A/N: So I didn't update Home Calls last week. A lot of things have been going on recently that have made it difficult to focus on my writing so I've been trying to chill out and relax a bit.
So let's try to get through this.
By the way I really hope that all of you readers swell weeks that come. Anyways on with the story.
Spending so much time in a temperament city could really make one forget about the harsh conditions of other cities. After so much traveling one would think a person could build up an endurance to the elements.
How foolish.
Every step Guy took felt like he was dragging cement blocks. His clothes were heavy with perspiration and his energy was all but diminished. Not to mention the constant feel of grainy sand sticking to his person was becoming quite unbearable.
Guy's brow twitched in aggravation as he glanced over at his traveling companion, Jade. Who of course looked as cool as he could possibly be under the circumstances.
'Even now he makes a mockery of us. Just how the hell does he stay cool in the desert?' Guy thought to himself begrudgingly.
Jade caught Guy's gaze ad returned it with an innocent smile.
'Bastard...'
Confronting Jade about his state of being would be fruitless so Guy gave a weary sigh and simply continued treading through the sandy streets of Chesedonia. They had arrived late the previous day and immediately began searching for the redheaded man. After hours of searching they were given no insight as to where the man could be.
Once it became so dark that the merchants packed up Jade decided it was time for them to retire at the inn as well. They would restart their search in the morning. But when morning came and they continued their search they were given the same result. Hours of work and nothing but sandy hair and dehydration to show for it.
The people of Chesedonia couldn't match the description of the man they were hunting down. Which gave Guy the sinking feeling that the mysterious man had not ventured into the merchants city just yet. But if that were the case that would mean he was still out in the wilderness making his way around until he came to a city. It was very probable that he had been attacked by monsters in the area as he traversed the region.
"Jade, do you think its possible that the man we're looking for is still outside of the city?"
Guy question gained a shrug from the Necromancer.
"It is a possibility."
Guy narrowed his blue eyes at the simple reply. Not exactly what he was fishing for.
"Well, shouldn't we extend out search more outward then?"
Jade's crimson gaze landed on Guy with a slight upturn of his lips. "Indeed we should."
Again with the simple responses. That still manged to annoy Guy after all this time. Jade never really was fond of elaborating much unless it was more or less necessary.
"Then let heads towards Tataroo Valley. Along the way we might just find our guy."
Jade's gaze turned from the Malkuth side of Chesedonia to towards the Kimlasca side. "It is also possible the man has come through the city hiding his identity and escaped to the Kimlasca side."
Blond brows furrowed at the suggestion. Could the people of the city really miss the shock of bright red hair? It seemed highly unlikely. Luke nor Asch were never the most inconspicuous types. With their noticeable features, even with a disguise, either of them should have been spotted almost immediately. Jade's explanation didn't make much sense.
"Really? You think a man like that can escape a heavy populated city like Chesedonia without being seen?"
Jade adjusted his glasses and gave Guy his usual smile. "Certainly Luke couldn't."
Guy flinched slightly at that jab. "No, he couldn't. Neither could Asch though."
"More likely than Luke ever could."
One of Guy's eyes gave a small twitch at his friend's statement. Jade was being unnecessarily difficult.
"Well what do you suggest we do then?" Guy always prided himself on his patience, but was beginning to feel discouraged by his friend. Ever time that Jade fought him on something he could feel his patience with him waning.
Ever the cynical one Jade answered, "We could split up."
"Split up? What? One of us head to Tataroo Valley and the other head to the oasis?"
"I was thinking you should scout the area near Tataroo Valley while I make my way to the oasis."
Guy crossed his arms at that and observed his friend carefully. Jade was being awfully insistent on something that was more than likely a bust. Jade never was one to make decisions like this. So why was he?
"Why?"
Jade's smile never faltered as he stared Guy down. "We would be covering more ground. On the off chance that the man has left Chesedonia he would likely stop by the oasis. Or he has left and has not made it to the oasis and is walking around the desert aimlessly just as he could be doing in the wilderness separating Chesedonia and Tataroo Valley."
"Either is a great distance for this man to travel. Why would he go wander the desert?" Guy questioned.
"Perhaps to make his way to Baticul."
Baticul. Where Natalia was. Maybe the nameless man was Asch if that were the case.
"He couldn't very well take a airship with his shady character." Jade reasoned further.
It made sense in theory. But one would think there was at least one sighting of this man if he had come through Chesedonia. Unless of course this man was granted passage through the city. If that were the case there was only one group that could have done that so underhandedly.
"If he passed through the city he must of found passage with the Dark Wings. Wouldn't be much different from their work during the war," Guy offered.
Jade gave a nod to Guy's suggestion. Considering who this man might be also furthered the claim that the Dark Wings would have assisted him. In the past the Dark Wings had helped both Luke and Asch. If they couldn't find the man they would certainly have to track down Noir and her boys. They could have information that would be useful to them in their search.
