My eyes cast downwards, staring dead at the stone platform underneath me. Two guards stood in front of me, both holding spears pointed towards me with the look of ill-intent and excitement in their eyes. The roar of the packed crowd that either sat or were on their feet on the risen seats of the small arena filled the air. My hands are chained above my head to the wooden pole that is pressed against my back.

I felt physically drained, and more importantly, mentally and emotionally exhausted. My eyes didn't stare at anything in particular, waiting for what would probably be a very painful death to be over and done with.

After all, dying was the least I could do after everything that has happened...

The cheers of the crowd died down as the voice of that problematic human priest overcame them, silencing them. "Does the convicted have any last words?" the priest asked me. My eyes lazily flickered up, to look at the priest, but I looked away, not saying anything. When my silence was the obvious answer, the priest spoke again before sitting on his throne. "Then let this demon burn and may God have mercy on your soul."

Something about what he said made me chuckle softly to myself, finding that phrase somewhat amusing for some strange reason. My eyes saw a guard that was holding a torch turn towards me, my eyes looking down at the woodpile that laid at my feet. I gritted my teeth, closing my eyes as I knew what was about to come next and I didn't have the strength in me to fight back. All the strength I had is gone, I don't have the will to stop this and nor the energy to even try.

I heard the crowd cheer, feeling the heat of flames start to lick my legs as they fed on the wood it was given. I gritted my teeth together.

No...I can't be having second thoughts now. I've already accepted this, there's no point fighting anymore...

I flinched feeling pain sprout in my legs from the heated contact. I bite back my tongue, not wanting to give these humans the satisfaction. But the pain started to grow upwards, the air becoming harder and harder to breathe in.

I pull on my bloodied chained wrists, letting out a pained breath as I felt blood trickle down my arm from the cuts the cuffs dug into my skin. My senses getting dull, but I could faintly hear some type of commotion around me. It was a sound that I was very familiar with, the sounds of steel clashing against steel.

I flinched when the pole I'm chained to moved. And it was like the movement brought clarity with it. But that clarity is wasted since I don't have the strength to try to save myself.

I felt a figure crash into my right side, surprising me. Their arms wrapped around me as their sudden appearance was due to them jumping towards me and tackling me or the pole and me really. They pushed the pole off balance, making it fall. And while that seems great, it isn't given there is a makings of a bonfire underneath me. I close my eyes as the pole gives, falling towards the flames with the idiot who decided it was perfectly fine to do something like this.

I woke up with a start, gasping quietly for air as I laid in bed. My lungs burned for a moment as did my throat. It took me a few moments to realize that it was just a nightmare...or was it? Honestly, it is hard to distinguish what is real and what isn't now.

I break out of my thoughts when I hear snoring coming from behind me, realizing that there is an arm draped over my waist and something pressed against my back.

I smile a bit. That's right, we had to share rooms while Violet, of course, got her own room. I don't mind sharing the bed with Matthew, but he can be quite clingy in his sleep. I'm just glad that my startled waking didn't stir him. I pushed myself to sit up, peeling Matthew's arm off me and gently onto the bed.

I get up, seeing Kala asleep directly behind Matthew, laying in the middle of the bed like she always does. I smile a bit at her.

I wonder how long I have been asleep? I will say that I don't believe it was long, but I do feel refreshed. Perhaps I was more tired than I thought I was. I slip on my boots, needing to go outside to clear my head from the nightmare.

I know that there were burnings in Vienna, back when humans distrusted mages and tried to kill them. But they stopped that. Maybe there was something similar that had happened in Estir. I walk outside, not feeling a breeze or anything, it was just darkness all around. I look up at the sky, not seeing stars or anything.

This place is nothing like the Overworld. I like looking at the stars, makes me feel calm when I do.

"Seto," a voice spoke making me turn halfway, seeing Ianite.

"Ianite...what are you--"

She gives me a soft smile. "Your dreams tend to leak into my head when they are really bad," she said before she walked over to me.

