Due to technical errors, I could only put up just one of the three pictures I wanted into this chapter. The picture above is Nicholas' Mage Staff. More information about that is in the chapter. And since I know you guys like me putting in art, I'll try to get the other two pictures I couldn't get in this chapter for next one. Hopefully Wattpad starts working for once that is! Pictures are just bugged for me, anyone else encountering this problem?

Enjoy the chapter!

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— Entry #13 - June ? - ? -

You know, life can sometimes be kinda funny. Not everything is meant to make sense or have any type of meaning. But it can have a justification and/or purpose.

I've noticed something. Something that I hadn't taken the time to notice before.

When I woke up, I noticed a tattoo on the upper part of the side of my arm. It wasn't big, but nor was it small. I guess I never noticed it before because it was always covered up by my clothes and such.

I wonder what it means. It sort of reminds me of tribal tattoos, and since I hail from a Clan, maybe that is what it is. A sort of tribal tattoo that proves where I come from.

But I did tune Ianite out when she was explaining my heritage. Looking back now, that was a dumb decision. And I don't want to have her tell me it again when I should have been listening the first time.

I'm exhausted and my head hurts but I can't fall asleep. I laid restless in bed for about thirty minutes, getting annoyed by Matthew's snoring, so I just grabbed my journal and went downstairs to the living room to write.

There are too many things running around in my head that sleep...it isn't possible for me despite my headache.

And there's a lot to process and consider.

Hugh, I think his name was, I can tell that I have some type of strong bond with him considering how talking to him made me feel. His name clicked almost instantly, that hasn't happened with anyone else, not even Notch or Brice. So Hugh was someone important to me. I wonder what generation Hugh was in the Guardianship.

Trevor and Ray, the other two guardians, their connections weren't as strong as Hugh's or Brice's, but they are there. Their names are familiar, but almost like Anna, they are faded almost.

Memphis, I have almost no recollection of him. He feels like a stranger, but a stranger that I knew. He's familiar, but I'm getting this disconnected feeling from him. This...aura of danger almost...of warning to not trust him. That he isn't what he seems to be. It feels like I had a purpose to be wary of him. But we talked so causally like we were friends.

My father, I didn't see him, but from what Ianite said about him and what I got from my memories. I don't believe I had a good relationship with my father. When I think about him, all I think about is negative emotions and thoughts.

And there was what I said about him. How he hated the thought of passing his Guardian Title, so he trained me to death. Sure, that seems standard. An important position such as that should require a strict training regime. But...it's how I said it...and how Memphis reacted. He seemed uncomfortable and sympathetic.

What exactly did my father put me through that made me resent wanting to be a Guardian? And what made the relationship with my father seem so...fractured?

And what about my mother? Did I have any siblings? If so, where were they? And...

Wait, are they even alive?

I'm a second-generation Guardian who looks to be in his twenties, yet I've lived long enough for there to be a fourth-generation Guardian. That...should not be possible. I get it that wizards have naturally extended and prolonged lives, but that type of prolonging life I have seems too long. What type of immortality do I have where this is possible? And where did it come from?

Ianite said the Azdel Family, my family, are gifted mages who have a natural talent for magic. Maybe my family found a way to prolong our lives, but if that were the case, whatever spell that was being used would have broken the moment Herobrine destroyed my mind with his spell.

Ianite did say that our mental link was almost completely severed due to Herobrine's spell. The only reason it wasn't cut completely was because the link was established through Notch's magic and not my own. So Notch must have a hand in my prolonged life. But what type of hand and why?

"How long have you been up? Did you sleep at all?" a voice asked. I force a small smile, my eyes looking over at the stairs and I couldn't help but chuckle at Phil's bedhead and disheveled appearance. He looks like he just got out of bed, which he did. I close my journal, resting it against my legs.

The couch was more comfortable than the bed because of one defining thing: it didn't have a fire wizard snoring his head off beside me and clinging to me.

I sighed. "Couldn't sleep because of Matt's snoring and him wanting to cuddle," I admitted.

