Timeline: After the Attack of the Elves.
The Novachrono Siblings
As Julius tried to move, he quickly realized how much less responsive his new, smaller body was. His limbs felt awkward and unfamiliar, and his magic, once so potent, was now almost entirely depleted. Shuffling out of Anastasia's protective embrace, he planted his feet on the ground, trying to regain his bearings. The ground seemed disconcertingly close, a stark reminder of the child's body he now inhabited. He frowned, contemplating the long journey of adjustment ahead.
His attention was drawn by two familiar voices in the distance, discussing the burrow where his corpse had once laid. Gathering the excess length of his clothes, which now hung loosely on his smaller frame, he began to walk towards the voices.
"Hey, guess I survived. '' He said, waving nonchalantly. "But as you can see, I'm a bit smaller now."
The two men, The Captain of the Black Bulls and the Captain of the Golden Dawn, stared at the child in front of them, dumbfounded. The magic king's death replayed in Yami's head as he saw this tiny man.
'Yami, I leave the rest to you.'
"Hold on," He said gruffly as he scowled, "what kind of wacky plot twist is this?"
He strode up to Julius and picked him up by the collar. "You gave a fancy final Speech and everything. Why aren't you dead?"
"Yami, you're scaring me. Please relax." Julius said as he raised his hands, trying to diffuse the captain's irritation.
"Thinking you were dead inspired me." Yami began to raise his voice "Now I feel like I wasted my energy."
Julius looked away in guilt, "I'm sorry for being useless while the Clover kingdom was in such awful peril. I was expecting my magic to kick in sooner but no luck."
"Oh yeah?" He growled, a vein visibly appearing on Yami's annoyed face.
"Well, if it wasn't for this woman- no…"
He turned towards the Swallowtail, where Anastasia laid. He was proud of his sister, grateful for her resilience and refused to hide her any longer.
"If it wasn't for my sister, Anastasia, I wouldn't have been able to wake up so well either…"
"Dammit you're still as batty as ever." The Black Bulls Captain sighed in exasperation. "On the other hand, I thought I'd never see your face again so…guess it isn't all bad."
"Forgive me, lord Julius." The captain of the Golden Dawn interjected, guilt wrought in the tone of his voice. "What I did… it was unforgivable."
"William Vangeance." The Magic King said sternly, his tone a stark contrast to his childish form. "Regardless of what your reason was, betraying the kingdom is a grave crime. Countless people have suffered, and it will take some time for them to recover. While they are healing, I'm not going to let you sit idly by."
Despite being confined to a child's body, Julius' presence was commanding, his regal bearing unmistakable. His eyes, though youthful, carried the weight of his experience and authority. William, unable to meet Julius' piercing gaze, stared at the ground, guilt etched across his face.
Yami sucked his teeth, taking a pull from his cigarette, "Don't you think you're going a little easy on goldiguts there? He did a lot of damage, the least you could do is punish him for it"
"Well, the way I see it, I was the one who invited him to join the Magic Knights and made him a captain. Which means I'm somewhat responsible." The Magic King continued, his tone softening, "Not only that but I lost against the other soul that was possessing his body, the leader of the eye of the midnight sun."
The destruction flashed back in his mind, and he shuddered at the reminder of his death.
Julius squinted as he exhaled, "I'm sure some will resent you for your part in all of this, William. But I know, your own suffering was also great. The question is, do you have the resolve to press on in spite of the hatred you're sure to face?"
William gasps, tears filling his eyes. A sense of relief and determination washed over the captain of the Golden Dawn. Julius' mercy was not a sign of weakness but a testament to his wisdom and compassion. Despite the adversity, their King's loving and merciful nature remained unshaken, further solidifying his place as a beloved and revered leader.
"I will not fail you again, Julius." William responded, his voice breaking from the emotion, and he raised a trembling arm to salute. "If you'll have it, then my Grimoire belongs to you for the good of the Clover Kingdom."
"You will serve this kingdom with renewed vigor, proving your loyalty through your actions." King Novachrono said, a kind smile spreading on his face.
'For crying out loud Julius' Yami thought as he scratched the back of his head, 'apart from that baby face you haven't changed a bit, have you?'
"By the way, since when did you have a sister and why were you hiding her?" Yami asked, looking towards the mage in white slumped at the device.
"Anyone with relation to me would be in more danger than I would like to admit. But I see that she's proven herself capable." Julius responded, his demeanor changing to a more tender state as his eyes shone with pride. "She's always been an exceptional healer, and given her current state, I'd say she's a worthy Knight as well."
Julius looked at Anastasia once more, his chest tightening with concern.
"That being said, she needs medical attention and as much as I want to, I cannot take her back by myself in the state that I am in. Will you help me, Yami?" the small king said, looking up at the burly Black Bull's captain.
Yami groaned as if accessing a memory "Wait a minute, is she the one who makes you fart glitter?"
Before the Royal Knights exam took place, Julius had arranged a meeting with all of the captains to debrief them of the plan. As the captains took their seats, Julius strode to the end of the room, followed by Marx. As he began the meeting, The King moved his chair and readied to sit. He sat, with all of his weight, causing a loud crack of flatulence to reverberate the walls of the meeting room. An abundance of gold glitter shot upwards, raining down on Julius as if it were Starfall and Marx took a step back with a loud gasp, dodging the glitter bomb. After a moment of silence, the room erupted with Yami's and Jack's laughter.
