"Allen Fleming must be Christina's long lost son!"
Those words that came from Ms. Florence had rung in Allen's head multiple times, over and over. It was though the answer he had been searching for this entire time was finally in front of him, yet he could not grasp it. A part of him wanted to believe that must be the case, while the other thought it could be false.
Christina Windblade, former leader of the Council of Magic (now Triumvirate) and former head of the Windblade family, it was said that she was a powerful leader and mage. All those around her followed her willingly and looked up to her immensely. Arguably one of the strongest mages that London has ever produced, Christina will certainly be remembered for forever.
But Allen Fleming, who has barely any air magical power whatsoever, who lived in a small village out in the middle of nowhere is her son? It was reasonably hard to believe. It just did not make sense, and Allen could see why Edmund and the judge were opposed to it.
"No… There's just no conceivable way that Allen is the son of Christina Windblade!," Edmund heavily disagreed. "She never had a son, it's not possible!"
"Then how else can we explain that Allen Fleming is able to use his sword, which you claim is Windrus?," Ms. Florence pointed out. "If it truly is Windrus, and he's able to use it and was in his possession, it makes sense"
"No! Allen is simply too weak in air magic usage, there's simply no way!," Edmund argued back. "It's possible that he's from some sort of branch family, rejected at an early age and wound up with adoptive parents! There's no way he's Christina's son!"
As the two of them continued to bicker, Allen noticed that the judge wasn't stepping in to stop either one of them. Wasn't it his job to keep order? Just what was going on with this case? What was going to happen to Allen?
Even if they somehow convince them I am Christina's son, what does that mean for me?, Allen thought, confused and lost. Does that mean I'm free to go with no charges? Or perhaps, something more?
Allen looked over at Mr. Garet, who could only sigh and keep his head down with what was going on, and Allen didn't blame him. Allen appreciated they were both here helping him… but this was just turning into a mess.
Before anyone could stop them, suddenly the double doors to the courtroom swung open. The magical knights surrounding Allen turned their attention towards whoever had suddenly entered into the courtroom, putting their hands up in the event of danger.
"Unfortunately, I need to step in for a moment," the person walked in, as he closed the doors behind him.
"William?," Allen asked out loud, as his eyes were wide with shock and surprise.
Allen couldn't believe that he saw his former mentor and Head Director standing just right in front of the entrance to the room. He had a serious and determined look on his face, and kept his eyes towards the front of the room, where the judge sat. William did not look over or acknowledge Allen by any means.
"Hmph, you're late," Mr. Garet grumbled, as Edmund looked back and forth between the two of them with annoyance.
"I- had some pressing matters to deal with Walter," William admitted. "However, this obviously requires my attention"
"How dare you interrupt a court session!," the judge boomed, his voice filling the room. "I will have you know that this courtroom is under direct control of the Triumvirate, and anyone who disrespects-"
"Where is my brother?," William interjected. "Why is the Triumvirate official Edmund here instead?"
"That is none of your concern," the judge coldly answered. "You have no business here! Out with you!"
"Oh, I believe it has everything to do with me," William objected. "This case falls with the Windblade family sword, and last I checked, Edmund is not affiliated with the Windblade family!"
"Hmph, and you're practically not either," Edmund remarked. "I am here representing our honorable leader, Solomon Windblade, under his orders. Your presence is unnecessary, and unwanted!"
Just what is going on?, Allen asked himself, as he kept looking between the judge, Edmund and William. William isn't affiliated with the Windblades? This has nothing to do with him? This makes no sense!
"I may not be a member of the Triumvirate," William admitted. "However, I am still a Windblade! I have every right to-"
"Unfortunately, no you don't," a cold voice came from all behind them, practically giving Allen chills running along his back.
"You…," William turned around, completely bewildered. "What… what are you doing here?!"
"I think you know the answer to that one," the man answered with a toothy grin.
No way…, Allen thought, as he got a good look at the newest addition to the room. It can't be him…
Brown hair, a right brown eye, and a left black eye. Standing tall, and yet somehow menacing, giving you a feeling of fear and uncertainty at the same time. A large smile on his face, but anything but friendly.
This man, Allen thought, doing his best to hold his anger in. He's the one who stole my sword, and who I saw on the rooftop of the academy. Yet here he is again, and why?
"Julian, secretary to the honorable Solomon Windblade," he reintroduced himself to everyone in the room. "It appears this case isn't over yet, your honor. Now, why is that?"
"Where. Is. My. Brother?," William demanded, staring at him, yet not moving an inch.
"Heh, you of all people should know the answer to that," Julian answered. "As Leader of the Triumvirate, obviously he has more important matters to attend to than a bland court case such as this, best left handled to lesser members!"
"That's a lie!," William yelled, gritting his teeth. "Solomon would-"
"Tell me, William Windblade," Julian spoke, almost staring into his thoughts. "Just what kind of relationship do you have with your brother? Aren't you at odds with him?"
Julian leaned his head to the left, and pressed a finger to his lips, awaiting an answer from William. William only gritted his teeth, clenching his fists, offering no answers.
"Tch, no fun," Julian shook his head. "You should run back to your academy, and keep teaching those students like you said you would. You have no business with the Triumvirate. Be gone!"
