Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.
A/N: I've just finished my second week of my fall school semester and starting my third week. I'm planning a collection of little short stories on my White Wings group and I'm not sure if you guys would be willing to read it. There's a small summary of it on my profile. Check out the summary and tell me if you'd like me to write them. And now present you all with another chapter.
Chapter Seventeen: The Cogs of Time are Turning
Ereve Island was silent except for the sounds of the night. Princess Cygnus woke up from her small nap to the sight of darkness in the library. Wasn't Neinheart suppose to be studying still? She stood up slowly and walked toward the library door. Her hands out in front of her trying to feel for where she was going. She walked next to the study area where she had left Neinheart after her burst of hurt. It was completely dark. She could hear a soft breathing. She glanced toward the tables as the clouds allowed for the moonlight to shine through one of the skylights. Princess Cygnus smiled gently at the sight. Neinheart had his head resting in his arms on the tabletop. His glasses were slightly falling off his nose. She quietly went over to the place where the spare candles were and grabbed one with the lighter. She replaced the candle in the holder and lit it, allowing for an ambient light to wash over the area. Princess Cygnus walked over to the section of books that her mother had told her to read and removed a few books from the shelf. She walked them over to the table and put them down. Sitting across from Neinheart, she opened the first book and put a pad of paper in front of her. Picking up the quill and opening up the ink well, she started taking notes on the book. Minutes later, the scratching sound of the quill moving woke up Neinheart. He glanced up at the princess shocked by her determined expression. Next to her, there was evidence of a small pile of notes starting to form. Neinheart blinked at the sight, confused on what to do or say. Princess Cygnus glanced up at him questioningly. Neinheart looked away.
"We got off on the wrong foot. I apologize, Princess." His voice was merely a whisper with hints of guiltiness. Princess Cygnus smiled gently.
"I apologize as well." The two of them sat quietly staring at each other. Neither one making a noise, until Neinheart decided to question the Princess.
"What are you working on, Princess?"
"I'm studying every thing I need to know as the next Empress. He told me I should learn all I can from my mother. I must be prepared to rule over Maple World if something happens to her. I trust his judgment so I decided to start on those books that my mother told me to read months ago." Cygnus stated calmly. Neinheart surprised by her maturity closed his eyes briefly.
"Who is this man you speak of?" Neinheart questioned out of curiosity. He watched as Cygnus's eyes brightened up and began to sparkle with happiness.
"His name is Eckhart. He's a thief I met back in Kerning City with my mother. He saved my life from a Crimson Balrog. He also sent mother, Katarina and the knights a letter. I didn't read it but I think it has to do with what is making my mother tired. They were talking about it when I left. Something about the Black Mage or Black something."
"Black Wings most likely. They're a group of individuals that are trying desperately to revive their long sealed master, the Black Mage. I had heard that the Black Wings are on the move, I just didn't know that they were really real since I haven't seen any proof." Neinheart supplied softly. Cygnus looked down at her notes, before glancing up at Neinheart with wonderful determined eyes.
"I can't do this by myself. I could learn everything these books could teach me and still be no better at my job. Will you help me, Neinheart? I want to protect everyone, even my mother and her knights." Neinheart glanced down at his own notes and return to her gaze. Her eyes were one of innocence and maturity without ignorance. He felt a small smile appear on his face.
"I'll help you, Princess." He studied her face as it lit up like Christmas lights. "We just have a lot of work to do until we're both ready to take over their positions. And if this Eckhart person that you've obviously put a lot of trust into says that something bad might happen then we don't have a lot of time to waste. We must learn all we can before something horrible happens."
"Thank you, Neinheart." Cygnus stated with a gentle smile. Neinheart nodded in return. The two quietly returned to their books and worked late into the night. It was hours later, that Neinheart noticed that sometime in between their conversation and their business, Cygnus had fallen into a restless slumber. Her quill was laying near her ink well. Neinheart stood up and cleaned up his books and then hers. He closed the ink well and put everything in order. He then bend down and picked her up gently. He walked out the door and brought her to her chambers. Neinheart laid her down, removed her shoes, and tucked her in. He stood back and stared softly at her.
