Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable in this story. They are owned by Kore Yamazaki. I just play with her characters.
Author's Notes: This is the final chapter which also doubles as an epilogue. I'm really glad I could post this before the year ends. It's a little sad that it's ending, but it has been a fun journey writing this little fanfiction. If you've reached this far, I thank you so much for reading. So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy the finale. :)
Chapter 17: Better Together
One month later
"Now place your left arm here on the table, and I'll start removing the cast."
Alexandra told Chise as the Sleigh Beggy sat on a chair beside a table in the infirmary. The College physician went to her office first and came out holding a cast saw in her hand. Chise swallowed a lump in her throat as she eyed the device in Alexandra's hands. It looked like a power tool with a small, rotating, sharp blade at the end. She held her breath as the College physician drew it closer to the cast on her left arm.
"Just relax. It won't hurt you, I promise." Alexandra chuckled lightly, noticing Chise's unrestrained, terrified face. And then little by little she cut through the plaster, opening the cast on both sides. Afterwards, she took a cast spreader and opened and lifted the cast even more. When she had uncovered Chise's left arm of its plaster, she squealed in delight. "There it is! See, nice and healed, right?"
After Alexandra further cut through the stockinette and the paddings, Chise raised her left arm and observed it even more. It had a little paler color than the rest of her skin, but other than that it looked like it was never broken at all. She said her thanks and smiled at Alexandra, a part of her feeling a little embarrassed that she feared the cast saw like a child frightened of the dark. Yet the College physician was understanding of it, and so the Sleigh Beggy decided to just shrug it off.
"By the way, Chise, do you have plans for spring break?" Alexandra asked while putting away the plaster, the stockinette, and the paddings.
"None, really. Perhaps I'll just help Professor Ainsworth in brewing potions."
Alexandra brushed a hand on her caterpillar forehead, finding it a little silly that she had forgotten that one thing. "Ah, I did ask him to, didn't I? And he usually does them during school breaks. Still, don't you wish to use the time to travel with your friends somewhere?"
"There's really no place I'd like to go to at the moment." Chise replied, not adding anymore that after the incident at Professor Blake's dinner party and their getting kidnapped by Joseph, her so-called friends seemed to have been avoiding her. It was only Lian who treated her just the same as he did when they first met, warm and congenial. Yet Chise didn't mind it anymore. She had Elias, and he was all that mattered to her.
"I see." Alexandra answered back, never finding it odd anymore that the Magus and the Sleigh Beggy seemed to be always together. In fact, she was happy that Ainsworth finally found someone he could be friends with, someone to care for and protect. It was so unlike the time when the Magus confessed to her that he wanted to take his life. Remembering that time, the College physician smiled to herself. They're good for each other, she mused. "Anyway, we're done here. Do enjoy getting the use of your left arm back."
"I will. Thank you again, Alexandra." Chise beamed and embraced the College physician, and then she left the infirmary.
As soon as she was out the door, she thought of what she had to do next. It was a Saturday morning, and it was not yet time for her to go meet with Elias. He had told her yesterday night that they would meet for lunch today, and then they would gather herbs in the greenhouse to use as ingredients for the first batch of potions they had to brew. She looked at her watch and saw that it was still 8:39 am. Perhaps she should just go to her dormitory first and read the book she borrowed from the library.
So she started her trek back to her dormitory. When she reached its lobby though, the dorm custodian sitting near the counter called for her. Finding it odd, Chise went there to know what for.
"You're just in time. This just came in today." The custodian said, handing her a brown, medium-sized package he grabbed from one of the shelves on the counter.
Chise took it, said her thanks, and went to her room. When she was inside, she shook the package trying to see if she could guess what it was through its weight, feel, and sound. It only sounded as if there were thick papers inside. Intrigued, she unwrapped the brown paper covering it. What immediately greeted her surprised her.
There was a long, thick, white envelope inside. She turned it over and saw the sigil of the Tribunal of Magi at the upper-left corner. When she opened the envelope, she found various documents, yet one thing caught her eye. A letter addressed to her. She read it thoroughly, and she couldn't help the smile that spread on her face.
