[BL] Guardians of Fate

Chapter 13: A Suspicion [5]

"Shall we return?" Evan said, his voice quieter than normal. "I feel that it's time."

Ardyn got up from the edge and turned to him. "You mean the evacuation?" he asked.

Evan nodded. "We have plenty of time left before daybreak, but with the large number of people and royal guests from other kingdoms here to visit, it is imperative that we move fast. We need to ensure there are few to no casualties this time. The world does not need any more deaths."

"Okay... I should start packing my stuff then once we return."

Evan nodded. "Remember not to lose my letter of instructions. Take the road to Ravencoast and catch a boat to Prismond Town. That way, you'll be in the Emerald Kingdom within seven days as long as you don't make any detours. You'll be safer there than here."

"And... you?" Ardyn asked hesitantly. The question was a little silly, but he felt that it was better for him to hear it for himself.

"I will be staying here alongside my Guardians," Evan smiled. "We will do our duty."

Ardyn felt apprehensive. "You... Nothing will happen to you, right? I mean, you'll just seal that monster, right? After that, everything will be back to normal for another eight years?"

Evan looked surprised for a moment and gazed at him for a while. It was a bit difficult to decipher his expression, surprisingly.

Ardyn was growing uncomfortable by his stare. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?" he asked.

Evan shook his head and smiled once again. "Oh. Forgive me. I was just thinking about something. To tell the truth though, I'm surprised that you care this much," he said teasingly.

Ardyn huffed. "Of course I do! You saved my life. I wouldn't be here right now without your help. Actually, I wouldn't even know what to do if it weren't for you constantly encouraging me and giving me a goal in this life. If you're telling me that I can get all my questions answered and my restlessness resolved by finding my Summoner, then that's what I'll do."

"That's wonderful!" Evan said in delight. "That way, you can figure out what you really want. Soon, you will need to decide if you want to be with your Summoner and go on a long journey to find the other Guardians or if you want to leave your destiny behind and live a different, but new life."

The two of them started walking their way back to the castle.

"Is that allowed, though?" Ardyn asked. "Rejecting my destiny, I mean. After all, I presume that the people here need Summoners and Guardians."

"That is true." Evan nodded. "But yours is a special case."

"Is it because I'm an Otherworlder?"

"Yes." Evan paused for a moment. "Do you remember when I mentioned to you back at the castle about your energy attracting the Calamity?"

Ardyn swallowed visibly. Right. He had almost forgotten about that. Or maybe he had unconsciously been trying to put it out of his mind because the thought alone was terrifying.

"Yeah. Isn't there anything I can do about it?" he asked. "What if I hide underground or something?"

"Unfortunately, no," Evan said sadly. "If we knew of a way, we would've done it a long time ago."

"Oh. You're right." Ardyn suddenly felt stupid. "Sorry."

Evan shook his head. "There's nothing to apologize for. It's only natural that you don't know a lot of things about this world. You cannot be blamed for that. But don't worry. The moment it appears and attacks the city, we'll be here to seal it away. You just go on your way and live your life."