Chapter 12: Sena

Ace suddenly pivoted on his heels and stormed off down the hall. Albaric followed a pace behind for fear Ace might suddenly collapse.

"Where are you going?" Albaric called after him. He scratched his head and let out a heavy sigh watching Ace falter.

There was no reply. Ace still had his back to him. He was just a few paces ahead when he abruptly stopped. Albaric's prediction took form. Ace lost his balance, falling against the wall with a slam. Then sliding to the floor, he hunched over.

Albaric hurried towards him. Ace cradled his head, his hands shook.

"What is it?" Albaric rushed to his side concerned. There was no answer.

Ace's face went white and he doubled over. Albaric leant down and as he did, Ace tipped over. He was pale and feverish, not responding at all. He dropped to the floor. Albaric reached out to help him but Ace rebuked his efforts.

"Don't...let me go..no!" Ace murmured in the rapture's of delirious tossing and turning.

Albaric tapped him lightly, "It's just me, Ace. Can you hear me?"

"I'm sorry..forgive me..Sena...Come back," Ace continued to mutter, his voice barely a whisper but contorted in pain. Then he grew quiet and stopped moving.

"Shit!" Albaric exclaimed, "Ace? Ace!"

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***Several years before, the Palace of Cups (Eastern Demon territory)***

"Just be quiet this time. Don't provoke him again," Sena thrust a hand in front of Ace's chest. And being slightly bigger, it was enough to hold Ace back for a moment.

"He deserves it," Ace spat furiously pushing against Sena's arm.

Sena turned to Ace, "Hush!" He said in a sharp, low tone. Ace grew quiet. He knew when Sena was being serious. Sena's light grey eyes appraised Ace with the same admonishment of an adult to a child. Even though Sena wasn't much older himself, it had always been that way between them.

"If he hears you this time, you won't get away with just a beating," Sena scowled.

"I don't care," Ace returned glowered.

"Well I do, so shut your mouth and do as I..."

There was a creak by the doorway of the nursery. Sena's lecturer was abruptly cut short. His flaxen head peered suspiciously at the crack under the door. A shadow seeped from the doorway. There was someone there.

"What's happening?" Ace's tone grew less argument and more anxious, "What's he doing here?"

"Ace, whatever happens, I want you to leave this place. Do you understand?" Sena quickly shoved a hand down his shirt and yanked out his necklace. He threw it over Ace's neck just as the door opened. Ace's eyes widened. They both stared apprehensively at the passageway.

A towering figure stood menacingly in the doorway.

"Lord Sol has called for Sena," it said.

Ace glanced at Sena in disbelief. He was even less reassured when he found the look of resignation on Sena's face. He turned back to the figure, darting out in front of Sena.

"What for?!" Ace shrieked.

"It's not for you to know," was the reply as Ace was pushed out of the way.

Ace was about to intervene again when Sena stepped between Ace and the Demon who barred the door to the nursery.

"Would you listen to me for once?" Sena's voice faltered, "I'll come back soon. I promise. So for now just try not to think about me. Think about before as I told you," his eyes shun brilliantly clear burying an immeasurable sadness with a serene smile

Ace's eyes welled with tears, "I can't remember it anymore!" he shook his head vigorously, " Please don't go, Sena,"

"Just try. Think about the grass, the mountains, the rivers. We'll all be there soon. Waiting for you,"

Ace watched as Sena was led out of the nursery. With him, the whole room grew dark and was swallowed by blackness. For a few seconds, it was completely dark. Then the sound of a bird's song and a soft breeze forced Ace's eyes open. They opened but a crack and light flooded them. He blinked for a moment temporarily blinded.

He could hear voices near him:

"What's wrong with him?" said a worried voice, "Is it like that time?"

"No, this is different. We tried holy magic, remember. I think this is...a problem with the boy, himself,"

"What do you mean?"

"That place has strange effects on humans. It makes them forget they ever were human. Whatever has shielded him from the effects of demonization, evidently hasn't protected him from everything,"

"How can we fix it?"

"We cannot,"

The voice abruptly stopped as Ace's eyes opened fully. As they did, he saw what looked like the wizard leaving the room. The Sword Saint was sitting across from him looking tired but relieved.

"Ace?" he said softly.

