Dispelling Asani's magic had been difficult, blood rapidly dripped down his nose, for this very reason he had carefully kept off the usage of magic.
Consequences to dire too play with his hard earned magic and too painful as well.
One thing was for sure that this break he had would be short lived, it wouldn't take long before Asani would notice he wasn't there and send someone or even come after him himself.
He seemed too emotional to leave him alone, most likely obsessive in the way he yearned for a family bond after being deprived of one for most of his teenage years.
Not his problem as of yet, for now he will just enjoy his little vacation.
Tracing the necklace given by Cyra, Acacius approached the tree and without waiting he let the blue wisps appear, the portal appeared and leaving battle and blood behind he stepped through it.
Just like the first time his ears began ringing as soon as his feet touched the familiar sand of the island. Trees still made up a high part of everything he saw but without a doubt there would be more on the other side of the island.
It wouldn't make sense for Cyra to put a portal on an island of no importance.
He knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't do something like that.
\--
And he had been right.
From trees and sand to the most beautiful and exotic city.
Magic kept an island afloat in the air, from what he could see it definitely looked like a castle, surrounded by smaller islands.
Some looked close but were still miles away, others specs in the sky.
This world....looked almost more put together than his. On his way to the academy he had seen magic but no flying islands.
Or magically appearing rainbow platforms?
More than half a day has passed, the battle had most likely ended through a magic spectacle.
As he had no way of knowing who actually won, he left it at that.
First he should find a place to sleep, gain back some much needed energy so that he can go explore everything tomorrow.
It was exciting, after the eventful month he had.
\--
He had been lucky; it seems as weeks had passed without a lot of interference.
While there had been plenty of mentions of the war ,which some referred to as a short lived battle considering it was a little over a month, there had been no thorough follow up.
Acacius had disagreed to the fact of it not having been a war, there had been one of around 40 minutes before his life of Adrian even began, so if that could be classified a war so could this one.
Most of the time the public would be made aware of the new rules and the consequences war brought.
Considering Asani was an heir to both the sword empire and the magic kingdom, one would believe that to be followed more according to the protocol.
Acacius has guessed that his nephew was on his way to find him, some rumours pointed out his appearance in various cities and towns. One by one he was marking them, staying for a miniscule meeting to then leave for the next.
Same story, same action, same everything.
Nobody knew why nor did anyone dare to ask as Asani made quite a figure out of nowhere, nonetheless everyone was curious.
There was not a word of his own disappearance so that was good.
Asani wanted to keep it on the low.
''Hey, Adrian you up?"
"Nahh, half asleep as you can see.''
The other chuckled before throwing his arm on him and dragging him forward without much thought.
Smell of the sea entered his nose with every passing breeze, relaxation setting in, tenseness leaving for a short while.
''Lorelei, how's it?'' Acacius had gotten more than comfortable in his new surroundings, the elderly woman smiling left him in an even better mood.
The first night he had gotten on the island he had practically fainted in front of their door and they had nursed him back to better health.
Watching Alyria give his mom a hug felt like witnessing a happy memory in ten years time.
With the two of them together, they would forever be richer than others.
''It's nice to see you happy uncle.-''Well, shit.''-However it is high time for you to return.''
Turning, his heart no longer peaceful, he was greeted with quite a sight.
Regal as he stood there was no crown to be seen on his head however his entourage made clear of his importance.
Whenever he had gone out in the past, he had taken the least amount possible and when he sneaked out in the night none!
Good times.
And now he had to go back for a period of time?
"Adrian---what is happening?''
"Aly---''no further words left Acacius's tonque, there was nothing to be said.
The facts were all laid out, his nephew awaiting him with countless guards and high up in the air a construction he had never heard or seen of.
It looked, was structured like a ship, large bronze with golden lines decorating the hull.
Underneath it all, a greenish looking room. Surely windows were one could look through and observe the ground beneath.
A small looking hut in the beginning, a larger one making the end of it up above.
The most impressive ,however, was the bright circle of flames connected to the end of the ship and it's sides. This world was more than perfect but the magic was phenomenal.
He had a lot to learn that was for sure.
"I am waiting, uncle.''
Alyria moved in protest, body in between nephew and uncle, demanding an answer.
Black greenish eyes looked intensely at the boy, not much younger than him before answering.
''I have come to fetch my uncle, it is high time for us to work together at bettering our soon to be new empire.''
Surprised he shot up ''New? What are you speaking off!''
''The moment I left, I came here and was quite immediately trained as the heir of the magic kingdom. As such the empire and kingdom will join together as one.''
Shocked whispers and exclamations came from the assimilating crowd around them, more and more people became aware of the family ties. More than a few watched him with accusing eyes, Alyria was one if not the most surprised and mad at the betrayal.
What's another?
"I need your help, uncle.''
Expectant crowd, it was burning through the silence they created but the saddened eyes of Asani were heartwrenching.
So hoping, hoping for a positive answer.
Hoping that he may finally feel the warmth of a family, in the way Alyria just had with his mother.
In the hopes that he would also have memories worth cherishing.