Phil chuckled. "Oh, yeah, he's loud and a cuddler. I've been cursed with having to share a bed with him before. You can take my bed with James. He's not a snorer, nor a cuddler, but he is a blanket hog. The first thing I did was split the blankets between us so we didn't have to share and yet he still stole mine like a greedy bastard," Phil said. I smiled a bit at that thought. The thought of Waglington taking all the blankets in his sleep. That's...That's funny.

I shake my head. "No, no. I did get a few hours of sleep. I just...have a lot on my mind is all," I said.

Phil sat on the other couch, letting me stay sitting against the armrest with a blanket covering my legs. "Well, penny for your thoughts?" he asked making me look at him, confused. What is up with him? He loses his smile. "I'm trying to be nicer to you, I realize I have been kind of an ass lately."

I smile softly. "Well, I appreciate that. I rather not be at odds with you, Phil," I said.

He nods. "Nor I with you given you are fully capable of ending me while I could probably barely scratch you," he said smiling but I looked away instantly. I knew he meant that as a joke...but he has no idea how wrong he is. "What?"

"Actually...it is the other way around..." I said.

"What are you talking about?" Phil asked.

I sighed and looked at him. "Let's talk in private, and get Matthew and James. They need to hear this too," I said. But Phil just stared at me. I could tell he didn't like this. I get off the couch, standing, leaving my journal on the couch. "Ianite told me who or...rather what killed Master Nicholas..."

"Okay...what did she say?" Phil asked me.

I bite on my bottom lip. "James and Matthew should hear this too, it involves them as well," I said. I walk past Phil, the earth wizard getting up and following me up the steps. Phil goes to get James as I go into mine and Matthew's room. And the fire wizard is still passed out.

Kala picked her head up, her tail starting to wag once she sees me. I smiled at her. I motion to Matt. "Care to wake him?" I asked. She stands up, moving over to Matthew before she sits on his face making me subtle a laugh since Kala has done that to me once or twice already.

Matthew pushes her off him, groaning as he sits up. "Gahhh! Not cool!" he whined. I chuckled but lose my smile.

I'm about to break their worlds and possibility their hearts. But they have the right to know this, they need to know this. Soon, Phil and James come in, James looking annoyed at being woken up.

James crosses his arms, looking at me. "Well? Phil said you had something to tell us," he said. I nod before looking at James and Phil.

"Do you know what the true purpose of Athar Magic is?" I asked making Phil look alarmed. I shake my head at him.

Of course, I'm not gonna say anything about what the Athar did to James, no way. That's something his brothers need to tell him, not a friend.

I put my hand halfway up. "Calm yourself, Phil. This isn't about what you think it is about. This is about Athar Magic and the purpose of its creation. Not what it does to the casters. Well...sort of what it does to you four," I said. Given the whole corruption aspect and all, it kinda has something to do with the casters.

"Then what is this about?" James asked.

I hesitated, letting out a shaky breath. "Master Nicholas was murdered in cold blood by Merlin due to his Athar Magic," I said making the three of them stone-cold silent. They stared at me, probably waiting for me to either explain or say I was lying. "He wasn't killed by Mianite like the history books say he was. It was Athar Magic that killed Nicholas."

"What proof do you have?" Phil asked me.

"Only Ianite's word, but there is more," I said before going into detail as to what Ianite had told me about Athar Magic and Arcane Magic. Of course, making sure to be leaving out that Athar messed with James's mind. When I was done explaining, I got mixed reactions. James just turned away from me, not letting me see his face while Phil just stared at me shocked. And Matt...well, he looked frightened and had noticeably moved further away from me.

My eyes soften at him. This isn't what I wanted to have happened, but was something I expected from him. "Matt, I'm not afraid of you, of any of you--"

"You should be..." Matthew said.

"That's why...Mianite is angry at us. We should...We--"

"--should get away from you, far away," Wag finished for Phil making me look at him.

"What? No, you--"

Wag looked at me. "Especially me, I've already fallen into depravity twice now. And I nearly killed Reed the second time. Plus, that was before I met you. Imagine what would happen if I get corrupted again and I zone in on you, Seto," he said making me look away from him.

He has a point.

The most logical decision here is to go our separate ways...but I don't want to do the most logical thing here. Call me stupid and such, I'm not turning the Fyre Brothers away because of this. Dangerous and stupid it is, I don't give a damn.

