[BACK EXIT OF SILAS'S CLUB FOR PLAYERS]
The door to the club opened and with a swift toss, two burly men in tight, glittering pantyhose jumpsuits threw a Alexander out onto the cobblestone sidewalk with a single heave.
"Oof!" the boy groaned, nearly avoiding a landing on his face. "W-wait! You can't just leave me out on the street like this—"
He shot up, noticing a group of hot girls across the street and immediately fixed his hair within the second he'd laid eyes on them.
THG!
He heard the door behind him open and turned to see Silas standing in the doorway, a card in her hand. "Go home, Alex," she smiled. "Your aunt will have been worried sick by now. I don't want them blaming me for you being thickheaded."
She tossed him the card. "This is for your father, in case he ever decides to visit. Tell him our girls our top quality should he want to grace us with his presence."
Alexander ripped up the card with red cheeks and screamed, "Like hell! Knowing him, he'd actually take you up on that offer! Dirty old man!"
"Hoho," Silas chuckled. "It was a worth a try at any rate."
She closed the door, leaving him to kneel there alone on the street with his outburst. His chest rose up and down for a long moment before he'd realized what he was doing. He spun around, hoping to see the girls that had been standing there before and was disappointed to see them cast him looks of disgust as they ambled away.
"Aw come on, ladies!" he shouted, doing his best to be charming. "I'm a knight! Don't you wanna see a piece of my chivalry?"
He stood up, attempting his best pelvic thrusts, which only earned him even steeper glances of disgust. To his left, an ugly fat man walked past him with his arm around his girlfriend, laughing. "Ha! Look at him, honey! That bug-eyed kid is super gross! He probably needs some money."
Alexander shot up, his neck hot and yelled back, "Like hell! You've got some nerve, buddy!"
The man tossed Alex a Sol coin and laughed as he caught it without a second thought. His girlfriend joined him, saying, "He has no pride, either! Bwahaha!"
Alexander sucked his teeth and grew even redder as they walked down the street, towards the eastern villas. "I have money, damn it! Tons of Sol, Denarii, Librum — you name it! I'm not poor! I'm a knight!"
The couple ignored him and kissed passionately, sending a shiver down the boy's spine. How could I be losing to that thing?! He's rich and has a total hottie by his side! Gah!
He shoved his hands in his pockets and trotted in the other direction, towards the central district where he could find the plaza. Am I really ugly? He wondered.
"Tsk! Like hell!" he repeated, combing his head again. "I'm Alexander Pendragon, damn it! There's no way I could be lacking in anything!"
GRWWLLLLL
Alex grabbed his grumbling stomach and continued.
But what do I do now?
Ahead, undetected by Alexander's eyes, walked two boys and their pet lion cub stumbling around in awe at the strange street lamps, building pillars, and other pedestrians.
Jacender and Aleximus had arrived near the heart of the town.
-------🅰🆂🅷🅵🅸🅴🅻🅳-----—
[ZENICA, CENTRAL DISTRICT, RUMBA'S PLAZA]
"One!"
"Two..!"
"Three!!!" Jacender beamed, tossing Leon up into the air and catching him in small bursts as he and his brother walked. He brought the lion closer to his face and rubbed their noses together. "Haha! Didja like that one, boy?"
"What are you doing, idiot?" Aleximus mumbled with a swift smack to the back of his head. His eyes danced from person to person as they walked into the plaza's opening, as untrusting as always. "You're drawing unnecessary attention."
He glanced back, noticing the orange-haired boy a few meters behind who was clutching his rumbling stomach. There are weird people everywhere… Aleximus thought.
THOOF
"Tch!" he groaned, glaring daggers at Jace. His brother had suddenly stopped, causing him to make a fool of himself by bumping into him. "Watch where you're going!"
"A… Aleximus…" Jace stammered. "L-Look at this place..!"
Aleximus advanced and pushed him out of the way. Then he stopped.
He had suspected it some time ago when they had first arrived in Zenica via the Black brothers' carriage: that the town below would be as marvelous if not more than what they'd both seen before. And yet, his preparation did not stop Rumba's plaza from stilling his heart for a glorious moment.
