Missed a Lot

They moved quite a distance from Unity before they set up camp again. This time Lev summoned two big tents, one for each gender. Garsam sneezed loudly. Her expression was blank, and her voice monotone. "I think I have a cold; can I get a separate tent?" "Are you sure, kiddo? Ares and I could take care of you." Garsam looked at him like he was an idiot. "No, thank you, highly contagious." The chief scoffed as he made another tent appear. "So ungrateful." "We move in three hours," he announced. "So catch a quick shuteye." "Wait," Aria said. "Since I've technically found my parents, is there still a need to go to Clearwater Pack?" Garsam frowned. "Yes." Aria blinked. "Why?" "If we don't return to the pack soon... suffice to say there will be trouble." "Eh? Does it have something to do with our burden?" "Wh- no, it doesn't. My friend and I need to get there, and as Acabi, we need to stay together. You obviously can't leave your siblings behind, so they're coming along... I don't know why we need him though." She pointed to Lev. Lev yelled, "Hey, I don't see you summoning a tent to sleep in!" Ares stood close to Aria. "It won't do if the danger arises and we're far from each other." "Fine," Aria conceded. She didn't have much choice anyway. Ivy was already in the tent when she got in. The girl nodded at her. "Hi." "Hi," Aria replied followed by an awkward silence. She didn't know why, but Aria sometimes got the feeling the girl didn't like her much. Then again, their interactions so far hadn't exactly been conducive to a flowery friendship. Aria knelt beside Sue. Her complexion was rapidly improving, but she was yet to wake up. She adjusted Sue's blanket before laying beside her. Ivy tucked in the small spell book she had been reading and yawned. She had been drinking tea with Lev for the past few hours since apparently no one shared his interests until she came along, so she has had to visit the loo more times than normal. She felt pressed again and left. Stepping out of the tent, she was startled by the person in front of it. "Warthog!" She cursed. Ares blinked at her. "You scared me!" She was so surprised she nearly peed herself. Her bladder cramped painfully, so she couldn't even say much before she rushed off into the trees. Ares watched her leave, then he turned back to watch the tent. Vel opened their tent flap and peered at him. "Seriously? Are you going to watch her till we leave? Why not just kick her sister out and join her in the tent?" Ares straightened and spoke righteously. "It's my duty to protect her." "From what you've told me, it's your duty to protect the true spirit of Ur, and Ivy has half of it. Why don't you make sure she isn't kidnapped in the forest or something?" "Garsam will take care of her." Vel rolled his eyes and entered the tent. "Suit yourself; I'm going to sleep." Jerry walked towards the camp space. He watched as Ivy rushed into the forest; he wanted to follow and ask her what happened, but when she bent at the base of a tree, he turned and walked away with the speed of light. He saw Ares sitting in front of a tent, the one his sisters should be in. He stared at Ares; he felt he was acting strangely towards Aria. He acted overly protective and close, and he also made efforts to hide Sinbad from Aria. Yes, he had confirmed what he was already sure of, for some reason, Sinbad had been caught by the same organization that held his mother, and Ares didn't want Aria seeing him, which means he knew that Sinbad was Aria's mate. If he hadn't been by Aria's side throughout their journey from Clearwater, then he'd think they were secretly dating. He didn't care if some bloke hit on his sisters as long as they don't do anything funny. He walked to the opposite tent. "Where have you been, boy?" Lev asked. Jerry shrugged. "Nothing much, I've been trying to find my powers." Lev sat up in his sleeping bag. "Why? When it's time to use it, it'll naturally come." "I don't want to wait till whenever; everything's messed up. I need something to depend on; I'm not a kid anymore." "Hmm, come sit." Lev gestured to another sleeping bag. Jerry pulled it open and slipped in. "Your sisters will not come to any harm, not with that lovesick bozo outside, okay?" Jerry stared at the tent entrance. "Who is he anyway? He's a witch like us, right?" "Make that a wizard," Lev laughed. "Ah." Jerry nodded. "Can't you teach me like he's been teaching her?" Ares had been helping Aria learn to control and channel her power since they left. Aria had asked Jerry to join, but he had declined because he was still angry at her. They had put some distance between them and Unity before she bothered to tell him their mom was inside. He had been furious and wanted to return, but that damned Ares had put him in place real quick. "I could, but you first have to find that strand of magic; otherwise, there's nothing for me to work with... Have you ever thought that even with your core returned, you might not be able to use magic? It's not uncommon." Jerry looked like Lev had just punched him. "I might not be able to use magic? How is that possible?" "Aside from Norm witches, there are other types of witches that can't summon magic. It usually occurs after two powerful children are born, which is rare. Basically, you might have magic, but you can't tap it." "So I have magic?" Lev sighed. He lay back down and snuggled into the sleeping bag. "Probability yes and no; figure it out yourself." Ivy returned to the tent; she walked around Ares and entered the tent, then she zipped up the entrance. Ares kind of freaked her out. He seemed nice enough, but most times he seemed apathetic, that is until Aria comes, and he's a whole new person. She turned to look at Aria. She was asleep; in the short time Ivy was out, she had squirmed out of her sleeping bag, and one leg was on her sister's chest. Her hair splayed around her head. She looked oddly picturesque with her long lashes and cherry lips; she could see why Ares was so smitten. Perhaps Aria got all of Ur's good looks. She turned to Aria's twin; Sue seemed to have benefited too. She sighed and removed Aria's leg. Aria groaned, raised her leg again to place it on Sue, and Ivy slapped it away. It was a loud smack, and Ivy was startled; she didn't mean to hit her that hard. She cautiously glanced at Aria; the girl didn't wake up, Ivy sighed in relief. She was going to her sleeping bag when she felt eyes on her. She turned her head, and her eyes met pitch-black ones. She screamed. *** Aria hugged Sue tightly. "You're killing me," Sue groaned. "Sorry," Aria loosened her hold but didn't remove her hand. "I missed you so much." "I didn't go anywhere," Sue replied; she took one look around at the people present and whispered in Aria's ear, "Who are the hunks?" Aria laughed as she released her. "I have a billion and one things to tell you." "Take your time; we don't seem to be in a hurry." It took Aria over thirty minutes to summarize the events that had transpired since Sue fell sick. She left out anything about the Acabi; that would come later. "It's been so long? I feel like I just took an afternoon nap. So you found mom, eh? Where is she?" "She didn't come with us; she had to stay for dad." "Oh... It's funny, mom hid our identity for our safety, but it all went to shit, and we had to find out like this." Jerry walked up to Sue. "Just so you know, I've been piggybacking you for like weeks, so you owe me a bunch." Sue pulled him over and ruffled his hair. "What a caring baby bro you are." Jerry pulled away with a scowl, but his lips tugged up; it was obvious he was happy. Sue stood with Aria's help; then she bowed. "Thank you all for your care." "You're welcome; would you like some tea?" Lev smiled. Sue turned to Aria with a questioning look. Aria deadpanned. "He has a few screws loose; ignore him." Sue nodded. "Ah, okay. I still feel a little tired; I should probably lie down a little. Haha, don't look so alarmed; I won't turn into Sleeping Beauty, I'm just a little dizzy." Aria sighed and looked to their tent. Apparently, when Ivy screamed, Ares had set the tent entrance on fire to get to them. She turned to Lev. Lev stared back at her. The stalemate continued for thirty seconds, then Aria mumbled, "Could you please..." "Sorry, can't hear you." "PLEASE GIVE US A TENT!" Aria yelled out; she may have channeled a bit of her scream power because Vel winced. "Witch," he scoffed.