===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Dreams are supposed to be just dreams. It should not be frequent. It should not feel as if it was real. It shouldn't be like this.
Ann heaved a sigh. Her sisters are fast asleep right beside her. The moon is still quite high but she knew that it is already nearing sunrise. She stood up and walked towards the window where she could fully see the bright moon.
The hues surrounding the moon itself reminded her of her previous dream. Why does she keep on dreaming of him? What does it mean? She does not have time for this!
The more she denies it, the more it keeps coming back to her as if haunting her to accept it. Those beautiful eyes keep haunting her, as if devouring her entire soul, enveloping her entire being and forcing her to succumb to the temptation.
She stepped out of the balcony, feeling the cold breeze of Raftel. There are a lot of things going on in her mind especially regarding their parents' situation. She looked back at Luffia, peacefully sleeping. She could not help but hold back a tear coming out of her eyes.
She and Sab decided to conceal the truth from Luffia. Would Luffia even believe it in the first place? Of course not. She might decide to storm out of Raftel if they were to tell her of what they discovered. She will find a way to get out of here, endangering herself outside of Raftel.
Ann shook her head for who knows how many times on this day. Her mind could almost collapse at any moment due to the heavy responsibility that she has to carry. If she were to choose an option, she would have to carry all of the responsibility herself, not letting her sisters suffer.
She has enough on her mind that adding this distraction is not necessary. Above all, she must not trust them.
Once this is all done, we will go back to our home. We live in a different world anyways...
Ann was shocked herself in the words that transpired in her mind. Since when did she think like this anyway?
Ann stepped back to the bedroom while looking at the direction of Ipraecia.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"WAAHHH!"
Chopper's wild and scared voice bombarded their morning. The sisters looked at each other's eyes, questioning whatever is happening downstairs. They all left their shared bedroom with haste, running downstairs worried about what might happen to Chopper.
They found him hugging one of his medical supplies as his eyes are about to burst from its widening while looking at the direction in the open door.
"Chopper, what is happening? Are you alright?" Sab voiced out her concern. They all looked towards the open door and saw a creature lying there as if safeguarding the manor itself.
"Eeh, Wolfy!" Luffia instantly jumped towards the huge wolf, waking the beast. The action proved to be dangerous yet for the youngest human princess, it was anything but dangerous.
"Achilles. What are you doing here?" Sab asked curiously. She was not fazed at the sight of the huge beast in front of them. She was rather happy to see him especially after what happened last night.
"Nothing. Just sleeping until his voice resonated like a wild drum and she jumped on me."
It is quite odd to speak to a beast. Sab never knew that he could converse like a human.
"Luffia, get off Achilles." Ann reprimanded. She heard what Achilles said. She too finds it odd that a beast can speak their native language but since they are in Raftel, nothing could be stranger.
"Aww. He is so warm!" She whined, refusing to let the beast go.
The twins said nothing of it and instead diverted their attention towards Chopper.
"Lord Achilles scared me to death!" Chopper looked as if Achilles will snarl at him, bite him to death and cause a bloody murder in this manor.
"He will not kill you. He is just here for a visit, am I right, Achilles?" Sab asked in a good manner.
"I will not be here if it were not for you." He growled dangerously and Chopper immediately hid behind Sab who's facial expression states that she is not amused of Achilles' threats.
Achilles continued to sleep right in front of the main door. This prevented Chopper's patients to walk inside due to the huge beast hindering their way.
"Achilles, move out of the door. You are preventing the patients from getting their medicines!" Sab commanded. Achilles moved without a second thought and this time, he walked towards the forest near the manor, not too far - he lied on the ground and continued to sleep as if the environment is his territory.
The patients' eyes held respect and curiosity towards human princesses. No one in Raftel can order a beast such as Lord Achilles except for the High Prince Kidd himself. How come, for all the wonders they have ever seen, can this human command such a mighty creature? How important are they for the pixies to show themselves in front of everyone to welcome them?
