Rosalia had spent her day gathering supplies for the trip. She was excited to be able to finally leave the house and not be stuck doing nothing. She had grown tired of living in fear… she was ready for things to change for Altheta.
And I know Chrys can do it.
She looked outside to see him practicing riding Monarch. She had been listening to him practice the whole time she was inside the house. It had been a bit of a rough start for Chrys. From being bucked off to hitting his head against Monarch's neck. Though now he seemed to have better control over her. Knowing what signals to give her, how to keep her from rearing.
She was trotting as he rose himself up with every other step to keep balanced. He looked like he was starting to enjoy himself.
At least Maria managed to teach him posting without killing him…
Rosalia looked over what she had gathered.
Plenty of herbs, food, water, and most importantly, something for protection.
She picked up the sword she had found stored away in the attic. She had taken some time to sharpen it. It wasn't a great sword, but it would still work.
He caught on quickly on learning how to ride Monarch… But something tells me from what I've seen… he'll catch on quicker when it comes to this.
Rosalia packed everything away and went out to meet with Maria and Chrys.
"Hey guys! I got everything together."
Maria grinned. "Awesome. All the essentials?"
"Yep, and something for Chrys."
Chrys got Monarch to trot over to Rosalia and stop. "What?"
Rosalia presented the sword. "We're going to be traveling through some pretty dangerous territory so you'll need something to fight with."
Chrys took the sheathed sword looking at it. "You really going to trust me to protect with something I've never wielded before?"
Rosalia nodded.
Maria gave her an odd look. "Really? I'm kind of worried how much trust you're putting into someone we JUST met."
Rosalia gave a glare. "Trust me for once Maria."
Maria winced. "I didn't say I'm not trusting you, it's him I'm worried about."
"All will be well."
Rosalia looked to Chrys, giving a gentle smile. "I trust him."
Chrys felt touched, returning the smile with one of his own. "Thanks, Rosalia…"
"So when do we leave?" Maria asked.
"Midnight. The Masked One takes time to rest during the hour, we have till the end of it to travel to the Grand Healer's temple without having to worry about him finding us."
"Right."
"And if we can't get the temple before the hour is up?" Chrys asked.
Rosalia gave a serious look.
"Then you better be ready to wield that sword."
Get the job done… At least get one victim… That's all you need to do.
Black Pen was panicking. He had been chased many time, but being chased by humans to him was worse than being chased by Magic Observers.
When humans find something that's different they don't leave it alone.
Black Pen had made his way to the courtyard where Tomoe was. She was practicing archery with a woman who had short light blond hair and dark brown eyes.
Forgot Gabe mentioned she had someone with her… Who is that anyway? Oh, who cares? She's just this woman's friend, I don't need to know.
He kept out of sight as he watched the two practice their archery before beginning to write a note to attach to the book.
"I swear Tomoe, you're one of the best archers I've seen." the blond woman commented while clapping at Tomoe's success at another bull's eye.
Tomoe gave a modest smile. "I just do my best Miranda, I need to remain sharp."
"And you're doing that quite well."
The two giggled and continued their conversation as Black Pen made his way over, setting the book on a table where Tomoe could see it.
Now to watch.
He slipped back into his hiding spot, grinning to himself. His trap was ready.
It wasn't long before Tomoe noticed the book with the note attached.
"Did you bring a book with you Miranda?"
Miranda shook her head. "Nope, I don't even remember that book being there.
Tomoe went over to the book picking it up and reading the note.
To my one and only love, Tomoe Tachibana. - Erhuard Muller.
Tomoe smiled, blushing. "Oh Erhuard…"
"That's the guy you've been courting right?"
"Yes… for quite a few months now."
"Sweet… any chance that you guys might…?"
"Let's not think about that right now, why don't we have a look at what he gave me shall we?"
"Yes!"
That's right… fall right into my trap. Black Pen thought grinning. He was ready to see another one of his plans work… and yet… another feeling was coming over him that was at war with his excitement… it was something that wanted him to stop her from reading the book.
Tomoe… don't- What the?! Oh no… He knew what was going on. It's his body reacting again. It may not have his soul but with the memories still inside it can still act out for his wills.
