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Chapter Text

Chapter Text

“Lu… cas…”

Who…?

“Luca…”

He heard a voice. Very familiar, and yet he could not recognize whose voice this from.

“Lucas…”

Who are you…? He called. His voice sounded desperate as he reached out into the void that seemed to take him nowhere. But he knew in his heart that there is something, someone, who is out there, who is also reaching their hands out to hold him.

“The Ruby…”

Eyes wide open darted to the dusty ceiling, Lucas woke up in a cold sweat. His bangs were sticking on his sweating forehead, a liquid rolled down from his cheeks to his jaw, creating a tickling sensation to his skin. With a groan, Lucas wiped all of his sweat with one hand as he forced himself to sit up from his bed only to feel pain, his back twitching as if it was on the verge of crumbling into  pieces as he leaned, making him curse under his breath.

He immediately rubbed his back to massage it in hopes that would ease the pain — it did not.

Lucas finds himself sitting on a wooden bed, a memory crept into his mind as he remembered collapsing on this cursed bunk called a bed. He could only sigh as he felt another wave of pain traveling through his poor spine.

With his  back slowly gaining its strength Lucas decided to stand up to plan his day. As he takes a step, with a blink of an eye, he finds himself falling over the floor with a loud thud. He created a mess on the floor with necessities falling over from the bedside table, clattering beside him.

Lucas had his hands over his ears as he heard screams echoing in his mind. A memory from not too long ago flashed before him as he shut his eyes with a loud hiss.

"AAHHHH!!! HELP ME..!!"

Lucas hated this.

"HE'S COMING!!!"

He hated his life.

"HAVE MERCY! PLEASE!"

 Lucas opened his eyes again with a breathless gasp. His hand clutched onto his eye in pain as he felt an electric shock flow through his irises, an image of a hooded man appeared in his memory. His other hand grasped the only blanket on his bed. Lucas wanted to scream, and yet there was no voice coming out from his dry lips, only a silent grunt as he struggled to keep his composure, not letting the anger boil his blood before he could even create another calamity he did not even wish to happen.

A nightmare.

It was a nightmare. Ther sky painted in red, gray clouds covered the place with the ashes from the roaring fire danced through the heat in the atmosphere. The screams and pleas filled the air, reaching his ears as he only did nothing but watch, standing there, frozen as his eyes couldn't let go of the laughing man who continued to slaughter his people.

He did nothing.

He was there.

And yet he did nothing.

As the pain subsided, Lucas took a deep breath before hesitatingly standing up. He began to ignore the faded voices in his mind as he finally found the strength to straighten his legs.

His eyes searched for the light that is peeking through the dusty window, causing him to see a barren street filled with riffraffs and drunks, causing his sight to see the world gray. It was a place that Lucas hated the most. A place that could be deserving to be called nowhere.

Now where would he be right now?

"Hear ye! Hear ye!" A voice can be heard from outside. Pulling Lucas out from his thoughts, the urgent tone of the voice from outside made him peer from his window only to see people not giving a care to the announcement and continued on with their lives. Lucas did so and went his way to the bathroom, the light from the window left his pale skin that he left uncovered the whole night — which he regretted when he woke up.

As he walked inside the bathroom, he began to hear murmurs getting louder. With a sigh, he turned on the faucet, water came flowing down the grimy sink. Lucas stared in a daze, mindlessly watching the water running down the sinkhole with a loud gargle.

"The Aléatoires have been wiped out by a mysterious man! The entire kingdom has perished, no survivors were found!!"

Lucas gripped onto the sink hard, his eyes looking down, as he dipped his face into the cold water.

Drip, drip. The droplets met the surface from the grip of his black hair. Lucas took a deep breath, listening to every word the man said. Slowly, he lifted his head, eyes looking up to the broken mirror, all fogged up and blurry in front of him. He couldn't see his reflection seeing it was all covered with incomprehensible dirt all over the mirror. He grimaced at the sight when he could still see one thing in the mirror.

"It is the end of times! The fall of the Aléatoires!"

His Ruby eyes.

The town of Galleo, led by the selfish, ruthless king who always stuck his ass on the throne. Filled with people nothing but like him; drunk bandits, thieves, slaves. The story he was told before was all the same, though its history was nothing alike as the kingdom used to be a prosperous place unlike any other, ruled by their mighty king with a loving family who hold immense mana that could equal the other kingdoms on Incantasi — although they are still far to reach the Aléatoires and the Illeniums.

Galleo used to be a kingdom with wondrous things. What changed? The next king. All came down to what it is now since their prince ascended to the throne, putting all of the responsibilities on his shoulders only for it to be ignored and thrown away as if all the blood sacrificed by the previous kings were all in vain, turning Galleo into a dark pit with nothing inside but the scraps who lost its purpose, turning into a mold in the continent. And their new king did not care at all.

All hail the king. Lucas thought to himself, rolling his eyes.

He grimaced as he looked around the town, holding his hood to cover his eyes. Ever since the news,  Lucas has been more careful to walk around with his eyes out, especially when he's in the middle of a town full of rotten people. He wouldn't be surprised that he'll be captured by one of them if they ever find him as one of the Aléatoires and spread the news of him being alive. And if that news reaches that man, it will be over.

He felt another pang on his head, causing him to stagger as he walked. The memory was still fresh in his mind: the people's screams, the cries of his family, begging him to run away while they hold off the enemy for him, the laughter of the man, his sobs. Every image in his mind, all covered in deep red, like a film of a nightmare — the only difference is that everything that happened was true, no matter how much  Lucas would try to deny it. At that time, he felt useless, he felt like nothing but an anchor to his family, bringing them their demise. He remembered himself being pushed away, the sight of the war disappearing from his eyes and the scenery changed, finding him standing in front of the gates of Galleo, teary-eyed and with a broken face.

It was a gruesome scene.

And yet Lucas did not have the emotions to cry.

Only a veil of darkness loomed over his face.

The news caught him in shock, glaring deeply into the mirror like a madman. That man dared to take his home and destroyed it as if it was nothing, taking everything that was his, as if it never was in the first place. The kingdom of Aléatoire was like his plaything, all wrapped around his finger, that man could either wipe out the existence of Aléatoire and go to hunt the other kingdoms or he'll take over the kingdom for himself. Sitting on the throne that was supposed to be Lucas’, looking down on everyone.

The thought of it made Lucas furrow his brows. He was born with a blessed power from the god of the Underworld himself, he was born in the strongest kingdom of Incantasi, and yet here he is, one person that held a dead nation.

Such a weak kid.

Such a strong title he had and yet it was just a mere name.

He couldn't fight back.

 He is completely nothing compared to that man.

 Lucas blinked back to reality when he heard loud cheers from his right, he realized that he was in the middle of the town, standing so eerily. He shook his head to drift away from his thoughts. He needs to be extra careful when in public, he wouldn't want anyone to ruin this already destroyed life of his just because of his existence.

Lucas loves attention.

But he does not want anything that could only take him to Death's doors.

He paused for a moment to remember what he needed in town, seeing that he's in a market. It took him a while to realize that he's out shopping for his next journey. Of course Lucas would not stay in this hellhole for forever, he'd rather die than live in Galleo. No, no.  Lucas has already decided to leave the town the next day after buying the stuff he needed to survive. He also needs weapons as no one is safe in the wild. Especially when Incantasi is a continent filled with dangerous creatures and magical beasts, namely, the Forest of Ilian.

As much as Lucas wanted to buy what he needed, unfortunately, the town had nothing much to give. Except for alcohol and women, but what would Lucas do with a woman by his side? And a drink wouldn't help a little teenager such as himself. One thing that he would never try to defy, and it is to strictly follow what is legal in your age. At least that is how a prince would act.

But then, in all honesty, as young as he is, curiosity never left him to wonder what it is like to drink an alcoholic drink or two. Although, if he thinks about it, it might give him great danger if he ever lets himself get drunk in a place where barbarians celebrate daily. Lucas could see himself getting thrown by those bulky men into the nearest garbage bin and left him there to rot and let his poor, drunk self be stolen by one of the thieves around the street.

Lucas felt like puking everything out of his system as he imagined himself sitting in the streets, looking all lifeless and a sick drunk. Oh, he surely did not want that. He's a man of elegance and all after all, he'd hate to be a poor man in the streets, looking like one of them with his attractive looks.

 As Lucas continued his merry way down the beautiful plaza of Galleo, he stopped in his tracks as he felt eyes on him. He immediately turned to see who was staring at him only to see a poor bird locked up in a cage. Their faded colored eyes caught his attention, though its red feathers falling off their skin gives him a feeling of distaste. Lucas tilted his head with a frown before scoffing and left. He went and continued his way to the cart where they sell their fruits, in hopes that the fruits would still be as fresh as ever despite the town's... state.

Was there even a farm in this town? Lucas thought to himself, imagining what it would look like which made him wince at the thought.

 Lucas ignored the people who were trying to get his attention to buy their products and proceeded to buy what he needed. Those things are only a sham, who are they trying to fool? Lucas knows what is real and fake, he did not suffer years of his people trying to get on his good side, seeing their stupid smiling faces being shoved on his just to get fooled by these beggars.

Checking the remaining of his budget, he lets out a calmed sigh, seeing that he still has enough. Though, he began to wonder how to gain more money in case that he might have spent everything.

His eyes met the vendors and slaves walking down the streets, making their bestest smiles as they received themselves money. Lucas gulped at the sight as he felt shivers down his skin.

Two words.

No way.

He's the prince of Aléatoire, moreover the crowned prince! There is no way that he would end up doing labor to gain money. It was already tiring to live outside of the palace but working would be the last thing that he would agree to do. As much as he respected workers, he couldn't imagine a life of him washing dishes or carrying luggage around and following the orders of his boss. He would not let anyone boss him around!

It didn't take Lucas enough time to buy his food and necessities and began to walk away from the place. He finally finished what he needed to do, the last thing was to go back to his place and pack up, leave the place and never go back ever again.

Goodbye to the sticking place, hello to freedom!

Or so he thought...

As Lucas walked down the street, now with his things from his place, ready to hit the road, he had to go back and walk by the market to go to the gates. It was simple, really. All he needed to do was to walk normally, avoid bumping other people and he'll have no problem. What a simple plan for a high status man, He should be proud of himself for that because he is becoming responsible and not giving care to others problems as he should. Clap, clap.

Yes, it should be easy for him.

It should be.

Not until the bird that caught his eye earlier came running — flying — straight to his face, its talons landed on his soft cheeks, creating bruises and scars that Lucas grunted in surprise, as he tried to push the bird away. When he finally got it off of him, he recognized the bird and let out a weird noise, tilting his head in confusion. "What in Olympus is going on?!" He asked the bird which the bird only yelled at him while flapping its wings, trying to smack his face. Lucas stretched his arms away to avoid the impact but still his arms were getting hit harshly. He began to curse loudly while also trying to keep his hood on.

"THIEF!!" He heard someone yell. Everyone's eyes were on Lucas as he was being pointed out by some bulky bandit from a distance. Lucas realized what was happening and groaned to himself, slouching his shoulders in annoyance and he tried to deny the accusation. "I swear to the gods I have nothing to do with this!" He explained. "Here, you can have this back!" He held the bird up and forced it to fly towards its owner. It started to fly but to  Lucas’ demise after a moment of silence, the bird flew back to land on his head. He looked at the bird's owner only to see him glaring at him, all fused in anger.

Oh, shit.

"You have got to be kidding me..."  Lucas groaned for the second time, rolling his eyes.

When he finally got to leave town, praying that nothing was going to happen to him even the most ridiculous part, he was still cursed. The gods must have been having fun from above, watching him suffer in humiliation like this. And as much as he wanted to blame the gods, he just had to blame it all to himself. Because who is he? Just a thief, they said. When he is nothing looking like a thief when the owner of the bird looks like one! Lucas had thought to himself about how his life is just unfair.

 Lucas jumped when he suddenly saw the bandit walking towards him with a club in hand, dragging it on the rocky pavement, making a rattling sound, clarifying Lucas that it was one hell of a heavy club, ready to attack his gorgeous face — oh no, not Lucas face! — that is where he realized how much of a pickle he is in. 

He managed to take out his sword, the bird was still on his head. He took note to himself that he is going to fry the bird for dinner later as payback for making his life harder than it already was. 

 Lucas readies his sword, making a stance. And all hell breaks loose.

The fight ended rather quickly than  Lucas had thought.

Here he is, sitting on top of the bandit whose ass is up in the air after getting beaten by a scrawny kid who has a bird on his head, a rusty sword on his hand. It was utter humiliation. With a body that big, the bandit thought that he would have the hooded boy his own lackey, his plaything for the meantime after he would beat the crap out of him. He did not expect to get lectured, teased and poked around by the latter! All that muscle for this kind of humility. What a disgrace.

"Oh, he's not getting up..." Lucas muttered, realizing that the man under him was not moving, not even twitching. It was a sight to see that it brought a smirk to his face. He began to play with his sword, swinging it from left and right as he stood up from the comfort of his newly made seat.

Feeling a soft ruffle on his hair, he looked up at the bird who somehow looked happy as the outcome of the fight. What a weird one, he thought.

Lucas twirled, the sword landed on his shoulder, he put his weight onto his foot, raising a brow as he still saw the others watching him with a surprise look. He had his chin up, feeling the attention on him. Noticing their eyes on him, he feels like standing on the pedestal. Just what he wanted.

Notice him.

Fear him.

It's such a bliss.

"What?" He questioned. “Move, I don't have time for autographs,” He said, his voice laced with such teasing as he smirked at them. If you could peek through his hood, you could see him winking. Although, behind that glint of his eyes, was nothing but a cold look, emanating an aura that screams superiority.

Flustered, the people around him scurried away, giving the boy space to walk out of the place. Lucas showed a smile and started to walk, quite proud of his doing as his shoulders were pointing to the sky with such confidence. One thing he was in trouble, the next thing he had the people of Galleo fear him.

But he was nothing compared to that man.

And Lucas left the kingdom of Galleo with a sour look on his face, dreading the thought of his weak self.

He was delighted but then he felt empty.

...

Maybe it's just the hunger in his stomach.

Lucas took the bird with both hands, the bird struggled from his hold, a bit uncomfortable with how Lucas was touching it under its wing. Lucas showed a grin, tilting his head. The grin held nothing but a threat to the bird's eyes, staring back at Lucas with such fear.

"Don't worry…” Lucas whispered, his hand caressed the bird's feathers, his grin never faded.

“I'll enjoy you as my dinner.”

Shock brought to the bird's face and immediately pecked Lucas' skin to fly and escape.

"Hey!" Lucas called. Without any thought, he rushed to capture the bird again, taking him into a forest, blindly running into a place he doesn't know of and the dangers inside. Lucas could have just left the bird and continued on his way without any problem, but one thing is bothering him so much, and it is his empty stomach. There is no way that he is going to spend his first journey without any food stuffing him, and this bird is the key to solve his problems!

It didn't take him long to capture the bird back to his hands, it was lucky for him that the bird suddenly staggered while flying causing it to fall to his arms. Good thing that he was already under it to catch the poor thing before it could even meet its demise.

Lucas cradled the creature in his arms, feeling it trembling. "I got you...!" He breathed. He was running around for a while, that he began to gasp and  sweat a lot. It has been a while since Lucas ran that much, he never considered himself as very athletic and more into books and spells. The result of his fairly skinny body.

He lifted the bird up, examining it with a hum. He paused to see bruises on its back, still fresh and bleeding from the open cuts and burns. Unknowingly, his hands trembled at the sight, the sight of blood triggers a memory back in Aléatoire, screams whispered into his mind like a broken record.

His breathing hitched as he almost let go of the bird, he gasped for air as if he had not been breathing. Lucas looked down to see the bird staring up at him, worry visible in its eyes as if it knew what was on his mind.

The bird began to gently rub its beak on his palm, circling around despite its injuries. As Lucas watched, his breathing began to soften, a calm sigh escaped his lips, and his body relaxed.

Never expected to be comforted by a bird, but it did wonders.

After a moment of silence, the echoing sounds of the crows surprised Lucas, pulling him out of his bubble and finding himself standing in the middle of nowhere — standing in the middle of a dark forest — Lucas' eyes went back to the bird. "Well..." he sighed. “We are stuck…” He said with a defeated tone.

The caws of the crows continued to echo in the forest as he walked around to find themselves a place to sit on. He lets out a grunt before plopping himself down on the leafy ground making a crunching noise. "Let's make a camp here," he decided with a small smile. It's not like there is an inn in the middle of a forest for them to stay in. Lucas had no choice but to compromise.

Lucas took something from his bag, a magic lamp that he bought back in Galleo. He put it down in front, waiting for a good moment until it suddenly lit up without any flame. Just magic.

Incantasi is a continent full of magical things. From its nature to its people living in. And it continued on for centuries until kingdoms started to sprout like little seeds from the ground. First there were just two, Aléatoire and Illenium. Then there comes the other kingdoms; Nierre, Augur, Myre, and Galleo. Though everything didn't start off in peace. Yet the continent's mana still stood strongly despite the wars and the overuse of magic. It was the home of every magical thing. It's both a haven but at the same time it is hell to others.

Just like it is to Lucas.

Incantasi is hell coming out from Tartarus. Nothing good is in it.

Lucas didn't notice how he was furrowing his brows deeply until he was finished bandaging the injured bird. He blinked and sighed again, dropping his shoulders to calm himself down. The bird somehow made him act like this, giving his kindness to this creature - which is not something that he always shows. Kindness is nothing where there is only evil in the world.

Another sigh escaped his lips, letting his body lean on the trunk of the tree. He had his eyes wander around his surroundings, silently observing any suspicious movements. But under that silence, his heart felt a weight that forced him to fall into the depths of his thoughts.

He's been having a lot these days that he doesn't know what to feel right now. He looked down to see his hands trembling, he doesn't know if it's from fear or just tiredness from the journey. He shut his eyes, his hands forming into a fist as he crouched down, his breathing ragged. "This sucks..." He hissed, his voice was almost a whimper.

He felt a nudge on his side, with a trembling body, Lucas looked up to see the bird scooting close to him as it hummed itself to sleep, relaxing its body against him. Lucas frowned, straightened his upper body and stared down at the bird. Slowly, he reached a hand on its feathers, caressing it softly, the pain in his eyes subsided, calming down, the silence began to soothe his heart despite the eeriness in his surroundings. Lucas felt calm.

" You are also hurt..." He whispered. "And yet you still live…”

Lucas looked up, hoping to see the stars above but it was covered by the branches and thick leaves. He had hoped to see the stars again, from his balcony, in his own home.

Lucas relaxed his body against the tree, his eyes drowsy. Not long after, he slowly shut his eyes close, the warm breeze hitting his skin from the lantern, acting like a heater.

"Staying alive… huh…"

Lu... Lucas...

Ruby…

... cas...

Protect...

Lucas..

The Ruby...

Lucas woke up.

He shot up from his slumber and a shock of pain from his neck down to his back, making him grunt in pain. Lucas cursed under his breath, rushing to massage his back.

Groaning, he felt a sense of deja vu, seeing himself in a similar state back in Galleo.

It only occurred to him that he was sleeping outside under a tall tree when he felt a drip of water hit his head coming from the leaves. The water trickled down to his scalp, making his shiver, he immediately scratched his head to cancel the sensation. As the pain slowly faded away, Lucas began to stand up, turning off the still lighting lantern and putting it back to his bag. He felt a wave of dizziness when he stood up and heard a grumble from his stomach.

Right... He remembered. He hadn't had dinner yesterday.

He was so tired of running around that he decided to collapse himself to rest, forgetting food. The memory hit Lucas like a truck when he remembered that he had company yesterday. The bird that started all of this.

Lucas whipped his head to see the bird yet it wasn't there. He frowned, scratching his nape. "What the..." He muttered, wondering where it went. But then he thought that the bird had already left him and flew off to the gods knows where. Lucas didn't care much and decided to continue on with his journey and maybe have a good breakfast before hitting the road.

But then, something is bothering him.

Was there a pile of leaves beside the tree that he was sleeping on?

Not that it was something to be bothered about, but Lucas is weirdly bothered about it, tilting his head in wonder. He went over to the pile of leaves, suspiciously seeing feathers poking in between. Lucas sighed, realizing that it must be the bird sleeping underneath. He crouched down, poking the mountain with a stick that he randomly picked up to wake the slumbering creature. He heard some strange noise coming from the bird, a murmur and a soft groan. He waited and waited while continuing to poke the bird until it suddenly sprang up, causing Lucas to jump, surprised at the sudden appearance of the bird.

But it wasn't the bird that he saw who was awoken.

Lucas examined the figure sitting up in front of him from top to bottom with wide eyes. His breath got caught by his lungs when he saw the face of…

A woman.

Chapter Text

A woman.

A WOMAN?

Lucas shot up with his eyes wide. He instinctively pulled out his sword and pointed at the stranger sitting in front of him, still looking in a daze from her slumber.

"Who in the gods’ name are you?!" He yelled, finding himself breathless from the shock. The woman still didn't react when she had a sword pointing at her with such a threat.

It's not that Lucas is  hateful  towards women that he would go around swinging his sword in front of them whenever they get close. Because, who would have expected to have a woman by his side all night when he knows that he was alone the whole time — not including the bird he was with before — speaking of the bird, where was it?

Trying to understand the situation he is in, he noticed the feathers again that were around the woman and an insane thought slipped in his mind.

Did she eat the bird?!

"Why are you not answering?!" Lucas yelled again, though this time, he finally got the attention of the woman. This is where he finally noticed her features, stopping him and pulling him into a trance.

Aside from her eye-catching golden curls that fell from her shoulders to her hips, covering her pale, naked body…

Wait…

Naked?

Lucas flinched, finally realizing that the woman in front of him had nothing on her body but her luscious golden hair that acts as a blanket. The sight of it brought a small blush on Lucas' cheeks, although his eyes immediately moved up to meet her eyes. He still has some respect after all.

Lucas almost flinched the moment their eyes met, catching his breath away at the sight. It was as if he was staring into two gems lying down perfectly in a treasure chest filled with gold. The sun and the sky perfectly fit together in such harmony.

And Lucas can't help but awe.

He continues to stare at those innocent eyes that he finally noticed how beautiful this lady is. Pale skin, rosy cheeks, plumply red lips—and suddenly, the world turned upside down.

Like literally.

Lucas found himself getting flipped down to the ground, his sword was gone and the woman was on top of him, pinning him down.

It all happened in just seconds with a loud thud and a faint rustle. His eyes widened in surprise, the move made him hitch his breathing. Before he could even make another reaction, his body instinctively moves and hits his forehead against hers to push her off, earning a painful yelp from her.

With one fell swoop, as the woman's back was about to hit the ground, Lucas' arm caught her waist. The soft impact made her lift her head up to meet his eyes. Her eyes widened, mouth agape as he saw Lucas’ face as he covered the sunlight above them that somehow acted as a halo behind him.

Lucas couldn't help but show a smile as he noticed her expression, tilting his head. “Caught you, my lady,” He breathed with the sweetest voice dripped with a hint of tease.

Realizing what he was doing, the woman's eyes widened and immediately pushed Lucas away. It caused her to fall on the ground. Her freedom gave her the chance to crawl away from Lucas and hide behind the nearest tree.

Lucas lets out a soft grunt, dropping down to sit as he sighed in defeat. “What a harsh way to greet someone,” He said, almost sounding like a complaint.

The woman peeked from behind the tree. She gave Lucas a harsh glare. “To a man who is trying to make his way to touch me?” She answered with a scoff.

Lucas glared back, feeling offended by her words. “Look, lady, I was not trying to touch you,” He said harshly. “If there is a pervert between us, it should be you! I mean, look at yourself!” He pointed at her.

“HUH-?!” The woman was ready to tackle Lucas down again when she finally found out what the latter was talking about. Her eyes staring down on her body.

Her naked body.

Silence.

Then a gasp.

Lucas sighed in relief when the woman finally realized the problem. Watching her hastily trying to find something to hide her body, he rolled his eyes as he took off his coat and stood up to throw it to her. “Really, you are helpless…” He muttered to himself, his hand running down on his face with frustration.

The woman immediately received the coat and hid herself to wear the coat around her. The clothing wasn't much to help her from the cold, but at least it would help her cover up the indecent parts from the eyes of the public.

Now here is Lucas thinking what did he do to his past life to receive such embarrassment from the gods. He might've made a sin before and now they're starting to get revenge on him by randomly giving him a naked woman as if they were recreating Adam and Eve. The thought made him sigh again, shaking his head as his hands found their way to scratch his scalp. Now he fears what was coming to him next right after this shameful act.

"Done..." He heard from behind.

"Thank goodness..." Lucas told himself as he approached the woman right as he turned around. He looked up to face her, all covered up by his coat, but her hair and her eyes were still catchy even if she's wearing something pretty worn up cloth. "Now let me get straight to the point…” He declared, earning a blink from the other.

“... Did you eat the bird?”

“... Huh?”

“You know what I am talking about. Did you eat the bird?” Lucas repeated, his patience growing thin as he stared back into those innocent eyes.

“What do you mean I ate the bird? I was the bird," The woman answered, her frown deepens at the false accusation on her. Her reply made Lucas choke on his spit. 

"What?!" He exclaimed, his hands on his hips. "Pardon me, milady, I know that we are living in a world where everything is possible because magic exists. But there are times when you cannot just suddenly drop such nonsense as being that injured and filthy creature. I do not know if you are trying to escape your way out of this with a joke, but it will not work on me. I mean, who do you think I am ?!"

Lucas continued to utter out his complaints, while the woman was slowly distracted at a figure that was suspiciously creeping out from behind him. She made a frown which Lucas pointed at and said that she had the audacity to frown in this situation when he was the one being played right now. But she ignored him and proceeded to peek behind Lucas to see the mysterious figure, tipping her toes a bit since the man was a bit of a giant against her height.

And when she finally found out what it was, she immediately picked up Lucas's sword that she swatted away from him earlier and threw it. It was then Lucas stopped talking, his eyes widened in surprise. The sword almost got his ear when it flew past him above his shoulder.

After a short moment of silence, Lucas glared at the woman. "Are you crazy, woman?!" He yelled, now getting angry. "You could have killed me for goodness sake!!"

The woman made a face full of fear when the figure emerged from behind, leaning close to them. Her attempt to kill it was a fail.

Lucas paused when he felt a huff against his neck. His face dropped when he saw the reaction of the woman who was staring at his back. "Fuck  me..." He whispered.

Their eyes met.

"RUN!"

The forest echoed out a loud roar as Lucas and the woman made their way, running frantically through the woods with a beast running after them with Lucas's sword jammed on its shoulder, close to its heart.

They were still running around for so long and the beast still wouldn't let them go, roaring loudly as it trampled down every single tree in its way. Just the sight of it, staring back while running away, only caused their fear to spike up.

One question kept crawling in Lucas's mind while giving the woman a look. "Why? WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" He cried, panting loudly as he ran along, not daring to stop. He could still hear the roars and the breaking of the trees behind them. The woman starts to whine. "I'm sorry!" She sobbed. "I thought that I could kill it, I detest spiders!!"

Right behind them was a magical beast, Arachnid. Think of a spider and make it fifty times bigger, that's what they're dealing with. A huge spider who spits acid and different types of webs from its mouth. One look at those red eyes could also make you paralyze, pulling you in a trance while they make their way to trap you in their web and collect you for dinner. No biggie at all.

The two ran as their lives were at stake.They thought of creating a diversion but they couldn't seem to escape from the beast. And as they continued to run, they began to come to exhaustion. Note that they haven't had their breakfast or dinner, it's best to think that they'll be someone else's breakfast this morning. A miracle could only save these two, but what can they do? They are already thinking that the gods hate them to deserve something like this. Even a prayer won't help.

"I can't...!" The woman stopped, kneeling down on the ground, panting heavily. "I'm gonna die here..." She confirmed. Lucas also stopped when he heard her. "Damn, it's better if I could have my bird form back, it'll be better to escape and leave you here...!"

Lucas stared at her with wide eyes, his panic was replaced with anger, now ignoring the fact that the Arachnid is closing in towards them, its mouth is ready to spew webs. "Wow, lucky me to have you by my side then!!" Lucas sarcastically exclaimed, leaning his upper body down to stare at the exhausted damsel.

The woman rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut it…” She scoffed. “Whatever you want to say to me does not matter anymore, I give!” She sighed loudly, closing her eyes as if to shut herself away from Lucas.

“Such an optimistic thing to say,” Lucas said with a huff, straightening his body. “Look here, lady, I do not care what will happen to you, but I am not going to give in.” He began to walk away, leaving the woman alone lying on the ground without giving one last glance.

“Athanasia.”

Lucas stopped in his tracks. Just when he declared himself that he is not going to look back, he turned around with a confused look. “Sorry?”

The loud march of the Arachnid grew closer, and yet here Lucas is, getting entranced by the smile of the woman who is about to get herself eaten. She had her body sprawled down on the ground, her head turned to look up at Lucas with the most bright smile that she could muster as if she found something funny.

“That is my name.”

Lucas froze, staring back into her eyes as if he already got himself in a trap of webs.

Death is not something to be treated as a mere joke. Accepting your fate right in front of danger is not something to be smiling about, nor it is not something to feel warmth about. If anything, a person should be crying right now, regretting how they choose to give up and let themselves be eaten by their memories that are filled with their sins.

Lucas pursed his lips, a tingling sensation through his eyes as he stared at the woman, named Athanasia. While his ears listened to the roar of the Arachnid from a close distance.

If there really is a person who would smile as they accepted their cruel death such as this, there is one thing that appeared in Lucas’ mind.

Suicide.

A form of death that he completely detest.

As Lucas believes in Death as a form of a path towards paradise, and also dystopia. And suicide is a path towards nothingness.

As Athanasia decided to leave Lucas’ gaze, looking up at the sky, a shadow hovered over her, revealing Lucas with his hand out. Athanasia blinked in surprise.

“Huh?” She uttered out, confused. She kept staring back and forth from Lucas’ hand and to him.

“Lucas,” Lucas answered out of the blue, surprising Athanasia even more. Lucas tilted his lips as he noticed her confusion. “That is my name,” He added,  not meeting her eyes in the most awkward way possible. 

“What are you doing?” Athanasia added another question, not accepting Lucas’ hand.

“I am saving you. Watching someone killing themselves gruelly is just…” Lucas paused, a memory of his past flashed through his mind before going back to Athanasia. “... is just a pain in the ass.” He decided not to let his emotions flow.

She is just a stranger after all.

