| The Separation |
| "You want us to separate?" Sarai asked, skeptically. "Go off on our own?" "No. You will need to form three groups. There should be a good, an evil, and a neutral in each group," Aerith said. "Each group will have a different mission to complete." "Neutral? Who would be neutral?" "Eddie isn't really for one side or the other. He only cares about himself. That would be one. I am another, since I am only seeking balance. It's my job to be neutral. And the third..." Aerith turned to face Derek. Understanding dawned on him, and he shook his head. "No! No way! I refuse!" "You have no choice Sorcerer. The source will be essential." "Yes I do! You can't force me to do this. I agreed to help, but that's asking too much!" "Derek," Sarai said, her voice dangerously quiet. He looked at her, wanting to be defiant. Her glare eventually won out in the silent battle. "Very well, but he stays with me. That's the only terms I will accept," Derek finally said. No one said a word, mostly because most of them were confused as usual. Derek pulled his body away from the two minions, who knew enough to step out of the way. "Alright, you can come out now," Derek said, reaching a hand behind his back. Slowly and cautiously, a tiny young boy poked his head out from behind the sorcerer. "Big brudder, who are dey?" the small voice asked. Derek smiled genuinely and picked up the young child. "These are some new friends. They are going to help us make your bad dreams go bye-bye," Derek said with obvious affection. "He has a tail!" Emma exclaimed. "So do you monkey-breath," Derek said, acting very defensive. Emma kept quiet, knowing full well what teasing that poor boy had probably experienced. Lilly stepped forward. "I told you guys I knew him! This is the Derek I went to school with! Didn't I tell you he was good-looking? Do you remember me Timmy?" The child nodded and smiled. "You played with me!" "Is he really your brother?" Emma asked. Derek nodded. "One of many. But the only one worth anything." "Sorcerer, there are two sources. Your brother is one. Your task will to be to find the other. The other two groups will be equally important. Eddie's group will be trying to find the cause of the imbalance and the other group will be helping me with preparations for the ceremony," Aerith said. "Why do we need to find the source?" Emma asked. "Obviously, because we don't want it to happen again. I would have thought an idiot could have realized that," Avana retorted. Emma shut her mouth quickly. Sarai was deeply considering the choice before her. As the leader, she would have to divide up the group. The biggest problem was dynamics. The best choice wasn't necessarily possible. She would have to go with the second best choice. "Avana, I need you to stay with Aerith and help her out. You'll be the most use to her. Emma, I need you to go with Eddie. You'll be the most useful in uncovering the truth. Lilly, why don't you and I go with Derek. You can help us take care of the children," Sarai suggested. "No," Avana said Sarai looked rather surprised. "You know better than that. Lilly is an idiot. She'll slow you down by wanting to play with the children too much. And if you send her with Emma, Eddie will just trick her. You'll have to leave her with me." "You sure about this Avana?" "No. But we're in a hurry. This is the best way. The groups that are moving need to be fast. Lilly will only slow everyone down." "HEY!" Lilly was ignored as Sarai and Avana exchanged understanding looks. Sarai silently promised to hurry even more. "Well, the choice seems obvious to me," Derek said, not worried at all about dynamics. "Eris will be needed with Emma and Eddie if they want to get anything done. Delta will stay and help with preparations." "Ooh no! I don't want to stay with the ugly girly! I want to go with you lover! Or at least four-eyes. He's cute!" "No." Not another word was said on the matter. Delta knew her place. She would only be allowed to question once before Derek got upset. "Eddie and Sarai, you both know how to join us once you're through, correct?" They both nodded. "Well then, let's get going. Come along Timmy," Derek said, picking up his little brother. Sarai followed the two of them up to the road. They disappeared behind the bridge and the others were left looking at each other. "Well, this is going to be lovely. You sure you don't want to trade Avana? It will be much quieter," Eddie suggested. Avana glared at him, giving him his answer silently. He shrugged and started off back towards the city from which they had come. Eris followed quickly and Emma had to run to catch up. The others stood silently, watching them go. The group had not been together for very long, but they still had a bond of some sort. To separate so soon felt...wrong. Even Avana was somewhat thankful that she would at least have Lilly near by to bother her. If only it was possible for her to be there with Sarai, protecting her from Derek. Emma would be at the mercy of two strong-personalities. It would be a miracle if they suceeded. Eddie didn't seem very excited at all to help, and Eris was dangerous. They knew so little about her. Lilly came up behind Avana and took her hand. Miraculously, Avana didn't hit her for it. They stood silently for quite some time, watching nothing at all. The winds of change fluttered around the small group. Life was about to get a lot harder. Emma looked back over her shoulder, trying hard not to cry as she hurried after Eddie and Eris. Silently, she swore she would see her new friends again. No matter what. Sarai moved quickly, never letting her sight stray from her goal. She had to keep her mind focused. If not, the guilt would be back. She was responsible for this group. If anything happened to one of them, she didn't know what she would do. Her heart said a silent prayer for the first time in it's life. "Let us see each other again." At length, Aerith came up behind the two girls. "It's time," she said. The two girls looked at each other then nodded. "We're ready. What do you need us to do?" |