»I'm beyond words«, Ienzo said exaggerated. The statement had already belied itself. »Can you believe it?«
Aeleus glanced up from his own activities and looked over to his companion, who had just vanished beneath a desk.
»Found something interesting?«, he asked, though he already knew by the wryly tone of Ienzo's voice, that it wouldn't be something to be truly concerned about.
»I think, I have found some chocolate...«, Ienzo said. He sounded sort of amazed, but he grimaced more than actually smiled, when he emerged between an office chair and some boxboards.
»Don't eat it«, was everything Aeleus had to say about the find.
»Why shouldn't I eat food, which is over ten years old?«, Ienzo asked with feigned lack of comprehension.
»Because you are being silly?« Since they had started to roam the many rooms of the desolated castle - the still »hollow« bastion - searching for clues, answers... striving for the tidiness of a place once called home... a connection to an old life...? Since then the young man had showed signs of being troubled beneath his painfully casual surface. Aeleus had preferred the mechanical sorting of numbered reports and records with a »Number twenty-three is missing« interspersed here and there instead of this false jollity. In Ienzo's case it made him appear as if he was slowly losing his composure. The mere thought of Ienzo reaching the borders of his wit and having to acknowledge the existence of such borders, disturbed Aeleus.
But maybe a breakdown was exactly, what he needed... maybe they needed it both to be finally able to start anew... however... not at a time like this...
»These cardboards here are a time capsule!«, Ienzo announced. »I remember this junk, I crammed it all in here back then... It was absolutely unworthy of discussion to throw it away, but in the end I soon forgot about its very existence...«
»Maybe we should go back to the library«, Aeleus suggested beginning to feel slightly uneasy.
»Why...?«, Ienzo asked preoccupied, browsing through dusty mementos and old, faded photos.
»This room bears nothing important... at least nothing helping us understanding more about the course of events currently going on.«
Ienzo stood up so abruptly, Aeleus expected to have seriously disgruntled him. But he just stared absentminded into some realm in between the forlorn furniture and sprawled papers on the floor, a wormhole perhaps, giving him a glimpse to a past, which couldn't be retrieved.
»You speak truly«, Ienzo said stilted or maybe he was quoting something, Aeleus wasn't quite sure in this case, but he clearly tried to keep something to himself by clouding it in a phrase.
Ienzo dropped the box he was still holding carelessly and moved with a rather grim expression towards the door. Aeleus knew better, than to say anything now and followed him silently.
»Halt!«, Ienzo commanded sternly, stopped in his tracks and then his voice suddenly full with his new eerie jollity: »We have a visitor...«
The mask needs to go back on, Aeleus mused to himself and he wished the visitor would have given them a little bit more time. Enough so Ienzo would have got things straightened out with his inner struggle and outer semblance more. Now he seemed as if some kind of caged hysteria was lurking right beneath his skin, an evil doppelgänger ready to break out of that calm shell at any moment.
Through the door rushed Lea in, his red hair like a torch in the dimly lit, devastated room. Somehow life itself had returned here, if only shortly, just the time needed for a flame to burn the tristesse of their home... then it would all be dead, black ashes. Wouldn't that be the sound of the knell they needed to leave all this behind?
»Hey, you two!«, Lea said quite out of breath. »Here you are hiding! Just listen, this is important!«
»What about your noble quest to find Braig and Isa?«, Ienzo asked. »Don't tell me you succeeded...«
»Can't quite believe I did? But indeed I did and it opened a can full with new problems...«, Lea answered looking annoyed in the distance while rubbing the back of his neck. There were clearly other far more important things on his mind right now than playing the messenger for them.
»This... is not surprising...«, Ienzo commented. »Is there a way for you to NOT be troublesome?«
»Haha!«, Lea laughed. »If you are guessing, that said problems must be my fault... you should actually wish they were...! Because everything has gone abstrusely haywire! Too heavy for me to have caused it.«
»Hm, that puts me out of my obligation to kill you now, I guess«, Ienzo mused and shot a prankish glance at Aeleus, who wasn't sure, if this was the right time for jokes... if it had been a joke...
