William gave out a smile, an empty smile as he acted contently, satisfied with Isabella's answer to his confession.
She did not wanted to be a part of his family. At least not now.
It was done now.
"I see..."
What he hoped for... cannot be attained.
"I understand. You really need to find answers too."
It was now or never
"No it's completely fine. I don't mind waiting."
He can feel his own voice cracking.
Why was he feeling this way? Isabella didn't say no! But she didn't say yes either.
Through her colorful vision, Isabella can see just how conflicted he felt. He knows that she needs time and yet, the ounce of guilt he was feeling this moment...
"You will be the first to know about my family, William."
William looks up at her with awe. She was now calling him by his first name. The smile on her face was true, sincere and filled with determination.
"I'm sorry that I am letting you wait..." she gave a sad smile, "I really wanted to say yes... but I can't. There is something I have to do. And I can't ignore that." She sighs, "I know, that whatever happens... will..." a tear drops from her eyes, "will probably be my fault. But... I can't let this go too." She shakes her face, brushing the tears off, "I know there will be some people who will pin the blame... but..."
"I can't let anyone of you be victims to this danger."
William blinked in confusion, "What do you mean, Isabella?
"I already lost someone I loved from danger. And I promised them that I would protect them. I promised them at one point... and the other... I can't fulfil it" She gives a content smile, "Let me do this. To atone for my sins, breaking a loved one's promise. If I can't save them, then let me save the others." With a final bow, she turned, leaving the room, with William all alone inside the room.
The captain of the Golden Dawn felt cold. He did not like this empty, sick and lonely feeling that grew heavy by each second. He walked to the large mirror on wall looking into his reflection.
Patri stood in place of his reflection. There was a simple blank look on his face as he stared at his human counterpart.
"You got your answer." He spoke, "You ready to do go?"
William nodded with his eyes closed. It appears he has to break his promise to Isabella about being the next wizard king.
But what's the difference between them....
"Yeah..."
William opened his eyes.
....When they both break a promise to their loved ones?
"I'm ready"
****************
Isabella walked around the hallways of the headquarters. Outside, the sun was glowing orange as it sets down the earth. She solemnly dragged herself to the nearest stop wherever she can find to distract herself with. The heavy feeling of guilt never leaving her, how she outwardly rejected the captain's plea.
"What do you think about getting adopted?"
What does she think? Complete change of her life. Something that a child can call happiness. A carve to have love from a parent. Something she never got to experience. Something she wished she could have.
But does she deserved it?
She sighed, not getting to any conclusion. Perhaps she can get someone's advice.
"Maybe I should ask someone for this..."
She had a few people in mind she could ask. Maybe by talking to them and understanding what they think, it would make up her mind. But...
"Maiden of hope!"
Isabella stopped in her track and looked up to see two senior Golden Dawn mages heading towards hers. One of them was holding onto a teapot with his magic ability. Isabella can tell by their dull and wavy patterns that they were nervous.
"What is it, gentlemen?" she asked.
"Miss Isabella, Captain Yami of the Black Bulls has come to meet Captain Vangeance."
"Really." Isabella's face somewhat brightened at that.
"Yes." The mage continued, "However, Captain Vangeance isn't here at the moment. He said he had to go for an urgent call from the Wizard King."
This made Isabella perplexed as she give out a light gasp, "Strange, he didn't say anything regarding this to me."
"Yes, it was quite urgent." He then glance back from where they initially came from, "But Captain Yami is just getting more and more agitated by the minute he waits for the Captain Vangeance. We tried our best to entertain him as much as we can. But he got pi- I mean furious. And he hates the tea we served him."
Isabella knew the impatience of the great Captain of the Black Bulls. Make him wait longer and one will face his wrath. She never thought of him as the patient one anyways. Hopefully her captain did not forget this... which was probably too late for him...
She then smiled at the mages, "Leave it to me. I'll cheer him up."
The mage gave out a nervous chuckle, "I doubt that but thank you very much."
Isabella give out a small chuckle and skidded off to the said captain.
She soon found the Black Bull Leader's ominous wavy patterns along with his muscular figure, sitting comfortably on a chair, with a table in front of him. He inhales onto the cigarette that had been place between his lips since god knows how long.
