《The Sorrowful Girl Atop The Bahamut》


 Prologue

    It was a rather wet and rainy day when Eli Richards made his way through the soaked streets to the nearby supermarket. Let it be the day of all days to forget meat on shopping day. Luckily, the supermarket was a mere five minute walk from his house, if that.


    ¡°Just think of the best chicken of your life when you pick this up! Don¡¯t think about the rain in your shoes!¡± Eli was muttering the mantra to himself.


    The sounds of the sliding doors were a god send to him. He didn¡¯t look his best at the moment, black hair all slicked down from the heavy rain. His shirt and shorts clung to him as he attempted to wipe his shoes on the mat. For a rainy day, it was still very warm.


    ¡°Hey Eli! Caught in the rain were you?¡± An elderly store greeter waved to him as he entered.


    ¡°Heh, yeah could ya tell?¡± Eli attempted to push some hair out of his face as he approached.


    ¡°Oh you poor dear! Bring an umbrella next time so you don¡¯t catch cold, okay? Do it for me?¡± She was so sincere.


    Offering a warm smile, Eli nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll remember next time Miss Kana! Don¡¯t worry about me!¡± And with that, Eli was off to the back of the store in search of tonight¡¯s dinner.


    The selection was still pretty vast. It was still the middle of the day on a weekend so most of the chicken was still available. Picking up a packet of thighs and bagging them, Eli made his was to checkout.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The thought of basil and garlic chicken thighs made his mouth water as the grocer bagged his food. Offering another wave to Miss Kana, he geared himself up for the long run back home.


    ¡°You be careful out there! I don¡¯t want any cars hitting you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be on the lookout! Later!¡± And with that, Eli booked it out to the parking lot.


    Did it seem like the rain let up for a bit? It wasn¡¯t raining as hard as it was for sure. Regardless, Eli kept his pace. He didn¡¯t really know too much about chicken except you couldn¡¯t eat it raw and it tasted great with garlic. He had a feeling that he still should get it home as soon as possible.


    ¡°If I had a bike, this wouldn¡¯t be so bad¡­but biking in the rain¡­¡± Eli was thinking to himself again.


    Suddenly, the clouds started to open up in the sky. The rain turned into a drizzle atop Eli¡¯s head. He halted to a slower pace to marvel at the sudden change of weather.


    ¡°Eh? That was quick. Summer rains I gue-


    CRACK


    A flash of light was the last thing Eli saw before his vision blacked out. A blackened circle remained where he stood, the chicken lying bare on the ground.


    From around the town, lightning fell from the sky. The erratic pattern of the bolts frightened many back inside their homes. It didn¡¯t last long, only for a minute or so. Once it was all over, the rain stopped for good and people ran to see the aftermath.


    As it stood, there was no property damage to report. A few smudges on the pavement didn¡¯t call to cause concern right away. It wasn¡¯t until a mother on the other side of town, who witnessed her daughter be struck by lightning, started to cry out. After a while, others started to notice that more and more people had disappeared into thin air after the storm.


    Spirited away to another world¡­

 The Brave Hero and the Uppity Heir

    ¡°Young Hero¡­¡±


    A voice?


    From where? Eli heard it faintly in his ears. The last thing he could remember¡­the last thing¡­


    He couldn¡¯t remember anything¡­


    A flash of white then suddenly¡­


    ¡°Young Hero, please wake up.¡±


    The voice was softer this time, like a pillow. Kind of like the pillow he was laying on. Wait, when was he laying down?


    Jolted awake, Eli shot up from whatever he was resting on. The large oak pillars and soft cotton sheets suggested a bed. Looking down at the sheets and then towards the location of the voice, a fluffy maid uniform greeted him.


    It was a woman, green hair and brown eyes, clad in this black uniform complete with a ruffled headband. The bags under her lifeless fish eye glance didn¡¯t really pose a warm welcome to Eli.


    ¡°Good morning, Brave Hero. I trust you slept well.¡± The pillowy soft voice Eli heard was actually a very tired and low one. Whomever this girl was, it was clear she was overworked.