The three princesses noticed the curious glances originating from Chopper's patients. Sab thought for a moment. Could they still be thinking of what happened last night? No one could blame them. How could anyone can? What happened was too sudden, too unusual, and bizarre - shocking might be the right word for it.
"Would it be safe to come inside?"
"Ever since they came here, more interesting things happened. One after the other."
"I heard that the creatures who tried to attack the second princess were found dead in the dungeon."
"How horrible? Did Lord Achilles attacked them?"
"No. It was someone else. We heard His Highness, High Prince Kidd did it himself."
Whispers from the residents of Raftel were heard as they tried to get close to the manor - as Chopper's patients. Despite being human, the princesses can hear their whispers. Sab is surprised to hear what they had whispered. Questions had emerged from her mind for the actions of the Red High Prince.
"OI! You can all come in! Hahaha!" Luffia waved her fragile-looking hand at the creatures in front of the manor as she signaled for them to come in. Her friendly actions startled some of them and suspicious looks were released from their eyes directed towards the youngest princess.
Some of them, who had previously interacted with Luffia have stepped forward with no hesitation. some of them remained where they are, still afraid of the sleeping Achilles nearby.
"Princess Luffia, we need some medicine from Chopper. May we come in?" A woman with cat ears asked politely. Her manners drastically changed since the last time they had seen her.
Her manners made Luffia frown. Her eyebrows almost joined together as she looked at the cat woman. The creatures in front of them looked at Luffia with extreme alertness.
Have they said something that made the human princess mad? Would she ask Lord Achilles to attack them? These creatures, albeit supernatural creatures that surpassed humans, cannot fathom to defend an attack against the Lord of Wolves.
"You people..."
The creatures all started to back away, afraid of Luffia's words.
"You don't have to call me Princess! I swear! Just call me Luffia!" She loudly stated, proud of who she is as well as mad at the creatures who called her Princess.
"Uh - but Princess - "
"I said no Princess!"
"It will be disrespectful of your titles if we were not to properly call you of it. It will be treated as impertinence if we were to not pay our respects for the honored guests of the Peacekeeper and the High Princes."
"I do not care! I don't want to be called Princess! Just call me Luffia."
"We beg your pardon, Your Highness, but we don't have the confidence to do so." One creature stated. He is an old creature, who looked too weak. These creatures in front of them might be the commoners of Raftel.
Those who are living a peaceful life, with no interest in combats.
In Raftel, being a combatant is considered noble. Those who have power will also attain respect and noble status. It might not be a Dukedom or titles just like in the Human Realm, but the respect and manners are all given to those who are strong.
"What?! No! I - "
"Luffia, enough! Don't put them in a difficult position. Let them do what pleases them." Ann has taken the initiative to cover Luffia's mouth as she was about to utter words of dissatisfaction.
"But Ann!"
"Please, ignore our sister. You can proceed inside. Chopper should be receiving all of you." Sab said as she opened the huge door widely, letting the creatures enter the manor. Luffia was dragged upstairs. Ann whispered to her that they should be ready to visit the other places with Robin for today,
As the patients lined up to be attended by Chopper, the sisters are inside their shared bedroom, preparing to go out with Robin to visit different places.
Their wait did not last long as several minutes have passed, Robin arrived with the same carriage as they used when they visited the Ipraecia's Palace. Luffia immediately ran outside, followed by the twins. They stated their goodbyes to Chopper who remained busy at the moment due to the surge of patients' numbers.
"Are you coming?" Sab asked Achilles.
"I will see you at Beogia. It is a place you must visit."
Achilles said as before suddenly disappearing in the forest. Was that meant for Sab alone?
"Come on! We have to visit Beogia first!" Luffia decided as she conveyed that message to Robin.
"Alright, Luffia. Your wish is my command." Robin answered.
"No!" Surprisingly, the protest came from Sab. Unlike when they visited Ipraecia and Vaelon, she never protested.
"No? Why not? Achilles said we should visit Beogia."
