Reunite

Sorin stared up towards the figure, his hands going over his lip as they stained. They had the same robe colour, and he knew that Sorin would try to loop him around. This is someone who knows how Sorin thinks. And now they were above him. They had no staff, but still Sorin knew something was off.

Who is this guy? Knowing I would loop is insane! I have to figure out a way out.

“You can't fool me.” The hooded man said, his face still shadowed. “Like I would ever let you walk away.” He got a step closer; his hand was now about to unveil what was beneath.

Sorin just nodded. “I have no idea who you are. You clearly predicted me, however.” He slowly raised himself without any backlash from the man; they were now staring face to face.

They continued staring at each other; a single drop of rain fell between them, reflecting their faces. Nobody moved, however.

“I'm disappointed in you.” The man took off his hood; dark green hair flickered across Sorin's sight, and the dark, black eyes devoid of any warmth also stared back at him. They were exactly the opposite of his dark green eyes and black hair. “You even copied my style.”

“Keldric—” Sorin was at a loss for words.

This is our first meeting since the trial. I don't think I can act like we're friends anymore. I can sense some anger towards me just by the way he looks, and the fact we're opposite coloured. Did my subconscious mind affect my choice and pick something familiar? I'm such an idiot. Of course he would realise.

“Save the words; there's also a bounty on your head for me later. Though I do want to ask you something.” Keldric took another step forward; Sorin didn't move back, however, showing fear that it would be his greatest loss in a close-range fight. “Why are you spreading all this forbidden knowledge? You're the reason I had— nevermind.”

“Had to do what, don't be a coward?” Sorin didn't understand; he was an outsider after all. It would be kept secret even among mages not involved.

Keldric gave a firm nod. “Like I would mimic such a person like you. Hear this then, traitor, Boyle and his men have wiped out around ten percent of the mages that there are; you're really screwing us over. Even during the trial.”

“I was framed by that dark purple-haired girl; her bounty is also fifty gold, as you can see.” Sorin took his hand closer to his chest; he was ready for a strike. He never actually had a physical fight other than beating up that one mage on his first escape; he imagined protecting your area around the upper part should be more beneficial.

A small chuckle emitted from Keldric. “You are working with her; everyone knows that. And you want me to believe she was the one who framed you; make it make sense, man. Just stop lying to me like you done all that time.”

“I'm not a liar!” Sorin's voice got louder. “She framed me so she could use me, and now she's going to do something even worse. I don't even want part of it.”

Keldric didn't take another step forward this time, but he stood contemplating his words. “Then tell me what she will do, and I will consider your words. If you don't even agree with it, then tell me so we can stop her.”

Sorin noticed his advance stopped and he lowered his hands. The two didn't seem to want to fight forgotten friendships right now in the middle of a soon-to-rain city.

He's leaving me an open point; either refuse, and he will never trust me, or I can open up and tell him Ino’s plan. This might work out; having Keldric on my side would make me more confident.

“Fine then.” Sorin crossed his hands. There was a small drizzle coming now above them as they talked in the alleyway; the streets were practically empty, as all the people who could run away and the ones who got caught were already being sent in for interrogation. "She's planning to turn commoners into mages; I have no idea how. But she's related to one of the five most powerful mages from back then."

“Man, you're kidding…” His voice dropped more exhausted than anything, but he still made sure to keep his protective stance. “If she really did turn commoners into mages, then that would mess everything up. That's basic knowledge; that's why we are training for decades to control this power!”

“I know, and she won't stop there; she wants mages to learn communication spells. Matter of fact, the fact you're willing to hear me out means that something is wrong; what happened to condemning me all of a sudden?”

Keldric froze slightly before answering the questions. “Aizo, he was someone I knew. Someone who got killed by Boyle for exactly that knowledge; in his honor, I then learned it myself. However, what right do I have to live now? He died for that, but because I reported to people, I got to live. It's messed up. He didn't have to die.”

“But you know that's not our fault for spreading that info! The council and Boyle had their choice on how to handle this, and now they even placed a bounty on me. They are clearly panicking because of how everyone is looking at this now.”

Another small chuckle came from Keldric. “Sorin’s gift, every commoner believes it now, and not only that, but even people in the mage ranks are starting to think otherwise. I know we starved those commoners, but what else can we do? We're at war!” He shouted, the bottled emotions spilling. “I know we're doing things wrong, but so what? We have to win this war and return to peace; then surely everything will return to peace.”

“Do you truly believe that? Even if you won, if everyone becomes a mage, then it will cause mass killing, mass destruction. I want to prevent that and end the war.” Sorin pointed towards the top layer masked under the clouds.

Keldric lowered his gaze. “So you want to stop the war and that mage massacre. You're insane too, then.”

“I might be; you know you want to help if there's even a chance, just come join me from within. She wants to do things of her own; I wouldn't doubt she's already making mages. I will need your help to subdue mages, or even rally some for my cause. I want to end this already!” Sorin sighed; both were exhausted; rather, both their lives were filled with war and suffering; now they both wanted to end it, but they had different endings.