"Captain Sukihiro!"
The said captain, who was currently smoking, diverted his dazed look to Isabella who walked towards him.
"Oh Tinkerbelle, finally awake I see..." The captain of the Black Bulls greeted.
The Maiden of hope gave a kind smile, "It's wonderful to see you again after the ceremony. I hope you are enjoying yourself with some tea and the view outside."
The captain made a small tsk sound, "I don't know about enjoyment but I only came here cuz' Goldie told me so. He wanted to apologize for what his lackey did to my ride."
Isabella blinked in confusion until it clicked to her what he meant.
"That weasel of vice-captain of yours screw Finral up pretty badly in the royal knights' examination."
Yes, indeed she heard about it from one of her superiors. She even thought about checking on the said vice-captain. Maybe she'll do that when the matter is settled down.
But it did startle her the fact that the vice-captain nearly committed murder onto the mage, not to mention, his own blood brother! Why would he do such a thing!?
"Yes, I heard about it. I'm really sorry for our vice captain's insolent behavior. Captain Vangeance was too unhappy regarding it."
Yami gave another irritated grunt, much to Isabella's concern, "That's not the only problem I've got. That feather face... he said that I should come here so that he could apologize. It should be the other way around. He should be visiting me instead."
Isabella gaped at that. For some reason, that was indeed correct. William should have visited, so why brought captain Yami here?
She shake the thought and asked about the captain in question, "Have you met up with the captain?
Another tsk, "I've been waiting for the past half an hour for him. His other good for nothin' lackeys came too, only pouring more of this bitter tea for me." He pointed at the cup, "Do you know how many times I had to go to take a dump."
Isabella gave a nervous smile to that. Yep, that's the Captain Yami she was looking for. Nothing to worry about, "I rather not..."
Another irritated grunt left his breath as Yami smoked some of his cigarette, with his back resting on the chair, "So how are you doing?"
***********
"How unusual for you to come and speak to me like this." Julius spoke as he turned his figure to the said mage approaching him, "What's the occasion William...?"
William unknowingly gave out a smile. His left eye shadowed from the setting sun that beamed on the two powerful images. Both of them arranged this small talk together on top of the castle, as this meeting was deemed to be an "urgent call"
Since the royal knights had been dispatched to attack the Eye of the Midnight Sun at their base, Julius had been alert for any attack that could occur in the kingdom. As much as he liked to go, he knew he had to stay. It was his job.
Plus, Marx wouldn't be happy about it either.
But he did not anticipated this social call from William of all people. It was bewildering. The said captain of the Golden Dawn was a man of zero social calls. Perhaps he was only here for some fresh air, with no subordinate by his side? Or maybe he wanted to talk about their earlier conversation, regarding Isabella's-
"First I must thank you for taking the time to indulge my selfish request..."
He raises his hands to his mask. He gently removes it, revealing his face. The scars of his mother's curse no longer lingering within his features, "From the start, you have acknowledged me for my worth, even though my appearance is strange. When I met you, my entire future opened before me."
He began to remember his past...
"I was raised as a poor child in the village of the forsaken realm. I suffered such cruel treatment, even from the family where I was welcomed as a nobleman's successor. But then..."
Flashback
"Incredible! What was that magic you were just using" Julius, who seemed to not have aged, leaned excitedly towards a young William who was taken aback by the strange man appearing out of nowhere. As much as he felt flattered, it still did not helped with the situation he has to face day and night, no thanks to his scars of course.
"You showed me kindness."
Julius smiled to him as young William elaborated Julius about his scars and how it would bring misfortune to him. Julius gives a smile
"You showed me respect."
Julius then asked his to join the magic knights and how he can help William with his scars.
"You helped me become a magic knight."
Hearing this young William became hopeful as he stared at the mage with awe.
"I'm serious you faced isn't something to be ashamed off. However, if it bothers you that much..."
The next moment they knew, they were Julius' office with Julius holding onto the mask that William wear today.
"I'll give you this mask!" Julius' eye sparkled with stars as he presented the mask.
Flashback ended
William continued to reminisce as he hold onto the mask, "When you presented me with this gift, you allowed me to join your order, and I would dedicate my Grimoire to you for your cause."
