Affinity: Chaos

Grey laughed at Reynoldsʼ words, not offended by it.

”Whoʼs closer to us?” He asked after they finished speaking about the matter.

”According to what I know, Klaus is on the other side of the Qilin Empire, so getting to him would take a bit of time, Alice should be closer,” Reynolds replied after thinking for a while.

”Alright, weʼll head over to the light closer to us then. It should be hers if your deduction is correct,” Grey brought out the tracking device, and just as Reynolds said, one light was close to them while the other was a long distance away from their light.

Reynolds stared at the device, this was the first time he was seeing it. Unlike the one they had, Greyʼs own was different, and it seemed to have more functions too.

They stayed in the cave for the rest of the night speaking about their experiences since they separated. Well, it was mostly Reynolds who did most of the talking, Grey just listened.

He still hasnʼt told him about the Aurora Continent. When Reynolds asked about his whereabouts, he said he would tell him when the others were around.

Reynolds was curious, but he decided to wait till they reunited with the others. Given the strength Grey showed, it meant they shouldnʼt have too many problems if they were accidentally found.

Before leaving, Grey did a rough estimation and he realized that teleporting to Frost City will take them closer to the light closest to them which was most likely Aliceʼs.

Grey actually hoped it was since the Principal was with Klaus, so Klaus had someone powerful to protect him. Alice left her family, so she was pretty much all alone right now. If she was caught, that was it for her.

Within a few minutes, Grey finished preparing a teleportation array. He had become quite efficient when making it, and now it even took less essence stones to travel.

They took quite a bit of stones from the bandits, and he didnʼt get to use anyone in the teleportation array when he was leaving Mortar City thanks to the influence of the OʼBrien family.

Reynolds happily stepped into the teleportation array, this was the first time he would be using it since the trial land and he was pretty excited about it.

”Itʼs all done, letʼs go,” Grey said as he placed the last essence stone in the array.

….

Frost City.

Since the warrant for Alice was publicly announced, the Reiss family had been going through a tough time. They were under the constant supervision of the Emperor, and every inch of the mansion had been checked, even the familyʼs treasury.

According to the Emperorʼs order, if the Reiss family were hiding Alice, then they would be regarded as an enemy of the empire and be attacked ruthlessly.

Luckily for the Reiss family, thanks to Grey, their greatest rival the Smith family were not in a good position, so they couldnʼt capitalize on it.

….

In the forest beside Frost City.

A silhouette of a young lady could be seen staring at the city from the trees, she was repeatedly punching the tree, and it would shake vigorously after each blow.

It was none other than Alice, she heard her family was being oppressed by the Emperorʼs people since they came and she rushed here. All she wanted to do right now was to rip apart all of them.

Her sister was captured since she was not there, and according to what she heard, she was being forced to marry one of the princes. Her father couldnʼt object to it since it might actually be a way for Sasha to escape their current fate. At least if she was married to a prince, she wouldnʼt be under so much scrutiny like all of them.

Even though they were a big family, there was nothing they could do, after all, they were alone. One family couldnʼt go against the entire empire, it was just undoable.

The marriage would be taking place today, and she was very certain her sister didnʼt approve of it.

”Iʼll kill him,” She muttered repeatedly as she punched the tree fiercely.

Just as she was about to lose her control and jump into the city, a familiar voice came from behind.

”I donʼt think the tree did anything to deserve such beating,”

She paused when she heard it, it was a voice she had gotten used to for some years now. Even after not hearing it for over six months, she still knew it.

”You scoundrel! Where did you go?” She turned around, her face angrier than how it previously was.

Grey hurriedly hid behind Reynolds when he saw Alice charging towards him.

”Get out of the way! I need to pummel him,” She hollered at Reynolds.

Reynolds tried to move, he really did, unfortunately, Grey held onto him tightly that it was impossible for him to take a step to the side.

”Alice, wait, I can explain,” Grey peeked from the side as he said.

”Do you know how worried we were about you? You left for months, we couldnʼt even contact you,” Alice said as she tried to get a hold of Grey.

Reynolds was unfortunately the one who got the short end of the stick being stuck in between them. After a few tries and multiple apologies from Grey, Alice finally calmed down.

Grey heaved a sigh of relief, but his expression changed when he heard Aliceʼs next statement.

”Donʼt think youʼre off the hook, Iʼm just waiting for the best time,” Alice snorted coldly.

”Iʼm sorry,” Grey apologized again.

”Hmph! Iʼll deal with you later. And you, why did you show others your whereabouts?” Alice turned to Reynolds.

Reynolds quickly explained his situation to Alice before she snapped. When she heard how he was saved by Grey at the last minute, she couldnʼt help but heave a sigh of relief.

”And you, why are you here?” Grey asked, still hiding behind Reynolds.

When Alice heard his question, her face turned sour once again as she explained what was happening.

😉