The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

A Hero To Us All

Marx dragged Mynx into Julius's office, practically forcing her into a chair as she crossed her arms with a pout. She scowled, her irritation evident.

"What is it?"

Marx narrowed his eyes, his patience clearly wearing thin

"It's about time we put this to a rest,"

Mynx tilted her head, her brows furrowing,

"What?"

Marx let out an exasperated groan, throwing his hands in the air.

"You and Julius! You two are driving me insane!"

Mynx scoffed,

"There is nothing between us,"

Marx's frustration boiled over as he threw his arms up,

"Exactly! You two were as close as can be!"

Mynx's expression faltered for a moment, her eyes softening before she looked away with a sigh,

"I thought we were...but...I was wrong,"

Marx dragged his hand down his face in exasperation, muttering something incomprehensible before sitting beside her. He gently took her hand, forcing her to look at him,

"Mynx, would I lie to you?"

Mynx immediately shook her head,

"Never,"

Marx offered her a reassuring smile,

"Let Julius explain himself. He's an idiot, but he went through a lot when you disappeared. Please give him a chance...at least for us,"

"Who is us?"

Marx gave her a look,

"You think Captains William and Yami would just idly sit back with all the tension between you and Julius? We are tired of watching from the sidelines. You two need to fix your friendship,"

Mynx rolled her eyes, crossing her arms again with a huff

"What friendship? The fake one that crumbled when I died?"

Marx groaned loudly, throwing his head back,

"Mynx, hear him out. For my sanity."

Her lips quirked into a reluctant smile before she sighed,

"Fine. But only for you,"

Marx exhaled in relief and stood, brushing imaginary dust off his uniform,

"Good, because you two make me feel like a child from a divorce,"

Mynx gasped and slapped his arm,

"Marx!"

Marx laughed and smiled at her,

"Just wait, I'll get him,"

As Marx left, Mynx wandered over to Julius's desk, her fingers brushing against the artifacts he had meticulously collected. Her hand stopped on the Mirror of Desires, its surface shimmering faintly.

"Huh?"

She quickly put it back down when she heard the door open,

"Mynx?"

Mynx turned to see Julius staring at her in shock,

"Don't give me that look...Marx dragged me in here,"

Julius chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck,

"Of course he did...well...what did you need?"

Mynx sighed, perching on the edge of his desk.

"What happened when I was gone? What aren't you telling me?"

Julius's expression turned solemn as he looked away. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his cloak,

"Is that what you want to know?"

Mynx nodded,

"Yeah. I think you owe it to me. I need the truth because, according to Marx, it's important."

Julius looked at her and frowned at the memories as they surfaced,

"Randall was the one to call us first. He told us that you disappeared after using a lot of your mana. I told Fuegoleon to keep looking around because I didn't want to believe you could disappear. I told your family that you disappeared after that...Mereoleona left to search, too, while I asked all the squads to keep a lookout. I only allowed Yami and William to take turns searching because their captain did not want to lose both of his vice captains on the search. Some Knights gave up after a few months, but your squad never quit, nor did some other knights from different squads. After two years, the King told me I had to stop the searches, and he pronounced you dead using his authority as the king. I could not do anything against him. I kept searching and told Mereoleona to keep searching since she was not a Magic Knight. I never wanted to stop, Mynx...you have to believe me. I never wanted to give up. But it was hard when so many things reminded me of you...you were one of my closest friends...and I never got to say goodbye."

Mynx's expression softened, and she stood, closing the distance between them,

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Julius's sad smile tugged at his lips.

"You never gave me a chance to. And... I didn't want to admit to you—or to myself—that I failed."

Gently, Mynx wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a comforting embrace

"You never failed, Julius...you fail when you give up,"

He froze for a moment, overwhelmed by the warmth of her hug, before returning it. He felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in years.

"I'm sorry,"

Mynx smiled softly at him and broke away from him,

"I know you are...and it's okay."

Julius hesitated, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face,

"Can you forgive me?"

Her eyes met his,

"I'll try my best."

She stepped back, her hands falling to her sides.

"I should go now."

Julius's heart sank, but he nodded,

"Right...yeah...bye Mynx,"

Mynx smiled at him,

"Goodbye, Jules,"

As she left the room, Julius leaned against his desk, his thoughts racing. For the first time in years, hope flickered within him.