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Zero always softly scratches Riona's back to help her fall as sleep, she inherited that from Mirror
___________CHAPTER FOUR__________
MIRROR
I choose to give or take a few years of our life in matrimony, things took a turn the day I found out I was expecting a child a girl nonetheless, Zero cannot stop bragging about the matter the gaiety in his eyes gleaming every time he looks at my abdomen, Nox even swore to babysit his little sister once she is born, the entire Arhianna team congratulated me in their own ways - even Sting although he had an unyielding hatred and rivalry with Zero. All that aside my Father was quite intrigued with the life that was inside of me more or less about to have Faust monitor the duration of my pregnancy if Mother hadn't ceased to have Panacea be my physician Father however didn't argue about it instead he reminded me one thing "Let's just see how this one will play out."
A month after I discovered my pregnancy a ton of gifts came upon the palace of Helium most of them came from my mother in law Queen Minea giving her regards upon our child and her apologies that she isn't able to personally congratulate me due to her busy schedule at Lireo, the crusty wrapped present must have been from Ethan since wrapping gifts isn't really his strong suit, Hibiki's obviously had his done by Madeline since he refuses to do such things saying that he'd look femine if he does so... I suppose the reason had something to do with his late mother, Ignatius did not bother to wrap his present saying that it was to much waste of money to even bother, Nox had his grandma (my mother) buy him a baby bottle as a gift to his soon to be born sibling but my Mother being the Queen of Zoldanga had it encrusted in pink spinel's and rose quartz's while Mother's gift was a tiara adorned with pink gemstones and pearls, Ignatius gift was wrapped in red composed of nothing but baby clothes with a hood.
Sting wasn't in attendance that day but he did have a present for our daughter that we almost didn't accept therefore it was a ring! Zero was in hysterics the moment he saw what's inside the small box yelling about how he's so obsessed with me and now planning to have himself and our unborn child in an understanding since Hibiki forgot the explanation behind the gift Hathor had to quell Zero's fury with the said explanation Hibiki foolishly forgot and last but not the least Zero gave me his gift for our little girl it was a pair of earrings for her first ear piercing. Nine months of having to carry her inside my belly not to mention all the cravings I've had during those days everything was worth the wait even though.
I had to stay in bed for 24 hours once my water broke, Mother and Panacea helped me get through it, and by that, I meant they entertained my bored self from ever getting out... I delivered our child safely unto this world as they cut the umbilical cord of my baby, Mother gave her to me... I was lost for words to think that someone like me deserves life Zero noticed my reaction whispering "What should we name her? " the question popped up. My mind wondered various names I could possibly give her while my Mother and Panacea argued for names involving an amazon whose walk was like a shot of whisky both neat and strong yet so many underestimate her smite.
8 years later (present day)
Our daughter had difficulty possessing any kind of talent, whereupon I was able to grasp it the moment I was born "Mana will not flow to your fingertips if you force it, my dear, do it just like this" I assisted our daughter to do the proper stance to balance the dormant magic inside her. Amazons should be able to possess talents by the age of five or seven years old she often cries at night just because of this, I told Zero that our daughter is suffering from depression but he had little time to help her out of it due to his obligations at Lireo taking most of his time off our daughter, his mother needed his help as being stressed was not a good look on her. With our daughter being constantly bullied at Ephedia due to lack of magic possession saying that she was a fraud amazon like her grandfather.
They can hate me and my Father all they want, but never my daughter, she's just a child purely innocent of neither of our crimes to RHEA I turned a blind eye against their threats and insults they've said to me, and look where that got? Falling to the wicked axiom of my Father the horrors he'd put me through makes my skin crawl it keeps me awake even in my deepest repose. My parents might have raised me to be atrocious but archetypes aren't always ensued by the latter that they wanted to imitate their same actions furthering the current damage that has been done by their society "Mommy... " I heard her sniffle as pieces of her tears fell.
With the wave of my hands signaling the guards around us to be dismissed at the moment my daughter started to sniffle and cry, I took out a small handkerchief and when they're out of sight I crouched down to the level of my daughter and wiping her tears away "Shhh...Riona, as long as I'm alive no one can hurt my little baby." I pressed my forehead against hers a smile crept up the side of her face hugging me in the process as I returned the gesture back.
