"Alright, get out of your cell," one of the magical knights commanded. "And make it quick!"
The day that Allen is supposed to be executed has arrived, only a few days after the court session was held, and the judge declared him guilty. He had been only sitting around his cell with practically nothing to do, as he awaited his unfortunate fate.
There was nothing else left for Allen to try or do to escape his fate. Everything they have tried before had been ignored and had failed. Whatever their reasons, they made sure Allen was found guilty of a crime he didn't commit. If his sword really was Windrus, he had not taken it himself, but instead given to him by William Windblade.
Losing both his former mentor and his sword, Allen is only left distraught and practically emotionless for what is to come. His goals and inspirations were completely wiped from him, with no conceivable way to work towards them anymore. His own purpose in life was taken away, until he was left with practically nothing. For once, Allen Fleming has chosen to give up.
Remaining bound with rope, Allen is forced out of his cell by two magical knights, and towards the exit of the Triumvirate building. Despite the cold and curious glares and stares from other Triumvirate officials, Allen ignored them all and walked towards the fate that awaited him.
Finally escorted outside the building, Allen finally looked up to notice a large raised wooden platform, where he would be supposedly hung to death. Several other magical knights awaited, and surrounded the platform, to ensure he could not escape. But what was most appalling to him was not the platform itself, but the hungry crowd in front of it.
Allen was aware that his planned execution would be public, but was not expecting the large crowd with it. The crowd was filled with mages and non mages alike, all eager to watch the execution that would follow. Their yells and screaming demanding them to hurry up only brought pain to Allen's ears. In the face of death, no one was on Allen's side.
Who knows who is all in the crowd? Perhaps his fellow students who had begun to idolize and respect him? Maybe other teachers, who had begun to notice his skill? Or even his family back home, who had heard the news and had come to bear witness for their own eyes that this was really happening?
But what Alen couldn't bear the thought of the most was the friends he had made throughout his short time at the academy. He couldn't stand to know what they might be thinking of him now. He pushed those thoughts aside, as it would only make his end worse. Despite the many regrets Allen still has deep within, his motivation to act was gone.
Escorted on top of the wooden platform that would be where he would have his last moments, Allen couldn't believe what he saw in front of him. None other than Julian, Solomon's secretary and a Triumvirate official, up on the platform.
Once again, Allen felt anger brewing inside of him, as his eyes landed on one of the most important things taken from him - his sword! In the left hand of Julian himself, casually waving it around, as if it means nothing. Was this a game to him, to annoy him in his final moments? Or something more?
"Keep him there on the platform until we begin," Julian ordered. "We have a bit of a… speech… before we proceed"
"Sir!"
He's the one overseeing this?, Allen thought, gritting his teeth. Is this Solomon's doing, or his own? What do they gain from doing this to me?
The crowd finally began to settle down for only a moment as they noticed Julian finally stepping forward on the platform, directly in front of everyone. He took a deep breath, before he finally began to speak loudly and clearly for all to hear.
"Welcome mages and citizens of London and more, I am known as Julian, Solomon's appointed secretary! In today's planned execution, we have none other than a student from the Magical Knights Academy known as Allen Fleming!"
"Allen Fleming has dared to commit high treason against our powerful and respected Triumvirate! He was found guilty of stealing a precious item from the Windblade family themselves!"
Much booing and frustration came from the crowd as they all heard what Allen supposedly did. Several people in the crowd even encouraged them to get on with it.
"To think a student, from the academy directly supported and funded by the Triumvirate themselves, would dare steal a precious item from the Windblade family, which I daresay is the most powerful and respected family in all of England? Does this boy have no shame, no honor? Has his life in the outskirts of England, the poor villages, blurred him from seeing the truth: that the Triumvirate is above all?"
More booing and even laughter came from the crowd. Several people even began to throw food and objects at the platform, and some of the magical knights had to intervene.
"The Triumvirate has taken notice of this boy's treason and has responded accordingly! He shall be executed for his crimes for all to bear witness!"
"And for those who dare or even think of trying to defy the Triumvirate, I only have one message for you: the fate that awaits this boy shall match yours! The Triumvirate offers no mercy to the undeserving! Let this day be once again a reminder to all!"
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd, from the many who are in support of the Triumvirate. In their minds, the Triumvirate is all powerful and absolute. Any who would dare to defy should expect a swift end.
Allen completely disregarded the words spewing from Julian and the violent reactions from the crowd despite his own feelings. The only important thing to him right now was one important detail Julian left out - that "precious item" Allen apparently stole was Windrus, and currently in the hands of Julian himself.
According to Edmund from the court trial, only a Windblade or someone of Windblade descent could use Windrus, and yet Julian could hold the sword with no issues? Not one person who has tried to hold "Allen's sword" could do so without feeling fear and a sharp pain. And yet, here Julian was, casually holding the sword and dramatically moving it around to match his words? Nothing about it made sense. Just who was Julian, really?
