A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1****
Valor Teivel's attendant opened the door of his penthouse.
"Prinsiaze, please get in," Lord Feryzen smiled as he give way to the Prince.
Prince Valerian looked over his shoulder where Watts Xirquit is. He expected that they will return to his place. And it upset him when the Prince went inside Valor Teivel's.
Lord Feryzen nodded at the attendant and he went in first. He faced them.
"His Equal, it would honor me to be in the same room as you. Please, I invite you to be inside as well,"
The Earthlings stepped aside until Skadi Eira is seen. On her cloud, with Solana. King Liorei hold Princess Lorreign back when she tried approaching them. She felt weird. Something is wrong. Solana never looked their way once nor called their names out loud.
"You seem to know me,"
Lord Feryzen smiled bashfully, "I do. And I... You... I'm sorry. You are a legend. His Equal who first walked among men. You deserved more recognition and respect. I am still lacking, but I hope I can make you comfortable."
Skadi Eira chuckled and swing her hand aside, "Oh, you. You're a dangerous man."
King Liorei raised his eyebrow and looked at each of them then at Skadi Eira again.
Solana embraced her mother and gave the Lord glances.
"Mommy, I don't like him. The light around him is...dark. I'm scared."
"My aura, Your Eminence. It is natural for our kind, but please do not associate it with evil. What must I do to relieve your distrust about me? Ah, how about a star?"
"S-Star?" The wary Solana instantly showed interest.
"Yes, a star. But a very tiny one and cool. First, we must go inside. It is much comfortable to be inside than out here, is it not?"
Lord Feryzen gave the Earthlings a demeaning glance. He then smiled at Solana and Skadi Eira.
Skadi Eira, without a thought went in. Lord Feryzen smiled with relief and followed. He was about to close the door when King Liorei stopped it with his hand.
"I'm not leaving them alone with you."
"King Liorei. I'm afraid there is nothing suspicious about me. I am a blood relative to the young Princes. While you, your uncalled change is quite... Though you feel...rare." Lord Feryzen opened the door a bit wider to scan the King from his head down to his toe.
It is not the first time he's seen the King. There were certain occasions where they will exchange formalities and that's all there is. He is a Professor in History and King Liorei is a royal who only goes to the Academia for formal meetings. But then, King Liorei is himself. Lord Feryzen always knew about the darkness in him. The King had so much potential.
"You're emerging. Interesting. Son of Daro, the Great Knight of Gods. How intriguing," he said to himself as he stare deeper.
He smiled, "My apologies. I didn't mean to stare. Your mother must be a beauty. Not that the Great Knight isn't. Come in. A bigger company will be much livelier."
And so they went inside, leaving out only the Vernignacs.
Inside is a typical set up of how they designed the penthouse.
"Ah, Priedo!"
Lord Feryzen took big steps to Priedo, the archmage, and gave him an earful of scolding. The Earthlings all stood in one place. They're scanning the whole place but there's nothing to be cautious about it. There is nothing much to see either
After the session, Priedo bowed his head and raised his hands. The modern, sleek furniture started to dissolve into thin air, replaced by grand, ornate pieces that exuded a regal aura. The Archmage's hands moved in fluid, deliberate motions, directing the flow of magical energy that permeated the room as he transform the room into something.
The glass walls of the penthouse, which once offered panoramic views of the city, transformed into towering stone walls adorned with majestic columns. The ceiling rose higher, stretching into a vaulted expanse adorned with painted frescoes depicting celestial scenes—the moons, stars and constellations, and everything in space. Massive crystal chandeliers descended from the heights, their multifaceted prisms casting a soft, enchanting glow over the room.
For the last, the throne. At the far end of the room, where the penthouse's bedrooms once stood, a grand dais began to rise high. Upon it, an elaborate throne materialized, crafted from the finest wood and inlaid with precious metals and gemstones. The throne's high back was adorned with intricate carvings of dragon wings, while over it is a moon. Rich velvet cushions in deep purple and red completed the seat, making it a perfect blend of comfort and authority. Two beds were placed on both sides where the archmage transferred Valor Teivel and the Prince's mother.