Athanasia raises a brow. Although she was surprised at how Lucas knew what she was planning to do, she did her best to cover up her surprise and shook her head as if to reject the latter. “If that is your reason, you just need to run away from here and do not watch,” She said with a huff, closing her eyes.

A vein popped out of Lucas’ forehead, his brow irked at Athanasia's words, and he was ready to give her the scolding of the century when the Arachnid stood before them with its glaring eyes and its drooling teeth.

Lucas knew that they were beyond saving.

Only an act of miracle could only save—

"Wait!" Now, who was that?

Athanasia and Lucas jolted up when they heard a third voice. Their heads turned in the direction they heard the voice with their eyes wide and a mix of confusion and curiosity in their faces. Standing in front of them, is a person, with his arms spread wide as if he was protecting them. All they could see was the person's back and his quite soft blue hair. What's more surprising is that the Arachnid immediately stopped when he told it to wait, his voice filled with such authority. The creature can't help but screech in complaint, trying to argue with him.

"What the—" Lucas cursed out, seeing everything happening in front of him. He turned to his new companion with a frown and pointed at the new guy. "Did you just see that...?" He whispered, in shock.

The person slowly turned when he heard Lucas, showing his face. Athanasia and Lucas were quite surprised at the sight they saw.

Soft blue hair like a little cloud, ready to pour a trickle of rain. With round blue eyes that glistened under the Autumn sun. And pale skin, although turning red from the warmth of the season, painting his melow cheeks that is somehow quite tempting to touch and squeeze.

They never expected that their savior looked so innocent, almost like a child if it wasn't for his height. He even smiled at them which put an ease to their hearts, he had the smile of an angel. "Hello...?" He greeted them softly, almost like a question. And the two reacted with a light blush.

His voice is so gentle! For a guy who stopped an Arachnid with just a word, they thought that this was a different person.

Before Lucas could utter a word, the Arachnid yelled and raised one of its legs, ready to jab the person at the back. "Look out...!" Athanasia managed to yell out a warning to which the bluenette immediately said with a kind smile, "Could you please cover your ears for me? I don't want you guys to be affected..."

With his sweet voice, they couldn't help but listen and covered their ears as if they were lulled into a spell. As soon as they got themselves covered, the person turned to face the beast, its claw was inches away to pierce him but it stopped when their eyes met. Red against blue. The warmth in his eyes faded, replaced with a deep abyss of emptiness, pulling the Arachnid in a daze. Soon enough the color of its eyes turned white, there was no sign of life found now. While Athanasia and Lucas watched even though they couldn't hear nor comprehend the words the other guy uttered out, they were in shock at the sudden change of demeanor and aura.

Just the sight of it made them shudder.

He turned around, his eyes blinking as if to adjust his eye color, his warm look came back as he gave them a reassuring smile. The two knew that it was all done when they saw the beast turned into dust. They couldn't utter a word, mouths were agape.

"Beru," He introduced to them when he realized the look on Lucas's and Athanasia's tells him that they were still speechless, the thought made him chuckle softly. "My name. Nice to meet the both of you here." There was a glint in his eyes that they couldn't quite seem to catch.

And here's Lucas thinking that he had seen enough of the world, just to see new things when he stepped out of the palace. 

"And welcome. In the Forest of Ilian."

He never knew the new wonders that awaits him could be terrifying.

Chapter Text

"Fascinating..."

Lucas raised a brow, turning his attention to Athanasia who leaned close to his face, her eyes filled with deep curiosity and surprise as she stared deeply into the man's eyes. The latter could only utter a grunt, confused at the way Athanasia stared at him, completely oblivious of what was happening whether he's wearing something on his face or if it's just that he looks weird in the woman's eyes. Whatever it is, Lucas doesn't like it and he wants her to stop.

After meeting with the soft boy named Beru, they were taken by the latter to follow him to get them to safety. He just disintegrated an Arachnid not long before but that doesn't mean that they are completely covered from the dangers lurking in the forest, not when he introduced them that they were in the deadliest forest in Incantasi. The Forest of Illian.

To their surprise, there was a majestic tree house lying around in the middle of the forest. Its great architecture looks like it was built solely for survival as it was completely hidden in the sequoia trees. It doesn't even look like a house, but if you look closely, you can see quite a bit of its homely structure peeking out from the bark of the trees. With its thick physique, it is also sturdy against the beast's attacks especially at midnight where they are lurking and hunting actively. Lucas can tell that the place was planned as it was built.

And here they are, sheltering under Beru's abode, sipping a very welcoming tea, looking like lost children.

"Would you stop that?" Lucas grumbled, scurrying away from the blonde, his brows furrowed in discomfort. He lets out a huff before taking a good sip of his warm beverage. The sweet taste of the drink calmed Lucas' nerves after all that shenanigans that's happening to him so far.

This tea might be the only best thing he ever had ever since he left home.

Athanasia frowned, moving away despite having the big distance between them. She relaxed herself against the soft cushions of the seat they shared and examined her surroundings. Completely surrounded by mother nature herself. Wood, carved into beautiful ethnic design as a wallpaper; vines, everywhere in the room, showing its aweing leaves that dance along with the soft breeze from the outside. All furniture was all made and connected to the sequoia trees and were skillfully designed well. It was such a simple decor and yet it brought light in Athanasia's eyes.

The interior aside, Athanasia gave Lucas a second glance again. Her eyes seemed to have stuck into Lucas's red ones. As she stared deeply into them, she sucked a breath, pursing her lips. "I've never seen such red eyes..." She muttered out loud, eyes never blinking for she might lose those deadly eyes of the man.

This is where Lucas finally realized what she's been fussing about ever since they arrived. Eyes wide, he immediately covered his face with his hood, head completely turning away from Athanasia's gaze. "You... You saw nothing..." He stammered out of panic.

As Athanasia was about to comment on his words, reaching out to take off Lucas' hood - not just to annoy him, not at all - their moment stopped when Beru walked in with a tray of sweets in his hands. His kind smile came back and brightened the whole room, all the tension and uneasiness were long gone as if it were never there in the first place. "Have some snacks, I'm sure after all that running, you two are not just exhausted but also hungry," he said, settling down the tray and sitting across them. "Please. Help yourselves."

Athanasia and Lucas stared at Beru for a good second before taking a cautious bite, the smell of the food brought the two back to the realization of how much hunger they have after all the running. The sweet taste was just the same as its scent the moment the food touched their tongue. Their mouths sang in delight and their stomachs cheered for a new kind of deliciousness coming in. It was sheer bliss. The two didn't hesitate to grab another bite after the first one.

Beru watches the two enjoying their snacks along with their drinks with a smile, quite content at the sight he's seeing. But that feeling soon stopped when he noticed Lucas' eyes that were peeking from his hood. Its color was too vibrant, it was impossible for the others not to see and point it out. Especially when someone knows what that means to have red eyes.

“I never thought that I would get to meet an Aléatiore in my forest…” Beru commented. His words made Lucas choke on his food.

After a good load of coughs, Lucas looked up to meet Beru's eyes. He couldn't help but feel a bit of suspicion behind those blue irises. Beru was smiling at him, bright he might add, although there was something that called out Lucas to never trust that smile.

“What…?” Lucas questioned, blinking with wide eyes. Beru only tilted his head and hummed as a response. “What do you mean?” Beru chuckled, leaning back to his seat, his legs crossed. “No one on the continent who does not know about the infamous Ruby Eyes that only appears once…” Beru gave Lucas a knowing glance, the glint in his eyes dimmed for a moment. “... well, until you arrived.”

Silence filled the room, noty until Lucas broke a sheepish smile, it could have been mistaken as a smirk. "I did my best to hide my eyes… then again, one or two people knowing would not hurt..." He said with a defeated chuckle, quite regretting the actions he showed and that he failed the most important thing to do for his survival, and it's that to hide his red eyes that would a hundred percent tell that he's a royalty from the Aléatoires. He lets out a sigh, relaxing his shoulders. "Good to know that I suck at hiding..." 

While Lucas was cursing at himself in his mind, hiding behind the mask he made for himself, Athanasia stared at him with a surprised look, her hand hovering in front of her mouth that was wide open in shock as she was ready to give herself another bite but stopped, shocked at the new revelation. Beru on the other hand showed a troubled look, letting out a nervous chuckle, “Gods bless me..." He muttered in a whisper. He knew that his demise had fallen onto his palm the moment he and Lucas met.

Now, how should he deal with this?

"Are you for real?" Athanasia finally got to utter her words. Leaning close with her eyes narrowed. "You're really from the royal family of Aléatoire? The Aléatoire that was massacred by one mysterious man..." Athanasia paused, letting out a gasp as she found another fact. "... You're the last Aléatoire..."

Lucas grimaced at her words. Just mentioning that past made his blood boil as it would pull him to the memory of his loss against a mere man. Meaning that despite being a chosen one, he is a weak kid who had to be saved by his stupid family. Then again, he would be one with them under the rubles right now if it wasn't for their sacrifice. He could at least give them a small kudos for the effort.

Lucas was never really fond of his family, he did not even consider them as one. Ever since he was being forced to be different and to be the most perfect man to ever exist, as he was born with an ability that the family would be jealous for, Lucas never learned what familial love feels like.

And Lucas does not want to know.

Although, there is one person that he considered as special to his heart.

Then again, it was all in the past.

Now, Lucas is all alone now.

…

Lucas felt a shiver down his spine, he felt as if all of his hair were standing. What was that kind of thinking? He had never thought of being afraid to be alone. If anything, that kind of fear is only a burden to his journey to gain back the name that was once destroyed.

Lucas could only let out an exasperated sigh, running his hands through his disheveled hair. "What, are you two gonna knock me out and take me to that madman? Or perhaps, spread the word that there is still one Aléatiore left from the attack?" He asked, his voice laced with such sarcasm as he rolled his eyes.

If they would, Lucas is ready to unsheathe his sword and turn this house into a bloody massacre.

"Goodness, no..." Beru answered, surprising Lucas. “I mean, you have already dealt with enough pain… you lost your family, your home, your people…” His voice faltered.

It was not like I cared about that though… Lucas wanted to say, but then he was enjoying watching the look on Beru's face. This guy looked naive - if you disregard the hidden look behind that mask that has been bothering Lucas.

“Although, if you cause things such as trying to harm this forest, it would be a different topic.”

There it is. Lucas snapped his eyes to meet Beru's. Blue slowly mixed with a hazy color of white, burning brightly as the house suddenly shook. Lucas could hear birds screaming from the outside,  and faint roars from a distance from here.

Lucas couldn't help but show a nervous grin. He did not give in to break off the eye contact between them. “Now, I wondered what was this eerie feeling that kept bothering me…” He said through gritted teeth. “I figured out what it is.”

Beru raised his chin, smiling back.

Lucas heard from the grapevine made by his people, about a young man living within the dark trees of Ilian. He heard that the young man has tamed the monsters living in the forest, along with his mysterious ability that was unknown in the magic books. This mans’ ability could move the hearts of every living being with only his voice. A soft melody leaving those innocent lips, secretly laced with poison as it reached the ears of others, tainting their memory as well as their emotions into his.

The Ruler of Ilian.

“Great to know that there is someone who still knows about me,” Beru only replied with a smile, moving his head to the side as he leaned close. He had his elbow on his crossed leg, his chin rested on his palm. “If you know, it is better for you to leave as soon as possible.”

Lucas’ brow twitched as a reaction. What an instant demand, the boy isn't even putting on a mask anymore.

“I know the dangers that will come to you as the time comes when someone finds out about you surviving, and I will not let the forest be in the fruits of the danger that you will befall,” Beru further stated.

Lucas stared at Beru for a moment, silence filled the room again, and Athanasia did not even bother to interrupt as she prioritized the snacks on the table. After a second or two, Lucas closed his eyes and sighed, leaning on the back of his seat. “Do not worry, I was already planning to leave this place right after I finish this food that you kindly gave,” He muttered, he opened his eyes, showing his calm demeanor. “I have somewhere I need to be.”

Beru then showed a genuine smile, surprising Lucas. “Great! Please help yourself, if you want, you can take some for the journey!”

As someone who is feared by many, this boy sure is weird. Lucas kept that thought to himself.

"For a boy, you sure talk old," Athanasia commented out loud, her eyes now at Beru who was surprised at her commentary. 

The two turned their heads towards Athanasia with a confused look. The girl only ignored the look on their faces as she continued to munch the cookies. It doesn't sound like an offending question, does it?

Lucas wanted to argue, but then noticing the look on Beru, he decided not to and took a sip of his tea. This is not his own matter to begin with, him trying to interrupt this sudden interview is just a waste of energy.

Beru clasped his hands together as he leaned close towards Athanasia, having his legs wide for his elbows to lean on.  "Correction, I am not a kid," He said. "And before you could ask anything, no,  I am not immortal," he added with a scoff, giving Lucas a short glance in which the latter flinched as he was read. "I am nothing but a lone teenager…”

“Still a kid,” Athanasia cuts him off, almost making Lucas let out a scoff.

Beru made a sheepish smile, he opened his mouth to argue, but decided not to. Seeing Athanasia makes him think that he can't win an argument against her. He shook his head and continued to tell them a short introduction about him. “I speak like this, maybe I got it from my grandmother or from reading some ancient books..." He tried to babble more but then he gave up and let out an exasperated sigh, slouching his body. "Yeah..." He ended.

Athanasia and Lucas were both stunned at Beru's explanation. They did not expect that kind of answer and thought of something else. For instance, Beru's an immortal, or he's an old magician who concocted a spell to make himself look younger, but no, he's just a youngster like them who speaks weird. Such a funny thing.

"Where... Where is your grandmother then?" Athanasia, who barely can't comment on Beru's explanation, decided to make another question as a sweat formed on her forehead. Beru turned to her direction and showed a soft smile. "Oh, she passed away from old age," he replied. There was a low tone of sadness in his voice but he still tried to hide it.

Lucas did not let that tone slip out from his ears, his eyes widen a bit as he realized despite being used to threaten people away with those powers and aura that he has, Beru is still a kid at heart who also lost his loved one.

A lone teenager.

Huh…

"Oh..." Was all Athanasia could say.

Beru hummed as a response.

“Was it your grandmother who taught you with that ability?”

And all eyes were now on Lucas. Beru was surprised to see Lucas joining the interview, while Athanasia stared at Lucas with interest about the question. She then became curious and turned to Beru for his answer.

The blue-haired boy only scratched his nape as he pursed his lip. “Kind of…?” It was not the kind of answer that Lucas expected.

He raised a finger and a bird came out of nowhere, landing on him right after he let out a whistle. Beru showed a satisfied smile. "Of course it is an unusual ability that cannot be read in the books as this power was known during the ancient times before the kingdoms resurfaced..." He told them with a shrug. The bird flew away when he leaned close to its ear to give a soft whisper. His light voice reached Athanasia's and Lucas' ears that somehow caught their attention even though they couldn't hear a word. Just a sound. And yet it felt something in them.

And with a snap of a finger, a flock of birds burst through the windows, their voices creating a song in the room. A melody in their ears, flowing like an orchestra. It sounded like a magical greeting from the creatures as they danced in the room, like a clean flow of the water, their colors mixed into a beautiful harmony. Athanasia and Lucas could only watch in awe despite the confusion delved into their minds as they tried to solve what was happening. Such a mesmerizing sight for just a small sound.

"Pause," Beru said, pulling the two out of their thoughts and turning their way to his direction. Air caught in Athanasia's and Lucas' lungs when they found the birds stopped suddenly, as if time stopped.

Beru cleared his throat and stood up while wiping his hands on his pants. "Well..." He said, his voice filled with anticipation as he stared back to Athanasia's and Lucas' astonished expressions. Beru lets out a laugh, shaking his head. He must have expected this reaction even after years of no human interaction. "This is not much for me but I think this proves my ability to you..." He muttered to himself. He raised his hands and danced as he said, "Scatter." The bird willingly followed his words that were filled with such authorization despite his voice sounding soft and gentle. 

The fact that Lucas could see this ability in person. He had only heard about it from the walls of his palace, and to be one of Beru's audience was definitely lucky for him to see. It was such an ability that amazes Lucas, pulling him into a trance.

"It's nice to start small, you know," Beru's voice pulled Lucas out from his thoughts. "As you can see, I have an ability to control beasts or creatures at my will with only my voice. And as much as I hated this ability, it helped me to get to know more about the nameless creatures that were still not in the books."

Athanasia sucked a breath, finally finding her thoughts back. "Wow... I mean..." She choked. "Such a simple ability and yet it's powerful..." As words slipped out of her mouth, the more her voice turned into a whisper. "It is obvious that you have a large amount of mana. How were you born with that...?"

"I don't have a sound," Beru simply said. "I mean, when I was born, I was born without a sound. I have no voice. My parents carried me here. This place was my grandmother's, and she is one amazing healer..." His voice trailed off, he took a deep breath and continued. "Well, long story short, her ability healed me and suddenly it went the wrong way and turned my voice into an ability." He ended with a sigh.

"So, your grandmother never really taught you to have that ability, rather she saved you with that..." Lucas frowned. "But then, for her to use an ancient magic on you…”

Beru showed a grin, somehow the leaves in the room danced along the gentle breeze of the wind that made its way inside the room. "My grandmother simply missed a spell and mixed them for me to have a voice and power at the same time. So, if it was not for her, I would have grown to be a normal guy. Funny story.”

Lucas closed his mouth, surprised at Beru's response soon enough his face turned into an amused frown. "Damn right."

Beru clapped his hands together. "I think I talked too much about myself! How about you two love birds, how are you two here in this forest where death lurks around?" He questioned, his joint hands pointed at the two in question. Beru's words turned Athanasia and Lucas eye-wide, glaring at him at the sudden assumption.

"I am not with her," Lucas retorted, shaking his head. "I met her in Galleo, almost killed me... twice..."

"It was not my fault when you look like someone who would attack me at any moment," Athanasia interjected, her arms crossed as her glare moved from Beru to Lucas. "And correction, I did not try to kill you earlier, the Arachnid showed up right behind you!" Her voice turned louder as she let out a word. Beru seemed interested in their weird story and watched the two continue to bicker like an old married couple.

But then, this bliss must be stopped as he wanted to ask another question. "So you two are not involved romantically, and not even friends?"

The two replied with a shake of their heads.

Beru hummed, nodding along. "Well, that is not my own matter to bother, as long as you two are eager to leave this forest, that is all I care," he changed the subject, trying to keep this odd conversation as normal as ever. He stood up from his seat to pick up the empty plates to refill with freshly baked cookies. And as he had his back turned…

“You sure are eager to push us out of this forest, huh?”

Beru stopped on his tracks.

Lucas has his eyes on Beru.

Slowly, Beru turned to meet Lucas' eyes with a cold expression, his eyes turned white for a moment. But Lucas was fast to notice a hint of hesitation behind those white irises that somehow flickered a hint of blue behind. 

Then Beru smiled, the hidden expression was gone in a flash before Lucas could point it out.

“I am only doing whatever I can to protect my home,” Beru simply replied. He turned, leaving Lucas’ eyes.

“That is all.”

Lucas watched Beru walk out of the room without any more to say. He scoffed, crossing his arms as he let himself fall into the soft cushions of the couch.

“What a liar.”

“Huh?”

Beru blinked as he made his way back to the living room with a new batch of cookies, when he saw that it was only Athanasia who was sitting on the couch. He looked around before returning to Athanasia as he put down the tray. “Where is Lucas?” He finally asked.

Athanasia immediately went in and attacked the sweets. “Hrm…?” She made a big gulp. “Oh, that guy? Yeah, he already left.”

Beru paused, his lips closed into a firm line as he couldn't find any words to say. He then shook his head when he noticed how Athanasia looked like she was trying to read his face. “That sounds great. Now this forest will be safe.” He sighed. “But… when are you going to leave?”

Athanasia tilted her head, showing an innocent smile. “Until you pack me a bunch of these for the journey.”

Beru blinked, his smiling face froze. “Huh.”

“Yep.”

“...”

“...”

Beru sighed in defeat, shaking his head. “Really, you…”

Athanasia picked up a cookie, admiring it with a bright smile. “Also…” She took a good bite, her lips letting out a satisfied squeal. “You look lonely.”

Beru froze. His eyes widened at her words that he couldn't even lift his head up to meet her eyes. Although, Athanasia wasn't staring at him as she was busy with the sweets.

Noticing the silence, Athanasia finally gave Beru a look, sighing as she saw him frozen in place. She pursed her lips, moving her eyes to the ceiling as she recalled her last conversation with Lucas.

“You're leaving already?” Athanasia scoffed, seeing Lucas finally standing up after a moment of sulking on his seat. Lucas gave her a glance as he picked up his things. “I do not have time for this nonsense,” He simply replied.

Athanasia tilted her head before glancing to where Beru went then back to Lucas. She sighed, shrugging while she chuckled. “You really are heartless,” She commented, earning a grunt from Lucas.

“I already know that…” She heard Lucas mutter before he went for the door.

Athanasia watched Lucas heading to the door, scoffing. She then made a confused look, her brows raised as she saw him stopping right in front of the door.

“That guy…” Lucas started, earning a hum from Athanasia, eager to listen to his last words before he leaves.

“He is acting all tough, telling us to leave this place before he tries to kill us…” Lucas turned his head to where Beru sat. “When his eyes scream for us to stay…”

“...”

Lucas returned to the door to hold the knob. “I hate such bad liars like that. They force themselves to shut out their real emotions, that they could not even let out what they want…” Lucas furrowed his brows. Athanasia stared at his back as he paused, the boy seemed to have remembered something from the past. “... And in the end, they only hurt themselves because they regretted it…”

“You…” Athanasia sat up. As she was about to say another word, Lucas turned his head and said with a faint expression that seemed like a smile - Athanasia couldn't comprehend. "Nice meeting you, then..." He muttered.

Athanasia was taken aback as she heard those words, making her unable to speak. She suddenly felt a small warmth on her cheek, which she ignored.

She knew already that Lucas is not that kind of person who is easy to crack open. His cold, red eyes that seemed to desire for human flesh to bleed out, and his deep voice that seemed like he hadn't experienced the feeling of a warm summer. Lucas was a wall that cannot be climbed.

But for him to show such a gesture…

“Ah…!” Athanasia blinked out from her thoughts when she heard a door clicking close.

Lucas already left.

Athanasia looked down, Beru is still in the same position as if he was like a deer getting caught. “You know…”

Beru flinched.

“... You can speak out any nonsense to lie to hide whatever it is you are trying to hide…” Athanasia continued. “... But you cannot hide those eyes.”

Beru finally lifted his head. And Athanasia's eyes widened at the sight she saw.

Beru pulled out his mask, showing those blue eyes filled with tears, crying out the emotion he has been holding in. His brows furrowed, and his lips trembled, turning red from all the biting. Athanasia softened at the kid sitting right in front of her.

Fear. It was fear that was hidden behind those eyes. Athanasia could not tell what kind of fear that was lurking behind, clenching Beru's heart for him to be looking at such a broken child who had experienced a lot of pain.

It was as if she was staring back into a mirror.

And that sight broke Athanasia's heart.

Beru shook his head, wiping his eyes before the tears could even fall off. “No…” He whimpered. “I was not trying to hide something…” He struggled to get up, avoiding Athanasia's gaze. He took a deep breath as he paused. “You… you should leave…” He said in a whisper before leaving the room. Beru did not wait for Athanasia to say anything. And he was thankful enough that she did not push to question him further.

Opening his heart is just as painful as opening a wound.

And Beru would not let it happen to him.

Again.

Athanasia watched his back retreating. She did not bother to run after him and force herself into his heart when she was only a mere outsider. And now that she pushed him into a corner, she lost the chance to ask him to let her stay for one night. Athanasia had to resort to sleeping outside of the forest.

If only Lucas left her alone that time, she could have had the afterlife she has been praying to the gods for.

She finds herself thinking of Lucas while her eyes remain on the door that Beru went in. She remembered the look on Beru's face, the painful clench of her heart when Lucas lent out a hand to her, Lucas’ gaze as he talked about Beru.

Those images of  Lucas, she couldn't help but think how he managed to pull people in, reading them with those red eyes that were supposed to be terrifying. And yet…

It only showed warmth.

Athanasia clenched her hands into fists, her lips pursed as she sat there in silence. A memory of Lucas’ eyes still full of determination to live on and continue despite the death of his family and his people. Compared to her, who only runs forward to reach death. It was embarrassing, embarrassing for her to meet someone like him as if the gods were trying to slap her to wake up from her delusions of wanting only nothing but death.

Athanasia stood up.

And as thoughts came flooding her mind, a warm light came flying to the direction of the house, reaching Athanasia's peripheral.

Drowning the majestic forest of Ilian into the sea of flames.

Chapter Text

Beru dreamed of someone that he could call a friend.

Ever since he was a kid, when his parents would take him to his grandmother's house to let him read the books about a beautiful adventure of a group of friends, taking the whole world with their own feet as they traveled through a treacherous path hand by hand.

Beru loved that kind of story. And he dreamed of having that kind of friendship someday.

And when he thought he finally met someone.

“Beru, I came to visit you again!” 

Beru was quick to peek from the window of his grandmother's home when he heard his friend from outside. His eyes beamed, the moment he caught those beautiful golden locks reflecting the summer sun. “Gus!” He happily called before jumping off his window. He used his ability to ask for assistance, and the vines reached him to gently put him on the ground with his friend.

“Look what I got!” Beru's friend, Gus showed him a sack. “I got this from my brother's room!” He took Beru to sit down under the shade of a tree near his house. Gus opened the sack for Beru to see. And Beru could not help but gasp at what he saw.

It was a newly forged dagger. The gems engraved on it and the gold streaks almost made Beru to mistake it as an accessory. The light emitting from the dagger made it impossible for Beru to call it a weapon.

“Your brother lent it to you?” Beru asked, watching Gus pull out the weapon from its sheath as he stood up.  Gus began to swing the dagger around with an excited grin.

Gus gave Beru a glance, scoffing. “Hm… kind of…?” He answered, his voice was unsure. “That Elli does not love sharing his things with me, so while he was gone training his magic, I took the chance to borrow the gift he got from father when he acquired his ability!” Gus made a clean cut in the air, catching the fallen leaf in half. He stopped and swung the dagger back in its sheath.

Beru did not like what Gus did and frowned. “You should not do that, Gus. That was wrong.”

Gus gave Beru a glare. He walked towards Beru and leaned close. “My brother took everything from me including my father's favor. Why cannot I?” He said in a hushed voice, dripping with poison. “Taking a toy or two would not hurt him, would it?”

Beru gulped. He never really liked it whenever Gus would change his expression, it was as if that  bright and innocent look that he always shows is just a sham. That this Gus is the real side of him that he keeps hidden.

Gus immediately changed his look and smiled at Beru as if it was just nothing. “Well, I had no choice but to stand behind my younger brother. Unless I get to give my father something that is more valuable than Elli's magic.”

Beru stood up, and patted the dust off his clothes. “I am sorry that I cannot help you with that…” He muttered sadly. “You have already done enough to hide this forest's existence and the ancient beasts that must not be allowed to be seen in public… while I…” Beru's voice faltered.

Gus placed a hand on Beru's shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. “I do not need anything, Beru!” He proudly said as he moved his arm around Beru's shoulder. “As long as I have you, I got everything I need!”

Beru stared at Gus with a surprised look, his mouth agape before breaking into a grin. He leaned onto Gus and cheered, “Is that so?!”

It was a promise between two good friends under the hidden forest of Ilian. Beru finally started his story with a friend that he can fully trust and cherish in every problem. Despite the fact that Gus may change his demeanor, it doesn't change the way how he treated Beru. And that is enough for Beru.

And just as Beru knew it was enough.

He finds himself being surrounded by a wall of fire.

“BERU!!” His grandmother's voice echoed within the flames. He knew that she was somewhere, but the smork filling the place makes it hard for Beru to fully locate her. Thus, he was frozen on the spot, the fear pulling his feet down that restricts him to run towards his grandmother.

How did this happen?

Beru was only walking back from playing with Gus with the harpies. And when he arrived, there were soldiers burning the place, wearing golden armor, while trying to capture the ancient beasts hidden near his grandmother's place. His eyes watched in horror as the beasts tried to fight the men off, their screams reaching Beru's ears, hearing their plea to save them.

And yet, Beru stayed on his spot.

“BERU, RUN AWAY FROM HERE!!” He heard his grandmother again, snapping Beru out of his thoughts.

No. He had to save the beasts before they were taken away. But his grandmother might be in danger.

The beasts caught his eye. They were right there, being tied down as they were ready to be dragged away from their home. With Beru right here, he can save them right now.

Yes. Save the beasts first, then ask them to help him to reach his grandmother.

Beru lifted his head, and began to head to where the beasts lay. Despite the thick smoke of the fire filling his lungs, and the burn forming on his skin as he ran through the flames, he ran and ran until he reached the beasts. 

Beru was given an ability that could be feared by many. He never knew the purpose of this ability and why he was even given it when he only wanted a voice. But standing in the middle of danger where everyone he loves is being hurt, he knows what this power is for. This powerful magic that now runs through his veins, boiling hot as it mirrors the anger that was hidden deep in his heart, now resurfacing.

He will protect his home.

No matter what.

“GRANDMA!!” Beru arrived right after he saved the beasts. The fire parted with the use of his magic, while the beasts plowed through the fallen trees as they let Beru ride them. The boy stood tall with bated breaths, jumping off to reach the ground to find his grandmother closely.

And there she is. Standing right in front of him.

Covered in blood.

Gus by standing behind her.

With that very dagger that he showed Beru, the beautiful blade now dripped blood.

“Grandma…” Beru's voice faltered, his eyes widened at the sight. His knees weaken causing him to kneel on the burnt ground. Tears filled his eyes and flooded his cheeks as he watched his grandmother's body falling with a thud.

Silence.

“I do not need anything, Beru!”

Those words echoed in Beru's mind.

“As long as I have you…”

Bere met Gus’ eyes.

“I got everything I need!”

“So that was what you meant…” Beru muttered coldly.

“Beru…” Gus softly called out, giving Beru that lovely smile that he used to adore.

But with those eyes.

Those eyes that always feared him, filled with the mixture of desire and anger, turned into two pools of darkness. An image of his friend that Beru never accepted, that he always tried so much to avoid. Now came back to haunt him again. Although, this time, those darkened eyes did not pull out the fear he had towards Gus, but the anger that has been bubbling inside him.

And Beru glared at Gus with such hate.

“GUS!!”