"BWAHAHAHA! Are you so old now that glitter comes out of your ass!?" Yami shouted.
"Did ya slice your anus open with that one!?" Jack cackled wildly.
"Wow, what an interesting canvas!" Rill said, giggling.
'Disgusting…' Charlotte thought.
The rest of the captains kept a straight face.
"Alright, alright that was fun." Julius said, hiding his irritation with a nonchalant smile. "Now let's get back to business."
He turned towards Marx, who looked at him with a blank face, attempting to hide his own smirk.
"Remind me to kill Anase later…" He growled through his teeth.
"Why did you have to remember that?" The King hung his head in shame "But yes…it was her."
Yami burst out in a hearty laugh as he lifted Anastasia off of the ground. "I like this girl! Hey Julius, let her join my squad!"
"No," Julius said instantaneously. "She's part of the royal court and I need her at the healing tower."
"Huh? But she's already wearing our robe."
"I said no."
In the capital, the Black Bulls handed out meals to displaced families in need. Charmy worked diligently with her sheep cooks to prepare meals to feed tired bodies and weary souls. Her food was truly uplifting in this time of need and together with Asta's enthusiasm and energy, the Bulls were an essential part of the restoration effort. As Gordon assisted in handing out food, people would accept the plates he would give out, but turn away, trembling in fear from his intimidation. The distraction on his face was clear as many a sigh escaped his lips. He turned away from the table and took out a doll that he had in his pocket, as he had removed it before giving his robe to Anastasia. He looked at the doll forlornly, remembering her words as she thanked him for saving her and his gut ached at the thought of her leaving the base again.
"Thinking about her, hun?" Vanessa said, standing beside him.
He looked up at the Thread mage, concern written all over his face.
"She promised she would be back…" He mumbled "She's not here…I just hope she's okay."
Gordon felt a hand pat his shoulder.
"Don't worry Gordon-San!" Asta said with a big smile "Anastasia-San is strong! I felt it in her Ki!"
A feeling of gratitude washed over him as he absorbed the words from his bestest friend, Asta and appreciated his friends trying to make him feel better. After he witnessed the cosmos mage's distress, he recalled the feeling of his helplessness, symbolized by a pang in his gut.
William and Yami strode by, following a boy wearing the Magic King's attire. Asta and Vanessa greeted him, but Gordon's heart dropped when his gaze settled on who was in the captain's arms. She lay unconscious, her body a testament to the ordeal she had endured. Her clothes were tattered and torn, stained with earth, blood and sweat. Dirt streaked her face, and her hair was matted and tangled. Despite the disheveled state, there was an undeniable beauty in her sacrifice, a raw and powerful display of her devotion to the kingdom.
"Anase!" Gordon's voice trembled slightly, a rare crack in his composed exterior "Captain, Is she okay? Is there anything I can do?"
Yami turned around to look at the member of his squad and grunted as he saw that the poison mage did not have his robe on. Gordon hovered over with an eerie intensity, creeping out his Captain without fail.
"Relax, she's fine. Just a bit beat up." He exhaled a puff of smoke "Huh, so it was you who gave her the robe. Weird."
"Weird...?" Gordon tilted his head.
"You guys are total opposites" Yami said bluntly "Weird that she would even go near you…"
"Oi, Captain!" Asta yelled "Isn't that a little harsh!?"
Yami shifted the cosmos mage to one arm and squeezed Asta's head, causing him to shout in pain.
"What did you say, ya shrimp!?"
"OWOWOWOW CAPTAINNNN YAMI PLEASE LET ME GO!"
Gordon couldn't help but think that there was some truth to his comment. He himself wasn't even sure why she would go near him given his appearance and magical attributes, yet she had an undeniable acceptance for him.
"It's the same for you, Captain," he muttered "when you asked me to join your squad."
Yami thought back to Gordon's Magic Knights exam. He remembered his terrifying display of malevolent poison curse magic and how carefully he wielded it, as if he was aware of how deadly it was but refused to hurt another living being. While the other Captains were apprehensive about allowing them to join their teams, Yami did not hesitate to raise his hand and obligate him to join.
"I guess you have a point…she must like misfits then."
"Whether she likes me or not, she's important to me. I want to accompany her."
Gordon's eyes, usually calm and reserved, burned with an intense, desperate light as he followed closely. Julius looked onward from inside the castle, watching the poison mage's concern for Anastasia, noticing the contrast between him and his sister. He faintly remembered a doll attached to her grimoire holder as the likeness struck him as familiar. He marveled at the irony; his radiant, gentle sister and this pale, otherworldly figure clothed in black.
'Gordon Agrippa, eldest son of the Agrippa family. Famed for their groundbreaking research on curses, pain and poison. Now why would he be close to my sister?' Julius mused.
As they continued towards the healing tower, Julius' curiosity deepened, mingling with a growing respect for Gordon. Perhaps there was more to this enigmatic mage than met the eye.
"Your majesty!" Marx appeared at the door frame, exasperated from running as soon as he heard the news of his return. "I saw you...I thought you…"
"Hi Marx, it's good to see you!" Julius said as he smiled widely.