Though it isn't the first time they've seen magic, the Earthlings were still left in awe.
"Prinsiaze, to your seat," Lord Feryzen directed to the Prince who is standing before the staircase that leads to his throne.
Prince Valerian made the first step. He looked at the Lord who only smiled at him and lowers himself until he's down to his knee. The archmage, too.
Prince Valerian breathe in and began climbing the staircase. Lord Feryzen lifted his head to see their future Ki'zaar take the steps to his throne. The archmage is now groveling and they could hear his muffled sobs.
"Priedo, fix yourself. Don't show such sight to the P-Prinsiaze." Lord Feryzen reprimanded but his voice cracked in the end. He lowered his head to hide his tears.
Prince Valerian turned around and looked upon them.
"I want to know my name. Is it... Was my father... the one who named me?"
Lord Feryzen wiped his tears and nodded.
"Yes, my Prince. It is the Ki'zaar who named you, after his own. The future Ki'zaar of the Zin Draji Teivel descent, the blessing from the Moons and Sun... Prinsiaze Valerian Zin Draji Teivel. The Anulus Ecliss."
They felt cold and dense about the introduction of the Prince. They felt it in their nerves: how powerful it was. And it made them tremble, knowing that a being from an unknown descent is standing before them. The heir at that. Their graves are lying right beside them.
Prince Valerian finally sat. His breathing hitched. He waited and nothing happened, so he was relieved. He looked at his mother; her sleep is not peaceful.
"Tell me about my father. Where is he? Why is he not here? How did I happen? How did they meet?"
Lord Feryzen fixed himself, went to the middle and sat on both knees.
"The Sun fell from the heavens. That is how it was told by our people," he began, "The Ki'zaar is the incarnation of mercy and compassion. A ruler so revered by his people, putting us first before himself. He received the Moons' grace and became the youngest Ki'zaar in our descent. Not only is he a great ruler, he is a great warrior, too."
Prince Valerian held on the armrests tight as he lend his open ears to the Lord. His heart is thumping fast.
"Our kingdom...is at peace. We are struggling but we made it through thanks to the Ki'zaar's wisdom and capabilities. And he looked a lot like you. Prinsiaze, I could see the Ki'zaar in you."
Franchetti Xerene intertwined her hand with her son's. Watts Xirquit looked at her and she smiled at him.
"The Ki'zaar can only take one mate throughout his life. Long, long ago, he received a vision from the Moons. He never said anything to us about it, so we laid back to watch it unfold."
Lord Feryzen placed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes as he visualize it all over again.
"For the very first time again, we saw the light. The skies opened up and the Sun came falling to our kingdom. Our people told about how the Ki'zaar flew to receive the sun himself, and that's when we knew that it is her, the Mi'zaar, his fated lady, the wife of his lifetime."
"The story is told by the people? Where were you?"
The Lord opened his eyes and looked straight into the Prince's eyes, "Fighting, my Prince. Against the Veils. Against other descents that wants to prey on us. Your Uncle, Prince Valor, is with me. We were far but we saw the skies open up. We were delighted by the sight of it, but enraged thinking there's another reason about it. When we returned... The Ki'zaar has fallen."
Prince Valerian's eyes widened. Fear was instilled in them from the thought, "My Daddy...is gone?"
Lord Feryzen shook his head.
"Blessing of the moons, no! The Ki'zaar has fallen into an incurable illness! As I told you before, he could only take one mate. A wife to spend the rest of his life with, but that wife left. Once mated, the Ki'zaar shares his life and power with the Mi'zaar. And if she became with child, he gives most of himself to the heir. It may sound self-destructive, but that's how it is. It is a complex matter, only the Ki'zaar knows about the cycle of it. The cycle only applies to the Ki'zaar and Mi'zaar of our descent. The Ki'zaar will tell you about it soon, Prinsiaze, because you are his heir. The same cycle applies if the Ki'zaar's heir is a Prinseanza---or a Princess. The Mi'zaar will share her life to her Ki'zaar and heir."
The Prince rose to his seat, "And we are away from him! Y-You're saying that all this time... That we're away from him... H-His life is slipping away? My Dad?"