I looked away from her. "Oh...I'm sorry, I tend to have a lot of nightmares, so--"

"It's alright, Seto. Nick was the same..." she said. Nicholas...I share more with him than I expected I would.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked her.

"Of course," she responded.

I hesitated before I looked at her. "You're the Goddess of Balance, you complain the world is out of balance because of the wars. So, why did you need Nicholas and me to help you fix it?" I asked her.

Ianite loses her smile slightly. "Are you assuming that is why you are here?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Well, given everything you have told me so far, it seems to be the most logical assumption," I told her.

She gives me a soft smile. "Why do you think Lord Notch created the Guardians of Estir when he could easily fix the things he sends them to do himself?" she asked me making me stare at her. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words come out.

That is...a good point.

The Gods are powerful, so why do they need avatars such as champions to do their bidding when they can easily do it themselves? It seems so pointless.

I looked back at her, to ask more but I stopped when I saw the smile she was giving me which soften before she spoke. "Do you want to know why the wizards don't look at me the same as Mianite and Dianite?" she asked. I nodded, interested in this but I have a feeling I already know the answer. "It isn't because of my Goddess of Balance title or neutrally, it's because Nicholas was my champion and I helped him built Laenadur. Wizards are more inclined to listen to other wizards than gods. Just as humans are likely to believe humans over wizards. You believe the people who are more like you, it's an unintended bias we all have. We are more likely to follow the person who is the same race as us than those who are different than us."

My eyes soften at her. "Then why is it that when James, Shiro, and the rest of the Elites try to tell the Council to end the war, they ignore them?" I asked her.

She loses her smile. "The Magic Council has been corrupted for a very long time. They look at the Elite Wizards with distaste and hatred, seeing them only as a means to appease the populace and nothing more. They don't realize what they have, which is a group of the strongest wizards that have walked Vienna, all except for Nicholas and you of course," she told me. That makes some sense I guess.

"And what about Merlin? Surely he was powerful too," I asked and I saw a flicker of alarm glint in her eyes for a moment before she looked away from me.

"He was Nicholas's best friend here. He trusted Merlin with his life. Merlin was Mianite's champion a the time," she said. That's interesting. So they were best friends but served different gods? I wonder why that is.

I hesitated, not liking the look she has on her face. "Lady Ianite...who killed Nicholas?" I asked her.

She paused for a long time before her eyes looked at me. "It was a wizard."

I flinched, not expecting that response. So it wasn't Mianite like the history books suggest. "Who? Who was the wizard?" I asked her.

"Not who...what..." she said.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

Her eyes soften at me. "You don't understand what happens to someone who falls into the temptations of Athar Magic...they turn into a different person. All those who were once friends in their eyes turn into enemies..." she said making my eyes widen.

Oh my god...

"It was Merlin, he killed Nicholas..." I said making her nod.

Merlin killed his own best friend...

I knew that Athar Magic was dangerous, but I didn't know it could be that bad. To taint someone's view of the world, seeing nothing but enemies is...horrible.

My eyes soften at her. "That's why Mianite hates me being friends with the Fyre Brothers," I said making her nod again as she crossed her arms.

"Don't get me wrong, I didn't like them being near you either. Especially James, who has been corrupted twice already," she said.

"But how was Merlin able to kill Nicholas? I thought Arcane Wizards, especially Guardians, would be very hard to kill," I said to her.

She looked at me and nodded yet again. "And you are right, Archmages are very hard to cut down. They tend to never know the meaning of the word surrender. But Athar Magic isn't like all the other forms of magic. Like Arcane magic, Athar Magic is unique to one world because it was created for a purpose by a god who had targets in mind," she said.

"Okay...and who was it that created Athar Magic?" I asked her. I'm afraid of the answer, but I'm suspecting I might already know the answer. After all, it is pretty obvious but it is that obviousness that is making me doubt it.

