In the previous part: The King and his son, William, go searching for Ai. They find her in a paradise surrounded by nature’s most precious in Eastwood. William apologizes and Ai accepts it. Strolling through the city, Ai gets attacked by a giant wolf, the spirit animal of their enemy. The beast hurts her right arm badly but she is saved by her own spirit animal, a strong deer. Due to the magic possessed by Ai, Sir Wiscard prepares an attack on her behind everyone’s back. Meanwhile, Ai has a talk with the enemy, Sir Briceus, about the upcoming battle and gets warned about unnecessary feelings. Later, the warrior shows William a simple spell to help his efficiency in writing his mysterious book. Soon after Ai makes a plan to destroy Sir Briceus once and for all and shares it with The King. Finally, they stand in their positions to attack and the gates are raised before the enemy’s nose.
The city looked dead, empty, without any signs of life of any form. Only the wind and the sun were present. The afternoon felt warm, yet somehow cold. So much darkness could be felt coming from outside the city walls. Many soldiers shivered as they waited for further instruction. Sir Briceus’s army decided to enter the city walls.
As they entered, they were met with silence. Not even the slightest sound was heard except the whistle of the blowing wind. When the army was far enough from the entrance, the gate was suddenly shut and William shouted,
“Attack!”
All 200 soldiers attacked with no hesitation. Archers shot the enemy from the wall while the rest from the ground. William ran towards the Shadow Knight and attacked him. As good as he was at understanding Rune language, he was at fighting. The dark knight attacked him with his heavy axe but William was faster and ducked it. The Prince got onto the back of the horse of the shadowy leader and stabbed him from behind. The knight fell to the ground with a loud thud! Sir Briceus’s army noticed what he had done and tried to leave the city but they were slaughtered by The King's army, creating pools of blood by the gate.
While The King's army massacred the shadows, Ai ran out of the pile of hay, hearing the screams of the battle behind her. She started running towards the Eastern Tower with no hesitation. Many shadows climbed the city wall, forcing Ai to eliminate them. As she ran, she got cornered by the wolf and the shadows. Without hesitation, she attacked the shadows with success. Soon the wolf attacked but she used her magical abilities to grab the wolf with a tree branch. As soon as the wolf didn't touch the floor, she threw him off the wall, resulting in his death. To her surprise the shadow army started to throw fireballs into the city, burning buildings and blinding The King's army.
The smell of burning wood empowered Ai as it filled her with determination. Suddenly a giant shadow soldier stumbled in front of her. She could taste the blood rushing from his opened wounds. When he was about to attack, an arrow shot him in the head and he fell onto the floor. Ai turned to see who shot the arrow and it was William, she smiled at him and with confidence. As he returned the smile, she continued running towards the tower.
At this point, Cuthbert and his son's army attacked the approaching troops from the surrounding forests. They crushed onto the enemy and soon another slaughter began. Clashes and screams could be heard from the city, many soldiers were used to it but William was a little shaken up by it.
Ai finally got to the Eastern Tower. To her surprise, Sir Wiscard stood there. She stopped a couple of feet from him and observed him closely. He was holding something behind his back and she noticed that. As Wiscard noticed her, they started to walk slowly in circles, keeping their distance.
“Well, you are probably wondering how I knew you were going to come here?” Sir Wiscard said, looking right in the eyes.
“I don't really care, but I'm guessing you were waiting for an opportunity.” Ai said, narrowing her eyes on him.
“Ah, yes, indeed.” He replied as he took the blade on his other hand, showing it to Ai. Ai knew exactly what he was going to do with it.
“If you don't mind, I need to get through that exit.” Ai said fiercely, pointing to the wall behind him.
“Which exit? Oh, you mean this one?” He put his hand in a brick and pushed it, to reveal a secret stairwell out of the tower.
“If you want to go through here, you will have to go through me first.” Sir Wiscard said with a cold face.
“I don’t have time for this!” Ai exclaimed.
“Why do you want to kill me anyways, Wiscard?” Ai asked sincerely.
“You are a danger to our future, my future.” He replied.
“Oh, we’re getting personal.” Ai chuckled sarcastically.
“Laugh all you want, but someone’s got to pay for this war.” He said with a cross face.
“If it hadn’t been for that sword, this war would have never occurred!” He exclaimed in great anger.