"I don't think it is a place that we can visit just because we wanted to. We should not go there." Sab may not admit it, but she's afraid of visiting Beogia. It's the red-haired High Prince's territory. Whenever she remembers him, she remembers the intensity hidden in his eyes, the loathe and hatred it held deep within. All of it is directed to Sab. It scares her how she is affected by his gaze.
"Are you worried about visiting Beogia, Sab?" Robin's voice resonated and woke Sab in her musings. She looked at the woman beside her. Her eyes held mysterious glint in it. Sometimes, Sab ever wonders if Robin is on their side or not, or was she entertained by what is happening to them.
"Why would she worry about visiting Beogia? It's Kidd's kingdom. No one can harm her in Beogia." Sab looked at Luffia as she voiced out such huge claims.
"How can you be so sure that no one will harm her in Beogia?" Ann asked in curiosity. For Ann, she does not trust Beogians. They have proven themselves as vile and cruel creatures and one wrong move from them can cost them their lives. What makes Luffia think that no harm will come to them should they visit Beogia?
Luffia looked at Ann as if she uttered blasphemy. "Achilles will be there." Luffia stated.
That is right. Achilles mentioned that he will be waiting for them, but is it enough? No, it's not.
"The Iron Palace of Beogia is a sight you must see. Are you sure you do not want to visit the place?"
"Beogians hate humans. It's best not to intrude to their haven." Sab answered.
"Alright. Would you like to visit Central Palace instead? There are a lot of places you must see."
"Yes." Sab answered hurriedly before Luffia can. With their destination decided, the four women walked into the carriage that carried to Central Palace. They've been in the Palace, but they have never seen the entirety of it.
Despite the beauty laid upon them, Sab can't appreciate it. Neither is Ann. Both have their minds somewhere else.
"It seems the twin princesses are not feeling well. Should we stop for now? I can still make time to let you see different places." Robin suggested after seeing the twins' disturbed looks.
Time...
Necessary time in the world...
That triggered further unnecessary thoughts in the sisters' minds. Time is essential and the more they indulged in this activity, the more they are wasting time instead of getting stronger to get back to the Human Realm. Their people need them badly and they don't have much time left if they wanted to save their people... At least what's left of them.
"Let's go back, for now, Robin. If you could please..." Ann said. Robin only nodded at the three of them as she commanded the pegasi to turn around and go back to Chopper's manor. Chopper, upon seeing them had asked why they arrived too soon.
"We will continue training for now." Chopper nodded and continued to ten to his patients. The sisters continued at the back of the manor where they usually train. Heavy footsteps echoed as they walked towards the back of the manor.
"We can't stay here for too long. We can't get attached to this place." Ann broke the silence engulfing them upon their arrival in the training field.
"Why not? We've made friends here. There should be no problem, is there?" Luffia innocently asked the eldest. She could not understand the deep reason why she has been adamant in getting attached to this place. This place has been a dream that they wished they could not forget.
"No problem? We have a problem! A kingdom waiting for our return and as the only members of the Royal family left, what do you think are we doing now? Sightseeing?! They don't even want us here!" Sab shouted angrily at Luffia.
"What do you mean we are the only members left? How about our Mom and Dad? " Luffia's voice held a deadly tone as if condemning the words that left Sab's mouth. The blond realized the heavy mistake she uttered. Ann looked at her with a sad expression. She said something she shouldn't have.
"Ann, what does she mean we are the only ones left?" Luffia, upon the silence of Sab, turned to the eldest. Ann could not bear to watch how her usual bright and glowing eyes turned sad - grave darkness engulfing them as if trying to swallow her.
"Luffia, listen well... We - " Ann held back a sob herself. She could not even say it herself.
"Why couldn't you answer me? Why not tell me? I am sure, your words are not just mere words uttered out of mistake!"
The twins looked at each other before one of them answered. This is Sab's fault.
"The day we visited Ipraecia, we left to see the Peacekeeper. We asked if he could track down where our parents are." Sab uttered the words carefully.
"And what happened?" Luffia asked.
