Chapter 3: Destiny

Ace stared at Clover speechless. What was this feeling? Ahh, It was his grip on self-control slowly slipping away...

"Come on!" came a voice from the hallway. It was Albaric. "They're expecting us, Clover,"

To Ace's surprise, Clover abruptly rose.

"Let's go,"

For a moment, Ace continued to blink haplessly. Once he had managed to compose himself, he slowly rose. The descent down the dark stairs was a never-ending tunnel. By the time Ace reached his room, it was all he could do to throw himself into bed. He felt a strange warm feeling inside. This felt right.

As the weeks proceeded, Ace continued to steal moments with Clover. The whole time was spent in a daze. So much so that when Rena called him early one morning, he didn't have a clue what it could be about.

"Ace," she said, greeting him. She rose from the desk, "Would you care for a walk?"

He consented and they took off on a walk around the grounds. For a time, they walked wordlessly down through the tower until they reached the palace gardens. At last, she spoke:

"I've heard this is a favourite spot of yours?" Rena glanced in Ace's direction, "It's nice,"

Ace smiled and nodded.

"Have you given some thought to what I said?" Rena went on.

The truth was that Ace had been so preoccupied with Clover, he hadn't given it much thought. Clover had been doing as he asked and he thought that was enough. Still, every now and then, he did think about what would happen after all this.

"I'm still not sure," he answered honestly. "Albaric is the one who brought me here. I owe him a lot. I don't think I can just leave without him,"

"May I tell you something personal?" Rena asked. The sincerity in her eyes was as disarming as ever. Though it seemed she took pains to mask the intensity of her emotion. Ace nodded once more.

"When Lucy...that is Albaric's sister died, the change in him was decidedly for the worse,'' she said tentatively, "You may have noticed his tendency to stray when things become difficult. When 'that' happened he lost his way altogether."

"He said something to that effect," Ace recalled.

"Before he left he was acting so differently than the man I knew. To be honest, I thought the caring and strong-willed side of him might be lost forever. When I heard about his appearance in the public court, I thought that was more evidence that the old him was gone. I even treated him coldly when I first arrived."

Ace admired her candour. Rena lifted her head to inspect the gardens. They were cold and still, but her eyes filled with light.

"But I soon realised I was wrong. I saw how he was trying much harder than before. I heard how he was the one who proposed that sisters lead this campaign. And I saw that the light in him had returned somehow." she turned to Ace with a smile, "Maybe it's because of you,"

Ace began to shake his head, "I didn't do anything. If anything, I've only been causing him trouble,"

"No," Rena argued, "You gave him something to care about. His talents are wasted drifting aimlessly around the Empire and beyond. You must see that,"

"But does he want to be here?"

"He may not show it, but he does. And he should be here. You've seen what it's like here. He is someone who can change that,"

Ace slowly absorbed her words. If anyone could change this place it was Albaric. Is this where he truly wanted to be? Ace had never even considered that. Albaric always seemed desperate to leave.

"I'm telling you this because I trust you," Rena's unwavering eyes laid into him. "I've been watching you and I see something special in you,"

Ace glanced up embarrassed. He instinctively began to shake his head.

"You are special." Rena grabbed his hand firmly, " You bring out the best in others. It's a quality not many people have. That's why Ace, you shouldn't be tied here against your will. I want you to choose to be here. If we work together we can make this place into something remarkable."

"You want to change the tower?"

"No, I want to change the Empire."

Rena's eyes shone with a brightness that convinced Ace of her words.

"From this moment on, you are free. Take your time, but you may leave if you choose," She smiled once more before rising. "But if you choose to stay, we can do something great together. You will have friends here. This can be a real home for you. You can build a life of your choosing. Create your own destiny. This is something every person deserves."

Ace stared back at her dumbfounded. He left the conversation feeling light. When he went to bed that night, he had never slept better. Not only was he free but he and Clover were closer than ever. As Rena attested, Albaric seemed happier than Ace had ever seen him.

