Cirrugur, 6th of Harvestide, year 305 UC

The moon in the night sky was rising as Emilia stumbled through the estate gates. The wound in her abdomen still bled, the Inquisition's blade having been designed to prevent magical healing.

A factor she overlooked, in the moment.

‘Blasted bastards, each and every one of them!’

She caught her reflection in one of the garden's pools—strands of gray now threaded through her black hair—the price of Rebirth.

She'd had no choice after the fall from the train. Her heart had stopped, and the conditional magic had activated, consuming her in purifying flames. The spell had saved her life but at the cost of her life force.

The spell restored her to peak condition, closing any wounds. The downside was she’d be physically and mentally exhausted to the point that she would have a difficult time moving.

While that would have been fine under normal circumstances, it put her at a great disadvantage, as her body would age. By how much was determined based on the damage done to her that needed to be restored.

It was a spell she’d only used once in her life and preferred not to use it again.

By the gods, she received this spell a long time ago, and not too many people knew about it. Or else the Inquisition may have found a different way to finish her off.

The main entrance seemed to be a mile away, though it couldn't have been more than thirty paces away.

Blood dripped steadily onto the stone path. The Inquisition's blade wound refused to close, even after Rebirth had restored her from death's door.

"Edward!"

She called out, her voice barely above a whisper. She tried again, louder this time.

"Edward!"

Even if he wasn’t able to hear her, he would sense her presence and see that it was weakened.

The door flew open. Edward appeared in the doorway, his figure splitting and merging in her wavering vision.

"Emilia!"

He rushed forward, his form doubling and tripling as he approached. His eyes widened as he took in her appearance. The gray strands in her hair caught the moonlight.

"You used Rebirth."

He stated.

She gripped his arm for support, leaving bloody fingerprints on his sleeve. Despite Rebirth's healing, she could barely stand, the loss of life force leaving her desperately weak.

"The Inquisition."

She managed, her voice hollow.

"They took him. Veron... he was there. I couldn't..."

Her legs finally gave out, and Edward caught her before she could hit the ground.

"The blade wound hasn't healed, even after Rebirth?"

He observed, noticing the blood still seeping from her abdomen.

"Their weapons, they're designed to resist magical healing. Even Rebirth couldn't fully counter it."

She whispered, her eyes struggling to stay open.

The world began to fade around the edges.

I failed him, I failed Bryan.

She thought as consciousness slipped away.

**********

Cirrugur, 6th of Harvestide, year 305 UC

Consciousness returned slowly, accompanied by muffled voices that gradually became clearer. Emilia recognized Edward and Lucas, their tones hushed.

"...can't just leave it at that, there has to be something we..."

Edward was saying.

"And what would you suggest?"

Lucas's voice cut in.

"Storm their headquarters? We don't even..."

Their voices faded in and out as Emilia struggled to focus.

She leaned forward in the bed, a sharp pain in her stomach immediately making her regret the movement. The wound from the Inquisition's blade still burned.

"Take your time."

Edward said, noticing she was awake.

"The wound is still healing."

Ignoring his advice, Emilia tossed the sheets off and sat on the edge of the bed. Her body protested every movement, but she forced herself to stay upright. Her eyes found Edward and Lucas, both watching her with varying degrees of concern.

"What have you done to search for Bryan?"

Her voice was hoarse.

Edward shifted uncomfortably.

"We wouldn't even know where to—"

"You fucked up big."

Lucas interrupted Edward.

He was upset, mad even. Emilia put Bryan in jeopardy, and he never got a chance to finish his experiments on the boy. There was still a lot left he had to discover, but any progress he’d make would mean little when the person helping him vanished.

What right did Emilia have to take him away?

She should have talked to him about it first, then he’d tell her how much of a stupid idea it was to go back. Her?

He cared, to a degree but just because they were married and he liked the benefits it provided him.

Bryan was something else, and Lucas still had not unlocked the secrets of the book.

He planned on telling her off because she screwed him in so many ways she couldn’t even imagine.

"And nothing we do will mean anything. The Inquisition is large and hard to track—you know this as well as I do. If they killed Bryan, then the boy is as good as dead. If they captured him..."

He paused, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"He might still be alive, but you'd have a hell of a time finding him."

"Lucas!"

Edward shouted, but Emilia raised a hand to stop him.

"He's right,"

She said, letting out a bitter laugh.

"I should have stayed here with Bryan. None of this would have happened if I had just..."

There were better ways to deal with the trauma Bryan suffered, there had to be. She was just unable to think of them, and she should have put aside some time to think of the various possibilities.

As a fighter she excelled, but as a caretaker she was lacking and it showed.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"What do you mean?"

Edward asked, his brow furrowed.

"What happened out there? How did you catch the attention of the Inquisition?"

Emilia laughed weakly, the sound hollow and painful as she grabbed her stomach and winced.

"We arrived back in the city, but Bryan... he ran off to the orphanage. We found the place burned to the ground."

Her hands clenched into fists as the scene played out in her head. She should have moved to stop him, held his hand tight and never let go. Then, things would have been different.

