"We are going to try reclaiming the world tree," the king stated.
"I'm sorry, WHAT?!" Harold shouted.
"Is that really quite surprising?" King Jason asked.
"Sir, no offence to us, but should you Kings really leave such a serious task to us? This mission seems sensitive,"
"I get what you are saying, Harold. Even I thought we had no right to get involved with such a serious mission. I even suggested to King Fenrick that I would stay clear of his fight if he wanted me to, but it's actually him that asked help from me,"
"Does he lack the man power needed?" Mrs Kelly asked her father.
"Far from it, my dear. In fact, I'd wager he has more man power than us. And we all know how tactful King Fenrick is. So believe me when I tell you I was caught in surprise when he asked for my help. Said something about the demons being ready for elves."
"Wait, what are you mean by 'ready for elves'?" I asked the King.
"Ah! Forgot you were half elf, Max. But sorry to say, even I don't know what King Fenrick meant. But you are part wolf too, so I'd say you'll be just fine. More details will be shared with the people who qualified, I was just giving you guys an idea of our plan. That's all I can say for now, so... "
King Jason clapped his hands.
"Enough of the seriousness, this is a night of celebration. Eat till you can't!" he said, his friendly smile returning to his face. He grabbed the silver cup next to him and raised it as a toast. Though it was a gesture to urge us to eat, my appetite seemed to vanish just as fast as it came.
That was not the case with the other monsters though. They continued dining and talking like we had not just been told that the existence of elves is at stake. Didn't these people care?! Or I'm I the only one? Jeez! What about Arnold? I might survive this but he's a full elf, isn't he? And shouldn't we be moving in on the demons now? And–!
A sharp pain suddenly pierced my ribs.
"Ow! Why did you do that?!" I howled angrily as rubbed my ribs in pain and stared hatefully at Mr Ben.
"Cause you're thinking to much on it. Relax kid. This sort of things happen around here. They occur more often than you think. I'll tell you this early enough, it's not good to stress about the future while still in the present," he said.
"Easy for you to say. You're not–"
"An elf or part elf, right?"
"No! I was going to say... Um... You're not a....Oh whatever!"
Mr Ben rubbed my hair with his greasy hand.
"Hey! Get your greasy paws off me!"
"Max, please. I've known you all the years you've been in highschool. I know you are a good kid who was always bullied just because of your race. I also know what you had to do just to survive in that school so believe me when I tell you I know what you were thinking now,"
"Even though I'm no elf, I've got good friends who are elves, and they too have a right to live. Also, even though I didn't win my match, that doesn't mean I won't do everything in my power to help you guys. After all, my favorite student is a half elf," he continued and winked at me.
That's seemed to calm me down. I never would have guessed Mr Ben would notice me in that school. I was the loser kid with the hated race after all.
Nothing more was added that night after the King had spoken. We eventually reached our rooms after the meal, Catherine leading me to mine. I was among the first to head to my room, with obvious reason.
***
*Back at the dining hall*
***
"Dad, you saw him, right?" Kelly muttered in a hushed whisper as they watched Max being led back to his room.
"That I did. So... What did you say his power was again?"
"Lightning and some other type of dark magic," Kelly answered. There were three people left in the grand hall, general Zard joining the drakon family.
"I was afraid you were gonna say that. To tell you the truth, I sense no lightning abilities from him, just a good amount of some unknown power," King Jason mentioned as he scratched his white beard.
"No way! I know what I saw was not wrong! Surely Zard, you have something to add on,"
"Sorry, princess. That kid is still a mystery to me," he answered as he shrugged his shoulders. "Only thing I can say about him is that he's got an Impressive amount of stamina,"
"For his normal age?"
"No. He's definitely stronger than the average orc, and that's without putting him on a physical test,"
"My, haven't we got an interesting kid in our midst! He'll do well to join the royal guard if he ever comes of age. But for now, just watch him. I'm sure he's got some more interesting things to show us," King Jason decreed. "Though I am quite interested in his background. Kelly, any ideas?"
Kelly shook her head. "None, Dad. All I know is that he is an orphan who was previously supported by the government. His class teacher might have known more about him. But unfortunately... "
The king signed. "It's the prisoner I pardoned, isn't it? Gosh, this kid is giving me some mixed feelings. Should he live or should we deal with him now before he become a bigger threat in the future,"
"My King?! What are you saying?! He's just a kid!" General Zard stood up in surprise.
"Yeah? A child who I have no idea about his background? A child who had some unknown power in him that a previous convict might know about but wouldn't speak? Yeah, I would definitely kill an unknown threat!"
"DAD!" Mr Kelly screamed in shock. "You have no idea what that kid's been through! I've seen his past records, and heard a few words from his previous teacher. Please, this is the happiest this kid has ever been in his life!"
"And the school nurse told me that he lost his younger memories while he was doing a check up on him. He informed me that even though Max is fourteen years, that's in elven years. And he also informed me of his grave and permanent injuries on the boy the he tried so hard to hid from us,"
The king entered into a state of thought. He finally came up with an exasperated look. "You want to tell me that he's lived for more than thirty years and doesn't remember squat about it?! This case just keeps getting tougher and tougher. You know what, leave the boy...for now. And never tell him this fact. I think it would have a negative impact on him,"
"Yes sir!" Everyone answered to the king.
***
"So, how was dinner?" Catherine asked excitedly.
