The Promise Path

~ Chapter Seven ~

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Lucy studies Avery as she stares off into the forest lifelessly, her eyes devoid of emotion. She can't help but become filled with guilt, thinking that she is the cause of her friend's silent sadness. Lucy debates on whether or not she should question Avery about what is troubling her. After an extended moment of silence only filled by general noises from the forest, Lucy builds up her courage and asks,

"What are you thinking about?"

"My father." Avery replies after a bit more silence, adding, "I don't know what I'm hoping for more when I eventually return home: finding him gone and the house empty or finding him still here, stuck in a place filled with people that hate and outcast him and his runaway daughter." A tear falls down Avery's cheek and she moves to wipe it away before taking a deep breath and standing up. She strongly declares, "I've been sitting here moping and contemplating for long enough. We need to continue on to speak to Axel."

"Don't you want to talk about it some more, get it off of your chest? You can talk to me about it." Lucy suggests, trying to help Avery. Avery shakes her head,

"No. We need to get moving. The sooner this is done, the better." Lucy sighs but stands up next to her tall friend.

"Fine, if you insist." Lucy says, "But, I think we should get Daniel and Cassius first, so then we can start this journey as soon as possible." Avery considers it for a brief moment before nodding her head in agreement,

"I agree. It will be faster if we do this separately. I will go to Cassius' house. You go to Daniel's." Then, Avery runs off into the forest, heading towards the Water Quadrant called Aqua. Lucy sighs and starts running to Daniel's house in Caeli, the Air Quadrant.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lucy walks distractedly through the forest, breathing in the calming air. She can't think of a reason why Avery would voluntarily go to Cassius' house. The fact that Avery is keeping secrets is annoying Lucy. Usually they always share things with each other. Lucy doesn't know what has happened to them.

Once she reaches Caeli, Lucy takes that thought out of her head. She tries to think of a way she could find Daniel's house, without an idea coming to mind. She starts to pace at the edge of the forest, frustrated with this theoretical obstacle in her way.

"Lucy? Are you alright?" Daniel calls out. Lucy practically jumps with joy. If only everything was this easy. With a smile, she walks over to Daniel.

"Actually, Daniel, I need to speak to you." Lucy states. Daniel's eyes widen in panic and he asks,

"Is something wrong? Is it Avery?"

"No, Avery is... okay. This is about the quest that Axel has sent us on. Avery and I have decided to go, and are ready to leave now if you are." Lucy answers, not entirely sure if Avery is actually okay.

"Oh, alright. Sure. Let me just get some stuff. You stay here, I'll be back." Daniel tells Lucy then runs off into Caeli, the Air Quadrant. Lucy patiently waits at the edge of the forest for Daniel, her patience growing thin and her curiosity increasing with every passing minute. As soon as she starts to consider trying to find him, Daniel appears with a bag over his shoulder.

"Are you ready to go?" Lucy questions. Daniel nods, smiling,

"Yep! Let's go!" Lucy and Daniel start walking towards the Quad's centre, ready to get this journey over with.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once Avery reaches Cassius' house, she hesitates to knock. With a shaky hand tucked into a tight fist, she reaches forward only to rapidly retract her hand. She is about to reach forward again when suddenly, the door swings open. A hand reaches out and grabs Avery by the wrist, then yanks her inside. Avery lets out an involuntary squeak. The door she was pulled through slams shut and Avery turns to look at the person who answered the door, not too surprised to see it's Cassius. Avery soon notices Cassius' expression. He looks mad.