The memory mage stood at the door frame, his eyes wide with disbelief as he gasped to catch his breath. Julius, the powerful Magic King whom he served for so long, was now in the form of a child. The gravity of the situation was written all over his face; concern, exasperation, and a profound sense of relief that the king was alive, despite his transformed state.
"Seems you're feeling better already," Julius continued.
"Y-You're alive…but younger? How can you be so young and alive?" Marx stammered as he rushed over to the little king "Um, I'm fine thank you but I'm more concerned about you, sir! You're...where do I even start!"
Julius watched his advisor in his bafflement and was unable to contain his laughter.
"You were always a bit like a child, and now you're really a child!
"Well, it's like this-"
"No, you don't need to explain!" The memory mage interjected as he leaned into the Magic King's personal space "You can just show me your memories later. The kingdom is facing peril and with you stuck in that form..."
Marx shook his head, still grappling with the surreal situation. His mind raced with questions, but the relief of seeing Julius alive, even in a child's body, outweighed his need for answers. Julius' face dropped and he leaned back as he continued to get scolded by his counsel.
"Honestly you act so damn ridiculous, both you and your sister! But…I'm really happy…that you're still alive!""
Tears began to well up in the memory mage's eyes, relief washing over him like a tide. Marx struggled to maintain his composure, but the sight of His Majesty alive, even in a child's body, was too overwhelming. He quickly wiped his eyes, his usual stoic demeanor giving way to a rare moment of vulnerability.
Julius saw this and felt his heart warm at the genuine care Marx had for him. He leaned forward and hugged him, a gesture that felt both natural and needed.
"Thank you, Marx," He said, his tone soft and sincere "I'm sorry for making you worry all of the time."
Marx pulled back slightly, wiping the tears streaming down his face, "No! You're not forgiven!
"Huh?" Julius blinked, taken aback by the response.
"First," Marx continued, his tone firm yet laced with affection "You have lots of work to do!
"Wait…"
"There are plenty of problems that need your attention, Sir."
"Right now!?" Julius exclaimed, his youthful voice rising in pitch.
Yami had brought the cosmos mage to a room in the healing tower where her own team of healers spoke amongst themselves, rushing to her aid.
"It's Lady Anastasia! She's hurt!" One healer said.
"Quickly, let's get to work." Another rallied.
Gordon took a seat by the corner, nearly morphing into the darkness as he watched them work. The feeling of helplessness creeped up in him again as his worry for her wellbeing became more apparent. His leg twitched up and down in restlessness as he watched the healers with intensity, waiting for the moment when she would wake up.
"Who is this guy?" The healers continued to murmur "He's scaring me! Tell him to go away!"
"Oh, hey…it's you" A cold, feminine voice said in the poison mages direction.
He tore his eyes off of the cosmos mage and looked up to see familiar red and gold attire.
"Ah, You're Anase's friend!"
"Yes. Annie. You remember me."
"Well…yes. a friend of Anase is a friend of mine too."
"Oh? Does that mean you guys are dating now?"
The bluntness of her question shocked him, and a blush rose to his cheeks.
"Um...well..." he stammered as he looked away, unsure of how to answer that.
He curled up in the corner, his mind reeling with possibilities and spoke quickly and under his breath.
'wellwedidhaveadateanditwasreallyniceandshetoldthedollofmethatshelovedhimbutimnotsureifshemeantmeor…'
As he muttered away in a way that Annie failed to understand, she ignored him and stood before Anastasia, summoning her grimoire. It glowed with a sharp red color as thin, ethereal needles materialized around her fingertips, each shimmering with a gentle, pulsating light. As she gently placed these needles along specific points on Anastasia's body, they hummed with energy, tracing the flow of mana and highlighting areas of blockage or disruption.
"Needle magic: Pinpoint."
Annie moved with precision and calm, her eyes focused and attentive. As she placed each needle, Gordon noticed her movements were fluid, reflecting her deep understanding of both her magic and the intricate workings of the human body. He felt a sense of relief, removing some of his anxiety, as he trusted that one of Anastasia's friends would take good care of her.
"Oh, Anase…You've gone through great suffering…" Annie said, her voice soft and empathetic, contrasting her usual cold tone.
Gordon straightened up at the remark, staring at Annie as if pleading for more information. Annie's brow furrowed as she felt the resistance in a needle placed just above the cosmos mage's heart. An emotional blockade linked to deep sorrow on her heart meridian. By the needles on her abdomen, they glowed with a red hue indicating a blockage in the stomach meridian due to extreme anxiety.
"Whatever happened, it took an toll on her. She will be alright, but her recovery may take a while."
The poison mage watched as the needle mage worked diligently, her hands steady and sure, and couldn't shake the feeling of utter impotence. He had faced countless dangers and challenges, wielding his poison magic to protect and defend. Yet, here he was, unable to do anything but sit and wait. He wanted to do something, anything, to speed up her recovery, to take away her pain. But all he could do was sit there, clenching his fists in frustration. The sight of Anastasia, usually so full of life and strength, now so fragile and vulnerable, was almost too much to bear.
"H-hello…Gordon, was it?" His thoughts were interrupted as he looked up to see Lola, carrying a basket full of bread, each individually packaged in wax paper "it's me…Lola. Do you remember me?"
