Here it is, the chapter you’ve all been waiting for after about a month of absence.
I was planning on releasing 3 hours later, but the Initial-D movie didn’t kill enough time x3
Again, sorry for the delay, it was already late last night so it would’ve been better if I released it today…
I kinda got food poisoning from last night too x_x
Well, here it is, about 9 and a fourth of a page of Forgotten Silence Chapter 14.
Enjoy, readers! ^_^

I love you… Lex
I love you too…
Let’s… be together…

LEX!! Wake up!!

Haruki’s voice broke through and my body went up. The wound on my stomach didn’t hurt as much, but Haruki went by my side to help me.
”Onii-chan! Are you okay?”
”Good morning… Yeah, I’m fine.”
Haruki helped me change the bloody bandages then we woke everyone else up. Taking provisions out from the bag, we ate that morning with the cool breezes, the soft sunlight, and the peaceful view of the orbis fields upon us.

”We should get ready everyone. Be careful on the path as well, the thing that hit me wasn’t pleasant.” I said to everyone.

We grabbed our gear and continued on the path. Everything seemed somewhat the same as we walked. By now it was noon by now and we have made some progress advancing.

“EWW IT’S LEX!!!”

I turned to my side and saw a female archer holding an Olympus in a Blue Lumati. Her Blue Maro partially covered her face as she looked at me.

”Onii-chan? Who’s that?”
”That’s… My sister.”
”SISTER?!?!?!” Everyone said in surprise.

We all sat at a peaceful spot and began to talk.

”So, Lex, it’s been a while.”
”Yeah. How have you been?”
”Ahh, great. Things are just normal as they are around here.”
”Ah. Hey listen… do you know how to get to ‘The Garden of 3 Colors’?”
”There? Hahaha, of course, just take that path and you’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Hmm… But didn’t your map say a day or so, Lex?” Tai said randomly.
“Map? That map must be old, just take that path and you will all be fine.”
”Really? Alright, thanks sis!”
”You’re welcome.”
”Umm… Did you want to come along?”
”Ah, no, I got things to do around here.”
”Oh, alright.”

We both exchanged goodbyes. As we departed, we all waved goodbye to my sister, RyCeR0cKeT.

We followed the path as she said, then there it was, “The Garden of 3 colors”.

”Wow… it’s so beautiful, kyuu~”

We all enjoyed the scenery of the garden. Light breezes, half clouded clear skies, beautiful flowers, and little kitties with the fur of red, yellow, and purple-ish-teal running around playfully.

”So, Lex, what’s next?” Sierra asked.
“Ahh, let me check.”

I pulled out the map and took another look. The red markings the map had earlier changed from red to silver and another red path was marked on the map. Instructions also.
Well done on making it here. Now follow the path for a bit then pick one of the three garden colors. Then make your way to “The Stairway to The Sky” Beware on which one you pick, for not everything goes as planned…

”Okay… so, we follow this path and pick a garden color and go to ‘The Stairway to The Sky’”
”Onii-chan… I’m hungry…”
”Yeah, I’m getting hungry myself… Let’s eat?”
”Yay, food! Kyu~”

We all sat down and took out food from the bag then begun eating in silence.
As I was eating, a bread crumb was thrown at me. I looked up and around then saw Sierra giggling as she ate. Nodding away what happened, I continued to eat. I looked up at the sky and was lost in thought.

”Psst… Derr!”
”What, Sierra?”
”Look at Lex, hehe.”
”Okay… All he’s doing is looking up.”
”Exactly… A perfect time to throw something at him!”
”Hehe… I see… But what— Sierra!!”

*splack*

“…”
”I think I over did it…”

I blinked a few times, continuing to look up as the piece of meat slowly slid down from the side of my face. I grabbed the piece of meat then looked at Sierra. Looking at the meat then back at Sierra, I said “Hmm.”
”Lex… Umm… It was an accident?”
”Well… Sierra… Neh, Food is food.” I said, eating the piece of meat.
”Wait! Lex! I… umm… kind of ate that.”
”Oh really…” I said, looking at her.
“Well… I guess I get a little taste of what you taste like, hehe.”
Sierra looked away, blushing at what she heard me say.
”Well, I’m full.” Silver said.
”I am too!” Haruki, Tai, and Milkshake said at the same time.
”In that case, let’s keep going.”

