Mr. Wile turned his head slightly looking at Finn, “Need I repeat myself?”

Finn now riled up got up from his chair, “Even after all we told you? Innocent people killed all for the Goddess, the Legion lies to its own people about it, and now as her sword is locked up under their command you don’t want to do something about it?”

Starring into the flames the Headmaster took all this in, “Though what you have told me today may be extravagant, at best, I do believe what you had to say had heart… although it does not mean I don’t believe you. In fact, your story made the most sense I have heard in comparison to what we are fed from the media.”

Finn looked in confusion, “Then… what? Why won’t you help us despite all you’ve heard and believe right now?”

Wile turned away from the flames violently and faced towards Finn, “The reason why you ask? I’ll enlighten you. What you are asking for is a rebellion, only thinking about retrieving the sword of Pyrium without thinking about the consequences to follow. You would then be hunted down and killed on sight for that sword, and even if you succeed have you planned on what you would do with it?”

Finn was about to speak, but then held off. He hadn’t the slightest clue on what would come next. Would they safe guard it or find another host for Pyrium? All this time he only looked to help Nova in anyway, but now he could only think about how far she would really go for this. In this brief time that he has known her, he could already tell that retrieving this blade would mean a lot to her. He looked to Nova, but she refused to make eye contact with anyone, she could only think now about how else they could go about retrieving the Glaive. Wile continued, “That’s what I thought. Now I wish you luck on your endeavors, but I cannot allow the life of one of my own to be risked in the sake of that sword.” He looked own at his feet for a second, “I really wish there was some other way… but now I must ask you to leave…”

Finn was enraged by this, “Hold on a sec-.”

Nova got up from her seat and headed out the doors. Finn looking at her in alarm, he called out to her, but she ignored all of his calls continually walking forward. Finn then went after her, taking one more glance at both Tyse and the Headmaster before catching up to Nova.

The stone door closed behind them and only Tyse and the Headmaster remained. The air was awkward in the cozy room and the Headmaster just contemplated on the whole situation that had just occurred. How foolish of them to engage in such a task and reckless to be so willing to fight the Legion, the world government. He tried to weigh their argument and see what good would come should they succeed in their task, but he couldn’t see any, or at least he didn’t want to see. All he could conclude from all of this is more blood spill. Now he could only pray for their safety and hope they see the errors of their way. He put a hand on his chair as he looked into the fire as it mesmerizes him with its dance.

“You denied them our help?”

The Headmaster looked up and saw Tyse standing there. He stood in an almost confused way with the mix of shock and disappointment in his eyes. He spoke again, “After all the Legion has done, after what Nova told us today, you would refuse them our help?”

Mr. Wile, now irritated by the subject, answered, “You were listening when I said it, no? I do believe their tales, but you have to admit, it’s a lot to take in right now.”

“The Legion kills Pyrium and covers it as just her wrath on the common people. You and I both know that the Goddess would never do such a thing. Now she is locked away in the hands of our government, one that is built on the fallen kingdoms of true kings. And you would just allow such a thing to happen?”

“So you believe fighting is the only solution to the problem is that it? I won’t allow you or anyone else to go off on a fool’s errand in starting a rebellion! How many lives do you think will this cost? Have you even stopped to think about that?”

“So you just want me to sit back and watch the Legion wield such power ruthlessly? Lives have already been taken with or without us! You won’t even consider doing some sort of action will you? Not even talk to the council or bring this up at all?”

Mr. Wile pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes, “Listen, Tyse, you are one of this school’s most brilliant students. Don’t throw your life away on this task, don’t waste any more time on even the thought of this uprising of theirs.”

“You still didn’t answer my ques-.”

Before Tyse could finish, the Headmaster turned to him violently and shouted, “Your place is here! The council knowing of this information will just lead to heightened tensions and guarantee a revolution, one that will cease to end until every single one of the Legion’s enemies are slaughtered along with their loved ones. Do you want that? So I say, your place is here at the school!”

They both notice how the flames in the hearth was suddenly burning strongly and violently in that moment. It roared and touched them with its searing heat. After a few seconds it slowly returned to normal. At first Tyse flinched from such a response from the Headmaster, but then he clenched his fists, “Well then… tell me, how long until the academy is converted into a military school?” Tyse said.

Mr. Wile looked at Tyse with question, “Don’t look like you don’t know what I’m talking about, sir.” Tyse said, “It’s been happening recently, all arcane schools and academies in the capitals are being converted into military schools for the gifted, only heard about it a couple days ago. I would suspect that even Durosa would meet the same fate eventually.”

Wile looked at Tyse with surprise, finally at a loss for words. Tyse calmed down a little bit and realized the damage he has done. Quickly he straightened his posture and headed for the doors. He walked to the exit hoping the Headmaster wouldn’t stop him or say another word, but there was only the crackling of the firewood behind them. Before he reached for the doors, Tyse stopped and turned back towards the Headmaster, bowing his head slightly, “I am sorry for the disrespect, I have overstepped my bounds. Please… forgive me.”

With that, Tyse turned back towards the doors and left. Mr. Wile could only feel conflicted in his emotions and morals, but mostly feared for Tyse and all others who would inevitably join Finn and Nova in their cause.

“Like I said Nova, there really is no other way with just two people. Especially when we’re going against an army.”

They were in front of the front doors of the academy. Nova was visibly frustrated from all of the setbacks. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, then kicked the ground, cursing to herself.

“I’m really sorry… but we should now weigh in our options right now.” Finn said.

Under her breath Nova said to herself, “No… I won’t run again!”

“What’s that?” Finn asked.

Nova snapped at Finn, “What do you even care anyways? You’ve gotten me this far, I’ll admit that, but you don’t add up.”