He kept himself from acting out on Erhuard's wills as Tomoe opened the book to find the prologue.
"Ah here we are…"
Yes- NO! Black Pen slapped himself. Would you stop that!? NO!
Out of the body's will he came out into view yelling. "Tomoe, stop!"
Tomoe looked to Black Pen surprised. "Erhuard…?"
No… no no no this wasn't supposed to happen!
"Don't read that book, it's cursed." another voice chimed in.
The three in the courtyard looked to a doorway to see Gabe entering with Riza right behind him.
Tomoe blinked back confusion. "What…?"
Miranda looked at the book before taking it out of Tomoe's hands. "He isn't kidding."
"What-"
Tomoe stopped short when she saw a small blue hand that was reaching out of the book for her. Miranda tossed the book to the ground stomping on it, making the hand disappear.
Tomoe gasped, backing away from it. "Why would Erhuard-"
"Erhuard didn't give you this book, someone else did." Gabe said, going over to her, looking at Black Pen with a glare. "That isn't him Tomoe, look at his eyes."
Tomoe looked at Black Pen, eyes widening when she saw the new eye color.
"Erhuard…?"
Black Pen was frozen now. He wasn't prepared for this. He couldn't use his magic since there were too many people in the room that could easily draw attention to himself and… he just didn't expect to get caught so quickly.
He lowered his head, feeling ashamed.
Got so excited… and then I choked… I'm just so brilliant aren't I?
He heard the clicking of cuffs being put on his hands. Looking up he saw it was Sheryl who had done the deed.
"I got a person you need to free and a cell that has your name on it at the Magic Observers prison."
Black Pen scoffed a little. "Of course you do… But can't help you much with the book, it's chance if he even survives."
Sheryl glared at him. "Oh yes you can, I know for fact you got a lot of power under you, I bet you could yank him right out."
"No, I can't, there's things I can't even do."
"Liar, pheh, what am I doing? Asking helping from a criminal? You wouldn't help anyone."
Black Pen clenched his fists. "I'm not lying… I can't just pull him out, the book has a mind of it's own, it wants to tell a story."
"You created it, so it should obey you in whatever orders you give it. Now stop lying, you've already made enough mistakes-"
"YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT?!"
Sheryl stumbled back at little. Black Pen's eyes were wide, filled with rage. He was snarling a little too.
"I'M THE ONE WHO WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP WHAT HE LOVED DOING BECAUSE OF A MISTAKE. ONE. MISTAKE. THEY CALLED ME A CRIMINAL BECAUSE OF IT… I… I WAS NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE… NOT ONE!" He lowered his head again, trembling a little. "I… I could never hold a pen again… I wasn't allowed to write anything… I was chained down… I got angry… I… I felt the need to kill because of what was done to me… by people… by the Magic Observers… I… I was so stupid… I got so caught up in revenge… I… I didn't see how much damage I had done to others… I just wanted a chance… Why couldn't…"
He fell silent, and as did everyone else. No one was sure what to say. They were all just shocked at the man's outburst.
I… I never heard that in the stories… Sheryl thought as she stared at him. All they said was he became a cold blooded killer right after being black listed… I never heard about him being forbidden to even hold a pen.
Riza stepped out from behind Gabe and walked over, reaching up and taking one of his cuffed hands. Black Pen looked at her, he had tears streaking his cheeks.
"It wasn't fair what they did… and it wasn't right what you did… but if you were given a chance… would you take it? To be able to write again?"
"If I was given that… that… that would mean the world to me… I… I just want to write…"
Gabe gave the man a sympathetic look. Having serious deja vu here… He sounds like the kid. Only difference is that this man intentionally killed.
"Then maybe you can, you just need to show them that you're not a killer… Help save Dr. Red Eyes… maybe it'll change their mind."
"I doubt it, killed too many for just saving one person to clear my name."
"There's gotta be a way… and wouldn't saving at least one person maybe change their minds a little about how they see you?"
Black Pen sighed. "I appreciate you wanting to help me, but I'm far gone my dear… I'm not getting out of prison that easy."
