Journey to a Better End II

Chapter 13

And we're back with yet another plot continuing chapter. Hope you guys are ready for whatever happens...
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        To say she felt guilty was an understatement but for some strange reason, she truly believed that Elsword could hold his own against Raguel. The man had shot forward on three only for Elsword to trip him and steal one of Raguel's blades from him. Add and Ara had been shocked but they didn't let it keep them there. With their newfound trust in Elsword, they'd headed strait for Ruben with Add leading the way. Time was not on their side so they had no choice but to hurry through everything and avoid traps as best as they could.

        As much as Ara's body ached from the constant travel, she could not stop. Eun's power could only do so much and Ara didn't think it was best that ahe let Eun take over just yet. Add was keeping up with her rather easily thanks to his dynamos and the two of them traveled without much incident for quite some time. That was until they spotted him, Paradox. Add stopped immediately and rushed to his side and Ara was quick to follow. They weren't far from Ruben at all being that the partially broken welcome sign was only a few meters away.

        Ara inhaled sharply when she saw the state that Paradox was in amd for a split second she wondered if he was even still alive as he lay there on the ground unmoving. His cat hood covered his head but the jacket itself had several bloodied rips in it. A small pool of blood was under him and was slowly turning into purple particles that floated away in the wind and disappeared. "Paradox!" Add said as she lightly shook him.

        To Ara's somewhat relief, Paradox let out a slight whimper letting them know that he was not dead. "I'm sorry that it took so long for me to find you," Add said as he lifted Paradox's limp body into his arms. Ara put a hand on Add's shoulder seeing that he was very distraught. "Add...the seals," Paradox said opening his eyes half way. "We're going to get them don't worry. Elsword bought us some time but we're going to take care of you first," Ara reassured but Paradox slightly shook his head at her.

         "Go. I can handle myself...I'll be okay," Paradox said closing his eyes and leaning onto Add who couldn't be any more worried than he already was. "We're not leaving you here if that's what you're suggesting. You forced me to last time but I'm not letting it happen again," Add said, standing up as he spoke. Paradox clung to Add and whimpered again. "So you...you actually care then?" Paradox asked. Ara was surprised that he asked such a question for the little child form of Paradox's had considerably grown onto Ara and she couldn't imagine having to lose him.

         "Why the hell wouldn't I?!" Add snapped more out of sadness than anger. Paradox opened his eyes again but gave Add a sad look. "I really can't go with you...I'm sorry. Taking a truly physical form and allowing myself to take damage doesn't end very well...I'm tired," Paradox sighed. Ara didn't understand what he meant by that though. "Why would you do something like that?" Add asked while shaking his head. "You were in danger. Raguel would have gone after you so I...I let him hurt me so he would let you go. That damned sadist...he wouldn't have let you go if he knew that I couldn't be hurt," Paradox explained.

        "How awful," Eun commented. "I can't believe you let him hurt you. I should have made you both stay. Then you wouldn't have gotten hurt," Ara said agreeing with Eun's commentary. "It's okay, Ara. You're always blaming yourself...just like that time but it wasn't your fault. It...it still isn't," Paradox muttered with a slight smile. He started to glow a bit and Ara panicked not knowing what was happening to him. "Paradox, don't you dare. You better not die," Add said, fear entering his eyes.

        "I can't die. It's impossible. Trust me...I've tried dying before. I told you...I'm tired. Just give me a little time...just a little bit of time," Paradox muttered, closing his eyes as he did. "No, Paradox, wake up. Please don't do this," Add pleaded as Paradox glowed even more. Ara watched in shock as Paradox exploded into purple glowing particles that floated around them and fell like snow. "No..." Add whispered, dropping to his knees as he did. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!" Add said, punching the ground in fustration as he did.