»Nooo- ah! I mean, yeees!«, Lea said with a wolfish grin. »And it's a good thing. Me being alive is something you guys should cherish... See for yourselves...!«
Lea made some theatrical gesture with his right arm and in a blaze of red, orange and yellow a keyblade manifested.
Aeleus couldn't hinder the gasp escaping his mouth, his eyebrows knit. Ienzo however gave the fairy tale weapon a death glare devoid of any emotion. A dark pit had opened behind his eyes, but his mouth began to show the sweetest smile.
»I see...«, Ienzo dwelled before shrugging. »Well, it does make sense... A being strong enough to form a human-shaped Nobody should also be able to call a keyblade weapon. We know from ancient history of many wielders and consequential unavoidable keyblade wars. Our current heroes might feel less special in the future... though not everyone is meant to be a hero... I wish you luck competing with the heroes of light and darkness and the mouse king...«
»Keep doing that, it surely won't hurt«, Lea said still grinning and pointed towards Ienzo with his blade. »Now develop your thoughts a little further... isn't it possible for you to own a keyblade too? Isn't that... neat?«
»Perhaps...«, Ienzo responded, but didn't seem to believe, that it would be that easy. At least not for him.
»Think of Aeleus... probably wielding the biggest and heaviest of them all!«, Lea called enthusiastically. »And yours would be-«
»Small?« Ienzo's lips puckered, his eyes full with malicious glee.
»Naaah!« Lea waved his hand. »Uhm, well, at least that won't be its main feature... You are not making this very easy...«
»Have you come back just to show us your new weapon?«, Aeleus was forced to ask. There had to be a bigger reason than to boast or giving them the small hope of getting a hero's weapon in the near or distant future. Owning a keyblade... for whatever reason anyway? What could they do, what the true heroes wouldn't be able to? They had all been defeated, the whole Organization, by two kids and treachery. If a keyblade would make this great of a difference, why hadn't it appeared right in his hands, when he truly had needed it? When he still had something to lose... besides the raddled remnants of a youth, whose eyes had been once full with wonder after escaping one dark pit... just to fall into the next...
»If I was, it would have been probably pretty unnecessary«, Lea answered. »Having better things to do after all... like training, getting my friends back, taking a dump... Apropos...«
»The restrooms are over there«, Ienzo said calmly.
»Not that! I mean training. What I need you for... it has to do with training.«
They both looked at Lea questioningly. »What?«
»This...«, Lea scratched the back of his head, any desire to cause mischief gone. He was serious about what he had to say next. »This is not about me, alright? However I would prefer, if you guys won't leave me high and dry... because it was me, who suggested this after all... silly me, hehe.« He smiled and it almost seemed warm. »The one I ask you to support is Kairi. She is a keyblade wielder too and of course also a Princess of Heart. You could say, that she is in double-danger and needs somebody trustworthy.«
»Like us«, Ienzo said and though it wasn't pronounced like a question, his imperturbable expression became slightly quizzical.
»Naminé...«, Aeleus murmured. »One could say we are owing her something.«
»That's the spirit!«, Lea congratulated and launched to a friendly dab on Aeleus's shoulder before the man's fierce look made his hand freeze in midair.
»Wait-!«, Ienzo flared up. »So you are saying... we will fulfill this task?«
»Uhm, it's not yet decided whether it actually will be you«, Lea corrected. »Master Yen Sid wants to see you first. As I said... it was my idea to ask you, here I am, the rest is up to you, but... I will look bad, if you won't even introduce yourselves...«
»We are greatly concerned about your reputation«, Ienzo snorted. »It's madness... They would consider us...?! After all what happened... A simple enemy of my enemy can't be enough to entrust us with their precious princess.«
»We will ask them ourselves«, Aeleus said simply. »There is no use overthinking this now.«
»You are far too eager for this babysitting-job«, Ienzo said shaking his head. »What do you think this is? A chance to screw things into the right direction? Because after our failure it just has to go smoothly from now on? I beg your pardon, but I'm not trusting myself to keep her safe, even if I would give my everything. It is just not enough, what I have to give! And neither have you!«
It was the truth and it hurt. In fact it excelled every kind of pain Aeleus had ever felt. Memories of Castle Oblivion rushed through his mind. Riku, possessed by the shadowy presence of Xehanort, slicing through him, ridding him of the power he needed so much... Had he done the same to Zexion?