The light cast by the afternoon sun seemed to reflect off every glass surface in Zenica and multiply its splendor a thousand times over. A king-sized statue of the hooded Archangel Gabriel — the centerpiece of the pentagon-shaped plaza — held in his hand a great koi fish with red glittering scales. The water running from the fish' mouth was clearer than any lake Aleximus had ever seen back in the Axis, and undoubtedly more pure. Jacender wondered if it was a trick — some slight of hand done by Sanctum Energy to give it that impression.
Food stands for fried meat, peddlers with golden rings, buildings inviting people to see something called a "film"... even street performers who danced on one leg, juggling double-bladed weapons neither sibling had ever seen before while spitting flames from their mouths… There was nothing they could compare it to.
Similar to Xastol, Zenica had many traditional buildings and maintained its own special allure that way, and yet dissimilar to Xastol was its adherence to culture. Jace's eyes flitted, seeing people of skin tones he'd never seen before: pale, pink, brown, light blue… Some had fins on the side of their necks, others had tattoos so complex that they started from the top of their scalps and ran secretly down their shoulders, arms, and to other parts of their bodies hidden to observers. How could such a place have been possible?, Jace wondered.
"It's amazing, isn't it?" He glanced to his brother, hoping to see a smile of wonder or interest on his face, but was met with disappointment. Aleximus's mouth had remained unmoved and untouched by the plaza, despite the wonders he'd seen. Jace suspected that it might continue to be that way should they find even more wonders. He could tell with one look why it was he was acting that way.
"Beyond the barrier," Aleximus's words revisited him. Jace's mind wandered back a few months to the Axis — to the day when Anna had found out about their real plans.
"...Aren't you curious? The type of people there… How strong they are, what they look like, where they live -- It's all so damn exciting! Knowing nothing about it makes me want to go even more. I want to experience everything out there, Jace. Don't you agree..?"
Only Aleximus's eyes showed emotion, and it was bare if anything. His red eyes remained fixed ahead, staring at the plaza yes, but looking at something else entirely. Something that wasn't and would never be there.
"And of course, we're safe here. But what me and Jace are doing is preparing for a time when we might not be. And we have to be ready. For you."
Aleximus thought of Anna and her tears; how she worried the two would forever leave her behind in pursuit of something none of them truly knew was real. Now here they stood, together after everything that had happened. But she wasn't. A knot formed in Aleximus's chest with every look at Zenica. He'd failed to keep his promise and lied to her. And though he had made peace with the fact that she was gone, experiencing wonder without his sisters smile was like looking to a mirror in the dark; no matter how much he tried to see his reflection, it would never be there.
"Hey!" Jace smiled, turning his brother's head. Aleximus faced him and saw Jacender flick a Sol coin into the air before glancing to the food stands. "We don't know the next time we can eat," he said, tucking the rest of the money back into his pocket. "So lets try as much food as we can. Whaddya say?"
Leon barked in agreement and licked his fangs. This opportunity was like heaven to him.
Aleximus gave a long stare to them before before sighing with a defeated smirk. "You're always hungry, dummy. You want to make us broke before we even find out where to get boarding passes?"
He started walking again, hiding a wider grin from his brother, knowing that Jacender would forever hold it over him, and beckoned them to follow.
"Alright, come on! Only a few things, got it?!"
Jace pumped his fist into the air and grinned. "Yeah!"
"Rawr!" Leon echoed.
As they entered the Rumba's plaza, Alexander, who had overheard the twins' conversation, stopped with wide eyes.
That white-haired kid was holding some serious Sol! What the hell? Are they nobles or something? Where are their parents?
He shook his head, vividly recalling Aleximus's last words about finding out where to purchase boarding passes and clasped his hands together with a devious rub.
Maybe they're lost or something. Either way, this might be the perfect opportunity!
He combed his hair again and raced into town with a grin plastered on his face. Like hell I'll let this one slip by!
