"What happens if they die, Zereth?! What will you do then?!"

The sound of my father's voice echoed in my head once more. 

My mother crept up behind me and led me to a dark corner.

"You know your father didn't mean that, Arical. He was emotional. You know how your father hates for you to make friends, especially with humans."

Her arm wrapped around me tightly. "As a child, your father had a best friend who was human, but as the human age, he did not. He had to witness his best friend die from old age knowing that there is no way a human can live forever. Humans are too weak and vulnerable, Zereth. It's not that your father doesn't want you to make friends; he doesn't want you to go through the heartbreak of losing a friend. You understand, right?"

I nodded quietly.

"Good. Now go wash up and get on your bed."

I went into my room and grabbed my clothes. I picked up an elemental charm and put it on my neck. Quietly, I gathered everything I needed and sealed them in my ring. As I step out from the back door, I glanced back at my temple. 

I'm sorry, mother, but I do not understand. 

Even if I have to go through pain, I still want to know what having friends are like. 

I want to know what it feels like to be cared about.

I know that this decision is big, as I can easily put disgrace on my family, the Sapphire, the most powerful Bluer family of all.

But don't worry father, I'll carry those disgraces with me. I'll take them with me, to somewhere far away from here.

And if I ever come back, I will come back with a smile on my face, knowing what I have accomplished. I will catch the traitors and bring them back myself. I will put pride in Sapphire again.

So please, just wait for me. Just a little longer.