Real love

Song recommendation: "A dangerous thing" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaaEvo_8i4Y)

"Michael, please," Veretta entreated, "don't do this!"

"I told you not to save me," Michael smiled darkly, "you should have listened,"

He held up his hand as a rapture of water blasted the entire group. Veretta was at once thrown back. It hit her so quickly and instantly, she was knocked out on impact. Tomas managed to shield him and Yona with a burst of air, but even they were pushed back. Only Ace remained dauntlessly against the ferocity of the tides. All around him the water magics had simply been absorbed.

"You know it's pointless to fight me, Michael," Ace glared at him with eyes wide with rage.

"You're right, of course," Michael chuckled, "Go ahead. Command me, oh great demon lord. Tell me to jump off this cliff,"

Ace frowned with irritation, "You leave me no choice. Step aside,"

For a moment there was a long pause. Michael threw his head back in raucous laughter, "Gods, I can't believe you actually tried it," he shook with an oppressive snort.

"How?" Ace demanded flatly.

"It's the power of foresight," Michael grinned.

"It doesn't really matter," Ace dismissed, "You can fight me and you're outnumbered. I don't know what Silthus offered you, but you're making a mistake,"

"He's right, Michael," Tomas enjoined, "we have the advantage. Just let us pass,"

"The adults are talking," Michael held up a finger and a jet of ice-encased Tomas' legs in ice. The shards of crystal water spread at a rapid rate. Yona immediately emerged by his side and placed her hands on the ice. Her magic began to dissipate the ice, though not at the speed of Ace's ability.

However, as she knelt down a flicker of water wrapped around her waist and dragged her from the ground. Michael turned to Ace with a smile.

"I'm well aware of my position. Alas, I can't beat you," he shrugged, "but her on the other hand...demon or not, I'm not sure she could survive a fall from this fight,"

Ace turned bright red and rushed at Michael with lightning speed.

"Ah, ah," Michael waved his finger mockingly. Yona teetered over the edge of the cliff face as she struggled against the tight water find entrapping her. Ace froze in place as his eyes caught sight of it. He released a jagged breath and he turned back to Michael.

"You wouldn't..." he breathed.

"How certain are you?" Michael met his gaze with a frigidly cold stare.

"Michael..she is.."Ace could hardly pass the words. His black wide eyes fluttered painfully and his body was rigid with apprehension as a cold sweat fell across his brow.

"She is your weakness," Michael interceded, "I did warn you. I told you love is a sickness.,"

He pointed with one hand directly at Ace's chest, "And you are completely infested with it,"

Ace's eyes twitched. He drew in a breath, "What do you want?"

"Make a choice, just like old times," Michael replied somberly, "The love of your life or your child. Which will you choose?"

Ace glanced up at Yona fearfully.

"It's not a hard decision, Ace!" Michael barked.

Ace's eyes flew back down vengefully, "Hurt her and I'll kill you!" he spat.

"That's not an answer," Michael returned smugly, "Then again, you were always more action over talk. Well, here, I'll help you decide,"

Michael clenched his fist. In a snap, the water broke. The tangle of liquid around Yona fell instantly and she flew below the platform. Without a moment's gestation, Ace launched after her at a startling speed. Just as he reached the edge of the platform, Cora's frightfully painted face zoomed toward him at almost equal speed. They collided and with a snap, the metal ring was caught around Ace's neck. With it in place, a punch from Cora sent Ace skidding across the platform, landing at Michael's feet.

Ace pulled himself up with difficulty. His eyes were wide in horror and shock filled with tears. They turned from the edge of the cliff to Michael with such a depth of viciousness and hatefulness, Michael could not return his gaze.

"You killed her," Ace uttered bereft.

"We'll see," Michael said in answer.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Ace flew from the ground and lunged at Michael.

With a swift kick, Cora came between them and pushed Ace back. There was a cracking sound as Ace's knees hit the ground. He let out a rasping breath. A mouthful of blood splattered across the stone floor.

"Cora," Michael remanded severely.

"Ah, whoops," she giggled, "I forgot without his demonic powers, he's fragile now,"

She stared down at Ace with a look of supreme satisfaction. He was hovelled over cradling his chest and breathing through painful breaths.

"I'll kill you...I'll...kill..you," he repeated over and over in a pained murmur.

"Oh, Ace," Cora bounded to his side with a cruel smile, "that's not nice,"

She pulled his face up to hers. Blood dripped from his lips as he stared at her with eyes completely filled with hatred. She pulled his face back to the edge. He stared out uncomprehendingly.

At that moment, Tomas rebounded over the cliff face with Yona in his arms. Ace let out a stifled cry of relief. Cora watched with a smile.

"Seems the black wizard is fond of theatrics," she mused, "well, I'll admit, it was quite the show. I almost did notice you release the boy's leg before you let her fall,"

Ace turned to Michael slowly. His face was contorted in disbelief and disgust, "Theatrics?"

Michael briskly turned back to the castle. A liturgy of dark-cloaked figures had crowded around the barrier. A small split in the divide sent them pouring out. They immediately surrounded Ace, Veretta and Tomas.

"Theatrics," Michael glanced back to Ace with an unreadable expression, "Almost as good as the real thing, no?"

Within moments they were rounded up in chains and hauled into the dungeon below the castle. All but Ace who was thrown at Silthus' feet as Michael and Cora watched on. For a while, there was silence, as Ace didn't move for several moments. This fact didn't seem to incur a reaction from Silthus who was sitting at the table sipping his wine with an indifferent stare.

