Mary tilted her head. "Ace?" She asked, waving a hand in front of him. She thought he didn't hear her and was daydreaming. "You okay?" She asked.

Mary shrugged and skipped into the forest thinking to herself. *He's been acting strange lately...I hope he's okay....* She thought before running into a tree and falling onto her behind. "Ow.." She muttered, rubbing her head.

Mary stood up and put her hand on the tree to balance herself. "That really hurt..." She muttered to herself.

I was behind Mary, "Hello," I mumble darkly.

Mary turned around startled by him appearing there and his tone of voice. "A-Ace?" She asked.

"I have a problem, I'll be gone for a bit," I say, a glum expression on my face.

Mary stepped back bumping into the tree, now cornered.

"What kind of problem?" She asked.

"I've got to protect the 7 regions, even if it costs me my life," I state.

Mary tilted her head confused. "From what?" She asked.

"Something powerful and dangerous." I say.

Mary loosened up. "I'll come with you then..." She stated, stepping closer to him and looking up at him since he was taller.

Mary closed her eyes becoming serous. "No...No matter...how dangerous..." She finnaly said opening her blue eyes and returning her gaze back to Ace keeping that serious look on her face.

"M-mary, why? You could get killed!" I say, breaking into tears.

Mary tilted her head. "Because.....I care....and....Your...a great friend...*Maybe even more...*" Mary stated, hugging Ace, but this hug was for real.