Chapter 258 - To Magierstadt

"Care to explain yourself?"

David then lowered his gaze.

"I just wanted to see mother…" He said. "And ask her… about my brother."

Anna stared at David. "Brother?"

"It's true, right, Auntie? That I have a brother. And his name is Jonathan—"

"We do not speak that name here," Anna said. "He's long gone from this family."

David stared at Anna. "But why?"

"Because…" Anna sighed. "He did bad things."

"Can't he be forgiven?" He asked. "Can't he come back when you forgive him?"

Anna stared at David who was looking eager; innocent eyes looking at worn out once. Anna was once again reminded that she was talking to a child.

"It isn't that easy, David…" She said. "You'll know once you've grown up."

"That's what all of you are saying! Once I grow up! You don't even try to make me understand what's really happening!"

"David!"

But he was now gone, and had run off from the office. Anna went out and realized David used the portals that doesn't use magic made by Ezekiel.

She sighed.

"What am I going to do with all these happening…" She said, massaging her temples.

**

David had gone out and then found himself at the hidden forest in Magierstadt. He then walked towards the place he had always spent his time with—and it was the cliff that viewed the vast sea.

David sat down to the bare grass and then buried his face to his knees, as he hugged the front of his legs with his arms. David sniffled as he cried. They were always like that; his family. "They treat me like I'm an outcast just because I'm a child…"

He was also forbidden to read the books that were about the past. They said that he should simply look at the present and study magic… they don't involve him in discussions, and whenever he asks a question, all of them tell these words: when you grow up, you'll understand.

"I hate all of them…"

"Who do you hate?"

David then raised his gaze, and then there he saw a beautiful woman wearing a black dress, sitting against the broom. David instantly recognized what she was, based on the children's book his mother used to read him at bedtime—"Witch!"

The woman smirked; her lips were luscious red.

"Witch? That's too lowly." The woman then landed in front of him, towering over David with her black stilettos.

"So, who do you hate?" She asked.

David stood up. "Who are you…?" He asked. "You're… not from here."

"Wary and perceptive child, aren't you."

David's eyes widened as the woman leaned to him.

"Stay silent." She whispered, and in that moment David felt a chill run down his spine.

"You wouldn't want everyone here to be in danger…" She said dangerously. "Do you?"

--

Faustina stared at Ezekiel who was now in front of her. She was still a projection, but in his eyes, she was a living flesh. After all, that was what the communication orb meant to imitate; Faustina's every fragment. But Ezekiel was perceptive, so he soon noticed she was just an image.

"A communication orb?" He asked.

Faustina nodded.

Ezekiel Unsterblich then turned to Michelle. "Michelle, can you leave us for a moment?"

"Y-y-you know my name?" Michelle pointed to herself. Her cheeks were red underneath her round glasses. Ezekiel smiled. 

"Of course."

Michelle felt like she was dumbstruck. She then nodded. "A-alright! I'll g-go off then!!!"

And so, Faustina was left with Ezekiel alone. 

"How have you been?" Ezekiel asked. "I heard that Feuersturm had been attacked heavily."

Faustina nodded. "Yes, it was. But I'm alright. The citizens already took refuge."

Ezekiel stared at Faustina. His amethyst eyes were looking at her observantly, with emotions Faustina couldn't narrow down. He lifted his hand, and stopped midway, realizing she was nothing but a projected image.

"I missed you." He said.

Faustina blinked.

"I really did." He then added. 

The moonlight was bathing the roses with a soft glow, suddenly a gust of wind sent petals flowing through and around them. 

"I want to see you again," Ezekiel exclaimed. "Because if war would happen, I wouldn't even be able to say the things I meant to say before."

Faustina wasn't sure what to say, but her heart was beating erratically against her chest. What was Ezekiel meaning to say?

He then drew something out from his pocket. A spherical blue orb which had the a turquoise-transparent sheen, akin to water. Faustina stared at it.

"This is what Lucas Feuerlon and I have been working for. A portal. Something that can teleport you without the use of magic," he said. "You can come here with me, or I can come to where you are."

Ezekiel stared deeply into her eyes.

"I really want to be with you right now." He said, in the sincerest voice. "Call me paranoid and all… but I really… am scared."

Faustina stared. Scared?

