Soul Chains

Chapter 36: All That Matters

After meeting up together in the main room of the mansion, we decide that Reine, Dimitri, Ayette, Ciana, Mikasa, Nathan, and I will go find Zen while Renee, Renji, Tsukumi, Kaltrina, Shitau, and Aislinn go try to convince Phoenix to join us. We end up deciding this because Aislinn can make a direct portal to Sekai and Tsukumi has a somewhat friendship with Phoenix. We wanted to have at least one person experienced with being in winter in each group, and since Aislinn was going with the others, that meant Dimitri would be going with us. Not that he'd allow anything otherwise.

Those of us going to apprehend Zen head to the throne room to talk to Aidan, since he said he has something for us. Meanwhile, Dimitri won't stop being protective over Ayette, even though she insists she's fine. I push open the doors to the throne room to find Aidan standing in the middle of the room talking to Eden and Bridgette.

Eden looks over at us upon hearing the doors open and she smiles, which makes the others turn their attention to us as well.

"I see you've decided. I would go with you, but Bridgette and Eden wouldn't let me. Granted, it's not like I haven't disobeyed them before," Aidan smirks wryly and they send him disapproving glances, "but I promised them I wouldn't go. Anyway, I do have something to help you. Well, Eden does."

"My friend Namisa runs a shop called Sage's in the middle of the town square, not too far from the castle," Eden smiles, "she sells an arrangement of herbalist, apothecary, and clothing items, and I've called her and asked if she could give you whatever you need for free for your journey and she happily agreed."

"That's amazing," Ciana beams and cheers excitedly, "thank you!"

"We are in your upmost gratitude, your highness," Reine bows her head and smiles gratefully.

"I also managed to mend the pieces of the relic back together, but it no longer has its magical properties. I'm sorry," Eden frowns as she holds out the necklace.

"That's okay..." Ayette smiles sadly and walks up to Eden, gratefully accepting the necklace.

"Eden, do you happen to know where the other two relics are?" Dimitri asks.

"I don't, but..." Eden glances over at Bridgette.

"There's a general in Ashuwahara who goes by the initial 'D' that knows where a relic is," Bridgette explains, "I only know this because one of our informants that I'm in charge of fought in the war."

"Ashuwaha--what now?" Ayette questions.

"The frontlines in the Winter Sector are in Ashuwahara," Dimitri explains, "I've heard of 'D' while I was there, but I never worked under him."

"So, should we look for him too?" Nathan asks.

"He'll be closer to Coralyinn than we'd probably like to venture," Dimitri grimaces, "but it would be a good idea, most likely after we deal with Zen."

"Right," Aidan sighs, "well, I guess you'd better be on your way. I really enjoyed spending time with you all and I wish you the best. It's a shame that I can't come with you, but I would if I were permitted."

"Off we go," Mikasa sighs.

"I just want to go home to my nice warm bed and not into a blizzard," Ayette whines and drops her shoulders as she trudges out of the throne room.

"Yeah..." I trail off in agreement.

And as the others make their way out of the throne room and I begin to think of home, a frightening thought suddenly strikes me. I don't have any childhood memories of Vivian.