William flipped through the Codex, looking at each page carefully. He sighed, noting that Lorcan was correct in what he had told him about the book being written in another language. Despite that, William found himself drawn to all the images that were on the pages, even if some of them gave him chills looking at them.

Those black beasts... They look ready to jump off the page at any minute.

William shook it off, deciding to go back to the first page.

Best to start from the beginning I suppose.

He looked at the page carefully, seeing columns of text on it. The way it was formatted… it almost seemed like a list of names, all under one big name… that was written in English.

"Maxwell?" He said aloud. "Who is Maxwell?"

He took note of another set of text in English that was just below the name.

"To the one who holds this book, make a deal with the Master of Shadows and have the knowledge to unlock the secrets of this text."

"A deal…?"

He took note of instructions in English just a few lines down. It was a ritual to supposedly summon the Shadow King.

Well… It's worth a shot. Just likely a parlor trick but if it helps figuring out this book I'll try anything.

He went about gathering the materials but hesitated when it came to the final one.

Blood…? Goodness. I've already lost a lot of blood just in the last few months alone.

He hesitated, the knife hovering over his non-dominant hand, already trying to reason with himself why this was a bad idea.

No. Stop being so afraid of everything!

Closing his eyes tightly, William made a quick cut, gritting his teeth, trying not to cry out.

"Ngh!"

He held his hand carefully over the circle had made, dripping the blood over the symbol on the ground. Within moments, the candles he had set around the circle went out and from the center came a being made completely of shadow. Its white eyes opened slowly, looking around the room before looking to William, giving a small grin.

"Who has summoned me?"

William's eyes widened in shock, stumbling back a little.

"W-William Carter s-sir." He looked the being over, swallowing hard. "The Shadow King I presume?"

"Yes. I am who they call Maxwell. It's nice to meet someone new after so long." Maxwell moved around William, looking him over. "Or least someone brave enough to decide performing the ritual wasn't such a bad idea. Quite the courage you have, William Carter."

"Me? Courage?" The magician shook his head. "Hardly. Try blockheaded stubbornness as my brother would say."

"Put it however you want, either way." Maxwell smiled again. "You've come seeking a deal with me in regards to the Codex? Just like the man before you?"

"Yes." William swallowed hard. "I want the knowledge to perform magic. Magic that will shock and delight people. Bring smiles to their faces. Prove I'm not some "hack"."

"I can easily provide all that." Maxwell chuckled a bit. "I shall give you Dark Knowledge. It will allow to understand the contents of this book and unlock new powers within you. But be warned, these powers you are seeking will require great strength of mind, for the shadows are not easy to tame. If you're willing to take that risk." Maxwell extended a hand to him. "By all means, say yes."

William was quiet looking at the hand offered to him before he narrowed his eyes, taking it.

"Yes."

Maxwell grinned widely, shaking his hand, squeezing a bit of blood from the cut.

"Then the pact has been made, William Carter." Maxwell reached his other hand over, touching William's forehead. "Accept this knew knowledge you have brought upon yourself."

William gasped as felt a surge of some kind power going through him. He cringed, feeling a dull pain his head, dropping to his knees, gripping at his hair a little.

"A-AAGH!"

"Relax. It will all end soon." Maxwell smiled, the room going dark. "Your powers will grow with time, but just know… there is a price to be paid in the end."

William couldn't move, Maxwell's voice was becoming fuzzy, everything went pitch black.

"There's always a price to be paid when it comes to our world."

oooooo

William awoke, finding he was still in the same room from before. The only thing missing was the circle he had made. All that was present was him, the Codex Umbra and the furniture in the room.

He sat up slowly, feeling some lingering soreness in his head. He shook it away quickly before getting up, picking up the Codex. He winced, feeling the cut on his hand get irritated.

"I'll patch that up before anything else happens.." He opened the book, eyes going wide in surprise.

Everything, every word was in perfect English now. He could understand every paragraph, every name.

"Well… I guess that headache was worth it."

He went to his desk, getting straight to work… but noticed he was having a hard time seeing. He took off his glasses, giving them quick polish.

"I must've gotten them dirty or some-"

He stopped mid polish, noting he could see it perfectly. Actually, he could see everything perfectly.

He tried putting his glasses back on but cringed at the blurriness they caused. He took them off and everything was clear again.

