Florence

The car ride was silent and still, aside from the odd bump or two. The atmosphere between Mom and I had changed into something that resembled a few years ago. Something years old yet still so fresh.

I had seen this particular graveyard only once, just after the funeral. I knew immediately that I never wanted to come back. I had no stigma against graveyards but this one in particular was a place of sorrow. Coming back was like discovering a wound I thought had healed was still open and bleeding.

We pulled up at the fancy mausoleum and both hopped out the car. This was where all deceased members of the Human High Order were buried. I say buried but really they were slotted into vacant spots amongst the marble walls. It didn't seem like a good place to leave someone's remains but Dad openly stated he wished to be here. Amongst the many members.

Members who died of old age. Members who weren't brutally attacked and had their lives taken too early.

It wasn't fair.

I tried my best to wipe away my negative thoughts and walked closely behind Mom into the building. She knew exactly where to go as she almost robotically walked straight to the west wing and to the far wall. I felt uneasy as I read the various golden plaques from passed members. I didn't feel like I belonged in here; I felt like an intruder.

When we reached his plaque Mom dropped her hand bag gently by her feet and approached the tombstone carefully. Could I even call it a tombstone if it was just something written on a wall? Actually, now was probably not the time to think about stuff like that.

I watched awkwardly as she pressed her head to the wall and clasped desperately at the tiny edges of the sign. She mouthed a few words, but all I could pick up was "I miss you."

I really had no clue as to what I was supposed to do. This was supposed to be a somber moment but all I felt aside from uncomfortable was emptiness. It scared me. This entire time I thought I'd break down sobbing upon the mere sight of the burial site but here I was. I felt hollow on the inside.

She moved to the side and my throat closed up at the sight of his name. It was in fancy cursive and bold, stretching across the plaque and almost covering the entire slab of marble. Francis Baker.

"You know," Mom sniffled, wiping away at her nose. "He never liked his name. He said it sounded too old."

There was a chuckle, lightening the weird tense mood almost instantly. "He claimed that we named you Florence so people would have finally make fun of someone else's name-"

"Wait a minute, I thought you named me Florence because it was your grandad's name!" I gasped. We both had smiles on, so that was a big improvement. "That was my reason."

"I believe he wanted to name you Florence because he wanted someone who would know what he went through." She sighed, the glow she carried dying almost instantly as her eyes softened. "So I was an experiment!" I tried to crack a joke to lighten the mood but all it elicited was a pitied huff. "No, Florence. I think your father just wanted the confirmation that someone had his back."

"By naming me after an old person?"

"I- Florence!"

I held my hand up in mock defence. I knew it wasn't the right time to be joking but I wanted to feel something. Anything other than.. nothing.

We stood in silence, Mom idly staring at the plaque while my eyes traveled up the tall walls, reading each and every word. Lots of them had sweet messages attached at the bottom. Whole paragraphs dedicated to the deceased. 'A Beloved Father, A Man of the People.' Was the only thing written below Dad's name.

"Uh, Florence, listen.." Mom started again. My eyes instantly found hers again and I noted the almost worried look she had. "Y-You're father- he wanted.." she was all over the place, stumbling over her words and reaching into her bag. "He wanted me to give you this," she finally mustered up the words while passing me a big, thick envelope. "He said you to wait until you visited his grave. He wanted you close when you read it."

I couldn't help but notice the small sob she tried to conceal as she turned away. "Mom.." I sighed, not exactly knowing what to say. "I'm fine, Florence. I-I just need some air. I'm pretty sure to let you read it alone." She quickly said, placing a hand on my shoulder and giving me a reassuring squeeze. We both gazed at each other for a good solid minute as if we were trying desperately to communicate without words. In the end, she left me alone with the mysterious envelope.

My fingers grasped the paper with force as I stared hard at the grave. After all these years of avoiding this place it was nothing like I imagined. I expected it to be lonely, dark and depressing but instead it was well-lit and something I could quite explain.

'What did my dad leave me?' Was the only question on my mind as I carefully opened the envelope and plucked out the old, yellow pages. There were a few crinkled papers that looked to be on the verge of breaking down and turning to dust with barely visible writing and an odd page of words that looked slightly more recent. My fingers itched for the odd one, cautiously sliding it away from the rest while I sat down on the floor and placed it onto my lap.

As I quickly skimmed the page I felt a small twinge of something. Something with the sign of feeling. A feeling that pooled into my stomach and made my muscles loosen. The sensation was similar to sadness as I began reading what looked to be a letter. A letter from Dad.

My Dearest Florence,

How are you fairing? I've wished you all the happiness this world can offer and I'm hoping whoever the hell is up there has listened to me.