Gus took a step back from the heavy weight that somehow pushed him. His eyes widened how much power Beru's voice held. It made the ground shake, the fire hesitated to burn brightly, the trees were suddenly blown off. And there, Gus knew…

How he finds himself trapped inside of a lion's den.

“I WILL KILL YOU!!” Beru roared. And the beasts followed.

With a blink of an eye, Gus was surrounded by every magical creature that lived within the forest. The beasts that he saw with Beru, now glaring down at him with the same hate that Beru gave him. The roaring flames became a whisper as the bellowing sound of every creature filled the red night.

Gus tried to call out for his men, turning his head only to see them being eaten by the harpies, devouring them like nothing. There was no mercy in their eyes, only the joy of the taste filling their mouths and the anger in their talons.

“Beru…!” Gus kneeled, starting to panic as he realized that he was the only one left to be devoured. “... Y… You would not do this to m… me… r… ri… right?!!” He began to plead. Looking so pathetic underneath Beru.

Beru merely looked down at Gus, there was not an ounce of pity in his eyes.

“W… We are friends after all…!”

Beru opened his mouth, a tear rolled down his cheek as he felt his heart being shattered into millions of pieces. Friend. Hearing those words does not make him happy anymore. He could only feel the grief, betrayal, and pain clawing his aching heart, turning his eyes cold, letting him to forget the joy under the summer warmth with the friend he used to cherish.

“.........”

His voice echoed in the night.

And everything went black.

Beru woke up in a gasp, eyes wide.

His heavy breathing echoed in the air as he adjusted his eyesight.

Destruction.

Everything around Beru turned into dust, the scent of burning flesh reached his nose, causing him to cough out blood. He held his trembling hand out to see it covered with his own blood. Tears started to well up again, although he stopped when he couldn't let out a whimper from his throat.

A strike of pain shocked through his throat as he tried to speak, causing him to lean forward, his hands clutching tightly on his neck. He began to gasp for air, eyes wide. Sweat began to form on his face as he struggled to ease the pain.

“......”

He remembered.

“.......”

Hic. hic.

Tears left his eyes, staining the ashen ground.

“... hng…”

Seven years ago, there was a young boy living within the protection of Ilian's majestic trees, who dreamed of an adventure with the people he would meet. Forming trust, adoration, and friendship that would soon turn into a deep connection that only they have.

And seven years ago. Beru had his dream crushed by that friend of his.

“... RU!!”

Huh…?

“BE… RU…!!”

Who is there?

“BERU WAKE UP!!”

Beru opened his eyes, meeting a pair of jeweled blue eyes looking down at him. His eyes widened to find himself being pinned down by Athanasia on the ground, causing him to blush furiously, his hands covering his mouth from the surprise.

“HUH?!!!” Beru exclaimed.

Athanasia rolled her eyes, seeing Beru's flushed state. “Oh, come on! Are you some kind of a young teenager in his puberty?!” She scoffed as she stood up. She held out a hand to help Beru to stand.

Beru glared at Athanasia as he stood up. As he was about to snap back at her, his breathing hitched the moment he saw his surroundings. The familiar scent of fire burning on trees reached his nose, and Beru immediately retched, covering his nose from sniffing any further.

“We were attacked…” Athanasia muttered, seeing Beru staggering as he began to cough, his body trembled. Athanasia then puts a hesitating hand on his back. “Hey, are you alright?” She asked, giving a worried look at the younger.

Beru took a deep breath. He wanted to answer. He wanted to lie to her. Hide the fact that the fire causes him to trigger a memory from the past that he didn't want to remember. Not to show this pathetic side of him.

So that he wouldn't easily give his heart to anyone.

As Athanasia continued to shoothe Beru, she examined the place. The burning house, the panicking birds, Beru, and…

She forced Beru to kneel with her, hiding behind the debris of Beru's home. Her eyes narrowed as she sensed someone coming close. Someone with a faint presence, but with a huge amount of mana that almost filled the place with its aura. 

With his nose covered, Beru also followed Athanasia to peek from their hiding spot. “Someone is here…” Beru whispered, his voice dry. Athanasia nodded at him and moved to hide, Beru also crouched down.

“It must be the culprit who blew your house down…” Athanasia said as she met Beru's troubled eyes. She reached for her chin as she thought deeply. “But why is it only just your house…?” She muttered. Beru looked down, also confused.

The trees around them were still standing tall, unburnt, only Beru's tree that was obliterated by that fireball that took him out.

As the two pondered, they then leaned down as they heard a loud howl nearby with a faint growl getting closer to their direction.

Athanasia showed a nervous look while Beru gave her a reassuring look as he reached for the ground, closing his eyes. He felt the vibrations of the earth, from the soft thump of the steps to the faded waves of the warm air. Beru opened his eyes and met Athanasia's. “Black Shucks… a pack of them…” Beru muttered, cold sweat dripped down his skin. The traumatic scent of the fire made it even worse.

With this condition, I cannot fight…! Beru thought, frustrated.

Athanasia's brows furrowed. As she went back up to see, Beru held her wrist to pull her down. “Do not even dare to stare at them!” He warned. “Black Shucks are dogs that symbolizes death, seeing one could take your soul away and devour you!”

Athanasia stopped, her eyes on Beru. The howling continued in the background and the growls grew loud as the Black Shucks arrived near the burning tree. 

She had wished for death for so long ever since she left Galleo. With Beru telling her that could be a golden ticket to take her life right then and there. She can finally be free from these invisible shackles that have been haunting her since leaving the tribe.

And yet.

“...”

Athanasia tightly closed her lips and went back beside Beru. She sighed in defeat. What am I doing? She told herself, feeling surprised of her own choice. “Then, what are we planning to do? It is not like Lucas is here.”

Beru hummed, his hand on his chin. “Indeed… the Aléatoires are the people of Hades, of course the Royal Family might be unaffected by the dogs’ ability…” He agreed. His hope was then replaced with a defeated sigh. “But then, I forced him to leave…”

“Yeah, that was on you,” Athanasia did not hesitate to deepen the wound. Beru coughed and made an apologetic look, although he looks offended rather than being guilty. “Well, thank you for that,” He snapped back.

As the two were about to start an argument, they both stopped as they heard light footsteps of a person walking near them. They immediately held their breath when they heard a voice.

“He is not here…?” It was the voice of a man. It was deep, laced with such darkness and a hint of wickedness dripping at the tip of his tongue as he spoke grimly. There was venom in every word he uttered, reaching Athanasia and Beru's ears, causing them to wince, their hearts shudder in fear.

“Who is that…?” Athanasia managed to whisper, suddenly breathless. Her eyes went wide as she stared at Beru with hopes that he was thinking of a plan.

Beru did not answer, he sat there in silence, trying not to lose his focus to stop himself from shivering. He did not know who that man was, but all he knew was that it is a person that they don't want to get mess with.

“Hm…” The man spoke again. “Look for anything that could lead you to him, take any scent with him in it.” The dogs growled as a response and began rummaging through the destroyed furniture and burnt clothes lying around the destroyed building.

Athanasia and Beru knew that they needed to run as soon as possible before they got caught by those creatures with their sense of smell. Although they had their bodies frozen in place, fear wrapped them tightly like chains. Just a mere move could only bring them to their demise, one wrong step could give the enemy a hint to where they are.

This isn't just a normal person that they're facing after all.

Beru wanted to run, he badly wanted to run away not just because he felt afraid, but also the sight of fire right in front of him, emitting a familiar scent of a burning wood that forces him to remember the death of his grandmother. The day where he lost the only friend he had. The day he lost his heart.

The day he forgot his dream.

“Beru…” Athanasia reached Beru's wrist, noticing him trembling as he stared deeply into the charcoaled wood. “I am still here…” She whispered. It was obvious that she was trying to calm down for the sake of Beru who looked like a wounded kid, in need of a familial warmth. It was obvious as he felt her hand on his wrist were also shaking in fear.

But despite that, Beru managed to take a deep breath.

Let him trust someone for now.

Although deep within his heart still hoped that this trust would not only last for today.

Beru nodded, gulping deeply as he returned Athanasia's hand. And as he opened his mouth to speak up, Athanasia suddenly flew in the air and went sidewards. Beru's eyes widened and reacted as he stood up from his hiding place to follow where Athanasia was going.

“Ah, I knew that there were people here…” 

“Athanasia…!” Beru wanted to run after Athanasia who is now floating beside the man, her hair being held up in the air, causing her to grunt in pain. As Beru was about to take a step close, Black Shucks appeared right in front of him, baring their teeth at him.

Beru clicked his tongue, glaring back at the dogs then gave Athanasia with a worried gaze. “Let her go!” He called out.

The man tilted his head. Beru almost took a step back as he finally saw the person with them. A tall and slender man, covered with a black hood that was tattered horribly. His face was covered by the shadow of his hood, but his grin looked sinister. Beru could see that there were thin strands of hair from behind him, almost mixing its color with the man's coat.

Beru almost mistook him as the Grim Reaper.

“Why would I?” The man questioned. Now standing face to face, the man's voice was even more terrifying than earlier. “I mean, you have been forcing this girl to leave this forest, am I right?”

Beru flinched. “How…?!”

The man snickered. His other hand reached down to pat the Black Shuck that approached him with a soft purr. “These little ones were very helpful with my search for that little rat who managed to escape before I could even put a finger on him.” His voice turned soft, although it did not sound comforting to Beru at all.

Athanasia tried to fight the invisible hand that held her hair, keeping her off the ground. But it only tightens, lifting Athanasia even far from reaching the ground.

Beru gritted his teeth. “You mean…”

The man beamed as if he knew what was on Beru's mind. “Ah, you met him?!” He said cheerfully. “That rat, Lucas! You see, that kid has something that I have been wanting to have… no… it was something that he stole from me!”  His tone changed, as well as his expression.

“And I am here to take it back.”

Meanwhile, before the attack.

Lucas has been walking in the forest without any problem. Which was quite odd for him as he was being chased by a beast just earlier. Maybe Beru gave him a small favor  for leaving early and helped him with his journey.

With that thought, it might make Lucas feel better than to think about that boy's true side. He wanted a journey to reminisce in the future with a smile on his face, not something that he would dread.

He rummaged into his bag to get his map, it seems that he's close to his destination.

One more step, light flickered in his eyes and the sunlight touched his skin. He finds himself standing outside of the Forest of Illian, standing right in between great walls of the two kingdoms. One of them is from Galleo, while the other…

Lucas turned to his right to see the other wall of Galleo's neighbor. Gold mixed with the cement, giving a sore to the eye as it glistened against the rays of the sun. Lucas rolled his eyes, the way the kingdom put much effort to only their walls, no wonder they seemed to be on a short budget for almost a decade. What a clever king they have.

Lucas continued on his journey, despite the heat, he still walked until he finally got to see the kingdom's gates. Two towers holding the tall doors with four royal guards taking a watch for the afternoon. With their heightened senses, they noticed Lucas' presence even though he hadn't uttered at least a word to them. Despite having financial problems, this kingdom sure has good soldiers.

"You may need the royal family's insignia or an invitation to walk in the walls of Illenium!" They announced, their shoulders stretched up to the sky with such dignity and pride. Lucas squinted his eyes just to face the soldiers as the sun was still up in the sky partying. He frowned as he heard those words. Since when did this kingdom become strict with visitors?

"I... I don't have one unfortunately!" He replied. The towers may seem intimidating but talking to the soldiers from the ground sure is a struggle.

Lucas was never used to looking up to anyone.

Well, who are they to look down at him?

"Then you shall state your name and your purpose in this kingdom!"

Lucas sighed, cursing silently as he slowly put his head down. His neck started to sore from looking up. He had nothing nor a letter from his family. He still wasn't allowed to make signatures on behalf of his family, not even a position given by his father. Such an important thing and yet he still hasn't got it.

The Kingdom of Illenium. That good old neighbor of the Aléatoires and a friend of theirs. It was hard for Lucas to admit but Illenium was one of the greatest kingdoms of Incantasi, second to his family. Though they were pretty much the opposite of the Aléatoires. While his family is the bringer of darkness and death, Illenium is a kingdom of light, under their patron god, Apollo.

No wonder where all the gold and bright stuff came from.

But then they are quite a spender when it comes to their gold. A good example for that is the great golden wall that keeps the kingdom of Galleo off their premises. 

It's like being slapped with a bag of money in the face whenever you see their walls.

With nothing to say, he was left with nothing and decided to leave with an annoyed huff. Though this man had thought to make a camp for himself on the other side where the guards cannot see him. Another night for him to sleep with the moon-completely ignoring the pests on the ground.

Lucas lied down, shrugging his body to find comfort in the sturdy dirt underneath him. It doesn't feel like a comfortable place to sleep on but then, does he even have a choice for himself? Lucas is helpless as of now right after he stepped out of Beru's haven.

While looking up to the dark sky, finding nothing but only the moon itself, Lucas drifted off to sleep.

"My dear, our boy!"

"The gods have blessed us!!"

"Such red eyes!!"

...

“LUCAS!!”

“This magic…!”

“WHAT DID YOU DO?!!”

“This magic should not be seen by the public…!!”

...

“Mother…?”

“Do not… you…”

“Mo…”

“You monster…!”

...

“My prince… they may have lost all of their hope on you. But fear not, remember that I, ………, is still here…”

“...”

“You are not alone, my prince.”

“...”

“You will be loved. You are still loved.”

...

“KILL HIM!!”

The sounds of a whip hitting the skin.

“SHAME ON HIM!!”

Faint grunts of pain.

“TORTURE HIM!!”

Blood.

Those warm eyes staring back at Lucas, despite the blood dripping on his face, he kneeled there, his smile remained. There were screams behind Lucas as he stood in front of the man who took care of him when his family wouldn't. Those hateful eyes that scorned the kindest man who treated him like his own son. And their laughs of satisfaction, watching Lucas stood there with an empty expression.

Stop.

WHIP!

Enough.

WHIP!

Lucas should be blamed for the pain that he doesn't deserve.

WHIP!

“...!”

Lucas blinked out from his dark thoughts, tears rolling down his face as a bloodied hand held his tear-stained cheek. He met those white eyes that seemed empty, though in Lucas’ eyes it reflected the harmonious color of his emotions. And this time, it was…

“For you still have not had happy moments…” The man grunted.

Sadness.

“... I… I am sorry…”

Grief.

“... That I was not able to fill the emptiness… in your heart…”

Regret.

“... And now, I am leaving you…”

Pain.

“... The pain of being alone will be a harsh journey…”

“...!” Lucas’ eyes widened as he saw a hint of glint in his eyes.

Joy.

“... That is why I wish…”

Pride.

“... That someday you will meet someone…”

Warmth.

“... Someone who will fill your heart with happy moments…”

Peace.

“... And that you will not be alone…”

The hand on Lucas’ cheek fell. Lucas tried to catch it, but failed. He could not hear the screams of his people, their desire to kill this man who he treated as his own father. He could not see the blood covering the body of the man he grew to love. But only the smile that he could see, and the soft voice that he could hear.

“Do not… do not say anything anymore…” Lucas sniffled, finally finding his voice. “Just stop…”

“I believe someday that you will understand me…”

Lucas could not hold the tears anymore, his hands trying hard to stop the tears from flowing, mixing the blood that tainted his cheek. And as he lifted his head, meeting those white eyes again, he could not utter a word. As those eyes were filled with nothing but one emotion.

Love.

“... my…”

And as if time slowed down.

“... my…”

A kind soul left the earth.

“... dear…”

Leaving alone a child that he considered as his.

“... Lucas…”

Lucas gasped, the air in his lungs rapidly going in and out as if he was never breathing for long. Another nightmare has crept up in his dreamless world. Though this time, it brought so much pain in his heart. He clenched his chest, a whimper escaped his lips as the image of his people staring at his child-self flashed in his mind.

Such a poor child.

“Hgn…!” He grunted as he began rolling on the ground. Tears staining the earth as the air filled with his faint cries.

He shouldn't feel these emotions. He cannot have these emotions flooding his heart. He already have discarded them with his own magic.

The fear of being alone.

Lucas breathed heavily, his forehead hitting the ground as he tried to fight off the pain. The image of his foster-father flashed into his mind, causing him more tears to roll down his cheeks.

“Do…” He huffed. “Do not give me…” He knocked on the ground as if to communicate with a certain soul from the Underworld. “... That look…!”

With a grunt, Lucas finds himself lying down, his back on the ground as he looks up at the sky. The light in his eyes slowly began to face away. And a chuckle escaped his lips.

“Do not make me laugh…”

The fear of being alone.

Such a joke.

The moon was still high up to the heavens. Slowly, he sat up, the agonizing pain on his chest slowly subsided. He sighed, as the loud beating that kept ringing in his mind faded away into silence.

These nightmares really need to stop bothering Lucas every time he sleeps. If this keeps going on, he's going to suffer ten times from it rather from the struggles in his current life. 

The moon was still bright as ever, its light reflected through his red eyes, the silver color mixed with the color of his eyes that seemed to have hidden the hue. It was a pair of silver lenses, both empty with no light but the moon itself. Though that wasn't the only thing that caught his eye.

Smoke.

Thick smoke painted the night sky, ashes floated in the air as the burnt wood and leaves blended along the cool breeze of the tranquil lunar festival of the hour. Lucas' nightly rest has come to an end of this sudden disturbance, his heart thumping in such pace when his eyes wandered to the direction of where Beru's haven was located. One sight of the fiery light forced Lucas' joints to move on their own, pulling him back into the dangerous woods of Illian.

“I believe someday that you will understand me…”

Leaving off his resources and necessities, what's buried in his heart was the tiniest of his feelings resurfacing that he hopes for those two's safety.

Chapter Text

Standing right in front of them was the man himself, the destroyer of the Aléatoires, looking down on Beru as if they were insects kneeling at his feet. With Athanasia still struggling to be free from the invisible hold on her hair that kept her in the air.

Beru had his blood freezing, feeling the heavy tension in the air just finding the man's presence. He could only tremble, glaring back at him as he thought of a plan to bring back Athanasia to him.

Think, Beru… THINK! He told himself, sweat breaking out to roll down his skin. His brows began to furrow from the panic in his mind as he forced himself to rack his brain. He is the Ruler of Ilian for goodness sake! Ever since that attack from Gus and his men, he promised himself that he would no longer hurt himself by isolating himself from making allies, he promised his grandmother on he grave that he will protect this home. And now, standing before danger himself, he stood there, frozen, as his home was being burned down with an innocent person being hurt because of his cowardice.

It was like seven years ago, all over again.

The prolonged silence in the area was stopped when a giant harpy flew its way to attack the man, screeching with such anger. Its screech reached Beru, pulling him from the dark pits of his past, almost fusing with his panic to save everything at once. He looked up to see an army of harpies, circling around in the sky and flew down in a line to attack the enemy with their talons.

He was not alone.

With that, Beru managed to escape from the man's gaze and rushed to Athanasia to catch her on time as the magic that held her hostage was cut off.

“I got you…!” Beru grunted, having his bottom on the ground. He heard Athanasia sighed in relief, feeling her scalp be freed from the pain.

The two immediately stood up, now side by side. However, Beru lifted his head when he heard a cackle, causing him to see his surroundings.

It was like a scene from a fantasy book, slowing down as a calamity fell onto his hands that was supposed to  protect the peace and tranquility of his home; that holds nothing but the affection for the nature that kept him safe…

Now covered in wildfire and their upcoming death.

Leaves and fire mixed, turning into ashes that flew into the starry night. Such a view, that it would turn one's heart black.

The Black Shucks began to tear the forest apart with their roars and talons.

Athanasia noticed the change of Beru's face. Somehow, the panic in her was from Beru's sudden change of aura. She knew something was gonna happen as she watched the roaring harpy carved its claws on the man's beasts that were trying to protect their master. The beasts hollowed in pain, taking the attacks of the harpy and its companions.

It was a close victory of the harpies against the dark beasts but it soon stopped as the man raised his sword, casting an enchantment as his fingers gilded against its sharp blade, blood trickling onto the silver metal, dripping down on the orange leaves that covered the canvas of the earth, mixing with deep blood red.

The sword heed his call as it became one with him and magically extended its blade, reaching up to the dark heavens above. The sword glinted with such might against the light of the moon and in one swoop, the harpies were wiped out by the gigantic sword of the man. Their bloods poured down on the forest floor. A rain of blood.

Athanasia watched everything unfold along with Beru who seemed to have seen enough of the scene happening around him. She noticed the change of his blue eyes turning white, as pale as the moon above. And she knew what to do with herself.

With Beru's mouth slowly open, Athanasia rushed and hid herself under the mountain of debris from the destroyed house, covering her ears with some leaves that she picked up from the ground. She shut her eyes, her teeth gritted and Beru spoke.

"Devour."

The earth opened underneath the enemy, the beasts were in a state of panic as soon as they were about to celebrate the freedom from the harpies' merciless attacks. They bellowed, stomping their way out of the breaking soil. The sound of the cracks echoed in the cold night. Though with the fire spreading in the forest, there's no doubt that the temperature went up as if the sun crashed down the land. There was a loud crunch as the formed crater slowly eats everything that lies on the ground.

As the cracks opened wider, Athanasia jumped and transformed herself into a bird, trying to make way from the collapsing trees that were now being eaten by the pits of hell, opening its doors to welcome their new visitor.

“Go back to where you belong.” Beru finished as the earth closed its mouth. The merciless dogs of death were no longer to be seen.

Beru stayed on his ground, his eyes never leaving his target, who's now in trouble as he tried to control the remaining beasts under him. It was beginning to become helpless for him that Beru took the chance to move, stepping onto the debris stacking up from the changing earth and reaching the uncontrollable beasts. His hands found their way to hold one and leaned his forehead against it.

He shut his eyes close in a form of a prayer. "You're mine," he muttered, almost sounding like a song and yet it held so much power. Beru opened his eyes to meet the beasts' eyes, his irises glowered under the moonlight, only a shade of white. And as if it altered the beasts' memory, it became tamed under Beru's care and his power. He showed a grin, his eyes held no warmth or affection, just a void of emptiness. He pointed at the beasts' companions and leaned in to whisper. "Time for supper."

It was gruesome. Four beasts started to fight for a meal, trying to get a bite of each other as if famine had eaten them up. Their hearts were full of hunger and wanted to dig their teeth into the flesh of their own kind. A cannibalistic war. The sound of their bones pulling out from their bodies echoed in the air, another bloody shower occurred for the night.

Beru hopped off from the horrid scene, whistling to summon a griffin who immediately flew towards him to catch him as soon as he hopped off the debris.

The griffin took him to the top, giving him access to see the view from above. Beru's eyes wavered, a shade of blue flashed but was immediately replaced by the white color. His heart ached at the calamity that betrayed him under this moonlit night. The trees he took care of for years were now gone from the fire and from his call to open up the earth. The poor creatures of Ilian were now affected by the unforeseen war, sacrificing every bit of their life just to protect their home.

As Beru watched everything unfold with a heavy heart, the griffin he rode staggered from the sudden attack from the man. His sword extended to reach him. Thanks to the senses of the griffin, he dodged the attack.

His brows furrowed when the man took one of the griffins and was forced to do his bidding to let him ride the poor creature to reach Beru. The latter yelled out to the other griffin to gain his control over the creature, calling to throw off the man. The enemy however, already got the gist of his ability and covered the creatures' ears. Beru clicked his tongue out of annoyance, glaring at the man.

The two leveled in the air while the fight underneath them continued. They stared into each other's faces. Beru suddenly didn't feel any fear of this man. His sheer resolve to protect his home and the magical beasts gave him such braveness and strength to face the fearful enemy. 

Do not think of the past… He told himself, trying to gain back the control of his powers. He cannot afford to be distracted when there is a formidable enemy trying to destroy his home. Think of those you need to protect…

"Give me the boy, and your land will be saved,” The man demanded, his voice laced with such distress. He pulled Beru out of his deep thoughts, eyes wide.

Beru raised a brow, frowning deeply. This was the man who destroyed the strongest Kingdom in the continent. One would know that giving him the only one he wants could save many, especially Beru's home.

Just one person.

They are fighting over one person.

It will only take a person to take them to the fate of this fight.

Beru could see the creatures in the forest fighting against the Black Shucks with all of their lives, the fire covered the trees, its leaves were burnt to ashes. He could see Athanasia fighting along with them, while she tried to avoid those dogs. Blood began to paint the earth that was once painted by nature's colors, now turned into a haven of conflict.

This person was the reason this is happening.

The man lent out a hand towards Beru, showing a smile. “Now…”

This person turned his home into a massacre.

“... Take my hand…”

This person…

“... And tell me…”

Clang!

The man's eyes widened. His sword went in front of him the instant a dagger came flying to his way. With a sharp sound, his sword slowly moved away to show him the sight of Beru putting a stance,  his blue eyes came into view, gleaming under the moonlit sky.

Beru grinds his teeth, seeing that his dagger did not reach the enemy.

“Is this your answer…?” The man muttered, swinging his sword to his side. Beru tightened his balance as he was expecting for the sword attack that the man did with the harpies. He did not dare to lower his guard.

Beru raised his hand, the dagger he threw fell into his hand as a goblin came swinging from the vines connected to the branches before returning to the fight below. He held the hilt tightly, veins appearing on his skin.

It was the very dagger that he took from Gus’ hands seven years ago. The golden dagger that could be mistaken as an ornament from its intricate design, emitting such beauty from its jewels that were carefully engraved from its pommel to its quillon.

Beru had once called it beautiful. And now it was tainted with the memories he wanted to burn, this dagger was nothing but a symbol of war, a weapon to be painted with the blood of its victims.

He made a stance, although he never knew how to fight with a weapon in all of his life, he was ready to face the dangers in front of him with this piece in his hand.

He will decorate this dagger with the most radiant red to his liking.

"Even if you bury this place down to the ground, you will still not find him anywhere.”

Beru raised his weapon.

“Although, I will have to bury you first before you could even lift a hand.”

Athanasia finally got out of the trees. Panting heavily, she turned back to her human self only to see the ineffable mess that played in her eyes. The great war between beasts, they ate each other up, burning the others into ashes. Their screams filled the air that was now mixed with burnt flesh and wood, the scent made Athanasia's stomach churn as she continued to jump from one creature to another.

What is she doing?

This was a great chance to let herself fall in between and die right then and there, her death cannot be blamed by anyone as it would happen eventually in a fight such as this.

But Athanasia couldn't push him out of her mind.

Those red eyes that were supposed to symbolize death, were filled with the burning desire to fight and live.

Seeing those, and letting it engrave into her mind…

Athanasia couldn't seem to die.

And it frustrates her.

While the forest of Ilian was filled with frightening creatures, it was still a home, a home filled with warmth rather than terror. To see it crumbling down, with its inhabitants yelling on the top of their lungs like a warcry as they sacrificed every fiber of their being just to protect this place hurts. The place that was once she admired, now turning into a sea of blood.

Is this what Lucas has seen during the war?

"HEY!"

Athanasia looked around as she heard a familiar voice deep in the remaining woods of Ilian. She squinted her eyes, finding a familiar raven head. And thank the gods, it was him.

"I'M HERE!" Athanasia called, running towards the figure. As she approached Lucas, she realized how much strength she used up from all the flying for what seemed like hours. She fell on the ground with a grunt, reaching to the limits of her strength.

"Athanasia!" Lucas finally noticed her and ran to her side. Athanasia huffed, feeling her body ache. She held Lucas by the arm, looking up to him with pleading eyes. "He's here..." She panted. "That man, he's here!"

She pointed at the heavens above to let Lucas see the fight between Beru and his enemy unfold. A battle of swords and words clashing in the sky. Lucas stared at Beru in awe, how much he stood his ground to fight the man who gave him this unfortunate life. Although, he couldn't help but notice the golden dagger in his hand.

"Lucas!" Athanasia called his name for the first time, her voice desperate. "Do something!"

Lucas looks back down on Athanasia's weakened state. He nodded, brows furrowed as he tried to focus on the task at hand. "Can you go and help the other beasts ward off his men?" He asked, his voice made his haste palpable. He then pulled Athanasia close to his face until their nose touched. “Do not… And I mean it…” Lucas whispered, earning a light squirm from the girl. “... Do not touch - even a strand - those black dogs.”

Athanasia's eyes widened as the close proximity between them, though she was thankful that she got to hear his warning.

Lucas pulled away and held out a palm on her face, her body suddenly glowed red along with Lucas’ eyes. And as he retracted his hand, he showed a smile of relief. “Now, you are protected by an Aléatoire, you can now see those creatures clearly without being cursed,” He said.

Before Athanasia could even utter a question, Lucas turned her around and pushed her with a loud smack on the back. “Now, GO!”

Athanasia had no choice but to follow as there was no time to waste. Despite her trembling body, she stood up and raised a hand to grab a creature's horn to pull her up on their back. Lucas watched Athanasia gracefully ride off and jumped into the action with no hesitation whatsoever. Her resolve connected with Beru's love of the forest as charged herself, her eyes glinting against the burning fire that resembles hell.

As much as Lucas wanted to admire, he took out his sword and rushed out into the battle. With one last look of Athanasia, slaying every Black Shuck that approached her, he knew that she'll be alright with her own.

A pegasus flew across him, which he took as an opportunity to ride and forced the creature to join Beru from above. It didn't take a while for the man to notice the new guy who came in, with Lucas' unhidden eyes, he cackled. "Here comes the damned rat!!" He yelled, his arms wide as a form of welcome. He pointed his sword at Lucas. "You'll be taking me to the Ruby Throne..."

“Sorry, I was late into the party,” Lucas said with a smirk as he went to Beru's side. As he gave Beru a reassuring smile, the latter glared at him with his mouth agape. Lucas couldn't help but be confused at his reaction. “Wha… What is that look…?” He couldn't help but stammer.

Before Lucas could add another funny comment, he earned a smack on the head from Beru. “OW!!” Lucas exclaimed, staring back at Beru in horror. He held his pained head with teary eyes. “No one has ever hit me in all my life…!”

“Why did you come back?!” Beru yelled at him, surprising Lucas.

He knew Beru had this cold side that he kept hidden, although Lucas did not expect for him to yell out at him with such anger.

I expected him to cry in joy, though… Lucas thought to himself in dread, continuing to ease the pain on his head.

Lucas didn't get to explain when the man lunged himself forward, his free hand reaching to grab Lucas by the throat. Beru rushed to whisper the pegasus to attack which the creature obliged, its wings beating against the heavy air. An attack that forced the man to fly backwards along with his griffin, which allowed Lucas to lean close to Beru.

"This is a loss fight, we need to run, now," He told the man beside him, his eyes showing no triviality as he stared deeply into Beru's blue ones. "With just the three of us on this battlefield, we have no chance of winning..."

