Welcome back everyone! Last time, Marta and her friends from the Vanguard stood up to and defeated Alice, her monsters and her Combat Unit, protecting Izoold and Ratatosk's Core from them. However, during the conflict, Azure was damaged with electricity and a black ooze-like substance coming from her injury and Alice revealed that Selene lost her lover to Tethe'allans.

With this newfound information about two of her friends, Marta is prepared to help Emerald end her conflict with the four adults who chased her away.

After we head back to the present, the conclusion to the first portion of Marta's Quest will conclude and the next phase will begin...

Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]

Everyone present listened as Marta and Tenebrae recounted the fearsome battle and as they finished up, the nine of them had many questions. What happened next? Why was Azure's wound bleeding black blood and emanating electricity? Who was this Soleil that Alice mentioned in an effort to break Selene? Why was Alice going out of her way to cruelly torment Marta?

Unfortunately, that last question eluded them... as for one, they all still felt pity and sympathy for Alice as she became who she is because of the Half-Elf Girl's past of how her parents, forced on a pilgrimage by the Church of Martel, were murdered by monsters, in addition to being bullied by the orphanage in Hima just for being a Half-Elf, with nearly seeing her only friend Decus being killed for a crime he didn't commit being the final straw for Alice. So while the Dastardly Duo still committed horrible crimes, the two were clearly deserving of pity and sympathy. Needless to say, they still found it inexcusable that Alice wants to murder Marta for some reason known only to Alice alone. Only when they confront her in the Ginungagap, will they know the truth behind Alice's malice.

"Wow... that fight must have been rough..." Genis exclaimed as soon as Marta and Tenebrae finished what they had to say for the moment. Everyone present agreed that it must have been tough for Marta.

"Yes, it was. It was mostly thanks to my friends and Tenebrae teaching me the Mystic Arte that I was able to get through that battle. I dread to think what would happen if I fought them alone..." Marta replied in regards to what could have happened if she was alone as she looked away. Thinking about it briefly, she might have given herself up to protect Izoold if it was just herself with no one to aid her. While she did give herself up in Luin, it was due to not wanting Emil to be blamed and as for when she gave herself up in Altimira, while she did it to protect innocent people, it was right then she realized how small she was. Marta was speaking the truth that she would most likely be dead if her friends didn't support her as she wasn't that strong back then.

"Marta... don't be so hard on yourself." Emil simply said as Marta turned to face him with wonder.

"Emil...?" Marta asked her beloved, as Emil saw right through her. It appeared she was becoming obvious whenever she's down on herself as Emil, both his normal self and Ratatosk, can read her like an open book. Besides, she had a reason to be hard on herself as she believed she couldn't do anything without help.

"Like Tenebrae and I said before, there's nothing with having help from other people. Besides, you pulled your weight in that battle. Even though Alice may have been stronger, it was the trust you had with your friends along your desire to protect them and Izoold that saw you through." Emil said as he wished to dispel any doubt Marta had within herself. He recalled about how Marta said how powerless she was and even though it may have been true before, she clearly has strength and courage within herself that just needed to be found and he needed to let her know that.

"Emil's right, you know?" Colette simply agreed with Emil. Ever sense they met, The Chosen of Regeneration knew that Marta was brave then she was willing to admit. She even risked her life to save a young boy that was going to fall to his death at her own expense, even with Alice trying to kick her off the ledge. In retrospect, Marta did need help in that instance or she and the boy would have died and this was before she got to know Colette. It was then that she was trying to compare herself to Alice, not in terms of personality, but their strength. While Alice had Decus, she truly did not rely on others that much, even her own Unit as she gives them orders.

"Besides, despite what Alice says, you are strong and brave deep down. Just as you've given me courage, I gave you mine. Didn't Emerald and the others give you their own courage to you as well?" Emil said without a hint of nervousness as he explained to Marta. Marta couldn't help but admit that Emil had a point. When she felt scared, Emil and Ratatosk helped her regain some of the courage she lost and thinking back now, she was a little scared with just Tenebrae, but felt more confident with Nova, his family and her friends. Overreliance on people is not a good thing, but having a shoulder to lean on when in need of it is not bad at all.

