Chapter 19

"Of course, I'm ready and raring to go!" Rui flexed his muscles, regenerated by all the food. "But what's this about leaving Tanten tonight? I mean, I can probably crash and recover after helping with the second seal, but I don't know about the other two... Hey, I thought you looked half-dead earlier, but you're all energetic and spry now; what gives?" Rui turned to Aki, who backed away to hide behind Keira.

"It's Rui; it's fine to tell him," Keira said, ushering him back to his spot.

"Wait, you're afraid to tell me of all people?" Rui held his hand over his heart. "Ouch. I thought we were closer than that." Rui sighed and sat on his bed in the otherwise empty bedroom.

"I'm sorry!" Aki bowed to him. "I didn't know if I should tell anyone, really."

"So you're not hiding things from me specifically?"

"No."

"Okay." Rui chuckled and ruffled his hair. "So, what's the big secret?"

Aki looked around, despite the lack of other people in the room, and leaned in closer. "I can siphon energy from other people," he whispered.

"You can?" Rui's eyes widened, and he pointed at Keira. "Does that mean..." Then he pointed at Aki. "Did you take energy from Keira? Wait... I should say, did Keira let you take energy from her?"

Aki nodded.

Phwee! Rui whistled. "Sharing energy now?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Keira's eye twitched. "Unless you're looking to get smacked, I suggest you use your brain for a moment to think about it."

"Ouch again. I swear, it's hard to tease you without thinking you'll smack me."

Wouldn't be the first time. Her eyes narrowed, and he inched away on the bed.

"Anyway!" Rui cleared his throat. "I'm good to go, but what about Mr. King? I doubt he wants you to leave so soon."

I should just smack him. She stared at him blankly, and he inched further away, flailing as he nearly fell off the bed.

Keira looked away toward the door. "Guess we'll find out soon."

"What are you—"

Knock, knock.

"Come in," Rui called out.

The door opened to reveal Malik. "So, this is where you are, minus two, it looks. Are you ready?"

"Wait, did you ask him already?"

"It was mentioned briefly. And since Aki is looking better, I suppose it's time." He stepped aside and gestured for them to leave. "Do we need to inform Aria and Fiona?"

Who knows where they are? "No, it's fine. We don't need them until we're leaving."

"Alright, then."

---

"Are you alright, my dear?" Malik asked Keira as they walked to the seal on the other side of town. "I can always get us a carriage to ride there."

"I'm fine. Not sure why you think I'd need one; it's not that far." Is he suggesting that he knows? Was he watching? I'm sure he had left.

"I figure an ice mage such as yourself must not like these hot temperatures."

"I don't, but neither do the horses."

"I see. Interesting... You know, even when we met years ago, I wondered if the Ice Queen nickname was meant for both personality and abilities, but I've never been convinced it matched your personality quite right," he whispered. "Though I suppose the two civilians earlier probably agree with it."

What's his point? Keira didn't bother to spare him a glance.

"At the very least, it serves to instil fear into those that hear the name. Comes with quite a few uses, I imagine. I'm more curious about what those closest to you think." He lagged back to talk to Rui.

"Are you okay?" Aki asked, now that Malik wasn't right beside her.

"I'm fine." He worries too much over nothing. It doesn't matter if Malik asks about me; I trust he won't go flapping his lips, and we'll be out of here soon enough.

"Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure. Malik seems to be trying to get close to you..." He trailed off, not sure where he was going.

"There's no point in doing that; I don't have time for such things."

"I see..."

Keira glanced at him. Shoulders slouched and staring at the ground as he walked, fiddling with his thumbs. What's wrong with him? I'm sure he can find someone more suited than me. He's like a sad puppy... She looked away at the broken seal coming into view.

"Glad to see none of the demons were hanging out in the city," Malik said, glancing down the nearest alleyway. "I thought they would've overrun way out here, but I guess without people to chase, they didn't bother."

"It is unusual, to say the least. With the demons outside, I thought the city would be in utter disrepair, but the damage didn't seem that bad," Aki said.

"Good for us, however unusual."

I wonder if the underground seals helped with that, even though it didn't keep them all out. Considering parts of the city weren't touched at all.

They stood around the broken seal, getting ready.

I wonder if Aki could work as a conduit to transfer energy from me to the others if needed.

"Oh, right. I made these." Aki handed Rui and Malik round potion bottles with green liquid in them.

"What are these?" Malik asked, examining the bottle in the sunlight.

"Potions for energy. Best to take it now and make sure we have enough energy to complete the seal. We don't know what will happen if we fail."

Is that why he was so much more tired than the other two? He was busy making those. Keira frowned. Wonder if he made any for himself? Or was it not needed because I offered my energy up?

"Cool." Rui downed the potion without a second thought. "Kinda zippy."

"I'm not supposed to ingest things I don't know where they came from, no offense." Malik debated, opening the bottle to take a whiff.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I never thought about that." Aki bowed to him.

"If you're worried about poison, I assure you Aki would never do that," Keira said.

"Even to a rival?" Malik muttered. "Though I suppose it wouldn't make sense before the seal is up."

"I'll solve this for you." Keira took the bottle from his hand and took a sip. "See, it's fine." She held it out to him. Even a little sip gave me a boost. And tastes a bit like a tart apple...

"I suppose that proves it's not poisoned." Malik waited a moment before taking the potion back from her. "Though I'd rather not use you as a poison tester." He downed the potion, and his eyes widened. "Well, well, weren't you hiding a talent?" Malik patted Aki's shoulder. "You know, you could sell these and make a real business out of it."

"No, thank you. I'm fine as is." It would take too much out of him to make potions en masse, and he didn't need the money; his family had plenty. Aki kept his head down.

"Did you make more for after this?"

"N-no. It's not that easy or quick to make."

"I see."

"Well, thank you for that. Let's get to work."

The men surrounded the crystal seal with their hands held out, their energy flowing into it.

The crystal seal glowed as the previous one did, and slowly grew.

Caw!

Keira looked up at an unusually large crow with glowing red eyes.

"Dammit, this one made it into town. I'll hold it off; you guys keep going."

Caw! Caw!

It's probably trying to call in more.

Keira hit the ground running and threw ice daggers at it.

The demon crow swayed side-to-side, dodging as it moved towards the edge of the city.

"Dammit." Keira stabbed her sword into the ground, her eyes glowing as ice grew out from it. She jumped up off her ice, onto a nearby roof. "Get back here! Ra!" She lunged off the roof, slicing through the demon crow before it could make it out.

Let's hope no more come.

Keira landed on a balcony across the way and narrowed her eyes as she scanned the rest of the city.

Seems calm.

Not waiting a second longer, she ran back to the others.

The crystal seal was already three-quarters of the way done, each of the men still standing strong.

Looks like it's going better than last time. Those potions are something else...

The crystal fully formed, temporarily blasting a colourful light into the sky.

Keira touched the crystal seal, staring into it as she did the previous one.

It's the same. But with both of them up, the city should be safe.

"We did it again!" Rui cheered, still on his feet this time.

"Even the air feels fresher again." Malik took a deep breath. "These seals are marvellous devices."

"Now, let's head back, get some rest, and head out this evening," Keira said, ushering them back toward the castle.

"So soon? Any way to get you all to stay longer?"

"No, we must continue on our way." We need to check on Suikara.

"I see. That's a shame. I'll make sure I'm ready this evening." Malik started on his way back.

Rui stared at him with a blank expression for a moment. "What did he mean by that?"

"Maybe he meant a send off?" Aki suggested. "Some sort of farewell party?"

Keira sighed, shaking her head. Oh please, don't tell me...