[Elsword] - Destination: Descendants

Chapter 16 - Ace

...

Ara and Add were murdered by this man named Luto, however, their past-selves still existed. My accusations from the beginning were wrong. I had always assumed that they left, just because they were simply terrible parents. I was mistaken. I felt horrible. They sacrificed themselves for me, and Ace, who wasn't even their real offspring.

I never would've thought that Ace wasn't actually my brother. We weren't related. We were merely individuals who happened to stay together for years and years, depending on one another for survival. Still, as the note from Father said, we were still family, even though the connection via blood was nonexistent.

I kept mentally praying for his safety. He was a fragile human, I wasn't sure how long he'd last alone with the silhouettes.

Suddenly, my heart began racing. Beats running wildly here and there; ba-dum, thump thump, ba-boom. There was an indescribable feeling harboured that seemed to have exploded. I couldn't concentrate all of a sudden, the only person who stood out in my mind was Ace, and nobody else. The feelings were also associated with heat rising in my cheeks, but this was far too prompt for me to process at once.

There was no way I'd fall in love with my brother-not-brother! Wouldn't that be incest? Gross! This was a one-time thing. Yeah. I was worried about him, as family. That was all, right?

"I'm unsure of how to feel right now, but screw this. We're leaving for Altera, no buts. Kyahahaha! Luto will surely pay, along with those shadows for kidnapping Ace! If Ji's intuition is correct, we'll find Ara there, too. Kekekeke!" Add hopped onto his dynamos, as the journal was stored somewhere safe. I wasn't sure where, but, the details would be better off spared.

I ran after Father, with my spear safely secured, and as Eve and Chung were trailing behind at their own pace, slowly catching up. My gaze was focused on the ground, I refused to let the others witness my blushing face. St-Stupid Ace! This wouldn't have occurred if he wasn't held hostage! This emotion was uncomfortable. I wanted it to disappear, along with my sorrows.

...

Away from the canyons situated the idly floating island of Altera. We were greeted by some fuzzy, mole-like creatures (which I soon found out were the Ponggos), but unfortunately, they were being passed by in a rush, ignored. We had no time to sit and chat, our budget and schedule was becoming tighter and tighter as each second flied. 

As we traveled, Ji materialized in front of us in an abandoned alley, as we immediately came to a stop, one after another.

There were sounds emitting from machinery all around, but the fox-spirit's voice was still audible. "We must go the other way, into the outskirts. That is the desired destination to save Ara and Ace. Trust my predictions, children."

Having no other choice, we began to turn, running in the opposite direction, paying no heed to the poor Ponggos once more as they said "Hello".

...

Soon, a teeny-tiny robot painted white stood in front of us, with a bright yellow bead on its head. We were in a forest-like locality, still within the territory of the Ponggos.

Its tone was just as devoid of emotion as Eve's. "Whirrr... whirrr. [Nasod Watcher TYPE-W]: Password required to proceed onto the hideout."

"This is the 'entrance' to the Mastermind's laboratory, isn't it?" Add muttered under his breath. "Damn."

"Bzzt."

"Let me finish talking! Ara!"

"Bzzt."

"Ara."

"Ding. Valid; confirmed."

The security system was... interesting. Totally.

...

When we broke into the facility, I wanted to shout Ace's name. It was tempting, but, chances were that it wasn't the best idea. I held it in, and decided to save the scolding and the hugging for later, when I knew he was safe and sound. N-No, wait, I mean, scolding, and only that. I wouldn't hug him or anything! That was disgusting!

Ace, you idiot!

...

---[CHAPTER 16 - ACE : END]---