5.1 Missing

Luxiain exited the bookstore as told by her Uncle. When she got outside, she looked around to search for Scarlett, but she couldn't find her anywhere. All she can see are the things they bought that are properly kept away at the side of a tree.

"Scarlett?" Luxiain called out to Scarlett, but no matter how many times she called, Scarlett are not appearing anywhere. There are only two places Scarlett can go to from this bookstore. She can either go to the market place or to the forest. Luxiain quickly thought that Scarlett might have went to the market to look around more. Thus she started walking,but before she can even take her fifth step, she noticed something familiar from her peripheral vision. It's a torn piece of cloth hanging in a bush. Luxiain confirmed that it's from Scarlett's dress.

Without holding back, she immediately went right in the forest. A few minutes passed, Scarlett went out from the forest while holding her Sugar Cloud. Fenwick and the guards in the same time finished their business thus exited the store. Fenwick immediately searched for her niece and looked around only to find her niece's Fey.

"Scarlett, where's your master?" Fenwick asked. Scarlett then pointed at the store.

"Master is with Sir Fenwick, is she not?" Fenwick looked around and started getting worried.

"She was, but I asked her to come out first and told her to wait with you here. Why is the hem of your dress torn and where did you go for you not to see your master outside?" Fenwick asked as she saw the torn part of her dress.

"The string of my Sugar Cloud got untangled then it flew off towards the forest. I followed it after setting master's thing aside and when I came out, It is Sir Fenwick whom I saw first not Master.." This immediately set Fenwick more worried.

Fenwick then raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Specks of white light quickly formed a magic staff. It was the Dark Blue rod with four stones representing the four Essential elements.

"Search." Fenwick uttered as he pierced his magical staff to the ground. He closed his eyes and using

the Search spell, he was able to see the remaining traces of Luxiain's step, aura, and mana in the surrounding area. Fenwick down his focus where Luxiain stepped outside the bookstore and as if he's seeing Luxiain infront, he saw her actions and her decision to go inside the forest. He immediately opened his eyes.

"This is not good, this forest is connected to the forbidden area." Fenwick uttered. He tried to use Search further, but the force enveloping the forest quickly blocked his spell.

"Men! Quickly form your squads to enter Sacreforis! We must find my niece!"

------

"Brother, what happened? Why are you in need of men?" The Emperor asked. Fenwick looked at his two brothers and Luxiain's Mom. Sensing Fenwick's lack of response and absence of her child, she had a thought.

"What happened to my child? Where is she?!" Doubts and worry started forming in Lucian's Heart.

"Althalos. Lucian. Forgive me for being irresponsible. Luxiain is missing. I used the search spell and found her going inside the forest... near Sacreforis." Lucian immediately felt her knees weak thus Althalos supported her to stand up. Althalos showing grave expression

"How come she entered the forest alone?!" Althalos despite the effort could not help not to raise his voice a little.

Scarlett quick got down to his knees and grovel.

"P-please forgive lords. It is my fault. I went inside the forest to get something I lost and it seems while I did, master searched for me, but we weren't able to see each other inside... I'm sorry.. " Scarlett worried and scared for her master's safety started crying as she grovels infront of Luxiain's parents.

"Here this Emperor's order! Send a battalion to help in searching my niece this instant. Whoever found her shall be rewarded and those who help shall also be rewarded!" Walter immediately got on the work. Althalos and Lucian got back on their senses. Lucian held Scarlett's shoulder and ordered her to stand.

"Don't worry. I will make sure to find her. I will find Luxiain." Fenwick said in all seriousness before he left with the battalion of men. Althalos and Lucian was left with Scarlett still refusing to stand.

"I will accept any punishment given to me. Even my life. I am truly asking for the Lords forgiveness. I blame myself for what happened, but please let me help to search for master. " Scarlett said full of resolution and looked at the couple. Althalos sighed and then Lucian stood Scarlett up from the ground.

"We accept your apology, although there is no need for us to take your life as punishment. The fact that your alive and unharmed means our daughter is still safe... and let us pray so that she will until she is found.." Lucian looked up to the sky, to a very particular shiny and bright star.