“Everyone is a danger to each other at some point. When you grow old you become as bitter as a citrus. For many it may be an anticipated tale, but it’s completely true.” Ai said quite honestly.
“I know that the sword told you something but I’m telling you, whatever you do, there will still be broken screams around. Pain is part of life.” Ai said calmly.
“Ha! I don’t care, even if that’s true.” Sir Wiscard responded rudely, ignoring everything she had just said.
Ai had no choice but to go through that exit so she did what she had to do.
As she moved towards the exit, Wiscard attacked her with his blade multiple times. She was able to dodge it the first couple of times but suddenly she missed and got stabbed in the stomach. He took out the blade from her and she fell onto the floor. She stood up slowly, holding her wound and avoiding any further attacks from the madman. As soon as he got tired, he let his guard down, and she bumped into him to make him fall to the ground but she didn’t notice the window behind him and he fell through it, down the tower.
William saw a body fall from the Eastern Tower and the first thing he thought about was Ai. “Is she okay? He thought worriedly. “That wasn’t her, was it? Please, let it not be her!” He shouted in his head as he fought the enemy. The Prince wasn’t the only one who saw Wiscard fall. It also caught the attention of the enemy who sent a group of soldiers towards it.
Ai bleeding heavily, went down the stairs and when she got out, she suddenly got attacked by the shadows. Instead of using her sword, she controlled the plants nearby to strangle and kill the soldiers surrounding her. She leaned on the wall to rest for a brief second. “That bloody consultant!” She exclaimed in great anger in her head. She later ripped the lower part of her shirt and wrapped it around her waist to make the blood stop. Then she continued on with the plan.
By the time she was heading towards the outskirts, everyone had left inside the city leaned out from the walls to see the shadow army on the other side. William quickly searched for Ai. He couldn’t see her and his mind started to panic. “She couldn’t have fallen, right?” He thought. “Oh my God, where the hell is she. She can’t be dead!” His mind went crazy when his gaze fell on a small figure coming from the Eastern Tower. As he recognized the figure as Ai, his heart suddenly felt much lighter. He looked closely at her and noticed that she was hurt. His heart started to beat faster. Ai holding her wounded stomach, slowly moved towards the gate for help. Her plan had totally gone wrong. She was never supposed to get hurt! No, Wiscard was never supposed to be there! William tried to run to protect Ai but soldiers stopped him. Neglecting them, he did what he was initially going to do, protect someone he loved.
As Ai moved, she could smell the sweat of the nearby soldiers. At this point, it was almost dusk, and her strength weakened by the moment. Her face was already pale as if someone had drained all the blood off her face. She was so close to the gate but suddenly a shadow jumped in front of Ai.
Subconsciously, she drew her sword out and sliced the shadow in half. Her sword danced around as she was weakened. When she was done with him, The King's army retreated abruptly. Many soldiers, out of fear, ran not looking where they were stepping and hit Ai, making her fall onto the ground. William pushed himself through the herd of men who were running back into the city. A group of them stepped over Ai as she covered her head in defense. In the distance, Sir Briceus could be seen approaching the city on his white horse.
After the army retreated Ai tried to get up. William was not far from her and tried to reach her by running up to her. The shadows stopped, letting their leader move towards her. Sir Briceus stopped in front of her and dismounted his horse. Ai quickly grabbed her sword and nailed it down into the ground. She tried to cast a spell but she was too weak at that point. William started to panic inside, repeating “She's gonna get killed, she’s gonna get killed!” Sir Briceus got right in front of Ai. He kicked the sword and grabbed her by the neck. AI struggled and grabbed his hand to prevent him from choking her. The blood from her stomach wound was dripping blood onto the ground. He looked at her wound and threw her a couple of feet towards the gate. Ai was exhausted physically as well as mentally. She laid on the ground grabbing her bleeding wound. She tried to get up but was barely able to raise her torso. At the sight of his actions, William frowned his brows in anger. He was eager to protect her from that cold-hearted man.
Sir Briceus grabbed her sword and went up to her. Ai looked at him with disgust.
“Such a precious thing when you get to see it again. It’s like reading a book for the second time, you can still feel the tension of the scenes which makes the experience thrilling.” He said observing the sword.
Ai kept silent yet her thoughts were trying to click in the moment. She felt lost all of the sudden. Perhaps it was because of the blood loss.
