Chapter 3:
Morning came too fast. I opened my eyes and was greeted with Max's peaceful expression. He was still fast asleep and I couldn't help but silently watch him. There was just something about him I silently found fascinating. God, I'm such a creepy person. I shifted a little in his arms, but he quickly tightened his hold on me. "Max. Come on, wake up." I said and tried to pull out of his grasp again. "Max, we need to get moving. Daylight doesn't last forever you know?"
"Shush." He groaned and closed his eyes again.
"Did you really just freaking shush me?"
"Mmm hmm." I rolled my eyes and tugged with all my strength. Eventually, he let go of me and I tumbled backwards. If you've never fallen on a pile of weapons, I suggest you keep it that way. It hurts. Really bad. He laughed and slowly sat up. "I cannot believe he hasn't woken up yet."
I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Ashton, "Eh, he sleeps like the dead."
"That was truly one of the worst puns I've ever heard."
"You know you found it hilarious." I smiled at him and strapped my bow around my back. "Here." I handed him a long, wicked looking sword, "I assume this is yours."
"Thank you." He took the sword from me and sheathed it on his hip. "Are you gonna wake him?"
I walked over to Ashton and nudged his shoulder with my boot, "Hey, Ash, wakey wakey."
"Just go on. I'll wait here in case he randomly comes back through the camp." Ashton mumbled while sitting up.
"Whatever." I sighed and looked up at Max, "You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go." He headed down the tunnel and stepped out into another sandy area. I followed closely as we walked through the ruins of the Survey Camp. "You know, I remember when we first started eliminating monsters from this area. "
"I do too. It was the first time I really began to feel how powerful I was." Max laughed and stopped at a dark cave entrance. "The Grotto."
"Yeah, are you gonna be okay?"
"Um, I hope." We waded into the pool of water, I let out a gasp as the cold water sizzled slightly against my skin.
"You alright?"
"I'm fine, let's just get this over with." He nodded and dived under water and into the cave. I dived after him and pushed through the deep current.
Inside the cave, monsters swum everywhere. "Stick to the sides." Max instructed.
We swam until we reached a cave opening on the opposite side of the Grotto. By the time we reached dry land, every part of me was burning. Max, however, was completely energized. I stared at him for a minute and then turned over on my back. "I hate you." I grumbled.
"Water is a natural element for me." He chuckled and sat down beside me, "We're in the District of the Stars."
"Great. Does that mean I can sleep?"
"Nope. Sorry Paige, but we're gonna keep moving in here." I pulled myself up and stood still for a moment before giving him the go ahead to keep moving. "The Stellarium is right up here, come on."
We climbed the steps up to the Stellarium and slowly entered through the huge doors. Voices echoed through the building and I looked up the pathway, there were two people sitting, watching the beautiful view given off in the entrance hall. "Hello." I said softly.
The boy turned around and there he was, Aiden. "Paige? Max? What are you guys doing here?"
"Um, looking for you." I walked forward, "Who's this?" I looked at the girl, who had turned around now, her facial expression scared and worried.
"Samantha, this is Paige EmeraldCaster and my older brother, Max RainHunter. Guys, this is Samantha GoldenGem."
"Um hi." I said.
"Can you guys take the weapons off please?" She asked nervously.
Max started to unsheathe his sword, but I stopped him once his hand reached the hilt, "What are you doing in Celestia all the time Aiden?"
"I met my soulmate. And remember how we said when that time came where we did, we would just let go? Well now is the time." Aiden looked me square in the eyes.
"So that's it? You're just gonna let it all go? Forget absolutely everything?"
"We agreed to that didn't we?"
"You did. But I never did."
"I stayed with you for years, even when your soulmate was right beside you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ashton?"
"Ashton isn't my soulmate." I laughed at the idea. "You know what, forget it. Bye Aiden. Have a nice life."
Max's POV
I watched as Paige disappeared in flames and Aiden stood still, looking at me. "Bro, you're an idiot."
"No, I think you're the idiot who just couldn't fess up to the girl he's madly in love with." Aiden smirked, "Yeah, I've known for years. It's obvious when you look at her. She's the one for you and she left here and will probably never see you again."
"You're delusional." I chuckled and teleported away from the Stellarium. I landed in the front hill of my house on Storm Row. It was only two months ago I finally got enough gold together to buy it. I worked for everything I had. And usually it wasn't much.
Aiden was the opposite. He still lived off of our parents and probably would never get his shit together. Once I turned nineteen a year ago and reached Promethean, I worked off everything I owed my parents and completely moved out on my own. I was ready for the day I became Exalted in five days. Well, for the most part. There was still a few things I needed.
A/N:
So when I was writing this book for the first time, Max's character was supposed to be Aiden's twin brother, who simply was just looking for his brother. But as I was writing, I began wondering what if I changed things up a bit and made him more interested in Paige. Also, originally, Ashton was going to be Paige's soulmate. I decided that was too over done though. So I made him a jealous best friend. Hahaha. Poor Ashton.
Anyways, I hope this is going well! Thanks for reading!
~Savvy~