He flinched from the sudden response, “What do you mean by that?”

Nova scoffed, “You claim that you wanted to help me earlier today. In any way you can, you said, but I don’t get why you’d go this far. At this point, most people would have ran away or even turned me in the second I even mentioned this… this suicide mission! So who really are you?”

Finn just shrugged, “Guess I’m not like most people.”

“Enough with the sarcasm!” Nova shouted, “You keep shrugging everything off like it’s a joke, don’t you ever take anything serious? This is a big deal we’re trying to do here, not some game or heist of yours! So what are you trying to gain out of following me around all this time?”

Finn took a stand, “If I weren’t serious about any of this then why am I still here now? I meant it when I wanted to help you, and I meant it when you reminded me of myself! Sure any normal person would turn their backs at you the moment you would mention this job, but that’s them and not me. I’m not her for any prize or reward! You think that just because I turned to thieving makes me a bad person? The only reason I did so was to survive! Survive when no one else gave a damn about me, and give to those who were just the same as me. I’m here because I hate the idea of those higher than others taking whatever they want without consequences, just like how you hate the Legion in all they do! So stop doubting me and just take that I really do want to make a change!”

Nova backed off and turned her look away after he finished. She knows that her frustrations and anger had gotten the better of her judgement. No one spoke a word for a little while. The air was cold and the evening sun dyed the skies in orange. Clouds in the sky drifted along and the rustling of trees added to the tone of this mood of awkward silence. Nova just stood there looking at the ground while Finn tuned his back and gazed at the sky, unsure of what to do next.

Finally tired of the standing around, Nova spoke, “I’m sorry… I should have let my anger get the better of me…”

She looked up and saw Finn’s back turned and scratching his head, “Yeah, same here.” He said, “I guess these are some pretty stressful times… for all of us I guess.”

“Right, maybe…” Nova said quietly.

To their side they heard the front doors open abruptly with someone rushing out. Both Finn and Nova looked to see that it was Tyse. He seemed a bit upset by his eyes. He stopped at the steps once he noticed the two of them standing outside. “Well, good thing I don’t have to go searching for you guys.”

Finn looked at him and spoke, “For what? If it’s about the help we needed, then forget it, we’ll just figure something else out.”

“Really? Well that’s actually why I was going to look for you guys. I can get you just the help you need!”

Nova and Finn looked confused and surprised, “Wait, but the Headmaster made it pretty clear that we would not get his help in this.” Nova said

“Well I’m not the Headmaster now am I?”

“Aren’t you worried about getting expelled or something?” Finn said, “You already know that this is dangerous right? I mean… lives are at stake once we do this.”

Tyse thought about what he had said. If he would continue down this way, then he would put his life and the lives of others on the line. Most of all, he would risk his life in the process. Nova and Finn awaited his response. Tyse thought about the aftermath of it all and what the Headmaster said about it all leading to a bloody revolution. Thousands, no, Millions of people would surely lay their lives down in this revolution that is unknowingly building. However, he then thought about what Nova had to say about Briedon, how every single person in the town were slaughtered indiscriminately only to lure and blame it all on Pyrium. If no one did anything than it would be recorded in history as just that. Tyse began down the steps towards the group. They still eagerly awaited his response. He moved slowly until he made it between them. He spoke, “If your stories are true as they are…” He looked up with intensity in his eyes, “Then I can’t stand idly if more people’s lives are at stake.”

Nova and Finn felt the fire in his eyes and were inspired by such intensity. Finn got excited in the moment, while Nova felt relieved and actually felt a strange faint feeling in her heart. She couldn’t tell whether it was inspiration or the same excitement that Finn, himself, was feeling right now. But after a while, she finally realized that the burning feeling inside her heart, was the feeling of hope.

“What’s the plan?” Tyse said, now determined to make a change.

Finn said, “Well that really depends. What is this help that you can offer?”

Tyse grinned, “Oh I’m glad you asked! You remember the rest of the group that got caught up in the protesting? Well I was kind of hoping that we go get them at the police station. Even though they did start trouble with legionnaires, I would assume that the base behind the walls isn’t really suited to hold prisoners. Plus the local police would be on high alert anyways due to this morning’s incident.”

Finn smiled at the idea, “That actually might help a lot in the plan. Distraction with runaway prisoners plus what I had in mind. I like it!”

Finn looked up at the sun, “Though we should all hurry. It would be best to begin before sunset.”

“What about details in the plan?” Tyse said.

Finn waved his hands to dismiss the question, “Jail break first, plan later. I don’t like repeating myself.”

Nova turned and started walking towards the gates, “Let’s stop wasting time today. Finn lead us to it!”

Finn smiled, “Sounds like someone is fired up!”

They walked as they neared the metal gates of the academy, but Tyse stopped before crossing. He looked back slowly at the school. Once he crosses these gates then there would be no turning back. Most likely he wouldn’t ever see his friends again and he wouldn’t dare go back now to do so, unless he wanted to drag them all into this war he is about to join and start. He looked at the brick architecture and the landscaping of the environment. He thought about the good times and the challenges he’s faced in school. However, the one thought that stuck with him was Headmaster Wile. He had accepted him into the school despite his certain disadvantages in enrolling into the first place. Tyse was never like the other students, but despite that he had made great bonds with the few that knew him. He turned his back from the school and told himself to never look back. Finn called out to him, “Hey what’s the hold up? We need to get going!”

He spoke to himself before he crossed out the gates, probably being the last time he would ever step foot on these grounds again, “I’m sorry everyone… and please… forgive me Headmaster…”

He crossed the gates, suddenly feeling a heavy weight on his heart as he caught up to Nova and Finn. Every step of the way made that weight feel heavier.