Marius's eyes widen in disbelief.
"How? I lost you." said Marius.
"You deserve the explanations, but not here. I have found a hiding place for us." Icarus looked at the two filolials, "You two have help. Thank you. Now you may go."
The two filolials nodded and ran off into the distance.
"Come. Follow me."
Icarus turned and walked towards the forest with Henri and Marius behind.
"This is going all too well. We got a help from a man with wings. And that man is surprisingly your son, my friend." said Henri.
"I... I do not know how..." said Marius.
Night as darkened the skies and the three reached a spot deep inside the forest. There, they saw two sacks that they forced to ditch behind.
"I took the liberty of retrieving you and your friend's armor, father." said Icarus.
"Question." said Henri, "Are you sure this spot is safe?"
"I am sure. And I think me and my father can handle this. You may go."
"Hey, I'm the one who helped your father escaped."
"You did, but you did poorly."
"I don't see you opening the door for us."
"Enough!" Marius shouted. He turned his head towards Icarus.
"I suppose you want to know how I survived the Time Reversal." said Icarus.
"Yes."
"Before the effects of the Time Reversal reached its full effect, Athena came and saved me."
"Athena? The goddess of wisdom?"
"Correct. Thus, I was hatched and raised in Olympus to lived among the Olympians."
"Then, why go here? Why help me?"
"Because I have to stop the Time Reversal once and for all, or else this world will be stuck in a timeloop."
"The spearman. He uses it for his own gain."
"And who knows how many loops have occurred without us knowing it. Before I left Olympus he had done three loops, but now that I am here I'm also affected by the Time Reversal."
"So he just kept looping everything, uh?" said Henri, "And what for?"
"He wishes to have Filo to himself." said Marius.
"Ah yes, the name you kept saying everytime you sleep."
Marius glared at Henri.
"But he does not realized doing so prevented my mother's birth." said Icarus, "Thus, as long as he has the spear he will keep looping the time for eternity."
"Well then, how do we stop this time looping menace?" said Henri.
"Motoyasu's power level may have reach beyond our abilities. Going after him now means death."
"I took his spear from his hands once and used it." said Marius. "If I can take the spear away from him, I could stop the Time Reversal?"
"Maybe. But it will only worked when both you and him die together. Otherwise, only he saw the Time Reversal affect."
Marius looked down to his hand, "If only I still have the flames, I might have a better chance against him."
"You can try regain it. We just need to get you to the dragon hourglass."
"The nearest hourglass is in Melromarc." said Henri, "But I don't think they'll let us even near the country without sending arrows at us."
"Cal Mira." said Marius.
"You're thinking about taking a vacation?"
"No. There is one hourglass there in a underwater temple... Your mother and I found it."
"Then we'll go there." said Icarus.
Then, Icarus's stomach growls.
"But first, we eat. I will go hunting."
Icarus unsheathed his sword before flying off to woods.
"Atleast you skipped past the raising part." said Henri.
"Why are you still here?" said Marius.
"I'm an adventurer, Marius. Besides, I have to repay you for helping me escape."
"You did it poorly."
"He also said the Spear Hero's abilities might be beyond his level. So an extra help won't hurt."
"Fine. But I will leave you behind if you are worthless."
"Already underestimating me? Trust me, I'm more than meets the eye."
Marius groaned.
Marius sat down and observed his centurion helmet still intact. He was so used to the new helmet he had that having the old helmet in its original form felt odd to him.
He turned to his left and saw Henri clad in leather and mail armor, watching Icarus gorging on a large piece of cooked meat from the monster he hunted down.
Just like his mother, Marius thought. The eyes, the cowlick, wind magic and even her gluttonous appetite. Marius then thought of Filo, who he saw died before him. Never had the chance to see her child grow.
"Father?" said Icarus, who approached Marius with a skewered meat, "Are you not hungry?"
"No."
"But you ate very little."
"I'm a soldier, boy. Rations are enough to fill me."
"Are you worried, father?"
"I worried about our journey for Cal Mira. I am afraid they might launch a hunting party."
"On us?" said Henri.
"On me."
Lady Ingrid arrived at the prison compound after hearing Marius's escape. She looked around at the the aftermath and was displeased by it.
