《Sachiel》

We were in the castle, infront of King Jared's room with Garry.

I knocked and opened the door. The King was writing something on the paper when he noticed me. He put down the quill and stood, "Williams."

He wasn't expecting us that day since we told him we'll be in Aireo for a week. Me and Angelus went in. "Where's Sierra?" He asked just when the door opened again and Sierra came in with Garry, "He's becoming weak. We don't know why." Sierra said.

"Since he woke up, he didn't feel nor look strong anymore. He started coughing. His voice didn't sound normal. He couldn't stand by his own. I tried healing charms but it didn't work, neither did the healing candies, yeah, none of it worked. None of it even atleast healed the wound. King, I think Eryn has to do with this," I said, facing the king.

"Sachiel, we can't say tha--" Sierra was cut off when the king spoke.

"Eryn? Eryn Vesta?" The king looked confused but despite his questions, he humbly approached Sierra and Garry, "Come, let's get him on the couch." he said as he guided the two of them towards a long couch and let Garry lie on it. "C-cold..." Garry stuttered, shaking. Angelus gave him a scarf and Sierra put some blankets on top of Garry. "Goodness, he could barely open his eyes! What has happened?" The king worriedly said, then he cupped Sierra's face, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, father, Don't worry."

"King," Angelus bowed, "He was from Aireo. He's Garry. King, there's something you need to know about Eryn." He breathed out, "Earlier, Garry said, a girl, specifically Eryn, threatened his life."

"Eryn is never an enemy. He might have just mixed up his mind. Maybe because of his condition. Maybe it was just another girl." The king said.

"Father, Eryn was acting strange these past few weeks. Something's not right about her."

"I agree, king." Angelus agreed.

"You might be right but... You can't blame a student for other's misery. We don't have proof. One witness is not strong." He went back to his tables and arranged the papers on it.

"But we found this in her bag." I said, showing the box.

"You're getting other's things without their permission? That counts as stealing!" He stopped for a while and continued arranging. "This is against the rules, so you might go to the deten--"

"But it's not like that." I said as I immediately opened the box. "Look, King, how do you think she got these?"

The king stopped and looked at the box, "Williams... Where--"

"We don't know either, king. But where could've she gotten those?" I said.

The door opened and Custodis entered, "King, we couldn't find it."

"Find what?" Sierra asked.

Custodis looked at Sierra, "W-well... the--" He stopped as his attention was caught by the box I was holding.

"The green rocks were stolen..."  he continued. "W-where did you get those?"

Sierra breathe deeply as she said, "Let's sit and talk about this, shall we?"

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"I'm asking you again, where?" asked Custodis, his look was strong.

I let out a sigh and replied, "We got this from... Ahm," I hesitated to answer though. He might not like it.

"They found those from your daughter's bag." King said.

His look softened, "Are you... sure?" He asked, looking at me.

I nodded slightly.

Custodis looked stunned for a few seconds but he quickly cleared his throat and spoke, "Wha-Why? Eryn? No, it's impossible. She can't steal... Some-someone might have put that in her bag so everyone would blame her."

"Custodis, have you noticed something different to Eryn?" King asked.

He looked away and there was a silence before he cleared his throat again and said, "She... wasn't talking to her mother anymore. Nor was she talking to me. She-she seemed to avoid us these past few weeks. Worse is, she never goes home. Even just once a week. She usually goes home thrice a week. She was changing and... and I heard that everynight, when everyone is already asleep, she goes out the Opinicum's place and goes to the Serpento's territory. We tried talking to her but she just won't. She would always elude us. It's like we never existed. She might have a problem. But we couldn't figure what or why. She'd just keep on avoiding us... I don't know what's wrong. She's becoming different and it feels like she's far away from us when she's actually near us. I know she's hiding something from us." he took a deep breath, "A-and now this... I mean it just happened all of a sudden."

"There's something she wants to keep from us." I said.

"What do you think could it possibly be?" Custodis asked.

I shrugged, "When did she started changing?"

"Since the the day after the queen died." He answered.

My eyes widened, "That's it. That was the information I needed." I immediately took the journal from my cape and opened it. I could feel their stares.

"For what?" Asked Sierra.

"You see, I was workin' on a theory. Sierra's dream, the death of the fairy and the queen, and Eryn." I paused and looked at the king,  "Damianos." I said without any hesitation.

"His army." Said Angelus.

I nodded once then looked back at my journal, where I'm more comfortable to look at, and continued, "His army has this tradition that... before you join them, they will give you a shiv that you must use to kill someone that you truly hate and let the blood that dripped from her heart trickle through your tongue. Taste the blood of your own enemy."

I heard Custodis breathe deeply as he said, "What do you mean,"

"I... uhm--" I looked at him and immediately looked away, "--am thinking that she killed Medea after the funeral that's why she'd gone missing," I said, straightforwardly. I looked back at Mr. Vesta. "That explains the scream your wife heard when Eryn was late and reasoned that she just bought the food,"

"Medea Anderson," Custodis spoke, "IS on Damm's side. But my daughter? she NEVER will be." he said with emphasis.

"We won't know that. Since Eryn's behaviour was... somehow," he stopped, not knowing the right word to say, "Mixed." Angelus said.

Custodis looked away, "How about the green rocks?" Then he firmly looked at me, "How can you explain the green rocks?"