"Emil, Colette... thank you." Marta said with a soft smile as Emil and Colette returned it. Everyone else smiled as well since they all knew that they could have never gotten this far without each other for support and they hoped Marta understood that.

"So Marta... what happened after that?" Genis asked Marta as he wanted to know what transpired with Emerald, Azure and Selene. Taking a deep breath, Marta prepared to explain the aftermath of the fight with Alice.

"After we chased Alice away, we went back into the forest to check up on Azure and Vermillion..." Marta said as she began to recollect the events that took place after that tough battle...

Izoold [Forest Depths]

Marta and Tenebrae led Topaz and Emerald, who carried the unconscious Selene, into the forest to locate Vermillion and Azure after Alice retreated. Eventually, they found the two with Vermillion standing guard over Azure, who sat against a tree for support.

"Vermillion! Azure!" Marta shouted as she ran up to them with the others close behind.

"Lady Marta. I'm relieved to see all of you alive and well." Vermillion said with a tone that betrayed her calm voice. Marta had a feeling she was worried about them despite not seeing her face. Azure looked up to see Selene being laid next to her.

"What happened to Selene...?" Azure grunted as she looked at the girl sitting next to her unconscious.

"Alice happened... she said some awful things to Selene... things about her past in regards to why she joined the Vanguard..." Emerald answered bitterly as she still remembered the calm and stoic Selene crying in sorrow and rage as she tried to attack Alice.

"What did Alice say to Selene exactly? You said it was something personal?" Tenebrae asked, wanting to know what it was that led to Selene being knocked out.

"That's something we should hear from Selene, not me or Emerald." Marta said as she shook her head no. While she wished to know about Selene and this Soleil, she knew not to dredge up her problems with the others until she was ready. On the other hand...

"Azure, are you okay?" Marta said as she knelt next to Azure and took a look at her left arm. The black blood stained her blouse's sleeve due to it being cut. The electricity stopped in the meantime, so that meant Marta can use a healing arte on her.

"It stings... but I'll live." Azure said as she looked down at her damaged arm as Marta helded out both of her hands.

"First Aid." Marta soflty said as a bright light emanated from her hands as she slowly healed Azure's injuries, which included closing the wound on her arm to an extent.

"I hope that helped. Can you stand?" Marta asked as she stood and offered a hand to Azure, who took it. As usual, Azure was heavier than she looked.

"Yes... I bet you were all wondering what that was earlier?" Azure replied before getting straight to the point about the strange things her friend saw. Marta didn't know how to follow up on it, but she managed to get the words out after a few moments of hesitation.

"When Vermillion took you to safety, Alice mentioned rumors that members of the Vanguard said. Sounds coming from your room along with the black fluid, along with avoiding physicals. Said that you're a robot or a cyborg. Is that true?" Marta asked Azure as the blue haired girl sighed deeply as if she dreaded this moment.

"I... I am indeed a cyborg..." Azure simply replied as Tenebrae and Topaz recoiled in surprise. Even Vermillion's body language showed some surprise as well. Marta and Emerald didn't show it nearly as much sense Alice explained the possibility to their face, yet to hear it from their friend was still not something they expected.

"You see, I... I suffered a terrible disease when I was younger... my heart was extremely weak. Doctors said I wouldn't make it to 10 years unless a cure was found. But before that could happen, I was caught in a terrible accident when we visited Palmacosta where my father was working. My body was mangled, said I wouldn't make it through the night. However, father used his research to save my life. My brain, eyes, arms and legs are robotic now with high quality oil flowing through them. As for my heart, special nanotechnology was injected into me. Completely cured my disease. I was alive again!" Azure explained to everyone as she recalled what happened when she was a little girl. To say it was heartbreaking was a stretch and yet, it truly was a miracle she lived to tell the tale.

