What A Thief Can't Steal

her love was a ruse?

Blade's POV:

"Why the heck am I even doing this for you?" Ace snorted, complaining to Ruse.

"Because I'm tired of walking, now buckle up!" Ruse carelessly replied.

"I say I don't wanna," Ace grumbled as he sat down, forcing Ruse to slide down his feathery back, "Besides, our weight is pushing down on my back... I swear, have you heard of taking a diet?"

"Why... you..." Ruse suddenly snapped, her face shaded a bright red, "I swear I'll make you eat those words!"

"I guess some things just never change," Violet sighed as she floated beside me.

"Don't you find that kind of life irritating?" I cracked a smile at her.

"Yeah, but..." Violet smiled as she edged closer, "I vowed to serve Ruse... She may not look like it, but she's a really good and caring friend."

"Caring, huh?" I smiled, "So... She does have a soft side?"

"Hmm... I guess so, but I doubt that she acknowledges it... All her life she was called a nobody, so I guess that must've stung," Violet explained, "By the way, do you think Rose reciprocates those feelings of yours?"

"What the... Feelings?" I glowed red, scratching the back of my head, "O-of course, she thinks that I'm a good friend just like the way I think she is..."

"Oh... But aren't you aiming for something other than friendship?" Violet smiled, "I mean, are you contented at just getting friendship? Don't you want... something more?"

"S-something more?" I stammered, uncomfortably fidgeting.

"Oh c'mon! You know it yourself, you seek something to complete you... Your heart yearns for her, doesn't it?" Violet asked in a concerted manner.

"Urck..." I coughed, "Maybe... Maybe not... I'm just... scared... Because... well, she's pretty hard to read... What if she... doesn't think the same?"

"Then, look on the bright side! Don't focus on those who seem out of your reach... Focus on those who'd gladly allow themselves to be grabbed by you," Violet winked, "I do know somebody here who adores you..."

"Huh?" I perked up, "S-someone... adores me?"

"Well, yeah..." Violet slowly blushed, "I hear she's actually honored to have the privilege of meeting you..."

I began to scratch my chin. Does someone adore me? Someone here? Who could it be? Ruse wouldn't be honored of meeting me, yes... Medea... well... Let's just say I'm not her type... Violet... Nah, she wouldn't be stupid to make it sound so obvious...

"Hmm... Who could it be?" I returned.

"Err... You don't know?" Violet returned with a somewhat disappointed and frustrated look, "Well, you should find out for yourself."

With a shrug, I continued the hike as Ace and Ruse continued to battle each other with each step we took.

"All right! This... is the supposed site of Spacial Rift!" Medea humbly bowed, one of her legs bent to make it seem more courteous, "Allow me to explain the geography of this area. This is a barren mountainous region home to few... Spacial Rift is said to exist somewhere in the middle between here and a higher plane... It is, according to legends, a special place holding together both worlds in a state of equilibrium... Unfortunately, I do not know anything about entering Spacial Rift as we are in a really low plane... Unless you know the answer, I don't think your journey will continue."