Authors Note: Alright, for those of you who read the original chapter 20, I listened to your feedback and after rereading it over and over again I had to agree with you that It wasn't very good. So I rewrote the chapter. I feel this one stays closer to the core of the story and flows better, and after reading it, I hope you agree.

for those who didn't read the original, well, let's say you lucked out.

Here is the Chapter. I hope you Enjoy.

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Chapter 20

Brett let loose a sigh as he navigated the halls back to the room he and Callen shared and entered.

“Callen are you in here?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Callen was lying on the bed and reading a book. He looked at Brett when he walked in.

Brett flopped down onto his bed. “I’m tired of all these questions they keep asking. When are they going to be done with this?”

Callen set his book down. “I don’t know. From what I’ve heard, they can’t make a decision on what to do. The information contradicts each other.”

“Yeah, we are saying Calgar is a good spirit, but they can’t help but question his mysterious actions. I’d do the same in their shoes. But I don’t know how much longer I can be cooped up in this Castle.”

Callen agreed. “They don’t want us to be wandering around the Castle, so it can’t be helped, but I share your pain.”

A soft knock on the door interrupted the conversation. “Excuse me, but may I enter?”

“Come in.”

A woman wearing the servants’ uniform bowed as she entered. “Mr. Delgado, Mr. Trevino, you have been summoned by his Majesty.”

Callen and Brett exchanged questioning glances and got up. “Lead the way.”

The servant led them to a room that was quite large. It was a formal meeting area that officials would often use when conducting business with foreign dignitaries. In the room were King Michael, John Delgado, Fredrick Nishka, and George Trevino. They were all seated in a loose semi-circle.

The boys were about to kneel when the King stopped them. “No need for that. This is just a casual meeting. Find a chair and have a seat.”

Brett gave a casual wave to his father. “Yo Pops, how’ve you been?”

George Trevino was his father. His muddy brown hair was slicked back and he had stubble growing around his chin. His blue eyes drooped down, giving him a lazy look.

He returned his son’s greeting. “Not bad. You’ve been staying out of trouble?”

Brett shrugged. “More or less.”

George laughed. “Good. Your mother always rips into me when you screw around, so keep it to a minimum okay?”

Brett gave him a wink. “Roger that.”

Callen also greeted his father. “Hello Dad.”

John replied. “Greetings son, you bored being stuck in that room?”

“I pass the time by reading.”

John smiled. “That means you’re bored.”

After they sat down the King began to explain why he summoned them. “You boys have really helped the investigation by telling us what you know about the spirit. I wanted to thank you for that. Also I’m letting you know that you will be sent back to Astrid City and rejoin the rest of your classmates.”

Callen asked the King. “Does that mean the investigation is over?”

Michael shook his head. “Sadly, no it doesn’t.”

“Then what about Yumi?”

Fredrick answered him. “She will stay here until it’s completed.”

Callen’s face showed his displeasure. Brett spoke up and gave his opinion. “Wouldn’t this whole thing be solved that much quicker if we asked Calgar himself?”

John sighed. “If we could do that, this mess would be over by now. However he’s vanished. Not even a sign of where he went.”

Callen questioned him. “Was there anyone even looking for him?”

George rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Well, some soldiers searched a bit near the city, but nothing came up. The real issue is that we can’t spare anyone to go look with the war going on.”

Suddenly Callen had an idea. “…If you can’t spare anyone, then how about letting us look for him?”

The four adults looked at him in confusion.

He continued. “We aren’t really soldiers, and we know Calgar personally, which would be useful in convincing him to tell us what he is planning right?”

His father stared at him. “How would you find him? He could be anywhere.”

“Let us take Yumi.”

The King’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

Callen elaborated. “She is his summoner right? Don’t they share a link between themselves? We should be able to use that in order to locate him.”

The men turned to Fredrick. “Is that true?”

Fredrick thought for a moment. “It would work in theory, but… I’ve never heard of someone doing that. Do you gentlemen mind if I summon Seren? She might know more.”

The King nodded. “Go ahead.”

Fredrick reached inside his shirt and pulled out a blue necklace. He closed his eyes and called out, “Seren in the name of the contract, manifest before me.”

A light blue ball of water appeared in front of him. Appearing from the top of the water ball was Seren’s womanly figure.

“I have answered your call Master.” She looked at the people around her and noticed King Michael. “Oh my, if it isn’t your Majesty, is something going on?”

Fredrick nodded. “Yes, Calgar has disappeared and in doing so, left a trail of destruction. Fortunately it was upon our enemies, but without knowing his aims, we can’t help but worry about our own safety.”

