5. The Foundation

"So basically, you guys have nowhere to go." Aileen was left Reddened. She mentally face palmed herself and haved a sigh.

" I see." She stood up from her seat and turned around.

"You're lucky that we have extra rooms. Follow me."

Alec and William were delighted and happily followed her into the house.

"Thank you, Aileen. " Alec was greatful that they don't have to look for an inn now.

"Yes, you really saved us this time, " William was happy that he got to rest.

"Don't thank me just yet." She stopped Infront of the staircase and pointed upward.

"We have four rooms on the upper floor. Two are single bedrooms and two have Double beds." She explained.

"You guys can take rooms for single person. The last rooms in the corridor are yours."

Both of them looked up from the staricase. Alec spoke up,

"Then, we-"

"Oh,it's not free. You guys gotta pay for it."

She intrupted his talk and crosses her arms. "You can figure out the rest."

She turned around and left, leaving them alone. They glanced at each other and helplessly dragged their stuff to their rooms. After some time, William came up and knocked at Alec's door.

"It's me. Can I come in?"

"Yeah..." Alec's voice followed from inside.

William came in and saw Alec setting his bed. William sat down on a chair and folded his arms.

"What's next?" He inquired.

"What do you mean, what's next ? We settle here for the time being." Alec sat down on the bed.

William narrowed his eyes.

" Yes, this place is nice and all but...," He sighed and leaned back on his chair.

"I don't want to be here."

Alec rised an eyebrow, "why?"

"Honestly, when you suggested we go to the capital, I really wanted to try out the books here and...-"

"You're still on about those books? Let me show you something even amazing."

Alec pulled out the white stone from his shirt and showed it to William. His voice was soft like a whisper.

"In the storege room, I saw a book which was sealed with magic."

William carefully held the crystal and rubbed the redness at it's bottom.

"You're telling me that the magic was lifted?" William seemed very interested in this crystal.

"Yeah," Alec pulled away and rumbled through his bag to pull out a book.

William gave it some thought, the crystal was always red at the bottom but it was so faint that it was almost left unnoticed.

"It was this book." He handed it over to William.

William grabbed the book and his gaze wandered between the book and Alec. He exclaimed and opened the book. The contents of the book were revealed. He slowly flipped it's pages one by one, viewing every page and craving it's picture in his mind.

His gaze stooped at the rings mentioned. His expression became concerned.

"Was the page already torn by the time you found it ?"

"Yeah, it wasn't there." Alec shrugged and lay on the bed.

"That's why, I'm trying to be stronger. Because I want to find these."

William closed the book and haved a sigh.

"That's useless, Alec."

At William's voice, Alec glanced at him.

"Why do you say so?"

" Can't you see, these are just myths." William showed him the book cover and traced his fingers at the title.

"You can't find these rings because they don't exist."

Alec sat up again. "That's not true"

"Why?" William asked sarcastically.

"Because if it was just a myth, like you said, the page wouldn't be torn." Alec leaned forward to grab the book.

"Besides, aren't you curious what these rings can do?"

William poundered on it and shook his head.

"You're crazy. Why in the would would there be something so powerfull and nobody knows about it at all?"

Alec wasn't ready to give up convincing him, yet.

"Just think about it. Something that can do anything!"

"No, this doesn't make any sense. You think about it, this isn't even that thrilling."

"Come on, it's not that hard to say yes, Will."

William stood up from his chair.

"Forget it, what's the point of even looking for something that doesn't even exist."

"And I'm telling you that's not it. " It was hard to convince William. Alec's expression became hard.

"Why can't you understand that we can do anything once we find it?" His voice started to rise.

"Snap back to reality, Alec. Suppose we find them. Then what? What are you going to wish for? " William stood firm.

At this point, Alec couldn't say anything and just stared at William.

"Just as I thought-"

"You thought wrong."

Alec flipped the chair and sat on it. His chin rose to look at William.

"For now, I may not know what I want to wish for, upon finding the rings,"

Gradually, black thick smoke gathered at Alec's feet. It was so weak that it went almost unnoticed. The smoke suddenly got absorbed into his skin. Soon, there was no more smoke, as if nothing was there in the first place.

"but once I find them, I'll decide later." He crossed his hands behind his head and looked away.

