We had spent about two weeks riding as far away as we could from the capital. After finding a decent sized wagon left for us by the King, we immediately took it. Despite the lack of horses to pull it, the wagon seemed to move on its own, as if the wind were propelling it.

The wagon itself had a dome over the back, providing shelter and a place to sleep. Though three of us meant that only two could sleep at a time. And since I didn't feel comfortable sleeping with a girl that close, I often took first shift to watch for an attack.

And yes, I know I slept with Alice in her bed, but that bed was huge! We didn't even bump each other in the night. If it was in a wagon, we would be rubbing each other all night in our sleep. D-Definitely not something I could handle.

I sat out on the small bench above where the horses would normally be, shivering a bit since it was cold out. I desperately wanted to go back and rest with the others, but that wasn't an option.

Meals were pretty basic, with Alice going out to find a boar to cook or some plants to eat. Ava helped us with cooking and preparing the food with magic. Meanwhile, I just sat there, feeling completely useless for every meal. No matter what, I was never allowed to be out of Alice or Ava's sight. They said it was to protect me, but it was getting old.

Suddenly, I heard the door to the dome open and I saw Ava step out, her hair a mess and no glasses. She had her cloak off, however she quickly put it back on after shivering.

Ava: "I-It's freezing out here, Agis. Come in, please"

Agis: "I'm okay, you two should get some more rest"

Ava: "Come on, I'm not buying it. You haven't slept in days"

Agis: "I slept for two days straight before, I'll be okay"

Ava: "That was two weeks ago"

Agis: "Still..."

Ava walked over and sat down next to me.

Ava: "Don't blame yourself..."

Agis: "Huh?"

Ava: "I know that look, you're blaming yourself for what happened to the King"

Agis: "Y...Yeah..."

Ava: "There was nothing you could do. None of us could've done anything to save him. But it's our mission to avenge him and take back the kingdom from Raiden"

Agis: "That may take years..."

Ava: "If it takes years, it takes years. We can't rush in blind"

Agis: "I know... but..."

Ava: "You feel guilty"

Agis: "I—"

Suddenly, I heard a sound close by, like the snapping of a twig.

Agis: "Did you hear that?"

Ava: "Y-Yes, what was that?"

Suddenly, Alice came out from the wagon.

Alice: "We're being followed. You two should get back inside the wagon. I'll handle it"

Agis: "B-But"

Suddenly, a figure landed on top of our wagon. We looked up to see a person in a long black cloak with a hood over their head. A shadow was protecting their identity. In their hands, were two large twin sickles.

Alice: "Who are you?!"

Alice had already drawn her dagger.

The person said nothing, only pointing their sickle at me. Alice simply stood in front of me.

Alice: "You'll regret this"

Alice slammed her foot into the front of the wagon, making us shoot forward. The wind that seemed to push the wagon had sped up. We were going so fast I bet we could've outran a horse.

The wagon shook and stumbled as we raced through the forest. Alice had jumped up to the top of the wagon to engage the person. Alice thrusted her dagger, however the person caught the dagger inside the sickle and pushed it away, swinging the other sickle as a counter. Alice swiftly pushed their arm away, and swiped for their legs. The person tripped, however with a graceful backflip, they landed back on their feet.

Agis: "We have to help!"

Ava: "Stand back!"

Ava held out her long staff, making the large orb on the end glow.

Ava: "Decem Magia Hasta!!"

Around the staff, ten glowing daggers formed in mid air, levitating.

Ava: "Deinceps!"

All at once, the daggers shot straight for the person. For a split second, I could see a moment of hesitation. The next, the figure cut down each with their twin sickles.

Suddenly, the wagon slammed into a rock in the road and we spun out of control. Ava and I were sent flying while Alice and the stranger flew off in the opposite direction. We hit the ground hard as the wagon crashed into a tree. Slowly, both Alice and the stranger stood up, ready to fight again.

Alice: "Reveal yourself!"

They didn't budge.

Alice: "Then die"

The two of them dashed at each other. In a moment of desperation, I jumped up and stood between them.

Agis: "Stop it!!"

Alice: "Agis!!! Move!!!"

Agis: "No!! I won't let you two kill each other!!"

Suddenly, the person seemed to be in shock. They took a step back and spoke.

???: "D-Did you say, Agis?"

I immediately took notice to the fact that the voice was feminine.

Agis: "Yes, my name is Agis. Do I know you?"

Alice: "They were sent by Raiden to kill us!! Get away from them!!"

???: "A-Agis?"

They gasped.

???: "Thank God!! It is you!!"