I shake my head. "No, I'm not abandoning you four because of this. You all are my friends and that isn't changing--"

"Seto--"

"Phil!" I said looking at the earth wizard. "If it wasn't for you four, I wouldn't be alive right now! You four are the ones you got me back on my feet when I fell hard. James got my sword repaired and took the time to search the front lines and any other places he could think of that might know of me. Matthew taught me all about Vienna, bringing me books and meals. He took care of me when I was bedridden because of my injuries. Tom and you both helped me relearn most of my magic, you two helped me back into the world when I didn't want to go back into it. I'm not abandoning you four after the lengths you have gone for me! No way! Not happening! You aren't leaving because of this! I can't do this without you guys by my side! As helpful as Violet and the others are, you four will always be my closest friends in Vienna. That's not changing no matter what happens!"

I saw Phil smile at me, as well as Matthew, but James just stared at me. Honestly, his blank stare is not surprising considering how untouched he is with his emotions. But he does smile on occasion, I have seen that rare smile of his once or twice.

I looked at James. "Wag, I can't tell what you are thinking right now. But I assure you that this new development isn't going to change anything," I told him. I figured that James would be worried about himself being near me. After all, he has already been corrupted twice. There is a real danger of me being near him, but I don't care.

I want James to come along, and this isn't going to persuade me otherwise.

But Phil stepped towards me. "Seto...I think you are underestimating how powerful of wizards both James and I are. Matt can easily be fought back against with water magic...but James and I are...different. James uses a bit of everything, but excels at chaos magic and--"

"And you are underestimating my abilities," I said to him. I looked at the three, seeing they don't believe me as much. I sighed. "Don't you remember what you guys said? You said that all four of you are poor at close combat, with Phil being the best at it out of the four of you. While me, I'm so good at it that when wars came, I relied on it rather than magic."

"How do you know that for certain?" Phil asked before I explained the war flashback I had. When I was done, they looked surprised at me. Phil crossed his arms. "Wars are fought differently in Estir than in Vienna clearly."

I shake my head. "Well, you guys have to remember that Notch made flying magic unattainable for Guardians to use. I have yet to see a non-guardian wizard use magic in my memories yet," I told them. There was a silence between the four of us, it wasn't an awkward silence. No, it was a 'I could tell they are thinking' type of silence.

Phil stared at me. "Are you sure?" he asked me.

I nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. I want you guys to be by my side. I want you to see this through. We will figure out what to do about the whole Arcane vs Athar when we need to cross that hurdle," I said to them.

The door opened, Violet there with a piece of black cloth in her hand. "Oh...sorry, am I interrupting?" she questioned. I guess we said all that we needed to say. I shake my head before she walked in. "Seto, do you recognize this?" She held up the cloth, which revealed to be a banner of sorts, and in the center of it was a crest I have seen before.

My eyes widen a bit staring at it. It looked like a tree, it was white with various shades of green. That symbol, that...crest...it was the crest on my armor that Phil fixed, the crest on Hugh's, Ray's, and Trevor's armor. I nodded. "Y-Yes..." I said.

"What is that?" Matthew asked.

"It's the Crest of Aether, the Guardian's version that is," Ianite's voice spoke before she came into the room. I looked at Ianite, confused. She gives me a smile before looking at the crest. "It was a crest created by the Guardians and Lord Notch. It was made to show the people an elite group of sorcerers that advocated for peace and order which is why only the Guardians are allowed to bare the crest on their armor, weapons, and clothes."

I took the banner from Violet, looking at it closer. And the memory of seeing it on mine and the other's armor flashes through my mind. But I also see a different version flash through my mind.

It was blue and white. It was the same but shaded differently. "What if it is blue?" I asked Ianite.

"I only know of two versions. The Guardian Version shaded green and the version Lord Notch has...which is colored in various colors. I don't know about any blue version," she said. I bit on my bottom lip.

Then what does the blue version mean?

I let out a soft sign. "Where there any more crests or banners?" I asked them. They shake their heads, but Ianite comes up to me, holding some type of wooden staff that was decorated with various shades of green ornaments. I can sense power pulsating within it too. "That's a mage staff."