Her mana flowed through me and it's burning??!!!!! I broke off my embrace with Riona as the burning sensation flustered around my entire left wrist "Mommy!" Riona fell onto her knees as she held her left wrist that making me avert my gaze on my own wrist the burning was replaced by a glowing pink bracelet that seems like its tattooed on my skin, her cries of pain continued "Mommy it hurts," I held her up on my arms and smiled genuinely healing the pain her mana caused in its awakening and it manifested Sensory Sentiment.
A talent Ithat has the ability to make two or more people's senses as one. If one of the people linked with the talent feels pain then the others will as well. Although talent doesn't actually share the physical wounds, it is still able to "share" death. It is the ideal talent for a physician to have, the user can also sense and manipulate emotions any beings feelings, and moods, whether by increasing, decreasing, causing, or otherwise channeling it by manifesting the emotional energy to a physical level. Emotions are described as discrete and consistent responses to internal and external events which have a particular significance for the organism. The duration consists of a coordinated set of responses, which may include verbal, physiological, behavioral, and neural mechanisms. The contrasting and categorization of emotions will be also able to describe how emotions are thought to relate to each other.
She was filled with so much joy knowing that she can finally perform a talent. I was indeed glad since if she wasn't able to awaken that dormant mana inside her by the next year...Father would have her taken away from me. I had Hathor announce the news about my daughter's talent the word spread fast around RHEA like wildfire. Zero called me later on via galva as soon as he heard about it and informed me that Queen Minea shall host a banquet in celebration of her mana's awakening. Father, on the other hand, had Conri summon me to discuss the matter with him. Therefore not a single thing or rumor running around that he isn't aware of and when the news does get to him it is certainly to be one hell of entertainment on the bright side of this chaotic tribe.
Mother no longer had the joy regarding the matter of Riona taking hold of her mana since Sensory Sentiment is also her forte making her already aware if a new mage shall join their ranks soon enough, the only downside of this link is that you cannot identify whom the new mage will be "Grandma isn't it amazing? You can feel how I feel!" Riona jumped up and down from glee as Mother just chuckled at her silliness if only she smiled like that to me often... I guess those are reserved for my sister and not mine to claim nor uphold speaking of Virgo, I wonder how her welfare is doing at the moment seeing that she moved out of Helium after my wedding to Zoldanga, Mother told me that Virgo just wanted to get away from Father since her birth needing a lifetime break away from him and his criticism maybe if Father wasn't a King he'd be a regular critic of everyone's business not that isn't the context of today's future already is he'd be a good paparazzi or a journalist I can already picture him looking so peasant-like.
"Where is he?" I blurted out as Father is never late to dinner in fact he can be fucking punctual than an early bird who's about to catch the worm but it got impaled by an arrow before it even files to catch the worm, it is just the perfect exammple of what he had me do over the past years, such misdeeds weren't approved as Mother would usually protest against Father they would always argue nor bicker about it every supper, where as Zero had to cover Riona's ear while curses fly away when they had a little chat over the fine food that has been served to eat and not be thrown people are dying and my parents are throwing food at each other during occasions. The doors banged opened with a blast of wind the king was carrying a cane and he walked like a model with each step he clicked the cane to complement the velocity of his steps once reached the end of the long dining table.
He comfortably sat on it the moment he wrapped his fingers on the wine glass sitting in front of him the cook clapped both of his hands together signaling the dames to place the food down the fine furniture before us "Where's the salad I asked for?" Mother asked as her eyes scanned the food in front of her not noticing any sight of her salad at bay a complaint not far behind as the cook nervously looked back and forth at Father and Mother taking the gulp in his throat beads of sweat started to frame his face words became to tremble at the movement of its lips "His Majesty the King didn't want a salad to be served tonight...but if you want Your Majesty I can have the staff prepare it for you-!"
