"This is the third time I've been behind bars and I'm still only fifteen," I said.
"At least it wasn't your fault the first two times, my love."
"Wait...are you saying this is my fault?" I asked worriedly.
"Of course not! I wouldn't blame you for this! Although you did kill that...police officer?"
"He shot first though. It was self-defense!"
"I understand, Mizik."
I laid back on the small bed in the cell we were in and put my hand over my eyes.
At least they gave us new clothes...
Our old clothes were falling apart at this point and Michael was nice enough to get us something new to wear.
He was...good at determining Isabella's size just by looking at her. If I learned he was some kind of pervert, I wouldn't be surprised.
He had me try on clothes by myself, however.
Currently, Isabella and I were wearing a type of pants called 'jeans'. We were wearing simple shirts as well.
After he gave us our clothes, we left to get changed in the bathroom.
This world had bathrooms as well. Although there was no magic involved. It was done strictly through water irrigation and pressure.
As I laid on the bed, Isabella was in the center of the cell pacing back and forth. She was pretty irritated about not being able to spend time alone together.
I pulled the pillow out from under my head and placed it over my face.
Everything felt wrong lately.
I felt so out of place in this world and nothing lately seemed to go the way we wanted it to. On top of that, Bravery was driving Isabella crazy and I couldn't stop it.
I didn't dislike this version of her, but I still missed the way she used to be.
Unfortunately, the things we had seen and been through probably broke something in her.
Both of us were changed forever.
I would just have to accept Isabella as I always had.
"Mizik? You shouldn't put a pillow on your face. You could suffocate."
"Sorry...I just want to disappear right now..." I said.
A moment after I spoke, the pillow was lifted off of my face and Isabella sat down next to me.
"Don't disappear! I still need you!" She said.
"Right..."
"Are you depressed?"
"Something like that..."
Isabella leaned over and hugged me tightly. She kissed my forehead and smiled at me.
I somehow managed a smile in return.
"I'm sorry if I've been kind of distant lately," I said.
"You have a lot on your mind, Mizik, and I understand what you're going through. Losing our home wasn't easy for me, either. I'm just trying to cope with it by clinging to you. I hope that's okay."
"Thank you for understanding..." I said sadly. "And you can cling to me as much as you want."
"You've been working hard for both of us to survive. I can't be upset with you for that. Just promise me you'll try not to carry everything, okay?" Isabella said with a smile.
"I promise. Thank you, Isabella," I said.
"You're always so sweet to me. Never change, Mizik."
After that, she laid down beside me and rested her head on my chest.
Michael had told us that the bed only had room for one person, but we took that as a challenge.
We were used to sleeping in each other's arms and this was no different. Occasionally guards would come by and say things, but...
Not being able to understand them was kind of a blessing right now. We could easily assume they weren't talking to us or about us. It was almost like we were alone...
After a while, I started thinking about what we were going to do here.
So far, we had just been trying to survive. It wasn't like we had plans or anything, but...
"Hey, Isabella."
"Yes, Mizik?"
"We should come up with a plan of action."
"Like what?"
"Do you want to avenge Avernia?"
"Of course I do, Mizik. But are we really strong enough to do that?"
She was right about one thing. We clearly weren't able to destroy the Source in our current state...
"No...we're not. But if we can get stronger, I want to go back if we can. Let's make that a goal for now..."
I miss Avernia... Things were so simple back then...
* * *
About three days later, Michael returned.
As we laid down on the bed together, he strolled up to the cell door and shouted at us.
"Get a room, you two!"
"We have a room. Unfortunately, there's no privacy..." I said back.
"Well, I'm supposed to give you a book to read. You can read, right? You need to learn about our world if you plan on living here. So take this," Michael said as he tossed a book at us through the bars.
Isabella reacted quickly and caught it. Then she sat up and opened it to read.
"Michael, I assure you that we can both read very well. In our languages. You know we can't read this book, right?" She said.
Michael was silent for a moment.
