Ace attacks!

  Rin: What are you doing?!

  Ace says nothing, continues to attack. The others try to stop her, but no one succeeds.

  Rho: Ace you have to stop!

  Ace is ruthless, they've never seen her like this.

  Kaya: Guys, we need a plan.

  She continues to attack Rin.

  Ximen: That's my girl!

  Kaya: My powers haven't returned yet.

  Rho: Mine are.

  She’s trying to make a prison around Ace. Nuri tries to use his powers but still can't.. Nigel tries to stop Ace, along with Rin and Rho. She almost cut Kaya.

  Kaya: You know what, I think I will leave her to you.

  And she steps away. Rho tries to hit her katanas

  Rho: She's too fast!

  Ximen: This can all stop you know? All you have to do is surrender. Nuri and Kaya attack Ximen.

  Nuri: And if we don't surrender?

  Ximen: Then you will never see your Acacia in normal state again. Remember, I'm the only one who can bring her back to normal.

  Kaya: Then it's time to do it!

  Ace sees that X is under attack and goes towards him but Rin stops her. He manages to hold her still for a short time.

  Rin: Stop resisting!

  Rin: Rho, now!

  Rho fires bullets into her katanas, and moves them out of her way. Ace does not stop resisting. Rin and Nigel hold her tight, Rho puts a rope around her.

  Ximen: You can catch her, but you will never be able to help her, only I can...

  Kaya: Bring her back to normal, now!

  Ximen: Why would you do that? I like her like this. Ace my dear, come to me.

  Ace resists and everyone holds her very tightly, but she had incredible strength.

  Rin: No!

  He manages to break free and return to Ximen.

  Nigel: How is she so strong?

  Rho: I don't know...

  Ace stood next to Ximen.

  Kaya: Ace! What are you doing?

  Nuri: Please snap out of it...

  Ximen: Only I can snap her out of it, and if you kill me, you'll never find a way, so I suggest you surrender.

  They all looked at each other.

  Kaya: Is that what Kiru wanted? Ximen froze

  Ximen: What did you say?

  Kaya: I said, is that what your father wanted?!

  Everyone was confused. Ximen laughed maniacally.

  Kaya: don't blame me... I looked around your house a bit, and I can tell you I found some interesting things...

  Kaya: after being in the museum, talking to people, meeting you... everything became clearer to me. You are the son of Kiru, the ruler who ruled before Darux, the ruler who didn't want to give you the throne because you weren't ready, so you decided to take matters into your own hands... tell me, did you kill him?

  Ximen becomes sad.

  Ximen: I didn't mean to kill him...

  Kaya: What happened?

  Ximen: it all started when my father got sick. He was an incredible ruler, people loved and respected him, even though he never entered the mountain, but he was still a great warrior. A great battle proceeded, and a mountain appeared. I advised him to enter it, in order to be cured, but he did not want to listen to me. Daruxs was his best friend, so I turned to him, and we entered the mountain together... I was also working on objects that would block the influence of the mountain, so that they could weaken the opponent, but I didn't get the formula then. I and Daruxs entered the mountain, he got a great power that blinded him, but to really get that power, he had to kill Kiru, that was his condition. And so Daruxs had the choice of choosing best friend or power... and of course he chose power.

  There was silence.

  Ximen: What I got from the mountain was only a transformation into a fox. I didn't know what it meant then and why in lsic, as a pet that my dad adored. Also, all the abilities I had then were enhanced. Daruxs of course promised that he would not accept the terms of the mountain, and since he had been a loyal friend to my father and me until then, I believed him.

  Rho: What was your mountain condition?

  Ximen: The mountain told me that if I accept its gifts, everyone will forget the person I was. No one will be able to recognize me. Of course, I didn't know then what they were going to give me, and I agreed. I may not have gained strength, but I have gained intelligence. And only then did I realize how stupid I really was.

  Ximen: When I realized how Daruxs was going to attack father, I tried to fix the formula for my inventions, and prevent him from having powers, but by the time I figured it out, it was too late.

  Kaya: I'm sorry...

  Ximen: Then I could only watch Daruxs taking the throne, father who probably didn't even remember me anymore, all the people who forgot me at that moment....

  Kaya: That's why your statue isn't there...

  Ximen: That's right, it's my dad's pet statue, because he's the only one they remember being next to him

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Rho: No.

  Ximen looked at her.

  Rho: That's your statue... how can you not understand that?

  Nuri: It's a sign from the mountain, as your father always saw you

  Kaya: as his best friend, who he loves the most.

  Nigel: What are they talking about?

  Genially confused.

  Rin: A mountain is... a strange thing, once you enter it and come out, you see all things... more clearly.

  Nigel: Yeah, I was not talking about that...

  Kaya: There's a reason the mountain didn't give you power... because you don't need any physical strength to succeed.

