Chapter 5: A secret

Song recommendation: "Tears in the rain," (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpR58x0yBl4)

The next morning, Ace awoke with shooting pain in his head. For a while, the room kept turning. He stumbled out of bed and fumbled to dress. He stared at the wine and uneaten food still on the desk.

Images of the night before flooded his mind. He covered his face with his hands. He had acted like such a fool. How far did they go? He let out a groan as he forced himself out the door. To his surprise, Albaric was already waiting.

"You don't look so good," he commented.

"I don't feel so good either," Ace replied. He glanced up at Albaric sheepishly. "Did Clover leave then last night?"

"You don't remember?" Albaric chuckled.

"I remember bits and pieces," Ace frowned.

"I knocked on the door after two hours like I said, "Albaric sighed, "Clover was just sitting drinking. I said, 'What happened?'. Clover shrugged and said, 'I only saw him have one glass but who knows'. Then they just started laughing. So, I took Clover out and left you to sleep,"

Ace let out a groan. 'How embarrassing,' he scowled.

By the time they reached the office, Ace thought he might die from said 'embarrassment'. They walked inside. Clover was sitting in the window seat. They turned to Ace with a grin. Kalandra was sitting against the wall. She immediately chimed in:

"You look like shit,"

"I've been drinking, what's your excuse?" Ace retorted.

Kalandra sniffed angrily and turned her face away.

"You've been drinking?" Rena enquired, looking up from her desk.

"No...I didn't...I mean I haven't," Ace quickly picked up the documents from the day before and buried his face under them. Albaric let out a laugh and took a seat beside Rena. Ace looked around. His normal seat was taken.

"Sit here," Clover motioned.

Ace bit his lip. He inhaled deeply and took a seat beside Clover. The window ledge was barely big enough for both of them. Clover's thigh was riding against his. Then they leaned on his shoulder. Ace stared blinked down in surprise. Clover wore an uncharacteristically serious expression. Ace began to panic. What did he do last night?

"Ace," Clover said in a low voice so only he could hear, "If I told you something, would you promise not to tell anyone else?"

Ace gulped, "I promise,"

"I feel really happy right now," Clover said softly.

"Is that something that should be kept a secret?"Ace wondered.

"It is. " Clover said quietly. "I'm not usually happy,"

"But... you're always smiling," Ace replied slowly.

"Mmm, because I have to," Clover answered. "Even if I don't feel like it,"

"Why?"

"Because no one cares if the villain cries,"

Ace turned to Clover earnestly. He looked into their eyes and he saw the same melancholy he had come to know well. Clover looked back at him unflinchingly. For a moment they just stared into each other's eyes.

"But you're happy right now?" Ace asked doubtfully.

"I am," Clover said, resting their head back on his shoulder. "Are you?"

Ace nodded slowly. Clover let out a sigh.

"Okay then, "

Ace wanted to ask more questions, but Clover's eyes seemed to glaze over. It was as if they were in deep thought.

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Two more nights elapsed. Finally, the plan was put into action. While they gathered in the office, the sisters guarded the doors. Thanks to Clover's magic, they wouldn't have to be seen leaving the tower. By midnight everyone was ready.

Sister Rena looked different out of her grab. She was dressed in plain black clothes but it couldn't hide her scarlet curls. She tucked it away as they entered. Ace could see why Albaric was so enthralled by her. Even dressed in black, her character shun through.

Clover and Kalandra, on the other hand, suited the black almost too well. As usual, Kalandra had her hand roped through Clovers. Ace had become accustomed to her unfriendly expression. It became even sourer as Clover whispered into Ace's hear:

"You still have the armour I bought you?"

Ace nodded, turning slightly pink. He unintentionally looked down at Clover's lips. The thought of Clover's kisses made him blush. Clover smiled knowingly and dusted him with a discreet peck on the cheek.

Albaric was the last to arrive. Like Ace, he wore armour and had his sword by his side. He greeted them all hurriedly. There was one more person with them. A young girl dressed in black stood beside Rena. Ace had seen her a few times before.

"We're all here then," Rena said. "This is Elena. She'll be joining us today. Don't worry, she can be trusted,"

Elena bowed to the group but remained quiet. Without delay, Rena held up her hand to the necklace around Clover's neck.

"It will only be immobilized for a few hours," she said cautiously, "but the more magic you use, the faster the magic will stabilize. If that happens, it will return to normal and you'll be incapacitated."

"Got it," Clover smiled mischievously.

The moment it was disabled, Clover spun around gleefully. With a wave of their wrist, a dark portal opened. One by one they stepped through the portal. Finally, only Ace and Clover remained.