"Where am I?" Ace mumbled. His throat felt dry. The sword saint propped him up and pressed a glass of water to his lips before answering.

"We're still in the tower,"

Ace groaned. Everything was hazy. He examined the room at a glance. It didn't look like the student halls. The interaction from the night before filtered in like the remnants of a distant memory, but sharply becoming more vivid. His head throbbed at the thought of it. He took a deep breath in, swallowing hard. Albaric's gaze which was set upon him was filled with guilt and another emotion Ace could scarcely read.

"Right," Ace answered without conviction.

"Look, Ace," Albaric looked anxiously back to the door as if he was expecting something then back to Ace, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"I know you're probably still angry at me. I can't explain everything now, but will you at least give me a chance to make it up to you? "

Ace gripped the bed to steady himself. Luckily, there was a light but succinct rap at the door that intervened. A woman dressed in black with a white pinafore entered the room. She had long raven hair swept into a bun and pale, almost sickly white skin. She stepped into the room with a rapid but poised step, gazing directly at Ace.

"How is the patient?" she asked with a high, clear voice.

"He's fine, sister," Albaric returned quickly. His expression grew dark as he pulled back from the bedside.

Ace glanced up at the woman's deep blue eyes. They were mesmerising but he couldn't put his finger on what it was about her. She was, he supposed, a beauty, but somehow in a superficial way. She smiled and introduced herself.

"My name is Leila, but you may simply address me as a sister. I hear you are not from these parts so you may not recognise my dress. I am a healer from the royal temple," without asking, she pressed a hand to Ace's forehead, "How do you feel?"

Ace glanced waywardly at her. Despite her claim, Ace felt her touch was intrusive and answered:

"Fine," with thinly veiled annoyance.

Leila turned to Albaric with a cold smile, "You've been summoned to court," she said, her tone haughtily pleased.

Albaric rose reluctantly. He looked towards Ace as if he had something more to say but the words died on his lips. He gave Sister Leila a nod of acknowledgement. However, Ace noticed an unusual hostility in his eyes.

"I'll be back soon," Albaric announced before leaving the room. The more reserved, "Wait for me, okay?" came a moment after.

Ace was left awkwardly sitting across from Leila who had not stopped watching him.

"Lie back," she instructed.

As Ace did so, she hovered a hand above his forehead. He felt a warm sensation, then the tremors and weakness seemed to dissipate. They proceeded in silence for several minutes.

"Strange," she said but gave no explanation of what had invoked this utterance. Instead, she lowered her hand. With a swift change of subject she began:

"It must be hard to be in the palace all alone, not knowing anyone," she said breaking the silence, "I was only recently called to serve here myself,"

Her forlorn eyes glanced out the window. The curtains fluttered ever so slightly with the breeze from the window. A line of trees blockaded the courtyard from view. Only the sound of birds and soldiers passing told of their location. Ace joined her in looking out the window for a moment. He still hadn't dropped his guard, but something in her manner seemed more sincere than he had first thought.

"I came with the sword saint," Ace returned flatly.

"How exciting to travel with a hero," Leila smiled with an expression that didn't reach her eyes, "What adventures you must have had,"

Ace nodded, impatient to be left alone.

"I imagine he's become quite a different man since I first met him. Well, I was only a child when we first met," Leila let out a light laugh.

Ace turned his eyes back to Leila, his interest momentarily stirred. From their interaction he had thought them only passing acquaintances, maybe less than that. It would be easy enough to know if she was lying.

"Really?" Ace replied drily, "What was he like then?"

"Still brave, though perhaps more foolhardy. Kind but easily distracted," Leila returned, her tone almost triumphant.

Her succinct answer convinced Ace of any doubts about her claim. However, his own thoughts were leading him astray of the conversation. He gave a disinterested nod and was about to feign tiredness when Leila added:

"But war changes people though, doesn't it? I just hope it's different this time,"

Ace suddenly became focused on Leila who seemed acutely aware of the intrigue her words had produced. She tilted her head to the side. Her red lips spread into a toothless smile.

"I don't think the Empire can survive another war,"

"What do you mean?" Ace questioned.

"Several temples in the north have already been besieged by demons. They've stolen centuries-old artefacts," Leila sighed, "I have a feeling it won't be long till they reach the Empire,"