  Rho: You saw what happened to Darux and who he became... do you really want to get in that way?

  Ximen was looking at the floor...

  Rho: If Darux had chosen best friend over power, he would have been a good ruler, but because of the choice he made, he wasn't capable of it.

  Kaya: That's right, and you just should have believed more in yourself and your father's decisions...

  Rin: there was a reason why he didn't enter the mountain... can you see that reason now?

  Ximen thought, he was broken, he understood everything. He took the antidote, and gave it to Ace:

  Ximen: I'm so sorry about this, he told her quietly.

  Rin: What are you do....

  Ace returned to normal, and fell to the floor. Kaya ran to Ace and caught her together with Ximen.

  Ximen: You don't have to ever forgive me for this... but know that I'm really sorry. I deserve every punishment...

  Rho walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder

  Rho: You deserve it, but you also deserve forgiveness.

  Ximen looked at her.

  Kaya: For starters, I forgive you for trying to kill me, I hope you forgive me for trying to steal from you? She laughed

  Nuri: Even though you caused me so much trouble... I forgive you.

  Rin said nothing. Ximen was confused and surprised

  Rho: But you have to promise us something.

  Ximen: Anything.

  Rho: If you want to be a good ruler, let violence be the last thing on your mind.

  Ximen nodded. Rin took Ace in his arms.

  Rin: I don't forgive you. He said coldly and carried her out of the house.

  Ximen followed them. But Rho stopped him.

  Rho: Just give them time...

  Nigel: Okay, seriously, what the... fuck

  Later that day.

  Ace sleeping in the bed, awaking. Rin is sitting on her right side of bed, Kaya on the other. And Nuri also in the room. Ace awake, looking around,

  Ace: What happened?

  Kaya relived and still worried.

  Kaya: Thank god you are awake...

  Rin: How are you feeling?

  Speaking calm, but worried. Ace confused silent.

  Nuri: Damn woman, speak!! Are you okay?!!

  Ace: I am fine... calm down..

  She spoke in very casual way, like nothing happened. Ace hold onto her head.

  Kaya: Is your head in pain? I can make you something to feel better! I'll be right back!

  She stands up leaving towards the door.

  Ace: While you at it, can you bring me some beer?

  Nuri: Well she is fine, and we were all worried for nothing.

  He teased, he was actually happy that she was okay. He left the room.

  Ace: Okay, now seriously, what happened?

  Kaya: Rin can catch you up on that, while I prepare some medicine for you. I'll be right back.

  She smiled and left the room. Rin looked at her. She looked back.

  Ace: So? Speak Ren.

  Rin: I thought we surpassed that.

  He said sarcastically She smiled a bit.

  Ace: I was just messing with you. Relax.

  She smiled. He smiled only a bit too, then he was back to normal.

  Rin: Don't you remember anything?

  Ace: I remember that damn fox.

  Silence. She sights and she starts to get up from the bed.

  Ace: Well I think I got enough rest.

  Rin: Wow

  He stops her from standing.

  Rin: I really think you should rest more.

  Ace: why?

  She looked at him confused.

  Rin: Because you went trough a lot today, and you should make time for healing too.

  Ace: But I feel fine.

  Rin: But your body...

  Ace: Let me stop you right there, you don't know me that well yet but if you haven't noticed I am a pretty tough girl, and when I say I am fine, and I am done resting, then I really mean that. So, if you don't want me to call you Ron again, you should remember that.

  She stands up.

  Ace: Rin.

  He looked at her a bit impressed. Rin stands up too.

  Rin: you are right, I almost forgot that.

  Rin smiles but then became serious again. Rin looks down.

  Rin: I am sorry Ace.

  Ace: what are you sorry about?

  Rin: If I wasn't an idiot I could stop all of that happening...I failed as a friend.

  She looks at him confused and serious then she starts to laugh he looks at her confused.

  Rin: Why are you laughing?

  She put an arm on his shoulder, as friend

  Ace: Dude, it is not your fault, I mean I also fell for everything and I got myself into that situation, I hate that, but even so, that is not reason for blaming either me or you. That damn fox took action, not us. So relax okay?

  She smiled once more, she tabbed his shoulder and started to walk out the room.

  Rin: One more thing then.

  She looks at him he runs around to look at her. Rin starts to walk towards the door, and stops beside her.

  Rin: Don't call me dude.

  He looked at her and then left outside.

  Ace: don’t call me Ren, don’t call me Ron, damn this dude is sensitive.

  She laughed a bit then left outside.

  Later that day

  They were on board, getting ready to leave. Ximen came and walked towards them. He wanted to apologize to everyone once more, especially Ace. He started towards her but Rin stopped in front of him.

  Rin: Where do you think you are going?

  Ximen: I just came to apologize...

  Rin: For what?

