A/N: I apologize for the rapid uploads of this story, but I'm afraid that my schedule will pick up again and I don't want to leave this little gem to fester and lose my interest again. I'm estimating that this will be my longest fanfiction on this side, which is pretty exciting. Instead of it just being a quick little flick like I usually write, I'm experimenting and planning on making this an actual story. I hope I don't lose my typical readers because of this change and hope this will attract more readers! Have a good day and thanks for reading!

"They…are?" Then why was she preaching about how much holier elves are than humans? "I was under the assumption…"

"I know. We elves are too proud to admit that we have anything to do with humans. It comes with the superiority complex we have over the humans throughout history."

Her excuse made sense to him, but it seemed rather odd that she was so willing to admit that elves were just as susceptible to those 'human' urges that, well, humans were. Weren't elves supposed to hate humans? Weren't elves supposed to keep their secrecy? Why was Rose being so open with Kiryl despite his rejecting of her proposal for him to stay there in Rosetown with her and become her new Sir Roseguardin? Was she planning to trick him to stay with her somehow through sweet-talking him?

"I can tell you're confused, Kiryl. Why don't you voice your concerns to me?" Her voice was so innocent and pure; how could he think that she was plotting and scheming? "Please, let me into your heart."

"Well…I was wondering why you're being so open with me. Aren't you elves supposed to give humans like me the cold shoulder and cast us out of your utopian societies? Shouldn't you be keeping to yourself?" A pause ensued before he performed the ending blow that could potentially hurt her emotionally. "I'm not staying no matter how much you plead or desire me to. I have a life elsewhere."

"I know, Kiryl. Don't misunderstand me. I have no intention of deceiving you so you stay here with me, though it would be comforting." A slight frown flashed across her face for a split second. "I just want you to know that you have a friend in me. If you or your team ever needs anything, feel free to come and seek my help. I may be able to help you someday."

He nodded and smiled, grateful for once that he had actually expressed himself. Perhaps keeping to oneself was not as danger-evading as he had once thought. Maybe those like Maya who were fearless and were willing to be open with anyone had the right idea of people andhow to get what they wanted out of life. Maybe he was the wrong one. "Thank you, Rose. I enjoyed our time together immensely."

"Kiryl! We were looking everywhere for you!" Sure enough, Maya's feminine, husky voice permeated his ears and perked his interest incredulously. Her voice had that affect on people regardless; you could be in the middle of the most intense battle of your life, but if she asked something at a whisper you would hear her. "Why are you with the elf girl?"

"I was speaking to him about your adventure." Before Kiryl could spout a terrible lie like he always managed to do, Rose spoke up and covered for him at the perfect speed where it didn't seem forced or fake but just fast enough so there wasn't a pause as though she were trying to come up with a lie. "He had concerns over how to defeat Psaro, and came to me because I know him better than anyone."

"Regardless, it's time tae gang noo, Kiryl." Ragnar's thick accent joined in as the two confronted him, standing before priest and elf as they stared each other down. "Ur ye quite ready?"

Kiryl first looked to Rose, whose nod informed him that it was finally fine to go. "…Yes. I'm ready. Where are we headed now? Has Solo returned from his adventure to find the Zenithian equipment?"

"Och aye. Solo wood loch fur ye tae join he an' Alena tae fin' th' final piece, th' Zenithian Sword."

"Me? Why not someone else?"

It was here that Maya spoke up once more after being temporarily overshadowed by the two males in the party. "He needs a healer, and Meena's healing magic isn't quite as good as your's. And he can only bring two other people. Some voice from the top of a tree told him that, at least."

"Then of course I'll go. Where is he?" Though his heart wasn't in it to continue alongside the Hero of Zenithia and the Planet, Kiryl knew that he needed to regain the trust of the team. Even if Rose was right and they didn't suspect he was acting strange because he was changing for the side of Estark, he wanted to have that safety net beneath him in case he did mess up somewhere down the road.

"Outside the village with the hot-air balloon." Maya kept looking at him with a very strange, skeptical look, as though she knew what he and Rose had been talking about and knew that Kiryl's heart was not as pure as he pretended it was. "You'd better hurry before Solo gets here and thinks you're becoming friends with Monsterkind."

"Maya, gonnae-no it wi' yer a bampot notions. Solo woods ne'er hink a teammate woods betray him." Immediately, Ragnar drew his sword and held it out between the two parties as though he was keeping the two of them safe from Kiryl and Rose. As though Kiryl himself were not a welcome party member.

"All of you stop!" Rose exclaimed, eyes widening and filling with liquid rubies. "Stop treating Kiryl like he's your foe! All he's done is try to protect all of you and keep you all healthy, and you're acting like he's going to turn all of you against each other and stray you away from your main goal!"

The two went silent, and Ragnar returned his sword to his sheath. Confused expression on his face, he stared at Rose and slightly went closer. "Wa ur ye protectin' heem, Rose? We're nae gonnae dae heem onie harm. We jist fin' it odd 'at he woods stray awa' frae th' team unless he hud somethin' tae hide, ye see." The look in his eyes became strangely calm and kind, like he were dealing with an old friend instead of a foresworn enemy like humans and elves had been brought up to believe.

"Listen, I'll just go see Solo. I promise I'm not doing anything wrong. Rose was just feeling depressed and so I did my duty as a priest. Why would I do anything else? Priests are sworn to help anyone in need, not just those who share your race. I don't suppose a sol—"

What was he doing? Already, he was beginning to question the orders and thoughts of his party? When had he become so hostile?

"Fuh-forgive me. I didn't mean to sound so hostile. I just mean to say that we don't always understand what the other classes must do in the world. I am sorry, Ragnar. Please forgive me."

"Huir uv a weel. We shaa depart immediately, 'en." Ragnar and Maya then turned away, with only Maya turning back for a moment to give him a small wave and reluctant smile.

"I can't believe that just happened…" Kiryl breathed, holding his head in his hands. "Rose, what's going on with me? I don't mean to be turning evil or anything…but every time I try and talk to one of my party members unless it's Meena or Alena…I feel like I'm going to get into a fight or be betrayed."

She nodded and gave a weak smile, taking his hand in hers. "Kiryl, I don't know what to tell you. I can't tell you what's going on with your mind or heart. Only you can find that out. And when you do, your adventure will be complete. Just remember that an adventure is to grow, not to become the most powerful man in the world. Keep your goals in mind and you'll grow to become the man you've always dreamed of." Rose then released his hand and patted him on the back gently. "Now go join your teammates."

With a smile, he went forth and followed in the footsteps of Ragnar and Maya, waving behind him to show that Rose would always be in his mind as he began his adventure anew.