Welp, here it is. Chapter 5. This by far was my favorite one to write, despite it being shorter than the other ones. On a side note though, I need you guys to tell me how this story is going. I'll keep writing if it's good or if I don't know, but I'd appreciate it if you guys tell me if it isn't good (within reason) so I can either stop or try to make it better. Trust me, your thoughts and opinions are important to me. Anyway, thank you guys for clicking in and reading my story. And as always, any feedback is appreciated.

Chapter 5

Dan's POV

"Where the heck are we?" questioned Leo as he looked at the tattered walls of the small village.

"This is Phoenix Drop" said Lucinda, "It's a little on the small side, but it's home." she continued as we walked through the main gate.

Leo continued looking around. "It's kinda sorry looking," he answered. Garroth looked back at him as well as Lucinda. I was going to say something to him regarding their care for this place when Katelyn interjected first. She wasn't happy.

"Hey! Listen you, this place is, and always will be, a great and wonderful home to all of us. So if you say anything bad about it, be ready to deal with me!" She growled.

"Katelyn." Garroth said softly. She met his gaze and he shook his head.

"Man," said Leo, "What is it with you guys and getting mad or emotional about everything? You sure know how to pick some good friends here brother," he said sarcastically. I shrugged as he continued. "You all need to learn to lighten up a bit and have a little fun. You're too serious, especially you snowflake," he said to Katelyn.

Katelyn's face turned dark red as her rage built up. "What did you just call me?!" She said gritting her teeth.

Leo sighed, "See, that's what I'm talking about. Too serious. It was just a joke spark plug, now lighten up."

Garroth spoke up before Katelyn could react. "Stop! Please. We're almost to the interior of the village," He began walking ahead, "From there we need to question you two a little mo-" He turned his head and stopped. He was facing a hill with a small purple and white house on it. I had seen it before when Katelyn had first walked me through the town. His eyes were fixed on what looked like a girl. She was beside the house facing an ocean behind it.

I walked up to him slowly. I looked at him, then the girl, then him again. "Garroth," I said, Are you alright?" He didn't answer. "Who is that girl?" I asked trying to get something out of him.

To my surprised, he answered with something I didn't expect him to say. "Someone I haven't talked with for a while."

I looked out at the girl again. This must be the female leader Katelyn talked about, I thought, But… What did she say her name was? I shook off my thoughts and spoke to Garroth. "Well," I said, "go see her."

Garroth turned to me with a surprised look. "W-what? No I-I can't! I can't face her again knowing what I've done." he paused. "I've caused so much pain. To others, and to her. Even if I did see her, I doubt she want to see my face again." He finished

"I mean I've caused a lot of pain to a lot of people, so it'd be pretty easy if you ask me." Leo interjected, chuckling. I glared at him. It seemed to have shut him up for now, but he didn't stop without making a last remark, "What? I'm just saying."

I looked back at Garroth and sighed, "Look, Garroth, I.. can't pretend to know what happened with you two, what you did, or how you're even feeling, but let me ask you, how long have you known this girl?" He looked at me confused. I continued, "What kind of person s she?"

He then looked at the ground and responded, "For as long as I can remember," he answered sheepishly. He stopped for a moment and smiled. "She's a wonderful person." he said, "She's caring, she's sweet, she's hilarious…. And she's the only one before my fellow guards that took me in and accepted me as a friend." He finished

"Oh give me a break!" said Leo

Ignoring him, I continued, "Then I don't see why it'd be an issue. If she cares about you, then you'll be just fine."

Garroth's POV

I looked down at the ground. My mind was spinning with all kinds of feelings and thoughts. Maybe he was right. Maybe I'm just blaming myself too much. But… I've done such horrible things. Things that lead to the death of one of her closest friends. A friend that has apparently helped her when she broke down. A friend that comforted her when she needed it most. And what have I done for her?... Betrayed her because of jealousy, fought my only friends because I let myself be blinded by Zane… No… I've held myself from her for too long now… And… She needs someone right now… Someone to help her through her hurt. "You're… You're right Dan… I should go see her." I somehow gathered enough courage to take even one step toward that hill. One step turned to two, and then I found myself on my way. I looked up at her. She's so beautiful, I thought to myself. No! None of that now. She needs a friend. My emotions have already caused enough pain already. I walked up the mossy cobblestone steps leading to her house. I could feel myself becoming more tense as I advanced on each step. When I had reached the top, I saw her there. She was looking out into the horizon, not moving a muscle. Only a few of us had seen her, but none of us had seen her out of her house. I had no idea what she could be thinking or feeling at that moment. Then, without thinking, I spoke up, getting her attention. "... Aphmau…"

She turned slowly. Tears were in her eyes. She looked so exhausted, it was hard to see her like this. "... G-Garroth!" She ran into my arms sobbing. She cried on my shoulder as I held her there. For I while I didn't say anything, I didn't think it'd be appropriate to. Slowly she began calming down. She looked up at me, tears still welling up in her eyes.

It was then I decided to speak. "Aphmau. If it's okay with you, I'd like to talk with an old friend." She nodded as she put her head back on my shoulder. I stood there comforting her until she was ready.

Dan's POV

We all watched as the girl embraced Garroth. I looked down and closed my eyes for a small moment. I smiled as I then turned to face the group and spoke to Katelyn. "So… I believe you guys still have some questions for Leo and I?" Leo looked over at me and shot a small smile.

Katelyn shook her gaze from the hill and looked at me dumbfounded. Then she nodded and spoke, "Yes, we do. Come on, Dante will be anxious to… GAH!" She yelled suddenly.

Leo, Lucinda, and I stumbled back in response to the rather loud shout. "Whoa, what?" I said still in a bit of shock, "What's wrong?"

"Yeah! The hell woman! What could possibly make you want to scream that loud, damn!?" said Leo irritated.

"Dante is still out there with the rest of the guards looking for the explosion from earlier!" she shouted, "I'm going out to find them. Lucinda, make sure you tell Levin were I am. I'll be back as soon as I can!" She bolted off as fast as she could down the worn, stone path. She disappeared after she reached the outer gate.

Leo and I both looked at each other and shrugged. Neither of us knew why it was such a big deal that they were still out there. It was just a mistake after all. But then I remembered something Dante had said when we first met. Large forces were taking over the area around them, called "Tu'la". It suddenly made sense why she would be so desperate to find them. Assuming they ran into these Tu'la forces, it probably wouldn't end well.

I nearly motioned myself to go after her and help, but was stopped immediately by Lucinda's voice. "So you two," she said lightly, "What brings you guys to our little village?" she asked.

"What business is that of yours?" Leo retorted spitefully. Here he goes again with this hostility towards her. She seems like such a nice girl. What could make him hate her so much?

I spoke up before Leo could say anything else. "Well, um… Katelyn actually led me here. I was outside the walls when she found me."

She looked at me confused. "Why were you there?" she asked.

I stopped myself before I answered. "Well," I said, "I don't know."

"You don't know?" she repeated mockingly.

"Eh, I know, it sounds kinda weird. It's hard to explain." I said.

She crossed her arms. From the look of things, I seemed to have sparked her curiosity even more. "Please do. I've got all day." she said.

Leo and I looked at each other. Leo rolled his eyes and sighed. I assumed that that meant I might as well. I looked back at her, "Alright," I said with a sigh, "you might wanna take a seat. This will take a while."