14 The Heir (1/2)

Upon hearing his name, yet not his name, the once confident Will stopped his approach. ”What did you just call me?” he said in a quiet voice, not trusting his ears.

”Prince William Ragnos II also known as the Crimson Prince, Heir to the throne of Ebonhart, Crown Capital of Crystallia.” Michael announced with a formal bow.

”You have it wrong and you know it,” Will said with a shaky voice. ”I'm from Minnesota back in my world, my father is Jonathan Carter.” As he said his father's name, his confidence returned ever so slightly. There was no way the man could possibly be right. Will knew he was born in Minnesota and he knew Jonathan Carter was his father. He had been there his entire life, anything Michael said could change that.

Michael chuckled to himself within his cage. ”Where in Minnesota were you born?” he asked, ”Have you seen any pictures of you as an infant?” he continued, not looking as if he was going to stop anytime soon. ” Surely your father has shown you pictures of you as a child.”

The more Michael said, the less confidence Will held on to. ”Just stop!” He shouted, not able to hear any more from this man. ”I'm sure my father just hadn't gotten around to showing me since we've been moving so much.” He retorted, trying to justify the ignorance evidently growing in his mind. He couldn't believe Michael not even for an instant. The man only wanted to get out of the cage, he wouldn't let that happen

”And why exactly have you been moving ever since your mother left? Has your father given you an explanation? Did he put out a missing persons report? What about his job? How did he come about so much money as a traveling author? Have you read any of his work before? Money doesn't exactly appear out of no where you know William.” Will couldn't take it anymore, he put his hands over his ears, shaking his head. None of it truly made sense and he knew he had always questioned everything that Michael had just said. With the words now spoken, a door opened within Will. Not a door of power, but a door leading to answers for the questions he had been asking his whole life. Will felt his argument slipping from his reach. Every question that was asked was one that he had asked himself numerous times. How could Jonathan afford to move all the time? He had never truly seen his father pick up a notebook and pen, why didn't he ever get to see his work? Will couldn't stop the doubts from forming, picking away at the thoughts he already had of Jonathan. Soon the image that was left was not that of his father, but as his guardian.

”If you still don't believe me, let me out of this prison, so I can lead you to the truth.” Michael said, his voice soft enough to where Will could be comforted.

Will didn't know what to do. He had spent a lot of his aura to trap Michael in the cage, it also took a considerable amount of power just to keep it up. If he let him go, all of what he just went through was for nothing. All of the insults Michael had thrown at him would be practically forgiven. Could he really accept that? He had even gone as far as insulting the memory of Maya.

Will was at a crossroads. Either he killed Michael where he was and stayed the William Carter he had always been, or he let him out, possibly changing the life he had always known. He had never really put too much stock into the phrase 'ignorance is bliss,' instead he had always yearned for the truth. If Michael had just been goading him to let him go, then it was a pretty compelling story.

Will couldn't be so conceited as to think he would stay the same William Carter he was at the time by killing Michael. Jonathan etched it in his mind at an early age that all life was precious. If he were to take away a life without knowing full well of the guilt of the person in question, his hands would be tainted for the rest of his life.

He had to make his decision, if there was just a shred of truth in what Michael was saying, he had to take a chance. Reluctantly his hand came up to his chest. Slowly bringing it down, the cage came down with it. By the time his hand was back to his waist, it was just him and Michael standing just feet apart.

With a sad smile, Michael closed the distance between them. ”Follow me William, there is much to discuss.”

The man walked past Will and continued further. When Will turned around to follow, He saw a cozy little cottage he could have sworn wasn't there just moments ago. ”Welcome to my home,” Michael said as he held the door open for him.

Will didn't know what to do. He had just let his enemy go and now he was about to head into his house? The same man that threatened the life of his mother and father, he same man that had just finished calling him weak, and the man who had also blamed Maya's death on him? Will couldn't turn his back to Michael, as soon as he saw through this act, he would put him back in his cage. If the man betrayed him again, it would be proof enough to ensure his hands stayed untainted.