"A-Ariel, run!" Peter shouted.
Ariel turned around. Vixel stood in front of him with her longsword on her belt.
"I've heard what you done. It's one of that bastard's play's right?" She said with a smile.
She put her hand on his shoulder. "Come on, we can easily deny his 'ccusations!"
"I'm not coming back." Ariel said.
A silence stretched between them.
Vixel clutched her hands, Ariel's armor dented.
"What did you-"
"I'm not coming back. I'm done being a commander." Ariel said.
"So cute. 'riel, you know nothing 'bout what lies beyond the sea." Vixel pulled back her hand.
"I will find out." Ariel turned back and started walking towards Peter and Amy.
One step, two steps. In the third step Ariel felt a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from moving any further.
"I won't lose 'nother kid 'riel. You're not goin' 'nywhere." She said in a low tone."
"Even if it hurts you." She muttered.
Ariel rose a dirt wall behind him. Vixel's hand darted through the air aimed at Ariel's neck, instead it hit the wall.
The earth wall shattered as soon as it rose.
Dashing forward, He turned to Vixel.
Ariel pointed his halberd at Vixel. She grabbed the hilt of her longsword, pulling it with the scabbard.
"You're determined in this path, huh?" Vixel's gaze lowered. "I won't let you, I won't let you, I won't let you, I won't let you..." She muttered.
Appearing in front of Ariel, Vixel slashed her sheathed sword at him. With a swoosh of his halberd, Ariel blocked her attack.
The impact of her attack sent Ariel a few meters away. The stone on his trail crumbled.
I'm still not fully recovered from the poison. I can't beat her even if I wasn't poisoned.
Ariel smacked the ground, stopping him from going any further.
I have to talk my way out of this.
He felt a breath behind him. Ariel instantly rolled away. Vixel slashed the air, where his neck was seconds ago.
Vixel appeared above Ariel, mid swing.
"Mother, listen to me." Ariel said.
She stopped.
"What is there to talk? I told you over and over again to not follow kid stories." Her shoulders relaxed.
"Even Reinhard..." She lowered her sword.
Ariel narrowed his eyes.
What are they talking about? My mother, Louis and Reinhard. What dream?
He rubbed his forehead.
Reinhard's words echoed in his mind. "You always talk about becoming..." Ariel hit his head, trying to remember the word. "...a hero."
The low winds caressed their hair.
"Believe in me mother. I will clear my name and return."
Vixel's eyes drawn to the lack of the golden crown on Ariel's chest.
A subtle smile crept into her face. "Your dad said the same."
"Like father like son, huh?" She chuckled.
Vixel turned around and walked a few steps. "Go. But you'll regret your decision, like him."
Ariel rose from the ground. He walked off to the distance with Peter and Amy on his side.
Vixel didn't turn to look back. Her eyes quietly watered as she walked towards the mansion.
"You'll regret it." She muttered.
***
After walking for hours in silence, they arrived to a small fishing city. Ariel spotted a pawning shop. He went in and moved straight to the counter. He placed the golden crown motif that was on his chest. The edge of the motif was rugged and tarnished with white metal.
"Ariel, you told us nothing all this road. Are we in a new mission? Did they found out? Are we gonna get executed? Say something!" Peter said
Ariel turned to face them. "They ordered my exile. I'm no longer a Sun."
Peter's mouth hung open. "What happened!?"
"It doesn't matter." Ariel extended his hands to them. "Let's travel together."
"I am fine with it." Amy said, without looking away from her orb
Peter put his hand on his waist. "If both of you please eagerly. I must join!"
"I will not." Amy said.
"It's best to not push your luck." Ariel said with a faint smile.
"Ugh come on! Can't you guys play along for once?"
The pawnbroker cleared his throat.
"I can give fifty silver for that. It's rugged and stamped. No more." The pawnbroker extended his hand.
"It's a deal." Ariel extended his hand as well and shook it.
"What now?" Peter asked.
Ariel rubbed his chin. "Let's aim for the Jade empire."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "What about the Ursian stories?"
Amy shifted her eyes from the orb. "You can record them on the way. The Ursians are told to spread far and wide."
Ariel grabbed the coins from the counter and walked towards the door.
"Noon is closing in." He said, opening the door and walking outside.
The winds from the ocean swept through the streets. The air was cluttered with dark clouds. Amy and Peter followed Ariel towards the dockyard. Three merchant ships stood docked. One of them slowly drifted towards the horizon.
Ariel handed over three silver and sat amongst the cargo. Amy sat closer to the windows. Peter sat on top of a chair.
The city slowly drifted away, as the moon in front dipped beneath the horizon.
Ariel grabbed the coin pouch, counting what they had.
"We're left with forty seven silvers from the golden crown and seven silvers from the firestone." Ariel muttered.
It should be enough for six constellations. He sighed.
The coastline disappeared from the view.