“Daddy got you back, after so many dreadful years.” - He said with sarcastic sadness in his tone.
“Don’t you see it’s trying to manipulate you?!” Ai suddenly shouted.
This quickly grabbed Briceus’s attention. He came closer to her and crouched by her to listen to her voice clearer.
“You didn’t lose the sword, it lost you, for a purpose.” She stated.
Sir Briceus completely ignored her words and gazed at the silvery sword.
“It wants me, and you, it wants all of you dead.” He said, pointing the tip of the sword at her.
“You think it didn't say the same thing to me?” Ai spoke up.
Suddenly William heard her saying that and stopped at his steps. He stared at Ai and Briceus with doubt and confusion in his eyes. “Did the sword want to kill us?” He thought. “Was Ai going to kill my father and I?” His thoughts couldn't stop wandering.
“The sword may seem to be like a powerful object that will allow you to do anything, but it just wants to manipulate you.” Ai continued.
“The sword is like a ghost by your side, whispering into your ear. The sword may seem innocent but in reality, it's just another bad dream making its way through your brain.” She stated, short-breathed.
Briceus gave her a smirk in mockery, not believing a word she said.
“Under my control that’s not going to happen.” He responded with a deep voice as he got up.
“Oh, but it already did.” Ai suddenly said.
For a brief second Briceus was taken aback but soon realized that this might just be a game of words.
“The fact that you are holding it proves that it's been calling for you.” She pointed out.
It was true, it had been calling to him but only for the past year. This enraged the Viking-looking man. His grip on the sword tightened and his gaze of Ai sharpened.
“Enough! Now you shall die by the hand of your own sword.” Sir Briceus shouted as he raised the sword.
“Well, finally! Someone is addressing the sword as mine.” She said with a smirk.
Sir Briceus was shocked but didn't hesitate to lower the sword with as much strength as he had. At the sight of this scene William used all his strength to run up to Ai and protect her wounded body. Just as he lowered the sword, in a split of seconds Ai drew out her sword and defended herself by putting it horizontally against Excalibur. When the two swords touched, Excalibur shattered like glass while the other one stayed solid.
The pieces fell onto the ground, Ai was laying on the ground with some cuts on her face. Everybody was shocked. Jaws were on the floor from both sides. Suddenly the shadow army vanished into thin air. Sir Briceus fell on his knees and shouted in rage. William ran up to Ai as she backed off, away from Briceus. Unexpectedly, the pieces of the sword started glowing. Sir Briceus with red eyes and with fear in his voice said,
"No please, I promise you I will keep the deal. I just need more time." He was talking to the sword.
He grabbed his head and started to rage and curse all over the place. Ai looked at the scene and with the least amount of strength she had left, she went up to him. William was shocked by her actions but didn’t stop her as he had full trust on what she was doing.
She leaned and grabbed the grip of the broken sword. At the touch, the pieces started to connect, forming the sword once more. As she stood up Sir Briceus looked up at her with his red, flamed eyes.
“The sword was never supposed to be in the hands of men.” She stated, leaving William and Briceus in an abyss.
“And that's the truth, the only truth there is.”
“I suppose there is always someone better than me.” Sir Briceus said with his last breath, before turning into dust and vanishing into thin air like his army.
When he disappeared, the people came out of the bunker and cheered. Ai turned towards William with a slight smile on it. She looked at the blade in her hand and back at William. She felt at her weakest and suddenly her knees gave in.
William rushed with all his speed to catch Ai. He successfully did but had tears in the corner of his eyes. She looked at him with a warm expression. The Prince looked at the wound and later at her face. He held her tight in his arms in fear of losing her. The wound was still bleeding and he looked for a solution right away. He looked around and noticed a flag, the flag of their enemy - death. He took it and wrapped it around Ai’s waist to stop the wound from further bleeding. He looked once again at her and her face was white as porcelain which contrasted her dark hair. He caressed her cheek with his hand in affection towards her. He quickly grabbed her sword but Ai didn’t let go of it.
He looked her right in the eyes with great worry that he had never felt before.
“Ai, let it go.” He said gently.
“I need to take you to the castle to heal your wound.”
Ai looked at his blue eyes and slowly let go of the sword. A stroke of gentleness flowed into her heart. Something she has only felt before her parents were killed thirteen years ago. She longed for this kind of affection but never really realized until this moment.
