Far from the shadows of the slums, a parade was ongoing across the city of Bournington, where the streets had dwindled in an equilibrium of before and after the attack on the city. Unlike the brilliance of the Festival of Fruit, which had been crafted delicately and with heart, this parade was a cheap, quick solution to solve the growing lack of communication between the people and the King. Many were discontent, despite the King's ruthless declaration of war on sin cultists, because he had chosen to press on with his treasured Contest of Champions - a process many deemed unnecessary. He had ignored such criticism and soon provided a speech to his people.

"A good day to you all. I am sure you all know that tomorrow marks the Contest of Champions, which will create my...our finest soldiers. Need I remind you that some enticing roles are available - General, Vice General, and all three of the captaincy positions. My top ten knights will be battling it out in the arena, and each of them has a sponsor from a splendid variety. I assure you, these championed knights will find those who attacked our beloved Bournington. This event shall become the face of my reign." The King said loudly, with a crew of fine gentleman and ladies following him.

Amongst the diverse masses, Axel and his sponsor, Annette Summers, had been obliged to follow the King in his parade about the city. The pair of them disliked the task, with Axel finding it a boring job that the general had dumped on him, and Annette being shy about her closeness to happiness; in Annette's eyes, the world was a black and white lens of despair. There was no longer light for the heart-shaped candle within her, that once lit up so bravely. Such a blessed fire had been robbed of its fuel, but still, the fair lady had occasionally offered few smiles on her emotionless face, despite her pains. The loss of Mary had taken a lot from her life, but Annette was fortunately not alone to cope with her mourning. Alsop had shut out the sincere smiles of sympathy from society, including his friends, which had left Axel out too. Thus, it did not take long for both Annette and Axel to approach each other in friendship and support and eventually sponsorship for the contest.

"I suppose you're not familiar with anyone here?" Asked Axel, he had recognised a slant to her adrift smiles at everyone.

"No that's not true." Annette had blushed at his startling surprise. "I know some, isn't that Victoria Magika over there? The popular magician - see I know!" She said emphatically.

"Victoria Magika? Yes, that is her. I'm not surprised you noticed her." Said Axel spitefully.

"Of course, I'd notice her." Said Annette, her hands clasped together, and her eyes entertained. "She's so well regarded, so smart, so mystifying." She said hopelessly.

"Tsk, you really envy a woman like her?" Asked Axel, his arms crossed in disappointment.

"I'd say so, Axel. Her blue eyes, full of life and hope, her beautiful, pinkish blonde hair. It's almost like she's a princess." Sighed Annette.

"Hah! There is no way she would be a princess, have you not heard of how she locks herself away in her manor?" Scoffed Axel. "Such a waste of power. For someone named the best magician in all of the lands, to hide away like that!" He exclaimed angrily.

"I didn't mean it literally, Axel." Chuckled Annette. "I think you are the one who is envious, maybe?" She suggested, a slither of a smile stroking her face.

"Hmph. Maybe I am envious of her magic, but you are certainly envious of her looks. You should stop with that." Said Axel affirmatively.

"Oh really? Why might I want to stop that?" Pondered Annette.

"You are far prettier than her." Said Axel confidently, his back to a staggered Annette.

"Don't be silly, Axel..." She replied with a tender smile, her hand grasping his blazer shyly.

Watching the parade through a wide panelled window, Alsop had been setting his eyes into the King from afar. A reflection gathered his dreary, dark stained eyes as he saw a rough, young man staring into him. Alsop had placed his hand gently onto the glass to inspect himself, a tattered, restless piece of flesh. Beside him on the glass, a golden aura had outlined a familiar figure for him. Mary was smiling. But Alsop was unfazed, for he knew what was real and what was a temporary pleasure around him. Thus, he simply turned away from the glass and clenched his fists firmly.

"I will give it my all for you, Mary."

His eyes closed as he settled his mind on the thought of his beloved, but an invasive knock had pounded into his ears.

"Who is it?" Alsop dryly sputtered out.

"Alsop, it's me, Max! How're you doing? Good, I hope? I brought you some food." Said his visitor, Maxwell, as he entered.

"Max. I am doing well. How are you?" Asked Alsop.

"If you are good, I am good." Smiled Maxwell. "Are you ready for tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yes." Said Alsop, his aura fiery.

