>>Enya

"You could have shown them your power." I said

"I tried," She said, "They wouldn't listen,"

"Instead of waiting, you should have just shown it to them!!" I said

!!

Her body flinched.

Her gaze wandered around in confusion.

No wonder no one took her seriously. She's everything a saint isn't supposed to be.

She looks so timid and it's obvious she's from a bad background.

I sighed

"I'm sorry," I looked down, "I didn't mean to yell." What am I doing? I was never the type to yell but here I am, even cursing.

I never cursed like how I did today with Hael

I'm so on an edge.

"It's okay," Rosie replied and I looked back at her.

I was thinking about how to say to her with another sudden presence caught my attention,

"Don't be like that, Enya," His voice was gentle, a soothing contrast to the tension that had filled the space. He made his way toward us

Einar, my brother, with his signature fiery red hair, and his deep green eyes, filled with warmth. He always had this air of calm about him, a softness that seemed to smooth out even the roughest edges of any situation. His attire was impeccable as usual, dressed in a finely tailored coat and shirt, exuding an effortless elegance.

His long boots crunched in the snow as he walked

"Einar?" I was surprised to see him, "What are you doing here?"

"I had to come." When he reached Rosie, he paused, his gaze softening further.

Without hesitation, Einar reached for her hands, enveloping them gently with his own. Rosie's eyes widened in surprise, and she instinctively tried to pull back, her gaze dropping in embarrassment, a look of self-consciousness crossing her features as she subtly shifted her hands, as if she felt unworthy of his touch—too dirty, too undeserving. But Einar held on, his grip tender, yet firm enough to stop her retreat.

"Please," He said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, "don't pull away." His thumbs brushed lightly over the back of her hands, a silent reassurance.

Rosie looked up at him, her wide eyes filled with uncertainty, and I saw the blush rise to her cheeks, coloring her pale skin. I guess she wasn't used to kindness like this, especially not from someone like Einar. His gaze held hers with such sincerity, such compassion, that it was as if he could see right through her timid exterior, down to the fragile soul beneath.

"I'm sorry," Einar said, and his voice was so full of warmth that it made even me pause. "On behalf of my sister. She didn't mean it. We're all under a lot of pressure." His eyes darted briefly to me before returning to Rosie. "But none of this is your fault. Please believe that."

Rosie's hands remained in his, her fingers trembling slightly, but she didn't try to pull away this time. Her blush deepened as she glanced down, unable to hold his gaze any longer.

"I... It's okay," She whispered, her voice barely audible.

I sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of my earlier outburst settling heavily on my shoulders.

"I'm sorry," I said again, my eyes drifting down to the floor, feeling the sting of my own guilt. "I didn't mean to yell." What was I doing? I wasn't the type to lose control like this.

What have I become? I was not a person like this... I pursed my lips, "I'm really sorry." I was beyond ashamed of myself, "Please," I bowed my head, "Forgive me."

"It's okay," Rosie replied quietly, her voice hesitant but forgiving. I lifted my head and found her staring at me with those innocent eyes, still flushed from Einar's gentle touch.

Einar suddenly began to cough. His hands left her as he stepped back as the violent fit took over. He placed his hand on his mouth and the other hand on his stomach.

"Oh God! Are you alright?" I ran up to him while Rosie did the same, "The doctor said the cold isn't good for you! Why did you leave the mansion!" I grabbed his hands as his coughs calmed down a little.

Rosie was confused. She wanted to comfort him but was afraid to touch him. So she simply loomed by with her hands in the air.

Once he calmed down he smiled at me softly, "I've been seeing everything." He straightened up, I want you to leave this to me."

"What are you going to do?" I asked. I knew the red butterfly was his. He must be anxious that I left alone to solve this.

"I've asked Asael to take me to the tower, I'm going to meet the Tower Master personally."

"Hmm?" I wasn't sure what he had in mind, "Einar, Hael isn't easy to deal with."

"I know," He nodded as he held my hands back, "I've been watching you both everyday."

"And you still want to try?" I was confused, "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine," He said

"I don't think you should go." I said, "Hael isn't an empathic person. What if he says something rude to you!"

He chuckled, "I would prefer that over him saying something rude to you,"

"Einar!"

"Don't worry," He said, "I have a theory and I want to test it."

"What theory?"

"I've been watching him everyday with you and I have an idea."

"What are you going to do?"

"Something," He said, "But I can't tell you."

My mouth opened slightly, "But,"

"Let me do this," He let out a cough and Rosie flinched. She stepped closer to him but when she saw he didn't cough again, she stepped away again, fiddling with her thumbs.

"Are you really going to be alright?"

He nodded, his soft features highlighting more as he passed me a gentle smile.

***

Rosie and I went to the tower with Einar but he said he'd be going to Hael's room alone. I wasn't sure if that would work out. I didn't think it was a good idea to go into his bedroom and alone at that.

But Einar did

And he locked the room so no one else could go in.

***

>>Einar

I locked the door behind me and stepped further into the room but an immediate chill hit me, the cold creeping through my clothes and making me shiver. The room felt off, a disquieting energy hanging in the air. It wasn't just the temperature that struck me—though that was certainly striking enough.

