First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS/FAVS AND FOLLOWERS! This is the first time I've had this many comments and favs so early in a fanfic. It caught me totally off guard and really made my week. ^^ Thank you so much!

Now, I have some news. For those who hae checked my profile, you know that I live in France, and I'm currently hitting my last year of high school. As a result, my time is dramatically reduced, as the french teachers take studies to a whole new level (trust me, I know what I'm talking about. However, I have new ideas that keep popping out here and there, so expect some really a surprising events in the next few chapters! ^^ I promise to update ASAP, and hopefully it'll be one chapter every week if I'm lucky. If not, it's every two

Two more characters make their appearances! TIME TO HIT THE TEXT!

I don't own Tales of Xillia (is this really necessary?)

Balan flipped the page over, before plopping the small pile of documents back on the table. Picking his cup up, he took a quick sip of his coffee, before leaning back on his chair, his legs crossed.

His sip turned into a huge gulp, and within a few seconds, his cup was empty of its contents.

Wiping his mouth discreetly with his finger, he stared at the cup in both surprise and satisfaction.

This thing was good. He should really try to get cook to move to Elympios. Honestly, how did they-

"Sorry I'm late!"

Balan looked up to see the flustered and out-of-breath boy he had invited only yesterday evening. Jude slipped in the seat in front of his friend, gasping in effort to catch his breath.

"It's not like you to be late." Balan noted with some concern. "Did something happen?"

Jude shook his head. "No, I'm *pant* fine." The teenager pulled out a sheet of paper from his blackish/blue coat pocket, and placed it on the table. When he finally got control of his breathing, did he start explaining. "I received a message from my friend last night, and decided to read it this morning."

Balan tilted his head. "What did it say?"

Jude shook his head. "That's why I'm late: her handwriting is messy. I tried reading it this morning, but I need someone to help me decipher it."

Balan gave the boy a deadpanned expression, before he burst out laughing.

Jude felt his inward temperature rocket skyward at the reaction. "Balan…" he whispered pleadingly. He noticed some confused stares the two of them were receiving from some other costumers and waiters. "Balan. We're getting stares." He whispered to his friend.

Balan got himself under control. "Okay, so you tried to read a letter, but failed, and went running for help. All right, let's see what this is." He leaned over to pick it up, but Jude snatched it away from his hand. "Well, are you going to ask me for help or not?"

Jude looked back at the letter, and hesitated. He shook his head. "I think I'll ask someone else. You'll just crack up again just by looking at it."

"Fair enough." Balan leaned back on his chair. He looked at the small pile of documents he had been reading before his friend had arrived. He picked them up and passed them to the young former explorer. "I have some news-good news."

Jude stared at the pile for a few seconds, expecting Balan to quickly explain the reason. Seeing that the older man wasn't going to, the honors student flipped a page over and started reading. "…fossils can be amplified to aid spyrite to grow, allowing patient to-" Jude looked up from the paper to Balan. "Isn't this some sort of summary from yesterday?"

"Keep reading."

Jude looked back at the documents, and continued reading, muttering under his breath as he read. "…clearer…speed…only…tough…" he flipped a paper over. "Young…booster…spyrite birth…wait, birth?" Jude narrowed his eyes and reread the line. "…Changed from energy to solid, the mana released from a Great Spirit can be collected and placed inside the spyrite with the help of a fossil, to serve as a temporary fuel supply. Studies say that if the spyrite is given a heavy dose of mana, the psyrite will be able to undergo a certain evolution, becoming within a short time, an actual creature with both healing properties alongside the ability to produce-" Jude snapped his head up. "That's amazing! But…why didn't you tell me yesterday? I could've added it on the report."

Balan shook his head. "I only received this document this morning."

Jude looked back at it. "Who wrote this?"
"A friend back in Elympios. He's been researching spyrites like me. He's name's Gaedrix. Remember Volt? That Great Spirit you tried tethering with? Well, normally he's supposed to keep an eye on her. When the base was attacked, he left his post to stop Gaius. He got severely injured, so that's why you didn't meet him back there."

Jude nodded. "I see. Well that's great news! Now we can-"

"Excuse me?"

Both men looked up at a waiter who was standing just before them. He was bowing gently, his hands behind his back. "Two gentlemen are waiting outside. They said they wished to speak to Doctor Jude Mathis."

Both men looked at each other in confusion. Jude carefully placed the document back on the table. "I'll check who it is. I'm pretty sure it's nothing." He said. "Can you do me a favor? Send this to King Gaius. I know this will please him immensely. Once we've got his support, we're pretty much clear to research on this. Be right back."

