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AC02 does not own Grand Chase and the characters, only this plot.

Chapter 5: The Ghosts of the Past

She's asleep.

The girl's face is angelic. His heart melted upon seeing her peaceful expression. She is smiling… at least she is.

I took her away and brought her here. Now what? He pondered when he moved his head sideward slightly. Lire is facing towards him, allowing him to see her innocent face and her calm snores. Ryan sighed in relief, glad that she's feeling well unlike those times when he would see her face red and pale and often bedridden.

He's alone. With her. He wanted to be. He wanted to settle things with her even at this hour.

He did hurt her by giving her the cold shoulder and leaving her behind. He said things to her that he didn't mean. He knew that he's been hurting her and even keeping a lot of things from her. He sat up, his orange locks shadowing his eyes as he looked toward her. He crawled near her to get a good look at her.

"Do you have a moment?"

He spoke in a low voice as Lire gave him a half-lidded gaze. She saw a relented gaze in his eyes unlike earlier. His face is inched closer to hers. The archer's eyes fully opened and her face glowed beet-red.

"Ryan, why are you still up?" the Elf immediately sat up as she looked at him in surprise. She did one backward crabwalk and looked to her left, only to find his arm pounded against the mattress as well as with his other arm, pinning her as Lire has no route for an escape.

But in this situation, does she have to?

"Is your stomach feeling better?" He answered her question with another question. Lire looked down towards her tummy.

"Umm.. yeah. I guess it's just stomach cramps."

"Scratch that curse thing," Ryan said. "The water you drank might be contaminated."

He had a point there. But Lire already knew where the pain is coming from. He could've noticed it, couldn't he?

"I…I'm fine." She uttered. Her face turned redder every time she'll observe their position right now. She had experienced this before. It was that fateful night when she saw Ryan in his nephilim for the first time. She had seen the look on his eyes and now she is seeing it again.

"I'm sorry."

Her gaze went back at him. Ryan's eyes are shadowed by his orange locks.

"I didn't know what I was doing," he confessed to her with a tone of remorse. "I got upset without thinking and for no reason at all. The real reason why I wanted to go to the Forest of Life is that my fellow comrades wanted Gaia's essence in order to save the flora and fauna. And the trip took so long…"

"So you were not alone..?"

The druid replied with a slow nod. "I don't want to get everyone else involved… and you. You're safer with Marina…"

Lire lowered her head to hide her tears. She realized that she overreacted. She feels safe with Ryan, too. She couldn't even think carefully when there's no one who'll correct her and finish her sentences. Ryan is the right person. He knows how impulsive she becomes in certain situations and he serves as the restraint.

"Ryan…" the archer mumbled as the male Elf looked up. "Don't leave me again, please…"

Lire's green irises shrank. Her lips made contact with his. The archer's face glowed beet-red once more with her eyes half-lidded. Her irises dilated back and glistened. She leaned her hands on his chest and kissed him back.

Ryan departed from her for some air.

"I won't."

"I'm hungryyy~!" the purple-haired magician whined as she sat on a boulder. She, Elesis, Sieghart, Jin and Ronan went to Kanavan for shelter with Ronan and Elesis leading the way. After a nasty encounter with the drillmons, gons and harpies in the gorges of oath, Arme's tummy rumbled as she clutched it.

"Where's Lass?! He's supposed to fetch the food!"

"We're all hungry! Now that we're here, we have the bucks." Sieghart retorted which supposedly is Elesis's line. "And besides, ninja boy is more on stealing and hoarding. I wonder where he is now~" He placed his finger on his chin as he smirked. "I wouldn't be surprised when he runs smack with a warrant of arrest~"

"O-Of course not!" Arme replied irritably. The gladiator placed his hand on her purple head, petting her like she's a pissed cat.

"Guys, we're in," Elesis announced as she faced towards them. "Ronan inquired an acquaintance to give us shelter."

"Ooh, ooh, do they have bunk beds?" Arme asked eagerly.

The red-haired knight scratched her head. "I… I don't know. We'll find out just about later…"

Ronan came to them. "Get in. I have some business to take care of."

Elesis put her hands on her sides. "Are you going to the castle to see the Queen?"

"Apparently, yes, and also I'll go see an old friend of mine."

"Wah, I'll be stuck with these two perverts!" Arme whined, alarming Jin and Sieghart. A bead of sweat appeared on Jin's red locks.

