Crona's POV

I looked out the window of the bus that was escorting me through the kingdom that accepted the letter I had sent them. I was a nervous wreck, but I couldn't stand the city I was in. The memory of my past always taunted me . I always found myself walking by the house I use to share with my mother. My mother disappeared one day, I was fourteen. It's been almost four years and I haven't seen her since. No one knows her whereabouts till this day.

Ragnarock would keep me company whenever I was alone. I was use to my mother disappearing for amounts of time, and days at a time. She's been absent for three months once. Ragnarock was always the only person to truly be there for me. Despite his scary appearance , rough smokers voice and violent attitude, he was a good person. He was also a master at the sword, but he always denied working for other. He learned the arts of sword wielding for his own pleasure. There really was no reason why he worked so hard to become so good at his sword wielding, he just saw people use them in movies and story books, and he just decided he will become a tough guy who can use a sword. He could easily beat a guy down with just his fists, but sword combat was just a hobby he came to love.

"So, you decided on working for the king and princess?" Ragnarock asked me.

I nodded as I looked down at my fumbling fingers. "I decided I wanted to be of use for a good cause. Plus it would be good for me to move out of this city. I always feel like I'm holding myself back just being here", I rubbed my slender arm. Ragnarock sighed and wrapped an arm over my shoulders.

"I'm kind of pissed that you're going to abandon me here. But I understand", He gave my head a rub with his knuckles in a teasing way, I protested with soft whimpers. "I'm gonna miss bullying your little ass", Ragnarock laughed. He stopped and let go of my shoulders. He placed his hands in his pockets and heaved a sigh. "You sure you can do this crona? You're too soft and mushy to be fighting off big ugly guys and going into wars", Crona giggled lightly. "Don't worrying so much Raggy, I'll be fine. I promise". It wasn't like I didn't like that he worried over me so much. I liked it a lot. It made me happy.

Ragnarock sighed harder, he pulled out a cigarette. He lit it and placed it between his lips, puffing out a thick cloud of smoke. "How long do you plan on working for them? I don't wanna lose you forever", I leaned against his back, which was facing me. I nuzzled his back, I felt him tense up which made me chuckle. "Don't do that-" He protested.

"I don't know when I plan on qutting or anything. But I'll make sure to stay in contact with you. I'll pay you visits if I can as well" I said in a reassuring way.. even though I was still a bit unsure about the outcome of all of this. But I wanted to believe I had freedom. I'll try to talk it out with the king if possible. I'm sure I could right? "You better pay me visit" He said puffing out a cloud of smoke.

I got off his back and I began to fiddle with my braid. "I'll definitely pay visits. I love watching you teach others how to use the sword. Plus you make really great pasta." I childishly winked. Ragnarock laughed lightly, turning his back from me and faced me with a smile, his cigarette between his lips. "You're so lame".

My phones alarm went off. It was 4:30AM. I was use to waking up really early so it wasn't much of a deal for me. Ragnarock use to get upset at me for not sleeping enough, but he stopped after I started forcing myself to sleep till 6AM, which honestly only made me feel even more tired.

I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. I didn't really know what to do with my hair, since I'm so use to not doing much to it- much less having any knowledge on how I should dress to impress a king and princess. But since I was going to be traveling, I decided to braid it to the side like I usually do when I'm lazy. I pulled on some blue jeans that folded up above my ankles. I pulled on a shirt that was white, except for the elbow length sleeves and chest pocket. They were navy dark blue. I slipped in my white converse and grabbed my suitcase and purse.

I lived with Ragnarock. He was like an older brother to me. He took me under his wing and looked after me all the years. He was only 3 years older than me so he wasn't too old, but he was very mature, almost like a 40 year old man 'Shhh, don't tell him I said that!' . We both lived in a nice apartment, despite its small size it was spacious and clean.

As I walked out of my room and into the living room, I saw Ragnarock already waiting for me on his living room couch. "Want me to walk with you to the place?" He asked. I nodded happily. "If you don't mind" He stood up and held the front door open. "After you" I took his offer and we both walked the streets of Archive City. It was a large city, but we knew it well, so we weren't going to get lost. The street lights were still on, which made it easy for us to see. The sky wasn't too dark, since it was practically late 4:AM, but it always felt comforting. As if the lights are guiding us to safety.

"Hey, I wanted to give you this for some time. I wanted to wait till it was your birthday but.. I want you to have it now" He pulled out a velvet pouch from his pocket as we kept walking. He handed it to me. I eyed it and looked at him surprised. "Wh-what is it?" "Look for yourself". I slowly opened the pouch with my fingers and looked inside. I couldn't tell with the darkness, so I stuck my fingers inside to feel something round and cold, I pulled it out. To my surprise, it was a rose gold locket . It had a beautiful lace like design that was traced all over it like vines. I also noticed roses laced within the design. It shined beautifully under the street lights.

"R-Raggy, this is so beautiful.. I love it so much" I was about to throw myself at him, but he stopped walking and got in-front of me. His hands got to the locket on my hands. He unclipped it and put it around my neck. The locket sat at the above my chest . Ragnarock seemed pleased, "It suits you" He said with a smile.I was bashful. I held his arm in a soft embrace as we continued walking. "Thank you so much Raggy". "Look inside the locket, that's where the best part is".

I placed the locket at the palm of my hand and gently pried the locket open. I saw a picture on the left side of us with a group of people at a park, smiling and looking like we were having fun. They were people we knew in this city. This picture was taken last year. We all had gotten together to make memories since we all wanted to catch up on our lives and just have fun. It was a very fun day. I was happy seeing everyone getting along, even if a few people were drunk, no one was fighting.. I didn't want that day to end. I blushed looking at the picture, I felt butterflies just thinking about the memory. They were my family. A family that accepted me despite my upbringing . It was all too good to be true. But I knew they did love me for me, since they always have smiles for me, and aren't afraid to hold me or have me around them. It's why I'm not as insecure as I use to be when my mother was still around. I thank Raggy and all the people I knew in Archive City. I thank them for helping me bloom to the woman I am now.

They all eventually moved out of this city and went on with their lives though. But the memory is enough to make me smile. I placed my head on Raggy's arm as I admired the beautiful locket some more.

We made it to the place. We were at a fishing dock. Thankfully the stench of fish wasn't present today. A man in a medium size boat was waiting for us. He was our friend Bill. He was a middle aged man about early 50's. He would always take us out fishing as kids and early teens. He even taught us how to cook. His wife, whom had sadly passed on two years ago would be there too, helping out with the fishing lines, cooking and making sure we won't hurt ourselves. Bill was one of our friends who stayed in the city. Him and another couple who own a bakery in the city.

We greeted Bill. It was about 5:30AM now, so I was a bit rushed. Bill Took my bags and I gave Raggy a tight hug, thanking him again for the locket. "I'll text you when I make it to the kingdom" "Okay, be safe Crona." "I will, you too." I gave him one last hug as he hugged back. Bill began his boats engine and he drove us out into the salty waters.

SORRY ABOUT TH LATE UPDATE DX

I was so so busy, this isn't even half of what I had written for you guys I cut it short so you guys had something to be updated on.

School has taken a toll on me but that won't end this story so don't lose your trust on me! (/)=A=/)

I will be writing chapters slowly from now on as I have been doing already. I really hope you liked this chapter though. I hope you're all having a wonderful day. Please review if you'd like.