>>Amber

When I heard him say that he would risk his life, a chill ran down my spine. My heart skipped a beat, and a suffocating dread settled in my chest.

I stared back at him in horror. He could have meant me. The thought that he might be willing to put himself in harm's way for me was terrifying. Normally I would melt at those words even though they didn't directly address me but not this time.

Today they only brought fear with them because he could die.

Hael kept his eyes on me, "But-" He didn't get to ask me because I stood up and walked away, my action confusing him.

I started making my way to the balcony

"My lady?" He stood up to come after me

"Don't call me that!!" I yelled as I glanced back but didn't even look at him properly before facing ahead and stepping out of the room, into the open air.

My words made him pause but I didn't look back at him, so I didn't notice the shock on his face, yet he didn't say anything.

My mind spiraled into chaos.

I walked to the very edge of the balcony and held the railing to support myself while the weight of his words pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. So, I was forced to let out deep breaths.

He came after me.

Quietly, without a word, with his eyes on me, he came out and stepped towards me.

I took a deep breath. Calm down! Calm down!! He said he would risk his life for it, not give it away!!

There's a difference!!!

Hael came and stood beside me, his eyes never leaving me as he placed his hand on the railing. He didn't say anything. I'm sure he has no idea how to deal with my sudden outburst.

Hell!!!

Even I wasn't expecting that I would do something like that!

I grabbed the railing tightly and leaned backward while putting all my weight on my heels. With the angle I could see the sky that was getting lighter.

God!

What am I doing?!

I need to calm down.

I let out a breath and with it I tried to calm my heart as I stared up. The night was fading away, but we could still see one of the two moons in its full glory

I let out another deep breath while Hael quietly stood beside me, his body facing my direction.

It's alright

I told myself

It's okay. I'm sure we can figure this out.

I straightened up, putting my weight back on whole of my feet and turned to look at Hael, "I'm sorry," I said with one hand still on the railing but he just silently stared back at me, unsure what to do or what to say, "I'm sorry Hael. It's not your fault. I'm just on an edge."

He analyzed my expressions, I could see his pupils moving with caution, "What's troubling you?" He asked softly and I felt even more guilty for shouting at him.

He never yells at me, scratch that, he has never raised his voice, EVER.

I looked down in shame for a minute, sighing at myself.

"Hael," I looked at him again, "When will you give me your answer?"

"... When we come back," He replied after giving it a thought.

"When we come back?" I frowned, "Why not give it to me now?"

"Is my answer the thing that is troubling you?" He asked

"In a way," I replied, "You've thought about it, haven't you?"

"I have," He nodded.

"Then please give it to me," As soon as I said that I felt a pang in my heart. Shit, I told myself I wouldn't pressure him.

"Is there a reason why you're in a hurry?" He asked.

"I want to hear it." I closed my eyes in defeat. I've already said it, might as well see what he says, "Why are you taking so much to answer me? I know I shouldn't pressure you but Hael, what if we don't come back safely from Hollow Woods?" I stepped closer to him as the wind took up more speed, the sun coming up mightily,"What if you don't come back?!"

"Then what's the point in saying anything at all?" His answer made me pause.

!!!

It was a rock hard shock

I slowly looked away

He's... right...? I wasn't sure. But his words made sense. I bit my lower lip.

His gaze dropped, then he raised his head towards the sky and I noticed that he was looking at the moon. I turned my head and stared at it too.

Things aren't supposed to be this complicated.

I released my lip.

Are they?

I wonder what's making him wait. I can't wait to be with him, but that one line that is pending from him is keeping us away.

"The moon is beautiful," I whispered and then glanced at Hael. I know you won't know its meaning. It's not a phrase from this world. In the modern world, a writer phrased this term because he couldn't confess his feelings straight out.

So every time he met the girl he was in love with and they sat under the stars, he would say, 'The Moon is beautiful.'

"Yes," Hael kept his eyes on the moon, "The Moon is beautiful."

!!!

My eyes went wide for a second, then I turned my face away as I felt them heat up.

I know he doesn't know that in secret words, it means, 'I love you'. But listening to him say that line made my heart tremble. It made me hope that you will say that to me.

I can't wait. I want you so bad, I feel restless. I looked back at him again and kept my eyes on him as the first rays of the sun filtered through the horizon, casting its glory on our faces.

