The Next Morning

"Wa… Wak… Wake up… WAKE UP!"

Brother!!! the voice rang out

why, why, why was I just unlucky to get a loud-mouthed wake up?

"Mehn, that was a beautiful sleep." I kept stretching as the sunlight hit straight through the window.The gift of sleep is just wonderful.

"Well, you sure slept for so long huh," I heard the familiar voice. It was Morad.

I turned, facing him, rubbing my eyes. "I slept so long?" I asked him. All I could think was: does he know? Still, my whole body was sore especially my legs.

"Brother, you basically woke me up kicking the table I was placed on. You're such an aggressive sleeper!" Morad complained, floating freely out of his bowl.

"Really? I can't remember what happened yesterday," I said, rubbing my head and twisting my neck. "All I could remember was when I requested Father to bring you to stay with me."

"And what's with you sleeping for so long?" I turned the question back at Morad.

Morad swirled around the room proudly. "A pristine mana beast such as myself needs to get all my full strength back." He stopped floating and added with quiet honesty, "Seeing what type of town this is—Acrazy royal and especially all these missing people—meant anything could happen. Best restore my mana, you know?"

"Hmm, I guess you're right," I replied.

Then I heard it—a knock. Knock, knock.

"Brat! Breakfast! Granny said you should come and eat! So get down," Rose's voice rang out.

Morad immediately went back into his fish bowl as he shrank perfectly.

"Being polite won't kill you, you know?" I said to Rose.

I stood up, but she immediately ruined the moment as she opened the door. "Polite? You were running your mouth all through yesterday at me, so no, I won't be polite, and I'm way older than you! Dress up quick! We need to go downtown after."

She turned toward Morad. "Wow, so the fish isn't dead." Morad acted to be a normal fish.

As she turned back to me, she added, "You being manaless and all, I would advise your dad when I see him if he can get you a mana beast, not you carry a fish everywhere." Aggressive bubbles sounded behind her from Morad's bowl.

As she went out of my room, all she did was yell, "Dress up quick!" and slammed the door.

Not even your house, and you're slamming the door. I swear, these royals, all their brains must be triangular. Tsk.

She yelled, "I heard that, brat!" from beyond the door.

I checked outside if the coast was clear. Morad brought his head out of the water. "Who the heck is even that woman? She dare call me just a fish! How dare she! Does she know I am going to be a dragon soon?"

"Yeah, yeah, dragon. We still haven't figured out how to make you stronger and evolve," I countered.

The realization set in on Morad. "You're right. Crap. Boring having to wait, ughhh."

As I told him, "Just stick to the plan. Be a regular fish for now, and no sleep this time, Morad! You shouldn't be sleeping so long."

He replied, "Alright, alright."

That aside, I had this strange feeling. Was it a dream? I could recollect well... no point thinking about it.

Astray resting place/room

I walked into Astraya's room.

"Don't worry, sister, get well soon." I stared at the deeply sleeping Astraya.

"So, this is what happens when you exert yourself, and this was even with healing. Rest was key to regaining your mana levels back. But if I remember correctly, they said due to there not being a Red Mana healer, her stamina is on a big low, even her energy."

I had access to all the elements now, but they were in small affinities—how would I be able to benefit from this? Was it that I could only perform minor healings? Or was it that I would be able to combine them? Is self-healing even possible? That would be the most favorable type of healing I would need to learn.

"Well, I have Morad now, and according to my knowledge, combining your mana with your mana beast boosts a person's affinity. My affinity for Blue Mana would increase." But since Morad was relatively a new mana beast, knowledge on that would not even be available. Hmm, but all that aside... for now, my main goal should be to find this bodyguard so we can head home for me to train more and learn a few things from her.

I covered Astraya more, as the bed sheet looked to have moved lower, as I said before I closed the door, "Sleep tight, sister. Your brother will figure out what's going on in this town."

#####

I walked downstairs, where Granny Maera noticed me. "Well, my little protector is up! You enjoyed my special tea, didn't you?"

I greeted Granny Maera. "Morning, Granny, that tea was amazing! Really helped, I feel so much better now," I replied.

"More louder, too," Rose commented sharply.

Granny chuckled, clearly loving the exchange.

I added, "But I wasn't able to hear the things you wanted to say about the forest."

She chuckled again. "You're young, enjoy yourself now! That's problems for us adults, okay?"

Rose chimed in. "You hear that? Kids your age worry about other things. You and your sister behave way too mature for your age."

Ignoring her, I then noticed, "By the way, Granny Maera, where's my father?"

Rose added, "Umm, he went to get herbs for your sister."

"I was talking to Granny, huh?" I smirked at Rose.

"Why, you little…!" Rose started.

Granny pinched my cheeks. "Now that's not very nice, Astraga. Apologize to Aunty Rose."

Rose smirked. "Yeah, apologize."

