Sorry if I posted late, to those who just started reading this, don't worry, this multichaptered fanfiction is still on the go. Sorry if it's too long. I'm trying to cut it short, but i fear if i might spoil it, you know? I always try to be at least three new chapters ahead of the ones i posted. So, yeah. Sorry if this fanfiction is crap. But hey, I enjoyed writing it :)
Disclaimer: This story is purely fanfictional. I decided to add a spice of romance to the storyline and created a new character, Muhyo's childhood friend, Hanabi Yuri. Please review and comments. If you do not like it, go easy on the comments and just stop reading this altogether. I have been keeping this in my pc for over three years and finally had the guts to publish it. Enjoy!~ ^.^V
The heat of the fire felt as if it were scalding my whole body as the fire ignited outside of Biko's office burned bigger and brighter. We had already begun making a new Magic Law book as Muhyo's old one appears to be worn out in the nearest time soon. I've lost count of how many volumes of Magic Law books that Biko has been making which are flawed. But we've been at it the whole day.
"Master Biko! Master Biko!" one of her apprentices came running in after the how-many-eth book was eaten by the flames, "Shouldn't you rest? You've been at it all—d"
"I'm fine, thanks!" Biko cut her off, not even looking at her worried apprentice.
"But that's fifty volume already!" Crap. That's a hell lot of volumes we've been making.
"You can all take a break if you want," Biko replied, nonchalantly. Then, slightly turning her head towards me, dismissing her student, she said, "You too, Yuu-Chan. If you're tired, just go to bed. There's an extra room upstairs."
I shook my head as I picked up a book of the desk, "I can help you know. Don't make me feel all useless here."
"Ahh," Biko smiled, taking the book from my hands. She was sweating as she flipped through the pages, looking for the perfect formula for making a good Magic Law book, "Typical Yuu-Chan always wanna be useful."
"Here, try skimming through this book and finding out more about making the perfect Magic Law book."
"You win?"
Judge Imai and I had stopped by the investigation office to hear any news about Page's investigation. He had received a call—probably from Yoichi—regarding their status of the fight they had with Tomas—a member of the Ark, at the Goryo Group Headquarters. By the looks of it, it seems that we are receiving good news.
"Just… thanks to all of you," Page said, his voice full of sorrow, full of regret. He was about to press the disconnect button, when he suddenly paused at another voice at the end of the line, "Eh? What is it?"
The old man gave out a chuckle, "She's here alright. Here you go," he said to the other person before passing me the phone, "It's Muhyo," he mouthed, as playful smile on his face as he winked at me. Bah. That idiot teacher.
But why would Muhyo want to talk to me? "Hello?" I breathed through the mouthpiece of Page's old flip hand phone.
I heard a heavy sigh of relief come from the other end before Muhyo's familiar voice came through, "You're still there."
He's worried of that? Ha-ha. "Of course I'm still here. I promise didn't I?"
"Yeah. Hee. Hee. I guess so," I could imagine him smirking at the other side. I giggled, "So, I heard the good news. How did it go?" I sat down on a chair near a table with scattered investigation material, aware of the stares coming from Judge Imai and Executor Page.
"Hmm, not bad, I guess," Muhyo mused, "Roji has gotten slightly useful since his ten-day leave, just slightly."
"Hey! I'm still trying!" I heard Roji's voice softly coming from the other end of the line followed by Yoichi's big laugh.
"But it was tough though," Muhyo paused, sounding a little hesitant, "I—I wish you were around."
"You know I can't."
"Next time you must be around. I don't care!" he exclaimed, "And after all this, you can't leave, because… because…"
There was a long pause.
"Hello? Muhyo? You there?" I pressed on. Did the call get disconnected? I held the phone away from my ear for a second to see, but the screen says that the call is still on.
I put the earpiece back to my ear just in time to hear his next words, "Because…" Muhyo's voice was tiny, "Because I have something to tell you."
I smiled, relieved that he was still on the line, "Okay baby. I'll get back to you later."
"I am not a baby!"
"No, you're not," I smiled as an image of a little persistent Muhyo flashed through my memory, "See ya when I see ya. Bye!" I clicked on the red phone button.
"I miss you."
TOOT!
Did he just say something before that?
WAAARGHH!
I didn't bother to cover up my yawn as I flipped through more and more pages of books that Biko told me to skim through. The dawn has probably broke, I don't know, I can't tell from inside the office. The words on all the books had started blurring since the tenth book I've looked through. But Biko is still at it, making more and burning more every minute.
Staring into oblivion, I wonder how Muhyo and Roji are getting on. They should have reached Busujima's office by now. Executor Busujima—the Remote Magic Law Executor. I was not really close to her during MLS, but I've heard a lot about her.