(A/N Look at top for picture of staff)

She nods. "Indeed, this was Nicholas's staff. And...it isn't helping anyone by collecting dust so...I want you to have it," she said shocked me. And apparently, that was shocking to the others as well.

"I've heard about Master Nicholas's staff. It was the center of his power," Phil said.

Ianite nods yet again, turning her attention briefly towards Phil before looking at the rest of us. "Nicholas had a condition of sorts that prompted for his magic to generate more mana that was too dangerous to keep inside his body. So, to keep himself safe, he would pool it inside this staff when his levels were dangerously high," she said.

"I've seen paintings of him that had this staff, but it was never found. Has it been here this whole time?" Violet asked.

This time, I saw Ianite glance at the Fyre Brothers, her eyes avoiding theirs. "For good reason. You see, Merlin stole this staff as a prize for...k-killing Nicholas. He combined his magic with the preexisting magic already inside which created a deadly type of magic that left a wake of death and chaos behind it. It seems that Athar Magic and Arcane Magic are two pieces of magic that should never be combined or collide for they react very negatively with each other," she said. She sighed before looking at the staff in her hands. "Dianite was able to recover it from Merlin, he gave it to me for safekeeping. I tried returning it to Lord Notch since something like this shouldn't be left in a world of Athar Wizards, but he wouldn't take it back. He told me to safeguard it."

She then looked at me, reluctantly holding it out to me. I could tell that she didn't want to give this away. It is Nicholas's after all. "Are you sure? You don't have to give this to me. I can tell it means a lot to you," I told her.

She shakes her head. "No, it should be in the hands of an Arcane Wizard, like it was created to be. Besides, all it is doing is taking up space and collecting dust when it could be used to help save the world its original owner died to protect. Take it, Seto. It will help you," she said before handing it to me. Once I took it, I could feel the incredible power it held. Ianite is right, there is still a lot of Nicholas's magic stored inside it. Maybe it will be useful.

I smile at her. "Thanks, I'll take good care of it," I said.

She chuckles. "I know you will. My only regret is that Nicholas's magic was colored green, so it won't match your beautiful violet hue," she said making me wince slightly. Yeah, I've never liked how my magic is colored purple, but I've learned to live with it. At least with this staff, I'll be using a masculine color for a time instead of my feminine purple shade.

"Yeeaah, what a bummer," I said looking away from her which made her frown.

She put her hand on her hips, glaring at me. "Hey, there is nothing wrong with you having purple colored magic--"

I look at her. "You see, you saying it like that doesn't make it any better. I know you love the color to a fault from one glance around this place. But...I don't like it that much. I've just learned to live with it," I told her.

She sighed, dropping the subject. "Well, I want to make sure you can use the staff before I teleport all of you back to the academy," she said surprising us. She smiled at me. "Mianite has taken care of your horses, they are at the academy as well--"

"Did you guys find out everything already while we were asleep?" Phil asked making Violet, Chimney, and I all nod.

I turned towards him. "Well, not everything, but enough. I've decided that it is time for the Magic Council members to get their act together and if they aren't going to do it willingly, I'm going to force them," I said making the brothers stare at me for a few moments in silence.

"Oh...he's actually serious," Wag said. I nodded.

Phil scoffed before stepping towards me. "Are you insane?! Do you have any idea how powerful the Magic Council is?!" he exclaimed.

I shake my head. "No, but I'm going to find out. Of course, Shiro is going to be...wait..." I stopped myself, looking at Ianite. "Ianite, can you heal Shiro?"

She tilted her head a bit. "Oh, is he injured? He didn't look injured--"

"That's genius! I didn't think of that!" Violet said to me before looking at Ianite. "Shiro has a contraption inside of him that was placed inside him from his homeworld, the Magic Council has a kill switch to it. So Shiro cannot defy the Council or else they will flip it. Could you remove the contraption?" Violet exclaimed shocking me.

I knew that whatever was wrong with Shiro was bad since he said he doesn't believe he will live till the end of the year. But I didn't know it was something like that!