"There's gotta be something!" Riza looked over to Sheryl. "Is there?"
Sheryl thought for a moment. "Well… if he did save the guy trapped in the book currently… it might change their mind about a few things… but we can't change what already happened, he's due to be in prison because of all the people he killed over the course of 10 years."
"Excuse me."
Sheryl looked over to Gabe, who seemed be a little unimpressed about something.
"I have to ask this… do you guys believe in fair trial? Cause it sounds like this guy didn't have one to start with."
"Um…" Sheryl was caught off guard and unsure what to say since she wasn't really sure what had really happened.
"I wasn't allowed one." Black Pen answered. "The book that ruined my career killed a lot of people and well… the public just saw me as a killer and so the Magic Observers just went with it… I didn't get a chance to defend myself… at all… and I wasn't given a chance to prove that had happened was an accident and I've ultimately doomed myself with what I've done in the past 10 years."
"... You sure you and the kid aren't some how related? Geeze… Though unlike him you actually went nuts… But aside from that, these Magic Observers have their part in what's going on right now, they should've given you a trial despite what the people said, and of course since they didn't, you went crazy because of what they did to you, so in turn, part of this is their fault too."
"Okay… how's that gonna help me?"
Gabe looked over to Sheryl. "Listen, if he can help get our colleague back, could you maybe talk to the Magic Observers in giving this guy a parole?"
"... Are you kidding me? He's murdered people ON PURPOSE, getting a parole would be a huge stretch for anyone like him."
"Ah, but what about the defense that he's changed? What would happen if they heard he actually SAVED someone? How shocked do you think they would be?"
"... Pretty darn shocked actually."
"Then try… and just so you know, this is guy telling the truth." Gabe gave a smirk. "I can tell when someone is lying, he isn't."
"Well… it's worth a try." Sheryl looked over to Black Pen. "Is there anything you can do for the guy in the book?"
"I can't pull him out as I stated… but I do know how to speed up the process to get him out quicker."
"Great, let's work from that then." Gabe said grinning.
"Let's work on it back at the shop, I don't want more attention from any other humans."
Black Pen looked down at Riza. "... Could… Could the girl come along?"
Gabe cocked an eyebrow. "What would you need her for?"
"One thing that can help speed up the process of the book's story is for it to be read to someone, particularly, someone who will listen."
"I can listen! I love stories!"
"I see… I'll have to come with you since she needs to be with someone who can contact her parents."
Riza folded her arms. "I can look after myself, I'm a big girl."
Gabe ruffled her hair. "Not as big as you think, and for the record, the last thing I want is someone receiving wrath from your mother."
"I'll come too." Tomoe chimed in. "I want to help Erhuard all I can."
Sheryl nodded.
Riza raised her hand. "Question, Mr. Black Pen."
"Yes?"
"Would having more than one person to read to help?"
"I believe so, the more the merrier."
Riza looked over to Gabe. "Is Vinnie here today?"
"Yeah, he's got a check up with me soon actually."
"Could he come?"
"Maybe… he'll have to be sworn to secrecy though."
"Vinnie is a good boy, he knows how to keep a secret and he would want to help Dr. Red Eyes too."
"True… I'll talk with his mother, just give me a bit of time to get it arranged."
"I'll accompany Riza to the book shop for you Dr. Cunningham, I don't have any operations today." Tomoe said smiling. "So you'll have all the time you'll need."
"Thanks, Tomoe."
"I'll come too." Miranda chimed. "I'll try and be useful."
"We'll take any help we can get." Sheryl said, rubbing the back of her neck. "We're gonna need it."
"Alright, I'll go get Vinnie."
Gabe walked off, leaving the group to start making their way out to the shop.
Riza took Black Pen's hand. "I'll make sure you don't try to run away, so, you're required to hold my hand."
Black Pen chuckled. "Alright, officer."
Riza giggled. "Just call me Officer Riza!"
Sheryl watched the two as they walked out of the hospital. She was surprised to see how kind Black Pen was acting towards Riza. She never really thought of him as being kind… all she ever saw in him was the mass murderer she had heard about in the news.
Maybe there is a lot more to him than I thought…