"However, my mother didn't like what father did to save my life. Considered it against nature. As a result, she refused to even acknowledge me as her daughter anymore and labeled me as just a machine with her dead child's likeness incapable of love. Ever sense she left us, father took care of me, even teaching me how to fix, replace and upgrade my arms and legs as I got older. Father told me to keep my cybernetics a secret as people would either reject me or force him to work on them." Azure continued as everyone listened. Marta felt a mix of sorrow and anger in her heart upon hearing the story. Sorrow for what Azure went through and anger at Azure's mother for rejecting her daughter after being revied as a cyborg and when she looked at the others, Marta could tell the others felt the same.

"When I turned seventeen, I was able to earn admission to Palmacosta University. Depsite mother leaving, it was the best day of my life and father was so proud of me. However, when we left to visit the lake the next day, my father begin to cough violently and it was then I found out that my weak heart was inherited from him. He used his research to save my life at the expense of his own... he told me 'To not be afraid and that he will always be with me', telling me he loved me before passing away in my arms at the age of 40. It was then that I was truly alone. During the two years, I started inventing things, including my gun and when Tethe'alla looked down on us... I joined the Vanguard to protect the Sylveranti and to prove that we can be technologically spund ourselves..." Azure continued as she took off her glasses and wiped her eyes. All this time and this cyborg girl was carrying a huge burden and loneliness upon her soul. With that, Marta slowly walked up to Azure...

"Go on... cast me away like the scrap heap I am... I'm just a freak!" Azure softly said while cursing herself until Marta pulled her into a hug, surprising the cyborg.

"You're not a freak, Azure. You're my friend and that's all that matters. What your father gave to you is precious, he gave you life even at his own expense. Don't talk about yourself like that! Your father wouldn't want you to call yourself a freak!" Marta exclaimed to Azure with some tears in her eyes. So what if parts of her are mechanical now, she's still a living being! Eventually, Emerald and Topaz joined the hug with Vermillion giving a reassuring hand on Azure's shoulder.

"That's right! You're still one of us! No questions asked!" Emerald said proudly as she huged Azure tightly as tears streamed down her face.

"The fact he gave you life is something to treasure. If your mother couldn't understand that, then she never saw the real you!" Topaz said bluntly as she hugged Azure tight, but not so much that she accidentally hurt her, Marta and Emerald.

"It must have been difficult keeping this to yourself, but know this doesn't change our views on you. We're a team... and that will never change." Vermillion replied calmed as her armored hand remained where is laid. Hearing these kind words and experiencing these kind gestures brought Azure to tears as they began to leak down her face. Her tears were cool like coolant, yet there was warmth in them showing that her heart is truly human.

"Ahhh.. *Sobbing* Marta... everyone... thank you...!" Azure let out in gratitude as the walls she put up finally broke down. Tenebrae could only watch on as he smiled by seeing the sight before him. To see people so accepting like this after seeing the ugly dispaly of hate Roy showed Emerald was a nice contrast. Even Selene, who regained conscious a moment ago, couldn't help but smile to herself.

Izoold [Docks] (15 Minutes Later)

Once Azure let out the sadness she bottled up for so long and making sure Selene regained conscious, Marta healed everyone before she and the others returned to the Izoold Docks to finish business with the Town Leader. While what happened to Selene is tragic, Marta knew this is not a good time to bring this up. While it was good that Marta was able to get Emerald and Azure to open up, she didn't want to make another person sad today and Marta didn't want to deal with more heartbreak today. Besides, she knew that it would be best for Selene to come out on her own when the time comes. Before they headed back, Emerald gave Azure a cloak to cover herself to hide the few robotic parts still exposed.

Upon reaching the docks, Tenebrae once again concealed himself and the girls saw Nova and his family conforting the townspeople, with the Town Leader, Jacob and Marley patching up Roy after that nasty shock he recieved from Alice. May managed to see the girls as they came into view.

"Dad! Marta and the others are back!" May cried out in excitement, clearly happy as she and Alduin ran up to Marta, hugging her in relief and joy with Marta returning the gesture.

"We're glad that all of you are alright!" Alduin said as Topaz walked up and ruffled his hair with a reassuring smile.

"Heh, it'll take more than that to take us down!" Topaz replied in confidence.

