56 A Carried Whisper (1/2)

Enjoying the feel of wind whipping through his hair, Leo rocketed through the sky as he did for two nights since he learned to fly. The New York city lights twinkled beneath him as if the midnight sky had settled below.

He had already taken a few laps around the statue of liberty, trying hard to stay out of the light of the island, but he knew at least a few people had to have seen him. Leo didn't know whether he was upset that they did, or amused at the shocked expressions he witnessed.

He flew around time square, remembering how many times he and Will had stayed at his place to watch the ball drop on the television.

It was a feeling he had always wanted to experience, the sensation of his fingers caressing the clouds. Ever since he had seen Aladdin as a child in his magic carpet, he had always wondered what it would feel like.

Leo looked below within the city, if he focussed hard enough, he would see many crimson lights within the city lights. He sighed to himself as he thought of the last few days.

It started with the kids being introduced to a television. From that moment, they also figured out how to turn the channel to the news. All it took was for Roy to see a robbery in progress to get him pumped up enough to go out to the streets. Since then, Will's Royal Flame Crusade had been unleashed within the streets of New York. Now, whenever there were reports on the news, he could almost see the new recruits rush out of the mansion in the direction of trouble.

Instead of trying to contain them, Leo let them go like the force of nature they were. If the men and women were to be of any use in battle, they would first need experience anyway.

Leo integrated patrol at night into his schedule as a way to clear his head for the next day. Since he returned, he would spend three hours researching different ways of modernizing Ebonhart as per Will's request. He would then spar two hours with Roy and the others. After a long session with the men, he would have breakfast.

Most of his day would be spent in an office that Michael set up for him when he got home. He had a lot of studying to do if he was going to be of any use to Will when he returned to Crystallia. He also set aside some time with Michael for some private training. Even though Roy was becoming a formidable opponent, nothing could compete with decades of combat experience.

Leo allowed his mind to relax while he flew through the sky. It was such an exhilarating experience, he wished Bianca were there to feel it with him.

Even though it had been a few days, it felt as though it was only a few moments ago that he saw Bianca board a private jet to return to Minnesota. She looked miserable as she climbed the stairs. Not once did she look back to him. Not once did she give the appearance that she was regretting her decision.

It still bothered Leo that it was such an easy decision for Bianca to make. How could she turn against someone she had been with for so many years?

Sure, Leo thought as he light my touched a cloud next to him as he spiraled through the air. It isn't as if things haven't changed within the past year, but he's still the same Will.

Leo thought back to middle school when he met Will. He had been a socially awkward child, never reaching out for a friend. He had always seemed perfectly fine with being alone, but Leo knew better. He had seen the loneliness within his best friend as if it were a chink in his armor. He had always seen an isolated kid, someone who didn't reach, only because he was afraid of what might grab hold.

Will had always looked for his place within the world, even as a child. When Leo finally approached him, it seemed like Will didn't even know how to respond. It was as if he hadn't had a conversation with anyone before.

He had always been made fun of for his one syllable answers to questions. He was the center of attention for his class because he refused to interact with anyone.

Leo didn't give Will a choice. He had finally approached him on the soccer hill and invited him to hang out. He would never forget the look on Will's face, it was as if he was relieved that someone actually realized he existed.

Will was the same now as he was back then. He continuously worked to gain others approval, as if he was reaching out and asking others to know he exists. As if he was a dying ember which needed to be stoked to make a decent sized fire.

That is the kind of man anyone could follow, Leo thought as he looked down upon the city.

Leo snapped out of his revelry as a familiar presence entered his mind. If you are done with your worship of our glorious Prince, the voice had a mocking tone to it. I could use a sparring partner.

Leo smiled as he turned back to Devereux Manor. This time I swear I'll land you on your ass.

Leo could almost hear Michael as he chuckled from the mansion. And just like the other ten times, I'll prove that you can't.

A bond had formed between Leo and Michael since he had gotten back. It was almost as if the man had become an uncle to him as well as Will.

Leo set down in the courtyard in the back of the manor, he knew the one up front would have most of the other wielders training their weapons, but had been told not to use the other. Michael had that one reserved for his own training.

Leo heard a high pitched whistle of admiration and smiled. He knew Michael had to have been standing right behind him. ”I really need to learn how to do that.” he said as water circled playfully around him.

”Sure,” Leo said amusingly. ”You show me how you control water and I'll give you some air tricks.” he chuckled lightly.

”Instead,” the water stopped dead in its tracks as Michael grabbed hold of it. ”Why don't you stop blowing wind out your ass and fight?” a smile formed on Will's uncle's face as the water formed into a lance.

Leo held up his lineage ring as wind circled around him. He took his other hand and cupped his ring finger. He then pulled his silver and gold sword from the ring. ”Your funeral.” he said with a smirk.

In an instant, Leo parried a lance with his blade. A smiling Michael whipped around him, lowering the lance to Leo's knees with the intent to throw him off balance.