    ¡°Uhh¡­¡± Eli stammered.


    ¡°I trust you have questions, but for now you are being summoned.¡±


    With that, the green haired woman drew back the covers from Eli¡¯s lap. Eli jumped even though he was wearing clothes. Something about a woman taking a blanket off of you, I guess. It was at this time that he realized that his clothes were still soaked with rain.


    ¡°I have prepared a change of clothes for you. Here.¡± The woman handed Eli a folded pile of clothes.


    Dumbfounded, Eli took the clothes. He was still shocked from the events that had happened a couple of minutes ago.


    ¡°Uhh..I don¡¯t understand anything that¡¯s going on¡­ am I being pranked?¡± Eli placed the clothes on the side of the bed and swiveled to put his feet on the floor.


    ¡°Pranked, sir?¡± The green haired girl¡¯s head tiled slightly in confusion.


    A pang in Eli¡¯s heart stopped him from talking.


    ¡°Arrgh, she called me Sir! What is this?¡±


    Without any response, the girl made her way to the door, opening it only slightly then turning back to Eli.


    ¡°Brave Hero, I request you change as soon as possible. I will return to collect you for your summons. Please be ready.¡±


    ¡°Hey, wait!¡± It was futile, she was already out of the door.


    Eli took a second to look around his room before trying his best to recollect his thoughts.


    ¡°Okay, what happened a couple of minutes ago? I was¡­.hit by lightning? But before that¡­I was¡­..I was¡­¡±


    He couldn¡¯t remember for the life of him what he was doing prior the flash of lightning. Where he was, what he was doing¡­even who he lived with. He was all by himself in his thoughts.


    He began to freak out, scratching his head for answers.


    ¡°Come on! COME ON! Anything?¡±


    Nothing.


    Suddenly, Eli got up from his bed and surveyed the room. It was rather old fashioned for a bedroom. Only a dresser and the bed with a very old desk were present. Paintings of ships adorned the walls.


    Outside the windows was something else. From the structure, it seemed that he was in an estate of some kind. A mansion if anything. The view was still very amazing. A lavish rose garden with a hedge maze was in his sights at the bottom. Small children were running in and out of the garden except¡­.


    ¡°What are these kids wearing? What is this, the 1800¡¯s?¡±


    The boys wore something you¡¯d see on Sunday church service and the girls were all done up in poofy dresses complete with petticoats. The elder men and woman were the same, all dressed up with hats and smoking pipes.


    Eli would stand out in his graphic T-shirt and cargo shorts for sure.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been sent to another world, no doubt about it. Either that or I¡¯m dead and this is Purgatory¡­¡± Eli settled the matter right then and there.


    Maybe it was just him blocking it out to prevent further freak outs. He finally made his way over to the clothes he was given and looked them over. A red shirt and black jacket. Black pants and boots also accompanied the ensemble.


    ¡°What the heck is this?¡± Eli held up a shoulder guard from the top of the folded clothes. The metal shimmered in the weak candlelight above him.


    Stripping himself of the wet clothes, he took no time putting the new ones on. The mirror attached to the desk didn¡¯t offer much coverage to see the whole outfit but from what he could see, it fit him pretty well.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t out long I don¡¯t think but, maybe I was out long enough for that girl to take my measurements¡­¡± Eli thought to himself.


    Either way, the clothes were snug but not uncomfortably so. He was okay with the choice of apparel that was chosen for him.


    tap tap tap


    There was a knock on his door just then.


    ¡°Young Hero, I have returned for you. Are you decent?¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Uh, yeah. I¡¯m good, come in.¡±


    The door slowly opened to show the green haired girl from before and another face. This time it belonged to a blonde and scowling boy. He looked to be Eli¡¯s age.


    ¡°Young Hero, will you please come with me to the Throne Room?¡± It wasn¡¯t much of a request rather than a direct order.


    ¡°Yeah, alright.¡± His voice was low but he didn¡¯t want to cause trouble. It seemed as the minutes went on, more things were being thrown in Eli¡¯s face.


    ¡°Thank you, this way please.¡± Her tired voice echoed though the hallow halls.