Finally.
xxxx
Elias knocked on the door of Headmistress Quillyn's office with a little trepidation. He didn't know why he had been called by her to come to her office today, but he did as she asked. Was it because of his student evaluations? But the school year had not ended yet, and they were always done every July. Was he going to be dismissed from teaching then? He didn't know what to think of that. While he never really liked teaching, he couldn't deny that it was indeed fulfilling for him. No, he wouldn't want that to happen. He would still like to teach, especially since Chise was still in his class. Perhaps he should say that to the Headmistress just to stop her from sacking him.
"Come in." Headmistress Quillyn ordered, and Elias complied by opening the door.
He looked at the Headmistress with a nod, and he was surprised to find Renfred standing beside her. He couldn't help but feel his heart hammer in his chest. What was happening? Was he really going to be dismissed from teaching? He walked on the carpet with measured steps and stopped when he was a few paces in front of the Headmistress and her desk.
"You must be wondering why you are here, Professor Ainsworth. There are just recent developments that have come to our attention." Headmistress Quillyn started, and Elias swallowed a lump in his throat. This was it. He was being dismissed. The Headmistress turned to Renfred and gave him a signal. The Sorcery professor moved closer to Elias, and then…
He muttered an incantation that completely unlocked the Magus's magical bindings. They instantly came loose at Elias's ankles and Renfred knelt down to unclasp them from the Magus completely. Elias felt all his magical energy flow back to his system again, and he looked back from Renfred to the Headmistress uncertain of what was happening.
"You are free now." The Headmistress told him with a smile on her face. Even Renfred looked at him with a delight on his usually stoic façade.
Yet Elias was still confused. Just what did he do that granted him his freedom? He didn't even do anything, and his sentence was not even finished. "I don't… understand. How come?"
"Perhaps this would enlighten you more." Headmistress Quillyn stood from her chair and walked towards Elias, handing him a folded letter.
He opened it and noticed that it had the sigil of the Tribunal of Magi at the top. And then Elias proceeded to read it.
To Headmistress Liza Quillyn,
I am writing to you to hereby declare the release of prisoner Elias Ainsworth from your institution. Due to the undeniable, compelling, additional evidence submitted by one Chise Hatori as an appeal for his criminal case, we, the Seven Seats of the Tribunal of Magi, have now overruled our previous verdict and are proclaiming that he, Elias Ainsworth, without reasonable doubt, is innocent of his crime.
Following this, Elias Ainsworth's name is now cleared and his rank and assets will be returned to him as deemed a free man with rights and privileges.
We look forward to your strict compliance.
Sincerely,
Augustus Mills
First Seat and Presiding Minister
Tribunal of Magi
Elias's hand trembled as he read the letter. Free. He was now free, and he couldn't believe it. He read the letter one more time, and this time, one phrase caught his eyes: Due to the undeniable, compelling, additional evidence submitted by one Chise Hatori. What did that mean? He then looked at Renfred, confusion apparent on his human face. "W-What did she do?" The Magus asked the Sorcery professor.
"You don't know?" Renfred's eyebrows furrowed in return, somehow unbelieving that the Magus was caught unaware. Elias only shook his head in reply. Chise never said anything to him about this. The Sorcery professor then gave him a small smile. "Chise Hatori submitted a Memory Keeper filled with your master Rahab Melamed-Ainsworth's memories to the Tribunal of Magi last month as additional evidence. It contained the true events of your alleged crime. It went through a lot of screening to prove its accuracy. Eventually, there was no denying a Sleigh Beggy's power of Sight. This is the outcome, Ainsworth."
Suddenly, it was as if everything fell into place for Elias. He remembered Rahab's last words to him when he had seen her in his mind palace the night they were in Joseph's apartment. She had told him that he didn't eat her. That she gave his life to him willingly. He never understood it back then, and he never reflected on it until now. But now he distinctly remembered her telling him that he had to save Chise at all cost.
"I know it must be a lot to take in, but you are truly free now, Professor Ainsworth—or should I say, Elias." Headmistress Quillyn beamed at him. "Now I know you would wish to enjoy your newly found freedom as soon as possible. So if you wish to leave the College at the soonest, we understand."