"Honestly, it was quite interesting. That's all I can tell you, Cathy," I answered.
"I bet it was. Wish I could dine with the king," she muttered wistfully. We were just arriving to my room, this time, a lot faster since I wasn't been taken in circles.
Just like last time, I entered my room while Cathy patiently waited at the edge of the door.
"Max?"
"Yeah?"
"Sorry about–"
"You don't have to apologize for that. Actually..."
I froze up. I couldn't bring myself to tell her it was actually nice and I wanted another one.
"No, actually I do. It's just that... I knew a good healthy boy who had green hair just like you. He was actually my son. Before I came to the castle, I used to live a peaceful life with my husband and son. We didn't have much, you see, but we had each other, and that was just enough."
"The day that the demons attacked our planet..." she paused and tried holding back her tears. Something came over me and I found myself hugging her again.
"Listen, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to,"
"But I do want to. They were both found....both found Dead! I was caught with grief and pain, and was just about to join them, but the Beast saved me. Most of us maids were actually saved by the Beast King at our lowest, that's why we're here to return his good gesture,"
I rubbed her back in understanding, "I see. No wonder there are so many of you. So, what happened to your planet?"
"I never knew the outcome. After I saw my families' body, I wasn't really thinking straight at that time. But the way you looked, sir Max..."
"Why? What's wrong?" I distanced myself from her and started checking myself just incase I missed something.
"No No No! It's not that you look bad," Cathy panicked as she shook her head furiously, "He would have been just around your age if he were your age,"
".....what was his name?"
"Would you believe me if I told you his name was also Max? Though his full name was Maxwell. Died around the age of five," she continued with a sad look in her eyes.
"I'm sorry to hear that about your family. I'm also sorry for bringing up bad memories of yours,"
"Actually, it's good I talked to someone. And, it was a treat to see a young kid who looked just like my child. If he was still alive, I think I would have wanted him to grow up and be just like you. Powerful and good. Your parents must be real proud of you,"
"Yes.... my parents...are proud of me. Anyways, goodnight Cathy,"
I locked the door before she could guess that something was wrong. I could still hear here behind the door, wiping away her tears with my sensitive ears, until she eventually walked off. I stayed at the door for a good time thinking to myself about what she reminded me of.
"Would they have been proud? Or dissapointed that I didn't do more? I just can't help it feel that my parents abandoned me yet again,"
My thoughts kept revisiting that topic, especially when I remember the closest thing I had to knowing them was just taken away by a selfish god. I unconsciously found myself lying on the bed, the soft bed sheets calling on me.
"Maybe a good night rest is what I deserve," I mumbled before the warn hands of sleep embraced me.
***
It was a dark night, somewhere where I had no idea of. I found myself behind a brown door, hiding myself for some unknown reason. I could tell that this was one of my memories, the ones that I've always wanted.
"Why does he have to go? Why not me?!" a muffled voice sounded loud and clear through the other room. It felt so familiar and warm, but I couldn't place the owner of the voice.
"That's because you are the one who's going to lead this clan in my place, Mane. We've talked about this! You're like your mother, you don't see that if he continues staying with us, his life will always be in danger!" a deeper, much older voice answered.
Mane? How come I can't come up with a face? I feel like I should know it, but at the same time the face seems so distant.
"I know, Dad. But I could protect him. He would just stay in the castle all his life!"
"Yeah? And what kind of life do you want my son and your brother to live? Being locked up like some fragile monster?!"
"Better than sending him away Dad! Please, don't..."
"Wait, there's someone listening in on us...Max? Is that you?"
The dream ended there. I woke up immediately, sweating profusely, my suit still on me.
What was that all about? I think I need some fresh air to cool my thoughts.
I carefully left my room and hoped I was heading in the right direction to the balcony. A few turns and twists later, and I luckily found the place I was looking for.
*sigh*
What a sight! Even at night time I can tell, wherever we are sure is awesome. The trees were equally spaced out, below them a variety of types of flowers. The letter 'BK' glowed through the night, spreading a sort of cool feeling.
Judging by the two fully raised moons I was seeing, it was probably around past midnight. Since my nerves seemed to have calmed down, let's think things through.
Just how much more surprises can I take today! Now there's something about my family surfacing from my memories?!
"AAHHHH!" I screamed into the nightly sky that shined with various stars. Felt good too.
"Finally gone mad, have you?" a calm voice asked from behind.
"Who the–"
"Hold your horses, Furrha. It's just me," Queen said as I turned to face her. She was in her night ware, and looked good in it.
"Couldn't sleep?" I asked her as I gestured for her to join me.
"Too much to think on. Not as much as you though. We've got a match tomorrow, and I don't want to disappoint everyone. I'm sure your troubles are more serious. I can tell by the suit you still have on that you've had a rough night. Wanna talk about it?"
"Sorry, that's a bit personal for me. But thanks for asking. And I'm sure you'll do well tomorrow. It's me that has no idea about what will happen tomorrow,"
Queen smiled and turned to the beautiful scenery. "I always come here when I'm trying to think things through. Funny how you found it,"
"Well... Maybe someone out there is looking out for me,"
"Maybe. Hey, let's do out best tomorrow, 'kay?" she said as she turned to face me.
"Yeah, let's all join the elite!" I seconded her words and we gave each other a high five. Strangely that seemed to calm me.