Twilight to Destiny- Quest of Legacies

Chapter 36

"What's the problem?" Vale asked as he and Valor jogged up to Tobi and Artemis. Valor stopped dead in her tracks.

There, in a branded green track jacket and pants stood Aspen Haruko, staring uncomfortably at this crowd of viewers that were trying to figure out how to handle this.

"W-wha- HOW?" Valor shouted, instantly turning pale.

"Yeah, how?" Artemis crossed his arms.

Vale eventually caught up, panting for breath and looking back between Valor's blushing face and Aspen's appearance. He squinted. "More like why?"

Aspen scratched his head and took a couple steps forward. "It's complicated."

"Well, we have all the time in the world," Tobi remarked, putting her hands on her hips. She signaled to him. "Go ahead."

"I-I... Was looking for you, Valor." Valor's jaw dropped a bit.

"What? Why?" Tobi asked, surprised.

"Excuse me?" Vale said.

"He knew all along," Valor narrowed her eyes. "About our powers. Our mother. He's... an adrealist?" Aspen nodded slightly, taking a deep breath and preparing his valid explanation.

"Geez, do you have to read my mind at a time like this?" Aspen scowled, leaning against the bark of a tall pine tree.

"It's not her fault," Vale said.

"Well who are you?"

"My name is Vale," he replied, slipping his hands in his pocket. "And I'm Valor's boyfriend."

"Uh.. what?" Valor asked. "That's n-"

"Vale, you've only met her for a few d-" Artemis began.

"Shut up. Just lemme have this one!"

"Okay, damn."

They returned their glances back to Aspen, who was scrunching up his face in confusion and timid jealousy. He dropped his hands to his side and took a couple paces towards Vale. "What did you say? You're her boyfriend now, huh?"

"Er- yeah. I am. Problem?" Vale did his best to puff up his chest as Aspen was an inch away from his face, narrowing his eyes with hesitation.

"Hmph. Is this true, Valor?" he asked, turning his body to Valor.

"Of course no-" Vale swiftly stepped in front of her, instantly extending an arm just before Valor's stomach blocking her walk. "Hell yeah it is. Now back off."

"Ugh, Vale!" She lowered his arm down. "No, he's not my boyfriend. I-I apologize for the misunderstanding." She held her own hand in a regretful manner and as Vale began to oppose, she secretly kicked his shin.

"Um, ow?"

"Whatever," Aspen sighed. "What are you guys even doing here?"

"I could say the same towards you-" Jered began.

"Learning how to fight an idiotic "Lord" named Phoenix," Tobi explained. "Since you're mostly a human, you should probably leave."

"Yeah. Valor's perfectly fine, so you can go back now. Please," Artemis said.

"Leaving?" Aspen scoffed. "I'm not leaving."

"What! Why?"

"I'm bringing you guys back. You realize you skipped more than a MONTH'S worth of school. A MONTH!"