Isaac doesn't emerge from his room until late into the morning. He tugs at the white gloves he now wore, back straight. His stance was authoritative, but his face was tired. Dark circles were beginning to fade into existence under his eyes. Edwin wonders if the General had gotten any sleep last night.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡeInN6a588A
"Isaac?" He asks.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyUxF0XvE4
"Not now, Edwin." Isaac replies as he passes, heading towards the mess hall. He didn't even glance at Edwin.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw4w0bYliG
Edwin turns to Anora, and the two exchange worried looks.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsQtHekcaV
"I knew him getting that cursed blessing was a bad idea." He tells her.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTMtpZy9n0
"Do you know what he got?" She asks.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLkJmgas6v
Edwin shakes his head. "He didn't tell me." Anora fiddles with her sash. She was only a teen, maybe 19 at most, and was in the war because of her ailing mother. Her father had also been in the war, but had died in a battle not too long after joining. Her mother sank into a deep depression when she found out.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtM1yQaiid
Edwin felt for her. He used to be a father in a small town on a small island out at sea. It was burned when a group of pirates came along. He was one of the few survivors of the attack.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡOckVTKyuBU
But Isaac, on the other hand, didn't talk much about himself, nor his past. He had appeared as mysteriously as his own Myth magic was. Of course, Edwin could have said that exact same thing about half of the population of Eros. He wasn't terribly surprised. But Isaac looked just old enough to predate the war. Edwin sure did.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg3On5W1mj
Edwin lets out a sigh. "Whatever it is, he better get get a grip on himself soon." Anora nods.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbcMdNFS94
"Would you like to talk about this morning?" Edwin asks carefully. It was after lunch, and they were overseeing the midday training.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiOWeEe1mR
Isaac narrows his eyes, not daring to look at the Second, and remains silent. Edwin sees the General tug at his gloves uneasily out of the corner of his eye.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmNPGdGMOB
"What about the gloves?"copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZU5E1myIj
"Anora already asked," Isaac sighs, his voice rough. "It's none of your concern."copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU4LpXp2ri
"You weren't wearing them yest---"copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡxToDboJCZT
"I don't want to think about yesterday, Edwin."copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqghjUmivA
Edwin turns to face Isaac, his expression full of concern.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTdQc9XaZz
"What happened?"copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfKGtblj2p
Isaac shakes his head. "I have to go now." He mutters. He walks out of the training room silently, not bothering to look at Edwin.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7NUA4mq0e
The next day, Edwin walks into the training room to Isaac shouting, "Again!" He waves his hand furiously, with every Illusion Dome shattering with it. The Myth wizards present all stare at the General in shock. That was new.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkQLJy4XGP
Edwin takes a step forward. "Isaac."copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw7m3WMZxb
Isaac looks up at him, eyes alight with anger. It was the first time he'd looked at Edwin since the castle. "What do you want?"copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI05l4bIaE
Edwin raises his hand, and an Illusion Dome of his own shimmers into existence. The other wizards fade from view.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjEYYW7VNg
"What has gotten into you, Isaac?" He demands.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡbye14hA9jU
"It's none of your concern." Isaac growls.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv3dnSBkPE
"Isaac, if something is bothering you, you can tell me. But you have to keep it together---"copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yIYtxg73A
"I AM!"copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡsytczPdEbJ
"No, you're not."copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaWQLZh22v
Isaac grits his teeth. "Get out of here, Edwin."copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡyURV4nzGLT
Edwin's head spins, if only for a moment, and he blinks the dizzy spell away. He narrows his eyes at Isaac.copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpVcZxbDgW
"As you request, General."copyright protection147ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ewDPvUd67
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