Balan nodded. "No prob. I'll be waiting right here."

"This way sir." The waiter said. He led the boy towards the doors, and out of sight.

Jude followed the man to outside the restaurant. He looked around in search for who could possibly want to speak to him. He found no one.

"They said they would be waiting over there sir."
Jude turned his head to where the waiter was pointing. "Ok, thanks." He proceeded to walk towards the direction shown to him. A few steps further and he stopped. The street was pretty empty, everyone having gone inside to eat lunch, and the only signs of life were the flickering lights the Spirits gave from within the trees, illuminating the dark city, as well as the few soldiers who were on duty, patrolling the streets.

A hot, thick breeze suddenly blew past him, ruffling his hair, almost knocking him backwards. When he regained his balance, he looked around once again.

"What…"

He noticed something on the corner of his eye. Taking a step back, he turned to investigate.

His action saved his life.

Just as he took a step back, the thing shot right past his forehead and incredible speed, and knocked into the wooden poll with a resounding 'thud'. Jude stood still in shock, before regaining his senses, and diving on the ground, hiding behind the only thing he could use as protection: a bench. He felt something warm trickle down his forehead. Raising his hand and pressing it on his forehead he realized that the arrow had managed to nick part of the skin.

Instantly, he heard the drumming of footsteps behind him, and turned around. The waiter who had led him outside flung himself on the boy, a shiny object in his right hand.

Feeling his body go on auto-pilot, the boy rolled out of the way, just as the man's weapon smashed right through the wooden planks.

In a flash, Jude was back on his feet in his battle stance, ready to defend himself from the attacker. "What-?"

He never got to finish his sentence. The man snarled and pulled his arm out of the hole he had made, and raised his arm back. It took Jude a second to realize that what he was holding was a kitchen knife.

The man slashed horizontally at the boy. Jude collapsed on his back and spun on his shoulders, kicking the man at the level of the shins, effectively knocking him off balance. He immediately flipped back on his feet, pulling his fist back to strike, when something struck him hard on the shoulder with incredible force, throwing him off balance and onto the ground.

Pain exploded in his shoulder. Gripping it, he felt something sticking out of it. In sight panic, he realized that he had been hit by an arrow.

Yanking it out, he looked around at the rooftops.

In the distance, he noticed the small figure of a sniper that was crouching, something that seemed like an arbalest in his (or hers) arms.

She can aim!

"DIE!"

He twisted sideways, dodging the crazy slash of the waiter. He had to- "FOCUS!" he yelled, launching a Demon Fist at the man, blasting him back several feet. Adrenaline burned in his veins. Without missing a beat, he pushed on his left leg. "SNAP PIVOT!" he yelled. Moving at blinding speed, he found himself staring right at the murderer's back. He kicked the man in the shoulder blade with his heel. Whirling in a complete circle, he felt the ground hit his palms hard, before he rolled back to his feet.

The waiter crashed on the ground behind him. "Is he-GYYAAA!" he screamed, as he felt something knock into his back, and make him collapse as a heap on the group. The adrenaline left him immediately alongside his ability to move completely.

The waiter, somewhat disoriented, climbed back to his feet. After regaining his senses, he staggered towards the downed boy.

Jude watched in horror and tried to move, but his body was too weak to move. The pain from his shoulder and back was unbearable. If only he could move his hands together he could…

"I'm going to kill you…" the waiter whispered.

Jude felt panic bubble inside him. "W-why? I don't even know you! Why do you want to kill me?" he yelled. Maybe that will get someone's attention.

"She said I had to. She's making me." He raised his arm. It descended at high speed.

Jude braced himself for the blow that was going to end his life.

An ear-splitting blast was heard.

Jude opened his eyes, just in time to see the body of the waiter collapse on the floor. Two heavy black boots landed in front of him. "Looks like I got here right on time. Good thing you got a loud voice."

Jude's mouth plopped open. "Wait, wha-" he suddenly gasped. "The Sniper! She's right-" he yelled when and arrow thudded in his hand.

The man whirled around and fired three consecutive blasts. There was a long pause, followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the ground in the distance. The man kneeled before the fallen boy. "Well looks like you're nothing without supervision. Can't seem to stay in one area without being attacked?"

Juke looked up at the man who had just saved him. "Very funny Alvin." He gasped when he tried to move something.

