Embers || Ikemen Revolution || Sirius

Chapter 13 ~ A Declaration

"Should we tell her," I heard the Black soldiers murmur as I walked by them in the dimly lit corridor. It was night time, but they were whispering about something.

"Maybe, it's already night time. Sirius told us to not tell her until it's night."

"Tell me what," I asked curiously, intersecting the two soldiers.

The two men jumped slightly when they saw me, laughing nervously. "Oh, haha. Hey there, Emberlynn." They glanced from side to side, not saying much.

I sighed, ruffling my hair and tugging a few loose strands. "I'll go and ask Sirius then," I said. I gave the soldiers a reassuring smile. "You two should probably get to bed, it's late."

They stood stiff and nodded their heads before hurrying away. I watched the two men leave with worry etched into my features. What could've happened? And that look Blanc sent Oliver... did something happen?

I slapped my forehead at how stupid I was as I realized what was going on. Right. The Red Army and Black Army are at war. I completely forgot! Did someone make a move already?

My mind went back to what everyone had said. If I need to know anything about the personnel, the inventory, or about information, I should go to Sirius. And so, that's where I went, looking for Sirius.

I checked his study, the one where I stumbled upon him my first, no, second night here. Where he had given me a few of his books for me to read. I checked the other study with the giant Black Army flag in the back, where Ray holds his meetings. I even checked the kitchen, lounge, and library, in case he was loitering around or something!

Eventually, I made my way over to his room. I vaguely remember Seth telling me it was in this general area, not too far from my own room.

But suddenly, a flash of light filled the hallway. I covered my eyes with my hands as I felt the magic burst. When I blinked them open again, a man in tan robes with black hair, and a single glowing red eye was standing there. He had a mask over his other eye, covering it up.

I dropped down into a defensive position like the ones I saw the soldiers using during the training. I had my own absorbed magic bursting at my fingertips, and I was ready to absorb more from the Magic Crystal that Blanc gave me.

"Who are you," I demanded, my eyes flitting to the fact that his clothes very much resemble robes. "Are you part of the Magic Tower?"

The man blinked at me in shock as he looked me over. I frowned at him. He wasn't making any moves to attack, but the fact that he seems to be wearing robes is making me wary.

But upon closer inspection, I saw that it was just a long coat that seemed to overlap.

"Oh, it's just a coat," I said, standing up from my stance. "And it's not black," I murmured to myself, now more curious than scared. "Hello, I'm Emberlynn. Who are you?"

The man looked me over, his red eye fading to a silverish gray. He opened his mouth to say something, right as Sirius opened up his door.

"I sensed something was odd," he frowned. His army uniform was probably tossed somewhere to the side, since his clothes were pretty casual right now. I could see a faint glimmer of water drip from his hair. "But I didn't expect it to be you."

"You two know each other," I questioned, looking between the two men. They seem to be about the same age. Childhood friends? School friends? "If you guys are friends then why did you have to use magic to get in," I asked the guy with the mask.

Sirius sighed. "Come inside, and we'll explain."

I nodded my head, walking into Sirius' room along with the masked man. Sirius' room was so neat and tidy. I suppose he has to, if he wants to stay organized and on track. Especially with all the jobs he has.

"So," I said, spinning around. "Who are you?"

The masked man blinked at me suspiciously. "Why did you ask if I was part of the Magic Tower?"

I scrunched my nose up at him as I plopped onto a chair, ignoring the curious glances from Sirius. "I just heard some bad rumors about them, that's all," I said.

It's technically true. My brother did tell me to stay away, and I don't have any proof that they're really that bad right now, so it is a rumor that someone told me.

The man blinked at me before turning to Sirius. "I can't stay long, so don't bother asking me to sit," he said.

"What about tea," I asked. "I can go make some, if you're thirsty."

The man blinked, before shaking his head. "I don't have time for that." He turned back to Sirius. "The time is ripe for action. I will expose the red darkness."

My eyebrows shot up. Red? The Red Army? Darkness? Black? Black robes? The Magic Tower? My mind was racing as I tried to make connections. Darkness? Evil? Maybe red like blood. Or the sky. A sunset? It's red, and leads to darkness.

"What did you say, Harr," Sirius asked, looking into the man's eyes.

After some silence passed, they seem to have come to an agreement.

"I just wanted you to know," Harr said. "Sorry for intruding."

"Harr, wait," Sirius called out.

I turned to Harr, only to see a flash of light before he disappeared. He must be a magic born user, those red eyes are tell tale signs of natural born magic.

"Was that your friend," I asked quietly into the still, night air.

"I suppose you can say that," Sirius sighed. "Is this another habit of yours, hm?"

I cocked my head curiously as Sirius grabbed a chair, straddling it backwards. "What is?"

"Visiting men at night."

I felt a slight blush creep up my cheeks as I looked down, hiding it in my mess of a hair. "I just have a few questions," I muttered, looking to the ground.

"Go ahead," Sirius said, that sly look in his eyes melting away, back to the warm, gentle smile he always had on.

"Did the Red Army do something? Are you guys really going to war?" I had pieced this idea together, but I wasn't certain.

Sirius smiled at me sadly. "There has been a declaration," he said, ruffling my hair gently. "In seven days, if we don't surrender, the Red Army will attack."

I nodded my head as I let this realization sink in. Maybe that's why Blanc let me take a Magic Crystal, and why he wants me to be on the defence. I'm an Alice, someone who can repel magic. That'll be useful for the already wealthy and magic full Red Army, yet it can hinder them greatly if I stayed with the Black Army.

"Okay then," I said, pushing up slightly. "Then is there anything I can do to help?"

Sirius smiled at my willingness to help out. "Meet me tomorrow in the kitchens at first light."

*~*

Even though I was supposed to meet Sirius at dawn the next day, I still followed my recent routine of staying up late, studying and practicing magic. With a Magic Crystal now, I have plenty more to do with it. So I started with the first, extracting and inputting the same magic in the Magic Crystal.

It took me a while to get a hold off, but I eventually got into a nice rhythm. Now, time to practice my own magic. Closing my eyes, I focused deep within, the core of my magical abilities.

With a slight hum, I lifted myself, my chair, my desk and everything on it into the air. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~* 

A/N: 

Heyo! Here's the next update! 

Word Count (not including A/N): 1323 

2021/07/28