Her eyes soften at me as I saw her grip her arms. "We did not know what Athar Magic was until Merlin scummed to the temptation of it, nor who created it. Once Merlin scummed to it, since he knew Nicholas and who he was, the true purpose that Athar Magic was created for could be fulfilled. Athar Magic was created with the sole purpose of killing all Guardians of Estir. That is why Mianite, Dianite, and I are so hesitant to request aid from Lord Notch since we know that Athar Wizards are capable of murdering the Guardians since three Guardians of Estir have been slain by the magic so far. Nicholas was the first killed, Notch sent another to avenge him but they fell too. Another came only to fall as well. And since then, Notch has banned his Guardians from stepping foot in Vienna out of fear of losing any more of them. And the three of us; Mianite, Dianite, and I forbad Archmages from coming here and for Arcane Magic to be practiced here. Especially since not long after Nicholas's death, all the wizards that he taught Arcane Magic to were hunted and killed by Merlin," she said stunning me.

I stared at her. So that's why there is no knowledge of Arcane Magic here and why Mianite hates me being near the Fyre Brothers. But wait, if Notch knows that there are wizards in Vienna capable of slaining the Guardians, why would he be okay with me coming here? And why would Ianite request aid knowing about Athar Magic? Before I could ask, she cut me off seeming like she knew what I was going to ask her.

She gives me a soft smile. "So far, there hasn't been any wizard who has held onto sanity as long as the Fyre Brothers have. They are...different. And I knew this," she said before she loses her smile. "And no, I didn't consult Dianite or Mianite about you coming here knowing they disapprove of it. Mianite was beyond angry at me for calling for you here, and I'm about 95% sure that Dianite isn't even aware of you being here."

"Then why? Why would you call me here if you knew the danger?" I asked her.

"Because we have come to the point that only the Guardians of Estir can save this world. I'm not able to fix the balance completely anymore without having to fix the problems between races on the Overworld. We need a wizard-like Nicholas and is strong-willed enough to not back down from the dangers of Athar Magic as well as fighting back against both Mianite's and Dianite's attempts to send you back home. Because I know my brothers will try to send you back to Estir out of fear for your safety," she said.

I can understand Mianite being concerned for me, but Dianite?

I smile a bit. "Really? Dianite is worried about my safety?" I asked her making her chuckle softly as well as smile.

"Dianite feels like he owes the Guardians a debt he can never repay since they are the ones who helped him purge Lord Herobrine's influence out of the Nether Realm here in Vienna. Without the Guardians, Dianite wouldn't have been able to rule the Nether since back then, Lord Herobrine infested it with his magic and created it. Nicholas requested backup from Lord Notch, and he sent two guardians. The three of them and Dianite charged into the Nether and cleansed the Nether of the God of Chaos's hands and into Dianite's," she said before I saw her smile flaunter for a moment. "Once Dianite knows you are here, Seto, he will try to make you go home. Nicholas's death affected us all more than we thought, and losing two more Guardians to the same magic that slain Nicholas hurt almost just as much. Athar Magic was almost the undoing of everything that Nicholas sent his life here in Vienna doing. The last Guardian died but was successful in sealing the magic away. That last Guardian saved Nicholas's legacy from being destroyed."

I smile a bit at her but lose it. I mean, it is nice to know that if I needed it, I could rely on the three gods for help. "I won't lie when I say I was deathly afraid that I have somehow gotten off on the wrong foot with Mianite. And if Mianite was mad at me, I was scared to know what Dianite thought. But it is nice to know that isn't the case, it is nice to know that I can call upon three overprotective gods for aid if need be," I said making her laugh lightly.

Ianite smiled at me. "Believe me, Seto, there is nothing the Guardians could do that would make us hate you. We will always see you as friends, even Dianite. I just worry how Dianite will react once he knows you are here. His silence means he is in the= Nether Realm and hasn't heard of your arrival," she said.

Now I'm kinda nervous. "And how will I know when he has heard of my arrival?" I asked.

"Oh trust me, we'll know when Dianite finds out about you being here," she said. I nodded a bit, accepting that answer. I saw her smile leave her, replaced with a look of worry. "About your nightmare--"

I looked away from her. "Can we not talk about that?" I asked her.