For the first time, it felt like he had a place somewhere. The world didn't seem so empty and chaotic. It was slowly ordering. All his doubts about his own intentions, his own darkness were overcome by the feverish potential of what he could be. Rena's words made him feel like he could be someone great.

It was in the midst of this great upheaval in his mind that everyone was suddenly called to the office.

"Thank you for coming," Rena said, inviting them all in. As they stepped in, the first thing Ace noticed was that there were more sisters than usual. Two were even posted by her desk. And then he saw it sitting on her desk.

A small spherical pendant was set on the desk. It was golden with engraved runes. It was completely different than Ace imagined it would be, but he knew what it was at once. The device was finished. He felt an ecstatic shiver go through him.

"With this magic device, we can open portals to the demon world. It can also shield humans from demonic energy. Unlike the original daeleven items, this item only works for a short period of time. So we will have to plan our strategy very carefully," Rena explained.

"When will we present it to the court?" Albaric asked.

"Actually, that's why I've called you here," Rena's expression showed a rare strain. "I gave the Emperor the first report. They want us to test the item first."

"What?" Albaric frowned, "Just us?"

"They're calling it reconnaissance."

Albaric shook his head, "They're using us as test subjects!" his expression darkened.

"I should apologise to you all," Rena sighed.

"Why are you apologising?" Albaric remarked incredulously.

"I believe this is retaliation for expelling the royal princess from the tower."

"Leila! Is there nothing she won't do?" Albaric slammed a hand against the table, " She's been trying to turn the court against us from the beginning,"

"The problem is if we fail here, we will only be proving her right," Rena replied in a low voice. "That's why I've decided I'm going to go through with this, but I won't ask the rest of you to risk your lives. I will go through to the demon world myself and test if the device works, if anything goes wrong I can come straight back."

"No way!" Albaric ejected, "I'm not letting you go alone,"

"He's right, sister," Ace enjoined, "The demon world is a dangerous place. You shouldn't go alone,"

"I ended up in the demon world once during the war," Albaric said, "It strips you of all your life magic. If anything goes wrong, you won't have the magic to get back,"

"Even more reason why I should go alone" Rena replied flatly.

"Wait a minute," Ace said slowly, "Sister Rena, when you took over the tower, did the Grand wizard leave my necklace in your care?"

"What necklace?" Rena asked.

"The Daeleven item in the Empire's possession," Albaric clarified.

"I see," Rena said thoughtfully, "If we had that when we crossed, at least then we would be protected. It is being kept in the royal repository, but I can retrieve it,"

During the conversation, Clover and Kalandra had remained quiet. Ace thought it odd. Didn't Clover want to go back? He glanced in Clover's direction but they didn't meet his eyes.

An hour later, sister Rena returned to the office. Kalandra was laid back on Clover's lap with a smile while Ace and Albaric were waiting by the window seats.

"The necklace is not in the stronghold," Rena announced.

"What?" Albaric exclaimed, "How can that be? It's the most guarded place in the palace..." Slowly he too turned to Kalandra and Clover.

"What?" Kalandra laughed, not moving from her position. Clover maintained a disinterested smile.

"Not anyone can break into a place like that," Albaric glared, "Did you steal the necklace?"

"How could I ?" Clover laughed.

"Not you," Albaric snapped, "her,"

"My assistants lost track of you a few times," Rena stated, "You could have used the time to break into the royal repository?"

Kalandra scoffed, she glanced in Clover's direction, "Do I have to put up with this?"

Clover's eyes came down to meet her. However, the look in their eye wasn't the usual playful air. Kalandra immediately rose, throwing her arms out indignantly.

"Why am I being blamed?" she scowled, "Isn't there a much more obvious culprit or are you all fools?!"

She pointed a finger at Ace.

"It's his necklace," the corner of Kalandra's mouth twisted into a malicious grin, "Don't you know how his dark magic works? Who else would have enough of a motive to steal something like that?"

Ace repelled her glare with a look of indifference. A surprising voice came to his defence.

"Ace didn't steal the necklace," Clover declared.

All eyes turned to the demon lord.

"But I think I know who did,"