A sense of relief washed over him as he encountered another one of the cosmos mage's friends.
"Yes, I remember you because you're shy like my friend Grey." he muttered,
Lola chuckled nervously and held out her basket "i-im handing out some provisions from my bakery. W-would you like one?'
"Oh. Thank you very much." He said as he reached out and picked up a melon bread.
"That's Anase's favorite." Lola giggled at his selection "Here, have some tea."
"I appreciate that" he said, slightly bowing his head, accepting a paper cup that was handed to him.
'Anase is lucky to have such nice friends' He thought as he smiled inwardly, watching the steam rise as tea was poured into his cup.
"Anase was right…you are polite." Annie said as she listened to the interaction.
Gordon looked at the needle mage as he took a slow sip of the tea.
"She talks about you a lot when we go on breaks together. She speaks very highly of you. Says you're kind and a gentleman despite how creepy you look."
"S-she said I'm creepy?"
"No, she's never said that per se" she chuckled "She's only ever really adored you."
Lola nodded, her shyness momentarily forgotten. "Yeah, she really does. We did indeed think you were a bit... scary, to be honest," she admitted, her cheeks turning pink. "But Anastasia always called you a gentleman, and she's right."
Gordon's heart warmed at their words. "She talks about me?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Annie nodded, her expression softening. "She adores you, Gordon. It's obvious to all of us how much you mean to her."
The baker's smile grew as she added, "And we can see why. Just you being here in her time of need shows that you are very kind and considerate. It means a lot to us."
The poison mage felt a surge of emotion at their words. His heart swelled with warmth, easing his feeling of dread and his resolve strengthened. "I need to get stronger," he said, his voice filled with determination. "So I can protect her. So I can be there for her. I don't ever want to see her suffer like that again. Ever."
Annie and Lola exchanged a glance before looking back at Gordon, their expressions serious but supportive. "We'll hold you to that," The needle mage said firmly.
"And so will I," Julius said as he walked in.
As Julius was preoccupied with the conversation from the enigmatic mage and Anastasia's friends, the communication mage set his eyes upon the body of Anastasia. His expression changed to a mixture of distress and apprehension. Seeing the cosmos mage lying on the bed in shambles tore at Marx's heart, and he couldn't help but cast wary glances at Gordon.
'Not her too…'
Marx looked at the doll that hung on her grimoire holder, the Black Bull's robe over her shoulders, then at the Black bull's member sitting at her bedside. The poison mage's eyes darted between the cosmos mage and the boy in front of him, not quite able to put a finger on the familiarity he was feeling.
"I don't know what your relationship is to my sister, but if you'll help me protect her, then I'll be counting on you."
Marx's expression formed into a scowl at the thought of Julius allowing someone of this nature to be close to Lady Anastasia.
"Ah, you wouldn't happen to be-" Gordon was cut off by a hand raised by Julius.
"We have a magical bond that makes me partially responsible for the state that she's in now. Rest assured that I will personally oversee her recovery. The Magic Knights have all fought bravely in this attack and I could not have asked for a better troupe. But please, do not overexert yourself. Get some rest."
Gordon leaned forward, weaving his fingers together as he exhaled deeply. He was indeed exhausted from yesterday's battle as well as the continued restoration effort for today. He was reluctant to leave the cosmos mage, even knowing that she was surrounded by people who undoubtedly cared about her. He wanted her to know that he was there for her too. He wanted to hold her once more and be the anchor she needed so much. A small hand rested on his shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"I understand how you feel, Gordon Agrippa…," said Julius
The poison mage's eyes widened at the wonder of the king knowing him by name.
"But I think you should know that she feels the same"
"...eh...?"
"I know my sister's feelings to an extent…also because of our bond." His voice was gentle, "You are very important to her too. So please, get some rest, and visit frequently. For her sake."
Gordon looked into Julius' eyes, seeing the earnest plea and deep love the king had for his sister. His heart ached with a mixture of gratitude and determination. He nodded slowly, feeling the weight of the young king's words and the shared responsibility they now held for Anastasia's well-being.
"I will," Gordon promised, his voice steady. "I won't let her down."
Marx's gaze flickered between His Majesty and the poison mage; his apprehension palpable. Despite his jealousy and the protective affection, he held for The King's sister, he couldn't deny the sincerity in Gordon's dark eyes. He swallowed hard, trying to push down the unwelcome emotions that churned within him.
The poison mage stood from his seat, taking a final sip of tea and stashing the bread in his pocket. He made his way outside of the healing tower, his thoughts creeping to Anastasia leaning on his shoulder.
'I hope to see you again soon…'
"Gordon-San!" Finral called as he trotted towards him. "Where have you been? I need to gather all of the members to base. Asta and Secre have been arrested!"
Gordon's eyes widened at the news as Finral opened a portal to the base. He hopped through without hesitation and Finral followed.
After a long day of diplomacy and Marx working him to the bone, Julius thought it time for him to turn the tide. He walked down the hall towards the healing tower, his expression more serious than usual.
"Marx, do me a favor…" The memory mage reminisced Julius saying
"Sir...?"
"I need to see Anastasia's memory during the battle."
Marx's eyes widened at the request.
