Chapter 494: What friends are for

On those very same resounding words, Ila's defiant tone lowered to a breeze. He talked the talk, now was time to see if he walked the walk. Thus, the next day arrived by heavier bags and early birds. The eatery, short of opening for preparation was ambushed by the students. They agreed on taking the early train for the capital. 

"Are you sure we're going to get help from Xenon?" wondered the sly and unconvinced Ila.

"I have my connections," said he rather awkwardly. Stating connection gave the impression of him being someone above the average household. It implied he knew people of bigger standing; one might expect nepotism and such. There was a bit of truth to the matter at hand, though, it was best to allude further probing. 

Cole and the still zombie-like Leonard walked closely behind. Igna led the march, '-is this wise?' he'd wonder for Ila turned her attention to some other students walking about. She held no tact nor discreet, her ability to enter people's safe space and be friendly(it was how she appeared to the rest of the student body) was a commendable asset to have. Getting close, starting a conversation, unrelenting confidence in one's mannerism and speech patterns, the easier it sounded, the harder it was. Considering the increasing numbers of peers her age who are afraid to order and talk to merchants, gathering confidence was hard-earned. Somewhere along the way, they must have stopped wanting to engage people in real. The Arcanum, the simpler it was to text a person, the harder it became to start up a conversation. None dared raise a brow, '-it's the world evolving,' thought the smart, '-they're just smug,' gritted the foolish.

Blazing from afar to slow at the coming of the station, the frosty air of the morning created mist about the headlights of the train. Dust or insects made rounds about the inviting source of light, a pair of never-blinking eyes approached ever so close. 

"Come on," said Igna, "-we have a long trip ahead of us."

"Just where is Xenon's headquarters?" wondered Cole curiously.

"Outside the capital." A vague reply to avoid the topic. '-I don't know the address myself,' a harmless lie to qualm the uneasiness of early morning. The rare visitors exited holding elongated yawns. Most of them tipped their heads in acknowledgment. At this hour, the train was basically theirs. Igna sought to acquire first-class tickets.

"Are we not going to the usual compartment?" wondered Cole.

"No," said he proudly, "-I was given a great deal on these tickets."

"Really?" the tense, horizontal lips perked into slopes, her curvy cheeks lifted to reveal dimples, "-first-class?" 

"Does it not read so?" added Cole sarcastically. Expecting her sharpened mouth to refute, the hand moved to cover his sight from the coming onslaught, deep down, it was an instant regret.

"I guess it does say, first-class," the focus was on the luxury awaiting them. Nothing much happened, Cole turned to Igna with a smirk, they both hid laughter as he registered what the stealthy boy meant. 

"Departure for Rosespire in five-minutes. Gather belongings and check tickets with the conductor. We wish you a pleasant ride," said the intercoms. 

"He sounds smug, doesn't he?" snickered Ila. 

"I guess," replied Leonard wanting to get out of the clouds.

Walls of brown layered by patterns made of black – for a private first-class cabin, there was not much difference. Suppose the silence, extra space, and grand view of the outside sufficed. Well, for the normal folk, who needed to go from A to B, it didn't matter much. The conductor came knocking on their door loudly, Cole answered and checked the tickets. The cap lifted, threw a glance at Ila, then returned to a tiny notebook.

"Pretty weird," said Cole softly locking the door.

"Gave me the chills," cringed Ila,"-reminds me of a certain person," the fierce brows gestured Igna. He gave no heed to the pointless provocations and instead focused on preparation. Éclair aided in filtering the good from the bad, they compiled a list of reported quests, monster sightings, and a general layout of the dungeon. Preparation was the crucial point to anything in life. A gentle pull had the scenery move, and off they went.

An hour or so later, as the sun rose, *knock, knock.*

"Who is it?" 

"Leko."

"Come in." The door opened to a poster filled living room, the sofa had cluttered with beer cans, the stench of cigarette reeked from the curtains and walls. All and all, it was a filthy environment. 

"Lady Haru," he said, "-may I come in?"

She replied with: "-didn't I give you permission already?" the mumbled and space in-breath pointed to something else engaging her mouth.

"I beg your pardon," he slipped through the ajar door, "-it's concerning Igna."

"What happens now?" she stepped out the bathroom, "-did he cause trouble?" white foam from the toothbrush dropped onto the dirtied floor, her slippers had seen better days. For once, her sleepwear was most appropriate, beanie, long sleeves, and comfortable pants.

"You sure have a bad view on the boy," said he subconsciously tidying the couch.

"It's rare for you to visit, so, what happened?"

"I sent him on an adventure."

"Didn't he just return from the capital, what could be the reason now?"

"I want him to experience a world of taste. He's been acting weird lately, I don't know if something happened. I was wondering," the spectacles flowed onto her face, "-is the guild hiding something?"

"No, not at all," her reply came forth true and sincere.

"I guess not. I mean, imagine if maybe a friend was hurt. I'm sure Igna would rush over to help. Can't help but wonder why Cole, Leonard, and Ila were with him this morning." He spotted them as they headed for the station, Igna even waved joyously. 

"This talk is over," she returned to her own devices. 

