Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.
A/N: I'm back again with another chapter! Woot! Read and Review! Enjoy!
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Chapter Fourteen: Time is Always Ticking
Eckhart hid with his back against the tree. His breath coming out in a frosty mist in front of him. Umbra was humming in his mind. It was a comforting humming that Eckhart always enjoyed when he was tense with adrenaline. There was a rustle of leaves as knives came flying out of the snowy mist. Eckhart dodged them and returned his own knives. Eckhart felt a strong impact against his side as he went flying into the rocks. A hand was on his throat tightly yet not tight enough to suffocate him.
"You are still not alert enough. Eckhart you need to feel what is around you. Feel the earth under your feet. Feel the wind blowing through your hair. Feel your surroundings, they must become second nature for you. You must feel everything that is there." Arec states calmly as he glances at Eckhart's eyes. "Do you understand? A thief must always be aware of his surroundings. If he is unaware it leaves him in danger. A thief must also be fast and agile. Learn how to adapt to your surroundings. It will save your life in many situations."
"Master Arec, I understand. I thank you for your wisdom." Arec smiled softly.
"I sense your journey has started again. I apologize for not being able to help you out more than I have." Arec whispered quietly as he removed his hand from Eckhart's throat. "I don't know what you are running from, but it seems to me that you know what you're doing." Eckhart smiled softly behind his mask.
"I should get going soon. I'll just drop by the house and say my goodbyes. About Evahart…"
"Do not worry about her. We will make sure she will be fine." Arec assured. "Not to mention that girl is strong. She'll be fine." Arec put a hand on Eckhart's shoulder and led him back to the house. The two talked about places that Eckhart might come across. When they arrived at the house, Evahart opened the door and smiled warmly. She let them in and went to sit in the chair. Eckhart closed the door behind him and greeted the instructors before going up to his room to pack up. Arec stayed with the instructors and told them of what was going to happen. Eckhart came down with his stuff and glanced at Evahart. She smiled as she walked stiffly over.
"I heard you're leaving now…." Evahart mumbled sadly. Eckhart knelt down to her eye level.
"I am leaving, but you are in good hands. If fate dictates it, we will meet again." Eckhart said quietly. Evahart looked at him and nodded calmly.
"Take care of yourself Eckhart. I hope that fate will allow us to meet again. I really enjoyed the time we spent together." Evahart replied with a weak smile. Eckhart stood up and ruffled her hair, before turning to the instructors.
"I leave her in your care. Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be taking my leave then." Eckhart bowed politely before walking off in some random direction. Eckhart never truly cared where he ended up, just hoped that it wouldn't bring danger to the people that helped him like how it's been since Kerning City. The group watched him walked off quietly, before walking back into their house for the night. Eckhart glanced at the night sky and sighed. Umbra summoned himself and walked along humming calmly.
"I have a feeling you and I are going to disappear from the map again." Umbra whispered after a silent while. Eckhart nodded solemnly the feeling already eating away from his soul. Umbra glanced at him silently. Eckhart continued to walk through the darkness until the darkness completely engulfed him. That was the last that anyone saw or heard from him for a full six months. No one knows what he did during those six months but one thing was certain, the Eckhart that surfaced wasn't as warm as the one that disappeared. His emotions were hidden and he felt cold.
During those six months, a rapid chain of events took place. Events that changed what the citizens of Maple World once knew. There were rumors that Empress Krystal was sick from some unknown illness. There were recent unrest among the warriors and thieves. Protests spread from one end of Victoria Island to the other. The job instructors did their best to calm the people down.
Eckhart walked quietly and stealthily through the forest in Ellinia. Eckhart glanced up at the trees and over his shoulder at the sound of a twig breaking. Eckhart blended into the darkness of the trees and watched as a girl with red hair and green eyes running toward Ellinia. Her hair was tied into a ponytail. Eckhart blinked at the familiarity before closing his eyes at the memories that suddenly surfaced. "Oz…" When was the last time he actually spoke with the girl? Eckhart couldn't remember. His memory… he had slowly locked the memories away. Someone on the Black Wings was attacking him during his sleep. Eckhart could only tell that he wasn't the only victim of this person. Eckhart sighed as he managed to lock the memories away again. His body was littered with bandages again. Umbra summoned himself and put a shadowy hand on Eckhart's shoulder. "What is it?"
"I'll keep watch tonight. You need to get some sleep and please don't argue with me. I know you haven't slept in over 36 hours." Umbra retorted calmly while starring at Eckhart's hazel eyes determined. Eckhart sighed and nodded.
"Let's go find somewhere to sleep then." Eckhart walked off to find a safe place in the trees to sleep. Umbra watched as Eckhart fell asleep instantly. Umbra hesitantly took Eckhart's mask off and smiled gently as his face wasn't in pain or agony. It was peaceful and showed a part of him that Umbra no longer saw when the young boy in front of him was awake.
"Time has changed you, Eckhart. Please retain as much of yourself as you can." Umbra whispered quietly as he returned his mask. "Ezekiel, my friend please continue to watch over him."
A/N: I believe I'll be hitting some important things in the next chapter so keep an eye out for it. Please Review, they really do make my day. I won't make you though, since that would be rude. See you all next chapter.