I have no idea how old you are now, but I'm hoping you're old enough to take care of yourself and your mother. If it's taken you a few years to visit me, then I don't blame you. If I were in your shoes I wouldn't want to see me for at least a couple decades.

I'm rambling again.

If you've received this letter from someone else's hands then I've most likely passed on. I hoped to god that I'm standing there next to you but in the case that I'm not you must make sure that absolutely no one else reads this.

I've entrusted the remnants of this envelope into your hands because you're the only one I can trust. I fear, in the case that I am indeed dead, that your mother will become unstable with this information. I love my father but over the years I've come to terms with the fact that he is a corrupt snake. You, my son, are the only candidate.

You can choose to read them or you may wish not to. It is entirely your choice, but you must vow not to share this with anyone other than yourself. I wholly believe the mere few pages contained within could stop this time-old war.

There are people out there that want to destroy these documents. The wyverns, the northern and southern dragons- they wish to rob their people of this information. You mustn't let them get to it, Florence.

There is a man who lives in the sea caves just off the northern shore of Miradel. Go to him, and give him these papers. I am forever sorry for putting you in this situation, but I trust no one more. You have the keys to this island's future. Use them wisely.

On another note, I'm writing this on your birthday. You've just turned ten and your Mother and I couldn't be more proud.

Do you remember what you got for your birthday? We got you so many things. We wanted to spoil you rotten. However, when I asked you what you're favourite gift was you said it was that stupid paper plane we made together. Well, it's recently gone "missing" but in reality it's right where I want it to be.

I love you, Florence. And always remind yourself that I'm in your corner. Always.

Happy birthday, buttercup.

The paper quickly became wet with my tears as they flowed freely with no signs of stopping. Long, strangled sobs escaped between my teeth as long repressed memories came to light. The nickname, the paper plane, my tenth birthday- it all came crashing back. "I-I love you too, d-dad." I choked out as my words were chopped up by the sobs.

Things connected while others completely mismatched as my brain desperately smashed them together, trying to make sense of the bigger picture. It made the tears fall faster and harder.

I continued to sob into my palms, each sending shivers down my spine and causing my shoulders to tremble. This only added to the discord that was my mind space and kindled the already lit flame that acted as my confusion.

My dad wrote me this on my tenth birthday. That was the day he died. My dad gave me this most likely knowing he would die that day. It made my head hurt so impossibly much I felt like I was on the verge of either a breakdown or a blackout.

"Why did you have to fucking die!" I yelled to seemingly no one. I shot up from my position on the floor, the papers flowing freely to the ground. I stared hard at the innocent plaque with so much resentment that you'd think it was a murderer. As the papers settled I caught glimpse of a familiar paper airplane sending another wave of sobs and choked gasps to crash into me.

There was a toxic mixture of both anger and sadness. I wanted to properly mourn him, to thank him for leaving me a letter full of his final, personal words to me but at the same time I wanted to kick him in the balls for leaving in the first place! I was already so stressed with this treaty and now apparently I had the keys to making peace or some shit!

Before I could do anything about my situation my phone suddenly started buzzing, scaring me half to death. I stared off my dad's name whilst reaching for my phone and checking who it was.

My heart came to a full stop at the sight of his name. Why the hell was Rian calling me?!

I was hesitant to pick up. I didn't feel like talking to the guys and the thought was only reinforced further by what my father had written. Yet something still tugged me towards the answer button.

It couldn't hurt to hear him out just one more time, right? Either way, my finger was pressing hard on the green circle before I could think otherwise.

"Florence? Thank fuck!" Rian's voice filled my ears and slightly echoed in the almost empty mausoleum. "We're at your house but you're clearly not here for whatever annoying reason but we need to talk urgently!"

"We?" I asked as I completely skipped over his panicked tone. "We?- yes we!" He groaned. There was interference before the noises settled and a new voice greeted me.

"Hi, Florence.." Remus awkwardly greeted me. I could practically see his crooked smile and his slightly upturned brows. Wait- Remus and Rian were together? Alone!?

Before I could process this revelation Rian came back. "We need you, Florence! Some shit went down earlier today and you're the only one who can talk to him!" He shouted. He was always shouting.

"W-Whats going on?" I asked timidly, suddenly scared. What shit went down? Did something happen at the hotel?

"Eurus is leaving. He won't listen to us,"

I was stunned. There was silence from both ends as I tried registering this new piece of information. Eurus was leaving? What for? Did it have anything to do with the festival? "Please. We need you Florence." He pleaded, a hoping tone filling in the tiny gap of static.

"Meet me at the hotel. I'm on my way."

A little bit of a sentimental chapter for you, as well as some setting-up for an adventure! I hope you guys are enjoying the recent updates! I'm starting to enjoy writing more and more and with the comments you guys leave it only further motivates me!

Thoughts and predictions are always welcomed!