"H-He... He found nothing." Ann answered, looking away, afraid of what she might see in Luffia's eyes.
"Nothing? What does that mean?"
"He could not trace their presence."
"Are you telling me that they are dead?" Luffia's voice became firm as if another personality took over her. The silence was the only answer she received from the twins. "They are not dead!" She is resolute as she shouted.
"Luffia..." Sab called out.
"They are not dead! I can feel it. Dad is strong and so is Mom. Until I see their dead bodies lying in front of me, I will not believe in their rumored deaths. We will get them back from Akainu!" Luffia walked away from the twins, leaving them behind the manor.
Silence once more engulfed the twins upon Luffia's departure.
"What happened to you?!" Ann chose to direct her frustration to her twin. Her sour mood has instigated this current situation.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped. This wouldn't have happened if I did not lose control of myself." Sab reflected on her fatal mistake. What has gotten into her? Earlier, she was reminded of the hatred reflecting in the eyes of the High Prince of Beogia directed at her. It made her mad every time she thinks how he hates their kind. How he hates her...
Ann realized that Sab is not at fault here. Sooner or later, Luffia would have found out.
"That's okay, I think. Sooner or later, we would have to tell her. We can't hide it forever. Why did you snap? That is so unlike you. Does it have something to do with the High Prince of Beogia? Did he do something to you?" Ann began to worry about Sab's welfare. She thought that the High Prince of Beogia might have threatened Sab if she was blatantly against the idea of visiting Beogia.
"No, he did not do anything." Yes, he did nothing but glare at her as if her mere existence is a plague to him.
"Did he say anything then?"
"I supposed he just hated humans. We can't blame him though. It should be understandable." Sab's voice sounded sad. She is indeed sad about how things are.
"And...?" Ann inquired for even more details. She knew her twin sister. They shared the same womb for months and she knew better when Sab's thoughts run deeper. Ann thinks it is her responsibility to help her sister from drowning in such thoughts.
"I wished our circumstances were different." Ann can't help but feel the same. "I felt drawn to him." The revelation shocked Ann but at the same time, it does not. Considering what happened during the Feast of Fortune, Sab being drawn to Kidd is not highly impossible.
"He hates humans." Sab uttered with a sigh. Why this does seem to be a huge deal to her now?
"And you hated the fact that he does hate our kind." Ann said.
Sab kept herself quiet. She really does hate their circumstances. If they met under different circumstances, would things be different?
"It is quite odd to be drawn to him. He hated me, my presence. He hates my kind - " Sab feels like she wants to cry, but showing such weakness is unbecoming of her. No, this may be a sad thing for her, but it should not be making her cry. "Have you ever felt so drawn to something? Or someone?" The blond twin asks the brunette The question took Ann off her guard. The first thought that came to her mind is Marco and her dreams consisting of him.
"I do, but as you have mentioned, our circumstances are different. We can't be attached to this place more than we already have."
"Marco does not seem to hate our kind. He seems to be welcoming you."
"Even so, it shouldn't be that way. I still remember that dream I had. Dad said he doesn't want us to meet them. It just makes me determined not to trust any of them."
Sab was about to utter something to contradict Ann's words, but she stopped midway upon seeing Ann's expression. Yes, their circumstances are difficult enough for her to push away the thoughts that will further contradict them. Once more, silence wrapped them.
"Should we go after Luffia?" Ann wonders if that will be a good move.
"No, let just leave her be for now. She will come back at a later time and we can try to talk to her." Both of them agreed to it in the meantime. Time for herself might be what Luffia needed right now.
The twins continued their usual training routine. All their frustrations are being pulled out through their punches and kicks. They hardly ever noticed how darkness overtook the morning sky of Raftel. They were indulged in their training that they forgot that about 4 hours have passed since Luffia left. It is about dinner time.
"Are you done with your training?" Chopper asked them. They did not notice him standing the doorway to manor.
"Yes, we are about to clean ourselves to prepare for dinner." Sab answered as she wiped the sweat off her face. Ann is doing the same thing.