"I-," Allen tried to get up to protest, but Mr. Garet and Ms. Florence held him down to his chair, not letting him. Allen tried to squirm to get out of their grip, but they did not let go. Just how was Allen going to help William help him?
As Allen's eyes remained focused on this Julian figure, something about him seemed eerily… familiar. But why? Who did he remind him of?
"I will not leave, as Allen is not guilty of these charges!," William protested, his eyes remaining on Julian. "He didn't steal the sword. He-"
"Then who did?," Julian interjected. "Who is guilty? If Allen is in possession of the sword, who gave it to him? This non-existent 'mother'? Or perhaps…"
William made no attempts to answer him, to tell him the truth. Several years ago, William was the one who had gifted Allen's sword to him, telling him that it was once his mothers, and she would've wanted him to have it.
But why doesn't he tell him the truth?!, Allen thought, getting frustrated. Why doesn't he say the one simple fact that could possibly resolve this? All he needs to do is tell us who my real mother is, and that this sword isn't Windrus! And even if it is, it would clear the fact that I did not steal it myself!
"Hmph, remaining quiet I see," Julian said, sounding disappointed. "Unfortunate. I see your lack of action is the same as ever"
William's face turned distraught as his eyes fell to the floor. He didn't want to say anything else, and nor did Mr. Garet or Ms. Florence. None of them attempted to protest, telling everyone the truth. Was what William was hiding that important? Important enough to hide from Allen and everyone else, when everything was on the line? Who was William, really?
"I've had enough," Julian sighed, walking towards the center of the room. "Your honor, if you'll please make your final decision. Is Allen innocent or guilty?"
Everyone's eyes drifted towards the front, and almost on queue, the judge instantly answered with full confidence. "The court case is over! Allen Fleming is found guilty of high treason of stealing the Windblade family sword, Windrus!"
"As such, the punishment will be public execution!," he yelled, as both his voice and the sound of his gavel echoed throughout the entire room.
"No….," Allen mumbled, as his eyes fell to the desk in front of him. "It… it can't be, right?"
"Your honor, there has to be a mistake!"
"Your honor, this isn't finished yet!"
Both Mr. Garet and Ms. Florence tried to protest, completely against the turn of events. They weren't about to give up to try to save Allen.
"That's enough!," the judge yelled, hitting his gavel down once more. "This court case is settled and over!"
"You heard the man, Walter and Danet," Julian spoke up, smirking. "The court case is over. You all can go back to your academy now"
Is my life over just like that?, Allen thought, almost not wanting to believe it. My days of working so hard towards my goal of becoming a magical knight to protect the people, gone? The goal I worked so hard for?
Allen's eyes slowly turned towards William, who still remained in the back of the room, his attention still remaining on the floor.
William… isn't really going to do anything, is he?, Allen thought, distraught. He isn't really going to save me, help me, or say anything. To him, these secrets of the past are more important than the impending doom that awaits me.
William almost reached his hand out, as though he wanted to grab onto something, someone. A look of despair and regret filled his face, a look Allen hadn't seen on him until recently. He looked like he mumbled something, maybe a name, but didn't say anything else.
All this time, those years learning under William, completely meaningless?, Allen asked himself, as his eyes began to tear up. What did I work so hard for? Why did I push myself so hard just for it to end up this way? Was this how it was destined to be?
"You magical knights! Take him back to his cell! The execution shall take place at a later date!," Julian commanded as he pointed his finger at them.
"Sir!," the two of them obeyed, forcing Allen up.
"Leave his sword here, too! We'll want to… return… the sword back to the Windblade family!," Julian added, as his eyes fell to the sword still laying on top of the desk Allen was previously seated at.
"Sir!"
The magical knights proceeded to begin to drag Allen away, taking all of their strength to force him forward. Allen's body felt weak, as thought he felt no strength in his arms or legs anymore. For once in his entire life, the desire to get back up once again and continue on had completely left him. This time, all he wanted to do was lay down on the floor, and forget everything. For once, Allen wanted to give up.
As Allen was forcefully escorted out of the courtroom, he got one last look at Walter and Danet. He simply blinked once, and mustered everything he could to give them one last smile. Despite everything that happened, they stuck with him to the end. But it was over. There was nothing else left for them to be able to do.
For once, Allen truly appreciated his former teacher, who despite hated magic more than anything, did everything in her power to help Allen over the whole year, even though it seemed like she didn't. Despite the many days of sitting in the background and not saying anything, that entire time, she truly was on Allen's side.
He appreciated his former vice director, who despite seeing Allen as an outlier, someone completely different from the rest, still in the end treated him just like any other student. Allen could tell that Walter was proud of his growth and successes, and despite their not so similar views, worked together to stop Ellen Marion from having her way.
But for once, he felt betrayed by his former mentor, who had been with him for his younger years. Who had taught Allen that despite his many weaknesses, he too could grow to become a powerful and respectable magical knight. The one who saw the good and strong in him, who had pushed him to be his very best, despite Allen wanting to give up so many times. That same mentor, that same Head Director, that same almost father figure, had in the end, turned his back on him and seemingly clung to the past instead.
But despite Allen's feelings becoming a complete mess, one singular thought remained the same: who was this Julian? Was he the one behind all of this? Or was it Solomon behind it?
Whoever orchestrated this, whoever sought my death under false accusations… as long as I remain alive, I'll never forgive them!