Kingdom of Zuland, The South Border, Present day.
The new day was warm as Roy traversed into the forest. It resembled the forests of Owlen in so many ways that it was difficult to believe they were hundreds of feet above the Undergrove. He pulled his bow from his back and pulled on the string lightly, testing its strain. He remembered how tightly he held the arrow that would have killed Giase. Xeto's actions in Hansel seemed justified after what Zuland had done. Kinta, Petra's younger sister, would have to live with that loss forever. Would she harbor hatred for Zuland just as Xeto did? Memories of Roxas flooded his mind. It must have been hard for Xeto to accept the death of his brother. Roy cursed the thought of losing Anaria. Xeto's resentment for them was justified. But it was that same anger that nearly drove him to his death. Didn't he know his death would tear Anaria apart? So reckless with his own life. Roy looked into the gaps of light between the canopy. "What am I doing here?" he mumbled. "What are we doing here?" The idea of an adventure was nothing like this. Where was the world going, to more death and violence? To war? He swallowed hard; the thought of war made his heart beat faster. He lacked the skill to perpetuate violence.
"It looks like you're lost in more ways than one."
Roy looked up to the higher branches.
Ren gave him a wave before tossing him a small yellow fruit. "Try it, it's called Pofu. One of sweetest delicacies you can find in the north."
Roy's mouth watered. Ever since Hansel they had relied on morsels of nuts and dry flavorless meat. They had been in Elegliss for four days now, and each one of them brought a handful of labor. He was no stranger to hard work, especially if it meant a heartfelt meal was the reward. Besides, they owed Ren and Niolith for allowing them to stay.
Ren tossed another pofu down. "Today I think you could help me with picking from the orchards."
Roy nodded back at him. "I can do that."
"Good," answered Ren. "Behind me is another collection of trees ripe with fruit. Could you start on those? Oh—a friend of mine is already there, just do what you can to help him."
Roy gave another nod before taking a bite from the pofu. It was as soft as butter and as sweet as creamrose. The succulent juices ran down the side of his mouth as its tangy taste remained on his tongue.
"Just don't eat all of them, you hear," called Ren from behind, his voice was almost an echo.
Roy reached a collection of well-spaced trees that were filled with pofu.
Leaves fluttered to the ground as the silhouette of a man moved through the branches. A few seconds later he tossed down four pofu into a woven basket on the grassy floor, filling it. "I think that should be enough for that one," said the familiar voice.
Roy let out an exasperated sigh as the man jumped down from the branches.
Xeto dusted his black tunic. "I think you were right, Ren. I—" He paused as he met glances with him. "Oh, it's you."
"Calm yourself, don't get too excited," grumbled Roy.
"I wasn't," answered Xeto coldly before picking another basket and placing it beside another tree. "Did you need something?"
"Ren sent me to help you."
Xeto looked away and focused on the orchard in front of him. "I don't need your help, just as I didn't need your help back at the basin." He dashed up the tree and took hold of the lowest hanging branch, pulling himself up within seconds.
Roy's ears grew warm. "Why are you like this?" He spread out his arms. "Why do you push everyone away?"
"Wasn't it you that said I was a danger?" He pulled the pulled the pofu from the branches with superfluous force.
Roy picked up the basket and held it up to his chest, catching Xeto's ill-tossed fruits. "I remember you as a quiet and gentle friend. I still believe you're that person, but I think you let your anger take the reigns too often."
"Gentle?" Xeto scoffed. "I'm a knight, Roy. Death stands outside my door with every breath I take. Being gentle would be like inviting it in. Emotions are a liability."
Roy's arms began to tire as the weight of the basket grew. "Then that'd only mean that your anger is just as likely to cost you your life."
"It won't…"
Roy put down the basket. "What if—"
"Anger keeps me focused. I reminds me of why I chose this. Of who is to blame."
"Roxas," mumbled Roy as his shoulder slumped.
Xeto sighed as he picked a pofu. "Fucking Zuland," he said between gritted teeth. He tossed the fruit with full force, splattering it on a nearby boulder. "I don't want to lose anyone. I didn't want anyone else to have to go through what I did. It's my job to protect others. That girl, Petra, I wasn't able to save her." His breath shuttered. "Alzac was almost killed and Rebecca was injured because I wasn't able to protect them. Then…then you and Anaria came after me at the basin, and what happened? Anaria was hurt and you both almost—" He shook his head. "Everyone that gets close to me gets hurt."
A pin of guilt pierced Roy's mind as he found it hard to swallow.
The winds of the forest came to halt, as if it too was listening in.
Xeto sighed. "I blamed you for not killing Giase, maybe I was wrong for thinking you were able to. In the coming days I'll leave for Beswind and meet my commander. You and Anaria should remain here where it's safe. Though not until I kill that demon first, you're not safe with that thing around."
"No, lad. That's not going to happen," exclaimed Roy.
"Roy—"
"Anaria would never let you go alone. And I would never leave my sister's side. She cares about you…we care about you. You say you don't want to see us harmed. But if you died, you'd do more harm than you think. I'm…I'm sorry for the things I said. All you were doing was trying to protect us."
Xeto turned to him, his eyes were lightly glossed and devoid of anger.
Roy fiddled with the stem of a pofu. "I still believe violence will cause more problems than it resolves. But…I think you need friends more than anything right now."
"I can't let you come with me. If something happened—"
"It won't. I realized now that I should have trusted you." He shrugged. "Besides, someone needs to keep you out of trouble." To his own surprise, he managed to smile, inviting his friend to do the same.
Xeto chuckled ever so lightly. "If you come with me then you'll have to be stronger. I can help you with refining your aura. The road that's coming won't be easy."
Roy nodded in agreement. "A man that can call upon flames with a snap of a finger? The women of Zuland are in for a treat."
Xeto returned a smile.
Roy's feeling of cold guilt was melted away by his newfound confidence. He didn't know if it was his flame aura burning in his chest or just simple contentment, it didn't matter now. All that mattered now was that he was able to jest alongside his friend once more.