Fire On Fire
Chapter twenty five - Loss

I woke up extra early. I knew this because the sun still hadn't risen yet.

I smiled to myself. I had a dream that Ace told me he loved me. The thought alone made me smile. It made me realize that I loved him.

I'll admit, I spent days trying to figure out what to call this, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. I WAS in love with him. My only hope was that he loved me too.

Our bond just re-enforced my feelings for him. Speaking of...

I turned around to his side of the bed, only to find it empty. Huh, Probably woke up earlier than me to get ready. He was always up and ready before me.

Well...except for that one time. At that thought my cheeks grew pink and my ears burned.

I threw the covers off and didn't bother to comb my hair, just pulled on my pants and boots and walked out.

Barreling down the stairs I cheerfully greeted

"Good morn-" an empty room "-ing" I finished, stepping down the last stair.

I turned my head from side to side. That's weird. The bar was usually packed even this early.

Maybe I'm too early.

I walked over to the back, where the kitchens were and grabbed an apple.

I chewed on my apple as I traced my finger on the wooden surface of the bar.

Looked like Falia wasn't here either. I wonder where they went...

Suddenly, a realization dawned on me. Quickly, I got up and ran up the stairs back to my room.

I searched the drawers but there was nothing there. His armor is gone...

I ran to the stables, refusing to believe what I knew was true.

The horses he bought were gone too.

My heart started beating faster and I panicked.

Did they leave WITHOUT me??

Okay Ava, there must be a reasonable explanation...

"What the fuck am I even thinking ? This is exactly like Ace! I wouldn't put it past him!"

I huffed and turned back to the inn.

I searched everywhere I could think of, no sign of them.

Not even a note?

I spent a long time just frantically searching for them.

By now the sun was high in the sky and it was midday.

I was running out of time.

Falia mentioned that the Demon domain was treacherous, and the queen was headed there too. She'd already used him once, she could do it again.

What if she does...what if she hurts him...

It's not like I could protect him but it was the thought of having him near me and KNOWING he was safe.

"I need to get to them" I stated aloud. I started walking towards my room to look for the map Ace had, hoping, praying that he had left it.

I stopped halfway opening a drawer.

What if they left me because I'd just get in the way? I took a small step back.

I had a choice to make. This felt like that moment when I ran out after Ace.

Without a second thought I decided to go after him, maybe this was sign...

I sighed. Why's everything so stressful!?

Then a thought occurred to me.

The bond!

I could try and reach him using the bond!

Hesitantly I closed my eyes and reached out. It was like testing the waters of a pool. I dipped my foot in first, then reached out further, calling out.

I got nothing in return.

"Come on Ace you've gotta give me something" I whispered.

I clenched my eyes shut tighter and I concentrated hard, focusing on him and only him.

His smell, his touch, his eyes, his hair, the feel of his skin, his voice.

Still nothing.

I started to worry, everything was dead. What if this meant he was too!?

I banished that thought as fast as I could. No. Ace is strong. He can handle himself.

I didn't know why, but I was so restless, I was itching to be with him.

I felt helpless, I NEEDED to get to him. I was just about to explode when a deafening roar filled my ears.

I clutched my head fell to the floor.

"Agh" My head was pounding.

Another roar.

I know that sound.

I recognized it. It was Ace. He was in trouble. I needed to get to him.

My breathing got heavier and I got up. The more I heard it the more something inside me stirred.

I screamed no-ROARED back. My heart started burning and I felt my back twist.

There was a rush of air, and suddenly, I was outside.

I turned around. I was surrounded by ashes, the sky was covered in thick, dark clouds. Puddles of what looked like tar dotted certain areas.

The Demon domain. Something in me just knew.

The deafening roar sounded again, this time, not in my head. I whipped around and looked up.

"AVA!" I heard Falia's voice

"GET BACK !" she screamed out. She was on the floor, clutching her side. Her hands were stained a deep red.

I took a few steps back, away from the beast that was hovering over me.

Where's Ace!?

I backtracked and ran towards Falia. She was propped behind a big boulder.

"Ava..." she breathed out.

"Shh, save your strength Falia" I said softly as I put pressure on her wound.

"No..." she coughed up blood and my heartbeat sped up.

"You n-need to g..get out of here.."

More blood.

"No, there's no way I'm leaving you" I shot back.

More blood.

"A...Ava...p..please.." she breathed out.

I looked over, for the beast. He was still hovering over that area.

I turned my head back to Falia, only to find her slumped on the gravel.

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