(types hopelessly on the laptop)
Man, I did realized how much I sucked making multi-chaptered stories e_e But anyway, I certainly hope I did my best efforts making the previous ones… and it's been a year since I've published this story. Dunno when will I finish this ~_~
I do not own GC and the characters, except for this plot. Enjoy the rest of this chapter, I guess ~_~
It was the same as before when lunch time is served at the forest havens. The Elves sat on their respective seats with their meals and bustled on their places while eating. The maidens ushered the rest of them. Marina, Lire's personal care-giver, has been maintaining the orderliness of Lire's room ever since she left, and it's been a very long time when she was here back then. Knowing her room would be empty all the time, Marina decides to check the other room. She slowly opened the door to find an orange-haired boy sulking on his bed and staring into space. To her surprise, she approached the boy before he jerked his head to see her presence.
"I didn't know you would come back all of a sudden." She said, sitting next to him. "Why aren't you with Lire?"
The sound of that name caused him to wince. Ryan avoided the maiden's glance for a few moments before returning to her. "She is… kinda busy with the Chase, I guess."
Marina noticed his strange behaviour. "What's wrong? Why do you look so gloomy? Did…something happen between you two?"
"No," he lied. "Nothing, really."
"Hmm?" the maiden eyed him carefully before she gave in with a sigh. "Okay then… food is ready now, c'mon." She stood up and went towards the door. She motioned him to come along as he followed. Ryan soon joined the rest of the Elves feasting on their food. He watched them happily eat their meals, suddenly feeling left out. He stared at the dish served in front of him before proceeding to eat.
An hour after the meals, he went strolling around the Elven Forest. He sees the same clearings and the Elves using bows and arrows as their training weapons. The sight of the arrows stabbing the trees suddenly reminded her of Lire. He kept a straight face and proceeded. He has to choose which weapon he will use for training purposes. He has three options: axe, jade hook or the scythe. He got the scythe from the previous two weeks since his sudden departure from Aton's house. During his two-week journey he wielded the curved blade weapon with a long handle while strolling around a rainforest. The nature whisperers served as his navigator until he faced the head of the Druids, Moru Pi'su.
He held the weapon of his choice, his axe, over his shoulder and proceeded to an empty clearing. He checked the area to see if someone else would try to interfere, and he saw none. Despite the heavy weapon he carries, he needed real moving targets. Dummies and mannequins are starting to become boring and mainstream for him. He at least expects some orcs, small trolls or harpies to mess with him until his one of the options were granted.
A small group of mini trolls leapt a few meters in front of him. The druid readied his axe and his stance to fight. The trolls immediately charged towards him in all fours. Ryan smirked and prepared to lunge. He performed his physical combat skills and the skilful swing of his axe. He knocked out the mini trolls from his sight and landed on his feet. The trolls retreated and made their escape. He shook his head and made another strolling to the forest. His eyes went toward a bunch of small flowers with pure white petals. The moment he saw them made him think about Lire again. He bent his knees down to examine the floral plants. He picked one and stood up.
This is the flower that symbolizes purity and solitude. She always wanted this to gain happiness.
He left the plants to continue his strolling. The white flower remained on his fingers while the other hand is his axe held over his shoulder. He'll just wander all by himself to kill time… and return, if he would…
"Hey, cheer up, will ya?" Jin placed his hand on Ronan's shoulder. "I'm sure Ryan will be alright. He can take care of himself."
Ronan has worry plastered on his face. He was worried for Ryan, especially Lire. He was pitiful for her, after seeing her cry in pain because of Ryan abandoning her. Despite that the druid is the only one absent from the group, all he ever wants is to find him and reunite the two Elves…
"I know… he's been gone for two weeks!" he told Jin. "You should think how Lire felt when he left her behind while she was asleep."
Jin's eyes widened. "I remember, that's why he was trying to run away from us by transforming himself into a wolf. We caught him and asked him a lot of questions. We don't know what his real plan is, but he has to think about Lire's feelings!"
Lass folded his arms behind his head in his bored posture. "That Elf's obsessed of finding Gaia. You mentioned something about Xenia and Forest of Life."
"Yeah," Jin nods. "He said he wants to go in there for some guidance thingy after we all defeat Kaze'aze. Well, we can't argue with him, though. It's for his own good, I guess."
Ronan glanced at the redhead. "What else did he say?"
"I don't remember… Elven Forest and… gah! Stupid me forgetting things!"
The magic knight froze. "Elven Forest?"
"Uhmm… yeah? Why do you ask?"
