Astrophos was on his way to where he was currently staying when a white bird flew and landed on his shoulders. He petted the bird then took the piece of paper attached to its leg. He rubbed the bird's feather again before sending it away.
He opened the piece of paper after he entered his room and sighed. As expected, the Magic Tower was informed of the incident so they've sent other mages to Moonvale. What's more disturbing for him was that they sent three Grand Mages.
"Aren't they taking this too far?" He mumbled to himself while looking at the wooden dusty floor. He closed his eyes and thought that maybe it was because dark magic was involved. He hoped so, that the real reason was Siron using dark magic and nothing else.
There were still three days before they would reach Moonvale, he still had time to prepare and warn Ezio. He was not sure if giving them a warning will be of any use because of that person but he still needed to try. He stood up and left the inn again.
"Master please control yourself, you are in front of the child," the butler placed down the cake and drink on the table while reminding Cygnus of his image.
He actually stopped laughing before picking up the fork and taking a bite of the cake. He was still smiling though.
"Who is coming?" Ezio asked. He couldn't stop his curiosity from showing. Inorder to make the master laugh like that, the people who were coming might be extraordinary.
Cygnus looked at Ezio, "The people from that place that you hate."
Ezio scrunched his forehead not knowing what the other was saying but after a while, he strangely understood the meaning behind Cygnus's words.
He staggered back after he realized who the people the master was referring to, "What-what are they doing here? Are-are they coming to kill me too?"
He was not ready to see any mages right now especially if they have bad intentions towards him. His heart started to beat fast and he vision started to get blurry.
The butler was fast to react and immediately supported Ezio. "Relax, if they try to do anything to you, I'm sure that master will step up and protect you." He consoled the teen them smiled at his master who was now frowning.
"I'm not a person with such aesthetics." Cygnus ignored the look that was being thrown his way. He instead returned to savoring the sweetness of his cake and hot chocolate.
Ezio was still a bit dizzy but thanks to the butler's support he felt a bit better. As the silence was about to settle down, the door to the shop was opened a bit forcefully followed by Astrophos's loud voice.
"They're coming," he announced. He was expecting a more shocked expression from the people in the shop but only found them looking at him.
"We-we already know." It was Ezio who spoke up to break the unwelcome silence. He supported himself by leaning on the edge of the counter while looking at Astrophos sheepishly.
"How?" Was the only word he could speak of that awkward moment.
Ezio slowly pointed at Cygnus who remained unfazed. He was still eating the cake slowly while taking small sips from the hot drink.
Astrophos maintained silence while boring holes at the man's back. He only received the message just a while ago, so it was impossible for them to know before him. The silence endured not until Cygnus has had enough of it.
"Astrophos, I am not obligated to tell you everything. How I know it, this matter is none of your concern." He was displeased and because of that his pressure slowly leaked out. It immediately affected the mage who came to disturb them.
He slowly took a step to where Astrophos was standing and every step consisted of a force that created an invisible weight on the mage. Unable to bear the weight, Astrophos was forced to kneel down.
"If you still want your life then I am giving you the chance to leave." His voice offered no room for discussion not to mention the fear that made Astrophos shiver.
Despite his situation, Astrophos still tried to spoke up. "Don't-don't be too proud of your-yourself..." His words were interrupted as he suddenly vomited blood but he still continued, "I don't know how s-strong you are but those grand mages are not to be underestimated." His voice trembled and even cracked at the end but he did not mind ass long as he got his message across.
"It's up to me if I want to underestimate them or not. Now, you may leave." He flicked his finger which created an invisible force that hit Astrophos and send him flying outside.
Astrophos hit one of the walls of another building before he dropped on the ground. He wheezed and coughed for a few times before he was able to steady his breathing. It took him a couple of times before he could stand up straight.
He gave the shop once last glance while wiping his mouth before he left with a limp. The damaged building was immediately fixed with a spell that the butler used after Astrophos left.
"Now do any of you have questions?" He turned to lool at the butler and Ezio but none of them talked. Especially Ezio who was still shivering after the altercation.
He was now questioning his uncle's decision of sending him to this man. Yes, his uncle mentioned that he was not sure if Cygnus was good but still he was better than just anyone. But after seeing what had happened, Ezio was now sure that the master was dangerous.
He gulped at the thought and promised himself that he will never get to the master's bad side or he might not survive.
"Good, because I am not in the mood to speak." Cygnus left the both of them since no one was speaking.
Once he was out, Ezio slumped on the ground, it was like the energy was sapped out of him.
"You need to get used to him, or else, you might not survive." The butler patted his shoulder as he also left to follow Cygnus.
Ezio gathered his legs and put his arms around them before resting his head on his knees. He didn't know if he can even get used to everything that was happening. He felt that he was being overwhelmed and he was even unsure if he really wanted to stay with them. He truly didn't know.
