Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 17 Zoey

I can't control my feelings, but I hate how my feelings can control me.
~Unknown
•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Zoey...?"

Her blonde hair was lighter than I remembered, but it was definitely her. She giggled again, nodding and walking around the fire to me.

"Welcome to the Phoenix Alliance."

"...what?" I had never been so confused in my life.

"Allow me to explain," another familiar voice rang. I turned my head to see Travis leaning on a nearby tree.

"Travis?!"

"We've been playing you like a fiddle this whole time."

My breathing became uneasy, and a million thoughts came to my mind.

"That map you found was planted there for a reason, and it was no coincidence. Neither was the storm that led you to me. That storm was created by our very own beauty here, Katelyn," he gestured to a young woman, she had light blue hair, one of her eyes flashed black for a second, and then it returned to blue. "We needed the Dark Queen, but we also heard that O'Khasis wanted her too. So the map was planted, and when you found it, Katelyn started a storm to lead you to me. We got to the island, and when we got the Dark Queen, you had already been fooled. Late at night, I talked to her in her tent. I told her to think of her choices after explaining to her what O'Khasis really stood for. She was unsure of what to do, and who to believe, but in the end she eventually chose us."

Vylad appeared and decided to continue the story.

"Every class she had with me, we talked more about the rebellion. She was unaware as to why you would lie to her. But after a lot of explaining, she understood. The night of the attack, she was nervous and couldn't sleep. So she came to my room. I told her everything would be okay, and that I was meeting with Katelyn that night so that we could ensure her safety. She told me she wasn't sure about you, your feelings for her. But Garroth, she was playing you the whole time. I told her you wouldn't be asleep, and that she needed to distract you. So she found you, used the right words, and got you very distracted. And it was just enough time to get the troops ready."

This was too much to take in.

"So...why is Zoey here, she's supposed to be dead."

"It was all fake," she answered, "a very last minute fake death. When that arrow supposedly shot through my heart in the battlefront, it wasn't me. Dante here knows magic to make fake clones and make it look like someone died. But, Garroth, I never lied about my feelings for you."

"What do you guys mean...the truth about O'Khasis?"

"Garroth, O'Khasis isn't innocent or good, in fact it's far from it. O'Khasis is evil. Garte just...wants to take over other villages, and rule over all of Ru'an."

"We want you to join us," Katelyn spoke up, "we could really use you, and after seeing what you can do after Aphmau's death, we could benefit from you."

I was hoping Aphmau's death was fake like Zoey's.

"I'll help."

"So quickly?" Travis asked, amused.

"If Aphmau trusted you, I trust you."

"Well, there's some things you'll need to know, everyone here specializes in some sort of magicks, Mine is healing," Zoey explained. "And clearly, yours is elements. Katelyn is kind of like that, but she can create full out storms. Travis can change his form an-"

"I don't think I can take this all tonight."

"It's reasonable. I'll show you to the hut you'll be staying in."

Zoey and I walked to a hut, and the whole walk was just an awkward silence.

"Goodnight," I cupped her chin, kissing her cheek before she left. After all, we never broke up. And since she didn't reject me, I assumed it was alright. I sat on the new bed, thinking over everything.

Aphmau...used me.

Aphmau's dead...

I looked out the window and watched as Travis talked to Katelyn. He smirked and leaned on a tree. He said something and gave her a flirty wink. Katelyn looked unamused and soon a small lightening bolt came down and struck him. Travis fidgeted and then a bit of smoke rose from his burnt body, but he grinned as she walked away, and he swooned.

I was scared, not sure if I was comfortable in the new environment.

I got curious about Travis and Katelyn, and snuck outside to try and hear them. Besides, I could use a distraction.

"Come on, Babe. Let's forget about it and spend the night at my hut," he leaned closer, grabbing her waist.

"Travis, keep your distance before I make your life a living hell."

"You're already doing that by not being in it."

Her eyes flashed black, as a storm cloud formed above his head and rain started pouring on his head.

"Listen, I know you're mad at me. And I'm sorry, can we just kiss and make up already?"

She sighed as the storm cloud over him cleared up. He cupped her cheek, smiling softly as she avoided eye contact

"And I can't be the only one at fault."

"I'm sorry..." She managed before her lips were met with his. She slowly moved her arms around his neck, and Travis wrapped his arms around her waist. She pulled her lips away, and they stood there hugging.

"Aren't they adorable?" I jumped at a voice beside me. I turned and saw a woman with scarlet hair and dim grey eyes.

"Uh...y-yeah."

"The names Nicole, I can teleport and turn invisible, I like to spy on them cause they are just too cute," she giggled, loving the idea of them together. "They aren't very public right now, but when they are, it's actually the best thing ever."

"Can I...ask you a question?" I sighed.

"Sure, shoot," she responded.

"Is....is Aphmau really dead?"

Her facial expression grew grim, and she started to fiddle with her fingers.

"I'm not allowed to reveal those things."

"Why?"

"I can't say anything that will effect your emotional balance."

"But-"

Before I could say anything, she teleported away. I let out a frustrated sigh and went back into my hut. I sat on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

I had Zoey, but why do I not want her?

A/N Dar wes goes, anoder port por da devils! So Travlyn is totally a thing in this cause I have to, and not just cause I have to, but because my fangirl as to, and we all know we can't control her. SO aph is still dead, and she should stay there if everything goes to plan, I love you all devils, byeeeeeeee.