Beru glared back at Lucas as he gestured his home to the latter. "Look at this..." He breathed, his voice almost breaking. "Look at this and what did he do to my home!" His voice was filled with such anger and hopelessness. "I... I just..." His eyes began to turn white.

“And yet you could not bring yourself to sacrifice me to save your home.”

Beru lifted his head, meeting Lucas’ eyes. His breathing hitched at the sight.

Lucas’ eyes were red, bloodied red that reminded Beru of the past. Red as the night as fire reaches the sky. Red as his anger towards himself of the truth he refused to accept. The truth is how powerless he is in the face of danger. Those very eyes reading through his heart were no longer mendable. Those eyes that were supposed to emit fear.

And yet…

“....”

And yet…

Lucas leaned and reached for both of Beru's shoulders as if to shake him from his anger, the original color of his eyes flickered from behind the white hue.

Lucas’ eyes held so much trust.

“I will save you.”

“...!” Beru's eyes widened, the blue returned to his eyes. His heart thumped at the words Lucas uttered, feeling a lump in his throat as tears welled up.

“I know it too…” Lucas’ voice turned soft. “The fear of being alone…”

 Beru wanted to open his mouth, but he was cut off by the sword of their enemy, extending in between him and Lucas.

The impact forced Beru to fall off from his griffin. Lucas didn't hesitate to reach and catch Beru with the help of his pegasus. "Beru!!" He called, his eyes calling for desperation. "Give me your hand!!"

As he falls, Beru sees himself in Lucas' eyes.

Him, crying in the middle of the destruction he had caused, earning him nothing but the loss of his family and the precious friend he only had. He couldn't emit a sound, only blood running down from his dry mouth as he tried to speak. The pain was still there, still familiar as if it happened yesterday. He cried in grief, even for the friend that he knew betrayed him, as his heart heaved from the realization that he had to be alone in this world. This small world of his that somehow became vast for his small self to stay in.

He could not be betrayed anymore.

He would not accept any hand from anyone anymore.

He could not let his heart be broken anymore.

And yet, when he saw those red eyes that stared back at him with such trust and desperation as a hand reaching out to him, with those words,

“You are not going to be alone…!”

Beru could not help but extend his hand also.

And as he was caught by Lucas' arms. With a drop of his tear, Beru lets himself engulfed by the arms of a new purpose.

"NO!" The man called out as Lucas flew across the battlefield to catch Athanasia who's now covered in blood. "DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!"

"BERU!" Lucas called, receiving Beru's silent message that seemed like a prayer to him. "NOW!"

"Kgh..." Beru whimpered, clutching onto Lucas' sleeves. He opened his eyes, staring one last moment at his dear home. His hand reached out to the creatures that stayed for his sake, they were out of his poor reach.

There is still time…! He told himself, his jaw tightens. Do not be a coward now…!

“Return…!” He managed to yell to the creatures who immediately followed his last words. Beru watched them running to a certain direction that he didn't know. Although, he prayed for them to survive.

Athanasia held Beru. “BERU!!” She called out his name as a warning, the Black Shucks came running towards them.

With the clench of his fist, he uttered one last authority to the earth and nature herself. "Incinerate."

And the forest burned into a sinistry hellfire.

Beru's whimpers echoed into the night as they traveled across the burning forest. He held onto Lucas' clothes while Athanasia remained silent from behind. Beru was in pain, his voice breaking like stepping on delicate glass. Lucas couldn't utter a word. He hoped for a way to comfort the poor boy and yet he pursed his lips, he was never good with words after all.

Lucas gave Beru a glance before staring back into the sky with a silent sigh.

He never knew that this would happen. That Lucas would end up with someone on his journey, that he would hold out a hand to those who had their hearts broken. But Lucas knew one thing…

That no one should be left alone broken in this world.

Maybe he saw himself in Beru's eyes, and wanted to take him on his journey. Maybe it was his young self wanting to heal from the years of grieving over a man that already left his heart.

Maybe he neve wanted to be alone too.

Lucas shook his head from those thoughts, he made a face, disagreeing from the nonsense that came flooding his mind.

He must close his heart.

He must not be moved.

Lucas felt a heavy weight on his arm, pulling his sight back to Beru who somehow fell asleep from all the tears he shed and the overuse of his power.

“I will let it slide for now…” Lucas lets out a defeated sigh, moving his head to the side.

“... Huh?” Athanasia's voice made Lucas jump in surprise. The boy turned to meet her eyes with an annoyed look, his cheeks made a pinkish hue from the embarrassment. “You were not asleep…?” He grunted.

“Look at me…” Athanasia sighed, looking down at her body that was covered with blood. “How can I fall asleep in such a disgusting state…!”

Lucas irked, moving away from Athanasia. He put his free hand to his nose, covering it tightly. “Ugh… you smell too…” He complained.

Athanasia could not help but gasp and glare at Lucas. “How could you…!!” She made an offended look. “You cannot say that to a lady…!!”

Lucas stared at her from top to bottom. “Yeah, the way you looked right now, I could not even consider you a woma- UGH!”

Lucas earned a well-deserved punch on the head.

And as Lucas was about to fight back, Athanasia only smiled at him with her fist raised. He didn't have the choice but to turn his head back in defeat, rolling his eyes.

This girl could punch… He thought to himself, his hand massaging the pain on his head.

As they were about to land on Lucas' camp, Beru immediately hopped off from the pegasus to stand up straight, looking into Lucas' eyes. "I told you earlier to leave…" He started, though his voice still breaks from his cries. "And now here I am, in your care..." He couldn't help but make a dissatisfied look, moving his eyes to the side as he pondered. He then took a deep breath and faced Lucas. “But it was your choice…!” He huffed.

Lucas stood there, starting to contemplate whether it was the right choice to take Beru with him.

“I am going to make sure that you will be stuck with me from now on.”

Athanasia joined him, standing beside Lucas. "This sounds fun..." She added. “I am in.”

Lucas sucked a breath as he stared into those eyes. He could not help but look up to the sky as if to call out the gods who are now watching them. Lucas took a deep breath.

Please take them back… Lucas pleaded.

Lucas never asked for this! He wanted to go on a journey all by himself and train until the fateful day when he is ready to defeat that bastard with his own hands. There was no finding allies in his plan!

Please take them back!!! Lucas began to sound desperate.

The gods must be laughing at him right now. They sure love watching someone whose plans don't go out their way. Lucas knew that.

“Lucas…?” Beru called out, pulling Lucas from his dilemma.

"Look..." Lucas choked out, shaking his head as he let out a nervous chuckle as he finally got the thought to speak up. "I know that I said all of… that… earlier…” Lucas began to stammer. Looking back, it sounded a bit embarrassing. “But… you do not need to force yourself to stay by my side… you know…”

Please agree with me… Lucas began to pray to any god that he could think of.

"I am not forcing myself." Beru was unfazed.

"And I said it just now. This group thing sounds fun," Athanasia added, reaching to hold Lucas' shoulder. "And I am sure that you will need companions..."

Who says about making a group?!! Lucas wanted to scream behind that smiling mask of his that was slowly crumbling from his desperation.

A hand reached out to him, this time he was given a hand of help in this lonely journey of his. A new adventure with a form of camaraderie.

Lucas stared at the hand, surprised. His thoughts got cut off from the hand in front of him.

“The pain of being alone will be a harsh journey.” 

Lucas clenched his hands.

“Someday you will meet someone…” 

And here Lucas thought that he no longer had those memories. And yet with these two standing in front of him pulled him back to the past to remind him of the words that he thought had no longer purpose to him.

He held his hand out to accept it but as their skin was about to touch, someone came in between them with their voice.

"Ah, there you are Lucas!"

Lucas knew whose voice was that, coming from behind. He immediately turned around with the same anticipation to only see the right man he assumed to be.

Golden hair and strikingly yellow eyes, staring back at him with such amusement. The man stood in front of them with such poise and power, the aura of a real ruler. Here he is, wearing his best robes with his golden tunic underneath that seemed to have caught everyone's eye and his bestest shoes for the occasion. The sight of it made Lucas grimaced for the man looked like he was seeking attention, which he already got.

"Elliot..." Lucas muttered lowly.

The man named Elliot showed a sly grin. "Hello… cousin."

Chapter Text

A signed treaty.

Years ago, the two great kingdoms formed a new friendship as a sign for peace. Before then, Aléatoire and Illenium were not as close as what others call friends. They fought wars against each other, a shower of calamities filled the earth of Incantasi, flooding with bodies that were sacrificed, being washed with a shower of blood that were mixed with their anger and hate. It burned every life that was there to exist. And they did not care. Both families care for destruction and power, to show who is stronger than who, to show who owns the vast world filled with magic.

And at the end, the Aléatoires would win, while the Illeniums would suffer in such great defeat. And like a cycle, another war would start.

It was the age of suffering and death, the festival of war, mercy is nowhere to be found.

Only misery.

Until one great king of the Aléatoires decided that this fight should stop once and for all, it was his first mission as the newly appointed king as his father died at war. It was a moment of realization that death wasn't the solution to create a world of peace when there is always hate between the strongest kingdoms. The fight won't stop until no one remains standing.

The king created a negotiation with the king of Illenium. It took a couple of months to have this plan working. There were still fights in between, but as time passed, peace was slowly and continuously making its way to keep the two kingdoms together.

A marriage for peace.

The king of the Aléatoires appointed his beloved sister to become a beacon to stop the war and have her marry the Illeniums' crown prince. A new love has born as time flew by in a flash, and a wedding has commenced. The start of the new peace, of a new friendship between kingdoms that brought forth the continent's former tranquility. And the blood spilled on its earth faded away as a new form of life met the world.

And that was the second son of the King of Illenium. Elliot Marcus Illenium.

Which makes him...

Lucas' cousin.

A grin spread wide on Elliot's face, although it did not reach his eyes. "Good to know that you still remembered me, dear Lucas." His voice was soft, but Lucas could hear the sarcasm behind the innocence. He wasn't his cousin for nothing, after all. Lucas made a frown when Elliot hopped off from his steed. As he was straightening his bright clothes, he said, "I was worried that you had forgotten about me, but then again..."

Lucas met Elliot's eyes, now burning gold.

"You would not easily forget about me."

Lucas raised his chin, taking a step close as Elliot approached him. "It is also good to see you, cousin," He greeted, his expression does not show any joy that equals his words.

Elliot's grin faded, despite the cold look in his eyes, it grew brightly as he stared into those cursed eyes. "You sure are acting all calm in my presence right after what you have done..." He muttered with gritted teeth.

As Elliot was to add more, his gaze drifted to the people standing behind Lucas when he heard a light shuffle. He raised his brow at them, then back at Lucas to smirk at him. "Would you look at that!" He chirped, placing a hand on Lucas' shoulder to push him away, giving him a clear path to approach the other two.

"I did not know that you have friends with you, Lucas!" Elliot said with such joy, hiding the arrogance behind his cheery voice. "It was not like you to drag people around with you." He stood in front of Athanasia, his expression darkened as he met her eyes. "They do not look much, though..." He muttered.

Lucas turned, ready to pull Elliot away when he stopped on his tracks when Beru beat him to it.

Elliot had his chin up, feeling a cold sensation on his neck. Athanasia's eyes widened at what happened in just a second.

Beru had his dagger pointed at Elliot's skin, forming a speckle of blood that slowly trickled down the golden blade. Elliot felt a faint pain on his neck, slowly moving his gaze from Athanasia to a pair of blue eyes, flickering with a white shade that seemed to have burned along his aureate ones, screaming for a challenge.

"You..." Elliot widened his eyes, a vein popped on his face as he glared down at Beru. He raised his hand to hold Beru's wrist to pull the weapon away. "How daring of you to hurt a royal..." His hold tightens, but Beru does not falter. "Much better when this royal is from the strongest family..."

Elliot made a grin when he noticed how Beru didn't back down on his threat, though it was immediately gone when he caught a glimpse of the weapon he was holding. His eyes widened at the sight, mouth agape.

When Elliot's grip suddenly weakened, Beru slapped his hand away and took a step back. Lucas took the chance to pull Athanasia close, putting her behind him.

"Elliot, I am not here to look for a fight with you," Lucas declared, cautiously staring at the sudden change in Elliot's expression. He blinked in confusion when the latter did not react, his eyes remained on Beru.

The light in Elliot's eyes disappeared. In a blink of an eye, Elliot held Beru by the collar and slammed his body against the wall. The barrier of the Illenium cracked from Elliot's strength, creating a golden crevice that slowly engraved the solid cement, a rumble echoed in the air.

Blood rolled down on Beru's cheeks from his forehead, as he yelped out a pained grunt.

"Beru...!" Lucas called out.

Athanasia pushed Lucas' arm away, ready to attack Elliot. "What are you doing?!!" She exclaimed.

Elliot did not listen. He stared at Beru who was slowly losing consciousness from his grip, then his eyes glided down to the hand that was still holding the dagger.

"Where..." Elliot bagan to speak as he leaned close. Beru used everything he had to tilt his head away from the blonde. "Where did you get that dagger...?"

Lucas began to approach Elliot, putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Elliot, that is enough!!" He called out.

Elliot leaned even closer, his lips almost touching Beru's ear. His grip on Beru's throat tightens, making the latter croak out in pain, blood gushing out from his mouth as he gasps for breath. "Let me ask you again..."

Beru managed to open an eye, peeking to see those golden eyes staring at him with such fury. And here Beru thought that Lucas' Ruby Eyes were the most terrifying. Although, there was something deep in Beru's mind that he found familiar in those burning eyes.

It reminded him of...

"Kgh..." Beru managed to let out a voice, moving his face close to reach Elliot's ear. And as the young prince anticipated Beru's answer, he was suddenly in a trance the moment he heard him.

"Get... off..."

Elliot was glaring at Beru with such fury just now, but the moment Beru's words reached Elliot's ear, the blonde's anger slowly subsided, his forehead relaxed and let go of Beru. The latter falls off the ground, coughing for air as his blood drips on the earth, tainting the holy grounds of the Illenium. Elliot blinked out from his trance to see Beru now kneeling, he made a frown as he questioned what happened.

Lucas pushed Elliot away when he had his mind empty for a moment. Lucas and Athanasia rushed to Beru's side.

Elliot huffed, staring down at Beru who managed to return his normal breathing. "What did you do...?" He muttered, his eyes moved to his hand. "I was holding you... and..." He jumped in surprise to see a weak grin from Beru, despite the pain on his throat and his head, he felt somewhat triumphant to see Elliot baffled.

"You..." Beru heaved. "... are not only the special kid here... jackass..."

Lucas and Athanasia blinked in surprise. They would not expect Beru to insult someone, seeing that Beru has innocent features. Although they do know him to be acting all rudely to any stranger he met with that kind grin that he always shows, they wouldn't think that they would get used to him acting like that with that soft face.

As Elliot stared into Beru' fiery gaze, he couldn't help but let out a light breath, his body relaxing.

Okay... Lucas wanted to comment. What is that reaction...?

Lucas and Athanasia pulled Beru up. And as Beru managed to gain his strength to stand properly, he couldn't help but see a faint glint in Elliot's eyes as he watched him.

"Mhm... you passed..."

"Huh...?" Beru raised a brow.

Elliot moved almost as quickly and moved forward, making his way to Beru who was completely confused at what's happening. Lucas immediately caught on and was about to step up for Beru, though he was stopped by Elliot's spear that was pulled out of nowhere. A kind of specialty move that Lucas has always known but can't comprehend when it will happen.

"I will take you with me," Elliot declared, his smile returning. Though the look on his face made Beru frown at how familiar it is - it was annoying how he still can't remember whose face does this young prince remind him of. Elliot didn't bother to give Lucas and Athanasia a glance when they reacted, all he cared about was to have his hands on Beru. "And I'll make sure to take care of you."

"Elliot, what are you trying to do?" Lucas warned, his irritation palpable.

Elliot clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "You have no place to come in between my plans, dear cousin. I have a bone to pick with this lovely boy, right here." Beru felt a shiver running down his spine being called lovely.

"Alright, let us bid you adieu...!"

His voice was cut off when Beru raised his dagger in an attempt to escape from Elliot's grasp. This time, Beru was unlucky when Elliot twisted Beru's wrist for him to let go of his weapon.

Elliot swiftly caught the dagger, feeling somewhat satisfied as he had his fingers wrapped around the hilt. "Ah..." He couldn't help but utter a sound, a smile plastered on his face. "You sure are a brave one..."

He was cut off again when Athanasia suddenly appeared right in between them and held Elliot's arm. The latter avoided Athanasia's kick and threw Beru into the air when he saw Lucas reaching to pull Beru. And as Beru flew, Elliot casted a spell for a golden lasso to appear, wrapping Beru tightly.

"Stay there." Elliot gave Beru a wink, which the latter irked.

Lucas pulled his sword out as he saw Elliot pulling his spear out, a crackle echoed in the night as light engulfed Elliot's body. He grinned at Lucas, seeing the mere sword in his hand. And as Elliot raised his spear to attack, someone flew behind him and hit the back of his neck, causing him to fly across a few meters.

Elliot landed with a grunt, he made a kneeling stance, flicking his fingers for Beru to appear behind him. His eyes wandered over his hand, somehow, they were trembling. "In just one kick..." he muttered slowly, examining his body. He looked up, staring back into Athanasia, the culprit behind his pain. "What are you...?" He questioned.

"Why should I tell you," Athanasia simply answered.

Does she even need my help...? Lucas questioned himself, seeing the damage that Athanasia caused Elliot. He was somewhat impressed by her strength. Lucas thought that he could watch her all day and he still wouldn't lose interest in her fighting skill...

Huh...?

What was he thinking?

Elliot lets out a scoff, pulling Lucas out of his thoughts. "I am quite impressed..."

"Are you?" Athanasia raised a brow, smirking.

"Athanasia...!" Lucas wanted to call out Athanasia but it was too late. With the flick of a finger, Athanasia found herself on the ground, the light from the sun glimmered to earth, greeting them with its warmth. A blink or two, Athanasia has gone unconscious.

Lucas stared at Elliot, shocked in his eyes. "You did not have to do that, Elliot..." he said, his eyes glared into Elliot's eyes that somehow glistened brightly as the sun above, his eyes holding the thunder and the rays of the sun. Light hovered in the air with Elliot was filled with such brightness. "You can't order me such a thing," he concluded, raising his spear, now extended by the light. The spear blade grazes over Lucas' skin. "With you right now, you are powerless..."

Lucas opened his mouth to say a word, but Elliot beat him to it. "Unless you wanted to sacrifice these people."

"Ngk..." Lucas couldn't say a word. Another memory of the past appeared although it was covered in red. His eyes moved over to Beru who suddenly became unconscious from the grip of the lasso on his body, then to Athanasia whose face on the ground, unmoving.

Elliot grinned, showing a look of triumph. He lets out a scoff, turning his heels without leaving a message of farewell with Beru in his possession.

With a soft whiff of the wind, Elliot and Beru were gone, leaving Lucas alone with Athanasia.

Lucas kneeled beside Athanasia, he turned her over and gently put her down on his lap. A sigh escaped his lips as he stared into her face before lifting to see the sky. The night turned cold than it was earlier, and Lucas couldn't help but stare at his trembling fingers. He couldn't comprehend if it was the nightly breeze or the pain all over his body.

Lucas shuddered, his heart beating rapidly as it was being flooded with a wave of emotions, turning into an overwhelming power. He couldn't help but let out a small whimper as he tried to contain the power inside him.

Hold it in... He told himself.

"Lucas..."

Lucas opened his eyes that he didn't know were shut.

And there he saw a pair of sapphires staring into his eyes. The sight that reminded him of a blue sky that dominates the world with its light and warmth, pouring harmony with its colors.

Athanasia remained staring into Lucas' eyes, seeing it glowing harshly that it almost turned black. She remained in her place, seeing as the color slowly faded away, returning to the soft ruby eyes that she somehow began to admire.

Her lips formed into a thin line, her hand slowly reached for Lucas' cheek. It was cold, almost as if she was touching a dead person. And despite that, she couldn't help but ask. "Are you okay...?" Her voice turned into a whisper.

Lucas blinked in surprise. The warmth from Athanasia slowly spreads to his cheek.

Or was it from his own heat building up.

...

Whatever it is...

Lucas doesn't want her to let go.

As the night continues, the two remain in their position, mesmerized by each other's eyes, sharing each other's warmth. And no one dared to move.

For the first time in Lucas' life, there is someone who pulled him out from his outburst aside from his mentor.

And it was somehow...

Different.

In the golden palace of Illenium where the King and Queen lived along with their dear children, lies the newly captured young man. The young man who's in the question was now lying down in the comfort of a soft mattress. Darkness arrived as the moon greeted the lustrous town of the kingdom and the light bid itself goodbye from Beru.

The spell has lifted, blue eyes met the dark ceiling of the palace, finding himself lying in an unfamiliar room with a familiar man sitting beside her. A sinister grin appeared on his face, meeting his eyes while playing with his dagger.

"Now, look who's finally awake?"

Chapter Text

The Kingdom of Light, the only place that could contrast the sun itself and the sole reason why it piqued the sun god's interest. Inside its strikingly bright palace, lives the royal family that lives on for a century. And in a certain room, a beautiful melody echoed in the summer air, creating harmony with the workers in the garden and the nature around them, creating a new form of balance that seemed to have a sign of familiarity. A long lost peace.

As the voice reaches the beautiful greenery, the home where a young love of two people from different Kingdoms blossoms beautifully, flowers bloomed under the warmth of the sun, waking up from the music coming from a lovely lady as she dances around the meadow embracing her beloved son.

As Elliot could still remember it. It was the era of equality between the great Kingdoms of the Aléatoire and Illenium Family. The warm voice of his mother, a song leaving her lips as it travels to his ears to draw him into sleep, her long black hair dancing along the soft breeze, brightening from the caress of the sun, and the gentle eyes of his mother as she looks down on him with her beautiful smile that seemed to reach the sky.

And as the song ends, she would whisper, “My dear star... may you always be filled with such light... but may it not blind you…”

Beru sat up from the bed, his hair disheveled from his slumber. His eyes widened as he examined the room, his surroundings were unfamiliar.

Elliot merely watched the young man, his eyes then moved towards the dagger that he took from Beru. His fingers slowly wrapped around the hilt, a familiar sensation. Although he couldn't help but frown. The weapon perfectly fits the palm of his hand, but it felt like it didn't belong to him anymore.

Elliot returned his gaze to Beru who was still warily looking around the room. Elliot couldn't help but show a curious look as he wondered how this boy had the dagger.

A dagger that was given to him from his father.

A dagger that his brother took.

“You…” Elliot was about to speak up when he heard a faint knock from his door. The two flipped their heads to where the sound was. Beru could only sigh silently in relief, although he was aching to take his dagger back.

Elliot sighed and stood up from his seat, leaving Beru whose gaze seemed to move towards Elliot. He tilted his head as he began to think, his eyes narrowing. Golden hair that seemed to be still glowing despite the darkness of the room, and faded yellow eyes that somehow would turn bright from time to time. As Beru stared deeply into Elliot's features, he couldn't help but purse his lips, as if to attempt not to confess in front of the said man of how good looking he is.

Sounds embarrassing… Beru is forced to avoid his gaze away from Elliot.

Although Beru's frown remained, a tugging feeling kept on bothering him as Elliot's face began to stick in his mind.

Beru moved his eyes back on Elliot who is now opening the door to reveal a royal guard.

He does seem familiar though… Beru thought to himself.

The guard greeted his prince before relaying his report. Elliot gestured to the man to proceed. Although being a prince, this guy sure is pretty lax around his men. His loose tunic that almost showed his collarbone, and the sloppy adjustment of his belt, Beru could almost mistake him as a different person that he met earlier.

“As we arrived in the Aléatoire, it was as the news stated, the Kingdom became a barren land with no survivors left…” The guard went on with his report. Beru's ears perked up at the mention of Lucas’ Kingdom and began listening in.

So they have not heard about Lucas being alive… He thought, nodding along as if he was part of the conversation.

Elliot's face went grim as he hummed in reply. “Right…” He muttered. Beru was quick to notice the change of tone in his voice. “You do not need to relay that to me…” His voice sounded broken as he took a shaky breath as if to hide his emotions.

“... my apologies, my prince…” The guard could only lower his head as he made a saddened expression.

Beru was reminded of Elliot's words to Lucas earlier as he stared into those sunken eyes that seemed to dim. Not even a flicker of light that was seen.

“You sure are acting all calm in my presence right after what you have done.”

“What…” Elliot's voice pulled Beru back to reality before he let himself be drawn into his flooding thoughts. “What about mother…?”

Beru did not miss the hesitation in Elliot's voice as he mentioned the Queen.

The guard slowly shook his head after a moment of silence. Elliot could only drop his crossed arms, he suddenly stood straight from leaning on the doorframe.

“We're afraid that we could not locate her body… not even the royal family's…”

“...”

Beru stared into Elliot's back, his brows furrowed in worry. He couldn't help but somehow see himself from Elliot's sunken back. It was as if Beru was pulled back seven years ago, crying over his grandmother's dead body as his hands were covered with her blood. It was like watching himself, unable to stop the inevitable.

Death… Beru lowered his head. Is such a cruel thing… 

 Elliot took a deep breath, making Beru lift his head only to meet the young prince who is now staring at him.

“Wait here…” Elliot said, almost in a whisper. The tremble in his voice was visible as he choked back a whimper. Beru could only nod in reply, seeing a small glint in Elliot's eyes, tears began to well up.

Elliot began to straighten his clothing, running his hand through his hair to put them in place. He turned to the guard and said, “Take me to my father's chambers, I will be the one to relay the report…”

The guard nodded and began to lead Elliot who followed suit, without even giving Beru one last glance.

And with a click of the door being shut, Beru fell into the soft mattress with a long sigh, an image of Elliot glaring down at him flashed into his mind.

“Even if you put on such a mask…”

Beru slowly closed his eyes.

Elliot's tearful eyes came into view beyond the darkness.

“... you are still a kid after all…”

And Beru knew that better than anyone else.

A sigh escaped from Athanasia's lips as she leaned on the wall of Illenium, she had her head up as she closed her eyes. She then felt Lucas follow her and sat beside her with a soft huff.

Athanasia pursed her lips, her brows furrowed as she contemplated whether to speak up or let the silence engulf them. Although sitting in silence might torture her even more when they have already shared it just now as they stared into each other's eyes.

Warmth began to grow on Athanasia's cheeks as she remembered that very scene.

“Sorry about that…”

Athanasia blinked, whipping her head towards Lucas with a surprised look. “Huh…?” She did not expect for a prideful man like Lucas to apologize to her out of the blue. Also, for what reason is he even apologizing?

Lucas irked and moved his head to the side, looking away from Athanasia's surprised gaze. “Ugh… I am not going to say it twice…” Ah, here it is, his pride returning to him like a boomerang. So much for Athanasia's surprise, it was only for an unfortunate moment.

“Why are you even apologizing…?” Athanasia scoffed, rolling her eyes as she returned to stare at the sky as if it would help make time go by faster until morning comes. “If you are talking about what happened to you earlier, then you do not need to apologize… even if I do not know what that was…”

Athanasia remembered how Lucas’ eyes were flaring red, deeper than blood. She could remember the heavy sensation as his mana came gushing out of him, engulfing Athanasia as if it was trying to drown her. And she could also remember Lucas’ broken face as if he was trying to get ahold of himself from what was to come. His pained grunts were still echoing in her ears like a broken record.

She knew that it wasn't normal.

Although she also knew how that had been going on.

By the hidden pain behind Lucas’ eyes, she knew how it caused him such torture that he looked as if he was begging to be killed - while his heart was beating loudly to live.

Lucas finally had the courage to turn his head as stared into Athanasia's face. He could see her thinking deeply as she stared into the night sky. And as he watched her, he began to know what was flooding her mind that kept her in her place.

“You are curious,” Lucas uttered, pulling Athanasia from her thoughts and turned to face Lucas with wide eyes. Lucas could only sigh, showing a small smile as he lowered his head to stare at the ground. “... I was born with a strong power along with the power of the Ruby Eyes…” He muttered. “... and I could not control it…”

Athanasia stared into Lucas’ eyes, flickering from bright red to dark. As she was about to open her mouth to speak, Lucas lifted his head back to meet her eyes. “I believe that is all that I could say,” He said with a firm smile.

Athanasia couldn't say anything and looked defeated. Lucas already knew what she wanted to ask him, and he was not happy to share his tragic past to a stranger that he only spent a day or two with. Which is quite understandable. But ever since meeting Lucas, she couldn't help but grow an interest towards him, a curiosity of why. Why is he still here, alive, fighting for his life that seemed to have already crumbled down?

Lucas is a young man who has already lived a life with many secrets that made him a mysterious person. Maybe it is his blood being a royal blessed by the King of Underworld himself that made him like that. Maybe it is the power that shackled him down from living normally. Maybe it is the deaths of the people that he lost.

What made Lucas… Lucas?

Athanasia kept that thought to herself.

Might as well follow him around and see.

Lucas stood up, patting off the dust on his body. He then made a loud huff, although his eyes looked very defeated, screaming to give up. “Well… I do not know what to do next…!” He happily said, smiling down at Athanasia.

Athanasia glared at him, her softened expression turned hard as she made a baffled sound. “What do you mean?!” She exclaimed and began standing up to face Lucas. “We have to save Beru! We do not know what that Elliot bastard is going to do with him!”

“What do you want me to do then?” Lucas scoffed. He then went to pick up his things. “And besides, Beru seemed to be very powerful against Elliot with his ability. And if we really are going to save him, we do not have any way on how to get in when that blasted wall is in the way!” He pointed at the golden wall standing tall beside them.

Athanasia felt a tick pop out of her head. She then pulled Lucas’ arm to force him to face her. Her eyes burned with fury as her other hand began to rummage from her pocket. “Try and learn how to protect those around you…” She said with gritted teeth. “I do not know what you have been through, but I would not let it slide if you are going to act all selfish when Beru fought his way to save you earlier.”

Lucas couldn't avoid Athanasia's gaze.

“Have a heart.”

And suddenly a golden insignia appeared right in between their faces. Lucas blinked in surprise and moved his face away to see the coin clearly. His eyes widened at the familiar logo engraved on the golden metal.

“The Illenium's…” Lucas breathed and turned to see Athanasia smirking.

“We are going to save Beru,” She declared, her grip on Lucas’ arm tightened.

“And I will not take no for an answer!”

