Free: Heart of the Sixth Magic! フリー!第六魔法のハート
-Book 1: Hidden Illusions 隠し錯視-
-Book 2: Forbidden Covenant 禁断コヴナント- (You are here)
-Book 3: The Last Legend ザラストレジェンド-
Author's Note and Guide:
WELCOME! As we continue on the journey here of the wonderful world of Free!, a lot of things began to move in Book 1, but it's not over yet! There are still several mysteries to uncover: WARNING OF SPOILERS!
1.) Why was Alex spying on ama-chan?
2.) What are Rei's current feelings as a result of the events from the Time Loop and the Time Continuum?
3.) Who is this new visitor after Serah left?
4.) What is the "Haus of the Heavens" and "Terran Nost"?
5.) Now that Alex has a Suiei God, how will the relationships affect between him and the rest of the Free!Boys?
6.) What is the Ordinance Bill that prohibited minors for curfew and set up internet restrictions?
7.) What was the "tragedy" that struck Alex's original hometown (Mayfield)?
The Journey continues with our beloved Alex returning home to his family...Questions will be answered...but a price will be paid...
Prologue: ウォームリターン... A Warm Return…
The airplane soared across the skies as Alex rested, thinking back to all what was happening in the last few days of his stay in Japan. He wished to have stayed a bit longer but he knew that there was too many drama and feelings going on between some of the people.
Haruka…Nagisa…Makoto…Rin…Rei, he thought as he listened to some of his music on his iPod.
He suddenly realized that he hasn't accomplished a part of his mission from before; especially with the fact that he had to spy on a teacher back in Iwatobi. But due to the illusion that cursed him, he was unable to fulfill the mission.
Oh well, he thought, I just hope I did enough to pay Leon's promise.
He recalled back when he first met the pure genius; he was told by Cassi that they were on a spy at the Haus of the Heavens. However, the Haus (in his mind while he was under the spell) had ties to his enemy who made a song that his people in high school used to shun him. However, it was later revealed that they had ties to the Censorship Bill and some Curfew Laws also with the government of Tokyo.
Regardless of what side they were on, he was determined to defeat his enemy once and for all. After realizing that it was an illusion, he managed to break the spell and obtain his Suiei God after receiving the necklace beforehand as using his newfound abilities to free the people who suffered non-verbal Autism…including his brother.
Now it was time to return to see the fruits of labor…
The airplane arrived safely in L.A.X around towards the night hours (9 PM) and after leaving the plane, he went to get his bags safely. However, he was anxious to find his family and his brother.
"Young prince," said Suiei Marotta, "You must watch out now through these crowds; don't get too excited."
"I know, I know," he replied, "But I just can't believe that…"
"Sandro!? SANDRO!? SANDRO!?" shouted a familiar voice from the distance.
Alex turned to see his parents, his two grandparents and his brother standing on the other end of the hallway.
"B-br-brother!" shouted Sergio as he broke off and rushed up to him.
Alex gasped and spilled tears of joy as he dropped his suitcase and hugged his younger brother.
"Finally…" said Alex, squeezing tightly, "After so many years…you finally…can talk now."
"I'm sorry for worrying you…the whole time," replied Sergi.
"Please, don't apologize," smiled Alex, still holding on to his brother, "You're safe now…and you're here with us."
The two gathered the bags as they joined up with the family.
"Hey son," said the father, "How did your trip go?"
"It was great!" smiled Alex, "I got to make some new friends there. They were very kind and special. They helped me on the research for a while. But then this weird miracle happened...and I…"
"Let's get settled first at the house, and then we'll talk," replied the mother as she held Sergi's hand.
"Yeah," nodded Alex.
After another hour or so, the family returned to the house in Santa Monica District of Los Angeles.
"I am stunned to see how expensive this house is," said Sergio, "But how did you managed to?"
"Oh it's another story," blushed Alex, "I know we really don't have much money but at least this place is nice."
"Yeah! It's so beautiful out here!" laughed Sergio, "You get to see the ocean from here and there's like so much to do!"
Suiei Marotta stayed hidden in the mists and watched the family settling in.
My, he's got quite a nice family, thought the Suiei God as he floated his way to the Cliffside of the beach and resumed on his human-like form.
"Do you guys hear me?" asked Suiei Marotta as he closed his eyes.
"Yes I hear you," echoed Suiei Nanase.
"Got that," replied Tachibana.
"Understood," said Matsuoka.
"Got it," answered Ryugazaki, "And so did Hazuki."