"Good night, Princess. Rest well." Neinheart walked toward the door and glanced once more behind him at the Princess, before departing from the room. Neinheart strolled through the empty halls thinking to himself. "I must talk with this Eckhart as soon as possible. The Princess must prepare for the worst case scenario. She will be in need of her own group of Guardians...hmm...must research into this Eckhart." Neinheart rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Hopefully, Lady Katarina doesn't realize what I'm up to..." Neinheart went outside toward his own little cabin. Neinheart went to sleep in his warm bed with thoughts of plans simmering in his mind.
In Ellinia, Eckhart moved quietly through the little city and toward Grendel's house. He quietly opened one of the upper floor windows and stepped inside. The smell of old books reached his nose. Umbra floated translucently next to him.
"Why are we here?" Umbra whispered next to him. Eckhart slipped past Grendel's study quietly going toward a young mage's room. He opened the door softly and glanced at the red head that was sleeping on the bed. "That's..."
"Hello again, Oz." Eckhart stated softly before putting down a letter on her nightstand. "Take care and continue to grow stronger. If fate allows it, we'll meet again." Eckhart moved her hair out of her peaceful face. "Let's go, Umbra." The two disappeared from the room and reappeared near the entrance to the forest. Eckhart took one last look behind him and threw his hood over his head.
"Where does the shadows tell you to go now?" Umbra questioned softly. The moon was high in the sky. Eckhart smirked under his mask.
"There's a rumor I want to check out before we go and find a way to fly." Umbra tilted his head questioningly. Eckhart continued walking toward Henesys. The two walked in silence until they reached the outskirts of the town.
"The Henesys's Farmlands?" Umbra stated calmly. Eckhart continued walking toward a small General Store. "Oh, isn't this Limbert's General Store? Zazie mentioned him once right?" Eckhart nodded and went to find the little rumor. Eckhart jumped up to the tree that was next to the window. In an uncomfortable bed was a young boy with light blonde hair as bright as the morning sun. "Urgh...my eyes!" Umbra muttered in a whisper while looking away. Eckhart chuckled softly.
"His current name is Kiddo. I heard that his father had left him here when he was still an infant. He looks a lot like him." Eckhart stated quietly.
"Him? Who?" Umbra stated curiously. "Eckhart come on tell me."
"He looks a lot like that Guardian...from back then... Has it really been that long since I left Kerning City?" Eckhart returned with a faraway voice. Umbra glanced at Eckhart from the corner of his eyes.
"How old is the boy?"
"Just a few years younger than me. He has a powerful light within him much like that man. Hopefully he can grow stronger to make her notice him. We should go. One more person to check up on before we fly."
"I hope you're not planning to sprout wings and fly like a bird, because that's just odd." Umbra joked softly. Eckhart chuckled with a small smile. The two quickly went toward Henesys to find an old friend. Eckhart walked through the desolate town toward Henesys's resident archer's home. Umbra took in the changes to the town. The two arrived at a small but cozy house. The lights were still on. Eckhart walked toward the window and glanced inside. Sitting at the table was a woman with black Angelique hair and blue eyes. She was talking to a long green haired girl with golden hazel eyes. There was a strange air around her. "She is gifted with a powerful wind. It embraces her." Eckhart nodded and slowly walked away from the window. "Why are you suddenly doing this?"
"I don't know. The shadows are just bringing me to them for some reason." Eckhart stated softly. Umbra nodded in understanding.
"Where are we going to find a way to fly?" Umbra questioned out of curiosity. Eckhart smirked mischievously.
"I heard another rumor for this one. Ever heard about the elusive pirates?" Eckhart stated calmly. Umbra nodded slowly.
"What are you planning?"
"The rumor involves a pirate. I heard he has a ship that can fly. We'll use it to infiltrate a Black Wings Base. I need more concrete data and what their upcoming plans are going to be. Plus the pirate is an elusive one so it shouldn't be too difficult for him to disappear off the map."
"If this pirate is elusive, how are we going to find him?" Umbra questioned while walking next to Eckhart. Eckhart hummed with a smile.
"He'll be picking us up. He likes adventure and mischief so he will be coming to me." Umbra stopped walking and just stared at him. "Umbra? Are you coming?" Eckhart stated calmly and turned around. Eckhart studied Umbra's expression in silence. The silence hung gently in the air. Eckhart clicked his tongue quietly. "Something wrong?" Umbra shook his head softly, before looking at Eckhart again. His dark violet eyes holding a sense of confusion.
"How...when?" Umbra stated quietly. Eckhart leaned against one of Henesys's shop buildings. The moon was high in the sky with lingering clouds in the distance. Eckhart's eyes stared into the dark expanses known as the night sky.