»It's true...«, Aeleus agreed. »But I'd rather give the little bit of everything I have, than doing nothing. Perhaps cowering here, trying to make this my home again... painting over the cracks... trying to forget... Not losing the game by not playing the game. Can you live with that? After all what happened? Not at least try to defy the man, who took everything?«
»I'm not defying him, if my weakness causes the girl to fall into his clutches! I cannot see myself taking this chance... not for my pride nor for retribution. Not even for the sake of bending myself desperately into being good!«
»This is not about any of that!«, Aeleus put his huge paw of a hand on Ienzo's shoulder and squeezed lightly. »This is about doing the right thing. Xehanort is a huge threat and I don't want to see myself sitting idly by. I don't want the kids to do this alone. It shouldn't even be kids burdened with that much responsibility and power, for the darkness's sake! But that's how it is and we have to deal with these circumstances. Let's go to the wizard's tower and hear them out. If we are the only ones currently capable of being the best companions to the Kairi-girl, then so be it. And when they will find somebody better than us, then I will let them gladly take my place. But until then, I will not yield to be as solid as a rock and protect her with all my might. Does this sound like a reasonable decision to you?«
There was silence for a moment and all three stood there as if frozen, waiting for the conclusion until Lea clapped his hands slowly, full with awe. »Man... you make me feel as if I had a... oh...«
Ienzo pushed Aeleus's hand from his shoulder gently. »Thank you, Lea, for destroying this moment... I mean, he almost had me... it just sounded so noble and logic at the same time... A true hero's speech.«
»Less silence, more talking in the future, please! In exchange to that other guy here«, Lea demanded. He was still clapping in this slow, respectful manner, shaking his head from time to time.
»And if I consider«, Aeleus continued undeterred, »that doing nothing could result into Xehanort winning and flooding all the worlds with darkness... It's just not an option. Because it would also mean to lose the one person most important to me.«
»Mic drop! I demand a mic drop! This man needs a mic drop!« Lea yelled, pantomiming the gesture full with elan.
»Shut up, Lea«, Ienzo said not unfriendly, then he raised a reprimanding finger towards Aeleus. »You can't bribe me with things I already know.«
»Will you think about it now?«, Aeleus asked. On the one hand he was pretty sure, that he had touched Ienzo's heart, on the other... well... one never knew...
»Let me talk with Lea alone for a while...«, Ienzo replied, his face a perfect mask again and Aeleus sighed deeply, seeing no other choice than letting him have his will.
xxx
They hadn't walked far away from the room, actually they had just closed the door and stayed in the long, gloomy hallway. Even Lea's hair seemed nearly colorless here.
»So«, Ienzo began. »Who will your companions be, keyblade apprentice? Don't calculate with Dilan and Even, that would be ridiculous.«
»I don't need to search for companions... I already have them...«
Lea's gaze became soft and slightly dreamy and Ienzo could literally feel sunset-colored memories fly by.
