A black bird landed at the top of the castle steps and transformed into a lady, Myra. The Outlands soldiers guarding the castle doors straight away opened them for her. She did not say anything or even look at them. Her eyes were fixed forward like she has a motive and intends to do it anyway possible. She stepped inside and paused for a while. She tilted her head up a little and her eyes moved like she was sensing. Sensing for someone's position.
'Avenger, is everything alright?' one of the soldiers asked. Myra did not answer, she continued walking and turned right towards the east wing at the end of the hallway.
Marcala and Erieka were sitting in the lounge with Alphaga hopping about the room. They were having some sort of an interaction time. Erieka talked about how fun it was in Barenge. How she threw a fireball at Queen Alice at the execution post. Alphaga was too bored hearing someone else bragged especially when he couldn't. Then Morgan came in with Pertum behind him carrying a tray of metal jug and five cups.
'I brought coffee instead' Morgan said.
'You mean I brought' Pertum replied. Morgan gave him a look of "don't test me".
'Why do you need to carry that? Use your magic you silly little man' Marcala said.
'Once in a while, it's good to not use magic' Pertum said. 'It's like taking a break'
'Talk about good, boring!' Alphaga scoffed. He dragged the "boring". 'Too much good and you'll turn out like these Inlanders. They think they're so right. They can't even accept the truth!'
A pause.
'Coffee?' Morgan broke the silence. He passed around cups and asked Pertum to pour the coffee.
Suddenly the room door opened and Myra came in.
'Myra!' Marcala said. Everyone was surprised.
'Shouldn't you be back at the base?' Marcala asked with suspicion.
'Marcala, Morgan, Alphaga, all avengers. Edward is speaking. And for your annoyance, I have been reunited with my family. My real family. And we have taken over your kingdom. Morgan's Kingdom. You have taken Combination. But just remember, that we have friends there which you no longer have here. And I promise, we won't rest until Combination is safe once again from your hands. We still have friends and allies from other cities which you don't have the strength to conquer yet. You have provoked the peace, and thus declaring war. To Erieka, my sister, I know you can make the right choices. It's never too late to turn back' Myra said with intonation exactly like how Edward did.
'How is he able to do this? His magic is disabled for twenty years now' Alphaga said in disbelief.
'He got help. He mentioned he's been reunited with his family. Use your brain Alphaga. The main matter is they threatened us. Now this is officially war' Marcala said.
'Great!' Alphaga exclaimed excitedly. He was already imagining all the creative ways he's going to kill the enemy.
'Duty Alphaga. Not fun. Duty' Marcala said.
'So when do we meet and where?' Erieka asked like an attentive student.
'First, we reply to their message' Marcala replied. She glanced at Myra with distaste. 'Such low skill magic'
She swiped her hand in Myra's direction and instantly, she fell out of her trance.
'Marcala! Successor! I… I'm sorry' Myra said nervously.
'Off you go' Marcala dismissed her. 'I'll write a letter. Just prepare for war. They have no idea what's coming to them'
Marcala walked away confidently towards the post chamber. She took a piece of paper, dipped the quill in ink and started writing. Then she attached the rolled letter to a raven's foot and sent it to Morgan's Kingdom.
The letter arrived less than half an hour later. The castle in Morgan's Kingdom was already secured. The only other people there left were the old folks who were the servants of Morgan. The raven found Edward in the living room with the fireplace. He was catching up with Bobby, Lillain and Dewi. The others were probably washing up or cleaning. The raven landed on the tea table in front of the couch.
'What does it say?' Lillain asked when Edward detached the letter and unrolled it. Edward read it out loud.
'Dearest Edward. We accept your threats and we will be ready when you are. Meet us on the battlefield. The field of the first war. Three days from now. Prepare your best, because we will, and we're ready to enjoy your suffering when you face ours. Love Master Widow'
Edward crushed the paper and threw it into the fire. The fire erupted.
'You okay?' Lillain asked. She went to sit beside him. Edward nodded his head, he was controlling his anger.
'Edward, did you see that?' Dewi said. Her expression showed she was very amazed.
'I saw your highness' Bobby said. 'Your powers. You may not be able to use powers to your maximum or whenever you want to because of that cursed bracelet. But I think you can still use them in some ways. You were angry, that caused the fire to react that way'
'I can't give in to anger. Everyone who does will end up with dark magic' Edward said.
'Maybe anger is not the only way my prince' Bobby said. Edward smiled.
'What's funny?'
'No, it's just, for twenty years I've forgotten the ways of royalty. I'm not a prince, no one calls me your highness here' Edward said.
Princess Flyra, Prince Jake, Master Kitty, Captain, Bale, and Oliver came to join them. They told them about the letter.
'The Alhora field' Kitty said after hearing the description of the location.
'And we got three days to be ready' Lillain said.
'We'll do all we can. For the good of Inland' Flyra said.
Lastly, Edward said, 'Together'.