Focusing back to the present Guy stared at the Necromancer. "So I take the wilderness and you take the desert?"
It seemed Jade wasn't going to budge on the matter so Guy might as well allow it so that they could continue their search.
The expert fonist gave the swordsman a mocking smile but gave no answer. That was all the confirmation that Guy needed in all honesty.
Guy heaved a sigh and scratched the back of his neck. His friend could truly be difficult at times.
"We should rendezvous back here in the inn in a day and a half's time," Guy said glancing back towards the Malkuth side of Chesedonia.
"Of course. That should give us both enough time to scour for our target."
"Well then I suppose we should both be on our way," Guy said as he turned around and started walking away from his friend. He gave a casual wave over his shoulder knowing that Jade wouldn't want to waste anymore time when they could be searching.
All Guy got as a response from Jade was a chuckle and footsteps fading away in the distance towards the Kimlasca side. Looks like Guy was on his own for now. And he had a job that needed to be handled.
The swordsman checked his supplies to make sure he could handle the wilderness for a day's and half journey. Guy was in particularly good shape and had continued his sword training even after his journey from two years ago ended. He was more than ready for any monsters that might cross his path in the wilderness. It wasn't that much different from when Guy searched far and wide for his charge, Luke, back in the day. He could handle it.
The minute that Guy stepped away from the city's limits he could immediately feel the presence of monsters that watched his every move. Surprisingly enough none of them made an effort to attack him though. Their presences simply hid to the side and allowed him to pass.
Guy stayed vigilant as he proceeded through the dangerous area. One could never let their guard down in the wild. Too many threats.
After traveling a good distance into the wilderness Guy began to notice various signs of struggles on the forest floor.
Kneeling down Guy brushed the earth with his fingertips to observe the tattered ground.
'The area of conflict seems to great and purposeful to simply be monsters attacking other monsters... That can only mean that someone had been here,' Guy thought to himself as he closely examined the ground.
Guy stood back up and glanced around the area for similar markings only to find none. But that didn't mean he was unsuccessful in his search. Over the the side several feet from his standing point he could make out the disagreement of some bushes. Clearly, they had been disturbed by something.
Or someone.
Trying to contain his excitement Guy tried his best to focus on solely finding out where the culprit of the scuffle was.
Masking his footsteps Guy proceeded over to the bushes to see if there were any more signs of escape. Sure enough, past the bushes there were more signs of an escape route. Perhaps if he followed the path he could find some more signs.
'I almost feel like a hunter. Tracking and searching for my target. I just hope its all worth it.'
Without delay Guy followed the trail in hopes of finding anything that could lead him to the man he was tracking.
The path proceeded for quite sometime and it changed directions many times. It was almost as if the one who left the trail was confused as to where to go. If that were the case then clearly this person couldn't have made it to Chesedonia on feel alone. Unless they were just incredibly lucky.
Eventually the path gave way and the forest came to a clearing that had a small creek running through it. Guy hung back and hugged the treeline to maintain his hidden position. Just in case someone was nearby Guy would have the advantage.
Guy's blue eyes scanned the area for any sign of threat or presence of another living creature. Nothing moved before his eyes besides the flow of the creek. The water looked fresh and deep enough for someone to take a dip in. It all looked very calming and refreshing after treading through the thickness of the underbrush in the forest.
The sound of a splash caught Guy's attention and he focused his gaze on the water. A couple fish flopped around in the water and circled each other. Occasionally their tails would extend past the water and slap the surface of the water. They were swimming around each other as if it were a game.
Just as one of the fish splashed in the water again Guy saw a flash of movement in his peripheral vision. A flash of red.
The fiery blur leaped from the treeline and quickly landed on a rock that resided within the creek; seated near the two fish that swam in the water. The figure didn't even make a sound until it's extremities reached out into the water and grabbed a hold of the two fish that had peacefully been swimming.
All within the span of seven seconds the figure had silently took hold of his prey. Impressive.
Guy pressed himself closer the the ground to mask his presence more. He couldn't afford to reveal himself just yet. He needed to identify the person first.
Guy heard a self satisfied sound from the figure planted on the rock and the slapping of feet onto the ground. So it was certainly a person. Just by sound alone Guy could determine that.
"Hm, good enough for now," a voice from the person reached Guy's ears and caused his shoulders to tense.
That was a voice he had heard many times in the past. There was no mistaking it. He definitely knew that person.
Guy risked peaking through the greenery to see the face of the person. He needed conformation. And he needed it now before he did something stupid.
Standing next to the creek side a figure stood tall with a flowing white coat on, black pants, black boots, and a sword sheath attacked to their lower back. But what really grabbed Guy's attention was the incredibly long red hair on the person. Only a shade darker than Luke's old hair.
Guy's heart beat pounded in his throat as he was shocked into complete stillness. But he couldn't stop his tongue from uttering almost inaudibly, "Asch..."