Emerelda paused, "I beg your pardon?"
Vivian lifted up the fresh raspberry, "I said I'll be off soon." He popped the berry into his mouth.
He looked much better than last night. He wore a large white shirt, his sleeves covering right until his knuckles. He had his shirt buttons open half way down his chest and a pendant exposed laying against the pale skin. It was a simple silver chain that had a black diamond at its center with other smaller black diamond's each at the top, bottom and to the side. He had that shirt tucked into black trousers, wearing long boots till his knees.
"But-but-" she looked at Emmett who was suddenly too interested of the words on the newspaper, she looked back at Vivian who was sitting on a seat that belonged to the covered piano at the corner, something Emerelda peeked at without Emmett seeing. "Where would you go? Are you sure you can go out there, alone?"
Vivian waves a hand, "Oh please, Emerelda, may I call you Emerelda? I can see the future, and I know the future would be the best for me. Which means I know you wouldn't currently need me. You'd come to me when the time is right. That is why I must leave. Timing isn't right."
Emerelda frowns, "The timing is too perfect! You are our biggest advantage, you can help us a great deal." She stops, "And I also don't want something to happen to you." She adds.
Vivian smiled, eyes squinted. "Of course you don't. But I assure you, the timing is not right, and timing is crucial. Leaving is a requirement, and there wouldn't be anything to tempt me to stay. Besides, I'm sure Emmett would return back to normal once I'm gone."
Emmett said nothing.
Vivian nods, "Exactly." He said as if that answered his statement.
Emerelda sighed, "I…I'm glad you made it out, however....I don't understand."
Vivian sipped his tea, "Of course you don't, you can't see the future." He set his cup down, "But, I'll leave a word of advice for you before I leave."
"Oh?"
His eyes looked too serious for a sixteen years old, as if he saw the world age, "When facing your deep nightmare, you must understand that nightmare is caused because you won't let go."
Emerelda was perplexed, "Whatever do you mean?"
He wasn't smiling anymore, "The past is the past Emerelda. It's a place that happened and a place you cannot go back too. Once it's done, it's done. The only next step for a person is for them to walk away from the darkness of it." He stood up, his wide smile back on his face, "Well, it was such a pleasure to be saved, sleep in a wonderful nightgown and bed, and to speak with the Princess of Garlin herself. I appreciate the breakfast, and the understanding to let me go."
Emmett placed the newspaper down and looked at Vivian, "You understand that Garlin is very different from England."
"Oh yes, I had learnt that the hard way." He smirks and claps his hands together, "I shall take my leave. Until then, I hope all goes well with you before the time we should meet with each other."
He walks away but Emerelda stood up, "Wait! You can't just leave like that!"
Vivian stops and looks back, "Believe me, I think I can."
"No," she shook her head, "I meant. You're leaving with nothing else but your dignity."
He smirked, "That is what I use to survive."
Emerelda pushed her chair back and walked to him, he was shorter then she was for a boy his age, "Where would we find you if we need you?"
He looked up with large gray eyes, "When you need me, it won't be hard to find me." He tilts to look past her and at Emmett, "Take care old friend. And please, don't forget why you're here." He turned around and stepped to the door, opened it, and closed the door.
And just like that, Vivian Throne disappeared.
Emerelda took a step to stop him but stopped. He was right. He was the future boy after all. He knew things that no one else did. She wanted to do much more for him, though it was too late. She turned on her heels back to the table and saw Emmett staring sadly at the door.
"So he did leave." She said.
"Yes," he replied not looking at her, "I told you that from the very start."
Emerelda laid the twin swords, Virtus et Puritas on the floor next to her. They had just finished training. Their training includes swords and fists. They more they trained, the more Emmett started becoming less effortless in his moves with her. He started pushing her even harder than before, especially today.
Emmett strides over to the board wiping sweat from his forehead. He yanked the newspaper of Mr. Chester and the King from the board. He turned around pointing at Mr. Chester's head until the paper bent to make it look indistinct.
"It didn't last long the conversation, but yet again what were we looking for?" he turned to look at the newspaper, "Nothing. We had no idea on what we needed to find, we just needed a place to start looking. And dear Mr. Chester gave us a wonderful start."
Emerelda leaned on her hands on the floor, legs crossed, looking up at him, "My idea to question him seemed to work fantastically…" she thought about the mouthing issues, "Well almost."
Emmet understood what she was implying, "Next time, do mouth in such way I'll be able to read your lushes lips."
