Crossing The Forest

I waited outside for Aria and Addis with Dearie. She sat on my shoulder, humming a tune as she checked the data for the Darlings of Royal Greens. I stared at the sky and watched the clouds. I immediately thought about when Suxen mentioned Seraph City, wondering if it was real like he said.

After a bit of waiting, Aria was the first to walk outside. She looked at me, noticing I was staring at the sky. She looked up at the sky as well.

"What Addis said last night...about you all being implanted with some device or whatever." I started.

"What about it?" Aria asked as she looked at me.

"If this is true...Dearie Corps works under the Reverence Corps. That only means that they are also the enemy so what's going on? The influx in System Wielders, learning that strong emotions will kill you all, learning I have to save you all.." I said and looked at Aria.

Aria noticed my drained expression. She didn't know how to respond to me. She gulped a bit and mustered the courage to speak. "I had a feeling that Addis's words might've had an effect on you..."

"That's because the truth can be just as painful as it can be pleasuring." Addis said as he walked outside. "There's more to the truth than to please someone. The entire Chronicles talks about the painful truth. Pain is a part of growth. You have most of the answers that you truly want to know deep inside. You have to fight and win that battle.."

I looked at Addis then the image of the serpent constricting me flashed in my head. "I know what I need to do...but I lack the strength needed to defeat him. I have to kill him. For my mom...and for the downfall of Reverence Corps."

"This journey around Royal Greens will give you all the training you need, plus our training of you mastering Animal Lordship and Nature Lordship...however as you are you aren't ready to learn." Addis said.

I had something smart to say back to Addis, but I controlled the impulse. I sighed and placed my hands in my pockets. "I know..."

Addis gently placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. "All will be okay, Claudio. You will win that battle deep inside...It takes time and don't be afraid to ask for help..."

I looked at his smile and returned his smile with a slight smile. "Thanks.."

"Alright, let's go. I'm sure Detre and Madris are tired of waiting." Addis said.

"Right.." I said.

______________________

The three of us made it to Detre and Madris. They looked at us and let out a sigh of relief that we finally made it. Madris stared at me and I noticed her gaze. I looked at her and met her eyes. It was like she was trying to read me, understand my thought process.

"It's not gonna work." A voice said as they walked forward.

I looked at the person and a bit of shine came back into my eyes. "Leo."

Leo smiled and chuckled softly. "He's like me. You can't read us not understand us."

Detre looked at Leo. "And what is Arabella's best ally doing all the way here? Don't you have more important matters to be settling?"

Leo crossed his arms and smiled. "I'm here because I heard you were travelling to East Spring already. I know it isn't much of a travel from Oakridge, but I thought I'd tag along and check out East Spring."

Detre shrugged and adjusted her hat. "Who am I to decline. The more the merrier as they say."

I was quite happy that Leo was tagging along. Something about him makes me feel more safe and calm. I couldn't get explain it, but his presence felt like my Dad's presence.

"Alright, we have to traverse through a forest named Spring Forest. It's a long travel so we should be at East Spring in four days." Madris said.

"Or we can ride there on the backs of bucks and wild horses." Addis said. He snapped his fingers then the sounds of bucks and horses were heard in the distance.

We watched as bucks and wild horses rushed toward us from the forest. Leo was quite impressed with Addis's skills.

"With them, we should be there within two days." Addis said.

"I don't need a ride animal. I'll see you all at the forest." Madris said then performed a hand gesture. A whirlwind surrounded her then she disappeared with the wind.

"Same here. See you all there." Detre said then tapped her cane on the ground and warped away.

The rest of us got on the backs of either a buck or a horse. We made our way toward the forest. Leo and I caught up on a few things, but I didn't tell him about my dream. I couldn't bring myself to tell him about it.

Once we made it to the forest, Detre and Madris began to guide us through the forest. Aside from them, Addis and Leo also knew the ins and outs of Spring Forest. As we kept traversing, we reached a fork in the road.

"Three split paths." I said.

"Well can't we just choose the right path?" Aria asked.

"It's not that, all three paths lead to the same end path. We need to unlock the three gates. We should split into three duos." Addis said.

"Detre and I will go together and meet the rest of you at the end." Madris said.

I watched as Detre and Madris went along the center path. I grunted softly as I felt Leo place his hand on my shoulder then looked at him.

"I'll take Claudio. I do have things I want to talk to him about." Leo said.

"Alright. It's you and me Aria, and don't worry, I'll make sure you don't get one shot by the Elven Guards." Addis said as he walked off.

Aria blushed and growled. She stomped her foot down. "That wasn't my fault! How many times do I have to say it?!"

Leo chuckled softly as he watched Addis and Aria walk off. He walked forward and placed his hands in his pockets. "Let's go."

I nodded and followed Leo.

It was a bit silent for the first few minutes of travelling. I didn't know what to say, mainly thinking about when he's going to fight Suxen and if he'll even survive.

"I know something is on your mind." Leo said.

I exhaled a bit and closed my eyes. "Quite a bit honestly..."

"It's just us two. Open up a little." Leo said and smiled.

I looked at Leo then looked off into the distance. I began by telling him about my dream and he listened with open ears. As I explained it to him, I could feel my heart hurting just from remembering my mom dying before my eyes.

