Aaand I'm back again. God bless summer school and all its longevity. Kind of a short chapter, but I hope you'll enjoy.
"How smooth"
The familiar, yet annoying voice of the white-haired creation goddess rang out through the darkness. I rubbed my eyes. Not again…
Yes, I was back in the white room with none other than the creation Goddess Herself. Only this time, she didn't seem angry at me for failing to kill someone. Her face showed an expression of mock admiration, and it was almost as if she was mocking me for something, but what could it be?
"You know, I always took you for somewhat of a ladies' man after the way Ulkina acted, but to do something like THAT…"
Hold up a minute, was she talking about my…
"Yes idiot, I'm talking about your little "exchange" with the thunder girl."
You really can't do anything privately anymore can you?
"Shut up" I tsnapped, "I was fairly sure I was going to die, and I figured that I would at least go out with-"
Maxwell laughed "With what?"
"With…a happy thought?"
"Maxwell only laughed harder. "Happy? aren't you the one who tells me love is for weaklings?"
"Well, yeah but…"
"But what?"
"Urg, it's…none of your business." I managed, containing my anger.
"Very well. Now I suppose you are wondering why I have brought you to my dream dimension"
"What, to make fun of me?"
"No, to remind you about your mission."
There it was again. "I know, I know just do it by-"
"Tonight"
Leave it to Maxie to change her deadlines. "How do I do it in-"
"Oh for God's sake Kuda, you're already in Mistral, why even worry?"
"I-Mistral? When did I ever get to Mistral? I was over Breeze beach last time I checked?"
"Well then, you're going to be a very happy person when you wake up. Speaking of which, I believe it is now time to do so. Farewell for now Kuda."
Light began to fill the room, and I once again squinted my eyes, ready to return to the lands of Grand Gaia.
"Oh, and one more thing, Kuda" Maxwell's voice rang through the light "She likes Roses."
…
The room was small and made of wood. I sat down at a table in the back of it, overlooking the whole room. Several feet in front of me was the door to the main lobby of the inn. There wasn't even a bathroom here. Just a bed, a table, and some pictures on the walls. How cheap. I heard a grunt and glanced over to my left at the bed, a simple one at that, with four posts at each of its corners and a blue blanket on top of it. There was a single occupant lying in the bed, unbeknownst the fact that I had been watching him for the past three, no four hours.
He seemed peaceful, well as peaceful as anyone can seem after nearly drowning.
His maroon hair was ruffled up from sleeping and his sand-covered body still retained the scent of the waters of Breeze Beach. The morning was quiet enough to hear each soft breath he took, filling me with relief that he was indeed alive and breathing. He looked so cute.
As the thought passed through my head, I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I gently touched my mouth with one finger. He kissed me. Even thinking about it caused me to emit a small giggle. I know it was just a small kiss, but what if that blossomed into something more? What if…we….
"Mph…Mistral…Breeze…"
Whispers coming from the bed interrupted my thoughts and I gazed over at my sleeping companion.
"Urg…Maxie…"
It seemed as though he was slowly coming to his senses, so I slowly crept over and peered over him. His eyes opened slowly as he let out a deep sigh.
"Wha…."
"GOOD MORNING KUDA! DID YOU ENJOY YOUR NAP?" I yelled, inches away from his face.
"GAH!" Kuda screamed, hit head suddenly coming forward and colliding with mine with a crack. I winced and backed up.
"Oof, a simple 'thank you' could have worked…" I moaned, rubbing my head.
Kuda shook his head, "Yeah well, a simple 'good morning' could have worked too." He snapped.
"Hey now, that's no way to treat the girl who saved your life!" I said, wagging my finger at him.
"Hmp. Whatever." He replied, examining his surroundings. "Hey, by the way, why are we in a dirty inn?"
"I had to find a place for us to sleep, and I'm not exactly carrying a fortune with me…"
"But this? I expected better from you 'Little Miss Orna'."
His comment made me blush. "Ehehe…well it was the best I could do. It was around midnight after all…"
"Yeah, yeah…" Suddenly his eyes went wide.
"Well! It's been great getting to know you and travel with you but I really need to get going now and-"
"Hold up" I said, dumbfounded. "Where are you going?"
"We're in Mistral right?"
"Of course!"
"I have some…other matters to attend to."
"But…but…you haven't even eaten breakfast yet!" I managed.
"What? I don't….errr fine. But I don't see anything here."
"Well duh, that's 'cos I haven't bought anything yet silly!" I smiled, tapping him on the head.
"Ack fine. Uh let's go to-"
"No no no." I interrupted. "I will go. You stay here and rest."
"I'm fine!"
"Just STAY! I can handle this!" I yelled.
"Hmph whatever" Kuda replied, laying down again.
"Ok good. I'll be back in a bit! Goodbye for now Mr. Kuda!" I said happily, skipping out the door and closing it behind me.
…
Alright she's gone, time to get out of here!
Heading out through the door seemed like a bad idea, especially considering the infamy of the god's loyalists in places such as Mistral. The only way to escape would be through a window present just above the bedframe. With a quick hop from the bed, I grabbed the bottom edge of it and hoisted myself up, quietly opening the window and slipping outside. As I snuck off towards the Egor Mountains, I stopped and stared back at the back of the inn, realizing what I'd be leaving behind.
This is a good thing… the voice in my head said, now you won't have to deal with her. Her. Orna. Zeus Whip Orna. The girl who you hesitated to defeat in combat. The girl who made you a cure and promised to travel with you. The girl whom you saved from the mountains of Craylia. The girl who believed you were the love of her life. The girl who helped you defeat Ulkina, the girl who saved you from the ocean. The girl you kissed…
I just couldn't leave her like that right? I shook my head, banishing the thoughts and continued on my way.
I soon arrived at the base of the Egor Mountains and felt the familiar cold mountain winds blowing around me. I pulled the page out of Kuhla's book out of my pocket, amazingly still intact (albeit a little wrinkled) after my plunge in Breeze Beach, and began my trek through the snowy terrain.
There was the occasional attack of Ramias and Mermen, all of which fell with a screech with a swing of my blade. Finally, I appeared before it; the frozen cave of the ice beast, Skaramya. I shivered; the bone-chilling wind emanating from within gave it an ominous feel. I took a deep breath and continued inward.
Time to make Maxie proud.