"I… This is…" Elias stammered as he returned the letter of the Tribunal of Magi back to her. Free. He still couldn't believe it. And he could leave the College right at this very moment. Yet something in him was holding him back from such a hasty decision. "I'm sorry. I—I don't know yet. I need… I need to see Chise first."
"Of course. Just let us know what you've decided on when you can." The Headmistress nodded her head in understanding.
"Thank you." Elias too nodded his head and smiled for the very first time since having this surreal conversation. And then he remembered to say something to the Headmistress. This moment might be the last time. He looked straight into the Headmistress' brown eyes, forming the words as he did so. "Thank you… for letting me teach. The other Headmasters never allowed me to. But you gave me a chance, and for that, I'm grateful. I probably would never have met Chise Hatori if you didn't let me. And all this would never have happened."
"I, too, thank you for your dedication in teaching your students. I know this place hasn't always been… accommodating for you, but you still gave your best, Elias. Know that I've always respected you for that." The Headmistress sincerely said, the first time that Elias heard her say what she thought about him. She smiled again and with a cheerful voice added, "Now don't let us keep you. Enjoy the rest of your day."
Elias nodded his head again and was about to turn his heel, but Renfred stopped him. "By the way, Ainsworth. I also just received this today." The Sorcery professor fished from the breast pocket of his trench coat another letter and handed it to Elias. And then he added with a rueful smile, "You won."
xxxx
Chise stood on the hill in the gardens, just in time for her meeting with Elias today, her hand brushing on the trunk of the Alder tree as if interested in memorizing the lines of its barks. She pondered on what way she should tell Elias about the letter she received from the Tribunal of Magi. Would he be angry? She had never told him about what she did after all. Would he feel slighted in knowing that she had been working behind his back? She shivered at the thought. She didn't want him to be angry. She wanted him to be happy, for that was the sole reason she worked so hard to have him gain his freedom. A gust of wind blew to her direction, and as she turned her head towards the hedge maze, she saw the very person she was thinking of. Elias walking slowly towards where she was.
He saw her in a white summer dress, shyly keeping the wind from blowing her skirt upside down. Her strawberry-colored hair was tied on a ponytail behind her head, and as soon as she saw him, she gave him a wide smile. And he had never seen anyone more beautiful. His heart warmed every time he saw her. Elias walked more confidently towards her, changing into his wolf-skull form as he did so. He stopped when he was near her, but then he swiftly gathered her in his arms and embraced her tightly.
"Thank you." He breathed out, gratitude for what Chise had done for him filling him to the brim.
"I take it you now know." Chise held him too, her heart feeling relieved that he had been told the news already. Yet something in her stirred her chest and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you angry?"
"Angry? Why would I be?" Elias drew back from their embrace to look at Chise more closely. She wore a remorseful look on her face, and he wondered what brought it out. Didn't she know that today was one of the happiest days in his life? "Chise, you've set me free. Why would I be angry at you?"
"Because I… I never said a word about it. I never told you that I've been seeing Rahab's memories all along." Chise looked away from his crimson eyes, unable to hold Elias's gaze as she admitted her transgression. "I didn't know what it was at first, I swear. It was only when I got the chance to truly talk to her that I understood what it was all for."
"She was reaching out to you. My mind had been closed from her from the very beginning she gave her life to me. And it wouldn't have ever worked even if she made me recall those memories. If it helps, I'm not angry at you at all." Elias said, cupping Chise's cheeks with his gloved hands, so that she wouldn't avoid his gaze this time. "What made you do it though?"
"Because it is right. Because I want you to be free. Because…" Chise reached out her hand then and placed it on Elias's skeletal jaw. "I love you."
"Love?" Elias repeated, in a childlike tone she knew he always had whenever he didn't understand something.
"Yes, I have. For a long time now. As a friend, and… more than a friend." Chise couldn't help but flush red as she finally confessed her feelings toward Elias. She hadn't planned to, but it was something that she had many revelations over for quite a while now, and it just came out all of a sudden. "Is… is that alright?"
"I don't know what love is, Chise." Elias replied, and he couldn't hide the troubled look in his crimson eyes.