"I need to see what happened so that we can implement better procedures for the sake of the kingdom."
Marx was not gullible and knew exactly what his majesty was planning. His eyes were locked into the young king's small footsteps as he hurried towards his sister's room. As they arrived, Julius opened the door and much to his content had seen that the staff cleaned her up. Her hair was finally combed out, dirt, and grime washed away, and her clothes replaced by a long white mage's robe. Her belongings, which consisted only of her grimoire, its holder, the Black bull's robe and the doll of Gordon, were placed on the table at the bedside. She laid on her side and the time mage took the seat in front of her. With a commanding nod to Marx, the memory mage reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. A mana screen came to life, beginning with the castle rumbling and the children running to Anastasia's side. Marx watched his majesty's expression weave in and out of concern for his sister and the children she was with, and fascination as he watched the beautiful display of cosmos magic being cast in a different way than he had seen before.
"So, she can use it defensively too…amazing…" His voice began to rise along with his excitement "I-Is that a horse with wings!? Wow!"
Marx couldn't help but crack a smile at Julius' reaction and looked at the screen, watching a first person view of Anastasia soaring through the sky on Pegasus. He felt his affection deepening as he heard the children cheering in the background, enjoying the magic carpet ride to the church despite the adversity they had faced.
'She'd make a great mother…' He thought as blush rose to his cheeks.
Screams of agony tore through the audio of the screen as he snapped out of his daydream and all they could see was the ground. Marx's gaze shot to Julius, who was clutching his chest in pain, his gaze boring into the magical screen.
"M-my lord!"
"Do not stop the memory, Marx!" The young king barked through the agony.
He watched the time mage's breath quicken, as if he were attempting to breathe through a horror film.
'WHY DID YOU LOSE YOU FUCKING IDIOT!?' He heard her shout in the midst of a torrent of stars, sadness and frustration wrought in her shaky voice.
"Anastasia…" Julius said, his voice breaking as he began to tremble, watching as blood spattered the ground from her pounding her fist into it.
Marx glanced at Julius, seeing the raw anguish etched into his features. His own heart wavered, torn between his duty to his king and his desire to spare him further pain. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his own emotions pressing down on him.
"Your Majesty," Marx began, his voice thick with emotion, "perhaps we should stop. This is... too much."
Julius shook his head, his eyes never leaving the memory unfolding before them. "No, Marx. I need to see this. She went through this because of me. I must understand it, even if it pains me."
Marx's breath caught in his throat, his hands trembling slightly as he continued to hold the connection. He watched Anastasia fighting in her frenzy, her love for her brother driving her to the brink of madness. His own heart shattered at the sight, feeling an intense mix of sorrow and admiration for her. He was deeply conflicted, knowing that stopping the memory would ease Julius's immediate suffering, but also recognizing the importance of understanding the full extent of what the cosmos mage had endured. The tension between his duty and his compassion was almost unbearable.
As the memory reached its climax, they saw Gordon appear, his presence a beacon of calm amidst the chaos. He approached Anastasia, his eyes filled with determination and care. Marx's heart twisted with envy as he witnessed the poison mage reach out to Ana, his touch gentle and reassuring. Gordon's kiss broke through her frenzy, grounding her and bringing her back to reality. Julius' eyes widened in understanding, seeing the profound bond between his sister and the poison mage. He felt the way his sister's wild eyes softened at Gordon's touch, how his presence alone was enough to pull her from the brink. The young king's heart warmed, realizing the depth of their connection.
Marx, however, was torn. His envy flared as he watched Gordon's lips meet Anastasia's, a pang of jealousy stabbing at his heart. His jaw clenched, tightening his jaw and the turmoil within him almost unbearable. He cared deeply for her and seeing her find solace in someone else was a bitter pill to swallow.
As the memory reached its ending, Marx's eyes filled with tears. He could see the toll it was taking on Julius, the young king's face contorted with shared pain and grief. Yet, he also saw the determination in Julius's eyes, the unwavering resolve to honor his sister's sacrifice. The young King watched the final struggle, absorbed in the scene of Anastasia marching towards the Swallowtail, despite carrying dead weight.
'Come on, brother! You're gonna live!' Anastasia's voice spoke through the screen.
The young king himself struggled to fight back tears, biting his bottom lip in order to maintain his composure in front of Marx.
Marx finally withdrew his hand, breaking the connection. He took a step back, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "Your Majesty... I'm so sorry."
Julius took a deep, shaky breath, his body trembling from the intensity of the experience. He turned to Marx, his eyes filled with gratitude despite the pain. "Thank you, Marx. You did well."
Marx nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of what they had witnessed. He looked at the cosmos mage, lying peacefully in the bed, and then back at Julius. "She is incredibly brave, Your Majesty. Just like you."
Julius managed a small, weary smile. "She is one of the strongest people I know. And because of her and the many others who fought so valiantly for our kingdom, we will find a way to move forward."
Marx nodded again, his own resolve strengthened by the magic king's words, yet still torn at witnessing the interaction between the king's sister and the poison mage. Julius' mind wandered back to Gordon.
"I need to properly thank The Black Bulls. That mage had brought her back from the edge, and for that, I am grateful."
