Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 2

"Hm...plug your ears," Paul said, grinning.

Sage blinked for a moment before covering her ears. "Ok...why?"

"Reverse logic," Paul said, cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting, "JOEY!" The sound's range was increased tenfold, extra energy being put behind it.

"...Paul, your an asshole." Erika stated bluntly behind Paul when she and Joey steppe dout of the house.

Joey sighed when he heard the yell. "Indeed he is."

Sage turned around and blinked. "...Aria?"

"No, her name's Erika." Zackary said from behind Paul. This, caused Sage to jump.

"GOD DAMMIT ZACK! Stop doing that!" she huffed, folding her arms.

"Oh come on, can't come up with a more creative insult?" Paul grinned, turning around, "I've heard worse from a twelve year old."

"You aren't worth a better insult." Joey said. "And if you don't mind, we have somewhere to be."

"Sage? Zackary?" The woman blinked in surprise at the new arrivals.

"Yup, that's us, or at least, what's left of him," Sage gestured back at Zack. He just remained silence in response to Erika.

"Oh yeah, these guys showed up during the battle." Joey said. "They were quite helpful, actually."

"But where-?" The brunette groaned. "Nevermind. If you guys stick around, I'll talk to you later. First I need to find two missing kids."

"We'll help!" Sage offered. Zackary shot her a glare but didn't say anything. "Right, Paul?"

Joey nodded to them. "It'd be appreciated, Sage."

"Ugh, I've had enough of looking for things in these past five years," Paul complained, "You two have fun with your own problems. Any where I can rest? Even a spare chair would be fine."

"If it wasn't wrecked in the explosion, there should be a free hut near the outskirts of the village." Erika answered Paul, before turning to Sage and Zackary. "Thank you."

Joey turned to his wife. "We should get going."

"Right. Since we have people already searching the forest-" Did Kira give them the okay to do that?-"...we need to go to the Illuminatus camp and ask if they've seen them."

"Um...you sure you want to be walking around in that?" Sage asked, pointing at the dress. "It might get ruined...even more..."

Zackary just huffed, underneath his cloak his arms were folded. Sooner this gets done, the sooner I can get the hell out of here.

"Thanks," Paul yawned, "I'll try not to track too much mud over the floor."

Erika looked at it. It has burned enough for her to walk and run freely, plus she had changed into her combat boots from her sandals. "It's fine."

"Alright..." Sage frowned. "Maybe after, I can try to repair it..." she suggested as Zackary gave another huff.

"Let's hurry our asses and move. I'm not getting any younger over here."

Joey nodded, and took her hand. "Come one, let's go."

"Lead the way, I dunno this area and neither does Zack," Sage said to Joey. As said cloaked boy just stood there getting more and more impatient.

Erika looked over at the boy with worry. What happened to him?