"Whoa, don't move just yet." The man reached within his coat pocket and pulled out a small, red, oval shaped item. Rolling Jude over, he tilted the injured boy's head back a little. He quickly plopped the apple gel in his mouth. "Here, try chewing this. It won't do anything about your wounds, but at least it'll get rid of the pain long enough for you to heal yourself."

Indeed, the apple gel took effect almost immediately. Jude felt his numerous wounds turn numb, and the pain ceased to exist entirely, but he did feel the uncomfortable sensation of the blood trickling down his skin, and soaking his black and blue uniform. He quickly raised his hands together, and cast his healing arte. "Healer." He said calmly.

Instantly, his body glowed gently, and his wounds began to close. When he was sure he was done, he lowered his arms and looked at his older friend.
"Thanks Alvin. I owe you one."

Alvin raised his arms. "No prob." He looked back at the dead waiter. "So, what did you do to piss poor Riaz off?"

Jude stared at Alvin. "You know this guy?"

The mercenary nodded. "Yeah. Used to work together in Exodus, though he quit about the time Gaius started blowing stuff up back at Elympios. Last time I checked, he was working in some restaurant." He stretched his arms and crossed them behind his neck. "So, what did you do to piss-"

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
The two of them turned to see about a dozen soldiers all wearing blood red armor, wielding spears and sword, barge through the empty streets and surround the two men.

Jude looked around them, both concern and worry obvious in his features. He silently obeyed the order, and carefully raised his arms.

Alvin, however, simply crossed his arms on the back of his neck again, and yawned. "Finally. You guys took your sweet time." He said.

"HEY! HANDS AWAY FROM THE BROADSWORD!" one of the soldiers yelled.

Instantly, the whole group advanced, quickly and effectively confiscating all their weapons.

Jude sent his friend an exasperated look as his bracers were unstrapped and ripped off his wrists.

Alvin grinned sheepishly. "Well that didn't work."

Jude slumped on the ground in the cell he shared with Alvin. "Why am I the one with the worst luck?" he whined.

The adult behind him, who had been lying on the wooden plank the guards called 'a bed', raised his head from his crossed arms. "You just had to call dibs first you know?"

Jude ignored him. Hunched on his heels, he began tracing the edges of one of the bricks on the ground with a pebble. "Why did you try to resist? Now they think we're responsible for-"

"Remember what happened last time when you were surrounded by Rashagul soldiers in Fennmont?"

"Right." Jude said.

The awkward silence fell in between them, though Jude ignored it, focusing on his activity.

"So…I heard you made a successful presentation on spyrites yesterday…" Alvin said, trying to strike up a conversation.

"I think it was two days ago…" Jude answered back from his position. "I lost track of time…"

Alvin sat up, glad to have an excuse to talk. "How did you manage that? I thought you lived here."

"I didn't eat anything since breakfast the other day…" This was confirmed by the loud gargle his stomach made.

Alvin remembered Jude telling Leia that the only way to keep track of time in the capital was to eat at the same time as everyone else. He decided to steer his weak attempt to form a conversation back on track. "And the presentation?"

"Actually, it went pretty well." Jude replied, leaning back against the wall, resting his hands in his lap. "No one seemed to negative on the idea of the spyrites, and I'm pretty sure we managed to get most of the public opinion on our side. I was reading some documents given to me about turning Spyrites into real animals with healing abilities before I got into this mess."

"Who gave those to you?"

"Well, Balan did, but-"

"BALAN'S HERE?!" Alvin yelled, sitting bolt upright, making Jude jump in surprise.

"Erm…yeah? He was here for the past month…"

Alvin was completely emotionless and still for the next few seconds. In fact, the lack of reaction began to worry Jude, and the boy got ready to cast Healer, when the man leaped away of the bed (plank?) yelling at the top of his lung. "THAT'S WHY MY PIGEON NEVER CAME BACK! I TOLD IT BALAN WAS SOMEWHERE IN ELYMPIOS!"

Jude sweat-dropped. "But Elympios is huge…how could your pigeon find him in such a large place? Elympians don't have spirit orbs that allow the pigeons to locate someone."

"ASK THE DAMN PIGEON!" he yelled, kicking the wall in frustration. "I've been waiting three whole weeks for an answer.

"Um…I asked him to give something to King Gaius before we got separated…and since we-"

"You two! Quit blabbering and get over here!" someone barked.

Jude turned to see a soldier standing in the doorway of their cell. He quickly climbed to his feet. He took a few hesitant steps towards the door, before turning back to face Alvin.

"What?"