William took the sword and put it into its scabbard. He put the blade on Ai and she held it tightly. William then picked her up and started carrying her towards the gate. The warmth of his body embraced her right away. Although it was chilly outside, she felt warm. She hugged into his chest to feed her hidden longing and then suddenly, everything turned black for her.
As soon as William noticed her passing out, he started to quicken his pace. Through the gate guards guided him to the doctor. He laid her down on the bed and took the sword. The doctor rushed to heal her wound. William leaned it on the wall next to the bed but when he was about to leave the blade, a vision came into his sight.
The night was dark yet the stars made it seem bright. William was in the dining hall with his father celebrating something as there was music and ladies dancing. Suddenly William noticed Ai moving towards the willow tree in the royal garden. He followed her without hesitation.
When he got there, there was no sign of her. He got a little confused and turned in circles trying to locate her.
“I’m right here.” A voice behind his back said.
He turned around, seeing Ai sitting by the trunk of the tree and he sat next to her.
“So, what now?” William asked.
“Well, I am planning to, um, well, leave.” Ai said, trying to avoid eye contact with him.
His smile dropped in dissatisfaction.
“What do you mean to leave? When?” He asked with a surprised face.
“Tomorrow morning. I need to go help some cities and villages that suffered because of Mr Briceus.” She replied, mocking their defeated enemy.
“Oh, but don’t worry, I’ll be back soon, I hope.” She added.
William didn’t look very happy about it. So he gave a proposition.
“What if I go with you? Can I?”
This surprised Ai.
“Well, they need you here. You are the Prince after all.” She replied, trying to avoid the truth behind her leaving.
“Yeah, true.” He replied.
There was silence for a moment. After a moment William spoke up.
“Ai,” he said.
“It’s Azula actually.” She responded with confidence.
William was astonished and carried on with a grand smile on his face.
“Azula, I,” Before he could finish, the vision ended.
William came back to his senses and looked around the room. The doctor along with some other nurses were healing Ai. He stood there frozen in time. “What was that?” He asked in his thoughts. “What did I just see?”
After a while the doctor was done helping Ai and reported back to the Prince.
“She’ll be fine, she only needs to rest.” He stated.
William nodded his head and sat next to Ai’s bed. He held her hand in hope she wouldn’t feel alone. Soon his eyes started closing. He tried to keep himself awake but gave in as he was tired after a battle.
The next morning William was woken up by the rays of sunshine on his face coming from the window. As soon as he opened his eyes, he looked at Ai subconsciously. She was already awake and looking at him, who was holding her hand tightly. She was smiling at him and he was still sleepy to realize the hand intersection.
“You can let my hand go; I’m not going anywhere.” She said calmly with a smile.
William realized and took his hand away in embarrassment. Ai couldn’t remember much from last night but one thing she did recall was the warmth that surrounded her as he carried her. The affection that he gave her made her heart bloom. She wanted more affection; she was desperate for it.
“William, I,” Before she was able to confess something to him the sword spoke to her.
She turned her head towards the sword leaning on the wall. William followed her gaze and met the sword. He looked at it briefly before looking back at Ai’s Ocean eyes. She was listening to it. Her smile dropped slowly and then she looked at the Prince.
“What is it?” He asked in worry.
“Nothing.” She simply replied.
William looked at her eyes and could see right through them. The glimmer of joy faded and was replaced by a glint of sadness. The Prince was determined to find out what happened.
“What did it say to you? Why are you so sad all of the sudden?” He asked nervously.
Ai looked at his eyes and smiled a little at him.
“It said that, well,” She stammered.
William looked at her, willing to help but the problem was that he didn’t know how to.
“Will, it’s just that I,” she said suddenly and held his hands.
Sadness washed over her face again. William was waiting, desperately to know what was wrong. “Why can’t she say it?” He thought. “What’s stopping you, Ai?” Suddenly she released his hands and rolled to the other side of the bed. William was confused by her actions. He was about to ask what was wrong again but she spoke first.
“I feel a little tired.” She said with a tired tone.
“Okay, then I will go.” William said as he got up.