"Damn. I forgot about that. I'll tell Dante that you can't learn about the world yet then..."
"Could you just teach us the language?" Isabella asked.
"Are you kidding? I'm an Enforcer! I ain't got time for that nonsense! You're lucky I stopped by to hand this book off to you in the first place!" He said sounding somewhat annoyed.
"What does an Enforcer do, exactly?" I asked.
"We protect the world from invaders, keep order, and wage wars against the Overlords. That's usually it."
"What's an Overlord?" Isabella asked.
"Geez...an Overlord is basically an evil Enforcer. Only instead of protecting people and keeping order, they rule over the people as tyrants and enslave the weak. Currently, there are six of them working with the god of domination, Novak."
"So you people are at war? Why are you wasting time on us then?" I said.
"Umm...we've technically been at war with them for three thousand years. The fighting isn't always happening, you know? We have our duties to our lands. They rule half of the world and we protect the other half."
"Earlier you said there were five of you. Were there supposed to be six?" I asked.
"Yeah, Jallah went and got himself killed. Or at least we think he did. We don't know. He just kind of disappeared and Iris can't feel his presence anymore...so probably dead. He was the former seat 3. Now that's Gavin."
"So if there are five of you and six of them, why haven't they attacked?" I asked.
It seemed pretty obvious that they would have an easy victory if they had more people.
"Because Dante is a badass. That's why. They won't attack as long as he's around and he just wants peace. Also, we're kind of at a ceasefire right now."
"Bad...ass?" I said.
"Ugh...Dante is really really strong. He is very good in a fight. Does that explain it?" Michael said mockingly.
"Do yourself a favor, and stop insulting my husband's intelligence! Give us a break, Michael. Half of the things that come out of your mouth don't make any sense to us!" Isabella said angrily.
"You're absolutely right. I'm sorry. Please forgive my transgression, Isabella," Michael said as he bowed.
"Why are you so nice to me and not to Mizik?" Isabella asked.
"Because a man should always treat ladies with respect. Especially really beautiful ones. I gotta admit, you're a lucky guy, Mack."
"My name is MIZIK! MIZIK! GET IT RIGHT!" I shouted angrily.
"Alright man, chill. No need to yell, I'm right here. I have another question for you two as well. For documentation purposes, how old are you?" Michael said.
"I'm seventeen and Mizik is fifteen. Does that cover it?" Isabella said.
As soon as she spoke, Michael shook his head and put his hand over his eyes.
"Woah...jailbait... I am so sorry. Pretend I never said anything to you, Isabella," Michael said.
"Excuse me?" She said.
"You two are kids. Not even adults yet. How the hell are you married?"
"The legal age of adulthood is fourteen, right?" I said.
"Yeah, maybe...two thousand years ago! Or in that world you came from, I guess. But here, adulthood is eighteen. You two are teenagers. Kids."
"We're not kids! We're experienced adventurers!" I said angrily.
"Call yourself whatever you want. You're still below the legal age of adulthood in OUR society. Sorry, but I didn't write that law!"
I had only recently attained adulthood and now it was taken away again?
Damn it all!
"So...I have a question. Is there magic in this world? You seem to use a type of magic," I said.
"Ignitus is a world devoid of magic. We don't have that here. Instead, Iris blesses us with the power to protect. Enforcer Aspects are not magic. They use a different kind of power called Divine Energy."
"Fine then, what is an 'Enforcer Aspect'?" I said.
"Blessings from Iris. Weren't you listening? They come in three forms: Elemental, Advanced, and Ultra. Elemental Aspects are basic elements like fire or water. Even light and dark if I'm using myself as an example. Advanced Aspects deal with physics-based attacks or complex elements. Like metal or blood...using Leiso and Carlos as examples. Ultra Aspects are conceptual abilities. They represent something and make you more like that thing. Dante has the Ultra Aspect of The Reaper," Michael explained.
So as far as I could understand, these Enforcers held power completely different from magic. It also made them incredibly strong.