"I can't believe it." He looked around, taking in everything with this change to his vision. "I can actually see clearly." He looked back at the Codex, reading a few lines. Something he hadn't been able to do without his glasses ever since he could remember.

"Incredible." He laughed a little. "I feel great. For once… Hah… I can finally do something for myself." He got back to work, reading the Codex carefully. "I can't wait to show everyone this once I figure it out."

Finally. I'll be able to stand on my own.

oooooo

"Looking pretty dapper there, William." Parker smiled as he helped the man get his coat on. "I'm really excited to this new act of yours and such. You sure about the new stage name though? Seems unlike you."

"I know it's strange but… people have seen me before so I found it best we try something new. Besides, I look pretty different from my performances so it shouldn't be too jarring for people to see me with a new name."

"True, true. Long as it works for you and Ms. Charlie. Speaking of, she have any idea what you're planning to do tonight?"

"She does to a point. I couldn't give away everything."

"Of course." Parker brushed off his shoulders. "There. All set. You'll be on stage in a few minutes."

Parker hurried out of the tent, leaving William by himself.

William looked at himself carefully in the mirror in the tent. He almost couldn't believe his own reflection when he saw it. With his glasses gone, he swore he was looking at a different person. His hair was slicked back and the new suit he had on was something he never thought he would wear. It was a long pinstripe suit with pointy shoulder guards and was a pale brownish purple color. The final touch was a rose corsage on the right side of his coat.

I feel so different now… yet… it's a good different.

He adjusted his gloves, taking a deep breath.

Tonight, everything changes.

Charlie soon came hurrying over to him, eyes going a bit wide at what she saw. This wasn't how she remembered William being for performances.

"Will?"

William looked to her, giving a gentle smile.

"Ah, there you are. Ready for tonight?"

She blushed a little giving a nod, smiling in return.

"Always ready. I always have fun performing with you. Though interesting new look."

"It's… not too much, is it?"

"No no, it's just… different from what you usually wear."

"Yeah… just… felt the need for change."

"I'm curious, why haven't you worn your glasses in a while?"

"I haven't really needed them." William dug into his pants pocket, pulling them. "My eyes seems to have improved to the point wearing them actually causes blurriness. I keep them just in case though I've been considering just packing them away entirely."

Charlie frowned,looking at the glasses.

"You always looked cute with them on. But… I don't mind this." Charlie looked at him, blushing a little. "You look very dapper."

William blushed a little.

"T-Thank you."

Charlie nodded, looking at the glasses again.

"Maybe I could hold onto these for you? So they're not in your way?"

"You wouldn't mind it?"

"Not at all and if you do ever need them again I'll have them ready for you." Charlie smiled, holding her hand out. "You can trust me."

William smiled, placing the glasses in her hand. "That I do. Shall we?"

"We shall."

Charlie looped her arm around William's, both making their way for the main tent.

"Charlie?"

"Yes?"

"I have something I want to ask you after the show, if that's alright."

"Of course."

William smiled, turning his attention back to the main tent, both entering as they heard Parker giving the intro to their act.

"Feast your eyes everyone on the illusions of the Amazing Maxwell and his beautiful assistant, Charlie!"

The crowds cheered as William and Charlie came on stage, both taking a bow.

"Thank you, thank you." William said, standing up straight. "You're all too kind. Tonight, I shall show you some illusions I have acquired from a mysterious tome. They may be frightening, but I assure you all, there is nothing to fear, so long as I am here."

William gave a confident grin as he waved his hand, the Codex appearing in it with a puff of shadows.

The audience gasped, Charlie giving him a curious look.

"Now, let's begin."

He opened the Codex. summoning shadow flames to his hand, snapping his fingers as they went skyward, creating a fireworks display of sorts.

Perfect. This is perfect!

Charlie found herself in awe of the display along with the rest of the crowd.

Amazing.

"Charlie?" William offered the book to her. "Could you hold this, please?"

Charlie nodded, taking it into her hands.

"Of course, Wi-Maxwell!"

William smiled, rolling up his sleeve a little.

"Now, let's see what lurks within."

He read the text carefully, making certain motions with his hands. Then, out of the book came an odd looking creature made of shadows that hissed at the man, a resounding gasp coming from the crowds.

"Well, that was unexpected." William kept his stance strong, staring the creature down. "Quite rude popping up without a proper invite."