Father irritated with his words upon considering Mother's request to him it is a sign of disrespect talking back against his demands are not up for debate obliterating the cook by just one blast of white-out it is a type of destruction magic that is mostly used during wars which can be common around here. Riona just looked down at her food, terrified of what she just witnessed as Zero calmed her down while my idiotic Father giggled in amusement at a dead person lying beside my Mother one of the dames took the courage to clean up the mess "You know Riona you're Mommy here hasn't cried over de-" I slammed my glass on the table shattering it in the process, making the dishes jump as some spilled he's going to persuade her just like what he did to me when I was at Riona's age into thinking its some kind of surprise for a child but instead gave me tortures of horror that barely made my existence stable the mere thought of it opened up scared wounds presented by the past. "Leave her out of this," I warned him.
The inhumane killings, drug abuse, torture, mania, power, and bloodlust because when you notice the striking resemblance of reality its thin fabric will start to unfold the truth that makes you think otherwise hoping that you'd wake up from the nightmares brought upon by winter. But Father provoked me by continuing on with this little charade of his "So how about it Riona? Wanna take a walk with me tomorrow?" Zero has been signaling me to stop my Father from doing what he was about to do "Raios." Mother interrupted raising a brow at him making his gestures stop smiling at his beloved wife, grandchild, and... daughter leaving my spouse to be nonexistent upon his presence. Nox arrived shortly after the little tattle, he's 28 years old now and we've legally adopted him as our son it is a good thing that dinner went smoothly tonight as the wicked no longer bothered my daughter leaving her unchaperoned to eat dinner in peace, that doesn't even sit right.
"Milady," my orb woke me up in the middle of the night "What is it?" I yawned rubbing my eyes in drowsiness but still paid attention to whatever vision she had to say "A prelude of ships leaving Chrysanthemums behind its trail" my orb can see possible events that may or may not occur in the all columns above, those being past, present and future. However only I can truly tell what those visions imply, one of the many limitations my orb has. Falling off a cliff from which you die hitting rock bottom; dysphoria alarmed me but fate told me not to worry placing back the fallen crumps ignoring a calamity that might ignite malice hereafter, be that as it may, I am still worried for the safety of my family...Riona is fast asleep and so is her Father.
"Don't let Riona sleep in her room alone for the time being" I warned my husband as we stood upon the balcony above the empire of Helium proud of its glory tch, Some glory "Why is that? if I might ask?" I crushed the piece of paper on my hand and looked up to the horizon upfront, the wind blowing off a soft breeze as the plans of my Father ran back and forth my head like a mouse trying to escape from a cat trying to catch a delicious meal satisfying its hunger, Zero was waiting for my answer as he leaned on the balcony railing, his arms crossed on his muscular chest his eyes deeply staring at my figure side facing him, a sigh escaped my lips revealing words "Father has planned to associate Orthoclase Vida to her..." Zero's brows furrowed in rage his reaction was enough proof of what I expected from this conversation no longer contemplating the ideals of our current timeline.
He felt the shaky pulse in my being, in the levitating silence he vastly pulled me close to him as the scars of the past glossed through my memory... for its voices called me like a siren song alluring kinou's by their beauty just to devour them, such moral lessons do not matter hence the beauty it possesses will always smite by taking its place upon the revelation of nature. It was such bitterness of flattery...Raios Verity, can change? He would never, the idea is so laughable beyond repose "I fucking hate your father Mirror." Zero whispered as he caressed my raven locks with his hands "And you love his daughter." his chest vibrated chuckling at my words hence it was true. Father will never change...that's the only thing he can't do--he'll eternally be a heartless bastard and I cannot blame those who believe that he will change for the better hence the thick fog of lies have truly blinded them to the tactful truth of RHEA's litigation.
Insanity almost forced me to succumb once...
"I'll drain that cretin of his lifespan if he dares to even lay a hand on our daughter." I won't allow him either, hence father already manage to pull off that stunt when I was Riona's age and he tricked me into becoming a reckless wreck of pain. Purity and innocence suited Riona better than hatred...maybe just maybe it could have suited me too. If only I knew better. "Hathor make sure Father does not prevail to even lay a finger on our daughter. Do you understand?" I commanded my orb to not inflict any unforeseen casualties. "Yes, Milady."