They suddenly leaped out and held onto me tightly, like a big hug.

Alice: "AGIS!!!"

Agis: "H-Hold on!!"

I pulled their hood back to reveal their true identity.

I saw a girl that seemed extremely familiar, however I couldn't lay my finger on it. She had long, pale blue hair that was a complete mess. She had fierce, ocean blue eyes and wore pretty much all black under her cloak. Around her chest, wrists, and lower legs were dark grey wrappings like bandages. Over her chest was a small black jacket and a small skirt around her waist.

???: "I finally found you...!!!"

Alice: "Agis, do you know her?"

Agis: "I-I'm not sure"

She looked up at me.

???: "You really don't remember me? You saved my life"

I thought back to what she could've been talking about.

???: "I-I'm the girl you gave the money to. The slave girl"

My eyes widened as I recognized the resemblance. She was a bit more mature looking and definitely had a bit more muscle than before, but it was definitely her.

Agis: "W-What happened to you? And why were you looking for me?"

Suddenly, her legs gave out and she crumpled to the floor, however I managed to hold her up.

???: "S-Sorry, A-Agis"

She passed out in my arms. It was only then that I saw an arrow protruding out from her shoulder.

Agis: "S-She's been shot!!"

Ava: "Get a blanket from the wagon and lay it on the ground! I can heal her"

Alice ran to the wagon and pulled out a large green blanket and laid it down. She then joined me in lifting the girl up and onto the blanket. Ava started to take off the girl's top, so I quickly turned away.

Alice: "Agis, you need to man up at some point..."

Agis: "I-I'm just being respectful! If it was you, I would look away"

Ava: "Alice, I need some assistance. I need you to pull the arrow out"

Alice sighed and went over to help Ava. After they pulled the arrow out, I asked to see it. Looking at the tip, I immediately recognized the symbol carved into it.

Alice: "That's one of the Kingdom of Wind's arrows. They must have shot her while she escaped"

Ava: "Most likely. I need to get her back inspected too, let's see..."

Ava unwrapped the wrappings around her chest and suddenly gasped.

Agis: "What?"

Ava: "O-Oh lord in heaven... how could this happen to someone so young..."

Out of worry, I turned around to see massive gashes on her back, likely from whips.

Agis: "T-That's... awful..."

The second the wrappings were off, the gashes began to bleed again.

Ava: "O-Oh no!!"

Ava held her hand over the whip lashes.

Ava: "Sana"

The palms of her hands glowed a bright green, slowly closing up the wounds with healing magic. Once the healing was done, Ava reapplied new bandages.

Ava: "I've stopped the bleeding, but she'll need rest"

The whole time, I noticed Alice was being quiet.

Agis: "Are you okay?"

Alice: "Whoever did this... they're going to the deepest pits of Hell..."

She clenched her fist.

Alice: "If I knew who it was, I would—"

Suddenly, the girl gasped and shot upright.

???: "O-Ow..."

She grabbed her shoulder.

???: "D-Did I pass out?"

Ava: "You did, I just finished up healing your wounds. You should lay down and rest"

???: "But I can't rest, I—"

She locked eyes with me.

???: "It wasn't a dream! I actually found you!!"

I knelt down next to her.

Agis: "I have a million questions, but let's start with you laying down and telling us your name"

The girl laid back onto the blanket.

???: "My name is Noelle, and... I'm a former slave"

Alice rubbed her good shoulder.

Alice: "Slave traders are the worst kind of people. No words can describe what you've been through"

Agis: "Yeah... I'm sorry, Noelle..."

Alice glared at me.

Alice: "No amount of apology can ever come close to what she's been through"

Noelle: "Thank you, but it's behind me now, all thanks to Agis"

Ava: "You helped her?"

Agis: "She was being attacked by a slave trader when she managed to escape. I gave the slaves some money and a method of escape"

Noelle: "And your kindness led to each slave escaping. Every single one of us are now living somewhere safe thanks to you"

She held her hand out, which I took.

Noelle: "Your generosity will not go unrewarded. From this day forth, I swear my loyalty to you, Mr Agis"

Agis: "H-Huh?! Y-You really don't have to do that. I just did what was right"

Noelle: "Many people would want to help, but none would have the courage to do it. You risked your life to save someone you didn't even know. So as long as you'll accept me, I'll serve under your rule when you become King. I'll help you in any way I can, I swear"

Agis: "You're injured still, you need rest. We'll take you with us, but the whole service thing, you don't need to. We'll be happy to have you on board, since we need more than three people to reclaim the Kingdom"

Noelle: "Thank you, Mr Agis!"