Seren was surprised. “A trail of destruction you say? That is quite unlike him.”

The King asked her. “You speak as if you know him.”

“Yes, well, you could say that we’ve both been around a long time.”

Fredrick then questioned her. “Seren, currently we don’t know where he has gone, but would it be possible to track him using the link between summoner and spirit?”

Seren nodded. “It’s possible, however today’s magicians aren’t capable of doing it without extensively training themselves first.”

Everyone was downhearted at her news, but she wasn’t finished. “I could do it instead. I’ve memorized Calgar’s unique magical signature when we first met him at the manor. I can follow it to where he is now, but I would have to use Yumi.”

Everyone was surprised.

Callen smiled at her answer. “See? Leave it to us and we’ll find him.”

John shook his head. “You’re just a bunch of kids. We can’t just recklessly send you out on a potential dangerous mission.”

“Dad, I appreciate the concern, but I’m not a child anymore. More importantly it will help clear Yumi’s name. We may not have known her for very long, but I see her as someone important to me. Because of that, I’m willing to take the risks.”

John and Callen stared at each other. After what seemed like an eternity, John looked away. “Whatever. If you’re so set on this, I won’t stop you.”

Callen faced the King. “Your Majesty, I know it is a lot to ask and that there are many risks involved, but I beg you. Allow me to take a group to locate Calgar and bring him back.”

The King was hesitant. “Who would be a part of this group?”

“It would be Brett, Yumi and I. I was also thinking to add Olivia and her friends.”

“Ah, the team you fought in the tournament finals…”

“Yes, not only are they capable, but they aren’t soldiers either. It would bring the group to nine members. That is including Seren, since she will be with Yumi.”

The King looked to Seren, who nodded. “Hmm…While I’m extremely reluctant, I will allow for you to proceed with tracking Calgar down. I can’t keep using resources on this when the war demands more attention.”

Callen got up from his chair and kneeled. “Thank you, your Majesty! I will find Calgar and bring him back.”

The King overlooked everyone in the room. “This is a royal decree. The contents of this discussion will never leave this room. This mission handed down to Callen Delgado will be of the utmost secrecy. It will not appear on official records, as it does not exist. Am I clear?”

Everyone in the room kneeled and answered. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. Callen you are the leader of this group. I’ll alert General Velcose on the details and have him support you. Go through him to report any findings you discover back to me. I’ll have a carriage prepared for you to depart.”

“Understood.”

“Everyone stand. You boys are dismissed. Show me that it was not a mistake to put my faith in you.”

Fredrick stood up. “Callen, Brett, let’s go see Yumi and let her know what is going on. I’ll also pass on Seren to her as well.” He turned to the other men. “Excuse me.”

The three left the room and King Michael sighed.

George asked him. “What’s wrong? Regretting letting them go?”

The King nodded. “I hate this job. Either of you want to take over?”

The men shook their heads.

Michael chuckled to himself. “I figured.”

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In an isolated room near the top of the Castle, was Yumi Nishka. Since she was the daughter of a Lord, and hadn’t been convicted of a crime yet, she received a special privilege to be in this room rather than the dungeon below the Castle where other criminals were held.

The room was plain. It had only a bed and a small table with one chair to eat her meals at. The one window that overlooked the northern part of the capital had steel bars preventing any escape.

Yumi was lying on the bed, aimlessly staring at the ceiling. She was wearing a simple tan dress that was tied together with a string at her waist. Around her wrists and ankles were steel cuffs that could be locked together, and around her neck was an anti-magic collar worn by criminals who could use magic.

The collar blocked the flow of magic power in the body, making it impossible to cast any spells while worn.

“Calgar…”

Yumi’s head had been a mess these last few weeks. She had trouble putting her thoughts in order. Now that she had time to herself, she began to think back on what had happened. Calgar had told her that he was in fact a God and that they must part ways. She remembered feeling helpless as she could only watch as he left.

At first, she thought it was only natural. Why would a God stay with a mere mortal? She was insignificant in the larger scheme of things, but still she wanted Calgar to stay with her. He was her hope, her shining light, in the darkness that surrounded her when she was at her lowest point.

If she could go back in time, she wanted to at least tell Calgar her feelings and give him her thanks. Even if it was short, she felt happy with the time they spent together.

She rolled over onto her side and looked out the window. “I wonder how Callen and Brett are doing too. I wasn’t able to talk with them very much. I hope they aren’t mad at me.”

She closed her eyes and was starting to doze off. Before she could fall asleep, a commotion outside the room woke her up.

She dangled her legs off the side of the bed and rubbed her eyes with her hands. “Is it time for the meal already?”

