A portal opened in the tower.
"About time," Michael scoffed.
"I thought you said we'd never see Clover again..." Albaric began to smile but stopped short.
Clover fell head first flat on the floor with a thud. They were covered in blood not moving at all. Rena quickly rushed out from around her desk and summoned her assistant.
"What the..." Michael stared down apprehensively. "Are they dead?" he asked slowly.
Rena knelt down beside to check Clover's pulse.
"No..." she said slowly," They're alive. Just barely,"
"Call for the medics!" Albaric called down.
"The medics?" Michael repeated hesitantly, "They need a healer..."
"You heard what Clover said," Albaric frowned. "If the sisters attempt to heal them, it'll only cause more damage,"
Michael stared down with a grave expression. What could a medic do? They were practically dead already, "I can't believe I'm doing this," he said, kneeling down.
He outstretched his hand and cast healing magic, "I don't have a shred of holy magic. It should be fine, right sister?"
"I believe so," Rena said apprehensively.
Michael remained painstakingly casting the magic as the medics appeared. Their faces said more than they intended.
"What are you waiting for?" Albaric interrogated.
"This is beyond our capabilities. I'm sorry," the first said.
"Just do what you can," Michael said, irritated.
The next hour was spent between his magic and bandaging Clover's wounds. However, even after several days, Clover did not wake...Those days turned into weeks. Eventually, it was close to the Emperor's deadline.
A meeting was called in the tower to discuss what to do next.
"I tried contacting Kali," Michael paused, "I thought she might know more about Clover's condition but I can't get hold of her,"
"Is that normal?" Albaric asked.
Michael looked lost in thought.
"Michael," Albaric said once more, "I mean didn't you guys have a falling out? Maybe she's just ignoring you,"
"I don't know," Michael said quietly, "She usually still returns my letters,"
"Then we should go to her directly," Rena proposed.
Michael glanced up suspiciously, "So the Emperor can just take her and Bird? I don't think so,"
"Michael," Albaric sighed, "we have no choice. Without Clover, we have no way to return to the demon world now."
"What a shame," Michael smiled ruefully, "I guess that means the Emperor loses,"
"Giving up on the necklace already?" Rena said flatly.
"I don't know what you mean, sister," Michael replied, feigning indifference.
"What if we went there and you spoke with them first," Albaric suggested, "it wouldn't be our fault if they escaped before we could reach them,"
"Aren't you getting brave, Albaric?" Michael raised an eyebrow, "Openly defying the court in front of the sister?"
Albaric glanced at Rena who remained quiet, "you can report me afterwards, but Bird is a good kid. I don't want to see him jailed for the rest of his life,"
"We need to find a way to wake Clover," Rena said thoughtfully, "if we don't find the means to do so within the week, the Emperor will make a move without us. He'll start a full-blown war against the demon world. This is something I cannot allow. Enough of war and death. The whole purpose of recovering the necklace was to this end. Therefore, I think if that is your condition, I will allow it, Michael,"
"I'm shocked, sister," Michael grinned, " this is a big step for you.."
"However," Rena interceeded, "If I detect that you are attempting to escape, I won't hesitate to use the covenant to the full extent of its powers,"
"I never had any doubt," Michael smiled. "Still, it will take several days to reach Kali and Bird. We still won't have enough time,"
"I will talk to the Emperor, "Albaric said without enthusiasm.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Rena asked softly.
"We're out of options," Albaric swallowed.
"I sometimes forget what great friends you are," Michael said condescendingly. "Yes, ask your friend the Emperor to be more cooperative,"
Albaric ignored him and turned to Rena, "I'll go today,"
"Didn't you grow up together?" Michael went on shrewdly.
"We were taught by the same master," Albaric replied reluctantly, "I never presumed that we were friends,"
"But he made you a general in his army," Michael smirked, "I remember when I was just a lowly knight, you were already his right hand,"
"That was a long time ago," Albairc brushed him off.
He set off towards the throne room irritatedly. He reached the doors and enquired inside. To his surprise, the Emperor was not there. Albaric went back to the only other place he knew to find him. He strolled through the airy corridors.
Just behind the white palace pillars, the shrubbery was gaining the vivacity and colour of spring. There was a hint of a floral scent carrying in the wind. It was a surprisingly warm day, bright and quite lovely.