"Do you not realize who saved you?" she asked me catching me sort of off guard. I thought she was going to address the fact that I didn't even try to save myself despite my strong magic powers.

I shake my head. "No, I didn't get a good look at them. Why? Do you know?" I asked her.

She gives me a little smile. "Unfortunately, I don't know the specific names of the people in your life on Estir. So I can't give you that answer. But you know him, he appears a lot in your memories," she said making me curious now. Honestly, I bet it is either Ty or Brice. Or maybe Isaac or Bodil.

"Okay, what idiot jumps into a bonfire," I said making her lose her smile.

"An idiot who is hellbent on saving someone who doesn't have any regard for their own life despite them doing nothing to deserve being burned alive," she said making me tense. Okay, maybe she is right. But I don't want to talk about my nightmares, despite her being able to see them for herself. I don't want to think or acknowledge them. While some of the dreams I have are not bad, some are happy, most of them are nightmares.

I cross my arms, observing her for a second before I spoke. "I'm guessing that trying to save this world...it won't be easy," I said to her to which she nodded. I sighed, looking away and at our surroundings.

Knowing the responsibilities that I carry...or at least knowing that I had tremendous amounts of responsibilities that had heavy importance...it changes things.

My eyes cast downwards towards the ground, thinking for a moment. "Can I be honest about something?" I asked her. I didn't care to look if she nodded or not but I'm guessing she did. "I'm...angry, very angry." I looked at her as I correct myself. "Not at you, sure some of it is directed at you since you are the one who called me here. But...I'm angry at Notch. I'm angry that...I got dragged into a mess that shouldn't even be happening in the first place. I'm angry that when my homeworld needs me...when my friends need me...I-I'm not there to help them." I grip my arms for a moment before I felt her hand touch my shoulder. Upon her touch, I felt a calming feeling burst through me, quelling some of my anger.

"I can send you back home if you want. Lord Notch granted me the ability to do that temporarily so I can send you home when your task is complete. But...given the circumstances...I think you should go home--"

I shake my head. "No."

"No?"

My eyes flickered up to hers as she removed her hand from my shoulder. I give her a soft smile. "I did make a promise. Besides, given from the memories I have been able to recover...I think my friends back home will kill me once they find me alive," I said making her smile. I relax my arms, letting out a shaky breath.

Honestly, I deemed recovering my memories more important than anything, but it is actually the least important thing going on right now.

"I think I have all the answers I need--"

She loses her smile. "But I haven't told you--"

I shake my head. "Lady Ianite, I have all the answers I need. I know more than enough and the memories that have yet to uncover will come in due time,"  said making her smile at me again.

"Are you sure? I don't mind explaining more to you. After all, you are here and have amnesia because of--"

I hold my hand up to her, stopping her. "Don't, don't say my amnesia is your fault because it isn't. It's Lord Herobrine's fault that my memories are gone. But if you would allow it, I do have two favors to ask of you," I said to her making her nod.

"Well answer me this first, I know you by your real name. But I've been calling you Seto since I know that you didn't want the others to know your real name. So, which name do you want to be called from now on and known by in Vienna? I do not doubt that like Nicholas, your adventures in Vienna will also make it to the history books," she said.

I paused thinking.

Harvey or Seto...

I resented the name Harvey at first purely because of the fact it felt like the name of a stranger....but now, that isn't the case anymore.

I smile a bit at her. "Harvey was the name of a foolish guardian wizard who allowed others, mainly humans, to take advantage of him back in Estir. Being taken advantage of sucks. It's time to go back to just assisting the humans...not being the main driving force," I said to her making her chuckle lightly.