Jude turned around. "Nothing." He stepped out of the cell, and walked up to the wall. He noticed three more soldiers standing near the walls, their weapons raised. Clearly they had been expecting them to try and break out as soon as they were away from the bars.

They quickly surrounded them, and led them down the stone corridors.

"Where are you taking us?" Alvin asked in slight concern.

"To King Gaius."

Instantly, Jude's hopes soared. Granted King Gaius and he weren't BFFs, but at least they had honest respect for one another. They had worked together to eliminate the Exodus threat too (though that ended with a near-death match between him and the king with Elympios's fate on the line). Surely the man would be willing to listen to him! And since Gaius was king of Rashagul, and therefore Jude must be one of his 'people'.

He was wondering what he was going to say to the King, when he felt a heavy arm drape itself around his shoulders.
"Happy to see your idol again?"

Jude looked at Alvin and grinned. "We might make it! If we-"

"Shut up and keep moving! And you! Hands to yourself!" one of the soldiers barked.

Alvin raised his arms in defense. "Fine fine." He said smoothly.

"And move faster!"

Jude heard Alvin hiss. He must've been poked on the back with one of the soldier's spears. He remembered having been poked by one before. He grimaced at the memory.

Those things hurt.

The two prisoners stepped into the throne room. The place was packed with civilians, both from Rashugal and Auj Oule, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the King of the two Kingdoms, the King who had held his ground against Exodus invasion and Maxwell, the Lord of Spirits, the King who was willing to protect both his people and his world with his life.

Jude looked around the room, hoping to find a familiar face who could come to help both his and Alvin's situation. Well, more Alvin's. He was fairly confident that he would be let off the hook, but Alvin…Despite that fact that it was King Gaius who was the first one to suggest a peace treaty to the Elympians, his position towards them was clear: he still hadn't forgiven them for attacking Auj Oule. Though he administered punishments as fairly as he could, Jude was pretty sure he might go slightly overboard with Alvin. Especially that those two were rarely in agreement…

Suddenly, the entire room went quiet. Jude felt Alvin gentle pinch his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Jude looked up. Walking towards the throne, his presence was enough to leave him out of breath. His three meter long katana was sheathed away and strapped against his waste, and though the blade was inside the sheath, Jude could feel it taunting him, daring him to face it. The scarlet red armor was impossible to miss. Covering the main body, it revealed the powerful muscles that rested underneath. His black leather boots hit the wooden ground with a resonating sound, silencing the entire room immediately.

His face was a void of emotions, for he never needed them. His black hair that fell limp just at the level of his burning red eyes. His pose was the one of a proud, unbreakable, hope and leader. He was a pillar of raw power.

Slowly, with infinite patience, he sat down on the throne. His eyes scanned the entire room. They made contact with Jude's hazel ones. Jude felt naked under the power glare, and was worried about not being recognized, when the king sent him a barely noticeable nod.

Relief and pride flooded through his veins.

"Start the audience." Gaius spoke loudly, his voice echoing through the chamber.

Instantly, soldiers entered the room, organizing the people in lines. He felt a sharp jab on his left hip. Wincing in pain, he heard Alvin behind him snap "Watch where you're pointing this!"

Looks like he and Alvin were no exception. Pushed and jabbed in all direction, he was led to the other side of the room, and was forced to sit on a long, wooden bench. Sitting gently, he looked around. "Hey Alvin…what are we doing here?"

The older man sat down on the bench. Crossing his arms and legs, he lowered his shoulders and looked around, completely comfortable and relaxed, despite his situation. "We'll probably be the last ones to talk to Gaius." He said.

Jude shifted, trying to get somewhat comfortable in the hard bench and fell silent. He hoped he wouldn't have to wait for too long.

"Stop moving." Alvin whispered.

"I can't help it, it hurts." Jude silently complained. He had been sitting on the bench for what seemed like forever, and the only thing that he felt from his rear was the intense pain that seared up his rear and up his spine.

Desperately looking for relief, he had been shifting in his seat for the past ten minutes. Once in a while, he would accidently bump into Alvin, who, despite his obvious attempts to remain patient, was beginning to get annoyed.

"Just cast Healer."

"That only heals wounds…not irritated butts."

Alvin leaned back, grinning like he had just had the most sadist thought ever, though Jude couldn't blame him. Having a healing spell which proved ineffective during times like this was just plain evil.

In a feeble attempt to distract himself, Jude tried to pay attention to the audience.

"…send some soldiers there to clean the plains." Gaius said. "I suggest you deal you adapt to this situation."