What was once distraught and emptiness quickly turned into frustration and anger. Allen could feel his fire mana swelling throughout his body, reacting to his own emotions. The mana coursed through, disrupting his air mana flow. Allen could feel its power, its hunger, as though matching his emotions. The fire mana was almost telling him to do something about it, to stop this from all happening. For once in Allen's life, his desire to use his fire magic kept growing larger and larger, practically about to burst.
No, I can't do this, Allen thought, trying to suppress his emotions. But I could just end this all if I simply use my fire mana! But I- I can't!
As Allen tried to get a grip on himself, Julian seemed to quickly look at Allen for a moment, as though he was picking up on Allen's emotions. He only gave him a quick stare before turning back to the crowd in front of him, practically begging for him to give them a show.
As Julian continued his speech, practically rambling on about the Triumvirate this and the Triumvirate that, Allen needed to quell his emotions and instead think of the moment. What could he do? What were his options?
Well, I could simply allow myself to get executed and my life would end here, Allen thought. That's… what I had reluctantly settled with. But… I could make an attempt to escape and get away?
Allen quickly moved his eyes back and forth around the platform, noticing the many magical knights surrounding it. They all had to be at least somewhat high in power, if they were entrusted to guard the platform from either him getting away or somethone attempting to intervene, right? Could Allen even manage to escape?
If I attempt to escape and fail, I'll simply die like I was supposed to, just in a different way, Allen pointed out to himself. And If I do manage to somehow get away, I will be considered a wanted criminal, and will be constantly hunted down. But regardless, they intend to execute or kill me one way or another, whether now or later.
As Allen contemplated his options, Julian began to wrap up his speech. If Allen wanted to do anything, he had to do it now, and fast. It was only a matter of time before he would be forced forward to be executed, and it would only be more difficult to get away.
His fire mana continued to swell, as if pushing him to make his decision. It almost called to him, as if telling him to survive and push forward. Do whatever it takes to continue living, even if that means living as a wanted man.
Allen had only felt something similar to this once before. During the magical knight training program, his fire mana almost compelled him to chase after the fire mage, despite the many dangers that posed. Luckily he got out just fine, but would the same luck happen again? Could Allen trust his instincts?
Well, if I am going to be a wanted criminal for escaping, might as well make my attempt to escape a surprise for all, right?
"-and with that, we shall proceed with the execution you have all been waiting for!," Julian concluded. "Honorable magical knights, bring the guilty forward so he shall face his fate!"
The magical knights stationed on top of the platform nodded, and began to walk in Allen's direction. Allen only remained quiet, his eyes diverted to the floor. Perhaps he accepted his fate, and would make it easy for all of them?
But before the magical knights could finally get close to grab him, Allen did something completely unexpected, something even Allen thought he wouldn't ever do. With quietly taking off his black glove off of his right hand, something he was advised by William to always keep on, Allen quickly burned the rope that restrained him, and then raised his right arm, and opened his hand forward.
To hell with keeping this a secret!, Allen thought, as he grit his teeth. This glove, which falls to the floor, shall no longer hide the truth! I shall throw away this glove that William said would protect me, and instead use my own magic and skills to protect myself! No more hiding this power when it can be the same power that will save me!
A fairly large red elemental circle protruded from his hand, a bright red Allen thought he would never see. Fire began to swell from the circle as he prepared his spell.
"All of you stay back!," Allen yelled, for everyone to hear. "Unless you want to be burned!"
The magical knights who were supposed to keep him restrained instinctively jumped back, in both fear and surprise. They were completely caught off guard by the sudden elemental circle, and were now left with what to do.
"Dammit, he's a fire mage!," one of them yelled as they grit their teeth."
"And none of us are water mages?!," the other exclaimed, as they moved their heads around to find someone who could handle this.
Allen's eyes averted over to Julian, who still held his sword in his left hand. Finally catching notice of the situation, Julian's eyes widen with not fear but surprise and wonder as they take in the sight of Allen's fire magic. He suddenly began to cackle loudly, holding his chest with his right hand. His laughter was almost scary to hear, hurting Allen's ears. Even some of the magical knights stopped what they were doing, turning towards Julian.
"Seriously, the boy is also a fire mage?!," he exclaimed, continuing his barrage of cackles and laughter. "I wasn't expecting her son to be a fire mage, of all things! Oh, just who did she have a child with, I wonder! Oh, how this makes things much more exciting!"
Without time to contemplate what Julian's words could mean, Allen slowly backed up while keeping his right hand up, getting ready to escape at a moment's notice. He needed to find a viable escape route quickly, before the magical knights turned their fear into action. He had maybe at most a minute if he was lucky.
But before either side could take action, a sudden boom was heard from behind, and smoke began to fill Allen's vision. Allen instinctively dissipated his circle and flapped his hand around to attempt to clear his vision as he began to cough from the same smoke that surrounded him.
Finally regaining some of his vision, Allen suddenly notices two figures in front of him. A guy and girl about his age, with auburn colored hair and orange eyes. Something about the color of their hair and eyes drew Allen in. But before being able to react, one of them begins to speak.