She rolled her eyes, "Modesty isn't one of your attribute, is it?"
"I'm afraid not." He turned on his heels and pinned the slightly creased newspaper back, "Mr. Chester gave us valuable information. Firstly, the group,"
"Judas group," Emerelda said, "An odd name given that Judas was one to betray Jesus."
Emmet raised a finger and turned around, "Not an odd name. It's a symbol of betrayal. Mr. Chester said, 'Rebels against the Royals.'" He snapped his fingers, "Judas Iscariot was a disciple. He was one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Apostles of the King are like he's advisors; whatever decision the King makes must be agreed upon the rightfully chosen apostles."
Emerelda knew where he was going, "Mockery towards the king, as those who are in the group is called disciples."
Emmett nodded, "Precisely, meaning these rebels are very much an organized group hidden right under the King's nose. Only those against the king would know such thing, or those in the underworld." He murmured thoughtfully.
Emerelda frowned, "Underworld?"
Emmett waved a hand, "A term used back at England for the world of criminals or… an organized crime."
She sat straight, "This is much larger than we thought."
Emmett looked up, "Much larger." He turned and points the new added piece of paper that was stolen from Mr. Chester's desk, "This telegram was sent from England. It was addressed to Mr. Chester regarding of Vivian's gift, the fact there was gifted people in England in the Judas group, and those who work for the Judas group to rebel against the King of Garlin."
Emerelda stood up, "I don't understand why England is involved with all this is? And why is Garlin is exposed to the people of England? Garlin is a secret world, a secret city. It's meant to be kept secret to conserve the ones who are gifted, and protect itself from the dilemma of the world of the outside. Those who expose, or show their gifts to anyone with no knowledge of Garlin for their personal purposes are meant to be treated with treason." She stopped.
Emmett continued, "Death. Their punishment is death…and beatings on each family member who knew of it…" he crossed his arms, "There are those who crossed from Garlin to England to start their own life…and those who did it for a purpose."
She nodded at the telegram, "England is the place you were raised, correct?"
He looked away, "I was actually born there. England is…my home. I am a descendant of those who left Garlin."
She stepped close to him hungry to learn more, "Did you know if you're passed relative left for a new life or for something quite larger?" He hesitates and she said, "You must understand, this is regarding with the Midnight Assassin."
He glared at her, "I know. And I wasn't sure who they are. It's only recently that I learnt I was a descendant because of my gift."
Emerelda knew there was much more; however she didn't want to bother to argue. They had more important issues to talk about. Besides, if Emerelda found out his family would be important on finding the Midnight Assassin, she would gladly pressure him then.
"I also saw that there were meetings held in the city." She changed the subject, "Mr. Chester may not have been part of the group, though I assume he still attended them. They might have kept him close only because he is one of the apostles of the King." She thought of the manor's addresses and names, "Although he wasn't the only one apostles."
Emmett made a thoughtful face, "Their rebelling against the King for one reason. He refuses to neglect the old rules and open the gates of Garlin to the world. As time moves, and the world ages around Garlin, it's time for other countries and cities to learn that Garlin has many potential."
Emerelda grimaces, "He's very stubborn, the King. I can only assume everyone is tired of his reign and want him out. The rebels…they want to reform Garlin. That is why they are targeting those who with the king."
"Cleaning the city from those against them…" Emmett murmured, lost in thought, "They kill those to scare the king, or to remove those who are with him. The latest death, the prince, it was to scare the royal family."
Emerelda felt sick, "That is the reason why I want to kill the Midnight Assassin. I have no care on what the rebels would want to do, and what they are doing."
Emmett smirked, "Selfish. He's not even your blood brother."
She glared at him, "And what makes of you? You have a line of family that committed treason. Have you forgotten? I am the Princess of Garlin."
He narrowed his gold eyes at her, "That title is now behind you." He waved a hand, "Although there is one problem. The Assassin is more than one."
Something flashed at Emerelda's eyes.
She saw the shadow that moved in the darkness, and out the broken window of the grand hall. She hasn't bothered to think twice about the figure as her brother bled to death. However, now that she thought of it…the figure was certainly a male.
She stared up and down at Emmett. He had the same shadow as the Midnight Assassin, especially the figure. That is why she had thought it was him when she first had met him.
"A male…he was a male." She says, "All witnesses reports that he seemed like a male."
Emmett nods, "Yes, perhaps the Midnight Assassin is a title for male partners."