The man, an old one, bowed low. "Thank you your majesty. We will do as asked." He quickly took a few steps back, allowing the person behind him to step forward.

"My lord."

Jude tilted his head slightly. That girl…

He heard Alvin next to him shift. "Hey Jude. That girl looks familiar doesn't she?"

Jude nodded. "What her name…I can't remember…"

"Your name?"

The woman shivered slightly. Jude somewhat pitied her. Despite the care he showed to his people, Gaius was quite cold. It had caught him and some of his friends (namely Leia) off guard when he had first met the king.

"M-my name is Isla, and I-"

"AH!"

Everyone fell silent and stared at Jude who turned bright red with embarrassment. His inside temperature rocket skyward.

Gaius turned back to the woman. "Have anything to say Dr. Mathis?"

"Um, no. Sorry." Jude quickly sat back down, now wishing that the floor would swallow him up.

"Gesundheit." Alvin teased silently.

Jude blushed fiercely. He buried his face in his hands, before sliding them down to lace them at the level his chin. It didn't do anything about the embarrassment or his blush, but at least it helped him get his brain working again.

He listened to the woman's words intently.

"Lord Gaius, I needed to warn you…" she started. She was very pale, as if ready to faint at any second. "There…" she took a deep breath. "I…There…" she tried to get started, but failed, as her words grew trapped in the back of her throat.

King Gaius seemed to shift in his throne, and the emotionless mask was still tight. Jude couldn't tell what the man was thinking. Maybe he was getting a little irritated?

"Get to the point. Calmly." He stated. Nope, still no emotion…

Despite the simplicity and blunt order, it seemed to have the wanted effect, as Isla managed to stutter her words out. "I-I was out d-delivering some me-edicine to several towns and cities. One of them was Hamil." She said.

Gaius gestured at her to continue.

"When I was delivering the medicine to the mayor of the village, the whole place started rumbling, like some giant earthquake."

This was a surprise to many, including Jude. He raised his head slightly in confusion. Hamil was probably near the mountains, but it was very far from the edges of the titanic plates where the earth spirits roamed. The only reason why that place would move, is if a huge quantity of mana would be released by some water spirits that lived in the Kijara Seafalls, and even then, the tremors would be barely, if not, noticeable.

So then, what could've…? Jude scratched his head. All he managed to draw was a blank.

Gaius showed no emotion, though Jude could tell by his hardening eyes, that he had reached the same conclusion as the honors student. "Go on." He said.

Isla continued shakily. "Fortunately, no one was injured. I…I went back to my wyvern, and asked the rider to look around to see the problem. We took flight and we…we…" she looked around frantically. She took a step closer to Gaius. "What I'm saying is true. I swear on Kresnik that it is!"

Gaius's eyes narrowed even more, and nodded stiffly. This was the first time he was showing emotion. Jude unconsciously gulped. The man seemed to have reached a conclusion, and it wasn't a good one. "Go on." He ordered.

Isla took a deep breath. "We saw the Great Spirit Sylph fly by. She seemed like she was…crying…"

Instantly, some snickers were heard throughout the audience. Conversations arose until Jude felt like he was sitting in the middle of a beehive.

"What nonsense."

Jude jumped. Alvin had been so silent he had literally forgotten he was there. "What makes you say that?"

"If Sylph was to be anywhere, it would be by Milla's side. I honestly doubt she lets the Great Spirits go for random walks right?"

Jude had to admit, the idea seemed ludicrous, but why would Isla lie in her audience to King Gaius, when she knew that Gaius had a reputation for hating jokes.

In fact, Gaius instantly stood on his feet and rose to full height. "Miss Isla…do you enjoy wasting my time?"

Isla's face turned into one of pure horror. "N-no my lord."

"Then care to explain why you saw the Great Spirit without its master?"
"I-I don't know."

Gaius glared down at the woman before him. "And claim this to be true?"

"I-I swear it is. The man who came with me-"

"What else have you seen?"

Confusion swept across the room. Jude and Alvin exchanged looks.

Isla, somewhat destabilized by the sudden question, shifted nervously. "We…kept flying…and we found…" she paused and stared fearfully at Gaius, as though he was going to harm her for what she was about to say.

"Nia Khera…it was destroyed…completely"

The throne room burst into chaos after the announcement. Most of the audience yelled insults at the woman, the rest just stood in complete shock, trying to register what had been said. There were even some who tried to grab Isla, most likely to attack her.

The soldiers instantly acted, and began to push the civilians back, keeping them from getting too close to both the King and the woman before him.