"A woman told us everyone was trapped inside and burned with it. Said the ones who committed the act called it 'retribution for those who have sinned.'"

She took a shaky breath before continuing.

"I put it together then—it had to be the Inquisition. I figured they would still be in the city, but I never imagined..."

She shook her head.

‘What was I thinking?’

"I never thought they'd be watching the site for anyone coming and going. That's where I screwed up. We tried to leave quickly, head back, but that's when they launched their attack."

"How did you fail to defend yourself?"

Lucas asked.

"You're skilled, Emilia. It's why you're assigned missions that would kill most people. Did you underestimate them?"

"No."

Emilia replied.

"I took out several of them and wouldn't have had trouble with the others, but..."

She paused, her jaw tightening.

"They had someone leading them. Someone named Veron. High-ranking, from the way he acted and how the others made way for him. He controlled ice magic, and to such a high degree that he could put out my flames, but..."

She raised her wrist where the magic dampener had been, now absent.

"Mid-fight, he managed to surprise me and place a magic dampener on me. It sapped my ether, prevented me from using any spells."

She looked up at them.

"Thanks for removing it."

"You're lucky."

Lucas said.

"If your spell used ether to recover you instead of your life force, you would have died."

Emilia touched her hair, feeling the new gray strands.

"The spell restored what it could."

She said quietly, still upset by the outcome of the fight.

If she acted to dispatch them first, then escape through the window with Bryan…

Moving to them first, or even relocating to get the advantage. She knew they were coming and could have come up with a different strategy.

But, that was in the past and there was nothing she could do to change it.

"The Inquisition's blade... their weapons are designed to resist magical healing. Even Rebirth couldn't fully counter it."

Emilia explained.

Edward moved closer.

"We need to be careful about our next move. The Inquisition doesn't give up easily."

"They saw my face, my abilities. They'll know who I am soon enough if they don't already. They just don’t know I’m still alive."

Emilia said.

“Luckily, they’ll assume you’re dead which puts us at an advantage. Still, we need to move locations as they might come here to tie up any loose ends.”

Edward suggested.

"No."

Emilia replied as she looked at Edward.

"I need to find Bryan first. I made a promise…”

A promise that she intended to keep, even if it killed her.

"And how exactly do you plan to find him?"

Lucas asked.

"The Inquisition has facilities all over the continent. They could have taken him anywhere."

“I don’t know. We’ll find somewhere to begin.”

Lucas leaned against the wall.

“You’re seriously thinking that you will find Bryan. Let’s say that you do. What next? How will you rescue him? If the gods will it, then let’s say that he is alive when you find him and escape with him. What is the plan? Hide from the Inquisition forever? Eventually, they’ll come back, and it won’t be as simple as it was this time.”

Lucas looked at Emilia and stared her in the eye.

“Stop fooling yourself into thinking by will alone you will find and rescue him. This is not some children’s tale Emilia. Think before you act or else it won’t end well.”

Emilia punched the headrest of her bed causing a portion of it to break off.

“What did you just say to me?”

“You heard me. Rushing head-first into action sounds good, but you’re going to get yourself killed. And no, I won’t be flying off to help you with some idea as half-baked as what you’re bound to come up with in your state.”

Lucas replied.

Emilia ground her teeth together. She was seething in anger.

Most of it was pointed at Lucas due to what he said, but the other portion was directed at herself for knowing that he was right.

“I stayed to make sure you’re alright, which you are. So, I’ll be taking my leave. Let me know if you come up with anything worth taking action on.”

Lucas made his departure, leaving Edward and Emilia alone in the room. Edward watched Emilia, noting how her hands still remained clenched into fists.

"I don't want to admit it, but Lucas is right. We can't take on the Inquisition alone. It would be a fool's task."

Edward said softly.

Emilia's head dropped, her black hair falling forward to hide her face.

"I already failed Bryan. I can't lose him too. Not like this."

Her voice cracked slightly, the weakness in it surprising even her. She wasn't used to feeling this helpless.

"We have to prepare for the worst."

Edward said.

Silence stretched between them as Emilia stared at the ground. Edward watched her and knew that she was thinking about the different scenarios and how she could have played her hand.

Finally, he sighed heavily.

"You could ask your father for help."

Emilia's head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Are you insane?"

She’d rather die than ask her father for help.

"We both know he'd be able to help."

Edward continued, unfazed by her reaction.

"He has contacts all over the continent. Locating Bryan wouldn't be difficult with his resources."

"The price would be too high."

Emilia said.

"You know that. He'd rather watch me suffer than help me."

"He would do that to you, yes."

Edward agreed.

"But what about his grandson?"

Emilia stared at Edward, words failing her. The suggestion was absurd, and yet...

"Think about it he's older now. Still insane, yes, but older. He's had time to process everything that happened with Rashaka and what came after. If he knows that a part of her is still alive..."

Edward pressed letting the words hang in the air.

"It would drive him to act. You know how much he cared for her."