Yet she just adamantly shook her head. "You do. You've shown it to me many times. You're just not aware of it perhaps."
"Then help me be aware of it. I'm leaving to travel somewhere, anywhere. Come with me, Chise." Elias tugged on her hand gently, encouraging her to run away with him. Yet the reality, she knew, was that she couldn't.
"Elias, even if I want to, I can't. I'm bound to the College. I—"
That was when Elias handed her the folded letter Renfred gave him. Chise opened it and immediately saw that it was from the Tribunal of Magi. Confused and surprised, she then proceeded to read it.
To the College of Magecraft and Sorcery,
I am writing to hereby proclaim the verdict for the Case 1157 - Mr. Elias Ainsworth vs. the College of Magecraft and Sorcery. After much deliberation on the evidences brought forth by Mr. Elias Ainsworth and the arguments laid forth by the College of Magecraft and Sorcery, we, the Seven Seats of the Tribunal of Magi, are demanding the release of Chise Hatori from the custody of the College and are declaring any contract made between her and the institution as null and void, under the grounds of illegal acquisition and almost inhumane maltreatment.
The Tribunal of Magi also now declares an Act of Magecraft and Sorcery No. 348 that states that all Sleigh Beggies are now to be protected as fitting their endangered nature, and any person or entity that conducts illegal activities concerning them shall be dealt with by the court and law of the Tribunal.
We look forward to your strict compliance.
Sincerely,
Augustus Mills,
First Seat and Presiding Minister
Tribunal of Magi
"How did—? When?" Chise couldn't form her questions properly due to her shock. She eyed the letter again and read the phrase that caught her eye. Mr. Elias Ainsworth vs. the College of Magecraft and Sorcery. He filed a case against the College for her?
"Since the night you told me you were bought from an auction. It has been a long, hard fight." Elias placed a hand on Chise's head, and then he gave her a clumsy smile. "And you are not only the one working behind someone's back."
Chise chortled a little at the irony of things. Here she was worrying about what Elias would think about her working behind his back, and all along he was doing the same thing for her on his own anyway. She looked back at him with grateful, teary eyes. Free. She was now free too. "Elias, I don't know what to say…"
"Say you'll come with me, Chise. I cannot bear to live free but be apart from you. Teach me… teach me how to love you. Let me have the honor of staying right next to you." Elias entreated, embracing her once again. Chise couldn't help but breathe in his rain and forest air scent this time. Free. They were now both free. And somehow only one reply came to her mind.
"Yes, I'll come with you."
xxxx
"How were they able to do it though?"
Chise asked Elias as he was helping her climb a steep rock, holding out his hand for her balance so she could steady her footing. They had been trekking the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu for four days now, sleeping on tents and enjoying the campfire at night and hiking all day. And while it was a little tiring for her, throughout it all though, Chise was filled with wonder from what she had all seen. From the cloud forests and the lush, green mountain sceneries to the various Inca ruins such as Phuyupatamarca and Winya Wayna she saw along the way, she finally had a sense that the world was larger than she thought it was.
"They chiseled the granite bedrock from the mountain ridge. It was built without the use of a wheel, so it was said that hundreds of men pushed the heavy rocks up on the steep mountain side. And there, the stones were cut to fit each other without mortar. They say that when there's an earthquake, the stones dance and then fall back into place once again." Elias explained, never letting go of her hand yet for it was still a bit dark from where they were. They started the trek early in the morning to catch the sunrise in Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, before they head on to the old city ruins of Machu Picchu itself. "Now, we're here. And just in time."
Chise stood beside Elias and looked around her. They were in a fortress-like structure of some sort, with huge stones stacked up on each other to create numerous columns overlooking Machu Picchu itself. She imagined that perhaps there were warriors stationed there in the ancient times, vigilantly guarding the old city. Then beyond the distance, as if peeking from the cover of the cordillera before her, was the sun rising. It began to illuminate the skies with its gentle, golden hues, and little by little the ruins of Machu Picchu came alive before her eyes. And it was like the mountain was carved into a city, the stones blending in so much with the greenery as if they were naturally built. She could make out the ancient structures of what seemed to be steps, courtyards, temples, and houses. She could even imagine the people who once lived there and went on with their day.
