Shard shook her head, her ice blue eyes confident as she tried to catch her breath. "No, we must continue on, we can't stop just because I'm feeling tired.". She explained before hugging back and then breaking the hug gently. Shard glanced to the undergrowth and motioned with her head, "Come on, we need to hurry, for what we know 'He' could be on the move right now.". Shard rejoined the others. "Ok, everyone's fine? Yes? Ok, come on, we need to keep moving.". she said, brushing some raven colored hair out of her face.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I grinned as my admiration for Shard grew a bit more, seeing that she isn't giving up at all. I nodded as her words hit on the nose, and I replied, "Yes, you're right.". I kept on walking with Shard at my side, Thorn talking with Selenia, Beta at the head, with hearing Selenia muttering to Thorn, "One more hour of walking, fine, but if she continues beyond two hours, it's madness.".

"Hey, I don't like traveling fast either, but we need to act quickly if we want to get there before M does.". Shard narrowed her eyes as she spat out the word 'M' like it was poison. She pushed through the grass and kept her eyes out for anything dangerous that might dare threaten the group, once she decided that it was safe, she stepped out onto a stone cold ground. Shard tilted her head, the ground was made out of grey stone as small stalks of green grass grew from between the stone slabs "Where are we?" Shard asked herself.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I blinked as I followed Shard, glancing at the walkway. I remember Archibald calling this a walkway, and I looked around, and saw the water tower in the far distance. I heard murmurs from the others behind me, and I called out, "Shard, I can see the water tower far off. We must be on the walkway. Humans like Archibald and Arthur use this as a short path to our lands from their home. We have to be careful to watch out for human feet if we are to use this.".

I heard Thorn reply to the royals, "He's right. And with this walkway, it's more exposed to the daylight and you know what that means.".

Shard stepped back warily. "We should keep to the grass as much as possible then.". She said, her ears flattening a bit in...fear? She narrowed her eyes as she continued to push through the stubborn grass stalks.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I held my tongue as I had seen how she had reacted, her ears flattening. I blinked as I sighed in thought, and I felt a nudge from Beta, and I looked over at him. "I think she's still a bit freaked out after the flycatcher thing. She trusts you, Darkos. Go ahead and talk to her. We'll be fine behind ya.".

I nodded, and smiled at Beta gratefully, and then walked quickly to catch her. I looked for her fox tail as I knew red stands out among the green, and I saw her instantly. "Shard, hold up!". She stopped, and turned around to look at me with a impatient look, and I looked at her sternly, "Shard, please slow down. You're freaking out, it's obvious! What happened back there at the walkway?". I walked closer and sighed as I softened down my features, "Please, I am worried about you, Shard.".

"I don't want to get everyone killed, ok?!". Shard whipped around and snapped, breathing heavily as her eyes widened when she realized that she had shouted. "Sorry, I didn't mean to shout.". She said regretfully and shook her head, "I feel responsible for this whole mess, if I hadn't have started this, then we wouldn't be here right now.".

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

I instinctively stepped back at the shout, and I widened my eyes as I heard her confession, and I sighed heavily, walked to her, and tilted her head up, her ice blue eyes locking upon mine. "Shard, if it was me, I couldn't run away. These guys behind us? They're my friends. And they chose to be your friends as well. I don't know their reasons, but I am glad to know that you're not alone, not anymore. But, Shard, would you run away if you have a choice?". I confessed softly as I caressed her cheek, her eyes widening, and tears came, and my thumb wept away a tear.

Shard didn't say a thing, she just looked towards the ground, and hugged Darkos suddenly and felt more tears pooling in her eyes. He was right, she wasn't alone anymore, she had friends who cared about her now...maybe this was a good thing to have happened after all. Shard pulled away after a while, and wiped her tears. "You're right, I shouldn't be worrying over every little thing.". She took a deep breath and shook her head. "Come on, let's get back to the others.". She said.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I blinked, standing in shock after Shard suddenly hugged me, and I blushed, gulping as I realized I have now made Shard a bit more forward and more confident. I shook my head at Shard's last comment, and I smiled, "Alright, and please tell us when you have enough of traveling for today. I mean, we really are having a quite exciting day.".

I then followed her, and I averted my eyes quickly when I stared a bit too long at her backside. 'Be yourself, Darkos. Make your mother proud by treating your girlfriend right.' Mother's voice echoed inside my mind, and I nodded to myself.

Shard felt the sluggish feeling of sadness slowly melt away from inside her chest as she slowly started to brighten up once more. Soon enough, they had reached the group once more."Sorry for running off like that...I..don't know what came over me.". She explained, albeit a bit shakily as she was still recovering from her little outburst.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

I stood nearby as Thorn came to Shard, "Hey.. it isn't your fault. Anybody can break down with all this pressure. Heck, it happens now and then. Being a warrior, prince, or princess takes a whole lot of pressure, but the trick..anyone takes it by day.". She spoke as she grasped Shard's shoulder. Beta came up, "Thorn's right. I am younger, and won't take the throne like my sister, but it's still a lot of pressure as I have to show my people that I am reliable and loyal.".

Selenia nodded, "My idiot brother is right.". Beta scoffed, "Oi!". I chuckled, knowing my friends were right. When I used to be 'his' son, I wanted to earn his respect and understanding, but when time went on, I realized that I gave out too much hope for that, and 'he' hurt my friends which is my new family!