Arthur closed his eyes he took a sip from the cold drink, enjoying every moment of it. He put everything at the back of his head and cleared his mind. However, it didn't last long. Arthur got interrupted by a young girls voice and her footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Arthur, this poor kid, what is he doing in my house?" she shouted with anger.
After hearing this, Arthur knew who's voice this belonged to. It didn't bother him at all. He smiled and slowly opened his eyes to Leitus; he took another sip from the glass with elegance like he was a reincarnation of a noble.
Leitus didn't even touch the glass and was observing Arthur's every move, confused.
'His every move is with grace and charm. I don't even know who's sitting in front of me right now. A royalty or a farmer. How did he change so much? It's not the Arthur I know.' Leitus thought as he kept staring at Arthur in disbelief without even giving attention to that girl.
Arthur turned his head and looked into the girl's blue eyes. Blonde hair and skin that was as white as a new page, wearing a beautiful white dress. She was a dream that developed into reality; it was Talia.
Talia froze and didn't continue with his words as she met those dark eyes that required a map to navigate through. She lost control completely.
Seeing this, Arthur gave her a devilish smile and got up from his seat. Talia swallowed her saliva as she saw this.
Leitus didn't interrupt them and was curious to see what was going on. It was the first time that he saw his sister like this.
Arthur slowly walked towards Talia with confidence. He bowed slightly and brought his hands up, requesting for her hand. Talia offered it without a second thought. Arthur reached for her hand with care and touched his lips on the top centre of her hand.
It caught Talia off guard, and she blushed. Arthur gently let go of her hand and said.
"There is more beauty in your hand than in every painting ever created. It is nice to see you again, Talia."
'I'm lost in those eyes. Though I'm lost, I'm somewhere that I don't want to return.'
She was lost in the sea of thoughts and those eyes of his. Talia couldn't move an inch other than smiling.
"Are you okay, Talia?" Leitus asked, perplexed and concerned.
"Yes, sorry about that." Talia snapped out of it and turned her head to answer him.
'This is the first time I've heard her ever apologise for anything. It's so strange but not a coincidence... Arthur's sudden change and now my sister. What is happening?' Leitus was bewildered by all of this.
"Come, let us sit and enjoy the drink, Talia." Arthur said as he turned to the couch.
As Arthur sat, she followed without resistance and sat beside him, not saying a single word.
"So, my friend, I would like to know if I can try and use that orb that your dad purchased. Suppose you don't mind, of course." Arthur asked as he sipped on the drink.
"Of course, he wouldn't mind. He's your friend, after all." Talia swiftly interrupted and said as she looked at Arthur's lips which angered Leitus.
'I can see it now; Talia fell for him somehow that I can't comprehend. It feels like I'm the guest here; he took all the control. I need to remain calm; I don't want to anger my older sister. It will be a losing battle. When my parents arrive, she will be the one getting punished. It is rare for someone to have an aptitude, especially higher than mine. I want to see the disappointment on his face when he realises he is still and always will be below me.' Leitus was considering his options and chuckled inside as he formed a sinister smile.
"Edward, bring the orb here immediately." Leitus raised his voice for Edward to hear.
After a few minutes, Edward could be seen holding a grand box in hand, bowing before placing it on the table.
Leitus made a hand gesture for Edward to leave. Upon his leave, Leitus opened the box and placed it in front of Arthur; then, he proceeded to sit next to him.
"Please put your hand on the orb and close your eyes. The sphere will show the aptitude level, and if you're highly talented, you will see a glimpse of the element you're most compatible with, such as fire, earth, water and air. If you couldn't see it, then there is another orb that will test it at an academy." Leitus instructed carefully, giving him hope.
Arthur nodded, placed his hand on the orb and closed his eyes as instructed.
...
"Erra, you're old enough now for me to see your talent and train you appropriately. Don't worry, your mother, I, and others are watching; you don't need to be afraid we're always beside you."
Erra opened his eyes in nervousness to a man, handsome from the depth of his golden eyes to the gentle expression of his smile. He had six white wings, wearing silver armour that complimented his white hair, floating in the air.
"Okay, father... sorry, your excellency," Erra said with embarrassment.
Erra kneeled before him and was waiting for the ceremony to begin.
"I archangel Uriel will now test you; close your eyes." A fiery sword came in his hand as he guided.
He floated slowly towards Erra and landed in front of him. He swung his sword, which created a light ring around the stage. All the spectators were floating in the sky observing the ritual.
He placed his finger on top of Erra's head and closed his eyes. After a few seconds, a shocked expression formed on his face, and he froze without moving an inch.
'I can feel the power surging through me, this feeling. It's beautiful; nothing can compare to this,' Erra filled with pleasure, 'I can feel something else alongside it.'
Erra, in his mind, could see his father floating in darkness and screaming in confusion.
"I can't escape this darkness. What is this power!?"
"Father, what is happening? Are you okay?" Erra asked with an anxious tone.
"Release me, my son; I've never seen this before. I shouldn't have used this method. This, this is... how..?" he disappeared before he could finish, but his voice echoed in Erra's head.
"Father, father!" Erra shouted as hard as he could.
Suddenly, a power surged inside Erra as his father disappeared seconds after.
"Monster! monster!"
Erra could hear the crowd screaming; he opened his eyes to his father lying on the floor, lifeless. A tear could be seen running down Erra's face, and as he looked up, he could see the darkness conquering the light, replacing it entirely.
"Who are you, monster?"
"You must die!"
Erra could hear the crowd rushing towards him and cursing. Yet, he only stared at his father's corpse with no emotion.