-------🅰🆂🅷🅵🅸🅴🅻🅳-----—
"Here," Aleximus said, tossing jace a flame-shaped meat stick. His brother flinched, almost dropping Leon from his head and caught the treat with his other hand.
"What's this?" Jace asked with a curious glance. "Smells good…"
"I got it from one of the vendors over there," Aleximus responded with a sigh. "Said its called flameat and gave me an "evening" price." He took a bite of his own meat-stick and took a seat on the bench next to Jacender with an angry scowl. "I still think that idiot scammed me."
"Can't be an idiot if he scammed you, now, can he?" Jace jibed, earning him a stern glare from Aleximus.
They sat by the feet of the giant statue of Gabriel in the center of the plaza, looking out over everything in the distance like a protector. Every now and then, men, women, children, and even the elderly would come by the base of the statue and kneel at his feet, repeating the same gesture: their palms were brought together, then pointed towards the sky, then to their heads. Next, the worshippers pointed to their hearts and finally clapsed their hands together and kissed them, like they'd been blessed.
"Ovarem Dominae," they kept repeating. "Ovarem Dominae."
Aleximus glanced up towards Gabriel's statue and did his hardest to see past his obscured face. The Church Of Gabriel, he thought. They have so many people worshipping their angel and they don't even have to be here. What kind of people are they really? And what was Mr.Ivan so scared about? Tch, none of this makes sense.
He lowered his flameat, losing interest in finishing it, and tossed it to Leon, who rested beneath them. The cub pounced on the stick, eager to lick every bit of meat off until it was clean as a whistle.
Aleximus reached into his bag and opened it. I need to get stronger. With strength, I can find answers, and with answers I'll never be surprised. I've got to become better, quickly. For both of us.
"Hm?" Jace noised with a turn. He looked in Aleximus's hand and saw an odd steel-shaped object holding inside of it an orange-gold orb. "Whats that?"
"It's called a Barnabas. When I got the flameat, I made sure to ask the vendor where we could get information about the docking lists. According to Richard and Damien, we could find a place to get tickets here without having to go all the way to the terminal and wait."
A glow of Sanctum Energy emitted from his palm and lit the Barnabas. After another moment, the item shone brightly and out came an incorporeal blue list that rolled out of the Barnabas and into the air before them. Jace glanced around, worried others might think something was off, but raised a brow in shock that no one had cared. It must have been a regular occurrence, he thought.
"This is a docking list of every ship going in and out of Zenica today," Aleximus said. "Including the ones that already left."
Jace's eyes widened as Aleximus pointed to the a column on the left. "Look, every ship has a color ranking. All the way from grey to golden. I think it might have something to do with how much space they have, the cost, and how rare they are to book."
Aleximus's fingers then went to the other columns on the right. "Look here. These are the ship names. For some reason, they all start with St."
"That makes sense," Jace nodded. "With how sure Richard and Damien were about the Vitra coin they gave us, that means the Church has some type of pull around here, right?"
Aleximus stopped for a moment, stunned that Jace had been able to put that all together without his help.
"Don't look at me like that!" Jace grinned. "I'm not an idiot just because I say stupid things!"
"Hmph," Aleximus said, hiding a proud smile. "There's a ship leaving Zenica and headed to Albion County in Pendragon about three hours from now: the St.Rosebury."
"Then that's what we'll need to take, right?" Jace asked. Aleximus nodded and pressed the top row, zooming in on the image.
"Yeah. Not only is it a silver-ranked Wyvern Ship, but its also a decently big one with private rooms, a pool, an observation deck, and an on-board museum."
"A what?!" Jace jumped. "How can all of that fit in one place?"
"Idiot," Aleximus sighed. "Weren't you listening? The ships we saw earlier were smaller than the one we're going to board. It's larger than either of us could imagine!"
He shook his head, immediately taking back all praise he had before and shut off the Barnabas.
"I've already bought us three tickets, so all that's left is to get there early and board. I don't know how to get us rooms or where we'd go from Albion County."
"A-Alright!" Jace pumped his fist up. "You sure are amazing, huh, Aleximus? We both don't know much about the outside world and yet you did all of this with next to nothing to go off of!"
