Chapter 1: Chapter 1

     The magic wind blew against Sebastian's skin, chilling, almost freezing, him to the bone. The frozen dew on the grass was crunching beneath his running feet. The magic was overflowing, pushing him away, trying to hinder his unrelenting hunt. Branches and leaves overhead turned into a monotonous green blur as he bolts after Aiden.

     'But he can't get away. Aiden knows the forest like the back of his palm, but Aiden is always in the palms of my hands,' Sebastian thought.

     After running for a while, the wind stopped pushing and became a weak breeze. 'Aiden must be resting now since his frail body can't afford to carry himself and keep me a distance away.'

     Sebastian saw a short man resting on a tree while the rising sun illuminated the woods and Aiden’s body. Aiden's loose clothing attached to his sweaty skin, revealing his sharp figure. His mahogany red hair got plastered against his forehead. Sebastian decelerated and approached Aiden, loudly panting, covering the forest's sounds. Sebastian attempted to rest his hand on Aiden's shoulder. The smell of pine was refreshing, but it startled Sebastian for a mere second. The forest had one pine tree planted years back, and it was impossible for Aiden to go there and back quickly. Only they knew about it.

     Especially when Sebastian was tracking him, no tracks were leading out there. The hunt was a straight line.

     Aiden, like a startled animal, swiftly smashed Sebastian's head with a wind-infused kick. BAM! an echo rang in Sebastian's ear. But Sebastian was unhurt by such a feeble kick; the ringing in his ear was more impactful. Sebastian gripped Aiden with both hands and peered into his olive-green eyes.

     Aiden became committed to resisting Sebastian's scrutiny. No matter how Sebastian looked into Aiden's eyes, he only saw one thing. Escape. They were thinking of escape. Escape from him, escape from the forest, escape from home. Never once did Aiden leave him; never once did he leave this forest. Only once did he strike against Sebastian, never forgiving himself

     'Th-Th- This is not my Aiden! Is this why he’s running away? What twisted fate is this? Are the Gods against me?' Aiden's resentment startled Sebastian, who subconsciously unshackled his grip.

     By the time Sebastian awoke from the past, Aiden was nowhere in sight. He discovered a pine seedling and noted a few needles missing from its tiny branches. Still dazed, Sebastian continued the hunt. 'He couldn't have gotten far. But is he okay? He can't use magic for so long, let alone run out of the forest.' He stopped dead in his track. 'He must rest. I can talk to him later.' He waited until the sun hovered above the forest, and the eagle's cry signaled to continue the pursuit. Sebastian walked and soon stopped, finding a sleeping Aiden, nodding his head away.

     'He's not much different from a newborn kitten. He's just missing whiskers and fur.'

     Aiden promptly awoke and attempted to run but tumbled and caught himself on a tree. Sebastian sighed and slowly walked to him. He gently places his trembling fingers onto Aiden's tender hand. 'Please, don't hate me, please don't run away.'

     "Are you okay? We can't play more tag. Let's go home."

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     "..." Aiden narrowed his eyes and took a few steps back.

     "Or, we can go to 'Stars,' that's fine too," Sebastian stammered, taking a step forward, "no one will bother us there. Just rest properly, honey, please. Everything is okay."

     Sebastian could hear Aiden's footsteps, slowly walking off. "Just who are you? Why are you so persistent?"

     Those words hit Sebastian like a mountain falling on top of his head, stunning him. But Aiden's footsteps continue walking off.

     "Aiden! Wait!" Sebastian fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a necklace, and tossed it into Aiden's hands. He studied Aiden's face, waiting for a reaction. 'Surely he will remember now.'

     "Oh, starting gear, so he's the starter guide. Where is the forest's exit?" Aiden raised the necklace to eye level. It was a repeating white jade-gold engraved obsidian stone pattern. "Real beaut, this one. Don't be frontin' how did you get this?"

     "... Continue walking st-straight, and you will find a plane and soon a town. W-We can go together!" Sebastian said, still inspecting for his reaction.

     "Heh, the real adventure begins after leaving the guide. Thanks for the drip, cya." Aiden walks off, never planning to return.

     Sebastian stayed thunderstruck in his place. Panting, "is this- divorce? Did he- not remember our anniversary?" Suddenly, his chest ached like getting pierced by a sword. His head was whirling with emotions. The world started spinning. Stumbling around, he fell to the ground.