United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 38 - Falte

Falte woke up early that morning thanks to his regular sleeping schedule that he'd unfortunately gained when he'd become a castle librarian. He knew immediately that it was much too early to be already awake, so he rolled over with a small grunt of annoyance and tried to block out the dull light of the slowly rising sun. Beside him, Kai was silent and still, but that didn't mean that he wasn't awake too. With Kai, it was impossible to tell if he was secretly awake or not. 

Just four hours before, everyone that had been gathered in Esther's office had finally gone back to bed. Falte had tiredly made his way back to his room, while Kai walked behind him, silent but otherwise seemed to be completely awake. Although Falte had wanted to stay awake and ponder over everything he'd been told - The Dark Lord's inevitable return, and the keiyuma that Artemis had described and Falte had studied about years before - but he knew that he needed to get his sleep. 

He had to be prepared for whatever was coming, and whenever it was coming. Falte knew that Shintaro would have to leave, and he was trying to mentally prepare himself for that. Shintaro had been his friend for three years, and things were falling apart so fast that Falte didn't even know what to feel whenever he thought about it. 

There was no way that Falte wanted Shintaro to leave, but what other option was there? If they were going to have even a small chance in the battles that was undoubtedly coming, all of the kingdoms would have to be prepared for the worst. If they had no time, they would never be ready for what was coming - which meant that Shintaro was doing the right thing in delaying the coming of The Dark Lord. 

It would give the kingdoms enough time to get the word out and figure out the most reasonable thing to do next. Of course, Falte would have to help with that decision, but the news would probably result in an all-royalty meeting that would last who knew how long. Thankfully, Shintaro was giving up his own safety to allow the kingdoms to do this. 

That was something that Falte admired about the guardian. He readily gave up his service to help with others, even if it meant the risk of his life being taken. Falte hoped that whatever happened, however the opening of the Abyss worked through Shintaro, that the guardian would simply be all right. 

Sighing, Falte realized that he wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. His mind was already awake and buzzing, and Falte had come to learn that when this happened, there was no settling back into dreams. Begrudgingly, he sat up and reached for the glasses on the dresser to his left, yawning as quietly as he could. 

Kai suddenly jerked, making Falte's heart leap to his throat and his glasses to fall out of his hands into his lap. 

After Falte picked his glasses back up and set them on his nose, he turned slightly to peer down at his son. Kai's back was to him, but his shoulders were too tense for him to be asleep. Slowly, Falte reached out for him.

However, as soon as Falte's hand touched Kai's shoulder, the teenager jolted sideways and turned himself around, his expression panicked until he saw Falte's startled and confused face. He then relaxed and closed his eyes with a somewhat disappointed look, lifting one hand and pressing it against his face. 

"Sorry," Falte said quietly. "I didn't mean to startle you. Are you okay?" 

Kai peeked through his fingers in a way that made Falte want to smile, but he shoved it down and continued to gaze expectantly at Kai.

"I'm fine," the boy said finally, dropping his hand and laying back against the bed. 

Falte raised one eyebrow skeptically, highly doubting that it was true. 

Kai noticed and sighed slowly. "It... Just a nightmare." 

"You know you can talk to me, right?" asked Falte softly, gently laying his hand over Kai's. "I'll listen to whatever you have to say. And," he added a little firmer, "tell me the truth, always."