I've returned the tablets to their leather casting an enchantment just in case. Hibiki offered he'd watch over Riona tomorrow and Madeline the following day after, since Zero will be going with Queen Minea says it's an urgent matter to the crown of Lireo. The heels of my shoes clicked every step I took as my figure cast a shadow illuminating my existence upon the white marbled floor. "Your Majesty, the young miss had successfully departed the Porcelain palace alongside Prince Nimue." one of my servants informed avoiding any sort of eye contact knowing what kind of fate she'll endure once she dares. "Your dismissed" was all I had to reply to both of my servants. I took a little detour at the gallery hall before heading out of the palace myself, to see to it that Hibiki and Madeline performed the simple task I gave them earlier during breakfast the two guards guarding said hall opened its vast doors for me the hall contained all of the portraits of Helium's royal family I'd like to call it more of a memory hall than a gallery.
The task I've given my two underlings was still in good condition I caressed the frames of the newly made portrait alas Mala has yet done another masterpiece, it was made entirely of glass and diamonds decorated beautifully in ornate patterns on every four sides, settling inside the glass frame is our family portrait...but the only thing that pissed me off is the fact that this is supposed to be hanged up on the wall I mentally facepalmed myself in annoyance. Every time, every time!!! I give those two a task to do--it either fails, they forgot, something got broken and the worst of all is that it ceases to be done before it began--I'm supposed to be only a Mother of two children, not four. Riona is such a blessing to my life her existence broke off a piece of darkness she made my heart smitten with little to my attention that a small smile formed upon the corner of my lips looking at our portrait "Who goes there? " I heard it a heartbeat, the swift movements upon the crevices of the picture frames.
I scrutinize each frame my attention was caught by our family portrait...the one's we took with mother and father ugh that smug look my Father has upon those photos is antagonizing the life out of my little sister "Sweet isn't?" a voice declared another assassin sent to kill me "Such bravery. Shame it shall not be honored" the person chuckled pulling out a blade its tip glistening proof on how sharp it is before the time surrounding us was dark moonlight being the only source of light. Said person was playing with the blade along with his fingers which movements became a drift such shadows in the air managed to break free of my sight a cut was present on my arm protruding a little blood from cut twisting my limb a loud snapping sound came alongside it as pinned me on the marbled floor covering my mouth in the process to prevent me from maybe? calling for help.
"Matrimony has made you weak" He's another simpleton blinded by greed for huge amounts of Cyhea the assassin slowly turned his head back seeing me standing behind him with Hathor levitating on my hand realizing he's been tricked to his own demise a hole was present where his heart used to be. "It seems your definition of weak is...hollow" with the organ still beating on my hand the assassin's eyes blared with fear of death before his body made of flesh came tumbling to the ground lifeless thy illusion vanished. "Milady, I have found the man who hired this assassin would you--"
"Next time tell him to hire someone with pure talent" I kicked the balcony doors wide open and dropped the organ below a petrified scream echoed from the palace grounds I did not bother to watch their little fright any longer and walked away from the sight. once standing on the threshold "Do clean this mess up, before that thing smells" the two guards nodded and saluted me before I took my leave. It was quiet inside the pod, Riona didn't utter a word since she've left for the palace yesterday according to Hibiki on top of that she refuses to enter the grounds of Ephedia. So I have asked Nox last minute to be present for today to boost up his sister's confidence a little bit and for those brats to know their rightful place in this hierarchy when the pod came to a stop and the doors opened revealing the grounds of Ephedia.
Riona gripped the hem of her dress tight, bit her lower lip and tears started to form in her eyes "Riona it's time to go" I encouraged her but she instead clung to my legs tightly and refused to let go "I don't wanna. " an adorable pout etched from her lips Nox gave me an apologetic look "Its okay baby--" she hugged my legs tighter and hid her face and muttered incoherent words I shot Hibiki a glare as the orange hair male just shrugged his shoulders in response but still proceeded to what he does best anyway knowing that if he doesn't he's gonna need a new job and that really isn't such a good option for him right now considering that Father has him on his kill list once he stops working for me. He tapped her shoulder as my little girl slowly peeped the organette grinning at her in just mere seconds Hibiki managed to cheer her up letting go of my leg and ran straight to Nox almost tackling him to the ground.