"What became of that girl? Alice, was it?" Sarah asked the others in regards to the Combat Captain.

"We managed to injure Alice and chase her away. We're safe for the time being." Marta replied sternly. Marta was content to just defeat Alice and saw no reason to take her life. The young girl hoped that she would never have to take the life of another living being like herself and Alice.

"Even if you did take Alice's life... we wouldn't hold it against you." Nova replied with a serious tone. While he loathed killing another person, he understood that Marta and her friends have a right to protect themselves. Marta only nodded in understanding.

With that, Marta and Emerald walked up to the four adults, with Marley acknowledging them.

"Jade... you... you chased that awful girl away...?" Marley asked in disbelief as she still felt shame for what she did to Emerald after the kunoichi made her voice clear.

"Yes... like I said... this is my hometown and I didn't want the people here to suffer... not even you..." Emerald replied, still not showing any sign of forgiveness to the four adults. Marta then walked up to the Town Leader.

"How is he?" Marta asked the Leader in regards to Roy's condition. Awful as he is, Marta still believed he didn't deserve to die.

"He'll live..." The Leader replied as the anger he felt toward Emerald and Marta faded away. Marta knelt down next to them and when she looked back at Emerald, the kunoichi nodded in silent understanding at what Marta plammed to do next. The young girl held out her hands and a faint glow came out. After this, Marta couldn't use any more healing spells for the rest of the day so she didn't suffer mana poisoning.

"First Aid..." Marta soflty whispered as she healed the injury on Roy's back, much to Jacob, Marley and the Leader's surprise.

"He should be fine now." Marta said softly as she carefully stood up. She used so much magic today that she felt a little woozy and it took her physical strengh to stand. Soon after, the Leader stood up and turned to face Marta and Emerald while leaving Roy to Jacob and Marley.

"Jade... you really considered the man who took you your family?" The Leader said softly, wishing to finish what was occurring earlier before Alice attacked Roy.

"Yes. He taught me how to be strong and is like a father to me. He may look like a kidnapper to you, but to me... he saved me. Besides, you no longer have any decision on my life. I'm a free woman and I will protect this town, no matter what you say." Emerald replied in a serious, yet calm tone, not once letting her anxiety take hold of her. With this, the Leader sighed deeply as he tried to process what Emerald said to him.

"If you don't mind me asking a question, why would you try to erase all evidence of who Emerald was?" Marta asked the Town Leader, wanting to know if he truly meant what he said about giving Emerald a better life. Deep down, she was still angry about this revelation, but she knew getting mad right now won't help. That aside, the fight with Alice flushed the anger out of her system as keeping Izoold safe was more important. With that, the Leader gestured the two girls to follow him, with Marta and Emerald following him with Topaz, Azure, Vermillion and Selene not too far behind. Jacob and Marley watched on as they kept watch over the man they misjudged this whole time.

Izoold [Town Leader's House]

As Marta and the others stood in front of the Leader as they waited for a response to Marta's question. Tenebrae followed inside while still concealed to make sure nothing went wrong again. After taking a deep breath, the Leader finally spoke.

"As you know, Jade was born to two people in this town. Céladon and Myrtle. Céladon was a good man and what happened to him was tragic. Jade, are you aware what happened to him?" The Leader said before asking the Kunoichi a rather important question; what became of her father?

"I heard he died protecting this town from a monster..." Emerald soflty answered as Marta and the others listened on in stunned silence.

"That is correct. He was one of the people who kept this town safe. Needless to say, Myrtle was heartbroken upon hearing of your father's passing. When you were born into this world, Myrtle did everything in her power to support you and gave you a lot of love like any other mother would. However, people of the town grew concerned with your numerous panic attacks, both when it came to school and fishing here. There were also people who grew weary around the you and your family due to sympathizing with Half-Elves. As I said, I allowed your mother to continue raising you in Izoold because she helped you with your anxiety and I had no right to separate a mother from her child..." The Leader continued as his thoughts drifted back to that awful day.