He quietly left and by the door he turned to look at her. He felt his heart ache by seeing her hurt and sad. Then he left, quietly closing the door behind him. Although Ai couldn’t see him leaving, she felt the warmth of the room disappear and turn cold instead. Her eyes were prickling with tears at the moment, tears that William never saw.
William closed the door and leaned his head on it. He felt broken all of the sudden. Knowing that he couldn’t help if she didn’t open up to him was twisting his heart. He kept thinking about what the sword told her. Suddenly he heard a mighty voice coming from his side.
“What is it, son?”
William turned to his father with a dropped smile on his face. The King narrowed his eyes in concern and patted him on the back.
“What did she say to you?” he asked calmly, guiding his son through the halls.
“Nothing. She said nothing, that's what it is.” He said sadly leaving his father’s side.
The King looked at his back with pity. He could feel that something wasn’t right.
A few hours later, Ai left her room and headed to the garden to heal. As soon as she sat down on the grass underneath the willow tree, she saw William walking towards her. He sat next to her and looked at her, expecting her to open up a little, just enough for the Prince to help her. She didn’t say anything and avoided his eyes. Soon he also looked away in disappointment.
“What now?” William said with a mocking huff.
She looked at him briefly before looking down at the ground.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?” He asked.
Ai went silent and didn’t even look at him.
“I’m leaving.” Ai said
William’s face dropped. He suddenly recalled the vision he had. “Could this be the vision?” He thought. “No, we were happy in it. Here, I don’t know if we really are.”
“When?” He asked simply as he was expecting this to happen.
Ai looked at him surprised. She thought he was going to stop her but it didn’t turn out that way.
“Tomorrow morning.” She replied.
“To help the towns that were harmed by Sir Briceus, right?” He asked in sadness.
Her eyes widened. It was like he was reading her mind. She couldn’t believe this. To his response she only nodded.
“Oh, but don’t worry, I’ll be back soon, I hope.” She added, trying to cheer him up.
“I can’t come with you, can I?” He asked, turning his head to her.
Ai looked at his blue eyes that were sad and broken. She suddenly felt tears in her eyes but forced the tears to disappear.
“They need you here. You are the Prince after all.” She replied, trying to avoid the truth behind her leaving.
“Of course.” He replied.
There was silence between them. The air felt dense and both found it hard to breathe. William suddenly kneeled with both knees on the ground in front of Ai and held her hands tightly. She was caught off guard by his actions.
“Ai.” He said softly.
“Yeah?” She asked with a surprised tone.
“I need to tell you something.” He continued.
Ai’s brows raised in surprise although she knew what he was going to say. He looked down and a brief moment later he looked back into her eyes.
“Azula,” he said with a warm smile.
Ai parted her lips in shock. She hadn’t heard that name in so many years. “How?” She thought. “How does he know my real name?” Questions popped up, creating great chaos in her head but then William spoke again.
“Azula, I,” Before he could finish, a maid ran up to them, shouting.
Ai stood up and looked at the maid hurrying up to them. William just turned around with an annoyed expression.
“The King wants to see both of you!” The maid said out of breath.
Ai reached her hand to William and he kindly grabbed it.
“Let’s go.” She said with a smile. They ran together towards the dining hall.
In the dining hall, The King was waiting for them. At the sight of Ai and William, he got up from his seat.
“I say we celebrate yesterday's victory with a glass of wine and some bread. thanking all the gods above for our luck.” The King said proudly.
“Of course, we need to thank the brain of this victory, Ai,” Before he could continue his mighty speech, Ai interrupted him.
“It’s Azula actually.” William said, looking at her with a warm, loving smile.
The King looked at them with his smile only growing as he noticed them holding hands. Ai soon realized why his smile was growing. She only smiled back.
“Azula, without her we wouldn’t be here. I don’t even want to think about where we would be right now if not for her.” As soon as The King’s gaze was off them, she let go of William’s hand with no hesitation.
William accepted this and carried on with listening to his father.
“And we must also celebrate that my son, Prince William of Northon, is going to choose his wife by tomorrow evening!” The King cheered along with the people.
William didn’t expect his father to make a decision like this so suddenly. He turned to look at Ai’s expression but she wasn’t sad.
“Good luck finding a wife.” She said with a weak friendly smile.
“I already found one.” He said calmly, looking at her with that loving smile again.