There wasn’t a clock in the room, so she had no idea about the time. However, she felt it was too early for dinner.

A knock on the door followed by a familiar voice came. “Yumi, can I come in?”

She recognized it as her father. “Dad! Yes come in please.”

Fredrick entered the room. Yumi was happy to see him, but that feeling quickly changed to surprise when she saw Callen and Brett enter with him.

“What are you two doing here?”

Brett laughed. “Good to see you too Yumi.”

She apologized. “Sorry, I’m happy to see you as well, but I didn’t expect you here.”

“It’s okay, I was just teasing. Anyway, Callen and your dad have something to tell you.”

She looked to Fredrick and Callen. “What is it?”

Callen stepped forth. “Yumi, I’ve been tasked with finding Calgar. I’m putting a team together to accomplish that goal, and I need your help. Are you willing to lend a hand?”

Yumi didn’t know what to say. “But I’m under arrest aren’t I?”

“The King has made an exception to that. He allowed us to take you along.”

She lowered her head. “I wouldn’t be able to help you. Without Calgar, I’m just an ordinary and powerless girl.”

Fredrick sat down next to her on the bed. “That’s where you are wrong sweetie. Through the training you’ve gone through and the teamwork with your friends, you’ve become strong.”

“But… what if Calgar doesn’t want to see me, what if he hates me?”

Seren who was floating nearby, asked her. “Did he say that to you?”

“No… he only said that we must part ways.”

“Then you don’t know why he left. Isn’t this the perfect chance to find out? Are you just going to let him leave without knowing the reason?”

“But…”

Seren drew closer and put her hands on Yumi’s knees. “I’m sure Calgar had his reasons, but there is something you must know about him. While he is indeed powerful, responsible, kind and caring, he is not flawless. Calgar can make mistakes.”

Yumi looked into her watery pupils. “Really?”

Seren nodded. “Of course. No one is perfect, not even the Gods.”

“…I see.”

Calgar was not perfect. Why did hearing those words bring such relief to her? Maybe she had unconsciously thought that he could never be wrong. That whatever he did was the right thing. Perhaps being told that he was flawed brought him closer to her.

She remembered her wish from earlier. That she regretted how she couldn’t tell him her feelings. This would give her the chance. She gathered her resolve.

“Alright, I’ll come with you. There are answers I need from Calgar, and I can’t say no to my friends.”

Callen smiled at her. “I’m glad you accepted.”

Yumi stood up from the bed. “So how do we find him?”

Brett pointed at her and Seren. “That’s your jobs.”

Yumi looked perplexed so Fredrick explained it to her. “Seren says she can use the link between you and Calgar to trace his magic and locate him.”

“But Calgar severed the link when he left…”

Seren put her hand on Yumi’s chest and closed her eyes. “No, it is still there, albeit very faint.”

Callen asked. “Will it be enough to track him?”

“It should suffice.”

Yumi stopped them. “Wait, how will Seren come with us? Is Father coming as well?”

Fredrick shook his head. “No, I have to stay here. I’ll be lending Seren to you Yumi.”

“How? Isn’t she contracted with you?”

“She is, but I’ll have her contracted to you until you find Calgar and bring him home.”

Seren smiled and bowed to Yumi. “I hope to get along little one.”

“I as well Seren. I look forward to working with you.”

Seren turned to Fredrick. “Master, it will be for a short while, but I must annul our contract.”

“I understand.”

With the words spoken, a bright light sprang forth from their chests and burst into dozens of tiny particles. Seren’s body was absorbed back into the blue necklace Fredrick wore. He took it off and placed it around his daughter’s neck.

“Take care of my baby girl Seren.”

The necklace gave off a faint light in response. Yumi held the blue gem in her hand and closed her eyes. She felt the spirit of Seren inside. The bright light from moments ago returned however this time linking Yumi’s chest to the necklace.

Yumi’s eyes opened and she stared down at the necklace. “It feels weird to not have her manifested. I somehow can understand how hard a task it is.”

Fredrick laughed. “Well, that’s how it normally works. Calgar is the exception.”

Callen stated. “With this we have all the tools needed to find him. The king will lend us a carriage tomorrow. Yumi, we’ll come get you in the morning and depart in the afternoon.”

“I’ll be ready.”

Callen left and after saying goodbye, Brett followed after him. Her father told her to stay safe and don’t do anything rash, and if she ever needed help, to rely on Seren. She told him that she would be careful and he left after giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Yumi approached the window and looked out over the city. Tomorrow they would depart for Astrid City and begin searching for Calgar.