    Eli and the blonde boy walked side by side behind the green haired maid. He couldn¡¯t help but steal glances at his walking partner every so often.


    He was wearing something rather plain, a black button up and black trousers. From what he could gather, it seemed he was transported here just like him.


    The blonde boy looked over at Eli just as Eli was trying to sneak another peak at him. Eli, in turn, snapped back to attention. The view of the green maid¡¯s hair the only thing in his view and he continued to walk.


    ¡°Take a picture then, why don¡¯t you?¡± The boy then spoke. His voice sounded like a teenager that had just hit adulthood. Deep but with a boyish charm to it.


    ¡°Sorry, I wasn¡¯t meaning to stare. All of this is new to me, is all.¡± Eli tried his best to apologize.


    ¡°Hmmph.¡± Was all he got out of that.


    The halls were quiet again. Eli was too scared to say or look anywhere else. The maid was stone cold quiet as she led the boy to a pair of large double doors.


    ¡°Inside this room is the King of this land. Please be respectful and save your questions for when you are to ask them.¡± She extended a hand to the door and relayed the instruction.


    Both Eli and the boy nodded their heads in understanding. As the maid was satisfied with their response, she then turned towards the door. Knocking on one of the doors three times, it then opened very slowly. She backed away to the side to allow the boys to walk into the vast chamber.


    The walk was a long one to the throne. Atop sat a very withered looking old man. His eyelids were drooped over so far, he seemed to have his eyes closed. He wore a brilliant crown of jewels on his head and was draped in a lavish cape. He looked relaxed as he sat back on his throne.


    Around the room were guards armed with spears and swords. Beside the King were two of these guards.


    ¡°Hero Eli. Eli¡­is it?¡± The King suddenly spoke. His voice was not something Eli expected. Booming and full of force.


    ¡°Y-yes sir!¡± Not knowing what else to do, he suddenly snapped his hands to his sides and bowed deeply.


    ¡°Yes, yes. It is good to see you. After a hundred years¡­ we can begin anew.¡± The slow speech of the King echoed through the chamber.


    Eli didn¡¯t know what he meant by this. This was the first time he had ever seen the King. Any King for that matter. Where he was from, a product town in America¡­King¡¯s weren¡¯t really easy to come by.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure there are questions you are dying to ask, and in due time I will allow them. For now, you must know your purpose for your summoning.¡± The King¡¯s voice boomed throughout the chamber. Eli could feel the goosebumps rise.


    ¡°Young Atreo. You will be King.¡±


    The silence was deafening. The boy with blonde hair took a step back in shock. The once scowling face swept over with fear.


    ¡°Do not falter, my boy. It will be quite some time before you claim my throne. I may be a hundred years old but I still have life in me. Not so much as of late, but I still live.¡± The King humbled.


    ¡°K-King¡­¡± Atreo stammered. He was completely taken aback.


    ¡°In this land of Evangel, there are laws. Every hundred years, a Hero must claim the three crystals to adorn the Heir. After the Heir has acquired thus, only then can he sit the Throne. There is no King without the Hero. Without a King, the Hero has no purpose.¡± The King lamented.


    Both Eli and Atreo listened intently to the laws. Suddenly the King held his hand high.


    ¡°Hero Eli, you were summoned to defeat three powerful monsters. The likes of which only you can defeat. Only by your hand can the crystals be recovered.¡±


    Eli felt his blood run cold. All of a sudden the reality hit him. He was going to be fighting monsters in a matter of life or death. All so Atreo could sit the throne.


    ¡°Once Eli has given you these crystals, only then can you acquire the power to protect the people of Evangel. Through the labor of the adventurer, can you understand the burden you carry.¡± He lowered his hand back to the rest.


    ¡°I humbly apologize that we must meet like this¡­ but it is true. You both have been pulled from your world onto ours. A prophecy bound to fate by the Original Creator. It is to be unbroken.¡± The King adjusted in his seat before continuing.


    ¡°I was once like you both. I do not remember my home world. I do not remember my family or my town. The Hero sent to adorn me had only recently died of natural causes. He was a dear friend of mine. I fear¡­I am not far off as well.¡± His voice was low as he remembered his friend.