Marx looked down, the envy still gnawing at him, but he nodded in agreement. "I…agree, Your Majesty…"
"I would like a moment alone with my sister, Marx" Julius pleaded as he looked up at the memory mage with weary eyes.
"O-of course, sir…"
The time mage watched as Marx took his leave, closing the door softly behind him. Julius stood by his sister's bedside, his gaze fixed on Anastasia's serene face. The composure he had maintained in front of Marx began to crumble, the weight of the memories they had just witnessed pressing down on him. Tears welled up in Julius's eyes, spilling over and streaming down his cheeks. He reached out, gently taking Anastasia's hand in his own, feeling the warmth of her skin. His shoulders shook with silent sobs as he struggled to process the emotions coursing through him.
The images of his sister in her frenzied state played over and over in his mind. He had felt her grief, anger and desperation, the sheer force of her bitter will as she fought to steal time for him. The strength she had displayed, even in the midst of her own agony, left him in awe. In contrast, she had carried his lifeless body to the magical item that had revived him, a testament to her love and determination. Julius's heart ached with a mix of sorrow and pride. He had always known his sister was strong, but seeing her in the depths of her despair, fighting with every ounce of her being, had shown him a new level of her resilience. His tears fell freely, each drop a silent acknowledgment of the sacrifices she had made for him.
Unable to resist the need for comfort any longer, Julius shed his cape and carefully climbed into the bed beside her. He snuggled into the warmth of her body, seeking solace in her presence. He felt her steady breathing, a reminder that she was still alive, still here with him.
His tears continued to flow as he nestled closer, his small body fitting perfectly against hers. "I'm so sorry, Anastasia," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm sorry for what you had to go through."
The room was quiet, save for the sound of his soft sobs. Julius felt a deep sense of gratitude for his sister, for her unwavering love and strength. He vowed to himself that he would protect her, just as she had protected him.
As the tears began to subside, the magic king allowed himself to fully feel the weight of the moment. He let the emotions wash over him, knowing that in this vulnerable state, he was honoring her fortitude. And in that moment, he felt a renewed sense of determination to be the brother and leader she deserved. Snuggled close to her, he found a semblance of peace, drawing strength from her even as she slept. A new page grew in his coverless grimoire, floating gently above the siblings.
"Chrono Magic…" Julius whispered.
He gently placed an arm around her, drawing upon the time that she had stolen from the elves she fought.
"...Horologium…"
The clock constellation gently manifested itself upon the cosmos mage, slowly ticking counterclockwise. As he witnessed Anastasia's scars beginning to disappear, he slowly closed his eyes. The rhythmic ticking of Horologium and the steady rise and fall of his sister's breathing became a lullaby, soothing his frayed nerves, allowing the much needed sleep to consume him.
The young king slowly stirred from the deepest sleep he'd had since before his death, his body feeling heavy and relaxed. He blinked groggily, slowly adjusting to the dim light filtering through the room. As his vision cleared, he reached out for his sister, expecting to find her familiar warmth beside him but instead he felt thick, cool fur. He turned his head and saw a majestic, celestial Rottweiler panting happily at the sight of the time mage. His eyes lit up at the sight.
"OH! ARE YOU CANIS MINOR!?" Stars shone in his eyes as he witnessed the friendly beast. "I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN FOREVER!" He scratched the dog behind its ears, causing it to wildly wag its starry tail "You changed breeds again! How cool!"
Canis Minor barked happily and pounced on Julius, lapping his face up. Amidst the childish giggles of the king, he let out a small gasp in realization.
"Wait…if you're here then…"
The sound of the door creaking open brought his attention to it. A loud gasp escaped the boy's lips as he saw who strode through the door. There she was, happy, healthy and smiling widely at her brother. She had changed back to her usual clothing, holding a brown bag full of food.
"Anase!" He leapt from the bed towards his sister.
"Juju!" She extended her free arm, catching the boy, twirling him around in her embrace.
He buried his face in her chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart against his cheek. She buried her face in the crown of his head, inhaling the familiar scent of citrus. They stayed like that for a moment, clinging to each other, the weight of their shared ordeal lifting. The bond between them, forged through countless trials and tribulations, felt stronger than ever.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Julius." Anastasia pulled back and looked at her brother tenderly. "I really thought I was going to lose you…forever…"
"Well, lucky for us, you can't get rid of me that easily" He pointed at the ceiling, matter-of-factly.
"Good, because then who would I prank?" A smirk grew across the cosmos mage's face "Come have breakfast with me!"
They sat on the bed together, munching on bread and tea, happily conversing as if no time had passed, playfully bickering about who is the older sibling now. Canis Minor laid on the bed by the sibling's side, its ears twitching at the faint sounds in the background.
"So, what's your story with the Black Bulls?" Julius suddenly asked.
The question caught Anastasia off guard, and she looked towards the robe and doll on the bedside table. She could feel the heat rising to her face and her heart rate quickening as she remembered the kiss that brought her back from a frenzied state. She saw her brother smirking in her peripheral vision and turned towards him to speak. Her mouth moved, but no words came out, jumbling on top of themselves in an incohesive babble. Julius burst out in laughter as he watched the cosmos mage struggle to form words.
"This is just like the time where I caught you planting a glitter bomb behind one of mother's tapestries!" The young king said amongst his chuckles as he remembered the scene.