He gave the air of someone who had expected the outcome and was revelling in its success. Though Michael could sense Silthus' anger barely contained within the calm facade. If Ace did not rouse, he sensed that a fit of rage on Silthus' part would soon ensure he never woke again.

With a drawn-out sigh, Michael bent down unceremoniously dragging Ace up. The pain of being forced up seemed to wake Ace immediately as he let out a staggered breath and the savage glare in Ace's eye lit up passionately as he met Michael's gaze. Then he turned to Silthus'. The corner's of Ace's mouth drew up in a bitter grin.

"Well, I guess you win, Silthus," Ace sniffed, "you've finally taken everything from me,"

"You call this a win?" Silthus stared down with intense dark eyes, "It didn't have to be this way,"

"Oh!" Ace let out a contracted exclamation, "This is exactly the way you wanted it to be!"

Silthus remained quiet for a moment observing Ace's jagged breath, "Call the healers, Cora,"

A mixture of perplexion crossed Cora's features before devolving into irritation. Nevertheless, she did as she was bid and the healer was brought into the room. The cloaked figure crouched down by Ace and held out their hand to his chest.

"Get your fucking hands off me!" Ace snapped aggressively.

"Don't be a fool," Michael stated dispassionately, "Just let them heal you,"

Ace's eyes shot up to Michael with a look of unadulterated rage, "You must be loving this. You've finally succeeded in ruining my life!"

Michael stared back with an unmoving expression, "That's right. So get over yourself. Either get healed or hurry up and die,"

A further rush of seething anger brought a pulsing vein across Ace's brow as he looked fit to break his chains and wring Michael's neck. However, it was then Silthus' gave a low, hollow laugh. He turned his gaze to Michael with a smile.

"Michael, you did as I asked. As a reward, I will arrange provisions for your journey to the West. In addition, I will grant you one further reward. Take some time to think about what you want,"

"There's no need," Michael replied categorically, "I already know what I want. Give me an audience with the girl before I leave and let me take the boy with me to the West,"

"That's two things," Silthus' said with a hint of amusement, "I will grant the first on the condition that Cora attends this 'audience'. Do you agree?"

"Fine," Michael grimaced, "And the second request?"

"Granted," Silthus mused, "but do you remember what I told you after you made your decision? If you try to run with the boy.."

"I know!" Michael replied with a defiant interjection.

"Good," Silthus leaned back contemplatively, "Then you may leave us. I wish to speak to Ace alone,"

A flicker of discomfort momentarily caused Michael's hesitation. However, with a sharp inhale, he turned swiftly on his heels.

"Very well," Michael said shortly with a glance back, "but you must keep your promise too, Silthus,"

"I will. I will," Silthus waved him off impatiently.

Michael quickly left the room followed by Cora. Ace was left alone at Silthus' feet. The healer had ignored his rejection and had attempted some semblance of healing, though hardly enough to stave off the pain ripping through his chest.

"Does it hurt?" Silthus enquired gingerly sipping his wine.

"Yes," Ace replied flatly.

"Good," Silthus rejoined severely, "You deserve to be in pain,"

"Do I?" Ace chuckled drily, "And what do you deserve, Silthus? If you need a hint, I can think of a few suggestions,"

Silthus scoffed loudly as he chugged another mouthful of wine, "You probably shouldn't have saved me then, Ace,"

"You're right," Ace retorted, "I should have left you to die in that mine,"

With this remark, Silthus slapped his glass against the table. Though it did not shatter, there was a measured strain in his hand that remained for a moment until Silthus inhaled deeply.

"But you didn't," he said at length, "no, you saved me because that's who you are."

"You know nothing about me, other than what I allow you to know," Ace shook his head with a resentful chuckle.

"I know about Clover," Silthus stared down darkly, "you failed to mention them to me,"

"What does it matter?" Ace laughed, "I told you I would help you get the scroll. That wasn't a lie. I just never said what I would do with it. But even so, I made it clear from the start, you and I would never be real,"

"Not real?" Silthus gave a glazed nod, "Explain to me how a dead person can be more real than me who is right in front of you?!"

Silthus threw back his hand overturning the table with a crash. He wrapped his hands around Ace's throat. He pinned Ace to the ground with wide and irate searching eyes.

"Tell me!" he breathed venomously, "TELL ME!! Tell me my love isn't real!"

ACe stared back at him with anger almost equal in viciousness, "Love?! What love? You killed anyone who dared get close to me. You burned me with your magic. And now you've stolen my one chance at happiness! If this is your love, I loathe it. I hate it. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy!"

"I don't care!" Silthus snarled.

"That's the problem!" Ace retorted spitefully, "You just force your love on me and expect me to love you back. It doesn't work like that, Silthus! Doing this to me won't make me love you. It makes me hate you,"

"Please," Silthus scoffed, "No matter what I did, you were always going to hate me. You were looking for a reason so I gave you one. I never expected you to love me back. I only wanted your loyalty. But you see Ace, the truth is you need to be the hero. You need to be the saviour. I don't. I can accept you hating me, but I can love you all the same. My love is not defined by your hatred,"

"How noble," Ace sneered, "Real love goes both ways. What you have is an obsession. Not real love,"

"You mean like the love between you and Clover?" Silthus finally relinquished his grip around Ace's throat, "That wasn't real love. If it was, they wouldn't have left you. They didn't love you enough. I would never leave you. Even if you hate me, my love is real. One day, you'll realise that,"