Chapter Sixteen: Harsh Choices

Everyone sat in the parking level of the ship as it pulled into port. Ophelia and Oberon had taken care of their new addition as the ship the boarded had a 'no animal' policy.

"So, as discussed we will have a brief layover in Feita to greet old friends on our way to Velder." Eve said. The region of Feita did not have an official city, instead it was more a land of small villages that traded amongst themselves.

"Yeah. While the people are friendly, the land leaves much to be desired in terms of scenery." Add said.

"Why is that?" Elsword asked, their Phoru pet sitting on her head.

"It is mostly dark forests without many redeeming features." Raven said.

"However, they are known for their carpentry." Rena pointed out.

"Now, the gates will be opening soon, everyone into their cars." Eve said, and Oberon opened the door for their limo. Since Elsword was in the truck she gave the baby Phoru to Aisha and climbed inside. Everyone got situated.

"MYaaah!" They all heard the animal.

"Ssh! Come on, inside where it's comf-Ow!" They heard Aisha yelp.

"Aisha? You okay?" Chung called. Aisha walked over to Raven's truck, sucking her finger and holding the squirming Phoru.

"Um…I don't think he wants to go in the limo." Aisha said, her finger bleeding slightly.

"He bit you?" Rena had gotten out of the vehicle.

"Hard enough to make his point." She grumbled.

"Ahn!" It mewled, extending his hands towards Elsword.

"He really likes you doesn't he?" Chung laughed.

"I-I don't know why…" Elsword said.

"He probably thinks you his savior from that bear." Raven said from the driver's seat.

"But, you and Rose killed it." Elsword said, puzzled.

"You have to remember his condition." Rena pointed out, "He's like a little child. He believes what he does and is certain he's right."

"As long as you keep an eye on him it should be fine. He probably can't climb out of the truck due to his size." Aisha said.

"I'll keep an eye on him if you decide to nap." Chung said.

"Okay. You want to ride in the truck?" Elsword leaned over to the cute creature.

"Myah!" He mewled happily. She smiled and took him from Aisha, setting him on the blanket on the bed of the truck. After that everyone got into their cars as the ship's gate lowered and drove out.

After a couple hours they had well left the main port and were passing thick forests of dark green. The scent of the wilderness wafted through the air.

"It's pretty." Elsword said, the Phoru crawling around the blanket sniffing.

"In its own way." Chung said, "The dark mystery, never knowing what's behind the next tree." He looked down at the Phoru, who was scampering in circles, "Hey, we should name the little guy if we're going to keep him."

"But, what should we call him?" She looked down at the baby, who rolled onto his back.

"Well, he seems to like spinning around. Why not Dizzy?" Chung suggested. Elsword laid down next to him.

"Would you like that? Dizzy?" She asked sweetly.

"Myah~." He replied by hugging her nose.

"Looks like he likes it. Then again he'd probably like any name his mom gives him." Chung chuckled.

"Ma!" Dizzy called.

"M-Mom?" Elsword blushed.

"I'm just teasing Elsword." Chung said.

Back in Elesis' car they watched the two talk. Ara read a little book she borrowed from Aisha.

"They seem to be hitting it off." Ara said.

"Yeah, hope it goes well in Velder." Elesis said.

"Well, that's a matter of chance." Add suddenly said. Elesis looked up to the rearview mirror.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked coldly.

"I heard your little talk in Altera." He said, "But while Elsword is interested you have to think about Chung." He pointed out.

"Um…he does have a point." Ara said.

"Kind as he may be, you can't deny he is oblivious to the subject. He might take such a 'date' as a mere friendly outing."

"Yeah…guess he would." Elesis sighed. It was going to be a long road ahead.

Once the group arrived in the village of Bournes Add approached Chung.

"Hey, mind if I steal you for a moment?" He asked as the group took Elsword to meet their friends.

"Oh, sure. What's up?" The prince walked with him, heading to the edge of town.

"So, what are your thoughts on Elsword?" Add asked abruptly.

"Eh? Well, she's a great friend." Chung said. Add smiled and shook his head.

"No, not like that. Surely you noticed?"

"What?"

"She likes you." Add said. Chung blushed as he continued, "And, from what I've heard she wants to take you out for lunch."

"Really?"

"Yes. In all honesty Chung, what do you think of her?" Add asked. Chung looked back into town.

"She's…beautiful." He sighed, "She keeps getting into my head."

"Then why not take her out? See where the evening leads." Add said.

"Yeah…no harm there I suppose." Chung said.

"Just be yourself, and see her in a new light." Add patted his back, "Come on, we better get back."

"Yeah." Chung nodded, heading back into town.

They did not stay there long, simply reintroducing Elsword to the friends they encountered before in Feita. After they finished everyone got back in their cars and continued to the highway. Elsword and Chung sat with the faint glow of his lamp in the back of the truck. Rena decided to sit with them for the drive, Raven listening to his tunes in the front.

"So, what's Velder like?" Elsword asked.

"They're a pretty industrial city." Chung said, sketching something on his pad.