Beru did not listen to Elliot.

Blue eyes examined the long golden halls of the Palace as he ran. His clothing changed when he was rummaging through Elliot's wardrobe to create a disguise to avoid any problems whenever he met a worker down the hall. And so far, it does help him a lot.

Beru cannot stay here any longer. He doesn't know why he was being taken by that prince in his Palace, but it was stupid of him to leave your prisoner in your room with your doors unlocked.

It was only a matter of time that Elliot was going to find out, so Beru needed to hurry and leave this suffocating place as soon as possible.

He can keep that dagger and do whatever he wants with it, I do not care anymore! Beru exclaimed as his pace fastened.

He then took a short pause when he saw a mirror randomly standing in the middle of the hall. He raised his brow when he saw his reflection, a sight of him wearing Elliot's clothes. As he turned his body left and right, he couldn't help but chuckle, rolling up the sleeves as it fell down his arms.

“Royal clothes do not suit me at all…” He said with a sigh, feeling sheepish. 

And as Beru was about to continue his way to find an exit, he heard voices from the nearest door. His ears reacted at the familiar tone that reached the hall. Curious, Beru slid the door open only to be met with a balcony that oversees a wide ballroom.

His breathing hitched at the sight, lights were everywhere, glistening beautifully as it reflected every jewel present in the room. The floor was marbled with a wide image of angels blowing their trumpets into the painted sky.

“... with the King.”

Beru almost let out a gasp when he was reminded that he was following the owner of the voice. He then immediately hid behind a curtain. Though he had his eyes out, trying to find a person present in the room.

There were two people talking, one with golden hair that was somehow the same as Elliot, although Beru could not see his face as he had his back facing him. The other man is wearing a suit, it was much more formal than the other workers in the Palace. Beru began to assume that the man was in a higher rank of the Palace.

“I see…” The blonde man nodded. “I guess we can cancel the preparation in honor of the Queen's death. I am sure that Elliot is going to stay by father's side for a while as he had grown ill right after the news…”

Beru can't help but feel a shiver down his spin as the familiar voice now clearly reaches his ears. His eyes widened, his hand covering his lips from letting out a gasp. Suddenly, a scent of wood burning filled his nose, and his mind was flooded with a certain memory that he fears to recall.

“As you ordered, my prince, I will also announce to the staff,” The other man said as he bowed. He then bid himself away and left the room, leaving the blonde man alone.

Beru was frozen in place, his eyes anticipated for the man to turn around to show his face.

And as the prince turned his foot, Beru finally saw his face.

“I do not need anything, Beru!”

Burnt marks tattooed on the pale skin, reaching to his left eye which was the cause of its white hue. The calm expression that would sometimes change into a sinister glare. And those lips that would convey such lovely words that Beru used to enjoy listening to.

Gus…

Beru suddenly cannot breathe.

“As long as I have you, I got everything I need!”

Tears were about to fall down Beru's cheeks when a hand suddenly appeared and covered his head. He made a silent gasp when he felt a warmth on his back as he felt himself being pulled backwards.

“Elli!”

Beru flinched, hearing his voice again. But he cannot help but feel a bit familiar with the name that Gus called out.

“I figured that you would be here, brother.” Beru had his mouth wide as he realized that it was Elliot who was holding him close. “Assuming that you are still working on the banquet in celebration for the Kingdom's birth.”

Brother…?

Beru began to remember something from the past. Gus once mentioned his little brother to him in the past.

“Well, I had no choice but to stand behind my younger brother. Unless I get to give my father something that is more valuable than Elli's magic.”

ELLI…?! Beru wanted to yell. Elliot is Elli?!

Oh, how Beru wanted to punch himself for not seeing the obvious. The nickname does make sense. Moreover, that was the reason why Elliot seemed familiar to Beru but at the same time he was not what he was thinking of.

“I was about to visit you in your room to talk with you about it,” Gus replied. “... Huh…”

Beru gulped at the sudden change of tone.

“Who is that lovely fella with you?” Gus questioned. Beru almost let out a squirm when Elliot put a gentle hand on his, his soft caress pulled Beru down. “It is unusual for me to see you walking down the hall with someone.”

Elliot chuckled, Beru shivered as warm breath touched his ear. “I would rather not call him lovely, brother. He seemed to be sensitive about that.” Beru knows that Elliot is just now teasing him. Oh, how he wanted to give him a good hit on the face right after this conversation.

“Is that so?” Gus replied with a chuckle. “Well, I will not question you any longer. Since you have company with you, I will discuss the banquet matters with you at a later time.”

“Sounds good.” Beru could imagine Elliot using his fake, business smile right now.

Gus’ footsteps faded away as he left the room. Elliot then leaned close to Beru's ear to blow on it, causing the latter to jump. Beru pushed himself away from Elliot, his face turning red from the act the young prince played on him.

“Looking good,” Elliot commented, eyeing Beru from head to toe. “How clever of you to steal my clothes and run away just like that.” Even with his teasing tone, Elliot does not look happy at the fact that Beru didn't listen to his words earlier.

Beru gave Elliot a glare. He let out a huff as he moved away from the blonde when the latter took a step closer. “Do you really think that I would obey you?” He raised a brow. He added with a scoff when Elliot only gave him an innocent look. “Oh, do not give me that!” He pushed Elliot away as he made his way out of the room.

Elliot followed suit, tilting his head to gain Beru's attention. “So, you are not going to give me the details of how you know my brother?” He asked with the sweetest smile that he could muster, although it doesn't suit the serious tone in his voice. Beru couldn't help but find it amusing, but then he decided to keep it to himself.

Beru avoided Elliot's gaze. “I do not know your brother.” He lied.

Elliot raised a brow. “Oh, we are lying now, I see.”

“I do not think that you have the place to ask me about my past when I just knew you,” Beru retorted with a huff, now slowly finding Elliot annoying as the prince continued to follow him. “Plus, what makes you think that I would open up to a guy like you?”

“A guy like me?” Elliot's smile disappeared. Beru began to hate it when that happened. In Beru's eyes, Elliot reminded him as bright as the summer sun that he used to bask under, warm, comforting, to see it gone forces Beru back to reality that this guy is nothing like the sun he used to enjoy being with.

Beru increased his speed as he decided to ignore the question, in which Elliot joined too. Beru lets out an exasperated sigh as he notices Elliot keeping up with him. “Would you stop that?!” He exclaimed.

“You are my prisoner, it would make much more sense if I monitor your every movement rather than letting you go, which results in you running away!” Elliot reasoned, giving Beru an are you dumb look. And Beru was so close to using his ability on Elliot to punch himself in the face.

Wait, he could do it now!

“Ah, ah,” Elliot said as he snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, a golden cuff suddenly flew in front of Beru and landed on his right wrist. It glowed brightly as it wrapped around completely before disappearing into Beru's skin. “I cannot have you using your powers on me.” Elliot clicked his tongue.

Beru stopped on his tracks when he couldn't utter a word as he tried to use his magic. He turned to Elliot with a confused look then to his wrist where the cuff was. “What did you do?!”

“Preventing you from trying to do things on me.”

Beru could feel his cheeks getting warm at how misleading Elliot's words are, making him speechless. His frown deepens at how proud Elliot is despite not minding his words.

“Well, let us go back to the main topic,” Elliot chirped and took a step closer, pushing Beru against the wall. He put a good distance between them, though he still made sure not to give the blue-haired boy to escape from him. He then pulled out the dagger out of nowhere, earning a reaction from Beru.

“This dagger was given to my father years ago as a gift for being the son he wished for…” Beru frowned, remembering the frustrated look of Gus for being born without mana. “... and it was taken from me by my brother - of course I would know that, I am not some stupid kid who would lay his things around for display and just let it be stolen.” Elliot added with a scoff, rolling his eyes.

Beru could see Elliot's eyes flaring up. He began to worry about his current position. As of now, he is powerless in front of this royal. One wrong move, he might get burned by his spear. Much worse, he would use the dagger on him and maybe skin alive.

Beru turned pale at the thought, feeling his skin crawl.

Elliot's eyes stared deeply into Beru's eyes, raising the dagger up to Beru's chin to tilt him up. “One thing to know about me, I despise people who steal what is mine…” He muttered, heat began to emit from the blade, making Beru sweat. “... so let me ask you again… how did you know my bastard brother…?”

Beru could see himself being burned by those eyes, filled with fury. It glowed brightly that Beru could almost see red in those irises.

Ah…

Beru held a breath.

That is right…

He remembered one thing as he stared back into those eyes that almost reminded him of Lucas’ when they first met.

He is also an Aléatoire…

And the Aléatoires crave death the most.

“You know, I am glad that you are here with me right now.”

Athanasia lifted her head with a huff as she turned to Lucas with one brow raised. “What is up with that? You are freaking me out,” She commented as she made a disgusted look towards the raven head. The latter could only show a frozen smile, his eyes moved behind Athanasia.

“I mean…”

Behind Athanasia was a mountain of  unconscious royal guards with a flag sticking out like a cherry on top. Lucas also wanted to compliment Athanasia for the beautiful touch she added, the sight of it almost made him cry at the sight.

“Never mind…” Lucas sighed and made his way to the doors. “You have such talent for combat, but you just threw it away. It is a waste, you know…”

Athanasia was not amused as she stood there, giving one last glance to another pile of guards near hers.

While Athanasia made the guards keep their lives by knocking them unconscious, Lucas did not show any mercy to taint his blade with their blood. Decapitated bodies decorated the pebbled floor with their blood splattered over the green grass that were taken care of by the gardeners with such care. Now, their love was now reeked of death.

The sight of it made Athanasia shudder.

“What are you standing there for?” Athanasia jumped when she heard Lucas, she almost let out a surprised noise when she saw his face now being covered in blood.

“Ugh…” Athanasia could only groan, following behind with a long sigh.

Aléatoires, hesitation sure are not in their vocabulary.

Do not even remind her of the time Elliot used his magic on her without a thought.

“So, how do we know where Beru is…?” Athanasia decided to ignore those thoughts away and focused on the task at hand.

“I do not know,” Lucas answered so casually as he made his way inside. Athanasia's frown deepened when she saw Lucas walking towards a curtain to wipe the blood off his face. He then turned to Athanasia as if he did not just do something that made her question whether he is really a prince or not. “But his room might be a possible place for him to keep Beru.”

The two began to sneak inside, although they had already caused a ruckus outside of the Palace. It was only a matter of time that the other guards caught up to them.

“Why his room though?” Athanasia questioned.

Lucas shrugged. “That is where he puts his collection.”

Athanasia's eyes widened. “COLLECTION?!” She exclaimed, her voice echoed through the wide halls of the Palace. She immediately covered her mouth when Lucas gave her a glare. “Sorry…” She lowered her voice. “But what do you mean by his collection?!” This time, she yelled in a whisper.

“I mean, he did collect Beru,” Lucas answered. Athanasia was now on the verge of wanting to hit the raven head on the head for being too casual for her comfort. When Lucas noticed the look Athanasia was giving him, he couldn't help but show an offended expression. “Okay, I did not mean in a slavery kind of collect,” He explained as he sighed, rolling his eyes. “I am sure that he is not doing things on Beru that would hurt him, as far as I could remember, Elliot is not that kind of gu…”

Lucas stopped on his tracks as he saw those said people right at the end of the hall.

And there, Lucas’ view towards Elliot changed.

Elliot is really that kind of guy…

Lucas felt a sharp gust of wind that flew by beside him. His eyes widened what it was Athanasia's weapon that came flying between Elliot and Beru. Lucas could swear that Athanasia managed to graze his cheek as he felt a trickling sensation running down his cheek.

Elliot quickly reacted before the weapon could reach him and moved away from Beru. His eyes darted towards where the attack came from, only to meet Athanasia's fury pouring over her glaring eyes. And Lucas who is standing awkwardly beside her.

“Athanasia! Lucas!” Relief was visible in Beru's eyes when he saw them. Although Lucas was still shaken from Athanasia's sudden attack, he managed to give Beru a wave as he let out a nervous laugh.

Elliot clicked his tongue. “That was quick of you to arrive here…” He muttered. “And I was almost close to knowing the truth…!” He pointed the dagger and used his mana to extend the blade into a long sword. Beru was surprised to see Elliot suddenly glowing, even his body. He was contemplating whether to act amazed or be weirded out, it wasn't the right time to be troubled by that.

“You…” Athanasia snatched Lucas’ bloodied sword and pointed it towards Elliot. “I am gonna take your head, you fucking enslaver!!”

“Bring it on…” Elliot paused, then made a frown as he caught onto Athanasia's words. “Wait… HUH…?!”

Elliot wasn't given the time to explain when Athanasia came flying towards him, raising her (Lucas’) sword to slice him down. Elliot immediately defended himself, a large impact shook the hall, a crater formed underneath Elliot.

“HEY, HEY, HEY!!” Elliot began to panic and gave Lucas a pleading glance. “WHAT DID SHE MEAN, LUCAS?!!”

Lucas knew that he had to clean up the misunderstanding. Judging from Elliot's reaction, it does seem like he wasn't doing anything wrong on Beru, he might have just pinned the boy as if he was trying to force him to spill a secret. 

Then again…

Lucas never really liked Elliot.

So, Lucas merely shrugged.

Elliot knew what was on Lucas’ mind the moment his cousin gave him a smile. He gritted his teeth, showing a grin as he glared at him. “DAMN YOU, YOU USELESS COUSIN!!” He cursed.

Athanasia jumped off and landed with a flip before running back to Elliot with a thrust. Elliot immediately swung his sword and began the relentless clash of two weapons. A spark would come in between the moment their blades touched each other with a loud clang.

Every hit they attempt, the ground shook, the glasses shattered down the floor and the wallpaper burned down from Elliot's magic. And despite the damage, neither of them ever thought of stopping.

It was the first time for Lucas to see Elliot be having a hard time fighting someone other than him. Ever since he saw Athanasia fight, he cannot help but wonder what she does in life before reaching Galleo. Because a fighter like her would not end up in a place where hopes and dreams were lost.

“Should I stop them…?” Lucas muttered to himself, pushing his thoughts away as he noticed the destruction Elliot and Athanasia created.

With a sigh, he approached Beru who seemed to have stuck in place, afraid to come in between the two monsters trying to destroy each other. As Lucas arrives, he cannot help but notice the change of Beru's clothing. “Woah… maybe Athanasia was right…” He said with a teasing smirk.

“Ha, ha…” Beru rolled his eyes. He then rolled up his sleeves that were now back down again. He sighed in relief, seeing Lucas and Athanasia arrive to rescue him made the weight on his chest ease down. “By the way…” He pointed at Elliot and Athanasia. “... Are you not going to stop those two…?”

“Looks fun though,” Lucas was quick to respond, earning a glare from Beru. “Alright…” He raised his hands in defense, sighing in defeat. “The people around me sure do not know how to have a good laugh…” He grumbled.

And as Lucas was about to step into the fight, he suddenly heard footsteps coming towards their way. Turning his head towards the noise, a group of guards arrived with their weapons ready.

“Oh, come on…” Lucas added when he saw another person that he didn't want to meet.

“Lucas…?”

Golden hair, broken eyes, burnt face.

“Augustus…”

“Gus…”

Lucas jumped when he heard Beru speak. His eyes widened when he saw Beru's expression, his eyes narrowed as it was full of anger, although it was also filled with tears. He then turned back to Augustus who is now staring back at Beru with wide eyes.

“Beru…” He uttered, sounding surprised.

“Huh…?” Lucas frowned, tilted his head. A rumble echoed in the Palace, he noticed how Elliot and Athanasia created a hole behind them that leads to outside. Clearly, those two never heard of restraint and went feral on the Palace grounds.

Lucas lets out a sigh, running his hand across his face. “Well, this does not make sense at all…” He muttered. “How do you two even know each other…?”

Beru pursed his lips, unable to answer. Lucas could see his hands trembling as he tried to hide it. While Augustus cracked a grin, taking a step closer. “Really, is that how you are going to treat your dear childhood friend after so long?” He raised a brow.

“Beru…” Lucas whispered, trying to gain Beru's attention. He failed.

“Let me indulge you Lucas!” Augustus intercepted, earning a flinch from Beru. Lucas already knew to be cautious around the prince as he saw the anger in Beru's face. Augustus then pointed at the burnt mark on his face. “THIS! Beru is the one who did this to me!” He said with a laugh. “It was a mark for an eternal friendship between us! Right, Beru?!”

Beru did not answer.

Lucas stepped in front of Beru, glaring back at Augustus. “Eternal friendship?” He scoffed. “Do not make me laugh, Beru here does not agree with your story. I think that burn was a sign of the pain you caused him, am I wrong?”

Augustus’ smile disappeared. His expression darkened as he gave Lucas a cold gaze. “You sure talk a lot for a dead man.”

Lucas’ brow twitched, his eyes began to burn as his emotions began swelling up.

Augustus’ grin returned as he saw Lucas’ reaction. “Oh, did I hit a mark?” He said innocently. “Then again, I cannot help but say it out loud…”

Suddenly, Augustus was already standing in front of Lucas. His eyes stared into Lucas’ ruby ones that were somehow glowing brightly.

“... When you killed Elliot's mother.”

Beru jumped, he finally had the strength to move and turned to Lucas with wide eyes. He then remembered the look on Elliot's face when he heard the news about his mother.

“Lucas…” Beru uttered. “You…”

Lucas’ expression darkened.

Beru couldn't complete his words, he could only stare at Lucas in horror. He couldn't believe what he just heard, whether to listen to the words of the person who once fooled him, or the person who he doesn't even completely believe.

As Augustus continued to provoke Lucas, the latter raised his fist to give the prince a good hit on the face with a little bit of mana that he could manage to control.

Snap!

Lucas couldn't use his mana. The power inside him was bubbling rapidly, filling his body up. One use of his powers, he might destroy another Kingdom with his own hands.

Causing to summon another calamity.

As Lucas stood there, a blast hit him on the chest. With a blink and two, he finds himself flying over the field, away from the Palace.

His eyes widened to see it was one of the guards who used a magic item on him.

Lucas landed with a thud. He made a pained yelp as he rolled down the pebbled ground. He coughed out blood, his insides going haywire as he felt his mana trying to push its way out of his body. He clenched his chest, groaning in pain as he panted heavily.

Stop… He begged. Stop… 

His heart began to pulse rapidly, like loud drums ringing in his ears. His veins popped out from his skin as he tensed his body to stop the flow of mana rushing through, trying to escape from his body.

He opened his eyes, it was scorching red, glowing brightly with such heat. It continues to flicker into different shades of red. A tingling sensation ran through his skin as he felt a tremor in his chest.

I sense…

As Lucas lifted his head, blood dripped down his eyes as he saw Beru being cornered by Augustus who was grinning in triumph. He saw Athanasia and Elliot still fighting, not noticing what happened outside of their battle.

Beru was on the edge.

Augustus had his sword on Beru's chest.

Lucas was laying on the ground, unable to move.

I sense…

Lucas held out his hand to the unreachable.

Death.

“BERU!” A desperate scream.

“Have a heart.”

Lucas might have not lost his heart at all.

Chapter Text

“My prince, what do you think of Death?”

Lucas finds himself in a library, the warmth of the sun coming through the open windows along the cool breeze of the afternoon. Blinking, his eyes met a pair of white ones staring back at him with the most patient expression. He could only look down on his book with a silent huff, reading the lines about the world after life.

“I do not know…” He muttered, his voice sounded hesitant as his brows furrowed in wonder. “Maybe, it is the cause of pain, he takes away life by also ripping people's hearts without even a single thought…”

He heard his tutor chuckle. “When you were at the funeral of your cousin, did you feel pain, Your Highness?” He asked again. Lucas cannot help but make a noise, his frown deepened as his tutor made sense.

“... No…” His voice became strained. He then lets out a loud sigh, slamming his hands on the table before burying his face in his arms. “Like I said, I do not know!!” He yelled, almost sounding like a whine. “Death… it is too bothersome to think about! What makes it so complex when he only takes away people's lives without a thought!”

“You are right about that, Your Highness, but also wrong.”

Which is it?

Lucas didn't move and remained in his position. He hates it when this old man would always ask him complicated topics such as this. Although, the conversation would end up with him learning new things, it's just the process of reaching there is the most bothersome.

“Death is the reason why we continue to live. His existence is very important to the world,” His tutor continued. “Death can be a beautiful thing as well as it could be the most painful thing in the world…” His eyes stared at the back of Lucas’ head, his fingers playing along the sliver of the young prince's hair as he spoke. “Losing someone you cherish the most is painful, but carrying their memory into your journey of living is joy. It is as if you carry them into a new chapter of life.”

Lucas slowly lifted his head, meeting the white eyes staring down at him, full of mirth. He cannot help but to stare in awe, seeing his face into the reflection given by the glistening irises.

“As you walk into your journey, living, Death is also walking towards you. Patient. Slow. Reaching.”

“And as it comes near you.”

“You will feel it.”

And it is either joy or fear that you are feeling.

“BERU!!”

Lucas felt his heartbeat trying to break out from his ribcage as he saw Beru falling down from the window, floors away from the ground. He felt a lump in his throat as he saw a shadow looming over a tower near them, holding a scythe, dripping with dark mist that Lucas cannot comprehend.

But he was there.

Death.

Black eyes staring into Lucas’ red ones as he anticipated for Beru to reach the ground. And Lucas cannot feel himself moving, neither could he stand up and rush to help the falling young man. As if it was already written. It was just the same as when he was there in front of the executions of his tutor, standing over his body as he waited to swing his scythe to slit his throat the moment he drew his last breath.

And it wasn't joy that he felt.

It was fear.

This time, Lucas felt it again.

The scent of blood, the color that resembles his eyes. His cursed eyes that he never understood the blessing behind it. And the soul being taken away from his sight. Never to be seen again.

“I am going to make sure that you will be stuck with me from now on.”

Lucas gritted his teeth. His eyes never leaving Death as he stood up with trembling limbs, slowly turning into a deep glare. Red burning radiantly against the gloaming sun.

Ever since his death, Lucas learned how being with people around him causes him unbearable outbursts of emotions that he couldn't understand. It rips his mind and heart apart whenever he continues to remember the memories he made with the man who had already left him with nothing but faint sounds of his voice.

Lucas avoided to miss people.

So that as long as he lives, he wouldn't have to blame himself all over again.

That is why…

“If…” Lucas grunted, his knees trembling as he stood up. He could see trees withering from a distance as he moved even just a small inch. Every fragile life became ashes under his tremendous power. “If you plan to… stick with…” He coughed out blood. “... with me…” He took another step. “Then…” He raised his hand, as if to reach Beru who desperately called out for his sealed powers to work again.

Lucas lifted his head.

Death raised his scythe.

“Do a better job at it!”

The air went still. A red wave came out from the palm of Lucas’ reaching hand, rapidly growing like a tormentous sea in a raging storm. It covers the sky, covering the blue hue that was slowly resurfacing. The silence in the field was replaced with a loud roar of thunder that came crashing down the approaching blade of Death.

The red shadow swallowed the scythe before it could even reach Beru. Death took a step back, almost staggering from his position. He whipped his head towards Lucas who is slowly losing consciousness from his new power. His glare was visible behind the mask that covers his hideous face.

Lucas’ sight became blurry, the thumping sound of his heart slowly faded into a whisper. And as his face met the ground, with only the sight of Beru still falling, he heard a whisper.

“He is slowly rising.”

Lucas’ began to feel drowsy.

“Must inform the King.”

Darkness filled his sight.

“He cannot rule this world.”

He failed to save Beru. Just how he failed to save him.

Or so he thought.

With the remaining of Lucas’ strength, he saw a flash of light fly past him with such a rapid pace. And a voice calling out his name in desperation.

And Lucas fell into the world of slumber.

What was that…?!

Elliot cannot help but see everything with his own eyes. It was like living in a world of fiction as he saw the red wave almost flooding over the Palace grounds, although it did not reach him or Athanasia. But then its frightening power pulled them out from their desire to cut each other up, their eyes shooting towards the holder of the power.

But that wasn't the only thing that bugged Elliot.

He could see a shadow over a tower near him, a scythe hovering over to a certain target which he immediately followed to see Beru falling over his death. A shiver ran down his spine, freezing his body as he stood there, looking up at the hooded figure who didn't seem to care about the other people present but his only victim.

Elliot held his breath.

The grip on his dagger tightens as the red sky faded back to blue.

Elliot knew what death looked like.

It appears that it wasn't that long since he last saw Death.

Those eyes that seemed to glimmer as he looked down on the window of his chambers, that someone wouldn't think of him as the god of Death. The tattered scroll in his hand as he read through it before lifting his hood to stare into Elliot's window.

The heavy tension in the room that Elliot felt as he met those eyes.

He thought that it was him that Death wanted.

But then…

“Are you sure that you are really not going to join me and visit your relatives from Aléatoire?”

Elliot turned to see his mother standing right beside his bookshelf filled with the books that he favored since his childhood. Her long black hair reflecting the light of the sun that reaches her waist, and her kind smile that reaches to her coral-colored eyes that seemed to have suited the golden hues of the sun more than his.

And Elliot completely forgot about the shadow right outside of his window as he smiled back at his mother. “I am, mother.”

He held her hand.

“Please come back home safely.”

He forgot about it.

Of the fact that he saw Death staring at his mother, a week before her tragic death.

Elliot blinked, pulling his memories away for him to see Beru falling from the highest floor of the Palace. Augustus grinning down as he watched Beru meeting his demise. Lucas, collapsing on the ground with a hard thud. Death almost in a state of panic as he stared at his cousin. Athanasia, calling out to Lucas.

Beru falling.

Death standing near.

His mother's death.

The glint of the scythe.

And Elliot could see himself running towards Beru.

He cannot afford to lose another life right under his nose when he knew Death was right there.

He cannot afford to make the same mistake ever again.

“...!”

Even if it does not give his mother back to life.

“El…?!” Beru opened his eyes, almost squinting as the first thing he saw was a ray of light. But as soon as he adjusted his sight, he almost let out a gasp of surprise to see Elliot. He felt his body being wrapped around by a glowing lasso before being pulled into the prince's embrace.

Elliot gritted his teeth as he felt the harsh impact from his strong pull, only for him to fall on the ground, his back meeting the hard surface that he couldn't help but let out a loud grunt of pain.

Despite the pain, Elliot felt the heavy weight on his heart lighten as he felt Beru in his arms, his hold tighten as he sighed in relief. He lifted his eyes to see Death turning into a black mist before disappearing. He couldn't help but show a triumphant smile as he panted heavily.

Beru felt the lasso disappearing, giving him the movement to push himself out from Elliot's heaving chest. His eyes widened and his mouth opened from the shock at what happened. He stared down at the smiling prince as he started to stammer. “I… you… you were! You just…! How…?!” He couldn't seem to find the right words.

Elliot met Beru's eyes. The latter couldn't help but be mesmerized by the new glint in the blonde's eyes, he tilted his head in wonder, his mouth unknowingly closing.

Elliot lifted his torso with his elbows and sat there, staring back at the blue-haired boy who seemed to have lost in thought. “Give me your hand…” He muttered, though he didn't need an answer when he held Beru's hand by himself.

A golden band appeared on Beru's wrist, and with a spark, it was gone.

“There…” Elliot said, his voice hoarse. His eyes remained on Beru's wrist as he gently held them, he seemed to be in a daze as his thumb gently caressed the latter's skin where the magic bracelet was before.

Beru blinked and pulled his hand away as he began to sit up. His skin tingles as Elliot's touch still lingers. He then let out a gasp to turn his head towards where Lucas is.

The said boy was lying on Athanasia's lap as he had completely lost consciousness. His hand where he used that mysterious power was bruised as if it was burnt when smoke came out from its skin.

Athanasia frowned as she let her fingers brush Lucas’ bangs away, his furrowed brows relaxed under her gentle touch. She began to regret her actions earlier for moving rashly and left Lucas there while she relentlessly attacked Elliot. If she was composed back then, this wouldn't have happened to him.

“... I could not control it…”

She can still remember the tremor behind those words that Lucas conveyed last night as she recalled what the latter just did. It was indeed a tremendous power. No young child could ever control such power.

How much weight did you even have to carry? She wondered to herself as if she's trying to speak to Lucas through his mind.

“Lucas!”

Athanasia lifted her head to see Beru running towards them, with Elliot behind him. Although the young prince did not approach them and remained in his place.

As Beru was about to ask about Lucas’ wellbeing, they heard a weak applause. The three turned their heads to see Augustus flying down from the opened floor with a magic carpet along with some royal guards behind him.

As he reached the ground, Beru stood in front defensively while Athanasia held Lucas close in her arms. Both glared at the older prince who was still smiling from ear to ear, although his eyes does not reach genuine joy.

“What a wonderful magic show!” Augustus cheered. His eyes moved to Elliot who was surprised at his sudden presence. “I cannot believe that my own brother would side with the monster who almost killed his big brother…” His eyes met Beru. “... a Galleo slave…” Then to Athanasia. “... and the man who killed your beloved mother.” And Lucas.

He turned back to Elliot, his brows raised. “Why the sudden change of thought?” He asked, although he doesn't sound interested.

“I…!” Elliot was cut off by his brother as the latter raised a finger for him to stop.

“Oh well, whatever excuse that you are going to give, it still would not erase the fact that you are trying to save these worthless scums,” Augustus said, his voice turning cold. His eyes slowly glided towards Elliot's hand that was holding a familiar weapon, the sight of it brought a grin on his face as a memory triggered his mind.

The roars of the beasts coming towards him.

Beru's cries as he took the dagger from him.

The burning sensation on his skin.

It was a far away scene that Augustus declined to forget.

As it was a moment that he cherished the most.

Augustus moved back to meet Elliot's eyes. Those eyes that hide an immense power that he didn't have, that he indeed envied. He tilted his head as he tightened his lips together, although his smile remained. “Are you committing treason, brother?” He questioned, almost sounded like a warning, but it was more of a threat. “A crowned prince betraying his Kingdom?” He laughed. “How would father react?!”

Elliot wanted to defend himself, but his eyes caught a glimpse of Beru staring at him with expectant eyes. And there he is, hesitant to raise his voice to speak up for himself. His nails dug through his palm as he clenched his hands.

“Even worse, if your mother is here, how would she react?”

Snap.

Elliot shot a glare at his brother. “Do not dare to put her into this mess…” He said through gritted teeth.

Augustus raised a brow, his grin widened. “What? Is protecting these worthless people really worth it for you to abdicate the throne for your crimes?” He took another step closer. “Tell me, Elli. The man who killed your mother is right there. You would not throw away your shot, would you?”