The creature hissed, crawling towards him, bearing its teeth.

"Guess that's how it is then." William summoned shadow flames to his hands, striking the beast as it attempted to attack him. "Ah ah ah! Bad shadow creature!"

The creature growled, trying to attack again but was struck down by William with ease.

"Be gone, shadow creature! Back to where you came from!"

The creature snarled before retreating into the Codex, the book shutting as soon as it re-entered.

The crowd erupted into cheers, some standing on their seats, hoping to get another glimpse at the strange power displayed before them.

"Thank you, thank you." William took a sweeping bow. "You are all far too kind!"

Where did all this confidence come from? Charlie thought, staring at William, unable to help it. Even at his best, sometimes he got timid.

"And a round of applause of my lovely assistant." William gestured to her, everyone doing so.

Charlie giggled, giving a bow of her own, looking to William.

William smiled at her, offering his arm to her. She took it, looping her arms around his.

"That it all for now, folks. Come again next time." William said before leading her off.

Once they were out of sight from the crowds, William relaxed, wiping his brow a little.

"That felt amazing."

Charlie let out a small squeal, throwing both of her arms around him. "Oh William, it was amazing! Those tricks were like nothing I've ever seen before!"

William laughed, hugging her close, spinning her a bit.

"I'm glad you liked it my dear. I've worked so hard this past month and now it's all paid off!"

Charlie smiled keeping close to him, sighing happily.

"I'm so glad for you. You've been so worried about the show lately I was getting a little worried myself for you. No more stress?"

"Not for the foreseeable future." He brought her a bit closer, enjoying the moment. "Oh Charlie, I'm so happy right now."

"William."

William rested his head against hers, sighing happily.

"We've been together so long now Charlie and now, a new change has finally come."

She closed her eyes, resting her head against him, tightening her hug a little.

"It's a wonderful change. I haven't seen you this excited in a long time."

"I feel wonderful. Something I don't think I've ever felt before in this way. I hope I can make it last."

"I'm sure you can. I'll help too however I can."

"I appreciate that." William pulled back a little, resting his forehead against hers. "Charlie."

Charlie sighed happily, nuzzling him a little. "You've always been so good to me."

William nuzzled her back. "I do what I can because I love seeing you happy… and I love having you beside me. I always felt more confident with you by my side."

"Oh William." She felt some heat come to her cheeks, a smile on her face. "You know, I don't think I loved this job more then when I've been performing with you or even just spending time with you outside of just performances. Talking, taking walks. I've loved all of it."

William smiled warmly, cupping a cheek in his hand.

"Charlie, I told you there was something I wanted to ask you after the performance was over."

"That you did. I've been curious of what it might be." She leaned into his hand a little

"Well… like I said, we've been together for awhile both as show partners and… well… other matters and… I… I really want to spend all the time I can with you for as long as I live."

Her eyes grew wide, staying quiet for now. Waiting to see where he went with this. Her heart beat a bit faster.

Is… Is this what I think it is?

William pulled back, getting on one knee, holding a ring to her with a small purple gem imbedded in it.

"Charlie… Will you be mine?"

She gasped before letting out a squeal, throwing her arms around him.

"Yes! Oh my stars yes!" She laughed, kissing his cheek. "William, yes, yes, YES! I would love that!"

William laughed, bringing her closer.

"Oh, Charlie!"

She giggled touching her head to his. "I'm going to be married to you. I'm going to get to be with you forever. Oh, William!"

William had joy in his eyes and before he could think twice he kissed her right on the lips.

Charlie closed her eyes, holding the kiss for a moment before they both pulled back. She had a bright smile on her face, warmth in her eyes.

"I love you. So so much William. I can't think of anyone else on this Earth I'd rather be with."

"I can't imagine myself with anyone else but you."

She sighed happily, leaning against him as he held her close, resting his head against hers. She took off her glove as he slipped the ring on, admiring it for a moment.

"It's perfect. Just perfect."

"I'm glad you like it, my dear."

She curled up a little in his arms, enjoying the moment. Wishing it could last forever.

"Shall we go tell the others the news?"

"Yes. Let's."

William got up, Charlie having her arms wrapped around his, laying her head on his shoulder.

"This is the best day of my life, William."

"And the best day of mine Charlie." He kissed her head. "The best I could've hoped for."

And it will only get better from here.