"Right now, my head still hurts…" the fighter shot a glare towards Elesis. Unfortunately, the red-haired knight noticed it.

"You're lucky that I didn't use my giant sword."

"So, where are you heading at?" Ronan asked while glancing at her.

"I'll just head back to my home to see Elsword. I hope he's doing fine…" Elesis's expression is suddenly filled with worry and sadness. It was then Sieghart approached her.

"So you trained him to become a swordsman. I'm impressed. I'll be expecting to see his progress."

"I would like to meet him, too, Miss Elesis." Ronan tagged along. Elesis's red irises shrank as she eyed them both. Then her eyes glistened.

"You guys…" she smiled as her face glowed red. "You might scare him. He's just a kid."

"I'm your great grandfather, Red. I should see the progress of my great grandson after what you've taught him." Sieghart gazed at her intently without any stern traces. Elesis grimaced.

"Who said you're our gramps?!"

Arme sighed as she headed into the shelter they found. Meanwhile, Jin followed her behind as they both entered into the small cottage.

"Half of our money will be spent for the rent…" the magician mumbled.

"Umm… there're no charges," Jin corrected as the mage blinked in surprise.

"Really? It's free?!"

"T-That's what Ronan said," the red-haired fighter replied with an averted glace. "And, uhh, I saw a lot of shops in here. Do you need anything?"

"FOOD!" the mage bellowed. "Everything as long as it is food. I'm hungry, I'm starving!"

"Okay, okay, I get it! Just give me the money already!"

"In case you're going to the market, you'll find the budget-wise just a few blocks away," Ronan popped his head in to get their attention. "But be careful out there. There are a lot of pickpocket crooks and snatchers."

Sieghart barged into the cottage and outstretched his arms. "While you two lovebirds go on a honeymoon, I'll be attending my hibernation session."

"I'll get going now." Elesis said as she left the crew without waiting for Ronan. She passed by the shops and food stands not giving a damn about them despite her tummy screaming for food. She sighed.

Elsword, please be okay. Your sister will be home soon.

"I can't allow that, Lire. I won't allow it!" A male adult Elf retorted as he clenched his fist on the round wooden table. Sitting opposite from him is his sister. He observed the look on her face after telling him that she is joining an elite organization outside the Elven civilization.

"It's for everyone's sake, Ladmir, I have to do it." She spoke with such persistence that Ladmir furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sorry,"

"Don't do this to me. You're my responsibility. If something happens to you, I…"

"Don't meddle with my decisions, Ladmir. I will join the Grand Chase for everyone's sake. This conflict should be stopped. We can't keep ourselves isolated forever. It's about time we should sort things out with the humans."

Wounds and gashes defiled his skin as Rukkha's branches have fallen and decapitated from the parent source. His armor is pierced and stained in his own blood and the Tree's. Looking at the destroyed serpent branches, their mouths hung open, revealing their large fangs and forked tongues. The grass is coated with a mixture of water droplets and blood. Bodies of his fallen comrades sprawled on the ground as he grimaced at the sight of them.

He clutched his bicep, feeling the hot sanguine fluid seep down his filthy skin. He fell on his knees, panting in exhaustion and gasping for air. He had destroyed the corrupted Tree of Life and managed to free their goddess from the corrupted monstrosity.

As he gazed at the fallen Druids, his heart broke. They were his brothers and sisters as well. They were like his family now. He couldn't imagine what would be like if she was there… one of the dead bodies. Of course, he'll be devastated. She is his world. His life. He imagined her face soaked in her own tears seeing him in that bloodied and injured condition.

Part of him wished that he should've died like the rest of his comrades. To end the pain he started. To show his remorse and his deepest apology to her from the pain he inflicted on her. She is in pain because of him. He left her because he doesn't want her to be involved and end up like them. But what he did only hurt her.

Thank the gods he survived.

"Thank you for saving me." The voice of the goddess calmed his nerves down. Gaia appeared to him, manifesting herself in a gleaming light. "The Forest is saved thanks to you. The gods will be very pleased."

The druid nodded in reply. Gaia looked at the fallen warriors sprawled on the bloodied ground.

"You've fought hard for me. For everyone. You deserve a peaceful rest." She returned her gaze to him as she approached him. She knelt in front of him. "You survived the battle, Ryan. You are among the few who did. Take this."