The trip continued for well over ten hours. First, the train would pass through Meke and turn towards the capital. Most of the time was spent sleeping. Leonard laid his head against the warm windows. Cole had his head upwards against the seat and Ila sprawled onto another a few steps away. 'Coria, the perfect place to train without getting injured. It's as is reported, I can't see anything suspicious. The generally low-tier is caused by the monster evolution, or so what the guild says. They mutate into worse monsters, perhaps refuge for the rejects… so many baby goblins killed, make me think of an orphanage. Like, why…' he wondered, "-why would a damned orphanage come to mind at this hour. Lack of sleep, perhaps?' 

Ten hours turned to thirteen hours, "-the capital," he voiced, "-we're here." 

"Really?" they awoke to see the beautiful walls stretch onto the heavens. 

"Brings back memories."

"Yeah it does," said Igna, "-tis where your tale began, didn't it, Leonard?" 

"I guess," the slower pace gave time to reminisce, '-it's where we fought, I went against my family for the sake of love. My mother rejected me and my being, the argument we had that day is ever resounding in my soul.'

"Son, might I ask why have you decided to go against my will?" the faceless body gestured strongly.

"It's unfair of you mother, why did you attack us without warning. I said the picture was nothing more than a show of affection by a friend."

"Surely you don't think me a fool. That picture has floated around social media and is known to the nobles. What will they think, a noble-born shouldn't be so adventurous with the normal populous. Our blood is pure and right, we've been shunned into silence, our honor has barely been restored. Our monarchs are turning the continent into a haven for low-borns. I will not allow my son to be tainted." 

"Mother, tis you that is tainted," he refuted, "-you refuse to see the truth. The world you dream of has long given its last breath. Can't you allow me to have a chance at life? I worked my hardest at the mage's school, I trained day and night to please you and father. When the time comes for me to find solace and comfort in the arms of another, you see it as taint, how harsh must this injustice be?" 

"Quite the childish squabble. Has the girl brainwashed you?"

"No."

"I gave you time to decide. Either come back or leave, what have you chosen?"

"Mother, I wish I could have had your blessing going into the future. Life has so many unknowns, there's no guarantee I'll be alive today or tomorrow. I hold no grudge, father and you will always hold a dear place in my heart, you gave me life, a well-sheltered life, good education, and a place to call home. I wish not to be ungrateful. Time eventually comes where the bird has to spread its wing and fly. I promise to not use the Goldberg name, I relinquish my claim to the dukedom for the sake of love. May you have a nice life, I shall see you soon, I hope."

"GET OUT AND DON'T COME BACK!" resonance of the scream, the sheer anger, and contempt, pent up feelings burst forth as if a volcano to stop at the neck. The burning sensation, the pain. It wasn't sorrow, no rather, the reflux of stomach acid. Not eating for days shown in the skinner body size.

"Snap out of it," said Igna, "-will a hero truly rescue his princess looking like that?" 

"What do you mean?" he stared up.

"Look around you," the muted surrounding revived, the greyness sparkled. Hue and color, he saw it; a semblance of hope, a hand being held out, a hand holding an apple.

"I can't imagine how you feel," every word burned into his heart, "-giving everything for a person and now, said person might be lost forever. I dare not say I comprehend. Which is why I've remained silent for all this time. Matters have changed now," out the main-station, Cole went on to buy tickets for Rotherham. Igna and Leonard sat face to face at a fast-food joint. His tone turned for the worse, "-you asked me to lead us into battle. Therefore, as the leader, I'd like to take every precaution I can," the apple now rested on the wooden table. "Frankly, you're a burden."

"How can you say that?" the mouth moved lifelessly.

"No one is going to mourn your death. Ila and Cole came per your words. It thy responsibility to not let them die. They have futures and might be in love like you are. I know you haven't been eating, the body looks like shit. Here is my offer, take a bite out of that apple, or walk away right now. Remember, walking means not seeing Jen again."

"Don't underestimate me," *crack,* '-what was I doing? Self-pity isn't going to do much. Licking my old wounds, what a joke. There are lives at risk. I need to save Jen. I didn't spend my childhood learning magic for nothing."

"Good," smiled Igna, "-the apple actually contains magic. A restoration-type spell, it's what the shopkeeper said anyway." 

"Igna, I'm thankful."

"Don't worry about it." Cole soon arrived with the tickets. Ila finished her bathroom break.

"Look at you," voiced Cole, "-Leonard, are you feeling ok now?"

"Better than ever," said he loudly, "-I'm sorry for all that. I needed someone to reach out a hand. Might not seem much… but it worked. I don't know what came over me, I just know, I have to save something precious to me."

"Finally," exclaimed Ila, "-a noble crybaby decides to man up. About time, dude. You realize how much I had endured by Igna's hands?"

"Ila…"

"You guys," he laughed with a glistening tear, "-I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Stop it," sniffled Ila, "-you'll make me emotional, I hate it."

"I seriously don't know how to thank you," the tears turned into heartfelt showers, Bystanders stopped with concerned looks, seeing such a pretty boy cry made many o' girls flutter.

*Paft,* "-there's no need to say anything," said Igna tightly hugging Leonard. "This is what friends are for."

"Thank you…"