"So Seto then?" she asked making me nod. She smiles at me. "Than I look forward to how to handle this world, Seto. If you ever need any help, all you need to do is ask. As my temporary champion, I will try to support you the best I can. But know that you can always go to Mianite or Dianite for support or aid. Though, I would recommend meeting them without the presence of the Fyre Brothers, especially Master Waglington. Like I said before, they don't or aren't going to like him being near you--"

I shake my head. "Well, they are going to have to get over themselves. I trust Wag with my life, he would never turn on me. None of them would. Phil and I may not get along all the time, but I know I can trust him to have my back. I can't see Matthew having any evil intent in him and Tom...he doesn't strike me as someone who would turn on his friends. So...Mianite and Dianite are going to have to accept that the Fyre Brothers are my friends and are helping me and if they can't accept that...well I don't need their help then," I told her making her smile as she looked away from me.

"Oh, how you remind me so much of Nicholas. Like you, he had that 'you can't tell me what to do even if you are a god' type of attitude. He never bragged about being powerful at all, he just didn't like being told he can't do something," she said. I nodded a bit, understanding. I don't particularly like being told what I can and cannot do either. She crossed her arms as she looked at me. "Well, what are you going to do? Are you going to uphold the values of an Ianitee or are you going to do something reckless?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Bit a both actually. As you said, the Magic Council is full of corrupted mages...so I think it is time for all of them to step down either willingly...or forcibly," I said making her lose her smile a bit. To my understanding, Ianite is someone who values compromises and no violence. And while I would love for that to be possible here, the reality is that can't be possible. There will be disagreements, maybe even bloodshed. I give her a soft smile. "I will try to keep the casualties to as much of a minimum as I can. After all, at this point, I'm afraid that we might be past the point of talking. But I'm going to try to talk to them regardless of that. I don't want anyone dying over this, there has been enough bloodshed from the war."

She nods. "I understand, Seto. If only we all could meet halfway and avoid fighting...but even I know that isn't possible. Wizards and humans...they love conflict. Just know I will be keeping an eye on you and checking in. Once I feel your mind is more stable, I will allow Lord Notch to communicate with you directly," she said making me crack a smile.

"Allow?"

She chuckled lightly. "Yes, allow. When the agreement between us was made for you to come here, Lord Notch set up the mind link between us beforehand. I was already connected to your mind before you even appeared here in Vienna," she said. Really? Now that is interesting. But I see her smile falter. "That's how I knew you were in trouble. When Lord Herobrine did the spell on you to destroy your mind, I felt it too. It didn't affect me, I only felt your excruciating pain. Your memories, all of them I assume, flashed before my eyes and suddenly...only for a moment...I couldn't feel your presence anymore. I thought...I thought you were dead. I panicked, looked through your eyes, and saw what was happening."

She stopped her tale. I could tell she didn't like dwelling on this and it hurt her to think about it. I put my hands on her arms making her look at me as I smile at her. "I'm only alive thanks to you. I'm sorry you had to go through that. But if you didn't, I would have most likely died there in Roylra. So if there is anything to take from it...it's that you saved me," I told her. She stared at me for a moment before I felt her relax. I rub her arms a bit before I let go of her.

"Thanks..." she said.

I give her a small smile again before I lose it. Then it hit me. "Wait, you can feel my emotions?" I asked her. She nodded at me. My eyes widen a bit as she laughed lightly.

"Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me. Though...I do recommend doing something about her," she said as she pointed at behind me. I turn halfway confused as first but my eyes meet with Violet's. She was standing a few feet away, staring at us.

Wait, how long has she been standing there?! How much did she hear?!

"For as smart as you are, Seto...you can be quite dense at times," Ianite said making me look at her.

"W-What? What does that--"

"We'll talk later. I want to show you Nicholas's things, some of them might be helpful to you," Ianite interrupted me before she walked away. I bite on my bottom lip nervously before I turn my head back to Violet. And honestly...I can't tell what she could be thinking. The expression on her face is a mixture of multiple things.

I turn fully towards her, lifting my hand to rub the back of my neck. "So ah...exactly how long have you been standing there and how much did you hear?" I asked her.

I saw her hands ball into fists at her sides making me lower my hand. "Are you insane? You are going to go and challenge the Magic Council? Don't you know what happened last time you challenged someone with more power than you?" she asked in a mixture of anger and...upsetness. I can't tell if she is mad at me or upset with me.