"Do you know anything about...my accident? Other than the crash..?" I asked.

Leo looked at me then looked ahead. "It happened in on the outskirts of Woodcrest. I know because I was there. I wasn't fast enough...to stop Luke from gaining your trust. Mihr was there too as she's the one who saved you and gave you power."

"Mihr...gave me my angelic abilities?" I asked.

"Yeah. I mean not only is she one of the strongest Alpha Angels that protects Seraph City and Earth, but she's also your personal Guardian Angel." Leo said.

"And I'm gonna have to save her too..." I said.

"Yeah." Leo said.

I shook my head and sighed softly to clear my brain. "Uhm...did you know my mother?"

Leo smiled a bit as I mentioned my mom. "Yeah. Alice was a mad woman. Full of joy, excitement, and adventures."

I looked at Leo.

"She was a perfect woman who fell into Luke's corruption...became the first Darling. Crowned the most beautiful woman in the world. The Reincarnation of an Original Human named Fiona." Leo said.

As I listened to him, I noticed how he was talking about my mom. He spoke about her as if he knew her personally. I decided to keep listening.

"I remember...first meeting her. Felt like Heaven. Then I met you.." Leo said.

A faint memory played in my head then my eyes widened. The memory was shown clear in my mind. I looked at Leo and compared him to the man in my memory. Their appearances didn't match, but their presences did.

"You...were Roy Angels..? The CEO of the rival business of Reverence Corps? You own the company Divine Records?" I asked.

"The man that was killed...was me, but I faked it and changed my name." Leo said.

"You were alive all of this time...and you didn't fucking help me or my mom..?" I asked with a slightly pissed off tone.

Leo kept looking ahead. "And put you two in more danger than you already were in?"

"We were already being hunted! You weren't fast enough my ass..! You bailed on us...and came back at the worst possible fucking moment!" I yelled.

"Claudio. You don't know the full truth and I don't expect you to, but I literally couldn't come back. It was already bad enough that my death overwhelmed Alice and nearly caused her to die from sorrow. My reappearance would've killed her faster. I couldn't afford to make stupid moves." Leo explained.

"I loved Alice with every fiber of my body. I truly did and loved you as my son, but I was in a lose lose situation." Leo finished.

I shook my head. "I don't know what to believe anymore. How were you not fast enough? Mom could've still been alive..."

Leo looked at me then noticed faint black and red energy surrounding my body. He sighed softly and made his horse walk closer to me then he placed his hand on the back of my head, gently.

"I'm sorry that I failed you and your mother, but I will fix everything. I will do all I can to fix it all...Okay?" Leo said and looked at me.

"I guess..." I said and held back my tears.

Leo smiled a bit at me then looked ahead. "To fix everything starts by saving Royal Greens.."

I nodded. "Okay.."

___________________

All of us met together as it wasn't hard for us to get through taken the guards knew Leo, Addis, Detre, and Madris. Detre and Madris continued to guide us along the forest. As we traversed, we heard the sounds of nature stop.

A few Elven Outlaws appeared out the bushes to ambush us. They had their sights set on Detre and Madris. They aimed their crossbows at us and prepared to shoot.

I got off my buck and walked forward. "Lay down your weapons."

"Who the hell are you..?" One of th outlaws asked.

"I am an Agent sent here to settle a fued. We don't have time for your bullshit." I said.

"You...look like that man. You're that Serpent's son aren't you? We've actually heard a lot about you. Claudio Angels correct?" The leader asked.

"Yeah, but I am not that man's son. Not anymore." I said and my eyes shined. "Now I'm not gonna say it again. Move aside before I kill you all for pointing your weapons at Detre and Madris.."

The leader stared at me and noticed the wrath in my eyes. He grunted and took aim at me. "You...you look exactly like that Monster! You must be eliminated now!"

I stared at the leader then took my hands out of my pockets. I glared at him then dodged the wind arrow that was shot at me then rushed toward him. "Foolish mistake."

The leader panicked and stumbled backwards then he groaned as I struck his stomach with a wrathful blow. I grit my teeth then the Wrath Symbol shined on my arm, strengthening my blow. The leader coughed blood then was blown away. I followed it with a large Light Blast then a massive explosion happened.

Addis and Leo grunted as they watched me. Aria was surprised at how I didn't even hesitate to kill the Elven Outlaw leader. Detre's and Madris's suspensions were now confirmed after watching me.

"Your leader is dead. If you don't wish to join him in the afterlife, move aside. Unless you all would like to actually become easy targets for me to kill." I said and looked at the other outlaws.

The outlaws immediately retreated and left the area.

'The Angel's Wrath...Where did he obtain a Divine Sin..?' Leo thought to himself.

I grunted as I held my head then my Wrath Symbol stopped shining. Dearie checked up on me with a worried expression. I exhaled and calmed down then looked back at everyone else. I noticed their expressions and my heart thumped.

"You truly are my son...Look at their faces. Afraid of what you've already become. You have my DNA, you are meant to be a monster.." Luke's voice taunted in my head.

I closed my eyes and grunted then walked off. "Let's go."

'He can't fight this battle alone...This burden is too much for him to carry. This internal battle I sense in him...Claudio let us help you with this...' Leo thought to himself.