Journey to a Better End II

Chapter 14

Don't ever underestimate the power of...wait what was I saying again? Nevermind, here's the next chapter...
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        "We still have to be cautious. We don't know if Raguel is after us or still fighting Elsword," Ara said as she followed behind him. Add heard her but he wasn't really too focused on her words at the moment. Since Ara had found a spare cloth and formed a makeshift bag out if it, Add had only been left with the responsibly of making sure Paradox's sphere was kept safe. He nor Ara knew what it was but they knew for sure that it would allow them to get Paradox back and they weren't going to let it out of their sight.

         "Hey, he'll be alright. As long as we keep that thing safe, he should be back in no time," Ara said likely noticing Add's concern. Even so, Add couldn't keep his mind off of the matter as he and Ara carefully made their way back towards where they assumed Elsword was still fighting Raguel. At least Add hoped he was. After what happened to Paradox, Add wasn't sure if he would be able to come to terms with Elsword's death if the boy had even died. Ara was suddenly standing by him and had shot her arm out in front of him making him stop.

         Add took the message to be an indication of a threat but Ara didn't seem to worried about whatever she'd noticed. "I know you aren't an enemy. Show yourself," Ara said loud enough for whoever was out there to hear her. "Dang it! I wanted to surprise you guys," Elsword's familiar voice said as he became visible while being carried piggyback style by Lua. "Elsword! And Lua, you're alive! I though that creep killed you!" Ara exclaimed as she was about to go up to them but Add stopped her, catching hold of her arm and shaking his head at her.

         "How do we know it's really you two and not another one of Raguel's illusions?" Add asked. He couldn't afford any slip ups no matter how distracted his mind was. "I can't prove anything but Lua killed Raguel and saved my life. I was so close to losing but then she shot some arrows and gave me my sword back. He was caught off guard and I almost got him but Lua beat me to it. I'm telling you, arrows are very brutal," Elsword said grinning like an idiot despite the wounds he had to show from his battle with Raguel.

         He was nowhere near the level of damage that he was at last time but seeing him with so many cuts, some of them still bleeding, was still a reminder of Raguel's mercilessness. "Are you okay?" Add asked him. "I'm okay. A few scratches won't keep me from moving on. I'll just need a little time is all," Elsword replied. His choice of words stung a bit but Add believed him for the time being. "He was struggling so I helped. Also, Ara, you left this so I thought you might want it," Lua said before letting Elsword get down and disappearing into the vegetation that she'd appeared from.

         She returned shortly with Ara's spear in hand but Add wondered how she'd even brought it with her while carrying Elsword. "Thank you...I...I'm sorry I didn't go back for you. I thought you were already...you know," Ara said refusing to meet Lua's gaze. "Cheer up, kid. You've got plenty of time to make it up to me. Besides, I got my revenge when I got rid of Raguel. He'll never terrorize another human again," Lua said.

          Although Add was relieved to know that they wouldn't have to worry about finishing off the mission, he was quite curious as to why Lua had called Ara a kid and apparently Ara was too. "Kid?! I'm no kid!" Ara pouted as she pointed at Lua accusingly. "Compared to me you are. I'm way older than I look," Lua said with a slight smile. "Hey, Add...where's Paradox?" Elsword suddenly asked. Add immediately looked to the glowing sphere that he was still holding.

         "He's in here. Raguel got to him but he'll be okay," Add said, holding the sphere for Elsword to see. "Wait that means Paradox isn't human! There's no way a normal human could do something like that!" Lua said with genuine surprise. "You just now realized Paradox wasn't human? He traveled tbrough time. Seriously Lua, I expected better from you," Elsword said shaking his head at the elf who still seemed shocked. "It's getting late. We should head back to the tent or maybe just somewhere safe before we run into anymore trouble," Ara suggested.