"How many Aspects can an Enforcer have?" Isabella asked.
"Two. Enforcers can have two Aspects, while Attendants have one. Attendants are also incompatible with Ultra Aspects. And before you ask, an Attendant is a servant to an Enforcer. We have to have compatibility to get our powers and Attendants just barely pass that test. As such, they can only unlock one Aspect. Sucks to be them."
"So...why are you being so compliant in explaining all this to us?" I asked.
"If you're gonna live here, you might as well know how the world works. You both have some crazy-ass powers, too. So you might as well understand that we can fight back easily. Do not underestimate us," Michael said seriously.
"Where does this power come from? We produce magic in our bodies over time, but the atmosphere of Avernia is full of magic particles. Do you run out of power?" Isabella asked.
"Our powers aren't kept going by anything like that. Look, all you need to understand is that Iris gives the blessing and we use it. Her power sustains us. Our attacks don't use any kind of resource like magic does. Get it?" Michael said.
"Sort of...its just hard to comprehend... A world without magic..." Isabella said.
"It should also be noted that being an Enforcer or even an Attendant, greatly enhances physical abilities. Oh yeah, it also makes you mostly Immortal. I'm 457 years old, by the way," Michael said happily.
WHAT!?
"Im....immortal!? You mean like you don't die?" Isabella said.
"Uh...yeah. That's what it means, doesn't it? But we can die. It's just not easy to kill an Enforcer. We don't get sick, and we don't age. But we can still be killed through...somewhat conventional means. Although usually that would take the strength of another Enforcer or an Overlord. Weapons of mass destruction would probably work in most cases and at the bare minimum, an Attendant, but that would just be insulting..."
This was certainly interesting.
Enforcers couldn't age. They wouldn't grow old and frail. Meaning they could continue to serve and protect for a long time.
I wonder what it takes to become an Enforcer...
"Michael, how does someone become an Enforcer?" Isabella asked before I could.
"Oh? Interested in our ultimate power, are you? Well, first you have to be approved by at least four seats to join up. Iris also has to approve. Next, you need a certain level of compatibility to actually become one. Enforcer Aspects are powers that can kill normal people by being implanted. You understand, right?"
"Then please tell us. How can we be approved?" Isabella pressed on.
"Impress us with your fighting ability. Show us that you have an iron will to protect our world. Serve the people and don't lord over them like a tyrant. Finally, if you can earn a majority vote, you'll be permitted to see Iris about having your compatibility checked. She'll tell you whether or not you have what it takes. Uh, just remember not to comment on her chest though..." Michael said just before he shuddered.
"Her chest...?" Isabella asked.
"Listen, Isabella. I'm going to be upfront with you. You have some pretty big boobs for someone your age and that'll piss her off real quick if you say anything about it. Iris is...challenged in that category..."
Isabella covered her chest as she narrowed her eyes at him.
I just sighed.
"What do you mean challenged?"
"I am not permitted to say under threat of severe beatings. That is all. Just don't bring it up, yeah?" Michael said with a nervous smile.
Iris sounds like she might be a tad crazy, too...
"Well, if we wanted to become Enforcers, would you approve of us?" Isabella asked.
"Hah. No. Probably not. I am impressed with your fighting ability though. But that's usually somewhat common for otherworlders. At least ones that don't come from worlds like ours. Wether or not you hold the will to serve the people and protect our world remains to be seen. Lastly, it takes more than just my approval to get a recommendation. You need a majority vote of at least four out of five. That can only happen if one of the six isn't around anymore. But it also means you'll have to get a vote from Gavin or Leiso and that ain't happening."
Well...there goes that thought...
"Besides, it's not like you two really need it anyway. You held your own against an Enforcer. You should be proud of yourselves. That's not normally possible."
Michael thought for a moment and shook his head.
"I originally came here to give you a book explaining all that and more but I ended up telling you myself. I also came to tell you that Iris has forgiven your crimes and that we get to go meet her. Ain't that fun?"
Yeah...fun...