Aleximus's cheeks reddened. He looked away and mumbled, "Idiot. There's still so much we don't know. I have to do at least this much to give us a chance."
"Yup, you sure are amazing!" Jace repeated innocently.
"Hush!" Aleximus blushed. "I get it already!"
He tossed the Barnabas back into his bag and faced Jace, who's brow had now been furrowed. "What is it now?"
"Just now," Jace said. "You said you bought three tickets, didn't you?"
Aleximus raised a brow and shrugged. "Yeah, so?"
"There's only two of us! Isn't that a waste of money?"
"Hmph," Aleximus smirked. "...Just in case." he whispered so Jace wouldn't hear. He clutched the bag and looked back up at the statue.
Jace considered arguing back, but quickly thought against it. Whatever his brothers' reasoning, he knew better than to start doubting it now. "Fine," he smiled, rising to his feet. "Let's head to the Terminal Stations!"
"HOLD IT!" a braggadocious voice shot aloud. Both twins recoiled at the noise and quickly spun to face whoever it was.
Aleximus's eyes first landed on the boy's ear: a small sword with its blades pointing downward. Jace was mostly overcome by the boy's strange hair, which looked so specific that he doubted anyone in the history of humanity had ever had such a strange style. The only thing that came close in his mind was Vincent Ashfield's long hair back when he'd entered the Codex.
Alexander stood before the two of them, arms crossed with his nose and strange hair pointed upwards to the sky. "You two are looking for the Terminal Stations?" he asked with a proud smirk. "Allow me, Sir Alexander, to escort you!"
The brothers, having never met him before, exchanged worried looks, afraid that they'd caught the attention of a crazy person, and slowly backed up in unison.
"H-Hey!" Alex scowled. "Don't look at me like that! I'm here to help you!"
Is he crazy? Jace thought. "Help us how?"
Alexander brushed his hair and pointed fingers guns at the pair. "I overheard you talking about getting rooms on the St.Rosebury! I can help you get one and point you in the right way after we land in Albion!"
Aleximus carefully dug his hand into his breast pocket. "We?" he asked, wrapping his finger around his dagger's handle. Who is he? Is he a part of Eclipse? Or something else?
"Yeah," Alexander responded. "I actually need to take the St.Rosebury myself today."
"For what?" Jace asked. Leon sneezed, momentarily lifting his head to look at Alexander, but then lost interest, circling Jacender's feet and resting against his leg.
"None of your business, kid." Alex said. "Isn't it enough that I'm offering my services? It isn't every day you see a knight like myself, after all!"
You don't look that much older than us though, Jacender thought. His eyes didn't look so convinced of the boy's words. He picked up Leon in his arm and pointed back at Alexander with his other hand. "Knight, huh? Why are you so determined to help us? Why can't you board the Wyvern Ship without us? And where's your sword? Something seems fishy!"
"F-Fishy?!" Alex repeated. "Like hell it is! I don't have enough money to pay for the ship, idiot! And I'm not an official knight yet; of course I wouldn't have a sword! Do you think Smiters are just handed out willy-nilly?! Just pay me and I can help you!"
Aleximus's eyes narrowed. It wasn't the first time someone had shouted at his brother in front of him. The irritation from that overshadowed any questions he would've had regarding who the boy was, what a Smiter was, and what he meant by an "official" knight. Instead, he drew his blade, earning him a stiff yelp from Jace and a stunned expression from Alexander.
"We're not interested in whatever you're selling. Beat it."
Alexander stepped back, his face slowly morphing into something serious. Aleximus and Jace noticed the change in the air instantly.
"Hey, spike-head," the boy said to Aleximus. "That blade you got there — it's a Sanctum Weapon isn't it?" A thick vein surged along his temple as a vibrant orange hue of Sanctum Energy amassed around his body.
Though he'd never given much thought to Hatagi's dagger outside of its occasional use for threats, Aleximus quickly put together that what he held in his hands was at the very least more than what met the eye. In knowing that, he wagged it ominously at Alexander for a second time, his eyes bereft of understanding. If Alex were to attack them, then he would not get away unharmed.