»Lucky you. What about Kairi? What about me now honestly considering to be her protector? Wouldn't she rather have somebody she knows and trusts?«
He leaned against the wall and awaited Lea's answer. The redhead wore again this strangely prudent expression, a mindset completely contrary to his usual clown-self. »Kairi is a cheeky, smart girl. Don't worry about her being intimidated by the odd couple of the Organization.«
»If you say so.«
»Yes. And stop downgrading yourself. You are far more formidable than you give yourself credit for right now. I must know it, because my strategy in killing you contained to avoid taking you out in a fair fight...«
»I see. I hope my demise had been profitable for you.«
»Now that you say it... technically... no... Neither did the replica became another person and defeat the real Riku nor made it Saix less pissy nor revealed it the secret of the enigmatic chamber...«
»Hrhr...«, Ienzo laughed a dark, empty laugh. »Should have tortured me for information first, silly.«
»Uh...you know«, Lea looked to the dusty floor feeling extremely awkward. »I'm sor-«
»Stop that! Apologizing for murder is tasteless and it will always stay something unforgivable. One should keep that in mind, when confronted with the decision to take somebody else's life. And don't give me that I was indeed going to snuff Riku's life out and that I am staying here in front of you now alive. I didn't assault a comrade. You didn't know about the human body's revival after the Nobody's death. And now you even have the guts to tell me, that it had been all pointless?!«
»All our ends had been more or less pointless. There were no exceptions...«
»This apologizes nothing...!«
Lea sighed and shook his head. »Never said it would... just... getting clubbed to death by Sora's keyblade had been everyone's ultimate fate in the end. Even Xemnas's.«
»You can't just assume, it would have been mine too-«
»Maybe! Maybe not! Actually I think it was quite good to take you out before you could unleash that great potential Xemnas was seeing in you to make you his personal apprentice. Sora was spared yet another clash with someone messing with his head and you were freed from Xemnas's clutches... involuntarily, yes... but the past is an unmovable construct. That much I have learned and what we can do now, is working with the outcome that past gave us.«
»It's true, having to listen to my own death rattle isn't something I can ever delete from my life's résumé. You may think, I am uselessly upset about things, that won't change and had or had not to happen for the greater good, but...«, Ienzo stared at Lea and all the anger just dissolved from his face with only distress remaining. »But how can I ever trust you? How can I be certain you won't kill me again, if it would mean to save your friends?«
Lea opened his mouth, but there was nothing he could say besides worthless truisms, which would be more counterproductive now than helpful. Ienzo was glad, that he had decided not to answer. At least not immediately.
»Honestly, Lea... I know, you have changed. You seem to have used the time, which was given to you thanks to not dying like your comrades in Castle Oblivion. I can smell the fire inside you not being any longer a purely destructive power and if you would be the same as back then... we wouldn't even have this talk. I appreciate that.«
Lea dared a small smile. »Thank you.«
»Now get out of my sight and retrieve that companions in fate of yours... as I have to take care of my own.«
»Yes...« Shreds of warm memories danced behind Lea's eyes again and he turned to take the first step so they would not stay mere memories. »See ya.«
»Hopefully not«, Ienzo snorted and moved towards the door with the poor Aeleus waiting behind.
»Ah, one more thing! Someone is going to come for you. Don't use a Corridor of Darkness or Master Yen Sid will pull you by your ears«, Lea remembered abruptly.
»Who is going to pick us up?«, Ienzo asked, while opening the door.
Lea sighed. »Riku.«
Ienzo huffed. »What is this? An alumni celebration, where you only meet the bullies? Can you believe it?« He looked at Aeleus, whose expression had been slightly concerned, but now became rather grim. »Well, I guess, he wants to check us out, right?«
»Would be understandable«, Aeleus said.
»Something like that, I can imagine...«, Lea replied, while opening a dark portal completely against Yen Sid's bidding. »I'll tell him to get you in... one hour? How long do you think you need for preparing yourselves?«
»One hour seems fine to me. If we need more time, he just has to wait and exercise patience«, Ienzo said with a sly smile.
»Alright...«
Ienzo stepped towards Lea, before he could disappear into the black and purple flaming quasar. »Wait! Before you go... How about some provisions for your hero's journey? Could I introduce you to some... chocolate?«
xxx
Silently the two ex-organization-members walked through the wordly corridors devoid of looming darkness, heading to two very special rooms.
»He'll eat it«, Aeleus grumbled.
»He'll survive«, Ienzo answered unconcerned. He witnessed Aeleus's worry and lack of understanding: Just what had happened between Lea and him? Luckily he didn't ask. One of Aeleus's best traits: Knowing when pestering him with questions was not appropriate. There would be a time to talk about Castle Oblivion and it was certainly not now.
They stopped in front of the two certain doors and Ienzo sighed before approaching the left. »I'll say goodbye to Dilan first. Even comes second. Is that okay with you? We can switch, if you want.«
»It's all fine. It seems more natural in that order. Don't ask me why«, Aeleus responded and softly knocked against the right door.
With a knowing smile Ienzo entered Dilan's room, closed the door and walked over to the form on the bed.
»How is it going?«, he inquired and sat down on the edge of the bed shamelessly without being invited to be allowed to. Ienzo didn't care.
