Flora and Helia woke up early the next morning. They sat through breakfast in awkward silence. Both having last night and the almost kiss fresh in their minds. Helia would glance over at Flora without her noticing. Feeling guilty he decided to break the silence.
"So Flora, I think since we now know each other a little better that it's finally time for you to see what it is that we will be taking to Acacia."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's only fair. You saved us from Hunter. You might as well know what you are fighting for." Helia walked over to his bag.
"Are you sure? I mean, if you don't want to I understand."
Helia knew Flora was being polite but he also noticed the eagerness in her voice. This made him smile. She sounded just like a little kid. "No, you deserve to know."
Helia went and sat next to Flora. She unconsciously scooted closer. Helia placed the satchel on his lap and in latched it. Then slowly and carefully he pulled out what was inside.
When Flora saw what it was she let out a small gasp.
Helia was holding on of the most beautiful tiaras that Flora had ever seen.
The tiara was silver with vines that intertwined to create the most elaborate of designs. Throughout the silver vines were flowers made of diamonds. And in the very center of the largest flower which was set in the very middle of the tiara was a large green emerald.
"This is amazing Helia." Flora hovered her hand above the tiara. She didn't want to touch it because she was worried she would break it. It looked so fragile.
"I know." Helia smiled, proud of his accomplishment. "I think that it may be the magic crown."
"You mean the one in the story? Where if it is worn by someone of royalty that it will glow."
"That's the one. If it is, then it is worth millions, maybe even billions. Do you want to try it on?" Helia joked.
"Oh no." Flora waved her hands in front of her. "There is no way I am royalty."
"Maybe not, but there is no harm in pretending."
"It's okay. I rather not."
Helia shrugged and started to put it back in his bag. "Suit yourself, although it would look beautiful with your eyes." Flora blushed at the compliment. "Well I think it's time for us to leave. If we keep the pace that we have had then we will be there before sundown.
Flora grabbed her bag. "Let's get going then."
The two of them headed off. And soon they got back into laughing and talking, totally forgetting about the awkwardness that was there in the morning.
Eventually, as the sun was about to set, the two of them had reached their destination….the Linphea-Acacia spacebridge.
Flora peaked behind a large tree and saw a stand with a man checking people's passports. She also saw two rather large sized guards with swords standing beside the bridge. Then Flora saw more soldiers from the royal army walking around. They looked like they were searching for something…or someone.
"They must be looking for us." Helia whispered.
"You think so?"
Helia nodded. "With the amount of soldiers that Borax had sent out searching for me, it makes me even more positive that this is the magical crown."
"How are we supposed to get past them and into the spacebridge?"
"I told you, I know the secret passage." Helia smirked. He then turned around and started walking off. Flora quickly followed close behind.
Soon the two were standing in front of what looked like a bunch of vines.
"Are you sure this is it Helia? It just looks like we hit a dead end."
"Aha but that is the point. It may look like just vines on a rock, but in reality…." Helia then pulled the vines away. "this is the entrance to the black market." Helia head revealed the opening of a cave. And inside the cave was a whole other world.
There were people sitting around and people with carts selling food and drinks. They all looked like they were waiting for something.
"This is the black market?" Flora asked. If it was she was a little depressed. She thought it was going to be a little more glamorous.
Helia laughed at his friend's obvious disappointment. "Oh no. The black market is on Acacia. This is just the secret entrance to the spacebridge. This is where people who can' t afford to go through Borax's passage go."
"Afford?"
"You see, Borax charges people a large amount of money to go through the spacebridge. So large that a lot of people can't actually afford it."
"That is so unfair. What about the people who have family? How can they see each other if they lose all their money?"
"I know what you mean. Borax is a cruel ruler who only thinks about himself."
"Someone should do something about it."
"And who's that Flora? Only a person of royal blood has the power to take Borax down."
"That can't be true. If people team up then anyone can take him down."
"And what if you're right Flora? What if, by some miracle, a group of people rally together and take down Borax. Who would be the one to take his place as ruler of the two planets? We need a ruler. If not then other planets will take the opportunity to take over our planets."
Flora looked down in defeat. "I never thought of that."
"Well I have, and a lot. I wish there was a solution but there isn't right now. All we can do is sit and wait."
"I guess you're right."
Helia noticed Flora looking upset. Something that, in the past few days, Helia had grown to hate. "Hey don't worry Flora. I'm sure the solution will come soon. Until then how about we go and head to Acacia."
Flora looked over at him and smiled. "Okay, that sounds good."
Helia led Flora over to where a old man was sitting at what looked like a post.
"Hey there John." Helia called.
The old man looked up and when he saw Helia walking over he smiled. "Hello there Helia. I haven't seen you in some time."
Helia smiled and patted his satchel. "I had some important business to take care of."
" Well it's good to see you again." Then John looked over at Flora. "And who is this lovely lady?"
"Oh sorry. This is my friend Flora. She is joining me on my trip back to Acacia."
"JUST a friend?" John teased.
Both of the young adults blushed. "Yes, she is just a friend. Now do you think you can get us to Acacia?"
John laughed at their reactions. "Sure can." John hit a button. Soon appeared what looked like a mixture of all different colors swirling together into a worm hole like thing.
Flora was a little worried. "Will this hurt?"
"Don't worry Flora. It will be fine. Trust me."
Flora nodded. She did trust Helia but she still was a little scared. As if Helia knew she feelings, he grabbed onto her hand.
"Are you ready?"
"I think so."
Helia gave Flora one more final squeeze and the two of them jumped into the spacebridge.
What Flora felt as she went through the spacebridge was nothing she had ever felt before. It felt like she flying, but yet different from when she flew with her wings. It was like she was traveling underwater, yet she was still in the sky. She wasn't sure why she was so scared. It was actually a lot of fun. Especially because she had was holding onto Helia's hand through the thing. He had unknowingly given her the strength to jump in. But soon the trip ended and the two of them were shot through to the other side.
The transition was a little too much for Flora. And she soon found herself falling to the ground. She shut her eyes waiting for the pain of contacting the hard ground. But it never came. Instead Flora felt two strong arms around her. She opened green eyes and saw a pair of midnight blue ones staring back at her with worry in their eyes.
"Are you alright Flora?"
A blush rose in her cheeks as she simply nodded, for her voice seemed to disappeared.
Helia smiled and help her to stand again. "Sorry, I forgot to tell you that the landing can be a little tough."
"Well if it isn't my favorite high class thief." A man that looked just like John but a little younger chuckled.
"Hey there Charlie. How have you been?" Helia asked.
"I've been fine. How's my older brother doing?"
"You know John, goofy as ever." Helia laughed. "Let me introduced you to my friend Flora." Helia gestured to Flora. Who still had a blush on her cheeks.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. I hope Helia is beings good to you."
"Yes very much so."
"Well, sorry to be off on such a hurry Charlie, but we have an important package we need to drop off."
"Alright. Have fun you too." Charlie waved as the two of them ran off. Charlie quickly turned his head when he heard someone else walking through. A man dressed in a hooded cloak came through the spacebidge.
"Well hello there stranger. How may I help you?"
"I'm fine. Thank you." The cloaked man just kept on walking through. Keeping his eyes on a certain blue hair guy and brown hair girl.
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