While Ambai was trying to figure out the mysteries behind the number, in another realm known as the heavenly realm, was in turmoil. Golden fire burnt through one of the castles creating sombre dark clouds in the sky.
Rebus was sitting on a charred throne glancing down at a bunch of burnt daffodils in his hands. He gently caressed its petals and whispered, "Nyx, I will avenge you."
He stepped on a burnt skull and crushed it. "I will make them pay." His ruby eyes glowed red.
A small nymph ran into the throne room. "Master, master, the gods have retreated," he cheerfully said.
"Those weaklings, without their Prince they are no match to us," he whispered stamping on the skull.
"Oh, I forgot. Our spy told me to pass this to you," The nymph took a small scroll from his pocket and handed it over.
Rebus opened the scroll with haste and read its contents. His eyes widened. "What?" he whispered. The scroll dropped from his trembling hands.
Holding his head in his palm he mumbled, "She—she is alive. She is still alive." Drops of tears splattered on the charred ground.
The little nymph ran over and picked up the small scroll and read its content. "Goddess Nyx's soul, they could not destroy it," he gripped the paper in his palms. "Master, this is good. We can retrieve her soul," he cried wiping his wet cheeks.
"Prepare the portal. I will go and pick her soul up myself," Rebus stumbled out of the throne. His limp charred legs made it harder for him to walk steadily.
"Master, your soul is very weak now. You won't be able to enter the lower planes with your body intact," the little nymph whispered with bloodshot eyes.
"Send my soul to that plane. I will bring her back." He limped out of the room.
"But you would have to posses someone," The nymph cried holding his masters hands.
"I don't care. I will retrieve her soul even if i have to posses someone," he whispered.
The nymph wiped his wet cheeks and held his hands out. A small golden light appeared in his palms. "Master, Your soul is very weak to survive there for long. You have to leave as soon as you get goddess Nyx's soul," he said.
Rebus's eyes gleamed as he gazed into the golden ball. "I am coming Nyx," he whispered and touched it. His body fell limp on the floor.
"Master!" the nymph held his unconscious masters body.
#
Rebus's soul floated into the vortex swirling around. A small opening appeared and he flew towards it. The small light intensified and his soul was ejected into a room. He saw a teenage boy sitting on the bed and sobbing.
"Grandfather, I will follow you," he whispered and drank a small vial of poison. Soon the boy's eyes lost its glow; his limp body lost heat.
'This boy...I can use his body,' Rebus thought. He slightly touched the dead boy's forehead and whispered, "Your body shall be mine, and so will your destiny."
His soul shone brightly and got sucked into the unconscious boy's body.
He opened his eyes and sniffed the small vial in his hands. "Hmm, blood rose poison, only Ulrich flower can cure this," he mumbled.
He started foraging in the messy room and found a small container with a purple flower inside it. "Got it." he crushed the flower and chewed its petals. He squatted on the ground and chewed loudly. He found a small dagger hidden in the shelf and hid it in his sleeves.
"Zhong, are you in there?" a muffled voice came from outside the door.
Rebus glanced towards the door and sat unmoving. The stranger dressed in golden armour opened the door and entered the small room.
"Hey kid," he whispered and squatted next to the boy.
Rebus looked up at him with no expression on his face.
"My name is Kaden and I came here with news from the King and Queen," the man said and held out a small scroll.
Rebus took the scroll and read its contents. "I am going to be adopted as a study partner for the prince," he said raising his brow.
"Yes, isn't that a good opportunity kid? Don't worry I will be there and many others that Gaius had helped will protect you." the guard slightly patted his back. He sighed and murmured, "Gaius was a good man."
"Hmm," Rebus hummed. He glanced at the man and whispered, "When?"
"Now, if you can. I can help you pack your stuff." The man patted his dusty hands.
"I don't have any stuff I need." He stood up from the dusty ground. He patted his hands and nodded towards the door. "Let's head out."
The man got up and led him towards his waiting unicorn. It flapped its small butterfly wings and neighed.
"Raja, take us to the castle," the man whispered. He turned towards him and shouted, "Come on kid." He lifted Rebus onto the mount.
The unicorn flew high into the trees. It flapped its fragile wings and jumped onto thick tree branch. From branch to branch it hopped and reached a large tree guarded by many golden armoured guards.
"Raja, lets enter towards the left gates," the man ordered his mount.
The horse neighed and jumped towards the huge gate that was carved out of the tree trunk.
"Kaden, who is this?" a guard questioned as they reached the entrance.
"This is Gaius's grandson," Kaden patted the boys shoulder.
"My condolences kid, he was a good man," the guard whispered and opened the heavy doors.
"Come along, you have to meet the king," Kaden said.
