The Heritor of Illipia

Chapter 6

Sorry it took so long to update but I'm back with the next chapter. Hopefully you guys didn't have to wait too long. I got over my writers block for now so hopefully things will run more smoothly now...
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        "He knows where your mother is doesn't he," Elsword stated once the others had long gone. Up until then, it had been strangely silent and the atmosphere held a strange aura. For Elsword to immediately have jumped to such a conclusion meant that he knew from the beginning which (y/n) had suspected. The suddeness of his statement still startled (y/n). "Was it that easy to figure out?" he muttered with a sigh.

        "I don't think the others noticed but since I know you a little better, I could tell that you were hiding something," Chung said instead of Elsword replying. (Y/n) found that sort of unsettling. He didn't realize that he was so easily readable by his friends although Elsword himself hadn't figured out the secret the same way Chung had. "It was just a coincidence. I was only guessing. We can't keep him here with us though. Since Ykuei is likely a target for our enemy, it would be risky for us too house him here within the village. It's already strange that he'd escape right when we'd arrive here," Elsword said.

        He pointed out someting that (y/n) hadn't thought about. It truly was suspicious how Ykuei found himself escaping when the El Search Party got near Lanox. Illipia had informed him that Ykuei did not lie so whoever he'd escaped from must have timed things to hapoen this way. "I told you, your mother is no longer able to be saved," Illipia's voice said within his mind. "That isn't true. Ykuei said that she helped him escape and you yourself said that he wasn't lying," (y/n) thought, slightly irritated that Illipia insited on his mother being truly evil.
 
        "(Y/n), is it okay for Ykuei to tell us what he knows about your mother?" Ara asked him. He nodded not seeing any reason for him to decline. He trusted them enough to stay behind so he might as well let Ykuei explain everything. "I don't want to talk about Commander Zhen right now. They'll hurt her," Ykuei quietly murmured speaking specifically to (y/n) although answering Ara's question.

         He had revealed himself once he had been sure that Add was gone but had not stopped hiding behind (y/n). It may not have been obvious to the others but Ykuei wasn't telling them on purpose for (y/n)'s sake as if he could sense that deep within him, he didn't want anyone else to know much about his mother and her current whereabouts. "Well what do you want to talk about then? You've got to tell us more information so that we can help you," Elsword said. He seemed sincere and likely was but Ykuei refused to speak to him any longer and disappeared from sight again.

        "We aren't going to make any progress this way. Why don't we discuss accommodation arrangements for him. We can't just send him off. That person that was here must be looking for him," Ara said. "We'd be risking the safety of others if we kept him here," Chung noted. Elsword nodded but he seemed to be coming up with a plan. Before he could voice his thoughts, (y/n) sensed the familiar presence of the fire priestess, Ignia. He must have put his teammates on edge because they all seemed to tense up when his eyes began to glow.

        He truly did not control whenever his first reaction occurred and couldn't help the fact that he was easily put on edge himself. "Who do you sense?" Ara asked but he gave no reply as Ykuei disappeared from sight once more. His invincibility was a handy skill and Ignia didn't even realize he was there as she made her way to where they gathered in the main room of the inn. "Are you all okay? I heard there was an attack here. The innkeeper told me that some of your friends left already," Ignia said as she casually joined their conversation.

        Whether or not she could sense (y/n)'s unease didn't matter to him. He'd already dispersed his rising power so she wouldn't immediately catch on. "Everything is fine. Elesis has gone to speak with the village cheiftan to get some more information," Elsword said. As perceptive as he was, he didn't seem to be able to tell that something about Ignia was off. "I'm guessing you guys didn't catch whoever the intruder was. I'm sorry. I was in a different area of Lanox. There have been some problems in the surrounding area and I was talking to Steel about her missing father. I had no idea your team had been attacked," Ignia explained.

        She seemed genuinely sincere but (y/n) still couldn't shake the feeling of suspicion that he held. "It's alright, Ignia. It wasn't your fault. Besides, no one was hurt," Ara said. She smiled and for a moment, (y/n) felt that maybe, just maybe, Ignia could just be an awkward ally with no underlying intent. "There is definately something strange with Ignia. You are right not to trust her," Illipia's voice said. A slight tug at the hem of (y/n)'s shirt got his attention. He'd almost forgotten that Ykuei was still present but hiding.

        "I'm heading back to my room. You guys can continue talking if you want. I'm done here," (y/n) muttered silently thanking Ykuei for the excuse to leave the odd situation. Ignia looked at him strangely for a brief moment and quickly went back to her cheerful persona. Chung nor Elsword seemed not notice and Ara hadn't been paying attention to her but it was very clear to (y/n). Ignia was aware that he did not trust her and she also seemed to notice Ykeui's gesture despite probably not understanding that Ykuei was even there.

        "Oh, before you go, I wanted to tell your team something inprotant. There's been sightings of an enemy lately. The reports describe him as a child but I don't think he is. If you guys see anything or anyone suspicious, be sure to let me know," Ignia spoke up before he could leave. Perhaps this was enough to get Ara to think twice about Ignia's loyalty, but whatever the reason, Ara seemed to suddenly have a suspicious view of Ignia. Of course, she hid it well and Ignia was unable to tell since she didn't know Ara but it was certainly there, the small amount of distrust.

        "I'll be sure to let Elesis know when she and the others get back. We'll keep an eye out too just to be sure," Elsword ensured with a nod. (Y/n) simple sighed in slight annoyance before heading back to his assigned room. Ignia knew what she was doing. Her approach was working so far but there was no way that he'd fall for it, especially with his mother's life possibly being on the line. No matter what it took, besides betrayal of course, (y/n) would save his mother and Ykuei was the only one who would tell him where she was.
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Again, sorry about the late update. I managed to get the chapter finished but I need to pick up on the plot. Until next time you astounding readers!