A Boda of New Beginnings for a Once Wandering Heart Chapter 5

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Chapter 5

Akira: He’s asleep…he did have a long day today.

Carrying him in his arms, Luca ran up to us.

Luca: Oh, is he asleep? You can bring him to me and Emily's, he's staying there for now.

Lennox: That’ll do. I’ll carry him there. 

As they moved, a mumble slipped from the sleeping Al’s mouth.

Al: …Lizzy.

Luca: Lizzy? Who could that be?

Lennox: I think I heard that name before when we first came to see Al. 

Akira: Right, I do remember hearing him talk to someone, but in the end it was just him.

Luca: Talk to someone? I’ve never seen anybody else in that forest but him…

It seems that there is still a lot that Al hasn’t told us. Like Lennox was worried about, there was something other than the magic outburst that was bothering him.

The dark of night began etching itself in the sky, tiny stars sparkling into existence. Al’s faint breath told me he was right here by our sides, yet it felt like his heart was as far as the stars in the sky. 

To help with the wedding, most members of our group decided to sleep over at the Flores Brothers’ house.

The brothers were very excited to have unusual guests at their home.

We planned on waking up early to help out, though there were concerns about us staying up late in the night having too much fun, which I found cute.

There was something else on my mind though, which was Lennox's absence, so I went outside to search for him.

Luca: I don’t think he wants to speak about it, so it doesn’t feel right to ask…

Lennox: He has been on his own for a long time. Neither of us knows what he could have gone through.

Akira: Lennox…?

Lennox: Master Sage.

Akira: Oh, you were talking with Luca. Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt.

Luca: Ah, it’s alright…we were actually talking about Al.

Lennox: Even after you left, Al kept on saying Lizzy’s name and crying in his sleep…

Akira: What…

Lennox: We don’t know what those two mean to each other, and why they’re not together right now…

But I’m certain that she’s someone important to Al.

Luca: I was discussing with Lennox if I could ask for your help in cheering Al up.

I know this is a lot I’m asking for, of you and of Al, but…

Akira: No, not at all. I understand how you feel, Luca. We’ll do everything we can.

Luca: Master Sage…thank you so much.

Oh, it’s already this late. Sorry for keeping you when you must be tired after today. 

Goodnight, you two. May you rest well, and have sweet dreams. 

Watching his back as he left for home, I continued talking to Lennox.

Akira: I’m concerned about Al…

Lennox: Same here. I’m grateful that the worst didn’t happen, and that he was able to return to those two safely. 

Even though Lord Oz assured us that there was nothing dangerous, sensing the influence of the Calamity and seeing the state of the venue, I couldn’t stop my nerves.

Akira: Huh…

I was reminded of all the missions we had that didn’t end in the way we wished for it to.

Lennox stood from that venue of joy and gave everyone words of comfort, but on the inside he was considering even the worst possible outcomes.

That’s the kind of person he is. Always taking into account what the others may or may not be comfortable with, and dealing with the problem himself.

Akira: (That’s why his expression darkened earlier…)

Lennox, thank you. It’s a relief that you’re here, and that Al was safe…

Lennox: Yeah.

Akira: But we both know there’s something else that’s troubling him.

Lennox: And I believe those troubles concern his heart. The magic outburst was likely not the main factor in losing control over his broom. 

It might have been the result created from whatever lies in Al’s heart and the effects of the Great Calamity reacting to each other. 

We use magic with our hearts. It will be difficult to continue his journey now. 

Akira: What journey is this for, anyway? He did say he wasn’t going to stay long…

He didn’t talk much about his travels.

From the look in his eyes, it wasn’t about discovery of the unknown. They were clouded in a fear of what’s to come.

Lennox: Al reminds me of my past self. Back when I was travelling the lands, only caring about putting one foot after the other. 

Lennox once went on a long journey searching for Faust.

A journey of no destinations, ending in South. It’s this Lennox here that I trust has more experience on the matter. 

Lennox: …This country is so peaceful, and time flows by so slowly here.

I felt my own heart heal spending time with the people of this town and those of the Rheita Mountains. 