"I want a piggyback ride Nox!" her enthusiasm was off the charts Nox complying with his little sister's request and ran away with my most prized possession on his back. Hibiki and I walked at a matched pace following the route my children took upon entering the institution, most people avoided us at all costs wanting to avoid any form of conflict or misunderstanding with us "Don't you just feel nostalgic Milady?" he began a curt smile at the edge of his lips "I'd rather not." I tried to avoid the small talk but the latter seemed to have ignored my response and continued anyway "We used to be trained to exhaustion" he frowned at the thought of how we used to be training all day none stop under the guidance of his father, Loki "Who's the new Luxian Anuva by the way?" I changed the subject due to the current status of his Father the latter seemed to have picked up "The last I checked it was my aunt Belladonna who volunteered for the spot." oh great a trashy official of RHEA volunteered how wonderful.
"Sounds like she was forced." I quipped
"Don't reveal her secrets~" Hibiki laughed, almost tripping down the stairs.
I heard the laughter of my daughter in the distance as Nox took her down from his back, stopping in front of an old but familiar-looking ornate building it is all in the past I told myself preparing to face an old narrative I've used to relish. The people passing by started to murmur upon themselves taking small glances probably wondering why we would come here at a time like this Riona's laughter died down from quite the attention that we've been getting from our onlookers I had to restrain myself from displaying any intemperate actions in front of my daughter.
"Who is that anyway? "
"From what I've heard that's their daughter "
"I can't believe the devil had a daughter"
"I know right"
"They say she can't even use magic"
"Karma finally caught up with her~"
"Couldn't have said it better myself, I mean the woman's basically a lunatic"
"You know what they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree"
The clock tower rang indicating that classes will begin shortly, my companion took out a piece of gum from his pocket unwrapping it in the process, and started to chew on it from the color and smell of the said sweet I was able to determine that its guava. "Candy gives cavities it lures you to its delicious taste." the orangette just shrugged patting me on the shoulder making his way to a fresh mown field that feels all so familiar old habits die hard. Riona ran up to me saying her goodbyes for now with Belladonna waiting for her on the field guess she really did take over for Loki's spot as a mentor. I crouched down to the level of my daughter "Alright pumpkin, Mommy has work to do and you need to study" I kissed her forehead and she responded with a hug "I assure you Mirror that no harm shall come to your daughter as long as I am here. " Hibiki communicated to me via telepathy. I and Nox took the opportunity to leave before Riona decided to run back to me terrified of the predicament she might face from the other students.
Another reason why they pick on her (Riona) is the fact that she's the only one training and being mentored by a Luxian Anuva during this era, jealously indeed. The Luxian Anuva ever since Ephedia has been constructed only one person took the liberty of accepting the offer and that was Loki Nimue, who had been AWOL for quite some time now and the search for him hasn't ceased to end yet. The institution is quite bustling but they all seemed to pause on their current activities taking notice of our presence making the whole plaza square of Ephedia eerily quiet can only mean one thing and that is our ubiquity is unwanted in this tribe, lifting my left hand Hathor immediately materialized levitating upon my palm sending a shockwave throughout the entire plaza square causing our onlookers to scramble in fear yelling and screaming Nox took it upon himself to grab anyone nearby to simply dismiss of them from this world.
"She's gonna annihilate us!"
"I'm too young to die!"
"Everybody run for your lives!!!"
"Somebody help me-AAHHHH!!!"
Nox and mine's footsteps clashing upon the cold hard marbled plaza that Queen Minea had furnished to maintain the beauty of Ephedia in honor of her deceased folks that made this place possible, only to be tarnished the following day by our little display. Once I was satisfied with our minimal carnage, Nox wiped his claymore on the pile of remains before walking back to my side, with one swift of my fingers we've teleported out of Lireo.