    Eli hung his head in a fit of emotion. It wasn¡¯t enough that he was transported here, but the King leading him was also ported here as well. He lived his whole life in Evangel only to soon be dethroned by prophecy.


    ¡°If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.¡± The King finished.


    ¡°Yeah, I have one.¡± Atreo suddenly spoke, hand in the air.


    ¡°Atreo, yes.¡±


    ¡°What is the meaning of this? I¡¯m supposed to be okay with this? I was pulled from my home with no memory! And now I¡¯m supposed to be King of a land I know nothing of?¡± He was seething.


    ¡°I understand your anger. It was much like mine when I was told the exact same words I have just told onto you. The fact of the matter is¡­yes.¡± The King¡¯s voice dropped about a million octaves at the reply. Atreo dropped his hand right then and there.


    ¡°Yes, you must accept it. There is no going back from once you came. The wiping of your memory is to cope with the loss of family. The vagueness of a home world is to help you move on. The hold onto such thing would only cause the balance to shift until it eventually tumbles.¡± The King said.


    Atreo balled his fist and looked at his shoes. From where Eli was standing, he could see his teeth clenched in anger. All of this wasn¡¯t easy for Eli either but it was doubly hard to see another person take it just as horribly.


    ¡°Hero Eli, do you have any questions?¡± The King turned to him.


    Snapping to attention again, Eli tried his best not to stammer as he readied his question.


    ¡°Just one, sir. You said I had to fight monsters only I could defeat¡­ what kind of monsters are we talking about?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯d like to know about Bosses. This kind of lecture is best suited for Deacon.¡± The King then waved a hand towards the door, to which is opened suddenly.


    A man was already waiting there. Walking into the Throne Room and into better view, he had chestnut colored hair and thin glasses on. The casual suit he wore spoke class as he stopped right next to Atreo.


    ¡°This is Deacon Masters. For the time being, I have instructed him to be both of your tutors to prepare and teach you about the new world around you.¡±


    At the introduction, Deacon bowed and rose to greet both the boys. Atreo had gone back to scowling and crossing his arms, seeming as if he was already done with today. Eli lightly bowed back.


    ¡°Good to meet you. I hope we can become acquainted warmly.¡± Deacon said. His voice was that of an adults. He spoke calmly and precisely.


    ¡°After you depart from the city, Deacon will become Atreo¡¯s right hand until he is throned. From then, it is Atreo¡¯s orders where Deacon¡¯s purpose lies.¡±


    Atreo looked up at the proclamation, then at Deacon. Deacon was also looking at Atreo with a neutral look. He seemed to be all business, cookie cutter and straight edge.


    ¡°I hope we can get along until your reign.¡± Deacon offered a hand to shake. One Atreo took and shook a couple of times before dropping his hand.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see. If we both last that long.¡± How curt. Even Eli flenched at how bratty this kid was being.


    It didn¡¯t seem to bother Deacon one bit, as he stood back up to attention in the presence of the King.


    ¡°If there are no further questions, I would like to turn you both over to Deacon as I retire for the night. Tomorrow you both will be free to venture out into the city to explore the new land before you. I hope, before long, you will set out for the crystals, Hero Eli.¡±


    Eli offered a firm nod in understand towards the King.


    As The King rose from the Throne, every head in the chamber bowed. Deacon soon bowed to his Grace. Following suit, Eli and Atreo bowed as to not upset order.


    ¡°Until then, be strong.¡± With that, the King was escorted out of the room to his private chambers.

 A Lesson In Evangel

    ¡°KING?! King though. King? King!¡± Atreo was yelling as loud as he could in the open lecture room.


    Deacon was sitting in a padded chair in front of a chalkboard, elbows on the desk and fingers entwined at the mouth. Eli was watching the blonde boy throw his fit with an annoyed look on his face. If there was one thing Eli hated more than bratty people, it was ungrateful people.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m sure you probably got the big end of this stick dealt to us.¡± Eli offered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know who you ARE! I don¡¯t know who anyone is! One second I¡¯m hit by lightning and the next-¡°


    ¡°Lightning?¡± Eli shot up out of his chair.