Lord Feryzen's eyes saddened and looked down.
Prince Valor coughed and get up.
"It's because...of her."
Prince Valerian stared at him with enlarging eyes then turns to his mother.
"It's because she flee and rejected the mating. They blended and you happened. Our descent is very special and so is our blending. Normally after blending, the parents will wake up with their child between them once they parted. But we're like the humans; after blending, the child grows in the womb of the woman. For you to live, you needed the Ki'zaar. But she left. The mating was incomplete and left him devastated because he's already given his lifeline for you and her. It didn't matter if you're both away if only she accepted him. She left him and even took his heir! A bad mother and Mi'zaar!"
"Prinsiaze Valor, watch your mouth! Do not talk ill to the Mi'zaar!"
Prince Valor threw the blanket aside and stomp his feet angrily on the floor. Then he stand up.
"She is NOT a Mi'zaar! A Mi'zaar accepts the Ki'zaar but that!" He pointed at Azarese, "That didn't!"
Prince Valerian blocked his view and finger. His eyes told him that he's upset. Though it shake him, Prince Valor stood on his ground.
"Is he handsome?"
They were taken aback.
Azarese laid to her side, "I don't have a memory of him. You saw his face on my son's, so he's probably handsome. But how handsome?"
Prince Valor scoffed. How absurd!
"The Ki'zaar's beauty is unparalleled. He stand above all, he's on top in terms of anything," Lord Feryzen answered.
Azarese smirked and nodded, "Then I'm gonna fuck him everywhere in his castle once I see him."
"Mommy!"
Azarese rose from the bed and went to her son. She sat on his throne and tapped her lap, "Sit here, baby. Come,"
The Prince hesitated. Now that's he's grown, he's starting to think maturely. He couldn't resist his mother, though.
Azarese smiled and kissed his cheek. Then she turned to Lord Feryzen.
"What is his name? Surely you won't skip that part."
Lord Feryzen shoots a glance to Prince Valor.
So the Prince said it himself, "Ki'zaar Valtyremius Lavyreian Zin Draji Teivel."
She nodded and began combing her son's hair with her fingers.
"I see how he made my Valy's name. What do you think, Watts? Is his name good? My husband after you, I mean."
His nerve froze. His hands cold and trembling with a lump stuck in his throat. He felt sick in his stomach and his tears wanted to betray him.
He's just one of her men. He's not the only one. He's nothing against the second one. He's merely a human. Just a human.
He smiled and nodded, "Yes. Very beautiful and terrifying, very befitting to a Ki'zaar."
He gasped for air after and turned around. His father pulled him and lowered his head to his shoulder to hide his crying face.
"He is not your husband. You are not married. You only mated."
Azarese smirked at Prince Valor, "So, is he a pervert for mating with me? An innocent and helpless lady?"
Prince Valor gasped and almost drew his sword out if only the Prinsiaze didn't gave him a warning look.
"You're really cruel," Skadi Eira.
Azarese dropped her demeaning gaze to her.
"At least I'm not the so-called friend who fucked her friend's 'Daddy' and created a little bitch with my son's face. Right, Skadi Eira?"
Lord Feryzen thought that his ears were defective when he heard it but no. Azarese straightly shit-talked His Equal!
"First of all, I did not do such thing and second, you're fucking shallow. That's why you don't have friends. If you can't forgive me for something as shallow as that, then what more if I did something that doesn't suit your taste? That's the thing about you. You ruin good relationships yourself and blame people why it didn't worked out. Grow up! Get some character development!"
"Bitch, what the fuck do you know about character development? When you yourself can't get one!?"
Prince Valerian covered his ears.
"STOP! Mommy!"
He glared at his mother. He stand up then dragged her. When he reached Skadi Eira he dragged her down her cloud and made the two ladies face each other. Then he made both hold hands and placed magic on it so that they will never let each other go unless---
"You make up. The magic won't wore off unless you became friends again and apologize to each other."
"How dare a little nugget like you---!?"
Azarese pulled Skadi Eira by the hair, "Little nugget!? You called my son a little nugget, damn ice cube!?"