Dilan was awake and sitting upright, though his gaze hold something tired and worn out. The way his head rested on the mountain of pillows in his back... it nearly seemed as if he wasn't yet strong enough to let the muscles of his neck do the deed.
»Better...«, Dilan rasped, but it sounded like the most obvious lie.
»I've come to say goodbye«, Ienzo announced, his face composed. There was no reason in dragging this out.
»So? Where are you going? Will you take Aeleus with you?«, Dilan asked panting, though his feverish gaze didn't leave him for a second. It was suspicious and probing.
»This is not so much my decision, if he is going to follow me... But I can tell you, that some higher authorities asked for both of us in particular. So he doesn't have much of a choice accompanying me«, Ienzo explained calmly.
Dilan's violet eyes grew huge with a sudden streak of distress. »Is this about... are they going to...«
»The great wizard and ex-keyblade-master Yen Sid wishes to figure out whether we will be useful for protecting his new protégée. If we pass the test, we will follow her for an indefinite period of time.«
Immediately Dilan relaxed and closed his eyes for a moment. »And here I thought it would begin... that they would take you to court.« He gently reached out with his right hand in a try to adjust the lilac ascot tied around Ienzo's neck.
Ienzo smiled slyly, allowing the gesture. »Not yet...«
Suddenly Dilan's grip tightened around his collar, an adamant fist full with fabric pulled him down and yanked him over Dilan's legs. Is he really going to-, Ienzo's thoughts dispersed in a flurry of shame, when Dilan adjusted his grip on him and the first spank on his rear made him speechless for a moment. It burnt like fire and Ienzo was sure, Dilan wasn't restraining himself much.
»Brat«, Dilan said unemotional and gave him a second slap, which wasn't necessarily better to endure than the first. He didn't allow himself to gasp though or show any sign of weakness. »Scaring me to death. Have you even the slightest idea how I felt, when the news hit me, you had been killed in Castle Oblivion?«
It sounded like a catch question to Ienzo and so he turned his head to the side to no longer breathe fuzz through the bed sheet and replied: »Emotionless...?«
»Exactly«, Dilan said and his voice even sounded praising and actually... far less sickly and on the brink of death like before. Ienzo couldn't disband the thought, that he had been tricked from the very beginning... That conclusion shamed him far more than being put over Dilan's knee...
»I felt nothing. Nothing, when I heard the news, nothing on the day after. Nothing after weeks and also nothing after months. But damn... I can tell, I missed you.«
»How so? How is that even possible?«, Ienzo demanded to know, breathing a sigh of relief, when he felt the grip on his neck loosen a bit.
»I have no idea... Why won't you tell me? You are the scholar here. Wait, I'll give you some symptoms... I actually started to care, whether that dull kid Roxas would live or die...«
»Pff, what? What a strange happenstance, Roxas being the only one able to collect hearts for us back then.«
»His usefulness didn't concern me in that matter«, Dilan clarified. »There was a slinking deterioration going on in our organization. A disaster loomed like a thunderstorm on the horizon with you knowing all too well, that it will catch up to you. I guess, I began to regret a little, that half our comrades weren't going to receive the price of their long struggle and that it looked more and more dim even for us leftovers to make it to the end.«
»How deplorable...«, Ienzo said and tried to raise from his humiliating position. Dilan let him halfway, but hold him firmly in place again, before he could escape and looked him right in the eyes.
»There is a storm gathering, more ominous and stronger than the last. Now that I have my heart back I can say this in all the honesty I have lacked so long: Take care of yourself. I don't want you to be blown away by the harsh winds of destiny.«
»Dilan...«, Ienzo sighed and was finally released. He hastily stood upright again and fixed his attire carefully. »In the end I can promise nothing.«
»Wow... that was... dark...«, Dilan responded and raised his eyebrows.
»I'm being honest with you too.«
That brought a small smile to Dilan's face. »Yes...«
xxx
Outside Aeleus had already been waiting for him with crossed arms and a questioning look on his stern face.
»How was it going? Are you alright?«, he asked and Ienzo hoped he wouldn't look as ruffled as he felt.
»Your friend will have no problems to hold the fort and he wishes us luck«, Ienzo answered. »What about the old hag?«
»Even is... Even...«, Aeleus said with the ghost of a smile.