Julius was strolling through the corridors of their regal home, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls. He had a moment of respite from his studies and duties as a Magic Knight and decided to wander, enjoying the rare tranquility. As he turned a corner, he spotted Anastasia, crouched down, her back to him. She was fiddling with something near one of the grand tapestries that hung from the wall.
"Anase?" he called out, his voice gentle but curious.
The cosmos mage jumped, nearly toppling over in her haste to stand up. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she turned to face her brother, her hands clasped behind her back. She tried to hide whatever she had been doing, but her awkward stance and guilty expression gave her away.
"Ju-Julius!" she stammered, her eyes wide. "I... I wasn't... I mean, I was just... um..."
The time mage raised an eyebrow, a bemused smile playing at his lips. "Just what, Anase?" he asked, taking a step closer. "What exactly were you doing?"
He watched as her mind raced, trying to come up with an explanation. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel the heat rising to her face. "I... I was just... you know, um... admiring the tapestry!" she blurted out, her voice a high-pitched squeak.
Julius' smile widened. "Admiring the tapestry?" he repeated, clearly unconvinced. "With your hands behind your back and looking as guilty as a cat caught with a canary?"
Anastasia's flustered state only deepened. "Well, you see, I... I thought it was... a little dusty, and I... wanted to clean it! Yes, clean it!" She nodded vigorously, as if hoping her enthusiasm would make the lie more believable.
The time mage chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Little sis, you are many things, but a good liar is not one of them. What were you really doing?"
She hesitated, then reluctantly pulled her hands from behind her back, revealing a small, intricately designed trap meant to release a cloud of glitter when triggering the sensor. She looked away, embarrassment and irritation wrought across her face.
"Fine, you caught me, dammit…"
Julius wiped a tear from his eye as his laughter subsided. Anastasia's expression was nothing short of an embarrassed pout as she looked away, arms crossed.
"Gosh you are so embarrassing!" She looked as she shoved him by the shoulder "Just like that time where you kept loudly introducing me to all of your squadmates in an attempt to force me to join too!"
The sun was shining brightly on the training grounds of the Grey Deer, a bustling hub of activity with squads practicing their spells and honing their combat skills. Julius, being the captain at the time, walked through the grounds with his little sister in tow. She was still a novice mage, eager to learn and slightly overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place.
"Everyone, this is my little sister, Anastasia!" Julius' voice boomed across the grounds, catching the attention of everyone nearby. The cosmos mage's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson as her jaw dropped.
"Julius what the hell!" she whispered, tugging at his sleeve. "You don't have to announce me like that!"
"Nonsense!" Julius declared, ignoring her plea. "Anase, you need to get to know your future comrades!" He spotted another group of mages passing by and raised his hand in greeting. "Hey, guys! Meet my sister, Anastasia! She's going to be an amazing mage one day!"
The group of mages smiled and waved politely, but she could see the amusement in their eyes. She gave a small, awkward wave, feeling the heat in her face intensify.
As they continued walking, The time mage introduced her to every single person they encountered. "Vice-Captain! This is my sister, Anastasia. Isn't she adorable? And she's got so much potential! She'll be our healer one day!"
The cosmos mage could barely manage a smile as she mumbled, "Hi," under her breath. The vice-captain chuckled and gave her a friendly nod.
"Julius, seriously," she hissed once they were out of earshot. "You're embarrassing me."
He just laughed, ruffling her hair affectionately. By the time they reached the end of the training grounds, the cosmos mage felt like she had been put on display for the entire kingdom. She glanced up at her brother, his broad smile and confident demeanor making it clear he didn't understand her embarrassment.
"Hah! Yeah, that was great." the young king said, proud of his display "You ended up at the Healing tower instead. But sometimes I wonder, what would have happened if we didn't integrate into the same family that day?"
Anastasia frowned at the thought and reminisced on the time when they first met.
It was a crisp autumn day when the young Julius found himself wandering the outskirts of the Clover Kingdom. Having recently emigrated from his own land and crossing the strong magic region, he felt lost, tired and overwhelmed by his new surroundings. The dense forest around him was a maze of unfamiliar paths and towering trees. Anastasia, who was just adopted from a church by a royal family who was impressed by the celestial display of her healing magic, rode in a carriage with her new parents. As Julius made his way through the woods, he heard a commotion nearby. The sounds of shouting, clashing metal and magic reached his ears, and curiosity drove him towards the source. Peering through the trees, he saw the family being ambushed by a group of bandits. The scene was chaotic, and the family was clearly in danger.
Instinctively, Julius called upon his time magic. With a wave of his hand, he created a temporal barrier, slowing the bandits' movements and giving the family a chance to escape. Despite his young age, his control over time was impressive, and he used it to his advantage, disorienting the attackers and buying precious moments for the family. However, the effort drained what little mana he had left, and he soon found himself struggling to maintain the spell. The bandits, though slowed, began to recover and retaliate. The time mage fought bravely, but he was outnumbered, overpowered and exhausted from crossing the strong magic region. Just as he felt his strength waning, the bandits landed several blows, leaving him wounded and exhausted. He casted Chrono Stasis with the last of his mana, restraining the bandits and flung the orbs towards the strong magic region from whence he came.