"Vi, the last person I challenged was the God of Chaos. And going in, I knew I wasn't going to win. But I did it anyway because I needed to protect my friends and so many innocent people who didn't deserve to lose their lives. Was it reckless? Yes. Was it stupid? Yes...but better my life than the lives of my friends and innocent civilians--"

"They're humans," Violet said making my eyes flicker up to hers.

"Yes, they are. What's so wrong about that?" I asked her. She broke our eye contact, pausing for a moment.

"Humans...aren't worth dying for," Violet slowly said almost as if she was trying to convince herself of that. She looked back at me. "They aren't worth throwing your life away." Now she sounded more together with that one.

But I'm glad to see she is feeling better. Lady Ianite healed Violet's arm for her, and while the soreness would remain for a few hours, the fact was is that Violet is better. That's all that really matters.

I won't lie that I've been avoiding her a bit. It isn't that she did anything wrong, I just...need the space because my emotions get the better of me when she is involved.

"I disagree...and I think you disagree with that as well," I said to her. But before she could retort, I hold my hand up as I explained. "Did you not tell me about how you didn't hesitate to help protect Rullus City, a human city, from a direct attack that would have devastated it? Yes, humans are weaker than us. But they are just as precious. You--" I stopped when I saw her eyes cast downwards. I let out a soft sigh. "--What is really on your mind, Vi?"

"Lady Ianite offered to send you back home to Estir...why didn't you take it? I thought we came here to find out who you are and get you back home. So why didn't you take her offer?" Violet asked.

Oh...So she heard that...

Well, at least now I can mark her as being upset with me and just slightly angry. Understandable I guess...

"Exactly how much did you hear? How long have you been standing there and why didn't Lady Ianite tell me you were there?" I asked her.

I saw her eyes narrow at me. "That's not important, Seto!" she snapped making me flinch. "And I came here when you starting talking about Merlin."

My eyes widen a bit. Oh no, she knows about the truth about Athar Magic then. I mean, I was going to tell the Fyre Brothers about that, but I was going to leave telling the others to their digression since that is information that is quite sensitive. And given their fears in the past and what lengths they went to, I think it better for them to tell that story than me who wouldn't hold much back.

My eyes soften at her, seeing she is upset with me. "Yes, I was tempted to take her offer. But then I remembered that I promised you all to help you stop the war on the Overworld. My situation is, yes, bad...but yours is worse," I told her.

"Don't you want to go home?"

I nodded. "More than anything--"

"Then why didn't you take the offer? It can't be because of some promise to us," she said to me.

I hesitated, trying to find some other way to make her understand. And yet, that was one of the main reasons for me staying here. "Say I went home...I went back to Estir and you all went back to the Overworld, acting as nothing had happened at all. James, Shiro, and the others are sent back to the front lines like they are almost always since the Council wants them there 24/7. There have been ambushes on the Elites, James and the others talked about it. Shiro was already almost killed by one of them, imagine what could happen if I go back home and they get ambushed again? Shiro only walked out of his ambush alive because some humans nearby heard the fight and came to his aid. Now I'm not saying that my presence would stop the ambushes, but me staying here would not make them go back to the front lines immediately," I told her.

Violet looked away from me, not responding at first. When she didn't, I almost spoke again until she cut me off. "I-I don't want you to die, Seto..." she said as she looked back at me. "And you will die if you go and challenge the Magic Council. They are very particular about who they allow being loose, they barely allow the Elites any room. They keep us on a tight leash. But you, you are--"

I smiled a bit at her. "I'm an outliner, an unknown, a variable they cannot control no matter how hard they try. There's something you need to understand, Violet. People with power ensure they will stay in power, they get...comfortable. Too comfortable, especially when those who have challenged that power in the past have failed. They get cocky. They try to make sure anything that could be done to overthrow them is snuffed out. But there is one thing that is the downfall of every single ruler in history no matter the world they are in," I told her.

"And that is?"