»Splendid« Ienzo hold his hand out for a high five of pity, but Aeleus just backslapped him a little before he disappeared into Dilan's room. »Appreciated«, Ienzo told the stale air of the hallway.
xxx
Even was as lively as Dilan, but instead of hiding it, he was openly displaying it. He sat on the bed's mattress, where a pile of documents had been spread and didn't even look up, when Ienzo approached.
»I know, what you are about to say. Looking after the Kairi-girl will be our redemption. Will turn us into decent people again. If not in our own eyes, at least in the eyes of naive, little, keyblade-swinging children. And isn't that exactly, what we want?!«
»Did Aeleus told you that?« Ienzo didn't care much. »I was just about to say goodbye. This may be the last time we meet.«
Even finally looked up and raised a brow in that quirky way only he was able to.
»So eager to pull through until the unavoidable end? You know, you are a huge target, being a human shield for a Princess of Heart!«
»Presumably, yes.«
»You are not being noble. You are suicidal.«
»Highly likely.«
Even dashed the folder he was holding down, though the impact of paper on mattress didn't make an all too impressive show of expressed wrath.
»Are you making fun of me?! Why are you doing this?!«
»Maybe because I'm tired of sitting idly by... I can't reconnect to this«, Ienzo made a flouting gesticulation, that was supposed to include the whole castle, »anyway. So maybe I'm seeking a way out of being a disposable shard of fate's intrigues. Maybe I want to make a difference. Maybe there is something only I can do.«
»Such empty words. You are being starry-eyed. After all what had happened... you are still so dense to think, that you could be what...? A hero? A fairy tale hero? This is a whole new approach of your incompetence of growing into an adult.«
Ienzo couldn't help but smile. »Perhaps... But the difference is: I will find out.«
»You will only find out, that death is permanent!«
»True. But the way I choose.«
Even leaned back deeply sighing. »You can't be saved, kid. I have got nothing against such naivety.«
»Right. So nothing stands in your way anymore to give me your blessing«, Ienzo suggested with a neutral voice.
»HA!«, Even laughed humorless. »Why should I give my blessing to a walking body?«
»Because I have a body now.«
»Thinking there is a reason for your reclaimed humanity? A higher will, destiny? It was purely the laws of metaphysics turning you back and you know that! Nothing is watching over you!«
»So the responsibility is mine to give myself a reason«, Ienzo concluded calmly.
Even massaged his temples groaning and looked down on the mess of papers. »You are all just beautiful, empty talk. The time will come and you will be at the mercy of your enemies and they won't appreciate your eloquence. They will just make you scream. And there is nothing honorable in being killed. It just tastes like-«
»Shit? I must know, because I died too, don't forget that. You could say, I'm already prepared for the worst and it is not just empty talk.«
With that said, Ienzo turned around to leave the room. This was getting nowhere...
»But I don't want you to die again! I can literally see your demise loom!«, Even shouted and made Ienzo look inward, before he answered cryptically: »Ka-Shume.«
»What?« Even peered at him uncomprehending. »Are you talking in tongues now? Has insanity got its hold on you that much...?«
»No... just a made up word in a book I read once. I remembered it actually already, when Dilan did the groundwork for you getting the absolute certainty of my unavoidable demise edged in my head. It's about destiny and the foreshadowing feel of a fellowship to break... One could say, you were part of my community in fate once and it crumbled, when Axel began his dirty work.«
»So you weren't just reading nonfiction... Well, I'm no longer wondering, why you are so apart from reality. Because it is not fate, that will kill you... it's statistics. There are too many odds against you...«
»Your trust in me is touching.«
»Yes, say it with all the irony you can give and it might get close to my true opinion about you... and while you are at that, would you please be so kind and walk around my bed to the bedside locker there? Kneel down and use following code on my safe inside...«
Ienzo obliged with a bold »Oho?« expression on his face and opened the small safe to find some blue glowing hexagonal bottles of Mega-Ether and even a Megalixir.
»Of course it needs more than a few potions to keep you from dying«, Even said sounding a bit tired now. »Ah, I don't care! Take them all!«
»I don't quite know, if it is me, who will need them...« Ienzo's sassiness came not even close as strong as he had intended originally.