"Where is your head warden!" Lady Ingrid shouted.
One of the warden walked towards Lady Ingrid, "He's dead. The escaped prisoners killed him."
"How did he escaped?"
"They wore a disguised to fool us but we managed to caught them until someone attacked us."
"Do you realized what your incompetency as lead to?"
"Uh... no?"
"That prisoner who escaped is no mere criminal, warden."
Lady Ingrid approached the warden and looked down on him.
"Mercy!"
"Yes, my lady." said Mercy, who came out of nowhere beside the shocked warden.
"Investigate the area and find the centurion. You have my orders to kill him on sight. Bring backup if you have too."
"Understood, my lady."
And with that, Lady Ingrid turned and left. Mercy started looking around the damaged compound and spotted filolial tracks leading towards the exit.
Morning came and the three men started their journey towards the nearest port.
"Hey, birdman." said Henri.
"I have a name, you know." said Icarus.
"You have wings, right? Why not just fly us to Cal Mira?"
"We'll be too exposed to onlookers. Besides, it will look incredibly silly."
"He is right." said Marius.
"Atleast we should get a transport or something."
Just as he said that, a wagon pulled by a filolial queen zoomed pass them as they got out of the forest.
"Was that-" Henri exclaimed.
"A filolial queen pulling a wagon." said Icarus.
Marius, without saying a word, started running towards it. He started to think if Motoyasu really did brought Filo in this world. That thought alone kept him running until he was picked up by Icarus with his wings spread.
"You'll tire yourself out, father." said Icarus.
The they flew away, chasing after the wagon and leaving behind Henri.
Icarus landed on the ground with his father just far enough from the wagon after it reached a small town and the two then followed the wagon behind.
The wagon looked nothing like the wagon he recognized, but he somehow knew the filolial queen pulling it.
"Father, why are we following them?" said Icarus.
"Be quite." said Marius.
They followed them until the wagon made a full stop and they quickly hide behind some fences. Marius peeked his head to see the filolial queen that was pulling the wagon.
The large bird transformed into an adult woman with wings. Her long hair was pink in color and so was her dress. Then, two more filolials in human form unboard the wagon but none of them resembled Filo. Disappointed, Marius went back into hiding with a distraught look.
"Father? What's wrong?"
"Nothing..."
"You missed her, did you?"
"This is a waste of our time."
"But atleast we know she's not with him yet."
"... Indeed."
Marius peeked again and saw them setting up shop. Amongs them was Motoyasu, looking very happy with his family.
"That malaka." Marius said under his breath.
"That's the Spear Hero?" said Icarus.
"Yes." Marius then pointed at Naofumi, "And that is your mother's murderer."
"The Shield Hero? He doesn't look like a murderer."
"You don't know everything!"
"No. Athena only told me about the Time Reversal, the Spear Hero and you."
Icarus placed his hand on Marius's shoulder.
"I felt your anger growing, father. But he does not know that."
Marius grunted.
"And mother is not born yet. There is nothing we can do here."
Marius let out a sighed, "You are right. We are wasting time."
The two snuck back out of the small town and back on the road where they rejoined with Henri.
"Thanks for leaving me behind!" said Henri.
"You're welcome." said Icarus.
"And what was that just now?"
"Enough of this. We go to Cal Mira." said Marius.
After almost a week of travelling, they reached a port that will take them to Cal Mira. But as the got closer, they saw it was heavily guarded by knights. Anyone who tried to enter will have their cargo thoroughly search, including the ships.
The three hide behind a bush, trying to think of a way to go through.
"So, any ideas?" said Henri.
"Do you?" said Icarus.
"Well, we could always go to other countries. They always have the hourglass with them."
"Unless Melromarc knights are guarding their borders." said Marius.
"I could try scouting the borders, father." said Icarus.
"Do it. Cal Mira will be out of reach for now."
Deeper inside the forest, the Marius and Henri rested while waiting for Icarus to complete his scouting mission. After hours of waiting, Icarus returned.
"What did you find?" said Marius.
"Every inch of Melromarc's borders have been guarded." said Icarus.
"This may become too difficult for us."
"Wanna try the disguise idea again?" said Henri.
"Patrols have become much more stricter to the point they started checking every single citizens." said Icarus.
