The angel, Xain, Grace, and Zee were back on the move again, having lost valuable time dealing with the mercenaries and interrogating Jakel. As they walked, Xain glanced at Zee, his expression reflecting uncertainty. *Are you going to be alright?* he wondered, his mind flashing back to their earlier conversation.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about it," Zee had replied when Xain had tried to reach out to her, offering his support. He had hoped to convey that they were there for her, ready to listen, but Zee had shaken her head gently, rejecting his offer. "I just don't want to, Xain. It's too much," she had explained before rising to her feet and distancing herself.
Xain was about to say more, but Grace intervened, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder and shaking her head slightly. "Don't, Xain. It's her choice whether she wants to talk about it or not," she had said, her tone firm yet understanding.
Returning to the present, Xain remained concerned for Zee, especially considering her reaction to Orian's name. It was clear that something was weighing heavily on her mind. However, he reminded himself, *I shouldn't push her to speak about it,* echoing Grace's earlier advice in his mind. It was Zee's choice whether or not she wanted to open up.
Grace walked up beside him, breaking his thoughts. "Thank you for listening to me," she said, offering him a genuine smile. Xain rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit awkward from her close proximity. "You make it sound like it's rare for people to do that," he replied with a nervous smile.
Grace turned her gaze back to the road ahead. "Because it is," she admitted, a hint of frustration evident in her voice. "People rarely listen to me, and it's honestly really annoying."
Xain was taken aback by Grace's words. "Really? I thought being the strongest person in Wolfdale and so pretty would make people hang on every word you say, like they're the words of the goddess herself," he blurted out without thinking.
Grace raised an eyebrow, turning to him with a smirk. "You know, for a boy your age, you sure compliment girls really easily," she teased. Xain's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized what he had said. "I mean, it's the truth, so, uh, you know? Just forget what I said," he mumbled, avoiding eye contact and staring at the ground.
Grace chuckled softly, finding his reaction endearing. "Don't be so nervous. It's not like this is the first time you've called me pretty," she remarked, causing Xain to look both confused and embarrassed. *When did I say that out loud before?* he wondered, unaware of Grace's ability to read thoughts.
"Anyways, I'm not talking about that, but something else," said Grace as she gazed up at the almost-clear blue sky. Xain found himself momentarily breathless, struck by her unique beauty. The reflection in her gray eyes, the gentle sway of her white hair in the breeze—she looked almost ethereal, like someone who could only be born once and never again. Clearing his throat, Xain tried to shake off his thoughts and focus on the conversation. "Then what are you talking about?" he asked.
Grace stopped gazing at the sky and turned back to Xain, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she brought her finger to her lips in a playful gesture. "Sorry, I'm not telling you that," she said with a wink, her gray eyes sparkling with amusement. Xain was momentarily stunned before regaining his composure. "Huh, you know, you and Zee are pretty similar in some ways," he remarked, immediately regretting his words as Grace's expression shifted to annoyance.
"Not only do you know how to compliment girls, but you also know how to insult one as well," Grace said, her annoyance evident in her tone as she responded to Xain's comparison. "I just meant in some ways, not—" Xain attempted to explain, but his words were cut off mid-sentence.
"Hey! Are you saying I'm an insult!?" Zee exclaimed, turning around to face Grace as she paid close attention to their conversation.
"I'm not calling you an insult, you airhead! But likening me to you in any way is an insult to me!" Grace retorted, her voice tinged with offense.
"Hey, guys, let's calm down," Xain interjected, raising his hands in a gesture of peace, but his attempt to diffuse the situation was ignored.
Zee, her own frustration evident, shot back at Grace with a biting remark. "Hmph, be careful with all that ego. Your head might inflate so much that you won't be able to stand!"
Grace, undeterred, retaliated with a swift verbal jab. "Wow, that insult is almost as ancient as you, granny!" Her words struck a nerve with Zee, who clenched her fist in frustration.
"I'm only 19 physically!" Zee exclaimed, her voice tinged with indignation.
Grace, refusing to back down, delivered the final blow. "And nearly 200 mentally, meaning you're still a granny!"
"By Michael, do these two do anything other than argue when they open their mouths?" remarked the angel, casting a quick glance at them. *And she was giving out to me about yelling earlier,* he thought to himself, looking at Grace.
Xain let out a weary sigh before he started walking beside the angel, resigning himself from the futile task of trying to halt the ongoing argument between Grace and Zee. The angel voiced his growing frustration. "You know," the angel began, his voice tinged with exasperation, "working with you three is making me understand why most angels are fine with letting your world die." He rubbed his temples, feeling the onset of a headache.
"I don't blame you, I really don't," Xain sympathetically responded, glancing wearily at the long, long road ahead of them. *I hope I can keep my hearing intact before we get there.*