"Of course it is." Aleximus told him.
To that, Alexander held out his hand, his Sanctum Energy traveling downward and forming a long, single-edged blade. "Then you know that threatening a knight with a blade…" Alex began. He pointed his weapon at Aleximus. "...is the same as asking to duel?!"
Jace's head spun towards his brother. "N-No, Aleximus! We didn't come here to fight!"
"No, but he sure came ready to." Aleximus responded.
He stepped forward, a shadow cast over his face, and also called forth his own Sanctum Energy. "I thought he was some kind of spy or someone that mattered, but I was wrong. He's an idiot who can't take no for an answer, just like you. It won't hurt to cut him down a little."
"Hmph!" Alex scoffed. "Who's an idiot? You aimed at me first. Are you insane?"
"Who cares?" Aleximus asked. "You insulted my brother. Do I need any other reason to aim at you?"
"I never insulted him!" Alex responded, shocked. "What are you on about?"
"You called him an idiot!" Aleximus snapped. "Only I can do that, you fake knight!"
"Like hell I'm fake! You attack people for things like that?! Come on, then! I dare you to attack! I'll show you the difference between us and beat your—"
Alexander noticed Aleximus's bodyweight slightly shift towards him and raised his energy blade into the air above him.
GWF!
His blade met with Aleximus's dagger, masterfully parrying the black-haired boy's sneak attack and just barely missed his own counter swing towards Aleximus's head. Aleximus ducked back, avoiding the swing and skidded back until he stopped again by Jacender.
The entire exchange had happened within a single breath's time.
"Hey!" Jace yelled, keeping up with the entire interaction. He and Leon turned left to right, realizing that the screaming and fighting had started drawing the attention of the townspeople around them. "We're in the center of the Plaza!" he added. "Are you two crazy?!"
He looked to Aleximus and faltered once he'd noticed his brother's gaze was fixed with Alexander's. The two had tuned Jace out the moment they'd opened each other's mouths. Neither one had expected the other to block their attacks.
He's strong! They thought in unison.
CRCKLE!
Alexander's energy sword shattered, each piece falling for the floor but fading before they got a chance to hit it. I got you, Aleximus smiled.
Alexander stood up straight. Figures, he thought. An energy weapon is nothing compared to a physical one. But…
His eyes rose to the top left corner of Aleximus's forehead, where a slight cut had formed. I got you, too!
"What's that?" a voice murmured. Alex looked around, finally realizing that people had been approaching the statue area.
Someone else whispered, "That was horrible.", while others chatted in agreement.
"Who raised these kids?"
"Right, they shouldn't be out here fighting in the middle of the plaza. Someone call the ZP force!"
"A-Ah..!" Alex flinched. He turned to Aleximus and faked a large grin. "Cousin! There you are! I can't believe my sword practice accidentally hit you and knocked you over there! People would think we're fighting if they saw that, haha! Guess I don't know my own strength sometimes!"
"Bullshit!" Aleximus rose with a sneer. "Who's your cousin? You tried to fight me; said it was a duel, didn't you?! You even dared me, you bastard!"
It was a first for Jace to see someone ruffle his brother in such a way. With Hisagi, Aleximus had been as brash: attacking due to insult, but never overestimated his limits. With Hidemi, it was the opposite. He'd been slowly won over with acts of goodwill and changed his perception of the half-dwarf. However now, after his training with Nahasch in the Weeping Forest, Aleximus had taken a step towards the strength he'd sought after for so long. He'd finally become strong and now when he'd finally tried to apply it… he was met with someone who equaled him easily. His frustration with being weak had bothered him for a long time, but this? Jacender knew Aleximus was realizing how long there was left to go in becoming as strong as he'd hoped for revenge.
T-This kid really is insane! Alexander feared. Didn't he hear them? The ZP will be here soon! I can't risk that!
He started to turn with a bead of sweat on his temple and smiled to the brothers. "Well, it looks like you don't need me for help. I hope you can find the Terminal, brothers! Until next time!"
