31 Oaths

Will could only stare at his uncle as the words left his mouth. He had already lost so much within that world, it was hard to imagine he would leave so soon to continue the dark path of loss he embarked on seven months ago.

"It's about time," Leo was the first one to speak, looking up from his laptop he had a half smile on his face. "I've been wondering what this place is like." Will envied his ignorance. Within only six months within his birth home, he had learned he was the Prince of Ebonhart, he had lost his first friend and found that the entire continent so far as he saw was corrupt.

Seeing how pale Will had become, Bianca could only imagine what was going through his head. She had been with him for only a month, but she had been around long enough to see the desperation he had been through. The image of him holding his sword to the wraith for the first time, the look of pure rage when it tried to take her. She knew it wasn't just because of his feelings for her, but also because of what he had already lost. Thoughts of Maya must always be present for him, which meant he would always be worried about protecting her and Leo as well. For the past month, she had been training as hard as she could so he wouldn't have to worry about her so much. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't catch up with him though, it was as if he thought he needed to be stronger, as if no matter what, he still needed to improve. More than anything she wished to step out of his shadow and be able to walk side by side with him.

Michael studied his nephew for a moment before he continued, he could see the reluctance building. "If you don't go back William, nothing will change." Will looked toward his uncle, a complicated expression on his face. "Think of how many people as of now are in Maya's position, how many people are going through the same injustices that you witnessed." Michael's eyes narrowed as he saw a flicker of anger rise from Will's indecisiveness. "You are the Crimson Prince, the only one who can break the chains within the kings mind. The only one of whom could open his eyes to the truth of his kingdom."

Will took a moment to process everything. Putting his hand through his long brown hair, his hand lightly touched the chain around his neck. Looking down, he saw the cross Jonathan had given him snug against his white t shirt. The silver pendant he thought had just been a charm given for luck which turned out to be the lineage weapon in which he had slain many wraiths with.

Thinking back to the times he had used the blade, there was only one common feeling he had which it responded to, the need to protect. It was as if the blade itself knew his calling more than him, that he was meant to protect those who couldn't stand up for themselves. The time he spent in Crystallia taught him that there were others who needed the blade, that needed a way out of the tyrany in which they had been forced to live under.

Will got to his feet, no longer thinking of the plate of food on the table. He was instead thinking of those who didn't have the luxury of having such a thing. He wondered just how many people were actually in the same position Maya was in but didn't have him to save them. Looking up from the table, he locked eyes with Michael. "When do we leave?" he asked as the others looked at him. This was not the friend they grew up with, this was not the quiet kid with a book in his hand. This was the Prince that was buried underneath, begging to be let free, to put an end to the injustices he witnessed and to finally reclaim his birthright.

Michael got up from his seat and looked at the three teenagers. A smirk appeared on his lips as he headed to the door. "One week," he said as he reached the door. "Train as much as you can for one week, then I'll open the door to Crystallia." With that said, he was gone.

The next few days went by as if just hours. The more Will sparred with Bianca and Leo, the more confident he became in their dependability. Both of their forms had drastically increased and within the second day they had finally gotten a point each against him.

Will felt both of his friends resolve through their training. Since the day Michael had given the deadline, he had seen Leo looking more for openings and Bianca was able to keep him busy long enough for Leo to find his mark. They had become a well oiled machine. They depended on each other as two arms of the same person.

Thinking back to the days in which he spent at Michael's cottage, he knew that the next part of the training would lead to Leo and Bianca's graduation, the final stepping stone to unlocking their true potential. Sitting in his room, Will took out the small box in which held the last test for his friends.

Opening the box, Will looked at the three rings inside. Each one was a plain silver, much like his own cross. The only thing different was a white looking stone in the center of each of the bands.

Three rings were supposed to be entrusted to his three friends upon their mastery of the flame. Looking at the final one, Will sighed. He knew Jake wouldn't be able to claim his own until he saved him from his own corruption. 'Hopefully one day he'll be able to take this.' He thought as he put the ring in his pocket.

Closing the box, Will walked out to the courtyard where Leo and Bianca waited to start their sparring. When they saw him with the box, confusion was evident in Bianca's expression where as Leo looked as though he was expecting the change in pace.

"You both have completed every challenge I've thrown at you," Will said as he looked at both of his friends. "You have even surpassed where I was when I was a new flame user, which is why I feel you are ready for the next step." Will opened the box to show the two rings.

Leo's eyes went from the box back to Will, he had noticed the indentation in an unused slot where Jake's ring rested. "Minus one graduate," he said while looking his best friend in the eyes. "We'll get him back mate, even if we have to drag him from Crystallia." Will nodded to Leo as he took the first ring from the box and placed it in the others open palm.