"Although, that can be achieved gradually."

William was silent for sometime but sighed and looked back at Alec.

"So, what are you going to do now?"

" Glad you asked, " a smug smirk formed on his face.

"First, I know that outside of the kingdom is very vast. So, let's be ready for any adversities." Alec leisurely explained his future planning.

"You know there are many other races out there, as well. However, we don't know much of them, so we simply become stronger."

"You're making it sound so easy."

"But it's not hard either."

"That's right. But let me tell you something," his voice dripped with annoyance

" you're on your own for becoming a swordsman."

"I know you have zero interest in that." Alec had misleading glimering in his eyes.

"That's why, I have a favor to ask."

William instantly became vary. "What is it? It better not be some foul crap."

Alec smirked and his smiling face send William chills.

"Just say it."

"Come on, will. It's just a favor. Do you not trust me?"

"No." Short and simple.

"Wise choice. But hear me out." Alec snapped his fingers and crossed his arms.

"You, can work here. While I, can go and meet the swordsman Aileen talked about."

William blinked and shook his head.

"Why should I work here instead? Are you sure you want to do it this way?"

Alec helplessly sighed.

"Look, I know this isn't what we are supposed to do but... can't you do me this one favor?" He stood up from his chair and continued with his suggestion.

"Just think about it, you can stay here in the Capital and there are libraries here,too."

He rested his hand on William's shoulder.

"You can do here what you always wanted. Besides, there was going to be one day when we part ways."

"And you're saying that this is that time? Alec, this is not a small matter."

William brushed his hand off. Alec narrowed his eyes and took a step back.

"You're overthinking this. It's really not that big of a deal." After a brief silence, Alec scratched his head.

"Besides, it's not like we'll never see eachother again. Once I become a swordsman, we'll go find the rings together."

William felt hesitated and nodded his head.

"It's kinda weird 'cause we've never been far before. "

Alec chuckled and leaned against the wall.

"Then, this would be our first adventure without each other."

"Yeah...I think this will be...good for both of us," William shrugged and placed his hand on the doornob.

"hopefully, this would bring a new change. A better one."

William left Alec alone in his room and stepped inside his own. Alec picked up the book of myths again. He layed on his bed and studied it while his thoughts wandered. His eyes were unfocused and he went into a deep thought.

'was it the right decision? Will's right, ever since little, this is the first time we'll be on different roads.'

Thinking about random thoughts, Alec closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, he found himself in a black void. There was nothing. He looked around the void and felt a sharp pain in his head.

He groaned in pain and hit his head a few times.

'Ugh..what...is this?' He narrowed his eyes.

He tried to speak but his voice wouldn't reach his own ears. He was left terrified. Suddenly, he noticed faint sounds or whispers.

Alec looked around but didn't see anything. He tried to speak again but he still couldn't hear himself.

Gradually, the faint whispers were comming closer and closer. Alec tried to lift his leg but his feet were glued to the ground.

'..ec..Alec..."

Alec's heart beat increased upon hearing his name.

'Alec....oh, Alec.....my lord.'

-!!

With a shock, Alec opened his eyes and clenched his heart, gasping and panting.

He looked around the room and held his head.

"A nightmere? "

He got up from his bed.

******

Two days later, Alec picked up his bag of supplies and looked at Aileen next to him. She sensed his gaze and nodded her head as a gesture to Alec to follow her.

He and William had already talked with Aileen about their deal. Aileen had no complaints saying that 'she only needs a helper and it doesn't matter who does the work.'

Alec and Aileen walked out of the Capital and further to a nearby hill. The hill was steep and there were no signs of any sort of creatures there. Walking up, they reached its peak. There was a vast green ground with a small house in the right. The wooden house was consistent of two stories.

On the left, there were fence and hay lofts. They went further close to the house. Aileen glanced at Alec,

"This is where Sir Alestor resides, you can talk to him yourself." She pointed back down the hill, towards the Capital.

"I'm going back. You're on your own in this."

Alec's eyes landed on the house and with a smile, he replied.

"Thanks for showing me the way, Aileen."

"It's fine. Go and...do whatever. I'm going."

Saying that, she left the spot. Alec walked up to the house and took a deep breath.

He knocked at the door. After a few minutes, the door cracked open slowly.