    ¡°Yeah, let me guess, you¡¯re the same way too? Figures.¡± Atreo kicked a chair out of his way en route to Deacon.


    ¡°Everyone on this Planet was transported here! All by lightning I¡¯m assuming, hmm Mister Deacon?¡± Atreo said Deacon¡¯s name as sarcastically as he could. Eli swore he could see Deacon¡¯s eyebrow twitch at the remark.


    ¡°Yes, this is true. I was also teleported here many years ago as a child.¡± Adjusting his glasses with his hand from the side, Deacon sat back in his seat.


    ¡°Once you¡¯re transported here, that¡¯s it. You can¡¯t have children, you can¡¯t leave the city, you can¡¯t do anything. You are given a job once you¡¯re a certain age and you put up with it. In your guy¡¯s case¡­ it¡¯s a prophecy.¡±


    ¡°Great. Wonderful. You know, I really value my peace and quiet. Now I have to be King and put up with a whole Planet and HIM.¡± Atreo pointed a finger into Deacon¡¯s face. One Deacon pushed away from.


    ¡°Okay, but I still need an answer about the monsters I have to fight. The King was implying that there were more than the ones I have to deal with. ¡®The likes of which¡¯ and what not.¡± Eli interjected.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true. Every hundred years, three monsters are teleported over along with the Heir and the Hero. We call them Bosses. Only the Hero can deliver the Final Blow and retrieve the crystal.¡± Deacon explained.


    ¡°What are the crystals for exactly?¡± Atreo asked.


    ¡°Did you happen to notice the Royal Crown atop the King¡¯s head? The crystals retrieved from Hero Amal rest in them. The power of those crystals give power to the King himself. With this power, the King can keep monsters out of the city and regulate balance within the Planet.¡±


    ¡°Regulate the Planet itself? Why would you need all of that power?¡± Eli asked.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t seen it for yourself yet but Evangel is terribly small. With the crystals at his aide, the King acts at the Planet¡¯s core. Without the King, the Planet will fall apart.¡±


    The silence came back for a split second. Deacon took this time to adjust his glasses again and sit back in the chair. A hefty sigh escaped Atreo¡¯s nose as he rested on the desk next to Deacon.


    ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s going to happen to me? I¡¯m going to be the core of the Planet?¡± Atreo softly asked.


    ¡°In a sense, yes. You¡¯re not going to burn up or anything but your existence as King will keep the Planet in tact and in orbit. Even if your Hero fails, you would still have time to acquire your power though a new Hero.¡± Deacon answered.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m RIGHT here. I don¡¯t want to fail, you know.¡± Eli said in an annoyed tone.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything by that, Eli. It¡¯s happened before. Not while I was here but in books, a time where the Hero fell and another Hero had to be summoned before the Fall of Evangel. It took some grit but they got it done.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing things weren¡¯t all sunshine and diamonds during that time though, huh?¡± Atreo pressed.


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t. The King died and the Planet fell into darkness. Literally. Without the strength of the King, the Planet couldn¡¯t retain sunlight, the walls of the city fell and monsters ran rampant. It was chaos but¡­ the Hero pulled through in time.¡± Deacon sat forward again, returning his hands to his mouth.


    ¡°Tall order, huh?¡± Eli mused. He didn¡¯t want to let on how nervous he actually was.


    In a way, he was extremely grateful for the powers that be that erased his memory of his home and family. If he could remember them, he would hold on to those memories for as long as he could and not let go. Stuff like this would only cause him to wallow away somewhere in fear so¡­ he was grateful to not remember.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard but you don¡¯t have to go it alone. You must deliver the finishing blow but you can have others help you fight. The Questing Guild and the Royal Arms are at your disposal.¡± Deacon relayed.


    ¡°That does make me feel a bit better.¡±


    ¡°Although, the Questing Guild might want you to run quests for them as payment or to test your strength¡­and the Royal Arms requires ACTUAL payment in gold¡­¡± Deacon finished.