"Damn it!" Aleximus shouted. "Get back here so I can finish kicking your ass, Roostertop! And don't you dare call me your brother, you hear?!"
More veins littered Alexander's head as he twisted his head back towards them. He cracked his knuckles and approached Aleximus, Sanctum Energy bared again.
Aleximus moved to meet him halfway.
I was afraid of this… Jacender facepalmed. "You just can't go a second without starting problems with people out here, can you?" he muttered. "So much for being safe."
The two bitter enemies stopped in front of each other, each one's expression equally irritated.
"Listen, punk," Alexander said looking down. Aleximus was shorter, barely coming further than his nose, but his fierce gaze made up for it. "First things first! This hair is all I have to remember my mom by, got it?! Plus, all the girls like this hairstyle, alright?! Don't you ever disrespect it!"
He gave a look back at the crowd that had amassed around them, winking subtly at the teenage girls near the center.
Aleximus scoffed, letting his expression sink into utter disbelief and said "Do they even like you?"
"That does it…!" Alexander's fist rose.
Aleximus raised his foot, ready to check his punch. "Tsk!"
"W-Wait, you two…!" Jace called out.
But before they could clash—
FSSSZZZZZTTTT!
The sound of a whistle sounded just as the boys let loose their assault.
"It's the Zenica Police force!" someone yelled out.
Alex stopped himself in his tracks mid-punch with fear so apparent that his eyes looked like they might pop out of their sockets. "C-Crap—" were the only words he could muster before Aleximus's kick hit his throat.
"Ahk!" Alex squealed and fell to the ground, struggling to draw in a deep breath. THAT FREAKING HURTS!
"W-Wait!" he wheezed aloud, begging Aleximus to stop.
Aleximus froze his follow-up, his eyes rising to where Alexander was looking. There was something fast approaching behind the crowd with white and black colors.
"I'm outta here!" Alexander said suddenly, jerking up and running away both brothers in one swift motion. Hearing the words, Aleximus spun around, hoping to see him, but the boy's speed was so incredible that he could only vaguely catch his fading silhouette in the distance.
"What the," Jace's mouth hung open. He looked side to side. "Where'd he go?"
That's strange, Aleximus thought, Why would he run? That cocky attitude didn't exactly scream coward to me…
"Hold it right there!" a voice called, grabbing onto Aleximus's arm. "Huh?!" He sweated, turning around to meet with a squad of a dozen uniformed men and women closing in on him and Jace. "Let go of me." he threatened, ready to raise his blade. Jacender moved this time, grabbing Aleximus's open backpack and throwing it over his arm, concealing the weapon.
"You're being detained for disturbing the peace!" said a tall man who looked like their leader. "Wait!" Jace yelled. He'd realized what was happening. "The guy who did it ran away!"
"Likely story, punk. You think we're gonna fall for an old trick like that?!"
Aleximus made eye contact with Jace, both of them understanding that the guards weren't going to listen. They couldn't start another fight here. They needed guaranteed passage onto the St.Rosebury.
Both of their eyes then darted to the sky, quickly putting up their hands and pointing at a bird in synchrony. "Look, the Wyvern Ship's falling!!!"
Every one of the guards looked up, falling for the old trick and before they had realized it, the two brothers had disappeared from sight.
The head officer looked back down with a confused face, feeling his loose grip and frowned. "What are you on about? There's no—"
"—WHAT THE HELL?!" he cut himself off. He looked into the distance before him and saw the two tiny figures running for dear life, pet lion in tow as they dashed away from the statue.
"A-After them! HURRY!!"
The other officers mobilized with an urgent quickness, screaming "Yessir!" and following on foot.
"Come on Jace!" Aleximus yelled exasperatedly. "Keep up! Don't let em catch you!!"
But Jace was lagging in the chase. "Ah…! I…" he panted.
Aleximus knew he had terrible stamina but he couldn't allow for him to stop now. "Aw come on! Of all the times…!"
The Zenica police were right behind them, on their tails. "This way!" they shouted, following the pair into an narrow street.
Aleximus dove into a corner, jumping against the wall next to him and bounced off of it to spring himself upwards.
