"About The Other Side,the details have become vague by the time regarding what kind of evil resides out there.I could only guess that our ancestors were fighting off monsters and beasts safe to say. It's been a long time, young ones," said Raya towards the five children that were sitting down in front of him,focused on hearing his stories.
"So in short,further beyond this Grand Barrier is a very dangerous world that our ancestors want to protect us from," one of them voices out.
"I wonder what made our ancestors driven into a corner until we need to shrink to this compressed land," the other one adds. Immediately starting an excitement filled chatters amongst the kids.
"That's all for the history of the Azuria Kingdom. Now everyone, you all can get back to your parents or else, Mister Raya will come to arrest each one of you!" He chastised the kids playfully. The kids then get up from the ground where they were all perched together in front of the fountain.
The crimson haired Raya looks at the kids fondly before he redirects his gaze towards the tanned man beside him. Said man was dressed in white grand clothings, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that he was a royalty.
"Finished contemplating or not, you should be where you are needed currently, Your Majesty."
The Prince glanced at him for a spare second before continuing to stare into the distance, his face was unreadable.
"Iris!" a shout could be heard from the back. A group of people that was led by an aged man with hair as white as snow were heading towards them. The commotion has drawn the public's eyes, gasps erupted when they recognised the group as the prince's entourage.
"You managed to find him. I am pleased, Head squadron." Said the man. He then joins the two at the fountain.
"It's our part, Lord Lelloid.The young prince needs a space of his own." Replied Raya to Lelloid.
"Yet it's a hassle if you keep this attitude, dear prince. His Highness Rhode Risemann seeks your visit." Lelloid countered, his tone laced with a hint of impatience.
Iris rose from where he had been seated by the fountain and, with Lelloid and Raya falling into step behind him, began to walk away.
"Wait!"
Iris halted, his attention drawn to a disturbance ahead. The others noticed it too; a boy rushing toward them, his body bearing numerous injuries. His left arm was particularly peculiar, encased in what appeared to be a marble-like substance. The pure white of the stone extended all the way to his shoulder.
"Who are you?" Iris asked.
The boy, clearly exhausted and disoriented, looked around him with a confused expression. "Who are you all? Where am I? This place…?"
His left arm, seemingly moving independently, extended, pointing directly at the Prince. The boy himself frowned, as if surprised by the limb's action. "What…?"
Iris received no answer. The boy collapsed to the ground..
This confusing scene is so sudden. The three have no idea on how to act.
"What even had just happened?" Raya asked, baffled.
"I don't even know," Iris sighed grimly.
"Guards ,take him into custody. We'll focus on the more important matters first."Lelloid ordered. "We need to catch up.The King's condition is worsening. His days are limited."
***
"And then the boy points at you? Your majesty?" Alex asked from the very back of the full troops. "Ha...must Prince Iris of Azuria have a dark secret?" He teased.
"I wager he's miles away in his own thoughts," Raya whispered. "He's most likely didn't even hear you."
"Your Majesty! Majesty!" Alex shouted, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the escort.
Iris, jolted from his reverie, turned to face the line of guards behind him. Among them, Raya and Alex stood out in their black attire, each sporting an aesthetically thin blade at their hip, a stark contrast to the full armor worn by the other knights.
"Yes?"
"Do you recognize the boy?" Alex asked.
"Hm, do you wonder?" Iris replied, a touch of dry humor in his tone. "What does my face even say at the moment. At least I could have reacted in a sense that could bring suspicions."
Iris and his entourage finally reached their destination:—the King's chambers. A familiar figure stood guard at the main door. The other guards went off, leaving the three of them to proceed.
"Ah Lady Armeria is here." Alex starts to lead the line.
A woman with crimson hair stop walking in circles as Iris arrived. Furious in her steps she walks to them.
Alex steps forward, shielding him just in case.
"There you are! Where are you headed this time!" She stalks towards them, fuming in anger.
"Now, auntie, please calm down-"
"Stay out of my family matters! Will's loudest brat."
Alex sarcastically gasped, he then stepped aside. He could notice Raya holding back laughter.
The prince didn't even reply, his face remains stoic. Emotionless yet shouts sorrow the loudest.
Armeria's anger dissipates just to be exchanged with overflowing guilt. She then starts to calm herself.
"I am not trying to add things more onto your shoulder. As a mother,I felt the same way about her. But firm is a law for us the living."
The room felt silent. Iris clenched his hands firmly, it didn't go unnoticed by Armeria.
"Where is dad, Iris?"
"Half way he decided to go with the kid."
"Whose kid?
"It's the people's conflict. He'll come here after he's done. Afterall, I'm sure that the both of you have visited him right?"
The door opened, and two men in black emerged. One wore the same sleek attire as Alex and Raya – a black leather coat and matching leather pants. His dark eyes were framed by raven hair, and he appeared to be of similar age. The other man was also clad in black, but his attire was more rugged, reminiscent of a general
He appears to be the same age as Lelloid,in his late 30s with some light goatee.
"We're done, next! Ah Prince is here." said the old guy. "Where's Lelloid?"
"He'll be joining us later Will. Now that Iris is here, may he?"
"Ah sure. But just now ,Rhode wants his son to come alone." Will pointed out towards Iris.
"Okay." nods the prince.
Iris leaves the group and enters the room.
Alex calls out a guy at Will's side.
"Pretty boring as Keith right."
"While you two go running around like rogues, sure my life is hectic. Thanks to the boring jobs I take breaks from the two nonsense." Keith pats both of them on the shoulder.
Five of them remain outside the closed door with nothing to do.
"One after another heh." Will scoffed, looking at the birds chirping from the window of the hall
.
"People come and go. Hard times is now." said Armeria.
Half an hour has passed and Iris is still in there.
After a while. A figure clad in white marched in from the hallway.
"Lelloid sire!"waves Will.
"Will,is Iris inside?"
"Yeah?"
"Sorry I'm late.I want you to follow me now. There is something important to discuss."
"From what the boys informed me, it's about a kid? Sure,but Iris has been in there for a while. I feel like we need to check on him before we go."
They then decided to knock on the door.
"Iris,are you done?"Armeria asked.
But no reply was given.She kept calling and knocking hoping to hear at least a semblance of a response. But to no avail, the other side remained as silent as ever.
Seeing that the situation is getting weirder, Keith took a leap of faith and decided to kick the door open by force.
"IRIS!"
-To be continued-