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Would everything be different?

In a difficult conversation, Marcus had pointed out to Meredith that she had broken their soul tie, the one thing he had been holding onto because of his love for her.

And it hurt him to be reminded of it through a conversation he had with her. It was even the very first conversation she had with Meredith.

It ached his heart furthermore.

Marcus was feeling emotional as he sat in the corner, staring into space as he tried to process everything that had happened.

As if on cue, Atlas approached him with a gentle smile, sensing Marcus\' pain.

"I admire you for choosing to break it," he said, "to prove your loyalty to us."

He didn\'t know what to say. Marcus was just silent, still grappling with his emotions. He knew that he had done the right thing, but it still hurt him to let go of something that was so dear to him.

He knew that they had decided on that for a very long time, yet it still hurt him especially now that it happened and it succeeded.

It\'s normal to feel pain. He was hurt.

Knowing that this is just going to be a very awkward conversation for them, Atlas decided to cut to the chase and tell him of Meredith\'s decision.

"Meredith has a sudden plan. She\'s staying for a few more days to train before going back to Aarkans . She wants to make sure that she\'s getting a better grasp of her magic. I assume that since we\'re still with Austin in his palace, she\'ll take advantage of learning."

Marcus just nodded, not saying anything. As awkwardness started looming in, Atlas couldn\'t help but make a comment about him that he, too, didn\'t expect that he\'d be saying to someone whom he hated at first.

"But you know what, Marcus? You\'re the one who has always been there for us, through thick and thin."

Marcus couldn\'t stand it anymore—talking with the man who Meredith chose. He turned his back so he couldn\'t see him, already telling him his decision.

"I\'ll be staying with you guys until we return to the city. Once we\'re back, I\'ll be keeping my distance… and just wish you two a happy life."

It was dead silent yet again. Knowing that they were enemies and at each other\'s throat before because of Meredith, how could they have a very wholesome conversation such as this?

Despite that, Atlas did his best to comfort him. He tried putting himself in Marcus\' shoes and thought that if it were him, he wondered if he\'d do the same decision.

Somehow deep inside his heart, he was grateful and lucky that Meredith chose him so he wouldn\'t get to experience the hurt Marcus is having.

Atlas continued breaking himself from his own thoughts.

"You\'re one of the strongest people I know, Marcus. You\'ve been through so much, and yet you still manage to keep going. You\'ve always been there for us, and we\'ll always be here for you, too. You can count on that—cringey as it may sound."

Hearing the last part, made Marcus scoff and laugh a little. With no more words exchanged, Atlas left him alone, the lone man looking up at the moon that was no longer full and complete.

And looking at it, he was reminded that his heart was the same.

***

Once Meredith was recovered, she asked Austin to train her. With no hesitations at all, he took her under his wing once more, agreeing to help her until she is satisfied and ready.

Meredith told them that she will leave once she felt like it, Atlas and Marcus honoring her words as they know how eager she is into honing herself into becoming more powerful.

For the first few days, Austin taught her potion-making. Now, they are continuing their lesson on the specific topic.

As they were walking through the woods, Austin stopped and turned to Meredith. "I have something to show you," he said mysteriously. He led her to a hidden clearing, where he revealed a small garden filled with rare and exotic plants.

"These are the ingredients for potion-making," Austin explained. "With these, you can create powerful potions that will aid you in your magic."

Meredith was fascinated by the process and the magic involved in potion-making. Days ago, Austin taught her how to mix the ingredients, how to stir the potion, and how to control the heat of the cauldron.

She was only taught one potion: the one that she did during the ritual. And now that they are having a focused lesson on this, she wanted to learn more so she can brew other potions that can aid her and other people if ever they need one.

"In a few days\' time, if ever you\'ve taken a quick grasp on potion-making, we\'ll study necromancy, yes?"

Meredith cocked her head to the side. "Necromancy?"

They continued to walk in the woods as Austin continued introducing what necromancy is. He also instructed her to get the ingredients that they need while she listens to him talk, further understanding what their next topic might be.

Necromancy… well, is the practice of magical sorcery involving communication with the dead. You either summon their spirits as apparitions or visions. You can also do resurrection for the purpose of divination. You can also impart the means to foretell future events… so on, so forth."

Hearing this, Meredith was distracted from looking for the herbs that they needed and turned to face him.

"Hmm… will this really resurrect the dead?"

"Depends," Austin answered, shrugging his shoulders. "It\'s usually dark magic and one that is not trampled with. It comes with great sacrifice, too. So better not to use it, no?"

Meredith nodded her head slowly. As she turned back to getting herbs, Austin crossed his arms in front of his chest, thinking of how to further train Meredith.