After performing several exercises, I discovered something different about my body. I had practiced a lot with Mom and Dad back in the day, but never for so long. My body was weak, in the sense that I easily got tired.
Looking at my hands, a sense of disbelief washed over me. It was funny what tricks the world plays on people; when I needed strength, I was denied. Now that I don't need it, I was given plenty.
My body was filled with so much energy that I felt I could keep fighting forever—till the end of time.
Now that I think of it, should I try utilizing my energy…? The thought of utilizing my energy brought back memories of the incident at the gateway. I was not spared the memories of the incident at the Pagoda, even the last moment with my parents.
Recalling how hard I tried to draw out that power to defend my loved ones, made veins pop all over my body. The helplessness I felt at that moment somehow escaped to the present. It was a foreign feeling, as if it was not just mine, but also the world.
Knock knock
The clashing of knuckles against the wooden door brought me to reality. Seems I was about to start a new episode… I thought, clenching and unclenching my palm.
"Do you need to knock?" I rebuked.
"It would be rude of me to enter a young man's bedroom without permission." The person on the other side replied in a playful tone.
Sigh. I don't have the strength for this. "Come in."
Rushing in after my response was a redheaded female, her gray eyes sparkling at the sight of me.
Did they change my caretakers…? It was a worthy thought. Earlier in the day I had a blond head female by my side, now I'm seeing a redhead female.
"My name is Rebecca, your Guardian." She said, bowing to me.
I must say, I am shocked by her introduction. How can she be my guardian without my consent?
"Mmmh." She hummed, indirectly requesting I say something.
"I don't need a 'Guardian'," I stated, glaring at the female before me. "I guess you are the one the caretaker talked of; the one who could answer my questions. No?"
"Straight to the point, it is." She commented, raising her head. "I am."
"That is nice. So would you mind telling me where Veronica is?" I requested.
"I got to talk to her… privately." She said, hinting at something. "She was glad to leave you in my hands, with a little gift for her troubles, of course."
It was not shocking. We just met, so her receiving gifts for handing me over peacefully was not surprising. I don't think she could do anything to keep me in the first place.
"Alright." I shrugged. "What of the 'Crown' stuff?"
It was time to learn how much they knew of the invisible ornaments I had on me. Maybe it could lead me closer to what there are truly meant for.
The ornaments clearly helped improve my condition, but I felt there was more to it than meets the eye.
"It's the lore of our people." She uttered. "To be honest, it depends on the person's perspective. Some consider it history, some a fable, some a myth, some a legend, some a lore, while some a meaningless story."
So it's all attached to faith… What an intriguing situation.
"I guess you believe in it, no?" I said, looking at the redhead female.
"Yes. After all, the first ruler of this fortress manifested that 'Crown'."
"What about the current ruler?"
"He is a descendant of the fifth-generation ruler. The last person in our history to manifest the crown."
The situation is not that bad, I can still find my death in such a place. I'm sure the current king wouldn't want the throne to be passed down to a nobody like me, and his descendants would also seek the throne. Cool!
"Where is the current ruler?" I said in bated breaths.
"He's on his deathbed. He doesn't have much time to live from my deduction." She bluntly stated.
Wait! Isn't she too loose? Why does she answer all my questions? This is a bad sign.
Come on, Stiles. She said she was a believer, so she must be seeing me as her King or something like that.
It is time I entered the main part of this whole situation. "You want me to fight for the throne, right?"
Immediately I blurted out those words, I noticed the corner of her lips go up to form a smile. "Yes, My Lord."
"What if I refused."
"I don't see any reason for you to refuse."
What does she take me for? I have no interest in politics… I thought, rubbing my chin.
"I can tell you don't need political power. But don't forget about research." She said, her smile increasing.
"Don't you want to understand your situation?"
I must say, she's a smart woman. Too bad, death is the only thing I can think of. But not to worry, I'll try using her method if these guys can't end me.
There is a chance they might not come for me if they discover I'm not interested in the throne. So I'll join hands with her, then draw their ire upon myself.
I have to be smart and calculative so as not to waste any opportunity that comes my way.
"I'll take your hand, Rebecca," I uttered, arriving a few inches from her. "Don't fail me."
I could taste the excitement pouring out of her body. I guess it's a side effect from the event at the gate.
"I won't, My Lord!" She said, her head bowed down a little.
It's just a means to an end. If this plays out well, I might gain both the knowledge of this ornament's true origin and also meet my parents again.
Stiles was so obsessed with meeting his parents, that he failed to see the true events playing out before him. He couldn't see the impact of his choice on the surrounding… not even on his life.