Chapter 19: Embers of trust

Together, Axel and Becca stood at the charred grassland. In order to find any clues, four of the Watchers assist.

One of them whistled to everyone, saying he had discovered something on the grass that had burned.

Axel rushed towards him and inquired, "What did you discover?" The man pointed to the melted knives hidden on the grass.

"Do you think Ivy is okay?" Becca asked him as she caught up to him and saw the burned knives.

Axel did not answer, and he was not even remotely worried. He kept his cool and concentrated.

After giving him a light arm punch, Becca asks, "What is calming you down? The girl you care about is in danger, and you remain calm. Why is that?"

Axel gave her a quick glance and grinned before carrying on with his investigation.

Then one of the Watchers discovered something else. When Axel rushed to the spot, he discovered a sweet note written on the sand. A heart with an I on the right and an A on the left.

Becca caught up and asked, "Can not you walk normally? What is happening?"

With a smile, Axel turned to face her and said, "It is all right, we can go back home and wait for a while." After walking to Diego, he got on his horse.

Becca walked up to Diego and said, "What do you mean it is all right? Why are you so composed and tolerant? What will happen if the last time you saw Ivy was your last time? She might be hurt or dead." Becca quickly wipe the tear from his eye.

After Axel noticed this, he asked, "Are you speaking from personal experience? Begs the question, where is father of poor little Emily?"

Becca was frozen stiff and completely speechless.

"You must realize that I trust Ivy with my life, even though I acknowledge your worries and sincerely apologize for bringing up unpleasant memories. She is flawless, and I have never had any reason to doubt that. Now are we leaving or not?" Axel said as his happy go attitude disappeared.

She grabbed on to him and said, "Ohk then, I really hope she okay."

Turning to the Watches, Axel asked, "Can you guys keep an eye on the area and let me know when you are positive nothing has been missed?" Before continuing their search, the Watches give a salute.

After leaving the grassland and making their way to Neverport, Becca noticed that they were changing their course, "Where are we going?" Becca asked. Becca asked.

Axel kept riding toward the coast without saying anything. Becca made the decision to remain silent and wait for him to speak.

When they get there, they both get off of Diego.

Axel let his swords fall to the hot sand. He took off his shirt and wiped sweat from his brow.

"CREEP! What the hell?" Becca screamed, covering her eyes.

Axel smirked. "Relax. It is boiling out here, and we are close to the coast. I would prefer not to sweat through my shirt while we train."

"We can train another time!" Becca protested. "Or, I don't know, put your shirt back on?"

Axel's smirk faded. He cracked his knuckles, his tone becoming more serious. "Becca, something big is about to happen. In the worst scenario, you will be here with Neverport, and I will be on the front lines. How are you going to make it through the actual battle if you can not handle me without a shirt?"

Before she could respond, his foot slammed into her stomach, knocking her to the ground. Gasping for air, she looked up—and froze at the intensity in his eyes.

"I find it amusing that you are the same girl who killed William with fire in your eyes," Axel remarked, "I want to see that fire again In battle, we will face more than just swords—magic, monsters, and even worse. If you can't handle me, you won't survive them."

His right arm was glowing with energy as he raised his fists, "Get up. Show me what you've got."

(Pi and Jay)

When they arrived in Neverport, neither of them attracted any attention because of their attire.

Pi noticed that everyone was happy, saying, "Even during an extermination, their happy souls can live freely. I think that after Joseph sees the tranquil atmosphere this village has produced. He would spare us from his wraith. Wouldn't you agree, no."

With blood streaming from his nose, Jay started coughing violently once more. "Are you okay, my friend?" asked Pi

Jay exhaled a little steam from his nose trying to hid his frustration, "Probably a side effect of the Hax. When will you be able to produce more, do you know? His movements were getting a little slow.

Pi assists Jay by walking him to a bench and putting his arm over his shoulder, "Sit down my friend, if things are in our favour. Then we will find someone who can help get you healed."

Pi observes Jay holding his head while he becomes increasingly frustrated.

Once Jay was seated, Pi left to find Axel. That when he bump into Emily, "Excuse me young girl. Do you knew where Axel is?" He asked

Emily annoying response, "His with my mommy... Somewhere." Her face was both sad and angry.

"Do you hate him?" he asked, bending down to speak to her.

Emily sulks and replies, "He just a weird butt." She avoided meeting his eyes. But when she looked up, she noticed the scar on his face.

"How did you get that?" She asked

Pi chuckled softly and uttered, "From a very scaring monster."

"Yo Emily, let's go play!" Three children can be heard calling for her from a distance. "I am coming," she yelled as she turned to face her friends.

She turned back to Pi and said, "Sorry mister I have to go. If you need to see them then wait at the presence room to the right of here." After saying of that, Emily run off to play with her friends.

"Even now, you still find a way to make people hate you," Pi muttered as he rose from the floor. It was then that he felt a light blow to his back.

Right behind him was Jay, "Find the place?" He asked

Pi replied, "Yes, a little girl told me where to go...you shouldn't be walking-" before he could finish Jay shook his head and said, "No dice. Let's move on and find him already."

Despite his displeasure at seeing him walk, Pi finally remarked, "I will lead the way then." They begun to walk towards the presence room.

Jay was wondering if everything would go well, and Pi was wondering how Axel had changed since he was ten years old.

Pi understood how crucial it was to have Axel on his side. He is the kind of person Lost Brotherhood needs to manage the underground.

As they saw the large, long, wooden house, three guards were moving about it.

As Jay put on his mask, Pi's eyes glowed a vivid purple, and a purple mist started to emerge from his body.