Chapter 6: Choosing them

Song Recommendation: "Please just say you love me" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRMaf5mgCZc&list=RDdRMaf5mgCZc&start_radio=1&rv=dRMaf5mgCZc&t=2)

"Escort our guest out here, Bird," Michael smiled darkly. He spun around to Albaric and stepped forward.

"I thought it might come to this," Michael chuckled, "but I have no intention of fighting you, Albaric,"

"I don't want to fight you either," Albaric said slowly.

"Sure you don't," Michael released his hand. A spray of powder flew up. A puff of spores went into Albaric's face. He coughed and then stumbled back. Ace rushed towards him, but it was too late. Albaric fell to the floor. Ace stared up at the wizard in horror.

"It's a plant that grows on this island. Something special for when visitors come unannounced," Michael smiled.

A moment later, sister Rena stepped out of the tower with Bird behind her. Her eyes immediately dipped to Albaric who was lying sprawled out on the ground then back to the wizard icily. Michael looked Rena over with a sceptical glare. Kalandra was nowhere to be seen.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Rena. I come from the order..."

"You're the sister who's in charge of the tower," the wizard inspected her. His eyes fell to the necklace in her hand. "I've never heard of a sister who steals,"

"This doesn't belong to you," Rena returned. "I'm merely taking it back."

"You and what army, sister?" the wizard smirked

Ace stepped in front of Rena with his sword drawn.

The wizard went on with an undeterred smile "You know, I've always admired the sisters. I used to be an ordinary foot soldier once. So, I always wondered why they only give the sister basic training. Maybe they're afraid of what you could do with real power. You'd be an army unto yourselves. But as things stand, you don't have the power to best me. This boy can't protect you. Maybe the sword saint could have made things a bit difficult but he won't be getting up anytime soon. So, give me the necklace, sister. Then we'll call it a night,"

"I can't do that,"

The wizard stepped forward. Ace held his sword to the wizard's throat.

"Stay back," Ace warned.

"Ace," the wizard's eyes turned to him coldly, "the grownups are talking."

With a sudden swift kick, the wizard launched Ace back. He took a hit to the gut and fell back a couple of feet. The wizard followed. His wrist swung back and forth and as it did, a torrent of water battered Ace from each side.

Watching from the shadows, Kalandra materialised at Clover's side.

"What are we waiting for?"She whispered angrily, "Let's go,"

"Wait," Clover said in a low voice.

"Come on," Kalandra urged, "You promised we could ditch them here,"

"I know what I said," Clover returned flatly.

In front of them, Ace struggled to defend himself from the wizard's attacks. He was brought to his knees little by little with each blow. Finally, the sharp torrents of water subsided. Ace coughed backwater as he struggled to find his breath. Michael stood over him. He bent down to Ace's eye level.

"You know, if I wanted to kill you last time, you'd be dead," his eyes glared disparagingly. "Don't test me, Ace. Take the sister and go. This is your last warning."

Ace's eyes flashed up wildly. Before Michael could respond, Ace swung his fist. It hooked around with such speed and power, the impact unbalanced the wizard. He fell to one side. Ace quickly rose. He darted past the wizard to Albaric.

"Quickly! Help me, sister," He said, throwing Albaric's arm over his shoulder.

Rena rushed to his side and pulled Albaric up. They started to set off when a sudden roar came from behind. The wizard stood with his hand raised. An unhinged look took hold in his eyes as blood trickled from his nose. A wall of water bounded forward them. It towered over them like a tsunami. There was nowhere to run.

It was at this moment, Bird flew out in front of them. The trees rattle with the pull of the wind. Bird held up both hands. A massive gale hit the body of the water. The water was pushed back. But the tidal force didn't stop. Bird heels dug into the ground but he was slowly being forced back.

He turned to them both, "GO!!" he cried.

Ace reluctantly began to move. He and Rena darted into the thicket carrying Albaric. As soon as they reached the cover of the jungle. Ace took Albaric and threw him on his back. They started to run. The trees howled ominously. There was still a current of wind flowing through it loudly.

Then all of a sudden, the sound of the wind died down. It was eerily quiet. Only Rena's flames led the way.

"Do you hear that?" Rena said. They both listened.

The flow of water grew louder and louder. Rena raised her hand to the darkness. The flame lit up the surrounding area. Ren's eyes darted down. All at once, she was pulled down with force. The fire went out.

"Rena?" Ace exclaimed.

