A man in his mid-30, standing while his hands on the top rail of the balcony to support his weight, blankly gazing at the night sky. He is Claudio Lockstream, the 209th king and the current is a calm and quiet person. At 17, the throne was passed down to him earlier than the planned one as his father died by what he believed treason. It was hard for him to accept everything. Left by his father and mother. He had no time to mourn properly as the weight of the responsibilities was too much to handle. If he let his emotion devour him, the kingdom will fall to doom not only because of the demons but humans too. In the darkness that he's battling, she came. A light came, so warm it made him feel alive again and for the first time in his seventeen years of existence. He learned to love, a different love, and a love he knew he won't regret if he gives his all. At 18, he asked her to marry him and the people rejoiced as news spread that the wedding will happen next month. The Spring Kingdom was filled with joy as they witnessed the exchanging of vows. A deafening clamor enlivened the ever alive kingdom. Claudio became the happiest man that day that he wished it would be for eternity. A year had passed since their wedding and everything became as lively as the king. Everyone witnessed how he has changed because of her love. Truly that love is powerful it can change a person and as what it says that love is truly powerful, the king, because of love, changed. The people didn't expect it either. One harvest season at the Earth Region, as a tradition, the king and queen had to go there. Halfway to their journey, a message through telepathy made the king worried. He ordered to stop their voyage and began to calculate the situation. Another message arrived by an eagle but it was from the Earth Region. They were under attack. He knew something was off that time. A plan that was clever and perfect.
"Claudio, you have to go back and I will be the one to help the Earth Region."
He agreed to Flora's ideas and tears traced his face when he knew that the next scenarios will hurt him. He stopped looking at the vast night sky. The past he is carrying for sixteen years seemed to be unfazed by the time and felt like it was only yesterday. The night sky was at deep black like the color of his eyes which his wife loved to look at. Claudio felt Magnus' presence and he finally went back to reality.
"We couldn't find her my king, "
Magnus said looking worried behind Claudio. He's one of those who witnessed how drastic the changes have happened to the king. The lively king he once knew is gone. The incident that took place near the border of the Earth Region, he was also there. He saw the death of the queen and his older brother Wood, the right hand of Claudio before him. He can't even compare his pain to his, Magnus still has his family and loved ones. What's left with Claudio was nothing but responsibilities. Somehow, he feels like he is the only one who can understand him.
"Claudio, let's have a talk, " the tone of Magnus' speaking changed. He joined him looking at the dark sky.
"You know I couldn't leave you, " he lit up a cigarette and offered Claudio one.
"Yes, I know."
"Tss, I couldn't even have a girlfriend. I want to have a son and a daughter already." Claudio faced Magnus and punched him.
"I know what you are trying to say. Go find a woman alone. You know that I can't." Magnus returned the same punch.
"She really is that unforgettable huh? But Claude, we are getting old. Who will be the next king if you died? It has to be someone from your own flesh and blood."
"Then all I have to do is do not die." Magnus punched him again.
"Hey! I'm still a king, right? That really hurts Mag!"
"I'm talking to you right now as a friend! Sighs…"
"I really can't replace her. I really can't replace…Flora Zeymer." He gazes at the night sky again and Magnus just shakes his head.
"Anyway, this young girl you want me to find seemed to be not from here. Here is the report about her." He handed him the paper files.
"Is there something you want from her? The report said that she doesn't have a home and stays most of her time at the Aclatan. People who saw and met her said that she's a beauty- don't tell me you're into younger women?"
"Where did that come from? There was just something about her when we met at the Aclatan."
Magnus remembered from the report that that girl can do plant-related magic. People who use flora magic is rare, in fact, they are already exposed to the disappearance. Today, there are only seven of them including the young girl.
"Is it because she has the same magic as your wife's?" Claudio stayed silent because he couldn't tell him for some reason. Apart from them having the same magic, their presence is alike. He has to see her first.
"Well, let's call it a night. Don't overdo yourself because no one is going to take after your throne when you die. See you tomorrow Claude." He watched his friend's back until it disappeared.
"Stupid, you can marry and have children any time you want so why make me feel at fault? Sigh, well! Tomorrow is another responsibility again. I have to sleep."
On the next day, a meeting was held in preparations for the upcoming commemoration of the 9 Pillars that will last for two days. It is one of the three major events highly anticipated each year. The event commemorates the heroic deeds of the nine masters who fought and died during the battle of 209th. The final war between humanity and demons.
"Yesterday, the parade was successful. Thank you for coming here, principals." King Claudio greeted the current eight pillars.
"I have a hunch that this commemoration will go smoothly." Jouzo Caliber, head of the Turquoise Natura Academy and one of the 9 Pillars said.
"Old man, your premonitions are really bad. You said that I don't have to search for love and love will come to find me." Laya Nao, head of the Swift Academy and the youngest of the 9 Pillars.
"Lady Laya, he's actually here."
"What? Where? Where is he?" Laya roamed her eyes.
"I told you not to look for love but let love find you." Jouzo laughed and stared at Magnus, "poor man."
"Hmph! Are you fooling with me? Just tell me where that man is! Is he handsome?"
"Lady Laya." Magnus broke their conversation and gave her a folder.
"You're only 16, why the rush?"
"Sir Magnus, do you want me to spend my youth in that room full of workloads?" She averted her gaze from him.
"Hey Magnus, why are you still unmarried?" Magnus paused for a while and smiled at her.
"I'm thinking of it now." Claudio raised his left eyebrow and let out a smirk.
"We have to think of all the possibilities that might happen on that day. As we all know that these past months, the appearances of demons are making the people worried. My king, these plans are great." Indigo Razon, he's the head of the Sky Horizon Academy.
"But I still need your opinions. The clan heads will arrive soon and we'll begin the proper meeting— Principal Sand." King Claudio didn't finish his speech. He gave a meaningful look at Principal Sand.
"Yes, my king!" Claudio felt a growing magic at a rapid pace coming from the city of Terma in the northeast but he also felt faint but familiar magic in the north of Abelon city. Principal Sand Lass, head of the Phoenix Academy and one of the 9 Pillars connected his telepathy in one of his faculties.
"Woah! What was that?" Exclaimed Laya. The atmosphere inside the room suddenly changes and they all silent their thoughts. An immense aura is coming from the northwest.
"My king, it seemed like the volcano of the northwest volcanic land is about to erupt."
"I see, please send a squadron to investigate there." He found it suspicious, the northwest volcanic land is miles away from the Spring Circle and it is already outside the Spring Square but the amount of magic had reached them.
"Excuse me for a while. Magnus, inform me when the clan heads have arrived." He left the meeting room in an unnoticeable hurry and went to his room. He opened the window and stared in the north direction. It's faint but he can feel the same magic. The young woman with a mask in the Aclatan.
"It is no doubt, it's you."
Meanwhile, in the Abelon city, a guard is doing his duty when he noticed a commotion. He went there to help and settle things but when he saw who the cause of the uproar was, his eyes widened.
"What did you do?" He mouthed at her but the young girl gave him a look of needing help. The guard looked troubled so he mouthed again.
"You run after this, " he created an explosion magic and aimed it to the sky. Its blast distracted the people and caused more turmoil. The young girl ran to him.
"Chase them!"