"And then... that day happened... when that Desian came out of the ocean. I for one, never viewed the Half-Elves with comtempt... to be honest, racism toward them is rather babaric. It's one thing to be scared of them, but to shower them in ugly hatred is uncalled for. However, I can say that Desians are truly evil based off of what I heard." The Leader said as Vermillion flinched a little bit while Marta felt a pang of guilt in her heart as she was always taught that Half-Elves were evil, along with the fact that the Desians gave them a bad name. Marta understood that it was wrong to judge a person based on who they are and yet, she still feels neverous about the idea of interacting with them. Marta knew that one day, of she ever meets a Half-Elf, she will do her best to give them the benefit of the doubt despite her fear. It's only fair.

"Myrtle always believed in helping people, even villainous sorts like bandits. She feels that life is precious and must be protected. However, the Desian took her life when she tried to help him. However, she didn't die cursing him when I found her. She told me to protect her daughter and to tell her how much she loved her." The Leader said as he cried a little in regards to Myrtle. This surprised Marta and the others as this man, who disregarded Emerald, valued her parents or at least respected them. Emerald remembered that the Leader DID in fact pass on how much her mother loved her as the kunoichi wasn't there to see the awful event occur.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you care about Emerald's parents so much? You seem to know them very well." Azure asked the Town Leader due to how he's behaving in regards to Céladon and Myrtle.

"Céladon was an old friend of mine back when we were younger and I met Myrtle when she moved in from Palmacosta. That was how I knew them both very well and needless to say, it saddened me greatly. It was around that time when Roy came to me. You see, me and Roy have known each other for a decade with him offering advise to me. When I took Jade under my care, he suggested I take her to the Hima Orphanage, but before we discussed it with Jacob and Marley later that fateful night, he said that we should erase all traces of Jade Greenwood to give her a fresh start so she can find a new family and a better life, but given how he behaved earlier and what he said about about your family, I'm starting to believe he just wanted everyone to forget you and your ever existed here..." The Leader continued explaining as he pinched the bridge on his nose as if he was cursing himself for not noticing sooner. Emerald was dismayed at how one person wanted her to never exist at all because of her problems and her family accepting Half-Elves. Marta on the other hand, having her earlier question now answered, was applled that one person would even suggest such a terrible thing to begin with.

"And chasing her when she ran away? You obviously never heard her out." Selene asked in a slightly bitter tone. What she said should have obvious though.

"We didn't want her dying by running away with no one to raise her. Her parents death broke my heart... and when the man in red took her... I assumed he killed Jade... yet I kept going to lead this town despite that awful night..." The Leader explained as the girls listened.

"When Master Azumi came that night, he thought you were trying to hurt me. He's not wrong and he took care of me when no one else would and as I said before... he's like a father to me and the years I spent with him are the best years of my life." Emerald explained to the Leader about what actually happened while admitting her fondness toward her adoptive father. For a moment, the Leader remained silent until...

"Jade... no, Emerald... I don't expect to be forgiven after all I have done to you... but even though your anxiety issues have been problematic... I was wrong to force you away from here, for I disregarded what your parents wanted for you. I can see now that this Azumi person helped you become a better person... so, I won't decide your path anymore and you are welcome back to Izoold whenever you wish. You are free to live your life... however you choose..." The Leader followed up with a genuine response that is ladened with remorse as Emerald, Marta and the others are surprised at hearing this. While what he did to Emerald was wrong, all of them can tell that they misjudged him too harshly. While Marta herself was still upset at what the Town Leader did, she now knew that he wasn't the heartless man she made him out to be, but she knew that it was Emerald's call here and wether the Kunoichi forgave him or not, she would support her friend no matter what.

"While I still can't forgive you for what happened back then... I now see that you truly cared about mother and father... but someday... I would like to forgive you for what happened... for the friendship you've shown my parents. However, I don't regret leaving with Master Azumi, I will still stand by that... but as long as I live, I will protect my hometown and it's people, including you Emerald replied with a degree of pride in her voice with the others smiling. Even Marta smiled for her friend, for Emerald was willing to meet with the Town Leader halfway and hoped one day that the bad blood between them will vanish.