"Ah? It broke?"
I woke up with a start; nearly falling off the chair I was sitting on. When did I fall asleep? Bah. I put the book down and leaned back in the chair, feeling my eyes droop. I'm so sleepy; maybe I should have a power nap.
Before I shut my eyes, I managed to glance at Biko, who was talking on the phone. But I do not know who's on the other line.
Then I was in a deep sleep.
"Ah? It broke?" The artificer flipped through the pages of the hundredth Magic Law book she was attempting to make with one hand as the other was holding the phone receiver.
It's already late night, and she hasn't heard a peep from Yuu-Chan. She's probably dozed off at the desk, 'I shouldn't disturb her,' her subconscious rang.
Muhyo was on the line, updating the news of his current Magic Law book, which already broke. She'd already packed him his old beginner's book that the young executor had thrown out during their MLS days, which she had kept just in case.
They'd both discussed about the over usage of the book the other day, and the little artificer has predicted that there may be about ten or so more uses left before it finally broke—guess she miscalculated that.
"I'll bring it as soon as it's done," Biko assured Muhyo, as he ranted on in rage on the other end, "Just don't die till then, okay?"
"Okay, okay," Muhyo grunted before continuing, "Say is Yuu-Chan there?"
"Yeah, but I think she's sleeping," Biko turned to face the desk Yuu-Chan was sitting at to see her sleeping soundly.
At the other end of the conversation, the blue-eyed executor smiled, imagining little Yuri sleeping soundly, "Can I talk to her?"
"I don't think you should disturb her, Muhyo. She's been at it all night," Biko frowned.
"Hmph. Can't I just talk to her for a little while? It will only take a sec."
"No, Muhyo. Really, she needs to sleep," Biko replied, "Can't it wait till morning?"
"I can't, I need to hear her voice. Please, let me hear her voice."
DING! DING! DING!
"Master! Master Biko!" Biko's little apprentices ran into the room, carrying a small radio in panic, "The radio's talking about the bells of troy!"
What?! I stood up from the chair that I fell asleep in—I don't know for how long I've been asleep, I hope I didn't miss anything important. I looked around the room for Biko, where is she?!
"What are the bells of—MASTER!?" the little apprentices were shocked to see Biko's feet jutting out of a pile of failed Magic Law books that weren't there when I fell asleep last night.
Wait, did they say The Bells of Troy? It can't be! Only one of the four elder executors could activate that! Who would do that? Page? Crap!
"It's ringing?" Biko was already been helped out of the pile, holding one book to her ear—it was the only book, out of all the failed ones that rang.
"Does that mean…"
"The book's finished?" Biko turned around when I spoke while I walked closer to them as the little apprentices cheered behind her. The artificer kept silent, staring at the book with a questioning look on her face.
The book was still ringing in her hand. The Bells of Troy. It indicates the change of rules; the new rules had already taken effect. Page, that idiot! It's not mistaken; it must be him! With this new change of rules, it means any executor can open the gates of Hades and offer his body to an envoy.
He would go that extent to save Enchyu?
I felt tears sting my eyes. Despite being heartbroken by Enchyu, he is still considered as my friend—a close friend at that. Page is sacrificing his life for Enchyu. I need to do something too.
"This is all my fault. I know it," Page sipped on his tea.
We were at a café in the MLA, the same day I met Muhyo for the first time after two years, discussing about the investigation he was conducting to find the whereabouts of the Forbidden Law Practitioners—in other words, to save Enchyu.
"I knew I shouldn't have allowed he and Muhyo to be together," Page stared at his cup of tea, his expression full of dismay and regret, "Muhyo's talent would soon be awaken and his frail nature would be crushed."
"Don't say that, Page," I rubbed his shoulder in an attempt to console him, "It was barely anyone's fault."
"But—I"
"If you want to blame people, everyone should be blamed for that matter," I pressed on, "We all knew his mother was sick, but we were too ignorant to see his real problem. It's our fault too."
I felt tears sting my eyes as I stared down at my hands, "And to think that we were actually friends."
"Yuu-Chan…"
I shook my head to hide away the tears, replacing y frown with a smile, "Well, we'll get them Page, I know we can!"
"Come Yuu-Chan! Let's go!"
"What?"
A Magic Portal has appeared, and through the other side, Judge Imai was beckoning us to go through. What is happening? The ruckus over the bells of Troy has receded, what has happened on Muhyo's part? I hope he's okay.
I walked along as Biko pulled me through the Portal. As I arrived at the other side, I heard familiar voices calling out our names, and one voice was especially the loudest.
"Yuu-Chan!"