A Surprising Decision

Till then I knew not why my heart had never sped up.

- The Brown Book

" Sia! "

" Barak. "

" Leo...Leo has..." Barak had come rushing and found it difficult to breathe.

" What is it, Barak? Cool down first. " Epione stood up.

" Leo has decided to go exploring. " Barak managed to say at last.

" What? " The sister duo sounded surprised.

" Why? This is too sudden. " Celosia asked in a puzzled voice.

" No idea. " Barak sat near Sia and drank the water that Epione brought him. " He went to Papa a few hours ago and requested his permission to go explore the world for an unlimited time. "

" A few hours ago ? I saw him in the morning and he had no such plan. What happened within a few hours? " Epione raised her eyebrows.

" No idea. I was busy at the weapon refiner's workshop. Alec was going through intense training with Captain Aries. He plans to challenge you to a duel after you heal, Sia. " Barak informed Celosia with a fond smile.

" Huh!? Planning to challenge his teacher? " Celosia faked surprise with twinkling eyes.

" Hey, we are diverting from the main topic. " Epione interrupted the twins' banter.

" Yes, back to Leo. Has he said when he will set off? " Celosia turned to Barak.

" Tomorrow. He's packing his belongings right now. Papa has ordered Vice-Captain Aegeus to accompany Leo. An additional 500 warriors have also decided to follow Leo voluntarily. As per Mama's orders, Asklepios will go with Leo. They will set off tomorrow at dawn on 'The Artemis'. " Barak informed them.

" Well, to be honest, this is a great opportunity for Leo. To explore the world beyond our island and encounter new people and places. He could even come across some powerful people and establish friendship with them. His strength and combat proficiency could increase as well. But why so sudden? " Celosia mused out loud.

" I wonder about that, too. He is not someone who is lead by impulses. Maybe he had been planning this for long. " Barak said with a thoughtful expression.

" Is he going to annex other islands? " Episode asked Barak.

" No. He is not going as the Crown Prince of The Isles of Athena. They will be in disguises. A group of adventurers. " Barak shrugged.

" Why does that description sound too much like that of a gang of pirates? " Celosia squinted and her forehead wrinkled up.

" Now that you mentioned it, I feel so too. " Barak replied in a troubled tone.

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At the chamber of the Crown Prince:

A young man could be seen laying on the bed, his forearms rested on his eyes. The cool and refreshing breeze that came from the window on the right side of the bed caressed his figure. He lay like a statue. His body radiated tension. His thoughts were running with a speed that rivaled that of light's. It went back to the events at the training ground:

The training ground on morning after Thea's birthday was very lively. The soldiers of the Isles of Apollo and the Isles of Athena were not getting along well. Captain Aries proposed a friendly duel to let the two parties vent off the steam. Lieutanant Andreas agreed. The duels were held at the right side of the training ground. Since the training ground spanned over a few acres, the soldiers who had no interest in duelling had enough space to train themselves. Captain Aries taught Alec a new set of sword technique and was helping him practice it when Jason came in.

" Jason! What are you doing here? " Lieutanant Andreas came rushing and asked Jason with voice filled with angry helplessness. " You haven't healed yet. Please go back and take rest. "

" Thank you for your concern, Andreas. But no can do. I have been bored stiff in there. Don't worry. I won't take part in the training. I'll just watch. " Jason promised Andreas with a straight face and sincere expression. " Go ahead, show them the might of the Falcon Army. " Jason encouraged.

Lieutanant Andreas saluted and left with a reluctant expression staining his face. Jason did a great show of sitting down on the stool that a soldier had brought for him. Alec and Aries were observing this conversation with great interest.

" He's gone at last. " Jason sighed with relief and turned his attention to the soldiers training with gusto. He noticed Prince Alec and Captain Aries looking his way. He smiled at them and continued observing the training for almost half an hour. Later, he got up with a little difficulty and gestured to a soldier. He came running and saluted, "Your Command, Crown Prince! "

" Bring me a sword. "

" But..."

The soldier rushed off and brought a sword after being at the receiving end of the ferocious look of Jason.

Jason took the sword and walked towards Alec and Aries. They stopped the sword play and looked at Jason with curiosity.

" May I help you? " Aries asked in a polite tone.

" Yes, thank you. I would like to have a duel with Prince Alec. " Jason smiled. " Count it as an opportunity to hone your talents, not a 'till death' fight. Your skills and talent looks top-notch. You have a great teacher. " Jason nodded at Aries.

" You have got it wrong, Crown Prince. I'm just his temporary teacher. Lieutanant Perseus is his real teacher. He had been training Prince Alec since childhood. " Aries informed with a smile.

" Well, that explains it. I've been wondering where I saw that particular defence move. " Jason grinned.

" It would be my honour. I've heard a lot about you. You are my inspiration. Well, after my sister, of course. " Alec said with excitement shining in his eyes.

' Sister? No. I must have heard wrong. His sister is a healer. '

Jason and Alec started an intense fighting session. Each time Alec was defeated by Jason, they would stop and discuss the moves that went wrong on the side of Alec that paved the path of success of Jason. They were unaware of a confused gaze that had been on them for a while. After a few turns, Alec managed to subdue Jason.

" Good move, kid. " Jason appreciated Alec with a wide smile.

" Just because you are weak from the injuries. " Alec replied with a humble air and retracted his sword from Jason's neck.

Jason laughed and walked back to the sides along with a grinning Alec. They were deeply immersed in the talk about different sword techniques. Alec was greedily taking in the words of Jason about his various experiences.

Leo sat up abruptly and walked towards his desk. The line of thought was broken. He gazed at his reflection in the huge mirror kept near the desk.

" Why? Why did that scenario felt so familiar? " He made a very conscious effort to understand and felt his head throb with pain. " Damn! I'm encountering strange feelings & thoughts and I have no idea why!! " He smashed his fist into the mirror. Bright red blood started flowing from the fist. He stared at it and went back to his thoughts:

He had come to the training ground to inform Captain Aries about the appointment of new guards along the coastal lines. He stopped short on seeing his younger brother in a furious fight against the Crown Prince of Isles of Apollo. He started to rush towards them to prevent them from hurting each other, but was stopped by an intense pain that embraced his head. He could only gaze at them while being rooted on spot. Somehow he felt like he had seen a similar scene before. A tall, well-built black figure fighting a small purple figure. Several unknown scenes popped up in his mind. They were all fuzzy and made no sense. After a few minutes of observation he found that they were just practising. But an image and a word kept popping into his mind. A fierce longing shook his soul. A figure in white was staring at the glorious sunset. The robes were waving in the wind. Nothing about the image was clear except for the strange tree near the figure in white, which had icy-blue flowers coexisting with fire-red flowers. Something in him urged to go in search of that mysterious figure in white. He couldn't help himself. He had gone straight to the King and obtained his permission with great difficulty. The small, yet fast ship "The Artemis" was to be their means of transportation.

Leo shook his head to dispel the thoughts and went out of his chamber to inform his siblings of his decision.

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