The Quest of The Sword

Chapter 7

Ethan gently knocked on the wooden door facing him. He felt as though his heart had stopped beating. All his fond memories with his father were spinning in his head. He wanted to cry; but he had to strong for his little sister. He'd seen her devastated after a particular incident and Ethan swore to never  let her feel sad again. Yet again, happiness and sadness go hand in hand. No one could stop that. Rowena needed him and he needed her. Hugging Zara had made Ethan feel better. Somehow it had calmed him.

"Come in", Rowena's shaky voice answered.

Ethan walked in and quietly closed the door behind him. Rowena sat on her bed with her head in her hands. Her was let loose and it formed a dark curtain around her face. Ethan seated himself beside her, putting his arms around her. He tried to calm her but she kept crying. Ethan couldn't help the tear that had slipped form his eye.

"He's gone, Ethan," Rowena cried. "He's never coming back".

"I know. You have to be strong", consoled Ethan.

He knew his father was dead. He did not want to accept it. He'd lost his best idol. Nathaniel was the best father in his and Rowena's eyes. He still recalled the first time learning Shadow Magic. He had seen his father control shadows as though they were his puppets. He was determined to be just like Nathaniel. Maybe be even better to make him proud of his son. He had practiced the whole day but in vain.  Ethan was almost bout to pass out due to the exhaustion that all the training had caused and ; but he hadn't given up. Ethan had tried harder everyday with his friend Logan. Finally when he had mastered his magic, Nathaniel was the happiest and proudest person on earth. Now he had lost him.

"How could he just leave us?", Rowena said.

Rage boiled in Ethan. "He was taken from us. I won't spare that sick killing bastard."

Rowena's sobs slowly stopped. Both the siblings stayed in each other's embrace till they were asleep.

****

The doorbell rang. Amiyah ran from her room to open it. She tripped from the bottom four steps and landed on her face. Her nose hurt. She heard a familiar laugh and a strong pair of arms helped her up. Logan Moonriver stared at her, grinning. He looked a tad bit different from the last time she'd seen him. His jaw had gotten sharper and his light brown hair had grown longer. Logan's hazel eyes twinkled behind his glasses happily like he liked to see Amiyah. She couldn't help but smile.

Then she realized.

"When did you get here?", Amiyah asked in astonishment.

Someone cleared her throat. "He came with me". Amiyah looked over Logan to see her twin and Alice Thornheart looking at her fondly. She could see Alice smiling through her grief. She went over and gave her a hug. Alice ruffled Amiyah's hair.

"Oh, dear, your parents want to see both of you darlings so much," Alice said. "But they're so busy and since Nate's death, things have gotten messier"

Amiyah felt let down. She could tell her sister ,too, was sad. They hadn't seen their parents for almost a year. Her parents worked as officials along Alice and Nathaniel in the Order of Elements - the governing body of Sorcerers. Logan had also left a year ago to study Metal Magic to its deepest depth. Him and Ethan were best friends. Though they might look tough, Ethan and Logan were actually soft at heart. Logan was more inclined towards learning and knowledge while Ethan was more of the fighter type.

Amiyah hadn't admitted it to anyone but she was in love with Logan.  She didn't know for how long but she surely loved him to the moon and back.

"Where's Ethan?", Logan asked

"I don't know", Amelia replied. "Maybe in Row's room"

"I'll go meet him". Logan felt for Rowena's room.