Journey To Eden

One month had passed since Ezra and Nova filled out their forms, and everything went on as normal except for the occasional nervousness that they felt whenever they heard anything regarding forms.

A week after they had submitted their form to the village chief's office, a rumour went around concerning the forms. The rumour apparently spread that the forms that were taken by the chief had gotten lost in transit. This broke the spirits of many, but Nova and Ezra kept their hopes up and waited for the real news to come through.

The two boys were at their usual hangout spot, training when Bailey, Brook, and Carl came running into the abandoned cathedral screaming their voices at the top of their voices.

"Hey guys, what's the matter?" Asked Ezra curiously.

"Nova...Ezra... you...." Bailey tried to speak, but she couldn't make out any words due to her heavy breathing.

"Bailey, breathe." Said Nova as he inhaled and exhaled deeply, showing Bailey what to do.

"Okay," she inhaled deeply and exhaled deeply three times and continued," Nova. Ezra. You guys made it. You can go for the entrance exams."

"Are you sure?" Nova couldn't contain his happiness.

"Yes, we are. Take a look." Brook showed them a list of all those that made it in Village of Michael.

Ezra and Nova scanned the list, and Nova's eyes widened when he saw his name on the list, but Ezra was stunned to see Trazer's name there.

"What's the matter, bro?" Nova asked.

"It's nothing. I'm just shocked that Trazer's name is here. Seems like he was serious this time." Ezra replied.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter. We'll just have to surpass all of them."

"Right."

"Hey, sorry to break up this whole thing, but you guys have to pack. You're leaving tomorrow." Bailey said.

"For real. This is so abrupt." Nova said, moving up and about collecting his things before flying out of the cathedral in on fire.

Brook chuckled and turned to Ezra," By the way, Ezra. How are you gonna tell your dad about this?"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot." Ezra said and placed his hands on Brook's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I'll figure something out."

That evening, when Ezra went home, he found that his father had left the house just a while ago with Trazer to celebrate his son's qualification.

Ezra saw this as a good opportunity to pack his belongings before his father came back. He stole a storage stone from his father's room and began picking out his clothes, a picture of his mother and a silver necklace that his mother gave him the first time he went for the selection as a lucky charm.

That was the last gift he was ever given.

He gripped it tightly before putting it around his neck. He picked up the stone and placed it on top of the pile of neatly folded clothes and pictures on his bed. An array formed around the stone and the pile, and in a flash, the clothes and picture vanished.

"For a boy, you're very organised." Said Mary, who was now fifteen years old.

"Thanks."

"Looks like you really leaving this place." She said, walking closer to him.

"Yeah, and father cannot hold me down this time. I'll join Aizen College by any means possible."

"You're lucky, Ezra. You get to leave this place. You're finally free from father's alcoholic dictatorship."

"He's still your father as much he'll always be mine."

"I know that, but he can be a big problem sometimes."

"I know, but he's still a good man. Take care of him for me okay Mary." Ezra said, brushing Mary's hair with his fingers. "I'll leave the rest to you, sister."

Mary rushed to him and gave him a hug while softly sobbing." I'll miss you."

Ezra returned the hug, "I'll miss you too, Mary. Take care."

He broke from her embrace and stood up, picked the stone and his sword, and made his way downstairs.

"EZRA!" A voice bellowed from downstairs. "Get over here." Ezra knew without a doubt that was his father.

He walked down the stairs slowly with his sword sheathed in hand and the storage stone in his right pocket.

"Evening father. Back from drinking." He said calmly.

"Why do you ruin everything, boy? I was out celebrating my son, and I heard that you registered. Do you think the world out there is a playground? Without a soul animal, you're as useful as termite wood. I forbid you from leaving. I can't have my son getting distracted by your presence."

Ezra took in all the words his father had said and once he was done talking, looked him dead in the eyes and told him, "With all due respect father, you're son would be the one distracting me and how would I know how the world works if I'm stuck in this village? I'm leaving, and there is nothing you can do to change that, old man."

Ezra turned to face the door, giving his father his back.

"If you dare leave, boy. You'll never be allowed to step foot in this house again." You'll never be a Jameson. You hear me, boy."

Ezra remained silent and stepped out of the house without any hesitation. He ran away from the house and went over to the abandoned cathedral.

Once he reached the path to the cathedral, he looked back in the direction of his house, and a laugh escaped his mouth. He began to laugh hysterically under the moonlit sky.

He entered the cathedral, lay down the cloth, and sat on it as his back leaned on the wall behind him. He rested his sword between his legs and his shoulder, stared at the full moon, and finally went to sleep.

The night turned to day, Ezra was still asleep when he was woken up by Bailey.

"Ezra, the ship is leaving." She screamed.

Ezra sprung awake, confused and scared, but when he settled down, he found Bailey and Nova laughing out loud at his confusion.

"Was this what you meant by you'll figure out something?" Asked Bailey, wipping tears from her eyes because of the laughing.

"It's a long story that I don't want to talk about. Why are you here anyway?" Ezra asked Nova.

"Hey, if I wasn't here, you would have probably overslept and missed the ship." Nova said.

"Thanks you my Knight in shining armour." Ezra said sarcastically.

"Anyway I came to burn down this place."

"What! Why?"

"It's because we don't need it anymore. The group has disbanded since our captain won't be here to lead it and I can't let Brook be the leader." Bailey replied.

"For real. He's just not leader potential." Nova said.

"Are you sure you guys aren't long lost siblings? What if I don't get into the College?" Asked Ezra.

"You, Ezra Jameson to not get in. Now that's a joke." Said Nova.

"Relax, Ezra. We would not be doing this if we thought you two were coming back. Plus, this will motivate you two to work even harder." Said Bailey.

"Right." Said Nova as flames emerged from his hands.

"Now if you'll step back. Let's get this started."

Nova placed his hands on the ground and a line of fire travelled to the curtains making the whole place catch fire.

They stepped out of the cathedral and watched it burn down.

"Come on, Ezra. Let's start a new chapter in our lives."

"Right."