"I have an idea to counter that. How many money do all of you have?"
The two stared at Henri and remained quite.
"Then bribing them is out of the question then."
"Wait... Someone is with us!" Icarus drew his sword and shield.
Marius and Henri pulled out their swords and get ready for an attack. Then, a flock of filolials emerged out of the bushes and surrounds them.
"More filolials. Great." said Henri.
"What do they want?" said Marius.
"I don't know. But they're controlled by someone." said Icarus.
"Wait... Fitoria." said Marius, "Lay down your arms."
All three lowered their weapons. Then, Queen Fitoria walked past two filolials and approached Icarus.
"You are the son of a filolial queen." said Fitoria, "Yet, none of them have children of their own."
"Who is that?" Henri whispered.
"Fitoria. Queen of all filolials." Marius whispered.
"I am Icarus. I was sent by the Olympians to deal with the Time Reversal." said Icarus.
"The Olympians? Have not seen them in a long time. And I thought something was a little off."
"Fitoria." Marius approached, "We need your help."
"And I believe you are his human father."
"I need to use one of the hourglass so I can fight the Spear Hero."
Fitoria suddenly shivers and her face turned pale, "That scary man."
"You already met him."
Fitoria regain her composure, "Yes. He himself has his own filolials I tested. And no doubt he is the one behind the Time Reversal."
"That's why I need to stop him."
"Very well. I will help you. Come."
"So you slept with a bird?" said Henri.
"Quite." Marius exclaimed.
Queen Fitoria teleported them to the ancient ruin similar to the one Marius been before.
"Come. Let me lead you to the hourglass of this place."
Queen Fitoria lead the way as the three men followed her. They walked through the ruins, abandoned centuries ago, until they reached the ruined temple with it's door wide open.
"This is where the hourglass is kept. You may use it as you wished." said Fitoria.
Marius nodded and entered the temple. The inside was almost similar to the church that housed the other hourglass at the Melromarc capital. As he went deeper, Marius could see the abandoned hourglass luminated by the sunlight from the large hole on the ceilling.
Marius walked closer and saw spider webs surrounding the hourglass. He swiped the webs away to get closer to it. The hourglass, been abandoned for a longtime, was covered with dust and debris.
With his hand, Marius placed it the hourglass. He waited and waited for the hourglass to respond and... Nothing.
Marius kept his hands on the hourglass, praying and begging for the flames but nothing happened. Frustrated, Marius slammed his fist on the hourglass.
Marius tried to calm himself down before finally getting back to his senses. Now that he no longer can use the flames he tried to think of something else. He turned around and noticed the mural of a familiar warrior on the temple walls holding a spear.
"I have lived for centuries, yet to see a child born from a filolial queen." said Fitoria as she observed Icarus.
"So does that make him a filolial prince?" said Henri.
"Perhaps. Icarus, do you know who's your mother?"
"I never had the chance to know her."
"You will, my son." said Marius.
"Father." said Icarus.
"There you are. Did you get your powers back?" said Henri.
"No." said Marius.
"What do you mean no?"
"The hourglass was useless."
"It can't be useless." said Fitoria, "That hourglass didn't suffered any damage, even by time."
"Then why did it do nothing?"
"I'm afraid I do not have an answer for your question."
"My queen, there has to be a way." said Icarus.
Marius thought of an idea and suddenly remembered something.
"What about the Spear of Zeus?" said Marius.
Fitoria quickly turned her head, "How did you know about the weapon?"
"You gave it to me. Along with a shield."
"And what action did you do to deserve such weapon?"
"I was her Praetorian. Through your trial, I let go the very thing that will prevent me from protecting her."
"And what happened to her."
Marius's heart dropped, "She... Died."
Fitoria turned her back on Marius and walked away.
"Wait."
"Why should I give it to you?"
"Because that spear is my only chance against him!"
"You said you failed to protect your filolial queen."
"Do not remind me of my failure! Give me the weapon!"
Fitoria ignored him as she walked away.
"You said you will help us!"
The queen of all filolials continued to ignore him as she walked away. Furious, Marius drew his weapon and charged at her. Sensing danger, Fitoria turned away and trapped Marius inside the same magical capsule Fitoria used on princess Melty.