Jude stood up, ready to help. "We have to help!" he said.

Alvin, who had been seated the entire time, looked up at Jude. "You think?"

Jude ignored the sarcasm. He looked around, calculating where he'd be the most needed. The guards seemed to have the situation under control on the level of the wings. In front of the throne, Isla was…

Suddenly, there was a sharp cry, and a soldier was knocked off his feet and a man broke out of the tight sphere and lunged at Isla, who was too shocked to react in time.

"THERE!"

Alvin was already off. Jude broke into a run after him. Sprinting past the few soldiers who struggled to maintain order, Jude quickly ran up to Isla, and kneeled next to her. "You okay?" he asked gently.

Isla, who had been staring at Alvin plummet the man to the ground, jumped and looked at him. Her eyes went wide with fear. "You…"

"It's okay. I'm-"

"ENOUGH!"

Gaius's roar silenced the room immediately. He was standing at his full height, glaring down at the room before him, his expression daring anyone to make another word. He took a step towards Isla, before directing his glare at Jude.

Jude mentally gulped. However, he tried to act somewhat tough, and stood back up, and challenged Gaius glare with his gaze. The man's glare held a flicker of satisfaction before it disappeared behind the mask.

They held eye contact for a few seconds, before Gaius broke it, turning towards one of his soldiers.

"What are these two doing here?"

One of the soldiers broke from the crowd and knelt before him. "Those two are responsible for the deaths of two Rashagul citizens."

Gaius turned to face Jude. "I see."

"Hey, I'm the one who killed them. I was saving this guy." Alvin said, gesturing to Jude with his head. "They dragged him to the empty streets and tried to kill him."

Gaius made no comment. He stared at Jude, before redirecting his gaze on the soldier. "I want more troops patrolling the city." He said. "If you find anything, or anyone, who is acting suspiciously, arrest him immediately." Gaius turned and faced the trio before him. "So you claim you saw that."

Jude was about to insist that what Alvin said was true, but he realized that Gaius was talking to Isla.

Isla nodded. She made no sound.

Gaius's gaze turned back into a glare. "Apparently you're the one who has been studying lesser spirits and their growth." This time he was talking to Jude.

The teenager nodded. "I do."

"Then go to Nia Khera. Isla will guide you. You will give me a report on what you have learned."

Surprised by the request, Jude took a moment to answer. "Uhh…okay?" he shook his head. "I mean, yes sir." He looked at Alvin. "Can he come? I need someone who can defend me in case of an attack."

Gaius sent him a glare filled with venom. It took everything he had for Jude to keep him from reeling back. He knew the King hated lies, but he had to find some excuse to bring Alvin along…after all, he owed his life to the mercenary.

"Take him. You have four days."

"Well that worked out much better than I expected it to." Alvin said, twirling his blaster in between his fingers, while leaning back against the railings of the ship.

Jude nodded absently. His mind was elsewhere. A million questions ran through his head. Was the destruction of Nia Khera true? Why did it happen? Was it really the Great Spirit Sylph that Isla noticed? What was she doing away from Milla?

And more importantly…

Why did King Gaius just let them go off like this? Normally, he would've questioned them, then administer them proper punishments.

So why…

Someone draping his arm around his shoulders made him jump in surprise. "Hey…you okay? You keep spacing out."

"How could you not? I have a whole bunch of questions…" Jude rubbed his head. "I mean, why did he just let us off the hook like that? Does he have something planned?"

Alvin looked at him. "Well at least we're no longer in that cell. And we have a proper bed. Just note, I'm taking the top bunk."

Jude sighed. "Really? Don't you have other things to worry about? Like, is Isla's story really real?"

Alvin released his friend. "I have no idea. I'm just glad to get out of there." He stretched. "I'm still calling the top bunk."

Jude sighed again. Not bothering to ask why, he slipped his hands into his pockets. He felt the letter he received from Leia the other night. Somewhat surprised (he had completely forgotten about it), he decided to hit the lower bunk.

It would make it harder for Alvin to spy on his feeble attempts to decipher the text.

She stopped in her tracks. Another one…She raised her arm. It glowed yellow with the charging mana. "G-" The sense of something coming closer broke her focus, cancelling the arte.

She stared out towards the sea.

He was coming.

Her eyes flashed with glee.

The boy was about to die.

God, Alvin is really hard to write! I hope I didn't fail too bad...

I know some things are a bit confusing, I promise to clear them up later on. ^^ Until then please bear with me!

REVIEW! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THEY MAKE ME!