A gentle pause came between them.
"It's been eleven years and my sentiments haven't changed one bit. There's no one in this world I respect as much as you."
Unable to handle all the praise and awkwardness of the situation, Julius fully turned to William as he nervously scratched his hair, "Uh, yeah. Where did all this praise come from? How about a retirement? Hahahaha...." he gave out a nervous laugh.
"Bit by bit, I climbed the ranks until I became a magic knight captain. Guided by my own Mana, I selected talented strong members and created the Golden Dawn."
"Through this journey, I was gifted with the most beautiful blessing that the world could ever bestow upon me."
William thought of Isabella and her sweet smile to him.
"As thanks for the kindness you showed me I built the strongest squad of knights that I could assemble. I did that for you..."
"... But also for someone who is equally as dear to me."
Julius quietly listened to every word William spoke off. For some reason, there seem to be a small shift in the atmosphere that even the Wizard King himself can feel. The small pause was evident to that...
William placed a hand on this left side of the chest, directly to where his heart would be, "A friend who has always been at my side, who I've known even longer than you. Now with the trust of two loved ones, who desired two very different paths... I'm torn between the dreams we fought for. And the dream of my dear friend. I've known from the start I couldn't possibly choose between you. So now..."
And just like that... his white hairs began to grow longer...
"... That decision must fall on your shoulders."
Julius' eyes widened at the sudden shift of his appearance. William's eyes changed to golden, with his hairs now being longer till his waist...
This was no longer William... but rather...
"William, my only human friend, I know this was hard for you. I'm grateful."
"Greetings to you, Wizard king Julius Novachrono. I am the leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun known as Licht."
For some reason this should have terrified Julius from the outside, made him perturbed, hopeless and betrayed. But all of this seemed like it was something he anticipated. Perhaps he did, and placed all the possibilities at the back of his mind. It's no surprise to him but he did suspected William since the capital was attacked.
Countless times he monitored him when they both were alone. He suspected that even Yami also noticed the odd similarities between him and the leader of the eye of the midnight sun. But the difference between them was so obvious. It can't possibly be the case. And the genuine and sincere aura William withhold, that can never turn out to be a traitors.
Julius can only make one conclusion though.
He wasn't betrayed at all.
And that is why he stands here today, at this very spot, at this very moment...
He need to save William.
"I've dreaded this day, yet here we are..."
*************
"Don't let your thoughts go down kid, the more you push pass your limits then you can do anything." Yami laughed out, "I still have to do that. I'm not even there yet."
Isabella's small laughter was interrupted in a snap. She turned to the window just in front of her and Yami. She quietly approached the window, placing her hands on the reeling as she leaned at the open view. The wind below smoothly, making her loosened hair follow with rhythm. . The perilous Mana crawling under her skin made her turn to Yami, who as well felt the same thing as her. His glare never leaving the point where this Mana was flowing from. More than the Mana, he was feeling Qi. That could only mean one thing...
"We have to go." Yami finally spoke, "Julius is in danger."
Author's Note:
Hello everybody, I'm back!
After seven months...
Oh my god, my extreme apologies to everyone of you. I know you all have been waiting tirelessly for this. And I couldn't thank you all enough for the support and wait you all had to endure. I sincerely have no words to describe... Its the usual excuses that always hinders the story. I'm really sorry everyone. My studies got really overboard and the projects were massive. I had to put everything aside just to get it all done right...
But let's not waste our time on this, and continue our journey.
So while this story was on a long hiatus, I decided to do some activities for this book. I will probably give some... hinds, riddles or small question answers. It'll be fun. It might just give some spoilers. but I won't be revealing much...
I'm completely unpredictable. I can do anything. I just planned this out of the blue.
So this chapter will be marked as the first activity for you guys.
Alright everyone, here is your first question:
Q) Describe Isabella with one word. (personality/appearance wise... anything)
Please do participate in it. It will be very interesting. I might just tell you all what you all would want to hear.
In the end I would also give you my answer as well.
Well everyone, thank you so much for you support and patience and I hope you all will continue to read my book in future as well.
With regards
Cloverkeeper