"C-Come on!" he called to Jace just as he landed on the roof of the building.
Jace followed meekly, barely able to stop Leon from leaping off his head and dove into the same corner, doing his best to copy Aleximus. He picked up speed and launched himself at the wall, but before he could rise high enough to grab hold of the roof's edge, a policeman caught his leg and dragged him back before he could even see the top. Jace screeched girlishly.
"You idiot!" Aleximus cursed. He prepared himself to dive back down and save him, but Jace was quick witted. He spun himself using the force of the officer's pull and kicked the cop in the head, freeing himself in one quick motion.
"Ngh!"
Without wasting another moment, Jace dropped to the floor, leg sweeping the same guard and using his body as a springboard to his brother's hand. "Aleximus…!" He yelled, jumping as high as he could.
"I know!" his brother shouted back. He yanked him up before the other officers could follow and added, "Run, you idiot!!"
The two raced, side by side, Jace's face a puddle of sweat, while Aleximus's angry and irritated. Aleximus grabbed him, jerking both their bodies behind a nearby chimney flashing and held his fingers up to his lips. "SHHH!"
The officers scaled the wall, arriving on the roof and glanced around. Now that they were closer, Jace could make out guns hanging on their waists, along with things that looked to be batons lined on the back of their vests. It must have been a common weapon for it to be so easily substituted for a sword.
"SPREAD OUT AND FIND THEM!!" the captain bellowed. The officers nodded and scattered.
"YES, SIR!!"
Jace covered Leon's mouth, his own heart beat ready to give them away and carefully glanced around the corner of the flashing to make sure the officers were long gone. Aleximus sighed briefly and shook his head. That damn Roostertop almost got us arrested! The next time I see him, I'll—
"Whew!" a voice sounded nearby, freezing him in his tracks. "They're gone. Thank goodness." the person muttered again.
Aleximus and Jace slowly turned, their eyes traveling to the hipped roof dormer a few feet away. Their jaws dropped immediately.
"Y-You…!" Aleximus growled.
He shot up, fist clenched and stared at Alexander, who they'd thought had since escaped. The orange-haired boy had somehow managed to weasel his way in between two roof dormers, his head ducked down low enough so his hair wouldn't be caught in the sun. He hadn't noticed the brothers until he looked up.
"A-Ah…!" he stuttered. "Spikehead?!"
"Why you…" Aleximus rose to jump at him. "Don't call me that!"
"Wait, Aleximus!" Jace grabbed him. Luckily, he was closer now in order to stop him. "Did you forget what landed us in this position in the first place?"
Aleximus clawed comically at Alexander, but couldn't do much against Jace's tight grip. Alex saw that and stuck his tongue out happily, and screamed, "Nyahhh!!"
-------🅰🆂🅷🅵🅸🅴🅻🅳-------
"So?" Jace asked, now in between the two boys. "Are you two calm now?"
Aleximus and Alexander looked in opposite directions, both arms crossed and sneering.
Ugh, Jace thought, And he calls me a baby…
"Who are you anyway?" Jace turned to the him. "Did you really need to get on the St.Rosebury or were you just trying to scam us?"
He thought to Nahasch's words back in the Axis: "All you need to know is that once you arrive in Zenica, a path towards Pendragon will present itself to you."
Is it him? he wondered.
"Hmph! What's it to ya?" Alexander barked at his earlier question. Jace's eye twitched with annoyance, but he calmed himself with a deep breath.
"You got us chased around the entire town and up this building," he said. "You're lucky I'm not letting Aleximus fight you. He's strong, you know."
Alex opened an eye and haughtily stuck his nose into the air. "Who? This guy?" he snickered. "Nah, I doubt it! Hahaha!"
Aleximus tried to lunge at him but Jace stopped him again. "Stop it!!"
"Aleximus, huh?" Alexander asked. "Weird name ya got there!"
"Oh yeah?!" Aleximus growled. "And Alexander is any better?"
"Idiot!" Alex sneered. "If only you knew my last name, you wouldn't be acting so high and mighty! I'm more important than you think, you know!"