We all packed our things. I picked up milkshake and settled her in the hood of my cape.
Silently making our way, Derr chatted with Silver, Haruki chatted with Tai, and Sierra and myself traveled in silence as Milkshake took a nap.
”So… Lex…” Sierra said.
”Yes, Sierra?”
”Umm… How are you?”
”I’m alright. How are you?”
”I’m good, thanks… Lex…?”
”Yes, Sierra?”
”I… umm… I like you.”
”Hehe, I like you too, Sierra… Oh, here’s the 3 garden colors.”
We all looked at the 3 portals as colored stones floated in the middle.
The left was Red, the middle Yellow, and the right Blue.
“Hmm… Which portal to pick…”

I looked on the map and red words were written.
Fire, Wind, and Water are the three elements here.

“Fire… Wind… and Water…?”
”Onii-chan?”
”Hmm…”
”Well, Lex, just pick a portal! It can’t be that bad, right?”
”Sierra… Hmm…”
”I know! Onii-chan! Let’s all pick a color!”
”I don’t know if that’s the best idea, haruki… Eh??”

Looking behind me, I saw everyone gather up at a spot to decide the colors.
Haruki picked up a stick and begun to write down tally marks on a chart she drew on the ground.

”Okay… So, Sierra and myself picked red, Silver and Milkshake picked yellow, Derr and Tai picked blue, what about you onii-chan?”
”Er… so what I pick is where we go…”
”Yep, hehehe.”
Everyone stared at me while I thought up of which portal we would go through.
”Hmm… Eenie, meanie, miney mo…”
”You can’t be serious, lex…” Tai blankly said.
”Got any other ideas?? Moo~… I mean Mo, Well, that settles it, we’ll go through the red portal.”
”Okay, onii-chan!”

I picked up Milkshake and placed her in my Napoleon Hood as we all went through the red portal. Nearby there was a sign that had the words “The Garden Of Red” carved into it.
”Hmm… The Garden of Red…”
”Wow… look at all the red kitties… kyuu…”
”Heh… this should be nothing.” Tai said, stretching.
“I remember these… they’re called Jr. Cellions.” Derr said.
”Oh really, Derr?”
”Yeah.”
We started our way in the garden, and as we walked the Jr. Cellions backed away from us with caution. Jr. Cellions jumped from a nearby bush, surprising each and everyone of us. I tripped backwards as everyone fell to the side.

”Ow!”

Haruki was bitten on the shoulder. Tai got up and pulled out his wand to cast a magic claw at the kitty. The kitty retreated with a yelp of pain as Tai helped Haruki back up. I got back up and asked.
”Is everyone alright…?”
”Yeah… Hold still haruki, let me wrap your wound…”
”Thanks, Tai.”

”Ahh, Lex!!!”
What?!?! MILKSHAKE!!

I turned to the side and froze. Milkshake, being bitten away by about 5 Jr. Cellions, cried in pain.
L-… Lex… Help me…

Everyone stared at my Wagner then at Milkshake as she continued to lay on the ground besides the slain Jr. Cellions. Milkshake, covered in blood and torn up, fell unconscious.

“Milkshake!“
”Onii-chan… wrap her in these bandages…”
“Thanks… Haruki…”

I wrapped Milkshake in the bandages Haruki gave me, then settled her in the hood of my Napoleon. Looking to the side, an angry mob of Jr. Cellions charged at us.

Derr!

Derr went infront of me, casting a long and powerful wave of an Ice Beam, freezing all the Jr. Cellions where they charged. Derr turned around and smiled.

”Heh… Is everyone okay? Sierra!”
“Yay, Derr, you saved the day!!” Sierra said, glomping Derr.
“How’s milkshake, Lex?”
”I think the bandages helped, tai…”
”More are coming! I wonder if my sword will be fun to use here…”
”Silver, hold them off!”
”Will do, Derr!”
“There’s another portal there, let’s go everyone!”

Silver slashed at the approaching kitties as we ran towards the portal. Derr called back Silver and began to cast another wave of an ice beam.

”We… Made it…”
”This looks like a safe spot, let’s rest for a bit, shall we?” Silver sighed.
Derr, Silver, and Sierra all sat together, chatting as Haruki and Tai seemed to have been lost in each other’s laughter. I found a nearby spot about 20 feet away from the group and sat there, then I took out milkshake from my hood and held her in my arms. Her blood ensnared the bandages as it stained my hands, slowly dripping onto the ground. I took out more bandages, replacing the old and bloody ones. Milkshakes eyes began to open slowly.
”Lex… It hurts…”
”I… Milkshake…”
”It’s… cold…”
”Milkshake… you’ll… be alright… I’m sorry…”
I held her closer to my body as her eyes slowly closed. She had a small satisfying smile on her face, almost as if it was a ‘Thank you’. Slowly, the sky began to fall darker and darker as the sun settle down. A cold breeze blew by and everyone started to complain. With a happy face, Sierra pointed her finger at me and began to speak.