Her smile dropped again and she simply sat down by one of the tables. The night continued swiftly for everyone except for Ai and the Prince. The fact that William was going to get married, tormented Ai’s brain all night as she knew she couldn’t be the one. William feared that if he asked Ai to be his wife, she would say no and leave. He still had hope, though.
#
The next morning was bright and the people were cleaning after last night’s party. Ai was packing her stuff to leave; the two royals were talking in the dining hall and the dogs were chasing each other through the castle halls. Although the people who were cleaning the battlefield, it was still covered with bodies, as well as horses which were laid and burned. However, the mornings couldn’t be brighter.
When Ai exited the castle people gathered around. Neale and Favian came up to her.
“So you’re leaving. Why exactly?” Favian asked, putting his hand on his chin.
“Yeah, why? You know The Tavern won’t be the same without you.” Neale added, bumping his fist on Ai’s shoulder.
“How sweet of you.” She replied sarcastically.
“I need to repair what Sir Briceus damaged. Magicians always cover for each other.” Ai said, covering the truth with a lie.
She was packing her sword on the saddle of her horse when Neale spoke again.
“Oh, so now you’re a magician.” Neale denoted.
“I am many things, Neale.” She replied with a smile on her face.
“Well, good luck, I suppose.” Favian replied and they both joined the gang standing in the crowd.
“Make sure no mystical creature eats your arm this time!” Gavin shouted, hidden in the crowd.
Ai chuckled and ignored his figure. The King and William came up to her next.
“I will never forget your kindness, Azula.” The King said calmly.
“And of course, everything you taught us.” Cuthbert commented.
Ai and Cuthbert shook hands in respect toward each other.
“It was an honor fighting with you by my side.” he said.
They all walked away, leaving William with her.
“I, um, I finished the book.” William stammered.
“Oh, the mysterious book?” Ai asked with a happy tone as if nothing had happened the day before. The Prince brushed away his thoughts and continued.
“Yes. It’s called ‘The King of Northon’.” William replied as he gave the book to her.
“I left some pages for you to continue your story.” He beamed at her.
With a surprised face, she replied with a grin,
“The book is about me?” He nodded in reply.
“I hope this title doesn’t disrespect your father.” She added, mockingly.
“Nah, he’s okay with it.” William praised.
“It’s the copy so don’t lose it, please?” He told her gently.
Ai suddenly hugged him tightly. He was taken aback for a second before returning the warm hug. Ai soon broke the hug and looked at him with a warm smile.
“I promise you that when I’m back, I will have it read.” Ai said as she packed the book in her saddle.
William leaned closer to her as he didn’t want people to hear what he was about to ask.
“Do you really need to leave? I do need a queen.” He whispered gently.
Ai shook her head and turned around, mounting her horse. She looked at him with a dreadful smile.
“I am no match for your world.” Ai replied.
William’s heart was shattered into a million pieces. He didn’t want to lose her. He didn’t give up, he continued trying to persuade her.
“Azula, please, I’m sure we can figure it out,” He pleaded by the side of the horse.
She looked at him with pity and made her final decision.
“See you soon Will.” And with that said, William felt defeated. He still did not understand her decision. “Why would she say no?” He thought. “What did I do wrong?”
Those were the last words she said to me, not knowing if I would get to see her ever again.
As she rode off into the distance, the dead field turned alive again. The bodies vanished along with the armors and weapons. The only thing that was left was the sun shining down onto the field and the green grass dancing around with the wind.
“Ai rode for hours before finally stopping at dusk. She dismounted her beautiful black horse and set up a campfire. She started reading the book. She didn’t sleep that night as the book was more intriguing than the title itself.”
“The days passed and Ai went from village to village, city to city helping people in need. By the end of the week, she was known throughout the continent.”
“It doesn't matter who you are because one day you can become a hero and maybe even a legend.” As she read the last line, she closed the book and put it next to her heart.
The way he wrote everything made Azula feel special which she never considered herself to be. As she sat next to the campfire with Rex - her horse companion - she closed her eyes for a moment. Suddenly she felt the urge to ride back to Northon and tell him her real feelings for him but she feared that it would be too late now.
At that moment she stood up, packed everything and mounted herself on Rex. She was going to tell William the truth. She couldn’t bear lying about something like this. And although she knew that if she went back, chaos would follow her into The City of Northon.
The End
Leire Matilla Orella
Comments