    Eli¡¯s shoulders slumped down in defeat.


    ¡°Well, what the hell then!¡± Throwing his hands up in the air, Eli finally gave up.


    The sound of a door opening and closing snapped all of the boys out of the dreary atmosphere. Looking at the exit, the green haired maid had returned with a cart full of food and tea supplies.


    ¡°Please forgive my intrusion.¡± The dead tired tone in her voice ever prevalent.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite alright, Arainii. We¡¯re in need of a break anyway.¡± Deacon rose from his hair to help the maid, named Arainii, serve tea and food.


    Eli and Atreo also approached to get a helping of whatever she brought.


    ¡°Oh wow! Look at all of this!¡± Atreo exclaimed.


    ¡°You have a taste for sweets, Atreo?¡± Deacon asked.


    Not answering but nodding his head bashfully then turning away, Atreo agreed.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m fond of them myself. Good to see we have one thing in common.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡± Atreo wanted to drop the subject as he reached for a plate with a sliver of cake on it.


    Many of the plates had cake or cookies. The cake had powdered sugar and fruit on top and looked very spongy and delicious. The cookies had a checkerboard pattern and a flower pattern with a jelly substance in the middle. The presentation was very cute and to top it all off, the tea served was a warm peach tea.


    ¡°I hope it is to your liking, Young Hero and Noble Heir.¡± Arainii spoke.


    ¡°You know, you can just call me Eli.¡±


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Atreo blurted out right after Eli tried to re formalize himself to Arainii.


    Stuffing his face with cake, Atreo found a seat in one of the chairs with a desk. Arainii poured a cup of tea and placed it on a saucer to deliver to Atreo.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°And what of you, Eli. Do you enjoy sweet things?¡± Deacon pondered.


    ¡°Ehh, depends on the day. In general, I guess I don¡¯t really mind sweet things on my plate. After the day I had, this is a welcome sight.¡± Eli answered, seizing a plate of cookies.


    ¡°Shall I pour you a cup of tea, Sir Eli?¡± Arainii asked, the teapot in her hand.


    ¡°Mmmm, if you want¡­I guess.¡± Eli still didn¡¯t know how to respond to being called ¡®Sir¡¯ or any other formality. It was something that was going to have to take some getting used to.


    Arainii turned towards the empty teacup and filled it half way with tea. Placing it on a saucer, she handed it to Eli who grabbed it with his free hand.


    ¡°Thanks, Arainii.¡±


    ¡°It is my pleasure to serve.¡± Arainii simple said as she turned back to place the teapot back on the cart.


    Wincing a bit at the extreme formality, Eli set his food and drink on the nearest desk and sat down again. He bit into a cook and marveled at how crisp they were.


    ¡°You¡¯ve outdone yourself again, Arainii. These are wonderful.¡± Deacon said as he bit into a slice of cake.


    ¡°No thanks to you.¡± The soft words came of out Arainii¡¯s mouth and stunned the whole room.


    Looking over to Atreo, Eli saw that Atreo was also looking at him in surprise. The drama that was about to unfold and the tension in the air thickening as Deacon set down the fork on his plate.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t even let you have a slice, you never do any work in the kitchen.¡± The soft words came again.


    ¡°Arainii, you know I work very closely with the retainers and organizers. Spending time in the kitchen is not a¡­ luxury I have at the time.¡± Deacon defended himself.


    Atreo snuck another bite of cake has he turned his head slightly to listen in. Eli sipped his tea as quietly as possible, wide eyed in the face of drama.


    ¡°So why do I see your stupid glasses every time I¡¯m in the kitchen sneaking treats out of the cupboards and cooling racks? If you have time to sneak a treat, you should spend time helping make them, am I right?¡± Arainii¡¯s case deepened as Deacon visibly sighed and set down his food.


    ¡°Arainii, I¡¯m sorry you caught me acting like that. I don¡¯t get many hours off to help you. In the middle of all that is happening right now, I going to be busier now more than ever.¡±


    ¡°Not my problem. I have to feed everyone in the Castle.¡± The deadpan voice struck through Deacon like a knife.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Arainii.¡± Deacon¡¯s head dropped in defeat.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. You and I are busy people but I request you stop sneaking food out of the kitchen.¡± Arainii finished.