"Has Luffia come back?" Ann asked Chopper. Dinner time is almost upon them and Luffia hated missing meal time.
"Luffia? Wasn't she with you? I did not see her in the manor." This alarmed the twins.
"She stormed off a couple of hours ago. Where has she gone off to?" Sab began to worry. It would not be safe for either of them to roam around Raftel alone.
"We will try to search for her. She might still be around Central Raftel." Ann suggested.
"I will also help. I might be able to sense her smell." The twins nodded in appreciation as they stormed off in search of Luffia.
Chopper can smell the traces of her scent nearby, but he stopped as the smell is getting faint. They were in the Central Forest, looking for her.
"The smell is faint. I could not smell her properly due to the conflicting mixtures of scents around." Chopper said.
"This is troublesome. We have to split to find her. I will go to the left. Ann, you go to the right. Chopper, how about you try searching in the middle?" Sab suggested. She can't help but feel guilty. Luffia wouldn't have stormed off if she had not lost her composure. She blamed her conflicting thoughts about Kidd. Why do their circumstances keep on getting messier?
"Alright. We just hope to see her as soon as possible. Let us meet after half an hour." All three of them ran to different directions.
Ann continued far right, as she shouted her name, but there is no answer. The Central Forest does not have a residence in it. Ann ran in search of her youngest sister.
"LUFFIA!" Still no answer. All she got is nothing but the deafening silence of the forest. It is already getting darker and the only light she relies upon is the bright rays of the rising moon. She went farther right, to cover more grounds and she shouted her name once again. Nothing...
Her heart keeps on beating wildly. Countless scenarios played in her mind. What if she got eaten by a monster? What if she fell off a cliff and died? That usually happened to her when they were young and she is lucky that the twins were always with her upon the greatest dangers she faced.
Ann did not realize how far she ran or how long. She just kept on shouting her name as if uttering a prayer for her safety.
"LUFFIA! WHERE ARE YOU?" Still nothing. Her breath became rugged by constant running, but that did not stop her from running at a very far off direction, looking for her youngest sister.
Sab is not faring well. Her shouts echoed in the thick forest yet no sign of Luffia.
"LUFFIA! PLEASE ANSWER ME! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Sab shouted, her lungs are almost giving up. Her rough breathing continued as she shouted once more. Nothing... all that answered her is the eerie silence of the forest.
She kept running and running and running... she shouted for her name, yet there is nothing.
She never realized how she went too far from their meeting point but she continued. Half an hour later, the twins were back at their meeting point, looking rugged and almost out of breath.
"Where could she be? Fuck this!" Ann cursed.
"Where is Chopper? Maybe he found her!" Sab sounded hopeful, but she is praying to any deities she knows of for Luffia's safety. The eerie silence of the Central Forest was broken by a shout that seems to belong to their youngest sister. Without any words from the sisters, they run off to a direction where they thought the shout came from.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Chopper shouted as he runs forward - shouting for Luffia's name. As he continued to run forward, he heard voices nearby until he runs across Zoro. He can't help but think that he might have gotten lost, again.
"Oh, Chopper. What are you doing here?"
"Zoro! Have you seen Luffia?"
The green-haired High Prince frowned at the mention of such a familiar name.
"The annoying human?" He asked. Chopper did not comment on such a description, but he nodded.
"No, I haven't. Did she get lost?"
"Apparently not. Her sisters told me she ran off somewhere several hours ago and until now, she has not come back. We are worried she might have been attacked by the residents that are not pleased with their presence."
Zoro scowled. Whilst that is a possibility, but he knew that no one will dare to lift a finger against the human princesses especially everyone who witnessed how the Wolf Lord protected them.
"So, where are her sisters?"
"We agreed to meet after half an hour. They should be on their way to our meeting point." Zoro nodded as he followed Chopper to their meeting point. Upon arrival, there is no sign of the human princesses. "I could smell that they have been here not too long ago." Chopper said and he continued to sniff out the scents of the twins. He continued for about 15 minutes, following the scent but he stopped when he senses the familiarity of the way they are taking in. Even Zoro frowned. This way does not look good...