"Fine. Sorry, Aunty Rose."

"Ohh, sorry, my ears," she taunted. "Can you say it louder?"

"I'M SORRY, AUNTY ROSE!"

"Like Rose said, he went to get some herbs for your sister."

Only one place came to mind.

"Ohh," I replied. "At the florist?"

Granny shook her head. "No, no. That's a job for you two. Your father went to get herbs somewhere else. He'll be back soon."

Us two? What t types of herbs does he need to go find

Granny replied, "Yes, yes. Don't you worry, little one. When he brings it back, it would immediately restore your sister's energy."

She then explained that Father had told her Astraya is a mage. "Very rare to see a young awakened mage at her age. It's a lot of stress for the body, poor girl."

"So, you two are going to the town florist for the other herbs," she concluded.

"Alright, anything to help my sister." was ready this was also usefull insight

Granny happily added, "That's family for you! It feels so good having this house filled up once again," as she felt a bit saddened by the memory of her grandson.

She listed the items; most were plant parts or petals.

"Understood," I said, and off we went.

Granny had already given us her list, saying these were additional herbs to add to the ones Father was bringing; they played more or less a supporting role. So Rose and I would need to go meet the florist, Miss Shio.

###TO The Florist

"Still don't understand why you don't want me to carry my pet fish along," I insisted.

Rose scoffed loudly. "Well, I can't have you carrying a fish bowl around town. Don't you find it weird?"

I replied, "Ah, no. Just you."

She added, "Why do you even have a pet fish? Don't fish have a short lifespan? And can't even become a mana beast."

As I educated her, "Depends on the species or breed, if I should put it that way. Besides, my Morad is special."

"Special? Yeah, that's what they always say before they choke a few months later. Instead of spending so much money getting you a Condottieri, your dad should have gotten you a high-grade mana beast if he was looking for protection."

"Well, how come you don't have a mana beast or a path animal, huh, since you know it so well?" I challenged.

She kept quiet. "I did… but she left me."

"Ohh, I'm sorry about that."

"Why would a mana beast leave its master?" I asked.

She replied, "Most, in fact all, are obsessed with getting stronger, and the moment they see you're not up to the task, they leave you behind. And some even go as far as… killing their masters."

"What? Killing their master?" I questioned.

"Yeah. Hmm, now that I see it, that's probably why your dad didn't get you one. Being all manaless and all, your mana would have killed you," she chuckled, but went back to a serious tone. "Hence why many don't go taking path animals. Those are even worse, as the more they evolve, the more their obsession with becoming dragons grows, and that alone is not an easy task. Mana beasts, path animals, whatever—must first awaken. Even after that, you must make them evolve to reach the pinnacle of their capabilities. The more you evolve with them, the more their hunger for power grows."

"Morad wouldn't be like that," I muttered, forgetting I was talking aloud.

"Whose Morad?" she asked, turning to face me.

"Ohhh, nothing, just me saying random stuff," I quickly dismissed.

"Hmmm, okay, if you say so," she replied, not caring too much about it.

"By the way, you remember the landmarks to track the florist?" she asked.

"Why are you asking me? Shouldn't you be the one that should remember, you know, being the older person, bigger too? Yeah, yeah, you remember or not?" she badgered.

"Well, once we pass the town's inn..." I started. "Ohh yeah, that inn! By the way, I'm not in support of what that inn owner is doing. I may not like Manomancy, as it goes against the teachings of the Rainbow Sun, but it doesn't mean you're not humans too. He should have given us a place to stay. In the end, the Sun shines on all of us; that "Should be something I believe in."

"Well, that's nice of you, but why are you against Manomancy exactly? What about it goes against the teaching of the Rainbow Sun?" I asked, sensing an opportunity for information.

"In Aetherhall, we are taught that all life is precious and flows with mana — a divine gift from the Rainbow Sun. The gift was given to make our connection to Him stronger," she explained, her tone carrying that disciplined piety.

"Yeah," I replied. "Okay, but what part of that is a problem with Manomancy exactly?"

Rose tilted her head slightly, as though recalling a familiar lesson. "My teacher once said that Manomancy is the sin of ownership — the belief that we can claim what was meant only to pass through us. To shape mana as we wish is to speak over the voice of the divine."

She paused, then added more softly, "The Rainbow Sun teaches harmony — that we are vessels through which the world flows. But Manomancy teaches control. And control," she said, looking at me as though quoting a verse, "is the first illusion that led men away from the light."

"And once the ones who created Manomancy master control," Rose continued, "they would want only one thing — more control.

And when that hunger grows deep enough, they'll try to control the Rainbow Sun itself."

I frowned. "Then tell me this, Rose — why does the Rainbow Sun create inequality in mana? My sister was born with it. I wasn't. Isn't that the same kind of corruption you're warning me about? Doesn't that breed something worse than control — resentment?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "That's… different."