Even rolled one of his folders up and tapped Ienzo on the head. »I neither see you as my son nor as my successor... not with that attitude of yours. You are annoying beyond belief and I have not the slightest idea how Aeleus puts up with you. But should you ever get into that unavoidable scrape, motivate yourself, that you will be allowed to annoy the hell out of me, if you will make it back alive.«
»I will remember this...«, Ienzo answered, a grin forming slowly on his face. »I don't see you as my dad either nor as somebody I have to succeed to... being already universally better. But as the strict teacher, you grow fond of later, when the past starts to get this rose-colored shade...«
»Fine by me. Now get out of here, I have work to do.«
Ienzo quickly pocketed the potions and then left the room with a fading smile.
xxx
This time it had been him being faster with settling things with a former coworker, but Aeleus didn't take long until he was right by his side again. They wandered through the hallways, quietly chatting about their necessary preparations. Just what had the castle still to offer, which could help them on their journey?
»Had Dilan a farewell gift for you in store? Maybe some insider between guardian-buddies?«, Ienzo asked and thought about bragging with his Megalixir. Swinging it from side to side right in front of Aeleus's eyes like a metronome.
»An insider? What exactly floats in your mind's eye?«, Aeleus asked back. He was still looking as unalterable from the rust-colored hair-ends to his gigantic boots as always. Dilan probably hadn't attempted to spank his butt... Ienzo stroked through his own hair absentmindedly to fix, if there was something to fix.
»Oh, just something like this«, he finally answered and showed Aeleus the yellow pineapple-shaped bottle.
»Is this for me? Thank you.«
Aeleus just took the Megalixir out of Ienzo's hand and let it slide into his pocket.
»Uhm, hey?«
Quite surprised about the sudden sass-attack, Ienzo tried to get his rightful property back, but Aeleus just caught his arm.
»I thought it was a gift?«
»Not for you sadly...«
»Well, then it can't be helped...«, Aeleus said still with a serious tone and placed the bottle right in Ienzo's outstretched palm, but before he let go, he frowned. »There might still be something we should do, before the journey begins.«
»Like what? We shouldn't steal any of Even's and Dilan's future work... they might get the impression that they are small and useless in comparison to our noble task.«
Aeleus sighed. »It's hardly the castle, which should concern us now. It's what lies before us. Don't you think so too?«
»You want to discuss strategies on how to approach the incoming interrogations and tests? I could already give you a few suggestions on what they are-«
»No, not quite...«, Aeleus shook his head. »Well, sure, that too of course, but first... Kairi is a girl...«
»Yes?«
»A 15 or already 16 year old girl... in the middle of puberty.«
»I know that.«
»In regard to getting her trust... We both represent two archetypes, one could say.«
Ienzo nodded in agreement. »The wizard and the guardian. Just how they demand it and of course, very effective.«
»It's less about advantages in fighting and more about... human relationships.« Aeleus made a short pause and watched Ienzo, whose expression turned skeptical. »What do you think, she will see in me and what will she see in you?«
»You are the strong hulk and I'm the squishy, but extremely powerful mage...?«
»Try to be more basic.«
»We are supposed to be her companions... guardians... mentors...«
»Right. Mentors. Role models. But you are just a few years older than her. Your opinion might actually be worth far more than mine... to her at least.«
»It hurts me to say this, but... what are you getting at?«
»Ienzo...«, Aeleus sighed deeply. »A girl... and a boy... in a stressful situation...«
»Totally lost.«
»There is a chance she might consider you attractive, becomes infatuated and you being too strict, stiff or beyond any reach could tear her motivation apart.«
Ienzo's eyes just gleamed in pure delight. »Whaaa...?« He began to laugh and cough awkwardly at the same time. »Never. She has Riku and Sora...«, he said drawling. »Their bond is forged by destiny itself... what could she possibly want with plain, old me?«
»If you say so.« Aeleus decided to allow that topic to rest for now. »All I would ask from you is to be a little bit more... human to her.«
»Whatever this is supposed to-«, Ienzo interrupted himself. »Oh... we have a visitor.«
The time had come to meet a former enemy...