Rebus followed him silently observing the hallways and the room in it.
"We are here. Remember kid be respectful to the king and the queen," Kaden whispered He knocked on the door and said, "Your highness, its Kaden."
"Come in," a muffled voice came from inside the room. Kaden opened the huge double door and entered the room.
"Oh, Kaden you are brought him, this is?" the king inquired.
"This is Zhong, Gaius's grandson," he pushed him slightly forward.
Rebus bowed and greeted the king.
The king sighed and held his shoulders in his hands. "Zhong, I should not have sent your grandfather there."
"Your highness, my grandfather was doing his duty," Rebus said.
The let out a breath and whispered, "Yes he was.... He was a very good man. I will arrange your grandfathers funeral tomorrow," he said and patted his shoulders.
Rebus looked at the ground and did not reply.
"Kaden, introduce him to my son." He nodded towards Kaden. "Welcome to the family Zhong," he said.
"I am tired, I'll take my leave now, your highness," Rebus whispered glancing at the ground.
"Good, good, Kaden arrange his accommodations," he cheerfully ordered his guard.
"Yes, your highness," Kaden bowed and walked out of the room.
The guard led him towards winding hallways. As he was walking Rebus felt a familiar smell of daffodils fill his nostrils.
'Nyx, she is here!' he thought with his eyes wide. He dashed towards the direction of the scent.
"Hey, Zhong wait, you can't run around like that," the guard shouted behind him.
But Rebus ignored his call and turned to the right hallway. The scent stopped in front of a huge door with wisteria trees on it. Rebus panted and looked around.
'It's here. She is here.' He pushed the door open but someone held his shoulders firmly.
"You can't do that kid. You would be punished," Kaden panted pulling him away from the door.
'It's gone. Who is that person who has Nyx's soul?' He glanced t the ground and whispered, "I –I was just curious about this room."
"It's the royal Library kid, you don't have the authority to enter," Kaden warned with a small glint in his eyes.
Rebus felt the scent disappearing from the door. 'She is somewhere in this castle.' He gave the library a fleeting glance and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it."
"Its okay kid," Kaden whispered and led him away into another hallway and said, "This will be your room. The prince's room is right next to yours. Shall I introduce you to the prince now or tomorrow?"
"I am tired. I'll meet the prince later," He said glancing around the room.
"Hmm," the guard hummed and walked away.
He walked towards the large king sized bed and sat on the soft bed. He pulled a small dagger from his sleeves. "Are you sharp enough to kill?" he whispered twirling the small dagger in his hands.
Strong scent of daffodils assaulted his nose. His hands trembled dropping the dagger from his hands. "She is here again," he whispered rushing out of the room.
The door next to his opened and closed, leaving only a vague shadow of a boy.
Rebus rushed towards the door and slowly opened it. The door creaked as he silently walked in. A small figure of a teenage boy stood in front of the balcony and he walked towards him.
Something hit his foot as he walked in daze. He glanced down to find two heavy books titled geography and history of nation. He picked them up and walked slowly towards the boy.
"What was number? If it predicted his death date, he should have died today not yesterday. Then what the hell was that. Even the royal library does not have any info regarding this," the boy mumbled. His small white veil was fluttering with the breeze spreading delectable scent of daffodils.
'This kid, He has her soul.' He gripped the dagger behind his back. 'I will rip his heart and take her soul away.' Bloodthirsty glint glowed in his eyes as he moved closer.
Turning back, the kid slammed into his chest. He lost this balance and fell. With trembling hands he pointed a finger towards him and shouted, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Rebus gave a small smirk, gripping the handle of the dagger.
The boy's veil got caught in the rail and he was struggling to get up. The kid's veil tore and his beautiful green eyes were exposed. He glanced up at him with his eyes wide open.
'Now is my chance,' Rebus moved closer. He pulled the dagger from his back but the kid's glistening green eyes stopped his on his tracks.
Eyes wide, he peered at the kid's face. 'Nyx. How does he look just like her?' his breathing came in pants. He subtly placed the dagger back in his sleeve. He held the boy's chin and whispered, "is it you?"
The boy shivered and pushed his hands away. "Do you know who i am? I am prince Erudite and if you kill me, my father he... he will kill you," the boy stammered.
Rebus held out his hands and said, "Your highness, I am Zhong and I am going to be your study partner from now on."
The kid gave him a skeptical look and pushed his outstretched hands away. He bit his lips and said, "Don't you know how to knock? You almost pushed me off the balcony. And I don't want you as my study partner."
Rebus chuckled at his antics and whispered, "Dear prince, your parents ordered me to be your partner. I can't do anything about that," he shrugged.
Erudite pointed a finger at him and screamed, "Get out."