She walked to the board, reading the headlines, "We must attend one meeting. I saw a meeting that was three days from now. This could be a big benefit for us."
"You still need more training for your mind." Emmett sighed, "This is a meeting filled with the most dangerous, gifted, rebels in Garlin."
She closed her eyes, finding something to snap at him when something clicked. "Come along." She called, moving to the door.
"Where too?" Emmett asked behind her.
They went up the stairs and into the bedroom. She went straight for the desk and picked up the leather book. She skipped through pages, flipping them as fast as she could. She almost missed the page she was looking for until she went back a few pages and points to the first paragraph.
"I wasn't trained to use my gift as they assumed I wasn't capable on controlling it. They were wrong and right at the same time. I only didn't bother using it because I wanted to be the equal same of my Brother. And when Mother died…I didn't want to use it again as I realized no one took me serious when using my gift." She moved her hand so that way Emmett could read the paragraph, "Vivian said something; 'When facing your deep nightmare, you must understand that nightmare is caused because you won't let go.""
"Hmm," Emmett leaned down and read the paragraph, "'the mind is but a beautiful, complex creation of god. He only knows that is which within the person. He only knows the way the mind works, and he only knows that of which the true meaning of the mind. The gift of minds is a high gift given to mankind. The mind is its own structure, dangerous almost. If one doesn't fully grasp their gift, their gift would go against the weak.'"
Emerelda nods, "I was never allowed to touch this book. Once though, when my tutor was called out, I went through the pages and found this. I only read this page from the whole book before she came back and scolded me. It was as if it was distained to warn me. I haven't given much thought of it then, as I thought I was able to control it. I was wrong of course, especially after disregarding my gift." Her finger went bellow to the last paragraph, ""If one experience results regarding of not being able to control their gift completely, one must go through the facing of their block named 'Adversus tenebras mentis obstructionum'"
Emmett was too close to her, she felt the heat from his body. She could also smell his cologne, something woody like the forest outside, and sweet all the same time. His head was leaning over her shoulder, if she moves her head, their cheeks would touch. She wondered why he was close to her.
"Yes, I wanted you to face your block however…this is not what you wanted to tell me, is it?"
Emerelda took a deep breath, "No."
"Emerelda," he sighed moving away to face her, "I was only trying to help you face your block by accepting the death of your bother, but that-" he points to the book, "I knew there was another way but it was too dangerous. No one had the gift of mind for centuries, and there isn't anything written on what the person had experienced during their time. For all the other gifts, there would be pages of journals, diaries, from those who went through the gift before death. It was almost mandatory to write for those who would come after them. What you're telling me is something we don't know for sure if it would work."
Emerelda shook her head, "And what do you want me to do Emmett? Would you want me to lie down on the bed having traumatic images of my brother to only open my eyes crying and covered in sweat? It isn't working because I must dig deeper. Seeing my brother is the first step of this process."
Emmett moved his arms to his hips, "You know what you're asking? You're asking to go through a trance to make you face your block almost physically in your head. You are going to fight something that you're afraid of. And you know what the results would be? The results could lead to death if you don't succeed."
She sighed, "Don't exaggerate. I might not also wake up ever again."
He raised his hands, "All the better!"
She slammed the book shut, "You were only trying to help me face my block conscious. But you're doing it wrong! I need to face it in such way I'll be able to demolish this-this thing in my head!"
He ran a hand though his hair, "I didn't give you this book to do such dangerous stuff, I thought you'd skip though it because it's too risky. Yet, here you are, asking for the most riskiest thing that is stated thought out the whole book. I thought you are able to think through things. Clearly, I was wrong."
Emerelda placed the book on the table, "I read this page in my past, and my memory is excellent. The book clearly states that this is the only way if I want to overcome the block to achieving the full power of the gift. I'm going to do it with or without your help, and you can't stop me."
Emmett looked ready to strangle her, but he gave in, "I know I wouldn't be able too. I know you're strong…and still, you haven't explored your powers properly. You don't know what's to come." He shook his head staring up at the ceiling as if he was searching for words, "When I look at you, I see a broken Princess, traumatized by her past. I see a gifted young Princess who haven't been able to train with the most important and dangerous gift given to man."
Emerelda groans, "Don't sympathize me."
He looked down at her, "I'm not. I'm only saying what I see."
"Ooooh, it's not every day a young gentleman tells me they see me broken and useless." She waved a hand turning around to go to the bed, "Let's get started shall we?"