Chapter 50: Being Alive

"You killed the Emperor didn't you?" Veretta's brow furrowed.

Michael finally pulled back with an annoyed grunt, "I killed the Emperor? I see...yes I killed him" a bitter smile came across his features, "now even in death they mock me for it,"

"All of them are long dead," Veretta inhaled deeply, "but you are not just remembered for that. You are the wizard you started the colleges. Colleges that are now spread across the world. Even your book is still taught in schools,"

"My book?" Michael glanced back dubiously, "but I never published it,"

"Well someone did," Veretta smiled, "And I'm glad they did. It's beautiful. A masterpiece,"

Michael stared at her quietly for a moment, "You read it?"

"Yes, that is why I summoned you," Veretta faltered, "because...you aware my idol. I thought if it should be anyone...it should be you,"

Michael face drew up in surprise, his lips parted to speak, but he stopped himself.

"I don't understand why you're so angry at the possibility that you could be happy?" Veretta frowned, "I don't mean to say what I did was right, but what's wrong with being happy?"

"You've polluted my mind - that's what's wrong with it," Michael returned sharply, "the sanctity of my mind..."

"It's all you have," Veretta intercepted him, "you told me. I'm sorry, but maybe it's okay to be happy. At least, that is what I want to believe. I need to believe,"

Michael's eyes widened and he turned his back to her with a grunt. He unceremoniously started off into the forest beyond.

"Where are you going?" Veretta called after him.

He did not reply. Veretta gave a sigh. Well, it was to be expected. Still, it was just a nice day. She felt lighter than she had felt in months. It was as though in some strange way a weight had been lifted. She started back towards the manner side. She found the general still snoring away on the grass. She took a seat beside him. He pulled back his arm that had been shielding him from the sun.

"Oh, it's you," he said placing his arm back over his eyes, "Come here to yell at me?"

"No," Veretta answered.

"Then you forgive me for stealing Errik?" Ace asked quietly.

"No," Veretta frowned, "you shouldn't have done that, but I heard a lot of the story from Tomas. It seems like you were trying to protect me so I won't say anything about that for now,"

"How gracious of you," Ace remarked in his usual dry sarcastic tone.

"Can I ask you something? " Veretta looked at him closely, " Why did you help us? Because Errik is your old master?"

"I thought we already had this conversation," Ace returned with a sigh. "I want the black wizard to find someone for me,"

"Who?" Veretta enquired.

"A person I used to be in love with, "Ace said with a nostalgic air, " it was such a terrible and painful love, I've never forgotten it. Yet for every moment of exquisite pain, there was a brightness that filled my life with light. I just want that back,"

"I see," Veretta said quietly.

"You can have that too, you know?" Ace added in a low voice. He threw back his arm and looked up at Veretta with sincere eyes.

"He doesn't love anymore," Veretta replied with a sad smile, "but maybe it's for the best. I can finally see things as they are. I see the things that I've done clearly and try to fix them. Then maybe, he might forgive me,"

"As someone who has made 300 years worth of mistakes," Ace chuckled, "I can tell you this. Watching you two was like reliving the past. The truth is time waits for no one. If you have a chance at happiness, you have to take it. If you wait, that chance might not come again."

"The person who you loved, what happened to them?" Veretta asked quietly.

Ace looked lost in the memory but his eyes eventually panned up filled with darkness, " They did what demons always do...they lied and disappeared somewhere I couldn't reach them,"

Veretta found his gaze exceptionally sad. She considered changing the subject entirely when Ace's usual smile returned.

"Well that was a long time ago," he chuckled, " I don't know why I'm looking for them again. I had given up all hope of it when I found you and Errik. Suddenly, all those feelings I thought I had thrown away came rushing back with a vengeance. I know ought to let go of it, but for some reason, I can't. Maybe you can never truly let go of something you love,"

"I wish that were true," Veretta sighed, "but isn't selfish for me to ask him to love me after everything I've done?"

Ace turned to one side with a grin, "Shall I tell you something funny?"

"Sure," Veretta turned to him hesitantly.

"Michael once told me that love was the pointless thing in the world," he smirked, "I asked him if he had ever been in love and he laughed in my face,"

" Wait a moment, " Veretta frowned, " Michael has never been in love?"

"That's right, miss witch," Ace smiled.

" But he said he had lovers," Veretta said the words grievously, "I mean Errik seemed to recall something of the sort,"

"And they all loved him no doubt," Ace chuckled, " but he never loved any of them,"

" Oh," Veretta looked down.

"But don't you see, this is a good thing," Ace said with a shrewd smile, "he didn't have to save you, but he did. And he never does anything without a reason. So what is the reason, do you think?"

"For you?" Veretta frowned.