"ICE CUBE!?"
Prince Valerian made them hug each other instead. But it's another bad idea because they started squeezing each other out.
"Just makeup, Mommy, Auntie! We won't take another step in saving Maximilien unless you make amends! Mommy, she's your responsibility because you needed her! If you truly wanted a friend, then don't be close-minded!? You're not a child anymore!"
Azarese stared at her son.
"Excuse me? Don't raise your voice at me. I'm your mother."
"I know. And I'm your son, and I won't talk to you unless you fix your relationship with each other. Forgive and forget. Come, girl. What's your name?"
The frightened Solana ran to him and accepted his hand.
"M-My name is S-Solana Gwyneira. I'm my Mommy's daughter. That's my Mommy."
Prince Valerian smiled at her and nodded, "I see."
"You better not get along with that tiny freak, Valerian! That thing is a witch!"
"You are the witch!" Skadi Eira clapped back and squeezed Azarese's waist tight.
~
Prince Valerian called for a feast. The archmage made a long dining table below the throne for everyone to sit comfortably in. In the middle of the table is an integrated grill that extends to both sides.
Azarese sat on the head seat, behind her is the throne. Prince Valerian is seated on her right while Skadi Eira is on her left then her daughter. On the other side is Prince Valor with Lord Feryzen position on his left. The seat on his right is empty.
"Priedo, see to it that the best meat is served to the Prinsiaze. Ah, Prinsiaze, what type of meat do you prefer? Is it on the list before you? If not, please name it so we can acquire it as soon as possible," Lord Feryzen.
Prince Valerian looked at the every type of raw meat before him. The best parts served only for him.
"I like fried chicken. These are too much. I eat little."
Lord Feryzen's boisterous laugh filled their ears. Azarese rolled her eyes on him and cut the meat to grill for her son.
"Prinsiaze, when the Ki'zaar and Valor were as little as you, both have a very, very big appetite. My brother, the late Ki'zaar, often held feasts for the both of them. Only for his sons! Then we'd often see them flying across the sky and compete about who will find the best meat below. Valor found a kraken one time. Silly boy, he called it an octopus. But! The Ki'zaar, oh the great Ki'zaar! He found and fought a Great White Fox and ate it!"
The Lord kept on laughing until he stopped when he heard a utensil made a sound when it fell on the porcelain plate. Everyone was flushed in dread, and the Prince. Oh, the Prince was scared!
"A-Ate it? W-Why...?"
Lord Feryzen looked perplexed. Prince Valor palmed his face.
"He doesn't know. You scared the Prinsiaze. He'd think we're monsters!"
The Lord just realized it and elegantly covered his mouth, "Oh. Oh! Prinsiaze, my deepest apologies! Do not get the wrong idea, but do you really not know?"
Prince Valerian left his seat and ran to his mother.
"Mommy, is my Daddy a monster? Am I a monster, Mommy? I don't eat people! I don't eat cute pets!"
"Krakens are not pets. They taste nice," Prince Valor stated with a grimace. Lord Feryzen hit him by the hand.
"We should tell him."
"You tell him. He's your nephew."
"And you're our elder. My uncle, his grandpa. Tell him."
Azarese slammed her hand against the table. It broke, but Priedo immediately put it back like it's new.
"SPEAK. What are you? All these raw meat, his father slaying and eating the same prey, and the kraken. WHAT are you?"
She's frustrated that she couldn't remember a thing about Ki'zaar Valtyremius Lavyreian. She don't know him, even a glance of his face doesn't flash back into her mind. She have no idea about what he is, who he is and what her son is. Surely he's not an Ancient but more than that. And his relatives know but were pointing at each other.
Prince Valor massaged his nape. He looked at his uncle once again. Lord Feryzen settled down and then nodded. He made up his mind and looked over Priedo. The archmage teleported beside him to lift the disguise he's been wearing all this time, but his ears and face stayed the same.
His hair bounced down, its tips felt the cold ground. The markings on his face start to become visible and so his scales. When he opened his eyes, they were golden and its slit is red.
"We are of different race. A much greater and mythical race. We are shapeshifters. And we are dragons."