Emalia now laid in her familiar bedroom, pouring her soul in the form of tears and screams into the depths of her pillow. She had left Colin dozing on the banks of the stream, promising him she would return in short order, and went to the Guardian Clan Hall to seek out Jayden. Her "grandfather" sat by the healing waters, reading, and appeared more than a little concerned when she requested to speak with him privately.
The arrived through a portal into her living room and she bade him to make himself comfortable. The discussion started well. Emalia was nearly delighted to hear that Jayden seemed not to know where the Temple was. "It turns out... that it is the place where it will be determined whether the RoK falls."
"What was your perception of the Temple?" Jayden asked.
"Just a place... nothing more."
"And this is what troubles you now?"
Emalia shook her head. "If I go, I will have lead everyone to it... If I go, everyone will know where it is... and the only step left then, is to find the sword to bring down the Rok, or destroy it... Grandfather... I would start a war."
"Then why would you wish to pursue this?"
"Because I am torn."
"Torn to what child?" Jayden asked.
"On one hand, I believe that bringing down the RoK is the answer... I... think anyway. And Grobnak tells me it is my destiny."
"This Grobnak person... He troubles me, by telling you such false things.."
Slowly the grip of distrust wrapped it's fingers around Emalia's heart. As Jayden spoke, it clenched its vice tighter. "I am a follower of all that is good and kind...And you are walking down the wrong path child..."
"I don't understand... how... How is it wrong?"
"I try to see past this...but it gets hard with every passing sun.. You are following the dark, when you MUST follow the light. Child... You must not let this happen"
"But... Grandfather, The Apprentice must be brought back... it will stop the RoK for eternity!" Emalia said with exasperation.
"That is a lie! The Apprentice is a joke child..."
Emalia's soul was crushed. She shook her head slowly, "No. He is real and if we don't stop the RoK it will happen again and again..."
"Child I warn you... Follow not in this path, it will lead to you demise, and countless lives will be taken."
Emalia listened as Jayden told more of his tale, but already, her mind was being clouded by the resistance. She believed this with her heart, and to hear Jayden - the one she called Grandfather, the one who had vouched for her so many times - demeaning her beliefs closed her even further. " I don't understand how stopping the RoK for eternity could possibly be evil..."
"Because everything about this tale, everything that has happened points to this evil... This person you think will restore balance will not!"
"He is a God... how could he not restore balance?"
"A God? How dare you speak of Gods as such lowly life forms such as this thing that should restore balance. You are lost child... Find your way...I suggest this...or you will find yourself in a dark corner praying for death..."
Jayden moved to leave and Emalia stood, a sob escaping her. How could this be the result. She looked to Jayden's back in disbelief. "I can't help the unwilling..." he said.
"Unwilling!?" Emalia nearly shouted. The swiftness that Jayden used to turn around shocked Emalia. "You raise your voice at me!?"
"Yes! Because you are wrong!" Emalia shouted over Jayden's shocked gasp. “You're wrong about me. You're wrong... wrong!"
"Goodday child..."
"Mark my words! I'll save the world! AND YOU'LL THANK ME!"
The snap of Jayden's cane accompanied his exit from her home, and Emalia fled up her stairs. So she ended up upon the pillows, sobbing deeply. Though now, her mind was made up. She'd show Jayden that she knew what to do. She would find the temple, and she'd help end the repetitive nature of the RoK. She'd restore balance, like The Apprentice intended from the start. The world depended upon her now... she wouldn't let it down.