As he fell to the ground, his vision blurred, and he could barely make out a figure in white rushing towards him. It was a girl much younger than himself, her eyes wide with concern. Her hands glowed with a gentle, soothing light.
"Hold still," she said softly, her voice a calming balm to his frayed nerves. "I'm going to heal you."
Julius watched in awe as the girl's hands moved over his wounds, gentle starlight knitting his flesh back together with a delicate touch. The pain ebbed away, replaced by a warmth that spread through his entire body. He found his second wind, fascinated by her magic and mesmerized by her tender nature.
"WOW ARE THOSE STARS!?" He said excitedly, his eyes glowing with fascination "THANK YOU FOR HEALING MY WOUNDS, BUT WHAT KIND OF MAGIC IS THAT!?"
"Oh, it's Cosmic magic" The girl showed a gentle, reassuring smile. "I'm Anastasia, but you can call me Anase."
"I'm Julius," he replied, standing to his feet.
The cosmos mage's smile widened. "Thank you for protecting my family. You're very brave."
Before he could respond, the head of the family arrived, flanked by Magic Knights. They had been alerted to the attack and came rushing to the scene. The head of the family, a kind and imposing figure, looked at Julius with a mixture of gratitude and concern.
"Are you alright, son?" he asked, kneeling beside Julius.
The time mage nodded. "Yes, thanks to Anastasia's healing."
The head of the household turned to the young cosmos mage, his expression softening. "You did well, young lady. Thank you for helping this brave mage."
Anastasia blushed, looking down at her hands. "I just did what I could."
That day marked the beginning of a new chapter for the siblings. They had been brought together by chance, but their bond was forged in the fires of that fateful encounter. The royal family, unable to have their own children, seeing the courage and kindness in the young adult, embraced both of the individuals as their own.
As the sun set on that eventful day, Julius and Anastasia stood side by side, looking out over the palace grounds. They were no longer strangers in an unfamiliar place; they were family.
"I didn't know anything other than healing at the time" The cosmos mage said, smiling nostalgically "If you hadn't happened by who knows where we would be right now."
"It's the same for me, Anase," Julius said, taking a sip from his tea. "If you weren't there with Mother and Father, I would have collapsed anyway from exhaustion at crossing the strong magic region and bandits would have killed me at my most vulnerable."
"Oh please, you humble little brat" She said, gently nudging him with a fist "You still would have whooped anyone who threatened you."
He chuckled, scratching the back of his head, "Well…now I'm feeling embarrassed"
The familiar crackle of Marx's communication magic appeared beside them, his expression clearly irritated. Canis minor stood up in alert, pawing at the gathering of mana from behind the screen.
"Your Majesty! Where are y-" His breath caught in his throat at seeing Anastasia's cleavage due to the angle his screen appeared in.
"An-a-Ana- L-lady Anastasia" He turned away from the screen "You've recovered!"
"Hi Marx!" She said nonchalantly, with a warm smile "It's nice to see y- Canis stop that!"
She leaned over into the screen to restrain Canis Minor from creating interference, inadvertently giving Marx an even clearer view. A panicked shout came from behind the screen.
"Ah! Lady Anastasia, please-" Marx's voice was a mixture of embarrassment and desperation.
Unable to resist, Marx stared, his eyes widening and his blush deepening. His head shot backwards at the force of his nose bleeding, adding to his flustered state.
Julius couldn't help but chuckle at the situation, finding Marx's flustered state amusing. "Marx, is there something urgent you need?"
Marx, still not daring to look directly at the screen, replied hastily, "Y-yes, Your Majesty, there is trouble with Parliament. But it's... it's good to see Lady Anastasia looking so…well." He dabbed at his nose with a handkerchief, trying to stop the bleeding.
Anastasia pulled back with Canis Minor in her arms, oblivious to Marx's predicament, muttering about the dog having a mind of its own.
"Thank you, Marx, I'll be right there" The young king said, standing up from the bed as the screen disappeared. "Anase, it was really nice catching up with you. I wish we could talk more."
"No worries, your highness" she jested "Your duty awaits. I'll probably still be here under observation for the rest of the day, so I'll see you later!"
Canis Minor whimpered, reflecting the emotion of its owner and Julius bent over to scratch its celestial head. The siblings shared a firm embrace and the cosmos mage waved as she watched him exit the room. She took a deep breath, shuffling to the edge of the bed, examining the breadcrumbs and wax paper wrappers strewn along the bed. Anastasia pushed herself off and began to gather the trash into the paper bag, the simple task giving her happiness as the mess signified a rare moment of peace between the siblings. She shoved the bag of trash into a small bin that was next to the table by the bed and her eyes fell upon the sack doll of Gordon. She picked it up gently, her heart warming once again at the reminder of the poison mage. She lowered her head, planting her face in the fabric of the black bulls robe, inhaling the faint scent of Patchouli and Rosewood. Her mind flooded with memories of him, from their meeting at the mixer, to the most recent assistance he provided when she was at her most vulnerable. She blushed as she remembered his kindness and the hospitality that the bulls had given her in her time of need. She laid herself back in bed, curling up with the bull's robe and the doll, Canis Minor settling by her back.
"I hope to see him again soon…" she murmured "I need to thank everyone properly."
Novachrono Siblings- End