"Then whats your last name?" Jace asked. The hairs on Alexander's neck stood up before his cheeks brightened.
"It doesn't matter," he said bashfully. "Listen…"
His tone became serious with a sigh. He sat against the brick tiles and looked towards the Wyvern Gate Terminals. "You won't believe me, but I really do need to get back home to Pendragon. I've spent too much here and didn't tell my dad that I left. You're brothers, aren't you? Well, my older brother is covering for me right now. Everyone is probably worried sick about me."
He brought his knees up and hugged them. The sunlight felt warm against his face. "I'm still too immature," he sighed quietly.
Aleximus and Jace shared a look. "You could've stole our Sol coins earlier," Jace began. "Why didn't you?"
"...A knight doesn't steal." Alexander said plainly. Aleximus could tell by his tone and the fact that it wasn't the first time he'd heard the boy talk about knights that Alex was telling the truth.
"Give me a break," Aleximus scoffed. "You're not really a knight, are you? They only exist in books. Are you still a kid or something?"
Alexander looked back up, the same intensity in his eyes as when Aleximus had drawn his blade. He didn't take kindly to knighthood being badmouthed.
"Do you live under a rock?" he asked. "Knights are all over Pendragon! It's a great honor to be one!"
He averted his gaze, becoming shy-like as he collected himself again. "I'm just… not an official one yet, alright? Big deal…"
Aleximus stood and turned away. "Let's go, Jace. We've wasted too much time already. The St.Rosebury leaves in an hour." Unlike Jace, he had no care for Alexander's sob story. He didn't know much about him, nor his attentions, barring his vague longing for home. He was not Damien or Richard Black — there was no olive branch to be extended.
Jacender rose to his feet, his eyes lingering on Alexander's for a brief moment before facing his brother. "Let's help him." he whispered. Aleximus spun around and glared at him.
"No," he said stiffly. "Our job is to get to Pendragon and find Malik, remember? We don't have time to keep helping everyone out there like we did with Hidemi. He'll find his own way."
Jace smiled softly and held onto his brother's arm. "If Anna were here," he began with a reminiscent look. Aleximus froze, starting with, "Jace—", before his brother cut him off by shaking his head.
"If Anna were here," he repeated, "She'd want us to help someone get home. You always wanted to explore the outside world, so maybe this is a way to do that — with a guide. You don't have to always be alone, you know."
The words resonated with Aleximus, but he couldn't bring himself to fully agree with them. He strongly felt that as long as he had Jacender, then nothing else mattered, and yet, his brother was right. Had their sister been here, she'd have been the first to recommend that they help Alexander. Especially since it was their first time in Zenica.
A long, silent moment passed before Alexander stood. He'd heard them speaking and shook his head. "No," he smiled. "You don't have to help me. You barely know me after all. I'm sorry to have bothered you guys in the plaza."
He turned around and fluffed his jacket. "See ya."
TNK!
Something hard struck the back of his head and stung him. "Ow! What the hell—" Alex spun. He looked down at what Aleximus had thrown and paused with surprise. It was the Barnabas the boy had bought earlier.
"We'll help you." Aleximus said without meeting his gaze. "Only until we get on the ship. After that, I don't want to see you again, got it?"
"You mean it?"
"Hmph. When I say something, I don't lie." Aleximus said.
Alexander searched Aleximus's face for a lie but once he was sure that there wasn't one, a grin stretched across his face like a carved pumpkin. "Alright!" he shot, fist in the air. "I can finally go home!"
Aleximus slumped forward, an unsure look in his eye. Why do I get the feeling that he knew I'd say yes? That annoys me.
Jace saw the irritation in his brothers eye and turned him around, towards the direction of the Wyvern Terminal. "Now that everything is sorted out, let's go find our terminal."
Alex combed his hair and approached them with a smile. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Jace. Way better than that spikehead brother of yours, bwahaha!"
"I'll kill you!" Aleximus shot from the front.
Jace laughed sarcastically. He knew he'd have his hands full with these two.
[THE FALSE KNIGHT]