Clover turned to Ace with a smile, "Are you afraid?"

"No, I'm not." Ace frowned.

"Hmm, okay," Clover grabbed Ace by the arm. "Let's go then,"

Before Ace could say another word, Clover pushed them through.

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The flock of a bird overhead brought Ace's eyes up. The shadow of a big bird flew across a dark sky. He was brought back down by the sound of crashing waves. A whitewash battered a coral shoreline. It all looked very familiar. Ace was sure he had been to this place before.

Clover nudged him forward. Ace turned to see the rest of the group walking towards the receding sand. The shore led up to a single dock. Beyond were a few shanty houses and remote jungle. Tropical trees dotted the skyline. They began walking up the hill towards them.

The bush was a dark and tangled scape of exotic plants and trees. They were led through the dark only by the light of Rena's magic. Clover guided them deeper into its depths.

"Where are we?" Ace asked.

"Miroco," Clover answered, "It's an island to the south."

"And the wizard is here?"Ace asked dubiously.

Clover laughed, "it's just up ahead,"

Just as Clover said, within a few moments they reached a towering structure jetting out of the dark set of trees. A familiar column of swirling brick loomed over them. Ace stared up confused.

"It looks just like the tower," he remarked.

"This is the original tower," Clover said flatly, "built by the last great wizard of the Empire - the Cirillian wizard,"

Ace had heard that name but he decided not to ask anything further. Clover already had a particularly sad look in their eyes.

"Then we'll go ahead with the plan," Rena turned to the group, "Ace and Albaric will go to the front. Kalandra and I will go around the back. And Clover will stay here with Elena. Are we all clear?"

"Got it," Albaric returned, then turning to Clover one more time with a sideways glance, " Don't let yourself be seen, you'll only aggravate him,"

Clover nodded with a placid smile. Albaric stepped forward and cut through the undergrowth. Ace followed him behind. The rest split into their own groups. When they reached the door, Ace felt a rising sense of dread.

Albaric knocked on the door. The jungle roared all around them with its groans and cries. The night sky was spectacularly clear. A green aurora cast a shimmering glow over the darkness. There was a rustle.

Finally, the chamber loaded and the lock rattle. Bird's wide-eyed expression met them both. He began to smile.

"Hi Bird," Ace smiled.

"What are you doing here?" he gushed.

"We're here to see Michael," Albaric said softly.

Bird's expression wavered. A look of doubt came over his face. However, before he could say another word, a voice came from behind.

"What's going on?"

The wizard stepped out into the dark night. Ace and Albaric met his frigid stare.

"What is this?" the wizard smiled darkly.

"Michael," Albaric said soberly, "We need to talk,"

The wizard stepped forward, "What about?"

The wizard looked greatly changed since his time in the tower. His brown hair was overgrown and his usually clean-shaven face had a five o clock shadow. The only consistent part was his eyes. They with the rest of his features looked worn and shrunken in. Yet, the snakish analytic element of his eye remained.

"What's happened to you, Michael?" Albaric asked categorically. "Look at you. Didn't you tell me you hated this island? But you're back here again. Let me guess, Leila set you up to take all the blame?"

"Yes, that backfired spectacularly. She was just...so convincing," Michael remarked, "but, you know all this already. What do you want?" he eyed Ace suspiciously.

"I came so that you could apologise," Albaric announced.

"So I could apologise?" Michael scoffed, "To him?" he glanced at Ace.

"That's right," Albaric remained undeterred, "I want you to apologise for what you did,"

"Have you lost your mind?" Michael laughed, "You must be joking. I'm not apologizing for shit."

"This is your last chance," Albaric remained firm, "If you don't apologise right now, we're done. Our friendship is finished,"

Michael threw his head back laughing, "What is this? Some kind of comedy show?! Get out of here before I drown you both. 'Apologise'? Gods! You're a joke! You've really sunken beyond belief,"

"Master," Bird said slowly, "Maybe you should apologise,"

Michael shot Bird an irritated stare, "Go back inside, Bird,"

Bird's head fell down, dejected. He turned to Ace one more time with a sad smile.

"See you, Ace," he said wistfully.

Ace smiled sadly. He glanced at Albaric quickly. Was that enough time? Albaric gave him a reassuring nod. Bird stepped inside the tower. Michael stared at Albaric expectantly.

"Didn't you hear me?" he frowned, "I said get lost,"

"Fine," Albaric relented.

He and Ace were about to step away when there was a clatter and then a crash from inside the tower. Michael remained planted in the doorway. His eyes narrowed.

"What's going on, Bird?" he said. His eyes didn't leave Albaric.

"There's someone here," Bird called out.