Agis: "D-Don't call me that, just Agis is fine"

Ava: "It's still the dead of night, we need to get moving"

Alice knelt down.

Alice: "Apologies for my bluntness, but why did you attack us?"

Noelle: "I've been on the run for a while now... So I haven't eaten in a few days... Hunger can drive you crazy..."

Alice seemed sympathetic, gently rubbing Noelle's arm.

Alice: "Let's get her inside the wagon"

After Alice and I got the wagon back upright and Ava fixing the damages with magic, we were back on the road. Ava stayed inside the dome with Noelle in case her wounds opened back up. That left Alice and I outside together.

Agis: "Those gashes... it was horrible..."

Alice: "Imagine them being left like that, untreated and left to get infected or worse. Slave traders make my blood curdle..."

She clenched her fist. Then, she closed her eyes and turned to face the sky.

Alice: "Agis, promise me something"

Agis: "What is it?"

Alice: "When you become King, ban slavery"

Agis: "Of course I will, I hate the idea of it..."

Alice: "Good"

I noticed that her hair was covering her eyes.

Agis: "I don't mean to pry, but whenever slavery is brought up, you get really tense"

Her eyes grew fierce.

Alice: "Say another word and I'll push you off of this wagon"

Agis: "S-Sorry"

We sat in awkward silence for a minute until she finally spoke.

Alice: "Focus on your mission"

Agis: "Which is?"

Alice: "We are on course to the Kingdom of the Sea. They had the closest relations to the Kingdom of Wind, so if we seek aid, they'll be most likely to help"

Agis: "What about the Earth Kingdom?"

Alice: "They're a bit tricky... They own the most land on the map, however most of it is simply deserts or inhospitable land. They keep to themselves and have nearly isolated themselves completely from the other kingdoms. I doubt the citizens even know of our existence"

Agis: "Yeah... That will be difficult"

Alice: "I'm sure I don't have to explain why the Kingdom of Fire will be a challenge"

Agis: "More like impossible"

Alice: "We only need the aid of two kingdoms. The Kingdom of the Sea should be the easiest, next is the Kingdom of the Earth, which will pose a great challenge. Fire will be unrealistic"

Agis: "Maybe the Kingdom of the Earth will be more likely to help us when they see we've teamed up with the Kingdom of the Sea"

Alice: "We can only hope"

Suddenly, I heard Alice's stomach growl. She blushes a small bit and turned away, her hair covering her face. I went to speak, however she instantly punched me in my side.

Alice: "We will stop here. The sun should rise soon and we can get a meal in before we venture off"

With that, we found a nice open area to stop at. Alice and I built a fire pit while Ava lit it with a fire spell. By that point, Noelle was feeling better and was able to stand up on her own.

Noelle: "I overheard your plan, I want to help in any way I can"

Alice: "We appreciate it, however you must rest. Arrow wounds don't go away overnight, especially not ones that deep"

Noelle: "If you need anything just say the word"

I nodded as Ava came over with the food she had caught down by a nearby river. It was a ball of water with fish inside.

Ava: "Can someone give me a hand?"

Noelle got to her feet and grabbed one of the fish. She then used her sickle to slice into the fish.

Noelle: "Don't worry, I cut into a spot on the fish that kills it instantly, no pain or suffering"

She did it to the rest of them before putting them on sticks and cooking them over the fire.

Agis: "Where did you learn to fight with sickles?"

Noelle: "Slaves often fight amongst each other for food since we get very little, so I had to learn to defend myself"

Ava: "Maybe you can help train Agis to fight"

Agis: "You know I'm horrible at it..."

Alice: "Correct, your combat abilities are even below that of a child"

Agis: "H-Hey!"

Noelle: "I'm not much of a teacher, but I'll try my best"

She grabbed one of the fish from the fire and began to eat.

Noelle: "T-This is really good"

Ava: "I seasoned them a bit before you cut them up"

Noelle's eyes started tearing up.

Ava: "N-Noelle?! Are you okay?! Did I season it wrong?!"

Noelle: "N-No, it's not that. I... haven't had anything like this in a while..."

Agis: "You're with us now, we'll keep you safe and well fed"

She smiled and hugged me tightly, which I panicked at first.

Noelle: "I won't ever forget the kindness you all have given me. I'll be sure to pull my weight"

Alice: "Good, we can't afford to take on stragglers"

We all munched on our fish.

Noelle: "So where are we going? I know it's the Kingdom of the Sea, but how are we getting there?"

