Pᴇʀғɪᴅɪᴏᴜs || Tʜᴇ Cʜᴏsᴇɴ Eɪɢʜᴛ Bᴏᴏᴋ Fᴏᴜʀ

Chapter twelve// Back To The Ship

Niko
With all four talismans in our hands, we started back toward the ship. I think it went pretty well this time, minus the fact that Zay's brother died. The return trip was quite a bit shorter, since we didn't rest as much and just continued travelling throughout the night. We passed by the village where Lucia had rescued Jayde, and we found the fires from before to have gone out. It was both a relief and a tragedy, for the houses were burned to the ground and there wasn't a soul in sight. We changed our route slightly so we didn't have to pass through my old village. I'm glad we did; another trip past the ashes of my mother probably wouldn't have been a great idea. I looked around, reflecting back to when this journey started. Everyone here has lost something. Or, at least, as far as I know. Some of us have grown with it. For others, it's still too fresh. As this thought crossed my mind, I glanced back toward Zay and Sasha. They were walking together at the back of the group, presumably in silence for I couldn't see their mouths moving.

"What are you thinking about?" Lucia's voice startled me as she fell into step at my side.

"Ah, you know, this and that." I answered vaguely.

"Mhm." She raised her brows and looked around at the group. "Y'know, everyone's kinda split off into couples." She remarked randomly.

"What?" I followed her gaze, realizing it was true. Navia and Sabien were walking side by side, hands clasped; Lizzie and Tazi were beside each other; Aiden and Jayde were also walking together; as well as Zay and Sasha; plus, at the head, was the trio of guardians. "Hm. You're right."

Lucia nodded thoughtfully. "I guess that means we're together too?" She asked slyly.

I felt my cheeks burn. "Wha- no! I mean, yes! I mean, if you want to?" Internally facepalming, I offered a sheepish grin.

Lucia chuckled. "I'd like that." She batted her eyelashes.

My heart stopped working. I felt colour rush to my face and the only coherent word I could form was; "o-okay..."

She smiled and reaching out, taking my hand. "Okay." I'm fairly certain that steam was coming out of my ears, because my entire face felt like it was on fire. I focused on my breathing, trying to calm down. It only started working when Lucia began babbling away about something irrelevant. We chattered amicably, and though I was still hyperaware of the feeling of her palm against mine, I could feel the blush retreating from my cheeks.

After about two days and one night of steady walking, we reached the Tellun's Pride II. Sabien immediately headed over to the water, where Canal the dolphin was chilling. The rest started boarding. I  stepped in my brother's direction, Lucia trailing behind me. I took a breath and smiled. "I suppose this is where we part ways."

He nodded, smiling sadly in return. "I guess so, brother. Have a safe trip, and good luck with saving Erdas."

I nodded, watching him fondly. Without thinking, I reached out and pulled him into an embrace. It surprised even me; I wasn't usually much of a hugger. My face buried in Aiden's shoulder, I heard Jayde and Lucia's exchange. "Thanks for saving my life." The Niloan said shyly.

"Of course." Lucia sounded slightly startled. "But it may only be a one time offer, so watch your back as well, okay?"

Jayde laughed. "You got it, chief."

Aiden's breath tickled my ear. "You've got something good going there, Iko. Good luck."

We pulled apart I nodded to him. "Same goes for you. See you around, Ai."

"See you." Aiden backed up a few stepped and caught Jayden's hand in his.

"C'mon, they're calling us." Lucia hooked her arm through mine.

"Hm? Oh, of course." I let her drag me back to the ship and we boarded it. Standing at the prow, I waved to my brother. He waved back as the ship started to move. I watched him until he vanished from sight, then watched for him a bit more.

Lucia's arms snaked around my waist and she rested her chin on my shoulder. "So?"

"So what?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the horizon.

I could practically hear her roll her eyes. "So. Now what?"

"We head back to Greenhaven and use the talismans to form the staff of cycles and then somehow save the world." I answered, feeling the grim uncertainty of the task hanging over us.

Lucia laughed her tinkling laugh. "No, silly. Now what do we do? As in us. Together."

"Oh." I mentally smacked myself. "Well, I dunno. But the saving Erdas thing seems more pressing somehow, hu- ouch!" She'd poked my directly in the ribs. "What was that for?"

"For being an annoying prick who is too smart for his own good." She answered, then, without missing a beat, pressed a peck to my cheek and added in my ear, "and that's for everything else." She scurried away, leaving me blushing beet red and blubbering like the idiot I am.

Tellun, what am I going to do with that girl? I groaned inwardly, hiding my burning face in my hands. And yet, as much as I resented my traitorous blushing face, I couldn't help but do a mental happy dance 'cause, well, the girl liked had kissed me! That was the highlight of the trip, I concluded. And now I'm never washing my face again.

Ey! How are y'all? Another chap, ik it's a miracle! But fun :) anyway, idk if there will be another one today cuz I got some stuff to do, but stay tuned just in case! Y'all are awesome, and I always enjoy reading the comments, so yeah!

Btw there will only be a few more chapters (like four or something), then we're onto the last book of this series! :0 That is super crazy!