The Monks

Next morning

Isaac and April kept walking for hours.

April: how much will it take till we get there?

Isaac: not much, we are almost there.

April: you said that the last four times.

Isaac didn't reply but he pushed through some bushes to reveal the Ona empire.

April: WOW! It feels as if we are in heaven.

Few monks came across April and Isaac with spears and one of them walked toward us slowly.

The monk: what are the two of you doing here? we don't welcome strangers.

Isaac lifted up his shirt and showed him a sign drawn on his chest. It was a black Eagle.

The monk looked surprised. And he bowed down and the other monks did the same.

April didn't know what was happening but she didn't comment on what was happening. The monks stood up and said in a very welcoming tone "follow us, Isaac"

Isaac walked and took April's hand in his.

Isaac whispered to April: don't move from my side.

April nodded in acceptance.

APRIL'S POV

We waited in a room that was beautiful and very colorful.

I whispered to Isaac what was happening, but just as I was speaking an old man entered the room and said to Isaac" I can't believe after all these years you came back."

Isaac: hi Michael.( Isaac said in an angry tone)

Michael: So I see you are still mad at me...

But just as Michael was going to say something Isaac interrupted him.

Isaac: Look Michael, we are here just because the Queen of Gana was killed and her daughter April is in danger, so if you can help and train her that would be so generous of you, since we both know generosity is kind of your thing.

Michael: you can't stay mad at me forever.

Isaac: you want to test me?

Both of them looked at each other for a while and then Michael gave me a look from up to down and said okay I will help her but at least try to give me another chance Isaac.

Isaac looked at Michael and nodded

I looked at Isaac and he gave me a "it is gonna be okay" look.

Michael: When would you like to start?

I answered: today if you can.

He smiled and said: believe me I can, but are you sure you are ready and not jumping into things.

"I am ready now and every second we spend Arthur gains power", I replied.

Michael: Your training will take a lot of time. I will have to make sure you are ready to face any danger that comes your way.

I took a deep breath and said: let's begin.

After 3 years

ISAAC'S POV

I've swung my sword at April, she dodges the sword, and she tries to kick my side, but I dodged and threw a punch at her, she ducks and pushed my legs hard enough to make me fall on the ground.

April: I can't believe I put you down so I kicked her leg with mine so she fell down next to me.

Don't celebrate until your enemy is dead.

April: what that was a dirty move.

I laughed and said: there is nothing called a dirty move when you want to live.

I leaned to my side and April did the same.

We looked at each other in the eyes and I felt something pulling me towards her so once our lips were so close, she raised a knife to my throat.

April: how was that for a dirty move?

I smiled and replied: it was perfect.

~ A TREE STICK BREAKS~

April and I stood up and got ready.

I told April to hide while I see who is there.

April hid behind the tree and I pulled a man out of the bushes and placed my sword to his neck.

The man shouted: WAIT PLEASE WAIT!!

April came out and said: Isaac, wait that is Finn.

I looked at him and he was wearing a Magland armor.

I said: Looks like a traitor to me.

Just as I raised my sword to cut off his neck he shouted.

Finn: Wait, I have some information you need to know.

I exchanged a look with April

Isaac:I think we don't need to know anything.

I raised my sword again.

April: Isaac, wait let us hear him.

I looked at April and said: are you sure April?

April: yes I am.

I let Finn free so that he can talk.

April: speak Finn, and make it fast.

Finn: Arthur is planning to ambush every kingdom and someone told him you are hiding somewhere in the forest and he sent thousands of soldiers to kill you.

WHAT!!, I said.

April: Isaac we need to make sure we are ready for this fight.

I ran toward the Ona empire with April behind me, once we arrived the whole place was on fire, and soldiers were killing the monks.

It is too late, I mumbled.

April: took her sword and started rushing towards the soldiers and I ran to the main house. Once I entered I shouted " MICHAEL!! "

I saw his body on the floor and blood all around him.