    She began to load up the cart again with used dishes. Atreo came up and offered his plate and cup to Arainii who took it diligently.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± The soft and tired voice was starting to make Eli tired.


    ¡°H-here, I''m done with mine too. It was delicious, thank you.¡± Eli offered his plate and cup as well.


    Taking it from Eli, Arainii began to back out of the room.


    ¡°It is late, if anyone needs me, I will be in the study until morning. You should all be getting some sleep.¡± Arainii said before opening the door.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you get someone else to re organize the Study? You always do so much work¡­¡± Deacon tried to say but right as he finished, the door closed behind Arainii. She had left.


    With a sigh, Deacon took the glasses off his face and clean them with a rag from his pocket.


    ¡°She really laid one on you, didn¡¯t she?¡± Atreo joked, earning another sigh from Deacon.


    ¡°You guys sound like you¡¯re married almost.¡± Eli mused.


    ¡°Her and I are most certainly not romantically affiliated. Plus, she is too busy for anyone to give affection to her. I¡¯m not even sure if she would have enough energy to give it.¡± Deacon said.


    ¡°She does seem tired all the time¡­ I wonder why she takes so many jobs. Cook, retainer, cleaning maid, you name it¡­¡± Eli thought to himself.


    ¡°No one knows¡­ she¡¯s been working here for as long as I have¡­if not longer.¡± Dropping the subject, Deacon returned to the front desk.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯re fed, are you lot ready to retire for the night or do you have any more questions?¡±


    ¡°Just one more from me.¡± Eli answered, raising his hand.


    ¡°You said the monsters I have to defeat were called Bosses, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°And I have to defeat three. Where do they come from if they only show up now?¡± Eli finished his question.


    ¡°Maybe they are sleeping deep in the Planet for a hundred years?¡± Atreo offered before Deacon could answer Eli¡¯s question.


    ¡°The Bosses you will fight¡­.are also people transported here.¡±


    Both of the boys froze in fear at Deacon¡¯s weathered reply.


    ¡°People? Like you and me people?¡± Atreo asked in a worried tone.


    ¡°Yes. Handpicked like you and me to come to this world only to transform into horrible beasts. Inside of them resides the new crystals¡­the likes of which can only be obtained by our Hero, Eli.¡±


    ¡°Unless I mess it up¡­¡± Eli dropped his head in despair from this new news.


    ¡°Make no mistake, you wouldn¡¯t have been picked to come here if you weren''t strong enough. Mistakes can happen but I believe you will do it.¡± Deacon reassured.


    Sitting back in his seat again, Eli folded his arms and fumed. Atreo rounded around his own desk and sat atop it.


    ¡°All of the bosses must be defeated in order. The first two bosses will be hard but the Final Boss is meant to really test your might. Your love for Evangel.¡± Deacon continued.


    ¡°My love for Evangel? I have only a little bit of time until blondie here becomes king right?¡± Eli asked.


    ¡°Hey! Watch where you throw your insults!¡± Atreo shot Eli a dirty look, one which Eli matched with an annoyed one.


    ¡°You were transported here ten years before the hundred year mark¡­so in a way, you have ten years until you run out of time¡­¡± Deacon said.


    ¡°Ten whole years, huh? You think I could waste one on training myself? I¡¯ve never held a sword before.¡± Eli mused.


    ¡°It would be smart to learn up on swordplay. Without even basic knowledge, the lowest type of monster will make quick work of you.¡± Deacon offered the best advice he could.


    ¡°And what about me? I feel like a fifth wheel¡­¡± Atreo moped.


    Turning to the blonde boy, Deacon offered a smile.


    ¡°Well, after all of this briefing, I will ultimately answer only to you and the King for a while. I have been ordered to be your right hand man.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, once again, great.¡± The sarcastic tone in Atreo¡¯s voice rose back up.