Ava pulled out a map from her robe and spread it on the ground.

Ava: "The Kingdoms of Wind and Earth are connected via a large border. The Kingdom of Earth's Ruler formed a massive wall around its land to protect it from invasion. To the west, there is the Kingdom of the Sea. They govern the nation's waters and trade routes. Their Capital is on this island here"

She pointed to a massive island located in the middle of the sea.

Agis: "So we would need a ship to get there"

Ava: "Precisely. We would need to obtain a boat to even reach the Capital. From there, we can set up a meeting with their Ruler, maybe form an alliance with them as Agis is the rightful King of the Kingdom of Wind"

Noelle: "I-I'm so sorry about what that man did to you..."

Agis: "It's not what he did to me, it's what he did to King Boreas"

Ava: "We're a day or two away from the coast by foot. However with this carriage, we could probably make it there by midnight or maybe morning"

Alice: "Then we should get moving"

Suddenly, an arrow flew straight by my head and landed in the fire. The fire bursted into a massive amount of flames that launched us all back. I landed on my back as I heard the sound of clanking metal rush towards us.

Alice: "T-The Imperial Guard!!! Get to the carriage!!!"

Alice helped Ava into the carriage and started it up. The wind that normally propelled the carriage made it travel extra fast. Alice reached her hand out and I grabbed it, pulling me into it. Noelle was caught in combat with one of the knights.

Agis: "Noelle!!!"

Ava: "How do we turn this thing around?!"

Alice leaped for the reins at the front, seemingly attached to nothing. She then whipped them like she would if horses were in the front. She tugged on one end and the carriage began turning.

Despite being injured still, Noelle was putting up quite a fight. She had already taken down three soldiers, however she was quickly getting overwhelmed.

Agis: "Noelle!!!"

I reached my arm out for her to grab as we drove by. She leaped up and grabbed onto my arm. I pulled her up into the carriage as we drove off into the forest.

Despite traveling away at great speeds, an arrow flew straight at the back of my head, however Alice jumped up and caught it mid air.

Alice: "Into the wagon! Now!!"

Alice pushed me into the inside of the wagon where Noelle sat in the corner. I noticed her shoulder was leaking blood again, likely due to the fighting she just did.

Agis: "A-Are you okay?"

Noelle: "I-I'm fine, don't worry"

She clenched her shoulder tightly.

I suddenly heard Alice yell from outside.

Alice: "Hang on!! It's going to get bumpy!!"

The entire escape was filled with sharp, sudden turns and extremely rough terrain. I could just barely look out the back of the wagon to see multiple knights on horseback. Despite Alice's best efforts, we couldn't lose them.

Agis: "W-What'll happen if they catch us?"

Ava: "W-We'll probably be executed!"

I heard Alice yell from outside.

Alice: "Agis!! Try blowing them away!!!"

Agis: "What?!"

Ava: "Use your wind powers to literally blow them away!"

Agis: "B-But I can't! I-I don't know how!!"

Alice: "Just try!!!"

Ava helped me remove the back cover of the wagon. I saw a few knights ready their bows, drawing back and ready to fire.

Ava: "Now!!"

I thrusted my arm out, however nothing happened.

Agis: "C-Come on!! Wind!! Push them away!! Do something!!!"

I kept thrusting my hand towards them, however nothing happened.

Ava: "Get down!!!"

We both ducked just as a few arrows flew by our heads.

Agis: "Do you have a spell that can get rid of them?!"

Ava: "I-I do, but you'll need to cover me!"

I ran over to grab a shield off of the wall of the wagon. I then held it up behind us to keep any arrows from hitting us. Meanwhile, Ava chanted for her spell.

Ava: "Okay! Stand back!!"

I removed the shield and quickly got behind her. She held out her staff.

Ava: "Naturae Irae!!!"

Suddenly, vines shot up from the ground and wrapped themselves around the horses of the knights, holding them in place. The knights tried to chase after us on foot, however we were too fast, leaving them in the dust.

We kept riding until we felt we were safe enough. We had found a cave that was tall enough to fit the wagon inside, so we snuck in there to rest.

The second we stopped, Alice bursted into the inside of the wagon.

Alice: "Why didn't you blow them away?!"

Agis: "B-Because I don't know how to"

She turned away.

Alice: "Some King's Candidate you are..."

Noelle stood up.

Noelle: "Don't talk to him like that!!"

Alice glared at her.