"This place is beautiful." She breathed out in awe, and then she placed a hand on Elias's arm. "Thank you for taking me here, Elias."
"It's nothing. I'm glad you liked it." Elias said, giving her a clumsy smile. He reached into his pocket and then cleared his throat. "By the way, if you could lend me your left hand for a bit, I'd like to give you something."
"What is it?" Chise asked with curiosity. She eyed Elias and noticed that he was being a little bashful which was so uncommon for him. Not wanting to point it out so that she would not embarrass him, she then held out her left hand towards him, and swiftly he inserted something on her ring finger.
"A ring?" She raised her left hand to observe it even more, the sunlight reflecting it with a pale green shade.
"Yes, and I have one too." Elias took off the glove in his left hand for her to see. There on his ring finger was the ring he was talking about. "It functions the same as the adder stone on your phone. But since you're wearing it, you won't lose it. It will let us both know if anything bad happens to either of us. Yours though has an added feature of regulating your magical energy."
"Regulating my magical energy? Similar to a binding?"
"Yes, Chise. I'm sorry, this is the only best thing I could think of right now. I promise you I'll find a better way someday. I promise you I'll keep you alive." Elias told her, placing his left hand on her shoulder. There was certain determination in his crimson eyes that Chise had not seen before, and so she accepted his words with a smile.
"That's ok, Elias. Thank you." She replied, covering his hand that was resting on her shoulder with her own. And then she grinned in a cheeky way. "But isn't the ring finger in the left hand reserved for a wedding ring?"
Chise never thought the day would come that she'd recognize a hint of blush on Elias's wolf-skull of a face. His mouth was agape, and there was a soft glint of shyness in his crimson eyes. She couldn't help but let out a giggle at how adorable he looked.
"You don't have to be so embarrassed. It's fine." She said brushing a hand on his skeletal jaw. And then she embraced him tightly, her arms circling his torso and her head resting on his chest. "My heart… my heart is yours alone. Always."
"As mine is yours too. Always." Elias replied, holding her body closer to him. It was not just his heart that belonged to her now. His whole life too. And he would gladly spend the rest of his days by her side and need nothing more.
And there, atop a mountain in a distant land, with the rising sun shining light on them, two hearts had never felt so grateful. They were at peace, loved, and most of all, free.
xxxx
Additional Notes: So, that's it folks. The end. I hope you had fun reading it as much as I had fun writing it. This little fanfiction project is really special to me. It taught me a lot of things, from the discipline of writing every day (even just one paragraph) to discovering a new method to plan out the scenes in the chapters. I doubt I'm a good writer, there are others who write better, but I am really grateful for this little project, and I feel like I've improved even just a little.
To all the people who showed love to this fanfiction, thank you! I appreciate all the views, the faves, the follows, and the reviews! As always, here are the little notes for here and there:
The title of this chapter, 'Better Together', is not mine. It is a title of a song by Jack Johnson. When I was planning this chapter, I remembered the song and thought that it fit.
I am no lawyer, so I don't know how to write legal documents. So the letters from the Tribunal of Magi were the best that I could do. I hope that they were still acceptable and didn't ruin the chapter for you. ^_^;
The Classic Inca Trail is a 26-mile mountain trek one can opt to take to visit Machu Picchu in Peru. I've never been, and my description just came from some travel websites online and their pictures. The trivia Elias shared to Chise also came from there. The Internet is a magnificent thing, isn't it? :)
From what I've read, Machu Picchu receives a lot of visitors every day. But by the power of the mighty word processor on which I type, Chise and Elias were the only people there in their scene, so he was on his wolf-skull form there. I do love my word processor, it is so powerful! :)
So how was the ending for you? I hope it was ok. Or better yet, how was the whole story? Do drop a review and share your thoughts. I'd be happy to hear them. I'm thinking of making a sequel, but not as plot-heavy as this one. Just a series of one-shots that depict Elias's and Chise's lives in this alternate universe. There are just ideas in my head. We'll see.
And once again, thank you for reading! :)
Mariangel: Thank you again for your review last chapter. I really appreciate it! :)