    ¡°In the coming months, you will be expected to attend meetings and lessons to help you prepare for your Reign. We may be the only kingdom on the planet but keeping people happy and suppressing monsters is not an easy job.¡± Deacon explained.


    ¡°So you¡¯re gonna be ghosting over me for the next ten years making sure I¡¯m as kingly as I can get?¡± Atreo pressed.


    ¡°In a sense¡­yes. But I¡¯ll give you your space when you request it. Just know that while Eli has to but up a lot of physical labor, you will be expending a lot of emotional labor as well.¡± Deacon explained.


    Atreo sighed deeply looking away from Deacon.


    ¡°Well, I guess we should become friends or something then, right? I¡¯d hate to be around someone everyday that I dislike.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like that, let¡¯s make time to learn more about each other.¡± Deacon offered a genuine smile at Atreo¡¯s offer of friendship.


    ¡°You guys sound like you¡¯re on the first date!¡± Eli blurted out from the back of the room.


    Atreo jumped off his desk facing Eli again with the angriest look he could muster.


    ¡°What¡¯s with you!? Take this seriously!¡± Atreo yelled at the fleeing Eli, who was already on his way to the door.


    ¡°Yeah well, serious matters can wait until tomorrow. I¡¯m beat. Deacon, thanks for the lesson.¡± Eli waved as he opened the door to leave.


    ¡°Anytime, please come see me if you have further questions!¡± With that, Eli was out of the room.


    Atreo and Deacon were left in the lecture room alone, Atreo still fuming.


    ¡°What¡¯s with him? Joking around like that. He¡¯s so annoying!¡± Atreo turned towards Deacon then, face red as an apple. ¡°He¡¯s not taking anything seriously! I¡¯m supposed to trust him to do HIS job?¡±.


    ¡°I think he asked some pretty important questions actually. It doesn¡¯t help that you were acting kind standoffish¡­¡± Deacon offered his opinion.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m being standoffish?¡± Atreo¡¯s tone dropped to one of annoyance.


    ¡°E-ehh, no. Just forget I said anything.¡± Deacon protected himself from an outburst.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. It just being thrown into a new world and expected to uphold laws and prophecies takes a bit of a toll on me. I think I¡¯m inclined to throw a bit of a fit.¡± Atreo calmly said.


    Deacon took the time to look at Atreo then as the blonde boy was looking elsewhere.


    ¡°I understand. We were pretty much the same, you know?¡± Deacon said. Atreo looked at him and listened.


    ¡°When I was brought here years ago, I cried for days. The people I now call my parents, I didn¡¯t know who they were when I showed up. I was angry and sad for a long time. Eventually, I came to terms with my new life and now I¡¯m lucky enough to help the new King sit the Throne.¡± Deacon¡¯s words were paired with a smile.


    Atreo dropped his hands and head as he listened. He didn¡¯t want to stop being angry right now but Deacon had a point. Eventually, he would have to come to terms with his new found responsibility.


    This was a revelation for another day, however.


    ¡°Well, whatever¡­¡± Atreo knew he was still being sour.


    Turning away from Deacon, he made for the door himself. He turned back to Deacon, who was getting up himself and stacking papers.


    ¡°What time can I expect to see you in the morning?¡± Atreo asked.


    Deacon looked up suddenly, not expecting Atreo to say anything more to him. Standing up straight, bringing the papers to his chest, he offered another smile.


    ¡°Well, I usually start my day at 6:00 a.m. every morning.¡±


    Atreo winced visibly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it!¡± Atreo bickered to which Deacon giggled a bit at the fit.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I wouldn¡¯t come to you unless you were ready for the day yourself. However, it¡¯s respectful to be up before 8:00.¡± Deacon said.


    Atreo wanted to fight the suggestion more but was too tired to yell.


    ¡°Mmmnngh, whatever. I¡¯ll see you at eight then!¡± Atreo finished and finally exited the lecture room himself.


    Deacon sighed in relief. The young Heir was going to prove to be a handful. It was nice that he extended a hand of friendship prior¡­


    ¡°I hope we can get past these next ten years without incident¡­¡±Deacon softly said to himself.