•Key•
Y/n: Your Name
L/n: Last Name
F/n: Fake Name
H/c: Hair Color
H/l: Hair Length
E/c: Eye Color
F/c: Favourite Color
2/f/c: Second Favorite Color
F/a: Favourite Activity
F/f: Favourite Food
N/n: Nickname
M/n: Mother's Name

Italics are thoughts...

Your POV

The next day, I walk to the beach so I can talk to Vylad. It's a quiet and peaceful morning, there's not much going on. Finally at the beach, I quickly get distracted by my beautiful surroundings. The rising sun glaring down on the blue sea, the ocean waves splashing against the shore... I see why Vylad wanted to meet here. He's always been a sucker for romantic scenery.

"... Can I just say how stunning you look right about now?" A familiar voice asks from behind me.

I smile, turning to see my Charming Rogue himself. "Thanks V."

He grins, but that grin soon turns grim as he walks up to me and grabs both of my hands. "... they know."

"Huh? Who?" I ask, tilting my head to the side.

"Everyone. Katelyn, Lucinda, Dante, everyone who was there at the Spa Day last night... even Laurance. He knows about my feelings for you," Vylad replies.

My eyes widen. "... did he say anything to you, yet?"

He shook his head. "That's exactly it, he hasn't said anything to me. He's been completely ignoring me. What even happened last night? How did they find out?"

Like that, everything came rushing out. The hot springs, the confessions, how upset and scared of losing Vylad I was when Katelyn admitted... Vylad gave me a reassuring hug after I told him that. Then, I told him Owl just blurted out that we were dating.

"We didn't even know any of the boys were there. When we did find out and Lucinda gave them all magical shots to the head, I didn't realize how Laurance must've felt... are you... mad?" I ask, finally finished my explanation.

V shakes his head. "Of course not, especially after what you just told me. I'm just... a bit worried. What Laurance is going through just doesn't make sense..."

"Vylad, tell me about your travels. What's up with..." I giggle. "The island?"

He manages to crack a smile at my reference. "Isolated as ever. Seriously, though, he's not reacting normally in this situation. By now a normal Shadow Knight suffering from the Calling would've at least tried to open a portal... but, instead he comes back here." He sighs and shakes his head. "I think I just need time to process this. Anyways, how was the actual island while I was gone?"

I shrug. "Same old, same old. Everyone is in much higher spirits than they were before, but, other than that, nothing much happened. At least, not that I know of. After all, I'm not everywhere like you." I chuckle.

He grins at me. "I honestly feel like a ninja sometimes, heh... I'm glad at least everything's been alright."

"Vylad! Y/n!" A voice calls.

We both turn to see Garroth walking towards us.

"Good morning, Garroth," Vylad greets. "... What happened to your head?" He asks, referring to the large bump that's formed.

"Oh... this. Well..."

I giggle. "He fell face first onto the floor when Lucinda hit him with magic. Are you doing okay?"

The blonde nods. "Yeah, I guess... although, not as good as I could be," he chuckles, "Anyways, I heard there are ruins here, right? And Emmalyn and Kenmur (THAT NAME HURTS) are researching there. I want to go but I have no idea where they are. Could you guys show me-"

"You could've just asked me, Garroth," Another voice interjects.

"Hello Laurance," Vylad greets before we could turn around to see who it is.

Does he know Laurance's voice that well? Or is that just a Shadow Knight thing?

"... Vylad," Laurance mutters, coming into our view. "Anyways, Garroth, I would be glad to come to the ruins with you if you want," He says, completely ignoring me.

He must really be in a bad mood...

"Uh, yeah, Laurance, that would be great! Could Vylad and Y/n come too? I would like to catch up with them a little more, if you don't mind."

Laurance gives us a side look. "... sure. I don't mind at all. Let the lovebirds come." Then, Laurance turns around and starts walking. "I'll go get the supplies ready for our little expedition. Meet me back here in about an hour." With that, the moody boy left.

"Laurance seems... different. Did you guys do something to upset him?" Garroth asks, watching his friend walk away.

"It's none of your concern," Vylad sighs. "I need some time to think. See you two later." He then walks away as well.

I have a feeling this trip is not going to go well...
~
Later, I meet Laurance, Vylad, and Garroth at the same beach. We're all set and ready to go, but, when we do start walking, it's quiet. No, it's dead silent. The tension in the air is so heavy as we trek through the forest. Laurance is mainly leading, while us three childhood besties follow.

Finally, about half the way there, Garroth tries to strike up a conversation. "So... nice weather we're having."

I chuckle. "Garroth, that's the worst way to break the ice."

He laughs. "I'm serious, it's a nice day. There are no clouds in the sky."

"You two seem to be getting along," Laurance mumbles, "How do you feel about that, Mr. I'm-Going-To-Defy-My-Own-Advice-And-Fall-In-Love? Must feel bad getting betrayed."