The floor was littered with a number of alcohol bottles, rolling around haphazardly. Their labels were smeared and stained, and the contents within them swirled aimlessly. The disarray spoke volumes about the state The Tower Master had been in.

How much does he drink?

I looked at the bottles, then raised my head and looked around.

The windows were wide open, allowing the frigid air from outside to invade the room. Considering how cold it was, it didn't make sense to me. It was as if Hael wanted to keep the room icy, deliberately allowing the winter's breath to seep in.

I pulled my coat tighter around me, wincing at the contrast between the cold air and the warmth I'd left behind in the hall. My gaze swept around the room, taking in the disorder and the faint scent of alcohol that lingered heavily in the air.

And then I saw him

The Tower Master

He was lying on the bed, motionless. His gaze was fixed on the canopy ceiling, the look in his eyes distant and hollow. His posture was one of complete surrender to the heaviness of his thoughts. His expression was a mix of resignation and despair, his usual composure lost in the depth of whatever turmoil he was enduring.

I took a tentative step forward, the creaking of the floorboards echoing in the stillness of the room. The silence was almost oppressive, adding to the strange, uneasy atmosphere. My heart ached seeing him like this—so detached, so lost.

"Master Hael?" I called softly, trying to pierce through the thick fog of his contemplation. He didn't move, didn't even blink. It was as if he was somewhere far beyond the physical realm of this room.

I approached the side of his bed, noticing how he didn't react to my presence. I could see the fatigue etched into his features, "Are you alright?" I dared to ask.

"Locking the door as if you own the place," He said as his gaze traveled to me, "Are you looking for death?" His expressions were blank

I gulped

I could sense the immense magic power he held inside of him but I have things I needed to confirm.

As I approached the bed, I could feel the weight of the room pressing down on me. Hael lay there, so still and detached, his eyes fixed on me and as I neared, I could see a flicker of irritation in his eyes. The intensity of his glare cut through the dim, icy atmosphere, but it was clear that even this reaction was subdued, as if it came from a place of profound exhaustion rather than active hostility.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked

I reached the edge of the bed and hesitated for a moment, studying his face.

"I want to help you," I said

"What?" He was baffled by my answer

Gently, I placed my hands over his.

!!!

Hael sat up but before he could do anything to me, I chose to pour out my magic. It was a calming, restorative energy, intended to soothe and offer comfort. The warmth of the magic began to seep into his hands

"What are you doing?" His voice trembled as he realized what my magic was doing to him..

"I have a favor I need to ask of you, Hael," I said, my voice low and earnest.

His eyes remained fixed on mine, wide open in fear

"Stop," He said, his pupils shaking in fear.

"I understand you're carrying a lot," I added, trying to bridge the gap between us. "I want to help,"

I could hear his heartbeat rising.

"Hael, I just need to know one thing." His rational thoughts were still there and I could tell that he wanted to move away from me. He was regretting letting me move around him room

And he normally wouldn't have.

He was just so drained at this point, he just let me. And he must have noticed the amount of magic I have inside of me as well.

The power I have is at par with his. But my magic is something entirely different.

It's softer

"Whatever you're doing," His voice was getting shaky, "Stop," I poured more of my magic in

"I want this answer," I asked softly, "The person you fell in love with, will you go back for her or not?" I removed my hand from his hand and placed it on his face, cupping his cheeks as we both sat on the bed facing each other.

His expressions were faltering

"I would," He replied

***

>>Enya

And like that three days passed.

Hael and Einar didn't come out of Hael's room. Just what were they two doing in there!??

I brought Rosie with me to the tower and we talked most of the time. We were two people who had come from two different worlds.

But I had her take a hot bath, a nice meal and gave her some of my clothes.

She looked like a completely different person after that.

"You should be more confident." I said as we sat in the lobby of the Magic Tower, "If you were, the temple wouldn't have treated you like that."

"Yes..." She nodded, "But appearances matter a lot," She spoke softly, "And I didn't have the money to make myself look-" She pointed at herself with her hands, up and down, "-Like this,"

...

I couldn't argue with that.

Asael came to us, "The Tower Master and Einar are out."

!!!

I jumped up from my seat, "Really?" I looked at him in surprise, "Do both of them look fine?"

"Fine?" Rosie asked

I looked at her, "They were in there for three days!" I said, "God knows what they did! What if they fought!!?"

"Doesn't look like it," Asael answered, "Rather it looks like they've bonded..."

"What?!" Rosie and I both looked at him in disbelief.

"That's good," We heard a woman's voice.

!?!?

It was an unfamiliar voice, one neither of us had ever heard

"I'm glad that most of the conflicts are solved." We all turned to look at her, "We don't have much time left after all."

All of us looked at the tall lean woman making her towards us.

Her white clothes with gold corner laces showed she was a person of religion, but these weren't the clothes the people from the temple wore.

Her long blonde hair and pale skin complimented her whole look but what really stood out about her, was the white lace that covered her eyes. Her long white staff with three interjecting gold rings on the top made a small sound each time it came in contact with the ground.

"Oracle?" Asael was the first one to say it.

Wait

Oracle?!?

The Oracle?!? From the Maximilian empire?

What is she doing here?!