Chrono shift blade the resuming Legacy

Chapter 13: The Shadow Looming Over the Sight of the Distant City

Mason was very tired, sure, but he was definitely in shock, cept he knew one of the shocks already.

"So, you're a girl!?" Lex said in an angry tone.

"Yes, always have been. I like trying to see how long it takes for people to find out, ok?"

"Rift knew." Rift

Everyone looked at him.

"Altair not very manly. No offence."

"None taken. I am a huge tomboy."

"Rift know man by sight and smell and Altair smell like faint perfume Rift's mom's sometimes wear."

Mason scratched the back of his head.

Lex eyed him. "You must be pretty upset too, right?"

"Uhh..."

"You knew!?"

"I found out by accident, ok!?" Mason said awkwardly.

Lexus huffed Steam out of his nose and left, heading back to camp, stomping his feet.

Everyone then eyed Ava.

"So what? I'm a Gnoll bata beast, but I'm a Gama. Happy!? It's not something I like. My dad was a savage and my mother was a reckless adventurer. I don't like talking about it. I was gonna tell you guys later rather than sooner."

"Explains your appetite," Altair said.

Ava shrugged. "What a way to react. Was hoping you all would be supportive."

"Long as you don't bite me, you're fine, lassy," Whiskey said.

"I think it's good to express yourself, Ava. Besides, I think you look cool." Mason said

"Thanks, goat boy."

"Please don't call me that."

She snorted "good luck stopping me Hun"

Rift looked at her. "Rift find you amazing in that form. Rift prefer it."

Ava grinned. "Well thanks, big guy."

She winked at him. He looked confused. Mason and Altair just looked at each other and smiled.

"Who was that gnoll anyway?" Altair asked when they got back to camp.

"Dillon. Back when I was little, my father tried making me live with gnolls. My father and mother weren't married and they barely saw each other after I was born. I was originally going to be married to that ass, then he found out I was part human and tried to kill me. He's been following me ever since. Well, until now, at least. I'm happy I ended him."

After going to sleep they headed out on the road again. Ava stayed a Gnoll. She looked at her crystal and occasionally picked at it located directly where her navel area.

Rift was picking at his mask he wore while fiddling with his fingerless gloves.

"You ok?" Mason asked.

"Rift fine. Just is anxious."

"About what?"

Rift looked at him, who looked at Lexus, who was still angry with everyone, especially Mason, sulking in a corner looking away.

"Him little meat. He's out of sorts."

"Yeah Lexus doesn't like finding out about secrets about stuff he definitely should have known."

He scratched the back of his head.

"Not the first time."

Rift smiled.

"Rift will share secret even though it is embarrassing. You encouraged to be yourself and Rift owe friend."

To Mason's surprise he took off the mask he had worn since they had met and had never removed even once until now.

A small blue Jasper crystal was on his left cheek. It was an incomplete blue jasper.

"Rift born this way. Always wished he had full jasper. Half crystals are rare and cannot generate weapons fully like other beasts."

"But look at it this way, even though you're not a full jasper, it's a rare color for it to be blue like that. You should be happy. Doesn't matter if you're not a full jasper. You're yourself, Rift."

"..."

Without hesitation he picked up Mason and hugged him a bit tightly.

"Mason is best friend of friends!"

He started bawling out his eyes with tears.

"Agh owww, Rift! You're crushing my spine!"

Ava laughed as did Altair who eyed Mason with a smile.

A few days later they saw a huge towering city in the distance. Checking the map on the Echo device, it was definitely clear they were nearing Volt City.

"It's been a really good ride," Mason thought.

Little did he know that the city's fate would rest on his shoulders.