15.3 ▌Fading

                                    

                                          
ARICSON TOOK the blanket and pulled it over Elise. She dozed off on the way back and it was obvious she was worn out from the events. The gleaming pink and deep black strands were sticking to her face, making her look so defenseless.
He bent over and tucked her hair away. There was a slight wrinkle between her brows. He could only assume that she was burdened by Luke's death and that was the situation he wanted to avoid the most.
He knew how their point of view differed and there were some things that could not be opposed. In the world of Elith, everything was set in stone.
His fingers smoothened the crease and could not resist as his lips descended on her cheek before leaving the bedroom.
Aricson headed down to the Rose Chamber where Exel was supposed to be waiting in the first place. Never did he anticipate seeing him earlier with Elise who was also supposed to be staying in the library.
It was the right choice to see her first or he would not be aware that she left.
Aricson did not bother knocking and entered the room only to see Exel comfortably sitting on the armchair with his feet on the coffee table. He turned a blind eye to Exel's lack of manners and sat adjacent to him.
"Explain."
His brow arched. "Huh? Explain what?"
"Why are you at the village?"
"Oh, about that. I planned to meet you but then I saw a peculiar sight of a woman carrying a box half her size so I followed her. What's her name, by the way? It's rare to see you with a woman."
"You have no need to know."
"Such a selfish jerk. She was remarkable, you know. She managed to think of an idea to stop the pain of fading which is said to be the most painful torture in existence. Well, actually, I did most of the part on how amazing I am but still..."
Aricson disregarded Exel's statement and pondered for a while. He did not doubt what he stated and even May testified. It sounded impossible but everything was conceivable with Elise. What was disturbing him was the fact that this could become an issue. If the news spread, the Abyss Faction would be the least of his problems.
"Keep this matter between us and no one shall know about it," he imposed.
"No problem. Good thing I'm the best friend you have so you don't have to worry. Wait, before I forget, here."
He handed him a wrinkled paper. He unfolded it and saw an enlarged map of Fliamma with many x marks.
"This is from a reliable source. The incidents were all nearby the shores of the Ice Flame Ocean near the Ember Isle up to the Dusted Peaks." He pointed to each mark and continued. "If you look at this, this is more like a cover. They bordered the island and trespassed once but after that, they didn't attack anywhere within close proximity. There are various incidents but there is one similarity, they kidnapped the persons who are new to the town."
"Do you have any idea who's doing this?"
"Of course. Abyss Faction," he answered right away.
He inclined his head. Exel was not part of the Association and the summit was held a while ago, there was no way he could know about the discussion.
"I think so too but we have no physical evidence."
"Trust me. This is them. A large-scale attack done in the most secretive way says it all. No one can do it like them. If you haven't started an investigation, no one will know something's wrong. It doesn't seem much of an issue since the people taken are ordinary and appeared random, however, it is clear they are looking for someone."
Exel's deduction cemented his own conclusion. Elise was indeed being chased and the Abyss Faction might be the one behind all of this.