Elliot stood there.

His brother was right. Lucas is right there, unconscious, it was easy for him to take revenge for his mother's death at the opportunity opened for him as if it was served on a silver platter. His brother was right. Lucas deserved to die from the actions that he caused.

Augustus was always right.

While Elliot is only a kid who doesn't know what to do.

He looked down, staring at the dagger. Its weight seemed to become heavy in his hand, like a lead, as if it was trying to escape from his grasp. It still felt like the weapon wasn't his to claim. The glint of its metal was glaring at him for his lack of courage to show his desires.

That he knew that he was no King to lead a Kingdom.

That he always follows his brother's footsteps to move forward.

That he wants to run away from the responsibilities coming his way like a harsh wave from a storm.

That he is always hiding in his mother's embrace.

But mother is not here… A voice echoed in his mind. His eyes shook as he turned to see Lucas in Athanasia's embrace, unmoving. Not anymore…

"Mother..." His child self stood before him. He came to realize that he has become an invisible entity floating in his world of memories. "Do I really need to take the throne?”

Elliot looked up to the woman sitting behind the past version of himself, too busy to brush her son's hair. His eyes softened at the sight playing in front of him. She was still as beautiful as he could remember. His loving mother.

"Hm, do you not want it?" His mother questioned. Elliot's heart squeezed tightly in his chest as he listened to his mother's voice. Like a sweet song, a lullaby that could eradicate every nightmares there is. "Is there any reason?"

His child self began to play with his fingers, little Elliot became flustered. "I..." He stammered. "I do not think that I am someone who is deserving of the throne... And also... Whenever I see my father sitting on that, I... I just feel afraid..." His voice wavers, his hidden emotions reflecting his heart.

His mother hummed, sighing softly before she turned Elliot around to face her. She leaned down to make contact with her child's forehead with hers, smiling warmly. "Just because you are chosen does not mean that you had to follow in their footsteps..." She whispered. "You are perfectly you, my dear star..."

Elliot's mother held out a hand, showing an image of the bright sky. Her magic filled the room with such warmth and tranquility, turning into a haven for Elliot's small and fragile heart. Her powers did not match with her family name, there is no darkness, nor death emanating from her palms, only the call of an oasis, of an embrace that would pull a person in to rest, to be at peace. That's what Elliot loves from his mother, her magic isn't used to taking someone's life in misery.

But to put to rest in harmony.

"You are already as bright as the stars in the sky."

Elliot blinked, feeling the tears escaping from his eyes. Gasping as he forced himself out from the illusion, his sight returned to the present.

“But I do wish not to burn yourself too brightly.”

Everyone's eyes were on him.

Beru waited for Elliot even though Athanasia was ready to protect Lucas with all her might.

Beru knew those eyes. Filled with dread and misery like a child as he was abandoned by the only light of his life. He remembered the smiles Elliot tried to show, those smiles that could never match with the brightness of the stars as it was slowly filled with darkness from the pain in his heart.

Beru questioned why Elliot was hesitating to move and kill them. He had any reason why he needed to kill them right there.

Why?

“ELLIOT!!”

Elliot lifted his head. His body shook as it brightened along with the sky, the sun peeking up, welcoming itself as the start of a new morning. He glared at Augustus, his anger visible.

“I have not lost anything.”

Beru's eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold. Elliot had his dagger pointed towards his brother, instead of Lucas who was the cause of his mother's death.

Augustus lowered his chin, the glint in his eyes disappeared. He gave Beru a glance as if he was finding the cause of Elliot's sudden change. His cold gaze pierced Beru's, earning a shiver on the latter's body. He then turned to Elliot, his grin disappeared as he let out a long sigh. Silent and calm.

“I see.”

Elliot waited.

Augustus raised his hand, and a group of royal soldiers soon covered the grounds, as well as their way of escape.

“I really do think that you are going to continue and follow me until the end, Elli…” Augustus muttered. Elliot's nickname became a poison in his mouth as he let it slip out, his voice deep, not even a hint of joy could be heard. “After everything I did for you, begging to spare you from the elimination of the Aléatoires, but now you disappointed me.”

Elliot narrowed his eyes. “Elimination of wha…?!”

Augustus merely gave Elliot a knowing glance before he raised his finger, the soldiers raised their spears to attack in one direction towards Elliot's way with their main affinity, light. As the attacks came running to hit them, Beru rushed in front and pushed Elliot behind him. He lifted his chin as he ordered the earth with his absolute command.

A defensive wall emerged from beneath, shielding them from the upcoming attacks. Before the guards could even react for another attack, Beru lifted his hand, swaying to the side for the wall to split in half. He moved his hand again, pointing to the enemy in front . "Attack," he ordered and yet again the earth listened and followed Beru as its master. It lets itself turn into hundreds of needles before flying over to hit the soldiers.

Distracted, Augustus took the chance to pull out his sword towards Beru. But his attack was immediately deflected by Elliot who stood right behind the blue-haired boy.

“Move, Elliot!!” Augustus said with gritted teeth. Despite his desire to claim Lucas, seeing Beru right close to him resurfaced his anger towards the latter. The burnt mark on his face still tingles from the memory that he barely escaped. “That boy almost killed me! He will be punished for his crime!”

“I do not think that you have the place to say that!” Elliot retorted, pushing Augustus off. “What do you mean about the elimination of the Aléatoires?! Brother, were you associated with that man who massacred my mother's family?!”

Augustus only grinned in response. Throwing another attack towards Elliot who immediately blocked it with the dagger. Despite its length, Elliot was on par with his brother's swordsmanship skills. The two clashed blades, glaring into each other with such hate and anger.

Augustus leaned close. “Are you really going to abandon your title, Elliot…?!”

Elliot fought against his brother's strength. He wanted to scream at his brother for turning his back against his family. He wanted to pour him questions, filled with whys. But he couldn't seem to utter those words.

Instead, Elliot thought of the sky.

Elliot thought of his mother.

His mother who he knew had sacrificed her life for him to be in this moment where he could finally make a decision without anyone contradicting him.

He knew what to choose. He knew who he wanted to be with.

And he chose...

“I do not wish to burn myself brighter than I already am.”

Augustus made a frown, his strength suddenly hesitated which gave Elliot the chance to push his brother off.

And as Elliot was about to throw a clean attack, with Augustus falling backwards, he was pulled by Beru with a tug of the back of his tunic. “Elliot!” He called. A path suddenly appeared before them. “Let us go!”

"You know what this means, Elliot..." Augustus warned, finally finding his balance before he could even meet the ground. "You will be treated as the enemy of the family, a traitor. Are you sure you are going to side with that man?"

"Enough…" Elliot muttered. He waved his dagger and put it back inside its sheath. "You have stooped so low brother..." He hissed. "... You have always been the weakest of the both of us ever since I was born, but that did not blind me to think that you are nothing.”

Augustus flinched, his eyes widened.

"And right now… you really are nothing…”

Elliot's words left with such distaste in his mouth as he glared down at the pathetic state of his brother that he used to follow with all of his life. He turned his back, staring at Beru for a moment before letting out a breath, taking a step closer towards the latter.

Augustus gritted his teeth, his hand clenched against the hilt of his sword. He stood straight and began running towards Elliot.

"I WILL BE KING!!” He bellowed.

His blade reached for Elliot's back where his heart was located.

“And with that, I shall destroy YOU!!"

Elliot turned his head, eyes wide as he summoned a spear from his power.

A loud clash of blades echoed under the  morning sky of Illenium.

Summoning complete silence in the Kingdom of Light.

Chapter Text

Pitter, patter.

It was the sound of the rain.

Pitter, patter.

Athanasia groaned, the sensation of a cold ground made her body shiver.

Pitter, patter.

The soft droplets suddenly faded away as a shadow emerged over her. Slowly, Athanasia opened her eyes to see a silhouette of a person looking down on her. Panic rushed through her veins, although she couldn't feel her body move to run away.

“Oh my…” The stranger muttered, their worry visible.

Athanasia felt her strength disappearing.

No, she cannot lose consciousness right now.

Pitter, patter.

The sound of the rain reached her ears, lulling her to sleep.

Pitter, patter.

“Lu… ca… s…”

Pitter, patter.

Pitter, patter.

Where could she be right now?

Take or be taken. Eat or be eaten. That's how it is to live in the streets of Nierre.

At least that's what Elijah knew.

"Hey, brat!! Come back here!!!"

It was cold as usual in Nierre, its air brushing against pale cheeks as he swam through the sea of beggars in the town. His bruised hand clenched tightly as it held onto a pouch that he took from a noble. And despite that, he ran and ran without even losing the triumphant grin etched on his face.

It was a normal day in the Kingdom, filled with powerless mortals, swimming into the freezing breeze of the weather, doing nothing but to count the days of their survival.

Sun never shone over the Kingdom, only the heavy clouds that covered the people as a form of a dome. It was not a shield of protection but rather a cage that imprisoned its people, keeping them out to the real world and living their life in isolation.

The Nierres don't care about the gold nor any of the riches in the continent. All they want is power. The power to control the people under them.

Ever since the influence of the Aléatoires on them, the royal family felt envious of their power and their equal strength with the Illeniums. The family of Nierre felt out of place, greedy to be on the pedestal to join the two strongest Kingdoms on the top where they could look down on other Kingdoms. And because of this deep desire for power, they have made a deal with the spirits from the Fields of Punishment through the use of forbidden books from ancient times.

Thus the hierarchy changes, where there are only the strongest at the top and the weakest at the very bottom.

And Elijah was one of the weakest.

But does that discourage the boy's heart?

His grin widens, moving between people while his other hand sneaks around their bodies. Their hats, scarves, even took a sliver of color dye. And as a hand reached his shoulder, the soldiers were surprised to see a stranger standing before them with a confused look.

“May I help you, sires?” Elijah questioned, tilting his head, letting a strand of red hair fall over his forehead. He shrugged, pulling his scarf close, his hat lifted in the process.

“Ah… we got the wrong kid…” One of them whispered to their colleague.

The other grunted, shifting their baldric as if to show their crest of the royal family, showing their dominance over the mere citizen. “Did you perhaps see a kid running in this direction? He is about this tall with black hair.” The guard gestured a hand just right about Elijah's height.

Elijah shook his head, his mask showed a confused expression. “Is it that young thief that has been stealing the goods?” He asked, blinking. Though he wanted to run away, it seems fun to watch these soldiers losing their minds looking for him who is standing right in front of them.

The guards irked, then the other sighed, his hand reached for the bridge of his nose. He turned to his fellow soldier. “Let us split to look for him. He must not have run that far for a malnourished kid like him.” Elijah heard him whisper before heading off, not even bidding their goodbye.

As Elijah watche their retreating backs, he tilted his head with pursed lips. He tugged his scarf, showing a glint in his eyes, gray, almost in contrast with the cloudy weather. He turned his heels, hand tossing a golden piece that seemed like the size of a coin.

The coin fell back into his palm, showing an intricate engravement on the metal. It shone against the faint light of the afternoon.

It was the crest placed on the guard's baldric.

Elijah couldn't help but grin mischievously.

“Imbeciles.”

He managed to blend in with the others and lost the soldiers that chased him. Gray eyes scanned what's behind him before Elijah knew that he was safe enough to sneak in between one of the buildings, the walls pressed against his body as he forced himself inside. Elijah has to suck a deep breath just to perfectly slide in between, in order to get to the other side.

As soon as he got out, Elijah was met with a dark path that would lead him to his home, a small shed just enough for two people that was right under the foot of the mountains that towered over the Kingdom.

He crawled inside and sat down, pulling out his stolen pouch and showed it to the second party in the room. "Look what I got Mom! I have just enough food for us to consume for the day!" He proudly said, putting the pouch that was filled with freshly baked bread.

No one answered.

Elijah made a frown, and as he lifted his head, what he saw was not his mother.

Golden hair sprawled on the floor, like a waterfall of riches glowing, flowing down limitlessly. Following the beautiful trail, Elijah met a pair of crystalized blue eyes staring back at him, wide, glistening. Compared to Elijah's eyes, she holds the most priceless jewels that he has ever seen. His hand twitched, itching to reach and take them for himself.

Not until.

“Elijah!”

Sitting beside the stranger was a frail-looking woman who was in her forties, her black hair was now mixed with gray streaks, barely even taken care of. Her body thin that her bones were almost visible if not for her saggy and pale skin. Her eyes looked so lifeless that one couldn't even see the color from it. But even then, she still managed to show a warm smile to her son who came back home safely.

Elijah smiled back, completely forgetting the new presence in the room as he faced his mother.

Elijah's mother turned to the person next to her who seemed to be wary towards her son, jeweled blue eyes glaring back at the gray ones. “This is my son, Elijah,” The woman introduced happily as if she was talking to a friend. “I think he is the same age as you?”

The blonde's glare soon faded away as she knew about Elijah, her eyes that used to be filled with hostility now replaced with a calm expression. Although Elijah was quick to notice her discomfort as he had been staring deeply into her eyes.

Growing up as a thief, it is pretty hard not to desire something that is bright.

“Athanasia…” The girl muttered, it sounded like an introduction.

“Ah, nice to meet you…” Elijah replied with a nod, not completely accepting her stay in their house that could barely fit the three of them to walk around properly.

As his mother stared at the two with a smile on her face, she jumped as if she missed something important to mention. “I found her lying down on the streets earlier while I was taking a walk,” She explained. “Poor girl, she was soaked in the rain…”

Elijah hummed. “Clearly, she does not live here…” He concluded.

“Uhm…” The girl, Athanasia spoke up, leaning into the conversation. “By here… may I ask where I am right now…?” Her confusion was palpable in her voice if not from her blank expression. Elijah could only raise a brow, surprised by the question.

“You were lost…?” His mother broke the short silence, her hand on her mouth. “My, do you remember where you were last before you got here?”

Athanasia's brows furrowed, showing her slight frustration that her question was not answered. Although she did not bother to complain and nodded as her response, added with a soft sigh as he moved her head to the side. Her mind wandered back into the past as she tried to remember. “I was with some people back in Ilenium…” She answered, her voice low.

Elijah's eyes widened. Ilenium? That Kingdom is like across from this place. How could a girl like her suddenly appear right out of the blue just like that? It doesn't make sense. Moreover, Ilenium is a Kingdom completely opposite from them, filled with riches and is always bright.

He stared into Athanasia's golden locks.

Well…

She does look like she is from there.

“... I was caught in the middle of a fight between brothers, and…” Her voice falters, her fists tightened on her lap.

Elijah tilted his head. A fight between brothers? Are they fighting for her hand in marriage or something?

“... and I held someone close to me… I was trying to protect him until…”

Him? Elijah wondered. There is a third guy in the picture. Now this story seemed more interesting than the public theater's that would play in the plaza once a week.

Athanasia shook her head, looking up to smile at Elijah's mother. “That is all that I can remember…” She ended. Although to Elijah, it doesn't seem like the story didn't end that way. It was too vague for him to believe her. It didn't even answer how she came here.

“My… that seemed tough…” His mother muttered, her hand gently stroked Athanasia's hair. Elijah silently admired how soft it was despite being soaked in the rain. “... It really is tough for someone to fight for your true love when there are people hindering it…”

Athanasia suddenly tensed. She slowly moved her head to the woman with wide eyes, and Elijah was sure to see a hidden blush on her cheek. “... Huh…?” Was all Athanasia could utter, her mouth remained hanging from the shock.

“Huh?” Elijah's mother blinked, confusion starting to grow on her face. “I… I mean, you were with the love of your life, hugging him close, while there were two brothers fighting in front of you as if one wanted to protect you while the other disproved your relationship… Am I wrong…?” Her voice falters as she ends her sentence. Elijah mentally nodded, quite proud that he has the same thoughts as his mother.

Athanasia made a face, one of her eyes twitching as her frown deepened. She could only cough as a response, seeming that she was speechless as the weird assumption of her predicament before she magically arrived in this unknown place in one poof!

“I…” She managed to find her voice. “I…” Then she sighed, her eyes closed. She tried her best to hide the fact that she was in the middle of a fight between royal princes fighting for their beliefs while she was hugging close another runaway prince who was unconscious from a fight - but, oh well! Might as well continue to hide this fact rather than to put a shock on their faces. The truth seemed to sound more unrealistic than what these two thought.

“... Yeah…” Athanasia muttered with a grunt. The thought of Lucas being the love of her life seemed pretty far off from a fictional book, and that just left a distaste in her mind.

Athanasia felt a warm touch on her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see those gray eyes that seemed to be empty, but it was full of light.

It was full of such brightness that it reminded her of her mother.

She cannot help but feel a warm pang on her chest, though she quickly hid it with a small smile.

No one shall know about her own past.

“Come here…” The woman pulled her close. Athanasia followed and let herself be rested under the woman's chin, her cheek relaxed on her shoulder as if it belonged there. Athanasia's heart moved when she felt a caress behind her back, slow and gentle.

Like a mother's touch.

“...”

“It must have hurt that you got yourself separated from your beloved…” Elijah's mother said, almost in a whisper. Although to Athanasia, it sounded like a song. “... I know how that feels…” Empathy laced in her voice as she said that. “... so you can stay here… either you wait for him to find you… or you will regain your strength here until you are ready to embark on a journey that will lead you to your one and only happiness…”

Athanasia didn't bother to react to the misunderstanding, she was far into deep as she listened into the voice of the woman. Her words of comfort filled her heart like a mother cradling her child in her arms, those arms that seemed so weak but are always ready to protect her child from any pain that comes their way.

“Either way…” The woman sighed, her other hand rested on Athanasia's cheek. “... You will still find your happiness in the end.”

Athanasia stared into the woman's eyes. She could feel the tears coming out, it took everything for her not to break out right in front of the two strangers present in the room.

As she was taught not to show her true emotions out in the open just because she wanted to feel.

Elijah broke the silence with a soft scoff. He was looking down on Athanasia with a deep frown. “You sure are lucky to have my mom take care of you…” He said, almost sounded like a grumble. “You better appreciate her kindness.”

Athanasia stared at Elijah for a moment, her lips formed into a thin line.

“Oh, come on,” Elijah's mom exasperated before Athanasia could say anything. The woman was glaring at her son. “Treat this girl as your sister from now on! She is hurting, and here you are acting like a brat…!”

Elijah's eyes widened, offended by his mother's words. “Huh?!” He exclaimed. “Why should I…?!” He began to stammer as he thought of words to retort.

He got nothing, but a loud sigh of defeat.

“You sure do act like your father,” Elijah's mother said with a chuckle as she let go of Athanasia. The latter looked disappointed, though she did not show it in her expression and listened into the mother and son banter.

Elijah stopped grumbling and paused. His expression suddenly turned cold to Athanasia's surprise. “I am not…” The amusement in his voice also disappeared along with the glint of his eyes. “And do not ever mention him in front of me… that bastard is long gone in my memories…”

The smile on Elijah's mother disappeared. “How could you just say it like that…?” Despite her brows furrowed and her eyes glaring daggers at her son, her voice was not filled with anger but rather a pained tune dripping out as words escaped her mouth. “How many times do I have to tell you that you cannot just disrespect your father as if he was nothing…”

Athanasia felt the discomfort, how abrupt the sudden change in the air was.

Elijah scoffed and stood up, shaking his head. “Why should I even bother a man who never returned and left us here to rot…?” He muttered as he turned his back.

Tears are threatening to fall. “Elijah!” His mother called as Elijah started to leave the house.

And the light conversation ended with the shut of the door. Elijah was gone, leaving his mother and Athanasia inside.

The woman beside Athanasia started to weep, dropping on the floor. Athanasia was quick to help her up to sit properly. She made a worried glance at the door to where Elijah left then back to his mother, crying in her arms, trembling.

With a furrowed look, Athanasia cannot help but see a shadow of her young self leaving along with Elijah's retreating back.

The streets were empty when the royal soldiers came marching to the streets, a loud sound of the horn announced their presence and that is it time for execution.

Parents hid their children and the elderly struggled to find a hiding place for them as the place gradually became filled with fear and blood lust. They peeked through their windows, hoping that the soldiers would walk past them.

"Citizens of Nierre!" The leader called out. "It is another time of the year to take out all your teenagers who have been awakened with their new abilities and hand them over to us before we could even decide to destroy your homes!!"

It was the wrong timing for Elijah when he ran from home and back into town. Though he was lucky enough to hide in between buildings, making sure not to reveal his presence to the menacing soldiers.

It was the time of the year where the soldiers would come and visit the town to take every teenager who has reached the age of when they would get their abilities and take them to the palace to remove them.

Before that tradition was declared, Nierre was a Kingdom filled with people who are born with mana. But the night came when the rebels formed a coup d'etat against their King and almost tore down the Kingdom off the map. During the war, the royal family found the devil's bible named, Codex Gigas.

It was a book filled with magic spells and rituals that could summon the evil spirits of the Underworld, precisely, from the Fields of Punishment. The family took that opportunity to use the book to enhance their abilities which they used to win at war, killing all the rebels mercilessly. It became a one-sided war and the town was destroyed, while the royal family stood proudly on top of the corpses that they had killed.

Though the book has its drawbacks. It made them greedy, the desire for more power engulfs them into the dark abyss until their sanity was lost. Thus, they have declared that their people shall not have mana, by using the Codex Gigas to steal their abilities and to pass it onto them.

Such a world that Elijah was born in.

Then again, Elijah wondered how is it like to have power from an evil entity?

It is no wonder that he would choose to use the power to escape the Kingdom with his mother, and kill those men who tried to abuse them. Although, maybe steal a huge amount of jewels and money in order to live in peace after leaving the thrashed place.

The thought of it brought a grin to Elijah's face.

That he was caught by one of the royal guards.

A shadow appeared over Elijah, pulling him from his thoughts to see the guard glaring down at him. The latter then pulled Elijah close by the wrist and turned to his comrades. “I found one hiding here, sire!” He announced.

Elijah's eyes widened as panic started to pump his blood, his heart beating loudly while he was being dragged along the young teenagers in a cage. He fell inside with a loud thud, and the cells locked before he could even make a run for it.

“HEY!” He called out. “LET ME OUT!!”

One of the guards pulled out his sword as he faced Elijah, glaring at the boy. “SHUT IT, RAT!” The man yelled. The children behind him began to cry in fear, hugging close, while Elijah stood there, glaring back at the guard. The sword pointed at his face, causing Elijah to waver. “Do not dare give me that look, you are nothing but a waste in the Kingdom, you better be grateful that the King chose to give you little shits a chance to serve him!”

Elijah wanted to fight back, he wanted to tear the bars apart and just rip off the glare on the man's face. But then he thought of his mother's broken face when he left. He could only stand there in silence, feeling powerless at the sword pointing at him with bloodlust.

He couldn't do anything.

As he always does.

The guard huffed and put his sword back to its sheath, turning back to the task at hand.

Elijah gripped tightly onto the bars, his eyes wandered around the crying parents watching their children being taken away from them. The carriage moved as the guards finally got every single child that they could take. And all was in Elijah's mind was his mother who was waiting for him back at home.

He gritted his teeth.

“I… am sorry… mother…”

The marches echoed through the town, fading slowly as they marched back to the palace gates. Elijah stared back into the town as the gates slowly closed, people slowly coming out from the comforts of their homes as they watched in horror.

And with a thud, Elijah felt the heavy weight on his chest pull him down.

As the carriage went inside the premises of the Palace, Elijah did not stare in awe along with the kids of his age. The familiar sight of the tinted windows and intricately tended greenery around them only brought a disgust to his face. It always annoys him how the inside of the Palace is filled with such colors and life while its town was a complete opposite, filled with dread and poverty.

Yes. Elijah has been in this place before. A matter of fact, he has been in this place many times before. It became a sore in the eyes of the fact that he will never acquire this kind of life for his dear mother.

Elijah grew up as a thief. He knew how to live in the streets through stealing as he craved for survival and the wellbeing of his mother. And thus, all by himself, he became as the youngest and one of the talented thieves to ever exist in the Kingdom. And Elijah lived up to that title until now.

Even though he stole as a child, the public came to know him when he first broke into the Palace's gates and stole one of the King's prized treasures. Elijah became a wanted criminal in the eyes of the nobles, but the townspeople saw him as someone brave enough to face the royal family at such a young age.

Every time they get to catch the young boy running around the streets, they would come and expect what would be the next victim that he would target. They would play bids on whether he would steal some jewelry, gold, or weapons. His existence became something big that other thieves who played in the dark became brave enough to show themselves to the public, running around and stealing stuff.

This influence became a serious trouble to everyone in town as it caused inequality that almost broke a fight. Even though everyone knew that all the mess was caused by Elijah, he wasn't blamed at all.

Because who would blame such an innocent kid like him?

The name of the Kingdom being as the home of thieves became much understandable to the people who knew the place and was feared that the monthly visits gradually dissipated.

Those days were fun when Elijah was still one of those people who steal for money, but when his mother fell ill when she found out all the schemes that he had done, he stopped and only stole for food. A proof that Elijah was only a boy, a son who loves his mother to the deepest part of his heart that he would do anything for her.

But to stop stealing? Elijah couldn't do it as stealing has become a part of his life. And the only way for them to survive in this shackled world.

And so he continues to steal, but now only for his mother's needs. The gold and jewels are now nothing to him.

Even then, his skills didn't become rusty and he still has a knack to steal such riches from the nobles that he only does it for fun—he secretly gives it back just to tease them as they panicked that their gold was gone.

Gold, diamond, any kind of jewels, you name it and Elijah will easily steal it in a flash.

But there is one thing that he has not stolen yet.

And it was…

The cage opened right in front of Elijah. He lifted his head to see the guards, making way for him and the other children to walk out. He stood right in front of such familiar doors that used to threaten him, towering over him in all its golden glory as it slowly opened.

Light came flooding from the inside, making him and the others squint their eyes from the sheer brightness.

A soft flutter echoed in the room, a book stood right in front of them, where the light came from as it magically flipped its pages on its own. It was emitting with different colors, although there was one thing that caught Elijah's eyes.

Amethyst.

His hand twitches at the bedazzling sight, as if it was begging for him to be caught into his arms. His heart pounded at the exhilaration. He licked his dry lips, with a soft sigh as he stared deeply into the magical object. A whisper escaped his throat.

“Codex Gigas.”

A groan echoed in the middle of the darkness.

With a flutter, his eyes opened.

Ruby eyes roamed around as he felt his body aching against the solid ground.

Not until a pair of golden eyes stared back down at him.

“AHHH!!”

BONK!

“OW!”

“ACK!”

Lucas held his forehead at the painful impact. He began rolling down the floor with a loud groan, not giving a care of the fact that he was being loud along with the second person with him in the room.

“Right when I use my powers to heal you, and this is the thanks that I get?!!” A familiar voice echoed, causing Lucas to stop and sit up, his eyes wide.

Rolling on the floor across him was a boy with golden hair, wearing tattered clothes that barely covered his battered body. A pair of golden eyes met his ruby ones, glaring at him.

“Elliot…?” Lucas uttered, almost sounded a squeak, his expression baffled.

Elliot sat up, his hand still massaging his poor forehead. “Yeah, it is me…” He said with a grumble. Lucas blinked as he tilted his head. With a huff he looked around their surroundings only to deepen his confusion.

Wet and dark brick walls surrounded them; windows so small that the light could barely slip through inside to give them brightness in the room; the putrid smell of blood dancing in the air making Lucas and Elliot retch at the scent.

Lucas’ eyes returned to Elliot.

“Where are we…?”

Chapter Text

Lucas cursed under his breath, kicking the wall vehemently before going back and forth in the unfamiliar room that he is in with Elliot behind him, watching with disinterest. The latter seemed to be on the verge of losing his mind as he continued to observe his cousin's relentless writhing.

“Are you done…?” Elliot decided to cut off the silence between them after a long sigh, rolling his head before turning back to Lucas.

The raven-head stopped in his tracks, slowly turning his head with wide eyes that told Elliot to rethink his decisions. A smile crept up to his face to the latter's discomfort. “You really had the audacity to say that to me when you were the one to take us here…” He muttered, a cold chuckle escaped his lips as he took a step closer. “Really, Elliot, I cannot believe you!!”

Elliot avoided Lucas’ glare and moved his head to the side, a pout formed on his lips. “I was just trying to help…” He grumbled.

Lucas clenched his hands into a fist. “Ah, really?” He asked, though it wasn't the voice of someone grateful. “You separate me from those two, ending me up in this filthy place with you and you tell me that it was a form of assistance for us?!”

“Look, I am still trying to learn with my powers, give me some slack!” Elliot decided to argue back, now returning the glare to his cousin. “I could have just joined with my brother and killed you while you were unconscious! You should be thankful that I did not, even if I still have a grudge towards you for killing my mother!”

“...!”

Lucas couldn't utter a word, the fume in his gaze hesitated, turning into a flicker before he let out a huff, looking away from Elliot's eyes. He gritted his teeth as his fist tightened, turning his palms white from his nails.

Elliot wasn't some idiot to not notice the dimness in Lucas’ eyes as if a nightmare turned into a memory played into his mind, an image that Elliot may not handle to see nor even experience. He could only purse his lips, his hands finding to fiddle the hem of his tattered tunic as he looked down. Guilt came over him, a realization of how he could blame the source of his pain to the person who suffered ten times more.

Elliot was unfair.

“You were not there that time…”

Elliot lifted his head, meeting Lucas' eyes.

Lucas could only take deep breaths as his body relaxed, though the uncomfort was there, visible in his trembling hands.

“Though I am thankful that you did not come that day…”

Elliot's eyes widened, seeing Lucas’ lips curving up, but the corners did not reach his eyes to even describe it as a form of joy. There was sadness hidden behind that poorly made smile.

“Maybe that is why Aunt sacrificed her life,” Lucas said with a smile, looking up to the window that was their only source of light. “In hopes that her only light could live and would continue to shine brightly.”

“Lucas…” Elliot breathed. His hands twitched as warmth filled his broken heart.

When Elliot couldn't form a sentence, Lucas broke the silence with a chuckle, the light in his eyes returning, though it wasn't as near as his usual one. “Why are you staring at me with that stupid look?” He raised a brow. He awkwardly looked away, his body stiffened as his cheeks showed a small shade of pink. “... I… I am not good with these kinds of speeches, so stop staring at me like that… it's a nightmare…”

Elliot made a frown. Lucas was indeed not good at making such warmhearted words, but then for the first try, there was something deep inside Elliot that he finds that kind of side from Lucas to be awkward and embarrassing.