”Lex! It’s beginning to get cold, go build a f—…”

Her face slowly overcame with sorrow and sadness.

”Sierra… You should leave onii-chan alone…”
”Yeah…” Sierra sighed, walking away.
“He doesn’t seem like himself right now… So…*points* Tai, go build a fire, hehehe!”
”What?! Why me!??! Why can’t Lex—mmmrr!!!”
Haruki grabbed Tai and cuffed one of her hands over his mouth.
”Tai… Look at Lex…”
”Mmrrr?”
”With what has happened to Milkshake, he blames himself… We should give him time alone with Milkshake instead of asking him to do everything…”
”Mi mee… mum… man mu move mur mand moff my mouth… mur mimger mis mocking my mostril…
”Oh, sorry tai… “
Tai took a deep breath, and began to breathe once again.
”Whew… I thought you would suffocate me…”
“Wait… my finger was… on your… nose…? EWWW AHHHE EWW!!!! OMIGOSH EWW TAI EEEEEWWWWW!!!”
”Haruki, calm down!!”
Silver came from the shadows, sat down, and began to build a fire.
”Looks like Haruki and Tai are having fun…”
”Hmm? What was that, Silver?”
”Nothing, nothing.”
”Oookay… So, Sierra… Sierra?
Derr crawled over to Sierra, looked over then where she was staring, and placed her hand on Sierra’s shoulder.
”I wonder… if Lex is alright… Derr…”
”Don’t worry… everything will be fine…”

“Fire’s up.”

Haruki, Derr, and Tai turned around and stared at the fire, a few seconds later, appeared infront of the fire.
”Yay, warmth!” They all shouted.
Sierra momentarily stared at me, then moved to the fire.
“While I was out getting firewood, I found some wild berries and fish by a stream. Give me a bit and we can begin to eat.”
”Yay, go Silver!”
”Does anyone mind giving some of the berries to Lex?”
”I’ll go.”
”Alright, here you go, Sierra.”
”Thanks, silver.”
Sierra held the berries in a piece of cloth and began to walk over.
”He… build a fire…?” Sierra thought.

“How’s the fire, Milkshake?”
”It’s… warm… but it’s still cold…”
I took off my black napoleon and wrapped Milkshake in it.
”But… what about you… Lex…?”
”Don’t worry about me, you’re the one that’s injured. The warmth of the fire will be enough.”
”Thank you… Lex…Ahh…”
“What’s wrong, Milkshake?
”I’m… getting hungry…”
”Yeah… I am too…”
Milkshake fell asleep in my arms soon after and I took a sigh.
”Lex!”
Startled, I jumped a bit and turned around to find Sierra sitting behind me. She smiled and held out her hands.
”Here are some Lex, Berries!”
”Er… What?”
I blinked at her. She blushed and turned red, then shook her face and smiled.
”I mean… Here are some berries, Lex!”
She smiled as her face was still red. I smiled and used one arm to pat her shoulder.
”Thanks, Sierra.”
”You’re welcome!”
”Er… where did you get the berries?”
”Oh, Silver went out for some firewood and found some wild berries and fish near a stream.”
”Ah… Tell him I said thanks as well, would you?”
“No problem! So… How’s Milkshake doing…?”
“I think she’s made some recovery…”
”Ah…”
”Sierra!! The fish is ready!!”
”Er… looks like the fish is ready, did you want me to bring you one?
”Ah… it’s alright, save your strength. Go enjoy the meal with everyone.”
”Oh… okay…”
Sierra got up, turned around, and began to walk back.
”Oh, Sierra?”
”Y-Yes??”
”Thanks… For bringing the berries.”
”No problem! I’ll see you, Lex!”
”See you, Sierra.”

With that said, Sierra and I smiled at each other momentarily, then she walked back to the group and sat down.

”So, Sierra, how’s Milkshake?”
”Lex said she’s fine, Derr… But…”
She turned around and looked at me, then turned back.
“I’m worried about Lex… I heard Milkshake and Lex saying they’re hungry, the berries would be enough to fill someone, but he probably gave them to Milkshake. I asked him if he wanted fish, but he told me to save my strength.”
”Well…Too bad for him then, hahaha!”
Everyone glared at Tai.
”Ee… It was humor, it was humor!”
”Even so… that was kind of mean, Tai…
”Sorry, sorry…”
”Well, the fish is done, let’s all eat. Here, everyone.”
”Thanks, Silver!” Everyone said altogether.

