Chapter 20

Filippa just stared into the distance, blank. She was trying to remember all the good times with Adelaide before her unexpected death. She tried taking off into the skies to get her mind off all this mess. Unfortunately for her, tears pricked the corner of her eyes and started streaming down her cheeks.

But who could blame her? This moment reminded her so much of Adelaide, and the nostalgia was extreme. Even as the wind blew across her face, it did little to nothing to energize her. It only reminded her of the bitter truth.

Her best friend was gone, and she was helpless to have stopped it.

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If Leoric didn't want his father dead before, he definitely did now. As soon as he caught sight of him, he threw a few baselards at him, suppressing the urge to burst. He didn't expect that, and as a result, his arms and hands started bleeding.

Leoric didn't stop there, and threw some more and managed to graze his skin, but not get enough of a good hit as before. He didn't let the grief get to him even as he fought. It all went to waste, though, as he vanished, leaving a few sparks behind.

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Dustin wasn't faring much better, either. And what scared him most was that he'd never get to feel happiness in his life again. Adelaide was his opposite, and with her dead, he couldn't balance his emotions very well.

It never even occured to him how far he had trailed off. If Adelaide somehow managed to survive, maybe things would go back to normal. But deep down, he knew that was just wishful thinking.

Dustin feel the presence of someone nearby, though he never acknowledged it.

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"Maybe we should take a break from this 'destiny' of ours," Filippa suggested.

"No, we need to avenge Adelaide!" Leoric yelled, frustration getting the better of him.

"Don't be selfish, Leoric, we need to regain our stamina," Dustin added, glaring at him.

It was like their friendship was falling apart the longer they talked. Maybe this was his plan all along.

"Listen to me-"

"No, it's important that we get our revenge, now!"

"I agree with Leoric," Dustin spoke up, earning weird looks from both.

"What if we go through the same thing as Adelaide?" Filippa queried.

"I actually agree with Filippa on this one," Leoric said, nodding along.

"Fine, then," Dustin agreed.

Eventually, they decided to continue their journey. The longer they walked, the more the stars dimmed.

"Your father must really be evil if he killed his own daughter, Leoric."

"Whatever. Anyway, I'll play the sacrificial lamb, because he expects me to come and take revenge recklessly," Leoric informed.

"And what about me?" Dustin inquired.

"Run!" Filippa screamed, fear evident in her tone as she grabbed both of them and bolted away.

"Why are we running?" Leoric whispered, getting his arm out of her grip and running at her pace.

"I think it's because of this paranoia we're experiencing; the same one like Adelaide."

"...That explains it..."

"I just can't accept that she's gone forever," Leoric mumbled, letting out a shaky sigh.

"So isn't this whole thing pointless then?" Dustin asked, which made all of them stop in their tracks.

"You do have a point," Filippa added hesitantly after a moment of silence.

"How can you say that!? We should complete Adelaide's plan-- We can't stop!" Leoric exclaimed in disbelief.