"She... was being used." I said.

"By whom?"

King Jared cleared his throat and said, "Frits. Scorpio Frits."

We all looked at his direction, puzzled.

"Strange," said Custodis, "She doesn't know him,"

"But he knows her. Both Gwen and Tom admitted that it was Frits who had the green rocks all along in separate consultations. The green rocks were never retrieved but Frits might hacve a better plan and needs more of it. And Eryn, is the only way. The closest way to it. Maybe Frits did it. Maybe he told Eryn to do it." He replied.

"But on the other hand, there's Gwen Anderson." I said.

"She's in the dungeon." the king said and he stopped,
"The black crystal was stolen,"
"The black crystal was stolen,"
both me and the king said.

"I read it on an article." I said.

"Maybe it was used for them to communicate?" Angelus asked.

"Right, Eryn wouldn't do such thing if no one told her to. Atleast that's how I know her." Sierra said. "And maybe, she only stole the crystal at Gwen's behest to communicate to Frits and that's when Frits ordered her to steal the rocks," Sierra added.

"That's possible." I said.

"And Eryn, knowing the plans of Frits is possible too." Sierra said.

Angelus looked at Custodis, "We shall talk to her, Sire--"

"We should confront her." Custodis firmly said and breathe deeply, "I just want what's best for her. I want to help her." He blinked his eyes as he leaned into the chair.

"I'll do it." King said, "Tomorrow in the morning, she shall come here and we shall talk about it,"

"What if she denies? What if she doesn't tell?" Asked Sierra.

"Then I'll talk to her." Answered Custodis.

"She'll avoid---"

"I WILL talk to her." He said with an emphasis.

"Ranger, I hope you understand this," The king said as he looked at Custodis, "Eryn... is in danger. We all know that. Joining Damm's army is already dangerous enough to get yourself into trouble. The army's all about killing, betraying, backstabbing,"

Custodis closed his eyes, "I-I know," then he stood, "I'll go," then he looked at the king and bowed, "Excuse me,"

The king nodded once, "Thank you for the time. Do not worry, Ranger, what we've talked about here will remain here."

It was Custodis time to nod his head as he walked out the room.

《Custodis》

As soon as I closed the door, the tears I was holding back finally streamed down my face.

But I immediately wiped it off using my hands, I am strong. I should be strong.

Then I started walking.

But I stopped as I saw her walking in my direction. She saw me and stopped as well. She then looked away and turned around as if she didn't see me.

"Eryn!" I said as I jogged a little to keep her in my sight. But she ignored me.

"Eryn, stop right there, right now!" I furiously shouted, getting other people's attention.

Eryn stopped but didn't look at me. I ran towards her and stopped behind her, "Eryn, we, along with your mother should talk--" I tried to take her wrist but she dodged it, "What's wrong with you?!--"

"Stop bothering me." She said, her voice, deep, emotionless.

I was astounded, "Pardon me, Eryn, when did you learn to talk to me like that--"

"I said stop bothering me," She looked at her side, "Stay away from me."

"Tell me, how am I gonna stay away from you? You're young and I'm you father--"

"I don't need you."
"Wha--"
"Hear that? I. Don't. Need. You."

"Stop acting like this, what's wrong with you? We should talk about this, Eryn---"

"I said stay away. Stay away from me if you don't want to be hurt. I don't need you."

"ERYN." I firmly said, "Your mother, " I paused then continued, "Is... Hurt. Emotionally... and physically."

She flinched, "How..." her voice cracked.

"Remember the wizards that attacked her? Days later it made her sick. That's why she didn't go to the first day of class to bring you to school. Of course you know that already. But did you know she's STILL sick? No, you don't know that. And you're breaking her heart? How HEARTLESS have you become? What have we done to make you act this way? Please go home, I never want to lose your mother." And there, my tears started flowing endlessly, "I know you can make her feel better," Then I wiped my tears.

Finally, she faced me, but still, she remained emotionless.

"Eryn, please. Talk to your mother--"

"Just..." She paused, "Just tell her that I'm doing fine. You shouldn't worry about me. I can handle myself." Then she turned her back and started walking.

"Is that how SELFISH you are?!" I shouted, not caring about the people around me.

Sierra, Angelus, and Sachiel ran towards me, along with King Jared, walking. "Sir, what's wrong---" Angelus stopped as he saw Eryn.

"If that's what you all think, I... don't care anymore." Then she ran away.

"Eryn!" I shouted once again but she didn't stop at all. I was about to follow her when a hand stopped me at my arm, "Custodis, Penelope," Sierra said which made me quickly turn around and saw my wife, walking with Angelus and Sachiel guiding her.

I ran towards her, "Penelope, why are you out here? You should be at home, you should rest." then I placed her arm around my shoulder and placed my hand on her back.

"I heard you were angry." She said, "And I heard you were talking to Eryn,"

"She... avoided me- us... again."

She closed her eyes and opened it again, "It's... okay." Then she smiled, sadly. I didn't know how to explain it but it just breaks my heart. "She's... forgiven." She continued.

"Penelope..." Jared spoke behind us.

We looked at him.

"King..." Penelope said as she bowed slightly.

"When did this started?"

"King! Prince Angelus!"

A familliar voice echoed through the hallway.