He chuckled and pulled the prince off of the floor. Pulling him closer he held him in his arms and sniffed the beautiful daffodil scent.
"Let go. You pervert..." The prince yelled pushing at his chest. "Guards.... guards, come send this man out," He screamed.
Two king's guards entered the room and held him by his shoulders. With a hesitant look one of them said, "Your highness, please forgive Xiao Zhong. He recently lost his family, that's why he is a little rude."
Hearing this, the kid scrunched his brows up and walked closer to him. "Release him." He whispered.
The guards let go of his shoulders.
The kid held his face and looked directly into his eyes. Suddenly the kid hugged him tight into his arms. Rebus went stiff in shock.
"My mother told me that a hug can heal anything, even a broken heart." He whispered into his ears. "Don't keep anything in your heart. Greave," the prince whispered holding him close.
Rebus eyes burnt with unshed tears he sniffed and hugged him closer. Breathing in her familiar scent, he whispered, "I—I don't want to grieve." He borrowed his head in his neck. 'Not until I kill everyone that hurt you,' he thought.
After a little hesitation the prince stepped away from the hug. "I will be your family from now on so don't worry." He gave him a toothy grin behind my veil.
'So warm so similar to her. I can't bear to hurt you.' Rebus sniffed back his tears. 'I want to hug him again. I want that familiar warmth again. I want HER everything, even if it's her tears. I want it. Maybe there really is a part of her consciousness alive in this boy'. Over simulated by his emotions, his eyes started tearing up.
Erudite's eyes went wide and he rapidly waved his hands. "I'm sorry. I am extremely sorry..... I didn't mean to hug you without consent. Please don't be upset." The prince hugged him again and held him in his warm hands.
Rebus began to sob and clung to his body. 'Nyx, oh Nyx, I miss you so much.' Tears clouded his vision as he hugged the prince close to his body. The kid stiffened up at first but gradually he loosened up.
The guards behind them started to panic. "Xiao Zhong, let go of the prince please." But Rebus was too into the hug to notice any of their requests.
"Hugging a royal without consent is a federal offence." They called pulling him away from the prince. Dread filled their heart as the kid refused to let go of the prince.
Hugging him like you would a drift wood that is keeping him afloat.
Rebus couldn't think. HER familiar scent filled his nostrils. 'I just want to mend this person into my arms.' Afraid to let go, he held on with his dear life. 'I don't want to lose this part of her as well,' he thought as the boy started to wiggle around a little. He let go off but still kept the prince in his arms.
"I am sorry you... your hug reminded me of my loved one," Rebus sniffed.
"Oh it's okay. But from today will be your brother, mother and any family you want me to, so don't cry. It breaks my heart," the prince said holding enveloping his hands with his warm palm.
"Your highness, it's time for dinner" a maid knocked on the door and entered. She slightly widened her eyes glancing at him, but quickly she regained her composure.
'She is suspicious,' Rebus thought glancing at her a bowed form.
"Let's go... let's go eat something ah. Xiao Zhong you have got to try the chef's special desert" the prince cheerfully said, pulling his hands.
'Even his voice is similar to Nyx's.' he noticed the torn veil and held his handkerchief over his face. Bending down, he whispered, "You should not show your face to anyone."
"Hmm, I will not," Prince Erudite nodded and cheerfully said. "Now let's go and have breakfast," he pulled him out of the room.
Rebus glanced down at their connected hands. He noticed a small mole on the little prince's thumb. 'He even has the same mole,' he thought caressing it.
Erudite pulled him through many hallways towards a huge double door covered with creepers and vines. The guards next to the door opened the door the large door and greeted, "Prince."
The King and the Queen were seated on a large wooden table with many dishes lining up in front of them. The little prince's hands started sweating in his palms. 'Why is he nervous?' Rebus held his hands firmly and entered the room.
"Sit down, sit down," the King cheerfully gestured towards the two seats next to him.
The little prince pulled his hands and sat down next to his father. And Rebus sat next to him.
"Serve the breakfast," the king ordered the petite brunette maid next to him.
The maids started bringing in all the dishes to serve the prince. 'Uliki Poison!' Rebus thought sniffed the air. 'Which dish is it?' he glanced around and saw the same brunette maid bringing in the soup bowl. 'It's in the soup.'
He flicked a small pebble. It hit the soup bowl making it slip from the maid's fingers.
He noticed the little prince hands tremble as he held his cutleries. With furrowed brows he glanced at him to find the little prince glaring at five guards standing next to the maids.
'They smell intensely of Uliki flowers,' Rebus thought giving the little prince a curious look. 'How did he know?'
The soup on the floor started to melt the carpet into a thick tar like liquid. Silence prevailed. But this was the silence before the storm.
'Someone had tried to poison the royals.'