"This ring symbolizes your lineage within the art of flame. It is no ordinary piece of jewelry." Will said as he took out the other and gave it to Bianca. "It is a weapon in which can be utilized only by the wearers flame. When you figure out how to unlock it, the ring will respond only to you." As he continued his explanation, Will unchained his cross and held it in his palm. Thinking back to all the desperation he went through in order to unlock his sword, he didn't envy his friends new task.

With a simple thought Will surrounded the cross in his gold and crimson flame. Within a second he held a silver sword embroidered in gold with a ruby on the pommel. As the sword came into existence, so did a vortex of flame intent on engulfing Will.

Will had experienced the sword only a few times. It had always had the same texture of flame so nothing was too surprising when it surrounded him like a cloak. To Bianca and Leo it almost seemed like a tornado of gold and crimson erupted into existence as the flames spun around, only a glance of a leather jacket swaying from the pressure was visible. In moments, the tornado slowed its rotation until the flames relaxed allowing them to see their friend once more.

Holding the sword as he had every day in the morning Will was used to its rough grip as if it were made specifically for him. Something within his mind felt different however, it was almost the feeling he had when he borrowed power from Bianca and Michael's cross when he faced off against the wraiths.

"Kneel." a voice sounded from Will that didn't seem to belong. Bianca and Leo responded to the order. Will felt the change within his mind form into thoughts that didn't belong, as if it wasn't him ordering but the flame itself.

Bianca watched as the eyes of her boyfriend descended upon her. A chill ran through her as she looked upon them. Many times had she spent hours staring into Will's hazel eyes, lots of times she felt as if he had stars within them for how they shined while looking deep within her, but this sensation was different. Looking into his eyes this time was as if she was looking into the inferno that surrounded him only moments ago.

Walking closer to Bianca, Will placed the flat of the blade upon her shoulder. "Do you accept the responsibility to protect the master of the flame? To be armour against all foes in which he might encounter?" the voice within Will roared as if it was an existence entirely separate from the owner flowing all around her.

Looking into the eyes of pure flame swirling within Will's pupils, Bianca could think of nothing that would suit her more. She had always wanted to shield him from any misfortune. Ever since they were just kids and she saw the look of pure loneliness staring at her, she wanted to do anything to show him how loved he was. "Yes." she whimpered to the voice.

With the pact made, Will slowly raised the sword. His gaze never left hers as a portion of the swords flame separated and buried itself into the ring that was hung loosely on her finger. The moment the flame touched the ring, it warped the jewelry, shrinking it to fit her finger and turned the stone to a shining red.

Bianca's ruby red aura came to life of its own accord, though the ring itself didn't change to anything else as the cross which was now the deadly beautiful work of art within Will's hand. Bianca felt an overwhelming surge of strength burning within her flame. She realized that the flame itself was the weapon.

Leaving Bianca glowing within her own flame, Will turned to Leo. His friends eyes were burning with curiosity. Following the same presentation he had done with Bianca, Will placed the flat of his blade once more upon yet another friends shoulder.

Locking eyes with Will, Leo was able to see the seriousness of the how he was about to make. "Do you accept the responsibility of aiding the master of this flame against an assault of any kind? To stand tall with him regardless of the threat that may appear?" Will's eyes bore into his friends, as if searching for the answer within his very soul.

Since they were kids, Leo had always stood by Will. He had been on equal footing in anything he had done. Years upon years of standing alongside his best friend, the answer was a simple one. "Yes." Leo gave an answer fitting of the strength his friend was bestowing upon him.

Once again the sword was slowly lifted from a friend. As it came up, a small flame went directly to the ring upon Leo's finger. The ring warped to his finger just as Bianca's did and the stone turned a pure silver, as if matching the ring itself. Leo was astonished to see that instead of having the ring be a plain silver, gold webbing erupted from the flame, attaching itself to the surface giving it a gold embroidered look.

Leo's aura erupted around him. The familiar silvery flames burst to life. The ring itself started to pulse around his finger. As it built in speed between the pulses, the silvery aura condensed itself around the ring. The gold embroidery raised from the band as if it was a living flame, mixing with his usual aura. Suddenly the mixed flame erupted outward and a sword sized flame appeared. Within moments the flame took shape into a silver sword with gold encrusting. Leo looked down to the sword that was now in his hand and back up to the one in Will's. The only difference was the ruby present at the bottom of his friends blade.

"Rise." The mysterious voice sounded within Will. Both friends rose, one in a strong ruby flame and the other with his new sword. "Welcome to the Royal Flame Crusade." as Will uttered the last words, he felt his strength give way. Within moments the sky greeted him as he passed out. Without a seconds hesitation, Bianca's aura met him before he hit the ground. Surrounding him within her strengthened flame, she laid him within a bed of crimson and waited for him to come to.