I crossed my arms. "It isn't the royal family that makes a kingdom, Vi. It's the citizens who inhabit it. Without them, there is no kingdom. And it is the same for the Magic Council. Laenadur, from what I have gathered so far, is the central hub for the entire magic community," I told her. I could tell she understood what I was getting at. But there is a huge problem with this plan of mine. I lose my smile. "Unfortunately, using the citizens against the Magic Council might not even work depending on how deep their corruption is. People are easily taught to shy away from things that don't meet the standards of those in charge."

"You want to start a coup," she said.

I nodded. "Yes, only hopefully a less violent one. But I cannot be the one in charge, I may be the one to initiate it. But I will not be in Vienna forever, you all need to take charge of it. I'll be like a Gamemaster," I told her.

"Well, Shiro has already been the leader of a massive rebellion that succeeded in his own world, so he has the experience," she said.

I smiled a bit but soon lost it. "But isn't letting the Council know that Shiro is involved really bad?" I asked her.

She nods. "Yes, but...I know Shiro. He'll help you regardless of how hazardous it is to his health. He's given up on himself...but you have given him something to fight for. So...all I ask is that you prioritize removing the instrument that Council has that can end his life with just a push of a button first. Please...I can't...lose any of you," she said making me smile a bit at her.

"Of course, until I know he is safe to be seen aiding us, I'm forcing him to return to the academy. Once he is safe, he can join us. And I won't be taking no for an answer from him. He's going to the academy whether he likes it or not," I told her making her eyes light up slightly. I can tell that we all are very important to her. And like her, I would hate for lives to be lost, especially from the people who I can call my friends. I let out a soft breath, crossing my arms. "Violet...I know you said that you don't like violence. So if you want to go with Shiro back to the academy, I understand--"

"No," she said as she walked up to me and grabbed my arm, pulling on me slightly. "No, I have to make sure you don't get yourself killed. I'm tagging along with you. If you are going to go and oppose the Magic Council publically, well...you'll need all the help you can get since the Magic Council is quite powerful."

I breathed out a sigh of relief. Honestly, I was hoping she would say something like that. "Good, I feel better with you at my side," I subconsciously said aloud. My eyes widen a bit as I looked at her, seeing a smirk growing across her lips. "I...ah didn't--"

Her grin softens to a smile. She pulls on my arm, pulling me down slightly before she pecked a kiss on my cheek and probably making my face go beet red as I stiffen up in response. She stepped back from me, giggling to herself. "AAwww, you look so adorable when you are all flustered," she said smiling at me.

"S-Shut up," I mumbled. Why does she have to play with my heart like this? I want us to stay friends, nothing more, nothing less. And it is difficult to stick to that when she does stuff like this. I looked at her. "How's your arm?"

"It's fine, Lady Ianite fixed it up for me," she said before she lost her smile. "Oh, and Reed told me that I was acting flirty with you after I took that medicine. I hope I didn't make you too uncomfortable."

I shake my head. Compared to what she just did, what she did in the stronghold is tame. "No, nothing too bad," I responded.

Her eyes soften at me. "Well, why did the medicine affect me like that, and yet you are fine after you take it?" she asked me.

I shake my head. "Well, I wouldn't say I'm 100% after I take it. There are side effects. I get dizzy after I take it, but a little dizziness is worth having no pain in my leg," I admitted.

"Your leg hasn't improved at all?" she asked.

I shake my head again. "Nope, it is the same as it was before. Hurts to walk on and is constantly sore and throbbing. It...Well, it sucks. But the medicine manages it just fine. Which reminds me, I need to make more," I said to her. But I saw her eyes soften at me.

"Seto, you want to challenge the ways that the magic community has been for decades. Such massive changes will not go over well with people--"

I shake my head. "According to both Shiro and Lady Ianite, Vienna only has two years left tops. And only eight months before it passes the point of no return. So, they are going to have to like the change if they want to avoid their world ending up like Shiro's did," I told her. And she was shocked.

"W-What..." she mumbled.

