The Guardsmen

Chapter 7: Illusionary Veil

After reaching the city, the group boards another plane. "So, how do you know this woman?" Asks Akahito as they all board the plane.

"Oh!" Exclaims Eden, "I just bought some new foundation and she seemed super curious about it. She must have been impressed with how much I got for only $300!".

"Wait...that's it? And why did you have $300 of makeup??" Says Delia as she stares in disbelief.

"Haha! No! She followed me around. So, we had lunch together. She was a super good listener; though, I couldn't understand her very much" says Eden as she laughs aloud.

"How will she be able to help the group?" Interjects Akahito.

Eden grins and says "Well, she's like a hypnotist or something. She can make anyone see anything! It's crazy!".

"I don't think this is a lead worth tracking down, Akahito," Delia says as she speeds ahead of them.

Eden puffs her cheeks and sticks her tongue out at Delia's back. Akahito chuckles as he walks on. The group boards the plane and they all fall asleep on the long ride. When they land,

Eden races ahead of everyone and shouts "Alright! Follow me!!".

The abrupt break in the silence startles everyone in the small airport. "Shhh..." mutters Evander as he sluggishly presses his hand on her face.

"Why were you even buying makeup here anyways?" Snaps Delia.

"Well, none of the foundation that is in my area is cruelty-free. So, this is the only part of the kingdom that sells a brand that does!" Retorts Eden.

Acacius shrugs his shoulders and follows Eden as she storms out of the airport. When everyone catches up with her, they find a nearby bus station.

Eden points to it and childishly shouts "We're so close! Hurry!".

Once on the bus, it takes them from the small city to a rural village. Acres of farms surround the area for miles; dozens of workers pick crops from the ground. When the bus stops, Eden leads the group to a church in what seems to be in the middle of nowhere. The path to it is beaten; the paint on the small building is slowly peeling off.

"Look! There she is!" Shouts Eden as she points to a woman who is tending to a well next to the church.

The woman stands up after hearing Eden's voice and looks at her. The woman is in her late 20's with long black hair tied back with a red cord. Her glasses emphasizing her gray-colored eyes. Her black robe softly waves in the wind. The woman slowly approaches the group.

"How can I help you?" She asks.

Akahito takes a step forward and says "Hello. My friend said that you would be a great help to our Guardsmen squadron. What is your name?".

"Maya Kisaragi" replies the woman.

Akahito looks back at the group and announces "She says her name is Maya".

"Oh, I remember her! I thought she was stealing makeup so I chased her around to make sure it was not stolen" says Maya as she points at Eden.

Akahito's face turns blank as he looks at Eden. "What?? What'd she say!?" She shouts.

"Well..." Akahito nervously says, "She says she remembers you because she thought you were stealing all of that makeup...".

Acacius comforts Eden as she sits down on the ground and drops her head in shame.

"She said that you can do hypnotism, is this true?" Asks Akahito.