The elder had graciously supplied a sheath for Gwyneth's newfound weapon/companion. Even with the sword strapped onto her back, she found it difficult to carry. Even though Elric insisted the sword was no more than ten pounds, Gwyneth felt as though she were lugging around a small person. Perhaps Thea had some spite for her.

It was when they were leaving the village that they encountered the last person they expected. Yet, there he was. His shaggy brown hair and brown eyes were unmistakable.

"Aston!" Isla shouted. Her little legs tried with all their might to run to Aston, but Elric held her back.

"He's not Aston anymore!" Elric shouted to her, pulling her closer to his side. "It's Ares now."

Gwyneth quickly (as fast as she could) unsheathed her blade and pointed it at her once companion, who quickly blinked at her. When she approached, he quickly held his hands up in defense.

"Wait, stop! It's me! Aston!" He fumbled with his words, taking a few quick steps backwards away from Gwyneth.

"How can we be sure?" Cetri narrowed her eyes at the sandy-haired boy. He was convincing, but so was Ares. She had finally gotten used to the fact that others could and would willingly lie for their advantage.

Gwyneth on the other hand, quickly lowered her sword. "This is Aston," she said confidently.

Aston quickly relaxed his posture, sighing in relief.

"If this is Aston, then where's Ares?" Cetri looked at the other princess, baffled by her decision to lower her guard.

"He's still here inside me." Aston placed a hand over his heart as if Ares were resting there.

"Does that mean he's watching us?" Elric asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"I don't know." Aston shook his head. "I don't remember what happened since leaving Gwyneth's room. It was like... the two of us briefly connected. I could feel him taking over my body. That's how I know I'm Ares, to begin with. When I came to, I was in this forest. And I heard you guys, so I followed your voices."

"What are you guys standing around waiting for? He's right there! Kill him!" Thea's voice radiated from the sword, causing Aston to back up in surprise.

"That sword...!" Aston's eyes widened as his jaw dropped.

"We can't kill him when there's a chance the Fae can help him." Elric stood his ground, not wanting his old ally to die prematurely.

"The Fae?" Thea uttered in disbelief. "Why would they ever help you? You're wasting your time and endangering other people! Slay the evil before you or you may not get another chance!"

"She's got a point." Cetri crossed her arms. "Aston's our friend and all, but is his life worth the millions in Halcyone?"

"The Fae won't help us?" Gwyneth glanced down at her sword.

"You'd have a better chance at asking them to crown you queen than anything regarding Ares." Thea snorted, which was quite odd to hear when she was a sword.

"So, what? We're just supposed to give up on Aston, our friend?" Elric shouted, subconsciously tightening his grip on Isla's arm which made her squeak out in pain. He instantly released her offering an apologetic frown.

Gwyneth tightened her grip on her sword. What was she supposed to do? Cetri had a point. She had a duty to protect her kingdom, she couldn't let her feelings for her friend betray that. But Aston was still a citizen of her kingdom. Could he be saved? Thea seemed to think not.

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With a heavy sigh, she swung at Aston who narrowly dodged her. She would never forget the look on his face. The way his eyes widened in betrayal, and the small frown that brought her instant guilt.

But she had a duty to uphold.

And this sword was getting heavy.

Casting the sword to the side causing a quick "Hey!" from Thea, she pulled out the scimitars she was still carrying. She had carefully stowed them away in her room, knowing if her parents ever caught a glimpse of them, they would immediately be taken away. Slashing at him, she was surprised he merely dodged and didn't put up much of a fight.

That was until a pillar of earth launched her into the air.

She recovered as best as she was able to, taking another shot at Aston. Her blades quickly collided with something metal.

Elric's shield.

"What are you doing?!" Gwyneth asked; desperation in her voice. She couldn't bring herself to feel angry at Elric, but the whole situation made her want to scream. She was being forced to fight one of her closest friends; forced into a destiny she never wanted. And her best friend wasn't making this any easier.

"The Fae king gave me this shield to protect Aston, and that's exactly what I intend to do." Determination filled Elric's voice as he shoved her off his shield. "We don't know that Aston can't be saved — we haven't exhausted every option yet. Why should we be so quick to abandon our friend?"

He had a point. Even if the Fae couldn't help them, who's to say nobody else could?

"Gwyneth!" Thea called out. "That shield is too strong for your weak scimitars to even dent! I can cut straight through! Use me!"

The Aecerian princess quickly discarded her scimitars, collapsing to her knees and doing whatever she could to prevent a mental breakdown. Cetri clasped her shoulder, showing her support for the Aecerian's decision even if she didn't fully agree with it.

Elric turned to Aston and shook his hand before turning it into a hug. He'd been through enough between a quest he never had to embark on and now possessing another soul. The last thing he needed was another scare.

Thea wanted to scream at how stupid they were for not recognizing the evil right in front of them but knew she could not persuade them.

But there was one thing still bothering Gwyneth. "How come you didn't fight back?" She looked up at Aston who had just let go of Elric.

"Ever since I found myself in this forest, I haven't been able to use magic." Aston shook his head. "I think Ares is somehow locking me out of it. The only magic I was able to use is earth..."

"And we're in Aeceria," Elric noted, seemingly lost in thought. "Perhaps if we were in the forest you would be able to only use wind? But how?"

"...Because Aston killed Notus," Cetri reasoned. "Notus was an elemental Fae, yeah? So, he probably inherited his elemental magic."

Everyone remained silent, especially Aston whose guilt resurfaced.

Why did it have to be him? He was supposed to be the hero who would save everyone! Now he's just a vessel housing two murderous souls. Part of him had wished he'd let Gwyneth kill him just now. The world didn't need him — it never needed him.

Before Aston could express his disgust in himself, Gwyneth was quick to note something else entirely. "Where's Isla?"

Elric's eyebrows raised in alarm as he spun every which way looking for the half-Fae. She was just beside him before he went to protect Aston! And she wouldn't have had any reason to leave the group. Had she been taken?

"Thea!" Gwyneth turned to the disregarded sword. "Did you see where she went?"

Silence.

"Thea! Answer me!" she demanded, losing her patience for this insipid sword. She was beginning to wonder if claiming it was worth the trouble.

"Are you always this bossy when you want answers?" Thea asked. "Maybe try showing some respect if the girl is that important to you."

Gwyneth sighed, cooling herself off from everything that happened. Thea was right; the stress of the situation was turning her into someone she did not want to become. If she kept going like this, she would become unrecognizable to herself. Calming down and treating those around her with respect was a good first step.

Speaking calmly for what was perhaps the first time since they had left the castle, she asked again. "Thea, Isla means the world to me. She's been my best friend ever since I was a child. If you saw where she went, please help us find her."

"She was taken east," Thea answered, her voice matching Gwyneth's newfound calmness.

"Taken?!" Elric was quick to interject.

"Two thugs dragged her away when you weren't looking. If you hurry, you should be able to catch up."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Aston asked, beckoning the others to follow as he ran east.

"Don't worry, Isla. We'll find you." Gwyneth whispered to herself before grabbing Thea and placing her back in her sheathe.

She was just reunited with one friend; she couldn't bear to lose another.