The sun was beginning to set once again as the group continued on their way in silence. Ruby held her phone in her grasp tightly, watching the ground while she walked. Everyone felt far too tense to talk to Ruby, knowing the anguish she was currently feeling.
Jasher slowed his pace to walk beside Ruby, gaining the golden glare from Nexus. Jasher reached his hand out toward her shoulder, wincing when Nexus grabbed his wrist tightly. "Don't fucking lay a hand on her. She has enough to deal with right now, losing the last connection she had to her world."
"Let him go, Nexus. Now." Nexus halted for a moment, stunned by Ruby's flat, angered tone. He slowly let Jasher go, blinking from the confusion. "Why should I have to listen to you?" Ruby turned back toward him, her pink, puffy eyes filled with rage. Nexus cleared the lump in his throat, shifting his gaze away swiftly. "Right, only because you're struggling."
Ruby scoffed coldly, turning back toward the trail. "Shut up." Jasher's lips pursed together, his brows knitting in worry as he caught up, taking Ruby's shoulder freely. She sucked in a deep breath, patting the back of his hand weakly. "It's alright. I'm fine."
"You're not." Jasher spoke low, keeping his tone tender. "I know things seem bleak right now. I went through the same feeling when my phone died. It sucks, but it's not like we could contact anyone while we're here anyway."
Ruby let out a dull chuckle, fighting back the tears once again. "I know. But my phone was more than just contact. I could take pictures and videos of the impossible things I've seen so far, and I could bond with you over music. It's like saying goodbye to the last piece of Earth I had."
"Not true." Jasher smiled warmly, beginning to clatter around under his armour. Ruby raised a curious brow before he pulled out a creased piece of paper. She tilted his head as he scrambled to open it. "Earring, clothing, phone case, fist tattoo."
Ruby held her hand up, chuckling in amusement. "That's the weirdest grocery list I've ever seen, but I don't see how this is going to help with the loss of my phone. It's cute when you're so clueless, though." Safire's head jerked up, her eyes gazing back cautiously. Odeen seemed a little apprehensive himself.
Jasher laughed bitterly. "I wrote this after I lost my phone. I was going through the same thing that you are. I knew back then that my dependency on my phone was going to be the death of me. Not like I was addicted to it, but I clung to the thought that it was my last attachment to my old life, too. In reality, you and I are the attachment. The clothes you wear, your leather jacket, your shoes, and even your hair tie are connections to our old lives. It's only hard right now because we didn't factor in that your phone would lose battery, even when the screen was off."
Ruby's smile finally reached her eyes as she wrapped her arm around Jasher's shoulders. "Thanks. I needed to hear that more than you know. And you're right. It was going to die eventually. What do you say when we find somewhere to camp, we blast our favourite classics until the battery drains entirely. Honestly, I think that's what that blank wish took. I didn't give the black hole anything, so it took something important to me."
Jasher grinned, nodding eagerly. "I've been itching to get unrestricted access to your music files. You don't have to twist my arm to get me to agree with that. Also, that makes sense considering your power is an uptight princess." Ruby gave Jasher a quizzical expression. "It won't work unless it's given a present."
Ruby burst into hysterical laughter, shoving Jasher playfully. When Jasher went to return the affection, Nexus pushed in between them, wrapping a defensive arm around Ruby's shoulder. "That's enough contact. I cannot stand when you touch her. Back away from my mortal."
Ruby rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Sorry, Jasher. My guard deity says that you can't touch me anymore." She smacked Nexus's arm from her shoulder. "Do you really think that it's that easy? I'll let whoever I see fit touch me, and you have no right to tell me who can't. Don't forget why we're all in this situation, Nexus. You."
Nexus seemed hurt by Ruby's words. His shoulders slouched, and his head drooped from the scolding, taking her aback. Aram merely chuckled, holding Odeen's arm affectionately. "Not me. I'm here because I want to be. Isn't this fun, cutie?"
Ruby sighed weakly, shaking away the guilt. "Just because you bonded to me doesn't mean that I have some obligation to do what you tell me to. I'm warming up to you, but we aren't there yet." Ruby passed Nexus, coming to Odeen's side. "Your deity just called you cute."
Nexus stayed in the back of the group, repeating Ruby's words over and over in his mind. Once they found an area that was gravelled over, everyone found a comfortable spot to lay, preparing for sleep immediately. Ruby groaned, collapsing to her knees before she let gravity pull her down the rest of the way, her legs grateful for the rest. Odeen thudded down beside her, throwing himself back to stare at the stars through the trees.
Jasher sat by himself as Safire and Genis attempted to leave the immediate area. Ruby sighed deeply, pulling her arms under her head. "I nearly forgot that you leave to plot against someone in the group nightly."
Safire and Genis both halted in shock, turning back to Ruby. She nestled her cheek down against her arm, grunting in annoyance. "I get why. And I'm not really mad. I should have expected something like this. But I want to tell you, Safire, this won't make the pain stop. I just hope that you rise above your demons and choose forgiveness. Also, Genis, she's your mortal union. You don't want to see her fall because she regrets her actions. Just remember that."
They shared a confused glance before slinking off deeper into the forest. Odeen sat up slowly, rubbing his tired eyes. "What was that about? Who are they plotting against? Should we really be letting them go if they're planning to betray one of us?"
