𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝚄𝚑 𝚘𝚑

Today was the day of journey back to Viesta .

The day in Shu's life where he would feel safer and would hopefully not get attacked by some ransom creature readying to tear him apart limb by limb. He wasn't really the extroverted type and would sometimes find it difficult to socialise in basic human interactions, however, today he could finally have company other than his own brother. Shu walked to the boats with Valt in preparation for the trip but realised someone was missing.

"Hey where is Free?" Shu asked Valt who clearly was invested in the endless rows of boats aligned at the dock. He looked around trying to see if Free had been caught up somewhere during the preparations to embark. "Free isn't here. I can go look for him he's probably in the forest as usual." Valt replied running away to find him.

He went looking through the village, calling out Free's name while occasionally tripping over something and falling face first onto the mud. Shu found it ironic that even though many years had passed with their friendship but Valt would always be the same energetic and kind kid he always new. After a few minutes, Shu found himself admiring the scenery and smelling the salty ocean air, which was surprisingly much nicer than what they normally dealt with at sea. Out of knowhere came the feeling of an odd sensation, one he couldn't quite place, so after a couple of minutes, he started looking more attentively around the island, trying to figure out what was going on. Shu didn't think anything unusual was happening but then he was face to face with the golden prince who was upside down on a tree doing god knows what. Shu felt an odd rush of heat rush up his body and he quickly turned around, leaving the boy behind with a bewildered face. The feeling of embarrassment only continued as he thought about his awkward encounter with the prince.

"Why are you in a tree?" Shu asked, not really expecting any response from him. Free responded by smirking back at him and jumping off the tree to land beside him.

Free was slightly taller than Shu and his head was covered in leaves from the trees scattered across his hair.

"I'm just getting some training done like I always do." Said Free casually. "It'll take forever before we return to civilisation again and besides, the fresh air is helping me clear my mind.

" Shu shrugged it off and decided not to comment further. He was pretty sure the prince would get bored and leave eventually anyway so there was no harm in delaying the inevitable. Shu turned towards the waters, thinking that maybe he could try and amend his past problems involved with Lui. The two had met shortly during the festival but not for long breaking up their arguments only to be broken up by Free.

Minutes passed and everyone gathered onto the boats preparing to set sail. It took some time since most people were still settling into their seats, chatting animatedly and drinking some beverages.

Eventually, everyone was settled into the boats and both Lui and Free were nowhere to be seen. Shu sighed deeply and glanced at a raven haired boy who was busy stuffing some nuts into his mouth with a big grin plastered on his face.

"Where are your parents kid?" Shu called out and this brought the boy's attention.

"Probably on the boat I'm just getting some snacks" The boy said with his mouth full before swallowing whatever food he was chewing. "Oh wait" He said suddenly as his eyes widened and Shu was ready to ask him if he was alright when he added. "You're prince Shu aren't you?" Shu nodded and the boy smiled brightly. "Cool!! I've never met a real prince before. This might be the best vacation ever name's Aiger by the way." Aiger introduced himself excitedly and extending his hand towards Shu who shook it briefly. "Nice to meet you Prince Shu." Aiger's tone was sincere and it seemed like he was very friendly, although Shu wasn't sure how to describe his character, he did seem extremely enthusiastic.

"Hey you haven't seen a boy with blonde hair around have you?" Asked Shu. "He has brown eyes quite strange and likes to wander off." Aiger's expression changed dramatically and the boy's smile dropped.

"I saw him with someone but they were dressed in black and put up a struggle but I didn't think much of it." Aiger replied nervously.

"Uh oh" Shu cursed under his breath.