Into The Unown

What if

Before he left, Gary warned Ash about two things.

Never let Serena near the novel of Luke and the quest for the city of the dead.

Never let Serena near the novel of Luke and the quest for the city of the dead.

"Look at the dust jacket," he'd told Ash.

He'd obliged. "I don't see anything."

"Exactly. This book doesn't have an author," He'd said, stuffing whatever he could find into his rucksack, "this is something which both Xenos and Luke were searching for."

Ash's mind reeled back to the hut which reeked of smoke and old memories. "They were kids back then," he argued, "besides, it's just a novel. Xenos was searching for it because of her illness."

"Yes, an illness which was supposed to kill her, but surprisingly, never did." Gary scoffed. "Think hard Ash, why are we seeing these memories? Why now? Why about Xenos and her innocence?"

"Truth be told, I never—"

"Neither did I," he continued. "I think they're supposed to be a warning. What if Xenos wasn't innocent? What if she was her father's daughter from the get go? I've been thinking about every memory I've seen of her and I... I..." Gary bit his lip, "all this time we've been searching for a reason why and I think Xenos told us from the get go. Ask yourself, why hasn't she made a move? She could've easily taken over Serena's body but she hasn't, why, Ash, why because there was no need to!"

"Gary, what are you trying to say?"

"We've been giving her what she wanted all along. To go to the city of Okera. To find the Saint Alessar. I don't know the reason why. But I know that we've got more important things to worry about then N when we get to where we want to."

Ash chewed his lip. His heart unsteady with an emotion he couldn't quite place. Something didn't seem right to him, like a cog bereft in his clock.

Gary was now fully packed. He flung his back across his shoulder and walked out, but Ash caught his arm.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

Gary didn't answer. He turned, engulfing him in a hug. "Don't do anything stupid until I come back."

Ash embraced him back. "You're taking all the stupid with you."

The two stood still, frozen in time, drawn to each other like planets caught up in gravity. No words were spoken and yet thousands were conveyed.

"I'll say good bye to Serena," Gary finally said, "Don't move until I'm back."

And so Ash was alone, lost in the memories he'd been shown—the past, and the present. Wondering what if... just what if...

Authors note:- Hey guys! Sorry for the short chapter!