'I wonder... what will happen when I met the Chosen of Regeneration...?' Marta thought to herself in regards to Colette. Marta meant what she said to Tenebrae that she doesn't want to harm or kill Colette, but can she forgive the Chosen for what happened? Can she truly move past that? So many contradictory emotions raced through her... and yet, she still wished Emerald the best for her relationship with the man who was friends with her family.

"I understand, but should that ever happen, I won't be in charge anymore. After what happened today, I'm no longer fit to lead and it's obvious Roy will try to influence whoever I choose to succeed me. However, I don't have the heart to exile him either..." The Town Leader said as he announced his intention to step down as Leader of Izoold. This took everyone aback, unsure what to make of this until...

"Then don't exile him. While I believe that I can forgive you, Jacob and Marley... I will NEVER forgive Roy after what we just learned today... but if he's exiled, let him do it of his own accord if he can't handle living here." Emerald followed up as the Kunoichi gave advice to the Leader.

"Besides, you're trying to correct your mistake with Emerald. Even if you step down, you should try to give advice to whoever you have succeed you and help them learn." Marta suggested to the Town Leader. At least this way, he can continue to make up for what he did while helping Izoold further down the road. The Leader paused for a moment until...

"You have a good friend here Emerald... very well then. I won't exile Roy, but I will make sure he's to never lay a hand on you and your friends ever again. But if we meet again, I won't be in charge anymore, just a regular civilian and fisherman here." The Leader said, intending to make good on his intention to make it right with the Kunoichi.

"Thank you... and... you can keep calling me by my birthname, Jade... if you like..." Emerald replied with some hesitation, but she meant every word. With that, Emerald bowed and silently left with the others giving acknowledging nods before she left, but before Marta can leave...

"Excuse me? What is your name young lady?" The Leader asked Marta as she turned to face him.

"I'm Marta." Marta simply replied.

"Take good care of Jade. I can see now she's fortunate to have you as her friend." The Leader replied with a genuine smile toward her.

"I will." Marta replied with a smile of her own. As she left, she couldn't help but feel relieved that she parted on amicable terms with this man. Hopefully, it'll be the same with the Chosen when that day comes...

Izoold Trail [31 Days after meeting Nova]

For the next couple of days, Marta, Tenebrae and thier friends stayed in Izoold resting and recuperating from their encounter with Alice and thankfully, the Vanguard never came back there as no sign of the Combat Captain was noticed. Emerald, while still suffering from her anxiety, hasn't suffered a panic attack ever again and despite some weariness from the townspeople, as soon as they heard the whole story from the Town Leader, the people of Izoold slowly welcome her back into the town. The only exception was Roy, who lost most of the town's respect for his vile behavior towards Emerald and her family and upon knowing he couldn't do anything to Emerald or any of her friends, he left Izoold to go live elsewhere. The Leader chose a young fisherman in his early twenties to succeed him as Izoold's leader and taking Marta's suggestion, became his advisor so he wouldn't make the same mistakes he did.

During this time, Marta and her friends enjoyed what time they had with Nova, Sarah, Alduin and May until the day to leave came. From this point forward, Marta would leave the Caravan that took her and Tenebrae in and would travel with her friends from the Vanguard to continue her training. After leaving Izoold and once Emerald, Topaz, Azure, Vermillion and Selene said their goodbyes before going on ahead. Shortly after, Marta and Tenebrae stood before the Caravan family...

"Well, I guess this is it... time to say goodbye..." Marta began with a sad smile. The young girl knew that she had to leave, but just as she thought, it was hard to do so and as she suspected, Alduin and May are not too happy to see Marta leave...

"Marta... do you and Tenebrae really have to go?" May asked the young girl as she didn't want the two to leave after spending a whole month with them.

"Y-Yeah! Those Vanguard bullies don't scare me! Besides, we have many people now!" Alduin followed up as like his sister, he grew fond of Marta and Tenebrae.

"I understand that you grew close to us, but if we are to reawaken Lord Ratatosk, it is imperative we leave. Besides, your Caravan can't support 10 people to feed and travel with." Tenebrae explained as best as he could to the young children, wanting them to understand why they must go.