"I've offer you my help and gave you safe haven in my domain, yet this is how you repay me? With drawn weapon?"
The magical capsule dissipated and Marius was thrown back with to his two companions. All three of them were teleported back to their previous spot in the forest. Marius shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Well..." Henri clapped his hands and rubbed them together, "She wasn't much of a help."
Marius gave Henri a terrifying death stare and the adventurer raise both his hand, pursing his lips as he turned the other way.
"There must be another way." said Icarus.
"Leave me be..." Marius said as he turned and walked away, looking for a spot to be left alone.
"Father." Icarus followed Marius.
"I said leave me be!" Marius raised his voice and saw the shocked looked at his son's face. "... I'm sorry."
"I understand why you're upset, father... But we can still do this. We'll find another way to see mother."
"Do you have a plan?"
"I... I wish I do, father. We could still do the Cal Mira plan."
"If the hourglass from Fitoria does not work, so will the other hourglass. The Spear of Zeus is my only chance."
"But the other two weapons are here as well. Do you know of them?"
"I know of the trident and the bident. But I do not where it is... There is one weapon-"
Icarus dashed towards Marius with his wings spread. He wrapped his wings around Marius and they heard the sound of a dart hitting the metal wings.
Startled by the sudden attack, Marius and Icarus drew their weapon. Then, five of the Queen's Shadow emerged from the trees and surrounded them.
"By the order of her majesty! Surrender!" shouted one of the Shadow.
But Marius stayed quite and waited for an attack.
"Then we will present your corpse to the queen!"
The Shadows lunged at them at once. The father and son duo quickly countered the fast attack.
"They're too fast!" said Icarus as he blasted one of them away with his wind magic and swatted two more with his wings.
"Focus! Do not let them break through your defense!" said Marius.
One of the Shadows approached Marius from behind and stabbed his side abdomen with her dagger. Marius turned and struck the assassin with his elbow. Another one took the chance to drive her dagger into Marius throat.
Marius blocked the attack with his arm and stabbed his sword deep into the Shadow's abdomen. He pulled the sword back with such force and kicked the dying assassin away. Then he felt a sharp pain on his thigh as the other Shadow slashed him while he was looking away.
The Shadow with her dagger stained by Marius's blood prepared to struck a killing blow when Icarus blocked her with his shield. Marius ran than drove his sword into the Shadow's neck before hedecapitating the assassin.
Marius turned around and saw one of the Shadow appeared out of nowhere and was ready to kill his son. Marius threw his sword at Icarus's would be assassin and it struck her on her forehead. Icarus with his speed dashed pass Marius and killed the other Shadow who was about to drive her dagger into Marius. The two quickly went back to back and looked around for more Shadows.
"Who were they?" said Icarus.
"The queen of Melromarc's assassins." said Marius.
"What do they want with us?"
"No. They want me."
Then, they saw another one landed. They quickly readied for the attack but Marius suddenly realized who the last assassin is.
"Mercy."
"Recognize me, centurion." Mercy pulled out her crossbow and aimed at Marius.
Icarus braced his wings to attack when Marius stopped him.
"You are hunting me, are you not?"
"Obviously. Lady Ingrid's orders. I'm sure you remembered her."
"But I know who you're also working with... I know you also work for Vortiger."
"How do you know?" Mercy gripped her crossbow tighter.
"There are things happening that you do not know. But I do."
"What do you want with him?"
"A favor. It might benefit him and his plan."
The two parties went silent. Marius waited for her respond while Icarus patiently waited for Mercy's next move. After an intense wait, Mercy shifted her aim and fired her crossbow. The dart flew just inches away from Marius's head and he heard the sound of the dart piercing through flesh followed by the horrific sound of a dying woman.
Icarus turned his head and saw the last Shadow with crossbow dart on her throat, blood squirting out of her neck before she fell to the ground on her back.
"Alright, Marius. You have my interest. But remember, I still have orders to kill you. So if you try something funny, you're dead."
Then, Henri emerged out of the bushes weapon in hand, "What I miss!"
Henri looked around and saw five dead Shadows.
"You killed the queen's assassins? You're pretty good." Henri then saw Mercy, "And who's her?"
"A friend." said Marius.
