EMPIRE | j. fernandes

Chapter Ten: A Change in the Wind

Concluding the unexpected meeting between the unknown female and Jellal, there was a feeling that had been quite unsettling. Maybe it was the magic energy that Brandish radiated that continued to linger around, even when she had left. It felt as if he had just spoken to one of the most powerful wizards to exist, a wizard that far exceeded his own possible potential.

"What was that all about?" Meredy didn't want to believe it, but they could've died right then and there. There was no way the two of them would be able to survive a brawl with Brandish. After all, she was a member of the Spriggan Twelve.

"If something were to happen to us... at least we won't be alive for Brandish to murder us herself." Jellal would pick fun at their situation, understanding that finding their bounty had been more dangerous than they anticipated it to be. They may not come out of this alive, and even if they did, they'd be paralyzed with exhaustion.

With every step Jellal took, Meredy followed along from behind. It was normal that the two of them walked as a duo, they were like brother and sister. There were times when the townsfolk would assume the pair had been dating. Jellal could swear he'd taste the acid that regurgitated from his gut.

"You do realize her hint doesn't help us at all, right? Anyone can be blonde. You just visited Lucy not too long ago; even she could be the bounty." Meredy reminded the other. She knitted her eyebrows, forcing her forehead to crease.

"But one thing is for sure: you can feel exactly who we're looking for." It sounded stupid, at least to Jellal. It made no sense, yet somehow it made the most sense. "That magic energy I felt at the monument, I think— no, I know it's somehow related to our bounty. You felt it, haven't you? No normal wizard has magic energy that strong, not even Brandish. You can't tell me that it's nothing when it is obviously something. We need to go back there, we need to look for more. No, we need to feel for more."

Meredy was lost. Listening to Jellal was like listening to a Shakespearean play; it was incoherent and obscure.

"Okay."

She rolled her eyes to the back of her sockets, tilting her head to the side. She let her chin graze against her shoulder, feeling a silent groan rise via vocal chords. She had no time for Jellal's so-called wisdom.

The two of them exited the town, taking notice of a few townspeople waving goodbye. Meredy was kind, she waved back. Gifting them with a smile, she trotted backwards. She could hear the dirt scrape from under her shoes.

"You must be kind to people, Jellal." With her ivory hands, she reached for the cloak Jellal wore in an attempt to get his attention, "You've been so cold lately, at least crack a smile here and there."

"My apologies." His gaze wasn't cold, just distant. You could see it in his eyes, he truly didn't mean it. Jellal wasn't sorry, it was just conditioned formality that compelled him to apologize, especially after all that has happened to him in the past. Meredy knew it was bullshit, yet she brushed it off.

"So, could you tell me where we are going?"

"I already told you, but obviously you weren't listening. We are heading back to where we came from. We are going back to where we felt that supermassive amount of magic energy." The mage knew that the powerful aura they have felt before was a step closer to success. He didn't understand it then, but he understood it now. Most would be fearful and refuse to entertain the idea of investigation. It had been the opposite: Jellal felt compelled. There was some form of familiarity, it was something Jellal had longed to feel once again.

"I really don't want to go back there, Jellal." Meredy protests, those pretty pink eyes shifting from the back of Jellal's head over to his heels, dissociating. "I value my life."

Jellal came to a halt— and Meredy found herself up against Jellal's broad stature before bouncing off of him. She was quick to take a few steps back, she wanted to catch herself before she fell. Failing, she gasped for air once her rear hit the dirt.

"And I value the rest of human existance, Meredy. This bounty could lead to something dangerous. This could be horrific if we don't deal with it immediately, do you understand?" He spoke. His eyes grew cold, his chin rising slightly to assert dominance. Jellal took full authority, his gaze locked down onto Meredy, whom had just taken a fall. "If you wish to chicken out, then you can do so after we are done. I don't have time for your whining." His eyelids lowered, the light in his eyes growing dull. Most would think Jellal would put a hand out, provide an easier way for Meredy to stand up from the ground. Instead he turned at his heel, then continued to walk at a steady pace.

The fuchsia locks of hair blanketed over her shoulders. The bangs that were once tucked behind her ear fell over her visage. She was astounded. Did Jellal really just— yes, yes he did. This side of him was unfamiliar, but it wasn't impossible. The dirt caked onto the palms of her hands as she picked herself up. Her cloak was stained, her shoes would need a thorough cleaning later today. Meredy dusted off what she could.

She caught her breath, quickly following after the man. She got lost in thought, the moment would replay in her like a broken record. She refused to look up at Jellal; she was terrified of that cold gaze he suddenly unveiled. For the first time, she actually feared Jellal, and for the first time, she thought he would mutilate her if she didn't comply.

"I'm sorry." She said. Her eyes were wide, once again glued to the back of his heels.

"Don't apologize, just do as you're told."

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INDEX
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