Though for the sake of their newly awkward space that they made, Elliot decided not to deepen it further with an embarrassed hum. As well as Lucas, Elliot doesn't know how to carry such conversation other than yelling at each other, showing their anger.

Maybe it's in their blood? They will never know.

Despite that, Elliot seemed to have pushed back the grudge and guilt inside him towards Lucas. It was still there, but he was willing to heal himself from the pain.

As Elliot opened his mouth, trying to change the conversation with a much comfortable one - such as making a plan to find Athanasia and Beru or finding out where the hell they are right now - but then a sudden click echoed in the room, causing the two to move their heads to where the sound came from, only to see a shadow coming towards them.

Elliot readied his dagger that was hidden behind him, while Lucas was about to use his mana when he couldn't feel the flow of his power in his veins. A frown formed on his face, looking down to his hands. There was no light emitting from his palms.

“I cannot use my power…?” Lucas muttered. He tried again with gritted teeth which still resulted in nothing.

“Of all times?!” Elliot hissed. 

“I do not know why or how, but could you lend me that dagger of yours?!” Lucas whispered back, impatience in his voice as the shadow slowly got closer. “You can make a weapon with your mana, like that annoying spear of yours!”

Elliot was quick to pull his dagger back, glaring at Lucas. “Huh?!” He exclaimed. “I will not! This is Beru's!”

“Does that even matter?!” Lucas’ hushed voice now turned loud, echoing in the room. “Besides, I am a friend of his!”

“Now you call him your friend just because you are feeling helpless?!” Elliot followed, not even giving a care about the third person now present in the room. “It makes me not wanting to give this dagger to you, you fake!”

“Now who are you calling fake?!”

“Did I stutter?!”

“Oh, wow.”

Elliot and Lucas flinched as they heard a different voice present in the room. Their bodies froze along with the glares as they slowly turned their heads to see a black- haired boy standing meters away from them. Gray eyes staring back at them with amusement as a smirk appeared on his face, tilting his head, his hands hidden in the comforts of the pockets of his ragged pants.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Silence filled the room.

Until Elliot broke it by pointing his free hand towards the stranger, a laser of light came out from the tip of his finger. The darkened room was now filled with Elliot's light coming from his body.

Lucas stared at his cousin with his mouth ajar. He could just light his body up to give us light! He wanted to grasp Elliot's neck and just snap it into two.

Smoke swirled around the third person coming from the crater created by Elliot's attack. The two cousins stood there, waiting, in hopes that it got the person. And as the smoke slowly faded into the stenching air, it revealed the person being unscathed. Lucas and Elliot's eyes widened in surprise.

The stranger had his eyes wide from the sudden attack when he luckily dodged it with one step. Although its impact was enough to fear Elliot as he moved his head to meet those golden eyes that were now glaring back at him.

“You suck,” Lucas was fast to comment, a smirk appeared on his face as he looked down on Elliot. The latter flinched and glared at his cousin. “Shut up!” He huffed. “He was just lucky, I was aiming at his head of course- AH!”

As Elliot took a glance to where the stranger stood, he exclaimed when there was no one in front of them.

The two stood there in silence.

Meanwhile…

THAT WAS CLOSE!!! Elijah cried right after he was gone from the two. His eyes wide in fear as he began running away with his life on the line.

Regret weighed his heart as he began to recall the reason how he ended up meeting those dangerous people. He did not expect to see them, much worse, they immediately treated him as an enemy before he could even introduce himself that he is far from harming them!

And as Elijah was about to reach the corner, leading to a new hall where a flight of stairs awaits him, he heard a loud screech echoing down the hall. He jumped, stopping in his tracks as he turned to see the blonde and the raven-head now running after him with those glowering eyes that seemed to scream their desire to chomp down Elijah right then and there.

Elijah cannot help but let out a shriek before continuing to run. Sweat formed on his skin from the fear and the gradual loss of his stamina as he ran with all of his might to reach the stairs that would lead him to his freedom from the monsters coming after him.

WHY DO I HAVE THE WORST LUCK RIGHT NOW?!! He wailed. He cannot even find the strength nor the confidence to use his voice as it was being eaten by his fear.

Just a meter away from the door, Elijah could feel the taste of victory and relief.

Not until a dagger came flying just right beside his head, its sharp blade grazing the tip of his ear. A sharp spark came in between the metal and his skin causing him to jump forcibly on the side, falling on the flood. “Ack!” He held his ear in pain.

Cold sweat formed on his face when he saw the golden dagger, dripping with faint sparks of light before fading off into a normal weapon. He shivered at the sight. The thought of it piercing through his brain made him shiver.

Hr swore he thought of it as Death's scythe.

Before Elijah could even stand up, a foot stomped right beside his head, forcing him to lie back down with a thud. He hissed in pain when the back of his head hit the solid ground.

Red eyes glaring down at him with a grin as if hell is about to fall over those bloodlusted-filled gaze. Elijah could only lie there in fear, frozen.

“Now…” Lucas huffed. “We got ourselves a friend right here.”

Gods spare Elijah.

“Elijah's father left when he was five?”

Back in the outskirts of the Kingdom, Athanasia remained beside Elijah's mother, who introduced herself as Gale. It was not like she had any idea how to speak to Elijah and convince him to go back home, she didn't know the boy that much other than being the loving son of the woman who saved her.

Gale sniffled as she nodded, finally calming down from her breakdown. “It has been so hard trying to talk to him about his father, making him believe that he is still not forgotten and is still loved by him…” She sighed, almost sounding like a saddened chuckle. “Elijah used to love his father, not until he had come to an age where he was losing his faith that his father would even come back…”

Athanasia looked down, her hair falling over her face as she stared into the drink in her hands. Warm and fragrant. The liquid formed an image of her younger self standing at the edge of the water, as if she was waiting for someone in the distance. 

Though that person did not come back.

Leaving Athanasia to grow up without relishing the feeling of joy of being a child.

The liquid rippled, disorting that image back to its green hue. She blinked back the tears filling up the corners of her eyes before it could even fall into the warm beverage.

“Where did he go? Elijah's father…” She asked, trying to erase the past creeping up to haunt her mind.

The question was filled with her intrigue, to know about this family that was kind enough to treat her well despite their limited necessities. Although in the back of her mind, it was as if a question that she had desperately wanted to be answered, only for her to receive a blank response.

“Where has my mother gone, Lily?”

“She is in a faraway place, My Lady. Where she is using the tribe's power that will someday connect us to the people from the outside world.”

Gale smiled, the message behind Athanasia's words went unnoticed to her relief. She turned her head to the door where Elijah had left. “That I do not know…” She muttered, sadness poured over her voice that came out from her heart. She pulled up her sleeve, showing a glowing insignia of a black feather. “But I do know that he is still out there, fighting his way to come back home to us…”

Athanasia stared at the mark in wonder. How could a mere tattoo give such assurance to a person even though years have passed? Moreover, what kind of spell is it to put a mark on your skin just to know that the other person is still alive?

Athanasia couldn't understand.

How could one still strive to live when one of their pillars has already fallen apart? Never to be built up again, nor can be even replaced by another. How could one still continue to rise?

Living and loving. Athanasia has lost a lot that she had already lost the reason for its existence.

“Watching someone killing themselves gruelly is just... is just a pain in the ass.” 

But then living can also be gruesome when you have nothing in your life. A slow torture to those with hallowed hearts, unable to be filled again.

How sweeter is Death when living is a pain?

“Then again…” Gale sighed, looking up to the ceiling with an indifferent smile. “Everyday without him makes me feel like the end of the world is nearing…” She looked down to meet Athanasia's eyes. “... Because a life without that special person with me means nothing to a mere soul like me.”

I feel like I could die… Athanasia could hear those words behind her hesitant voice. And she felt it pierce through her heart, a shatter echoed in her mind.

“But time… I believe in time…”

Athanasia stared back into those eyes that used to fill with nothing but sadness and grief of a lost person that she loved so much until now.

“That I will find colors in life again… so that I can carry these memories not as a burden, but a bundle of joy to look back someday…”

The smile became genuine. Athanasia felt a pit in her stomach as she stared into those bright eyes. Her hold on the cup tightened.

She really can't understand it.

Living that is.

“Can you really find happiness even though you feel like you have lost everything?” Athanasia muttered, her face blank as if she was drowning in envy as she stared into those hopeful eyes of Gale's. She was pulled back into an image of Lucas trying to fight his way to live despite the pain weighing him down. That too, she felt envy at that time.

If only I wasn't weak.

I could have saved her.

“Mhm,” Gale responded. Athanasia was unsure whether the woman meant to say yes or she was thinking deeply into her question. She could only frown, tilting her head to the side.

“It does take time for a heart to heal, it does depend whether isolating yourself from the world or finding new people could help you find that one thing that could make you happy…” Gale started. Athanasia blinked, confusion written all over her face. “... I think what you have lost, whether it is a person or an object or something else, is only a fragment of your happiness that will take you to where true happiness is. It does not mean that they do not have any meaning in your life, they all have a role to keep you pushing to where you truly feel belong…”

Athanasia flinched when Gale wrapped her hands over hers that was still holding the now-lukewarm drink. “Is that why you are still here, right?” Gale's sweet voice lulled Athanasia's heart into a tranquil world, along with the warmth she shared with her. “You are still living despite the pain since you are being led by those you have lost to the happiness that you have been desperately looking for…”

Gale leaned close, a grin etched on her face as she winked at Athanasia. “Or, maybe it has already found you?”

“...!”

Athanasia flinched under Gale's gentle touch as she suddenly felt her heart leap at the sudden image of red eyes staring back into hers.

Gale noticed her reaction which made her grin widen. She lets out a chuckle as she lets go of Athanasia, leaning back to her seat. “It was like that for me. When Tias left. I thought that I lost it all, but then I did not let my mind drift off since I have Elijah to take care of.” She smiled as a memory of young Elijah grinning up at her flashed into her mind. “And as I was falling into an abyss, the thought of Tias not coming back haunting me, Elijah was the one who pulled me back to life.”

“Elijah was the fruit of our small happiness right under this small house… it is indeed small, but it contains every bit of happiness that we have together. It's full.”

“That is why you are trying to keep him into Eljah's memory…” Athanasia muttered. "To keep that very happiness..."

Gale blinked, surprised. Then her face broke into the warmest smile of all, nodding as a response. “Ah, to think that I am talking with you with such personal stuff!” She sighed.

Athanasia almost let out a yelp when Gale reached the cup on both of her cheeks. She could only stare into Gale's smile that seemed to rival Ilenium's brightness.

“It is as if I have a daughter!”

Athanasia froze, her eyes went wide at the mention of a word that she had no longer heard since that fateful day. The sweet tone coming out of a woman that used to be a stranger to her crumpled her heart that was once drowning in the pool filled with her yearn of her mother's presence that was long gone.

Her mother that Gale unknowingly called, a fragment to her true happiness.

The cup in her hand seemed to be warming up - which she wondered how, but did not question out loud - and her grip relaxed as a small smile appeared on her lips. She did not nod or shake her head in disagreement, though the warmth in her eyes was already pouring over the words she wanted to answer. And Gale accepted it gratefully as she returned the blonde with a much brighter smile.

Somehow, deep in Athanasia's heart, a question began to knock into the closed doors where she had kept her emotions hidden, trying to latch it open with its small might.

She wondered if her mother’s sacrifice was for the sole reason that she could roam the world to meet these people to fill up her heart with new memories along with her past. Even though the journey was painful, it will soon become a blessing for her to attain her true happiness.

As Athanasia took a sip of her tea, its fragrance bloomed into her mouth. A mellow flavor coated her tongue, a sigh escaped her nose.

While an image of a far future of a man with red eyes that resembles the dazzling blossom of a carnation in the middle of a cold winter, that completely warms her entirety, as he reaches for her hand with a smile on his face.

Calling out her name.

Like a distant song that her mother used to sing.

A lost melody, found in those sweet lips. As if calling Love as…

“Athanasia.”

Undying.

Chapter Text

“Wait, wait, wait, WAIT!!”

Elliot stopped right when the tip of his dagger drew a drip of blood over Elijah's neck, rolling down his skin, red and warm. Though the cold sensation from the weapon's touch was all Elijah could focus, causing him to shiver under Elliot's touch.

Lucas, who is standing right behind Elliot, looked up from cleaning his nails with a random pin that he found on the ground. His red eyes bored towards Elijah.

If Elliot's dagger wasn't enough, Lucas’ gaze was enough for Elijah to see a glimpse of the other side.

“Now, do you want to speak up?” Lucas asked, his voice does not show emotions. Compared to his eyes that were glinting against the fading light coming from the small crevice that is supposed to be seen as a window. Lucas then took a step closer, the corners of his lips gradually lifted. “You sure do value your life.”

Elijah cannot even throw his head back as he was being cornered to a wall right after he was being lifted up from his humiliating act that caused him to his current demise. All he could do was shut his eyes as he saw Lucas’ hand reaching up to him, sweat dripping down his skin, reaching down to mix the blood stain on his neck. A surprise hum escaped his lips when he felt a gentle touch on his head, a ruffle came after.

Huh…?

Elijah opened his eyes.

And boy did he wish he didn't.

Elliot, still pushing him against the wall, Lucas was ruffling Elijah’ head - quite gently - with the most genuine smile that he has ever seen from a stranger. But that wasn't what made him regret pecking through his eyelids.

While Lucas may hold a gaze of a Messiah, staring back at him with such grace as if a blessing was about to fall upon him, Elijah cannot ignore those eyes gleaming in the darkness, scorching like the sun as it reached Elijah. It was red. It was dark. It was  bloody. Flaring brightly like an untamed fire, ready to engulf Elijah with its flames, the souls of the damned calling out to his name, pulling him into his demise.

Is he Death? He wondered.

“Okay, that is enough…”

To Elijah's relief, the light in Lucas’ eyes disappeared, coming back to its normal hue as he turned to his cousin. With a blink, he frowned. “What?” He scoffed. “We're relatives, do not tell me that you do not have that rush inside you, the desire to draw blood to those who fear us?” There was a faint tone of disappointment in his voice.

Elliot returns the frown as if he finds Lucas as weird. Elijah would have found him to be the normal one in the two, though it's hard to convince him when the dagger is still right at his throat, ready to add another wound on his skin.

“I thought that we need someone to help us out of this place?” Elliot ignored Lucas' question, earning a huff from the latter, rolling his eyes.

“Good to know that you can still think, even though you're the one who brought us here in the first place…” Lucas grumbled. He took a step back, Elliot followed and pulled his dagger off from Elijah's neck. Although the blonde did not make distance between them, Elijah was still frozen in place for the sake of living.

Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head as he took a sharp breath. “That is why I am trying to make it up right now…” He muttered. He gave Lucas a glare which doesn't seem grateful for his words. “Do not give me that look! I did not ask for this either!”

Lucas only huffed, looking away from his cousin then to Elijah who seemed confused at the conversation. “You,” He called. “Where are we right now?”

“Huh…?” Elijah managed to utter, his hand reached to massage the tingling pain on his throat. He blinked in confusion when the two only waited for his response, though their eyes were like the gaze of a predator, ready to gulp him down. His hand flinched right under his chin at the thought.

“Come on, no good is going to befall upon you if you are trying to delay your answer,” Lucas said, exasperated as he rolled his eyes.

“I mean…” Elijah coughed. This is the second time that he is being asked about their current location. And also the second time to see people who are clearly not from this Kingdom. He could only tilt his head in wonder, a small hum escaped his throat. “Do you perhaps know a blonde girl with jeweled eyes…”

Elijah couldn't finish his sentence when he managed to let out a reaction from the raven-head. His eyes were wide, his surprise was visible, and the threatening look on his face was long gone. Before Elijah could point it out, his mouth froze at the sudden change of Lucas’ expression, now turned into a glare. He became more guarded than he was just now, although Elijah was quick to not miss the flicker of worry behind the mask.

“... You know her…?” Elijah managed to ask, his voice almost sounded like a squeak.

Elliot hummed, pulling Elijah out from staring into Lucas’ gaze. “There is no doubt, there is no one other than Athanasia who has blue jeweled eyes…” He muttered. He then turned to his companion. “It is a relief that she is also brought to this place. We can easily find her…” Then his expression deflated. “But Beru…”

Beru? Elijah tilted his head.

“So, you know her,” Elijah concluded, not asking more about their other friend. It's not like it's his business to butt into their problem, he is only a mere person who got unlucky to meet these weird people in the middle of an eerie looking hall.

If only Elijah hadn't sneaked out of his quarters (correction: prison), he wouldn't have met them. Ever since something weird kept popping out into his life, this day became very unfortunate for him.

Lucas took a step closer, his voice turned serious. “Where is she?”He asked.

Elijah then held up both of his hands as a form of defense, pushing his head into the wall, wanting more distance between them. “Do not give me that look!” He exclaimed. “She is in good hands, I promise you! She is currently resting at my home with my mother taking care of her!”

“You took her home?!” Lucas’ fury burned through his voice, his eyes wide at the news. Elijah wanted to cry.

“That's what you are focusing on?” Elliot commented who is now standing behind Lucas, not giving a care whatever might happen to Elijah as he was being cornered under Lucas’ deathly gaze.

“If you could have used your power, we wouldn't have been stuck here in the first place…!” Lucas retorted. He earned an offended gasp from Elliot, his hand on his chest. “You're going back on blaming me?!” He exclaimed. “You're lucky that I did not try and kill you right now as you lost your stupid power!”

Elijah stood there, watching the two argue right in front of him. He could see a sea of flames behind them as they were two beasts, ready to tear each other apart. Deep in his thoughts tells him that this is much better rather than being threatened to die in their hands, maybe right when these two relieve their stress, they might spare his life.

Of course, it was just Elijah's false hope.

“Ugh, I cannot work with you!!” Elliot yelled, pulling Elijah out of his thoughts. He ran his hand through his hair as he let out a loud sigh. Elijah began to wonder whether these two are allies or just two people forced to be together against their will. Though they may be bickering right now, Elijah cannot help but see a small bond between them.

Then again, Elijah might really get himself killed if he says that out loud.

Sometimes, it is just better to shut your mouth if you cherish your life.

Elijah noticed that the two finally finished arguing. It was quite amazing how there are still no guards coming towards them despite these two's loud voices. They were out of breath as if they were in a debate class - although Elijah hadn't really got into a debate class - their glares remained, but their exhaustion was stronger.

They may look threatening, but they do get tired just by yelling at each other.

Lucas then sighed, shaking his head as he gulped. “Enough…” He breathed. “Us yelling at each other won't help us on how to find those two…” Elliot nodded as a response.

They reconciled?! Elijah exclaimed, his shock palpable.

“I agree. We really do not know anything about this place, we must be cautious,” Elliot added as he stood straight. Elijah then became cautious, staring at the blonde's dagger, waiting for its blade to reach him again. “We already got this guy to lead us to Athanasia, only Beru left…” He pointed at Elijah who flinched in response.

“B… But..!” Elijah managed to speak up, pulling the attention of the two monsters, their eyes staring back at him. It almost made him speechless. “Even if you are able to find your other companions, it is impossible to leave this place…!”

Lucas tilted his head, while Elliot blinked. Confusion and curiosity showed on their faces as they stared at Elijah.

“You don't even know what kind of place you are in…!” Elijah continued after nervously gulping, licking his dried lips. “With intruders like you suddenly appearing in Nierre without an invitation or even an approval from the higher-ups, they are not just going to let you go that easily! You and your comrades are basically criminals!”

“Nierre…?” Lucas frowned. “You mean that we're in the Kingdom where that greedy king lives?”

Lucas’ voice sounded too relaxed to Elijah, and with the way he spoke, it seemed like he had already met the guy. Not that Elijah would try and react, such as defending his king's name, he never liked the man that he completely agreed with Lucas’ words.

“Aren’t we in trouble?” Elliot asked, turning to Lucas. “Especially you… if the king hears about you running around his premises, he will surely leave his throne to capture you, worse, he might even kill you on sight.”

What did this guy do for the king to want to hunt him down?! Elijah wanted to scream. The more he stays with these two, the more everything doesn't make sense at all.

Lucas scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Kill me? When did that bastard even have the guts to attack me? He is just a mutt who keeps on kissing my father's shoes just because he was a coward.”

Elijah coughed, his eyes widened that he thought it jumped out of its sockets. 

Elliot ignored Elijah's reaction as he frowned. “You are not your father, Lucas,” He said, almost sounding like a reminder. “And you do not have your powers right now, though I do not know how and why, but that is to be discussed later. Right now, we need a plan to find Athanasia and Beru without the king knowing about you here.”

Lucas irked, looking away from Elliot's glare.

The mention of his powers made him think of the time back in Ilenium, that new burst of magic coming out of his hands, stopping Death from reaching Beru. And the fact that he was able to stop the overflow of his mana, trying to wither every single living being around him. He was able to control it for a second, although it made him lose consciousness.

Does the power of the Ruby eyes require such strength?

But then, with that power, he may be unstoppable.

“He cannot rule this world.”

He might even destroy Death himself.

“...”

The thought of it terrifies him.

As Lucas stood there in silence. The screams of people echoing at the back of his mind. The lifeless body of his mentor in his arms. Tears falling down his cheeks. The world, turning gray, then became dust. And a shadow emerging from the depths of the earth.

And there comes a wave of blood splattering the gray canvas, painting everything with its gruesome color, mirroring the hue from his eyes.

A  bloodied hand suddenly reached his face, Lucas gasped, looking down to see a headless body. Though he could hear his voice. His body trembled at the sight.

“Protect…” He said. “... The Ruby…”

Lucas was terrified.

“Lucas…”

He shuts his eyes.

“Lucas…!”

Thousands of voices echoed in his mind. Chanting his name as if he was a god, a savior that will rescue them from this calamity. The calamity that he, himself, caused. Eyes peering over him, red and pleading.

“LUCAS!”

And Lucas was in the middle of it. Too small. Too afraid. Too weak. Too…

“LUCAS!”

Lucas gasped, his eyes blinked rapidly as he gained back his sight. He was breathing heavily, his body staggering while he tried to examine his surroundings. Despite him trying, he ended up kneeling on the flood, gasping for air, sweat falling off his skin.

Elliot frowned and kneeled in front of his cousin, his hands hovered over his back, hesitant. “You suddenly spaced out… What happened…?!” He asked, worried in his voice. “Damnit, your eyes suddenly glowing that I thought your power came back…”

Lucas shook his head, his hand reaching Elliot's wrist before the latter could even touch him. “I… It was… nothing…” He breathed. “I'm fine… nothing's wrong…”

Elliot purses his lips, his frown deepens as he stares at Lucas. “When you're looking like that, it is hard to think that it was nothing…” He muttered, his voice turned serious. “Lucas… what really happened back in Aléatoire…?”

Lucas didn't answer. Instead, he shook his head, letting out one last breath as he calmed down. “No…” He puts Elliot's hand down as he tries to stand up. Elliot followed, carefully watching his cousin to stand properly.

“You're…”

The two froze, heads slowly turning to where the voice was. Elijah was still standing in the same place, eyes wide, mouth agape. And as Elijah raised his finger, pointing at Lucas with a strained voice, though he was unable to let out a word from the shock.

“Ah…” Was all Elliot could say. Lucas just rolled his eyes, finding a nuisance after another.

“... an Aléatoire…” Finally, it left Elijah's mouth.

Lucas tilted his head down, a hand massaging his temple. “Well…” He sighed. “... Not a secret anymore…”

Elliot gave Lucas a glance. “What then? Kill him?”

“HUH?!” Elijah choked on his spit, he then left his place, taking a step close. “B… But I can help you…!” He reasoned, a nervous smile etched on his face. “I… I am a citizen of this kingdom…! I can help you escape this place with… without even the king knowing…!” He clasped his hands together, almost looking like he was praying. “I… I can be very useful to you… si… sirs!”

Sir...? Elliot raised a brow.

Lucas turned to Elliot with a scoff, a hand landed on the latter's shoulder. “Come on, you cannot just threaten this poor guy.”

“Really? Are we just going to forget about you glaring at him earlier as if you are going to eat him up?” Elliot returned Lucas' gaze with an uninterested look. “And now, you are just going to call me the bad guy? Wow.”

Lucas’ smile remained. It looked so innocent as if the man was only thinking for the good of the world. Though, Elijah and Elliot knew what that face meant. Elijah just met this person just now, but he knows so well what is behind that smiling Buddha resides, especially when he just found out that Lucas is an Aléatoire.

Which is the reason why he is trying to be on his good side right now.

After all, Elijah refused to die in a nasty looking dungeon underneath the Palace.

Lucas turned to Elijah, a smirk appeared on his face. “We can definitely use you…”

Elijah swore that he found a glint in Lucas’ eyes as he stared at him.

“… for now…”

“...”

Elijah began to wonder whether it was a good decision.

Rattle, rattle.

Beru groaned, eyes blinking heavily as the noise reached his ears, pulling him out of his slumber. Slowly he sat up, hands rubbing his eyes. “Hrm..?”

Rattle, rattle.

As his sight returned, Beru followed the sound, his head turning to his right to see a wall towering over him. Gray filled the skies, matching the darkness of the cobbled wall.

He turned his head, a gasp escaped his lips as he noticed a glint of gold from a distance. His eyes widened at the sight.

A golden carriage, making its way inside with a loud rattle. White manes huffed aggressively as they marched on. Beru hid behind the nearest barrel, breathing heavily as the curtains of the carriage fluttered against the cold wind, a man with pale golden hair could be seen inside. His eyes widened.

“... Gus…?”

Chapter Text

“You sure know the ways here…” Elliot muttered as he followed Elijah with Lucas right at the back.

The three finally got to move out of their location and followed Elijah to take them to his room - where he was being locked, although the boy did not mention that by calling it his room - it was quite surprising that the two obliged to go along with him, which he was thankful for rather than to create another long argument that may get themselves caught.

Elijah showed a sheepish smile despite his back facing Elliot. “I've been here…” Was all he could say. It's not like he is going to share about being a thief to sometimes steal in the Palace. Elijah even doubts that the two would even believe him as he is only a normal boy.

Elliot hummed, nodding. “You work here?” He asked another question.

Am I being interviewed right now? Elijah wanted to complain - then again, he treasured his life more. Instead, he made a timid grunt, shrugging his shoulders. “I… no… uh… it is kind of complicated…” He said defeatedly, unable to find any right words to save him from telling the truth. Thankfully, Elliot cannot see his face right now.

“Huh…” Was all Elliot could comment on. He shook his head as if not to wonder about Elijah's answer. “If you're not working here… what are you doing here?”

Elijah stopped in his tracks, flinching. Then a sigh escaped his lips before continuing their small journey to his room. “I was taken here, against my will…” He muttered, the tone in his voice had lost its nervousness and was replaced with regret and sadness. “It's an annual thing in the Kingdom.” He waved his hand as if to dismiss the topic.

Elliot raised a brow. “May I ask why?”

Elijah was thankful that Lucas wasn't much of a talker, but Elliot is really a whole different level. He began to wonder whether these two are really relatives when they're both polar opposites of each other.

“Every year, the king would order his soldiers to collect a group of teenagers who are in the age of acquiring their magic powers,” Elijah started. “The kid who has more talent will have the opportunity to serve the king, while those kids with nothing will be thrown into the Codex Gigas as a sacrifice for the demon who resides in the book…” He rolled his eyes, he remembered how he tried his best not to get caught, and now here he is.

Elijah already knew that he had no special powers when he was little. His mother made an advance spell on him to check whether he has mana, although thanks to his damned father, he got nothing. It was surprising that his mother was glad, but at the same time, the probability of him getting hurt is likely. Even then, that didn't stop him from running into danger and continuously flirting with it.

That is why, he is damned that he got himself caught.

Well, Elijah could just easily leave the Palace as he had already done it a lot of times that it became breathing for him. But then…

Elijah's hand brushed against the cold band around his neck, a purple gem attached at the middle. It showed a glint when he tugged on the metal with his finger, making him scowl. “These shackles are preventing us from escaping. One step out of the Palace, you will have your soul delivered to the demon.”

“The Codex Gigas…”

Elijah blinked and turned to Lucas who mentioned the book. “You know about it?”

Lucas scoffed. “I am an Aléatoire, that book is basically ours.”

“Oh…” Elijah's eyes widened in interest, even though Lucas was glaring back at him. He didn't know that the book belonged to the strongest royal family. Their kings before bragged about having to make a deal with demons and were gifted with the book, a gate where they could borrow powers from the other side.

“Also, that book is strictly forbidden, it's Black Magic,” Lucas added. “And Black Magic cannot be tampered by any mortal. No wonder your king has some loose screws on his head.”

Elijah wanted to chuckle.

“What is the Codex Gigas even?” Elliot asked, being the only one confused in the conversation. Lucas rolled his eyes, not bothered to answer his cousin's question. Which leaves Elijah, who stood there, his interest about the new fact of the book not wavering.

“Uh… it is a book that holds the evil spirits from the Fields of Punishment to Tartaros,  which he called demons…” Elijah began to explain, clearing his throat before starting to walk again. “The first few pages are basically spells and chants on how to summon the spirits from the Fields of Punishment, with the right amount of mana, you can summon one. While in the deepest parts of the book lies the spirits from Tartaros, from what I've known, only those with royal blood have the ability to summon one as the spells require a huge amount of mana…”

“So, what?” Elliot tilted his head. “You make a deal with them or do you make them your servant?”

Elijah hummed. “The latter. You need to have a strong resolve or the demon would corrupt you and use your body, giving them the chance to leave the Underworld and wreak havoc. When you completely got the demon yours, you will have a mark somewhere on your body, a symbol of the demon that proves that you have them as your servant.”

Lucas made an amazed sound. “You sure know the stuff.”

“I've been around, hearing stuff from here and there, it's hard not to listen if it sounds quite interesting,” Elijah replied with a shrug. It still seemed weird to have Lucas gain interest in this conversation that he wanted to just arrive in his room and finish this short chat between them.

Unfortunately, Elijah already knew that Elliot is a chatterbox.

“That's interesting, but why is the king keeping the Codex Gigas?” He asked further.

“That son of a bitch was so greedy that he wanted more power from the demons, thus he kept feeding the book with the souls of the innocent,” Lucas finished before Elijah could even speak another long paragraph of his own answer. But then, Lucas’ made much more sense than his. Instead, he nodded, agreeing along.

Elliot blinked. “Which made his Kingdom called the Kingdom of Greed,” He concluded.

“That's why my father does not like them,” Lucas added with a scoff. “By the way, are we there yet?”

Elijah bobbed his head up. “Yeah, just…” He made a turn, leading to a new hall. “Just at the end, my room is right there.”