~
"Why don't I tell you something that my mom used to tell me when I was your age?" A voluptuous woman told her daughter, I assumed it was due to her choice of words indicating that the child she was talking to is her daughter the toddler nodded with a smile present on her cheeks whose being carried in her arms.
"If you don't change you do not grow, but I waved the thought away for who we're they to think they know? I'd always say the same that a heart of gold thrived within the cold and I had no desire to change at least that's what I've been told to... but deep within my mind, a thought grew slowly, bit by bit, until I felt trapped in my skin for it no longer seemed to fit there's a whole world sitting out there changing every single day that proves its nothing to be scared of if you do it the right way for a day to turn tonight, yes we will miss the silver moon that rises every night only to fade by when sunlight came to bright a flower that refuses to change, will never get to bloom. I had a thought I was a thorn bush whose only good for snagging clothes but if you do not dare to change, you'll never find out you're a rose."
The little girl tilted her head to the side utterly confused a frown replacing her smile, but with a wiggle of the Junoesque woman, magic did its job of making the little girl understand the incomprehensible words that we're meant to inspire her but instead lulled her to sleep in the arms of her mother "Never heard that before," a well-toned man cleaning his glasses walked up to the woman carrying her daughter a slight chuckle escaping his lips as he folded the white handkerchief he was just using to clean the lenses of his glasses tucking them on his pocket "Did ---- really told that to you?" the woman responded with a giggle indicating that meant 'No' I was unable to hear what the name of grandmother is.
The way he looked at her and the little girl she is holding lead me to believe that he is her spouse.
~
"I summoned you here today for an important mission. As said by his royal majesty. King Raios" Is he seriously just gonna keep on mocking me by continuously tapping that navigational arrow above the old and rusted globe as Conri does all the talking for him? "Why doesn't the self-proclaimed king speak for himself then?" I began to test his patience, therefore, all this tattle tale he's been doing since Nox and I got here father hasn't been giving us his full attention this is nothing but crap and bullshits it's like we've been summoned like dogs the greatest example of this mockery is standing right in front of us whose name just happened to be mistakenly Conri. Father tapped it once more my patience wearing off by the second...thin as paper reverse psychology are we now? Well it worked when I trowed at star knife towards the direction of the globe severing the coated metal off its standing point making a loud clatter to the wooden floor "And that was my favorite globe either," His face scrunched up in disappointment giving out a longing look at his so-called favorite globe "Let's get down to business shall we? my dear?~"
He did motions with his hand as Father leads the way out of his treasury towards the halls of our glorious palace does he even leaves this place every once in a while? The answer can only be a maybe yes and no, damn if he left his godforsaken palace rotten tomatoes could be sent up his alley and those tomatoes shall be an equivalent price of their indiscreetly miserable lives if only Hades had his way Father would have already been imprisoned inside Tartarus for all eternity as a servitude for his sins that has been spreading like a plague since his rule upon the Multiverse "Father could you just tell us this mission you are proposing to us? Zeus' pole I do have some more important matters to attend to than all this nonsense of crap you've been pulling right now and if you don't utter a single fucking word off your mouth, I and my son will leave at this instant."
Father tried to contain his laughter miserably failing in the process turning it into his entertainment "Son? Really? Stop kidding yourself dearie,~ last I've heard you only had a daughter. My son-PFFTHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Father couldn't be more predictable with his words I know Nox isn't mine and Zero's biological child but we've treated him as our own the day those papers we're signed with both our names and signature embedded on it, throughout the years Father has been treating him like trash for one reason...he was a Calixian descent.
Nox had his fair share of depression and anxiety growing up here at the palace of Helium making him just as unstable as his younger sister, because who wouldn't be? If someone named Raios Malkovich is your grandfather for a change I wouldn't take it "I want you and those stupid goons of yours to go on treasure hunt my dear, in search of this." Father made a swift turn to face us as he is walking forward like a drunken man on a Sunday night and took a halt with Conri presenting a tablet containing a holo photo of a diamond fang glistening as sunlight touched its delicate gem making it almost look surreal to the naked eye "This is the mission? Going to a forsaken place at the end of nowhere? Its almost near the end! And we can get discontinued, say the least! " after Nox has taken a good look at the said gem he spat the words quickly with no remorse what so ever to the dismay of my Father.