Ianite stared at Violet, the shock was written on her face but her expression softens. "O-Oh, that's not what I expected to hear. Leave Shiro here with me, I'll see if maybe something can be done. I cannot promise that I can remove this device, but I can try to ease any alignments it might be causing him," she said. I smile, thankful. I don't want Shiro to die, so any chance is one we have to take if it means saving his life.

I lose my smile. "Why was this contraption placed inside him?" I asked Violet.

She paused before looking at me. "The people in charge of Shiro's home country...the government as he calls them...placed this device in him as a means to control Shiro better since he did not grow up how they wanted him to. Wizards are taken from their families once they are born so the government can raise them, fueling their minds with their ideals and only their ideals...but Shiro grew up with his parents, so Shiro was deemed as poisoned minded since he grew up with the mindset to think for himself," she said.

Phil crossed his arms. "Basically, this government saw Shiro as a liability for rebellion. This is exactly what happened by the way since he and Katrina led the rebellion that freed mages from the government's clutches permanently. But this device was surgically implanted in him shortly are Shiro was captured. And...it has caused nothing but problems for him. It was a means to control his free will, that's what it is. It's...disgusting," he said making me nod in agreeance.

No wonder the humans were the undoing of Shiro's homeworld. They sound repulsive and greedy. Trying to control mages to your advantage, how disgraceful.

"If that is the story behind this device" --Ianite looked at Violet-- "then I will try everything I can to remove it. No one deserves to have their free will taken from them," she said making Violet smle.

"Thank you, truly," she said. Ianite gives her a smile before looking back at the Fyre Brothers. "Do you three want to see the mess of Nicholas's stuff while Seto is training with the staff? I can give you the same story that I gave them."

Phil nods. "Oh yeah, definitely, let's go," he said.

She loses her smile. "I do hope you know that my stories will paint Athar Wizards in a negative light--"

James shakes his head. "Don't bother, Seto already filled us in on everything about that. And he's stubbornly refused to let us leave him for his own safety. He rather risk his life by having us around than doing the right thing by having us leave so he doesn't die," he said.

I nod. "I'm not having you guys leave me just because of stuff like that. I believe in you four, I know you won't betray me as Merlin did to Nicholas," I said but Ianite looked at me.

"Merlin didn't willingly betray Nicholas, Seto. Merlin was not of sound mind and body when it happened. Even I know that. Your friends won't be of sound mind and body when they betray you. It is safer if they stay at the academy while you do to Laenadur," Ianite said. I stare at Ianite. I know she is right. I suspected that Merlin was being controlled when he betrayed Nicholas...but still, I'm not abandoning the Fyre Brothers.

"Yeah, well, my mind is made up. They are staying with me and nothing will change my mind," I stubbornly say.

Violet sighed, smiling. "Just give it up you four. I don't like it either. But I've learned that once Seto's mind is made up, nothing will sway him otherwise," she said. I nodded. 

"I'm going to go test this staff out, you all should go see Nicholas's stuff. Maybe you can find some things that I haven't," I told them. They cleared out, leaving Kala, Violet, and me behind.

Violet looked at me with soft eyes. "How's your head? Does it still hurt?" she asked me.

I softly smile at her. "I'm fine, Vi. I guess I just got too much information--"

"What did you remember?" she asked making me realize I only told the Fyre Brothers. I then told her about what I remembered so far and I could tell that she didn't like something about my memories. "I knew you were a War Hero, but...for your memories to be so scattered in emotions--"

"Vi...there's something else. Something that I haven't told the others," I said before I told her about the burning at the stake memory and she looked at me in horror. She grabbed my wrist, gripping it tightly.

"Y-You would throw your life away like that?!" she exclaimed.

I shake my head. "No! No! I very much want to keep on living! I just..." I paused as I felt her grip loosen on my wrist.

Violet looked away. "Sorry...Just please...value your life. You are...too important, Seto," she said.

I looked at her and smiled. "Am I now?"

She looked back at me as she let go of me. "Well, you are basically the leader of this little resistance group you are starting against the Magic Council. So yeah, you are important!" she explained. She then looked at the staff and smiled. "Come on, let's see if you can use it!"

She grabbed my hand, pulling me behind her, Kala following behind me. I smiled as she dragged me out of the room.