Finally, Albaric reached the door to the Emperor's study and knocked promptly.
"Come in,"
Albaric stepped inside.
Inside the Emperor was sitting behind his desk. Albaric hadn't seen him there for some time. Behind him, the windows were opening and the curtains fluttered ever so slightly. The Emperor looked up. His piercing blue eyes looked lighter than usual. Though Albaric considered that their true colour was often disguised by the darkness of the throne room.
"Forgive the intrusion," Albaric gave a bow.
The Emperor leant back. The wind caught his black hair and shimmered. He was thought to have been one of the best looking men in the Empire during his youth but his demeanour presently was enough to cause most to avert their eyes. The coldness of his aura was overwhelming.
"What is it?" the Emperor returned.
"It's about Clover," Albaric hesitated.
"The demon lord has not woken?" the Emperor surmised.
"No, your majesty. They have not," Albaric returned.
"And you want more time, I suppose," the Emperor tapped the desk thoughtfully.
"Yes," Albaric said slowly.
It seemed like a long shot but they had to try.
"Your majesty," Albaric went on, " I understand that you intend to start..."
"Albaric," the Emperor interrupted, "Save the speech. I already know what you're going to say."
"Then I won't insult you by begging," Albaric bowed his head low. "but we need more time,"
The Emperor watched him silently.
"Where does the time go?" the Emperor sighed. He stood up and leant back against the window which overlooked the garden. Albaric looked up surprised.
"It's already spring," the Emperor said his voice barely a whisper, "Another year disappears in the blink of an eye,"
"I wish you could find your happiness again, Keitel," Albaric said in a low voice. The moment he said the words he regretted it. He glanced over apprehensively but the Emperor was still looking out the window wistfully. Perhaps he didn't hear...
The Emperor gave a small smile, "I wonder why you came back here, Albaric?"
"Why I came back?" Albaric answered.
"Yes, when I was a boy I used to imagine what it would be like to be an adventurer. If I was in your position I think I would have kept at it, rather than returning here," the Emperor said quietly.
"I remember we used to play at being adventurers often. You always liked that game," Albaric recalled fondly.
"Until my father caught us," the severity returned to the Emperor's eyes, "I have never forgotten his words. 'Games are for children but you are not a child. You are the sun that shines over the nation. Your life doesn't belong to you. How dare you play? How dare you spend a moment from your duty? How will you repay the nation for your lack of loyalty?' Yes, I remember it well."
" I recall," Albaric said soberly.
"What hypocrite," The Emperor turned back to Albaric with dark eyes, "And like father like son."
"You're majesty!" Albaric protested.
"I don't care what you have to do. Get me that necklace, Albaric. I've already summoned the mages of the royal court back to the Empire. I intend to have them open a demon door right here in the capital. By the end of the month, we will cross to the demon world one way or the other."
"Keitel," Albaric's eyes widened, "thousands will die! You can't! The court will find out. They will never allow it,"
"The court are nothing but old fools without a useful thought in their heads," the Emperor smiled, "My gracious sister has already made the preparations. It will seem like the doors open from nowhere. We will have no choice but to attack. Hasn't the Empire done such things in the past? It will be nothing more than another noble battle,"
"Keitel, don't do this!" Albaric pleaded. "At least give me more time! I beg of you!"
"You beg me?" the Emperor looked at Albaric blankly, "I thought you said you wouldn't beg? Everyone hates to beg. Didn't you also leave so you didn't have to live at the whim's of my mercy?"
"I left because I was..." Albaric faltered, "I left because I felt empty inside. I left because I didn't know what to do with all of my anger and rage. And I'm sorry I did! I know how you feel right now, only you can't leave here. And it's not fair but the Keitel I knew would never do something like this! You are not the kind of person who would do this,"
"No," the Emperor sat back down, "I suppose I'm not. Though Leila suggested it, I would prefer this could be handled quietly but I grow more restless of late. The nights seem shorter and shorter. The days spiralling on without mercy. I feel compelled to act."
"Just a week," Albaric breathed.
"A week?" the Emperor glanced at him with lifeless eyes.
"Yes," Albaric swallowed, "just a week more,"
"Very well." the Emperor replied indifferently, "Since I'm feeling nostalgic today."