Alice: "It's my job to keep him safe, but he needs to learn how to use those abilities if he wants to reclaim the Kingdom of Wind. Without them, this entire mission is a waste of time"

Noelle: "I get that, but you can't rush things like this. He didn't train his whole life for fighting. He was a peasant like me"

She glared at me one more time before turning away.

Alice: "Get your powers figured out soon or I'll do this on my own..."

She walked out of the wagon.

Noelle: "What's with her..."

Ava: "She means well, she's just... on edge, as are all of us"

Agis: "I'm doing the best I can... why can't I do it?"

I sat down and rested my head back.

Ava: "It took Raiden at least ten years to develop his mastery, but he didn't have a teacher. He wanted to do everything on his own. So, if you had a teacher, you could probably master yours sooner"

Agis: "Maybe the ruler of the Kingdom of the Sea could teach me. They had to learn too"

Noelle clutched her shoulder.

Noelle: "N-Not to break up the moment, but I'm bleeding again"

Ava: "R-Right! Sorry!"

She knelt down and began healing and rebandaging the wound.

Ava: "Agis, please don't be upset with Alice. She's stressed over having to protect us. You're her main priority, but she's known me for many years and she seems to have taken a liking to Noelle. She's also on edge from what happened to the King. Just give her some time"

We had decided to wait inside the cave until nightfall, since we now knew we were being followed. Hopefully, they would ride past us and give us some space.

Alice and the rest went to sleep while I stayed up to stand guard. While I sat down against a wall, looking up at the night sky, I began thinking about the story Mother had told me about when I was young.

King Arthur would know what to do, he would be able to do all of this within a matter of days. I... could never be anything like him..."

That's when I heard a whisper in my ear.

???: "Come to the lake"

I frantically looked around, however I didn't see anyone around.

???: "Follow my voice"

I slowly stood up.

Agis: "W-Who are you?"

???: "Follow my voice"

I walked out of the cave and began walking in the direction I heard the voice. Soon, I found myself at a large lake with a small island in the center. I continued to hear the voice out towards the island.

Agis: "D-Do I have to?"

???: "Follow my voice"

I hesitated, however I didn't feel the person meant me any harm. There was a soothing voice behind it.

I took my shirt off and stepped into the water.

Despite my expectations, the water was surprisingly warm, so warm that I didn't even get chills stepping into it. I then began to swim all the way to the island. Once there, I walked to the center, where a large stone floor awaited me. It looked like the floor used to be part of a building, however the walls were long gone, leaving only the floor.

Simply laying on the floor was a beautiful sword. The handle was wrapped in beautiful leather while the guard shines bright with the purest gold. The blade itself is what really made this sword. The blade seemed to be forged out of some purple metal, making it shine in the moonlight.

Agis: "W-Woah"

That's when I heard the voice again, this time, it sounded more male.

???: "Pick up the sword, reclaim what is rightfully yours"

I reached down and grabbed onto the sword. Suddenly, a massive whirlwind surrounded me, almost like I was stuck inside the center of a tornado. I started to panic, however when I looked into the blade of the sword, I didn't see my own reflection. Instead, I saw Mother.

Agis: "M-Mom?"

She simply smiled at me, slowly fading away.

Agis: "M-Mom!! C-Come back!!!"

I screamed into the sword, however nothing happened. The storm surged around me, leaving me with no method of escape.

I then heard the whisper again, this time, I realized it was the wind itself talking to me.

???: "Raise the sword and the wind shall be yours to command"

I looked down at the purple gem in the blade, wondering if I should listen.

???: "This weapon is your birthright, wield it with honor"

With that, I raised my sword up into the sky. The winds of the tornado began to close in as if drawn in by the sword. The winds then blew straight into the blade, being absorbed. Within seconds, the storm was gone.

Agis: "W-What happened?"

I looked down at the sword. I didn't think much of the sword other than its design. It was well balanced and well crafted. I swung my sword, wondering how it would preform in a combat situation. Suddenly, when I swung, a massive gust of wind was formed in the direction I swung, almost like a blade of wind.

Agis: "W-Woah!!"

I held my palm out and imagined a small ball of wind in my hand. Sure enough, air began to spin in my palm, forming a ball of high speed winds.

Agis: "T-This is incredible!!!"

It would definitely take some training to master it, though I didn't know it, I was on track to mastering my powers as a King's Candidate.

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E-Ehe~... 6 months since the last chapter... my bad...

I've been focused on other stuff lately like finding a job, which isn't going well, along with other stories like Records of Armageddon and Mytho-Academy Next Generation. I'll try to do my best to get another chapter up when I can, but I can't promise anything.

Thank you all for reading this chapter and sorry for the wait!!