Ace quickly put Albaric down against one of the trees. He continued to search, whispering her name. Only the moon offered a semblance of light. She appeared to have just disappeared.

Suddenly Ace felt a hand around his collar. He was pulled back with some force. A hand covered his mouth. He stared up incredulous. Clover tilted their head back with a smile. They held up a finger to their lips.

"Shh,"

Steps followed. A light lit up the dark repose. Ace could only see the light from the falling shadows. His back was propped up against a tree. He couldn't see what was going on behind him.

"Ace?" came a voice, "Don't be stupid. Just give me the necklace back,"

Ace's blood was pumping. A moment later, the light began to fade. Once more it was dark. A second more and Clover relinquished their hand. Ace let out an unsteady breath. His eyes rose with alacrity. He immediately turned to continue his search for Sister Rena. What if the wizard had found her already?

However, just as he was about to set off, Clover's hand clamped down on his shoulder. He swung back with wide surprised eyes. Clover gestured to a bush a few feet from him. Both Albaric and Rena were passed out on the ground. Sister Elena was beside them. Kalandra was standing over with her fixed glare. Ace knelt down beside inspecting them. They were still breathing. His eyes slowly met Clovers.

"You saved us," Ace breathed.

Clover tilted their head back without smiling. They leant over sister Rena and pulled the necklace from her hand.

"What are you doing?" Ace's face dropped.

"I'm going home," Clover inspected the necklace.

"You can't!" Ace cried.

"Why not?" Clover rejoined.

"Why?" Ace repeated slowly. "What about..." Ace paused. He stared up in disbelief. The ring around Clover's neck was gone

"But...how?" Ace stuttered.

Clover smirked. "Don't worry about that. All you need to know is I'm free and so are you,"

"What are you talking about," Ace faltered. "If you leave us, we're going to get caught by the wizard,"

Ace's heart sank. His mind started to race. What should he do? If he could wake Albaric maybe they would have a chance but even if the wizard didn't catch them, they'd be discovered on return to the palace. Everything will have been for nothing.

Suddenly, Clover lifted Ace's face to theirs. His eyes came up with a start.

"Ace, you are free," Clover smiled.

"But the others..."Ace began.

"Forget about them. I don't care about them," Clover interjected. "I only care about you,"

"You care about me?"Ace blinked bewildered, "because we're friends..."

"No! Not because we're friends."

"But you said before..."

"I don't care what I said before! I'm telling you. I want you, Ace," Clover pulled Ace close. "Come with me," Their lips pressed against his.

For a moment everything melted away. Ace felt like he was leaving his body and traversing the stars.

"Maybe we can be together," Clover breathed uneasily, "This is what you wanted, wasn't it?"

Ace looked down at Albaric and Rena. Suddenly Ace began to plummet back to the ground. His eyes came back to Clover. He felt torn. It was as if his heart was being shredded into a thousand bits. His chest heaved. He turned to Clover shakily.

"I can't leave them," Ace's voice broke.

Clover's expression became cold, "You're choosing them over me?"

At that moment, Ace couldn't look Clover in the eye. If he did, he feared they might see his doubt. They might see how much he wanted to say yes, but that was the one thing he couldn't do.

"I'm sorry," Ace said at last.

"Forget I said anything," Clover composed themselves, " I don't know what I was thinking,"

"Clover?"

Clover let out a laugh under their breath. However, far from the usual frivolous smile, it was bitter. They shook their head, sucking in a breath. Clover grabbed Ace by the hand. His eyes came up in surprise. He stared at his hand. There was his necklace.

"Don't give it away so easily next time," Clover said in a subdued voice.

They abruptly motioned to Kalandra. Clover pivoted on their heels without another moment's delay. They held out a hand and with a flick, the circular motion opened a portal. Ace's heart was pounding, but he couldn't speak.

A million things came into his head. He wanted to beg them to stay, but how could he?

Kalandra stepped through the portal. Clover stood back a moment as if they wanted to say something. Instead, they stepped through saying nothing. As they disappeared into the black void, Ace's body was wracked with convulsions. He doubled over, collapsing into his hands. He stifled a scream in his hands.

He was still barely able to contain himself as he forced his eyes back up. He took several sharp breaths. What now? He was alone in the depths of the dark jungle. Somewhere out there the wizard was on the prowl. He could be about to die, but all he could think about was Clover.

Why did it have to hurt so bad?