"No, it's not," I snapped. "The only reason you support those teachings is because you have mana. It's easy to preach balance when you're standing at the top."

"That's not true," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

"It is," I pressed. "All you've done since you got here is play high and mighty — acting like you're above everyone else just because you were 'blessed.'"

Her eyes flashed, a mix of hurt and pride. "That's—that's not true!" she stammered.

"You wouldn't understand," she added quietly.

The walk after that was a quiet one. The dirt path stretched before us, the inn's roof just visible ahead our first landmark since leaving Granny's.

Then I broke the silence. "By the way, about your training with Astraya…"

She glanced sideways. "Yeah, what about it?"

"How exactly were the two of you planning to pull it off?" I asked, pretending it was casual but fishing for strategy.

"I won't make it sound easy," Rose said, straightening up a little. "But the method Lord Zedd showed me that's what we'll use."

"Method?" I repeated, intrigued.

"Yes," she said, suddenly more theatrical. "Pohh, Lord Zedd! I'm going back home soon!" She raised her arms dramatically toward the sky, clearly forgetting our earlier argument.

"What's it about? You know — the method."

"For now, I'm not telling," she said with a sly grin. "Not until Astraya wakes up. Then you can watch. These are advanced Aetherhall aeromancy secrets can't just be handing them out to anyone."

"I mean, it's not much of a secret if everyone in Aetherhall knows about it, right?"

She glared at me. "What do you mean everyone? Only high-level aeromancers can even teach it! Even then, mastering it's a nightmare. Look at me I don't have half the talent they expected from Lord Zedd's apprentice… or from the Vintergaard House."

"Speaking of Lord Zedd," I said, feigning thought, "don't you think helping this town with its current missing-person mystery would… you know, make him respect you more?"

Rose raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, think about it," I continued. "Rose Vintergaard — savior of Blackroot! They might even build a statue in your honor."

"Nice try," she said dryly. "But I'm not in any position to interfere in another kingdom's politics or problems."

"Well, you could. Unless…" I teased, seeing her curiosity spark immediately.

"No, no, no. I don't think it's a good idea," I said, pretending to hold back.

"Spit it out! Unless what?" she pressed, now clearly interested.

I shrugged innocently. "Trying to solve this town's issues… secretly?"

She scoffed. "Heck no! I mean, I wouldn't even get any recognition."

"Well, I think you would," I countered. "Remember, my father and Ghost are good friends. All you have to do is share the discoveries you make. Knowing my dad, he'd sing your praises and Ghost? He'd make sure Lord Zedd heard about everything."

Her steps slowed as the thought began to sink in.

"If you do such an amazing job," I added casually, "he might even let you return home."

She stopped mid-walk, her eyes widening. "You're right! That could actually work. It's almost impossible for your sister and me to master flight. Even if one of us did especially if your sister fails I still wouldn't be able to go home. But this…" she grinned, "this could change everything. Brilliant!"

Yes, I thought, grinning to myself. She's in. Now we can finally get things moving around here.

Then we saw it.

The closer we got, the busier the streets became far more than usual. By the time we reached our landmark, the Silver Anvil Inn, the air buzzed with anxious murmurs. A crowd had gathered outside, people standing in tight clusters, whispering with pale faces.

"I wonder what's going on there," I said.

Rose, still focused on reaching the florist, barely spared it a glance. "They're probably having a town meeting or something. Let's just focus on the herbs."

Hmm. From my experience, a crowd forming in this town was never a good sign but she might've been right.

Then I saw it.

The snake. Greyjoy's snake, coiled by the inn's doorway, its scales glinting faintly under the morning light. It looked like it was guarding the entrance, keeping anyone from going inside.

Yeah, something was definitely wrong.

I grabbed Rose's hand and pulled her back.

"Astraga, cut it out," she scolded then froze when she saw it too.

We moved closer to the outer edge of the crowd. The murmurs grew clearer.

"I can't believe it…" someone whispered.

"So sad… truly horrible," another murmured.

Rose pushed gently through the crowd. "Excuse me—what's going on?"

A man turned to her, his face pale. "You haven't heard? The innkeeper's dead."

"What?" Rose gasped.

I frowned. "Mr. Arcsaw?"

The man nodded grimly. "Yeah… Mr. Arcsaw Silver is dead."

"They found him early this morning," another voice added, trembling. "But it's how they found him… that's the horrifying part. His heart… someone dug it out of his chest and placed it in his own hands. He was lying in a pool of his own blood, holding unto it…"

My stomach twisted.

"What…?" Rose and I could only stare, disbelief written across our faces.

His heart… removed from his body? Placed in his hands?

'What kind of sicko does something like that?' another person said.

Then it hit me. "And his… his daughter?" I whispered.

The man's eyes widened. "Anna Silver? she's gone too. No trace of her anywhere."

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