Michael struggled to speak

Michael: Isaac, is that you?

Isaac: yes, yes I am right here, don't worry Michael you are going to be okay.

APRIL'S POV

I tried to find Isaac in the main house, but there was fire and smoke every where.

" ISAAC! " I shouted.

I entered the room and saw Isaac holding Michaeland talking, I remained silent because I didn't want to interrupt Isaac.

Isaac to Michael: I am so sorry, I didn't mean to put you in danger.

Michael: don't be sorry, I chose to help you and if I can do it again, I would.

Tears started dropping from Isaac's eyes

Michael: does that mean you forgive me, Isaac.

Isaac: I forgive you, Father.

April to herself: What Michael was Isaac's father?

Michael: Finally I can rest knowing you gave me another chance.

Just as he said those words, Michael stopped moving.

Isaac: father, please don't die.

Isaac started crying holding his father's body.

I came and got on my knees beside him and gave him a hug.

He looked at me and I told him " everything is going to be fine, Isaac; I am right here ".

Finn: take him and go I will distract them.

I took Isaac's hand so that we could run away from all the soldiers.

Once we were in the clear, Isaac fell down on the ground and started taking his breath and crying. I felt so bad that I couldn't do anything to help him through his grief, so I sat next to him.

Isaac: I forgave him when it was too late April.

April: I am sorry I have lived with both of you for three years and I didn't know he was your father, he must have done something really terrible to make you that mad at him.

Isaac: he sold my brother to someone.

April: WHAT??

Isaac: he sold him and he kept it a secret until I found out myself.

April: And what did you do?

Isaac: I ran away, months later your mom found me crying on the side of the street, she was just a princess back then at the time, and she asked me what do I want to be when I grow up?

April: what did you say?

Isaac: strong, I said I want to become strong, so she took me with her and that is how I met you back then when I was eighteen I was her best soldier, she saw me save her from a hundred men all on my own, so she decided to make me your guard instead of hers, she wanted to make sure that nothing could ever harm you and that when you become the Queen you will do the same to your child.

April: I don't know if I will ever be ready to become the Queen, it is just so much responsibility and choosing tough decisions.

Isaac chuckled

April chuckled too and asked: what was that?

Isaac: nothing, it is just that your mom used to say the same thing when she was a princess, she was scared of doing something wrong and it will affect her people. I guess your mother might be alive inside of you after all.

April's eyes started to bring down tears, and she smiled at Isaac.

April gave Isaac a hug and said: I don't know what I would do without you.

Shortly Finn came back to April and Isaac.

Finn: they won't be coming this way.

April: good job Finn.

Isaac stood up and said: is it really a good job, your people burned my house, killed my people, My father, so you better tell me something to make me trust you or help me God I will take off your head.

Both Finn and Isaac took out their swords.

Isaac: ok then; a fair fight it is.

Finn dropped his sword and got on his knees.

Isaac: What are you doing?

Finn: I promised Queen Flora to never raise my sword against her beloved daughter, and if I raised mine against yours it would be the same thing.

Isaac takes a heavy sigh

Isaac: Alright, that makes you on our team then.

Finn: You trust me?

Isaac: I have known you from before and if I know anything about you is that you are no liar, but it is going to be April's choice.

Isaac looked at April and said: do you trust him?

April glared at Finn.

April: yes I do, he might be helpful.

Finn stood up and said: what is your plan?

April: we are going to reclaim my home.

Finn: If you are going to claim Gana back, you will need soldiers.

Isaac: You are very optimistic Finn, what would I do without you? I almost thought about defeating the whole Maglands empire on my own; thank God for your help.

Finn smiled and said: I know where the Gana soldiers, who survived and didn't fall under Arthur's rule, are hiding.

April: you do?

Finn: Yes I do my Queen.

Isaac: Finn let me tell you something, start with that the next time would you.

Finn: But April, you will need to gain their trust, if they are going to follow you, they will need a reason to.

April: well, let's give them a reason.