This was a conversation that the three of us had in private. I could tell that Shiro was concerned about the symptoms he saw during our journey to Rullus City. I was wondering about it too. But I didn't expect the news to be so bad as it was.

"It doesn't matter anymore if they aren't willing to conform, they have to or else...Vienna will destroy itself from the inside out. So, it isn't like you have many options. I know a coup is dangerous, but I think that might be the only thing that will work. Of course, I plan to talk to the Magic Council first, see if they conform. Violence is the last resort, not the first," I told her. I saw her smile a bit but I could tell she was still upset. I touch her shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "Hey, don't worry. I won't let Vienna be destroyed. You guys are important to me...I'm not letting your home end up as Shiro's did."

She didn't look at me, but I saw her bit on her bottom lip before she rested her head on my chest, catching me off guard. "I know you won't, but I won't forgive you if you died trying to save my home," she said into my chest. Her hands gripped my shirt making me smile a bit. I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"I'm not gonna die, I promise. I don't plan on dying here. I need to get back home after this to help my friends in Estir bring the order back. According to Notch, Herobrine is causing chaos and my friends are the ones fighting it because they don't want my sacrifice to be in vain," I told her.

"No one plans to die, but if you do die...I'll never forgive you," she said into my shirt making me chuckle a bit. I know this is a serious moment and all, some laughing is kinda inappropriate but I can't help it.

I rub her back subconsciously. "Duly noted," I told her.

"Are you two lovebirds done?" a voice asked making me freeze and Violet instantly harshly back out of my arms.

Since when have I gotten so bad at sensing other people nearby?

My eyes shifted to the culprit, and I felt myself relax seeing it is just Chimney. "Hey Chim."

He walked over to us, crossing his arms. "So the foreigner can get girls quicker than I can? How is that exactly fair?" he asked me making me smile before Violet smacks his arm. "Ow! Rude!"

"Seto and I are just friends!" Violet corrected.

Chimney stared at us before pointing his fair at us. "Very good friends. Wasn't that kinda too friendly--"

I narrow my eyes at him. "Stop trying to make something happen," I told her.

He lowered his hand, shrugging his shoulders. "Ah well, can't hurt me for trying," he said before I heard Ianite's voice in my head making me flinch.

'Seto, are you done talking with Violet?' She asked me before I touched my head.

That was...weird...

"Seto? What's wrong?" Violet asked me.

'Yes, but don't talk in my head. It's strange and weird,' I responded to Ianite before I looked at the others. "Just Ianite talking in my head suddenly. Startled me a bit is all."

'Apologies, but come to the castle. I found Nicholas's things. Some of them will be of interest and use to you,' she said to me again.

'Alright,' I thought back to her before telling Chimney and Violet what Ianite said.

"Well, come on, let's go swoop through Nicholas's things," Chimney said.

I saw Violet look displeased. Clearly, it is going to take some time before she trusts humans on this journey of ours. "Hold on, why would we let a human see--"

I step in front of Violet, agreeing with Chimney. "Yeah, let's go," I said completely cutting her off.

"Seto," Violet said as Chimney ran off towards the castle.

I looked at her. "Chimney isn't going anywhere, Vi. You are gonna have to get used to that fact. I trust him, don't you?" I asked her.

Violet sighed and nodded. "Of course I do, but I don't think he should be here. He should go back home, this is too dangerous--"

I click my tongue and shake my head. "I respectfully disagree. Chim has made it clear that he isn't going anywhere, he argued against Ianite when she tried that," I told her.

Her eyes soften. "Why do you address her like that?" she asked me.

I lose my smile. "Like what?"

"She is a goddess. You shouldn't address her like that, it is disrespectful. You should address her as 'Lady Ianite'. It is more proper that way," she said.

I shrug my shoulders. "She hasn't corrected me yet, so I don't think she cares. And she is a friend, formalities shouldn't matter between friends. If they did, technically speaking, you shouldn't be addressing me like you do either given my position in Estir--"

She rolled her eyes before she walked past me. "Whatever, come on. Let's go see what Master Nicholas left behind."