Eternal Souls

Chapter Five

Hazel scanned the crowds of sleepy kids filling up the dinning hall, the sun barely flitting through the large windows as breakfast began. Falen sat awkwardly with them, but they seemed to be warming up to their company quite quickly.

Still no Azeas.

"What was the longest period of him disappearing?" Koji asked, making Ren swerve her head to Hazel.

Hazel sighed. "I think the longest was two weeks? But I wasn't too concerned, I mean he sent me messages-"

"With what?" Ren interjected.

"Oh-" Hazel thought for a moment. Her message stone was always her secret, but Ren honestly seemed like someone who would love knowing about it. She might even be able to help Hazel understand how it worked better.

As long as she didn't learn the password.

"This." Hazel said, taking the stone gently from her pocket. She made sure to take it everywhere with her, just in case. The other three gasped, watching it gently pulse a bright blue.

"I- I don't know what that is." Ren's eyes twitched. "So you can talk to each other through it?"

"Not exactly, we can send messages, but it's only for emergencies." Hazel gently rubbed the stone, and felt a small pulse in response.

Then it started to vibrate, signalling a message.

"I need to go-." Hazel jumped up, making the other three flinch.

"WAIT!" Falen called, but Hazel had already run into the hallway. Finding a spot without anyone was hard, but she finally dipped outside to find an empty courtyard, leading somewhat into the forest nearby.

Hazel whispered the password, letting the stone light up.

"Hey!" Azeas's voice echoed from the light. "Just had something really important to do! Can't say anything, as usual!"

He took a deep breath, and Hazel heard distant yelling from the stone. "I swear, I'll see you by the end of the day!"

Hazel watched the light blink out.

"Thanks for that..." She grumbled, shoving it back into her pocket. She looked to the sun, steadily rising over SilverKeep, its warm glow playing on Hazel's face, the light shadows of leaves falling over her eyes. Hazel sighed, her mind wandering to the few words she knew could comfort her. "Oh Solar, please watch over Azeas, and keep him from harm."

Hazel expected no answer, and turned back around, to see Falen, Koji, and Ren watching her with smiles.

"I'm sure he will be just fine." Koji reached out to Hazel, who took her hand gratefully. "But I didn't know you prayed to Solar."

"Not usually, but Azeas told me it can calm your nerves."

"Kelusis announced that we could head into town today, I hear that they're hosting a festival for Solar!" Falen grinned. "Guess your prayer was answered in one way or another."

"I- Yeah you could say that." Ren smirked. "Come on! This is my chance to grab a new book!"

Ren and Hazel headed back to their rooms to grab their outerwear. Even though it was warming up, there seemed to be a cold wind coming through for the past week. Seasonal festivals were very common in SilverKeep, they seemed to like throwing a festival every month or so in the gods' names.

"Summer is coming up, which makes sense why we're having another festival for Solar." Hazel shrugged. Ren and her sorted through their clothes, looking for any light wear to battle the breeze.