Since pointing out the good obvious truth against the un-profound request was never a good thing and those words were enough to make Conri raise a brow in disapproval of his commentary "Is there something that matter boy? Are you scared of being demised? You kill but refused to be killed" I quickly defended Nox sparking up a protest up against the older man "I'd eat my words if I were you Conri." I warned him a smirk etching upon his face while slowly bowing down in pardon of his quick but defensive remarks my attention being returned to the figure of my father clearly waiting for my answer upon this "treasure hunt" or whatever he wants to call it but why though? there's enough supply of diamond fangs heck an entire vegetation of it is thriving here in the mines of Helium "Why journey to such a place when it is fruitful right here?" I asked of him but choose not to entertain such questions "In three days time you shall depart only you and you're idiotic of a goons can partake in this occasion. Do I make myself clear my dear?~ " the way he just called them goons despite knowing their individual names never fails to amuse me since I inherited this mannerism of his to only have respect on the few people that truly deserved it.
"Comprehensible " was all I countered as he began to walk away with Conri following not far behind him "Shall I inform the others now?" I gave Nox a side glance before looking back in the direction of my Father watching him closely as he gave out orders to Conri before they turned on the far side of the hall. His plans have altered and not in a good way not that the former schemes we're indicating any good this one might be worse than that since reports have been piling up for three years now on how most of the miners have gone blind due to too much exposure excavating those diamond fangs. Diamond Fangs have been deemed illegal due to its hankering effects on those with evil perpetuation a great example of that is my Father. Nox cleared his throat as he awaited the answer to his question I'm not buying this whole narrative about that mission being a treasure hunt for fangs.
"I'll personally deliver the information to Ethan and the rest, the only person you have to worry about is Madeline since she's more likely to pay attention to every word that comes out your mouth." I poked fun at her fascination concerning my son, Nox stared daggers at me for a full minute and making a face of 'Anything but that' type of deal "Quit acting like a child and do as I say, " I began and grabbed the key from my pocket handing it to him "Give this key to Sting, he'll know exactly what to do with it and after you're done with that have all our necessities packed and I better not hear a single complaint that we left something behind. Do I make myself clear?" I warned him a nervous smile gracing his lips. "Yes Mo-Milady"
I teleported myself in front of the palace doors of Helium, walking down the stairs, a few dames who were about to walk back inside retreated back to the direction they originally came from I almost cursed the perks of being infamous the guards standing nearby almost abandoned their posts on the bottom of the stairs if it wasn't for my constant yelling "You fools better get back to your designated stations! unless you wanna keep your limbs intact!" quick on their feet they held their guns tightly to their sides with both knees and hands trembling in fear of dismemberment I looked at my left and right intently.
"You buffoons' are being paid to guard this palace and its inhabitants not cower over the presence of your own monarch! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!" my voice resonating within the area none of them dared to protest acting on pure instinct of self-preservation for themselves and their individual families that need feeding on a daily basis. "Y-Yes you're majesty" good, these fools still have their brains intact. My attitude towards a great number of our subjects is not a good example for Riona in every way possible. I don't want her to inherit the unruly ways that I've learned to cope up with in the nature of--enlightenment of my Father, that legacy will die and end with me.
Ethan Rael is yet one of those people that Father has on his long and expanding kill list. I had to personally conceal him from any of the whereabouts my father knows and will learn about since the 17-year-old boy is my apprentice I did not force him into it, he wholeheartedly agreed to it "Mirror" I waved my hand in the air in a circular motion creating a phantasmagoria the holo-transparent magic manifested in front of me I took one final step off Helium's pavements entering rippling circle disappearing without a trace.