"I do not know when we'll return; it's only May still…it'll be some time. The boy will need proper training in order to use his powers correctly," said Suiei Marotta.
"Yeah, we're going to be heading off soon. However, we're going to be not far away from the states actually," replied Tachibana's voice.
"Did something happen?" asked Marotta.
"Well…we did get some company," echoed Nanase.
"Well, I am sure they can put up with it...for a bit..." sighed Marotta, "But we'll be back soon."
"Copy that then," replied Ryugazaki.
"Farewell for now. I'll send you updates as needed; and please let me know if anything goes wrong," said Marotta.
"Roger that," answered Matsuoka.
"Hey brother, let's go out to the ocean!" said Alex.
"But it's late and dark outside," replied Sergio, "I don't think this is a…"
"Oh come on!" laughed Alex, "We can get the Tiki Lights on and it'll just be us."
Before Sergio could answer, Alex rushed out and was stripping off his clothes as his bathing suit was already on beforehand (thanks to Haruka's teachings) and goes into the gentle waters. The skies were clear and starry.
The younger brother rushed outside and saw the clothes on the sand as he saw Alex floating on his back in his bathing suit!
"D-did…did you just wear a bathing suit this whole time!?" blushed Sergio.
The boy broke the surface and had his bathing/speedo suit on with the white stripes that curved around his legs and his central area.
"Well, I had no room to put my bathing suit…so I decided to wear it," smiled Alex, knowing that this excuse was partially lame.
Sergio sighed and answered, "Alright…fine. I'll be back with mines."
Alex nodded as the younger brother rushed back to the house. The parents were already settling in to watch TV with Nonna (Grandma) Armeta and Nonno (Grandpa) Remo.
"Why is your brother out in the water?" asked the father, annoyed.
"I'm going in too," smiled Sergio innocently as he rushed up the stairs, ignoring the protest.
Back outside, Suiei Marotta drifted down to the boy, saying, "I see you're enjoying yourself…"
"Well you know. It's just how it is I guess...we move on...but we remember...we forgive...but we never forget," said Alex as his smile turned to a more neutral face, "I just hope Rei…can at least forgive me…I know he won't forget…"
"He'll be fine, you don't have to worry," smiled Suiei Marotta, resting his hand on the boy.
"I care for all of them…they're like a new family," said Alex, "Honestly, I haven't felt this happy for a while…even though I did had some dear friends back in high school…I miss them too."
The Suiei nodded and vanished into the mists as Sergio rushed back outside in his bathing suit.
"I'm back!" called Sergio as he walked into the waters but stood on his feet and sitting on the shoreline and the water.
The younger brother blushed as he got a good glimpse on his older brother's body and shape. He was much stronger than their lives back in Mayfield. All over, his body was chiseled with the tone of muscles.
Alex laughed and said, "I can teach you…if you want. We'll both be strong boys, how about that?"
"Oh…um…okay," chuckled Sergio as they both laughed.
The younger brother walked into the waters and they splashed around with each other and watched the beautiful skies as the stars shined brightly above them. The moon hovered high above as a beautiful glow shined around them.
Afterwards, they both lied on the sand with their feet in the water, watching the stars high above.
"Brother?" asked Sergio.
"Yeah?" replied Alex.
"Will you stay this time?" answered the younger brother, "I don't want you to leave again."
Alex widened his eyes a little but smiled, saying, "I…I do not know how I can guaranteed to stay. There were a lot of things that happened to me in Japan…and I feel that some issues have not been resolved properly."
"Issues?" asked Sergio, "Like what?"
"Um…it's kinda a long story," he answered as he held his brother's hand, "Don't worry about it. You have gone through a lot in life yourself…now we can embrace it and continue forward, okay?"
"Yeah!" smiled Sergio as he giggled.
Back inside, the parents watched as their two sons were enjoying themselves and the night scene.
"It was just…a miracle…and a tragedy," said the mother, "Our younger son talks finally…but our home in Mayfield."
"I don't know how Sandro managed to get this house here," said the father, "I just hope he's not gambling or whatever…"
"Well didn't he say that he found work here?" asked the mother, "And that it paid him quite a bit?"
"I…I think so," he replied, "He must have done work while he was in college and now that he's done...why is he…?"
"Unless maybe…the lottery," said the mother, "He might have gotten a lawyer to take care of it and he's managed to use it carefully."
The father said nothing as they continued to watch their sons. Something has changed ever since the older one left Mayfield…
But what was it? What kind of fortune was found?
Chapters 1 & 2 will be released on Wednesday DECEMBER 4, 2013!
See you water next time! :3