"What of?"

"The prophecy."

"…You know of it?"

Ezekiel averted his gaze and redirected his eyes to the roses.

"The prophecy foretells a war so great it will leave only destruction behind." He said. "When that happens, we won't know whether we'll be fortunate enough to live in seclusion, considering we, mages, might be summoned to help in the frontlines. And if that happens, we will not know if we'll be fortunate enough to live the next day then."

Faustina stared at Ezekiel's amethyst eyes. No matter how many times Faustina stares at them, she could only admire how they look, as they are incomparable to any gem.

"This portal," he said. "You can use it right now."

"I… can?"

"Since there is no magic involved, no one wouldn't even be able to detect you'll be gone." He said. "Even your family. I know Lucas is going to kill me for this, but still… I want you to keep it."

"But I'm just a projected image,"

"It's alright." Ezekiel exclaimed. "Since a communication orb uses teleportation magic halfway, it should be fine." 

Faustina then reached to accept the orb. And then as her fingertips touched it, she felt a strange feeling—something similar to touching snow. It was slightly cold, yet it isn't damp or anything. As she held it, she then stared at Ezekiel.

"Thank you…"

"When you use that, you will be able to teleport wherever you see fit. Its consistency will become water, and when you step into the water, you will be teleported to where you want to go." He said. "Just keep it in your pocket, or somewhere near you…"

Faustina stared at Ezekiel. Ever since she met him, he had been someone who did unpredictable things. He had appeared in the most unexpected places, and he had helped her a lot of times too…

"So, this is our secret too, then?"

Ezekiel smiled warmly.

"I guess it is."

Ezekiel's amethyst eyes then stared at Faustina. For a while, he just stood there, looking at her.

"Faustina…" He said. "I've been meaning to ask this ever since the first time I met you…"

Faustina stared at Ezekiel intently.

"Why," his hand then found her cheek—he didn't touch her, nor did she felt his touch—but the gesture made Faustina blush.

"Why do you have such an uncertain look every time we meet?" He asked. "Like you're confused and lost."

"Really?" Faustina chuckled lightly. "I guess I do give that vibe."

"…Yes," he said. "You always look like you're suffocated and confused."

Faustina stared at Ezekiel.

"I…" Ezekiel started. ��I want to help lift that burden off."

Ezekiel's amethyst eyes gleamed from the moon rays. "Even in the most little things."

Him, dancing her in the middle of Feuer capital,

Ezekiel, helping her under the sewers—

Ezekiel, saving her from the marionette;

Giving her a witchlight,

Little flowers,

Keeping her secrets…

Ezekiel Unsterblich.

"Can I see you?" He asked. "I want to see you… to tell you in person… about what I feel…" He exclaimed. "I know I might sound paranoid, but I don't want to just realize that I might be too late now. That I might regret not telling you sooner."

Faustina feels like this was 'something' that she had been researching about. 

Suddenly, the image of the king flashed into her mind—his deep, sapphire-blue eyes and his smile.

"I…" Faustina mouthed, but then—

"KYAAAAA!!!"

Suddenly a loud explosion resounded continuously—and the source was—"the forest…!?" Ezekiel exclaimed as he sees the trees beginning to set into a deep, purple flame. 

Before Faustina could even react, suddenly an explosion into the garden occurred. Faustina, a mere projection, had seen it all—the place that was filled with beautiful roses was now surrounded with purple flame and destruction. Ezekiel had taken the impact unprepared, with his unconscious body into the ground.

"N—" Faustina screamed.

"NO!!!!"

Faustina sat down from her bed—she was now back in Feuersturm. She then reached to the communication orb and began to call them back, but all lines were cut off—

She then stared to her hand—the turquoise sphere Ezekiel gave her.

Faustina didn't hesitate. Immediately she changed her clothes and then took her staff. 

She held the sphere portal and closed her eyes.

"Take me to Magierstadt!"

**

Meanwhile… in the same night…

A maid then went to Faustina's room, as she was summoned by the king.

But then…

Even after searching every nook and every crook of the castle…

"She's… gone?" The king couldn't believe it. 

"There is no trace of magic, nor there is any hint of her disappearing, Your Majesty."

The king then stood from his seat. 

"Gather the troops." He said firmly. "Establish the search!"