The moment I stepped foot inside its own plane of existence the smell of a freshly roasted mix of nuts lingered in the air, cherry blossom trees decorated the entire front yard of his dwelling place I pushed forward the door leading to the interior of the said house, loud grunts and punches greeted my arrival upon the residence the wooden floor creaked as my heels made contact the home was spotlessly clean, no heavy furniture was kept in any part of the sanctuary a futon laying on the far left side corner, clothes neatly folded inside a woven basket, He must be at back doing his daily exercises for the day my heels clicking as I made my way through the back yard of the house just like the front yard this side of the house had different varieties of fruits trees symmetrically aligned, the sliding doors were opened to its extent, a glass pitcher of cold water that is half full, a glass and a huge bowl of full of assorted roasted nuts were present on the serving tray.
The house was like a fresh reminisce of his homeland, Eriopis a simple but humble town that was sadly lost to the sands of time. By my own reckoning, it was a town that resided on the east side of Zoldanga, and honestly, it was a bit refreshing place to terrorize I shrugged the thought off and proceeded to walk down the two stairs to the mown grass. A punching bag was hanged on one of the trees he was continuously hitting the punching bag with his fits wrapped around with a white cloth that had stains of dried blood present on them, beads of sweat fell off his dark raven hair and his orbs ever so focused on the bag ignoring my presence till he finished his goal. I sat on the nearby bench crossing my legs and teleported the serving tray I passed by earlier to my side conjuring another drinking glass and poured myself a drink out of the pitcher.
What is the main reason why my father wants to erase his existence you may ask? Well, Ethan's the only descendant left of his family who studied Medea Kyle's sagacious disclosure throughout her lifetime serving RHEA. "Are you just gonna keep punching it? until your fists protrude a whole out of it?" right after I said those exact words his fits did intentionally punched a whole off the bag, a small tug at the edge of his lips, he started to catch his breath and walk straight in my direction as I proceeded to conjure up a towel throwing it at him, therefore, he looked like the type of person that just took a bath as his sweat covered his entire body talk about improper hygiene, Ethan met my eye as he walked past me pouring a glass of cold water on his glass cup the pitcher clinked as the ice cubes danced along with the water he drank half the cup with the water still in his mouth as he turned around to face me.
"And to what do I owe this sudden pleasure of a visit Milady?" he quickly asked as he swallowed the water in his mouth drinking what's left on his glass and poured himself another one, his character acting like his age, in the absence of the redhead he likes to annoy so much "Father proposed us a with a brand new mission, more like a task for his schemes... he likes to call it a treasure hunt for some reason " He drank the water and placed his glass with a thud above the serving tray wanting more of the cold drink down his throat "Treasure hunt huh, and what type of nonpareil valuables are we gonna be looking for? Milady?" he cross-questioned wiping sweat off his torso "This" I materialized Hathor within my palm showing an image of a Diamond fang a gem that Ethan is quite familiar with, he paused from what he was doing taking a peek of what I have to show him "Fangs." he shrugged taking his eyes off the holo image taking a small portion of roasted nuts in his palms eating them.
"How many do we need to harvest?" he asked sitting down on the grass "My father wants them all." I picked a few from the bowl "There are already a lot of those gems here, Milady."
"True, but he's naturally greedy so it is reasonable that he'd want them all for himself."
"Milady what does he even do with them anyway?"
"Finding ways."
"I'm confused, Milady."
"Anyway pack the things you'll need."
"Does backup viaticum count Milady?" ah, that rationale once again hence the last time we ventured out of Helium, we almost either died of starvation and extreme heat "Yes that too." I patted his head standing up from my seat "I'd rather stay here." he grumbled "Get your head straight Ethan. We leave in three days " I sauntered and gave him his sheathed weapon shoving it up to his sweaty chest "I already had it sharped to your liking." I voiced as I teleported myself in front of his house to leaving, to inform Ignatius next, Ethan looked at the weapon in his hand pulling it out of its sheath "I appreciate it Milady!" he called out as I momentarily almost stepped out of the phantasmagoria's plane of existence "You better. "
Stepping back once more to the pavements of my home tribe, it managed to sullen my mood for a bit due to the ever so optimistic vibes of Ethan's little sanctuary, "Where's she at?" I asked Hathor for the whereabouts of Ignatius since she tends to wander off on occasion when she's bored out of her mind I rarely find her alone when she's not with us since the latter has a knack for sobering herself just like Hibiki, Ignatius is from Aulora.
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