“Milkshake… Milkshake…”
”Mm… Lex…?”
”Sierra brought over some berries… Here, eat.”
”Thanks, Lex… Ahh…”
Milkshake coughed out the berry.
”What’s wrong, Milkshake?”
”It’s hard… to chew…”
”Hmm… I know…”
I put a few berries in my mouth and began to chew. When it was about right…
”L… Lex…?”
”It’s about the only way, Milkshake…”

Lex, I–…

At that moment, my mouth gently pressed against hers. I exchanged what was in my mouth to hers and as she ate, tears rolled down her face. After everything was exchanged, I removed my mouth from hers and looked at her, wiping away the tears on Milkshake’s face.
”L… Lex… Thank you…”
”Shh… Milkshake… Save your strength…”
I put some more berries in my mouth, chewed, and repeated the process.

Lex…

”Umm…”
”Yes, Silver?”
”Who wants to bring a fish over to Lex?”
”I will…”
”Alright, here you go, Sierra.”
Sierra walked over with the fish, and froze in shock and confusion. After a moment of silence, she let out a deep sigh. I raised my head, turned around, and greeted her.
“Oh, *ahem* hey Sierra.”
”…”
Her mouth opened as if she wanted to speak, but no words came, so she closed her mouth and looked down.
”Sierra…”
”Oh, Lex, Silver asked me to bring you over some fish, so here!” She said hastily, throwing the fish at me.
”Sierra, what’s–…”
”Enjoy your meal, Lex!” She quickly said.
Sierra turned around and dashed out of sight. Moments later she appeared near the group and looked down in silence. Derr and Haruki walked over and sat near Sierra.
”Sierra… What happened over there?”
“Nothing…”
”Come on… I’m your buddy… you can tell me.”
”Kissing.”
”What?!”
”Onii-chan… Kissing?”
”Yes…”
”Kissing what??””
”Milkshake.”
”Milk… Shake…?”
”Yes…”
”Er… ehe.. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
”What’s so funny… Haruki…”
”Hahaha… hehe… *cough* Well, you should go over and ask what Lex was doing in the first place instead of getting ideas, after all, Milkshake was attacked by Jr. Cellions.”
”Hmm… come to think of it… Yeah, you’re probably right, Haruki. Ahh… I better go apologize for throwing the fish at him.”
”You threw… fish at him…?”
”Yes…”
At that moment, Derr and Haruki began to laugh together as Sierra got up and walked back over.

Lex!

Sierra ran over when she saw me lying on the ground.
”Lex!”
”I’m awake, I’m awake!! Oh… Hey Sierra, sorry, I must’ve dozed off.”
”I’m sorry about earlier… I saw you kissing Milkshake on the lips… and…”
”Ah… no wonder you were upset. Sorry, I was feeding Milkshake because she couldn’t… chew…. So that was the only way.”
”I’m… sorry.”
”It’s alright, at least it’s over with?”
”Yeah… Is Milkshake still awake?”
”She fell asleep a bit after you threw the fish at me.”
Sierra~! We’re going to sleep~
Okay, Derr!
”So… they’re going to sleep.”
”Yeah… Do you mind if I sleep here… next to you…?”
”Not at all. *stretch* *Yaaawwn* I’m tired…”
”Ahh… where is it… Ah, a napoleon.”
”Hmm?”
”Come lay here next to me, Lex.”
”Oh… sure.”

I went to lie besides Sierra. Between Sierra and myself, there was space. I put Milkshake in that space and smiled at Sierra. Sierra covered all of us in the Napoleon she took out.
”Lex…?”
”Yes, Sierra?”
”Hehe… Look at the clouds… That one almost looks like a castle…”
”Castles… in the sky…?”
”Maybe… hehe… Lex…”
”Yes, Sierra… Sier—“
She gotten up and moved over to kiss me on the cheek, and laid back down.
”Goodnight… Lex…” She said, blushing.
”I… You… We… Er… *cough* *ahem* Goodnight, Sierra.”
”Hehe… you look cute when you blush…”
She smiled at me, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep.
Sierra… She… Kissed me? I thought.
”Mmm… Lex…”
Milkshake mumbled and I held her closely. She snuggled at my chest and slowly opened her eyes.
”Lex… If I… Umm… I wanted to tell you… If I wasn’t… I mean…”
”Milkshake…”
”I… I… Love you…”
”I… Love you too… Milkshake…”
“I’m… glad…”
Milkshake smiled and closed her eyes. I petted her head and closed my eyes. As the moonlight shone from the sky where the clouds slowly drifted in the night sky, the bushes rustled, and a cool breeze blew by, kissing the fire. The silent “Shh” was the last sigh the fire gave as it died.

Thank you… Lex…