My heart began to pound at the thought of it. So much so that I couldn't think of anything else.

In my eyes, there was only him but he didn't notice my gaze.

"My words have caused me pain when it came to people I held dear." His voice was low as he spoke, "I realize that no other person would take as much time as I," He turned his head around softly to meet my gaze as a gentle breeze blew past us, fluttering our hair along, "I just wanted to be careful."

His words have caused pain?

!!!

It immediately flashed through my mind

His mother!! The words he said to her are still in his mind!

Oh God!!

I felt like a jerk. I didn't even think it would still be bothering him! Oh! Amber! You stupid idiot!!!

"I get it," I nodded, "But promise I'll get your answer when we get back?"

He nodded and I gave him a smile.

The wind began to die down and we could hear the birds chirping.

"I also have plans of visiting the north when we come back."

"North? Why?" He asked.

"I want to visit someone there."

His expressions got stern, "Who?"

"Enya," I stated her name, "Enya Wellington." I need to meet Enya. Rosie wouldn't tell me anything but I'll get it out of Enya

And immediately after his face softened again, "Alright."

"I want you to come with me." I said

"Sure," He agreed, no questions asked

Oh

Good!

Hael looked at the sky, "We should get going now."

"Let me freshen up," I said, "I won't be long." I turned to make my way towards the bathroom when he suddenly caught my hand, making me halt in my path.

I was not expecting the sudden touch.

It sent a wave of excitement through me. I turned my head around to look at him, "Yes?"

I noticed an uncertainty in his expressions. Perhaps he was having trouble speaking his mind. Or maybe he still had no idea what to say or how to say it, "Hael?"

"Are you okay?" He asked, making me slightly surprised.

He's worried about me

A smile appeared on my face as my heart warmed up.

And he put it in words too. I could tell he really was trying to get better at this.

I closed my fingers around his hand, feeling his touch as much as I could.

"I'm fine," I nodded, "I'll be fast." I didn't want to let his hand go but I also knew we didn't have time. So I slipped my hand away as I walked ahead.

"Alright," He answered but didn't move his hand till the time my touch was away from him.

***

"Archmage Deus will be helping the team in this mission." Hael introduced Deus to the platoon of knights. Deus has two magical attributes. One for water and one for light." There was a small stage in the royal training grounds where Hael, Deus, Lyal and I stood.

Hael had also explained how to destroy the core of bonewraiths and Lyal had trained them on how to kill them.

Destroying the core of those monsters also slows them down, so fighting them will be easier.

I heard that May and Deus have two attributes. Having more than one attribute already means you're very gifted, while learning spells is based on how capable you are, so the greater the magic ability one has, the more spells they can use.

Teleportation spells can be performed by people with the best talents.

I glanced at Hael

I've seen two from him too, Fire and illusions.

I wonder though, is it all?

>>Lyal

I glanced at Corvina, she had her eyes on the Tower Master.

Damnit,

He kept saying that she wouldn't wake up, but father was sure he wasn't waking her up on purpose. I looked at the Tower Master.

Did my words get to him? I get the feeling he didn't wake her up to keep her away from me

I did try going to the Tower, but there I learned no one was allowed to enter.

They weren't making exceptions for anyone.

In every country, every organization has political things happening in them, political favors, political gains, and so on. But the Magic Tower is the sole place that doesn't operate like that.

They work on power hierarchy and the word of the highest ranking person, A.K.A, The Tower Master, is absolute.

No one can stop the Royal Family from entering anywhere but Hael has put a ban on us at the Tower.

Tch!

I clicked my tongue. Because of that bastard I didn't get any chances to try and get close to Corvina.

Suddenly, a loud, piercing sound split the air—the alarm. For a moment, confusion swept through the group, everyone exchanging startled glances, unsure of what was happening.

It took only a few seconds before recognition dawned on us all. That was no ordinary alarm. It was the alarm from the temple.

I frowned

The temple has only ever used that in case of extreme emergencies. Why would they sound the alarm out of the blue-

Oh!

It hit me

Illaris! Something must have happened to Illaris

And right then I noticed Corvina and Hael exchange a suspicious glance.

Hmm!?

Did these two do something?