He says, hand brushed to his chest, reflecting on a self from a time gone by.

Lennox: Al’s goal and the path he treaded are different from mine. 

That’s why I can’t say for sure it will work out the same way, but…

In the time we have here, even if it’s just a bit, I want for his heart to heal. And it’s my turn to be on the side that helps him.

Akira: In just a day I understand how loving and kind the people of this town are. 

I’d like to learn from everyone, and spend my time here helping Al as well. 

He looked at me with a tender smile. Seeing his expression, I thought of how nice it would be if Al could smile like this too. 

The next morning. The birds sang, waking the people and signaling the day’s start. Everyone made their way to the venue.

Townsperson: If it isn’t the Sage and their wizards. Mornin’!

We told the to-be-wedded two to take a rest for the day, so let’s put our best leg in and get to working!

Rutile: Yeah! Oookay, I’m ready to begin!

Al: Why…

I turned to where the sound came from, and saw Al standing still in front of the stack of broken chairs. 

Townsperson: He’s been around since dawn broke…though his magic doesn’t look to be doing too well.

Lennox: Still…

Townsperson: Kid won’t relax even a little. He’s so eager to help out, I don’t know how to tell him in a way that won’t dampen his spirits…

Hey, since you’re both wizards, what if you talked to him? It might be best if we left the magic matters to you fellas.

Lennox: Yeah, we can do that. 

Al: One more try…!

Lennox: Al, don’t overdo it.

I understand that you want to make up for what happened, and the stress you’re under for not being able to use your magic.

But you’ll just exhaust yourself this way. Let’s take a break from using magic.

Al: Lennox…

Mitile: It’s okay, Al. I find it hard to use my magic whenever I’m tired too. 

Then I just remember that if I take the time to rest up, I’ll be able to use magic like normal again!

And in this town, it’s important to make everything for a wedding ceremony with our own hands.

Of course we get requests to use magic once in a while, but let’s pace ourselves and do what we can, naturally!

Al nodded at Mitile’s words, yet he still looked over at the broken chairs in disappointment. 

Oz: Vox Nox!

An Oz who at some point came from the manor and joined up with us said his spell.

A single chair bobbed up into the air, and as if time was reversing itself, was rebuilt anew. 

Al: Wow…!

Townsperson: Oooh, neato…!

Hands that were cleaning debris stopped, and for a moment all eyes were fixed on the chair.

Oz: There are other wizards here than yourself. If there’s anything you cannot do, you must rely on others. 

Akira: (Knowing Oz, fixing that chair was just another way of showing he cared.)

Riquet: Oz, did you not hear Mitile talk about how it is important to take your time and do things naturally? You weren’t listening at all, were you?

Oz: …

Akira: (‘Oh right’ is what his face looks like it’s saying…)

Mole’d Townsperson: Haaa, that was amazing! You’re one nifty wizard!

Tanned Townsperson: You really fixed that chair up in a second! Thank you kindly! Ahh, this brings me back to when Tiletta was still here.

If it were the Great Witch Tiletta, I reckon she would have been able to fix this entire stack of chairs in an instant!

Oz: …

Riquet: OZ.

Mole’d Townsperson: I’d love for a wizard to live with me…if I were in my younger years, I’d have proposed to you!

Oz: …I see.

A crowd forms around Oz, townspeople placing their arms around him or patting his shoulder in a familiar fashion.

Nero: They dunno who they’re being buddy-buddy with…just watchin’ gives me goosebumps.

Shylock: Oh, but in the time we spend in this town it’s you who might become bosom buddies with Oz in the end.

Nero: No way, dude. I do not have the balls for that.

Townsperson: Hey Mister Blue, heard you were a cook? Rutile says that any dish you make is the cream of the crop.

Could I hear your opinions on the food we’re serving at the wedding?

Nero: He’s definitely blown it out of proportion…well, if you’re fine with me.

Shylock: Already Mr. Popular. 

Nero: You’re next, bud. Turn around, there’s a guy with a full cart of alcohol bottles coming your way.

Shylock: My. It’s not yet the hour when I’m truly active, but perhaps I can spare some effort like our morning birds here. 

 

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