"It was awhile back, Umbra. He left me a message with Yiska apparently. He was looking for an adventure since he was bored of being put to work and wanted to have some fun. Yiska told him that I was known for getting into exciting adventures with a sprinkle of danger to accompany it. Yiska told him that he could get in touch with me to see if I had a need for a flying pirate ship. How could I refuse? It's a flying pirate ship." Umbra shook his head with a small smirk.
"I will never have an unexciting day when I'm with you, will I?"
"You want an unexciting day? I can make that happen." Eckhart stated with a soft smile. Umbra laughed quietly.
"Nah, that would be too boring. We don't have time to decide how to make an unexciting day happen. Plus, I like excitement just as much as you do." Umbra smirked playfully. "When will he find us?"
"I believe he might have already found us. We should just meet up with him near the outskirts of the town. Come on. We've wasted quite enough time already. The moon's going to disappear by the time we get there." Eckhart pushed himself off the wall and started toward the outskirts. Umbra floated next to him calmly. The two walked in silence as they reached one of the hills outside of the town. There at the top waiting for them was a majestic pirate ship large enough to fit a small crew of ten. Leaning against the hull of the ship was a figure. His short orange hair moved with the wind while his steel gray eyes focused on the two coming toward him. He was wearing a blue pirate hat with feathers coming out the top and a blue cape that covered his clothes. He was younger than Umbra had anticipated. He was a few years younger than the blonde boy back at Limbert's General Store.
"Eckhart, are you sure this young boy can take care of himself? We're going to a Black Wing's Base. This is no walk in the park. His life is going to be in danger at all times." Umbra stated worryingly.
"Relax Umbra. He knows what he's doing. Pirates always do." Eckhart responded calmly and without worry. Eckhart walked up to the pirate. The young pirate glanced at him in wonder.
"Are you the one that gets into a lot of trouble?" His childish voice questioning quite seriously.
"Yeah, that would be me. What's your name?" Eckhart responded quietly. Eckhart watched as the pirate's mouth turned into a huge smile.
"Name's Hawkeye. Pirate Captain of this fine vessel at your service." His steel gray eyes were sparkling with excitement.
"Eckhart, and this is Umbra. Thanks for volunteering on such a dangerous adventure." Eckhart returned softly. The two shook hands. Hawkeye's huge smile never left his face. Eckhart blinked in surprise at the power simmering in the other's hand. It was electrifying with energy. Eckhart released the shake and Hawkeye motioned him and Umbra onto his beautiful ship. Eckhart could tell the wood was of high grade and durable for rough winds and waters. The ropes were all hand made to the correct strength. "I have a question, how did you manage to make this your ship?" Hawkeye laughed as he went behind the wheel.
"I built it. It took most of my childhood though. I had help building it, but the important parts were done by my hands." Hawkeye's huge smile was plastered onto his face. "Men! Prepare for take off. Destination: Black Wings Base." Eckhart watched as the young pirate maneuvered the ship into the air with ease. The crew were bustling about with their duties. Hawkeye's eyes were sparkling still with excitement, but there was a sense of responsibility there as well. Eckhart smiled painfully under his mask. Another child too mature for his age, but there was an unusual power hidden underneath his brute force and strength. Umbra floated around the ship looking at the craftsmanship.
"Sir, we're about to reach the air currents." A sailor stated calmly.
"No problem. Once we enter, release the sails. Let's have an adventure." Hawkeye ordered with a shark-like grin. The ship entered the air currents with a tug. The sailors released the sails and Hawkeye maneuvered the ship with ease. Eckhart went to stand next to him. "We'll do some scouting before infiltrating the base later at night. It'll give us time to make a flexible but solid plan."
"Agreed. Let's just get there without them realizing what we're up to. Hopefully, Captain Alb will be there so I can pay him back." Eckhart stated calmly. Hawkeye turned the wheel slowly heading toward the location.
"You'll fill me in on this group before we head in right? I don't like going into a base without prior knowledge on who the enemy is." Hawkeye responded seriously. His childish voice no longer there. His eyes grew hard with concentration. Eckhart nodded as he took in the sight of the night sky. Umbra appeared next to him to glance out at the horizon. Eckhart allowed for the wind to blow against his mask.
A/N: Another chapter finished. I hope this chapter is as good as the others. Tell me what you all think. See you all next time!