The next morning started the same as the day before. The villagers of Sanctum were asleep in their beds, waiting for the sun’s rays to wake them. Leo was in his room, however, fully awake sooner than anyone else as he’d always be. He sat on his bed, prepared to start his day, but he was distracted by what occurred last night.

“Why did I have that dream?” The sorcerer questioned himself. “And who the hell was ‘Morphos’?”

Memories of his dream recurred over and over in his time of sleep. And the events of his encounter with the mysterious being of magic was plainly vivid. Not to forget the mysterious “gift” he had been bestowed when Morphos touched his chest. It grew unsettling for the young sorcerer, especially since he’s never experienced it before. Leo had enough difficulty deciding if he should inform his parents until deciding…

“Maybe I should talk go to Kazu and Celine first.”

The sorcerer knew he could count on them after their talk yesterday. And it was his best option, considering he was meeting with them like all other mornings. Taking in a deep breath, Leo teleported out of his room, appearing just outside his house. He made way to the stable, but to his surprise, spotted two men saddling Ariel and Copper. Fortunately, though, the sorcerer recognized who them both when he got close enough.

“Dad…? Uncle Akira?” He called out.

Both men noticed Leo walking toward them and just greeted him.

“Good morning, Cub!” Fredrick welcomed. “I hope you do not mind us saddling your horse for you.”

“Um, thank you…?” Said Leo suspiciously. “But could you explain why you’re doing that?”

“Oh no, Nephew,” Akira replied. “It’s a surprise,”

The smirk on the Kagemusha’s face hinted they were up to something. Mainly, because the two men before young Leo were well-known for their scheming. And that fact had left him skeptical as to whatever they were planning. When the sorcerer looked back to his father, Fredrick nodded at Akira, who teleported away.

“W-Wait!” Demanded Leo and asked, “Where did Uncle Akira go?”  

“To the others who are waiting for us,” Fredrick replied.

“Others?” His son repeated.

Leo awaited nervously for his father to give him an answer. But instead, Fredrick climbed himself on top of Copper, and said to his son…

“Follow me!”

Then, the man raced off from the stable without saying any more. Leo yelled at him to come back but cursed when he already seemed too far away. So, the sorcerer closed the stable, climbed up on his horse, and tried catching up to Fredrick.

“Dad, stop!” Leo demanded, reaching his father. “You haven’t told me who we’re meeting with!”

“No need!” Claimed Fredrick. “They are right up ahead!”

The younger sorcerer looked to where his father was pointing toward. He spotted Kazu and Celine, riding a top of their horses with Akira by the village entrance. They were all waving at both father and son coming up toward them.

“Kazu? Celine, what’re you guys doing here?” He questioned. “And how come you’re not at the training grounds?”

“Because we’re not going to there today,” slyly answered Celine.

Leo’s friends shared an expression of both excitement and secrecy. Almost similar to the ones he saw his father and uncle had on earlier outside the house. Being the one unaware of what they had in stored kept the young sorcerer suspicious. But the best he could do at this point was wait and see whatever was to come. And on that note, Fredrick rode up to the front, stopping just outside the forest’s entrance.

“Are we all set?” He asked Akira.

“Everyone’s here, Fredrick,” pointed out the former Kagemusha. “And we have the money from Theodore for the trip.”

“Then, let us be on our way!”

By those words, the older sorcerer was first to charge down the road. Then Akira, Kazu, and Celine did the same following behind him.

“W-Wait a second!” Leo shouted. “At least tell me where we’re going!”

The others were too far away for any to give Leo an answer. He groaned out in immense frustration, then kicked at Ariel’s side to race on after them. A part of him felt uneasy taking the only road leading outside of Sanctum. Yet, another part was excitement over finally going somewhere new and unfamiliar. While thinking so much on the matter, Leo caught sight of Kazu and Celine riding up ahead.

“Hey, Kazu! Celine!” He called, catching up to them. “Do you guys know where they’re taking us!?”

“You’ll find out soon, Leo!” Replied Kazu.

Not the most valid answer he was expecting out of his cousin. Leo turned his direction over to Celine, who only gave him a cheeky smile as her response. Clearly, the sorcerer wasn’t going to get any information on where they’re headed. The road from the village appeared to run endlessly as they progressed further on. But up ahead, Leo’s father Fredrick spotted a light that indicated their exit. 

To be continued...