V

                                    

                                          

"And where are you going, hero?"
Aston stopped in his tracks, a shiver climbing up his spine. He should have known they wouldn't trust him not to run off. He sighed but continued walking as he spoke, "I'm going to Zetheria. I'm fully capable of fulfilling the prophecy on my own. I don't need your help."
Gwyneth knew it would be impossible to talk him into coming back with her, so she followed. "Prophecies aren't as simple as you might think. There are plenty of details that are left out. For example, you might be the one to kill King Vishnal, but you would never otherwise step foot in the kingdom without our help."
"So, you're saying the only reason I succeed is that I agree to your help?" He continued walking, pushing a branch away that would have otherwise hit his neck.
"Exactly- Ouch!" Gwyneth rubbed her temple. The very same branch recoiled back, smacking the side of her forehead.
"So, what would happen if I don't agree? Would I still make it?" He continued, never looking back to make eye contact.
"One would argue that you never choose that." She massaged her head a little more, ducking under the branch struggling to keep up with Aston whose pace was only increasing.
"Well, that's what I'm choosing right now. Or will I inevitably suck up to you and return? Basically, what you're implying is that I don't have a choice. My fate is already sealed."
"The Almighty gives us the freedom of choice..." she began but immediately lost her words as she thought about it. She had always been taught that fate was never predetermined. Then how would the prophecies be explained? What Aston had said was exactly true, wasn't it? It was the finer details that made the prophecy come to life. If they couldn't be controlled — if their choices were only an illusion — were they walking a predetermined path? Gwyneth shook her head. "We don't know what those choices are. I could be mistaken, and you could choose to leave us behind. Or perhaps I'm stubborn and continue with you and we meet adventurers who better suit your taste and fulfill the prophecy with them."
"So, it really is up to me..." He paused, finally spinning around to face his companion. His face contorted as he struggled not to laugh. Her hair was completely tangled, dirt-stained her face, and a small bump was near the top of her forehead. Not at all princess-like.
Gwyneth didn't understand his puzzling look but continued with what she had to say. "You had trouble using magic earlier, didn't you? Why was that?"
"I... I don't know." Aston turned around, this time to face the lake before them. There was a giant clearing that was mostly taken up by the lake. The water reflected the setting sun causing it to take on an orange and purple hue. Something about it was calming. Had he been here before? He couldn't remember. He used to like climbing the cliff near the waterfall to get a better look at it, something he was often scolded for. He sat down knowing Gwyneth lacked the strength to physically drag him back to the village. "There was something about facing an actual danger. It... scared me."
"No wonder your focus was off." Gwyneth took a seat beside him, running her fingers through her messy hair in an attempt to detangle it.
"Yeah, no kidding." He picked up a pebble, skipping it into the lake. Gwyneth wondered how many moons of practice it took to perfect. Or maybe it was magic? "At the castle, magic was so easy. The stakes weren't raised, and I could take my time focusing. I never had to worry about dodging swords or Elric pushing me out of the way. ...Well, maybe the latter."
"Does that make you wish you had trained?"
"No." Aston clenched his fists. He didn't need to train; he was above that. Even if a small part of him wished he had, he would never admit it to the others. He would figure it out sooner rather than later. He was already learning from his fight with Lucas. If he really needed to, he could train on his own. Away from prying eyes.