"We need to get out of here, quickly!," the girl raised his voice, loud enough for Allen to hear amongst the confusion and yells of the crowd.
As Allen remained wide eyed and unable to move, the two of them turned to face the crowd, casting another set of fire spells. The spells force the crowd into a frenzy, ensuing a chaos Allen has never seen before.
They're… they're fire mages!, Allen thought, with his mouth agape. They're just like me! Are they here for me?
"I strongly suggest you get moving now!," the boy yelled, as the two of them turned back to face him. "We have little time before-"
Suddenly Allen felt an immense feeling of fear as the smoke began to clear. Allen had felt this once before, during the same time he had the run in with the fire mage.
None other than Solomon Windblade began to enter the scene, from all the way in the back of the crowd. Unfazed by the chaos and yelling of the crowd as they dispersed, Solomon raised his arm and hand forward, with a serious look on his face.
After seeing his mouth move, presumably saying something out loud, a strong whirlwind of magic comes from all sides of him. They continue as a strong torrent of air magic comes from out of Solomon's right hand, forming the shape of a sphere. The sphere then extended outward, until it formed the shape of a spear. Made out of presumably air magic, Solomon gripped the spear with his right hand, and the whirlwind of air magic finally dissipated.
Is that… the Spear of Air?, Allen thought, as he began to breathe heavily. One of the strongest elemental magic weapons I've heard about before?
Allen didn't have much time to think about it, as Solomon began to slowly approach the platform they remained standing on. He looked back and forth between Allen and the two fire mages, and occasionally at Julian.
Julian still appeared to be in somewhat of a shock, still mumbling to himself as he let out laughter. He still wasn't attempting to stop them, but it may not be too long until he follows Solomon's pursuit.
"Get moving, now!," the boy yelled, as he tugged on Allen's arm, forcing him forward.
Left with no other choices, Allen begins to follow them, making a run for it. They jump off the platform with a small thud, and begin to run as far as they can, towards the outskirts of the city.
"It won't be long until the magical knights catch up to us brother!," the girl advised the boy. "We need to take a more secure route to get out unnoticed!"
"I already know!," the boy exclaimed. "We'll take a few alleyways, likely unguarded, until we get out of the city! We don't have much time!"
Allen continued to follow behind the supposed fire mage siblings, running as fast as he could. Luckily his endurance training was paying off in the most unexpected way possible. They would have the advantage for sure, as most mages rarely ever trained their body.
The advantage began to become more clear as they heard nearby magical knights stop to catch their breath, and yelling where they thought their group might have gone. There was still no sign of either Julian or Solomon, who Allen thought would be their biggest threats.
With most of the commotion happening from within the city, it wasn't too surprising there were barely any guards defending the exit to the city. The three of them managed to slip past, one way or another.
Finally arriving under a hill near the grassy fields that surrounded the outskirts of the city, the three of them finally stopped to catch their breath, as they had no time to before.
Just who are these two?, Allen finally had a chance to think. Are they perhaps with the rebellion?
As though reading his thoughts, the girl approached him.
"Finally, we have a chance to talk!," the girl spoke as she sighed deeply. "But, there's certainly not much time!"
"Make it quick, sis," the boy grunted, as he kept an eye around the three of them for any danger.
"Right," the girl nodded, as she slapped her cheeks. "Allen Fleming, the two of us are with the Fire Rebellion, which I am sure you've heard about more or less"
The Fire Rebellion, huh?, Allen thought, trying to draw logic despite the situation. I could probably join them, but what then? My academy life is already over, and news of me being a fire mage will quickly spread. I won't be able to return to my family, as that would surely endanger them. I can't turn to my friends, who knows what they would think of me now!
As if reading his thoughts once again, the girl's expression turned into a reassuring smile.
"Look, the fact remains - you are a fire mage, and you are now considered a wanted criminal. If you wish to continue to live, for sanctuary from the face of death, your best bet is with us!"
"Sis, get to the point!," the boy raised his voice, his eyes remaining focused.
"Right, right," she shook her head. "Allen, will you join us?"
She reached out her hand, just waiting for it to be shaken. She had a genuine smile on her face despite the current situation, as though to reassure him. Everything about her felt like a warm invitation, like he'd make the right choice going with them.
But something about her seemed weirdly… familiar? Allen was sure this was the first time he's ever seen someone with hair such as hers, but there was something about her that bugged the back of his mind.
No, I need to make my decision quickly!, Allen reminded himself, as he looked down towards the grassy floor. I only have so much time before they figure out where we are!
The grassy field reminded him of distant memories, ones he once treasured, and ones he had once forgotten. It was a constant reminder of what he wanted to do, and what he needed to do. Even if the circumstance was completely different, in the end he finally decided his action needed to be the same.
Allen finally looked up at the girl, who kept the same smile on her face. The boy finally turned his attention towards Allen, a sour look on his face. They both awaited Allen's final decision in one way or another.
"I'll-"
Volume 12 End