Ruby sighed, dragging her heavy body up to toss her phone to Jasher, letting out a soft yawn. "While their anger is placed on the right person, I don't think she'll be able to go through with it. Don't worry, I've already sounded the alarm to that person, so no more questions. Jasher, I get first pick. Play something from my Lynyrd Skynyrd collection."
Jasher grinned wildly, starting to scroll. "With pleasure!" The sweet melody of Free Bird began to play through the forest, bringing some sense of relief to the tension. Ruby shuffled closer to Odeen, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Odeen's eyes widened, turning his gaze down to her arms before shifting nervously to Ruby's head, buried against his side. He stayed stiff and unmoving as she cuddled into him. "R-Ruby... This isn't exactly something you should be doing. We aren't even courting."
Vatic grinned, turning his head away with a happy hum. "I don't know, sire. I think she's a maiden in need of comfort. This one time, I see no harm in turning my head away. It's not like you haven't had a deity hanging off your side all day. At least this time, return her affections."
Odeen growled, feeling defensive with Vatic's dismissive tone. "It's not like I had a choice! I can't see the bastard that's been clinging to me! Not to mention that I shouldn't – get too close to Ruby. She's going home soon."
Ruby sat up, staring at Odeen in shock. "Who said that I was going back to Earth?"
That took Odeen by surprise. He began to sputter and stumble over his words helplessly. Vatic merely chuckled, shaking his head in amusement before leaving the small area. "Ah, young love. If only you were here to see this, Osha."
Odeen shuffled back to stare at Ruby with wide, unsure eyes. "You were so sad about losing the last tie to your home. Now you're telling me that you want to stay on Teralu? Why was I not made aware of this sooner?"
Ruby shrugged weakly. "Because I wasn't sure, myself. But after meeting everyone and spending so much time here, I knew it. Earth isn't my home anymore. I was technically born here also. Why wouldn't I want to stay here? You, Vatic, Safire, and Jasher are here. Even if Jasher is only temporary."
Jasher waved from the background, still scrolling through Ruby's playlists. "I'm not in much of a rush to get back home anymore. I'll stick it out until everything settles down here. Though I'm not sure why Nexus hasn't sent me back yet."
Nexus huffed, standing up from the tree he was leaning against. "Because, as much as I hate your contact with Ruby for some unknown reason, we need all the hands we can get while going up against Serina. Otherwise, I would have sent that idiot home already."
Odeen flinched when something was laid across his head. Ruby chuckled in amusement, reaching up to play with the petals of the flower crown Aram made for Odeen. "Idiot is such a harsh thing to call me, Nexy. Call me big bro like you used to when you were cute."
"I'd rather swallow a white hot branding iron. Idiot suits you far more. For such a strong and capable body, your obsession with the mortal is grossly idiotic. I have my moments where I panic over Ruby's safety, but you're acting like you're genuinely in love with the human. It' not cute, it's weird."
Aram clicked his tongue, placing his hands over Odeen's ears. Odeen, by now, had given up fighting with the deity. "How dare you speak that way! Of course, I genuinely love my pet! What kind of master would I be if I didn't?"
Nexus rubbed the bridge of his nose, growling in annoyance. "You're not his master! You're bound to his soul! This isn't some joke, you fucking imbecile! You are now responsible for his safety and well-being! For his entire life!"
Aram nodded absentmindedly, watching a nearby patterbug drift its way closer to Odeen. "Uh-huh. Yeah, safety for mortals and all. Don't worry, I'll be a good master." He reached out, swiftly squishing the invasive insect in his fist. "My mortal will never face any dangers."
Nexus threw his hands up in defeat, storming out of the immediate area to pace around the nearby trees, never going too far from them. Odeen leaned forward, burying his head down into Ruby's shoulder without warning. She chuckled weakly, running her fingers through his hair. "You're okay touching me now that you know I'm going to stay?"
Odeen nodded his head weakly, almost shaking with excitement. "While I don't love the idea of our deities being around constantly, I couldn't be happier with the knowledge that you'll stay by my side. This much affection might be ungentlemanly, but I just want to touch you for a little while longer."
Ruby chortled, nestling her jaw against Odeen's head. "You're starting to sound like Nexus when he gets needy now. But I'm not going anywhere, Odeen. Once this is over, I'd like to come back to the castle. This time, not as the princess, but as myself. I want to be able to roam the grounds freely."
Odeen chuckled, sitting up to stare into Ruby's eyes adoringly. "Of course. It may throw Ocerania into war, releasing the story that you are not Safire, but rather, half of her soul, and that the princess of Cyrus is missing... but I want to shout to the whole kingdom that you're mine." Odeen choked on his words, clearing his throat. "Ruby, would you allow me to court you?"
Ruby's smile fell fast. She pulled away from Odeen, shuffling back slowly. "Oh, Odeen. I-I can't." Odeen's heart shattered as Ruby averted her gaze. "I'm sorry... It's not you. It's the timing. I can't date you right now. I'm so sorry."
Jasher fell into pained silence, watching Odeen's head fall. Aram clenched his jaw, standing suddenly. Nexus re-entered the area as the air grew stiff. Aram's rage-fuelled stare pierced Ruby deeply, causing her to back away further. Jasher scrambled to his feet as Nexus stepped into the area. "Don't even fucking think about it." His voice came out low and threateningly gravelled.
-End of chapter 33-