Vylad doesn't answer. With those words, it's suddenly silent again. That's when I realize there's no way these two boys are going to get along on this trip. Not without a miracle... and a miracle ain't coming. So, it's quiet the rest of the trip.

When we finally get to the ruins, the group immediately splits up, eager to break the silence. Now, here I am with Vylad, exploring like how we did when we first came to this island. Meanwhile, Laurance and Garroth are back at the temple-like place visiting the researching couple.

Walking hand in hand with V right now, we're silent, but the air isn't filled with angry tension. Rather, it's a more comforting silence, until Vylad suddenly opens his mouth to speak.

"... would you leave me?" He asks out of the blue.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Of course not, V! I let go of you once, I'm not making that mistake again. Don't let what Laurance said get ahold of you, he's just... salty." He smiles softly at me. Then, I feel the need to ask him back, "Would you ever leave me?"

"Of course he wouldn't. He loves you," A familiar voice replies. I sigh, seeing Laurance from the corner of my eye.

"Where's Garroth?" Vylad asks, crossing his arms.

"Waiting at the entrance talking to Emmalyn and Kenmur. I was sent to go get you guys. We're leaving."

Vylad and I nod as we silently and a little irritatedly follow Laurance back to the blonde guard.

"That was a quick visit," V comments once we get to his brother. The researchers had left before we came.

Garroth nods. "They were busy, but they hadn't found anything yet. A little disappointing, but understandable. Anyways, we should get going. Laurance, can you lead the way back to the Phoenix Alliance Village?"

Just like that, the silence begins again. I internally groan. I'm not exactly sure why Garroth even brought us on this expedition. He wanted us to get closer, but this is just ripping us farther apart.

As I walk beside Garroth and Vylad observing the scenery, I quickly realize this isn't the way back to Phoenix Alliance.

Laurance must've made a wrong turn or something... or... is he doing this on purpose?

"Laurance? Where are we going?"

"What do you mean?" He asks, walking a little faster. "We're heading back."

"No, we aren't. The mountain is directly in front of us when it should be behind us, south, the direction of Ru'aun," V says, "We should turn around-"

"Hey, what's that?!" Garroth asks, running past Laurance.

"GARROTH! WAIT!"

We all run after him, until we finally find what Garroth was running to. A little ruined structure of some kind. It almost looked like a shrine that was destroyed by time. Garroth was already inside the structure, feeling it's walls when we got there.

"I... I feel like I've been here before... this is so strange, I've never been to this island in my life! Or... maybe..." Garroth says to himself, looking around.

Vylad then spots a banner on the wall. "Isn't that Edmund's sigil? The Divine Warrior. I read about him back in O'khasis."

"... well, at least my aimless wandering led to something," Laurance mutters.

"So you WERE leading us to nowhere!" I shout, "What's up with you today, Laurance?! My sister told me that you were sweet, gentlemanly, nice! Not... this! Laurance, if you're angry at us then just say it and move on!"

"SHUT UP!" Laurance screams. His eyes turn red, which is something I recognize. "You don't know what this is like! You don't know what a Shadow Knight even IS! You were running around like a maid all your life and you don't know what Vylad went through, so don't pretend to know me! You- YOU-"

"LAURANCE!" Vylad yells, jumping in front of him. He then stsrts speaking as softly as he can. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for not listening to my own advice, not sticking with the Shadow Knight routine... but here's the thing. Y/n's love makes me a better person. Your love is worsening yourself. You need to stop thinking about your emotions and think logically. Yelling at my girl because you're angry is not logical. Please, just get into your right mind. Try."

Laurance stares at all of us. Vylad, Garroth, and I stare back, waiting for a response. He just mumbles a quick, "I'm sorry" and runs away. I mentally sigh.

That boy... he's so broken... I hope everything turns out right with him soon...

Afterwards, together, Vylad, Garroth, and I head home the right way.
~
Finally, the day is done. After that exhausting morning I had time to relax and help out with the village. Right now, Vylad is walking me back to Owl and I's cabin.

When V and I enter, I hear silence. Which is surprising since I know Owl is home, but usually she greets me. Together, we walk through the house looking for her when we find her in the bedroom, staring out the window with a dull expression.

She must be upset...

When my sister hears us enter, she faces us and asks, "What happened to him? He said he was fine... then I see him talking to Garroth and Aphmau and saying some really mean things. He was jealous, I'm sure of it... but he was also so, so angry, mostly at Garroth. I tried to comfort him but he pushed me away! Why...?"

Vylad and I exchange glances. We know exactly who she's talking about. We have no choice but to sit down and explain to her what happened today: all the Zvhal problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I hope you guys aren't mad at my boy! I'm sorry he was so mean, but he'll change! I promise! So, don't stay mad at Laurance~Senpai, okay...? For Author~Sama!

Anyways, thanks for reading. If you're wondering where the old chapter "Chapter 40: The End?" is, it was an April Fool's Special, so it's now in the sidestories book! :)

~Owl♡