"Their scent is far ahead..." Chopper voiced out a concerned look upon seeing the relatively black pathway. This is a dangerous path because this is a path towards the Purgatory - Raftel's dangerous prison cell.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Approximately 5 hours ago...
Luffia stormed off away from her sisters. She could not believe how her sisters could utter such nonsense. She will never believe such preposterous thoughts! Never!
She ran in a random direction, leaving the Manor in such a sour mood. She did not know how long she ran away but all she could remember is how she ran away.
It took her almost half an hour of running away from her sisters until she decided to take a walk while muttering words under her breath.
"They are not dead! They could never be dead! Stupid Sab! Stupid Ann! Stupid! Stupid!" She kicked a crystal stone as she walked the path she never has been familiar with. Her head is currently facing the ground as she kicked anything that might be in her way.
Tired of walking and kicking, she chose to sit in a random stone as she ponders on her thoughts.
"There is no way they are dead." She said with a firm resolution. As soon as she calmed down, she looked at where she is and discovered how the place looks so unfamiliar to her but her senses are telling her that she should know this place.
Come... Seek us...
Suddenly, she heard a voice.
"What? Who's there?!"
She asked loudly but only the breeze of the wind provided an answer.
She walked farther and farther, looking for the source of that voice.
Come...
The voice sounded almost like it is begging for her to come.
"Where are you?!" She shouted as she ran forward, in search of the source of the voice.
Seek us...
"Damn it! Just where in the world are you? What do you want?" She shouted as she walked towards a path that she does not know. Why is she hearing this voice?
She did not give up in running in search of a particular voice until she found herself right in front of a huge gate. It contains a heavy aura that no normal human could dare to face. Luffia looked at the gate, curiosity evident in her eyes.
Come... The voice once more echoed in Luffia's ears.
She frowned, determined to know who is behind the voice.
"Let us see who you are..." She smiled as she took a step in front of the gate, walking towards an unknown place...
===XXX===XXXX===XXX===
"LUFFIA!" The twins shouted.
"Aahhhh!" A shout came from afar. The twins did not hesitate in taking a route they don't know about until they found themselves in front of a huge dark gate. They can smell danger just from the aura itself.
They felt a shiver down their spine upon looking at the huge gate in front of them.
"This cannot be good." Sab muttered as another shout came from inside the gate and they knew that voice well. It was Luffia's.
With no hesitation, they moved forward, running for their youngest sister, praying for her safety and praying they are not too late to save her to whatever dilemma and danger she might be facing. They run, ignoring the danger that they might also be facing...
===XXX===XXXX===XXX===
"This is not good. This is a forbidden place." Chopper voiced out a relative concern. He knew too well that the Purgatory is not a place anyone can just dwell on. Not even the residents would dare to go to this place.
Zoro gripped on his swords as he scowled at the path towards the Purgatory.
"The barrier should have kept them from taking this path. And I knew that the barrier is not the least broken. Only the Royalties of Raftel and the Peacekeeper can pass through this barrier." Zoro uttered as he held out his hand, touching an invisible barrier. It caused a spark to his hand just as expected. This means that the barrier is not broken.
"We have to save them!" Chopper almost pleaded to Zoro but pleading is not needed. Judging on Zoro's determined eyes, he already set the decision of entering this place. He could not let something happen to them.
Suddenly, an image of the annoying, smiling human princess flashed before his mind. He can't help but worry about the possibilities of danger that the human princesses might have encountered.
"We should let the Peacekeeper know."
"Very well." Zoro would like to go himself, but letting others know of the situation might be a good idea. He thinks the other High Princes might appreciate such information.
Zoro waved his hand and immediately, a misty cloud appeared right in front of them, granting them the communication towards the Peacekeeper.
"Hmm? It is rare for you to contact me, brat." The Peacekeeper is seen drinking in a gourd, enjoying a Sake.