Elven Forest… he pondered. What in the world is he planning? Is he… is he going back to the Elven Forest for his own sake?
"Now I get it." He said. "The Elven Forest is his destination to get himself prepared. Does Lire know anything about this?"
Jin rubbed the back of his head. "Well… I did tell Amy to tell her, if she really did."
"Well, if she did, Lire would've left the castle to follow him!"
"I don't think so. He told us to tell it to you both and I'm saying it now. Do not dare look for him or follow him. He doesn't want anyone messing around with him. He is going back to the Elven Forest for some rest and will leave at a certain day and head straight to Xenia without any of us knowing about it. Ryan said it himself."
"What?" Ronan cried. "Why would he – "
"Don't blame me. He said it himself!"
"If I could contribute some suggestion, I say we go to the Elven Forest to search for him, would that be alright?" Lass broke in. "Anyway, Ryan would still be getting ready for his mission."
"What if Lich gets there before us? He'll dominate the Forest with his undead army and play with the souls of the dead. Ryan tells me the landlord of the forest is using his heroes to counter Lich's arrival while it's at risk. Very well then, we will cancel our mission and head straight to Elven Forest for Ryan." Ronan decided as his companions showed their signs of support.
"Now that we're changing venues, has anyone seen Sieghart?" Jin blurted out before they did realize Sieghart is missing from the crew.
Lass snorted. "Nah, who needs him? He always has tricks up his sleeves."
"HEY, DON'T GO WITHOUT ME, IDIOTS!"
They looked up to see the black-haired immortal hanging on one of the vines. He swung on it and let go, landing on a tree branch, then on another… and another, until he was on the ground where they are. He approached the crew and put his hands on his waist.
"So, did I miss anything?"
"Plenty." Lass replied. "We're cancelling this mission."
Sieghart's lips formed a cocky grin. "Well, that seems like good news to me."
"Yeah, we're going to the Elven Forest for… you know, in search for the missing Elf who had enough of his two-week absence."
The gladiator chuckled. "Ah, that carrot-top, I see, looks like the spotlights are on him."
"C'mon, there's no time to lose. " Ronan said as he and his crew hurriedly left their place. Their footsteps soon faded as they left a series of footprints on the soil.
She rests on her bed and sulks. She is left with no choices. She has no idea what Ryan is really up to, if only Gaia would help her figure it out. She wrapped her arms around her pillow and squeezing it tight to release her stress. Rocco, the druid's pet raccoon, appeared on her window as it made his way towards her. Lire saw the furry presence of the raccoon as he pounced on her blonde head like a kitten. The sidtri flew in her window and perched itself on a chair's backrest.
"I have bad news for you, little guy." Lire held the raccoon in her arms. "Your master left all of a sudden… and I don't know where he went off to."
Rocco's brown eyes widened to his surprise. Soon the pair of brown orbs is starting to shed tiny tears.
"I'm afraid it's true." The female Elf said. "I didn't mean to frighten you, Rocco."
Rocco sniffled and pounded his head on her chest. Lire put her down on her bed to let him rest.
She remembered what Amy said to her moments ago. She looked up at the ceiling trying to recall her message.
"Two weeks ago we caught Ryan running away! He wants to go to Xenia all by himself. W-We tried to stop him but… he suddenly told us he'll be going back to Elven Forest…all by himself!"
E-Elven Forest! Her eyes opened in shock. H-He's going to the Elven Forest all by himself! So if he doesn't want me to find him, still…
She sat up on her bed, regaining back her senses. She jerked her head at Rocco about to sleep on her bed.
"Rocco, do you want to stay here in my room?" she asked. Rocco blinked twice before he knew what she meant. He shook his head rapidly as a no. Lire smiled.
"Great, you can come with me!" she said as she jerked her head at the sidtri's direction. "You want to come along, too?"
The fire bird responded by unfolding its wings and flying towards her. It landed on her shoulder and clicked its beak.
Now everything's settled. Let's get this show on the road.
She took her dual crossbows and her bow as she headed to her window. She climbed on it and took her last glimpse of her room.
Arme, Amy, Elesis, Mari, if you would go into this room, you'll find me gone. I left a note attached to my door so you'll know where to go.
She jumped off her window with Rocco and sidtri and landed on her feet. She ran off to head straight to the Elven Forest.
That's it XD end of Resolve chapter. It's a rushed chapter so don't ask anymore questions =w="
Ooh, I loved this! Short, but thrilling, hooray! Here's where the real adventure starts 83
Please review!