She summoned some energy as violet aura appeared in the form of a sphere hovering above her palm. It materialized into a violet orb with an emblem engraved. She handed it to him generously.

"This will restore the forests back to life. But it will not resurrect the dead."

The male Elf accepted her offer. After taking the orb, he wielded his scythe and walked around, reaping the souls of the fallen Druids and ensuring them peaceful rests as he returned the souls back to the earth. He made the right choice of not bringing her along. He cannot afford of losing her…

"You've accomplished your task. Return to your hometown and protect her…"

He snapped from Gaia's sentence as he jerked towards her. Wh….what happened to her?

"Protect her. She needs you. Her life is being put to danger. Return to your hometown at once…"

"Iyaaa… what's taking him so long? It's getting late!" the magician whined while clutching her stomach. The night is growing old and they haven't taken a single bite of food. She sat on the chair with her head on her arm which is rested on the table.

"Oh well, I guess he's behind the bars right now." Sieghart sat on the couch while relaxing on it.

"Don't you dare say that!" Arme retorted.

"Hoohhh~ defending him, huh?" the gladiator flashed a condescending smirk.

The mage grimaced as she stood up and stormed towards him. On her hand is her staff as she grasped on the handle tightly.

"I'm back!" Jin finally came with the baggage containing the meat, water supply and fruits they needed. He entered inside and closed the door behind him.

"Hello, anybody home? Arme? Sieghart?" he walked past the living room and searched the rooms. He looked sideways but there are no signs of them. Jin sighed as he proceeded towards the kitchen to sort out the goodies.

"About time."

Jin froze on his tracks. Arme sat on the couch with her thigh over the other and her arms folded on her chest. She furrowed her eyebrows as she scowled at him.

"U-Uhh… sorry I took so long. I have to keep myself from getting robbed by those stupid thieves. And there are a lot of people out there! I have to break through the crowd before anything suspicious happens."

"That doesn't matter anymore. Give me the meat!" Arme stood up abruptly from the couch. Jin simply put the market goodies on the table and sorted them out, handing the raw meat to Arme who is preparing the cooking equipment and utensils. Jin sniffed the air as his nostrils caught a stench.

He continued sniffing the air as he looked over his shoulder.

Fallen from the couch to the floor is a roasted Sieghart. Black smoke steamed from his burnt body. Jin flinched from the sight of him.

"I was just kidding, alright!" the gladiator yelled.

"Err… what just happened?" the fighter asked.

"Long story…" Sieghart exhaled some black smoke. Jin sweat-dropped as he scratched his head. He left the kitchen and went to the living room where he is greeted by a knock on the door. He went to answer the door.

"Lass!"

The silver-haired blue-eyed assassin stood on the door step carrying a loaded bag over his shoulder.

"Yoh,"

"Oi, what took you so long? And how did you find us here?" the fighter hissed as he welcomed him inside. He gently closed the door so that Arme won't hear.

"I was looking all over for you guys. I happened to meet Ronan along the road and showed me the way here," Lass explained when he noticed Jin's uneasiness. "What's wrong?"

Jin scratched his head again as he spoke in a soft voice. "Arme's pissed. Really pissed. She was so dead worried about you. You're never going to believe what she just did to Sieghart."

Lass blinked. "Oh?"

"She roasted him… I just found him sprawled on the floor while your midget is being crabby from starvation. I just arrived with the food…"

"I got some more right here," the thief handed the bag to Jin. He heard the sounds of chopping and sizzled oil. "Arme's cooking, eh? Leave her to me."

"Ohh..kay..?" Jin nodded slowly as he went upstairs to leave the scenario. Lass chuckled as he proceeded to the kitchen to meet his girl. He saw the still roasted gladiator who is now standing upright and dusting himself. The moment he saw the thief, he smirked and left.

Meanwhile, Arme cooked the viands and the rice, unaware of Lass's invisible figure inching his face closer to her ear.

"Boo."

The next thing we all know is the bloodcurdling scream of the petite magician slicing the air.

UPDATE: 11/25/13

I'll end the chapter here, guys. Have to study for a quiz and prepare my stuff.

Next update: Serdin University Chapter 19.

I might make a one-shot or a short-chapter GC story in the future. But it's still drafted. I'll post the final draft if I can. Plot? Soon. Main character/s? Soon.

When? SOON.