The general gave what Veretta could only describe as a giggle. It was quite surprising. She stared at him in disbelief. He lay back on the ground with his arms behind his head and closed his eyes still smiling.

"I guess we'll see," Ace mused.

He remained reclined there with a satisfied smile as she drew herself up and started back to the house.

It wasn't till late evening that he opened his eyes again.

"You still out here?" Michael stared down in incredulously, "You've literally been lying here all day,"

"Leave me alone," Ace moaned, "I haven't slept in days. Just leave me be,"

"Still an insomniac then?" Michael sighed and took a seat beside him, "Why don't you go and sleep inside?"

"The kids are making dinner. I know they're going to drag me inside the moment we get back," Ace sighed.

"Will that woman be there?" Michael asked quietly.

"You mean Veretta?" Ace grinned, "I suppose she will. Now that you've spent some time alone with her what do you think?"

"Why are you asking me that?" Michael's eyes narrowed, "you think I don't know the secret you've been keeping from me?"

"Of course you know," Ace scoffed, "you're like a bloodhound with secrets. It wasn't exactly a secret though. I just didn't have time to tell you. We've been rather occupied,"

"Always excuses with you," Michael sniffed, "but I heard something interesting from that woman. It seems my book was published posthumously. You were the only person I told about that book. Did you have it published?"

"I suppose I did," Ace answered with a smirk.

"Oh," Michael said with a restrained expression, "that's... you didn't have to do that,"

"Oh, is this be the work of the gods?" Ace grinned, "could this be the first time I hear a thank you from you?"

"Don't push it," Michael sighed, "but thank you...you could have told them I didn't kill the Emperor though,"

"Ah, but I thought you would have liked that," Ace laughed, "Afterall, you were always saying how you wanted to kill him under your breath,"

"Well, it's one thing to say, it's another thing entirely to actually do it," Michael sighed, "I can't believe they call me the black wizard. What a joke,"

"Well you weren't exactly a saint," Ace remarked.

"I know," Michael said quietly, "I know better than anyone. That's why I deserved to die, but I thought my legacy would die with me and that would be the end of it,"

"That isn't what Bird would have wanted," Ace replied with sad boyish eyes, "he loved you. You were like his father. You took revenge for him, but you didn't deserve to die. I am glad that Veretta brought you back to life, but Michael, I beg of you - Don't go down that path again,"

Michael stared at him in surprise, "I thought you would rather die than beg me for anything,"

"I used to think that but after I watched you die once," Ace set his eyes ahead, "I don't think I can do it again,"

Michael looked down with a solemn and steady gaze, "It isn't so bad...dying I mean. It's just quiet. All the noise goes away. There's no time or energy. Just endless silence,"

"That sounds lonely," Ace remarked quietly.

"Maybe it's better to be alone than surrounded by people who hate you," Michael answered flatly.

"It doesn't have to be like that this time," Ace entreated earnestly.

For a moment Michael looked as if he was genuinely considering the thought, but his expression was quickly overcome by darkness, "If you get that demon back, things will return to how they were. We will be enemies,"

"We don't have to be, Michael!" Ace protested, "We're different. This world is different. Things could be different!"

"Grow up, Ace," Michael rejoined sharply, "people don't change. As soon as Clover returns, you'll throw me to the side. And I...I'll go back to being who I was before. This happiness is an illusion. That witches curse. There's no such thing as happiness in this world,"

"I will not throw you away," Ace said resolutely, "we can both be happy. We just have to..."

Just then, Yona appeared behind them both, "The dinner is ready,"

"Okay," Ace pulled himself up with a sigh, "Will join us, Michael?"

"I don't know," Micahel followed him slowly, "I'm not sure I feel hungry,"

"I can't sleep and you can't eat. What a pair we make," Ace laughed.

"I can eat," Michael said resentfully and marched up to the manor.

Inside Veretta was setting plates down on the table. She looked up at Michael in surprise.

"Are you joining us?" she asked.

Michael gave a shrug and took a seat at the table. Ace followed a moment behind and sat down with a smile as he observed Yona stirring the pot.

"You cook now, Yona?" he smiled warmly.

"Tomas has been showing me," she blushed slightly and resumed her task.

It was then with a clang, Tomas emerged from the pantry carrying two bottles of wine. He spotted Ace with an awkward smile, "Yona said I could take it,"

"Are you even old enough to drink?" Ace remarked sarcastically.

"Why does everyone think I'm12 years old!" Tomas pouted indignantly, "I'm older than Veretta you know?"

"Really?" Ace shrugged, "I thought you were toddler,"

"Maybe you should put some glasses on those old eyes then!" Tomas returned with a huff, "I thought it would be nice to celebrate,"

"What are we celebrating?" Ace asked curiously.

Tomas gave a wide smile.

"Being Alive."