"There is a problem. The princesses are missing." This took the attention of the Peacekeeper Chopper is currently hiding behind Zoro's legs as he is slightly guilty of their disappearance. He could not imagine how dangerous the Purgatory is and the dangers for them as humans might pose as life-threatening. Should something happen to them, Chopper might find himself dead sooner.
"That is indeed a problem. That place is dangerous for them. How did they get in?"
"The barrier seems to be useless for them. It is not broken. They are humans; they must have passed through the barrier with no issues."
That is the only logical reason why the human princesses passed through the barrier.
"I will enter the Purgatory myself and find them." Zoro stated. "But I figured it would be a good idea to let the others know, seeming they are concern with their welfare."
Whitebeard nodded. He waved his hand and after a couple of seconds, it connected to the other High Princes who were shocked for the immediate audience from the Peacekeeper. They also noticed Zoro's presence.
"This is rare. To what do I owe this rare audience?" Kidd asked with a scowl. It rarely happens that the Peacekeeper will contact the three High Princes all at once unless it concerns the entirety of Raftel.
"The human princesses are missing. They seem to have entered a forbidden area." Zoro did not dare delay this news. Base on the reactions of the two High Princes, it is a good choice to let them know as their expressions have turned serious at the mention of the princesses.
"What forbidden area, yoi?" Marco asked. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by a serious one. He is a man known for his calm and calculated demeanor, but those instantly changed the moment Zoro mentioned the princesses.
"The Purgatory." It is as if Zoro dropped a huge blast upon letting them know of the news. Very grave news.
"Wait for me, I will come with you." Marco instantly disappeared from the communication before they could even utter a response.
"Their welfare doesn't concern me!" That was all Kidd uttered as he, too disappeared from the communication. Zoro expected that Kidd would have at least cared, but it seems he is battling against himself.
"There seems to be no need for me to lift a finger, for now, seeing that the two High Princes are heading to find the missing Princesses." Whitebeard said. Zoro only nodded as he bid his goodbye to the PeaceKeeper.
It did not take several minutes before the Marco arrived in haste. The presence of an agitated Marco is too much for Chopper to handle. He kept himself quiet while standing behind Zoro's legs.
"How come they can enter the barrier? They shouldn't be able to do so!" Marco yelled as soon as he arrived in front of Zoro.
"Barriers must have let them through because they are humans." Zoro stated.
"Let's find them!" With no hesitation, he stepped into the barrier and walked towards the huge gate of Purgatory. His powers are clearly on edge of staying in control. His flames can set the whole Central forest ablaze and that is quite dangerous.
"As much as I want to come with you, my powers are not enough. But I will wait here, in case you need a healer." Chopper stated to Zoro. He nodded and started to walk towards the gate. His hand firmly gripped his swords as he proceeds to Raftel's infamous Purgatory...
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
'Why are you not rescuing her?' Achilles' voice rang, anger evident while he stared at the High Prince.
"Her welfare does not concern me!"
'When will you start accepting that she is your mate?'
"I told you it is unacceptable to have a human as a mate! I will never accept her!"
'Mark my words, Your Highness. You may deny it right now, but sooner or later, you will soon find yourself unable to control your instincts. Even now, it is telling you that you must claim her.'
"Enough! I don't want to hear any of this!"
'I understand. I will leave you be. For now, I will be protecting her in your place.'
That was Achilles' last words before disappearing. Kidd knows where he will be.
As soon as the Wolf Lord is gone, Kidd shattered the iron table in front of him, shattering it to pieces. Achilles is right. His inner beastly instincts are shouting at him to protect the blond human princess, but his mind refuses to give in.
Never. Never will he accept her as his mate.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
AN:
In the original storyline, the three High Princes went to search for them, but in the rewritten version. Reason is I want Kidd to be still stuck in hating Sab.
Also, I added a little bit of anchor to further enhance the reason why Ann refuses to trust Marco and his kind (Except for Chopper and Robin)