The three walked in silence, which finished their conversation. It was funny that Elijah was begging for Elliot to start a new topic even though he was complaining of how much the latter has been asking him about stuff. Walking in silence with these two who attempted to kill him just now felt like a torture.

“We're here…” He announced, his hand reaching for the handle to open the door. Its soft creak echoed as it opened, revealing a room filled with children near their age, lying on the floor with nothing but tattered rags to protect them from the cold emitting from the dusty floor. The space was small, easily covered by the group of kids as they sat, their disheveled faces staring into the air with their eyes empty, losing the hope of seeing the sun again.

The room reminded Lucas of the place he stayed in Galleo, it was almost a replica of that filthy chamber. Except that it has a bed to sleep on. A sigh escaped his lips as he glanced at his cousin whose expression was a complete opposite of his.

Horror filled Elliot's eyes as he examined the space, his mouth went agape at the sight. The light in his eyes was long gone, replaced by disgust and fear. He did not even try to hide it with his usual business smile, removing his princely mask to show a persona where it was his heart that was controlling him, showing his true emotions and real thoughts through his expression.

As pitiful Elliot is, knowing that the poor boy hasn't experienced such a life as theirs, Lucas could only see him amusing rather than to see awful.

With a silent chuckle, Lucas pushed Elliot inside, earning a surprised yelp from the latter. “Don't you dare yap about staying the night here,” Lucas warned. “You have no choice.”

Elliot irked, glaring at his cousin, watching him join with Elijah who is now conversing with his fellow kids. A defeated sigh was let out before he could even take a brave step and closed the door behind him.

“Elijah…! You really do want to get yourself killed!”

As soon as the three joined the small circle at the corner of the room, Elijah was bombarded by the group. He raised a hand in defense, not a hint of guilt was visible on his face but his confidence and amusement.

“Come on, I know this place like the back of my hand,” Elijah replied with a scoff. “It wouldn't hurt to look around. And besides, I found these two near the dungeon!” He proudly pointed at Lucas and Elliot.

Eyes were now on them. Lucas raised a brow, while Elliot cautiously stared back. Neither of the two were intimidated by being stared at by a bunch of children, they've been in many situations such as these that it is almost like a part of their body to react so calmly rather than to cower down from the attention. They're royalty of course.

Whispers began to fill the room.

“Who?”

“He has such unusual eyes…”

“Look at that hair color…!”

“They don't look like they're from here…”

“Elijah found them?”

“It's like he's glowing!”

“Oh, come on…” Elijah ran his hand on his face as he sighed. “Now you guys are acting like you haven't seen a person…!”

They all stopped, their mouths shut in an instant and began to give Lucas and Elliot a space - even though the room was small for them to even give the two one - their eyes remained staring at them with such curiosity.

“Elijah…!” One of them pulled Elijah's sleeve, pulling him closer to them. “What do you mean you found them?! And in the dungeon?! What if they're from the king's?!” Their voice was in a whisper, although Lucas and Elliot could still hear what they were talking about - the two remained sitting, not letting out a single word.

“No, no…!” Elijah waved his hands as he chuckled. “They're an ally. You see, they hated the king's guts!” Then Elijah pointed at Lucas. “Especially him!”

Lucas scoffed, staring at Elijah's finger right in front of his nose, almost touching him. He then tilted his head, looking unamused. “With all due respect, we do not mean any harm,” He began, shaking his head dismissively. “My cousin and I were suddenly stuck under confidential circumstances…” He gave Elliot a glance, which the other avoided. “Anyway, we just needed some place to stay for a short while for our plan to escape from this hellhole and find our other… companions.”

“Well…?” Elijah turned to the other kids with expectant eyes. Silence filled the room.

Lucas and Elliot shared each other's looks when the other kids suddenly huddled together into a small circle, their whispers could be heard though the words were incomprehensible. Although, they could hear Elijah's protesting voice, hissing and sharp. And as Elliot attempted to lean close to join into their conversation that was completely kept from them, they finished and returned to stare at the two. Lucas raised a brow, noticing the glint in their eyes, the corners of their lips twitching as if they were trying not to smile.

Elliot gave Elijah a look, a silent question what they were talking about. The former only returned a troubled look, shaking his head.

“You say that you two are going to escape this place?” One of the kids spoke up, his voice laced with curiosity and interest.

Lucas suddenly felt uncomfortable in his seat, unsure of his answer as the hidden message behind those eyes kept bothering him. Though, he made a hesitant nod as an answer.

“Great!!” The kid in front of him clapped his hands, surprising the two relatives. The kid leaned close, his eyes sparkling as he grinned at Lucas who awkwardly moved away from the sudden close proximity. “We will help you!” He cheered.

Lucas made a frown. Elliot beamed.

“On one condition!!”

Lucas scoffed. There it is… Elliot frowned.

“Look…” Lucas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We are currently having such bothersome trouble here, we do not have any time to play with some of your charades…” Then a chuckle escaped his lips, lifting his head to meet their eyes, the red hue gleaming as if it was dripping with blood. “And I would not recommend you trying to stop us.”

To Lucas’ surprise, he could not see a hint of fear behind the eyes of the kids in front of him, their expectant looks never wavered. “Try and kill us if you want, do you think that our king would like that when he finds out?” One of them spoke up, though the mention of the king left a distaste in their mouth.

Lucas blinked, the threatening look on his face went away in a flash and replaced with astonishment. A puff of breath left his lips that slowly curved up as his interest raised to the surface. “Huh…”

“Do we have a deal?” The kid in front of him must have noticed the expression on his face and lent out a hand to him, a small smile etched on his lips.

Elliot, who is sitting behind Lucas with a surprised look, turned to Lucas curiously. Though his mind seemed to have drifted off somewhere as there was a hint of confusion on his face that created a crease in between his brows.

Lucas let out a defeated sigh, shaking his head as he held the kid's hand to shake. “You better make this worthwhile. My time is quite expensive.”

“Our main character will be Elijah.”

Elijah almost choked on his saliva, eyes wide at the mention of his name. The other's gave him a glance before going back to listen.

Elliot tilted his head. “Why?” He asked.

“Elijah's good at stealing,” The kid said with such innocence, tilting his head to the side. Lucas and Elliot gave Elijah a look, their brows furrowed as the latter shrunk on his seat. So much for hiding his reputation. 

“Really?” Lucas muttered. Elijah flinched at the obvious sarcasm laced in the former's voice. “No wonder he knew this place.”

“Ugh…” Was all Elijah could utter.

“Anyway, in order to escape, we need a spell to break through this stupid band placed around our neck,” The kid in front continued. “We cannot leave this place with the curse attached to us or we will be killed mercilessly by the king and offered as food to the souls of the damned.”

“Sounds like him,” Elliot muttered, earning a small scoff from Lucas.

“And the only way to break the curse was the power of the Codex Gigas.”

And when Lucas thought that this meeting was getting boring, he jumped at the mention of the book, his eyes wide. “Is this a thing with you Nierre kids? Planning about crazy stuff that could lead you to your deaths?” He commented, showing an uncomfortable smile. “You might not know this, but the Codex Gigas cannot be played by some kids like you.”

“We will have our chances,” The kid replied with a shrug. “Elijah here is the best of the best to steal the book for us and use the book to summon one of the demons to at least help us against the dangers in the Palace and it could help us destroy this band on our necks with the help of the demon's magic.”

“What part did you not get about what I said?” Lucas’ frown deepens, his voice filled wit annoyance as the look of the kids gave him did not falter.

“We are not only doing this for our freedom…” The kid muttered, lowering his head as he clenched his fists, his skin turning white from his nails pinching against his palms. “This could be a chance for us to give our family an opportunity to escape from this damned place and be free from the king's shackles. We are sick of being insects of this Kingdom, we only wanted to live in leisure without even fearing the death looming over us through the king's threats and the lack of foods and necessities. Do we not deserve to be this greedy when we just wanted to live normally?”

Lucas sat there, his lips forming into a thin line as he stared back at the group in front of him. Such young souls willing to take the gamble with the huge possibility of losing themselves in the process just not for themselves but to those people that they cherish. Something that Lucas would never understand. That something that has become an empty part of his heart, with no hope to be filled.

As he already lost someone just because of that same resolve.

Lucas cannot help but see a mirror sitting right in front of him. The reflection of his young self staring back at him, covered in blood, with empty eyes as he held onto a headless body.

Oh, how he wanted to break that mirror until his knuckles bled.

Greed. A forbidden feeling. The more you want for anything for yourself, the more that you are punished, gradually plucking your feathers until you fall out of grace.

“Lucas?” Elliot reached for Lucas’ shoulder, pulling the later from his thoughts. He jumped and turned to Elliot with wide eyes.

Elliot's hold on Lucas’ shoulder tightens as he noticed the glisten in his cousin's eyes. And he cannot help but the curiosity that he's been trying to bury as of now resurfacing. What really happened back in Aléatoire? He wanted to say out loud, but somehow there was a wall that prevented him from his voice and instead he gave Lucas a reassuring look.

A sigh broke the silence in the room. It was Elijah.

“Look, I'll happily take the book for you guys…” He spoke up, scratching his nape as his brows furrowed. “... Let's just not use them for our plan. They have their own problem and as much as we could really use their help as they are — really — great fighters, but we cannot just force our own matters onto them.”

Elijah turned to Lucas who blankly stared at him. “Do not worry, I will still help you both out of this place without even anyone noticing you.”

He made a wink. “I am the best of the best after all.”

“Are you alright?”

Lucas looked up from Elliot with a soft huff.

Lucas was sitting at the corner of the room, thankfully the group gave him some space for himself to stare into space right after that conversation.

Elliot sat beside his cousin without even an invitation. He lets out a sigh, leaning his head on the wall as he watches the other teens completing their plan. “Do not worry, I created a small barrier for us so that they cannot hear. You can speak up.”

Lucas scoffed, his tensed shoulders relaxing. “What should I even talk to you about?” Still, he began to use his normal tone. It made Elliot twitch up a small smile.

“Don't you think that we needed to talk?” Elliot started, not meeting Lucas’ eyes. “I know that we were not that close, hell,  I wouldn't even call us close friends…” He made a soft chuckle, Lucas joined. “... but I just think that this might be a good time to talk about… stuff…” Elliot finally turned his head, staring into Lucas’ eyes. “... We both lost what we cherished the most.”

Lucas stared back, his expression blank. Elliot just sat there, his gaze not wavering as he waited for his cousin to find his voice.

“I…” Lucas choked back, his throat bobbing as he gulped when he could feel his voice trembling. “... I’m sorry about your mother…”

That wasn’t what Elliot expected this conversation to start as his eyes blinked wide in surprise. “Well…” His voice stuttered. “I… uh… I'm sorry that I accused you for that…” He replied back, this time Lucas copied his expression.

“Huh…?”

“Huh…?” Elliot returned Lucas’ words.

Lucas shook his head. “Why are you suddenly apologizing to me…?” He sat up, the creases between his brows began to show. “I was the target, the rumored blessed child that was given the power that could rival a god, and yet I was just an anchor to everyone, being protected and had done nothing but be pushed back and be protected…!”

“But that wasn’t your fault…!” Elliot began to raise his voice also. Thank the gods for him to learn a barrier to hide their conversation. “You're young, you couldn't have just carried the weight and be the Messiah just because you were born with a destructive ability…! Lucas, remember, you are just a mortal, not a god…!”

Lucas jumped, his eyes wide at Elliot's words.

“You are human no matter what others tell you to be, you can experience failures and successes in your life, you can be happy, be sad, be greedy, and you are still you despite what the public will talk about you. At least that's what I —” He paused, coughing as he briefly avoided Lucas’ gaze and then back. “—  I mean, what the people who are close to you see you…”

Lucas' mouth moved like a fish gasping for air. “I… I… Elliot… you do not know what I did that day… yes, I did not care about the people who tried to push me away from the person that I wanted to be… but because I was encouraged to want something for myself that I lost the only person who only loved and accepted me as if I was his own…” His voice falters, eyes blinking back at tears that were threatening to spill. “... causing me to destroy everything around me… Elliot, I am a walking disaster…”

“Do you think that I wasn't much worse than you?”

Lucas paused.

“I… I don't know why or how… maybe it was because I have the blood of an Aléatoire in me…” Elliot lowered his head, his bangs fell on his forehead, almost hiding his furrowed face. “But before mother left for Aléatoire, I…” He clenched his fists, the memory still fresh in his mind. The image of that dark entity still haunts him until now. “... I saw Death staring at her very intently…”

Lucas shuffled, his body now turning to face Elliot fully. His eyes as if it was about to jump off of their sockets.

“... I…I could have prevented it from happening… her death… I could have done what you did to Beru…” Elliot's voice trembled. “But I stood still, I couldn't use my voice… I couldn't prevent her from leaving, from leaving me completely…” The more Elliot spoke, the more he felt that the room began to grow, turning him into an insignificant ant on the floor. “I knew that… but… but I couldn't bring myself to blame for the death of the person I loved the most… I just can't…”

Lucas sat there, mouth open as if he was trying to say something, although there was no noise coming out from the depths of his throat. He continued to freeze in place when he could hear sniffles from Elliot. A thump could be heard from Lucas’ chest, nervous at the sight of Elliot now crying right in front of him.

Lucas was not good at handling people crying in front of him.

It would be better if he wouldn't do anything and just wait for Elliot to calm down just as he did to Beru days ago, but this was his only family that was sitting in front of him. And Lucas cannot help but feel the responsibility to comfort Elliot — even if it is against his will.

Lucas never liked Elliot after all.

But not as much, that he would want to make him cry alone.

It is funny that the people that Lucas continued to encounter became a mirror of his past, a reminder — not as something that would haunt him — for him of the lesson that he learned throughout the pain he experienced.

A reminder that he was not alone.

“... that you will not be alone…”

A twitch. On the corner of his lips. A soft shuffle of his sleeve. His hand reaching out to Elliot's trembling shoulder.  And a gentle pat. A thumb pressing against Elliot's shirt.

And Elliot looked up.

To see Lucas smiling at him.

His lips did not reach to the point where one could call it as a form of happiness, but it somehow brought Elliot back to the ground, his hiccups died down as if a wave had washed over the rumbling pain against his chest.

“We're both idiots,” Lucas concluded with a soft chuckle, shaking his head. Elliot’s eyes widened at the new tone that reached his ears. “Really, a pair of idiots…”

As Lucas continued to laugh, Elliot slowly joined, the tears began to stop.

“We really are.”

Chapter Text

Elijah never really understands it.

What family truly is.

It wasn't like his mother was lacking anything that he needed. She had already given too much for him, and because of that he wanted to return the favor. 

But at times like this…

As he watched Lucas and Elliot in their own bubble — even earlier when he first met them — the thought of family came back into his mind. Being with his mother, family to him was about being at each other's side whether things go rough or smoothly, you share each other's warmth as well as the will to sacrifice yourself for the other. That's what family is to him.

But as he continued to meet new people, the word family became foreign to him. Where there are more people to share your warmth with. Where, despite all the betrayals, you still have those pairs of arms to embrace you as well as your flaws. Where there are people who lost their loved ones, they still continue to love.

Family.

Doesn't have one meaning at all.

And it's confusing.

Elijah lifted his head from staring at the pair having their own conversation at the corner. As the question came back to haunt him again, he couldn't help but scowl. Because thinking about family also pulls him to think about his father who disappeared and left them, that another question would come up causing such a distaste in his tongue.

If his father didn't leave, would he understand what family truly is?

Elijah scoffed, his shoulders shrugging. It annoys him to think about his bastard-of-a-father as his family. Maybe it's the influence of his mother who always reminded him about some nonsense about his father. Then again, it sounds funny to think that his father's presence would be the answer to what a true family is when the man himself went away and left his.

Funny it is.

That is why he doesn't need to meet him, nor the desire to find him was long gone as he grew up. The only priority that was on Elijah's mind was to protect his mother from any dangers  — he finds himself glaring at the walls — but first, he needs to escape from this prison before he goes back to do that.

A sigh escaped from Elijah's lips, closing his eyes as regret crept up again. He shouldn't have lashed out at his mother like that. This is completely his fault that he's in this hell in the first place.

Putting his weight on his other leg, he tilted his head as he hummed. He began to recall what happened before realizing something. He opened his eyes wide, blinking as his lips formed into a thin line, pursed. 

“... Right,” He breathed. There's that one person with his mother when he left. That girl with yellow hair, he almost mistook it that time as gold overflowing in his house — what was her name again? He was sure that she told him her name.

“Ah… Atha…?” He brought a hand to his chin, his brows furrowed as he tried to remember. At least he could still know the person he had no choice but to trust to take care of his mother while he's gone — not that she promised him or anything.

Elijah was thinking of the next syllable when he noticed someone approaching. He turned his head towards the person, setting aside the minor problem he had on his mind. It was Elliot, wearing a serious expression with a questionable red hue in his numbing eyes. Had he been crying? Elijah took a peek from behind to see Lucas watching them. What did those two talk about?

“Uhm…” Elliot started, scratching awkwardly at his nape. “Lucas and I would like to discuss something with you…” He said.

With Elliot's awkward demeanor, a confused look was palpable on Elijah's face as he tried to sum up the former's words. What, do they want them to join their bubble and cry along with them? — that doesn't seem to be the case though. Elijah blinked in response, gulping as he hesitantly nodded.

For the first time in his life he didn't want to be curious about what's about to come.

Elijah followed Elliot as the latter began to turn his head and went back to Lucas, who was waiting for them with a stern look. Elijah's confusion remained. It didn't even help when he found himself sitting at the very corner, which is not helpful for him to calm down.

He then cleared his throat, thinking of making this small meeting comfortable for his sake when suddenly Lucas cuts him off.

“Change of plans…”

And Elijah's confusion deepened even more.

A frown was visible on his face as he tried to understand the vague words. What change of plans? He was sure that this is about the plan that was shared by his fellow Nierrians. But thinking about the word change makes him come up with one conclusion.

Are they going to ambush the plan?

He wasn't even confident of their plan right after knowing about the fact about the Codex Gigas from these two. Hell, he might have been walking towards death even if these two wouldn't kill him before executing the plan.

But what surprised him was the next part that Lucas was about to say.

“We're joining.”

If Elijah was holding something, he would have dropped it as soon as he heard such words that he wouldn't expect from the prince. His eyes widened in surprise, mouth opened as he took a glance towards his companions then back to the runaway prince's back and forth, unable to utter a single sentence, not even a word could slip out from his throat.

Lucas tilted his head, one brow raised as he waited for Elijah to cheer, kneeling at him out of joy as he celebrated to be graced by his kindness to help them. But then, all he could have was a gaping fish that was forced out of the water.

“Why isn't he talking…?” Elliot leaned close, his voice almost a whisper. “Shouldn't he be glad…?”

It didn't surprise Lucas that Elliot thought of the same. Maybe it is a relative thing or something.

Lucas began to sit up and sighed. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers in front of Elijah for the latter to snap back into reality. “Don't you have anything to say?” Lucas questioned with a scoff. Elijah could only blink in confusion. Unfortunately, he was still stuck at the thought of Lucas and Elliot joining. Hearing those words made him think that he was losing his mind that he began to hallucinate such nonsense things.

“Some… something to say…?” He sputtered, eyes moving around, not seeming to find a comfortable spot to stare at. “I mean… weren't you against the plan… and the… if you're just going to do it out of pity then…”

“Pity?” Lucas snickered. There it is. That look. Seeing that made Elijah want to take his words back. There is no way that this man would join them out of pity when he's reacting with a haughty grin. “Yeah, like I care about some strangers sacrificing themselves out of some sheer hope.” And Elijah was right! “I'm bored, I want to cause havoc. And one thing that could satisfy me is to watch that king suffer from my own plans.”

Elijah pursed his lips, a frown appearing on his face as he tried to find a hidden expression behind that mischievous grin. He then turned to Elliot for support who only shook his head, rolling his eyes as if to imply that his cousin was lying. But then, Elijah just couldn't see the falsity in Lucas’ eyes. Does knowing the other person's true feelings and intentions are a part of what a family is? Elijah wondered at the back of his mind.

Elijah blinked when he noticed Elliot mouthing words at him as if to not let Lucas know. “But it's  kind of true… that he doesn't care,” Elijah fought hard not to smile. It's funny how a person is trying to hide what was really inside them but failed when their companion would secretly tell others the truth.

They're cousins, but they do act like siblings in front of Elijah.

Then again, Elijah was smart enough not to say it out loud if he wanted to live.

A sigh escaped his lips as he looked down, and then a deep breath. “Well, it is your choice, either way, you two would still come with us in order to escape…” Elijah finally responded. He sees that Lucas’ frown did not waver, as if he was not satisfied with something. What did he expect, crying in front of him out of joy that they decided to join? Not in a million years that would happen.

“Well…” Lucas stood straight, rolling up his sleeves with a huff. His face finally relaxed, now changed into something that Elijah thinks is a business look . “Indulge me, what is the plan?”

“I cannot believe that you changed your mind…” Elliot broke the silence between the two as he turned to his cousin. Lucas was changing his clothes at the far corner of the room.

Lucas pulled down the hem of his shirt then looked up at the ceiling, scowling at the sight of cobwebs filling the wooden beams. It wasn't like he had enough seeing those from Galleo, growing up as royalty, he would never be comfortable at the sight of cobwebs infiltrating the cleanliness of his surroundings. “I don't really care what would happen to those children, really… but then, I think that I just refuse to end their fate through reaching hope and not acquiring it…” He lowered his head, patting the fiber straight and comfortable on his body. “... I'd thought that with me, they would survive even with a small chance… it would hurt them of course… then again…” He turned, meeting Elliot's eyes. “I'd like to believe that even when hope hurts, that they would still hold onto it until the end where they could finally embrace their goal.”

Lucas stared back at Elliot who seemed stunned at his words. As silence was about to stretch even more, Elliot broke it with a loud huff, a breathy chuckle escaped his lips. “What is wrong with you to have such a way of thinking?” He wondered out loud.

Lucas followed suit, though it was a faint sound. “I am always like this. You just haven't heard me saying it out loud.”

Elliot's laugh died down, his smile remained. He took a step close and patted Lucas by the shoulder. “It's kind of weird to hear you talking like this to me, but this is a good development for you.”

Lucas then went back to his normal expression as he saw the proud glint in Elliot's eyes. “Okay, that's enough, your face is creeping me out…” He pushed Elliot's face away with an annoyed huff, the latter yelped in response, a muffled noise against Lucas’ palm.  He would never want to see that kind of look again. He didn't even ask for it, and when it happened, it only brought shivers down his spine.

Call him dramatic. Because he is.

Elliot pushed Lucas’ hand away with a huff, now glaring at his cousin. “I take that back, you are still the cold and mean Lucas that I have always known.”

Lucas made a smirk then tilted his head to where Elijah was waiting. That's what he likes. Lucas was not a fan of sharing something mushy, especially with a relative. It would be the last thing he would want to see if it would happen again. He nudged Elliot to undo the barrier for him.

As the two got out, Elijah was just outside, his eyes widened at the sight in front of him. “Magic sure is amazing…” He muttered under his breath.

Standing in front of him were Lucas and Elliot in their disguises. Elliot managed to form a spell for them to hide their identity from the King, especially Lucas.

Instead of Lucas’ black hair, it was replaced with a silvery hue, straight to his liking as its length reaches his eyes, poking him as he moves. His eyes were a problem to Elliot, as Lucas’ eyes were part of a form of ancient magic, it left a hint of light pink. Not a favorite look for Lucas, but it doesn't matter to him, since a good disguise is much needed than his preferences in looks.

Although it does seem unfair to him if you could see the way Elliot looks. His golden hair changed into a long dark blue color with his eyes changing into a light blue hue. Then again, as Lucas continued to stare into Elliot's new look, he cannot help but feel a familiar feeling, narrowing his eyes.

“You sure suck at hiding your interests…” Lucas scoffed, earning a flinch from Elliot. Though the latter did not bother to argue and looked away from his cousin's burning gaze.

“Anyway…” Elliot cleared his throat, turning his gaze back to Elijah who is still admiring the work of his magic. “Does this look good enough to hide our presence from the King…?” He asked, although he is completely confident of the fact that he did well using his own magic. 

“I mean, I could barely recognize you guys!” Elijah exaggerated.

Lucas rolled his eyes and pushed his way away from the two. “Let's just get this over with, staying in this hideous look itches my skin…” He grumbled. “And I do not feel comfortable wearing this new eye color at all. It seems like the Ruby Eyes is trying to set itself free from Elliot's magic”

“It's not my fault that you are born to be the Chosen One !” Elliot retorted, following Lucas.

Elijah sighed as he walked with the two. Appearances may be changed, but they're still in their own character no matter what. It would have been better if they would also change how they act, but then Elijah would love to escape from the Palace without being stepped down by these two as if he was a rug.

As the three approached the whole group, they were met with another boy who rushed to meet them. “We have bad news…!!” He huffed.

Elijah made a confused look, tilting his head. “Huh…?”

“The 1st Prince of Illenium is here!!”

Lucas did not fail to miss the reaction from Elliot, who stood beside him. He wanted to grab his wrist to stop him from doing something stupid , but surprisingly, Elliot stayed put. Though it didn't stop Lucas from watching over his cousin.

“Are you sure about that…?” Elijah questioned, almost stammering.

They have made themselves a perfect plan in order to avoid any problems that would cause them harm, every trap that they may face, meeting the King, being taken by the royal guards, everything was already solved thanks to Elijah's knowledge about the Palace's interior and Lucas’ information about the people inside. But Augustus arriving was not part of their plan at all. And knowing that, the room was now filled with fear and hesitation, their light of hope flickered as if it was being swayed by the sudden gust of wind.

“Wha… What should we do…?” One of them broke the heavy silence, pulling Elijah by the shoulder to force him out from his deep thoughts.

Elijah flinched at the touch. He then lowered his head. “This means that there will be more royal guards to face before we could even reach the room where the Codex Gigas is…” He muttered. “With the1st Prince here, means that he is an ally to the King, which makes him an enemy…”

Lucas watched as the tension in the room worsened. Even Elijah, who was brave enough to lead them, was being cornered by the other's words and his own thoughts. He turned to see Elliot still frozen in place. He narrowed his eyes again, knowing well what Elliot is thinking right now.

But being reckless is not the best option right now.

Considering that they have a group of inexperienced fighters to protect, with him and Elliot protecting them from Augustus’ men and the King's guards, they would have a hard time to  reach their desired destination. Much worse, if Lucas and Elliot were busy fighting the enemies off, one might be able to escape to inform Augustus and the King.

“This sure is a problem…” Lucas sighed, shaking his head.

They're being cornered.

“Lucas…” Elliot called, and Lucas lifted his head, glaring at his cousin. “Don't you dare…” He immediately replied without even letting the other finish.

“You may be the only one that can use magic, but you cannot stop Augustus by yourself without even notifying the King of your presence,” Lucas reminded. “I cannot have you being the sacrifice.”

Elliot made a frown. “How could you know that…?”

“Knowing you, you do look like a sacrificial lamb for us to use,” Lucas did not miss to add some humor into his words as he snickered. His grin widened as Elliot scoffed in reply, rolling his eyes out of annoyance. “Jokes aside…” Lucas' grin faded. “I know that you have unfinished business with your brother, but our priorities are to find Athanasia and Beru after we escape the Palace and leave this place once and for all.”

Elliot stared into Lucas’ eyes for a moment before clicking his tongue, whipping his head away out of annoyance. “It would have been better if you could finally use your magic…” He grumbled. Lucas caught it, but didn't react as he went back to the others.

“Let's still proceed,” Lucas announced, all eyes are now on him (except Elliot). He stood straight as he took a deep breath before breaking a smirk at them. “What, acting cowardly now?” He said, the tone in his voice sounded provoking that he earned some small reactions from the others. “I mean, you're the people of the most unhinged king in all of Incantasi, he would be a laughingstock if you do not act like your king.”

As one of them tried to complain, taking Lucas’ words as offensive, he cut them off. “Be crazy enough like your King that you could easily run into danger without fear…” His grin deepens. “Maybe your king would even fear you.”

Elijah watched Lucas as he stood tall in the middle of the room. Despite the disguise the prince held, he could see the Ruby Eyes burning brightly, such authority and power that it held as he looked down on them. A realization of what a person who is near to godhood is, and what a puny little human such as him would feel. Just under his feet, his mercy.

“I mean, you got two princes from the two strongest Kingdoms in Incantasi, and you're hesitating? Are we a joke to you?” Lucas laughed. 

Some lowered their heads, while the others were frozen as they stared at Lucas. There was a moment of silence, until one of them broke it. “T… This is our only way to our freedom…” He muttered before lifting his head. “And this is as close as we can be to also saving our loved ones!”

And with a single drop. Causing a ripple. And turned into a wave.

The room was filled with voices of determination and hope.

Elijah's eyes widened at the sight, watching every single one of them turning their frown upside down. With just a few words from a single person, their hearts were moved even if it started off as an insult. And as Elijah's eyes wandered across the room, he landed on Lucas whose smirk widened as he stood there in pride.

Meeting Lucas first, Elijah thought that he's a person with no heart. With no one to put first other than himself. An entitled prince. Someone who doesn't value the meaning of life as long as it is worthless for him, it doesn't serve its purpose in this world. Lucas was supposed to be a cold-hearted beast. But Elijah must have been blinded to see the glint behind that mask, where he saw that there was a human behind that fearsome monster. A human who could lead even a small group of people despite having a foul mouth. Still, his words moved the hearts of the others who aren't even his people. That light in Lucas’ eyes that Elijah didn't fail to miss that holds the reality that Lucas is a person who values the lives of the people in his very own way.

And that kind of character seemed to be fit for a king who could lead a great kingdom — or even an empire.

And somehow, Elijah wouldn't mind following him.

As the cheers died down. The group finally got the courage to move forward and continue on to reach their goal. Now, with strengthened hearts.

Lucas followed them from behind, watching them with a small smile. The sight made him think of a memory of his past. An image of the man who wholeheartedly loved him as if he was his own.

At that time, Lucas thought that he was the only person whose heart wasn't tainted in black.

But right now, maybe Lucas thought wrong.

It was only the first step. His first step to the truth that his mentor wanted him to know.

The value of human life.

“Let's go, Ellio…”

Lucas stopped in his tracks, a sudden sense of loss crept into him as he turned to his back. His eyes widened, feeling the cold breeze hit his body as he stood there, frozen. The wall that was supposed to stand tall was long gone. Only the small pieces of debris remained.

And Elliot was nowhere to be found.