Chapter 6

Chapter 6 focuses on... As the group continues on their journey, the mask known as Ephemural now seeks to split Trace and Flora up as part of her mysterious plan. However, the mask's plan seems to backfire, as Trace and Flora finally realize their love for each other.

=Part 1 (Lost)=

Introduction
Chapter 6 (Part 1) focuses on the breaking of Trace and Flora's relationship to allow the possession of Flora by Ephemural.

Plot
The scene starts with an upset and bitter Flora, grieving over losing Trace to a Human woman. She is in a Templar Tower, talking to Ephemural. Ephemural consoles Flora and asks her to tell everything that happened.

The retold story takes the reader back to two days earlier. Trace, Flora, and Keith finally make it out of the forest and find the port city they had been looking for. Trace talks to a man about getting a ship, who is the disguised Master Spy. Flora and Keith change into Trace's clothes, so as to be protected by Trace's presence. Meanwhile, two Templar see Trace and leave to send word to Saria that Trace had returned.

At the Water Burn Tavern, Flora, still in heat, has some trouble controlling herself around Trace. Trace sternly warns her that he needs to uphold his reputation at the port city. In response to Trace, Flora tells him:

"'I'll... try harder, I guess. It's just frustrating. Out relationship isn't all that strong yet, but... You know.. I.. I really love you.' ~ Flora"

Although this catches Trace by surprise, he does not have much time to respond, as one of the Templars who noticed him return comes up to him and tells him that she brought his wife to the Tavern. This also catches Trace by surprise, as he has no knowledge of Saria.

The scene changes to the present time. Red, Maren, Karen, and Raine enter the city. Although the other head off to find Trace, Raine stays behind to find her mother, Mary. In a different area, Ephemural is shown changing bodies from Mary to Flora, as she coaxes Flora to continue telling her what happened.

Flora drags Trace out of the tavern area to talk to her. Flora is angry that Trace has a wife, blaming him for knowing (although his memory loss would make this impossible). Trace tells Flora to take a bath as he heads back to the tavern to find out more about his wife. Flora, in the bath, is confronted by one of the Templars who claims to be a member of The Resistance (although she is actually Ephemural in disguise). Flora gets chased out of the bath by the Templar, still trying to help her.

Outside, Trace meets Saria and confesses that the reason why he never wrote any letter was because he lost his memory. Saria coughs up some blood as she carries the conversation with Trace inside. Flora dives into Trace, shouting his name and crying for help. Annoyed, Trace yells at Flora, casueing her to run out of the room in tears. Saria realizes how much Trace means to Flora and tells Trace to go after her and make sure she is alright. Flora tells Trace how she feels:

"Flora: 'Ever since we've been here it seems like you've been acting... different. Giving me orders and ignoring what I say. I hate it. It's almost as if you really think of me as your slave.' Trace: 'Flora, that's not true...' Flora: 'I know.. or.. I think I know. But it really does hurt. I don't want to feel like a slave again.'"

After they talk, Flora makes a move on Trace, who stops her, saying that he doesn't want to take advantage of her. Trace heads back to Saria and Flora goes to bed.

Flora is woken up by Keith bringing food, due to Flora being asleep over a day. Flora, in her panic from thinking she was still in heat (and might pounce on Keith), shouts at Keith, who then spills the soup and milk he got for her. Flora heads downstairs to get some food, but passes behind Trace and Saria having a conversation in front of the fireplace. Listening in to their conversation, Flora overhears them talking about her:

"Saria: 'But... there isn't anything more between you two?' Trace: 'More? Uh... what do you mean? Flora and I are good friends... but she's still a Keidran. How could there be anything between us?'"

Flora walks away, dejected, although she runs into the Templar (Ephemural in disguise), who ends up accidentally rubbing in the Keidran insult ("just a Keidran" ~ Trace), causing Flora to run away in tears into Keith's arms. Keith tries his best to console Flora.

The next day, Keith confronts Trace about Flora. Although Trace still didn't know why Flora was sulking, Keith persuades him to talk to Flora anyway.

The Templar girl enters Flora's room to talk to her. She introduces herself as Ephemural.

=Part 2=

Plot
=References=