A dry, humorless laugh escaped Emilia's lips.

"And if I mentioned that Bryan awakened his magic? That would make him move mountains to retrieve the boy."

"Yes."

Edward nodded solemnly.

"You should include that as well."

Emilia ran a hand through her hair, fingers catching on the new gray strands.

"He disowned her, Edward. Cast her out when she needed him most. And now you want me to go crawling back to him?"

"This isn't about pride, Emilia. This is about Bryan's life. Your father may be many things—most of them terrible—but he's also powerful. And right now, power is what we need."

"He'll want something in return.”

Emilia said quietly.

"He always does."

"Of course he will. But whatever the price, isn't Bryan worth it?"

Edward asked.

Emilia closed her eyes, remembering her promise to Rashaka. The weight of it seemed heavier now than ever before. Was she really going to put her life in the hands of the man she hated for a promise she made to her dying sister years ago?

"He'll want control. Over Bryan, over me, over everything."

"Perhaps."

Edward agreed.

"But at least Bryan would be alive for him to control."

The truth of those words hit Emilia hard. She had spent years running from her father's influence, building a life away from his shadow. But now, to save Bryan, she might have to step back into that darkness.

"I'll need time to think about it.”

She said finally, but inside she already knew the answer.

**********

After entering his lab, Lucas tossed all the papers, vials, and items on the floor in a fit of rage. His hand slammed against the table as sparks of electricity danced across his fingers. His eyes darted to the door as he screamed, asking himself what she was thinking. How could she be so stupid?

His gaze landed on the book, and he gritted his teeth, knowing he wouldn't be able to unseal it anytime soon.

Zoltan, the raven with purple eyes, flew down from the open window onto the table.

"What's wrong?"

Zoltan transmitted directly into Lucas's mind.

Lucas stared at Zoltan.

"I can't finish my experiments. All the research I was doing about blood magic is basically done for. Bryan's dead. That, or he's captured, but either way means I can't unlock the book or showcase my theory at this year's research ceremony."

"What do you mean Bryan's dead or captured?"

Lucas ran his hand through his hair.

"It means exactly that. Emilia and Bryan ran into the Inquisition. She came back wounded, and Bryan's status is unknown."

"Do they know he can use magic? If they do, then he'd be alive."

"How am I supposed to know that? I wasn't there."

Lucas snapped.

"What about his awakening? How was it triggered?"

Lucas paced the room.

"Bryan's magic is conditional, or so it seems. He has to use blood to cast his spell, and the first time his emotions must have triggered it. When I hit him, the boy must have also been angry, which triggered it again."

"Does it have to be his blood? Can Bryan use other people's blood?"

Lucas tilted his head at the question.

"I don't know. I thought he'd have to use his own, considering it is a spell."

He raised his hand to stop Zoltan from speaking further.

"But mages use ether to fuel their spells, and blood is made up of ether. Therefore, it's possible, however small, that the boy is capable of using other people's blood as fuel for his spell."

"If he witnessed Emilia's fight and injury, that would cause his emotions to stir, putting him in the right state of mind to use his magic."

Zoltan reasoned.

"And knowing Emilia, she would have managed to kill at least one of them, which means blood was present."

Lucas began pacing around the room, tapping his finger on his chin.

"So the probability of the boy being alive greatly increases, which is good. But that still doesn't help me in the slightest."

His eyes landed on the six small vials of blood he'd obtained from Bryan sitting on a shelf.

Looking at Zoltan, he grinned.

"You consume ether, do you not?"

"That's a dumb question."

"If I feed you Bryan's blood, would you be able to track him?"

"It's possible."

Zoltan admitted.

"But there's no way I'm returning to the Inquisition. I escaped for a reason."

Lucas scoffed.

"You didn't escape. You were a target they failed to kill. If it wasn't for the spell in your original body, you would have been dead."

"I hate your memory."

"Can you do it or not?"

"I can, but won't."

Zoltan quickly told him.

Lucas's eyes narrowed.

"What if I offered you a body you can inhabit? One that's not an animal?"

Zoltan stared at Lucas for a moment.

"It's about time you started doing what you promised all those years ago."

Lucas waved off the comment.

"I don't care if Bryan comes back. It would be foolish to rescue him now anyway, if they did find out he awakened. Instead, I want you to watch over him, connect with him, and lead him back to us at a later date."

"Are you sure about this?"

Zoltan asked.

"It's better than what Emilia will do, and will give us the best shot. Also, it would give me time to finish my other projects, as well as go back to the ruins where I found the book."

Zoltan's gaze fell on the M.A.G.I.C ring that had fallen to the ground when Lucas cleared the table.

"Finish that first. It would make a good gift for the boy and help in keeping track of him."

Lucas nodded, his earlier rage subsiding. The loss of Bryan was a setback, yes, but perhaps not as devastating as he'd initially thought.

With Zoltan's help, he could still salvage his research—and maybe even expand it in ways he hadn't considered before.

He picked up the ring from the floor, turning it over in his hands. Perhaps some good could come from this disaster after all.