"They're also a very proud and noble people. Like Hamel they were besieged by the demons." Rena explained, "But they are known for their loyal knights and experienced smiths. But that doesn't mean they don't have great tourist spots." The elf said, "By the way, have you been working on your poetry Elsword?"

"Oh, I kind of forgot." Elsword sighed.

"Oh it's fine. It has been a busy trip so far."

"What are you drawing Chung?" Elsword asked, changing subjects.

"Eh?" The blonde cannoneer looked up, "Oh, nothing really."

"Can I see?" She asked, curious.

"I-I guess. It's just a rough sketch so far." Chung said as the crimsonette scooted over.

"Wow." She blinked as she saw the picture. It was a picture of her and Rena, as they were sitting there, with Dizzy napping between them. Even without shading the image jumped out of the picture.

"Chung's good with his hands from all his tinkering, so it's not a surprise he's a good artist." Rena said.

"I like to draw parts of our lives so we can remember them." Chung said.

"Could I see some of the older ones?" Elsword asked, Rena's eyes growing wide with worry. All of them would be of Elsword as a boy.

"Oh, sorry. I…left them at home." Chung said.

"Oh…what about when we get back?" Elsword pressed, wanting to know more about their friendship.

"Um, if I can find them." Chung said.

"Oh, okay…" Elsword sounded deflated but backed off. Having dodged the bullet there Rena and Elsword continued talking.

Meanwhile in Eve's car the Nasod sat there with a look of deep thought on her face.

"Something bothering you Eve?" Lu asked, sipping her tea.

"Yes. I've been thinking about Elsword's change." She said. Aisha, hearing this, marked her book and set it aside, "Aisha, do your notes say anything about possible repercussions of her learning the truth?"

"Hmm…it doesn't in theory…" Aisha said.

"Are you thinking about telling her?" Lu asked.

"She deserves to know the truth if it will not result in permanent mental trauma." Eve said.

"I don't think it's a good idea." Lu said flatly, surprising the two girls, "You have kept it secret from her for this long. She may think less of you all."

"She's right…" Aisha sighed, "She's putting so much trust in us and what are we doing? We're betraying her…" A grim silence fell over them. If they told her, who knows what would happen? They sat in silence for the next hour.

Evening was donning the sky as the group pulled into the hotel parking lot. There was a lot to see and do in Velder so they chose to seek lodging for the next few days. Eve headed inside to set up their room as everyone else got their luggage out.

"Wow…there's so many people." Elsword looked around. It seemed like no matter where she looked there was a sea of heads.

"That's a big city for ya." Chung said.

"Still, we probably won't be doing much for today, since the moon will be out soon." Rena said.

"Everyone, our room is prepared." Eve said, stepping out from the lobby.

"Alright boys, get carrying." Lu teased, Ciel already holding all her luggage. Everyone had a laugh but the men did still pick up all the luggage, more to be chivalrous than anything else. They all got onto the pair of elevators and headed to the sixth floor. This hotel was usually housing large groups of often six or more so their large group was not a problem. They got inside and put their things in the corner before sitting around the TV on the several sofas encircling it.

"So, what's the plan?" Elsword asked, curious to know.

"Well…" Aisha looked at her hands. Raven wouldn't look at anyone and Rena looked on the verge of tears.

"W-What's wrong?" Elsword asked, did she do something to offend them?

"Elsword…we have to tell you something." Elesis said seriously.

"What is it?"

"We…have not been completely honest with you…" Eve sighed.

"You…we…" Aisha couldn't say it, fear clenching her chest.

"We've…kept the truth from you…"

"H-Huh?" Elsword felt a pain in her chest at Rena's words.

"You…weren't really a girl before…" Elesis said.

"You, helped Aisha with a gender potion…and it made you lose your memory."

"That's…why I didn't want to show you my pictures…" Chung sighed, handing her his sketchbook. It was open to a picture of the entire group celebrating Christmas, Elsword very much male. Elsword stood up, shaking.

"We didn't…want to hurt-"

"I trusted you!" Elsword yelled, throwing the book at the couch.

"Ah!" Lu yelped as it smacked her face.

"Elsword!" Elesis jumped up as Elsword ran out the door, "Wait!"

"I hate you!" Elsword cried, running down the hall to the elevator, which just closed behind her.

"Damn it!" Elesis pounded the doors.

"Downstairs, now." Raven said, everyone obeying as they ran down the stairs. When they got there Elsword had just run across the street as the light changed, traffic stopping them.

"We have to catch her before she hurts herself." Add sighed.

"Can't you just track her phone?" Ara asked.

"We would…" Eve sighed, holding up a red cell phone, "If she had remembered to take it."

"Ciel, do a search from the high ground." Lu ordered. He bowed and jumped up onto the lightpost before leaping across the street to a fire escape, climbing swiftly up the building.

"Oberon, Ophelia, patrol the alleys. Everyone else, pair up and split into sections." Eve said. Everyone nodded and after a minute of grouping ran off in separate directions. Chung however ran off on his own.

"Damn it…if I just showed her before!" He grit his teeth, blaming himself. Not only that, but Velder had a history of crime. He had to find her before someone shady did.