"That aside... I also don't want Alice to find out about you. If she did, she might use you to get at me. Even so... despite the hard times and hiding the truth about our journey, I truly enjoyed my time with with all of you." Marta followed, doing her best to not cry. After all, she wanted to see them all of with a smile.

"We feel the same way. I do hope you can restore our world, but without expense of yourself." Sarah replied, wishing for Marta's safety as she prepared to head out.

"Marta... I hope everything will be alright for you. Just know that we'll always support you, no matter where you go." Nova said with a smile and that nearldy did it for Marta as she immediately ran toward them and opened her arms up as the four hugged Marta in a deep embrace.

"I... I miss you... all of you!" Marta replied as she cried a few tears.

"We'll miss you too!" Alduin and May both shouted in unison with tears in their eyes as they hugged the young girl.

"You take care." Sarah replied, keeping her composer for Marta.

"And I hope we can all meet again someday too." Nova said to the young girl as they hugged for a moment longer until Marta broke the hug. With that, the two slowly walked away as Alduin and May cried and said good bye to the girl they saw as an older sister. With some tears in her eyes, she turned around with a bright smile.

"Thank you for everything! I hope we can see each other again one day too!" Marta said as she waved goodbye to Nova and her family. Despite the fears of Alice, Decus and Richter seeking her death, Marta somehow believed deep down that she will survive this journey. Upon hearing Nova and his family saying goodbye and wishing her safe travels, Marta and Tenebrae turned and left, not looking back...

Forest

As Marta and Tenebrae caught up with the others, they slowly began making their way through the forest.

"Will you be okay, Marta?" Topaz asked the young girl as she knew Marta would be sad upon leaving.

"I will be in time... thank you Topaz..." Marta replied as they kept walking. As they did, a slight breeze picked up with only Emerald feeling it as Marta turned to see her friend as the others walked ahead.

"You okay Emerald? You sure you didn't want to stay at Izoold?" Marta asked the kunoichi as she ran up to her. While happy that she came, Marta believed that Emerald would want to try living in Izoold again.

"Maybe when this is all over, but for now, I want to make sure your ready when you head out for those Centurion Cores." Emerald replied with a degree of confidence she never had before with Marta feeling the same.

"Thanks Emerald. I'm sure that..." Marta gave her gratitude to the kunoichi before trailing off, seeing a figure in the distance not too far away from them on a tree branch. Emerald noticed her friend staring off into the distance before turning around and then...

*Gasp* Emerald soflty let out as she and Marta saw a man dressed in red ninja attire watching them on a tree about 20 feet away from them. Marta somehow knew that this was Emerald's master as he wore a red ninja uniform, which Emerald got her outfit from. For a moment she felt that the kunoichi, who has tears of joy in her eyes, wanted to run to him and hug the man she saw as a father, but to her surprise, Emerald just wiped away her tears and smiled at the man with pride and daughterly love in her eyes.

"Thank you for everything, Master Azumi! I'll make you proud someday!" Emerald said as she turned and walked away to catch up to the others. Marta just looked at the man and smiled at him soflty before walking away herself...

"You already have Jade..." Marta heard a voice coming from behind her and when she turned to face him, Azumi was gone as the wind followed after Emerald. Marta wished Emerald could have heard that, but somehow, for reasons she can't explain... the young girl felt the Kunoichi may have heard it somehow...

"Thank you for raising Emerald... the two of you may not share blood... but you are family." Marta replied strongly to the red ninja with gratitude as she turned away before running to catch up with Tenebrae and her friends, ready to begin the next phase of her journey as unknown to her, the ninja in red silently watched over them above the trees as they headed off...

To Be Continued...

With that, the first Act of Marta's Quest is done along with Emerald's character arc!

As Marta heads off into the second month of her Journey, she will learn more about Selene and Vermillion while learning new skills and tactics that she will need. Furthermore, what will happen if she runs into Scarlet and Lavender?

All of these will be answered next time. See you again!

Update: Edits to grammer and dialog.