel is more skilled in evading attacks than Taos is. But now with Duran's fully recovered body, he is more than eager to try out how strong Herasiel exactly is. It is also clear that Zane Duran is as an individual, much more dangerous than the famous combination of Dale, Collins and Price who started the fight while 2 of the three were both injured and exhausted. --- [/QUOTE]
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