"Great, I chose you for a reason, so don't let me down, okay?" Said Maxwell, a choice of words which he soon regretted, for Alsop's glare darkened.

"Yes. You - you chose me for a reason. But what exactly is that reason, Max? Maybe you chose me out of pity or guilt?" Questioned Alsop nervously.

"No! I-" Maxwell was quickly cut off.

"I'm sorry." Alsop sighed. "Giving me this house as a gift, sponsoring me for the contest, coming to see me sometimes. It just feels like you're ashamed or something..." He muttered.

"I've been caught out then, huh?" Said Maxwell in defeat.

He had walked over to the window as he let Alsop wait in patience for his confession. Alsop's observations had been true and thus Maxwell had been inclined to offer some form of explanation. It was a matter Maxwell himself was nervy about, but nonetheless, he soon came up with answers upon seeing Annette amongst the travelling parade. A sight which greatly saddened him.

"I am the Guardian of Wind." Maxwell sighed. "It's in the name. I'm a guardian, yet I let you down. I let you all down, my friends of all people." He said.

"Mary may be gone, Max. But I am still here. That is thanks to you. It is because of you I will live to see my dreams come true." Said Alsop.

"I could have saved her Alsop. She could be here right now, living your dreams with you. My mind was only on you at the time." Said Maxwell miserably.

"You..." Alsop gushed out softly. "You didn't save her though. That is all there is to say, right?" His eyes had watered like a sea of tears.

"I'm sorry, Alsop." Maxwell said with a turn to his friend. "I beg for your forgiveness, but I understand that's tough to give." He added.

"I want to forgive you, you're my friend, Max. I can't though. Not right now." Said Alsop as the two distanced themselves into timid silence.

Maxwell had locked his eyes firmly into the streets that once prospered, but now aspired; Alsop had fallen faint into his seat, as he crumpled into discomfort. The two had unwillingly clashed heads on a matter that imperatively needed to be discussed, in order for a sense of tranquillity to their friendship. Neither one of them had wanted to relive the fateful day Mary died.

"Max, why did you stop me? Why didn't you just fight alongside me? Why don't you ever use your talents?" Asked Alsop painstakingly.

"Because power is often uncontrollable. That is the case for me, at least. And on that day, I saw a monster who could not control their power, right before me." Said Maxwell.

"A monster?" Alsop wondered.

"To me, something chaotic was ruling you. Your mind was not at ease, and that is where a person is most at harm." Said Maxwell.

"Thus, came your decision to stop me. I see. But you must know that was a spirit I was using." Said Alsop, his hand hovering over his sword, laid dormant across a table.

"Yes, I figured." Said Maxwell as he came across to analyse the terrifying weapon. "How would you feel about using such a thing in the contest? Not to the scale that I had to stop though." Suggested Maxwell.

"I intend to use it but it's a pain to nurture. I have no clue how I got power out of the thing." Said Alsop.

"It is quite the surprise, considering you lack any magical talent. I can, however, offer you help in that regard." Said Maxwell with an excited smile.

Maxwell fumbled about his pockets, clasping a small brown pouch that immersed a majestic essence from it. Inside was a set of sea blue balls which illuminated the room as they rolled along Maxwell's palm. Alsop was surprised, and Maxwell was slightly emphatic, as they both knew what was before them. These blue orbs of mystical appearance were wind shields. Mostly a thing of the distant past, they were a rare sight in the modern, thriving days of the kingdom and Maxwell had brought three of them with him for Alsop to keep.

"These weren't cheap, I hope you know." Chuckled Maxwell.

"Yes, I know that! These protect me from magic attacks, don't they?" Asked Alsop, his eyes were interlaced with the bluish tint of the room.

"Yes, that's exactly why I got them for you. You're a great swordsman Alsop, but your magic is horrific, we both know. The others can fend off magic a little through their own magical field of sense, but you can't." Said Maxwell, as he began to sit close to Alsop with warmth.

"These are great then, but the other nine still carry the advantage of magic against me." Said Alsop.

"Perhaps so, but you are faster and much better with your sword than them. You must play to your strengths, not theirs." Said Maxwell.

The two had begun preparing a final battle plan for Alsop and his venture into the upcoming Contest of Champions, a conversation which took them deep into the evening.