  Ximen: for everything I've done to you, I'm really sorry that I…

  Rin: Tried to kill kaya? Hurt Nuri? Put us all in danger, not to mention what you did to Ace.

  Ximen: I know... that's why I want to apologize.

  Rin: you don't understand...

  He looked at him dead serious.

  Rin: I was ready to kill you. But you are lucky that everyone forgave you.

  Ximen looked at him, he felt truly sorry

  Ximen: can you forgive me?

  Rin: I only give forgiveness when I see a change, until then forget about my forgiveness.

  He sights

  Ximen: can I at least talk to Ace?

  Rin wanted to say something but Ace walked from behind him

  Ace put a hand on Rin's shoulder.

  Ace: It's okay.

  Rin stepped back but stayed nearby.

  Ximen: I'm really sorry Acacia, if there's anything I can do to make up for it, I will, just tell me and I'll do it.

  Ace: You know, the whole time I was trapped down there I was thinking how could I possibly be in that situation... how could I let my guard down? But at no point did I worry too much about the others because I knew how they would manage, they had each other. And as much as I was angry with you, at one point I understood you, your anger, the desire for revenge, I understand that feeling very well, believe me, and I was ready to do everything to get what I want, but some ways we need to avoid, not every path is the path towards what you want.

  Ximen nodded then Ximen smiled honestly

  Ximen: Now I know it, thanks to all of you.

  Ace: You are a good person, and I know you will find the right path.

  Ximen: Thank you...

  Ximen: You know, if you're up for it, I'd love to take you out to dinner sometimes…

  Rin: Okay, I think that's enough of apologizing, Rin slowly drags him away.

  Ximen: write me!

  Ace was laughing.

  Rho and Kaya on board

  Rho: Are you okay?

  Kaya: I'm a little overwhelmed with emotions, but I'm fine.

  Rho: You know, you were really good today.

  Kaya: I did? Honestly, I don't feel like I helped you much...

  Rho: Are you kidding me? You helped the most with your speech. You managed to reach to another person, not everyone can do that.

  Kaya: I was just being myself.

  Rho: And don't ever change. Except for the stealing part, you should work on that.

  Kaya: What are you talking about? I'm great at it. She joked.

  Rho: You know what I mean.

  Kaya: I know.

  Rho: Your strength lies in the fact that you are not judgmental, and that you can find understanding in everything. You have that something inside you that people instantly believe in... That is your greatest weapon, don't let it go.

  Rho started to walk away.

  Kaya: You know, you are actually not that cold person.

  Rho looked at her.

  Rho: Please do not tell that in front of others, they might believe you.

  She said cold. But Kaya took that as a joke

  Kaya: I mean... to be honest, it was a bit hard to talk with you at first, but not because I think anything bad about you... oh god... why am I having so trouble talking with you...

  Rho still calm, cold, emotionless.

  Rho: I am not sure was that an insult or the real question?

  Kaya: No, no... I just meant that... we speak two different languages... and sometimes it's a hard to tell what is on your mind, how are you even feeling... and because of that I had trouble understanding... and now, you talked to me, like with emotions, and I think I even saw you smiled a little...

  Rho: I don't think so, What is your point?

  Kaya leaned on the side of the ship. And she put down her empty mug from tea.

  Kaya: My point is that... Even if it was for a second, I saw the real you, not hiding behind the wall or shield... maybe shield sounds better... well anyway... I like the real you. I am glad I met you, Rhodri.

  She smiled.

  Rho looked at her, her face calm, but she felt a bit warmer inside. She looked away a bit and smiled a little...

  Rho: I can say the same.

  Rho left and Kaya took out a page from the book that Rho had torn out. She stole that page, and saw what was on it, saw the secret of Rho, about who she was and decided to keep quiet about it. She went to hug Rho and at that moment she put the page back into Rho's bag, imperceptibly. And she left.

  Nigel: What was that about?

  Rho: Oh nothing, just a little family bonding.

  He surprised but smiled

  Nigel: I didn't know you were capable of that.

  Rho: Honestly, neither did I.

  Kaya: Okay, I think it's time to go. Everyone ready?

  Everyone nods.

  Kaya: Good.

  Ximen started writing the truth about everything, and continued to work on his projects, smiling.

  Nuri: What's next?

  Kaya: Provecta Island.

  Nuri: Don't they have strict conditions for entering there?

  Kaya: they have special rules for tourists, I think we are allowed to stay there for 2 days as tourists, but that's enough for us.

  Nuri: If you say so.

  Rho was looking at a page she torn out of a book, about her life before when she was called Nexara, and on the page was a picture of her and two other people. She set the page on fire.

  GENERAL DAVON

  At the office, he gets a call. He was told that there had been a change on Caligo Island. Davon laughed and hung up.

  Davon: So it's started... stands up.

  Davon: I'm waiting for you patiently... Nexara.

  Pages are on fire...